East of the River Magazine – December 2024 by Capital Community News

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

The Institute for Musical Traditions’ Hank Williams Tribute

Hank Williams was an American singer-songwriter who is regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Williams recorded 55 singles that reached the top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western bestsellers chart, five of which were released posthumously, and 12 of which reached No.1. On Friday, Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m., at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 100701 Old Georgetown Rd., Rockville, MD, the Institute for Musical Traditions’ presents a Hank Williams Tribute. Tickets are $32. imtfolk.org.

Step Afrika’s Musical Holiday Show at Arena

As the world’s first holiday show highlighting the African American tradition of stepping, Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is a feast for the eyes and ears. Furry friends from the Arctic Kingdom—Popper the Penguin and Polo the Polar Bear—along with DJ Nutcracker ensure a fun and exciting experience for the entire family. $59 to $99. Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, from Dec. 13 to 22. arenastage.org.

OSGEMEOS: Endless Story at the Hirshhorn

Through Aug. 3, 2025, the Hirshhorn Museum presents the first US museum survey and largest US exhibition of work by identical twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo (b. São Paulo, Brazil, 1974), known globally as OSGEMEOS—Portuguese for “the twins.” The yearlong, full-floor presentation brings together approximately 1,000 artworks, photographs, and archival materials to highlight the trajectory of their collaborative multidisciplinary practice, including the roots of their fantastical artistic language, inspired by their upbringing in urban Brazil. The exhibit spotlights the artists’ playful combination of universal themes with magical elements drawn from their heritage, urban art and graffiti traditions. Free timed-passes are distributed online three weeks in advance on a rolling basis. hirshhorn.si.edu.

OSGEMEOS, Tritrez, 2014. Spray paint and sequins on wood. Courtesy of the artists. © OSGEMEOS. Photo: Rick Coulby

All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain

Dubbed “The villain of Broadway” Tony Award-nominee and Grammy Award-winner Patrick Page has never shied away from exploring his dark side. He now turns to the twisted motivations and hidden humanity at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest villains. Moving swiftly through the canon, Page illuminates Shakespeare’s evolving conception of evil by delving into more than a dozen of his most wicked creations, offering a thrilling masterclass on the most terrifying subject of them all: human nature. All the Devils Are Here is at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theater from Dec. 6 to 29. Tickets are $35 to $119. shakespearetheatre.org.

CulturalDC Mobile Art Gallery at the ACM

& Juliet at the KC

Created by the Emmy Award–winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. & Juliet is in the Kennedy Center Opera House from Dec. 17 to Jan. 5. Tickets are $45 to $229. kennedy-center.org.

Murjoni Merriweather’s installation in the Mobile Art Gallery is an immersive experience exploring the artist’s personal experiences with growth, patience, and self-care. Connecting with the spiritual and symbolic nature of our planet, Murjoni covers the gallery floor in soil. Her clay sculptures will be lifted, appearing to grow from mounds of earth. The space includes an interactive area with an opportunity to dig in the dirt and discover hidden items to inspire self-reflection. This exhibition is a story of growth. The Mobile Art Gallery at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, is open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch, 1 to 1:30 p.m.) until Dec. 22. There is a hands-on clay workshop led by Merriweather on Saturday, Dec. 14, noon to 2 p.m. anacostia.si.edu.

Rt. 123 Comedy Ft. Chris Alan at Capital One Hall (The Vault)

Chris Alan is a stand-up comic, writer, podcaster, content creator based out of Washington DC. He’s toured with Mark Normand, opened for headliners such as Neal Brennan, Janelle James, SNL alum Colin Quinn and Sam Jay. At comedy clubs across the country, Chris delivers material about growing up a nerd in the inner city, going to therapy, marriage, his time in the military and becoming a father. Be sure to listen to his podcast Negro Please Radio in which he talks about fatherhood, marriage, comedy, life on the road and figuring out his life after the military. Chris Alan is at Capital One Hall (The Vault), 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons, VA, on Friday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. capitalonehall.com.

IN Series’ Rigoletto

Voted as an audience choice for IN Series’ 2019-20 season, this circus version of Rigoletto, complete with a circus band and bawdy new text by Bari Biern, became a victim of COVID-19, but before that, victim to 19th-century censors that found its exploration of the misdeeds of the powerful too dangerous for the public eye. The production finally roars to life on Dec. 7 and 14, at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 8 and 15, at 2:30 p.m., at the Goldman Theater DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW. At once darkly devilish, toe-tappingly infectious, and horrifically funny, Verdi’s masterpiece is made intimate, in-yourface, and inescapably enjoyable under the big top. Tickets are $35 to $72. inseries.org.

Patrick Page. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

Juliet and the nurse. 1815.

Murjoni Merriweather

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Dan Rodricks’ Baltimore, You Have No Idea at the BMA

“You Have No Idea” is a one-man play…with a cast of seven. On Dec. 8, 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.; and Dec. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m., award-winning journalist Dan Rodricks brings to stage some of the many fascinating people he’s encountered while writing more than 6,000 columns over 44 years for The Baltimore Sun. Dramatic, hopeful, sobering and uproariously funny, Dan’s play is an onstage memoir from more than 45 years as a Baltimore Sun columnist. While documenting a city seemingly in perpetual recovery, he discovers one-of-a-kind Baltimore stories and characters that come to life from the page to the stage. $35. Performances are at the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Meyerhoff Auditorium, 10 Art Museum Dr., Baltimore, MD. youhavenoidea.org.

M. Schad Fund© Sunil Gupta

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography at the NGA

The 1970s was a decade of uncertainty in the United States. Americans witnessed soaring inflation, energy crises, and the Watergate scandal, as well as protests about the Vietnam War, women’s rights, gay liberation, and the environment. Activism and a growing awareness and acceptance of diversity opened the field to underrepresented voices. At the same time, artistic experimentation fueled the reimagining of what documentary photographs could look like. Through April 6, featuring some 100 works by more than 80 artists, the National Gallery of Art’s The ʼ70s Lens examines how photographers reinvented documentary practice during this radical shift in American life. nga.gov.

The Black

Crows

at MGM National Harbor

In a time where the art form is buried beneath the corporate sheen of its successors, The Black Crowes are biting back with the angst of words left unsaid penned on paper and electrified by guitar strings, revealing stripped, bare-boned rock & roll. No gloss, no glitter, just rhythm and blues at its very best - gritty, loud, and in your face. The Black Crows are at MGM National Harbor on Thursday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $93. mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com.

Downstate at Studio

Downstate is a button-pushing play from provocateur Bruce Norris that looks at the limits of compassion, the desire for retribution, and what happens when society decides some acts are unforgivable. In downstate Illinois, at a group home for registered sex offenders, four men are living with the realities of post-incarcerated life: ankle monitors, no internet, and no shopping at stores closer than 2,500 feet from playgrounds. When a man shows up to confront the piano teacher convicted of molesting him as a child, events begin to build to an explosive conclusion in this riveting play. Tickets are $40 to $95. Performances begin on Jan. 8 at Studio Theatre, 1501b 14th St. NE. studiotheatre.org.

Sunil Gupta Untitled #22, 1976, printed 2023 gelatin silver print image: 61 x 91.5 cm (24 x 36 in.) sheet: 67.7 x 99.7 cm (26 5/8 x 39 1/4 in.) National Gallery of Art, Alfred H. Moses and Fern

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

MOSAICO: Italian code of a timeless art at the Dupont Underground

The Dupont Underground, 19 Dupont Circle NW, has announced the arrival of MOSAICO: Italian Code of a Timeless Art, a world-renowned exhibition organized by The Embassy of Italy, the Italian Cultural Institute of Washington, and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The exhibition explores the beauty and history of Italian mosaic art. This multimedia and immersive experience transforms the space under Dupont Circle into a vibrant journey through centuries of artistic tradition, from ancient Rome to the treasures of Sicily. The exhibit is open through Feb. 2, Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10; $8 for military, seniors and students. magister.art/en/exhibitions/mosaico-italian-code-of-a-timeless-art/world-tour.

Indigo Girls at Strathmore

Released in 1989, Indigo Girls’ eponymous major label debut sold over two million copies under the power of singles “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears” and turned Indigo Girls into one of the most successful folk duos in history. Over a 35-year career the multi-Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray has recorded sixteen studio albums, sold over 15 million records, and built a dedicated, enduring following across the globe. Their latest record, Look Long is a stirring and eclectic collection of songs that finds the duo reunited in the studio with their strongest backing band to date. Tickets are $29 to $129. Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD, on Thursday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. strathmore.org.

Puddles Pity Party at The Atlantis

Deftly combining melancholy with the absurd, Puddles has received endorsements and accolades from musical comedy legends like Jack Black, Michael McKean, Weird Al Yankovic, Drew Carey, Nick Offerman and Paul Reubens. His one-of-a-kind textured voice laced with melancholy has been hailed as operatic and his show both life-affirming and funny. Puddles Pity Party is at the Atlantis, 2047 Ninth St. NW, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $105. theatlantis.com

The Axelrod String Quartet: Stradivarius and Amati

On Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., enjoy The Axelrod String Quartet playing Stradivarius and Amati at the National Museum of American History, Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music. Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences can hear two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicoló Amati. Tickets are $36. smithsonianassociates.org.

Indigo Girls Emily Saliers and Amy Ray.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder at the Birchmere

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder is the band that plays with American country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs. Bandleader Ricky Skaggs plays mandolin and is the lead vocalist. The group has won the Instrumental Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association multiple times, as well as seven Grammy Awards. On Friday, Jan. 3 and Saturday, Jan. 4, 7:30 p.m., Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will perform at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA. Tickets are $55. birchmere.com.

Theater J’s Out of Character

Tony Award-winner Ari’el Stachel’s one-man show brings to life a full ensemble of characters from his past, availing uproarious laughter, insight, and transformative performance to illuminate what it means to pursue— and accept—our complex identity. From hilarious sweat-gland cures to earnest investigations, Out of Character weaves an expansive autobiographical tale of his Yemeni Jewish mixed ethnicity, mental health, and success—all to the tune of relentless humor and extraordinary talent. Tickets are $39.99 to $49.99. Out of Character is at Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW, from Jan. 8 to 26. edcjcc.org/theater-j.

Inaugural Capital Hockey Classic at Capitol One Arena

The inaugural Capital Hockey Classic, an exciting college hockey double header at Capital One Arena, in downtown DC, is set to debut this winter. Taking place on Thursday, Dec. 12, the first game of the event features a 5 p.m. contest between Army and Navy’s club hockey teams, followed by a matchup between Army and Penn State’s Division I programs at 8 p.m. The matchups mark the return of college hockey to Capital One Arena. Ticket prices start at $20 and are available at ticketmaster.com/capital-hockey-classic-washington-district-of-columbia-12-12-2024.

Bollywood Night: Best Bollywood Beats at Union Stage

Bollywood refers to the film industry based in Mumbai engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood is a combination of “Bombay” (former name of Mumbai) and “Hollywood”. The industry is a part of the larger Indian cinema, which also includes South Indian cinema and other smaller film industries. On Friday, Dec. 27, at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.), You Had To Be There presents DJ Sounds by Two Sisterzz of Best Bollywood Beats at Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW. Tickets are $10 to $25. unionstage.com.

Little Books, Big Gifts: The Artistry of Esther Inglis at the Folger

Esther Inglis, a middle-class FrancoScottish refugee artisan, a working mother of eight, and a contemporary of Shakespeare, earned her living by her pen, combining her artistic skills and her religious beliefs to create over 60 miniature handwritten and hand-illustrated books. Four hundred years after her death, this exhibition explores Esther’s life and work as an early modern influencer and as the first woman in Britain to preface her works with selfies. The Little Books, Big Gifts: The Artistry of Esther Inglis exhibition is at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, through Jan. 19. folger.edu.

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder in Mt. Vernon, KY on Oct. 21, 2022.

Penn State at Wisconsin, 2023

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

White Ford Bronco: DC’s All ‘90s Band at the Lincoln

Long a mere dream kicking around in the overactive imaginations of its founders, White Ford Bronco officially came into being in 2008. Since then, the five-member ensemble has been sparking bouts of flannel-laden, slap-bracelet-snapping, pog-playing nostalgia across the DC area. On NYE, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10:30 p.m. (doors at 9 p.m.), White Ford Bronco: DC’s All ‘90s Band will perform at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. The Evening will be capped off with a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $55. thelincolndc.com.

Jane Monheit at Blues Alley Jazz

Jane Monheit is a jazz and contemporary vocalist with a deep passion for the Great American Songbook. With many highly acclaimed solo albums, countless awards and accolades, and over two decades of international touring experience, Jane has not only been an extremely successful bandleader, but has had the privilege of making music with some of the greatest musicians, arrangers, and producers in jazz. Jane Monheit is at Blues Alley, 1073-rear Wisconsin Ave. NW, on Dec. 19 and 20, at 7 and 9:30 p.m., both nights. bluesalley.com.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at the 9:30 Club

If you ever wondered what seizing-the-moment sounds like personified, look no further than Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the four-piece musical powerhouse known for their headturning high-energy psychedelic funk shows. Infectious energy is an understatement. With a devout audience, affectionately known as “The Flock,” and a trail of sold-out tours behind them, the band takes a major step forward once again on their seventh full-length offering, Day In Time, released on April 26, 2024. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW, on Dec. 12 to 14. A threenight pass is $95.

Club Quarantine Live with D-Nice at the KC

After making history as the first DJ and hiphop artist to headline the Kennedy Center Opera House in 2022 and launching his three-day Club Quarantine Live Residency in 2023, legendary artist, DJ, photographer, and Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council Member, D-Nice brings Club Quarantine Live back for another year—this time in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Club Quarantine Live with D-Nice is at the Kennedy Center on Saturday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m. Ticket price range is $90 to $287. kennedy-center.org.

EL CANUTO DEL ROCK at GALA

Canuto, an old Salvadoran rocker from Mount Pleasant (a neighborhood surrounding GALA in Washington, DC) has a radio show where he only plays the music he loved as a teenager. Suddenly, reminiscences of the past take him on a journey back in time to his childhood and the war in Central America. With humor and lightheartedness, rock merges with the landscape of his Salvadoran town and to the music of his ancestors. Tickets are $32. EL CANUTO DEL ROCK is at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, on Dec. 13 and 14, 8 p.m.; and Dec. 15, 2 p.m. galatheatre.org.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Photo: Gabriela Barbieri

Feeding the Soul

The Strand DC is Deanwood’s

Newest Sit-down Culinary Attraction

by Matthew McClure

Greg Casten and Dave Pera of the Fish & Fire Food Group team have transformed a longabandoned movie theater in northeast DC’s historic Deanwood into a new restaurant and community entertainment space. The Strand DC promises to offer quality food and a vibey ambience.

Deanwood is home to a thriving community of artists, activists, gardeners, growers and makers. You’ll spot tree boxes and front yards blooming with pollinator friendly green spaces on many of its streets and Lederer Gardens,

only a half mile away from The Strand DC, is where Deanwood residents plant and harvest fresh fruits and veggies as an answer to the dearth of fresh, organic produce East of the Anacostia River. Marvin Gaye Park (just a few minutes’ walk from Casten and Pera’s new restaurant) was transformed by Deanwood inhabitants in the early 2000s and is now a vital leisure resource that’s used regularly for neighborhood picnics, barbeques and community meetings. There’s a lot going on in Deanwood and now The Strand DC is part of that story.

The Strand DC is located in the old Strand Theater, built by Jewish businessman Abe E. Lichtman in 1928. Lichtman Theaters, located across the DMV and North Carolina, employed people of color from the surrounding neighborhoods and also gave African Americans the chance to see new films the moment they debuted, both revolutionary acts during DC’s segregated years. The theater was part of the cultural and economic bedrock of ear-

ly Deanwood before it was converted into a grocery store and then finally shuttered in the 1960s, falling into a sad state of disrepair. A new chapter started in the life of the old Strand in 2018 when, through the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), a grant from the Food Access Fund and a few angel investors, support was provided to the Fish & Fire Food Group to redevelop the decaying building into a resource that would once again evoke its history of inclusion, empowerment and self-sufficiency.

The Renovated Strand

Enter Greg Casten and Dave Pera. “It’s nice to get in and help to build neighborhoods. It’s fun. I enjoy it. There’s

Hot crab dip at The Strand DC. Photo courtesy Dave Pera/The Strand DC.

The exterior of The Strand DC.

Photo courtesy Dave Pera/The Strand DC.

Garlic chili shrimp at The Strand DC. Photo courtesy Dave Pera/The Strand DC.

Greg Casten. Photo courtesy Dave Pera/The Strand DC.

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

Representing the

Join us for our Next Virtual Public Meeting Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

How to participate:

By computer: https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/9162864

7160?pwd=NVdldTZiRitFODdSUVJZQVBGdHk5UT09

Passcode: anc7d Or by phone: 1-301-715-8592 Webinar ID: 91628647160 Passcode: 776540

YOUR 2023-2024 COMMISSIONERS ELECTED TO SERVE YOU

Who Where How to Contact Me

Wendell Felder Parkside – 7D03 7d03@anc.dc.gov

Chairperson

Brian Alcorn Capitol Hill/Hill East – 7D08 7d08@anc.dc.gov

Vice Chair

Brett Astmann Rosedale – 7D07 7d07@anc.dc.gov

Treasurer

Ashley Schapitl Hill East – 7D09 7d09@anc.dc.gov

Secretary

Siraaj Hasan Eastland Gardens/ 7d01@anc.dc.gov Kenilworth – 7D01

Mike Davis River Terrace – 7D04 7d04@anc.dc.gov

Ebony Payne Kingman Park – 7D05 7d05@anc.dc.gov

Marc Friend Rosedale – 7D06 7d06@anc.dc.gov

Brianne Hill East – 7D10 7d10@anc.dc.gov

Eby-Stockert

Vacancy in Single Member District 7D02

DO YOU LIVE IN THE MAYFAIR COMMUNITY? We are looking for a Commissioner to serve for 2024!

Volunteer Opportunities!

We invite volunteers to join our five Commission committees, which include: Community Outreach/Grants, Economic Development/ Housing Justice, Environment, Public Safety, and Transportation/Public Space. Join us in working to improve and support your community. Contact any 7D Commissioner or our office account at 7d@anc.dc.gov for more information.

a rich history around here.” Pera says as he scrolls through images on his laptop of the cavernous shell that was once the forlorn and neglected Strand Theater. It is now a double-volume space with private rooms —perfect for birthday parties or engagement dinners—dotted around the edges. Many original architectural details have been retained in consultation with DC’s Preservation League (the Strand was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008) as a tribute to the building’s storied past: The film projection apertures remain on the upper level, and the theater’s steel casement windows on the second story impart a historical gravitas to the façade. The orig-

inal ticketing booth also remains at the entrance and its where Pera hopes to install an antique movie projector. “I’ve been looking at Deanwood since about 2005.” explains Casten. “The city leased this land specifically to make the theater an active restaurant or social gathering place, so I said sure, I’ll do it!” Little did Casten know at that stage what challenges he’d soon face.

Looking around the polished interior of The Strand DC, with its vertical living wall packed with plants alongside an exposed brick bar, mellow butter yellow walls and warm wood accents, it’s hard to imagine the years of work that went into the design and construction from 2018

1948 photograph of the Strand Theater with the Strand Pharmacy in the corner store. (Wymer Collection, Historical Society of Washington, D.C.)

Interior of The Strand DC. Photo courtesy Dave Pera/The Strand DC.

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

to what visitors see today. Building and approval delays, unexpected surprises (an old basement filled with crumbled brick and water) and the Covid-19 pandemic meant that The Strand DC only opened fairly recently, Casten explains. “The city gave us a Food Access grant in early 2022, but we didn’t start construction until October of 2023. We probably took 13 or 14 months to build it out.” Just like Abe Lichtman’s old movie theater, Casten, Pera and the Fish & Fire Food Group team want The Strand DC to be a place where families come to spend time together, share stories and celebrate Deanwood and its role in the city’s early development East of the Anacostia River. “I want to get the culture of Deanwood involved here. People have come in and shown us pictures of where they grew up and what the neighborhood looked like. That’s what we want to see. The only way this is going to be successful is if it’s a true neighborhood joint and that’s what we’re trying to get to.”

What about the food? Executive Chef David Stein will be whipping up pizza, ribs, wings, shrimp, hot crab dip and other delicacies that you’ll recognize from his other kitchens at The Point and The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse. He already has plans afoot to plant and harvest table greens from Lederer Gardens nearby. Casten and Pera want to develop the menu in consultation with local patrons so that it’s a true reflection of what the neighborhood wants and needs. The staff who greet and serve you at The Strand DC are all employed from in and around Deanwood as part of Casten’s overall strategy to inculcate a sense of ownership and pride in the restaurant while also supporting the local economy. They’ll also be a critical part of further building the restaurant’s menu in a system that’s similar to what Casten pioneered at The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse.

Make your next dinner reservation at The Strand DC and be served hearty helpings of history and mouthwatering local cuisine.

The Strand DC is located at 5131 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. The restaurant’s festive season brunch will be served from December 8 every Sunday (11:30am to 4pm). Safe and secure parking is available at the old Safeway across the street. www.dcstrand.com. u

Actaeon’s Donna An Bringing New Life to the Anacostia River in DC’s River Terrace

by Matthew McClure

Gardening is a kind of a big deal in my neighborhood of River Terrace. The local WhatsApp group buzzes with tips and tricks on everything from foraging to advice on native pollinator-friendly plant species. Evenings spent around re pits in River Terrace backyards are for discussing tomato vine trellis construction and the ideal soil alkalinity for hydrangeas. This investment in and passion for our green spaces is part of a long history of environmental activism and stewardship in River Terrace and something that’s seeing a resurgence in popularity in our neighborhood and others.

A River Runs Through It

For thousands of years, the Native American Nacotchtank (or Anacostan) tribe shed, hunted and farmed along the banks of the tidal Anacostia River that skims River Terrace. Their relationship to the plants, animals, birds and insects was signi cant, as it was for the African American families that chose to live in River Terrace once racially re-

strictive covenants were declared unconstitutional in 1948. Much has already been written about the deleterious effects of largescale industrialization, deforestation and agriculture on the Anacostia River. For a long time, this key resource was dismissed as one of America’s forgotten rivers, but comparatively less is known about the myriad community organizations, not for pro ts, individuals, groups and activists that have worked tirelessly to heal the Anacostia River and reconnect communities like River Terrace with the glittering gem that languidly winds its way through the East of the city.

History in the Soil

It’s late morning on an unusually cold Fall day and I’m meeting Donna An at the historic River Terrace rose garden. She’s the founder of Actaeon, a company specializing in marine restoration, landscaping and rehabilitation projects that’s based in Maryland. An and her team (her son Cooper Lee works with her as well) recently started cutting down and mulching the dense thickets of bush honeysuckle, porcelain berry and other damaging invasive and non-native plants choking the Eastern shore of the Anacos-

tia River that abuts River Terrace Park.

Actaeon is doing this work through a three-year grant from the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) aimed at restoring and enhancing the River Terrace wetland. It makes sense that we’re meeting in the rose garden. It was here that Luvenia C. Miller – the rst African American female director of the Biological Photographers Association and an avid gardener – led the e orts of the River Terrace Lawn Rangers in seeding a community green space as part of the Lady Bird Johnson Beauti cation Campaign in the 1960s. The rose garden is one of the meeting places for the annual River Terrace Garden Tour that’s been a regular highlight on the neighborhood calendar for many years. I tell An that we’re currently propagating the historic rosebushes to preserve them for replanting and that the River Terrace Plant and Seed Swop and the River Terrace Reunion Picnic happen each year just steps away from where we’re standing.

The rose garden

Photo: Donna An and Nora Snyder harvesting American Lotus seeds. Photo courtesy Actaeon.

and park are tangible symbols of this neighborhood’s historic connection to the environment.

Fighting for Environmental Justice

We walk down to the shoreline to have a closer look at the progress that Actaeon is making. All cutting needs to be done by hand so it’s slow, backbreaking work. The old Army Corps of Engineers seawall is over 90 years old and is too unstable to support the heavy machinery that might speed it up. An tells me about the efforts of the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) in the early 90s to rehabilitate the river. “You used to be able to walk across the river, there was so much trash. It was like a floating island.” She speaks about the Anacostia River with a fierce passion because she served on the AWS board for many years and spent time educating youth in wards 7 and 8 about the impact of human activity on the health of this fragile ecosystem.

The Anacostia Watershed – of which River Terrace is a part – consists of 176 square miles of interconnected creeks, rivers, streams and wetlands. Much like networks of veins and arteries in our bodies, what happens in one part of the river will invariably affect the whole system, so the work Actaeon is doing in River Terrace will benefit plants, animals, insects and people throughout the Watershed. An shows me a clump of false blue indigo, a native flowering shrub important for pollinators that was completely hidden by bush honeysuckle. To our left and right, Actaeon’s work is already yielding results. For the first time since moving here two years ago, I can see the opposite shoreline.

Seeding Hope

As we talk about Actaeon’s partnership with AWS to identify native plants like False Blue Indigo as part of this grant work, a Cooper’s hawk skims our heads on its way down to the water. An tells me about an eastern rat snake she spotted here just a few days ago. The hope is that native species like the hawk and snake will return to the shoreline as part of a rebalancing of this delicate habitat that is a hybrid of man and mother nature. A few feet offshore we can see old sheet pile metal walls glinting in the morning sun. They were built to contain dredging material that’s now become a fertile place for acres of invasive reeds that cannibalize valuable nutrients, oxygen and sunshine. It’s here that An tells me she wants to plant native wild rice and a species of endangered, butter-yellow American lotus once Actaeon has cleared the reeds in spring. “The last time I got to see lotus was when I was six years old in Korea. I spent part of my childhood in the countryside because

my mom didn’t want us growing up in the city.”

A few weeks before, An and AWS’s Jorge Bogantes Montero harvested American lotus seeds from a secluded tributary in Maryland’s Mattawoman Creek, with the aim of eventually growing them in River Terrace. An says that a Buddhist tenet holds the lifecycle of the Lotus to symbolize courage, faith, and purity of thought and action. “Lotus grows from the mud.” she explains. “Through murky water, it just keeps focused on the light. It just keeps going for the sun and then roots itself. If you stay focused on the pure light, you’ll break through and blossom.”

Actaeon isn’t making a profit on this project. The company pursued the DOEE grant because —for An, her colleagues and the partners she’s working with—restoring this small part of the Anacostia River is a deeply personal acknowledgement of and tribute to the resilience of communities like River Terrace and many others East of the Anacostia River that have fought environmental injustice for decades. As the shoreline of this part of the Anacostia River slowly returns to a natural state—as marsh mallow, duck potato, wild rice and American lotus replace bush honeysuckle and porcelain berry—and River Terrace residents reforge a historical bond with the river outside their front doors, we can start to look towards a more equitable future.

To learn more about the work that Actaeon, the Department of Energy and Environment and the Anacostia Watershed Society are doing to preserve and protect DC’s natural resources and to get involved, follow Actaeon on Instagram (@teamactaeon) and visit www.doee.dc.gov and www.anacostiaws.org u

Photo: An Actaeon team member cutting down invasive, non-native Bush Honeysuckle on the shore of the Anacostia River in River Terrace Park.

Luvenia C. Miller, founder of the River Terrace Lawn Rangers, working with River Terrace neighbors at the historic River Terrace rose garden. Photo courtesy Deborah Grimstead/E. Lewis.

Newly cleared shoreline in River Terrace Park.

Growing Opportunities for Green Careers

Green Careers in the District: Collaborations are Key

Throughout the District there is an emphasis on growing green careers – making Washington, DC a leader in environmental stewardship with jobs focused on increased energy efficiency, clean energy and conservation of natural resources. At the new hydroponic greenhouse at Anacostia High School we see complementary agricultural technologies that include precision farming to support handson learning with an eye toward workforce development.

DC’s Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) is one of the agencies encouraging youth and

by Annette Nielsen

initiative required identifying the right partners to bring together for a complex goal.

Lawson notes, “The ag-tech curriculum from the University of the District of Columbia will teach students how to build and maintain hydroponic systems and grow food for themselves and their community – it’s one step in turning the page, from environmental and food injustice to opportunities.” She comments on DC’s growing green sector, and adds, “This initiative is critical so we can develop a workforce where DC remains the most sustainable and resilient city in the country – and we can align the District’s climate and sustainability goals with programs at DC Public Schools and the University of the District of Columbia.”

young leaders in this arena, in a collaborative effort with DC Public Schools, University of the District of Columbia (UDC), Department of General Services and Pepco to provide opportunities to integrate lessons in the greenhouse for potential in the regional workforce.

Julie Lawson serves as DOEE’s lead for workforce and sustainability and has served regionally in roles with the Anacostia Watershed Society, and as the Executive Director of Trash Free Maryland. This was one of her first projects at DOEE when she started there in 2021, and the

Inside the hydroponics greenhouse, plants are grown in soilless systems, in rows where space is optimized and yield is enhanced, beyond what you might find in conventional outdoor growing. With this closed-loop design, you realize efficient use of space and resources, conserving water and minimizing nutrient loss. The external greenhouse infrastructure is key in the design, too. The walls and roof are made of transparent elements and glass, allowing sunlight to penetrate while protecting plants from harsh weather conditions such as wind, rain and frost, where the controlled internal environment makes it easy to regulate temperature, humidity and light so the growing season can be extended year-round.

Anacostia High School: Innovation, Technology and Agriculture

The new greenhouse, a living classroom, offers hands-on learning experiences across an array of agricultural technologies – from advanced hydroponic farming techniques to data management, environmental sensors and precision farming. These systems provide an opportunity to integrate the lessons into an interdisciplinary curriculum where we see the connections between science, sustainability and innovation.

Madison, a junior at Anacostia High School who is in a dual enrollment program studying environmental science at Howard University says her teacher had a hydroponics garden in the classroom where mint was growing. Madison says, “Part of what keeps you en-

nearby Kramer Middle School, observing the hydroponic growing system.

LEFT: Students aren’t always excited about being at school. However, there was plenty of enthusiasm around the new greenhouse at Anacostia High School and the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 24.

RIGHT: On October 24 at Anacostia High School, UDC’s President Maurice Edington (center) participated in a greenhouse ribbon cutting ceremony, a collaborative effort with Pepco and the DC Department of Energy and the Environment. The greenhouse highlights a living classroom enabling students to learn impactful skills for a green workforce. Photo: Annette Nielsen

FAR LEFT: The ribbon-cutting for the Anacostia High School Greenhouse brought together high school students as well as students from

Photos: Annette Nielsen

gaged in learning is the hands-on experience – where you can grow your own plants – and now, we’ll be growing different vegetables, too, all things we might like to eat.”

While Madison didn’t have experience gardening before high school, she is positive about the experience, “I would definitely encourage others to give growing a try – I think anyone could find this a fun activity.”

In the Anacostia High School project, UDC’s role is key here, too. The interest in enhancing students’ education is high on the list with people like Jacob Campbell, who works with UDC’s Center for Urban Resilience Innovation and Infrastructure (CURII) and is enthusiastic about how the connections can be made from middle school on up through to higher education.

“We look across all undergraduate programs up to the PhD level –from ag tech curriculum basics to engineering to the business side of running food hubs and include the entrepreneurial side, too within a wide array of academic programs. It’s really comprehensive, developing pathways from associate to bachelor degrees to the doctoral level, exploring internships and career fields. We’ve also been able to look at this from the middle school level to high school level.”

Campbell says one of the most powerful ways the information is conveyed is by the students themselves, “The high school students are able to work and teach the

(Continued on pg. 25)

Exterior shot of beautiful Anacostia High School. Photo: Annette Nielsen

Issues With the Proposed Bottle Bill ANC 7D Report

by Sarah Payne

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D met Nov. 12 via Zoom. Commissioners Siraaj Hasan (7D01), Commissioner Mike Davis (7D04), Commissioner Ebony Payne (7D05), Marc Friend (7D06), Brett Astmann (7D07, treasurer), Brian Alcorn (7D08, vice chair) and Ashley Schapitl (7D09), secretary) were in attendance. Commissioner Wendell Felder (7D03, Chair) was absent. Single Member Districts 7D02 and 7D10 are vacant.

Anacostia Watershed Society President and Chief Executive O cer Christopher E. Williams briefed the commission on how a proposed bottle bill might improve recycling and decrease local pollution. A bottle bill is a container deposit law that aims to incentivize recycling through the addition of a small, refundable deposit to beverage containers such as cans or bottles.

Typically, bottles can either be returned to the point of purchase, or private companies can set up redemption centers. Often, Williams reported, redemption centers are established and funded through the beverage manufacturers directly with “little or no” funding from the local government. “While they don’t love it, they do have an interest in it, because it will bring more and more high quality recycling materials back to the bottlers,” Williams stated.

The legislation will “make a big dent” in the pollution Williams believes. “The trash problem is so bad in the Anacostia that the federal government felt compelled to put the entire watershed on a trash diet,” Williams said.

What about “unintended consequences?” What lessons can be learned from the implementation of bottle bills in other areas? asked Commissioner Payne. It is critical to set the bottle deposit at “the right level” to incentivize their return, and making the return process as “easy and convenient” for customers as possible, Williams replied.

These requirements could be “quite onerous” for small, locally owned businesses who lack the infrastructure, or funding to implement necessary infrastructure, to accept bottle returns, stated Commissioner Astmann. Small stores would be exempt from the regulations noting that “the very small mom and cop Mom and Pop corner places won’t be required to be collection centers,” Williams said.

While in general agreement with the proposal, “I think there have been a lot of frustrating examples of things being passed by the council that have not been implemented e ectively,” Commissioner Shapitl stated.

The commission took no vote on this matter.

Other Matters

The commission voted to:

• support a two year extension of the existing planned unit development (PUD) for Parkside’s parcel 12 on Kenilworth Avenue NE with the request that the developer, CityInterests Development Partners, provide monthly updates for the community.

• support a resolution, aimed at improving public space, in response to community concerns surrounding Reservation 239 to outline broad proposals to improve the accessibility, cleanliness, safety and the recreation potential of the park.

ANC 7D will meet next on Dec. 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. ◆

Theft From Autos Up ANC 8F Report

by Andrew Lightman

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 8F met on Nov. 19. Commissioners Rick Murphree (8F02, vice chair), Brian Strege (8F03, secretary) and Edward Daniels (8F04, chair were in attendance. Nic Wilson (8F01, treasurer) was absent. SMD 8F05) is vacant.

Muphree apologized for public comments made during the commission’s proceedings regarding At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds (D) and At-Large Councilmember Robert White. “These meetings are not a place to air personal grievances…The point of this forum is to get the work done for the people of the Navy Yard,” he said.

Chair Daniels recalled being “skeptical” of former Com-

missioner Clayton Rosenberg (6/8F05) from day one. In August, Rosenberg pled guilty in the Eastern District of US Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to one count of wire fraud after being accused of stealing from multiple coronavirus business relief programs. Rosenberg has been sentenced to prison for ve years and three months by the US Attorney’s O ce for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Other Matters

Secretary Strege extoled the passage of the recent I-83 Initiative as a positive. In future elections victors will garner the majority of the votes, he said. The initiative is not a done deal, because the Council must still fund it, he observed. “When the voters tell you they want a change in their electoral systems, elected o cials should listen to them,” said Strege, stating his support for funding the I-83.

The commission voted to support The DC O ce of Planning’s (OP) text and related map amendments to accommodate Navy Yard East development. The support would be subject to community input. Commissioners plan to solicit public input at a Dec. 2 Zoom meeting and then testify at the DC Zoning Commission hearing on the matter on Dec. 12. The commission also plans to invite stakeholders to attend the Dec. 2 meeting.

Commission voted to approve the 2025 budget and Quarterly Financial Reports for the third and fourth quarters of FY24.

Also...

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor and Captain Adam Crist briefed the commission on public safety. Crime is down with the exception of theft from autos up eight percent and six percent increase in general thefts, Taylor said. Police are focusing on Half Street SE from I to L Streets as a hotspot, particularly on Sundays, stated Taylor.

Is the youth curfew year round? asked Chair Daniels. Yes, said Taylor. The only di erence from summer is that truancy o cers are involved during the daytime, he said.

Drug free zones still being enforced and the First District usually gets one per month, Taylor said. “Things are moving in the right direction citywide,” he added, citing a 39 percent year-to-date decline in robberies citywide.

ANC 8F’ s next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17 at DDOT headquarters, 250 M St. SE, at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.anc8f.org. ◆

(Continued from pg. 23)

younger students – the best organic learning is having the high school students speak with the middle school students –it’s super dynamic with the biggest piece in the relationship building.”

The UDC-Anacostia High School Ambassador, Xavier Brown, grew up in the Washington, DC and has worked as part of the community-to-career directive. He appreciates how programs like this are a real bene t to UDC as well as the high school.

Brown says, “A project like this manifests in a tangible way, a win for both UDC and Anacostia High School,” and continues, “it serves as a replicable model for ways to create meaningful educational opportunities for students including interactions with community.”

Strategic Plan and Next Steps

With the rst-year target to complete the greenhouse construction and start vegetable production already underway, the project now turns to raising awareness, with ensuring 95 percent of the students and teachers visit the greenhouse by the end of the school year. Establishing stewardship for the greenhouse management with an eye towards nancial sustainability (through grant opportunities), identifying a farm manager and covering operational costs are a part of the overall rst year goals, as well.

Over years two and three (2025 through 2027), the hope is to have over $100,000 in produce sales from the greenhouse. The growing and selling of produce will develop entrepreneurial and business skills while actively addressing local food insecurity, increasing access to fresh, locally grown food and advancing health and economic equity. On the academic side, there is a goal to re ning an ongoing curriculum cycle to include hydroponics, Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and sustainability, as well as transitioning daily greenhouse management completely to DCPS. A youth employment program is slated to be fully operational by 2025, as well. The ve-year milestones through 2029 will realize two to three new DCPS Ag-Tech centers and secure ongoing funding and support for these important initiatives. ◆

Whitman-Walker’s Walk to End HIV

Whitman-Walker holds its 38th annual Walk and 5k to End HIV on Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 to 11 a.m., in Anacostia Park, adjacent to the skating pavilion. Roads into the park will be closed. The walk and 5k is more than just a fundraiser at Whitman-Walker. The Walk symbolizes their continued e orts to nd a cure for HIV and to stop the stigma surrounding HIV. This ght will take the entire community’s support and commitment. When you donate or raise $35 for the Walk to END HIV, you qualify for their signature T-shirt. Registered runners will receive a t-shirt and timed running bib included with their registration. Register at walktoendhiv.org.

The Asberry and Edmonson of Barry Farm

On Nov. 21, Mayor Bowser was joined by residents, community members, and District ofcials to celebrate the grand opening of The Asberry, the rst on-site building delivered at Barry Farm under the New Communities Initative and the rst to house former Barry Farm residents. As part of the event, o cials broke break ground on The Edmonson, the second building to be delivered on-site. The Asberry brings 108 all-a ordable units to Barry Farm, o ering a vibrant mixed-use space designed to support residents aged 55 and older. This milestone represents a meaningful step in creating housing options that prioritize accessibility and community connection. The Edmonson will add 139 modern multifamily units, further expanding opportunities for families to thrive. The New Communities Initiative, launched during Mayor Anthony Williams’ Administration, is a DC program aimed at revitalizing severely distressed subsidized housing and redevelop neighborhoods into vibrant mixed-income communities.

Main Hall Holiday Market @ Union Station

The Main Hall Holiday Market at Union Station runs from Dec. 17 to 19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Amtrak, having recently acquired control of Union Station through eminent domain aims to reimagine the space to improve passenger experience while also thinking strategically about the retail opportunities in the Station. The holiday market will also feature a series of performances throughout. The 1908 Lounge, the Station’s cocktail pop-up, will be open during market hours.

Go-Go Museum & Cafe in Opens Historic Anacostia

On Monday, Nov. 18, Mayor Bowser and community leaders cut the ribbon at the highly anticipated Go-Go Museum & Café in historic Anacostia at 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, marking the launch of the rst institution dedicated to celebrating and preserving go-go, the heartbeat of DC’s cultural identity. The Mayor celebrated the opening of the museum with co-founders Ronald Moten and Dr. Natalie Hopkinson as well as local artists. Go-Go music, an indigenous genre that has de ned Washington, DC for decades, was formally designated as the city’s o cial music in 2020 with the Go-Go Music of the District of Columbia Designation Act. The opening of the Go-Go Museum & Cafe is the latest milestone in the city’s ongoing e ort to honor the genre, its artists, and its lasting in uence.

Days of Ministry and Community Outreach

Every Saturday in December, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., stop by Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5109 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE, and enjoy hot chicken noodle soup, chips, and hot beverages (tea, co ee, cocoa, and apple cider). Gently used clothes for all in di erent sizes are available while supplies last. Bags lled with winter favorites (hats, scarves, socks, and gloves) are available for children, men and women on Saturdays, Dec. 14 and 21. sargent-memorial-pc.org.

Upcoming 2025 Southwest Nights at Arena Stage

Arena Stage Patrons who reside or work in Southwest DC can buy discounted tickets for specially designated Southwest Night performances of each production. Tickets are $36 for musicals and $26 for non-musicals, plus fees. Proof of Southwest DC residency or employment for each member of the party must be presented at the time of ticket pick-up. Tickets are based on availability. Here are the early 2025 Southwest Nights” The Bedwetter, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. and Feb. 8, 2 p.m.; The Age of Innocence, March 9, 2 p.m. and March 14, 8 p.m.; Fake It Until You Make It, April 9, 7:30 p.m. and April 19, 2 p.m.; Untitled Tarrell Alvin McCraney Play, May 25, 2 p.m. and June 3, 7:30 p.m.; A Wrinkle in Time, June 20, 8 p.m. and June 28, 2 p.m. arenastage.org.

Tuesday Bird Walks at Kenilworth Park

Every week on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., join park rangers and expert volunteers at Kenilworth Park, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, on a special Lotus and Water Lily Festival Bird Walk. Bring your binoculars or an ID to borrow a pair from the visitor’s center. The walk is one hour and 30 minutes. nps.gov/keaq.

Wharf Ice Rink Opens for Season

Come to Transit Pier right outside The Anthem, 970 Wharf St. SW, and lace up your

The Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibition Tours

Through March 2, this exhibit at the MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, o ers an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in midcentury America and how the annual guide served as an indispensable resource for the nation’s rising African American middle class and evidence of a vibrant business class. During your visit you will also be guided through the companion exhibition, The Green Book in DC: “A Particular Place for Particular People,” which was produced by DC Public Library to complement the national, traveling exhibition by taking a deep dive into the stories of the more than 150 businesses and organizations right here in the District that were featured in The Green Book. At the end of the tour, visitors will be directed to additional displays and activities inspired by The Green Book throughout the library. Tours are one hour. Here’s the schedule through the end of January: 11 a.m. to noon, Dec. 11, 14, 18, 21, 28 and Jan. 4, 8, 11, 15, 22, 25 and 29; 2 to 3 p.m., Dec. 14, 21, 28 and Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 25; 5 to 6 p.m., Dec. 11, 18 and Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29. Tours begin near the MLK Library Welcome Desk. dclibrary.org.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in

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 i city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

DC Open Doors

homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia

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

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.

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.

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.

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

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

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.

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.

COVID-19

WIDE SHOE OUTLET

The National Shrine’s Christmas Dinner

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will provide meals for hundreds of poor, homeless, elderly, and needy individuals living in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas on Christmas Day. More than one thousand Christmas dinners are served each year in the National Shrine Cafeteria and another thousand are delivered to shut-ins. To request a Christmas Day dinner, call 202-526-8300. All meal requests must be received by Sunday, Dec. 15. Volunteers are needed to ll many di erent positions. The descriptions and times are noted next to each of the job descriptions. nationalshrine.org/event/2024-christmas-dinner.

skates—bring your own or rent some rinkside—to glide over the ice and enjoy amazing views of the water and monuments. Hours of operation are: Wednesday through Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday. Rink admission is $25 with skates, $18 without skates; 12 and under $20 with skates, $15 without skates. The Wharf Ice Rink does not accept cash. Figure skates and hockey skates available. The Wharf Ice Rink operates on a rst come, rst served basis—reservations are accepted. Read more at wharfdc.com/wharf-ice-rink.

Free Walk-in Legal Clinic at Anacostia Library

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to noon, meet with a Neighborhood Legal Services attorney at Anacostia Neighborhood Library, 1800 Marion Barry Ave. SE. No appointment needed. Neighborhood Legal Services Program attorneys can help with debt collection defense, criminal records sealing, disability and other public bene ts, student

Changing Hands

Changing Hands is

price and number of bedrooms.

Capital City Go-Go at Entertainment & Sports Arena

The Capital City Go-Go is the NBA G League afliate of the Washington Wizards. The Go-Go play 50 games every year in a league of 30 teams across North America. Capital City nished fourth in the Eastern Conference last season to earn their thirdstraight playo appearance after qualifying for the Showcase Cup tournament for the rst time in franchise history in 2023. Here’s the upcoming Capital City Go-Go at the Entertainment & Sports Arena schedule through January: Dec. 6, 7 p.m. vs. College Park Skyhawks; Dec. 15, 3 p.m. vs. Long Island Nets; Dec. 29, 3 p.m. vs. Grand Rapids Gold; Jan. 4, 4:30 p.m. vs. Indiana Mad Ants; Jan. 5 and 7, 2 p.m. vs. Cleveland Charge; Jan. 13, 2 p.m. vs. Maine Celtics; Jan. 16, 1 p.m. vs. San Diego Clippers; and Jan. 17, 7 p.m. vs. Delaware Blue Coats. Tickets are $15. The Entertainment & Sports Arena is at 1100 Oak Dr. SE. eventsdc.com.

loans, unemployment, services for DC tenants, and wrongful placement on the child protection registry. dclibrary.org.

Free Memory Screenings at Howard University Hospital

If you are becoming forgetful, schedule a free memory screening at Howard University Hospital. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about memory, aging and Alzheimer’s Disease prevention and research. Call 202-865-3776 for an appointment.

Portal for Civil Rights Cold Case Records Access

The National Archives has announced the launch of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Portal. This portal serves as both a subject guide and an in-

dex for the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection, which consists of records generated in response to the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2019. The portal o ers a more accessible way to access records that have been digitized, reviewed, and released under the Act, utilizing information maintained in the National Archives Catalog. Its enhanced ltering capabilities and interactive map interface provide a visual representation of the incidents documented in these records. Additionally, a frequently asked questions page is available to assist users. crcca.archives.gov.

A Day of Action at the National

Portrait Gallery

On Sunday, Jan. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m., get inspired and nd your voice. Art is activism and portraiture is powerful. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to community action by joining the Portrait Gallery and their partners for A Day of Action. Geared toward mobilizing teens and young adults, but open to all, this event featuring local social justice organizations and community groups will empower visitors. Learn from changemakers who are doing the work and be inspired by the activists highlighted in some of the Portrait Gallery’s exhibitions. Free but registration is encouraged. The National Portrait Gallery is at Eighth and G streets NW. npg.si.edu.

DC’s

Make the Right Call Campaign

Mayor Bowser and the O ce of Unied Communications have announced

Ward Eight Woods’ Annual Winter Solstice Hike and Vigil

On Saturday, Dec. 21, 4 to 6 p.m., join Ward 8 Woods Conservancy staff, Board members, volunteers, supporters and community in marking the shortest day and longest night of the year at Shepherd Parkway, 2700 Newcomb St. SE. You’ll attune yourself to natural cycles while exploring the dramatic woods at the north end of Shepherd Parkway. Through the bare trees you’ll take in views of the city below, re ect on the past year, and renew your spirits and community bonds for the work ahead. Hot chocolate, tea, and home-made cookies will be served. Tickets are $10. Register at ward8woods.org.

a new “Make the Right Call” campaign. The campaign is aimed at educating residents and visitors about when it is appropriate to dial 911 and when they should instead utilize 311 to access the police nonemergency line and to request city services. When health, safety, and property are in immediate danger, dial 911. For example: Any crime in progress and/or when the o ender is still on the scene. All res and medical emergencies. Home and business intruders. Vehicle crashes involving personal injury, major property damage or tra c tie-ups. Sighting of a criminal whom you know is wanted by the police. ouc.dc.gov/maketherightcall. ◆

New Interim Executive Director of Whitman-Walker Foundation

Whitman-Walker, a leader in primary care, LGBTQ+ health care, research, education, and policy with special expertise in HIV care, announces the appointment of Ted Miller, a former Obama administration o cial with extensive experience in nonpro t leadership and healthcare advocacy, as the Interim Executive Director of the Whitman-Walker Foundation, 1201 Sycamore Dr. SE. Miller’s background includes senior fundraising, public engagement, communications, and government a airs roles in two federal agencies, including AmeriCorps, the congressional ofces of Sherrod Brown and Tom Daschle, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and a national organization that provides free navigation services to people a ected by cancer. whitman-walker.org/foundation.

The Old Man of Anacostia

We

Must Not Let Despair Immobilize Us

by Philip Pannell

In the beginning of my sophomore year in college, I decided that I would join the debate club. My experience with debating was short lived and I never made the team because I was awful. To be a good collegiate debater you must be able to present the pros or cons of an issue with equal intellectual rigor and oratorical persuasiveness. To this day I can neither be convincing nor passionate about something I do not believe in. My ill-fated foray into debating resulted in deepening my respect for actors and their craft. Also, it taught me the need to explore both sides (and sometimes more) of an issue and not simply deal with the opposition in a cursory, perfunctory or super cial manner. Like most DC voters I am disappointed and depressed about the recent presidential election. However, I was not surprised or shocked that Donald Trump won. I am a news junkie and I watch Fox cable news as much as I watch MSNBC and CNN. Listening to the opposition is important to me. While my fellow Democrats were awash with their turn-the-page optimism and were swimming in the politics of joy as they rhapsodized about the sizes of the crowds that the Harris/Walz ticket was drawing, the Fox channel was constantly featuring Latino and Black men who explained why they were enthusiastically voting for Trump.

those not identi ed with any party. More Democratic Party leaders need to join the national reform movement to end the closed primary system. Nevada and Pennsylvania are two battleground states that Harris narrowly lost. Edward Rendell, a former Democratic mayor of Philadelphia, former governor and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, has called for the end of closed primaries in his commonwealth. If Harris had attracted more independent votes in Pennsylvania, she may have carried the state and Senator Bob Casey may have been reelected.

Initiative 83

The national Republican election strategy was never to carry the Black vote but to get more votes in that constituency than in the last national election. And it worked. Although narrowly, Trump carried all of the battleground states with his victory in most of them being within the margin of error. His increased votes among Latino and Black men clearly helped him. His strategy even worked in Ward 8, where in 2020 he received 3.3% of the votes and this year received 6.7%

Kamela Harris campaigned her heart out even though it was an uphill climb for her by being tied to an unpopular president and having only a few months to introduce herself to the national electorate as a presidential candidate. I am as proud of her campaign as I am for having voted for her. What I am not proud of was the inability of the national Democratic Party to e ectively craft a substantive, strategic and stylistic response to the MAGA game plan. Vice President Harris could not escape being the status quo candidate while the voters were clearly for change.

The national Democratic Party leaders must reexamine, reimagine and reform how they do business. A majority of American voters now identify as independents. For the Democrats to win nationally and statewide, they must attract the votes of

DC voters also called for change by overwhelming approving Initiative 83 with the landslide percentage of 73%. The initiative received super majorities in all eight wards and every voting precinct in the city. However, many of our local Democratic leaders are still trying to maintain their status quo supremacy by calling for the DC Council not to fund Initiative 83. According to some nancial experts, the budgetary impact of the initiative would be $1.4 million over a four-year period or $750,000 each election cycle. That is a pittance to spend to end voter suppression, expand democracy, make politicians work harder and make public elected o cials more accountable.

However, DC Democratic Party leaders are not the only ones willing to give the middle nger to DC voters who voted for Initiative 83. Some of the current and incoming MAGA Capitol Hill pharaohs have legislation planned to prevent ranked choice voting being adopted in DC. Some right-wing state legislators and governors have succeeded in banning ranked choice voting in a handful of states. It is unfortunate that some of our DC Democratic Party leaders are aligned with national right-wing forces to thwart the will of DC voters—most of whom are overwhelmingly registered Democrats.

As we contemplate what will happen to DC come this January with the right-wing Republicans controlling all the levers of the federal government, we cannot and must not let despair immobilize us. Coincidentally January 20, 2025 will be Inauguration Day and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday holiday. That symbolic duality is calling out to us. How will we respond?

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

east washington life

Line Dancing “It’s Electric”

by Beverly Lindsay-Johnson

Do you remember the Madison, the Stroll, the Bus Stop, the Electric Slide? Today, line dancing has grown to be one of the most noted social dances of this generation. Women and men of all ages, and even kids are line dancing at social events including weddings, baby reveals, social clubs, bars, cookouts and family reunions. Believe it or not, even at homegoing repasts.

Line dances are choreographed moves with all persons facing in the same direction while dancing in lines. Based on how big the room and dance floor are, the dance lines can be as deep as 10 lines.

The most popular styles of line dance are Soul Line Dance and Country Line Dance. The country line dance is popular with those who enjoy country singing, country

and western bars and people dressed in jeans, boots and ten-gallon hats. Some of the most requested country line dance songs include “The Tush Push” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” Soul Line Dancing is danced in primarily African American communities and is becoming the dance of choice among millennials and baby boomers. The music of Soul Line Dancing is rhythm & blues and southern soul. Specific songs calling out the moves of the line dance such as “Cupid Shuffle” and “The Cha-Cha Slide” keep the dancers in check.

Popular line dance songs and dances that have crossed over from country line dance to soul line dance and vice versa have been “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn and “The Electric Slide” by Marcia Griffiths. The Electric Slide became a line dance sensation in the 1980s. One could not

go to a wedding reception or a family reunion without the guests dancing The Electric Slide. The line dance performed to “Neon Moon” has a feeling of being in a honkytonk bar. The dancers actually partner in two’s and hold hands while traveling in a circle. This is one of the few line dances in which the dancers are not in straight lines.

A line dance and song which currently has swept not only the United States but become a worldwide phenomenon is “Jeruselema” by Master KG of South Africa. The Jeruselema line dance is so popular there was a worldwide challenge of the dance. Countries participating in the challenge included Cuba, South Africa, Austria, Baltic (Airline crew members), Aruba and Transylvania.

History of Line Dance

But where did line dance come from? There are various speculations on the origins of the line dance and “the line”. Katrina Hazzard-Donald, Ph.D. recently retired associate professor of Sociology at Rutgers University speculated on this in her The Western Journal of Black Studies (1996) study entitled “The Circle and the Line: Speculations on the Development of African American Vernacular Dancing.” It focuses on African traditions brought over from Africa during the time of slavery in America and the influence of European based dances which morphed into the social dance formations of the 20th century. Dr. Hazzard-Donald states, “Numerous European and African dances require the formation of lines according to sex, men in one line, women in the other. The men and women then proceed through a simple stepping pattern that pairs them up and leads them down the center between two facing lines.” This is definitely evident in the Stroll line dance of the 1950s.

Line Dancing In DC

In the District, besides hand dancing, line dance is popular among people in the African American community. Those who line dance are primarily women as the ratio of women to men in DC is 15.3 less men per 100 women. A popular joke is that husbands are happy to send their wives to line dance classes and daytime line dance events so

DC Rawhides line dance party. Photo: Mein Samala

they can have the house to themselves. However, many classes do have a few male students and a number of dance instructors are men.

Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center in Ward 8 is the place to be for seniors who want to know the latest in line dancing. The class is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays with 81-year-old line dance instructor Richard Jackson. The young at heart seniors enjoy his class and fill the exercise room as Richard calls out the moves while dancing to the latest line dance songs. Kay Frazier says, as she wipes the sweat off her forehead, “Good exercise. It keeps you moving, and Richard is a good teacher.” Richard teases and has fun with the ladies during the one-hour class, “You can twist your feet or your butt” hollers Richard as the ladies do the “Homie Twist.” When asked “How does one remember all of the steps to each song?”, Richard replies, “Say it out loud and your feet will follow.”

Richard plans to extend his line dance class to the Washington Senior Wellness Center in Ward 7.

Sharon Lyn Holmes, a native of the District, is considered a matriarch of the line dance community in the DMV. Holmes created the line dance team, the “Lyn Dance ‘N Club.” The team won several competitions in choreographed line dance. She developed a line dance to the song “Chuck Baby” in 2007 as a tribute to Go-Go legend Chuck Brown. Sharon says choreographing a line dance to “Chuck Baby” introduced DC’s Go-Go music to other parts of the country. The dance is now a line dance classic. In 2010, Sharon teamed up with the late Lawrence Bradford of the Smooth & EZ Hand Dance Institute to create a formal training program for line dance instructors. The class “The International Consortium of Line Dance Instructors” is described as formal training for experienced line dance instructors. The instructors take lessons

in counting, musicality and movement. The program also teaches professional business development in licensing, trademark and tax preparation. Upon completion students receive line dance certification certificates. “We give them certification to be accepted by whatever entity wants them to train and teach,” states Holmes.

Maria Mims, another line dance instructor in DC became interested in line dance and teaching the dance as a way to maintain physical fitness and fun. “Once I began to teach the dance, the world opened up more and line dance helped me with my memory.”

tion which supports country western and same sex dancing. The organization has been in existence since 2008. Their goal is to promote country western dancing among the LGBTQ+ community by teaching and holding dance events. DC Rawhides offers line dance and country western dance parties on various Saturdays in the North Hall at Eastern Market, and recently at Glen Echo Park.

Wendy Herndon, a long-time patron and volunteer with DC Rawhides describes the organization’s events as diverse, as there are not only LGBTQ+ social dancers who attend the events, but also straight members. Everyone dances with each other whether same sex or male/female partners. Wendy is also a greeter at the door as people enter and she says “The people are friendly and accepting. There is an atmosphere of feeling safe and comfortable.” Each event has line dancing and partner dancing. DC Rawhides dance schedule can be found on-line at www.dcrawhides.com.

DJ Kool, a rapper born and raised in DC, whose hit tune

Mims found that she was having memory loss and discovered that the repetition in line dance helped her to keep up with the various steps required in line dancing. Maria has a background in choreographed dancing and also trained under Sharon Lyn Holmes. “Training under Sharon Lyn Holmes provided me with various skills which were applied to line dancing. I became a better instructor.”

Where To Go To Dance

There are a number of line dance classes and groups in the Washington, DC area including line dancing for the LGBTQ+ community. DC Rawhides is a nonprofit organiza-

“Let Me Clear My Throat” was certified platinum in October, has one of the fastest rising songs hitting the line dance circuit. His single “Cha Cha Cha” has a choregraphed line dance that is making lines around the country. In a conversation with DJ Kool, he said “I had no idea at first that the song had become a line dance hit. I did a gig in Columbia South Carolina and was mesmerized when the song “Cha Cha Cha” came on and the people were line dancing to it.”

Whether it’s the Stroll or the Wobble or the Jeruselema, line dance… “It’s Electric!”

Beverly Lindsay-Johnson is an Emmy Award winning documentary producer and a member of the African American Music Association and the National Hand Dance Association. u

Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center Line Dance class with instructor Richard Jackson. Photo: Beverly Lindsay-Johnson

Day Party line dancing. Photo: John Pringle

kids & family

by Kathleen Donner

Free Skate Fridays at Canal Park

From Dec. 6 to Feb. 28, on all non-holiday Fridays, all kids ages ve to 18 can skate for free (skate rental included) between 4 and 8 p.m. at Canal Park Ice Rink, 200 M St. SE. Pre-registration is required, and a parent or guardian must check children in and out. Adults accompanying kids are required to stay in the rink area and are also welcome (but not required) to skate. Register at bondsports.co/activity/programs/CO_ED-youthICE_SKATING/5425.

Family Days at the LOC

On Thursday, Dec. 26 to Saturday, Dec. 28, create holiday cards, bookmarks and more using beautiful imagery from Library winter- themed collections as inspiration. Drop in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. SE. visit@loc.gov.

Washington National Opera’s Jungle Book

From Dec. 13 to 15, step into the jungle, where adventure awaits. Orphaned child Mowgli seeks refuge with a group of wolves deep in the jungle. Should the pack accept Mowgli as its own, even if it makes an enemy of the dangerous tiger Shere Khan? WNO’s holiday opera returns for all ages with a new take on the Kipling classic from Kamala Sankaram and Kelley Rourke. The beloved story gets a contemporary twist with music from South Asian and Western music traditions and mesmerizing Bollywood dance from Indian classical dance company Taal. Join Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, and more animal characters for a heartwarming tale about friendship, compassion, and forgiveness. The jungle may be lled with dangers but there is strength in chosen family. Performances are Dec. 13, 7 p.m.; Dec. 14 and 15, noon and 5 p.m.; $25 to $49. kennedy-center.gov.

NORAD Tracks Santa at noradsanta.org

NORAD tracks everything that ies in and around North America in defense of our country. However, on Dec. 24, they have the special mission of also tracking Santa. NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 when a young child accidently dialed the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, CO, believing she was calling Santa Claus after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper. Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night, was quick to realize a mistake had been made, and assured the youngster that CONAD would guarantee Santa a safe journey from the North Pole. Thus, a tradition was born that rolled over to NORAD when it was formed in 1958. Since then, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions. Each year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website receives nearly fteen million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers receive more than 130,000 calls (phone number appears on the website on Dec. 24) to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline. Children are also able to track Santa through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. noradsanta.org.

See the Trains at Season’s Greenings

The Botanic Garden’s popular annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the poinsettias, holiday decor, and DC landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains circulate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily, through displays of pollinators made from plant parts. The Garden is closed on December 25. The outdoor train display may not run during inclement weather. The Botanic Garden is at the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds. Free admission. usbg.gov.

COMMUNITY,

Dia de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) at GALA

On Sunday, Jan. 5, Jan. 7, 1:30 p.m. (show inside the theatre at 2 p.m.), join GALA for this annual tradition, the celebrated Three Kings celebration which brings Latin-American tradition to the streets of DC. This festive end to the holiday season features the story of the Magi, performances by local musicians and dance troupes, a street parade, and free gifts for children. Only one adult allowed for every three children. Every family will be given a maximum of four tickets for the event. No RSVP necessary. Free tickets must be picked up at the Box O ce. GALA Theatre is at 3333 14th St. NW. galatheatre.org/post/threekingsday.

Family Christmas Service at the National Cathedral

On Dec. 23, 11 a.m., a menagerie of live animals helps bring the Nativity to life in this joyful service of carols and prayers. Gather loved ones of all ages to welcome the Holy Family in the festively decorated Cathedral nave. ASL interpretation is o ered for this service. Due to capacity concerns, passes are required at cathedral.org/ calendar/family-christmas-service-3.

ELEMENTARY

PK3-5th

2021 13th St NW (202) 387-9830

MIDDLE

6th-8th

770 Kenyon St NW (202) 793-2667

Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Anacostia Community Museum

• Redefining student achievement and educating the whole child through EL Education

• Visual Arts, Music, Spanish, Performing Arts, Technology Courses

• Sports and extracurricular activities, before and aftercare programming

• Free campus-to-campus shuttle for all students

• 77% of Meridian 8th grade students accepted into Tier 1 or selective D.C. high schools

The Holiday Kwanzaa is a product of creative cultural synthesis. It is rooted in both the cultural values and practice of Africans on the Continent and in the US with strict attention to cultural authenticity and values for a meaningful, principled and productive life. Kwanzaa places emphasis on children because they are in fact the hope and future of African people in both the biological and cultural sense. All Kwanzaa programs at the Anacostia Community Museum are free and from noon to 2 p.m. Here’s the schedule: Dec. 26, Umoja (Unity) Kwanzaa Opening Program; Dec. 27, Kujichagulia (Self Determination) with the Culture Queen; Dec. 28, Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility) Honoring Our Village with Verbal Gymnastics; Dec. 29, Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) Creating Family Memory Boxes; Dec. 30, Nia (Purpose) African Dance Workshop with Khepera Wellness; Dec. 31, Kuumba (Creativity) Creating Family Kwanzaa Bags; Jan. 1,

& Spiritual

with Crazee Praize. The Anacostia Community Museum is at 1901 Fort Pl SE. anacostia.si.edu.

Capital City Symphony: Sing! (CCS’s Annual Holiday Concert)

On Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 and 5:30 p.m., at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, the Capital City Symphony’s annual holiday concert lls the air with joyous music once again. Bring your family and friends and sing along, as the orchestra takes you on a whirlwind tour of seasonal favorites. Tickets are $40.25. Children are welcome at all of their concerts, and they o er free tickets for those aged 16 or

Imani (Faith) Mime

Dance Workshop

The People’s House: A White House Experience

The People’s House: A White House Experience, at 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is a cutting-edge educational experience that tells the story of the Executive Mansion, its inhabitants and the people who have dedicated their careers to its functions. Through innovative exhibits, objects, and interactive media, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the White House’s role in American history. It is operated by the White House Historical Association, a private, nonpro t organization founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with a mission to protect, preserve and provide public access to the rich history of America’s Executive Mansion. The People’s House is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with some exceptions. Admission is free, with a suggested $15 donation to support the museum’s mission-driven programs, exhibits, and educational outreach. thepeopleshouse.org.

Zoolights

Zoolights allows you to meander through the National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks and enjoy live entertainment. This year Zoolights runs through Jan. 4; 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays; and 5 to 8 p.m., on Sundays. Zoo members only on Dec. 5 and 12 and Jan. 2. $6 admission. Each attendee, including children over the age of two, needs a ticket. $30 to park. nationalzoo.si.edu.

Discovery Theater’s Seasons of Light

younger. (Note that all concertgoers, regardless of age, must have a ticket.) capitalcitysymphony.org.

NMAAHC Kids Connect: Celebrate Kwanzaa

On Dec. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., come connect with history and culture through art and play at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, and celebrate Kwanzaa. Learn about the seven principles of the holiday and create art inspired by African and African American stories. NMAAHC Kids Connect programs are designed for ages three to eight. Email the NMAAHC Kids team at NMAAHCEarlyChildhood@ si.edu.

Joy, warmth and community illuminate seasonal holiday celebrations the world over. This signature Discovery Theater show celebrates the history and customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice in an interactive event that bridges communities and cultures. Seasons of Light is at Discovery Theater on select weekdays from Dec. 2 to 20, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m.; and an additional performance on Dec. 6, 11, and 13 at 1 p.m. It is recommended for grades K through fth. Individual tickets are $8 for children and $9 for adults. This show always sells out. Discovery Theater’s Ripley Center is at 1100 Je erson Dr. SW (on the National Mall). discoverytheater.org.

Little Red and the Gingerbread Man with Barefoot Puppets

Two tales rolled into one! This show mixes a pair of well-loved classic tales to create an original, fun- lled romp through fairy tales. Join Little Red as she pursues a mischievous gingerbread cookie through the woods to Grandma’s house. Original music, snowy scenery, and everyone’s favorite Big Bad Wolf are all part of this seasonal double delight. Little Red and the Gingerbread Man is at Discovery Theater’s Ripley Center, 1100 Je erson Dr. SW (on the National Mall) on Wednesday, Dec. 18 and Thurs-

Photo: Courtesy of The White House Historical Association

Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run

Ice & Lights o ers a fun, outdoor family experience to see unique light displays, take family pictures or sel es with a variety of displays, and take a spin on the outdoor ice rink. Tickets are available for the Village or Village and Ice Skating daily through Jan. 5. $10.50 for Village only; $21 for Village and skating. Ice Skating tickets must be purchased online due to limited capacity. The Winter Village at Cameron Run is at 4001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria VA. novaparks.com/events/ice-lights.

day, Dec. 19, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. It is recommended for ages four to eight. Tickets are $8 for adults; $6 for kids. discoverytheater.org.

She Persisted Cast Recording Released

Following a run of She Persisted, Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC) has announced the release of the She Persisted, the musical is based on the New York Times Best Seller by Chelsea Clinton. Under the music direction of composer Deborah Wicks La Puma, this album brings the show’s inspiring songs to listeners everywhere. Featuring powerhouse performances by Ariana Caldwell, Jordyn Taylor, Edima Essien, Sarah Chapin, Victoria Gomez, and Chelsea Majors, the album is available for purchase and streaming on all major music platforms. Adventure Theatre MTC will share samples of the album on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Family-Friendly First Night Alexandria

First Night Alexandria is the largest familyfriendly, budget-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve event in the region. This year’s First Night Alexandria includes more daytime events with kids, families and seniors in mind. It’s also fun, a ordable and safe. From 2 to 5 p.m., there’s Kids Celebrate Day Party Dancing, live performances from 7 p.m. until midnight. Fireworks are now at 6 p.m. and repeat at midnight. All access passes are ages three to 19, $10; ages 20 to 64, $35; ages 65+, $20. rstnightalexandria.org.

Christmas in Camp at Fort Ward

On Saturday, Dec. 14, noon to 4 p.m., get in the holiday spirit and learn how Christmas was observed during the Civil War at this popular family-oriented event. Enjoy a patriotic Civil War Santa Claus, reenactors in winter camp settings, period decorations, fort tours

and kids’ activities. Free admission. Fort Ward is at 4301 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA.

NYE (family hour) Fireworks over the Annapolis City Dock

Annapolis o ers two reworks displays over Susan Campbell Park at the City Dock on New Year’s Eve: a family-hour edition at 7 p.m. and another at midnight. Get there early to stake out a spot. visitannapolis.org.

Calling Young Playwrights: Submit Your Script

Mosaic Theater is hosting their annual High School Playwriting Contest for ninth through twelve grade students at public and charter schools in the Washington, DC metro area including, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Northern Virginia. The winning plays will be presented at the High School Playwriting Contest Play Reading on Saturday, March 22, at 2 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown DC. The rst-place winner will receive a cash prize of $300. The second-place winner will receive $200 and the third-place winner will receive $100. Submissions are due by Jan. 24 and winners will be noti ed by Feb. 7. Read more at mosaictheater.org/playwriting-contest. mosaictheater.org/playwriting-contest.

All Pandas,

All the Time Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao are here—Bao Li, male, born Aug. 4, 2021; and Quin Bao, female, born Sept. 12, 2021. The Zoo’s giant pandas are still acclimating to their new habitat area at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Starting Jan. 23, you can visit the new bear pair in their renovated habitat on Asia Trail. The Giant Panda Cam will launch in January 2025. nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/ panda-cam.

NPG Teen Portrait Competition is Accepting Submissions

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s 2025 Teen Portrait Competition is open to students between the ages of 13 and 17. Hosted by the Portrait Gallery’s Teen Museum Council artwork by the winners for each of the two age groups (13–15 and 16–17) will be displayed near the museum’s upcoming The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today exhibition. Opening May 3, 2025, The Outwin 2025 showcases portraits from artists ages 18 and older selected from the museum’s triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. There is no fee to enter the teen competition. Submit work via email to NPG-TeenPortraitCompetition@si.edu by Dec. 23. npg.si.edu/learn/teens/teen-portrait-competition. ◆

Petite Rouge (A Cajun Red Riding Hood)

Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood updates the classic tale, sending the plucky heroine—now a red-robed little duck—and her ‘fraidy cat friend Te Jean on a perilous journey through the bayou. Along the way the pair tangle with a Big Bad Gator. Petite is no sitting duck, though, and leads her nemesis on a merry Mardi Gras chase through New Orleans. A chorus of swamp dwellers sings backup to the Zydeco-driven score in this foot-stomping musical. Petite Rouge is at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. MD, from Dec. 11 to March 7. Ticket prices start at $12. Imagination Stage uses dynamic pricing, so prices may be higher for more popular performances. imaginationstage.org.

•

XWORD

“Good Eats & Drinks”

by Myles Mellor

Across:

1. Anaconda kin

4. Ready to pick

8. Room access

12. Backbone

17. Most inadequate

20. Halo, e.g.

21. Made of wood

22. Veggie that’s commonly red, yellow or green

24. Bakery buy

25. “___ in Love With You”

26. iPad buy

28. Easy marks

29. See red

34. Sirs’ counterparts

38. One of the Clanton brothers

40. Makes small adjustments

44. “Out!”

45. Sweet stuff

49. Winning tic-tac-toe row

50. Good ___

51. Amercian Top 40 song that holds the record for the most weeks at number one

53. Chemical suffix

54. Hot dog holder

55. Bagel seed

57. Hot stuff

59. IRS negotiator

61. Environmental watchdogs

62. Educator Bill

64. Goes with oohed

65. Asian snake

67. South American cowboy

71. ___ Music (Bryan Ferry group)

72. Take in again

73. Grooming tool

75. Spot for an event

77. Drop a line?

78. Blows one’s top

80. Some painted vessels

81. “Ulysses” star Milo

83. Small guitar, for short

84. Hunter’s quarry

87. Maroon

88. Cape Cod course

90. Fruit that provides milk

93. It’s a chick thing

96. One in Madrid

97. Repudiate

100. “Peanuts” boy

102. Mo.

103. Glossy cloth

105. “Veni, vidi, ___”

106. One that charms

108. Rap doctor

109. Surrounded by 111. “Crime and Punishment” heroine

112. Dutch cheese

115. One-horse carriage

117. Lake of Lombardy

121. French wine

127. Sweet spread

132. Gas-X rival

133. Water carrier

134. Some Italians

135. Garden tool

136. ___ gin fizz

137. Honeyed drink

138. Publicity

Down:

1. Both, in combinations

2. Come across as

3. People to hang with

4. Certain theater, for short

5. Wrath

6. Gusto

7. Paranormal ability, abbr.

8. Butter blob

9. “Days of ___ Lives”

10. Guadalajara gold

11. Unprocessed

12. Howl

13. Equivalent to 3.26 light years

14. Big furniture retailer

15. Certain tide

16. Leaves off

18. Shakespeare’s theater

19. Tax that led to a party in Boston

23. Tach reading

27. Macaroni or manicotti

30. Airport posting, abbr.

31. Sweet wine

32. Oscar winner Paquin

33. Tractor maker

35. Bruised

36. West of Hollywood

37. A Cadillac model

38. “Young Frankenstein” woman

39. Nairobi’s land

40. Watch pocket

41. Note

42. ___ negotiable

43. Switch

46. It would be a long drive! (2 words)

47. New wings, maybe

48. Like an oboe in sound

52. Bakery employee

56. Gareth Bale and Dylan Thomas come from here

58. Part of ERA

59. Kind of nut

60. Cobbler, for example

62. Compass point

63. “___ durn tootin’!”

65. Indian deity

66. Fire again

68. Wreath

69. Old pyramid builder

70. Upset the apple cart....

73. “For shame!”

74. Lilliputian

76. Mrs. sheep

77. Ford model

79. Not theirs

82. Accountant, in a way

85. 1970 hit for The Kinks

86. Needles a sweater

89. Article in Die Zeit

90. Chanel, fashion designer

91. In the red

92. ‘’Do ___ others . . .’’

93. Clean one’s plate

94. Fed’s publisher

95. Growling sound

98. Top-10 baby girl name since 2005

99. High spirits

101. For instance

104. Sir Hillary, of mountain-climbing fame

107. Prickly plants

110. Role for Angelina

112. Declines

113. Profoundly philosophical

114. Excellent report card marks

116. Position tracker

118. Resort town near Santa Barbara

119. “Buddenbrooks” author

120. Russian city

122. Cuppa coffee

123. CD predecessors

124. Trouble

125. Dot-commer’s dream, for short

126. “When will I __ you again?”

Three Degree song

128. Confines

129. Cap material?

130. Spy org.

131. Used