East of the River Magazine – September 2023

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

MANAGING

Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com PUBLISHER:

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The

Wall: A Curated Selection of Theater in the DMV by Matthew McClure

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

IN Series: Alceste, a play by Euripides, music by GF Handel

Written at the dawn of theater itself, Euripides’ tragicomedy masterpiece Alceste blends the funny and the sad with the surprising and transcendent. Presented for the first time with a stunningly beautiful score by G.F. Handel, written to accompany a now lost 18th century translation of Euripides’ play, as well as music from Handel’s opera “Admeto” (an early take on the same myth). Real life husband and wife KenYatta and Michelle Rogers take the title couple role, joined by Maribeth DIggle (Desdemona) as the irreverent hero Hercules. Euripides’ Greek chorus becomes an ensemble of some of the best Baroque voices in the area, all accompanied by the acclaimed INnovatio Baroque Orchestra. Famed poet Ted Hughes’ free and imaginative translation is the heart of this production, with new texts by DC playwright Sybil Roberts. Alceste is at the Dupont Underground on Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 24, 2:30 p.m. and GALA Hispanic Theatre on Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 8, 2:30 p.m. inseries.org.

Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival and Sunset

On Friday to Sunday, Oct. 6 to 8, 6 to 9 p.m., nightly, taste unlimited samples from Virginia wineries after hours at George Washington’s estate. You can also bring a blanket and relax on the East Lawn overlooking the Potomac River; meet George Washington; visit the Shops at Mount Vernon; visit the first and second floors of the Mansion; purchase concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn. Admission is $59 on Friday, $63 on Saturday and $53 on Sunday. mountvernon.org.

H Street Festival (ALWAYS A BLAST!)

The H Street Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16, noon to 7 p.m., is held along H Street NE, between Third and Fifteenth. It has 14 staging areas featuring music of different genres, dance, youthbased performances, interactive children’s program, fashion, heritage arts, poetry and many more. The festival started as a 500-participant bloc party more than 12 years ago. It has now grown into a 150,000-participant event. hstreetfestival.org.

America’s Voices Against Apartheid at the KC

This fall, from Sept. 14 to Nov. 5, the Kennedy Center’s Department of International Programming and the Howard University Republic of South Africa Project/ Sister States of Maryland, Inc. presents the groundbreaking exhibition, America’s Voices Against Apartheid, in the Hall of Nations. This US opening of the exhibition marks the beginning of an American tour, following its successful opening in May 2023 at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. America’s Voices Against Apartheid is an exploration of the remarkable contributions made by US citizens to the international movement that dismantled the apartheid system in South Africa, which persisted from 1948 to the early 1990s. kennedy-center.org.

African Modernism in America, 1947 to 1967

African Modernism in America, 1947-67 is the first major exhibition to examine the complex connections between modern African artists and American patrons, artists, and cultural organizations in the postwar period. Featuring the work of 50 African and African American artists—including David Driskell, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Ben Enwonwu, Jacob Lawrence, Demas Nwoko, and Uche Okeke—the exhibition reveals a transcontinental network of artists, curators, and scholars that challenged assumptions about African art in the United States, and thereby encouraged American engagement with African artists as contemporaries. Addition-

Glass: Art. Beauty. Design. at Hillwood

Transparent or opaque, fragile yet impervious, glass has inspired artists and designers, stimulated scientists and engineers, and captivated collectors with its beauty and practicality. Hillwood founder Marjorie Merriweather Post was no exception, and she amassed over 1,600 pieces of glass, created in the 17th-20th centuries in China, Western Europe, Russia, and the United States. This special exhibition, through Jan. 14, 2024, highlights this lesserknown aspect of Hillwood’s collection, featuring a range of styles and techniques, while placing the historic creations in dialogue with astounding contemporary artworks. Adult admission is $18; seniors, $15; college students, $10; six to eighteen, $5; and under six, free. Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. hillwoodmuseum.org.

Art All Night: Eight Wards, 100+ Artists, Two Nights

ally, the exhibition includes a newly commissioned work by Ndidi Dike, The Politics of Selection (2022), which investigates the presence and absence of women in the story of African modernity. African Modernism in America, 1947-67 is at The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, from Oct. 7 to Jan. 7. phillipscollection.org.

DC Art All Night happens from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. the following morning on two nights—September 29 and 30. The festival takes place in all 8 wards with different things-going-on each night, bringing visual and performing arts, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, literary arts, dance, theater, film, and poetry, to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants. First presented as Art All Night: Nuit Blanche DC in 2011 by Shaw Main Streets, Art All Night drew crowds of 30,000

plus to celebrate the art and local culture. Over the last ten years, the event has grown to feature nineteen participating neighborhoods in 2021, with over 120,000 attendees from across the DMV coming to DC to celebrate the arts. dcartallnight.org.

Photo: Courtesy of the Kennedy Center

Detail photograph of Glass: Art. Beauty. Design. featuring glassware from Harrach Glassworks with hunting scenes. Photo: Courtesy of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens.

Peter Clarke (South African, 1929-2014), That Evening Sun Goes Down, 1960, Gouache on paper, 21 1/2 x 17 in., Fisk University Galleries, Nashville, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1991.313 © 2022 Peter Edward Clarke / DALRO, Johannesburg / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Courtesy American Federation of Arts.

National Gallery Nights Return

National Gallery Nights, the popular after-hours program, returns to the East Building from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, and Nov. 9. This season, visitors will find their favorite National Gallery Nights activities—music, live performances, artmaking, and pop-up talks—centering the themes of a block party, Halloween, and the exhibition “The Land Carries our Ancestors: Contemporary Art by Native Americans.” Light fare; gelato; and beverages such as beer, wine, and specialty cocktails will be available for purchase throughout the East Building, in the Terrace Café and Espresso & Gelato Bar, and on the Fourth Street Plaza. A lottery to attend the indoor activities takes place the week before each event from Monday through Thursday at noon. No registration required for Fourth Street activities. nga.gov.

Handstitched Worlds: The Cartography of Quilts

Quilts, like maps, trace the personal stories and experiences of makers and their communities, often illuminating larger historical events and cultural trends. Handstitched Worlds draws from the collection of the American Folk Art Museum, with examples ranging from traditional early-American quilts to contemporary sculptural assemblages. Visitors are invited to contribute to the Museum’s community quilt. Stitch a place in the cartography of Washington, DC, that holds special significance for you. Handstitched Worlds is at the George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum, 701 21st St. NW, from September 9 to Dec. 23. Hours of operation are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission but a suggested $8 donation is appreciated. museum.gwu.edu.

Judy Collins & Madeleine Peyroux at the KC

On Wednesday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m., two folk and jazz icons share the Concert Hall stage for an unforgettable double bill of songs and stories. Join Grammy Award winner Judy Collins as she performs her legendary 1967 album Wildflowers in its entirety. Collins is joined by Madeleine Peyroux, who has become one of today’s most acclaimed jazz singers since she began her illustrious career busking on the busy streets of Paris. Tickets are $29 to $89. kennedy-center.org.

The Price is Right Live at National Harbor

The Price Is Right Live, at MGM National Harbor on Friday, Sept. 29, 8 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m., is the hit interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to hear their names called and “Come On Down” to win. Prizes may include appliances, vacations and possibly a new car. Playing to near sold-out audiences for more than 14 years, The Price Is Right Live has entertained millions of guests and given away more than 12 million dollars in cash and prizes. If you’re a fan of The Price Is Right on TV, you’ll love this exciting, live (non-televised), on-stage version of the show. $35 to $225. MGM National Harbor is at 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, MD. mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com.

Artist unknown (Va.), Map Quilt, 1886. Image courtesy of the American Folk Art Museum. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. C. David McLaughlin. Photo: Schecter Lee

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Unique among most festivals, including renaissance festivals, the Maryland Renaissance Festival utilizes a story line and progresses each year forward in the timeline of Henry VIII, through all his reign and all six of his wives. This season the year is 1537, and as ever, the King’s love life is the source of gossip. The Maryland Renaissance Festival, a tradition for the entire family, Labor Day weekend and Saturdays and Sundays Aug. 26 to Oct. 22 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., runs for weekends of thrills, feasting, handmade crafts, entertainment and merriment in Crownsville, near Annapolis. The 27-acre Village of Revel Grove comes to life each autumn with more than 200 professional performers on ten stages, a 3,000-seat arena with armored jousting and streets filled with village characters. Admission is $30 for adults; $15 for ages seven to fifteen; under seven, free. Tickets sold online only. rennfest.com.

Oktoberfest Weekend at the Wharf

Oktoberfest Weekend at the Wharf is on Friday to Sunday, Sept. 15 to 17. On Friday night, 7 to 9 p.m. Oktoberfest kicks-off with a traditional polka dance session. Come to Transit Pier to learn the moves. On Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m., Cheer on the dogs competing in the 11th Annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash to benefit Rural Dog Rescue. Or, sign up your Dachshund to participate in the races (free entry). On Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m., try your hand in The Wharf-wide stein hoisting contest taking place in restaurants throughout The Wharf. Throughout the weekend, enjoy German fare, Bavarian decor and costumes, and Sam Adam Octoberfest beer. wharfdc.com.

Patti Smith and Her Band at the Anthem

Patti Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, and author who became an influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses.]Called the "punk poet laureate", Smith fuses rock and poetry in her work. Her most widely known song, "Because the Night", co-written with Bruce Springsteen, reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978 and number five on the UK Singles Chart. In 2007, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Patti Smith and Her Band are at the Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.). $55 to $75. theanthemdc.com.

James McMurty at The Birchmere

James McMurtry is an American rock and folk rock/ americana singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader, and occasional actor. He performs with veteran bandmates Daren Hess, Cornbread and Tim Holt. His father, novelist Larry McMurtry, gave him his first guitar at age seven. His mother, an English professor, taught him how to play it: “My mother taught me three chords and the rest I just stole as I went along. I learned everything by ear or by watching people.” His latest album is The Horses and the Hounds, released in 2021. James McMurty with BettySoo is at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, on Thursday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. $39.50. birchmere.com.

Sunrise Hikes at Great Falls, Virginia

Located just 15 miles outside Washington, the Great Falls of the Potomac is the most magnificent natural landmark in the metropolitan area. On Saturday, Sept. 23; Sunday, Sept. 24; and/or Friday, Sept; 29, 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., rise early on an early-fall morning, avoid the crowds, and enjoy a small-group experience in the great outdoors with naturalist Keith Tomlinson. The excursions at Great Falls National Park include a hike past Great Falls and into Mather Gorge, two of the area’s most remarkable geologic features. Explore the natural history of the area’s forest, observe a variety of birds, and learn about the effect of local land-use patterns on conservation efforts along the Potomac. The hike covers about three miles of hilly and rocky trails. $75. smithsonianassociates.org.

The National Gallery of Art Celebrates the Art of Poetry

National Dance Day at the REACH

On Saturday, Sept. 16, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., the Kennedy Center presents a full day of in-person activities for National Dance Day. A dance party that kicks off the KC’s celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary. This annual event invites people of all ages and abilities, from the youngest dancers to professionals, to participate in a free celebration of the joy of dance and movement. Participants will have an opportunity to learn the official National Dance Day routine at 2 p.m. with movement artist Poppin John. The routine brings together dancers and dance enthusiasts from around the globe to celebrate National Dance Day as a form of exercise and of artistic expression. Everything’s free. A full and detailed National Dance Day schedule is at kennedy-center.org/ whats-on/explore-by-genre/dance/2023-2024/national-dance-day.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the National Gallery of Art’s 2023 John Wilmerding Symposium on American Art and Community Celebration, “Poetry is a Country,” brings celebrated poets from across the nation together to premiere original poetry inspired by works in their collection. Participating poets—Jason Reynolds, Naomi Shihab Nye, Ilya Kaminsky, Jorie Graham, Heid E. Erdrich, Teri Ellen Cross Davis, Victoria Chang, and Hanif Abdurraqib—will perform their new works both in East Building galleries by the works of art that inspired them and in the East Building Auditorium. Readings will occur between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Only those in the East Building Auditorium require registration, and all works discussed there are also on view in the galleries. A parallel series of interactive, drop-in activities will be offered in the East Building galleries, open to all ages and interests throughout the day. Programs will include 20-minute poetry-writing workshops and poetry-inspired artmaking led by local artists and educators; haiku customized by typewriter poets drawing upon visitor discoveries and observations; and a poetry exhibition in their library. nga.gov.

(The Resistance of One Octogenarian.)

Sasha’s 82-year-old mother, Olga, is on the frontlines of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, having lived in Kyiv her whole life. Olga is thrust into increasingly fantastical situations: she strategizes with President Zelenskyy, strikes Russian drones with jars of pickles, and even debates with God. Inspired by online chats with her mother, playwright Sasha Denisova brings us this new play about a family’s connection and legacy amidst the present-day war and global crisis. The world premiere, My Mama and the Full-Scale Invasion, is at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW, from Sept. 11 to Oct. 8. woollymammoth.net.

Jason Reynolds.

Photo: James J. Reddington

“Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard” at Ford’s

In Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard, playwright Pearl Cleage explores the election of Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first Black mayor. Cleage sets the play in present-day Atlanta, but soon the story travels back 50 years as citizens of the city recollect and reflect upon the significance of the once-in-a-lifetime election that turned Atlanta into a progressive example of the New South. Cleage’s unique theatrical voice turns Atlanta into a full-blooded character while allowing her audience to feel what it was like to be part of a true historic moment in the Southern capital city. As we mark the 50th anniversary of Jackson’s election of a lifetime, explore Cleage’s evocative depiction of this monumental moment. $26 to $53. Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW, from Sept. 22 to Oct. 15. fords.org.

Chiarina Chamber Players Concerts on Capitol Hill

Chiarina brings distinctive chamber music performances and innovative programming to an intimate neighborhood setting on Capitol Hill. With a roster of worldclass artists, their mission is to create an engaging, inclusive listening experience that connects audience members, performers, and music by a wide spectrum of composers from the eighteenth through the twenty-first centuries. They strive to build bridges with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. 2023-2024 concerts are on Sundays, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 17, Oct. 22, Nov. 19, March 17, April 14, and May 19, at St. Mark’s, 301 A St. SE. Tickets are $30; 18 and under, free. chiarina.org.

Opera in the Outfield: La Boheme

Oh, to be young and in love in Paris! Sure, there are bills to be paid—but there’s also art, moonlight, and poetry. When a group of young bohemian artists gets tangled up in love’s highs and lows, growing up is its own bittersweet heartbreak. On Saturday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m. (gates at 5 p.m.), WNO continues its partnership with the Washington Nationals with an Opera in the Outfield presentation of Puccini’s beloved La Bohème at Nationals Park. Free seating will be available on the outfield grass (weather permitting) and in the stands. Arrive early for live entertainment, photo opportunities, prizes and other activities. Free entrance. kennedy-center. org/wno/home/education/opera-in-the-outfield/.

Turnpike Troubadours at The Anthem

Turnpike Troubadours is an American country music band from Tahlequah, Oklahoma founded in 2005. They started their own imprint, Bossier City Records, in 2007 and have released five studio albums. Their self-titled 2015 album peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200. After an indefinite hiatus in 2019, the band recently announced its reunion and has returned to touring. They are at the Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, along with Lucero and Reckless Kelly, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). $65 to $99.50. theanthemdc.com.

Photo: Bud Smith

Soprano Jacqueline Echols (center, right) plays Musetta: bass Peter Rose (center, left) plays Alcindoro. Photo: Scott Suchman

The Fourth Wall A Curated Selection of Theater in the

DMV

by Matthew McClure

In September, we celebrate Labor Day and the contributions that workers across the country make to building our nation. This month’s Fourth Wall column looks at theater that examines the concept of labor; whether it’s one man’s mission to transform print media, the mental work involved in a daughter’s perpetual fictional narrative about her mother, or an Italian war bride’s labor of sacrifice in the face of overpowering passion.

New to the Stage

Ink, Round House Theatre

Aug 30 – Sept. 24, roundhousetheatre.org

What do Johannes Gutenberg, Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch have in common? They all understood the immense power of the printed word to transform society. While social media, AI and ChatGPT have forever changed the way we produce and consume the news, there was once a time when newspapers called the tune of the day. Ink tells the remarkable story of Australian-born Rupert Murdoch and his insatiable drive to “give the people what they want,” says Jason Loewith, Director of this Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Centre of a show that first debuted to critical acclaim on the stages of Broadway and the West End in 2017.

The play, written by James Graham, follows Murdoch’s rise to power in the UK media landscape of the late 1960s as he and journalist Larry Lamb transform a small tabloid called The Sun into a template for the media empire that Murdoch will eventually dominate. “This show really resonates today. As one of the characters says to Larry Lamb, ‘Once you create the appetite, you’ll never be able to stop feeding

it,’” Loewith explains. “I find the play is very much about the state of the media industry right now. That’s what’s great about James Graham. He manages to find these small moments in recent history and explode them so that you’re able to see all the minute ethical decisions that people make along the way that lead to where we are today.”

Andrew Rhine plays Murdoch, and manages to bring nuance and depth to this popularly maligned capitalist icon. Through Rhine’s performance, we can perhaps more truly appreciate the grudge that Murdoch nurtured against the establishment of the day and against which he directed his arsenal of paper bullets. “The trick of the play is that you root really hard in the course of the first act for the team that Larry Lamb is building to execute Murdoch’s vision,” Loewith says. “It’s only in the second act that you get to see what happens to that populism.”

Scene Stealer

See this play for the scene at the end, where Lamb and Murdoch finally comprehend the monster they’ve created. “There is no ‘why’. You’ve killed ‘why’, Larry, just as you hoped to,” Murdoch exclaims. “’Why’ was how they controlled things, wasn’t it? Churches, schools, trade unions, newspapers, convincing everyone there’s an overarching idea! Well, ‘why’ is gone now. We’re free to ask ‘Who do you want to screw’, ‘What do you want to buy’, ‘Where do you wanna go’, ‘When do you wanna go there’. People love it.”

On Right Now

My Mama and the Full Scale Invasion

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Showing Sept. 11 – Oct. 8

woollymammoth.net

Ukrainian playwright Sasha Denisova’s

82-year-old mother Olga has two lives: One involves quietly cooking away in the kitchen of her apartment in Kiev, refusing to leave as an act of passive resistance to Vladimir Putin’s violent occupation of her homeland. The other takes place entirely in the mind of her daughter and sees her launching jars of pickles at Shahed drones and calling meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“I’ve been writing stories about my mother for many years,” Denisova explains, speaking about her new play being directed by Yury Urnov and co-produced by the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and The Wilma Theater. “Ukrainian women have an incredible strength of character and sense of humor. It’s a combination of resilience in the face of adversity, a certain phlegmatic approach to major disasters and attention to life’s details, like recipes for cottage cheese pie for Easter.” For 10 years, Denisova produced award-winning stage productions in Moscow, which was then a cultural hub for Ukrainian intellectuals. All that, of course, came to a grinding halt on February 9 last year when she made the difficult decision to flee the city just as Russian authorities shuttered all her productions permanently. From Poland, Denisova would reach out to Olga, desperate to join her mother or whisk her away to safety. Olga, she says, wouldn’t budge. “When Mom refused to leave Ukraine and made the decision to fight back against Putin in her kitchen, she took on the character of a symbol. Mom, like all Ukrainians, like the rest of the

Holly Twyford as Mother in My Mama and the Full Scale Invasion at Wooley Mammoth. Photo: Teresa Castracane

Jason Loewith, Director of Ink at the Round House Theatre.

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country, did not give up. I decided to write a play from our correspondence and our relationship in general. This is a story of mother and daughter, understandable to everyone. But the war makes it tragic.”

So is Denisova’s play a form of therapeutic release? “A play can’t be therapy; you’re not cured as soon as you write it. Maybe you even get sicker.” she says. “When American actors play my mom and me, I get tears in my eyes. I’m sitting here in Washington DC, and there’s my mom, under the bombs. I write to her: ‘Mom, I’ll be there.’ She says ‘No way, it’s dangerous, your nervous system can’t take it!’ But she’ll withstand it. At 82 years old! Mom tells me to enjoy life, that she’ll wait for victory with optimism. ‘I survived two wars, I will survive Putin.’”

Scene Stealer

Watch this play to see President Joe Biden being served borscht and Ukrainian cutlets by Olga in her kitchen, while she strategizes with him on the best way to end the war.

Catch before Closing

The Bridges of Madison County Signature Theatre, Aug. 8 – Sept. 17 sigtheatre.org

It’s 1960s rural Iowa. Robert Kincaid, a photographer for National Geographic, shows up on the doorstep of Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride who left Napoli at the end of WW2 with Bud, an American GI. Kincaid, played with convincingly good old fashioned Southern boy charm by Mark Evans, changes the course of Francesca’s life when he asks for directions to a local bridge, and this musical theater production directed by Ethan Heard with a score by Jason Robert Brown tells their ensuing tale.

Based on the best-selling book by Robert James Waller, the show originally opened to critical acclaim on Broadway in 2013. Brown and Marsha Norman’s lyrical interpreta-

tion does a stellar job of conveying the breathlessness of Kincaid and Johnson’s emotional rollercoaster. Erin Davie’s Francesca is a triumph, capturing the hopefulness, isolation and resolve that many women eeing Europe with American soldiers at the end of the war must have experienced on US soil.

It’s through Kincaid that Johnson rst becomes aware of the vast atness of her life, symbolized by the featureless Iowan horizon that stretches in every direction. It’s not that she’s unhappy with Bud, but Kincaid’s unique perspective on the world – represented by his camera lens – opens her eyes to new possibilities: A life of vivid color and texture that she had silenced forever when she left the shores of home. A special mention must be made of the ingenious mobile set design by Lee Savage, which really does convey the fastidiousness of Johnson’s home, while also doubling as one of Madison County’s famous covered bridges.

Scene

Evans and Davie’s duet in Act 1, Wondering, really shows o the vocal prowess of these two actors. Soaring voices accompanied by the delight of a live band heightens the emotional experience. ◆

Stealer

Mark Evans (Robert Kincaid) and Erin Davie (Francesca Johnson) in The Bridges of Madison at Signature Theatre. Photo:Daniel Rader

The Hidden Costs of Flooding in D.C.’s Poorest Wards

by Marcelo Jauregui-Volpe

When teacher’s aide Elizabeth Hall first purchased her home in Capitol View, a neighborhood located on the eastern edge of D.C., she was excited to become one of the first members of her family to own property she could pass down to future generations.

But a few months after moving in, heavy rainfall flooded her finished basement. Water seeped through the foundation and soaked the carpet the previous owner had recently installed. At first, she considered it a one-time problem, but the flooding continued. Now, 26 years later, she says any time the basement floods, she disassociates from it.

“When there’s water down there, I don’t even want to look at it,” says Hall. “There’s nothing I can do, there’s nowhere for me to sweep it off.”

The carpet and furniture eventually had to be removed. The stains and damage on the wooden baseboards rise a couple of inches off the floor, serving as a constant reminder of how high the water level has reached on far too many occasions to count.

Ever since 1997, when Hall moved into half of a red brick duplex on 55th Street NE, across from the Maya Angelou Public Charter School campus, the loss and stress of living with unpredictable flooding has taken a toll on both her peace of mind and finances. Hall estimates she has spent more than $4,000 on flood-proofing her basement, not to mention losing the abili-

ty to use the space for anything but laundry. At one point, she had her nephew and his family stay in the basement, but water entering the space forced them out before long.

“I moved into a house with a finished basement that I couldn’t use,” says Hall, who grew up nearby in Capitol Heights and now works in Prince George’s County.

One of the worst flooding episodes to sweep through the neighborhood took place in September 2020, when torrential rain burst into D.C. and surrounding regions. Hall’s neighbor Kenyon Suggs recorded a video of the deluge and has recorded many other recent floods, documenting water gushing from manhole covers on East Capitol Street, water pooling by the street’s storm drains, and the rising water engulfing his yard. This is a problem that climate change is making worse, according to experts and D.C. government officials who warn that residential flooding problems throughout the District will require costly and complicated solutions, with residents living in D.C.’s poorest wards bearing a disproportionate burden.

This story is the first in a series of articles on the District’s flooding problems. Over the coming months, Hola Cultura will share the stories of residents dealing with flooding. We will investigate why certain areas in the city flood more than others and see what solutions are available. This work will build on Hola Cultura’s reporting on D.C.’s heat islands, which showed that not all residents in the District experience extreme heat in the same way. There are common-

As Climate Change Takes Hold, Chronic Flooding Is Not Affecting All Residents Equally

Capitol View resident Elizabeth Hall.

Photo: Courtesy Hola Cultura photographer

Isabella Béjar Tjalve

This project was supported with funds from the Pulitzer Center and Spotlight DC.

alities in these city-shaping injustices that have left some communities more vulnerable to flooding and severe heat.

Types of Flooding in DC

D.C. is susceptible to riverine, coastal, and interior flooding, like the recent deluge on Aug. 14. That afternoon and evening, heavy rains led to interior flooding that rapidly swamped the area around the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro Station in Northeast, resulting in the deaths of 10 dogs at the dog care center District Dogs.

Riverine flooding occurs when rivers overflow and spill onto nearby land. In D.C.’s case, heavy rain in the northern portion of the Potomac River watershed (which extends all the way to West Virginia) can cause this kind of flooding. Although D.C. is not on the coast, the Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean, meaning tropical storms and hurricanes can also propel water up the Potomac River and cause coastal flooding.

Low-lying areas around the National Mall, in direct proximity to the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, saw serious riverine flooding in 1936 and 1942. There was also a severe case of interior flooding that cost millions of dollars

in damages to downtown federal buildings in the Federal Triangle flood of 2006.

Interior flooding, also known as flash flooding or urban flooding, is a result of heavy rainfall overwhelming the city’s sewer systems. Much of D.C.—and many other U.S. cities—was built atop submerged streams, with buildings, roads, and sidewalks replacing trees and natural vegetation. Asphalt and concrete surfaces do not absorb rainwater like the vegetation they replaced.

A third of D.C.’s sewage system consists of combined sewers built more than a century ago. In a combined sewer system, both sewage and stormwater pass through the same pipes. During dry conditions, the contents flow directly to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Southwest D.C. During periods of intense rainfall, this combination of sewage and stormwater can overwhelm the system, requiring a diversion to the nearest rivers and creeks to prevent flooding in homes and businesses.

But, as we saw on Monday, diversion does not always work. During the flash flooding on August 14, water reportedly rose rapidly to about 6 feet and broke through the glass wall at the District Dogs facility on Rhode Island Avenue NE. Despite the building passing inspection after flooding last year, this part of D.C. has a history of flooding that

dates back to the 19th century, according to John Lisle, DC Water’s vice president of marketing and communications.

“This location under the Metro overpass is a low point that acts as a bowl and stormwater flows into it from multiple directions, including from the tracks above. There are storm drains there, but if the sewer is filled to capacity, there is nowhere for that water to go,” Lisle writes in an email.

Lisle points out that DC Water’s rain gauges in Northeast D.C. measured about 2 inches of rain in a 45-minute period. That’s more than half of the rain we usually receive during the entire month of August, according to the National Weather Service’s Washington D.C. precipitation report.

A project that will mitigate this kind of flooding, Lisle says, is the Northeast Boundary Tunnel, which passes under Rhode Island Avenue NE and will add 90 million gallons to D.C.’s stormwater capacity. This tunnel is intended to alleviate the flooding and past sewage backups in neighborhoods such as Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park. However, Lisle cautions that the tunnel “will not prevent all flooding from intense storms but will lessen their impact.”

Over the past few years, severe flash floods have overwhelmed the city’s sewer pipes several times. In July 2019, close to a month’s worth of rain fell in some areas over the course of an hour. The September 2020 storm that sub-

A map of the flood zone in Ward 7. Courtesy DC Dept. of Energy and the Environment

merged Suggs’ yard flooded several roads, and many drivers had to be rescued.

Nearly a year later, in the early morning of Sept. 1, 2021, Melkin Daniel Cedillo, 19, died trying to save his mother after stormwater from the remnants of Hurricane Ida cascaded into their lower level apartment at the Rock Creek Woods Apartments in Rockville. His mother was already outside, but Cedillo had not seen her. About 150 people who lived at the complex were displaced as a result of that one flood.

English basements and garden-level apartments are a cost-effective way to live in the city, but they also present a growing risk for many residents such as Arturo Acuvera who lived in a basement apartment on Sherman Avenue NW in Columbia Heights when we first met in September 2022. At the time, he described how the street becomes more of a fast moving river during intense rainfall. Stormwater would cascade down his front steps “like a waterfall” and into his living space. A few weeks ago, after his apartment flooded again, he gave up on District life and moved to Hyattsville, where the rent is also cheaper.

Acuvera’s former Columbia Heights apartment is more than a seven-mile drive from Hall’s house, but they have

something in common: They’ve both experienced flooding despite not living in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s designated floodplains.

“We weren’t even recognized as being in the flood zone,” Hall says, recalling her surprise when she first investigated her neighborhood’s flooding problems.

Hall and Acuvera are among a growing number of residents in the District and nationwide who are dealing with chronic deluges where no severe floodings should occur, at least according to FEMA’s flood maps.

While experts say FEMA generally does a good job of representing flood risk stemming from overflowing waterways, the federal agency’s flood maps have been criticized for not showing the risk of more localized flooding caused by heavy precipitation and overwhelmed drainage systems.

To create these maps, FEMA analyzes historic information such as past floods and water levels to determine the probability of flood events. The benchmarks FEMA uses are the 100-year floodplain, which connotes an area with a one in 100 chance of flooding in a given year, and the 500year floodplain, which has a one in 500 chance of happening each year. The FEMA maps are important because, historically, local governments have used them to set zoning

regulations and other rules. FEMA also uses these maps to determine flood insurance prices nationwide.

Experts have expressed concerns that development regulations and sewage systems in D.C. and around the U.S. are not adapting quickly enough to the changing climate. Advancing technology is also spotlighting the shortcomings of this traditional approach to assessing flood risk.

The New York research nonprofit First Street Foundation recently published its 8th national risk assessment, based on its own precipitation and flood models that dramatically expand the number of U.S. households with flooding exposure. According to the report, nearly 10 million homes not included in FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Areas are at risk. On D.C.’s Risk Factor profile, First Street estimates that more than 16,000 properties have about a one in four chance of being “severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years.” That’s nearly 20 percent of all D.C. properties, according to the report.

Who is Most Affected in DC?

Some of the greatest flood risks in the District are faced by residents of limited means who aren’t necessarily prepared

A map of the flood zone in Ward 8. Courtesy DC Dept. of Energy and the Environment

to bear the costs that come with flooding: expensive flood-prevention pumps and other equipment, costly clean-up work, and flood insurance premiums. More than 90 percent of single-family homes located in the flood hazard zones depicted in D.C.’s FEMA flood map are in wards 7 and 8, where the median household income is less than half of the median household income citywide.

A growing body of research shows how in D.C. and the rest of the country, racism and segregation played a clear role in how neighborhoods developed, leaving many lower-income communities—with large populations of immigrants, seniors, and people of color—at a higher risk of flooding and many other environmental hazards. While climate change is worsening these disparities, it did not create them. The inequality present throughout D.C. is deeply rooted in past discrimination and racism.

Groundwork USA, a network of local organizations focused on environmental justice, partnered with 15 cities for their Climate Safe Neighborhoods project and produced story maps that show correlation between extreme heat and flood vulnerability and neighborhoods that were deemed “declining” or “hazardous” by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation in their security maps.

D.C. wasn’t one of the cities included in the project, but the D.C. history organization Prologue DC studied how housing discrimination unfolded in the District to produce their “Legacy of Racial Covenants” map. This story map shows how much of the Black population of D.C. lived in neighborhoods in the easternmost sections of Northeast or in Southeast around Barry Farm, which the Freedmen’s Bureau established as a Black community in the immediate aftermath of the abolishment of slavery. Many homes in the neighborhoods that White people flocked to, such as Anacostia, Hillcrest, and Randle Highlands originally had covenants that prohibited Black people from buying there in the early 1900s.

The Federal Housing Authority played a significant role in directing investment and development in D.C. Prologue DC’s story map of the FHA’s activity displays how the agency explicitly used race to categorize neighborhoods in their 1937 Residential Sub-Areas map. For example, the FHA gave a section of Northeast D.C. comprising Capitol View and other historically Black neighborhoods such as Deanwood and Marshall Heights an H, the lowest grade in their classification system. Tasked with providing mortgage loans to better the housing market, the FHA influenced new private development in D.C. in the late 1930s, little of which reached communities where Black people lived.

Over the course of the second half of the 20th century, as neighborhoods began to integrate, many White residents left wards 7 and 8. “Covenants had effectively assigned value to entire neighborhoods based on the race of their residents,” Prologue DC’s notes on the legacy of covenants state, “leading white families to move out of areas now perceived as declining in value.”

Many of the developments that did come to communities east of the Anacostia

Former Columbia Heights resident Arturo Acuvera

Photo: Courtesy Hola Cultura photographer Isabella Béjar Tjalve

River were not welcomed. The city seized parts of Black neighborhoods, including Marshall Heights and Lincoln Heights, to create public housing. I-295 cut directly through neighborhoods like Hillsdale, displacing residents and bringing car and noise pollution to nearby homes. It also got rid of vegetation that had originally served to absorb water during heavy rains.

“That highway system basically forced water into the neighborhoods without any stormwater infrastructure being installed with it,” says Dennis Chestnut, founder of Groundwork Anacostia River DC. Growing up in the Hillbrook neighborhood of Northeast, Chestnut noticed how the basement in his family’s home began to ood when he was in elementary school after the construction of I-295. It became another structure—in conjunction with the Anacostia River—that separated portions of wards 7 and 8 from the rest of the city.

Today, more than 80 percent of ward 7 and 8’s residents are Black. The Hispanic population in these wards has also increased. According to the Urban Institute, each ward received nearly 2,000 new Hispanic residents between 2010 and 2020. However, the report notes these new residents may not all be moving east of the Anacostia River—the boundary of both wards currently extends into neighborhoods west of the Anacostia. (It’s possible there are more resident ericans.)

Anabell Martinez, the housing director at the Central American Resource Center, has noticed these migration patterns. Many of her clients have moved from Ward 1 to wards 4 and 5, though some have also ventured east of the Anacostia in search of lower costs of living.

“[Wards] 7 and 8 are the future for our people,” Martinez says. “In those areas, one can nd cheaper rent.”

Why It Floods on 55th Street NE

Hall’s street is in a low-lying area, and nearby streets, such as East Capitol, Ames, Blaine, and a residential alleyway, slope down toward 55th Street NE, creating a pool for the water to converge.

“You could almost drive a canoe down here,” says Richard Johnson, a neighbor of Hall’s who has lived in Capitol View his entire life. Johnson estimates he has spent around $20,000 on ood

DE VI C TI M Up to $25,000 Reward

prevention installations in his home.

According to Nicholas Bonard, chief of the Water Resources Protection and Mitigation Branch at the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment, the valley-like nature of 55th Street NE makes it more vulnerable to flooding.

“Two variables that can often explain higher interior flood risk are whether it is at a low point compared to its surroundings and if there is a high groundwater table. The intersection of 55th Street NE and East Capitol Street unfortunately has both these characteristics, which makes it more susceptible to flooding during heavy rains,” Bonard says.

Most of the thousands of dollars Hall spent on floodproofing went to replacing pipes and installing a second sump pump in her basement. Due to frequent flooding, both pumps have broken down and now need to be replaced, but Hall does not plan to replace them due to the costs. She also purchased flood barriers that absorb water and expand when they get wet.

Water often pools in front of her house during the street’s frequent deluges, Hall says. Once, the water rose so high it entered her car. Flooding has totaled cars in other parts of the ward, representing another way chronic flooding erodes the finances of local residents.

Dealing with so many floods has made Hall’s neighbor Suggs extra vigilant of the weather.

“It’s made me a bit of a meteorologist. Whenever I see a hurricane hitting North Carolina, I get a little nervous and try to prepare,” he says. The worst flooding he’s seen has generally been during hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30. In addition to the $20,000 he estimates he has spent on floodproofing his home, Suggs also makes sure that the drains near his home are free of trash and debris.

Suggs’ semi-detached Colonial-style house on East Capitol Street NE faces 55th Street NE. During storms, the backyard becomes more like a shallow pool, with the grass completely submerged. Suggs says he’s had to relocate his children’s birthday parties more than once due to the swampy conditions.

The multiple days of heavy rain that D.C. experienced in early July did not cause severe flooding around his home.

“Thank God we are halfway through July,” he told us earlier this summer.

A year after the severe September 2020 storm, the Office of the City Administrator established the D.C. Flood Task Force, aimed at equitably addressing D.C.’s flooding problems. As part of this process, the task force is creating a new flood risk model that they hope will help residents become more aware of flood risks by showing the areas that are prone to flooding due to heavy rainfall and sewer issues.

First Street plans to incorporate the data from its risk assessment into its new modeling tool, Risk Factor. Since it debuted last year, Risk Factor allows anyone with Internet access to look up an address and determine the likelihood of the property flooding. Real estate sites such as Redfin now include Risk Factor findings in their searches.

The Northeast Boundary Tunnel, which is expected to be operational by late September according to Lisle at DC Water, is part of that agency’s $2.7 billion Clean Rivers Project. Another element of the project is the installation of water absorbing green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and permeable pavement.

Chris Weiss, the executive director of the DC Environmental Network, feels optimistic about the D.C. government’s handling of flooding and stormwater risks.

“The District government, with its Climate Ready DC and Resilient DC reports, flood mapping efforts and coordination of agencies though the DC Flood Task Force, have done a good preliminary job of starting to outline how the climate crisis will make coastal and rainfall flooding increasingly likely,” Weiss says. He also stresses the importance of staying the course on these upgrades and securing funding in the midst of the current constraints on D.C.’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Mayor Muriel Bowser initially proposed a 14 percent reduction in the DOEE’s operating budget, but the D.C. Council pushed back, and the cut ended up being 3 percent.

These infrastructure projects are costly, but they are a financial burden the government can bear better than individual residents. They are also crucial to ensuring that enormous investments made by D.C. residents to repair immediate flooding damages were not in vain. When that flooding happens in front of your home and water is entering your property, the immediate repair costs can be an enormous burden for an individual or family.

“It’s just taken time to realize the extreme of it,” says Hall, who gets emotional reliving these flooding incidents.

After more than 20 years living in Capitol View, Hall was able to purchase flood insurance for the first time this year. She is also on the waiting list for an assessment of her home as part of FloodSmart Homes, a new program DOEE is piloting. Once DOEE completes the assessment, an inspector will suggest floodproofing installations and prioritize minimizing costs.

While these initiatives can help with cleanup in the immediate aftermath of a flood, Hall and her neighbors are hoping for longer term solutions that will allow them to build generational wealth.

“We bought our houses because we wanted to own property, but also so that we can have some family legacy to pass on,” Hall says. “One of the reasons why a lot of us in the city don’t have that is because of problems like this.”

This story, which originally appeared in Hola Cultura and the Washington City Paper on August 18, 2023, was reported and written by Hola Cultura’s assistant editor Marcelo Jauregui-Volpe. Story editing by the organization’s executive Director Christine MacDonald. Copyediting by Michelle Benitez, an intern in Hola Cultura’s Storytelling Program for Experiential Learning, which brings together young people between 16 and 25 with the organization’s professional staff to produce stories and special projects for Hola Cultura’s online magazine, www.holacultura.com.

Photos by former SPEL Fellow Isabella Béjar Tjalve. Visit www.holacultura.com to read more environmental justice reporting and find out about season 2 of our podcast, “The Climate Divide.”

This article was supported by a grant from Spotlight DC: Capitol City Fund for Investigative Journalism. Spotlight DC welcomes proposals from independent journalists. For more information, visit www.spotlightdc.org. u

Dennis Chestnut, founder of Groundwork Anacostia River DC. Photo: Courtesy Hola Cultura photographer Isabella Béjar Tjalve

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7D

“Uniting Communities East and West”

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

Join us for our September Virtual Public Meeting

Tuesday, September 12, 2023 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

How to participate: https://zoom.us/j/92662631115

Enter passcode: anc7d

YOUR COMMISSIONERS ELECTED TO SERVE YOU

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 or 202-630-1632

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

Secretary

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

Commissioner Kenilworth – 7D01

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

Commissioner

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

Commissioner or 202-427-2068

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

Commissioner or 202-455-6238

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

Commissioner

Volunteer Opportunities!

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

How Can You Prepare for A Flood?

DC Has High Risk Due to Climate Change, Flood Plain

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

On Friday, September 1, Mayor Bowser declared September as “DC Preparedness Month.” Nationwide in September, governments launch efforts to remind residents and businesses to be prepared for disasters or emergencies because in an emergency, every second counts.

DC is at particular risk of flooding because so much of its land is at a low elevation. It is also bounded by two rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia, which flow to the Chesapeake and make DC subject to riverine, coastal and interior flooding.

More Flooding in DC’s Future

Flooding is the most common natural disaster and incidents are only expected to increase in the District. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the District experienced three flooding days in 2020, more than doubling to seven in 2022. For 2023, NOAA forecasts a total of between 10 and 15 flood days.

The District’s Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE)says that climate change modeling suggests that by 2050, DC tidal waterways will rise at least one foot and maybe more than three feet. In 80 years, they could exceed nine feet. According to the District’s plan to adapt to climate change, Climate Ready DC, storm intensity is also likely to increase, potentially causing interior flooding with greater frequency. That means flooding events are more likely to happen–and they could be more devastating when they do.

“The potential for future severe weather events in the District requires all of us to be more climate resilient and take action to save lives, prevent damage to property, preserve assets and protect us from harm,” wrote DOEE in 2020. What actions can you take to protect your community and your property against flooding?

Understand the Risk

Find out if your property is on a flood plain. You can use the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Flood Map Service Center (https:// msc.fema.gov/portal/home) or the DOEE Flood Risk Map Tool (http://dcfloodrisk.org/) to identify potential flood impacts, past events and future predictions.

Tools include FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), projections for storm surge and sea level rise. They also automatically identify the FEMA flood zone based on the latest FEMA mapping.

Prepare Your Property

Electricity and water don’t mix, so District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) recommends you make sure machinery and electrical equipment like water heaters, furnaces and electrical panels are located above the flood line of your home. A professional can raise these to locations less likely to be flooded.

Do pools or minor floods appear in your yard? DOEE suggests you consider re-grading so water flows away from buildings. Remove damaged trees and limbs, secure and reinforce the roof, and remove debris from drains and gutters to prevent water damage. Consider installing a backwater valve, which prevents sewage overflow from filling your home.

Permeable surfaces around buildings, such as grass rather than concrete, can help absorb or treat stormwater runoff. Qualifying properties could be eligible for a rebate for modifications through the DOEE Permeable Surface Rebate Program (https://doee.dc.gov/service/permeablesurfacerebate).

Get Insured

Floods are the most common and expensive natural disaster. Statistics offered by FEMA show that one inch of water inside a structure can cause $25,000 in damage.

But homeowners and rental insurance don’t usual-

ly cover flood damage, so you might want to purchase flood insurance. The cost will vary depending on whether you live in a highrisk or low-risk area, the value of your home, and the amount of your deductible, among other factors. Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage starts so don’t wait for an approaching storm before deciding to buy coverage.

Federal law requires property owners in high-risk flood zones to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP, https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance) as a condition of federally insured financing. It can be purchased through an insurance agent or by contacting www.floodsmart.gov.

The District’s Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) cautions that standard policies and water backup or sump pump overflow coverage don’t protect against flood loss. When it rains a lot, sewers and drains can overflow into buildings or cause back up in basement areas. This is not a flood and so is not covered by flood insurance. Additional coverage is required.

You should also collect and secure personal financial, insurance, and other records. Photograph valuable property. If an item cannot be replaced, ensure that it is kept at a level well above the flood line or in a secondary location.

Prepare Yourself

Get in the know before a disaster. Sign up for alerts from AlertDC (alertdc.dc.gov). Find other ways to stay informed by visiting https://hsema.dc.gov/page/stay-informed.

Make a family communication plan – if members are scattered at work and school, they should have a plan for

getting back together. You could select an out-of-state resident who can serve as a family contact. Family members should memorize that person’s phone, email and home address. Know local evacuation routes; a map is available at hsema.dc.gov.

Create a storm “go-bag” filled with essential disaster supplies, such as medication, key documents, flashlight, candles, food and pet supplies. You can also have emergency supplies in your car or at work. Keep your car’s gas tank full, if possible; gas stations require electric power.

In the case of a flood, you should stay informed through local radio, television or DC HSEMA on social media. Place sandbags in front of exterior doors to prevent water from entering your home. Store drinking water in containers in case water service is interrupted.

During a Flood

You should avoid all flood waters. Never walk, drive or bike through the water. Even just six inches can knock you down or cause your car to float away. If water rises around your car, get out right away. Don’t touch any item powered by electricity and report downed wires to Pepco at 1-877-737-2662. Stay away from standing water since it may be electrically charged. Wait until officials indicate it is safe to return home or to flooded locations.

Take Part in Prevention and Protection Programs

DOEE has established several programs to help prevent flooding. The FloodSmart Homes Program (https://doee.dc.gov/service/floodsmart-homes) funds upgrades to individual buildings to reduce the risk of flood damage and increase resident safety. The RiverSmart program (https://doee. dc.gov/service/get-riversmart) funds projects that reduce stormwater runoff on properties. DC Silver Jackets Team (http:// silverjackets.nfrmp.us/State-Teams/Washington-DC) is an interagency group with members from District, regional and federal agencies that identifies solutions to flood risk in the area.

For more information, visit ready.dc.gov and dcfloodrisk.org. Learn more about DC HSEMA and programs by visiting hsema.dc.gov. u

Need Help with Utilities? DC Has Programs to Help You Pay Bills

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

The heat is abating, which means we’ve got a few months until the chill sets in. The changing season might have you thinking about your utility bills. Do you need a little help making those payments? There are a few programs available from the District Government and the utility companies to help families with their utility bills.

DOEE

Help with most utility bills is available through the District Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) energy assistance centers, located at 2100 Martin Luther King Ave. SE and at 1207 Taylor St. NW. They offer a few different programs:

LIHEAP - Get Help with Energy Bills

DOEE assists income-eligible District households with the cost of heating and cooling (Pepco and Washington Gas) through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Eligible households can get between $250 and $1,800 as a one-time benefit. The amount is based on family size, total household income, heating source and type of housing.

DOEE also provides a hand to households that are disconnected from utility service or who have an oil tank filled to 5 percent or less. They also support those aged fifty-five or older. The agency will make a one-time payment to a utility for the amount owed—up to $750.

UDP - Reduce Utility Costs

The DOEE Utility Discount Program (UDP) helps lowincome District residents cut utility costs. Utilities include electric, gas, water and sewer. The bills need to be in your name. You also must meet income guidelines from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Eligible customers can receive discounts of up to $962 annually on water and sewer, $475 on electric bills and $276 on gas.

You’ll need your most recent utility bills; governmentissued photo ID; Social Security cards and proof of income for everyone in your home; and a disconnection letter if you have received one.

For both LIHEP and UDP, you can make appointments to meet in-person by calling 311 or 202-737-4404. Applicants may also apply online by visiting LIHEAP (https:// doee.dc.gov/node/9412) or fax their completed and signed

application to 202-671-0802 if you live in Wards 1 through 6 or (202) 673-6725 if you live in Wards 6, 7 or 8.

LIHWAP & CRIAC –Help with Water

DOEE is accepting applications for the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC) Residential Relief Program, a water utility discount program, reduces an eligible household’s total monthly water fees. In addition to this benefit, households will receive the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) discount as determined by income eligibility. That can mean reduced costs for up to the first 3,000 gallons of water and sewer services and reduced fees.

AMP

In addition to the LIHEAP and UDC programs offered through DOEE, both Washington Gas and Pepco offer an Arrearage Management Program (AMP). Those accounts are placed on a budget plan, which allows customers to spread the cost of gas bills over the entire year and enjoy peace of mind with predictable monthly payments for the next 12 months.

It’s similar to debt consolidation. AMP customers just need to pay a given amount on time. Every time that happens, 1/12 of the outstanding balance is forgiven—even if it is far more than the payment. When the 12-month budget plan is completed, the full outstanding amount is wiped away.

But, if you have a past-due balance of more than $3,000, you must first bring your past due balance to $3,000 or less. You can do that by seeking other eligible sources of support including visiting Washington Gas Cares at https://www.washingtongascares.com and https://www. pepco.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/DC/ AssistancePrograms(DC).aspx

Contact Washington Gas via email: DCAMP@washgas. com, via phone at the DC AMP Hotline at 703-750-4399, or via mail at P.O. Box 57000, Springfield, VA 22150-7000. For further information or to enroll via Pepco, contact Pep-

co at 202-496-5830 or e-mail EnergyAssistanceMailbox@ pepco.com

Utility Company Programs

In addition to programs in conjunction with DOEE, the utility companies themselves offer programs to help customers pay their bills.

DC Water

DC Water may offer up to $2,000 in emergency bill assistance when a customer is approved for CRIAC Residential Relief. Call their customer service line at 202-354-3750 to see if you qualify.

If you are a renter or you pay your water bill through a condominium association, DC Water offers up to $2,000 relief through their Multifamily Assistance Program. Renters and occupants should call 202-350-9649 or visit dcwater.com/map for more information.

If you have a past due balance and just need flexibility to pay it (rather than funding), DC Water is offering more flexible repayment options with no late fees. Call DC Water at 202-354-3600 for more information.

SPLASH

One-time emergency Assistance of up to $350 is available

Eleanor Holmes Norton poses with Wendy the Water Drop, parents and students at the 2018 Walk to School Day. Photo: E.O’Gorek/CCN

from the DC Water SPLASH fund for those facing disconnection. The money comes from DC Water employees, and customers. It is administered by the Greater Washington Urban League. Call the Greater Washington Urban League Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 202-265-8200 to see if you are eligible.

Washington Gas Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF)

In partnership with the Salvation Army, Washington Gas also offers help with fuel bills, with a specific interest in keeping homes warm during the winter months. Regardless of eligibility for other assistance programs, you may receive help from WAFF by demonstrating proven need.

Applicants must have received notice of possible or actual disconnect, be in an emergency situation and be ineligible for other assistance programs. Household income and family size are the primary considerations in this program, but the terms are different than other programs. For instance, a family of four is eligible with an income of $103,200 or less.

You can apply one time per year; applications will reopen in January 2024. The Salvation Army Office serving Wards 7 and 8 is located at 2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE. Call 202-678-9771. Learn more at https:// washingtonareafuelfund.org/eligibility/

Pepco

Pepco offers budget billing and payment arrangements. They also offer an extended payment date plan that extends a payment due date by 14 days without a late charge. It is intended for customers whose total household income is from government or other low-income entitlement programs. To apply, contact Pepco at 202-833-7500.

Customers can also request a one-time 30day delay paying your current bill, if the service is not pending disconnect and the account holder has never defaulted before. Check your eligibility here: https://www.pepco.com/MyAccount/MyBillUsage/Pages/OnetimePaymentDelay.aspx

Get more info on Pepco programs online at https://www.pepco.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/DC/ AssistancePrograms(DC).aspx

For more information on Energy Assistance Programs at DOEE, visit https://doee.dc.gov/energyassistance u

Affordable and Energy Efficient Housing?

It’s Happening in Ward 7

by Catherine Plume

Looking for affordable housing in DC? It’s no secret that it’s hard to find. And energy-efficient affordable housing is an even rarer commodity. Now, the 34Fifty project located in Ward 7’s River Terrace Community is responding to this very real need. The groundbreaking for this new development located at 3450 Eads St. NE occurred in July, and when completed in mid-2024, it will consist of 49 family-sized one, two, and three bedroom rental units. A joint venture by 34Fifty LLC, in conjunction with The Neighborhood Development Company LLC and its many partners, 34Fifty will be the District’s first Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), NetZero Ready, Passive House Institute Certified (PHIUS) affordable housing development.

So what do all these designations mean for 34Fifty’s eventual tenants?

• The LIHTC program provides financing to developers to develop low-income housing.

• Net-Zero Ready means that the building is sufficiently energy efficient that its renewable energy system can offset most or all of the building’s annual energy use.

• PHIUS certification means that the building is designed to reduce energy use and attain zero-energy use building standards.

All of these designations result in a reduced overall cost to you—the renter. The developers at 34Fifty, LLC are proud of the energy and cost-saving features of the project. Michela Cancel, Senior Vice President of the Neighborhood Development Company notes, “When completed, there will be a green roof and 450 solar panels installed on the building. The green roof will help insulate the building and reduce runoff while the solar panels will offset more than 50 percent of the building’s annual energy use. The building will also have a geothermal heating and cooling system that further reduces energy costs. This “free” solar and geothermal energy helps us reduce the rent that tenants are charged.”

In addition to solar and geothermal energy, the 34Fifty complex includes several other environmental features that translate into cost-savings and a healthier environment for tenants. All electric appliances including Energy Star electric stoves, washer/dryer and water heaters in each unit mean less emissions and better air quality throughout the building. (When cooking on gas stoves, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is released and can have harmful health impacts.) Michela notes, “We’ve also included amenities such as a bicycle storage room and a recycling area in the complex. And we have a large community center in the building. We’re doing what we can to ensure that 34Fifty provides an affordable, as well as a healthy, safe, and sustainable home for DC residents.” In addition to its many energy and cost-saving features, the 34Fifty complex is ideally located. The Minnesota Avenue (orange line) metro station and the Benning Road NE Safeway are only 12-minute walks away while the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, recreation center, and tennis courts are just down the street from the development.

Rent for the one, two, and three bedroom units is based off of DC’s Department of Housing and Community Development Published Rents and the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Rent Limits for the Area Median Income (AMI). The building has rental units that range in price from 30% AMI to 80% AMI and include utilities—water and electricity. And, in line with the DC Tenants Bill of Rights, 34Fifty will accept full or partial payment through DC or Federal housing assistance vouchers. Tenants will need to pay for their own phone and internet services.

DC Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray is pleased to see developments like 34Fifty coming to Ward 7 and would like to see more such developments across the District. As DC Mayor from 2011-2015, his administration oversaw the development of the first Sustainable DC plan (https://sustainable.dc.gov/). He notes, “The 34Fifty development represents a big step forward in delivering more affordable housing to Ward 7, but also in setting a new standard for sustainable, energy efficient living that contributes to livability and reduces our collective impact on the environment. A sustainable DC was a hallmark of my mayoralty. To see yet another innovative building take root is a milestone in the continuum of our goal of ubiquitous green construction and sustainable living across the city.“

So, if you’re looking for affordable and energy efficient housing in DC, check out 34Fifty. And here’s hoping that similar housing projects will be popping up across the District.

Catherine Plume is a lifelong environmentalist, a writer, and an active member of the Sierra Club DC Chapter. Perspectives expressed are her own and do not necessarily represent the positions of that organization. u

Schematic of 34Fifty Eads St. NE once the development is completed. Photo: The Neighborhood Development Company

The 34Fifty groundbreaking event in July was well-attended. Photo: The Neighborhood Development Company

Job Fair at Anacostia Library

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., attend a job fair that is hosted in partnership with Navy Peacock Talent Development, DC Department of Employment Services, DC Department of Human Resources and DC Department of Human Services. Positions are available in administration, customer service, food services, government, logistics, retail, security and more. Anacostia Library is at 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. dclibrary.org.

A Night at the Museum: Celebrating 56 Years of Community Stories

On Friday, Sept. 15, 7 to 10 p.m., join the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, to celebrate 56 years of the Museum and in continuing the tradition of preserving local stories and e orts which make up the fabric of our communities. In celebration of ACM’s 2023 theme, “Our Environment, Our Future”, guests are encouraged to wear sustainable fashion that represents the elements of the environment: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. Experience ACM’s current show: To Live And Breathe: Women and Environmental Justice In Washington, DC, and enjoy live music by Too Much Talent. Plus mocktails by Sugar Rim, and small bites. Registration is highly recommended. This event is 21+ and will be indoor and outdoor. anacostia.si.edu.

Wildlife Night Tour in the Anacostia River

On Tuesday, Sept. 26, 7 to 9 p.m., join the Anacostia Watershed Society for an exciting evening exploring the river at night at Langston Golf Course on a guided evening wildlife tour of Kingman Lake and the adjacent riparian forests. People with waders (optional) will join an “aquatic group” exploring the east tidal channel at low tide to see the aquatic critters like eels and other sh, cray- sh, freshwater mussels, and of course birds and mammals (otters!). A “ripari- an forest group” will explore the adjacent woods, ponds and golf course look- ing for other critters. Depending on weather conditions, the amphibians and reptiles may be very active as well. Registration is required at anacostiaws.org where you will receive additional information about the event.

Free Legal Services at Benning Library

On the Fourth Monday of every month, 10 a.m. to noon, lawyers from the Neighborhood Legal Services Program will be at Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE, to help with criminal sealing; disability and other public bene ts; protection from debt collection; student loans, unemployment, and wrongful placement on the child protection registry. Neighborhood Le-

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

Your

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

COVID-19

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

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

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

COVID-19

COVID-19

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

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

Ground Broken on Anacostia Rec Center

On Aug. 21, Mayor Bowser broke ground on the Anacostia Recreation Center at Ketcham Elementary School in Ward 8. In addition to serving the community, the center will also serve the students and community at adjacent Ketcham Elementary School. This $15 million facility will join the existing Anacostia Recreation Center in providing residents with DPR programming and access to state-of-the-art resources including: a full-size gymnasium and tness center; a basketball court; a demonstration kitchen; classrooms and multipurpose rooms, free internet access, a playground, an outdoor ball eld; walking paths and a promenade connecting 14th and 15th Streets SE. The new Anacostia Recreation Center is expected to open and begin community programming in Fall 2024.

gal Services Program is a nonpro t law rm that provides free legal information to low-income District of Columbia residents. No registration required. For more information, call 202-832-6577. nlsp.org/services/services.

Hillcrest Day 2023

Save the date and mark your calendar. Hillcrest Day is Saturday, Sept. 23, noon to 5 p.m. Visit hillcrestdc.com for more information as it becomes available.

Remaining Late Skate Saturdays

On “Late Skate” Saturdays, Sept. 30 and Oct. 28; skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ. Events last throughout the day and include double dutch, lawn games, job fairs, boat trips and more. Free skate rental (socks required) is available with a government issued ID. You can also skate anytime at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion—the only roller-skating rink in the National Park Service. nps.gov/anac.

Ranger Tours of Kenilworth Park

Every week on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., through Nov. 4, join a ranger on a guided walk of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Learn about the history of the park and the community, the ecology of the tidal marsh, and the story behind the beautiful lotuses and water lilies in the park. No registration needed. nps.gov/keaq.

Foley Foundation 5k Freedom Run/Walk

The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation has announced that its annual Foley 5K DC Freedom Run/Walk will be held Oct. 15 at Anacostia Park with an 8 a.m. onsite registration time and a 9 a.m. race time. The race is a companion to the popular Freedom Run hosted annually in New Hampshire where con ict journalist Jim Foley was raised. Participants are also able to run/walk and raise funds wherever they live around the world as part of a virtual run. James Foley was brutally murdered by ISIS on Aug. 19, 2014, after 21 months in captivity. He had been covering the Syrian civil war for Global Post and Agence France Presse at the time of his capture. The Foley Foundation was created to advocate for the safe return of all Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, conduct research on hostage-taking and wrongful detentions, and provide jour-

nalist safety education. The Freedom Run/Walk charity fundraiser has a goal of raising $150,000 from this year’s races to support the Foundation’s critical work. To learn about the foundation, contact Patricia Eisner at patricia. eisner@jamesfoleyfoundation.org.

Southwest Nights at Arena Stage in 2023-2024

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. Upcoming Southwest Nights are: POTUS, Sunday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 10, 8 p.m.; Swept Away, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m.; Tempestuous Elements, Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m. and Friday, March 15, 8 p.m.; Unknown Soldier, Wednesday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. and Friday, May 2, 8 p.m.; The Migration, Tuesday, June 11, 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, July 11, 8 p.m. Arena Stage is at 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org.

CHRS Preservation Café: Clean Solar Power

Sukrit Mishra, DC Program Director, Solar Neighbors United will present “Clean Solar Power to Electrify Your Home” at a free, virtual Preservation Café, Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. He will provide an overview of the technical and nancial aspects of solar panels. What rebates and incentives are available? How do you nd a vendor? What questions should you ask? Hosted by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. Info and reservations are at chrs. org/solar-power-pc0923.

Growing Community: Where We Play at the ACM

This workshop will explore gardens as places of enjoyment, connection, relaxation, and leisure. Guest speaker Kenya Miles of Blue Light Junction, an independently run studio located in Baltimore’s Greenmount West neighborhood, will lead you in a hands-on instruction of growing and using natural dyes in our region. The garden team will dye items made of natural fabric while following along as Kenya teaches the steps involved in the natural dying process. Participants are asked to bring one item made of natural fabric (linen, cotton, hemp, modal or silk) the day of the workshop. The garden team will harvest the last of their summer veggies, divide seedlings, plant cool season veggies, and discuss the importance of closing down certain garden beds for the winter. Growing Community: Where We Play is at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl, SE, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to noon. Free registration at anacostia.si.edu/events.

Photo: Elliott Kozuch and Shinada Phillips of the DC Department of General Services

NPS Theodore Roosevelt Island Tours

Every Saturday through October at 10:30 a.m., join a ranger or National Park Service volunteer for a 75-minute walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island. You will learn about the conservation legacy of our 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. You will also learn of the 1st United States Colored Troops who trained on the island during the Civil War and the Mason fam-

WELLderness Tree Walk & Forest Bathing

If you want to learn more about trees and love spending time outdoors, join Casey Trees and Sage Raindancer on Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to noon, for an easy-paced tree identi cation walk followed by a guided forest bathing experience. The whole event will last approximately 2.5 hours. They invite you to stay for both portions, as one will lead into the other. You’ll learn to identify trees commonly found around DC. Sample species include the bald cypress, white oaks, and the American hornbeam, AKA “musclewood.” After your tree ID walk, you’ll decompress and further connect with nature through a guided forestbathing experience led by Sage, a certi ed forest bathing guide. Forest bathing is the act of immersing yourself in nature to experience its unique bene ts, including reduced stress and improved mental health. This experience is free. Register at kenaqgardens.org/event/wellderness-tree-walkforest-bathing-september-16/.

ily who owned the island for more than one hundred years. Theodore Roosevelt Island features areas of marsh and swamp that can be seen from a boardwalk. It also features an upland forest and views of the Lincoln Memorial and Kennedy Center. This free tour meets at the parkway side of the footbridge. No registration required. nps.gov.

Dreaming Out Loud Fall Festival

Dreaming Out Loud works to create economic opportunities for the DC metro region’s marginalized communities, through building a healthy, equitable food system. Its annual Fall Festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 301 49TH ST. NE, behind Kelly Miller Middle school. This year’s fall festival is a celebration of the end of the farm season and features live entertainment and networking opportunities. Individuals and families will also have a chance to interact with farmers, their peers, and vendors while enjoying flavorful delicacies. dreamingoutloud.org.

“Outside Forces” at Art Enables

The Emancipation Memorial: Contested Memory, Historical Responsibility, and their Convergence with Art

On Saturday, Sept 9, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., “Part One—the Monument: History, Controversy, Strategy,” Dr. Kay Wright Lewis, Interim Chair of the Department of History at Howard University, will facilitate an in-person discussion at the site of the Emancipation Memorial to probe its historical signi cance, philosophical debates, and contemporary politics. Participants will gather in Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill to discuss the interlocking roles of race, place, memory, and power in memorializing our collective past. Monumental Travesties playwright Psalmayene 24 and the production’s director, Reginal Douglas, will also participate. $10.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, 7 to 8 p.m., Part Two—”Race, Memory, and Forgetting,” Dr. Edna Greene Medford, former Chair of the Department of History at Howard University, will join Reginald Douglas and Psalmayene 24 for an in-depth conversation moderated by Jonquilyn Hill, host of The Weeds, Vox’s podcast for politics and policy. The conversation, at Hill Center, will explore the history of The Emancipation Memorial as a vital site for both commemoration and critique, and pose the question: What is the proper monument to liberation? $10. hillcenterdc.org.

Art Enables’ annual exhibition of self-taught artists’ work, “Outside Forces,” opens on Sept. 5 and runs through Oct. 21. This exhibition began in 2006 as a way for DC-area groups working with self-taught artists to exhibit together. Over the last 16 years, the exhibition’s success has seen it grow and feature artists from across the nation alongside their resident artists. The show continues to be an excellent introduction for a community curious about the work of self-taught artists looking to start their own collection with a selection of affordable work in a wide array of styles. While an exact definition of outsider art can be di cult to pin down, one often feels they know it when they see it: inventive work of extreme individuality motivated by the artist’s own personal concepts and desires, rather than the expectations of the mainstream art world. The opening reception is on Saturday, Sept. 9, 5 to 7 p.m. All are invited. Art Enables is at 2204 Rhode Island Ave. NE. art-enables.org.

“All Hands On Deck” Climate Action & Disaster Preparedness Fair

On Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m., alongside the SW Farmers Market, at Fourth and M streets, SW, there will be a mix of up to 30 DC-focused environmental groups and disaster preparedness groups, including a few DC government agencies DOEE, HSEMA, FEMS, DPR. For more information, contact Ben Curran at benimon@hotmail.com or 202-294-7043.

WABA: The 50 States Joy Ride

The 50 States Ride is an annual recreational social ride

that invites over 700 riders to join WABA on one of their three routes: the breezy, 10-mile Joy Ride; the 25-30 mile Low Stress Network Ride, emphasizing some of DC’s newest bike infrastructure, and the headline 62 mile 50 States Ride— a challenging route that takes riders on every state-named avenue in the District. The 2023 ride takes place on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7 a.m. This ride is a fundraiser. Registration fees support WABA’s work in the DC region and their mission of empowering people to ride bikes, build connections and transform places. waba.org/blog/2019/06/ the-50-states-ride-2.

Car Free Day in DC

Car Free Day is a free event celebrated internationally every Sept. 22, in which commuters are encouraged to get around without driving alone in cars, and instead, carpool, vanpool, use public transit, telework, bicycle, walk, or scooter. Car Free Day is open to all residents in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. To participate in this fun and environmentally friendly event, ll out the free pledge form below and go car free or car-lite (carpool, vanpool) on Friday, Sept. 22. Take the pledge, even if you’re already car free. Those who take the free pledge will receive special promotions and be entered into a free rafe for a chance to win great prizes. carfreemetrodc.org.

DC’s Strong Visitation Numbers

Against the backdrop of a fresh advertising campaign, Destination DC (DDC), the o cial destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, announced visitation is trending towards a return to pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, the city welcomed 21.9 million visitors, including 1.2 million international visitors. That means domestic visitation has rebounded to 91 percent of pre-pandemic gures, while international visitation has rebounded to 60 percent. International visitors typically comprise seven percent of total visitation but account for 27 percent of spending. The 1.2 million international visitors represent a 279 percent year-to-year increase. DDC also announced

ty paying their mortgage, condo fees or property taxes. You may participate in the webinars by internet or telephone. Register at housingetc.org/webinar-registration. You may also call the Foreclosure Prevention hotline at 202-265-2255.

National Cathedral’s Now and Forever Windows Dedication

On Saturday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m., public dedication and 12:30 to 5 p.m., open house celebration, join the National Cathedral as they unveil the Now and Forever Windows. The day begins with a public dedication featuring remarks from world-renowned artist Kerry James Marshall and a special reading of “American Song” by acclaimed poet Elizabeth Alexander. During the dedication, the Cathedral aims to tell an expanded story about who and what we value through brilliant stained-glass windows and elegant stone-chiseled verse. The service will unveil and dedicate the Now and Forever Windows and the accompanying poem “American Song,” and will include remarks from Marshall and a special reading by Alexander. Following the dedication, there will be an open house celebration with live music, DC food truck favorites and other festivities, including a screening of the Now and Forever Windows documentary, a special tour of African American highlights at the Cathedral, and family activities. Everything is free and open to the public: no tickets required. Read more at cathedral.org/ discover/programs/racial-social-justice/windows. ◆

National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event

On Saturday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to noon, join Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for their annual National Public Lands Day cleanup of the park. Work alongside Park Rangers as you help complete projects to beautify this natural oasis. Registration is required at kenaqgardens.org/event/sepember-23-npld-volunteer-event.

plans to sustain the positive momentum, nationwide and abroad, by previewing a new advertising campaign: “There’s Only One DC.” The branding positions the destination as wholly unique. DC matches other worldclass cities in dining, nightlife, arts, culture, sports, theater, outdoor activities and green spaces. But no other destination in the country can compete with DC’s monuments, museums, memorials and free things to do. The campaign will o cially launch Nov. 1. washington.org.

Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park Seawalls Repair

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund is providing $112.76 million to the National Park Service for a contract to rehabilitate the failing seawalls around a portion of the Tidal Basin and along the Potomac River through West Potomac Park. The contract was awarded to Cianbro Construction of Pitts eld, Maine on Aug. 29.

The project will rehabilitate approximately 6,800 linear feet of seawall and extend its life expectancy by approximately 100 years.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in mid-2024. Repair of the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park seawalls are part of nearly $500 million in planned infrastructure improvements on the National Mall prior to the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. nps.gov.

Foreclosure

Presentation Webinars

The non-pro t Housing Counseling Services is conducting free Foreclosure Prevention webinars on Wednesdays, Sept. 13, 20 and 27 at noon. They will provide valuable information about available options for people who are having di cul-

DC’s Largest Tree

Casey Tree’s search for DC’s largest tree is o cially over. After collecting submissions from citizen scientists all across the city, they have veri ed the largest tree in DC is a chestnut oak that lives in Battery Kimble Park. The national registry listed the circum- ference as 276” in 2012. Measuring the tree again in 2023 shows that it now has a cir- cumference of 290” making it not only the largest chestnut oak in the country but also the largest tree in DC. The multi-stem monster of a tree is located right o the road, with branches so tall they tower over utility lines. Read more at caseytrees.org/2023/08/and- the-largest-tree-is/.

Meet Charles Hopkins

A Returning Citizen Supported by the Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington

by Anthony D. Diallo

With the helping hand of a faithbased partnership called the Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington (SMGW), Charles Hopkins has been able to reenter society as a returning citizen and be rehabilitated.

“The biggest challenge for me was being able to accept my limitations. While being institutionalized, you have this mindset that you don’t need anything or anybody. You fend for yourself. I had to be vulnerable and get some help,” Hopkins recalled after being released from prison in 2019 and serving nearly 50 years at the Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center, supermax or control unit, now known as the Chesapeake Detention Facility, in Baltimore and other state incarcerated institutions.

Hopkins, now 72, was released from his life sentence before the apex of the pandemic.

Next Step... Samaritan Ministry Greater Washington

During his prison release, Hopkins heard rumors circulating about an opportunity to earn $250 for merely entering a program. He needed the cash and leapt at the chance to make legitimate money. The program was called Strive and it became Hopkins’ overture into SMGW which recently opened its second office in Ward 8 in Congress Heights.

Strive is an employment readiness training program with intensive attitudinal training for individuals that also includes long-term support. The proven program began in East Harlem in 1984 and has helped 80,000 people nationally gain and sustain employment while transforming their lives.

According to Antoinette Green, a young mother from Anacostia who gives her testimony on the community partnership’s website (https://samaritanministry.org/strive), Strive helped her change her life from despair to one of hope and accomplishment.

The 36-year-old program promises those people with the determination and perseverance to finish the approximate three-to-six-week curriculum that they will master interview skills, create an appealing resume, learn Microsoft Teams, and devise a “dummy company.” Additionally, the program will help participants obtain appropriate attire for interviews and loan them a laptop. The stipend is awarded upon graduation.

“Strive gave me the ability to self-navigate. I was accustomed to living in an environment where everything is structured,” said Hopkins who currently resides in Ward 6 but grew up East of the River in the Garfield Projects, now known as Garfield Hills, which is near Ward 8’s Barry Farms.

Extended Contacts and Partnerships

Besides participating in Strive, Hopkins also took advantage of another SMGW opportunity entitled the Next Step Program. This program works with the individual, for as long as they like, to deliver a housing plan, obtain valid identification, navigate employment searches, submit applications, learn finances, and create bud-

From left to right Antoinette Green, Tyrone King, Larry Gooch, Benjamin Morgan, and Yolanda Jeter.

Charles Hopkins holding up a sign for empowerment

Charles Hopkins' official mugshot.

Charles Hopkins stands in front of the Real News Network, an independent, nonprofit news organization based in Baltimore where Hopkins occasionally works.

Is Being Single A Plus? The Old Man of Anacostia

by Philip Pannell

Irecently read an Axios article about Senator Tim Scott, the African American Republican senator from South Carolina and presidential candidate. Supposedly some deep pocketed rightwing donors are concerned about his status as a single man. Only one lifelong bachelor has ever been elected president: James Buchanan. It is oddly interesting that both of the conservative Republican senators from South Carolina are lifelong bachelors. And it is curiously interesting that the other senator, Lindsay Graham, was not scrutinized about his single status when he ran for president in 2016.

Times have changed dramatically. At one time to be unmarried -- or even divorced -- was considered a political detriment. Serial monogamist Donald Trump has proven that American voters are viewing their candidates through a di erent moral lens. And why shouldn’t they? According the 2020 Census, nearly half of the U.S. adults are unmarried and more than a quarter of all households have one person.

Having children is also being viewed through a vastly di erent moral prism. According to Center for Disease Control data, nearly 40% of all U.S. children are born out of wedlock and for African Americans it is 73%. While I make no moral judgements about these statistics, in my mind and heart I feel that we would experience fewer children gone wild episodes if there were signi cantly more households with married parents.

Senator Scott says he has a woman friend but will not name her. He also has asserted that being single may be a plus: “I probably have more time, more energy, and more latitude to do the job.”

I wonder how a similar campaign pitch would play for DC candidates—particularly those east of the river. Our community is in crisis and would a candidate who is single and possibly childless be a more attractive option for those looking for the hardest working elected o cials?

When a person has a child, for nearly the next two

decades he or she has automatic explanations and excuses for missing important events, being late or absent and generally being derelict in duties and responsibilities. It would take a cold and hard heart not to be sympathetic to a parent who tells you his child is sick. That similarly applies to married persons. Only a grinch or a grouch would not be sensitive to a person who tells you that he or she cannot attend an event because it is on his or her wedding anniversary.

Is Senator Scott on to something?

Is being single and childless a plus for a candidate?

Community leaders constantly complain about elected o cials showing up late, leaving early or not showing up at all. Many community activists have grown weary and tired of elected o cials constantly sending representatives and rarely showing up themselves because of reasons real, legitimate or phony.

When people run for o ce, they do so because they have made a personal decision to serve. That means sacri ce which may involve immediate family members. Lucky, indeed, is the elected o cial who has an understanding and patient spouse. I feel that some community leaders and activists may at times expect and demand too much of their elected o cials, I also feel that too many times these same o cials use their families as crutches and excuses to be lazy, irresponsible, unproductive, delinquent, shiftless and tri ing. After all, no one twisted their arms to put their names on the ballot. But if someone did twist a body part, please tell me and I will call 911. Hopefully not all those phone workers will be on family vacations in Disney World.

Long-time Ward 8 community activist Philip Pannell can be contacted at philippannell@comcast.net. Pannell is the Executive Director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council. Help Make Wards 7 & 8 Great! Become a Member of the Anacostia Coordinating Council: Visit http://www.anacostiacc.org/join-us.html. ◆

gets to name a few of the skills taught by professional counselors.

He also met Rev. David B. Wolf, an adjunct Priest Associate at the Trans guration Episcopal Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. Wolf has also been SMGW’s Executive Director since 2012 and expanded the signature Next Step Program to incorporate Strive DC in 2016 and merged with the Southeast Ministry (SEM) last year in 2022.

The integration of the Strive training allowed SMGW to become an o cial a liate of Strive National, an umbrella organization for workforce development agencies. The merger with SEM made SMGW a social ministry partner organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. It currently partners with over 60 congregations and schools throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

“Charles is one of our most dynamic speakers. His story is so authentic, and he is simply sincere about doing outreach and encouraging others,” said Wolf, a one-time attorney-advisor with the U.S. Department of Justice turned Episcopal minister, who may ultimately tap Hopkins to become a member of SMGW’s Speaker’s Bureau and join Green, Larry Gooch, Yolanda Jeter, Tyrone King, Benjamin Morgan, and John Yahner.

Humble Beginnings Led to Nefarious Dealings

Wolf admires Hopkins’ ability to articulate his story passionately and share the di cult details of his past. The native Washingtonian was one of eight children—six girls and two boys who lived with both of his parents. The family left the Southeast community and moved to the nearby Suitland suburb when Hopkins was about 13.

“The village raising a child was a real concept back then,” said Hopkins emphasizing that he was the only one in the family to have a record and did not come from a “broken home,” but got into trouble because “I always had an attitude of not having. I wanted things. That led me to petty criminal behavior [and stints of juvenile delinquency].”

According to the man convicted of a felony, Hopkins’ moral compass was permanently destroyed and shattered with the in ux of drugs here in the nation’s capital like in so many other urban cities across the nation.

“Ultimately I started using drugs in 1969 and I became a product of heroin.”

Lessons Learnt

Hopkins notes a few similarities between himself and the character Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding, played

by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, in the classic movie “The Shawshank Redemption.” Both were Black men who spent most of their lives incarcerated and had to learn—not so easily—how to adjust to living outside institutional con nes upon their release.

“Don’t sell yourself short or let others dene you. I never allowed the environment to de ne me or consume me. I knew that I could get a job and accomplish certain things regardless of my circumstances. What I really needed was mental help [to succeed and become rehabilitated],” Hopkins proclaimed.

Since acquiring and sustaining counseling, Hopkins has started working about 20 hours a week as a Peer Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator, maintaining his sobriety, and speaking to groups about his experiences.

“I don’t even drink a beer because I know if I do that it will lead to me wanting to shoot heroin,” said Hopkins who was scheduled to speak to the congregation at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, Virginia on the rst Sunday in September.

From the Present to the Future

Rev. Wolf expects the faith-based partnership, with board members consultant Rasheen Carbin, non-pro t leader and communications strategist Emily Sollie, and Monsignor Raymond G. East, the venerable pastor of Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, to further expand its locations.

“Right now, we have a total of seven sites with three opened [in Arlington, Anacostia, and Congress Heights] and the others reopening soon after closing during the pandemic. We want to go where potential participants are. We’ve identi ed a site in Prince George’s County and hope to open there too,” the Reverend said.

Hopkins, meanwhile, wants to counsel youth not to make the same terrible choices he made but to advise them in a manner that does not sound like he is preaching to them.

“You have a lot of opportunities that are available to you. Use them. When people talk about how bad these kids are, they’re talking about you! You have opportunities to go to school, get trades, etc. I had the same opportunities but didn’t use them, and look where I ended up.”

For more information on Strive and associated programs go to samaritanministry.

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

NEIGHBORHOOD PRICE BR FEE

kids & family

by Kathleen Donner

National Children’s Museum Takes Engineering to New Heights

The National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, a learn-through-play institution, has opened a new exhibit experience, Flight Zone, that invites young aeronautical engineers to design, build and test paper airplanes. Developed and fabricated by National Children’s Museum, The Boeing Company’s Flight Zone is a comprehensive paper airplane test station that embodies the steps of the engineering design process. A table, where children can create their paper airplanes, opens up to an encaged runway where they’ll test their models from a launcher. As they iterate on their design to improve their prototypes, young learners will be introduced to the principles of flight. nationalchildrensmuseum.org.

See “Lion King” on the Big Screen

Lion King (G) (1994) is being screened at the Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE, on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 16, 2 p.m. Tickets are $6. There is a public parking lot on Eighth Street, SE between I Street and Virginia Avenue. themiracletheatre.com.

TIME for Kids (authentic journalism for kids)

TIME for Kids engages students with authentic journalism, inspires them to join the national discourse on current topics, and provides teachers with valuable resources for the classroom. TFK was founded in 1995 and has been a trusted source of news ever since. Currently, the magazine reaches more than two million students in elementary school classrooms across the United States. They offer four grade-specific editions. The magazines build informational-reading skills, helping students to better understand our complex world and become informed and active citizens. TIME for Kids is available in bulk subscription only—perfect for schools and libraries. timeforkids.com.

Books from Birth (delivered to your door)

The Books from Birth program is open to all children under the age of five who live in Washington, DC. All enrolled children receive a free book in the mail each month from birth until they turn five. All books will be delivered to the address you provided at registration by the US Postal Service. Read more and register your underfive kid at dclibrary.org/using-the-library/ books-birth.

“The Big Build” at the National Building Museum

On Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., all ages are invited to National Building Museum’s “The Big Build”, a free hands-on festival exploring a wide variety of unique, interactive activities with roofers, plumbers, home remodelers, construction workers, carpenters, designers, and artisans. The Big Build celebrates the world we design and build and fills the Museum’s Great Hall with interactive booths including a nail driving contest and a structural engineering station with an earthquake simulation to discover how buildings can be built to be more stable. Everyone will be using real tools and you can even climb inside construction equipment in the outdoor Petting Zoo. The Tech Room will have augmented reality demonstrations, VR experiences, and other immersive digital activities to engage older children and teens. The National Building Museum is at 401 F St. NW. nbm.org.

“Dead Man’s Run” Kids’ Run

This year, the Dead Man’s Run 5k at Congressional Cemetery is on Saturday, Oct. 14, 5:30 p.m. As the funeral bell tolls, runners bound around the cemetery and continue out onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and fun. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for best individual and teams. Dogs and strollers are allowed in the race, however, for safety reasons, they are required to start at the back of the group. Registration is $35. There is also a kids’ race prior to the start of the 5k. Participation is free for any child who comes with a registered runner. Children may still participate, if no runners are registered, for a $5 fee. Registration for the children’s race is in the chapel the day of the race. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver. All proceeds support the cemetery’s nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and fund the preservation of this National Historic Landmark. congressionalcemetery.org.

Learning to use a hammer at Miller & Long’s nail-driving contest, a classic Big Build activity station. Photo: National Building Museum/Kevin Allen Photography

Meet the Mules at the C&O Canal Historical Park

On Friday and Saturday, every week through Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the NPS at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center and meet the park mules. During the 19th century, mules acted as the “engines” of the C&O Canal by pulling boats along the canal from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD. Today, the park mules help to preserve and share the history of the canal by providing visitors with hands-on experiences. Please note that this program may be cancelled or altered based on weather and staffing. The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is located at mile 14.3 along the C&O Canal towpath in Montgomery County, MD (11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD) nps.gov/choh/learn/historyculture/mules.htm.

DAR Museum Children’s Painting Class

On Saturdays, Sept. 9 and Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to noon, kids aged five to 12 can be inspired by DAR exhibits and create their own painting. This program is free, but space and supplies are limited so registration is required. Registration includes supplies to take home. The DAR Museum is at 1776 D St. NW. dar.org.

American Youth Chorus Open Rehearsals

Students in grades three to eight are invited to come for a fun, free, open rehearsal as kids learn and explore together. Sing along or just watch until you’re comfortable joining in. Guardians attend this first rehearsal for the safety and comfort of their student and to get to know the staff and chorus culture. Meet other students and staff, ask questions, and learn some basics about singing through simple songs and musical games. The rehearsals are at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. No preparation or experience needed. Sign up to visit any Wednesday in September: 6, 13, 20, 27. AmericanYouthChorus.org

Visit the Kids’ Farm at the Zoo

At Kids’ Farm, visitors can see cows, alpacas, donkeys, goats, chickens and fish. One of the many ways keepers care for animals is by providing them with enrichment training sessions, objects, toys, sounds and smells that encourage the animals to use their natural behaviors in new and exciting ways. The Kids’ Farm is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter. Free entry passes still required at the zoo; parking is $30. nationalzoo.si.edu.

“Picasso” at Galita

From the lush stroke of his paintbrush to the beat of his heart, the artful canvas of Picasso’s life unfolds through memories of cherished family and friends, his passion for bullfights, the circus and the stage. Immerse yourself in the imagination of this creative genius. Bilingual performances are from Oct. 14 to 22 on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and Sundays at 3 p.m. $14 for adults; $12 for ages two to twelve (including fees). galatheatre.org.

Photo: Stan Weinstein

Park staff and volunteers brush the mules twice a day to help maintain their healthy coats.

Photo: NPS / E. Cowan

Rosie Revere, Engineer at Air and Space

On Thursdays in September at 11 a.m., join Air and Space staff for a reading of Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty to hear a tale of how failure is a part of the engineering process. Then design your own flying machine to test in our wind tunnel. Free but timed passes required. Air and Space Museum, Sixth and Independence Ave. SW. airandspace.si.edu.

Race for Every Child Kids’ Dash

The Race for Every Child, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 8:45 a.m. (opening ceremony at 8 a.m.), at Freedom Plaza, supports children and families throughout the Washington area by raising funds for specialized medical care, research into childhood diseases, and important wellness and preventive services at Children’s National Health System. Participants may register to join in-person or virtually. Registration gives you access to a personalized fundraising dashboard and the opportunity to recruit team members and raise vital funds to support Children’s National Hospital. The 100-yard Kids’ Dash for ages three to ten is a great way to encourage your child to be active and healthy. Just one block long, the Kids’ Dash route is on Pennsylvania Ave. NW, starting at 12th St. and finishing at 13th St. It will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and participants will dash in waves, based on their age group. childrensnational.donordrive.com.

Smithsonian “Morning at the Museum”

The upcoming Morning at the Museum date is Saturday, Oct 14, 8:30 a.m., at the National Air and Space Museum. Registration opens in September. Morning at the Museum (MATM) is a free, sensoryfriendly program for children, teenagers, and young adults who are neurodivergent and their families in which they can visit a Smithsonian museum prior to opening on designated Saturday or Sunday mornings. Monthly programs rotate between Smithsonian museums. Registration is required. Pre-registered families visit one Smithsonian Museum before it opens to the public, where they can participate in activities or explore the exhibitions independently at their own pace. Prior to each program, pre-registered families receive “pre-visit” materials to help them prepare for their visit including social narratives, sensory maps, visual schedules, and tip sheets. Similar pre-visit materials are available to help families plan for visits that take place outside of MATM program hours. These materials can be found in the “Resources” section of the Access Smithsonian website at access.si.edu/program/morning-museum. To learn more about Morning at the Museum or to sign up for the mailing list, email them at access@si.edu.

Cabin John Kids Run 2023

The Cabin John Kids Run is on Sunday, Sept. 23, 9 to 10 a.m. at Cabin John Regional Park in Potomac. In the interest of promoting children’s running, this race is

Family Day Tot Dash at President Lincoln’s Cottage

President Lincoln’s Cottage’s Homecoming Family Day is a celebration of Lincoln’s decision to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation at the very home where he drafted it. This year, it is held on Saturday, Sept. 16. Celebrations include the Freedom 5k (registration, $40) starting at 9 a.m., followed by a free 100 ft. Tot Dash at 10 a.m. and free family activities featuring pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, and other activities for kids and families until 3 p.m. President Lincoln’s Cottage is at 140 Rock Creek Rd. NW. Read more at lincolncottage.org/event/homecoming-2023.

Hill Center Family Day

On Sunday, Oct. 1, 2 to 6 p.m., come to Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, and enjoy a free day of crafts, shows, and carriage rides. Here’s the schedule: 2 p.m., Turley the Magician; 2 to 5 p.m., carriage rides, face painting and balloon animals; 2 to 6 p.m., craft table and DC artist and Hill Center studio arts instructor, Christine Vineyard, will be chatting with families about her hilarious book, Good Jokes Bad Drawings, and offering a craft for kids; 4 to 6 p.m., King Bullfrog hits the stage with high-energy original, folk and blues songs carefully tailored to get children dancing and delight grownups. Beer, wine, and other concessions for purchase. hillcenterdc.org.

Photo: Brian Rimm, courtesy of President Lincoln’s Cottage

Photo: Chloe Parsons/Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

free to all runners 17 and under. Registration is race-day only. Read more and get directions at runwashington.com/events/cabin-johns-kids-run-2023-1203.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

Using more than 70 beautiful, larger-than-life puppets and original music, this special event follows all your favorite characters from “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very Busy Spider,” “10 Little Rubber Ducks,” and, of course, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD, from Sept. 22 to Oct. 22. Best for ages three to eight. $12, up. Spanish language shows are on Saturdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14 and 22, at 10 a.m. imaginationstage.org.

Read to a PAL (People Animals Love) Pup

On Monday, Sept. 18, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Northeast Library, 330 Seventh St. NE, hosts book-loving dogs with their friends at PAL (People Animals Love). Children are welcome to practice their literacy skills and boost their self-con dence by reading to these calm and con dent dogs (and their humans). Bring your favorite book to read aloud or choose from a variety of dog-related stories at the library. dclibrary.org.

Welcome to a Native Place

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Sept. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27, 1 to 1:30 p.m., enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa, Isanti Dakota, and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the American Indian Museum’s Po-

tomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture in the past and present. The American Indian Museum is at Fourth and Independence SW. americanindian.si.edu.

“Magic Mirror” at Glen Echo

Magic Mirror is The Puppet Company’s special 40th Anniversary production. This production was the rst show founders Christopher Piper and Allan Stevens worked on as the Puppet Co. Meet Toad, a young person destined for greatness in this mash-up story with lots of familiar fairy tales. Join them on this journey of dragons, monsters, and spirits of the woods. Directed by Elizabeth Dapo. The show runs through Sept. 17; Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. and

The Curiosity Runway at Reagan National Airport

Reagan National Airport has teamed up with the National Children’s Museum to bring a fun and exciting play experience for their youngest customers. Sponsored by The Boeing Company, this exhibit sparks curiosity through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Curiosity Runway gives children a dedicated and comfortable space where they can safely play and explore the wonders of aviation. Located in National Hall, near the north security checkpoint exit, children can enjoy exciting Interactive Game Displays, a Jetsetter Slide, and a Cloud Crawler that encourages motor skills. The Curiosity Runway is a great place for children to have fun and learn while waiting to y. For the young at heart, parents can enjoy seating and charging stations located on the perimeter of the Curiosity Runway. Adult supervision is always required. yreagan.com/ travel-information/services-amenities/ kids-play-space.

1 p.m. It is recommended for ages four and up. $15; free for under age two. The run time is about 50 minutes. Magic Mirror is at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. thepuppetco.org.

Look Both Ways at the KC

This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen— they were all too busy. Washington, DCarea native, New York Times best-selling author, and Kennedy Center Next 50 leader Jason Reynolds conjures 10 tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings. Ten unique perspectives are brilliantly woven into one funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life. And now Reynolds’ award-winning book (Carnegie Medal, Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, National Book Award for Young People’s Literature nalist) becomes an

exciting world premiere, in a co-production with Theater Alliance. Most enjoyed by ages ten, up. $20. Look Both Ways is at the Kennedy Center from Oct. 14 to 29. kennedy-center.org.

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular at Glen Echo

From Sept. 28 to Oct. 29, the Puppet Co. at Glen Echo presents the Halloween Spooktacular, a funny competitive variety show where the audience gets to vote for the winner. This not-sospooky show, lled with puns and Halloween humor, will entertain kids and parents. Shows take place on Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. It is recommended for ages four and up. $15; free for under age two. The run time is about 45 minutes. Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular is at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. thepuppetco. org. ◆

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Adventure Theatre

With charm, wit, and heart, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life’s big questions through the eyes of the Peanuts gang as they play baseball, y kites, struggle with homework, swoon over crushes, and celebrate the joys of friendship. Growing up is serious business! You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown is at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo Park, 7300 Mac Arthur Blvd. from Sept. 22 to Oct. 29. adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

XWORD

Concealing

by Myles Mellor

Across:

Down:

1.

3.

4.

6.

7.

8.

9.

11.

Minor Bear

58. Cable inits. 59. Resentment 61. Lord of the Rings evil warrior 62. Buy and sell

Campers, for short

Temporary downturn

Palindromic poetic preposition

U.S.S.R. successor

Cry in cartoons

81. Gives birth 82. Chemical ending

Rep’s opposite

Napoleon, e.g.

It could give you a lift

WW II fighting unit (abbr.)

Corporate abbr.

Sgt. for one

Bunch

“Good” cholesterol, initially

Wide shoe specification

Classic Welles role