16 minute read

Bulletin Board by Kathleen Donner

Black Georgetown History Through Immersive Theatre

Composed by Ronald “Trey” Walton, with music direction by Evelyn Simpson Curenton and featuring some of DC’s brightest performers, “Voices of Zion” represents a community-wide collaboration among partners in the social, spiritual and business sectors: ANMT, Mt. Zion-FUBS Cemeteries, Dumbarton United Methodist Church, Quilts4DC, Coalition of African American Performing Artists, Rotary Clubs of DC and Bethesda, United Presbyterian Church, Georgetown University, Headstones and History, Oakhill Cemetery, Dumbarton House and the Colonial Dames of America Oakhill. A special preview performance is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, at 7 p.m., as part of DC’s Emancipation Day celebrations at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE in Anacostia. The preview is o ered at $25 per ticket at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/6046/event/1262051.

The Ward 8 Democrats Forum, April 23

is hosting “Your Choice, Your Vote,” a virtual candidates’ forum on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at noon for Delegate to Congress, At-Large Council, and Council Chair. This is your opportunity to hear directly from Democratic candidates vying for your support for these important o ces. Join us as we explore their records, ideas, policy proposals, and vision for our Ward, the District, and the nation. #Ward8Votes Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/Ward8Votes

Thriving East of the River

Join Scott Kratz, senior vice president of Building Bridges Across the River, on Tuesday, May 10, from 3 to 6 p.m., for a discussion about community-centered work allowing local residents to stay and thrive in place. The event will address investments in a ordable housing and small business and workforce training. Joining will be Harold Pettigrew, Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif); Kimberly Driggins, Washington Housing Conservancy; and Latrena Owens, St. Elizabeths East. Thriving East of the River is at R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center, 2730 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE. Register at www.bbardc.org.

Enslavement to Emancipation Screening

“Enslavement to Emancipation” is a television documentary chronicling the history of the Compensated Emancipation Act of April 16, 1862, freeing the enslaved people of Washington, DC. The screening is on Thursday, April 14, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Francis A. Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE.

Hang with Down to Earth Season Artists & Partners

On April 23, noon to 3 p.m., visit Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, to hang out and meet the artists and partners of the Down to Earth artist-in-residency program of the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. The artists created their works focusing on the climate crisis and its relationship with systemic racism. Celebrate Earth Day and Down to Earth’s connections and discoveries. Participants who want to make a day of it are welcome to join the Earth Day clean-up at the park from 9 a.m. to noon. www.kenaqgardens.org

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District. DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District. DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District. DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe 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. DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe 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. DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe 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. DC Open Doors DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust mortgages. You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.

Home Purchase Assistance

Program (HPAP)

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down payment and closing cost assistance up to $84,000 combined. DCHFA serves as a co-administrator of this DC

Department of Housing and Community

Development’s (DHCD) first-time home buyer program.

DC4ME

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

serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia. Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program. serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down 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 program. years or older who have fallen behind on insurance serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to program. 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 DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional of District government-based instrumentalities, down payment assistance to D.C. government independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's District government employees, including employees employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia. 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 COVID-19 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 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.

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 years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to 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. 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 COVID-19 employer falls under the oversight of the Council of DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to the District of Columbia. Visit www.DCHFA.org those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs. up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.COVID-19 815 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC20001•202.777.1Visit www.DCHFA.org DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 600 • WWW.DCHFA.ORG how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs. pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage 815 Visit www.DCHFA.org FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, Dfor up to six months. EAST OFC20001•202.777.160 THE RIVER MAGAZINE APRIL 2022 370 • WWW.DCHFA.ORG how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs.

Deer Populations Management in DC Parks

The National Park Service will implement a deer management plan in selected national parks in Washington, DC, and Maryland. The plan will guide management to support long-term protection, preservation and restoration of native plants and natural and cultural landscapes that may have been damaged owing to excessively large deer populations. The White-tailed Deer Management Plan applies to the following DC sites: Anacostia Park, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, Fort Mahan, Fort Dupont, Fort Davis, Fort Chaplin, Fort Stanton, Fort Ricketts, Fort Greble, Battery Carroll and Shepherd Parkway. Read the planning

Nationals Honor Cherry Blossoms with City Connect Uniforms

Spring in Washington means two things: baseball and cherry blossoms. The Washington Nationals have combined these two features, revealing the club’s cherry-blossom-themed City Connect uniforms. The Nationals are the rst of seven clubs participating in this year’s Nike MLB City Connect series. They will wear the uniforms during selected games through the 2022 season and will debut them during the home-opening weekend on Saturday, April 9 (7:05 p.m. vs. New York Mets) and Sunday, April 10 (1:35 p.m. vs. the Mets). www.nationals.com/cityconnect

Juan Soto in a DC City Connect uniform.

Community Benefits Coming to The Wharf

Photo: Dionne McDonald

The vision for Phase 2 of The Wharf development is becoming a reality on the Southwest waterfront.

The individual elements will nish at di erent times during this year and the project will be fully completed before the end of 2022. Employment will be available with the opening of Phase 2. At least one job fair will be held in the Southwest community later this spring. The Tides, a mixed-income residential rental building with units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments, will include market, a ordable and workforce units for households earning 30%, 60%, 100% and 120% of area median income. Initial tenant move-in will be this summer. www.thetidesDC.com

documents at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?documentID=119547.

Tea at THEARC

Celebrate Building Bridges Across the River’s 17 years of serving residents east of the Anacostia River at the Wacky and Whimsical Tea for

THEARC on Sunday, May 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. The festive event, hosted at THEARC campus, o ers an afternoon of fun for the whole family. The tea also features children’s games and activities, exciting performances, door prizes and more. Tickets start at $20. Contact Sara Lange with questions at slange@thearcdc.org or (202) 889-5901 x 100.

DC Library’s Haiku Contest

Celebrate National Poetry Month by participating in DC Library’s Haiku Contest. Haikus have three lines of 5 syllables/7 syllables/5 syllables. Create your own 17-syllable masterpiece on one of the following topics: your love of books, reading or the library; something small that gives you joy; DC in springtime or noticing your neighborhood. Poets of all ages can enter and submit up to two haikus. Prize-winners will take home library swag and eternal glory. Winning poems will be posted in the libraries and on the DC Library website in May. To enter, pick up a paper form from any library branch or enter online at www.dclibrary.org.

Mosaic Theater Company Announces Season

The 2022/23 season is the first season selected and planned by Mosaic’s new artistic director, Reginald L. Douglas. The lineup aims to spark conversation across DC with productions and special events that engage artists and community members around issues of and for the moment. Here’s the lineup: “The Till Trilogy” by Ifa Bayeza, Oct. 7 to Nov. 20; “Mexodus” by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson (workshop production of new musical in development), Dec. 8 to 18; “Bars and Measures” by Idris Goodwin, Feb. 1 to 26; “Unseen” by Mona Mansour, March 29 to April 23; “Murdered Men Do Bleed and Drip” by Jennifer Barclay and Hannah Khalil (workshop production of new play in development), April 28 to May 7. www.mosaictheater.org

Synetic’s Ukraine Benefit Performance of “The Servant of Two Masters”

Synetic Theater, 1800 South Bell St., Arlington, presents Synetic Supports Ukraine, a benefit event on Friday, April 29, at 8 p.m. All proceeds will go to United Help Ukraine. Synetic Supports Ukraine will open with a short concert of contemporary sacred vocal works by the artists of Lyrica Classic, a collective of Russian and American musicians. Following a brief intermission, Synetic Theater will present its current production of “The Servant of Two Masters.” Tickets are $45 to $100 at www.synetictheater. org/synetic-supports-ukraine/.

Second COVID-19 Booster Now Available

The Centers for Disease Control is now recommending a second booster dose for individuals 50 and older, as well as certain individuals who are immunocompromised and at higher risk for severe COVID-19. Eligible individuals who received their initial booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines on or before November 30, 2021, may now receive a second booster of either vaccine. Find a DC vaccination center at www.coronavirus. dc.gov/covidcenters.

Juan Soto in a DC City Connect uniform.

Local Artists Highlight Climate Crisis and Ward 7 Indigenous History

The Down to Earth exhibit at Hon eur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road SE, through April 15, and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, through April 30, shines a light on the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Ward 7’s past, present and future with a sharp focus on the climate emergency and its intersectionality with systemic racism. This exhibit is the culmination of work over the past year with four di erent artists and includes clothing, maps, oral history and oil paintings. The two exhibit sites, along with artwork created over the past year, will feature conversations with the artists and an Earth Day cleanup. www.capitalfringe.org

The US Botanic Garden Reopens

The United States Botanic Garden fully reopened on April 1. Admission is free and timed tickets are not required. The Conservatory has resumed normal hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; the gated outdoor gardens are open spring-summer hours of 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens will continue to be open dawn to dusk. All of the Conservatory’s interior rooms will be open starting April 1, and the Children’s Garden and Southern Exposure seasonal outdoor courtyards are planned to reopen April 22, weather permitting. www.usbg.gov

National’s Home Run Charity 5K

The Washington Nationals Home Run Charity 5K returns for its second virtual Home Run on April 22 to 29. Each registrant will receive a race kit with exclusive gear including a t-shirt, nisher medal, race bib, towel and drawstring bag. Early bird registration, $65; early bird registration and nish-line party, $100. www.give.nats4good.org

$200 Bicycle Incentive for DCPS Employees

Get Paid to Pedal gives District public, private or charter-school teachers and school sta a $200 reimbursement (while program funds last) toward the purchase of a bicycle at District bike shops and online retailers. To date, the Get Paid to Pedal program has helped 107 teachers and other school sta purchase a new bicycle. www.goDCgo.com/bike-incentive

Washington Nationals Announce Season Details

The Washington Nationals have announced several details for fans in advance of the 2022 season. Single game tickets for all 2022 regular season games are on sale now. Fans coming to Nationals Park will enjoy expedited entry with the implementation of CEIA OpenGate technology at all entrances. Fans entering the ballpark no longer need to remove keys and wallets from their pockets or have their bags searched, but instead will walk through the screening system in a single le line before presenting their tickets. All bags larger than a clutch must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and may not be larger than

16 x 16 x 8 inches. Fans with medical or diaper bags may use the ADA/Family lanes at the Center Field and Home Plate gates to have their items inspected. Fans may bring a small clutch (5 x 7 x ¾ inches or smaller) in addition to or instead of a clear bag. Visit www.nationals.com for more information.

Free Tax Services in DC

Capital Area Asset Builders encourages individuals and families to take advantage of trusted and high-quality free tax preparation services o ered to low- and moderate-income DC residents in all eight wards and online. DC residents who in 2021 earned $58,000 or less are eligible for free personal income-tax preparation services. The services are provided by IRS-certified community volunteers who will assist with submitting federal and DC personal income taxes. For more information, visit www. caab.org/en/dceitc.

Clemency Board Application Process Launched

Mayor Bowser has launched an application process for letters of recommendation to the District of Columbia Clemency Board. The Clemency Board considers applications from people convicted of DC Code o enses and, if clemency is warranted, helps applicants receive pardon or commutation. Details of the application process can be found at www.clemency.dc.gov.

DFHV Sets $1 Taxi Surcharge

The Department of For Hire Vehicles has added a $1 surcharge to taxi fares. The surcharge will help o set the e ects of the US ban on Russian oil and high prices at the gas pump. The surcharge will stay in place for 120 days unless rescinded sooner by DFHV Director David Do. www.dfhv.dc.gov/page/ taxicabfares ◆

Georgetown Canal Boat Rides Resume

For the rst time in more than a decade, a canal boat is back in Georgetown. Measuring 80 feet long and 12 feet wide, the new boat is modeled after designs for packet boats that plied the canal during its early years. The boat will connect visitors to the stories of the people who helped build and sustain the nation’s capital, as well as the technology that made the canal possible. Rides on the boat, based near Thomas Je erson and 31st streets, start in late April and go through the end of October. Days, times and ticket prices will be announced soon. www.georgetownheritage.org

Monthly Community Meetings

3rd Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm Next Meeting: April 19, 2022

Join Zoom Meeting by Video:

Where: Zoom.us Meeting ID: 944 9344 8524 Passcode: 3275KC1

Dial in by Phone:

Where: 1-301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 944 9344 8524 Passcode: 6755143

ALL ARE WELCOME

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