East of the River Magazine – October 2023

Executive Director

Philip CelebratesPannell30 Years With The Anacostia Coordinating Council

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Meet Your Neighbor: Banker, Kyra Minick by Anthony D. Diallo

ON

Executive Director Philip Pannell Celebrates 30 Years With The Anacostia Coordinating Council.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissa.ashabranner@gmail.com

MANAGING EDITOR: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com

PUBLISHER: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright

2023 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.

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

A TS R Autumn

“As You Like It” at STC

It’s the 1960s and flower power, peace, and love are in the air. The free-spirited Rosalind is exiled from court and escapes to an alternative community, where everything is possible. Mistaken identities and mixed signals come together, melding the Bard’s verse with the beloved music of The Beatles. This tuneful take on Shakespeare’s romantic classic will be perfect for the holiday season, reminding us that in times of trouble, all you need is love. Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harmon Hall from Dec. 2 to 31. Shakespearetheatre.org.

What’s on Washington

The Aizuri Quartet at St. Marks

On Sunday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., the award-winning Aizuri Quartet collaborates with Chiarina this fall. Known for “captivating” performances that draw from a meld of intellect, technique and emotions, the quartet presents chamber works of Béla Bartók and Johannes Brahms whose ideas of depth, detail, and extreme mirror the vibrant Japanese art style for which the quartet is named. A song transcription for quartet helps turn a page in the romantic story of Clara Schumann, Chiarina’s namesake. St. Mark’s is at 301 A St. SE. Tickets are $30; 18 and under, free. chiarina.org.

Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the NGA

During her long, prolific, and groundbreaking career, the American photographer Dorothea Lange made some of the most iconic portraits of the 20th century. This exhibit reframes Lange’s work through the lens of portraiture, highlighting her unique ability to discover and reveal the character and resilience of those she photographed. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition addresses her innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. National Gallery of Art’s West Building from Nov. 5 to March 31, 2024. nga.gov.

Dorothea Lange Displaced Tenant Farmers, Goodlett, Hardeman County, Texas, July 1937, printed 1950s gelatin silver print image: 19 x 24 cm (7 1/2 x 9 7/16 in.) National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhause.

The Cast of As You Like It at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.

Capital City Symphony: Our Journey Begins City Symphony: Our Journey

Capital City Symphony’s season begins on Sunday, October 15 at 5 p.m., at the Atlas, with the powerful and emotional Concert Overture No. 1 in E minor by groundbreaking 19th-century composer, Louise Farrenc, launching their adventures into places known and unknown. “Drama is at the center of this overture with silent bars adding to the tension. A triumphant ending brings together all the melodic fragments, which creates a truly electrifying atmosphere.” $35. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. atlasarts.org.

Washington National Opera’s “Grounded” at the KC

Jess is an accomplished F-16 fighter pilot—until pregnancy grounds her to the “chair force” to target enemies via drones from a trailer in Las Vegas. This new arrangement seems ideal at first: by day, Jess uses her elite training to protect and serve America, and by night, she returns to her family. Ultimately, we see that protecting Jess from physical danger does little to shield her from the psychological trauma of war-by-proxy. This world premiere by Jeanine Tesori is based on the award-winning play by George Brant and co-produced with the Metropolitan Opera. $45 to $269. “Grounded” is at the Kennedy Center Opera House from Oct. 28 to Nov. 13. kennedy-center.org. dy-center.org.

Native Art Market at the American Indian Museum

On Saturday, Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from the Western Hemisphere are presented in the annual Native Art Market at the American Indian Museum, Fourth and Independence SW. The weekend event offers visitors a unique opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks— including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture. Meet Native artists and learn about traditional arts and contemporary Native creativity. americanindian.si.edu.

“Winyan Wánakikśin” (Women Defenders of Others) buffalo horn belt, 2018. Made by Kevin Pourier (Oglala Lakota, b. 1958) and Valerie Pourier (Ogala Lakota, b. 1959). Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota. 27/215.

“POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” at Arena

When the Commander-in-Chief publicly calls his wife a “See You Next Tuesday,” all H-E-Double Hockey Sticks breaks loose. In this searingly funny Broadway hit, POTUS follows how seven women of dramatically different backgrounds minimize the damage done by male arrogance and political posturing, in an endearing homage to the women who keep things running behind the scenes. This quintessentially-DC story is brought to life on Arena’s Fichandler Stage, from Oct. 13 to Nov. 12, by an all-star cast comprised of many DC-based favorites. $56 to $95. arenastage.org.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 0019-2023

DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTANT SERVICES

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires qualified firms to provide Development and Financial Consulting Services in three areas of specialization to include: Real Estate Accounting and Investments, HUD Programmatic, Regulatory Advisory, and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Services, and General Development Consulting Services.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning on Monday, October 2, 2023, on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org under “Business” and “Solicitations”.

SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Monday, November 20, 2023, at 12:00 NOON.

Email LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod, Contract Specialist at LMMCLEOD@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.

gOD-Talk: A Black Millennials and Faith Conversation at NMAAHC

The documentary gOD-Talk is a series of conversations on film aimed at uncovering how Black millennials interact with religion and the transformative nature of community, the internet, and space. The rise of the “spiritual but not religious” designation has led to a decline of millennial participation in mainstream religious traditions with many questioning the relevance, mission, and overall purpose of organized religion in the 21st century. gOD-Talk is a groundbreaking project led by the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life in association with the Pew Research Center. gOD-Talk will be screened on Oct. 23, 7 to 9:30 p.m.; and Oct. 25, 26 and 29, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free but registration required. nmaahc.si.edu.

Simone Leigh at the Hirshhorn

This exhibition, at the Hirshhorn from Nov. 3 to March 3, 2024, surveys approximately twenty years of production in ceramic, bronze, video, and installation and will feature works from Simone Leigh: Sovereignty, the artist’s Venice Biennale presentation, providing audiences the opportunity to experience this landmark installation. Over the past two decades, Leigh has created works of art that situate questions of Black femme subjectivity at the center of contemporary art discourse and explore ideas of race, beauty, and community in visual and material culture. Addressing a wide swath of historical periods, geographies, and traditions, her art references vernacular and hand-made processes from across the African diaspora, as well as forms traditionally associated with African art and architecture. hirshhorn. si.edu.

Captured on April 25, 2015, the day of a major peace rally and later uprisings in Baltimore, Maryland following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. Gray died from spinal cord injuries sustained while in police custody.

Mosaic Theater’s “Confederates” at the Atlas

Sara is an enslaved rebel turned Union spy. Sandra is a tenured professor at a modern-day university. Despite living 160 years apart, their parallel struggles unite them across time. Celebrated American playwright, MacArthur Fellow, and two-time Tony Award nominee Dominique Morisseau (Ain’t Too Proud, Skeleton Crew) forges into brand new modes of storytelling in this breathtakingly fierce examination of history, race, and the women who stand on the frontlines of freedom, no matter the cost. Tickets are $42 to 70. “Confederates” is at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from Oct. 26 to Nov. 19. atlasarts.org.

Contrastock (all-day contra dancing event)

On Sunday, Oct. 15, 1 to 10 p.m., the Folklore Society of Greater Washington invites you to enjoy eight hours (there’s a dinner break) of contra dancing in the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park, 7300 Macarthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. The bands are Kingfisher (Jeff Kaufman on keyboard, mandolin, drums, etc, and Cecilia Vacanti on fiddle); Live Wire (Tom Krumm on fiddle, Bill Quern on mandolin, banjo, melodeon, Ben Kennedy on keyboards, and Sarah Gowan on guitar); and Elke Baker (fiddle) and Larry Unger (guitar). The callers are Diane Silver, Bob Isaacs, and Janine Smith. General admission for the day is $45; student/youth, $25. fsgw.org.

Two-time Tony Nominee “Confederates” playwright Dominique Morisseau. Photo: Damu Malik

Simone Leigh’s “Façade”, 2022. Thatch, steel and wood, dimensions variable. “Satellite+, 2022 bronze, 24 feet X 10 feet X 7 feet, 7 inches. Courtesy of the artist and Matthew Marks Gallery.Photo: Timothy Schenck

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Moses at Theater J

How do you start over after everything you know has been erased?

Michele Lowe’s Moses follows one man’s epic journey as he searches for forgiveness, a long-lost dream, and himself. A Theater J Vradenburg

New Jewish Play Prize finalist, Moses is a world premiere about faith, love, and going it alone. It is directed by Theater J Associate Artistic Director, Johanna Gruenhut. $49.99 to $90.99. Moses is at Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW, Dec. 1 to 24. theaterj.org.

A Musical Conversation with Valerie June, Rachael Davis, Thao, & Yasmin Williams

On Nov. 15, 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), have a musical conversation at Sixth & I, 600 I St. NW, with Valerie June, Rachael Davis, Thao and Yasmin Williams. Inspired to hit the road together following their exhilarating performance at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, the collective weave interactive conversation segments with songs in a Nashville-style round. This powerhouse collective of women from uniquely different backgrounds, ages, and views share united auras of sound and music. $39.50 in advance; $45, day of; and $164.50 with meet and greet. sixthandi.org.

Annapolis First Sundays Arts Festival

The last of this season’s Annapolis First Sundays Arts Festivals is on Sunday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thousands of visitors will enjoy shopping during this special Holiday Market along West Street in downtown historic Annapolis. The market features wood carving, paintings, metalwork, watercolors, jewelry, glass, textiles, soaps and more. Here’s the music lineup: the Groove Spot Band, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Johnson Male Chorus, 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.; Troll Tribe, 2:30 to 5 p.m.; and in the People’s Park, noon to 5 p.m. Priddy Music Academy, Naptown Sings. innerweststreetannapolis. com/first-sunday-arts-festivals.

The Phillips Collection’s 2023-2024

Concert Season

The Phillips Collection marks its 83rd season of celebrated concerts with a line-up of critically acclaimed artists as well as partnerships with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Howard University, and the USC Thornton School of Music. Phillips Music connects audiences with artists celebrated worldwide, presenting a diverse range of styles, world premieres, and new collaborations. The upcoming season will be presented in-person and livestreamed in high-definition video. $45, in person; $15, virtual.

The Phillips Collection is at 1600 21st St. NW. phillipscollection.org.

Both Sides Now: Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen at Signature

The cabaret featuring Robbie Schaefer and Danielle Wertz returns for encore performances at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, on Dec. 5 to 17. Celebrate longtime friends and onetime lovers Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen’s mutual influence on each other’s work with some of their beloved chart-toppers including “Case of You,” “Hallelujah,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Suzanne,” and many other unforgettable tunes that defined a generation. sigtheatre.org.

Valerie June, Rachael Davis, Thao and Yasmin Williams.

Photo: Andrew Rogers

The season will be presented in-person and livestreamed in high-definition video with pristine sound beginning on Oct. 15 with a solo recital by British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason.

Photo: David Venni

Kill the Ripper (A Feminist Victorian Revenge Play)

It’s Victorian England and Jack the Ripper is on the loose. The police have very few leads as to the identity of this serial killer with a penchant for prostitutes. So what are three savvy ladies-of-the-night to do? Step one: Learn to fight. Step two: Take down Jack the Ripper themselves! This is revisionist history at its best: told through a feminist lens and with plenty of action. This sexy, silly, and touching play will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on the world. Tickets start at $5. We Happy Few’s Kill the Ripper is on stage at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 18. wehappyfewdc.com/killtheripper.

Kishi Bashi Presents His Song Film: Omoiyari at the Lincoln

The event, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW, will be the screening of the documentary film, Omoiyari, followed by a conversation and live set by Kishi Bashi performing the album in its entirety accompanied with a string quartet. He released his album “Omoiyari” (a Japanese word for the idea of creating compassion toward other people by thinking about them) in 2019, in support of his feature length documentary “Omoiyari: A songfilm by Kishi Bashi” which explores minority identity and the Incarceration of Japanese Americans in WWII. $45 to $55. Thelincolndc.com.

IN Series: The Promised End

This extraordinary theater-music experience that has defined a new era for IN Series returns to the stage as part of District-wide SHAKESPEARE EVERYWHERE Festival. This original and unlikely piece brilliantly weaves together the entirety of Giuseppe Verdi’s shattering REQUIEM, performed by eight exceptional vocal artists in a version that allows audiences to hear this music as if for the first time, and a onewoman monodrama depicting the composer Verdi, the play “King Lear,” and aged King Lear himself. The text is formed by Artistic Director Timothy Nelson from an essay by renowned Shakespeare scholar Marjorie Garber. Nanna Ingvarsson returns to reprise her shattering interpretation of the role. Don’t miss this second chance to see a modern masterpiece resurrected. $20 to $68. The Promised End is at Source Theatre, 1835 14th St. NW, from Nov. 18 to Dec. 10. inseries.org.

DMV Black Comedy Homecoming (Because They’re Funny)

On Sunday, Oct. 8, 8:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), enjoy a night of celebration and laughter as The Anthem reunites top standup comics from the DC area. Performances by Tommy Davidson, Donnell Rawlings, Tony Woods, Red Grant, Pierre, and Joe Clair. Hosted by Yvonne Orji. $39.50 to $249.50. The Anthem is at 901 Wharf St. SW. theanthemdc.com.

Photo: Renee Levasseur

“Public Obscenities” at Woolly (SNAPSHOT: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT DEVELOPS)

When Choton returns to Kolkata on a research trip with his Black American boyfriend Raheem, his grandfather’s photograph stares down at him from the walls of his family home. Choton loves being the translator, toggling nimbly between Bangla and English, interviewing queer locals, showing Raheem his world. But through the lens of Choton’s grandfather’s old camera, Raheem begins to notice things Choton can’t. Peer into this bilingual play from visionary writer-director Shayok Misha Chowdhury about the things we see, the things we miss, and the things that turn us on. $25 to $85. Public Obscenities is at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW, from Nov. 13 to Dec. 23. woollymammoth.net.

LOVELOUD Festival at The Anthem

Founded in 2017 by Dan Reynolds, LOVELOUD is a catalyst to bring communities and families together to help ignite the vital conversation about what it means to unconditionally love our LGBTQ+ friends and family. LOVELOUD offers hope to people, letting them know they’re not alone and encouraging acceptance in the home and community. LOVELOUD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that produces a yearly charity concert that brings together a variety of communities through the power of music and the sharing of stories. $49 to 80.

This year’s DC concert, featuring Lindsey Stirling, Victoria Monet, David Archuleta, Allison Russell, Dan Reynolds and Tyler Glenn, is on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. (doors at 5 p.m.). at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW. theanthemdc.com.

Middleburg Film Festival

The Middleburg Film Festival, Oct. 19 to 22, offers four days of films in a spectacular setting, one hour from Washington, DC. A carefully curated selection of narrative and documentary films screen in intimate theatre environments, followed by conversations with world-renowned filmmakers, actors, and other special guests. The films include festival favorites, world and regional premieres, first-class foreign films, and Oscar contenders. Other special events include conversations with filmmakers and actors in intimate settings, master classes, concerts featuring the work of renowned composers and songwriters, tastings at local wineries and breweries, and great parties. middleburgfilm.org.

Quilan Arnold, Lauren DeVera and Malcolm Shute at Dance Place

On Saturday, Nov. 18, 7 to 9 p.m., These Beating Hearts: Dances for our Ancestors presents contemporary dances by Quilan Arnold, Lauren DeVera, and Malcolm Shute. Each artist has a debt to their ancestors to reflect on. For Arnold, it’s understanding his grandfathers’ fight to be fully recognized by leadership within the US marines. DeVera underscores topics of family and intergenerational trauma in her work. For Shute, it’s the way his father continues to contribute to his life after passing. Shute’s “Rain on Window” depicts times in our lives when we hit a wall, as in times of grief. $10 to $30. Dance Place is at 3225 Eighth St. NE. danceplace.org.

Public Obscenities at Soho Rep Production.

Photo: Julieta Cervantes

Photo: Maria J. Hackett.

THE FOURTH WALL A curated selection of theater in the DMV

by Matthew McClure

The moment we step out our front doors, we take on identities that perpetually transform based on where we work, play and relax and in October, everyone gets to have fun with this idea by playing dress-up to celebrate the season of spookiness. As the weather starts to get a little chillier and the foliage turns, this month’s Fourth Wall column looks to theater that examines the concepts of altered identity and costume. Read on for our curated selection.

On Right Now

Espejos: Clean,Studio Theatre

Showing 13 Sep – 22 Oct

www.studiotheatre.org

In the immaculately turned down suites and on the pristine white beaches of a luxury resort in Cancún, a storm is brewing. Studio Theatre opens its new season with the rich and imminently topical Espejos: Clean, adapted and translated by Paula Zelaya-Cervantes from Christine Quintana’s original work.

Director Elena Araoz’ rendition of Quintana’s play is beautifully minimal. We are introduced to Adriana, a Mexican hotel manager from Chetumal who left an abusive father at 19 and Sarah, a Canadian hotel guest attending the wedding of her sister while carrying a dark secret. As both women navigate the emotional and physical pitfalls of family, inherited trauma and intima-

ABOVE: Lauren Karaman and Legna Cedillo. LEFT: Lauren Karaman. Photos: Margot Schulman

cy against the backdrop of hotel cleaning and wedding preparations, a tropical downpour becomes the catalyst for an unexpected meeting.

Araoz has deftly choreographed a synchronised series of interactions between Legna Cedillo (Adriana) and Lauren Karaman (Sarah) on a pared-back set that heightens the raw emotion and eloquent dialogue. “In this play, we get to see the inner workings of someone’s brain while they’re at work, and to see the labor it takes to be able to be OK in society when things might be falling apart at home,” says Araoz. The play is fully bilingual, with Adriana and Sarah speaking in Spanish and English respectively and subtitles being used throughout the performance.

Costume is an important storytelling device in Espejos: Clean. Adriana and Sarah alternate between outfits that mirror the psychological conflicts each of them is mediating. Adriana’s starched, navy blue uniform acts as a layer of protection. It is the armor that keeps emotion at arm’s length. Sarah, on the other hand, wears her rebelliousness—and her beachwear—for much the same reasons. “Adriana moves through her pain by immersing herself in a life of routine and structure,” Cedillo relates. “That regiment of repetition is important to her, and she’s made this resort a safe space for herself.”

Karaman’s Sarah, on the other hand, is a beautiful disaster. “It’s looking at how do we live with these traumas that have happened to us, and then invite the people that we love and care about into our healing process,” Karaman says. “It’s messy and it’s scary. Sarah deals with the pain by making light of it.”

On the surface, the class conflict highlighted by Espejos: Clean is obvious, but it’s also a deeply relevant American tale of femininity, responsibility, and pain, as Araoz points out. “You can’t help but notice that this is also a conversation about America. Where do we stand in terms of women in the workplace and our understanding of how we help women in trauma. I hope the audience leaves thinking ‘Am I making a mess, or am I cleaning it up?’”

Scene Stealer

In the first half of the play Sarah wades into the warm sea, allowing the salty water to penetrate a raw wound on her knee. In surrendering herself to the pain, the audience is made privy to a powerfully intimate moment that provides critical insight into the character and her subsequent motivations. It’s potent playacting at its best.

In The Spotlight

The Chameleon,TheaterJ

Showing 11 Oct – 5 Nov

www.theaterj.org

Riz Golden-Kruger has perfected the art of blending in. A descendent of Ashkenazi Jews from Europe, Riz’ perfectly groomed exterior is a meticulously constructed costume designed to dissociate her future career as an actor from her boisterous Jewish family. But it’s all about to come crashing down. “This play is about the ways in which we show up in the world, and how we choose to present, the idea of who we really are versus who we want the world to see us as,” says Jenny Rachel Weiner, award-winning playwright and creative genius behind The Chameleon.

Weiner’s play, the first production in what promises to be a stellar 2023/2024 season for Theater J, is a deeply personal examination of what it means to be Jewish in a world that’s increasingly hostile to minorities. The story is told through the eyes of Riz who, in the opening scene, has just discovered she’s gotten the leading part in a new superhero franchise titled The Chameleon. Dina Thomas plays Riz, who must delicately negotiate her family dynamic while receiving devastating news that threatens her newfound success.

Weiner’s intention is for the audience to reflect

on what it means to consciously change your identity in different contexts, much like the titular superhero in her play. “When Eastern European Jews came to this country, the only way to survive was to assimilate, and that was both a blessing and a curse. So many actors feel the need to somehow become a little bit more of a blank canvas, or not identifiably Jewish, so what are the implications of that? I wanted to explore this idea of Riz feeling like she needed to fit some sort of mold.”

While the play dissects topical issues like cultural assimilation, family politics and authenticity, it’s all through the lens of Weiner’s characteristically bold, comedic, and theatrical writing, which brings some levity and irreverence to these weighty themes.

Scene Stealer

We can all relate to feeling like you’re on top of the world and then having the rug pulled out from under you. Watch this play to see Riz dealing with this rollercoaster of emotion. “That moment of being exalted, and then that fall, I think audiences will find it thrilling and funny and heartbreaking. That’s what sets the play in motion,” says Weiner.

Special Mentions

Mrs Doubtfire

The New Musical Comedy, The National Theatre

Showing 10 Oct–15 Oct broadwayathenational.com

Who can forget the late Robin Williams’ iconic portrayal of British nanny Mrs. Doubtfire in the 90s classic film of the same name? For a limited run at The National Theatre, Rob McClure dons a dress, housecoat and feather duster to take on his Tony Awardwinning role alongside a stellar cast. Don’t miss this dose of good old-fashioned nostalgia.

Sister Act, Toby’s DinnerTheatre

Showing until 5 Nov

tobysdinnertheatre.com

In keeping with the theme of 90s cinematic icons, Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland, is staging a rendition of Emile Ardolino’s 1992 classic box office smash Sister Act. See it for Alan Menken’s joyously uplifting musical stylings and to take a break from all things serious. u

Why Do Kids Carjack?

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

It was 5:20 in the afternoon on Mon. Aug. 28, 2023, the rst day of school. Parents and children spilled out Maury Elementary School lling the surrounding neighborhood.

A few blocks away on the 300 block of 12th Street NE, a delivery driver pulled up to the curb tailed by a black sedan. That car suddenly pulled around in front of him into an alley. Out jumped several teens. They ran to the delivery vehicle and tried to force the driver out. When he resisted, they beat him.

On the crowded street, the incident did not go unnoticed. A passerby dropkicked the teen punching the driver, subduing him. Another teen grabbed a golf club out of the black sedan and headed towards the melee on the ground. “Look behind you!” yelled a bystander.

The teen on the ground used the distraction to escape, jumping into the black sedan. He and his compatriots then drove o leaving the delivery driver bruised and shaken.

The entire incident was captured on a bystander’s cell phone.

A few days later, the ve teens were apprehended after crashing a stolen black sedan in the wake of another attempted robbery. All ve were between 13 and 16 years of age, and now face multiple charges. One of them, a 13-year-old girl, was charged with four counts.

Youth crime dominates the District news and discussions at the DC Council. Kids are committing carjackings, often armed, sometimes in broad daylight.

A July 2021 study of carjackings from 2016 to 2020

found the average age of individual perpetrators at the time of the o ense to be 23. Most MPD o cers say carjackings are committed by young people aged 20 and younger. Is youth crime increasing and increasingly violent? Are kids behind the increase in the District’s carjackings? What are their motivations for committing such violent crimes? Let’s begin with an examination of the data.

Youth Crime on The Rise

Public consensus appears to be that youth crime is on the rise. The data, however, presents a murkier picture.

As of late September 2023, violent crime is up 36.4 percent in the District compared to the same time in 2022. In 2023, there were 3,893 violent incidents as opposed to 2,838 in 2022. Robberies, which include carjackings, were up 65 percent. As of Sept. 24, there were 2,532 robberies in the District as opposed to 1,531 at the same point in 2022.

However, since not every crime results in an arrest, it is impossible to know what percentage of robberies were committed by youth.

More youth are being arrested. MPD releases reports every six months. Arrests of youth for crimes increased by 17 percent from January to June 2023 compared to the rst half of 2022. In 2023, there were 992 arrests compared to 847 in 2022.

An increasing percentage of youth arrests are for violent o enses. These arrests, for murder, assault with a deadly weapon, rape and robberies increased by seven percent for

the rst half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. In 2023, there were 236 arrests compared to 220 in 2022. Many were for robberies, which includes carjacking.

So, what about carjacking speci cally?

What About Carjackings?

In the District, carjackings have climbed 350 percent since 2019. As of September 2023, there were 706 incidents. However, police made only 102 arrests. Of those, 65 percent were youth. Nothing is known about the perpetrators in the remaining 604 incidents.

In 2022, police made arrests in roughly 25 percent of reported carjackings. 68 percent of those arrested were youth. In 2021, police made arrests in 34.5 percent of reported carjackings. 67 percent of those arrested were youth. So, from 2021 to 2023, youth made up an average of 66.66 percent of those arrested for carjackings.

Kids make up the majority of those caught for carjacking. Does this mean they also commit the majority of such crimes or is there another explanation?

Bad Driving & Bad Judgement

Of the youth arrested for carjacking in 2023 as of Sept. 25, 43 were aged 15 and 16. Kids that old, as police ocers point out, do not know how to drive. This supposition is buttressed by the large number of youth carjackings that end in crashes.

O cers on the street acknowledge that youth are easier to catch than adults. Aside from bad driving, they are often brazen.

“Some of them don’t have the whole criminal mindset; like they’ll do stupid things,” one officer explained, speaking anonymously, “Like they’ll steal a car around the corner and then stop at a 7-11, say ‘Hey, I want something to drink,’ — [they] stole the car right there.”

So, the high percentage of youth apprehended for carjacking is likely due to their risky behavior. Yet, the question remains. What is it that motivates kids to carjack? One answer is as old as human adolescence. Stealing a car to joyride is a cheap thrill.

A Cheap Thrill

Most of the carjackings are “not done for any motive except just having fun,” said one sergeant, speaking at a public safety walk.

“I mean they’re not stealing cars to sell parts, they’re just stealing cars to steal cars,” the o cer added. Most cars, he pointed, are taken from one part of the city and later found parked in another quadrant.

“A lot of times the kids don’t really understand what they’re doing. I truly believe that,” said one violence interrupter. “They just want to get a car to have a car. It’s just what they do,” he added. “They don’t understand the traumatizing e ects that it has on the person they’re doing it to. And I see that a lot.”

Carjacking is a high-risk activity, what sociologists call “edgework,” high risk activity to escape from social boundaries. It’s a deant thrill. That is particularly potent for kids in their teenaged years.

Sensation seeking, experts say, is at an alltime high at mid-adolescence. Kids at that age also have di culty being empathic or contemplating risks and consequences.

A 2023 article in “The Criminologist” points out that this is not new. Seventy years ago, the majority of motor vehicle thefts reported each year were the work of young males, stated the study. “Many of whom did it for thrills.” “Youth with its desire to ride in an automobile is the constant and most important single factor in large-scale automobile theft,” its author stated. Little has changed in seven decades.

Why not just steal the cars?

The rise in carjackings is directly tied to the improvement of automobile security features, a 2023 study in the “Journal of Criminal Behavior” noted.

It is actually faster and simpler to carjack a car than to try to steal it from the curbside. Whereas a car thief used to force a screwdriver in the ignition, newer cars no longer have ignitions at all. Many require the presence of a microchip in a fob to start. Contrast this complicated scenario with a carjacking, which experts say takes an average of less a minute from start to nish.

Yet, thrills are not the only motivation. Sometimes, kids just need a free ride.

A Free Ride

“They call them free cars,” said Ms. Hardy, a violence interrupter. That is the term that kids use to mean any stolen car. Some are used in other crimes. Others are simply driven overnight to another part of the city and abandoned.

Youth blur the lines between theft and carjackings, say adults who work with them. “Cars are so easy to steal,” said one violence interrupter, “and a lot of times, kids, they’re out late and night doing whatever and they just go, ‘Oh, this is an easy take, so I’m going to take this car from this lady.’”

Kids are starting to see stealing cars as an easy form of transportation, concurred one MPD o cer who patrols the Navy Yard. Late at night, he is sometimes agged down by kids who need a ride home. Their parents just never came to get them or they have no money for the bus, he added. Given that cars are being taken in one District neighborhood and found in another a few hours later, “it appears they’re using these cars like Citi Bikes,” the o cer said.

The hashtag “#freecar” is used on a wide variety of social media posts that range from kids summarizing DMV slang to rap videos extolling a violent lifestyle. It’s the name of a popular song, “Free Car Music,” by Southeast rapper Yung Threat (feat. Yung Dizzy). Yung Threat is a liated with the Fox 5 Gang, both a music group.

Aside from providing free transportation, cars are also a valuable tool to commit other crimes.

Driven to Commit Crimes

A few cars are stolen to sell. For example, an 18-year-old was arrested and charged in six successful and one attempted carjacking after stealing a Mercedes and selling it to an undercover o cer at a Florida Avenue garage only 20 minutes later. However, this is rare, say o cers on the street.

“It’s not like there’s a bunch of chop shops in DC where they’re taking cars,” one pointed out.

What makes cars valuable, however, is their use as an essential tool in committing other crimes.

“You’re not going to do it (a robbery) in a car that’s

Video stills in sequence of a teenager armed with a golf club, heading to attack a passerby who was attempting to stop a carjacking in Northeast Capitol Hill. Courtesy Brian Beaty

traceable to you,” the Navy Yard o cer said, “A lot of these kids are too young to have cars, anyway.”

In August, the US Attorney arrested 14 people ranging in age from 20 to 32 involved in a violent, national conspiracy employing stolen vehicles. The defendants committed multiple carjackings. Then, they used the cars to commit armed robberies of jewelers in cities from Harrisburg, PA to Jacksonville, FL. This is a large example of what is happening on a smaller level in the District.

This past summer, a group of 14-yearold girls were arrested after wrecking a car that they had stolen on Michigan Avenue. The arrest closed 13 open robbery cases, stated the Fifth District.

For many, the roots of carjacking, a self-destructive, criminal youth behavior, lie in the squalor of their circumstances as well as the lack of more constructive, legal outlets for their self-expression.

Desperate Circumstances

Many of the children who are robbing people don’t have much at home, said Joanna Hardy, founder of Guns Down Friday. “You see all sorts of things when you open up those doors.” Situations often lead to behaviors that stem from idle lack of direction to hopelessness spiraling all the way to desperation.

Those who engage in criminal behaviors are not simply “bad kids,” said a violence interrupter. They are products of an environment of scarcity and deprivation in which idle lack of direction can swing to hopelessness and spiral into desperation.

These kids “are just following the same line that everyone else is doing,” he said.

Q: Why [they] wanna live like this? It’s no glory in this shit.

A: It’s a generational curse – Exchange on DC social media page [Reddit]

“They are no playgrounds around here,” Hardy noted ruefully. In some cases, a single parent is caring for many children simultaneously, stretched thin in terms of both attention and money. Kinds end up scrounging for both.

“I just want some money in my pocket,” kids say, according to Hardy.

Schools are where adults check in with kids. However, many of the kids describe them as dilapidated, said Devin Turner, lead pastor of Revolution Church at 4601 Texas Ave. SE. These educational institutions lack the kind of services and programs available at their more affluent counterparts, he pointed out.

The pandemic exacerbated the situation. Children missed critical years of social and emotional development that could have helped them cope with conflict and emotional turmoil, said DC 127 Executive Director Tara Woods. The program at District Church at 3101 16th St. NW works with kids on the verge of placement or already in foster care.

“We’ll be seeing those effects for decades,” said Woods.

Unsafe Neighborhoods

DC youth are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetuators. A child is shot an average of between two and three times a week in the District, often accidentally. By far, the bulk of these incidents involve Black boys younger than 15.

In violent areas of the city such as Police Districts 6D and 7D and areas of Southwest, youth live in fear as the social media exchange below illustrates.

Q: “Dumb ass shit if u grow up in dc in a hood u are beefing only way to prevent that is to move away kids literally being born into this shit”

A: “If u grow up a hood how can u not? only way is to stay in the house all ur childhood and not make any friends and u still might get shot leaving out ur house smh”

– A Social media exchange on the merits of “beefing”

“Beefs” among groups of youth are acted out in the streets, said a youth counselor for Neighbors for Justice (NFJ), who works with kids at risk of becoming justice-involved. He cited this example.

Neighborhood A has a beef with neighborhood B. Perhaps someone from B killed someone from A. Perhaps, a member of A posted to TikTok a rap lyric considered disrespectful to A.

A few days later, a group of kids from A driving by a bus stop see a kid from B waiting there. The kid might have nothing to do with the beef. He might simply be on his way to school or work. It doesn’t matter. They might shoot him just because of where he lives, the NFJ counselor said.

In late August, a 16-year-old girl stabbed another in a dispute over dipping sauce. In May 2023, a 17-year-old was shot on the Green Line after an ar-

gument. In September, a 17-year-old was shot on his way to his job at a sandwich shop after an argument in the parking lot.

Young black men literally will “rep their street and die for their hood,” said Turner. All they have, he said, is their reputation. “We need to educate and train our young people so they understand that their self-worth doesn’t come from what they can take from others,” he said.

In this context, it is easy to see how a kid might consider carrying a weapon, in particular a gun, for protection.

Violence & Guns

Kids have no difficulty getting guns, said Turner. All you need is some money and the Internet. Since 2009, it simple to order a ‘ghost gun’ right off the Internet and download directions to manufacture the key missing part on a 3-D printer.

Once a kid has a gun, they fall into what NFJ counselor terms “the trap.” Having a gun makes it that much easier to get into a variety of trouble; carjackings — and worse. “It becomes bad,” he said.

Guns allow youth to take what they want, said Pastor Turner. Kids post videos of themselves with firearms. They film themselves inside stolen vehicles.

In sum youth are not just being influenced by social media; they are influencers. “Their followers just do what they see,” said the NFJ counselor. “It’s a mentality,” the counselor said. “I wave this little three-pound piece of iron in your face and now, I have total control.”

It is about money, but it is more about power. “Power is better than money, because if I have power I can take your money,” said Pastor Turner.

“They say that the mental frontal lobe doesn’t fully grow until like, 21,” Pastor Turner said. “You got a lot of guys, they say, “Well, what were you thinking?” —they weren’t thinking,” Turner concludes. “That’s the whole point.”

For the delivery driver and Capitol Hill residents involved in the August melee, the motivations and factors driving the teens to commit such violence are perhaps beside the point. The question for them is one of accountability.

Next month, a follow up article will examine the consequences for youth arrested for carjacking. u

Crime Threatens Our Neighborhoods

by Veda Rasheed

Police Are Only Part of the Solution

Our communities in Wards 7 and 8 have long faced these challenges and the complicated role that the police play. A badge and a gun has not always meant safety for the Black and Brown residents of our neighborhoods. At the same time, we want to be safe and have the chance to thrive, just as in other parts of DC. We need police, but we need policing that is responsive to community needs, does not criminalize Black and Brown life and respects our rights.

As important as they are, the police are just one response in what needs to be a constellation of e orts to turn back the tide of crime. To address the root causes of violence we need other resources.

pected to be therapist, substance abuse counselor or crisis interventionist.

Non-Police Approaches

We need more evidence-based approaches that do not involve the police or do not primarily depend on the police. These can include community-based violence prevention programs that build community connection, such as the DC O ce of the Attorney General’s Cure the Streets e ort, which I supported as a community engagement sta er, and Mayor Bowser’s violence interrupters. We should be using the data from these programs to improve them and to nd methods that better address the causes of crime.

Our approach should also include expanding access to mental health services and establishing more robust crisis intervention programs. Substance abuse and challenges with unmet mental health needs are often linked with criminal behavior.

Communities cannot flourish without feeling safe. People cannot thrive when violent crime is commonplace. Children cannot grow and develop without feeling secure.

Families in Wards 7 and 8 can attest to this reality. As a native Washingtonian and mother of two living East of the River, my personal experience bears it out as well.

I would have never imagined I would have to tell my two young sons that their 15-year-old half-brother had been gunned down and shot over 16 times. As a mother, nothing can take away memories of the screams and cries of pain from the children that night.

I am not alone in my experience. Crime is up signi cantly in both East of the River wards this year over last year. Citywide, crime is up 30% overall, violent crime is up 39%, homicides are up 26% and property crimes are up 28%. There is now a citywide public conversation about crime, how to prevent it and the role of police.

To address the generational poverty at the heart of so many of our challenges, we need sustained investment in neighborhood economies and public schools. That means connecting more residents with stable, well-paying jobs and at the same time o ering their children meaningful pathways into the same through a high-quality education.

Our schools present an opportunity to reach students with key resources, supporting their growth as individuals, members of the community and contributors to societal wellbeing. That requires nancial investments in schools but also the wraparound services that enable children and their families to thrive.

To be sure, the pandemic has in icted an enduring toll on the mental health of our residents. Substance-abuse disorder, loneliness, hopelessness, depression and desperation are all trending realities for our families, our friends and our neighbors.

Police cannot and should not be our primary way of dealing with incidents driven by these challenges on our streets or in our schools. They cannot be ex-

Research shows that e ective substance-abuse treatment and more robust and accessible mental healthcare can reduce involvement with the criminal justice system. Responding to a person in crisis with a badge and a gun may actually worsen and not calm the crisis. Because of our community’s complicated history with the police, we should explore how to connect people with mental-health care and expertise in real time, in their moment of acute need.

Crime is up and so are our shared anxieties. We won’t police our way out of the problem, but we can’t ignore the role of the police in helping us respond. We need thoughtful solutions that address the immediate challenges and the long-term causes at the same time.

If we do that, we’ll all feel stronger and safer in the neighborhoods where our children play and that we call home.

Veda Rasheed is a Ward 7 resident, a former ANC Commissioner of SMD 7E01, a mother and a Leaders of Color fellow. She can be contacted at veda.rasheed@gmail.com. ◆

Our River – The Anacostia

Let’s Make RFK a Teaching Center for the Anacostia’s Renewal

by Bill Matuszeski

Over the decades there has been an unparalleled effort among the general public, interest groups and a vast range of city and federal agencies to restore and make better the Anacostia River. It seems a shame not to share the lessons and the results with other parts of the metro area, other states and even other parts of the world. We all need to think through how to make that happen.

I have a couple of ideas we might build on. Oddly enough, it all starts with the idea of bringing the professional football team, the Commanders, back into town from the suburbs. Many think they should return to the RFK Stadium that is at the west end of the bridge carrying East Capitol Street over the Anacostia River. That stadium is in very poor shape after years of neglect and would need to be rebuilt. More important is that the surrounding neighborhoods give a strong sense that they do not want the activity to return with all its effects on local parking and congestion.

So if the team were to decide to settle elsewhere in DC, the most obvious place would be in the area on the west side of the Frederick Douglas Bridge, which carries South Capitol Street over the River. The new stadium could be placed in the area to the south near the soccer stadium, in a broad area where parking and other services could be shared and impacts on residential areas would be marginal. Not only would this be an efficient and attractive addition to the area, it would be an attraction to further development along the River south of the bridge.

This move would free up the site of the old stadium to build a welcome center for the Anacostia right where East Capitol Street comes over the bridge. This

would be a place to come to learn what has been accomplished, to celebrate it, and to plan what more is needed. It would be a great benefit to the effort to celebrate and broadcast the successes in the restoration of the Anacostia River. The site where the current decayed stadium sits is a perfect location for a facility that can teach the public what has been accomplished, how it was done by getting all to work together east and west of the River

that taught lessons for all who came by? That is a critical question.

One possibility would be to engage the Smithsonian to work with local groups and agencies to design a facility and programs to achieve these results with the public. They are experts in taking difficult subjects of science, nature and even aircraft design, and making them understandable to the public. This would be a natural extension of their efforts in the Natural History Museum, and would add the opportunity to learn from what has been done on the ground and in the water. This would be a place for local folks to learn and help reach consensus about what more we can do together. But it could also be a place for us to learn from others and help others draw from our on-the-ground experiences.

and far up into its origin among the streams and marshes of Maryland and DC. The new facility would serve as a center of knowledge and learning from classrooms to outdoors, with direct connections to the projects carried out and in the plans for the adjacent islands of Kingman and Heritage.

How could this happen? How could the success of the restoration of an urban stream be set out in a way

Please let me know what you think of either (1) getting the City to give priority to a new stadium site near the others at the base of the Frederick Douglas Bridge near the other stadiums; or (2) setting up on the site of the old stadium, with the help of the Smithsonian and/or others, a facility to inform and teach all who stop by and to provide support for the ongoing River restoration efforts of Federal and City agencies, non-profit volunteer groups and citizens of Maryland and DC. I would also like to hear your ideas about the value and role of those staffing and supporting such a facility. Maybe the current level of effort and cooperation among participants is likely to be more fun and more effective, and I am dreaming nonsense.

If you have something to say, please e-mail me at: bmatsedc@ gmail.com and tell me if I can quote you or not. Thanks! u

DCPS Chancellor Talks Education ANC 7D Report

by Sarah Payne

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D met May 9 via Zoom. Commissioners Siraaj Hasan (7D01), Wendell Felder (7D03, chair), Commissioner Mike Davis (7D04), Ebony Payne (7D05), Marc Friend (7D06), Brett Astmann (7D07, treasurer), Brian Alcorn (7D08, vice chair), Ashley Schapitl (7D09), secretary) and Brianne Eby (7D10) were in attendance. Single Member District 7D02 remains vacant.

DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis Ferebee appeared before the commission to outline several newly implemented initiatives to improve academic opportunities and performance for students. Acknowledging the shortcomings of online education throughout the pandemic, he noted the “lack of mastery and proficiency” in mathematics as a priority.

A comprehensive solution, Ferebee said, includes involving parents to help implement learning outside the classroom. He also highlighted new in-school programming, Building Blocks, that will start in elementary school and aims to have all students prepared for algebra by eighth grade.

“We are doubling down on our efforts and building math fluency and expanding the math curriculum. That starts with our early child education program,” Ferebee said.

School Transportation

Transportation was also discussed by the commission. Commissioner Astmann presented concerns about the “soft spot” of the school busses. He noted that transportation to and from extracurricular activities and sporting events is not happening so events and games are being missed.

Following an accident, Ferebee reported a “pivot in policy” noting several transportation challenges and the national shortage of bus drivers for the issues. He expressed confidence in the current contracts DCPS has with driving companies to get students where they need to go.

Chair Felder inquired about school safety practices. The Chancellor outlined how various agencies, including contract security, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and school resource officers, collaborate to promote and maintain safety for students and staff. “We all work together,” Ferebee said.

Equity, Ferebee noted, also remains a top priority of DCPS as pandemic recovery continues. “We have some of the most significant socio-economic disparities in our city and want to ensure that students that are not in the communities as well-resourced as others are getting the best possible educational experience,” he said.

Ferebee emphasized that while there are “never enough” resources, DCPS remains grateful to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) for the funding allocated to the schools and resources to support students with additional needs including English language learning and special education.

Other Matters

School boundaries were last adjusted in 2014 and will again be adjusted in 2024 for the 2025-2026 school year. The

District is currently conducting a boundary study to develop recommendations for these assignments. Visit dme. dc.gov/boundaries2023 for more information.

Erwin Stierle from the DC Chapter of the American Red Cross encouraged community members to consider volunteering, particularly in Ward 7, where they are experiencing a shortage. Visit redcross.org to learn more, donate and to sign up for opportunities in the neighborhood.

Friends of the DC Streetcar will host a community meeting on October 16 at 7 p.m. at the Marshall Heights Community Development Headquarters (3939 Benning Road NE). They are planning to discuss the future of the project, particularly in regards to its extension east of the river. Visit friendsofdcstreetcar.wixsite.com for more information and to RSVP for the event.

The Commission voted to:

• appoint several community members to serve on the ANC’s Transportation and Public Safety committees; • ask Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) and Ward 7 Council member Vincent Gray (D) to rename a portion of 1300-1600 Blocks of A Street NE to honor the Eastern High School Marching Band.

ANC 7D will meet next on October 10 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. You can learn more about the commission and register to attend at 7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1.

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

No Night Time Noise Enforcement from DOB ANC 8F

Report

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8F (ANC 8F) met on Sept. 26. Commissioners Nic Wilson (8F01), Rick Murphree (8F02), Brian Strege (8F03), Edward Daniels (8F04), Clayton Rosenberg (8F05), were in attendance.

DC Dept. of Buildings (DOB) Acting Strategic Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons briefed the commission on his agency’s protocol for resolving noise complaints, especially those occurring at night. The city advised residents, dealing with excessive nightlife noise, to call DOB for enforcement, Chair Daniels stated. However, DOB often schedules inspections for the following day, he pointed, after the issue has abated. The ANC wants DOB to establish a real-time, late-night response, the chair stated.

The agency investigates noise regulations within their service level agreement, which is 15 days, Parsons stated.

Could the agency conduct on demand night noise inspections? Chair Daniels asked. “It’s not a direction that the DOB is going to go.” Parsons demurred. The DOB mission is centered around building safety, Parsons said. “If it walks or drives or floats,” he said, “it’s not ours.”

The commission should ask the DC employees responding to assess sound levels with noise guns, Parsons suggested.

Prior to Oct. 1, 2022 when the former Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) was split into DOB and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), DCRA participated in a multi-agency nightlife task force that was out on streets at night. It included staff from DCRA as well as Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), Parsons stated.

time, real-time noise inspection between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The resolution was sent to DOB, Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Council.

Support for Affordable PUD

The ANC unanimously approved a letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DCHD) supporting a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application to build 127 affordable units at 101 Tingey St. SE.

Chris Marshall from The NRP Group and Babatunde Oloyede of the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization (MHCDO) described the project, which will occupy the privately-owned triangular plaza at that address and include market-rate retail at ground level as well as wrap-around service for tenants.

50 units will be offered at 30 percent Median Family Income (MFI) and 77 at 50 percent MFI. The devel-

Andrew Grinberg briefed the commission on the Eighth St. SE Bus Priority Project. It is the second time the commission has discussed the project. Grinberg appeared at its June meeting.

The project aims to improve bus operations and safety on the street between East Capitol and M Streets SE. Design will begin in January 2024 with 30 percent designs expected in March and final designs in June. DDOT is committed to starting construction beginning in Fall 2024.

Two blocks of the project are in ANC 8F, while the bulk falls in ANC 6B. The project will remove about 50 parking spaces. The agency will remove approximately half to ensure curbside conditions match District regulations. The remainder will be removed to the offset a dedicated southbound bus lane, which allows for parking and streeteries. That lane ends at L Street, as most buses turn at M Street SE. A shorter northbound bus lane will run from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Grinberg stated.

The angled parking on the 500 block will be converted to parallel parking to create space for the bus. Existing streeteries will not be impacted. The biggest impact to curbside is due to improved safety features, Grinberg said. The 54 spots under the Virginia Avenue underpass will be preserved and lights are repaired. There will be bump outs at the bus stops including at L Street SE. Paint and flex posts will be installed. DDOT is seeking for public input online until October 10. There was no vote on the matter.

Other Matters

The commission voted to support a new liquor license application and cooperative agreements for Tinette’s at 71 Potomac Ave. SE. They voted to drop a protest of the new liquor license application from El Rey at 79 Potomac Ave. SE prior to supporting a new cooperative agreement with that applicant. Finally, the commission supported a cooperative agreement with Maman at 1300 Yards Pl. SE.

The commission requested:

In general, Parsons said, there was an understanding between the three agencies. DCRA dealt with noise in the day ABCA dealt with issues on premises with liquor licenses. MPD dealt with everyone else, he stated.

Since the split, DOB no longer participates in the task force, Parsons said. Building inspections are not possible at night and DOB lacks sufficient human and budget resources to establish a night shift solely to address noise, he stated.

The ANC voted unanimously to resolved to ask DOB to assess the need for a procedure that will allow for full-

opers sought general support for an application for District financing.

Marshall said the PUD application will be filed Sept. 27. The application for funding goes in on Oct. 2. The ANC supported the application but cited concerns with congestion on Tingey Street SE as well as the need to address concerns with parking, which is not currently a part of the concept.

Eighth

Street Bus Project

District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Planner

• DLCP and DOB respond to its July request that the agencies abate conditions at Onyx on First and revoke the business license of UIP Property Management;

• DDOT relocate the valet stand at the Thompson Hotel that is causing traffic build-up at Tingey Circle;

• DDOT respond to its March request to consider a change of direction on Vann Street SE southbound one way and Half Street SE one way northbound.

ANC 8F generally meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 4 at DDOT Headquarters at 250 M St. SE. For more information, visit anc8f.org. u

Image: Site plan for NRP/MHCDO affordable housing concept at 101 Tingey St. SE. Courtesy: ANC 8F

Free Concerts at Fort Dupont

Music lovers will enjoy three live performances in October at the historic Fort Dupont Park outdoor amphitheater, 3600 F St. SE. On Saturdays, Oct. 7, 14 and 21. Bring chairs, blankets and food for an evening lled with family fun and live music, starting at 4 p.m. Washington-area residents across generations can enjoy music from national, regional and local artists. Gates open at 3 p.m. and live performances are from 4 to 7 p.m. Pets on a leash are also welcome. www.nps.gov/fodu

Volunteer Event at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon (rain or shine), join the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for their monthly volunteer event. Participate in park stewardship activities including invasive plant removal, litter collection and ower bed weeding. Some activities involve working in shallow ponds (waders provided). The event will happen rain or shine. Dress accordingly and plan to work outside. Registration is required. No walkups. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. www.kenaqgardens.org

Midday Movies at Capitol View Library

On Thursdays, from 2 to 4 p.m., unwind with old and new friends at a midday movie. Capitol View Library is at 5001 Central Ave. SE. www.dclibrary.org

FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand

The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is the only direct-toconsumer farm stand of its kind East of the River in Ward 8. It takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Nov. 18, weather permitting. The farm stand o ers FreshMatch, FRESHFARM’s incentive program, which provides a dollar-to-dollar match on all federal bene ts (WIC and Senior and WIC FMNP) spent at the stand. The stand also accepts Produce Plus, a bene t program unique to DC that provides locally grown fresh produce to District residents with limited access to fresh food. www.anacostia.si.edu

“Forces of Nature: Voices that Shape Environmentalism” opens at the National Portrait Gallery on Oct. 20. The exhibition presents scientists, politicians, activists, writers and artists whose work has inuenced American attitudes toward the environment from the late 19th century until today. To complement the exhibition, the Portrait Gallery and the Monterey Bay Aquarium will co-host a panel discussion featuring Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru, founder of Black Girl Environmentalist; Dolores Huerta, labor and environmental activist; Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; and Prof. Dorceta Taylor of Yale University. The free event will be held Nov. 14, at 6 p.m., in the museum’s McEvoy Auditorium. www.npg.si.edu

“Forces of Nature: Voices that Shape Environmentalism” at NPG

George Washington Carver. Artist, Prentice H. Polk. Gelatin silver print, 1938. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Tuskegee University Archives, Tuskegee, Alabama.

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years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees.

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

COVID-19

DC4ME is offered to current fulltime District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower’s employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

COVID-19

COVID-19

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership int city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia. Visit

GirlTrek: Walk Toward Liberation and Healing

On Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon (rain or shine), join a one-mile walk through Anacostia with GirlTrek, an organization that describes itself as a “life-saving sisterhood.” GirlTrek is featured in the Anacostia Community Museum’s current exhibition, “To Live and Breathe: Women in Environmental Justice in Washington D.C.” Meet new friends while prioritizing your health. The trek starts at 10 a.m. in the Anacostia neighborhood and culminates at the museum with a viewing of “To Live and Breathe” and refreshments from 11 a.m. to noon. Kids welcome. Registration required at www.anacostia.si.edu.

Ribbon Cut on Whitman-Walker Max Robinson Center at St. Elizabeths East

On Sept. 18, Mayor Bowser, District leaders and the WhitmanWalker team cut the ribbon on the new Max Robinson Center at the St. Elizabeths East campus in Ward 8. The 118,000-squarefoot healthcare and research facility will greatly increase Whitman-Walker’s care capacity, serving an additional 10,000 patients and clients each year. Building on the legacy of the original Max Robinson Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, the new center will feature over 40 state-of-the-art exam and care rooms, eight dental suites, six group therapy rooms and a full psychotherapy suite.

CHRS Preservation Café: Reuse, Repurpose, Redistribute

Scott Buga, director of communications at Community Forklift, will discuss his organization’s mission to reduce construction waste at a virtual Preservation Café on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. He will ex- plain why reuse is important and how to incorporate it into projects at home. Hosted by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. Details and reservations at www.chrs.org/community-forklift-pc1023/.

Volunteer with Ward 8 Woods

Ward 8 Woods welcomes residents and visitors to engage in volunteer experiences such as removing trash and cutting invasive vines. Fort Stanton Park Volunteer Day is the rst Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meet at Fort Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. Shepherd Parkway Community Clean-Up is the second Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meet at 555 Newcomb St. SE. Gloves, trashbags and tools are provided. Wear workboots or hiking shoes, full-length trousers, long sleeves and clothes you won’t mind getting dirty. Documentation of community service hours is available upon request. Read more and register at www.ward8woods.org/volunteer.

Last “Late Skate” Saturday of the Season

Friends of the National Arboretum Annual Fall 5k

On Nov. 12, at 9 a.m., enjoy autumn at the US National Arboretum during FONA’s Fall 5k. The run/walk goes past garden collections brightly colored with fall foliage, over tree-lined rolling hills and along streams winding their way to the Anacostia River. The race is scenic, safe and secure. All roads are closed to cars for safe running or walking. A professional race announcer will call out runners as they cross the nish line, with music before and after the event. Strollers and dogs are allowed, but dogs must stay on a six-foot nonretractable leash. Register by Oct. 8 for $45 (T-shirt included); after, $50 or $55. www,runsignup.com/fona5k

On “Late Skate” Saturday, Oct. 28, skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ. Events last throughout the day and include Double Dutch, lawn games, job fairs, boat trips and more. Free skate rental (socks required) is available with a government issued ID. You can also skate anytime at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, the only roller-skating rink in the National Park Service. www.nps.gov/anac

Frederick Douglass Family Day

On Saturday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., join the National Park Service for Frederick Douglass Family Day, an open house event at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE. This free event features a Frederick Douglass actor, music, hands-on activities, community exhibitors, special grounds tours, an exhibit about the people in Frederick Douglass’ family and more. www.nps.gov/frdo

DC Beer Festival at Nats Park

On Saturday, Nov. 4, noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. (rain or shine), the DC Beer Festival returns to Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. SE. Dozens of craft breweries will feature seasonal beers alongside food trucks, dueling pianos, cover bands, DJs and more throughout the park. General admission of $50 includes unlimited samples from over 80 breweries. Everyone must be 21 and older. No pets. www. dcbeerfestival.com

Capitol Hill Art League Art Supply Swap

The Capitol Hill Art League is holding an art supply swap at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE, on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring whatever art supplies you no longer want to trade with other artists.

Photo: FONA

“Interlocked” Exhibition at Honfleur Gallery

The exhibition “Interlocked” explores the connections forged among people working in unison toward a common goal. Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell created the In nity Program to assist Black women artists in the DMV area to show their work and learn the art business. Judges selected 11 artists from more than 50 applicants, who met for eight weeks with various presenters, including an art consultant, a grants manager, a museum acquisitions coordinator, a trademark attorney and a life coach. The exhibition is at Hon eur Gallery, 2141 Good Hope Rd. SE., through Nov. 4. www.hon eurgallerydc.com

Weather permitting, outside. If not, in the gallery. What isn’t taken will be donated. Questions? Email solopikolo@aol.com.

NGA Seeks Volunteers

The National Gallery of Art seeks to recruit friendly faces for its information desks and guides to lead school tours. It is o ering information sessions throughout the fall. Applications are due Monday, Dec. 18. www.nga.gov/opportunities/volunteer-opportunities

“The Crossword Show” at Planet Word

On Monday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m., “The Crossword Show” makes its DC debut at Planet Word, 925 13th St. NW. Host Zach Sherwin (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Epic Rap Battles of History,” MAD magazine) presides as a panel of guest comedians solves a crossword puzzle live onstage, with everything displayed on a big screen so the audience can follow along. As the solvers decipher the clues, Zach takes the show down rabbit holes of comedy, music, wordplay and trivia inspired by the answer words. $25. www.planetwordmuseum.org

Washington International Horse Show

Established in 1958, the prestigious Washington International Horse Show o ers competition for international, professional, amateur, junior and child riders. The 65th WIHS will be held Oct. 23 to 29, at the Show Place Arena at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The schedule o ers seven days and three premier nights of hunter, jumper and equitation classes, as well as exhibitions and entertainment. Tickets are on sale for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Every other day, all day long, and daytimes Thursday through Saturday are free for spectators. www.wihs.org

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk/Run

The annual Bay Bridge Run is on Sunday, Nov. 12. To ensure safety, the run begins in waves of approximately 2,000 participants each, on a staggered timeline every 15 minutes, beginning at 7:00 a.m. and ending at 8:30 a.m. Participants select start times during registration. Walkers are welcome and have 2½ hours to complete the course. Registration is $100. www. thebaybridgerun.com

Donate A/C Units to Community Forklift

Residents who want to discard an air-conditioning unit should consider donating it to Community Forklift. Every year Community Forklift provides dozens of free air-conditioners to households with limited incomes. Window or in-room air-conditioning units (under 10 years of age and including all components) may be donated at the reuse warehouse, 4671 Tanglewood Dr., Edmonston, Maryland. Open daily, noon to 5 p.m. www. communityforklift.org

“Leyendas de Mi Tierra” (Stories from Home) at GALA

GALA Hispanic Theatre continues its 48th season with the world premiere of Yvonne Montoya’s “Leyendas de Mi Tierra” (Stories from Home), a dance-theater piece breathing life into untold stories of the American Southwest. Choreographer Montoya, a 23rd-generation Nuevomexicana, and an all-Mexican American cast of dancers draw upon personal histories and ancestral knowledge. Commissioned by GALA and Su Teatro in Denver, Colorado, “Stories from Home” celebrates the power of heritage and resilience and the transformative force of dance. $30. GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, on Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. www.galatheatre.org

Photo: Dominic AZ Bonuccelli

DCHFA Finances Ward 7 Senior Housing and Grand family Development

On Sept. 7, the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) issued $25.9 million in tax exempt bonds and underwrote $21.4 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity and $4 million in District LIHTC equity for the construction of H.R. Crawford Gardens at 737 50th St. NE in Ward 7. The 76unit development will be home for seniors, grandfamilies (grandparents raising minor children) and tenants who have experienced homelessness. The six-story midrise building will be designed to meet energy-e ciency and environmental standards. Property amenities will include a green roof, a leasing o ce, a ground oor community room, a tness center, an outdoor terrace, an onsite permanent supportive housing management o ce and 14 surface parking spaces.

E-Bike Purchase Incentive Program

The DC Council has passed legislation to expand and encourage e-bike ridership for District residents. The Electric Bicycle Incentive Program Amendment Act of 2023 subsidizes the cost of e-bikes for riders and o ers support for bike shops to manage increased demand. The program o ers either a voucher or a rebate toward the purchase of an e-bike. It creates two tiers of incentives: one for residents with lower incomes who are eligible for a publicbene t program like SNAP or TANF, and another available to all District residents. The legislation also authorizes DDOT to issue grants to bike shops to train District residents as professional bicycle mechanics.

John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert

On Nov. 6, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., the public is invited to join Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE, and the Marine Band for a celebration of the life and legacy of John Philip Sousa. Congressional Cemetery will start the program at 10:30 a.m. with a short awards ceremony, followed by a brief talk by a John Philip Sousa impersonator. The Marine Corps band will enter through the 17th Street gate at precisely 11 a.m. for a 25-minute concert at the grave site, located near the chapel. Rain or shine; free to the public. Closed to dogs. www.congressionalcemetery.org ◆

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7D “Uniting Communities East and West”

Representing the Capitol Hill/Hill East, Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Kingman Park, Mayfair, Parkside, River Terrace and Rosedale neighborhoods and RFK Stadium Campus.

October Virtual

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Via Web: https://zoom.us/j/95618118940 and enter passcode: anc7d

Via Phone: 301-715-8592, and enter meeting ID: 95618118940, and passcode: 254313 Agenda will be posted on our website 1 week in advance of meeting.

Public Safety Committee Meeting

Monday, October 16, 2023 – 6:30 p.m.

Via Web: https://zoom.us/j/98491691190 and enter passcode: anc7d Via Phone: 301-715-8592, and enter meeting ID: 98491691190, and passcode: 254313

Transportation & Public Space Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 25 – 7:00 p.m.

Via Web: https://zoom.us/j/98059997689 and enter passcode: anc7d

Via Phone: 301-715-8592, and enter meeting ID: 98059997689, and passcode: 254313

Volunteer Opportunities!

We are now recruiting community volunteers to build our five Commission committees. Our committees include: Community Outreach/Grants, Economic Development/Housing Justice, Environment, Public Safety, and Transportation/Public Space. Contact any Commissioner or 7d@anc.dc.gov for more information.

How To Participate with ANC 7D

Do you have an agenda item or wish to speak formally to ANC 7D? Contact your Commissioner or the Commission directly at 7D@anc.dc.gov

Do you have a public comment? Our monthly public meetings allow time for community comment. Do you have a zoning, alcoholic beverage, or other matter you would need us to weigh in on? Contact your Commissioner or the Commission directly at 7d@anc.dc.gov

For more information and meeting agendas and materials, visit: https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1

38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards

Spotlight on “Local Creatives”

by Rachel Royster

Dancing, laughter and applause filled Lincoln Theatre at 215 U Street NW, on the evening of Sept. 28 at the 38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards. Outside, nominees, presenters and attendees crossed a red carpet donned to the “Born Bold” theme as a brass band played and revolving

lights filled the sky.

“Seeing the mayor and all the locals mixed together with the politicians and the move-makers and the shakers in the city in one night is so amazing,” Red Carpet host Justin Stewart said, “especially that I get to see them as they go in, see the outfits, see the makeup, see the hair and compli-

ment them and just feel the love coming back.”

Stewart said his favorite part of the “Born Bold” theme was seeing thought-out looks that expressed what makes a person who they are. “I lived in New York for four years and it was nothing like home, Stewart said. “I was always here [in DC],” for the food, the networking, the bars, the clubs and to just be around people who had their own unique style. Being celebrated is what I’m all about and that’s exactly what this event is about.”

Beyond the Lincoln Theatre doors was a photo booth, a live painter and showgirls adorned in feathers and jewels.

Karla Styles, an artist local to the District, spent the four-hour event painting the facade of the Lincoln Theatre with her own creative flare. “Because the theme of the night is bold and my art and everything about me is always bold, I wanted to put my own spin on it given where we are,” Styles said. “By the time I’m done, you’re going to see the architecture of the Lincoln Theatre, but with graffiti all on top.”

Styles said the event puts an important spotlight on people who “don’t usually get a chance to have the spotlight.” She said it also has a unique way of informing the public of the creativity happening across the city.

At 7 p.m., the program began, and 14 awards were handed out to creatives across all media.

Mayor Muriel Bowser presented the Mayor’s Arts Award for Distinguished Honor to Jan Du Plain. The winner is the founder of Du Plain Global Enterprises Inc., a public relations firm that offers training programs aimed at enhancing cultural, culinary and fashion diplomacy.

Step & Repeat attendees stopped for the cameras before entering the historic Lincoln Theatre on Thursday evening for the 38th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards.

Photo: Rachel Royster

Gabrielle Loftin won the Award for Excellence in Youth Creativity; Mario Sessions won the Award for Excellence in Visual Arts; Jhon “CrazyLegz” Pearson won the Award for Visionary Leadership; Step Afrika! won the Award for Excellence in Performing Arts; Shawn Townsend won the Award for Excellence in The Nightlife Economy; The Media Prince won the Award for Excellence in Media Arts; Marjuan Canady won the Larry Neal Writers’ Award; the KRoussaw Foundation won the Award for Excellence in the Humanities; Caressa Jennings won the Emerging Creative Award; Artechouse won the Award for Excellence in the Creative Industries; Herb Scott won the Award for Excellence as a Community Arts Advocate; Vernon Martin won the Award for Excellence in Fashion and Beauty Industries; Brian Bailey won the Award for Excellence in Arts Education.

Between award presentations, opera singer Fairouz Foty, DC Black Broadway, the band Scream, Princess

Mhoon Dance Institute and 14-yearold harpist Sarah Mari got their own chance in the spotlight. Mari strummed while a slideshow played honoring creatives who died in the year since the last Mayor’s Arts Awards. The awards ceremony ended with a go-go performance by the Backyard Band and the aisles filled with dancing.

“Everyone here has a backstory of who they are and how they got here,” presenter Ashley Jaye Williams said. “I’m most impressed that everyone is so optimistic ‒ like everyone is pursuing this thing that isn’t necessarily aligned with capitalism. Creative arts can be, but a lot of times not.”

Williams said the arts awards are a welcome reminder that as an artist she is not alone or unsupported. “Everyone’s feeling the pain of the economy. It’s easy to feel like you’re just going to die alone in the gutter,” Williams said.

“It’s nice to see there are institutions that are supporting local arts and are going to help catch us if we fall.” u

Mayor Muriel Bowser presented entrepreneur Jan Du Plain with the Mayor’s Arts Award for Distinguished Honor for founding Du Plain Global Enterprises Inc., at the 38th annual awards ceremony. Photo: Rachel Royster

Meet Your Neighbor Banker, Kyra Minick

by Anthony D. Diallo

Small Business Banker and Operations Manager Kyra Minick spends her workday counting thousands of dollars and assisting other tellers at the branch of Wells Fargo Bank in the Shops at Penn Branch, 3200 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. More importantly, Minick has dispensed savvy financial advice to the bank’s many Ward 7 customers for a decade.

“I get to see in real-time all the benefits I give to my customers,” Minick said of her work. “I get the most satisfaction with helping people, especially those in the community who look like me, get to their financial goals like starting a savings plan, creating a budget and investing.”

Minick serves the community she was raised in herself.

Early Years

Minick was born in the nation’s capital on Jan. 23, 1981, at the Columbia Hospital for Women. At that time, her family resided in Bloomingdale, near Howard University. Minick was one of two children. Her half-brother, Anthony, 12 years her senior and disabled, resides with her today.

Around the time Minick attended kindergarten, her family moved to Hillcrest. Minick has vivid memories of visiting Penn Branch as a little girl. First Union Bank occupied the space of her current branch, and “there was a Hot Shoppes that we would get some delicious meals,” Minick said.

Her family later moved to Maryland to be closer to their mother’s workplace. Minick attended middle school and grad-

uated from Springbrook High School in Montgomery County. During her senior year, the family returned to the house in Hillcrest, which had been purchased by Minick’s maternal grandfather.

After graduating high school, Minick attended a historically Black college, Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. There, she “studied marketing, because in my mind I was going to have my own marketing firm,” Minick said. Instead, she took a detour.

Cosmology to Banking

In college, Minick supported herself doing makeup and selling cosmetics. She worked with Mac Cosmetics and interned with the Charlotte Business Incubator and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. After graduating in 2002 with a concentration in marketing and management, she joined Nordstrom as a buyer, later moving to management.

At Nordstrom, Minick was responsible for staffing, compiling statistical data, monitoring sales associates and writing and executing business plans. This combination of skills and experience landed Minick a job with Wells Fargo in 2009. The bank provides insurance, investments and mortgage, consumer and commercial finance through its approximately 4,600 national branches, 28 of which are located in the District. After working initially in Shaw, she moved to the Penn Branch in 2014.

“I’m proud of the many relationships I have built here at Penn Branch and earlier at Shaw where I worked with a lot of business owners. I had clients who were doctors and lawyers who were savvy in their specialties but not regarding their business and banking. I advised one doctor to acquire a bookkeeper that really helped her business grow,” Minick insisted.

Andre Jackson, a local contractor, said of Minick, “I come in to cash my checks … She is always friendly and welcoming.”

“Typically,” said Minick, “the customer at Penn Branch has been there

for years and may be seeking financial advice on retirement or how to invest for children or grandchildren.”

Minick herself lives not too far away in Ward 8.

Shipley Terrace

Minick shares her Shipley Terrace townhome with Michael, her husband of 16 years, and their three boys and a girl. The eldest attends Morgan State University. The youngest is a student at Randle Highlands, conveniently down the street from Penn Branch.

Shipley Terrace borders Prince George’s County, Maryland. The community has a mixture of townhomes and large single-family homes.

“Shipley Terrace is different from Hillcrest. My son [Quentin] is very involved with the Boys & Girls Club while my daughter [Chloe] has gotten heavily into ballet. When we lived in Hillcrest, I knew some of my neighbors but living here in Ward 8 is much more of a community involvement,” said Minick.

Drawing on her own experience, Minick firmly believes in the value of homeownership. At her job, Minick works hard to help her customers finance their first house.

Helping Others to Home Ownership

At Wells Fargo, Minick often counsels first-time homebuyers, steering them through the paperwork. She helps them combine $10,000 downpayment grants with other forms of financial assistance, such as loans from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Housing Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP).

Readers can visit Minick at her branch or call (202) 637-2518 for assistance with home purchase or help with financial planning. “You can’t be shy. You must be curious to help people,” said Minick. u

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: DCHE 2023-6

NMTC PROGRAM UNDERWRITING AND TRANSACTION SUPPORT SERVICES

DC Housing Enterprises (“DCHE”) is a wholly owned subsidiary, and an instrumentality of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”) is requesting underwriting, transaction and technical support services to assist in evaluating NMTC funding applications.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, September 11, 2023 on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org under “Business” and “Solicitations”.

SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 12:00 NOON.

Send email correspondences to Lolita Washington, Contract Specialist lwashing@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 2023-7

New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) Application Administration and Support Services

DC Housing Enterprises (“DCHE”) is a wholly owned subsidiary and an instrumentality of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”) seeks qualified firms to provide NMTC Application Administration and Support.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, September 25, 2023 on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org under “Business” and “Solicitations”.

SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 12:00 NOON. Email LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod, Contract Specialist at LMMCLEOD@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY

Changing Hands

The Eastsider Money Matters

by Leniqua’dominique Jenkins

The District of Columbia is an expensive place to live, work and play. Although legislation and social programs provide some nancial relief, neighbors across all eight wards are still feeling the tight squeeze of COVID-19, high in ation, geographical division based on ZIP Codes and low housing stock. These and other stressors have left many folks struggling nancially.

A few months ago, I attended a nancial empowerment workshop hosted by the Adell C White Workforce Center and facilitated by the Vicky Davis Group and Paths Forward LLC. According to the online announcement, the objective of the workshop was to “learn about sound money management from experts that are committed to following up and ensuring you are set up for success.” I am not usually interested in workshops that make lofty promises, but the certi cate of completion and a $200 stipend for participation lured me to commit.

Most of the participants I encountered were from Wards 7 and 8. Over the span of four hours, a few dozen of us discussed the basics of banking, paychecks (taxes, withholding, deductions), setting up direct deposit, building savings by sticking to a budget and how to build and maintain good credit.

During lunch intermission I met Sharonda Gains, a 29-year-old professional, without kids. She has spent the past seven months couch-hopping with family in the Deanwood and Kenilworth communities. She said she planned to couch-hop until she saved enough to purchase a home.

Immediately, I asked, “Do you have fair credit?”

“I don’t know,” she replied quickly.

“Has your couch-hopping plan been successful, have you been able to save?”

She shared that she had not. “Everything in the District is expensive. Every time I save some money something comes up, and I have to spend it,” she said somberly.

I reminded her of the program announcement and its promise of being able to get her “set up for success.”

As the workshop continued, we gained information that would empower the group to make better nancial decisions. Sharonda would occasionally answer a question but mostly appeared to be absorbing all the information and taking notes.

For example, one of the facilitators asked, “Does anyone know the di erence between a bank and a credit union?”

A few hands went up eager to answer the question. Sharonda stopped writing and looked up with a querying face. One person said, “Credit unions have better interest rates.” “Banks are more convenient,” another said with con dence.

Although everyone provided a correct answer to the question, no one provided the strongest answer, which was the response the facilitator was hoping to hear. The di erence between a bank and a credit union is that a bank is a for-pro t institution, explained the facilitator. It earns money for pro t. A credit union is a not-for-pro t institution and redistributes its pro ts to its members.

I scanned the classroom and looked in Sharonda’s direction. We made eye contact and she lipped the word “Wow.” At that moment I wasn’t sure if she had developed the nancial toolkit to purchase a home, but I felt con dent she was leaving more informed than when she arrived.

A month passed since the workshop, and I decided to check in with Sharonda. Before I could ask a question, she blurted out her credit score and we both laughed. Since attending the class, she had opened a checking and savings account at a credit union and was using the union’s free credit building tools.

Although Sharonda is not a homeowner yet, she has a plan to obtain a studio apartment before Christmas. She credits the class with providing her with the right information to start moving toward her goal.

Leniqua’dominique Jenkins works on the DC Council, but the views expressed here are her own. She can be reached at jenkinseastoftheriver@gmail.com. ◆

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

The Old Man of Anacostia DC Should Have Open Primaries

by Philip Pannell

Several reform-minded and good government activists are working feverishly to place Initiative 83 on the 2024 DC general election ballot to establish Rank Choice Voting and open primaries in all elections. They have formed the Make All Votes Count DC campaign. Full disclosure: I am the treasurer of that campaign committee.

In my August 2021 East of the River column I gave my reasons for supporting Rank Choice Voting (also called Instant Runo Voting): https://eastoftheriverdcnews.com/2021/08/10/give-us-rankedchoice-voting/

Open primaries would permit registered independents to vote in the primaries of the DC political parties. DC currently has closed primaries that permit only those registered with a particular party to vote in those elections. Thirteen states have closed primaries: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Kansas Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming. There are movements in practically all those states to establish open primaries. Recently six former governors (both Democratic and Republican) of Pennsylvania issued a letter urging that their state get rid of the closed primary system. Prominent among those six is Ed Rendell, who is a former chair of the Democratic National Committee, the governing organization of the national Democratic Party.

I am a newcomer to supporting open primaries. Since the beginning of Home Rule, I have held several DC Democratic Party positions: Young Democrats president, alternate national committeeman, Ward 8 committeeman, Ward 8 president, at-large committeeman and recording secretary of the DC Democratic State Committee (DCDSC). As an active and partisan Democrat, I strongly supported closed primaries because I could not fathom having independents vote in those elections. I was of the opinion that independents had no right to vote in Democratic primaries. In retrospect, I am ashamed that I held that position of exclusivity. I have evolved in my thinking and feel that the Democratic Party should not be similar to a fraternity or sorority. Or even worse, a gang. The pivotal event that made me an advocate of open primaries was Donald Trump’s election as president in 2016.

According to a recent Gallup Poll, 49% of U.S. voters consider themselves independents, with the Democratic and Republican parties dividing the other half of the electorate. Young voters in particular are not impressed or embracing of the two-party system. No candidate can win the White House or statewide o ces with only the registrants of a particular party. If Democratic party candidates are to be successful at the polls, they must win the votes of registered independents. An open primary process would give independents some skin in the game and may help generate enthusiasm and volunteers in the general election. If Hillary Clinton had received more independent votes in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, we would have been spared the nightmare of Donald Trump and his Supreme Court appointments.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am in no way encouraging more independent registrations. I still ardently believe that the Democratic Party is the most e ective political vehicle in the quest for social and economic opportunity, progress and justice. Also, when it comes to politics, party labels are of paramount importance to me. When a person tells me that he or she is an independent, it immediately means nothing to me because an independent could be a fascist or a socialist. At the age of 73, I treasure time and convenience. When people let me know that they are Democrats, I immediately feel a political connection. It is similar to people stating their religious denominations. However, we Democrats must expand our pool of supporters and voters for our candidates.

We DC Democrats live in the bluest bubble in the nation. Joe Biden received 92% of the DC votes for president in the 2020 general election. For most practical political purposes, DC is a one-party city-state. Unfortunately, the DC Democratic State Committee (DCDSC), the local governing organization of the DC Democratic Party, has become captive to that way of thinking and acting. It has led a lawsuit to keep Ini-

tiative 83 o the ballot. The DCDSC currently has no discernible agenda for election reform but is ghting in court against giving voters the opportunity to determine the conduct of future elections. So much for democracy.

It is disheartening to see our DC Democratic Party leadership opposing change and battling to maintain the political status quo and antiquated election processes. If the DC Democratic Party leaders do not want independents to vote in primaries, then at least spare the taxpaying independents the indignity of having to pay for their exclusion from a government-run election process. Exclusionary political parties should select or elect their nominees for public o ce by political conventions or caucuses that they pay for.

Political reformers who are concerned and involved with efforts to expand and increase participation in voting have been in the vanguard of advocating for voting by mail, same-day registration and voting, early voting and universal registration. In the next DC local elections, undocumented residents or non-citizens (depending on your nominal preference) will be able to vote. Rank Choice Voting and open primaries are in that litany of change and progress.

If you feel that I am demonstrating the fervor of the newly converted, you are absolutely correct. I apologize if my evangelizing irritates you but I must spread the good news. I now strongly believe that the open primary advocates are on the right side of history. Hopefully, our local Democratic Party leaders will come to realize that closed primaries are the result of closed eyes, minds and hearts. They should open their arms and embrace the independents. They may just hug us Democrats back.

Long-time Ward 8 community activist Philip Pannell can be contacted at philippannell@comcast.net.

kids & family

by Kathleen Donner

Kingman Island Family Day

On Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., explore Kingman and Heritage Islands with your family and friends. Experience all the amazing activities the islands o er including paddling, nature walks, shing, scavenger hunts. Activities include Anacostia Green Boats; Ask a Ranger; Bark Rangers (bring your dog); Bird with Us; Fish of the District; Learn to Row; Island Info Table; Meadow Exploration; Meet a Freshwater Mussel; Tree Bingo & Scavenger Hunt; Watershed Simulation Model; Nature Story Time; and Sensory Observation Exploration. Free admission. Kingman And Heritage Islands Park, 575 Oklahoma Ave. NE. kingmanisland.com.

Hallowee-ones Costume Party at the Atlas

On Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to noon, it’s time for your favorite and funniest characters galore. This family-friendly event is hosted by none other than drag sensation Tara Hoot “darling you’re gorgeous!” Show o your favorite and funniest costume and enjoy story time, music, dancing, creation stations, a costume parade, and trick-or-treating. Recommended for ages birth to ten. Free but registration recommended. The Atlas is at 1333 H St. NE. atlasarts.org.

Kids’ Day at the Horse Show

On Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain or shine), enjoy the activities outside, then come into the Prince George’s Equestrian Center to watch the competition in action. Washington International Horse Show Kids’ Day is a free, fun, and educational event created to share the joy of horses with kids and their parents. All events and activities are free. Parking is also free and has easy access to Kids’ Day. Prince George’s Equestrian Center is at 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD. wihs.org.

Garlic Planting Party at Arboretum

Join Friends of the National Arboretum on Saturday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for their annual Garlic Planting Party in the Washington Youth Garden. Celebrate their WYG community and the end of the growing season with garlic planting, face painting, fall art activities, food tastings, vegetable harvesting, and more. Wearing costumes is highly encouraged. Enter the Arboretum through either the New York Avenue (3501 New York Ave. NE) or R Street entrances (2400 R St. NE). fona.org.

Hill-O-Ween @ Eastern Market

For 20 years, Hill-O-Ween has been a cherished tradition on the street in front of Eastern Market. It’s a chance for kids to show their creativity, dress up, play, and make some of the best memories of their childhood. This year, Hill-O-Ween is on Friday, Oct. 27, 5 to 8 p.m. at Eastern Market, 225 Seventh St. SE. hilloweendc.com.

Photo: Alden Corrigan Media

Photo: Krista Schiver

Come

YU YING IS OPEN TO ALL!

• We’re one of 11 DC public charter schools with equitable access preference.

Learn more and register for an upcoming virtual open house at washingtonyuying.org/enroll

PREK 3 - GRADE 5

kids & family

Family Spooky Halloween Disco at Dance Place

On Saturday, Oct. 28, 4 to 8 p.m., join Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE, for an all ages, family-friendly Halloween Disco. This indoor/outdoor event features a DJ, games, snacks, and a host of other spooky surprises. Adults, be sure to come dressed to impress for a chance to win their costume dance o , judged by their youth panelist. danceplace.org.

The ABCs of Hip Hop at Discovery Theater

On Thursday, Oct. 26 and Friday, Oct. 27, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. (both days), Baba Bomani uses rhythm and rhyme to illustrate basic reading and math concepts, such as recognizing syllables, and demonstrates how a rapper’s ow is simply a number bond math equation. Young audience members will pick up active-listening skills and have some fun learning how to rap the alphabet backwards. Tickets are $8 for adults; $7 for kids; $3 for kids under two. Tickets are on sale now. It is recommended for ages three to six.

PumpkinPalooza

On Thursday, Oct. 26 (rain date, Friday, Oct. 27), 4 to 8 p.m., join the NoMa Business Improvement District at Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, for free, fall fun for the whole family. There is a Halloween party from 4 to 6:15 p.m. and a screening of Hocus Pocus at 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Other activities include a free pick-your-own pumpkin patch, costume contests for people and dogs, live music, face painting and Timber Pizza food truck on-site. nomabid. org/pumpkinpalooza.

Discovery Theater’s Ripley Center is at 1100 Je erson Dr. SW (on the National Mall). discoverytheater.org.

Dead Man’s Run: Kids’ Run

Boo at the Zoo (always sells out)

It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s family-friendly Halloween event is back on Oct. 20, 21 and 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests can feast their eyes on spellbinding habitats decorated with Jack-O-Lanterns, spooky enrichment and tasty treats for the animals. Fiendishly fun vignettes featuring frolicking skeletons and fantastical creatures liven up the Zoo’s main pathway, Olmsted Walk. Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, a souvenir tote bag and around 30 trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo. Tickets are $35; parking, $30. nationalzoo.si.edu/events/boo-zoo.

The Dead Man’s Run 5k at Congressional Cemetery is on Saturday, Oct. 14, 5:30 p.m. As the funeral bell tolls, runners bound around the cemetery and continue out onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and fun. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for best individual and teams. Registration is $35. There is a kids’ race prior to the start of the 5k. Participation is free for any child who comes with a registered runner. If no runners are registered, children may still participate for a $5 fee. Registration for the children’s race is in the chapel on the day of the race. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver. All proceeds support the cemetery’s non-pro t 501(c)(3) organization and fund the preservation of this National Historic Landmark. congressionalcemetery.org.

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular

On Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., in an October tradition, the Kennedy Center Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when National Symphony Orchestra musicians perform new and old classics to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Arrive early for trick-ortreating and a special Haunted Hall Musical PLAYspace. The Halloween Spooktacular is most enjoyed by ages ve, up. $18 to $20. kennedy-center.org.

WABA and DC Dream Center Family Bicycle-Trail Riding Basics

This family bicycle-trail riding class is on Sunday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. at Anacostia Park. Hosted by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association in partnership with the DC Dream Center, it teaches bicyclists of all ages the skills needed to ride safely, con dently, and considerately on our region’s many trails. Instructors discuss the importance of trail etiquette while riding on a multi-use path and answer any questions that participants may have about trail riding for commuting or recreation. At the end of the three hours, you’ll go for a group trail ride, where participants put their newly acquired skills to the test. $10. Have any questions? Email them at education@waba.org. Register at waba. org/blog/2023/08/dc-dream-center-family-trail-riding-basics.

Moongaze on International Observe the Moon Night

On Saturday, Oct. 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., come view the moon and other night sky objects during International Observe the Moon Night. This stargazing event will take place outside the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Experienced people will help you to observe the moon, as well as planets and stars. Leave your personal telescopes at home; all equipment will be provided for this event. moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night.

The Dragon King’s Daughter at KC

Twelve-year-old Kenny Li is being bullied at school. When he nds a magical tablet, he is transported to the Jade Kingdom where he meets Xing, the Dragon King’s daughter. Together, they go on a quest to save the world, nding courage and friendship along the way. Chinese dragon mythology, martial arts, and stunning voices combine in this world premiere musical following an unlikely young duo on a daring adventure. Marcus Yi’s heroic story and inspiring songs come alive onstage, with direction by Chongren Fan and choreography by Billy Bustamante. At the Kennedy Center, from Nov. 18 to Dec. 17. It is most enjoyed by aged seven and older. $20. kennedy-center.org.

KEENFest 2023: The Greatest Show

On Saturday, Nov. 4, plan to join KEEN Greater DC-Baltimore at the Capital Hilton Hotel, 1001 16th St. NW, for KEENFest 2023: The Greatest Show. KEENFest is their annual gala fundraiser featuring live performances by KEEN athletes, dinner, fantastic auction items, music, entertainment and dancing. Proceeds from the event support KEEN Greater DC-Baltimore’s sports and recreation programs serving children, teens and young adults with de-

Photo: Nina Ramadan Photography

velopmental and physical disabilities at no cost to the participants or their families. keengreaterdc.org.

Protect Tiny Hummingbirds with an Adoption!

They’re small but mighty. Weighing less than a nickel, these pint-sized marvels cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single nonstop ight during migration. Celebrate Hummingbird Day with a Ruby-throated Hummingbird adoption, and you’ll protect birds and their habitats for generations to come. You can also adopt a painted bunting, a bald eagle, and a peregrine falcon. All adoptions are $60. You receive a small plush bird as a thank you. Transactions made through the Audubon Gift Catalog are symbolic. Funds will be directed to Audubon’s mission to protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Call 800-361-7724 if you have

any questions or would like to place your order over the phone. audubon.org.

The Butterfly Pavilion at Natural History Reopens

The Butter y Pavilion reopens on Nov. 1 after its annual maintenance. Visit the wheelchair-accessible Pavilion to experience a tropical oasis in the middle of the National Museum of Natural History. The light is bright, the air is warm, and butter ies y freely around the enclosure uttering from one bloom to another and sometimes landing on visitors. During this immersive live butter y experience, you will stroll along tropical plants and experience a rare opportunity—approximately 300 living butteries from around the world gathered in one place. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays. Tickets are $8 for adults; $7 for kids and seniors; Tuesdays, free. All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Online ticket sales at naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/butter y-pavilion.

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular at Glen Echo

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Día de los Muertos Family Day

On Saturday, Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and G streets, NW. Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances, including traditional Mexican folk dance by Ballet Folklorico Mi Herencia Mexicana, an exhilarating mariachi performance by Mariachi Aguila DC, and a showcase of di erent Latin American music genres and dances with Sol y Rumba. Attendees ages 12 and younger can enjoy face painting throughout the day, while visitors of all ages can try out their featured Día de los Muertos-themed crafts. Have fun with a Día de los Muertos scavenger hunt that will take you through the museum’s new Many Wests: Artists Shape an American Idea exhibit. Free; no registration required. americanart.si.edu.

Through Oct. 29, the Puppet Co. at Glen Echo presents the Halloween Spooktacular, a funny competitive variety show where the audience gets to vote for the winner. This not-so-spooky show, lled with puns and Halloween humor, will entertain kids and parents. Shows take place on Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Recommended for ages four and up. $15; free for under age two. The run time is about 45 minutes.

Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. thepuppetco.org. ◆

Photo courtesy of the SAAM. Norwood Photography

Matters of Law

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