East of the River Magazine June 2014 by Capital Community News

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR GOAL!

SEMINARS TO HELP YOU START & SUSTAIN YOUR BUSINESS! Check out our FREE June Seminars and Training Sessions Quality, Affordable Health Insurance For Your Business! The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows individuals, families and small businesses the opportunity to shop for high-quality, affordable health coverage. With access to coverage beginning January 1st of this year, the New Health Law Impacts Your Business. DCRA, in partnership with the DC Chamber of Commerce, will present information on DC Health Link, which is an online marketplace that provides small businesses with direct access to the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), a tool that helps you compare and enroll in the health insurance package that meets your needs. Location: Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs Small Business Resource Center Fourth Floor - Room E-4302 1100 4th Street, SW. Washington, DC 20024 When: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm To Register Go To: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=37645

Financial Management & Credit Reporting Presented by: BB&T Location: Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs Fourth Floor – Room E 4302 1100 4th Street, SW. Washington, D.C. 20024 When: Thursday, June 26, 2014 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm To Register Go To: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=38412

How to Open a Small Business in DC Interested in opening a small business in the District of Columbia? Then make sure you attend this training session where DCRA staff will walk you through every step you need to open a new business including: • The benefits of incorporating or creating an LLC • Types of business licenses & how much they cost • How to apply for a business license • Zoning requirements for various businesses types • Obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) • What building permits are needed to do renovations • How to apply for a building permit, and much more. Location: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Second Floor – Room E 200 1100 4th Street, SW. Washington, D.C. 20024 When: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm To Register Go To: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=38416

A Comprehensive Guide for Small Business Planning Why develop a business plan? The purpose for creating a business plan is almost as important as the content of the plan itself. Writing a well thought-out and organized plan dramatically increases the odds that your business venture will succeed. This workshop covers the basics of business planning and why it’s important for business success. Topics include starting-up a successful business, the important linkages between marketing, sales, and your financial projections, and gaining a competitive advantage. Location: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Fourth Floor – Room E 4302 1100 4th Street, SW. Washington, D.C. 20024 When: Wednesday, July 2, 2014 Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm To Register Go To: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=38418

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

CALENDAR

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

STAYCATION

17......... Summertime in DC • by Kathleen Donner

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 28......... The Bulletin Board 34......... District Beat • by Andrew Lightman 36......... The Numbers • by Soumya Bhat and Jenny Reed 38......... Frager’s: A Year After the Fire • by Annette Nielsen 41......... The Nose • by Anonymous 42......... A Look at the New United Medical Center

by Candace Y.A. Montague

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

44......... Victory Gardens DC • by Twyla Alston 46......... Long-Serving H.D. Woodson Teacher Celebrates Success with Seniors • by Charnice A. Milton 48......... Stories Restore Community Wealth • by Ferzana 50......... Jazz Avenues • by Steve Monroe

REAL ESTATE

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

KIDS & FAMILY

52......... Kids & Family Notebook • by Kathleen Donner 58......... Simon Elementary Students Win Essay Contests by Charnice A. Milton

THE CLASSIFIEDS 60......... The Classifieds

CROSSWORD 62 ........ The Crossword

ON THE COVER:

Students perform at Eagle Academy’s Mother’s Day Tea. Photo: Courtesy Eagle Academy.

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Calendar of Events FRESH FRUIT, with Our THEARC Partners: VEGGIES, June 7th (Opening) MEATS & MORE! OPEN SATURDAYS 9:00AM - 2:00PM @W8FarmMkt

June 14th 10:30AM - 11:00AM | THEARC Organic Teaching Garden Tour 11:00AM - 11:30AM | THEARC Organic Teaching Garden Art Project

June 21st 1901 Mississippi Ave., SE www.Ward8FarmersMarket.com ward8fm@gmail.com

9:00AM - 2:00PM | Corcoran ArtReach Steam Roller Art Activity 10:30AM - 11:00AM | THEARC Organic Teaching Garden Tour 11:00AM - 2:00PM | Whole Foods Healthy Cooking Demos

June 28th 10:30 - 11:00AM | THEARC Organic Teaching Garden Tour EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | June 2014 H 5

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 July 5 Online Daily, Printed Monthly | www.eastoftheriverdcnews.com

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

BEAUTY, Health& Fitness Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW • www.quietwaterscenter.com quiet_waters_center@yahoo.com Mariessa Terrell • mterrell@sbclawgroup.com Candace Y.A. Montague • writeoncm@gmail.com Jazelle Hunt • jazelle.hunt@gmail.com KIDS & FAMILY Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com Society & Events Mickey Thompson • socialsightings@aol.com Homes & Gardens Rindy O’Brien • rindyob@mac.com Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Judith Capen • judith.capen@architravepc.com HomeStyle: Mark Johnson • mark@hillrag.com Catherine Plume • caplume@yahoo.com COMMENTARY Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com The Nose • thenose@hillrag.com Production/Graphic/web Design Art Director: Jason Yen • jay@hillrag.com Graphic Designer: Kyungmin Lee • lee@hillrag.com Web Master: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com Advertising & Sales Account Executive: Kira Means, 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com Account Executive: Dave Kletzkin, 202.543.8300 X22 • dave@hillrag.com Classified Advertising: Maria Carolina Lopez, 202.543.8300 X12 • carolina@hillrag.com Billing: Sara Walder, 202.400.3511 • Sara@hillrag.com Distribution Distribution Manager: Andrew Lightman Distributors: MediaPoint, LLC Distribution Information: distribution@hillrag.com Deadlines & CONTACTS Advertising: sales@hillrag.com Display Ads: 15th of each month Classified Ads: 10th of each month Editorial: 15th of each month; submissions@hillrag.com Bulletin Board & Calendar: 15th of each month; calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

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

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CATEGORIES

DEADLINE Sunday, June 22nd 2014

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Handi-hour Crafting at the American Art Museum

Handi-hour is DC’s premier crafty hour, bringing together the city’s craftiest folks for an evening of creative revelry. All-you-can-craft activities, world-class art paired with craft beer hand selected by Greg Engert of ChurchKey, live music by local acts, and scavenger hunts for prizes make this quarterly event something you won’t want to miss. The next Handi-hour is Wednesday, June 11, 5:30 p.m., at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F Sts. NW. It’s $20 at the door. There will be another in September. Watch for it on their website. 202-633-7970. americanart. si.edu

Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum

New Water Taxi Service between National Mall and Old Town, Alexandria

The Potomac Riverboat Co. now offers water taxi services between Old Town, Alexandria, and the National Mall. Passengers can board the “Miss Sophie” for a 30-minute cruise, departing from the Alexandria City Marina and docking at the Potomac River side of the National Mall near the intersection of West Basin and Ohio Drive, steps from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Tidal Basin, and a Capital Bikeshare station. Boats depart from the National Mall at 10:30 a.m., 11:50 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 9:10 p.m. Through Sept.1 the water taxi runs six days a week (closed on Wednesday); Sept. 2-Oct. 13, five days a week (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday); and Oct. 14-Nov. 2, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are $28 round trip or $14 one way for adults; children are $16 round trip or $8 one way. PotomacRiverboatCo.com

Photo: Courtesy of Potomac Riverboat Co.

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Smithsonian Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial Concert and Sing-a-Long

The National Museum of American History’s keystone celebration will take place on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14, 4:00 p.m., near the National Mall entrance to the museum, when it invites Americans around the globe to join Raise It Up! in a worldwide commemoration of the flag and the anthem. Raise it Up! Anthem for America will be a call to millions of Americans to participate in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” simultaneously, steps from the original flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814. Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre will conduct a 500-person choir in performance of “America the Beautiful.” MacArthur “genius” fellow Francisco J. Núñez conducts “Lift Every Voice,” with commander and conductor Col. Larry Lang directing the US Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants. For more information visit anthemforamerica.si.edu. Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian National Museum of American History

DC Jazz Festival

With more than 125 performances in dozens of venues across the city, the DC Jazz Festival, June 24-29, is the largest music festival in Washington. It presents year-round music education programs and concerts for DC students and residents by local, national, and internationally known talent at venues across DC. It promotes music integration in school curricula and supports outreach to expand and diversify the audience of jazz enthusiasts. dcjazzfest.org This year’s highlight is Jazz at the Capitol Riverfront, which features eight performances by acclaimed artists at the Capitol Riverfront, 355 Water St. SE, on June 27-29. The Friday, June 27, concert featuring Frédéric Yonnet and Akua Allrich is free. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. The Saturday, June 28, concert featuring Gregory Porter, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), and special guests is ticketed. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. The Sunday, June 29, concert featuring Rebirth Brass Band and Irma Thomas, is also ticketed. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. Tickets, offered in one- or two-day packages for June 28-29 performances, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

Trombone Shorty. Photo: Jonathan Mannion

Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival

On Saturday, June 21, join thousands of others for this new Maryland tradition at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival is an all-you-care-to-taste extravaganza complete with over 20,000 crabs, corn on the cob, coleslaw, arts and crafts, music, family fun, and much more. In addition guests will enjoy over 20 different beers and wines in festival souvenir glasses. There are two sessions: noon-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-9:00 p.m. All tickets are advance purchase only and both sessions are expected to sell out. It’s $79 for the first session, $89 for the second; $59 for the designated driver, and $29 for kids ages 4-20. The festival repeats on Aug. 16 at the National Harbor waterfront. mdcrabfest.com Photo: Courtesy of Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival

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CALENDAR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS Post Game Fireworks at Nat’s Park. July 2. Game begins at 6:05 PM. Fireworks about 9:00 PM. Watch from inside the park or anywhere you can see the top of the park. washington. nationals.mlb.com July 4th National Symphony Orchestra Concert Full Dress Rehearsal. July 3, 7:30 PM. US Capitol west lawn. You will find a much smaller crowd at the concert rehearsal. You will be allowed on the Capitol grounds starting at 3:00 PM. You will go through security and alcohol may be confiscated. Free. nso.org An American Celebration at Mount Vernon. July 4, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Mount Vernon salutes our first commander in chief with a dazzling display of made-for-daytime fireworks during its annual Independence Day event! Visitors will be treated to spectacular smoke fireworks in patriotic colors fired over the Potomac River. The event also includes an inspirational naturalization ceremony for 100 new citizens, military reenactments, a special wreathlaying ceremony, free birthday cake for all (while supplies last), and a visit from the “first” first couple, “General and Mrs. Washington.” An American Celebration at Mount Vernon is included in admission. 703-780-2000. mountvernon.org July 4th Fireworks and National Symphony Orchestra Concert. July 4, 8:00 PM. US Capitol west lawn. Fireworks at about 9:15 PM. No one will be allowed on the Capitol west lawn until 3:00 PM. Come early with a picnic and a blanket to the grounds of the U.S. Capitol for the National Symphony Orchestra Annual Independence Day Concert. The fireworks can be seen from all over the mall, from many rooftops and from across the river. Just make sure that you have a clear view of the top half of the Washington Monument. You will go through security and alcohol may be confiscated. The fireworks and concert go on except in the case of extremely bad weather. Your best source for up-to-the-minute information is local TV and radio stations. Free. nso.org This Frisbee Clears Mines Tournament. July 4, 9:30 AM. at Anacostia Park. Come out on July 4 to enjoy some ultimate, barbecue, and raise money for a great cause! Mines Advisory Group (MAG) America is an organization that clears landmines and saves lives in dozens of countries around the world. All participants should arrive no later than 9:30 AM for registration and team assignments. This is an open tournament and will be great fun to play or to watch. lendyourleg.org. “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?”. July 4, 11:00 AM-noon. On July 5, 1852 Frederick Douglass climbed onto a stage in Rochester, NY and into the history books. His audience that day came to hear just another 4th of July speech. What they got was as brilliant indictment of slavery and of those who would not lift a hand to attack “the accursed system” as the country had ever seen. On July 4th hear the speech ring out from the steps of Frederick Douglass’s own home in Washington, DC. Frederick Douglass national Historic Site, 1411 W

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St. SE, (corner of 15th and W). nps.gov/frdo Annual Independence Day Organ Recital at the National Cathedral. July 4, 11:00 AM. Cathedral organists Christopher Betts and Benjamin Straley lead the musical fireworks on the fourth of July. Free. 202-537-8980. nationalcathedral.org The National Archives Celebrates the Fourth of July. July 4. Band performance, 8:30–9:45 AM; Ceremony, 10:00-11:00 AM; Family activities, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM. The celebration will include patriotic music, a dramatic reading of the Declaration by historical reenactors, and exciting free family activities and entertainment for all ages. Free. Constitution Ave. and Seventh St. NW. 202-357-5400. archives.gov Independence Day Celebration and Air Force Band Concert. July 4, 8:00 PM (fireworks over Washington Monument follow). Air Force Memorial at One Air Force Memorial Drive in Arlington, VA. (14th St. Bridge into Virginia, merge onto Washington Blvd. and then Columbia Pike in the direction of the Navy Annex. Then follow signs and crowds.) Contemporary and patriotic tunes and spectacular views of the nighttime Washington, DC skyline. Free. airforcememorial.org

SPECIAL EVENTS AND DESTINATIONS 2014 Twilight Tattoo at Fort Myer. Wednesdays (except July 2), through Aug 20 , 7:00 PM with pre-ceremony pageantry starting at 6:45 PM. Members of the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard), the US Army Band “Pershings Own,” Fife and Drum Corps and the US Army Drill Team will perform an hour-long sunset military Pageant. Over 100 Old Guard soldiers dressed in period uniforms will provide a glimpse of Army history from colonial times to the soldier of the future. Summerall Field on historic Fort Myer in Arlington, VA. twilight.mdw.army.mil Swing Time-The Musical! at the Naval Heritage Center. June 8, 15, 25 and 26; July 2, 3, 9, and 10; 7:00 PM. Set in a World War II era radio studio, this lively musical revue features three men and three women who are working together to put on their live big-band war bond drive radio broadcast. Lots of delightful surprises ensue, as well as wartime romance and plenty of comedy. $39. Naval Heritage Center, Naval Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. SwingTimeTheMusical.com Capital Pride Festival. June 8, noon-10:00 PM. Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between 3rd St. and 7th St.; Constitution Ave. NW, between 3rd St. and 7th St. 202-719-5304. capitalpride.org Truckeroo. June 13, July 11, Aug 8 and Sept 12; 11:00 AM-11:00 PM at the corner of Half St.and M St. SE. Over 20 food trucks, live music all day, shade and picnic tables and games. truckeroodc.com Celebrate Amber Waves of Grain! Festival. June 14, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Join the U.S. Botanic Garden in celebrating Amber Waves of Grain and the wonderful world of wheat. This year’s festival will feature wheat-related activities for all ages.

Pink lilies among the lily pads. Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service

Nature Walks at Kenilworth Park.

June 7, 8, 14, 22; July 5, 13, 26; and Aug. 2 and 3; at 11:00 AM. Join a Park Ranger and explore the ponds, marsh, and woodlands. What will you see on the nature walk? Beautiful butterflies on the spring and summer flowers? Slithering snakes and jumping frogs around the ponds? Animal tracks and chewed tree bark, could that be the beaver? Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. The park has ample free, off-street parking and is metro accessible (Deanwood). nps.gov/keaq Explore grains with Chef Tania Mercer, learn which types of wheat are best for making different types of dough, discover how wheat is used in everyday products like shampoo and concrete, and much, much more. Not to be missed, this year’s festival will cause you to think about wheat in a whole new way! Free, no pre-registration required. United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-8333. usbg.gov

ing, Free admission. Giveaways all day long. Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Safeway Barbecue Battle. June 21, 11:00 AM-10:00 PM; June 22, 11:00 AM-7:30 PM. $10-$12. Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between 9th & 14th sts. bbqdc.com

OUTDOOR MUSIC AND MOVIES

Washington Monument Open. The Monument will be open from 9:00 AM-10:00 PM until the end of summer. Reserve your time to take the elevator to the top at recreation.gov. DC Housing Expo and Home Show. June 21, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Featuring: home purchase assistance, new affordable housing developments, energy efficient products, remolding and decorating on a dime, free credit reports and one-on-one foreclosure and credit counsel-

Smithsonian Folklife Festival. June 25-29 and July 2-6. 11:00 AM-5:30 PM. Evening events at 6:00 PM. Festival features programs on China: Tradition and the Art of Living and Kenya: Mambo Poa! Free entrance. National Mall between 7th and 14th sts. folklife.si.edu/center/festival

Canal Park Outdoor Film Series. Thursday nights (movies begin at sundown-around 8:45 PM). 2014 theme is “It’s a Whole New Ballgame,” and includes sports-related movies of all kinds. June 12, Happy Gilmore; June 19, Dodgeball; June 26, Wimbledon; July 10, Balls of Fury; July 17, Space Jam; July 24, Invincible; July 31, Bend it Like Beckham; Aug 7, Rudy; Aug 14, A League of Their Own; Aug 21, The Blind Side; and Sept 4, Moneyball. Movies shown in northern block of Canal Park, 2nd and “Eye” Sts. SE. yardspark.org Golden Cinema Series at Farragut Square.

Fridays through June 27 and July 11, pre-show seating starts at 7:30 PM. June 6, Dave; June 13, My Date with the President’s Daughter; June 20, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde; June 27, Annie; July 11, American President. Farragut Square, at the intersections of Connecticut Ave. and K St. NW. goldentriangledc.com War of 1812 Outdoor Concert Series. Fridays, Through June 27, 6:00-7:30 PM. Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA. Suggested donation, $5. 703549-2997. VisitAlexandriaVA.com/1812 NoMa Summer Screen. Wednesdays through Aug 20, start at dark. June 4, Silver Linings Playbook; June 11, Midnight in Paris; June 18, Up; June 25, When Harry Met Sally; July 2, Clueless; July 9, The Muppets; July 16, The Perks of Being a Wallflower; July 23, The Dark Knight; July 30, Pitch Perfect; Aug 6, Top Gun; Aug 13, The Sandlot; Aug 20, rain date movie. Movies shown at the field at 2nd and L Sts. NE. Movies start at dark and are screened with subtitles. Coolers, children and friendly (leashed) dogs are welcome. nomasummerscreen.org Military Band Concerts at the US Capitol. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in summer (weather permitting). 8:00 PM. Mondays, US Navy Band; Tuesdays, US Air Force Band; Wednesdays, US Marine Band; Fridays, US Army Band. Free. West Terrace US Capitol Building. The Sounds of Summer Concert Series at the Botanic Garden. June 12 and 26; July 10 and 24; 5:00-7:00 PM. Evenings in the National Garden are a delight. Come experience the wonder of the USBG’s outdoor garden. Concert is held outdoors. No chairs will be provided. The indoor gardens and related facilities (restrooms) will not be available for use. They suggest bringing chairs/ blankets for sitting, sunscreen, protective clothing and water. The concert will be canceled if it rains. usbg.gov Navy Band “Concerts on the Avenue.” Tuesdays starting June 17, 7:30 PM. US Navy Memorial. The United States Navy Band and its specialty groups will perform. Free. 7th and Penn. Ave. NW. 202737-2300. navymemorial.org Jazz in the Sculpture Garden. Fridays, through Aug 29 (rain or shine, except July 4), 5:00-8:00 PM. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Live jazz performed by an eclectic mix of top artists from the Washington area entertains visitors outdoors in front of the fountain or in the Pavilion Cafe (if it’s raining). The Pavilion Cafe features a seasonal tapas-style menu and bar service during the concerts. Everyone can enjoy these concerts. You do not have to order food or drinks. Free. 202- 289-3360. nga.gov Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival. Fridays at dusk. June 13, Horrible Bosses; June 20, Thank You For Smoking; June 27,

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Two Weeks Notice; July 11, The Internship; July 18, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days; July 25, Up in the Air; Aug 1, Nine to Five; Aug 8, Empire Records; Aug 15, Miss Congeniality; Aug 22, Anchorman. Movies shown at Gateway Park,Lee Highway near Key Bridge. Air Force Band Concerts. Fridays in June, July and Aug. 8:00 PM. Air Force Memorial at One Air Force Memorial Drive in Arlington, VA. (14th St. Bridge into Virginia, merge onto Washington Blvd. and then Columbia Pike in the direction of the Navy Annex. Then follow signs.) Expect a pleasing mix of contemporary and patriotic tunes and spectacular views of the nighttime Washington, DC skyline. Free. airforcememorial.org Rock and Roll Hotel Rooftop Movies. Sundays, 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Join them on their rooftop deck for Sunday night movies shown on their massive projection screen! Hhappy hour specials all throughout the night, including on our frozen drinks and wings. The rooftop deck has plenty of seating available, but feel free to bring a beach chair and settle in. Free popcorn. rockandrollhoteldc.com Friday Night Live at National Harbor. Fridays (except July 4) through Sept 19, 6:009:00 PM. Performances include local and nationally-touring bands playing a variety of genres: pop, rock, soul, funk, blues, country and jazz. nationalharbor.com Free Summer Outdoor Concerts at Strathmore. Wednesdays, June 25-Aug 20, 7:00 PM. Parking is in the Metro garage for $5 with Metro SmarTrip card or major credit card; enter off Tuckerman Lane. Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD. strathmore.org BlackRock Free Summer Concert Series. June 29-July 26, 7:00 PM. The lineup includes The Crawdaddies, The US Navy Band: The Commodores, The Nighthawks, Chopteeth, and Tom Principato. Reservations are not required, but BlackRock encourages patrons to check blackrockcenter.org. Concerts are at BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown, MD.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD 20 Feet from Stardom (film). June 8, 2;004:00 PM. (2013, 91 mins, film is captioned for viewers with hearing impairment) They may be known to some, but to many, they were just the back-up singers to some of R&B’s most famous acts during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. This inspiring film won the 2014 Oscar® for best documentary. It’s a highspirited mixture of music, confession, and pathos. Discussion with a museum educator follows the film. Free. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Ubuhle Artists Discussion. June 9, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. South African exhibition artists Ntombephi Ntobela and Zandile Ntobela discuss their art, their lives, and their inspirations. They also demonstrate the techniques of their craft. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Ubuhle Artists Discussion: Art and Independence. June 12, 6:00-8:00 PM. South African exhibition artists Ntombephi Ntobela and Zandile Ntobela, along with Ubuhle co-founder

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Bev Gibson talk about their art, the origin of the Ubuhle concept, and its significance to the South African community of women who constitute this artist collective. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu The Fine Art Photography of Zanele Muholi. June 14, 2:00-4:00 PM. Brooklyn Museum curator Catherine Morris talks about Muholi’s work as well as previews her solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum opening in 2015. Morris is the Sackler Family Curator for the Brooklyn Museum Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art. Note: Some images featured in this program may be of an adult nature and are not suitable for younger audiences. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu 12 Years A Slave: Solomon Northup’s Odyssey. June 19, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. (1984, 117 mins) This 1984 PBS treatment of Northup’s memoirs is a handsomely-produced precursor to 2014’s Oscar® winner for Best Picture, 12 Years a Slave, from British director Steve McQueen. Avery Brooks stars in the title role of a black freedman sold into slavery; the film covers his subsequent struggles to regain his freedom and dignity. Discussion with a museum educator follows the film. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu Anacostia Watershed Society Paddle Nights. June 26, July 10, 15 and 29, Aug 28 and Sept 18. Canoes and kayaks will be available free of charge on a first-come, firstserved basis from 5:00-7:30 PM for anyone who wants to paddle, and AWS staff will be available to assist participants on the river. Register at anacostiaws.org/calendar. Meet at Ballpark Boathouse in Diamond Teague Park, located at Potomac Ave. SE. “The Eagle Stirs Her Nest” at THEARC. June 27, 7:00 PM and June 28, 2:00 PM. DC Black Theatre Festival 2014 and Grace Evangelistic Ministries presents “The Eagle Stirs Her Nest.” A musical drama that tells the story of a family man, Milo, whose desire for prosperity jeopardizes his family’s unity. $15. To learn more or purchase tickets, call GEMinistries at 703-674-8803. THEARC Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org Mambu Badu: Allison McDaniel, Danielle Scruggs, Kameelah Janan Rasheed & Yodith Dammlash at Vivid Solutions. Through June 27. Mambu Badu is a photography collective founded in 2010 by Allison McDaniel, Danielle Scruggs, Kameelah Rasheed, and Yodith Dammlash. The collective’s mission is to find, expose, and nurture emerging self-identified woman photographers of African descent. “Mambu Badu” is an adaptation of the Swahili phrase “Mambo Bado” which is loosely translated as “the best has yet to come.” At this moment, we dwell in an exciting space of possibility where we can grow as artists. We invite other Black/African American female photographers to join us in this journey. The Gallery at Vivid Solutions, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392. vividsolutionsgallery.com Parallels: Sculptures & Installations Nara Park at Honfleur Gallery. Through June 27. In Parallels, Nara Park explores the symbolic meanings of water in different contexts. Park creates sculptures and installations imitating the natural environment by using packaging boxes custom-designed to resemble rocks and

plants. The incorporation of water in these simulations of nature take into consideration the practical and spiritual roles it plays as an essential element. In Park’s fabrications, the distinction between reality and representation vanishes. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392. honfleurgallery.com Home Sewn: Quilts from the Lower Mississippi Valley. Through Sept 21, 2014. The first in a series of collections-focused exhibitions, Home Sewn features quilts created by Annie Dennis (1904¬¬–1997) and Emma Russell (1909¬¬–2004). Quilts represent classic American quilt patterns and techniques passed down through five generations. This exhibition examine the generational, social, and economic fabric of an African American quilting community in rural Mississippi. In addition, fieldwork and interviews with present-day African American women quilters give voice to the continuing tradition of quilting in these communities. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202633-4820. anacostia.si.edu Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens Pond Tours. Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30-10:30 AM. Come and enjoy a stroll around the beautiful Aquatic Gardens of Kenilworth. See many aspects of pond life including varieties of plants, turtles, frogs, dragonflies and birds. Free. For all ages. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905. nps.gov/keaq TWB (adult) Modern Dance Classes at THEARC. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:3011:30 AM through June 18. The Washington Ballet (TWB) announces a new partnership with modern dance troupe, Company E which who will provide these professionally oriented dance classes at THEARC. $12 per class ($6 for EOR residents). THEARC Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org The Washington Ballet Adult African Dance Classes at THEARC. Thursdays, 11:00 AMnoon. $12 ($6 for residents with 20020 and 20032 zip codes). THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org The Washington Ballet Zumba Classes at THEARC. Mondays, 7:15-8:15 PM and Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 AM. $12 ($6 for residents with 20020 and 20032 zip codes). THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org Aya Community Markets @ Minnesota Avenue. Thursdays, June 5-Nov 20, 3:00-7:00 PM at 3924 Minnesota Ave. NE in the parking lot of Unity Health Care. dreamingoutloud.net Ward 8 Farmers’ Market. Opens for the season on June 7. Saturdays, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM. The market is at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. ward8farmersmarket.com Anacostia Big Chair Flea Market. Saturdays, 10:00 AM-¬4:00 PM. The market features a diverse mix of art, crafts, imports, antiques, collectibles and furniture. The market will also feature local specialty food items such as fruits and vegetables, flowers, preserves, prepared foods and beverages. 2215 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. bigchairmarket.com Riverside Farm Market. Every other Saturday (June 7 and 21), 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. Riverside Center, 5200 Foote St. NE.

SPORTS AND FITNESS DC United at RFK. June 7, 7:00 PM vs. Columbus; June 28, 7:00 PM vs. Seattle. RFK Stadium. dcunited.com Washington Mystics Basketball. June 10, 13, 15 and 27. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. wnba.com/mystics PurpleStride Washington, D.C. 2014. June 14, 6:30 AM ay Freedom Plaza.. This 5K run and family-friendly walk takes participants on a journey of hope and inspiration through the heart of our nation’s capital. With children’s activities, entertainment, refreshments and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy! purplestride.kintera.org XXIV Lawyers Have Heart 10K, 5K & Fun Walk. June 14, 7:00 AM. Lawyers Have Heart is Washington’s largest 10K race. The annual event was co-founded in 1991 by Richard Frank, Founder and Senior Principal of Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC and Alan Charles Raul, Partner at Sidley Austin, LLP as a way the Washington legal community could unite annually in support of the American Heart Association. More than $9 million has been raised for research. lawyershaveheartdc.org Washington Nationals Baseball. June 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22 and 30 at Nat’s Park. Tickets, $5, up. washington.nationals.mlb.com

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Pups in the Park. June 22 and Sept 7. Purchase a discounted ticket for you, your family and your favorite family pet and support the Washington Humane Society. $10 of every dog ticket purchased will benefit the Washington Humane Society. $25 for you; $10 for your dog. washington.nationals.mlb.com Free public tennis courts in Wards 7 and 8. Fort Davis Community Center, 1400 41st St. SE; Hillcrest Recreation Center, 3100 Denver St. SE; Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center, 4300 Anacostia Ave. NE; Randle Highlands Tennis Courts, 31st St. and Pennsylvania Ave. SE; Anacostia Park, 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE; Bald Eagle Recreation Center, Martin Luther King, Jr Ave. and Joliet St. SW; Congress Heights Recreation Center, Alabama Ave. and Randle Pl.SE; Fort Stanton Community Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. All courts are open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are lighted for extended evening play. Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis for one-hour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-671-0314. dpr.dc.gov Yoga @ the Library. Every Saturday, 10:00 AM. Wear some comfortable clothing and bring a mat, but if you don’t have one, yoga mats are available for use during the class. The classes are taught by Yoga Activist and are held on the lower level of the library in the Larger Meeting Room. This class is free and open to the public. Dorothy I. Height/ Benning Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning Ranger Fit Challenge at Anacostia Park. Thursdays, 6:00-7:00 PM at the Anacostia Park-Skating Pavilion. Challenge fitness course along the river trail with Rangers available to advise, encourage and promote healthy lifestyles. Free. For all ages. 202-472-3884. EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | June 2014 H 13

CALENDAR Office. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. 2100 MLK Ave, SE, #307. 202-698-2185.

Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Third Wednesday of each month at noon. This run is free and informal. West Potomac Park (meet on Ohio Dr. at West Basin Dr., near the Tourmobile stand). 703-505-3567. dcroadrunners.org

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.

Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon. Oct 5. Registration now open. 703-587-4321. wilsonbridgehalf.com Marine Corps Marathon Registration. Register online at marinemarathon.com. Marathon is Sunday, Oct 26.

SALES AND MARKETS The Route 1 Farmers Market & Bazaar. Saturdays, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM and every first Friday, 4:00 PM-8:00 PM. June 6-Sept 27. Located in the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District at 4100 Rhode Island Ave. in Brentwood, MD. Grant Avenue (flea) Market in Takoma Park. June 8, Sept 14 and Oct 12, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. The market is at the intersection of Grant Ave. and Carroll Ave. in Takoma Park, MD with antiques, collectibles and funky finds. grantavenuemarket.com U Street Flea. Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. The U Street Flea features a diverse mix of art, crafts, fashion, jewelry, imports, antiques, collectibles, furniture, and more. The market is in the parking lot, next to Nellie’s Sports Bar (three blocks east of U Street Metro), at 912 U St. NW. ustreetflea.com Clarendon Night Market. Alternate Saturdays, May 17-Oct 25, 3:00-9:00 PM. It features a diverse mix of art, crafts, fashion, jewelry, imports, antiques, collectibles, furniture, and more. Bistro lights will be strung among the tents creating a festive evening shopping bazaar. It is in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot, 3140 N. Washington Blvd. at the intersection of Washington, Wilson and Clarendon Blvds in North Arlington, VA. ClarendonMarket.com Penn Quarter FRESHFARM Market. Thursdays through Dec 18, 3:00-¬7:00 PM. North end of 8th St., between D and E, NW. freshfarmmarket.org Aya Community Markets @ SW Waterfront. Saturdays, through Nov 22, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM at 900 4th St. SW on the grounds of Christ United Methodist Church. dreamingoutloud.net RFK Stadium Farmers’ Market. Open Saturdays, year ¬round (weather permitting), 8:00 AM¬-3:00 PM. The market also has merchandise vendors. It can be seen in the RFK parking lot from the interestion of Benning Rd. and Oklahoma Ave. NE. Branch Avenue Pawn Parking Lot Flea Market. Saturdays. Set up (depending on the weather) after 10:00 AM. 3128 Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD Fresh Tuesdays at Eastern Market. Every Tuesday, 3:00¬-7:00 PM. Tuesday afternoon farmers’ line of fresh produce. Eastern Market, 200 block of 7th St. SE. 202-¬698-¬5253. easternmarket¬dc.com Union Market. Tuesday¬Friday, 11:00 AM-¬8:00 PM; Saturday¬Sunday, 8:00 AM-¬8:00 PM. Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year¬round food

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Capitol View Civic Association Meeting. Third Monday, 6:30 PM. Hughes Memorial United Methodist, 25 53rd St. NE. capitolviewcivicassoc.org

East River JAZZFest.

June 25, 8 p.m. Black Noize: A Marc Cary SE Dance at Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. $25. June 26, 8 p.m. Marc Cary Retrospective Suite at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. $35. June 27, 6:30 p.m. Olayimika Cole’s L’ife Suite at UPTOWN, 5325 Connecticut Ave. NW. $25. June 28, 2 p.m. Conversations with Donald Malloy, Kush Abadey, Ron Sutton, Jr., Corcoran Holt and Benito Gonzales at UPTOWN, 5325 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. June 28, 4 p.m. DC Triple Play Past, Present, Future at UPTOWN, 5325 Connecticut Ave. NW. $25. June 29, 10 a.m. Sunday Morning Duet at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1999 Anacostia Ave. NE. Free. June 29, 8 p.m. Greater U Street Jazz Collective’s “Ballin’ the Jack” at Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. $25. East River Jazz’s goal is to celebrate DC’s rich culture, through performance, exhibition and conversation. JAZZFest is their annual, end of spring/beginning of summer initiative. Their primary geographical area of concentration are the 41 distinct neighborhoods in Wards 7 and 8 in which they present programming in libraries, cultural centers, parks, theaters, art galleries, churches and senior wellness centers. eastriverjazz.net Marc Cary Focus Trio. Photo: Motema Music

market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 5th 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 7th St. SE. 202-¬698¬5253. easternmarket¬dc.com Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9:00 AM-¬1:00 PM. The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times of London named the market one of the top farmers’ markets in the country. During the peak season, there are more than 30 farmers offering fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheeses, fruit pies, breads, fresh pasta, cut flowers, potted plants, soaps and herbal products. 20th St. and Mass. Ave. NW, 1500 block of 20th St. NW (between Mass. Ave. and Q St. in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank). 202¬362-¬8889. freshfarmmarket.org Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (except in the case of very inclement weather), 8:00 AM¬-4:00 PM. The crowd is as diverse as the items for sale! Antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, rugs, pottery, china, jewelry, silver, stained glass, books and photographs are an example of the available items. 1819 35th St. NW. a202¬-7750-¬3532. georgetownfleamarket.com

Maine Avenue Fish Market. Open 365 days a year. 7:00 AM-¬9:00 PM. 1100 Maine Ave. SW. 202-484-2722.

CIVIC LIFE Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic. June 18, 5-7:30 p.m. This clinic is for aspiring or existing small business owners. Attendees will meet one-on-one with attorneys for brief advice on any legal issues their businesses may be facing. Clinic is at the D.C. Department of Small & Local Business Development, 441 4th St. NW. Eastland Gardens Civic Association Monthly Meeting. Third Tuesday, 6:30-8:00 PM at Kenilworth Elementary School Auditorium, 1300 44th St. NE. Contact Javier Barker, j58barker@ yahoo.com or 202-450-3155. Grosso Near You (informal) Meeting. Third Thursday, 8:00-9:30 AM, Big Chair Coffee and Grill, 2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. The meetings will provide the opportunity for constituents to bring ideas and issues directly to Councilmember Grosso as part of an effort to make the DC Council more accessible. 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 AM-6:00 PM. 2524 Penn. Ave. SE. 202-581-1560. Councilmember Barry’s Constituent Services

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

ANC MONTHLY MEETINGS ANC 7B. Third Thursday, 7:00 PM. Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church, 3200 S St. SE (Branch Ave and S St. SE). 202-584-3400. anc7b@pressroom.com. anc7b.us ANC 7C. Second Thursday, 7:00 PM. Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5109 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE. 202-398-5100. anc7c@verizon.net ANC 7D. Second Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Sixth District Police Station, 100 42nd St. NE. 202-3985258. 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 7F. Third Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, 200 Stoddert Place, SE ANC 8A. First Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Anacostia UPO Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202889-6600. anc8adc.org ANC 8B. Third Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Seventh District Police Station Community Center, Alabama and McGee Sts. SE. 202-610-1818. anc8b.org ANC 8C. First Wednesday, 7:00 PM. 2907 MLK Jr Ave. SE. 202-388-2244. ANC 8D. Fourth Thursday, 7:00 PM. Specialty Hospital of Washington, 4601 MLK Jr. Ave. SW. 202 561-0774 u

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June 2014

Summertime in DC Congress is Out and the Living is Easy

by Kathleen Donner

f you feel “stuck” in Washington, DC for the summer, you’re just not doing it right. DC and the surrounding area is a remarkable place to be in the heat and swelter of summer. In addition to which, the place is full of new faces--interns, vacationers, students and job seekers. For those of us who live here, summertime in Washington also offers opportunities to play the tourist, revisit favorite sites, see Andrew Wyeth’s windows at the NGA, bike to Mount Vernon, take a dip in the Chesapeake Bay and generally enjoy what people come from all over the world to enjoy. We’re offering you some suggestions to make this summer memorable.

Have a Good Laugh

The Capitol Steps began as a group of Hill staffers who set out to satirize the very people who employed them. The group was formed in December, 1981 when staffers for Illinois Senator Charles Percy were planning a Christmas party. Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but they said they “couldn’t find three wise men or a virgin.” Since then, they’ve been ruthlessly poking fun at the Washington political scene. They perform every Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building. Tickets are $40.50. Get them at ticketmaster.com/artist/844674. It’s corny but it’s also lots of fun. Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center is a comedy whodunit that lets the audience solve the crime. Set in Georgetown, Shear Madness engages the audience members as 18 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

You’ve been randomly selected by TSA. Photo: Jenny Abreu

armchair detectives to help solve the murder of a famed concert pianist who lives above the Shear Madness hairstyling salon. The Kennedy Center claims that it’s the second longest running play in American theater. $50. kennedy-center.org Standupcomedytogo.com has a weekly opportunity for amateurs to make fools of themselves in their “The Laughing Buddha-ha-ha” Comedy Open Mic on Thursdays at 8 p.m., at the Topaz Hotel Bar, 1733 N St. NW. It’s a free (you’ll have to buy drinks) show with 10 local comedians doing 3 to 10 minute bits (remember Seinfeld). After the show, “Everyone’s a Comedian” and “non-coms” can get up and tell a joke. Best joke gets $25 which is also

the price of the valet parking. Must be 21 and older.

Break Bad (for repressed boomers)

First, scout your location. Rumor has it that a certain member of the Capital Community News editorial staff used the Federal Reserve fountains (enormous black granite urns with water spilling over into circular bases for racing) for this kind of mischief some decades ago. We’re not sure what has changed in the intervening years, but running naked (or not) in DC’s fountains is a great 3 o’clock in the morning activity. A few things--don’t be intoxicated, please get into shape (see section below), have some cash in

your wallet and we’re not responsible. Whether or not you get away with it, you won’t go to prison and it will make a great story. To crash a party properly, you have to look the part. The better you look, the less likely you are to be challenged. Some have been known to have a wine glass in their car to pull out for just this occasion. When you walk in with the glass, you’re returning to the party. Your cellphone is, however, your best ally. Think VEEP’s Selina Meyer (Meyer the liar) signaling her body-man to say the President’s calling. No one interferes with an intent cellphone conversation. The trick is to lean in and pretend it’s the President or Hillary or that you’re the Ukraine Desk Officer at State. As you pass the gatekeeper, whisper “I’m holding for the secretary.” Remember if you believe it, they’ll believe it. Parties worth chasing are all around in hotel ballrooms, museums, restaurants, the convention center and function rooms in the House and Senate office buildings. There are people in this town who never buy their own dinner and drinks. Don’t donate your old car, wreck it. The Potomac Speedway is the venue for the Silver Hill Lions Club Demolition Derby on Sept. 6 and 13 at 7 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.). We figure that this gives you enough time to decorate your car, screw up your courage and enter. The big winners take home trophies and cash prizes. Go to silverhilllionsclub.com for entry details and many pages of competition rules. For spectators, tickets are $18; $9 for kids 10 and under and $25 for pit passes. All

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also Women’s Wednesdays at all three golf courses with special $25 workshops and special greens fees. Langston and East Potomac have driving ranges where you can go after dinner and hit a few balls without finding a golf pal or making a huge time commitment. Get details at golfdc.com.

Reconnect with Your Inner Fish

It’s important to make a good impression at the Derby.

profits are used to support Lions Club community service projects. Potomac Speedway is about an hour south of DC, the Potomac Speedway is at 27963 Budds Creek Rd., Mechanicsville, MD

Get Into Shape (finally, at last)

There’s no excuse. DC’s Parks and Recreation Department has 18 fitness centers located throughout the city. Fitness Centers feature elliptical, stationary bikes, treadmills, free weights (dumbbells and kettlebells), and universal weight machine (leg extentions, leg curls, lat pull downs, seated rows, flat and incline chest press, military press, bicep curls and tricep press downs). Oh my! All the centers require a paid individual, family or senior membership for access privileges. You can sign up for a day at $5, a month at $25, a quarter at $60 or a year $125 (little more than $10 a month). There’s a significant senior discount. Find the center closest to you at dpr.dc.gov. DC Front Runners is a running, walking and social club serving the LGBT community and their friends for over 30 years. Membership is open to all people regardless of age, gender, race, pace or sexual orientation. Founded by a small group of local gay runners in 1981, the DC Front Runners has become a thriving and integral part of the Washington, DC gay and lesbian community and has fostered fun, fitness, and friendship among gay runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. 20 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

If running sounds like too much at first, the club also organizes weekly walks. dcfrontrunners.org Golf will help you get in shape only if you practice a lot and avoid golf carts. Get Golf Ready is a fast and affordable ($99) way to get connected to the game of golf. You get six hours of group instruction from a teaching professional covering everything you need to know to get you ready for the golf course. Full swing, short game, even rules and etiquette; you’ll get it all. Get Golf Ready is offered at Langston, East Potomac and Rock Creek courses. We’re sure it’s unfair but there are

If you been lumbering around in the water like a wounded flounder, maybe it’s time to lift your game. Remember, it’s a glide! The excellent staff at DC public pools are eager to sort you out--both non-swimmers and self-taught flailers. Swimming lessons are a bargain at $10 for a beginners course. Sign up at dpr. dc.gov or ask at your closest pool. Water Country USA in Williamsburg is Virginia’s largest waterpark. It features more than 30 water attractions. It can also be used as a refreshing detour during a history-laden family trip to Colonial Williamsburg. It’s pricy at $42-$49 a day but it’s a complete day’s entertainment. $99 buys you a season pass. Read more at watercountryusa. com. Closer to home, we like Great Waves Waterpark in Cameron Run

Regional Park, 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, just off the beltway. It features 20 acres of pools, waterslides, great food, cool souvenirs, miniature golf, a nine-station batting cage and picnic shelters. Great Waves is open daily through Labor Day, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Weekday rates are $11.75 if you’re under 4 feet and $14.75 if you’re over 4 feet. Add $.50 for weekends. Read more at greatwaveswaterpark.com. Thirty-five miles away are Chesapeake Beach and North Beach on the Chesapeake Bay. These beaches are ideal because (1) they don’t involve a three hour drive and (2) you don’t have to strategize about Bay Bridge traffic. They also are seem quieter and more charming than the ocean beaches in the summer. It’s a easy outing where there’s bay swimming, a crab dinner, a scoop shop ice cream cone and home before dark. Done. There’s also a lot of charter fishing but make arrangements before your leave at chesapeake-beach.md.us.

Listen to the Music

In summer, every night of the week, you can spread out a blanket or relax in a folding chair and listen to outof-doors live music. You’re always

Trainer Emmanuel Jeudy, Sr. with exercisers Bernard Moore and D’Angelo Andrews at Turkey Thicket Fitness Center. Photo: Kathleen Donner

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bonus, you can bring your own picnic (including alcohol). Wolf Trap is about a hour away. From I-66 westbound, take exit 67 to route 267 (Dulles Toll Road), follow signs for local exits, pay a $2.50 toll, and exit at the Wolf Trap ramp. wolftrap.org

Wax Nostalgic for Jolly Olde

DC Touch Rugby games are Saturdays at 10 a.m. and are currently played on the National Mall, on the west side of the Washington Monument. Here’s how they describe themselves. “We are a group of (male Children splash and play in the waters of Rock ‘N’ Roll Island at Water Country USA. Photo: Courtesy of Water Country USA

invited to bring along a picnic, kids, and well-behaved (leashed) pets. It’s a Washington area ritual and you don’t want to miss it. Hear live music outside at the Capitol, Fort Dupont, the Sylvan Theater, Fort Reno, the Botanic Garden, the Navy Memorial, the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art, and the Air Force Memorial. Throughout the summer, pay attention to the Calendar in this publication for details. We also list movies shown outdoors throughout the area. We know this is going to sound quite esoteric but for people who love early music, it’s heaven. On the weekend of June 2-22, there is a “Baroque Bonanza” concert series at Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW. It is three concerts featuring six different ensembles performing on period instruments. On Friday, June 20, 8 p.m., two groups will perform music of C.P.E. Bach, Boyce, Fasch, Telemann and Zelenka: Modern Musick directed by Risa Browder and John Moran and Kleine Kammermusik featuring oboists Geoffrey Burgess and Meg Owens. On Saturday, June 21, 8 p.m. two groups will perform music of J.C. and C.P.E. Bach, Graun, Dornel, and Boismortier: Ensemble Gaudior directed by Alexandra MacCracken and The Friends of Fasch, directed by Thomas MacCracken. On Sunday, June 22, 4 p.m., two 22 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

ages and skill levels--and it’s a great way to meet people and stay fit. Some of us have played rugby for many years, some converts from flag football and others are completely new to the game. We always welcome new people to the group so please join this blog and stay updated with the latest game info!” Catch up with this group at dctouchrugby.com. The Willard Hotel says that their Peacock Alley Tea is the best in town and they’re right. Tea is served Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. and features live harp music, an array of organic teas, finger sandwiches and fresh decadent pastries in an elegant setting. You must dress. It’s pricy but worth it at $45 ($59 with champagne). You’ll find the menu on their website at washington.intercontinental.com. Through Jan. 4, 2015, Costumes of Downton Abbey is on display at Winterthur. This is an original exhibition of designs from the television series. Forty historically inspired costumes from the television show are displayed and supplemented by photographs and vignettes inspired by the fictional program and by real life at Winterthur. Visitors have the

Nick Briggs, Carnival Film and Television Limited 2012

groups will perform music of Croft, Handel, Kusser, LaGuerre and Philidor: ArcoVoce strings and voice featuring soprano Rosa Lamoreaux and Sarabande featuring oboists Sarah Davoll and Sarah Weiner. Tickets are $25 ($15 for students and seniors) at the door only. Nothing says summer like an evening at Wolf Trap and their stupendous lineup. To really enjoy it you have to incorporate into your thinking that there will be a line of cars on the way in and a line of cars on the way out. You’ll be rewarded with symphonic music, musical theater, dance, comedy, folk music, jazz, a singalong “Grease”, and names such as Yo-Yo Ma, Mary Chapin Carpenter; Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Sarah Brightman and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. As a

Ensemble Gaudior (left to right): Elena Tsai, Alexandra MacCracken (director), Doug Poplin, Marta Howard. Photo: Suna Lee

and female) rugby fans that like to meet on Saturdays to play an informal and very much social game of touch rugby. Touch is a fast-paced and fun game that is suitable for all

chance to step into and experience the world of Downton Abbey and the contrasting world of Winterthur founder Henry Francis du Pont and his contemporaries in the first half

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Harpers Ferry from Maryland Heights. Photo: Don Burgess

of the 20th century. Winterthur, 5105 Kennett Pike (Route 52), Winterthur (Wilmington), DE, is open daily except Mondays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (last ticket sold at 3:15 p.m.). winterthur.org

Venture Farther Afield

Three hours away (south past Richmond), Colonial Williamsburg beckons. It is the world’s largest living history museum--the restored 18th-century capital of Britain’s largest, wealthiest, and most populous outpost of empire in the New World. Here they interpret the origins of the idea of America, conceived decades before the American Revolution. There are hundreds of restored, reconstructed, and historically furnished buildings in Williamsburg’s 301 acres historic area. Costumed interpreters tell the stories of the men and women of the 18th-century city--black, white, and native American, slave, indentured, and free. Single day tickets are $22-$43.95. You can wander Williamsburg freely but if you want to 24 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

talk with the blacksmith, you need a pass. colonialwilliamsburg.com For our readers who remember the Williamsburg Pottery Factory, we have some bad news. It is no longer the dirt-floored collection of run-down buildings that strattle the railroad tracks. It’s been moved to a different location, cleaned up and put totally indoors and not nearly as much fun. williamsburgpottery.com The town of St. Michaels on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is another place we recommend for a day trip. We also recommend that you visit when nothing’s happening and wander the cluster of perfectly groomed houses on the park in the center of town. Then lunch at the legendary Crab Claw Restaurant, 304 Burns Street, on the water. Sit outside. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael’s, open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m., is also worth a visit. St. Michaels is about two hours away depending on bridge traffic. townofstmichaels.com

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, about a hour and a half away, is the site of the John Brown raid which precipitated the Civil War. It was visited by George Washington on his very first surveying expedition at the age of 17, was cited by Thomas Jefferson as such a beautiful spot that it was worth a trip across the Atlantic and was the starting place of the Lewis and Clarke expedition. It’s full of history. It’s also a charming small town to visit and a jumping off point for tubing and kayaking. Read more at historicharpersferry.com.

Don’t Miss the Classics

Every local knows that the best time to visit the monuments is after dark. It’s cooler and the crowds have calmed down a bit. Go after 9 o’clock and it’s easy to park on Ohio Drive. By monuments, we mean the Lincoln, the Jefferson, the Washington, the FDR and MLK. The Washington Monument, open until 10 p.m. during summer, only counts if you go to the top which you

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On the White House Tour, you’ll see this corridor but President Obama won’t be in it. He has been known to pop out of a doorway and greet visitors but your odds are probably the same as winning a lottery.

now can because it just reopened for visitors. Make a reservation at recreation.gov. Unfortunately, the Jefferson, which may be the most powerful of them all, has inconvenient parking a good walk from the memorial itself. At the Lincoln, don’t miss reading his second Inaugural Address (on the right facing Lincoln) which is considered the best Presidential Inaugural Address ever delivered. The Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetery is a mustexperience for all visitors and residents. During the summer, the ceremony takes place on the hour and the half-hour. At this time, a uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the Changing of the Guard. This is a moving and precise tribute to all the fallen whose remains are missing or unidentified. The view from the site is breathtaking. In summer the cemetery is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Take Metro or you can park for $1.75 a hour in the lot across from the Visitors’ Center. arlingtoncemetery.mil You can take a self-guided White House tour, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7:3011:30 a.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (excluding federal holidays). Tour requests are submitted through your Member of Congress. Requests can 26 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. The US Capitol tour, daily except Sunday, 8:50 a.m.-3:20 p.m., is a walk-in but you can also book in advance with your Member or Senator. The Supreme Court is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Courtroom Lectures are available Monday through Friday. On days that the Court is not sitting, lectures are generally scheduled every-hour on the half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. with a final lecture at 3:30 p.m. When the Court is in session, Courtroom Lectures are available only after Court adjourns for the day. Trained Docents lead these 30-minute programs, which are designed to introduce visitors of all ages to the judicial functions of the Supreme Court, the history of the Building, and the architecture of the Courtroom. To obtain updated information, call 202-479-3211 or visit supremecourt.gov. u

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BULLETIN BOARD 11th Street Bridge Park Selects Four Design Teams

As part of a nationwide design competition, the 11th Street Bridge Park announces four nationally recognized design teams have been selected to envision Washington DC’s first elevated public park on the foundation an old freeway bridge spanning the Anacostia River. The public is invited on June 10, 6:30-8 p.m. to meet the designers, who were selected by the Bridge Park’s Jury of national experts for their vision, comprehensive approach and creative energy. More than 40 teams, and 80 firms representing some of the most renowned designers in the nation, responded to an open call for submissions launched in March. Selecting the four teams furthers the goal of choosing a final design for the Bridge Park – an iconic new civic space that will provide a unique venue supporting the community’s environmental, economic, cultural and physical health. The four teams, made up of landscape architects, architects and structural engineers, will each receive $25,000 to create full renderings and plans by September. The teams are: Balmori Associates / Cooper, Robertson & Partners / Guy Nordenson Associates; OLIN / OMA / Arup; Stoss Landscape Urbanism / Höweler + Yoon Architecture / Robert Silman Associates; and Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) / NEXT Architects / Magnusson Klemencic Associates. The public is invited to meet these design teams on Tuesday, June 10 from 6:30-8 p.m. Representatives from each team will present examples of their work and describe their creative approach at this free event held at the theater on the THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. bridgepark.org

Sunset Tour of the Anacostia River

For the first time the Anacostia Watershed Society will offer an opportunity for community members to experience the sunset on the water in the Anacostia. It is a relaxing trip with opportunities to observe active wildlife. Participants will be taken via our large pontoon boat to see the best views the Anacostia has to offer. This tour is Thursday, June 27, 6:30-9 p.m. and will be leaving from Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg, MD. Event is capped at 20 participants. Read more at anacostiaws.org.

Free Round-Trip Service to Anacostia Community Museum from National Mall

Weekends and holidays through Sept. 1, there is free round-trip bus service from the Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW to the Anacostia Community Museum at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. and 1:05, 2:15 and 3:25 p.m. Learn more at anacostia.si.edu. 28 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Community Vision Cruise on the Anacostia River

On Monday, June 16, 6-8 p.m., join NSC Partners for a Community Cruise on the Anacostia River on a vintage 1928 Chesapeake Bay boat. Enjoy food provided by Aqua 301 and dessert by Ice Cream Jubilee. Every paid attendee will be entered to win a pair of tickets to the Washington Nationals vs the Atlanta Braves later this season. Scott Kratz, Director of the 11th Street Bridge Park Project, will be on hand to share unique engineering renderings from the deck of the Half Shell as it glides under the actual proposed span. Leaders of other groups working for a clean Anacostia River and for youth environmental education can answer your questions about our community’s unique, watery “front yard”. This is a rare opportunity to get a closeup look of renderings with the actual span in the background. Space is limited so tickets will go quickly. Tickets are $60 and available online at eventbrite.com.

Volunteer Event at Kenilworth Park

The volunteer event is on Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m.-noon. The service project will start at 9 a.m.

with on-site registration opening 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. Please arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. Their service projects run rain or shine. Severe weather as forecast on WTOP. com cancels. They will have granola bars or other light snacks for volunteers. Please bring a water bottle. Wear clothing appropriate for the work at hand--long sleeved shirts, long pants, and no open toe shoes. You may also want to bring an extra set of clothes. Gloves and all equipment will be provided. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Volunteers with special needs should email the volunteer coordinator in advance of the event. To RSVP, contact Tina O’Connell at tina@friendsofkenilworthgardens.org. For more information, visit friendsofkenilworthgardens.org. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. The park has ample free, off-street parking and is metro accessible (Deanwood). friendsofkenilworthgardens.org

“Fathers Have Rights, Too” at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library

A father’s rights are essentially the same as a

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BULLETIN BOARD

Electrician Peter Hunt catfishing on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Anacostia Park. Photo: Kathleen Donner

DDOE’s Public Meeting: For a Cleaner Anacostia River

The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) is working for a cleaner Anacostia River. The Sustainable DC Plan contends that the Anacostia River will once again be a fishable and swimmable community resource. Find out how at DDOE’s 1st public meeting, Tuesday, June 17, 6:308:30 p.m. at the Department of Employment Services Community Room, 4058 Minnesota Ave. NE. To learn more visit ddoe.dc.gov/riworkplan2014. mother’s but sometimes men have difficulty exercising all their parental rights. Disputes over paternity, child support and custody can interfere with a dad’s ability to play a full role in his children’s life. On Tuesday, June 12, 6 p.m., family law attorneys from Neighborhood Legal Services Program will explain how to file for custody or visitation, when to seek to modify a child support order and how to establish paternity in DC. You will also learn about the free, legal help available to low-income dads who need help with family law cases in the District of Columbia. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning Program repeats on Tuesday, June 24, 6 p.m. at Deanwood Neighborhood Library, 1350 49th St. NE. 202-698-1175. dclibrary. org/deanwood

Summer Along the Anacostia Community Forum

This forum, on Friday, June 20, 7-9 p.m., introduces local communities to the opportunities available to 30 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

youth interested in discovering and exploring the Anacostia River and its environs. Representatives from various organizations in D.C. and Prince George’s and Montgomery counties are on hand to provide information related to youth-centered programs in the arts, ecology, biology, gardening, and community service opportunities. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia. si.edu

DDOT Releases Draft moveDC Plan for Public Comment

The District Department of Transportation has released the draft moveDC Transportation Plan. The plan is the culmination of a process that has involved thousands of residents from the District and the Washington Metropolitan region. The moveDC Plan is a comprehensive, multimodal transportation strategy that outlines policies, programs and capital investments to enhance the District’s transportation network, and includes detailed

“elements” or “master plans” for each mode of travel in the District. DDOT is welcoming public comments on the draft plan through July 6, 2014. In addition to electronic versions of the draft plan that are available on the project website at wemovedc.org, copies of the draft moveDC Plan are available at DDOT’s offices at 55 M St. SE and the DDOT Public Space Permit Center at 1100 4th St. SW. The project website has a brief survey for gathering feedback, or comments can be sent via email to Project Manager Colleen Hawkinson at colleen.hawkinson@dc.gov or mailed to DDOT at 55 M Street SE, 5th Floor, Washington DC 20003. In addition, the Council of the District of Columbia’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment will hold a roundtable on the draft moveDC Plan at 11 a.m. on June 27, at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. A final plan will be completed by July 31, 2014.

Recreational Fishing Day at Hains Point

On Saturday, June 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW, please join Anacostia Watershed Society, University of Maryland College Park, and Anacostia Community Museum for a day of recreational fishing. They will provide fishing rods and bait on a firstcome, first-served basis (bring your own if you prefer). Each participant will receive a gift card valued at $10 for providing them with your catch! All ages and experience levels are welcome. They are also looking for a few volunteers to help with logistics if interested, let them know at anacostiaws.org. Other Recreational Fishing Days this season are Saturday July 26, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg, MD; Saturday, Aug. 16, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Anacos-

tia Park, 1900 Anacostia Freeway; Saturday September 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW; Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m.4 p.m., Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg, MD.

On Freedom’s Trail Bus Tour

On Saturday, June 14, 10:30 a.m.2:30 p.m., join historian C.R. Gibbs for a unique historical experience tracing the path from fetters to freedom in the nation’s capital. On this bus tour, you will visit places where slaves were sold, freedom seekers escaped, and laws were written to secure the abolition of slavery in Washington, DC. Bus departs promptly from and returns to Anacostia Community Museum at 1901 Fort Pl. SE. Free, but space is limited; for information or to attend, call 202-633-4844 or visit anacostia.si.edu.

Job Readiness Training at Anacostia Library

Every Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Anacostia Neighborhood Library offers job readiness training by Mr. James Kendlin. The training will assist with all facets of workforce development, including resume assistance, interview skills, and general job readiness help. Mr. Kendlin has a great deal of experience in this field, and his knowledge and passion for assisting individuals in their job search is evident in the quality of his work. Call 202-715-7707 before coming to set up an appointment time. Anacostia Neighborhood Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-715-7707. dclibrary.org/ anacostia

Free Bike Clinics at Anacostia Library

Volunteers from The Bike House collective will provide bike repair services at no cost for the public outside of Anacostia Neighborhood Library on the second and fourth Saturdays in June, and July from noon to 2:30 p.m. Anacostia Neighborhood Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-715-7707. dclibrary.org/anacostia

Nash Run Trash Trap Cleanup

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 to 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. On Saturday, June 21, 9 a.m.-noon, they need about 10 people for this cleanup. The task requires squatting down for a relatively long time, and may be physically demanding. 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 they 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.

Energy-Saving Tips for Air Conditioning ($500 central air rebate)

Air conditioners can wreak havoc on your energy bills in the District’s hot spring and summer months. By maintaining your equipment and purchasing a properly sized unit for your cooling needs, you can save energy and money without sacrificing comfort in your home. Bigger doesn’t mean better. When buying a new room air conditioner, choose the smallest ENERGY STAR® qualified unit appropriate for the size of the room. Visit dcseu.com for tips on how to use your room air conditioner most efficiently. If you have central air conditioning, set the fan to “auto.” This setting on your

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thermostat shuts the fan off at the same time as the compressor. Don’t use the system’s central fan to provide air circulation—use circulating fans in individual rooms. Frequently change your air filter. At a minimum, change the filter every three months. A simple, once-a-year check-up will improve the efficiency and comfort of your system. Install a programmable thermostat. With pre-programmed settings that allow your system to rest while you’re out of the house, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 per year in energy costs. If your central air conditioner is malfunctioning or if the unit is over 10 years old, consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR qualified model. The DCSEU is now offering up to $500 in rebates for central air conditioning systems for District residents.

DC Seeking TIGER Grant Funding for Anacostia Streetcar Extension

DDOT has announced that it has reapplied for a federal grant to partially fund the Anacostia Streetcar Extension from Howard Rd./Firth Sterling Ave. to the foot of the 11th Street Bridge. DDOT requests approximately $20 million of TIGER FY 2014 discretionary grant funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This federal grant will help fund almost one-third of the streetcar extension, estimated to cost approximately $64 million. The Anacostia Streetcar Extension is one of the key components of the 22-mile Priority Streetcar System. It will strengthen and to add capacity to the multi-modal transportation network enabling a transportation connection between the Anacostia commercial core and major employment centers, such as Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling ( JBAB), U.S. Coast Guard headquarters and future developments at the St. Elizabeths campus, Poplar Point and Barry Farm. It is estimated that these planned developments will add at least 25,000 jobs to this area by 2030. 32 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Ward 8 Breast Care for Washington Center Opens

Breast Care for Washington celebrated its grand opening at the Conway Health and Resource Center, 4 Atlantic St. SW, on May 15. The full-service breast center is only facility east of the Anacostia River to provide comprehensive breast screening services, including state-of-the-art 3D mammography technology. BCW’s founders were joined by DC Councilmember David Grosso, and others in an opening ceremony that celebrated the organization’s efforts to reduce breast cancer mortality in the DC area by ensuring access to breast cancer screening, diagnostics and treatment regardless of a woman’s ability to pay. gpgdc.com

Annual Water Lily & Lotus Cultural Festival at Kenilworth Park (save the date)

This year the Kenilworth Park Water Lily & Lotus Cultural Festival is on Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. The park has ample free, offstreet parking and is metro accessible (Deanwood). friendsofkenilworthgardens.org

Celebrate 25 Years of DCTV at their Community Day Festival

DCTV’s Community Day Festival on June 21, noon-3 p.m., will feature live music and comedy performances, delicious eats from local food trucks, games, and family entertainment to celebrate DCTV’s 25th anniversary. DCTV’s historic Brooks Mansion campus at 901 Newton St. NE will transform into festival grounds to host vendors, face painters, a larger-than-life moon bounce, DJs and performances by The Chuck Brown Band, gospel dynamo Mike McCoy & Voices United, Comedian Timmy Hall and afrobeat band Chopteeth among other local rock, jazz and hip-hop bands. For more information and a complete list of performances, visit dctv.org/communityday or call 202-526-7007. u

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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

The Orange Equation

n a recent post on Greater Greater Washington, Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells announced his decision not to run as an independent for the at-large election position vacated by David Catania (I-At Large) in this November’s general election. However, Wells may not have to wait very long to take a shot at a Democratic atlarge seat. The corruption investigation headed by US Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. may be turning in the direction of Vincent B. Orange Sr. (DAt Large). This path likely leads through Kelvin Robinson, former chief of staff to Mayor Anthony A. Williams and Wells’ previous opponent. “If you participated in backroom, underthe-table deals with Jeff Thompson, I urge you to come forward now and own up to your conduct,” stated Machen at the March press conference held in the wake of DC businessman Jeffrey E. Thompson’s guilty plea. By signing a plea deal with Robinson, Machen has signaled that he is done waiting. Why Robinson?

Robinson and Thompson

Under DC law, contributions to political candidates by individuals and corporations are strictly limited to an aggregate of $1,000 per candidate per At-Large campaign and $500 for a ward race. In his plea, Robinson admitted to taking excessive cash and in-kind contributions directly from Thompson; and also from ‘straw’ donors reimbursed by Thompson. He filed false campaign finance reports covering up these actions. In the spring of 2010, according to Robinson’s plea, the Ward 6 candidate asked Thompson for $90,000 in support for his campaign against incumbent Tommy Wells. Thompson, with the aid of Jeanne Clarke Harris, provided Robinson with in-kind and cash donations including roughly $33,000. These monies, garnered from Thompson’s accounting firm, Thompson, Cobb, Brazilio 34 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

by Andrew Lightman

and Associates P.C. (TCBA), and DC Chartered Health, another wholly owned company, were routed either through Harris; or through a network of ‘straw donors later reimbursed for their contributions. Robinson then filed “false and misleading” forms with the DC Office of Campaign Finance (OCF), obscuring the scope of Thompson’s illegal donations. Interestingly, the federal plea agreement with Robinson mentions his consulting company, Emerge DC LLC. However, the company is not in the plea’s Statement of the Offense. According to court records discovered by the Washington City Paper, on March 9, 2006, three days after Emerge received a $5,250 check cut from a bank account controlled by DC lobbyist David Wilmot, the company donated $2,000 to Council Chair Linda Cropp’s 2006 mayoral campaign. This coincidence suggests that Emerge may have served at least in one instance as a vehicle for Thompson’s straw donations. (Cropp’s bid received $280,000 of such monies in the 2006 according to The Washington Post.) Robinson had a close personal relationship with Thompson, an association further detailed in the latter’s March plea, which identifies him as “Candidate B.”

The Orange Connection

According to Thompson’s plea, on March 10, 2011, Robinson allegedly met with “Uncle Earl” (Thompson) and “Council Candidate D” at TCBA’s offices. Council Candidate D has been identified by The Washington Post as Vincent B. Orange Sr. (D-At Large). At that point Orange was running in an open special election for the at-large seat he currently holds. Earlier that day Thompson had purchased money orders to make straw donations to Orange’s campaign. After placing Orange in a separate of-

fice to make phone calls soliciting contributions, he and Robinson processed the money orders and other donations, entering the information into the campaign’s OCF reporting form. The majority of contributions reported were either directly or indirectly reimbursed by Thompson. This massive infusion of cash propelled Orange to front of the pack in the month prior to the election. In his plea agreement Thompson stated that Orange was aware of the illegal straw contributions. Under questioning from the presiding judge at his plea hearing, as reported by the Washington, Post, Thompson qualified his statement by testifying that he had not directly communicated with Orange. This admission leaves Robinson as the only other individual at March 10th meeting able to attest to Orange’s knowledge. The filing of a plea deal with Robinson that ignored his role in filing false campaign reports for Orange’s 2011 bid suggests he may be cooperating with the authorities. The prosecution may not have wanted to tip its hand.

An Alternative Path to Indictment

Even if Robinson fails to name Orange, Machen may have another card up his sleeve. According to Thompson’s plea, between March 4 and May 10, 2011, Harris disbursed $148,146 in cash and inkind donations through her personal companies to fund a shadow GOTV (Get Out The Vote) effort on Orange’s behalf. According to the Washington City Paper, Vernon Hawkins, former head of the DC Department of Human Services under Mayor Marion Barry during his fourth term, was a key member of Orange’s 2011 election team. Coincidentally, Hawkins had run the Thompson-funded shadow campaign in support of Gray earlier that fall. Pleading guilty, Hawkins has agreed to cooperate with the federal investigation. So far he has

not made any public statement on the mechanics of the 2011 shadow campaign in support of Orange. There is a chance, however, that he has direct knowledge of the extent of Orange’s awareness of Thompson’s illegal activities.

Implications

If Robinson or Hawkins testify that Orange knew of either the falsified OCF campaign documents or the illegally funded GOTV effort, the prosecution can charge the councilmember with conspiracy to commit campaign fraud. In this case the prosecution may well negotiate a plea deal with Orange conditioned on his resignation as was done with Michael A. Brown (I-At Large), Harry “Tommy” Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5), and Kwame R. Brown (D-Chair). Therefore, odds are good that District voters may be casting ballots in April 2015. If Orange resigns, the State Committee of the DC Democratic Party led by Anita Bonds (D-At Large) will be called on to select an interim successor. That person will then face an open election in April 2015 in which all registered voters will be permitted to vote regardless of party affiliation. Open special elections historically have had very low turnouts. In 2011 Orange was elected to replace Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) with just 13,583 votes. In 2013 Anita Bonds triumphed in an open contest with 18,027 votes. With the base of 12,393 voters who supported him in last spring’s mayoral contest, and good name recognition, Wells has a significant head start. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | June 2014 H 35

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

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Unlocking Opportunities

Services That Help Poor Children Succeed in the Classroom by Soumya Bhat and Jenny Reed

t is hard to imagine a city that has pursued school reform more assertively than the District of Columbia. There have been major efforts to improve teaching through better pay, incentives, and stricter performance accountability. There have been huge investments to modernize school facilities and increase access to pre-school. And DC now has an impressive level of school choice and innovation through one of the largest charter school sectors in the nation. These investments have made a difference, but the city has a long way to go, with most lowincome students still scoring below proficiency on standardized tests and many schools struggling to improve. That may reflect the problems that poor children bring with them to school, rather than problems in the schools themselves. The next step in education reform may not be about what happens in the classroom but instead about dealing with the stresses of poverty that make it hard for students to succeed. In DC, over one in four children lives in poverty, defined as less than $18,500 per year for a family of three. In some neighborhoods in Wards 7 and 8, the child poverty rate is greater than 50 percent. Low-income students are more likely than other children to have physical or mental health problems. They are more likely to live in violent neighborhoods or in families marked by instability that comes from poor quality housing and low-wage jobs. Poor parents who themselves struggled in school or who work at nights are less able than other parents to be active in their child’s education. School provides a natural setting for the provision of services that can alleviate the effects of poverty on students. In school, children with mental health problems can be identified. Schools can take steps to make sure homeless children get the help they need. And schools can

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More than a Backpack

help parents reinforce teaching at home.

Helping Students Cope with “Toxic Stress”

Poor Children Bring Many Problems with Them to School

Low-income children are often exposed to frequent trauma and stress, which has been shown to affect their ability to concentrate, plan, organize, recall information, and analyze. Children experiencing toxic levels of stress perform worse on academic tests than their unstressed counterparts. In DC there are 5,000 children with unmet mental health needs, according to the Children’s Law Center, which means more needs to be done. DC’s School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) program places professionals in traditional public and public charter schools, who offer one-on-one counseling, screening, and classroom-based prevention activities. But due to lack of funding , the program is located in just 72 schools — roughly a third of all schools — with services primarily located in Ward 6, 7, and 8. Improving access to mental health services is not only important to helping children succeed in school. It also can help children avoid entering the criminal justice system. Nationally, the vast majority of children in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental illness.

Poverty affects children negatively in a number of ways that make it harder to succeed in school.

Maintaining Educational Stability for Homeless Students

Family instability. Low-income students and their families move around much more than other children, including frequent moves from school to school. Homelessness in particular leads to child anxiety, depression and withdrawal that can result in poor educational outcomes. In some DC schools, as many as one-fourth of the students are homeless.

When families move frequently from home to home, or become homeless, that disrupts a child’s educational continuity. Homelessness in particular leads to child anxiety, depression and withdrawal that can result in poor educational outcomes. Over 4,000 students in DC Public Schools are homeless, a number that has grown 37 percent in two years (See Figure 1.) In some schools, as many as one-fourth of the students are homeless, and the student home-

Physical health problems. Low-income children are more likely to suffer from asthma, lead poisoning, low birth weight, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. They are more likely to face obstacles to learning and have poor school attendance.

Mental health problems. Low-income children are more often exposed to trauma and stress, which limits the ability to concentrate, plan, organize, recall information, and analyze. More than 5,000 District children who need mental health services are not receiving them.

Neighborhood instability. Many DC parents report that their children are not safe in their neighborhood or school. Low-income children are more likely to experience violent crime and say they are afraid to go out. Lowincome children often live in neighborhoods with poor air and water quality, or in housing that exposes them to lead, asbestos, mold, roaches and rodents.

Low levels of literacy. Children in lowincome families on average are read to less, exposed to more television, and have less access to reading materials than other children.

lessness rate is over 10 percent in one of eight schools. This means that meeting the special needs of homeless students is an important part of improving school outcomes in the District. The federal McKinney-Vento program is the main way DC and states provide services to homeless students. It sets important goals, such as providing transportation so that students can remain at their school of origin, helping students enroll in school quickly, identifying homeless youth, and providing financial assistance for things like field trips and graduation fees. But the District gets just $34 per homeless student from this program, making it unlikely the District can support all of these goals in a meaningful way. Given the complexities of barriers facing homeless students, it is important that the District assess the adequacy of these services and expand them if needed. This includes additional support for homeless liaisons in schools so that they are better able to meet the needs of a rising homeless youth population.

Engaging Parents in Their Child’s Education

Students do better in school when their families are engaged, including improved literacy and math skills in elementary school, reduced truancy, and fewer behavioral problems. Also, a parent who is engaged in their child’s education can reinforce what is learned in the classroom. For a variety of reasons, however, low-income parents are less likely to have a healthy connection to their child’s school than parents who are not poor. This is partly because lowincome parents often work multiple jobs and have less free time and resources available to regularly participate in school activities.

A number of school systems have developed parent engagement strategies to reach out to parents. One local foundation, Flamboyan, is working with DCPS to support programs in 15 schools (21 next year) where school staff visit families at their homes. This allows teachers to communicate with parents about what their children are working on during the school day, and to offer guided activities to be done at home with their child. For example, if a first grader is meeting most academic goals but is not on track for the number of words per minute they can read, a home visit can alert parents to this situation and help them develop learning goals to address it. DCPS also has started working with teachers in other schools to build family engagement skills and encourage teachers to make home visits. In the 2013-2014 school year, over 52 teachers from 28 schools participated in the FEC and have completed over 520 family home visits to date. The District’s approach to boosting student achievement needs to go beyond improving the quality of classroom instruction to also address the challenges that poor children bring with them to school. Addressing the stresses that are common in poor neighborhoods is critical to improving outcomes of DC’s lowestperforming schools, most of which have very high poverty rates. Noninstructional supports like mental health services can help ensure that all students benefit from the classroom improvements being made in publicly funded DC schools. Reed is the policy director and Bhat is the education policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi. org). DCFPI conducts research on tax and budget issues that affect low- and moderate-income DC residents. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | June 2014 H 37

FRAGER’S

A Year After the Fire the Iconic Store Has Reimerged Piece by Piece

Frager’s Garden Store across from Eastern Market. Photo: Melissa Ashabranner

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by Annette Nielsen

hile it may seem like yesterday, it’s been a year since a devastating fire took down Frager’s Hardware, a Capitol Hill landmark since 1920 at 1115 Pennsylvania Ave, SE. On June 5, 2013, many members of the community witnessed the Hill institution go up in flames. It’s been a busy year since then for the Frager’s staff and owner John Weintraub. “The fire happened on a Wednesday and we were set up doing business on Sunday at the Pad across from Eastern Market where Mayor Gray helped cut the ribbon. We had to reestablish even the most basic of operations, like setting up a cash register. It was because of the great staff that we were able to go forward,” said Weintraub, and notes that his business partner, Ed Copenhaver, who retired in 2012, has come back to help out. “Although the building was gutted,” says Weintraub, “no one was hurt, and Harold Maupin, our IT lead, was able to retrieve most of our key data off of the Cloud. We initially set up offices in my house on the Hill so that the staff could be together and had a base from which to work.” Now, a year later, the four businesses that made up Frager’s are up and running. The paint store is open at 1129 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. The garden store is across from Eastern Market on the cement pad used as the floor for the temporary market placed there after Eastern Market was severely damaged by fire in 2007. Frager’s Hardware and Just Ask Rental are now at 1323 E St. SE, a 5000 square foot building that was just purchased by Frager’s. Weintraub is committed to returning the store to its original location at 1115 Pennsylvania, SE. The 1323 E St. building will then be used as a storage facility for the company.

Rising Out of the Ashes

Kristin Sampson, Garden Co-Manager, remembers well the struggle of those early days after the fire. “We took that Thursday to regroup, then on Friday the whole staff came together and we began moving plants, pottery, anything from the outdoor garden area, over to the Pad at Eastern Market – it didn’t matter what department you normally worked in, everyone was either taking out inventory from 1115 Pennsylvania Avenue or setting it up at the Pad.” Brian Hanlon, Director of the District’s Department of General Services credits Eastern Market Manager, Barry Margeson for taking the lead on facilitating Frager’s move to the Pad. “Barry was on the phone with John (Weintraub) at six the next morning – by noon they had worked out a conceptual plan on how to move forward.” “There are still challenges to operating out in the open,” says Sampson. “But we’re able to continue serving our community with the same knowledgeable and friendly customer service on which Frager’s has built its reputation. We’re incredibly grateful to have continued access to the site and to be a part of the Eastern Market business community while we’re here.” Only about a month after the fire, the Pad changed from being city-owned to being owned by Stanton Development Corp/ EastBanc. Kitty Kaupp, co-president of Stanton Development Corp/EastBanc says, “Everyone has done such a great job assisting during this transition period – whether it was working through official channels or individual community members offering their support.”

The fire burns, June 5, 2013. Photo: Andrew Lightman.

The Community

Frager’s, with people who know you by name and long, skinny aisles hung with work gloves or labeled drawers filled with nails, was a gathering spot as well as a resource for people in all trades – whether plumber, electrician, painter, or the DIYer, providing not only a convenient location to pick up almost any item your project might need, but also a place to tap into wide-ranging expertise. Hanlon is a fourth generation Washingtonian – his mom grew up on East Capitol St., his dad on H Street. “My parents went to Frager’s as children – and I grew up hearing about that store. Since my wife and I moved to the Hill, we buy everything we possibly can there.” Hanlon mentions that it’s the trust you have in a business such as Frager’s that keeps you coming back, “I had visited Frager’s once with a leaky faucet. Instead of being convinced that I needed to purchase a new one, I was told a twenty cent washer would fix it – an experience that bought my business forever.” Frager’s General Manager, Nick Kaplanis says that often they’ll often have parents of Hill residents visit the store, “They tell us that their kids were devastated when the fire happened. We often give parents a free tee shirt if they’re in helping their kids with a project – with a couple of strings attached: they need to wear the shirt to their own local hardware store and also wear it if they go traveling outside of the country – so many people say that the shirt is a conversation starter while traveling abroad.” Kaplanis said that it was while watching the fire from a neighbor’s porch when someone asked about what he thought

the prognosis would be. His emphatic response was that Frager’s wasn’t going to go down on his watch. “We made it a slogan to keep us focused and going forward, ‘Not on Our Watch’ – and had the tee shirts printed, and have sold around 2,800 already – after this run is done (about 600 remain), we’ll be retiring the shirt.” Juan Wilson, Frager’s Paint Store Manager says, “Sometimes people who aren’t even shopping for anything stop by to check in and see how we’re doing. Even with the different locations, people are being really patient as we keep working toward a move back to 1115 Pennsylvania Avenue.” Manager Ricky Silverstein continues, “Our staff has done fabulously – everyone’s attitude has been one of ‘we’ll do whatever it takes.’” That’s been the attitude of the community, as well. Bookkeeper, Tom Gallo, who has been working on and off at Frager’s for nearly a decade says, “After the fire, it was most impressive to see how the neighborhood knew how to help through the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.” The Capitol Hill Community Foundation has, since its founding in 1989, been instrumental in providing grants and funds to a variety of initiatives, including the Eastern Market Fund, after the devastating fire there in 2007. The foundation’s administrative costs are covered completely by the Board of Directors, so that every dollar contributed is directed to grants benefiting the community. Nicky Cymrot, president of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation (CHCF) says, “Yet again, the community wants to put it right – it has been responsive and helped immediately by offering financial

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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

...everyone’s attitude has been one of ‘we’ll do whatever it takes.’ FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Ricky Silverstein at the 1323 E Street location standing in an aisle in front of the flag that was rescued from the original store location at 1115 Pennsylvania Ave SE after the fire. Ribbon cutting at Frager’s pad. Photo: Andrew Lightman. John Weintraub, owner of Frager’s. Photo: Andrew Lightman. Two Members of the Capitol Hill Foundation raise money for Frager’s. Photo: Andrew Lightman.

assistance. Whether making direct donations or hosting fundraisers on Frager’s behalf, there was an outpouring of support and the CHCF was immediately able to provide the vehicle that could handle the contributions and disbursements in the form of grants to Frager’s employees, as well as the businesses above the hardware store that were displaced.” To date, the community has contributed around $180,000 and money still comes in. Cymrot continues, “John is doing everything possible to keep the business alive – I give him a lot of credit. He’s been very strong.”

Going Forward

Over at 1323 E Street, SE, manager Ricky Silverstein is always busy. He says that one of the challenges is storing the product that gets delivered three or four times a week. “Our general manager, Nick Kaplanis has to shift inventory so that we still provide good service, and anticipate what customers

Staff of Just Ask Rental, now located at 1323 E St. SE. Photo: Andrew Lightman

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might need at each location.” Silverstein notes, “We are always learning how to improvise – the logistics, coordinating the business side – and in the next year, we hopefully will be able to focus on more of the cleanup at the original location so that we can identify more storage space, too.” With the plan to return all operations to the 1115 Pennsylvania Avenue location, Weintraub and his team have had constant meetings with lawyers, consultants and architects to see how they might proceed. The walls of the original Pennsylvania Avenue location are contributing structures to adjacent buildings, and there are historical preservation restrictions on the site. As with many projects, you can’t just take the insurance money and get back to business. The ultimate goal is to secure a development partner and get the entire store back at 1115 Pennsylvania Avenue. Weintraub says, “It is a tribute to our dedicated staff that we got Frager’s back in business just days after

Juan Williams of Frager’s Paint Store at 1129 Pennsylvania Ave SE, located down the street from the original location. Photo: Annette Nielsen

the fire. Now we’re up to three temporary sites-lawn and garden, paint, and hardware-and working on getting back to the original location. It is incredibly humbling to see how the community and customers have rallied around us and continue to support us during this long journey.” Frager’s Hardware, www.fragersdc.com, facebook/fragersdc 1323 E St SE: Hardware Warehouse (202.543.6157) & Just Ask Rental (202.543.0100); 306 Seventh St SE: The Pad at Eastern Market/Garden Center (202.733.6794) 1129 Pennsylvania Ave SE: Frager’s Paints (202.547.2468) 1115 Pennsylvania Ave SE: The Yard (the original location and where Frager’s will return) Bulk Items, Mulch, Potting Mix, Building Materials (202.543.6157) u

1323 E Street, SE (recently purchased by Frager’s), where you can find tools, the key making, housewares, plumbing & electrical supplies. Photo: Annette Nielsen

Everyone:

We are sick, we are sick, We are sick, sick, sick, Like we’re kleptologically sick!

THE NOSE

by Anonymous

he answer to any, and all, of life’s complicated politics may be discovered somewhere in vast repertoire of American musical theater. As Devoted Readers are aware, this is a central axiom of The Nose’s column. Much as the Jets and Sharks of West Side Story fame, the denizens of the Wilson Building, both current and less recent, have squared off against Ronald ‘The Sheriff ’ Machen. Put on your imagination caps and let The Nose whisk you away to conference room deep in the recesses of US Department of Justice near the steps of the Capitol. There, many of the players in DC recent corruption saga have lined up to make deals with the Sheriff. Honoring the recent judicial gag order, The Nose will identify certain individuals only by carefully selected monikers. Milling among assembled are Coffee Mug Brown, Uncle Earl, Perennial Robinson, AtLarge Candidate Tangerine, Candidate Not-SoLong, Candidate Bag Woman Harris, Operative Hawkins, Kwame ‘Titanic’ Brown, Mayoral Candidate Shadow, Shredder Gore and Candidate Blacksmith. Suddenly, Officer Krupke, a tune from West Side Story, erupts from Tangerine’s cell phone; and, to the Sheriff ’s amazement, he leads the other supplicants in a musical salute...

Tangerine:

Dear kindly Prosecutor Machen, You gotta understand, It’s just our running for oﬃce That gets us out of hand. Our accountants all are flunkies, Our treasurers all chumps. Golly Moses, naturally we’re skunks!

Everyone:

Gee, Prosecutor Machen, we’re very upset; We never had the love that every child ought to get. We ain’t on the take, We’re just misunderstood. Deep down inside us there is good! “There is good!” exclaims Tangerine.

Everyone:

There is good, there is good,

There is untapped good! Down deep inside, the most venal of us is good! “That’s a touchin’ good story,” says Brown. “Lemme tell it to the world!” replies Tangerine. “Just tell it to the prosecutor,” suggests Robinson.

Uncle Earl:

Prosecutor Machen, you really are a square; This pol don’t need a sentence, he needs an analyst’s care! It’s just his kleptocracy that ought to be curbed. He’s just simply psychologically disturbed! “I’m disturbed!” yells Tangerine.

Everyone:

We’re disturbed, we’re disturbed, We’re the most disturbed, Like we’re kleptologically disturbed. “In the opinion on this court, this politician has been financially molested by his evil Uncle Earl,” states Brown in a judicial mien. “Hey, I’m depraved on account I’m molested,” wryly observes Tangerine. “So take him to a headshrinker,” orders Brown rendering judgment.

Tangerine:

My campaign manager is inept, My treasurer is corrupt, My campaign workers are always plastered, My flack is abrupt, My driver can’t navigate, My lover forgot to dress. Goodness gracious, that’s why I’m a mess! “Yes!” states Robinson in an analytic tone.

Uncle Earl:

Prosecutor Machen, you’re really a snob. This pol don’t need a doctor, just a good honest job. Society’s played him a terrible trick, And kleptologically he’s just sick! “I am sick!” concludes Tangerine.

“In my opinion, this pol don’t need to have his head shrunk at all. Political delinquency is purely a venal disease!,” concludes Uncle Earl. “Hey, I got a venal disease!” states Tangerine. “So take him to a political consultant!” sentences Brown.

Tangerine:

Dear kindly political consultant, You say go find a buck. Like be a full time fundraiser, Which means like be a schmuck. It’s not I’m anti-political, I’m only anti-work. Golly! Jesus! That’s why I’m a jerk!

Uncle Earl:

Prosecutor Machen, you’ve done it again. This politician don’t need home detention, he needs a year in the pen. It ain’t just a question of misunderstood; Deep down inside him, he’s no good! “I’m no good!” concludes Tangerine.

Everyone:

We’re no good, we’re no good! We’re no political good, Like the most honest of us is no damn good! “The trouble is he’s crazy,” judges Uncle Earl. “The trouble is he drinks,” analyzes Robinson. “The trouble is his memory is hazy,” diagnoses Brown. “The trouble is his financial reports really stink,” states Robinson. “The trouble is his contributions are growing,” says Uncle Earl. “The trouble is they’ve grown,” replies Brown.

Everyone:

Machen, we got troubles of our own! Gee, Prosecutor Machen, We’re down on our knees, ‘Cause no one wants a politician with a venal disease. Gee, Prosecutor Machen, What are we to do? Gee, Prosecutor Machen, To ‘H---’ with you!

When the music finally stops, the last politician to make a deal with the Sheriff will undoubtedly take the longest, all-expense-paid vacation to a federal facility. u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JuNE 2014 H 41

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

A Look at the New United Medical Center An interview with the interim Chief Executive Officer

by Candace Y.A. Montague

he Not-For-Profit Hospital Corporation, also known as United Medical Center, on Southern Avenue has endured more than its fair share of bad press due to poor health care delivery over the years. It has seen leadership turnover, ownership changes, several financial crises and poor ratings from patients about the level of care delivered. Yet somehow they have weathered the storm and kept serving the residents east of the Anacostia. In an effort to rebrand itself, UMC has implemented a few changes based on community feedback and data. East of the River Magazine sat down with interim CEO Mr. David Small to discuss what’s new at UMC and their plans for improving the services provided to its constituents.

Mr. David Small, Interim CEO

How is Your Vision Different or the Same as the Previous Administration?

What hasn’t changed is the desire to have United Medical Center be the provider of choice for the residents in our nearby communities. We have found over the years that a number of residents chose to seek medical treatment in other facilities downtown and across the river. We want to make sure that we give high quality care so folks will select us as their provider of choice. In order to do that we developed and adopted a plan last summer endorsed by The District Council. It’s not our intention to be all things to all people. We are not big enough nor do we have 42 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

all the resources in the world to attempt to do that. But we do believe that we have the ability to expand services that are high quality and promote excellent health and health outcomes conveniently delivered. And we can do more to match up those services to the community needs and urgency of need.

So What’s New at United Medical?

There are a lot of new things going on at UMC. Last May we held a se-

ries of town hall meetings to help us inform the strategic planning process. We asked the constituents ‘why don’t you use UMC’ and ‘what do we need to have to make you use us’. They were very clear. They wanted high quality care, access to community located physicians and more of it conveniently provided. So we set forth to create more access locally to various health care services and providers. We’ve brought on over 20 new physicians to our medical staff;

a staff that is nearly 80% boardcertified or multiple board-certified. We added cardiologists, urologists, oncologists, gastroenterologists, and more primary care physicians. That’s just on the main campus. We’ve expanded a number of services to ensure that the patients have access to conveniently located and immediately accessible care. As an example we just introduced an addition to our cardiologist services -- interventional cardiology. That’s where we can do onsite diagnostic cardiac catheterizations and heart related implants. We have a new sleep disorder center. We were able to partner with a group of private physicians on staff at the hospital and help them open The Capital Center Sleep Center. There are many studies that prove that there is a direct link between health disparities such as diabetes and hypertension and sleep disorders. So we’re about trying to find the things that contribute to those sleep issues and have proper interventions to deal with them.

Tell Me About the Community Partnerships and Outreach that You’re Doing.

One of the five major goals is community outreach for health. As I said before I don’t think that any one hospital can be all things for all people. It is very well known that the best health care is one that is well integrated across the continuum of care: wellness, preven-

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tion, urgent care, inpatient care, and post-inpatient care. So we have worked very hard to engage the existing community providers like Unity Health, Community of Hope, Whitman Walker as well as individual private physicians in the community to provide collaborative care agreements. These agreements allow for easy access and cross referral of patients. We’ve been working for the better part of a year to partner with Johns Hopkins, Sibley, and Howard University Hospital so that we can bring to UMC screenings, diagnostic planning and various treatment interventions for cancer. That process has started. We have oncology experts working already with patients. Budget markups have been approved by the city council’s health committee to shift funds away from building a proposed new UMC. How do you justify the need for $336 million for a new hospital? The funding level is what’s required for a new building. The numbers are based on national numbers to build a hospital as well as fine tuning that for DC building construction conditions. The current facility dates back to the 1950s. Even as renovations have occurred, they have occurred in a structure that is outdated. So the way things are arranged and delivered are less efficient than they would be in a new, modern facility. We have an emergency room that is the second busiest emergency room in the District for adults. And when you add the Children’s Pediatric emergency room, we are the busiest emergency facility in the District. And yet we have no ability to expand physically within the current structure. On an annual basis we are

spending anywhere from $6-$8 million dollars in facility repairs; patching up and trying to upgrade old systems. But as the facility gets older that task get larger and more challenging and certainly more expensive. If we were located in a new facility with new structure, new heating and a/c systems, new electrical systems, the annual cost that a hospital might incur for routine maintenance would be about half of what we spend now. Usually when you get to about 40 years in a facility, there’s a plan to replace the facility. So we’re about a decade behind in that process. The proposal of a St. Elizabeth location is an intriguing one. There’s an opportunity to be located next to a Metro station, which is important because we have heard our constituents say sometimes it’s very hard to get to our hospital. I think it is consistent with what we have heard from District Council members; they want to see a stateof-the-art health care delivery system on this side of the river. And we believe that a new hospital will go a long way in making sure that quality of care is delivered. For more information about United Medical Center, visit their website at www.united-medicalcenter.com or call 202-574-6000.

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D.C. Housing Authority’s

4th Annual HCVP Basketball Tournament And Life Skills Workshops

Candace Y.A. Montague is the health reporter for Capital Community News. u Dunbar High School 101 N St. NW Washington, DC 20001 With Celebrity Guests, Prizes and Awards, and Entertainment Saturday, June 28, 2014 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 29, 2014 - 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Trophy Presentation@ 4:00 p.m. Online Registration: DCHAHCVPBasketball.leaguetoolbox.com Phone Registration: Cherise Bennett, 202-435-3314, cbennett@dchousing.org EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JuNE 2014 H 43

Victory Gardens DC

Making Nutritious Food More Accessible to Dc’s Low-Income Families article and photos by Twyla Alston

hrough a narrow paved alley off 15th Street, SE, the sound of shovels and pick axes cutting through loamy top soil, and rich laughter resound through this Capitol Hill neighborhood. As I round the corner, an amazing fellowship is revealed— two women reaching into a 12X4 raised garden bed with scissors snipping salad greens and clusters of urban “farm hands” busy in various areas of the quarter acre lot preparing additional plot locations. There is a rightness about this work and with each stride, a feeling of accomplishment even though so much is still required. The founders of this movement have captured that feeling in its name, Victory Gardens DC. Victory gardens were planted on private land during World War I and II to reduce the demand on the public food supply during the wars. Now the war is on hunger. They are a community united as various faiths Workers filling raised beds with soil.

Carlos Fraga and worker laying flagstone for pergola.

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EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Alex Shek, Julia Shek and the Victory Garden Team.

and beliefs by one goal—to create relationships through service to others with food as a common medium. Their goal is to produce fresh organic vegetables to provide for Southeast Washington’s “food insecure” says Alex Shek, co-founder of Victory Garden DC. According to the USDA, the term “food insecure” describes households with limited or uncertain access to nutritious and safe food.

The Light Was On

Alex and Julia Shek moved from the suburbs back to the city expressly to “connect with people,” he shares. They have done just that, making friends of neighbors and reaching youth through street ministry. At around 10 p.m. on a rainy night this past fall, a knock on the door from a stranger would beautifully broaden this connection. He was a man with his daughters (both under five) and fiancé needing food. Any reservations Alex had were overcome by a deeper look into the man’s heart. What reality would lead a man with his family from their place of shelter at night for food? From the homeless shelter at DC General, he walked eight blocks with his family in the dark, but when he reached the Shek home, the light was on. The connection that began that night is why pick axes are breaking ground in a Capitol Hill alley today. They are gaining victory for the food insecure in DC gardens, a victory that is critically needed with DC reported to have second highest Food Hardship rating in the country according to the Food Research and Action Center’s 2013 survey (second only to Mississippi). Within weeks after this encounter, Alex and Julia met with Peter Geoghan (a seasoned organic

farmer and childhood friend) to discuss the vision for Victory Garden DC. Peter’s work on an organic tomato farm and massive organic green house in VA made him a critical resource. He added that “without Peter’s experience we would not have been able to do any of this.” An empty plot of land that spans across the rear of several homes including the Shek’s, used to be inhabited about 20 years ago. Owners of the plot had considered making it a parking lot. However, an update to zoning policies made a parking lot or residence impossible. “There is a rule that the access points to a space had to be at least 18 feet wide to allow access for emergency vehicles and since the alley leading to the space was only 15 feet wide it was deemed unzoneable.” Alex (a seasoned entrepreneur) worked with Julia and Peter to develop a business plan for a non-profit self-sustainable organic garden for those experiencing food hardship with zero revenue for the founders. According to Alex making the garden self-sustainable will mean employing a Social Enterprise model as well as selling produce to local grocery stores, restaurants and maybe a CSA. The plan included a food education program that he hopes to introduce to schools and families. The message they sent to the owners was simple, mow it or let us grow it. With little push back the owners ultimately all agreed. The site on Capitol Hill is just the start. With the help of the community, the Victory Garden DC team hopes to create several sites for this purpose; they just need donated spaces, additional funds and volunteers. There hope is to secure sites in Ward 7 or 8. According to Peter their requirements are minimal. Any space, with any light conditions, that requires no demolition will do. The current space

Julia Shek preparing the team sandwiches for lunch.

is one quarter acre, but even smaller will do and bigger is better. The first seven raised beds were constructed by the man whose story inspired this movement. He has a background in landscaping and construction and has agreed to work full time to maintain the gardens.

What’s In Your Hand?

As my day with the goup wound to a close Julia emerged from the kitchen with a question for Alex. “James is on the phone, he says he has a pitch fork, an extension cord and a circular saw. Do you need him to bring them?” Sitting there I wondered what else are they in need of ? You can help extend this connection by sharing what you have. If you’d like to help, or get more information, goto their website at http://www.victorygardensdc.org/, or contact Alex at alexshek21@ gmail.com or call 202-733-7957. Twyla Alston is a writer, artist, minister and I.T. manager native to Washington, DC. She is passionate about food, gardening, technology, and community development. She has a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management and resides in ward 8 with her husband and two children. u

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | June 2014 H 45

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Long-Serving H.D. Woodson Teacher Celebrates Success with Seniors

article and photo by Charnice. A. Milton

style. While she sets core objectives, she also breaks them into smaller categories. “For example, one of the last things we did was to understand what makes up the characteristics of a Shakespearean sonnet,” she explained. “Initially they said ‘Shakespeare? I don’t want to learn that ...’” The key, she said, is to make the subject understandable for each student. Parker only asks for her students to be productive contributors in the classroom. Parker also helps students complete large projects. Since March her students have been involved Mrs. Parker in a research project to A Ward 7 native, Barbara explain their projected caParker began working at reer paths. Afterwards the Woodson in August 1978. H.D. Woodson High School teacher Barbara Parker (left) speaks to student Tarrence Cross, students defend their pa“At first I was at a very small who emceed the Senior Breakfast at the Benning Road Denny’s. pers in front of their peers. school with maybe 20 teach“The thing I like about ers, and it got too political in that school,” she remthat Parker does other events throughout the year, it is that I learn from them,” Parker explained. “I inisced. “I wanted to go to a larger school where I from special teas to mentoring sessions. “She has learn that they have a passion for what they are would not have to involve myself in the politics of been nothing but encouraging to these young peo- going to do ... and they are able to tell you about educating students and also get involved in school ple,” Commissioner Jackson said. “Mrs. Parker only those career paths: what are the costs, where to go politics. I thought if I could go to a larger venue I has one son ... but she has many children that she to school, best place to work, how it would impact could do what I was created to do, and that was to has dealt with over the years at H.D.” this community, how it would impact the nation, teach.” Throughout the years she proved her dedihow it would impact the world, and they cite their cation to her students, arriving as early as 6:30 a.m. research.” and leaving as late as 6:30 p.m. for tutoring. Today How She Teaches she is an English teacher, a senior class sponsor, According to Woodson media specialist and librarand a member of the School Chapter Advisory ian Kimberly Wright, Parker takes an “old-school” The Students Speak approach to teaching. “She always brings her stu- At the seniors breakfast students were quick to Committee. According to Commissioner Jackson, Parker’s dents down [to the library], and they actually utilize praise their teacher. Terrial Williams described her dedication extends beyond the classroom. “I felt that the library, not just the Internet,” she explained. “I as a “great, great, great grandmother” because of the Mrs. Parker has been doing this for so many years know that students will get a solid education with advice and discipline Parker gives. “She doesn’t take for these young people, using her own funds,” Com- her ... She makes each student earn their grade.” any stuff from anybody,” he said. “Either you’re goWith Parker, in order to get good grades stu- ing to learn something in her class, or you don’t.” missioner Jackson explained. “This is not school money; this is money that she has saved to do this dents must understand what they are learning. “Af- Some students, like Dominique Miles, had to adproject every year to celebrate her young people, and ter I diagnose my students, I like to put them in just to Parker’s disciplinary style. “I thought she was nobody has ever recognized it.” She also explained the realm of success,” Parker said of her teaching mean at first, but she’s real nice,” said Miles. “I didn’t or years, seniors from H.D. Woodson have been treated to breakfast at the Denny’s located on Benning Road. This year they were treated to an appearance from Mayor Vincent Gray, who encouraged the college-bound students to “go off and get your future nailed down, but come back and take on the responsibility of running this city.” While the event honored the soon-to-be graduates, ANC 7E chairperson Mary Jackson believes that the event is a testament to their teacher’s dedication to her students.

46 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

know her then. She’s one of my favorite teachers.” They also respond to Parker’s teaching techniques. For instance, Jeremiah Johnson credits her for helping him improve his answers on brief constructed response (BCR) questions. “Instead of writing the same two sentences, I can write more about the subject and get more credit.” Another student, Tarrence Cross, acknowledged Parker’s role in helping seniors with their research project. “She took two weeks before it was due and she really broke it down so she helped us understand it,” he explained. When asked whether they would recommend Parker to other students, many said they would. “She’s the best English teacher,” said Williams. “It’s not an opinion; it’s a fact.”

For the Students

Parker has been at Woodson for 35 years, and she stays because of the students. “It’s so rewarding to see them grow. It’s so rewarding to see them reach maturity. It’s so rewarding to see them after they leave high school,” she remarked. “They love to brag and tell me how much money they make.” She said four of her former students are now millionaires and they ask if she needs anything. “No,” she answers with a laugh. “I’m an independent woman!” Seeing Woodson alumni succeed gives Commissioner Jackson hope in changing perspectives about Ward 7. “Most people look at East of the River as bad, negative,” she said. “But this is really a rich ward ... Riches don’t come just in money. Riches come in spirit, in the heart, and in how you think about each other as citizens.” She believes that Parker is one of the reasons why Ward 7 is considered “the richest ward in the city”: “That’s what Mrs. Parker has been all these years; she has been an instrument of strictness, love, and educating.” u

SAVE THE DATE!

The Federal City Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Community Day 2014 July 26th, 2014 from 11 am - 3 pm

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

at THEARC 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE Washington, DC 20020 Event Information: Stephanie Erhueh communityday@thefcacdst.org Press Information: Earnestine Dawson publicity@thefcacdst.org

EastofthERivERDCNEws.com

Animal Clinic of Anacostia Candace A. Ashley, DVM 20 years of serving Capitol Hill (minutes from Capitol Hill & Southwest via 11th Street Bridge)

2210 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE

202.889.8900

American Express, MasterCard, Visa & Discover accepted EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JuNE 2014 H 47

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Stories Restore Community Wealth First Book Festival a Step in Right Direction

by Ferzana

tories are the wealth of a community. They can add meaning to places and people. The stories that endure are captured in books and line library shelves. Unfortunately the books that sell don’t always include people and communities like those east of the river. As people travel and time passes, the unwritten and uncollected stories are lost to the detriment of whole generations, until the sense of community and togetherness unravels. To give voice to the writers and readers of these shared stories the River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l.) and the Historic Anacostia Block Association (HABA) hosted the first East of the River Book Festival at the Gateway DC pavilion on the St. Elizabeths East Campus, featuring appearances by over 25 local and regional authors and six community organizations, including volunteers from three city libraries. The focus of the day was not only the importance of literacy but also the stories and images that reflected local residents. Courtney Davis, HABA member, Anacostia resident, educator, and author, led the onsite organization efforts at the festival and hopes the event will be an annual event, not only for Ward 7 and 8 residents but all city residents. “Both for local residents and others the festival works toward erasing negative thoughts rooted in history,” she said as part of the reasoning to organize the event. “A Is for Anacostia,” a children’s book by Davis, is designed for children to learn the alphabet by highlighting the different aspects of the Anacostia neighborhood in a way that is different from the crime-and-poverty-focus of front-page news. Rendering diverse, whimsical images of children that look like kids found in the neighborhood elementary schools, Jerry Craft, a gifted illustrator, created the artwork for some of the children’s books available at the festival, including “A Is for Anacostia.” The children were able to find many examples of books that were inclusive of their realities, and perhaps learned lessons from the shared stories or planted a seed in their imaginations from which they can grow as people. The DC Public Library and a team of friendly

48 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Children choosing books to read at the festival.

Almost every table offered stories with lessons and diverse images.

staff helped area residents sign up for library cards and hosted readings for children. With youth volunteers on staff, the library helped convey a message that reading is socially acceptable for kids just as for festival participants. Leithia Wilson, from Literacy Volunteers and Advocates, provided information about the free services her organization offers to help adults learn to read and write, because literacy eludes many adults. Wilson shared that her organization is constantly in need of volunteers able to make a one-year commitment to the 200 learners. “The festival is an important community event that gives us the opportunity to expose others to our programs,” Wilson noted appreciatively. Stories sometimes teach you lessons. Many of the books displayed at the festival have lessons for their target readers. From teaching children about finances and entrepreneurship to teaching the broken-hearted to love again after a traumatic experience, almost every table had a book with lessons for young readers. Sandra Fleming, a self-

Nabeel Bilal with giant puppet of Winston, the lead character in “Callaloo.”

published children’s book author who grew up in Ward 8, penned “An Unlikely Trio” about three different friends. “My hope is to teach kids to embrace their uniqueness,” said Fleming. Photographer Alyscia Cunningham imparts a similar message in “Feminine Transitions,” a photographic celebration of natural beauty.

Get Your East of the River Playing with his giant puppet, Nabeel Bilal, illustrator for “Callaloo,” a children’s jazz folktale, has a similar message. In using a puppet, an AfricanAmerican boy named Winston, who ends up on the island of Tobago, Bilal offers residents another image similar to local children and a lesson to take only what you need. “Events like the festival are great because they are a way to promote dialogue,” remarked Bilal. Having grown up in the neighborhood and come back after college, Bilal remembers a time when there were no opportunities to come out and meet other community members. Perhaps the most prolific author exhibiting at the festival was Ronald R. Hanna, who has published 15 books and countless articles and poems since he began writing as a student at Ballou High School. He used to think that the best invention was the correcting Selectric Typewriter made by IBM. Currently he is at work on a play and is definitely using a computer. Hanna writes stories about the city during his days as a drug addict, hoping that young people can learn from his books without having to learn by doing. “The most important thing is to read and then write,” he declared. The East of the River community must work hard to promote literacy and support local writers who safeguard these teaching stories for the next generation, so that future generations avoid reinventing the wheel or learning the hard way. Positive, diverse images will give children their role models, and teaching stories will help them grow. The First Book Festival is a step in the right direction. u

Location

Address

River Terrace Rec Center & Elemantary School 420 34th St , NE CVS - East River Park 320 40th St , NE Safeway – NE 322 40th St , NE 6th District Police Dept - Main 100 42nd St , NE Ward Memorial AME 240 42nd St NE Kennilworth Elementary School 1300 44th ST NE Unity East of the River Health Center 123 45th ST NE First Baptist Church of Deanwood 1008 45th St NE Deanwood Public Library 1350 49th ST NE Hughes Memorial United Methodist 25 53rd St NE Capitol Gateway Senior Apts 201 58th St , NE Marvin Gaye Rec Center 6201 Banks Pl NE Watts Branch Recreation Center 6201 Banks St , NE Langston Community Library 2600 Benning Rd , NE Anacostia Neighborhood Library 1800 Good Hope Road SE Benning Branch Library 3935 Benning Rd NE Marshall Heights CDC 3939 Benning Rd , NE Kelly Miller Recreation Center 4900 Brooks St , NE Tabernacle baptist Church 719 Division Ave NE 4417 Douglas St NE Randall Memorial Baptist Church East Capital Church of christ 5026 E Capitol St NE Seat Pleasant CARE Pharmacy 350 Eastern Ave , NE 7-Eleven 950 Eastern AVE NE Riverside Center 5200 Foote St , NE Mayfair Mansions 3744 ½ Hayes St NE Citibank: East River Park 3917 Minnesota Ave , NE Chartered Health Center NE 3924 Minnesota Ave , NE Vending Machines – Deanwood Metro 4720 Minnesota Ave , NE The Minnicks Market 4401 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE Lederer Gardens 4800 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE Suburban Market 4600 Sherriff Rd NE Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church 4601 Sheriff Road NE Dave Brown Liquors 4721 Sheriff Road Northeast Dave Brown Liquor 4721 Sherriff Rd NE A & S Grocery 4748 Sheriff Rd NE St Rose Pentecostal Church 4816 Sherriff Rd NE Malcolm X Rec Center 3200 13th st SE St More Catholic Church 4275 4th St SE 1400 41st St , SE Fort Davis Recreation Center Ferebee Hope Recreation Center 3999 8th St , SE Emanuel Baptist Church 2409 Ainger Place SE IHOP Restauarant 1523 Alabama Ave, SE Giant Food Store 1535 Alabama Ave , SE SunTrust Bank 1571 Alabama Ave , SE Parklands-Turner Community Library 1547 Alabama Ave , SE Manor Village Apartments Leasing Office 1717 Alabama Ave , SE Garfield Elementary 2435 Alabama Ave 7th District Station 2455 Alabama Ave , SE 6th District Police Dept - Satellite Station 2839 Alabama Ave , SE Service Cleaners 2841 Alabama Ave , SE Safeway – SE 2845 Alabama Ave SE Pizza Hut 2859 Alabama Ave , SE America’s Best Wings 2863 Alabama Ave , SE M&T Bank 2865 Alabama Ave , SE Washington Senior Wellness Center 3001 Alabama Ave , SE St Timothys Episcopal Church 3601 Alabama Ave SE Francis A Gregory Neighborhood Library 3660 Alabama Ave , SE 1900 Anacostia Dr , SE National Capital Parks--EAST

MIDCITY

Kid smiles 4837 Benning Road SE Pimento Grill 4405 Bowen Rd SE East Washington Heights Baptist Church 2220 Branch Ave ,SE St Johns Baptist Church 5228 Call Place SE Capitol View Branch Library 5001 Central Ave , SE Marie Winston Elementary School 3100 Denver St , SE Subway 4525 East Capitol St Our Lady Queen of Peace Church 3800 Ely Pl , SE Anacostia Museum for African Amer History 1901 Fort Pl SE - Back Door Smithsonian Anacostia Marcia Burris 1901 Fort Place SE - Back Door DC Center for Therapeutic Recreation 3030 G ST SE ARCH 1227 Good Hope Rd , SE Anacostia Pizzeria 1243 Good Hope Rd , SE SunTrust Bank 1340 Good Hope Rd , SE Unity Health Care Inc 1638 Good Hope Rd , SE Bread for the City 1640 Good Hope Rd , SE Marbury Plaza Tenants Assoc 2300 Good Hope Rd , SE 1453 Howard Rd , SE Dollar Plus Supermarket Ascensions Psychological & Community Services 1526 Howard Rd , SE Dupont Park SDA Church 3985 Massachusettes Ave SE Orr Elementary School 2200 Minnesota Ave SE Hart Recreation Center 601 Mississippi Ave , SE Southeast Tennis and Learning Center 701 Mississippi Ave , SE The ARC 1901 Mississippi Ave , SE Neighborhood Pharmacy 1932 Martin Luther King Jr , SE PNC Bank 2000 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE Bank of America 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE C Aidan Salon 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE Big Chair Coffee 2122 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE Animal Clinic of Anacostia 2210 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE

For more distribution locations, contact 202.543.8300 x.19

Max Robinson Center of Whitman-Walker Clinic 2301 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE The United Black Fund 2500 Martin Luther King Ave SE The Pizza Place 2910 Martin Luther King Ave SE Metropol Educational Services, 3rd Floor 3029 Marin Luther King Jr Ave , SE National Children’s Center Southeast Campus 3400 Martin Luther King Jr , SE Assumption Catholic Church 3401 Martin Luther King Ave SE Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center 3500 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE Congress Heights Health Center 3720 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SE CVS - Skyland 2646 Naylor Rd , SE 1350 Pennsylvania Ave SE Harris Teeter Thai Orchid Kitchen 2314 Pennsylvania Ave SE St Francis Xavier Church 2800 Pennsylvania Ave SE Pennsylvania Ave Baptist Church 3000 Pennsylvania Ave SE CVS – Penn Branch 3240 Pennsylvania Ave , SE Congress Heights Recreation Center 100 Randle Pl , SE Johnson Memorial Baptist Church 800 Ridge Rd SE Ridge Recreation Center 800 Ridge Rd , SE Savoy Recreation Center 2440 Shannon Pl SE PNC Bank 4100 South Capitol St , SE Rite Aid 4635 South Capitol St , SE United Medical Center 1310 Southern Ave , SE Benning Park Community Center 5100 Southern Ave SE Benning Stoddert Recreation Center 100 Stoddert Pl , SE Union Temple Baptist Church 1225 W ST SE Senior Living at Wayne Place 114 Wayne Place SE Washington Highlands Neighborhood Library 115 Atlantic St , SW Bald Eagle At Fort Greble 100 Joliet St SW Covenant Baptist Church 3845 South Capitol St Faith Presbyterian Church 4161 South Capitol St SW Henson Ridge Town Homes Office 1804 Stanton Terrace, SE 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW The Wilson Building CCN office 224 7th ST SE Eastern Market 225 7th St SE YMCA Capitol View 2118 Ridgecrest Court SE CW Harris Elementary School 301 53rd Street, SE DC Child & Family Services Agency 200 I Street SE

FA G O N C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | June 2014 H 49

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

jazzAvenues by Steve Monroe

“Jazz in Washington” a Valuable Memoir

Many interesting tidbits about Duke Ellington and the early 20th-century jazz scene in Washington, as well as remembrances by W.A. “Bill” Brower and other historians about the city and music since then, highlight the Historical Society of Washington’s special publication “Washington History: Jazz in Washington.” It was released this spring, with many of us getting a copy on April 28 at the University of the District of Columbia’s Calvin Johnson Big Band Festival, and is available at www.historydc.org. Only $20, a bargain at twice the price, it is a must-have for jazz aficionados and also those African-Americans and those of all races interested in the social and cultural history of the 19th and 20th centuries that formed the framework and impetus for a city now well known for its musical legacy: “Shortly after Ellington returned from his first tour as Jazz Ambassador, Dizzy Gillespie set his sights on a new residence in Ellington’s hometown, namely the White House. Although Gillespie embarked on his presidential campaign in jest, his underlying message was completely serious: American politics needed new energy. Gillespie promised that if elected, he would rename the White House “the Blues House” and appoint a stellar cabinet: Duke Ellington as secretary, Peggy Lee as labor chief, and Miles Davis as director of the CIA.”

Elsewhere in the journal W.A. “Bill” Brower says this about the Capital City Jazz Festival, forerunner of the DC Jazz Festival and others we now enjoy: “The first festival that we did – 1985 – we opened up with Miles Davis and

50 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

the Dirty Dozen Brass Band at the Convention Center. It was around Miles’s birthday and we gave him a big cake … We did a lot of great shows. We did M’Boom and the World Saxophone Quartet, Little Jimmy Scott with Milt Jackson, Betty Carter, Tito Puente and Paquito D’Rivera and we had a Latin jam session with local Latin cats … We had Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela.”

Byron Morris, one of our master saxophonists, flutists, and bandleaders, who is in a photo in “Jazz in Washington” with his band Unity from a 2000 Blues Alley performance, says “I was flattered that I am in the journal … you always hear about great players being from Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, New York … and I think DC needs to get its props, to be there [as having a great legacy] with all the other places.” One fascinating chapter, “Jazz Radio in Washington,” is related by Rusty Hassan of WPFW-FM radio. Hassan talks about programmers like Paul Anthony, Nap Turner, and Jimmie Gray, as well as Felix Grant, whose jazz archives at the University of the District of Columbia bear his name. Hassan mentions other personalities and radio highlights and recalls many stations that had jazz at one time, where today there is basically just WPFW.

DC Jazz Festival Celebrates 10th year

The DC Jazz Festival celebrates its10th anniversary during June 24-29 at various venues and events around town, including the East River Jazz Series, which has our young man of all genres, homeboy pianist Marc Cary, headlining shows at the Anacostia Playhouse on June 25 and at THEARC on June

Duke Ellington School of the Arts graduate Marc Cary (left), shown here back in the day with piano legend McCoy Tyner, returns home to play at THEARC in Southeast DC for the East River Jazz Festival, June 25-26. Photo: Marc Cary

26. For complete information go to www.dcjazzfestival.org.

In Person … “Elements of Life” CD Party

One night in May featured a lot of jazz and a healthy dose of reggae rhythms when trombonist Reginald Cyntje’s group filled the room at Dukem Restaurant on U Street with sounds from its recent “Elements of Life” CD. Tenor saxophonist Brian Settles was in special form, forging full-bodied solos on several of the CD’s tunes, such as “Earth,” and vocalist Christie Dashiell shone on “Skylark.” Bassist Kris Funn and drummer Amin Gumbs and pianist Mark Meadows helped spread the vibe that “Elements of Life” is adding a special element to our musical universe. June Highlights: Jazz Samba Project, May 31-June 15, Strathmore Music Center, Mansion … Pharoah Sanders, June 5-8, Blues Alley … Iqua & Steve Colson Quintet, June 8, Bohemian Caverns … Kenny Nunn Band, June 12, Twins Jazz … Sakota Fujii Trio, June 15, Bohemian Caverns … George Colligan, June 18, Blues Alley … Herb Scott, Elijah Balbed, June 19, Twins Jazz … Kar-

rin Allyson, June 19-21, Blues Alley … Houston Person, June 20-21, Bohemian Caverns … DC Jazz Festival, June 24-29, various venues … Nordic Jazz Festival, June 24-29, Twins Jazz … Marc Cary SE Dance Jam, June 25, Anacostia Playhouse … Marc Cary, Retrospective Suite, June 26, THEARC Theater … David Sanchez, June 27-28, Bohemian Caverns … Jazz@Wesley/Kush Abadey, Corcoran Holt, Benito Gonzalez, June 28, Wesley United Methodist Church … Gary Bartz, June 29, Bohemian Caverns … Integriti Reeves, June 13, Westminster Presbyterian Church … June Birthdays: Josephine Baker, Dakota Staton 3; Oliver Nelson, Anthony Braxton 4; Monty Alexander 5; Jimmie Lunceford, Grant Green 6; Tal Farlow, Tina Brooks 7; Kenny Barron 9; Chick Corea, Geri Allen 12; Jaki Byard, Erroll Garner 15; Lucky Thompson 16; Eric Dolphy 20; Jamil Nasser 21; Milt Hinton 23; Reggie Workman 26; Andrew Hill 30. Steve Monroe is a Washington, DC, writer who can be reached at steve@jazzavenues.com and followed at www. twitter.com/jazzavenues. u

Anacostia River Realty

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 ofямБce on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

Become a Real Estate Agent! The Next 8-week Course Starts July 8, 2014 Tues. and Thurs. 6pm-10pm

Sales. Rentals. Property Management. 202-678-7325 1920 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE Washington, DC 20020

www.AnacostiaRiverRealty.com The East of the River Experts!

Neighborhood

Price

FEE SIMPLE ANACOSTIA

1322 TALBERT TER SE 2245 14TH ST SE 1416 RIDGE PL SE 1675 W ST SE

CHILLUM

5935 3RD ST NW 27 MADISON ST NW

CONGRESS HEIGHTS

3829 1ST ST SE 631 RALEIGH PL SE 3311 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE 3315 12TH ST SE 80 BRANDYWINE PL SW 800 HR DR SE 877 BARNABY ST SE 4610 6TH ST SE 653 RALEIGH PL SE

DEANWOOD

5022 CAPITOL ST NE 4419 JAY ST NE 212 DIVISION AVE NE 853 51ST ST NE 5205 BLAINE ST NE 30 53RD ST SE 815 51ST ST NE 5812 EADS ST NE 5814 EADS ST NE 4425 KANE PL NE

FORT DUPONT PARK $307,000 $150,000 $146,000 $75,000

3 3 3 3

$650,000 $365,000

4 2

$240,000 $219,900 $210,000 $175,200 $175,000 $160,000 $159,900 $150,000 $121,200

3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3

$332,500 $248,000 $233,000 $228,900 $205,000 $149,000 $105,000 $100,000 $75,000 $40,000

3 4 4 3 4 2 2 2 2 4

1234 45TH PL SE 4515 TEXAS AVE SE 3908 Q ST SE 4329 C ST SE 4035 D ST SE

HILL CREST

3055 Q ST SE 1216 34TH PL SE 3414 CARPENTER ST SE

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 5028 A ST SE 4612 BASS PL SE 5213 CAPITOL ST SE

RANDLE HEIGHTS 3465 23RD ST SE 3463 23RD ST SE 1459 CONGRESS PL SE

$400,000 $211,000 $189,032 $155,000 $136,000

4 2 3 3 4

$349,900 $335,000 $335,000

2 3 3

$369,900 $220,000 $120,000

4 3 3

$235,000 $234,990 $121,100

2 2 2

$155,000

$115,000 $99,000

2 2

CONDO DEANWOOD

4633 MINNESOTA AVE NE #4633

HILL CREST

2105 SUITLAND TER SE #A 2016 37TH ST SE #102 u

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JuNE 2014 H 51

KIDS & FAMILY

Kids & Family Notebook by Kathleen Donner

DC Black Theater Festival Kids’ Performances

“My Little World”, Friday - June 27, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m. My Little World: A Day In PreSchool “LIVE” is a vibrant theatre production, full of cultural music that promotes 60-minutes of healthy physical activity, while engaging children in interactive lessons that teach movement techniques and healthy living principles. “Young Wild and Out of Control”, Saturday, June 28, 5 p.m. Young, Wild, & Out of Control is the urban teen stage play about a group of teen’s transformation from a life of recklessness, with nothing they won’t do and nothing they won’t try, to a destined life of purpose. “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters”, Sunday, June 29, 1 p.m. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale is a children’s stage play that teaches lessons about character, positive values and principles and compassion, based in the southeast African country of Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, and Mt. Nyangani are the backdrops for this tale of recognizing beauty on the inside as well as the outside. “Seven Spools of Tread”, Sunday, June 29, 4 p.m. The Seven Spools of Thread is an African folktale about the origin of the kente cloth. It weaves together the seven principles of Kwanzaa using the fate of seven brothers and their looming inheritance. These performances are at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. “Why Can’t We Be Friends”, Saturday, June 21, 2 p.m. This play 52 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

examines the mental and emotional affects that bullying has on children. Ricky, who is a nice, loving, and very friendly kid, is tormented and bullied for being different and for not becoming a part of the “cool kid” group. This performance is at the Sitar Arts Center 1700 Kalorama Rd. NW. Tickets for all plays are $15 (plus $2.97 service fee) for all children’s performances. Order them at dcblacktheatrefestival.com.

Callaloo: A Jazz Folktale at Anacostia Community Museum

In the spirit of Caribbean American Heritage Month, on Sunday, June 22, 1-4 p.m., join author Marjuan Canady and illustrator Nabeeh Bilal who present their new children’s book Callaloo: A Jazz Folktale. Canady reads from her book that features folklore from the African diaspora, specifically the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Bilal explains his illustrations and the origins of the Afro-Caribbean characters. Book signing follows the program. Free; books are available for purchase. For more information (including shuttle times) or to attend, visit anacostia,si.edu or call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Science Friday: Let’s Watch Bill Nye

Every Friday afternoon at 3 p.m., they’ll be showing two episodes of

In front are Kori Graham, 5, and Jacob Jenkins, 2,; in back are Raymari Owens, 8, Alaila Kenkins, 9, and Otis Jenkins, IV, 8. Photo: Kathleen Donner

Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion Open for Summer

The Anacostia Skating Pavilion is a covered, outdoor skating pavilion. Skate weekdays in summer, 11 a.m.-5:45 p.m. and weekends, 11 a.m.6:45 p.m. There is free skate “rental” but sizes are limited. You must leave ID to use skates. Go east on Penn. Ave. and make the first right turn onto Fairlawn Ave. and another right onto Nicholson and then into Anacostia Park. 202-472-3873. nps.gov/anac Bill Nye the Science Guy, the show that makes science fun for kids. This program will take place in the Children’s Story Circle and is open to kids ages 8-12. Dorothy I. Height/ Benning Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-2812583. dclibrary.org/benning

Free Camp for Bereaved Girls (ages 9-14)

Circle of EKC, a program of Circle Camps for Grieving Children, is offering a free week of overnight camp to young girls ages 9-14 who have experienced the death of par-

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Contact Us Today! Jim Griffin, Principal 202-562-9170| jgriffin@somersetprepdc.org www.somersetdc.com EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | June 2014 H 53

KIDS & FAMILY the program on a need-blind basis. Circle of EKC is free for campers including transportation to and from camp from a central meeting place in the DC Metropolitan Area. For applications, contact Robin Berman, Camper Director at 703-655-8324 or robinberman@circlecamps.org.

Saturday Morning at the National Free Performances for Children

On Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. there are free live performances for children in the Helen Hayes Gallery. Tickets are required and distributed first come-first seated. Tickets are distributed 1/2 hour prior to performance. One ticket per person in line. The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. 202783-3372. June 7, Happenstance Theatre-Pinot and Augustine; June 14, Single Carrot Theatre-Rumpled; June 21, Uncle Devin; June 28, the Yolo Show! Choose to Read; July 12, Arianna Ross-The Magic of the Sea; July 19, Mark Lohr-Classic Comedy; July 26, Mary Ann Jung-Pee Wee Pirates; Aug. 9, Brian CurryIt’s Magic; Aug. 9, Bright Star Theatre-The Ugly Duckling; Aug. 16, Christiana Drapkin-Bop Goes the Weasel!; Aug. 23, Synetic TheatreMiraculous Magic Balloon. Read more at thenationaldc.org.

Ward 8 Shoot Hoops not Bullets Partnership Opportunity

Eagles Nest Youth Association is a 501c3 non-profit corporation that mentors youth and young adults in Ward 8. They are seeking other organizations, agencies, and individuals that would like to partner with them and DPR in offering the 7th Annual Ward 8 Shoot Hoops not Bullets Summer Program. Shoot Hoops not Bullets is an eight week summer basketball league, integrated with developmental workshops tailored for at-risk youth and young adults in Ward 8, in order to effectively reduce youth violence. Youth have to commit to attending all of the developmental workshops in order to participate in the basketball league itself. Workshops are held before the first game of the evening, while games are played four evenings a week in the Bellevue, Washington Highlands, Congress Heights and Douglass, 6 p.m.-midnight. They started with four teams in 2008 and last summer, hosted 49 teams to include 472 participants. Player’s range from 13-30 years of age. For more information, contact SHNB Founder/Commissioner, Marc Williams at marcs.williams@dc.gov. ent, Aug. 17-22, 2014 at the Emma Kaufmann Camp in Morgantown, West Virginia. In the past 12 years, over 350 grieving young girls have attended a Circle Camp. While fun 54 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

filled summer camp activities are an important part of Circle, their program is unique in its integration of grief activities throughout the campers’ week. Campers are accepted into

Registration Open for Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids’ Fun Run

The Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Pentagon north parking lot. Nearly 3,600 children ages 5-12 will participate in the one-mile just-for-fun event. All participants receive a T-shirt, medal and snacks at the finish line. The Kids Run hosts six separate starting times. An individual young runner’s designated wave is indicated on the oﬃcial participant bib as noted by color, start time and bib number. Register at marinemarathon.com. Kids of all ages will love meeting the amazing menagerie of mascots at the Healthy Kids Fun Run. Miles and Molly welcome: Sammy the Sea Otter from Navy Federal, Lift Off from Sodexo, the GECIO Gecko,

Jack the Bulldog from Georgetown University, J. Slice and the National Watermelon Queens from the National Watermelon Promotion board, Talon from DC United, Jukebox from Silver Diner, and Archie the Eagle from Quantico Eagle Eyes.

Zumba Kids at Capitol View Library

All we need is a beat! Zumba Kids is the perfect combination of fun and fitness. On Sunday, June 8 and 22; July 6 and 20; Aug. 3 and 17; 3:30 p.m., join them as they dance to great music with easy to follow kid-friendly moves. This program is for ages 4-13. Capitol View Neighborhood Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE. 202-645-0755. dclibrary.org/ capitolview

Family & Youth Casting Call Fishing Event

Spend a free day fishing in the C&O Canal. Family & Youth Casting Call provides the instructors and all the gear you will need to catch fish! When not fishing, children can take part in activities including fish printing/art, knot tying, fly and spincasting instruction, watershed education activities, and fish hatching and local fish and animal displays. Partner agencies and organizations will have displays set up to learn about how they are helping fish and fishing across the country. This event is on Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Fletcher’s Cove on the C&O Canal, 4940 Canal Rd. NW. familyandyouthcastingcall.com

Baseball Cap Giveaway

On Sunday, June 22, 1:35 p.m. at the Nat’s vs. Atlanta Braves, the first 20,000 fans will receive baseball caps. Kids can also run the bases after this game. Kids Run the Bases begins immediately following the game, weather permitting. An adult must accompany runners to the field. One adult per child on the field. Starting at first base, kids will be directed to run around the bases as the adults continue along the warning track and meet the runners near home plate. Once the game has ended, it takes the grounds crew ap-

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | June 2014 H 55

KIDS & FAMILY for pediatric oncology patients and their families by focusing on the academic, social and emotional needs brought on by a cancer diagnosis. Cancer creates an instant crisis in a family. Fear and anxiety are the first emotions young people may feel after learning of their illness and what they are about to face. Kids with cancer are still normal kids! Their program’s focus is guided by the direct feedback they receive from affected families and advice from the Cool Kids Advisory Committees.

proximately 20 minutes to prepare the field. Kids and parents/guardians can begin lining up at the end of the 7th inning, however fans that would like to stay and watch the entire game will still be able to line up once the game has ended. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. The line forms outside of the park on the sidewalk along First St. washington.nationals.mlb.com

2014 Great American Backyard Campout

We All Scream for Ice Cream! at Deanwood Library

The 2014 Great American Backyard Campout will take place on Saturday, June 28. The National Wildlife Federation has set a goal of getting more than 200,000 people across the country to camp out. And, just in time for the 10th anniversary of the Great American Backyard Campout, National Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors and other friends have offered to donate $2 in support of NWF’s wildlife conservation work for every person that participates in this year’s Campout-up to $400,000. All proceeds benefit the National Wildlife Federation. Read more at nwf.org/Great-American-Backyard-Campout where you can also download campfire stories and songs.

On Thursday, June 12, 4:30 p.m., join them at Deanwood for a createyour-own-ice cream extravaganza. For ages 6-12. Deanwood Neighborhood Library, 1350 49th St. NE. 202-6981175. dclibrary.org/deanwood

Smithsonian Sleepovers at the Natural History Museum

Cool Kids Campaign Running Festival

The Cool Kids Campaign Running Festival, on Sunday, June 29, at Oregon Ridge Park, Cockeysville, MD. includes a family friendly 5K and a 1-mile fun run/walk that begins at 8 a.m. This fun cross country course on the grassy fields at Oregon Ridge Park will be professionally timed by Charm City Run and is easy for walkers and families. All registered participants will receive a cotton Running Festival T-Shirt and can take part in the family friendly festival after the races! The festival after the race will feature a live DJ, food spread, and a focus on family which sets this event apart. Register at coolkidscampaign.org/run. Cool Kids Campaign is devoted to improving the quality of life 56 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Kids Free Summer Fun Deal at Newseum

The Newseum offers everything from the Berlin Wall and Pulitzer Prizewinning photos to interactive games. And this summer, July 1 through Labor Day, the Newseum waives admission for visitors age 18 and younger. Up to four kids visit for free with each paid adult or senior admission, or Press Pass membership. Whether you have just a few hours or want to spend all day, you’ll find something for everyone in the Newseum’s 15 theaters and 15 galleries. Don’t miss “Anchorman: The Exhibit,” on display through Aug. 31, featuring props from the hit movies and a look at real 1970s news teams. Also see “One Nation with News for All,” a new exhibit that tells the dramatic story of how immigrants and minorities used the power of the press to fight for their rights and shape the American experience. Remember to save your admission ticket and come back the next day for free! Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. newseum.org

On Saturdays, June 21 and 28; July 12; and Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22; go on an interactive exploration of the museum, participate in hands-on crafts projects, and view an IMAX film. Then roll out your sleeping bag and dream away in the darkened halls of one of the world’s most famous museums! For ages 8-12. $135 per person for non-Smithsonian members. This is a telephone registration only event because the program requires them to collect extra information about the participants. Call to register at 202-633-3030, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. These sleepovers sell out quickly. smithsonianassociates.org

Born Free Africa

In 2012, 260,000 children were infected with HIV passed on by their mothers at birth. Without treatment, half of them will die before their second birthday. With your help, mother-to-child transmission can be eliminated forever. Born Free Africa’s global deadline for elimination is Dec. 15, 2015. Born Free invests people, time, and business acumen to significantly accelerate

the pace towards a generation born HIV-free in the African countries most affected by this issue. Born Free invests in local African talent who work behind the scenes to drive change within their own governments toward elimination. Born Free also produces analyses on key policy issues using a business lens and is harnessing the voice, creativity, and reach of the fashion industry to inspire urgency as the deadline for a generation born HIV-free approaches. Read more at bornfreeafrica.org.

Become A Pilot Day at Udvar-Hazy Center

Each year, visitors see nearly 50 visiting vintage, recreational, and home-built aircraft at an outdoor display for one day only, and enjoy indoor presentations and activities for all ages. This event is Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at throughout the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. Admission is free, parking $15. airandspace.si.edu

DC Ed Fund Launches ArtsNowDC

The DC Public Education Fund (DC Ed Fund) launched ArtsNowDC—a year-round fund for arts programming in DC Public Schools—at Art Night 2014, a gala art auction at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery. The DC Ed Fund intends to raise a minimum of $100,000 to support arts programming at schools, focusing first on the lowest 40 performing schools. Chancellor Henderson has asked that the initial funds from ArtsNowDC be invested in art supplies and programs. $2,500 per school will fully equip a visual arts program with supplies to use throughout the year including paint and brushes, printers and ink, pencils and markers, paper, and clay, supplying students with the resources to expand and grow their art potential. The same amount per school will support music program needs, such as equipment repairs, or materials and transportation to performances.

“A Book That Shaped Me” Summer Essay Contest

The Library of Congress, in conjunction with public libraries in the Mid-Atlantic region, has launched its annual essay contest encouraging rising 5th and 6th-grade students to reflect on books that have made a personal impact on their lives. The “A Book That Shaped Me” Summer Writing Contest is administered as part of summer reading programs at participating public libraries in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Top winners will be honored during a ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 18. All students who enter the contest can redeem a free contest prize pack at the Library of Congress National Book Festival, which will take place Aug. 30, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Students entering 5th and 6th grades in the fall of 2014 are eligible. Essays, focused on a single book, should be one page in length and must be submitted with an entry form, in person, at participating public library locations. The deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 11, 2014. The list of participating libraries, more information, and program updates is available at loc. gov/bookfest/kids-teachers/booksthatshape/. u

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JuNE 2014 H 57

KIDS & FAMILY

Simon Elementary Students Win Essay Contests

article and photo by Charnice A. Milton

ver the last two school years Simon Elementary School, located on Mississippi Avenue, developed a habit of celebrating staff and student achievements. For instance, kindergarten teacher Kathy Hollowell-Makle was honored twice, as DC Public Schools (DCPS) 2013 Teacher of the Year and as First Lady Michelle Obama’s guest at the 2014 State of the Union Address. In May Simon students and staff had another reason to celebrate: Whitney Bartell’s fifth-grade students, Ka’Shawn Hough and Arjanae Mitchell, were two of 10 winners of the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary (NCLA) Law Day essay contest, while another, Kavon Douglas, was named a Carson Scholar.

Why Apply?

Although Bartell is in only her second year at Simon, she is used to finding new opportunities for her students. “I have a very supportive administration and colleague network here and they’re always making me aware of various things that my students can apply for,” she said. “And these students in particular always display the hallmarks of what it means to be an excellent student.” Not only do Douglas, Hough, and Mitchell have good grades, observed Bartell, but they are leaders in the classroom. “They are the people who take over in terms of projects and can manage their peers in a way, and their peers are very dedicated to following these three,” she explained. “I see that a lot of kids may ask them for help on certain homework or class assignments 58 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

Fifth-graders (left to right) Kavon Douglas, Arjanae Mitchell, and Ka’Shawn Hough (seen here with teacher Whitney Bartell) receive special recognition after being named a Carson Scholar (Douglas) and winning the NCLA Law Day essay contest (Mitchell and Hough).

where they’re working in groups.” When Bartell suggested Douglas, Hough, and Mitchell for the Carson Scholarship and NCLA Law Day essay contest, she said that their enthusiasm made them easy to convince. “I think that these experiences are also things that will follow them for the rest of their lives,” she explained. Mitchell was already thinking of her future when she applied: “I decided to enter the essay contest because I want to be a teacher when I grow up

and I want to help others,” she said. Hough had a different reason: “I wanted to be in the essay contest so I could try something new this year.” Not only was the contest a new experience, she also wanted to meet Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who was the keynote speaker during the May 1 award ceremony. Douglas said he wanted to become a Carson Scholar because “I want to set an example for young people just like me, and older people.”

NCLA Law Day Essay Contest

According the application, the NCLA Law Day essay contest hopes “to encourage students to understand the importance of living in a democratic society.” The contest invites DC Public Schools fifth-graders to write 250 to 500 word-essays on a given theme. This year’s theme was “What America Means to Me.” NCLA chose up to 10 students to win a gift certificate and an autographed copy of Justice Sotomayor’s book, “My Be-

loved World.” Students also had the chance to meet Justice Sotomayor and read excerpts from their essays during the awards ceremony. “I was nervous when I was getting my award because there were so many things going through my mind. I didn’t really know what to say,” said Mitchell of the event. “Then I stopped being nervous. I just went up there and read my essay.” Hough was also nervous during the ceremony. “When I went to the Supreme Court, I thought if I saw [ Justice Sotomayor] in person, I might say the wrong thing,” she said. “But I was also excited because I got to see the Supreme Court justice.” After the ceremony Justice Sotomayor congratulated and took pictures with the students, along with Bartell and their principal, Adelaide Flamer.

Ben Carson Scholars

Since 1996 the Ben Carson Scholarship Fund (CSF) has made awards to students in grades 4 through 11 with academic success and a dedication to serving their communities. Prospective scholars are nominated by a school oﬃcial (principal, teacher, or counselor), but only one student from each school may apply. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and display humanitarian qualities through community service. Winners receive a $1,000 college scholarship as well as an “Olympic-sized medal and trophy.” This year 510 students around the country were named as Carson Scholars, and to date CSF has awarded 6,200 scholarships. Douglas did not attend the awards ceremony but is proud of the work he accomplished. “I feel excited, but when I was doing the contest I was nervous because I didn’t know I was going to win,” he explained. “I tried my best. I got so excited; I cried in front of my mom and my sister and Dr. Flamer.” After receiving the nomination Douglas completed an application, which included an essay portion. “I wrote my essay about how I struggled so bad when I was young and I met my

goals when I got older, and the people that eventually helped me,” he said. Douglas struggled with multiple subjects, including math, science, social studies, and reading. “I couldn’t get it,” he explained. “I was trying my best, but I still couldn’t get it. But now I know what I need to do. I believed in myself. I tried my best. I never back down on myself and I never give up.”

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A Family Affair

What makes this achievement special for Douglas and Hough is that as siblings they can celebrate together. “They’re very competitive, but they’re very, very close,” said Bartell. “Right now they’re actually competing for valedictorian and salutatorian.” Despite having a competitive relationship, they support each other’s achievements. “I’m proud of him for winning,” said Hough. “He’s my older brother, so now I can follow his footsteps.” Douglas agreed, saying “I never thought she would get this type of award from this greatest person ... Now I can set examples for her and she can set examples for me.

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What Happens Now

As the school year ends, Douglas, Hough, and Mitchell are preparing for graduation and middle school. Douglas and Hough will attend Somerset Preparatory Public Charter School in the fall. Mitchell plans to attend a preparatory school but hasn’t decided which one. They are also applying for a summer program that allows them to gain experience in a career field. Bartell hopes that her students’ recent successes will show how much the city has to offer. “There’s so much available in Washington for students who want to learn and want to showcase their particular talents,” she declared. “It’s just a matter of enabling the students to take advantage of that and making sure you support and motivate them to take advantage of that. They will never win anything unless they apply or unless they try.” u

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JuNE 2014 H 59

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202-223-ROOF (7663) EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JUNE 2014 ★ 61

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

“Food Groups” by Myles Mellor and Sally York Across:

1. Larry, for one 7. Enters data 13. Quick bread 20. Loud speaker 21. Pupil’s cover 22. Like a trombone slide 23. Schoolyard saying 26. Decide 27. Aggressive 28. Church niche 29. European language 30. Pipsqueak 31. Newspaper div. 33. Duration 35. Vagabond 38. Sediment 40. Die down 45. Girasol, e.g. 46. Naif 49. A Welsh valley 50. Lava fragments 51. “Our Gang” actor 56. Architect 57. Angry reaction 58. Magnetite, e.g. 59. Has to have 60. Public relations effort 62. 1984 Peace Nobelist 64. Great times 65. Comes to 68. Half notes 70. Roman-fleuve 74. New York’s state flower 75. Slight sound 76. Zitone, e.g. 81. Give of ___ 83. Succotash ingredient 85. Cause of lung cancer 88. Advice starter 91. Adoptive son of Trajan 92. Poetic preposition 93. Managed, with “out” 94. ___ print 95. Clairvoyants 96. Wary 99. Musical group 100. München mister 102. ___ Miguel 103. Less common 106. Long (for) 110. Sweet cherry 112. Cooling-off periods 114. Austrian peak

117. National spring celebration 121. Nautical cable 122. Polish anew 123. Magnet alloy 124. Final phases 125. Microwaves 126. Proceeded

Down:

1. Without help 2. Pitfall 3. Hops heater 4. His “4” was retired 5. Exceed 6. Bud Grace comic strip 7. With gelidity 8. All alternative 9. “Kiss” composer 10. Clear 11. Twinings product 12. 1980’s Geena Davis sitcom 13. Beginning 14. Flower with a showy head 15. Café alternative 16. Chaplin prop 17. Impersonator 18. They’re tapped 19. Brink 24. Forever and a day 25. Ideals 30. Rose 32. Lakes 34. Very virile 35. Williams or Givens 36. Express a thought 37. Plumbing supply 38. Datebook abbr. 39. Honey 41. Pat or Debbie 42. Combat gear 43. Coronet 44. Softens 46. Stake 47. ___ of Tiflis, Christian saint 48. Sacs 50. Pull strings? 52. M.I.T. part 53. TV angel Munroe 54. Take home 55. South American monkey 61. Guitar or lute picks 63. Empty a suitcase 66. Sock fabric 67. Protein source 68. Diner’s card

Look for this months answers at labyrinthgameshop.com 69. Design detail 70. Bubbly drinks 71. Battery terminal 72. Category 73. In motion 75. Adept 77. Request 78. Draft holder 79. 1,000 kilograms 80. Long suit 82. Digital money 84. Bond hearings 86. Cow or sow 87. Signal at Sotheby’s 89. Kind of network 90. Lobsterlike 96. Small diving birds 97. Talking points?

98. Make secret 99. Get cozy 101. African republic 103. A lot 104. Kind of limit 105. Further shorten, maybe 106. Makes a scene? 107. Chinese dynasty 108. Axed 109. Wanders 111. Math calculation 113. Mideast chief 114. Eager 115. Shoestring 116. Slog (through) 118. Beluga yield 119. Swell place? 120. Setting for TV’s “Newhart”

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