East of the River Magazine – July 2021 by Capital Community News

JULY 2021

E AST OF THE R IVER M AGAZINE J ULY 2021 NEXT ISSUE: AUGUST 7

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A Letter from Mayor Muriel Bowser

Could There Be COVID Outbreaks in Unvaccinated Communities? by Elizabeth O’Gorek

Using Psychedelic Plants as Medicine: A New Solution for Mental Health Disorders

What’s on Washington The Crossword The Classiﬁeds

Darren Be Scheming: All About Energy Assistance by Darren Thompson

Changing Hands by Don Denton

by Pattie Cinelli

KIDS & FAMILY

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 24

Bulletin Board

Notebook by Kathleen Donner

Kathleen Donner

ON THE COVER: Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) canvassed

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE 32

Meet Your Neighbor: Quanay Lynch by Anthony D. Diallo

Capital Community News, Inc. Publisher of: Capital Community News, Inc. PO Box 15477, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 www.capitalcommunitynews.com www.hillrag.com

the Fairlawn neighborhood during the June 19 Community Corps Day of Action with Dr. Anthony Fauci. She asked 18-year-old Ernest Johns, who graduated that day m from Duke Ellington High School, to post information about the vaccine on social media. Photo: E.O’Gorek CCN

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissa.ashabranner@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com PUBLISHER: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2021 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.

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

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WHAT’S ON W A S H I N G T O N Nats Park Open. Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals

Capacity: 100%

Live Indoor Music Returns

Nationals Park has opened to 100% seating capacity for the remainder of the season. With the ballpark returning to full capacity, fans will notice many changes around the ballpark, including several updates to health and safety protocols and the return of many fan-favorite ballpark experiences. Tickets start at $13. mlb.com/nationals. ... Audi Field has also opened to 100% capacity. July’s DC United games: July 3, 5:30 p.m. vs. Toronto FC; and July 25, 8 p.m. vs. New York Red Bulls. Tickets are $40 to $45. dcunited.com.

Without getting into specifics, here’s a listing of indoor live music venues that are back in business— or will be shortly: Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW; The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW; The Hamilton, 600 14th St. NW; Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; Hill Country, 410 Seventh St. NW; Pearl Street Warehouse, 33 Pearl St. SW; Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW. ... Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons will be at the Anthem on Aug. 7 for an 8 p.m. show to kick off The Anthem’s return to live music. Tickets are $55 to $125. RIGHT: Jimbo Mathus and the Dial Back Sound appear at The Hamilton, 600 14th St. NW, on Thursday, July 22, 7:30 p.m. Photo: Bryant Cummings

LTA’s Rumors Live Outdoor Music Returns

Photo: Andrew Lightman

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There are free concerts on the Wharf Transit Pier Wednesdays starting at 7 p.m. Here’s the lineup: July 7--Jarreau Williams Experience; July 14--Dupont Brass; July 21--The 19th Street Band; July 28--Shane Gamble; Aug. 4--Jimi Smooth & HitTime; Aug. 11--Hijynx; Aug. 18--Trailer Grass Orchestra; Aug. 25--The Breakways; and Sept 1--Soulfire. wharfdc. com. ... The Yards Park, 355 Water St, SW, schedule this year is July 9, Uncle Jesse; July 16, La Unica; July 23, The 19th Street Band; July 30, TBD; Aug. 9, 7 Deadlies; Aug. 13, JWX. Shows at 7 p.m.

When Neil Simon needed a good laugh, this is the play he wrote. From July 24 to Aug. 14, join The Little Theatre of Alexandria for this first-rate farce with plenty of physical comedy, highoctane energy, and loaded with classic Neil Simon wit. It begins with three couples as they arrive at an upper-crust Manhattan anniversary party to discover that their host (the Deputy Mayor of New York), has accidently maimed himself. Watch as the couples go to outrageous lengths to keep the police and press from finding out the truth. $24 to $48. The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolf St., Alexandria, VA. thelittletheatre.com

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Marine Barracks Evening Parade The Evening Parade at Marine Barracks on Eighth Street, SE, starts at 8:45 p.m. Gates are open from 7 to 8 p.m. The ceremony, held every Friday evening during the summer, has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline, and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines. Whether they be aboard ships, in foreign embassies, at recruit depots, in divisions, or in the many positions and places where Marines serve, the individual Marine continually tells the story of the Corps. Open to the public at limited capacity. Reserve tickets at barracks.marines.mil/Parades/2021-ParadeSchedule-Reservations. RIGHT: Spectacular pageantry and precision. Photo: Courtesy of the Marine Barracks Evening Parade

Black Athletes in Hockey On view at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Sports: Leveling the Playing Field gallery, this new exhibition explores hockey’s early history and Black athletes’ contribution to the sport beginning in the early 19th century through the present. Alongside the hockey case is a new statue honoring the first Black player in the National Hockey League, Willie O’Ree. The space covers the involvement of Black players in the early history of hockey, the role they played in modernizing the sport during the 19th century, hockey’s influence in the personal development of African American youth and the growing number of Black hockey players in the NHL. The National Museum of African American History, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Timedentry passes required. naamhc.si.edu.

Museums Reopen (expect timed-tickets and limited days/hours) The following National Mall museums have reopened: National Museum of African American History and Culture; National Museum of American History; National Museum of the American Indian, National Gallery of Art (East and West Buildings); and National Museum of Natural History. The following off-the-Mall museums have reopened: National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery; National Building Museum; The Phillips Collection; National Museum of Women in the Arts. ... Openings coming soon: July 16, National Museum of African Art and the National Museum of Asian Art Freer Gallery; July 30, National Air and Space Museum; Aug. 6, Anacostia Community Museum; Aug. 20, Hirshhorn Museum; Aug. 27, National Postal Museum. An African bull elephant greets visitors in the rotunda of the National Museum of Natural History. Natural History opened June 18. Photo: James Di Loreto for the Smithsonian

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St. Mary’s County Potomac Jazz and Seafood Festival From July 9 to 11, the St. Mary’s County Potomac Jazz and Seafood Festival, “A Soulful Summer Serenade”, kicks-off with jazz-era fun in historic Leonardtown with a party at locations all up and down closed-off Fenwick Street. The Fenwick Inn will host the main area of live music from the Chesapeake Orchestra Swing Combo and dance performances from 6 to 9 p.m. On Saturday, the main event is from noon to 9 p.m. at St. Clement’s Island Museum and then back to Leonardtown on Sunday. $65. Leonardtown is south of DC, about 55 miles. Read more and get tickets at potomacJazzandSeafoodFestival.com.

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hotos: Jonathan Hsu and P Jeff Bartee Photography

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

When Dance and Art Collide

Artist BK Adams

outterman vs innerMAN at Honfleur Art Gallery

Dance Place and Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens are the recipients of a site-specific, movement-based performance commission and presentation to premiere at Hillwood. From July 21 to 25, Krystal Collins/new growth collective will present a work that is in dialogue with incoming sculpture installation Rich Soil by Kristine Mays, a California-based sculpture artist. The exhibition features 29 life-size sculptures capturing bodies in motion. Mays said her sculptures were inspired by Alvin Ailey’s famed work, Revelations, and the way Ailey explored the historical African American experience through movement. danceplace.org. hillwoormuseum.org.

BK Adams is an arts phenomenon from Washington DC whose paintings and sculptures incorporate abundant bold colors and found objects, such as bicycles and chairs. His work centers sustainability, synthesizing everyday objects into eccentric one-of-a-kind pieces. In the early days of his career, Adams focused on monumental sculptures for alternative art spaces. Nearly all of Adams’ work implores a visual movement of avant-garde expressionist abstract. His colorful, expressive workmanship reflects a life’s journey with a specialty collection that embodies Washington DC’s rich history and culture. outterman vs innerMAN runs through July 24 at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. honfleurgallery.org.

Ticket-Time for the KC Classics Photo: Courtesy of Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Kayak at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Kayaking is unique way of exploring Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Renting your own kayak to then explore the marshes around Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a fantastic way of seeing the park from a new perspective. Bonus: if you enjoy birding, this is a great way to get up close and personal to some of the many birds that call Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens home. Just be sure to time your trip right. The river is tidal and the marshes dry up in low tide. Make sure you don’t get stuck. Check out this US Harbors tide chart at usharbors.com/harbor/maryland/washington-dc/tides/ before you paddle out. During July, the Anacostia Watershed Society is offering the free use of kayaks in celebration of the virtual Waterlily Festival. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. kenaqgardens.org and anacostiaws.org. 08

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Marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and reflecting on the human loss from Covid-19, as well to honor the healthcare professionals who have been on the front lines throughout the pandemic, the NSO will perform a free Concert of Remembrance on Sept. 10 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Time TBA. ... From Oct. 7 to 9, the Paul Taylor Dance Company presents a program featuring two of Taylor’s masterworks. The beloved Company B is performed to songs by the Andrews Sisters. In a seminal piece of Americana, Taylor recalls the poignant dualities of the World War II era, from upbeat optimism to the sacrifices of war. The company will also present Esplanade, Taylor’s masterpiece composed entirely of pedestrian movement, inspired by the sight of a woman running to catch a bus. Set to J.S. Bach violin concertos, the masterpiece features a team of nine dancers brimming with Taylor’s signature youthful exuberance. ... From Nov. 6 to 14, the Washington National Opera pays a musical tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a star-studded homecoming featuring Pretty Yende, Isabel Leonard, Lawrence Brownlee, Alexandria Shiner, David Butt Philip, Christian Van Horn, and more. Join the WNO for a champagne toast in the Grand Foyer at each performance to look forward with courage and hope to a new era. $45 to $299.

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A Letter from Mayor Muriel Bowser Dr. Charles Drew once told the world that “excellence of performance will transcend any artificial barriers created by man.” Over the past year and a half, we have witnessed the tragic results of artificial barriers created by man and sustained by discriminatory systems that are decades and centuries old. People of color, especially Black Americans, have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, both in case rates and lives lost. Even as we are on the cusp of crushing the virus in Washington, DC, those disparities persist. Today, approximately 80% of DC residents getting infected with COVID-19 are African American, and since May 1, approximately 90% of Washingtonians who have died due to COVID-19 were African American. We knew prior to COVID-19 about stark racial disparities in health outcomes here in DC and across the nation. We have addressed these disparities at our annual Maternal and Infant Health Summits. We addressed the differences in life expectancy within Washington, DC when we put forth a plan to build affordable housing in every part of our city. And even at the height of the financial crisis in 2020, we recognized these disparities by passing a budget that put us on track to deliver a new state-of-the-art hospital in Ward 8 and five Centers of ExMayor Getting Her Shot. Courtesy of The Mayor's Office of Communications cellence at Howard University Hospital. In our 2018 Health Equity Report, we specifically noted that the only way to truly discard the legacies of racism and segcinated because we must stop this virus in its tracks. We cannot allow regation is to craft a new legacy – one built on a shared vision for eqCOVID-19 to persist in our community. We cannot allow COVID-19 uity. That is why the budget I sent to the Council this year is focused to become a virus that continues to tear through Black communities on equity and on delivering a health care system that meets the needs and devastate Black families. The vaccines are safe and extremely efof all residents and makes us more resilient for the challenges that lie fective. Science has delivered us a powerful tool to transcend the barahead. We are changing how we deliver health care to ensure more resriers that causing tragic racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes. idents are getting the right and most appropriate care at the right time. Please get vaccinated, DC. And we are addressing the social determinants of health such as transFind a vaccination site close to you by going to vaccines.gov or portation, education, proximity to care, livable income, and housing. texting your zip code to GETVAX (438829). At three DC locations And there is an action that everyone in our community who is – Anacostia High School, the RISE Demonstration Center, and Ron 12 and older can take right now to support this work: you can and Brown High School – DC residents 18 and older who get vaccinatshould get vaccinated. Get vaccinated because it is the right thing to ed can enter to win a free car, a year of free groceries, or a year of free do to protect your own health. Get vaccinated because it is the right Metro. All DC residents 12 and older who get vaccinated at these sites thing to do to protect the health of people around you. And get vacwill receive a $51 VISA gift card. u

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by Elizabeth O’Gorek

aking a walk along the commercial streets of the District, it certainly looks like the pandemic is behind us. People stroll past diners on patios, all of them without masks for the first time in more than a year. On June 15, Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) joined President Joe Biden in inviting Americans to celebrate July 4th in the nation’s capital. “DC is open and ready to welcome back visitors to celebrate the way we came together as a city and as a nation this year,” said Mayor Bowser. As of June 14, DC reported that 58.6 percent of the population had received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine; nearly half the population was fully vaccinated. But those people are not evenly distributed across the District. The vaccination rate in Wards 3 and 4 was nearly double the rate in Ward 8 —51 percent in Northwest versus 26 percent in Ward 8. The District rate overall masks the danger to unvaccinated people living in communities with low vaccination rates, said Matthew Ferrari, Director Penn State University’s Center for

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Could There Be COVID Outbreaks in Unvaccinated Communities?

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) canvassed the Fairlawn neighborhood during the June 19 Community Corps Day of Action with Dr. Anthony Fauci. She asked 18-year-old Ernest Johns, who graduated that day from Duke Ellington High School, to post information about the vaccine on social media.

Infectious Disease Dynamics. For those people, the risk of getting COVID right now is greater than in January —and due to emerging variants, more dangerous than ever. According to the CDC, the far more dangerous and contagious Delta variant is spreading quickly and is likely to become the dominant strain in the United States. While current vaccines provide protection against the variant, recent projections from the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub, used by the CDC to predict the disease’s course indicate there could be extremely localized outbreaks of COVID-19 where vaccination rates are low. That means that in the fall there could be outbreaks of COVID in the District neighborhoods that have already paid the highest price for the pandemic.

Uneven Vaccination Rates, Uneven Risk

As the District moves to welcome visitors back to the city, more than half of the District’s population is vaccinated. However, those people are not evenly distributed across the city, or across demographic groups. There’s one exception: seniors. Across nearly every neighborhood in the District, more than half of the residents 65 years old and better are vaccinated; in some, it is more like 90 percent. But the numbers skew more widely for the rest of the eligible population, aged 12 to 64. In Woodley Park in Northwest, 52.72 percent of eligible residents (those aged 12 and above) are vaccinated, and 60.86 percent in NoMA But only 18.14 percent of the eligible residents of Bellevue, in Ward 8 and 22.19 percent of those living in Historic Anacostia have been vaccinated. As of June 14, no neighborhood in Wards 7 or 8 had a vaccination rate higher than 35 percent. Communities with low levels of vaccination are not limited to the east side of

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As Mayor Bowser and Dr. Anthony Fauci canvassed Ward 8 neighborhoods June 19, 51-year old Nate Ward told them that he was suspicious of both the pandemic and the vaccine. Photo: E. O’Gorek/CCN

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the river. The neighborhoods around both Georgetown and George Washington Universities have vaccinated less than 30 percent of residents 12 and over —23.44 and 29.8 percent; in Ward 5, Trinidad reports 35.5 percent are vaccinated. It is the historically Black and Latino neighborhoods in those wards that have reported the highest case rates. According to data from OpenDC, Bellevue alone has reported 148 new cases since April 12, when vaccination opened to District adults. That’s compared to five new cases in Barnaby Woods and seven in Capitol Hill. Fifty-four people have died of COVID in DC since April 12; 33 of them lived in Ward 5, 7 and 8; one was homeless. Black communities have also suffered the greatest loss during the pandemic, adds Ambrose Lane of the Black Coalition Against COVID. While the District does not provide data on COVID casualties by neighborhood, Ambrose said that more 80 percent of the

lives lost since the vaccine was introduced have been Black.

Skewing Younger

With seniors largely inoculated against the disease, serious infections are skewing lower. Data from the DC Hospital Association (DCHA) shows that, of the patients suffering from COVID admitted between April 16 and June 16 of this year, 51 percent of cases were in patients younger than 49 years old; 10 percent of cases were in kids under 18. Data presented at a DC Council budget hearing by the Deputy Mayor of Education (DME) indicates that vaccination rates are particularly low for kids 12-15 in Wards 7 and 8, where only 8.3 and 5 percent have received even one dose of the vaccine. Thirtyseven percent of the District’s population under 18 live in Wards 7 and 8. For the same age group, Ward 2 is at 43 percent fully-vaccinated and Ward 3 at 40 percent for the youngest eligible. But those two wards together are

home to only 14 percent of the District’s under-18 population. While COVID vaccines have been approved for kids aged 12 and older, it could be as late as January 2022 before there’s approval for the younger crowd, said Dr. Tina Tan. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University whose research interests focus on the epidemiology of respiratory infections in children and preventative vaccines. After reports of myocarditis and pericarditis—the inflammation of the heart muscles and the sac that encases it— in a few adolescents and young adults after COVID-19 vaccination, particularly males, Tan said that the FDA has asked that the number of participants in clinical trials be increased. “They [FDA] would like to see the number of children under 12 participating in the clinical trials increased,” Tan said. “Everybody’s being extraordinarily cautious, which I think is a good thing, given what we’re seeing now and given that we don’t know what the immune response of the younger kids is to the vaccine.” The Mayor has vowed students will attend classes in person starting at the end of August, the first time more than half of them will return to school in a year-and-a-half. The extension of the vaccine trial period means that when they return to school in the fall, the elementary-aged children will not be vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is currently not required to attend public school next year, but a spokesperson for DC Public Schools said it will be encouraged. “To help meet our commitment to fully reopen schools for every student, every day in the fall, DCPS encourages all students ages 12 and older and their parents, caregivers, and eligible siblings to get vaccinated.”

Risk Higher than Ever

Even as the District returns to normal, the COVID variants circulating now are more contagious than the viruses that were circulating eight months ago, Dr. Ferrari said. They are also deadlier than ever. “It may feel like we keep changing the goal posts, and that’s be-

We offer the following services at our location in the Conway Health and Resource Center in Ward 8: • Screening and diagnostic mammograms with 3D technology

cause the goal posts keep changing,” he said. The new Delta variant is twice as transmissible than the Alpha variant, Ferrari said, and likely to become dominant in the US. Modeling of Delta’s spread by genomics company Helix predicts that in the fall, Delta infections could be up to 20 percent of the COVID cases in January 2021. The District’s case rate that month peaked Jan 11 at 46.76, or nearly 48 per 100,000. Dr. Ferrari said that the pandemic is not gone —just “squeezed down” into those communities least equipped to cope with it. “In cities or counties where there is a high variability in vaccine coverage, if policy makers relax the measures based on overall rates of vaccination, it triggers a dangerous situation for those neighborhoods or communities that are still vulnerable,” said epidemiologist Pedro Kremer, a Booz Allen Hamilton scientist working in public health programs and policy evaluation for clients including the US Federal Government. “[They’re doubly] vulnerable —biologically because of their vaccination status, and socially for their reduced access to health services.”

Equitable Health

Ferrari said that one goal of public health is to reach all —equitably. “Many of the policies that have been enacted as of late have shifted from broad-scale population responses and protective measures that affect everybody and have increasingly shifted the burden of protection to individuals.” Unfortunately, not everybody has the same opportunity or ability to exercise those choices, Ferrari said, pointing out that hourly and service workers cannot easily make the choice whether or not to wear a mask or interact with strangers in the workplace. National evidence appears to indicate that vaccine accessibility is the issue rather than hesitancy, he said, so governments need to focus on educating those communities on the benefits of vaccination, and where and how to get it, as well as do a good job of making sure all populations can easily get the vaccine by bringing it into their commu-

(the latest advancement in breast screening) • Breast ultrasound • Minimally invasive breast biopsies • Patient navigation and care coordination

nities —their churches, community centers, schools and even their homes, if possible —at all hours of the day. “We’re trying to achieve equity, not equality,” Ferrari said. “So we need to do more in the communities that historically have received less.” However, those working on the ground in DC say that access might be a problem, but trust is still the major issue. “I think DC Health has done a great job of getting out the vaccine,” said Lane. “It’s trust that’s the issue.” Lane said people want to know more about the disease and about what’s in the vaccine, even to an ingredient list. Messaging needs to be focused and directed,” Lane added, pointing out that young people especially are subjected to far more disinformation than solid information via social media, which studies have shown increases vaccine hesitancy.

District Efforts

The District has put forth an effort. In May, Bowser urged faith-based organizations, community groups, or employers to directly request a vaccine clinic from the city through a vaccine exchange program. In addition to walk-up and pharmacy vaccination sites, the city has been partnering with local churches and places of worship to host pop-up vaccine clinics, more recently, the city has advertised freebies, events and contests to boost interest in inoculations. A representative for DC Health said there will be a back-to-school vaccination push for COVID-19 and childhood vaccines for students and families this summer. On June 19, the Mayor herself canvassed homes near Anacostia High School in Ward 8 where DC Health data shows only 33 percent of eligible residents —and 28.75 percent of the population — are vaccinated. She brought no less an authority with her than Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Dr. Anthony Fauci to answer questions about the vaccine. People flooded out to take selfies with Dr. Fauci, many telling him that he was “the only one we trust.” Many residents answered the door assuring the Mayor that they had been vaccinated.

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RIGHT: Thelma Ruffin, 73, receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a March 26 vaccine clinic at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. Photo: E. O’Gorek/CCN

Still, Fauci’s message still met resistance, with residents citing misinformation, conspiracy theories and questions about ingredients. Mother and daughter Esther and Natisha Brighthaupt answered the door of their home, Natisha’s four children behind them. Natisha said she still had issues with the vaccine. She said that she had heard the vaccine would not cure the disease and that it didn’t work. Esther said that she worried that getting the vaccine would make her contagious, and she would give the children the disease. “No, not at all,” Dr. Fauci told Esther, also reassuring her daughter of the vaccine’s efficacy. “In fact we’ve got to get you vaccinated; if you get infected, you can pass it on.” On another street, 51-year-old Marine veteran Nate Ward told Fauci and Bowser that he was skeptical of the pandemic and the vaccine. He said the vaccine had been developed too quickly to be safe. “They’ve been working on the groundwork for this vaccine for twenty years,” Dr. Fauci told him. “It’s too quick, it’s too quick,” Lane interrupted. Lane said that he was suspicious of a pandemic announced by the government that was so swiftly followed by a vaccine touted by the same government. “It’s about fear and control,” he said.

If There Are Outbreaks

If there are are community outbreaks, it is not clear what would happen. Can neighborhoods be isolated for lockdown? Would a mask mandate be re-imposed citywide? Epidemiologist Pedro Kremer said that both solutions are problematic. Isolating communities is difficult to implement, he said, and would shut down stores in areas where the economic reactivation is even more critical, redirecting spending (and contagion) to communities that are open for business. Kremer said the more effective way would be to base mandates on the worst, rather than best performance. “[One can] base the relaxation of the mandates and measures not on general rates of cases and proportion of vaccinated population, but instead, restrictions would be lifted for all, or not, based on the status of the stratum with the worse performance,” Kremer said. “Those that are already doing well will complain, but [it] would be a potentially effective way to protect the underserved until they achieve better vaccination rates.” The District may have reopened but DC Health has not yet scaled back its COVID forces. Face masks are still mandated in healthcare facilities, schools, shelters, correctional facilities and public transportation. Although there have been fewer cases in the community overall and no outbreaks throughout late May and June, DC Health COVID-19 outbreak response activities have not scaled back. The contact trace force and epidemiology teams are functioning seven 18

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days a week, said a representative, and data is continuously reviewed to identify clusters. But, while DC Health has released guidance on best practices to prevent COVID-19 transmission in community facilities and businesses, the guidance for the community is really guidance for the individual. “People can make choices on what activities are safe for them taking into account their own vaccination status and the risk of the activity,” said a representative for DC Health. With so many of the more affluent communities vaccinated, the burden of exercising that individual choice is falling on historically disadvantaged groups. Even as other parts of the city throw off their masks, those in low-vaccinated groups may continue to sicken and die in localized outbreaks unseen by the rest of the city and a nation that considers the pandemic to be over. Learn more about getting vaccinated in DC by visiting coronavirus.dc.gov/page/get-vaccinated. Find a vaccine near you at vaccines.gov. Can’t leave your home? Call 1-855-363-0333 and DC Health will bring the vaccine to you. u

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Using Psychedelic Plants as Medicine A New Solution for Mental Health Disorders by Pattie Cinelli

n 2017, Melissa Lavasani and Daniel Conner were about to have their second child. Towards the end of her pregnancy Melissa started to have severe depression. “Instead of taking medication prescribed by my physician I chose to tough it out. Unfortunately it got worse after birth. I could barely function. I still did not want to take pharmaceuticals.” Lavasani chose a different path to healing. The couple secretly grew their own magic mushrooms in their closet. Her husband Daniel Conner grew up knowing about mushrooms. He became the cultivator, grower and doser for his wife. Lavasani micro-dosed her way to feeling better. “It was as if I was blind and deaf and could see colors and hear again. The quality of my life vastly improved.”

out hallucinating. She said she started with a very small dose each morning but took days off so she would not build up a tolerance. “I liken a day of micro-dosing to what I consider my ideal morning routine,” explained Lavasani. “A solid eight hours of sleep with a morning workout, shower and a good breakfast. It feels like you are well rested and ready to troubleshoot your day. There is no ’trip’ experience with a micro-dose. It’s more of a feeling of empowerment than anything. You feel in control of your emotions and your body.” Lavasani and her husband are both well educated, both working in DC government jobs, the parents of young children – not the type of couple one might imagine looking to psychedelics as medicine. When a friend suggested she listen to an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience that featured the mycologist Paul Stamets speaking about the benefits of psilocybin mushrooms on mental health, Lavasani was quoted in a “Washingtonian” article (July 2020) as saying, “I assumed people that took psychedelics were people that were trying to escape their reality, that couldn’t deal with adulthood. But these weren’t normal times.” Lavasani got involved with plant medicine advocacy after treating her depression with psilocybin and ayahuasca. She wanted to share her exMelissa Lavasani and Daniel Cnner with their children Lola, 6, and Ramsey, 3. perience with others and wanted to find a way that others could benefit It’s estimated that 10 percent of women struggle with from her knowledge without the secrecy she had to adpostpartum anxiety or depression. Other studies have here to and the fear she felt of being ‘discovered’ and even suggested that number may be even higher at 20 percent possibly losing her job. In November 2020 she launched to 25 percent, according to Huffington Post. Initiative 81 on the DC ballot. “It won by 76 percent Lavasani said micro-dosing psilocybin enables one which is the biggest margin for any DC initiative in its to get the benefits of the plant’s healing properties withhistory,” said Lavasani. 22

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Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act

The Initiative did not legalize or decriminalize. Instead it shifts enforcement of laws against natural plant medicines or entheogens to be among the lowest law enforcement priorities. An entheogen is a natural plant or fungi substance that initiates nonordinary states of consciousness which can inspire cognitive emotional, relational and spiritual growth and healing. An entheogen includes psilocybin-containing “magic mushrooms,” mescalinecontaining cacti, iboga-containing plants, and/or DMTcontaining plants and preparations such as ayahuasca. The passage of the initiative is just the beginning. Lavasani is working with the DC government to ensure proper implementation of the Act. “We want to educate by sharing our story. We also want to keep people safe,” she said. “We are working with the DC Metropolitan Police on implementation. We also want a worker/child protection bill to protect anyone who gets arrested with plant medicines from losing their children or their job.”

The Plant Medicine Coalition

In January 2021 Lavasani founded and became the executive director of the Plant Medicine Coalition, whose mission is to “create, protect and promote safe, equitable access to natural and synthetic psychedelic and plant medicines through local and national advocacy.” Lavasani is working with other jurisdictions as well. “We are helping them develop a legislative strategy and learn how to talk to elected officials,” she said. One of Lavasani’s goal through The Plant Medicine Coalition is to foster pragmatic, diverse conversations at the local, state and federal levels. She wants to advance public policies that integrate psychedelic and plantbased therapies into societal frameworks. Lavasani’s coalition emphasizes science and evidence-based research and hopes her focus will change the way lawmakers view

psychedelic and plant medicines. She also is working on building up community hubs in every ward in the city. Earlier this year The Coalition offered a community grants program for individuals and groups in DC that seek funding for plant medicine education resources and opportunities that may include, but are not limited to, funding for curriculum building, community educational/training, documentaries or howto guides. Lavasani said about 70 people showed up to learn about the grant education program. Universities in the U.S. are receiving a legal dispensation to use the federally-banned plants in research projects to test their efficacy for PTSD, depression and addictions. Johns Hopkins University is leading the way in the U.S. Studies are also being conducted in the Imperial College in London, The University of Basel and the University of Zurich. Lavasani said that Brazil is giving ayahausca to prisoners to help reform them. According to “Spirituality & Health” magazine, for thousands of years, people have used psilocybin mushrooms for spiritual journeys and various kinds of healing. Why? It’s powerful, but not addictive. Last year Oregon made the therapy legal for PTSD. What is old is becoming new again. When I googled books about magic mushrooms, there were no less than 20 ranging from the bible of psychedelics published in 1964 co-authored by Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner and Richard Alpert (Ram Das), The Psychedelic Experience, to a more contemporary book published in 2018 called, How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan (author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma). To find out more about The Plant Medicine Coalition log onto: plantmedicinecoalition.org. To contact Lavasani email her at: melissa@plantmedicinecoalition.org. Pattie Cinelli is a health and fitness professional and journalist who has been writing her column for more than 20 years. She focuses on holistic and non-mainstream ways to stay healthy and get well. Please email her with questions or column suggestions at: fitmiss44@aol.com. ◆

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Photo: Courtesy of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation

costia Park on the east side of the Anacostia River beAll DC outdoor public pools are open six days a week (closed days vary) from 10 a.m. to 6 tween the 11th Street Bridge p.m. through Monday, Sept. 6. East Potomac Pool remains closed for renovations. DC pools and the CSX bridge, north are free for DC residents. Have ID with you. dpr.dc.gov/page/outdoor-pools. of the Pennsylvania AveAll DC indoor public pools are open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and closed from nue SE bridge. Throughout 1 to 3 p.m. for cleaning; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and closed Sundays. Takoma Aquatthe development of the plan, ic Center, Turkey Thicket Aquatic Center, Deanwood Aquatic Center, Therapeutic Aquatthe NPS would like to hear ic Center and Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center are closed for renovations or capital improvefrom park visitors, neighments. DC pools are free for DC residents. Have ID with you. dpr.dc.gov/page/indoor-pools. bors and partners about current use of the space and your ideas for the future of this unique landscape in the heart cols to best protect volunteers and those Mutual Aid Volunteer Session of Washington, DC. Read more at parkreceiving mutual aid. Read more at dcblm. Join East of the River Mutual Aid on planning.nps.gov/Reimagine_Anacostiorg/mutual-aid. Wednesday July 7, 7 to 8 p.m., for their VolaPark. unteer Information Session where you will learn what Mutual Aid is, what volunteer NPS Seeks Anacostia Park opportunities are available, and how to get Take the Shot, Reimagining Input started. Mutual aid is a form of political DC Giveaway Announced The National Park Service wants to participation in which people take responEvery week through mid-July, DC resihear from you as they begin to develsibility for caring for one another, not just dents who are 18 and older and get their op a vision and goals for the future of a through charity or symbolic acts. Instead, first (or only) dose of the COVID-19 vacportion of Anacostia Park. They are crethis is about actually building social concine at the RISE Demonstration Center, ating a plan to study the existing connections that support the survival of DC Anacostia High School, or Ron Brown ditions and develop a set of recommencommunities. They deliver produce, groHigh School can enter into a drawing to dations for park improvements that will ceries, cleaning supplies, diapers and hywin: a 2021 Ford Escape Sport SE Hybrid provide an enhanced visitor experience, giene items to Ward 7 and 8 neighbors. and a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimwhile continuing to protect natural and They need shoppers, hotline support (reited (one winner each week); $10,000 for cultural resources. For this plan, the mote), drivers, and packers. They have groceries, to cover approximately a year of NPS is focusing on the portion of AnaPPE, sanitation, health and safety proto-

Outdoor Pools Open for Season: Indoor Pools Open for Good

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free groceries (two winners each week; or a year of free Metro bus and train (multiple winners each week).The full drawing rules and drawing schedule will be posted on coronavirus.dc.gov/incentives shortly.

Ward 8 Farmers Market Opens

The Ward 8 Farmers Market is open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market is located in the parking lot behind MLK Elementary School, 3200 Sixth St. SE, just off Alabama Avenue. When you use your EBT/SNAP card to shop at the market, they’ll double the value. They also double the value of all WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition program vouchers. They also participate in the DC Department of Health’s Produce Plus program, which is administered by DC Greens. Qualifying low income residents can get vouchers each week for $10 in free vegetables and fruits. All of their farmers accept these vouchers. ward8farmersmarket.org.

Anacostia Community Museum Zoom Lectures

On Saturday, July 10, 2 to 4 p.m., join com-

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

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

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

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

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

Visit www.DCHFA.org how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs. 815 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20001 • 202.777.1600 • WWW.DCHFA.ORG E AST

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ANC-8B Monthly Public Meetings

3rd Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm

ZOOM Virtual Login: Meeting ID: 516 894 8849 Passcode: OxBqv8

By Phone: 1-301-715-8592 Passcode: 714931

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munity cultural health planner Mei Ling Isaacs for an exploration of residents’ efforts to restore Kawainui Marsh (Fishpond), a significant habitat for native species and an important historical and cultural site. Her organization’s focus on research, education, and active stewardship provides a model for community-led and nurtured stewardship of and kinship with the environment. On Saturday, Aug. 7, 1 to 3 p.m., founder and creative director of Our Climate Voices, writer, and organizer Aletta Brady will explore the evolution of their personal and professional journeys in various environmental spaces and the role of storytelling in engaging communities around these issues. Brady will illustrate the power of centering the human experience in efforts to acknowledge and act on climate injustices. For free tickets, go to anacostia. si.edu/Events.

Skyland Town Center Breaks Ground

On June 21, Mayor Bowser broke ground on the new phase of retail construction at Skyland Town Center. Skyland Town Center, the first town center development in Southeast DC, is an 18acre mixed-use development that will deliver 275,000 square-feet of retail and more than 400 residential units at completion. This long-awaited mixed-use development will create a community of both retail business and residences. The Mayor also celebrated the ribbon-cutting of The Crest, a 263-unit residential property that began leasing in April 2021.

National Mall Athletic Fields Reopen

Following a 15-month closure due to COVID, outdoor athletic fields administered by the National Park Service around the National Mall will reopen for use on July 8. Reservations for the 12 mixed use and 12 dedicated softball fields around the National Mall are available at recreation.gov. All softball and mixed-use fields may be reserved seven days a week for onehour time slots (start times at 7 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., noon, 26

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1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:15 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.). Each reservable one-hour field reservation costs $20. Reservations can be made online at recreation.gov (search “National Mall fields”) or by calling 877-444-6777.

Six Degrees Of Separation at Anacostia Playhouse

A young black man named Paul shows up at the home of art dealer Flan Kittredge and his wife Louisa, who live overlooking Central Park in New York City. Paul has a minor stab wound from an attempted mugging, and says he’s a friend of their children at Harvard University. The Kittredges are trying to get the money to buy a painting by Paul Cézanne and now have this wounded stranger in their home. Paul claims he is in New York to meet his father, Sidney Poitier, who is directing a Broadway musical. Paul continues to charm them with his story, though, in reality, it is all a lie. On Friday, July 23, 7 p.m., come and find out what happens next as the Playhouse presents a staged reading of Six Degrees of Separation, a play written in 1990 that has all new relevance today. With a cast of 10 actors, Artistic Director Stephawn Stephens brings a fresh eye to this production which will have one performance only. Seating is limited and will be socially distanced and masks will be required. Anacostia Playhouse is at 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. PWYC tickets are available at anacostiaplayhouse. secure.force.com/ticket/#/events/a0S6S00000PYjb5UAD.

Help Clean-up Shepherd Parkway

Ward 8 Woods volunteers hold their signature community clean-ups every second Saturday of the month, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This month on July 10. Volunteers meet at 555 Newcomb St. SE. Gloves, bags, and light refreshments are provided. Wear things you can get dirty. There is an open invitation to colleges, schools, churches, offices and other groups who wish to leave their mark on Shepherd Parkway. You pick the date and time. Contact Nathan at nathanbharrington@gmail.com to

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arrange your groups volunteer experience. Documentation of community service hours is available upon request. ward8woods.org/shepherd-parkway/.

THEARC’s CSA Summer Sign-up July 31

THEARC’s farm team has announced that the summer session registration is now open. This seven-week session kicks off on Saturday, July 31. It is $20 for a family share; $15 for a single share. Produce will be pre-packaged for pick up Saturday mornings at THEARC, l901 Mississippi Ave. SE. As a special bonus, select weeks will feature products from local black owned businesses. Read more and sign-up at bbardc.org/csa.

Events DC Launches Community Grant Program for District Youth

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority of the District of Columbia, has announced the launch of Cycle 1 of the Fiscal Year 2022 Events DC community grant program. This program provides financial support to DC-based non-profit organizations that work with District children or youth in the areas of sports, performing or cultural arts. Events DC awards $500,000 in grants annually in two cycles per year totaling $250,000 each. Individual grants range from $2,500 up to $25,000 awarded to eligible nonprofits. Applications for FY 2022--Cycle 1 grants are due no later than Aug. 1, 2021. Applicants will be notified of their award status by October 15, 2021. Read more at eventsdc.com/community/ community-grants.

Arena Stage Announces 2021-22 Season

For the company’s 72nd Season, Arena welcomes back live audiences with an ambitious, thrilling season packed with drama, humor, high-energy music and stories that bring us together. The season reflects Arena’s commitment to produce compelling, dynamic work that speaks to this moment in time as we navigate a new world. Arena is committed to creating

WEBINAR: LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CBE) Wednesday, July 7, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/52847

HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR MADE IN DC CERTIFICATION Thursday, July 8, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/51923

WEBINAR: FIND THE RIGHT FRANCHISE FOR YOU: A BUSINESS MODEL FOR SUCCESS Monday, July 12, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/51599

WEBINAR: ALL THINGS NON-PROFIT Thursday, July 15, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/51838

WEBINAR: DCRA AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY - LEARN THE PROCESS OF STARTING A BUSINESS Tuesday, July 20. 2021 5:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/51851

WEBINAR: DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, SECURITIES AND BANKING “COFFEE & CAPITAL” AT DCRA Tuesday, July 27, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/51845

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE Monday - Friday By appointment between 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: “TALK BUSINESS AFTER HOURS” Monday and Wednesday By appointment between 4:00pm - 6:00pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

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Photo: Courtesy of Market SW

Night Market SW Returns

Market SW, the popular night market at Southwest Waterfront once again provides a splash of culture, shopping, entertainment, food and beverage, and some outdoor fun to the corner of Fourth and M Streets SW. The market continues every other Friday, 4 to 10 p.m. This year’s dates are July 9 and 23; Aug. 6 and 20; Sept. 3 and 17; Oct. 1 and 15. After a year spent providing small business and performance interaction virtually, Market SW enters its fifth year, with support from the SWBID, expanding its presence as a Friday night staple on the Southwest Waterfront. The night market is directly across the street from Waterfront Station Metro and near Arena Stage. marketswdc.com.

work that reflects the voices of our communities and our country. Two exciting collaborations will take place with American Conservatory Theater and Step Afrika!. Here’s the lineup: Sept. 3 to Oct. 3, The Roundabout Theatre Company’s Production of Toni Stone; Oct. 8 to Nov. 21, Celia and Fidel; Nov. 26 to Dec. 26, August Wilson’s Seven Guitars; Jan 21 to March 6, Change Agent; March 4 to April 17, Catch Me If You Can; April 12 to May 15, Cambodian Rock Band; May 31 to June 26, Drumfolk By Step Afrika!; July 15 to Aug. 28,

American Prophet: Frederick Douglass in His Own Words. Subscription packages are now on sale and may be purchased by calling the Arena Stage Sales Office at 202-488-3300 or by visiting arenastage. org. The Sales Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 6 p.m.

Take the Shot, DC

Find a vaccine near you at vaccines.gov. The walk-up sites at vaccines.gov are in addition to

Washington DC Electronic Recycling Events All events are 10am - 2pm the pharmacies, clinics, and health care providers that are also administering the vaccines citywide. These sites will operate their own scheduling systems. Can’t leave your home? Call 1-855363-0333 and they’ll come to you. For any questions regarding the vaccine program, email vaccinatedc@dc.gov.

Community Forklift Donation Guidelines

At Community Forklift, they accept donations of appliances, kitchen cabinets, furniture, hardware, tools, and other home essentials. These donations are the cornerstone of their mission to provide free and low-cost materials to the community while diverting usable items from a landfill. Not all materials are accepted at the warehouse, however, and they have a list of donation guidelines available online to help you understand what you can donate. Generally, items must be in good condition and easily reusable in order to be passed on to a new owner. If something is really dirty or moldy, broken beyond repair, or inoperable or missing pieces, then it has limited potential for reuse. Some items have limited reuse demand even when in good condition. For this reason, they don’t accept exercise machines or commercial office furniture. Mattresses, bedding, baby items, medical equipment, and clothing do not fare well in their warehouse full of building materials. Community Forklift, open daily from noon to 5 p.m., is at 4671 Tanglewood Dr., Edmonston, MD. communityforklift.org.

Free French Films in DC Parks

Films on the Green DC 2021 is a free outdoor summer film festival produced by the Cultural Services at the French Embassy in partnership with the National Gallery of Art. From Parisian avenues to the vineyards of southern France, the selection offers classic and contemporary French films. Here’s the lineup: July 9, Cleo from 5 to 7, directed by Agnès Varda at Maison Française at the French Embassy; Aug. 4, Microcos-

mos, directed by Claude Nuridsany & Marie Pérennou, at US National Arboretum; Aug. 21, Summer Hours, directed by Olivier Assayas, at Maison Française at the French Embassy; Sept. 4, I am Not Your Negro, directed by Raoul Peck, at Anacostia Park; and Sept. 23, Autumn Tale, directed by Eric Rohmer, at National Gallery of Art. Screenings start at sunset. Bring your own chair or blanket. Mandatory registration for the screenings at the Maison Française. Visit frenchculture. org/events/13412-films-green-dc for tickets and information.

LOC Summer Movies on the Lawn

The Library of Congress will host its annual LOC Summer Movies on the Lawn outdoor film festival this summer, starting on July 8. The series of five movies, which showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry, will be presented on Thursday evenings at sundown on the north lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, across the street from the US Capitol. No tickets are required but capacity will be limited. Vaccinated attendees are not required to wear masks, but the Library recommends that attendees wear masks when they are unable to maintain social distance. Each group of attendees will be assigned a seating location that is at least 6 feet apart from other attendee groups. Here’s the lineup: July 8, The Princess Bride; July 15, Shrek; July 22, Toy Story; July 29, The Sound of Music (with audience sing along); Aug. 5, Jurassic Park. loc.gov.

Arlington House Reopens Following Major Rehabilitation

The National Park Service has reopened Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, following a complete rehabilitation of the site and transformation of the visitor experience. New exhibits and research allow the NPS to interpret the history of the Custis and Lee families alongside that of the more than 100 enslaved people

July 17, 2021

August 21, 2021

Ward 7: Capitol View Library, 5001 Central Ave SE

Ward 4: Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave NW

August 7, 2021 Ward 6: Southwest Library, 900 Wesley St SW

August 14, 2021 Ward 5: Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin St NE

Find more events at:

For more information visit: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1239526

KOHOUTEK TOASTMASTERS ONLINE! Improve your communication and leadership skills, while we enjoy some much-needed social connection.

Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Monday’s of the month (holidays tbd) • 7-8:00 PM http://611.toastmastersclubs.org For more info contact: Harold Blackford vppr-611@toastmastersclubs.org

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who labored on the plantation. Together, their stories reveal a more complete picture of life at Arlington House and of the people and events that changed our nation. The rehabilitation, which began in 2018, was made possible through a $12.35 million donation by philanthropist David M. Rubenstein to the National Park Foundation. NPS curators worked to conserve or restore more than 1,000 historic objects and acquired 1,300 antiques or reproductions, including several artifacts associated with African American history which will be displayed for the first time. Arlington House is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To enter the plantation house, visitors need to obtain a timed-ticket through recreation.gov. No tickets are required to visit the museum, north and south slave quarters, grounds and gardens. nps.gov/ arho.

basis at Adjudication Services starting Monday, July 19 and at all DMV Service Centers starting Tuesday, July 20. Scheduling road tests for commercial and noncommercial driver licenses remain by appointment only. dmv. dc.gov.

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Housing Counseling Services July Webinars

Free Rides To/From Opioid-Use Treatment

The Department of For-Hire Vehicles, in partnership with the Department of Behavioral Health and Via, has launched the MyRides program to provide free rides to and from treatment services for individuals with opioid use disorder. Authorized behavioral health workers can also use the program to provide clients with door-to-door service to treatment appointments.To learn more or register for the program, visit livelong.dc.gov/MyRides. For more information on MyRides, visit ridewithvia.com/my-rides.

HOMEGROWN: Woolly Mammoth’s Collaborative Theatrical Piece

BetMGM has the only mobile Housing Counseling Services with Spit Dat @ THEARC sports betting app available at is holding free webinars in July Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Connectivity Core Partners Spit Dat and THEARC Nationals Park. The BetMGM app for people looking to rent, buy Theater have joined together to produce, HOMEGROWN, a collaborative theatrical piece is now available for download or keep their housing in the that brings local legends of DC’s spoken word scene together with Ward 7 and Ward 8 resion both iOS and Android. While DC metro area. Registration dents to celebrate the resiliency of DC, its people, and our communities. HOMEGROWN the app can be accessed throughout is required at housingetc.org/ will premiere outdoors at THEARC Theatre on July 9 and 10, 8:30 p.m.; July 11, 3:30 and the District, due to local webinar-registration. 7 p.m. Tickets are $5, up and available at woollymammoth.net. restrictions, to successfully place mobile wagers, users will need to be within a two-block radius Amnesty for Drivers with of Nationals Park. BetMGM’s Outstanding Tickets applicants should read through each grant program’s gaming platform will provide Nationals fans a unique Through Sept. 30, 2021, there is an amnesty program Request for Applications in its entirety before submitting opportunity to enhance their game day experience and to give DC and non-DC drivers the opportunity to pay an application. For more information and to submit an bring them closer to the action on the field. betmgm.com. outstanding tickets. During this time, the penalties application, visit dcarts.dc.gov/age/grant-programs. All drivers incurred on tickets will be waived. Eligible grant awards are made subject to the availability of funds. tickets are parking, photo enforcement (including speed, DC Commission on the Arts and red-light and stop-sign cameras) and minor moving Humanities violations issued by law enforcement. At the end of the DMV Walk-in Service Resumes FY22 Grants amnesty period, all penalties will be added back on all DC Department of Motor Vehicles Service Centers and Applications for the following FY22 CAH grant programs tickets. ticketamnesty.dc.gov. Adjudication Services will return to walk-in service are now open: Art Bank; Art Exhibition (Curatorial) beginning the week of July 19. DC DMV will honor all DC’s COVID-19 Hotline Grant; Arts/Humanities Education Projects; Arts/ appointments made through Saturday, July 17 but none District residents who are homebound due to COVHumanities Fellowship Program; East of the Riverwill be available after that date. In addition, two DC DMV ID-19 can request support from the District for food Facilities and Buildings; Field Trip Experiences; LiftOff; locations will have special weekend hours. In-person and other essential items. Call 1-888-349-8323 or visit Projects, Events, or Festivals; and Public Art Building service becomes available on a first-come, first-served coronavirus.dc.gov/gethelp. ◆ Communities. Deadlines vary by program. Prospective 30

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Fourth of July Sale! Celebrate the birthday of America and 21 years of Ginkgo Gardens June 26th through July 11th

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east washington life

Meet Your Neighbor: Quanay Lynch

Facing a brighter future after domestic abuse and homelessness by Anthony D. Diallo

outheast resident Quanay Lynch is on the path to overcoming the throes of domestic violence and homelessness. By telling her story, Lynch hopes to let others know that it is possible to rebound from the trauma of domestic violence and the horror of homelessness. Although her journey is not complete, Lynch maintains high ambitions of joining the ranks of the middle-class. “Things got bad in 2018 when (Lynch’s boyfriend and the father of her children) started dabbling with drugs at parties,” she says. “He was the breadwinner for our family. The problem became out of control when he would do drugs for two and three days straight and then start to miss work. He went from verbal abuse saying things like ‘You don’t work. Shut up! You can’t tell me nothing’ even though we had agreed that I would stay at home with the children, to some serious physical abuse. It ended with him chasing me, the kids and his mother out of the home (while brandishing a weapon),” said Lynch who did not want to disclose his name.

From Nuclear Family to A Shelter

Lynch, as the popular saying goes, is “on the come up!” 32

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Quanay Lynch and her children.

Her situation and standard of living is improving—albeit slower than she would like. Since January , she has been living in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit in the Douglass Knoll Apartments in the Congress Heights neighborhood in Ward 8. After narrowly making her escape from the deadly assault, Lynch and the children went to House of Ruth, the empowerment nonprofit franchise founded in 1976 for

women, children and families in need of rebuilding their lives and healing from trauma, abuse and homelessness (houseofruth.org). This facility is close to her present residency. According to Elizabeth Kiker, the Chief Development Office at the House of Ruth in Washington, DC, there was an increase of approximately 44 percent in calls and requests during the pandemic for housing and therapy. She said that 87 percent of families and single women who participated in their programs for one year were eventually able to secure and sustain stable housing. Lynch, 36, determined to reunite her family, checked herself and the kids out of the House of Ruth, against the wishes of the counselors, after being at the haven for eight months. She returned to her boyfriend after he spent three months in rehab and promised her a fresh start. The family moved into an apartment together for about six months until they were evicted after the children’s dad started using drugs again and the abusive cycle commenced. The now fully confirmed single-mother of three— Khloe, 9, Kenneth, 8, and four-year-old Kendrick, was forced to relocate into a shelter managed and operated by the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (community-partnership.org). It is the processing center in

the District for families, adults 24 and older and youth under 24 facing homelessness. Single fathers with their children live there too. VWFRC, based at 920-A Rhode Island Avenue, NE, is in partnership with the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) and in alliance with The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness that provides resources for its clients. One of those resources turned out to be Case Management and Employment Supervisor Danyell Ball. “Ms. Lynch was a great client, very communicative and participated in case management. She was a model client,” said Ball who works for the Sterling Short Term Family Housing Program. Lynch in turn thanks Ms. Ball for her ceaseless encouragement and iinding her current residence that is just walking distance to the Giants grocery store on Alabama Avenue. “My children and I like living here. We have no complaints. I know that some people may have problems with the area, but we are good,” Lynch said. According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the District had an estimated 6,380 residents experiencing homelessness in January 2020 as reported by the Continuums of Care. There were 767 family households in that total and 1,452 chronic homeless individuals. The rest were veterans and unaccompanied young adults.

Earlier Struggles

“Mother to Son” is the famous Langston Hughes poem, composed 99 years ago, that starts off by the mother saying, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” That vivid phrase could well apply to Lynch’s life and experiences. As well as the fallout from her partner’s addiction and abusiveness, her mother suffered from a crack addiction, and in late 2020 she and her youngest son were seriously injured, and her car totaled when a car back-ended them. Her life has not been easy. “The last thing that I wanted was a broken family, but I do want a strong and healthy-minded family,” said Lynch about her decision to leave the chil-

dren’s father once and for all despite the fact that she still cares for him. “I’ve learned that you can’t save anybody from themselves.” According to her aunt, Joyce Cade, a retired nurse in Akron, Ohio, who last worked in a psychotic ward, Lynch needs to remain vigilant not only for herself but more especially for her children. “She’s always been a strong person. She sees that the boys are a bit of a struggle because they miss their father. He will try to manipulate her to his dying day. I try to listen to her when she needs to talk and give her different scenarios. She cannot afford to look back because it will undo everything,” said Cade who continues to help out Lynch financially as much as she can. “It’s a shame, but Quanay’s oldest daughter can clearly tell when her father is sober or under the influence and she is not 10.”

Reflections and Aspirations

Two years ago, in 2019, Lynch graduated from Prince George’s Community College and was recognized as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant. She has worked as an Office Manager for a tax preparer and a Customer Support Representative for Time Warner Cable. She currently works part-time for the Census Bureau, and hopes that she will be promoted soon to a full-time position with benefits. A vibrant, engaging woman, she believes her future vocation will involve helping people with families. She dreams of being financially stable, becoming a homeowner and perhaps even being an entrepreneur. “If I knew 10 years ago what I know now, I would have learned to invest in myself earlier. I would have taken vacation trips and been smarter with my money. I would have saved more, spent less.” With these lessons in mind, and focused firmly on her family and career, Lynch’s future looks promising. ◆

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All About Energy Assistance

Darren Be Scheming

by Darren Thompson

id you know that July officially starts the beginning of the scheming season?! What better way to celebrate America’s birthday than by scheming on every institution possible? As the official GodFather of Flag Day (June 14th, the pregame to America’s birthday and official end to the scheme season), I am here to make sure you maximize your schemes. This is a great time to tell you about my favorite one: Health. When I say, health is wealth, I mean, your health can save you literal cash monies. “Darren, I try to support your shenanigans, but this one is a bit of a stretch” Let me break it down to the microlevel, there are lots of moving parts. After Independence Day, go see your doctor. You want to ask about: Weight, Allergies/Asthma, Pain, Eyesight. Now, get all of this figured out before November. Most jobs will either have a Flex Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), which are pretax savings accounts (Generally this means a 20-30% savings on medical costs) so there is little reason not to max it out. Once you know your medical status it’s time to start scheming. For example, I max out my $2,850, so the cost to me is $1,995 to spend the entire $2,850. But this also dropped me down a tax bracket, so the realized cost in take home pay was $1,000. “But Darren, all you can buy is medicine. I’m not going to buy three thousand dollars worth of medicine, so what’s the point?” Ohhh really, you think I’m scheming for ibuprofen?

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Your FSA/HSA is for doctor recommended medical care and expenses. If you’re overweight, like me, and your doctor says you need to start a low impact exercise regimen, like, cycling, and you buy an exercise bike for your home use, why would you not buy a Peloton? Or perhaps you, like me, have allergies or asthma and your doctor recommends that you get a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, why would I not buy a Roomba? If you see me with some Gucci sunglasses….just know they are prescription. “Darren, this is all very stuntastic of you, but I don’t need all that fancy stuff, I’m just a regular person, with regular person needs, how will this help me?” First off, don’t be regular, regular is boring, but don’t forget about all the ways you can use this for regular stuff. Regular people who are overweight can work with their doctor to find a personal trainer to work on their obesity. Regular people with mobility conditions can use these funds to purchase a new mattress. Regular people with kids can often use the Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) to pay for childcare…this can be used for babysitting, day camp, after school programs, and basically any money spent on someone watching your child so you can go to work. You already paying Grandma to watch Lil Man/Mama anyway? This can also be used for any adults who are dependent on you for care. If Grandpa is bedridden and your niece comes to take care of him, you can get reimbursed through DCFSA for any money you give to your niece for watching him. But you can’t then turn around and say Grandpa was also watching

your kids while you were at work (like DMX said, stop being greedy). Just remember, I don’t have kids, so I don’t know all the caveats, but it seems like a good way to save money that you are already spending. “Darren, where’s the downside?” With literally a week of planning, there is no downside, but, yes, not all FSA/HSAs are created the same. Most require a letter from your doctor for purchases and many have a rollover limits, which is a straight use-orlose situation. I lost $100 early in my career but I took that personally and it will never happen again. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go set up a massage appointment (that is also covered). Note: Some of these schemes might feel illegal, but if followed according to the steps listed, they are not. Always consult with appropriate legal council if there is any concern. Note 2: Schemes are not scams. I am not trying to make money off you. In fact, I’m legit trying to save you money, maybe, if you ain’t scared. If you see me out in these streets, I will always accept an order of Crispy Chicken Basil from Thai Orchid Darren Thompson is a lifelong border hopper of Ward 7 and PG County, MD. His highest academic achievement to date is winning the Kimball Elementary School 1993 Spelling Bee and has been chasing that high ever since. You can watch his comedic pursuits with The Cookout Collective Presents: “Enigma” and Washington Improv Theater’s “Hold Up, Book Club”. u

Changing Hands

Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list,based on the MRIs, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 100 46th St SE

OLD CITY #1

616 M St NE 215 15th St NE 1425 Duncan St NE 124 O St SW 311 19th St NE

RANDLE HEIGHTS 1814 Valley Ter SE

TRINIDAD

1136 Penn St NE 1722 L St NE

$275,500

$1,238,000 $965,000 $843,000 $750,000 $610,000

5 3 3 3 3

$440,000

$664,000 $370,000

3 2

$1,299,900 $834,900

2 2

$155,000

$183,000

$827,500 $730,000 $485,000 $475,000

2 2 1 2

$570,000 $359,000 $316,000

2 1 1

$99,000

$545,000

$460,000 $412,000

2 1

$489,000 $450,000 $380,000 $364,900

2 2 2 1

$810,000

CONDO CAPITOL RIVERFRONT 1211 Van St SE #TH-1E 1211 Van St SE #701

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 4130 4th St SE #4

DEANWOOD

4124 Ames St NE #13

NEIGHBORHOOD

$700,000

$485,000 $445,000

4 3

$469,200 $430,000 $390,000 $280,000

3 3 2 2

$610,000

1101 Florida Ave NE #5 1391 Pennsylvania Ave SE #326

$800,000

TRINIDAD

FEE SIMPLE ANACOSTIA 1341 W St SE

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3303 Oxon Run Rd SE 4283 S Capitol St SW

DEANWOOD 331 56th St NE 5209 Jay St NE 162 35th St NE 146 46th St NE

FORT LINCOLN

3293 Fort Lincoln Dr NE

H STREET CORRIDOR 1269 Morse St NE

HILL CREST

3437 Carpenter St SE

HILL EAST 1340 K St SE

LILY PONDS

4321 Polk St NE

H STREET CORRIDOR

PRICE

1107 I St NE #2 1402 H St NE #503 301 H St NE #404 1011 18th St NE #6

HILL EAST

920 15th St SE #3C 410 15th St NE #13 2 17th St SE #108

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 4800 C St SE #202

NAVY YARD

1025 1st SE #401

OLD CITY #1

1273 Simms Pl NE #3 1273 Simms Pl NE #4 1241 18th St NE #4 1016 17th Pl NE #407

$600,000

$1,029,350

COOP

$270,000

1000 New Jersey Ave SE #PH09 ◆

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Unique Identity Posters, Customized For Your Favorite Little Person!

Choose your name, size and color combination. Printed on museum-quality, enhanced matte poster. Shipped directly to your door.

PisforPoster.com @ pisforposter (illustrated in Washington, DC)

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kids & family

Donner by Kathleen

Capital Riverfront Kids’ Water Features Return

The outdoor water features have returned to both Canal Park, 200 M St. SE, and Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE, for the kids and kids at heart. They are anticipated to run daily between about 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. capitolriverfront.org.

Capitol Hill 4th of July Parade Returns

The Capitol Hill 4th of July Parade returns this year. The parade, which steps off at 10 a.m., proceeds north on Eighth St. SE, from I Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. It features kids on bikes, fire trucks, marching bands, school groups, dogs with their owners, vintage cars and politicians greeting voters. Read more at capitolhill4thparade.com. The National Park Service announced in April that the Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue, NW has been canceled for a second year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

National Air and Space Museum Reopens

The National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall will reopen on Friday, July 30. They will be open five days a week, Thursday through Monday, and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A number of galleries and experiences will be closed on your visit. All visitors must have a free timed-entry pass. Passes for the Museum in DC will be available to reserve starting July 23. airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc.

Photo: Courtesy of the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

The National Building Museum’s WORK PLAY BUILD is Open

Only at the National Building Museum can the concepts of PLAY, WORK, and BUILD be combined to create an exhibition that enthralls kids and adults alike. Conceived in partnership with the internationally renowned design firm the Rockwell Group, this exhibition combines a presentation of the Museum’s world-class Architectural Toy Collection, a hands-on block play area, and an original digital interactive that allows visitors to fill an entire wall of the exhibition with virtual blocks—and then knock them down. After viewing a selection of construction toys from the Museum’s collection, from the familiar Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs to the lesser-known Bumpalow House and Ringa-Majigs, visitors can reconfigure their environment and design their own course of play with individually sized blocks. In the subsequent gallery, visitors are invited to work individually to reimagine their small-scale structures created into oversized structures using supersized foam blocks or to work in groups to design and build something entirely new. Children and adults alike are encouraged to participate in unstructured, imaginative play that exercises muscles and minds. The National Building Museum is at 401 F St. NW. nbm.org. NOTE: Currently they are operating PLAY WORK BUILD in a very limited ca36

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Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Guides for Families with Young Kids

Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens has developed a number of free downloadable guides to help you explore the park. Whether you and your family like to search for birds, plants, or animals, they’ve got a guide for you. Or if you’re more interested in searching for plants and critters high and low as you explore the park, check out their free downloadable Summer Scavenger Hunt. You can also pick this up at the park at the Friends table or ask a ranger. If you have young kids who’d like to become a ranger one day, why not explore becoming a Junior Ranger on your next visit to the park? Pick up a Junior Ranger book from a ranger when you arrive at the park. Simply complete four of the activities at the park, find a ranger, and get sworn in as an official Junior Ranger of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is at 1550 Anacostia Ave NE. kenaqgardens.org.

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EARLY CARE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Ages 6 weeks to 12 Years Old Monday - Friday | 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM

OUR PROGRAM OFFERS • Developmentally Appropriate Programs • Toilet Training • Certified Educators • Education Field Trips • Income-Based Tuition • Summer Camp

Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals

Kids Run the Bases at Nat’s Park

LOCATIONS: MINNESOTA 4021 Minnesota Ave., NE 202.397.1170 ANTIOCH 1105 50th St., NE 202.397.8754 GOOD HOPE ROAD 2503 Good Hope Rd., SE 202.582.0323

Kids ages four to 12 can run the bases after every Sunday day game. Dates this year are July 18; Aug. 1 and 15; Sept. 5 and 19; and Oct. 3. An adult must accompany runners to the field. Starting at first base, kids will be directed to run around the bases as the adults continue along the warning track and meet the runners near home plate. Once the baseball game has ended, kids and parents/guardians can line-up at the end of the seventh inning, however fans who would like to stay and watch the entire game will be able to line-up once the game has ended. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. The line forms outside of the park on the sidewalk along First St. washington.nationals.mlb.com. The PenFed Kids Zone, the playground located just inside the Right Field Gate, is now open for every game, weather permitting.

pacity--only 20 people in the exhibition at a time. The blocks and surfaces are sanitized regularly, and they ask all visitors to sanitize their hands and keep masks on at all times. Timed-passes are included in your admission ($7 to $10), and are available at the admission desk when you pick up your wristbands.

Summer Movies at the MLK Memorial

www.commresh.com 38

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On Thursday, July 16, 7:30 p.m., see the Princess and the Frog. It marks Disney’s return to the warmth and grandeur of hand drawn animation. From the heart of Louisiana’s mystical bayous and the banks of the mighty Mississippi comes an unforgettable tale of love, enchantment and discovery with a trumpet playing alligator, a love sick Cajun firefly, and a host of other charming characters at every turn. On Thursday, Aug. 19 at 8:30 P.M., see Black

Panther. Marvel Studios’ Black Panther follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. The young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and food. Alcoholic prohibited. Admission is free. TheMemorialFoundation.org.

Puppetry in the Time of Covid

While the Puppet Company Playhouse at Glen Echo is closed, the Puppet Company is posting archived videos on their Facebook page, at facebook.

100 Gallatin St. NE Washington, DC 20011

Pre-K 3 through 5th grade Building a strong foundation for learning

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PRE-K 3 – 5TH GRADE SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR We will be open for in-person learning five days a week.

Additional Pre-K classrooms are opening up for 21-22 SY ADDITIONAL SLOTS FOR STUDENTS WITH HIGH-LEVEL SPECIAL NEEDS

Apply for admissions at:

www.myschooldc.org or call (202) 888-6336 APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED ON A CONTINUING BASIS

*To reach us during the school closure, please email info@bridgespcs.org or call (202) 695-2393. w w w. br i d g e sp c s . org I 2 0 2 . 6 9 5 . 2 3 9 3 Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

DC Prep campuses now accepting applications for the 21-22 school year in ward 5, 7 & 8. We’re the highest performing public charter schools serving PK3 – 8th grade.

Call 202-780-5126 for more information or visit:

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desire a quieter visit, including individuals on the autism spectrum and those with other sensory processing disorders. Activities and take-home craft kits are available while supplies last. Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a face covering. The cost of Arts Family Day is included in admission. For guaranteed entry, they suggest that you purchase tickets in advance. mountvernon.org.

Photo: Krista Schlyer

When Milk Becomes Plastic (from the Children’s Science Center)

Did you know that with a few household items you can create a moldable plastic out of milk? It may seem surprising that the liquid we use for dunking cookies or eating cereal could be used to create sculptures. It’s true! Through the creation of polymers by changing the milk’s pH you can have a new media to try out for arts and crafts, and it only takes a few minutes. Read the instructions and more at childsci.org/test/when-milk-becomes-plastic.

Upcoming Shows at Wolf Trap’s Theater-in-the-Woods

Free Anacostia Watershed Society Boat Tours

The Anacostia Watershed Society hosts free recreation activities every Thursday evening and some Saturdays of every month through October. Learn about the natural and cultural history of the Anacostia River on a guided canoe tour as part of the Anacostia River Explorers program. Your guide will lead these one or two hour trips and participants will paddle with the group in Anacostia Watershed Society supplied canoes. You will see area wildlife and stunning views of Washington, DC. You can also explore the river while riding in an open-air motorized boat. Anacostia Watershed Society staff will take participants on a one or two hour tour of the river while discussing natural and cultural history along with restoration efforts. Registration is required and limited for these events. Participants under the age of 18 must be in a boat with an adult. Canoe tours are limited to 14 people, and 10 people for motorized boat tours, with a limit of four people per registration. Participants must arrive wearing a face mask. AWS has personal flotation devices for children of all ages (including infants). anacostiaws.org.

com/thepuppetco, every Friday at 10:30 a.m., creating new content for online and for when they are back in person. Sign up for their newsletter for the most up to date information about the Puppet Co at thepuppetco.org.

Soar Together @ Air and Space

Soar Together @ Air and Space is a monthly family-focused program from the National Air and Space Museum. Families can imagine their own futures by sharing in the stories of innovators and explorers from diverse backgrounds who challenged conventions and changed the world. Each month they focus on a different theme. For the foreseeable future, Soar Together will 40

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be available online for families to participate in, no matter where they live. Activities include scavenger hunts, videos, and hands-on demonstrations learners of all ages can do at home. Read more at airandspace.si.edu/visit/ events/soar-together-air-and-space.

Arts Family Day at Mount Vernon

On Saturday, July 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., learn about art as expression and communication in 18th century through visual arts, poetry, music, and movement. Visit the 12Acre Field and enjoy fun activities such as take-home crafts and an arts journal to explore the estate. Between 9 and 11 a.m., Mount Vernon will welcome guests who

Upcoming Shows at Wolf Trap’s Theater-in-the-Woods are: Inez Barlatier--Ayiti, Stories and Songs from Haiti on Tuesday, July 20, for ages three to nine; Oran Etkin, Timbalooloo--Finding Friends Far From Home on Wednesday, July 21, for ages two to ten; Dan + Claudia Zanes with Friends--New Beginnings on Saturday, July 24, for ages three to twelve; Joanie Leeds-- All the Ladies on July 27, for ages four to twelve; Elena Moon Park and Friends on July 28, for ages two to nine; Maryland Youth Ballet presents Snow White on July 31, for age four to twelve. All show are at 11 a.m. (gates at 10 a.m.). Tickets are $12, up and will be sold in socially-distanced pods of two to eight tickets. Pods must be purchased in their entirety. No single tickets are available. For Children’s Theatrein-the-Woods performances, each pod must include an adult over the age of 18. wolftrap.org.

DPR Spray Parks

DPR Spray Parks are small outdoor parks equipped with kid friendly fountains that are perfect for splashing around and escaping the summer heat. There is at least one spray park in every Ward of the District. All spray parks are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., every day through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6, except Langdon Park, which operates according to the pool’s hours. To find the spray park closest to you, use the interactive map at dpr.dc.gov/page/spray-parks. u

Artist: Jay Coleman

Coleman is pictured in studio with a working model for ‘Communessity,’ a completed work now outside Barry Farms Recreation Center. Photo: Elizabeth O’Gorek

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www.themecrosswords.com • www.mylesmellorconcepts.com

XWORD “Head Games” by Myles Mellor Across: 1. Belt or ice? 6. Ghana capital 11. “A Nightmare on ___ Street” 14. Separate 18. Bald __ 19. Louisiana’s marsh waters 20. City in Florida’s Palm Beach County, familiarly 22. Prefix with -graph 23. Junior supervisors 25. Brazilian dance that sounds like a new lady supervisor 27. Michael Penn’s brother 28. Laughingstock 29. Cook’s meas. 31. Peter and Paul 32. Challenge for a barber 33. Aviation prefix 34. “Hop ___!” 35. Colombian export 39. Hawkish 42. NZ forest tree 46. Brings to view 47. Undivided 48. Estranger 51. Ran, as colors 52. Attacker 53. Least friendly 54. Request to a vendor, abbr. 55. Let the fancy square thing fall 61. Estimate 62. “All over the world” singers, for short 63. Google Maps dir. 64. Accolades 67. Mrs. sheep 68. “You missed it” 72. Spanish gold 73. High points, abbr. 74. Leaves for lunch? 75. Supporter of an NFL team 84. Flick 85. Rich dessert

86. Frying liquid 87. Guess 89. TV fundraisers 91. Large mound 92. Baseball term 95. Plane measure 96. Maximum 98. In a sluggish way 99. Crevice 102. Endorses 103. Provided that 104. Ravel’s “Daphnis and ___” 106. Cries of surprise 108. Cushion 109. Dog 113. Hospital honcho 115. Investment broker 118. 1952 Olympics host 119. Most of Qatar 120. Speak 121. Whimsical 122. Elementary particle 123. East Indian dish 124. Exactitude 125. Multitude of colors

Down: 1. England’s “Good Queen” 2. Into the night 3. Indian site of marble tomb built for an emperor’s wife 4. Family folk 5. ___ Gardens 6. Teems 7. Classes 8. Skin problem 9. Unnamed litigant 10. Spartan 11. Wanes 12. Encircle 13. TV hosts, briefly 14. “Blue Moon” singer 15. Essence 16. Intensifies

Look for this months answers at labyrinthgameshop.com 17. ___ fault 21. “Now about...” 24. Hoops 26. “___ live and breathe” 30. “My man!” 32. Kid’s cry 33. Breathing problem 34. Judge or juror 35. Tarzan creator’s monogram 36. Compound 37. “ . . . happily __ after” 38. Work over 40. Off the wall 41. “I cannot tell ___” 43. Napping 44. Peanut brittle base 45. Noted artist Jean 47. ___ and aahs 49. Getaway key on a PC? 50. The ultimate (degree)

52. Own (up) 53. Vegging out 56. Golf tour 57. Jerk 58. Part of a giggle 59. Full of juicy titbits 60. “When ___ good time?” 64. More contrived 65. Buffett, per his nickname 66. Back-to-work time: abbr. 67. Ides rebuke 68. Follow closely 69. Soccer stadium cheer 70. No exemplar of grace 71. Mormons, abbr. 73. Unhealthy atmosphere 74. Icebreaker 76. Military rank, abbr. 77. Ooh partner 78. Brown ermine

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79. A small ante 80. Manning’s men 81. Hawaii ___-O 82. Yemen capital 83. Diamond of note 84. Harper Valley ____ 88. At all 90. Domain of a noble 91. Demands 92. Slanderer 93. Bob Marley music 94. “Don’t mind if __” 97. New pedometer reading 98. Deceived 100. Chemistry term 101. Clash of clans 104. “___ la guerre” 105. Angelic adornment 106. Ergonomics-standards agcy. 107. Return to health 108. Nylon boo-boo 109. “MASH” co-star Jamie 110. Fictional lab assistant 111. Boxer Oscar ___ Hoya 112. Alternative to Charles de Gaulle 113. Gp. in charge of condominiums, perhaps 114. “Maggie May” singer, Stewart 116. Geller who claimed to be telepathic 117. Secrecy agreement, for short

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East of the River Magazine – July 2021

Articles inside

A Letter from Mayor Muriel Bowser

The Crossword

Using Psychedelic Plants as Medicine: A New Solution for Mental Health Disorders

What’s on Washington

Darren Be Scheming All About Energy Assistance

Notebook