MARCH 2020
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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
IN EVERY ISSUE
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The Bulletin Board
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A Proven Success in Affordable Housing by Elizabeth O’Gorek
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The Numbers The DC Budget Is Coming! by Ed Lazere
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Our River, The Anacostia: Lessons From The Chesapeake
04 14 42 43
What’s on Washington Calendar The Crossword The Classifieds
by Bill Matuszeski
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Meet Your Neighbor: Chef Big Jon of Sinfully Wright Catering by Anthony D. Diallo
HOMES & GARDENS 37
Changing Hands compiled by Don Denton
EAST WASHINGTON LIFE
KIDS & FAMILY
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A Love Affair with Pizza by Jonathan Bardzik
Notebook by Kathleen Donner
ON THE COVER: Photo: Chan Davis. Anacostia River Festival. SEE CALENDAR PAGE 14
Capital Community News, Inc. Publisher of: Capital Community News, Inc. 224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300. Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 www.capitalcommunitynews.com www.hillrag.com
MIDCITY
F A G O N
GUIDE TO CAPITOL HILL
FAGON
EDUCATION
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissa.ashabranner@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com PUBLISHER: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2020 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.
We welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to andrew@hillrag.com. We are also interested in your views on community issues which are published in the Last Word. Please limit your comments to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send Last Word submissions to lastword@hillrag.com. For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.
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WHAT’S ON W A S H I N G T O N
Photo: Courtesy of Signature Theatre
CAMILE CLAUDEL Turn-of-the-century French sculptor Camille Claudel was a groundbreaking artist and a revolutionary free-thinker. But, her entire life was determined by the men around her, from her passionate and tumultuous love affair with Auguste Rodin to her unsupportive brother to the gender-based censorship of her work. Signature’s MAX Theatre transforms into famed sculptor Rodin’s studio to bring their creative and lovers’ duel to life in a stunning and gorgeous new musical of an irrepressible visionary who broke the mold. This world premier musical is at Arlington’s Signature Theatre from March 24 to April. sigtheatre.org.
SPLIT THIS ROCK POETRY FESTIVAL Every two years, Split This Rock Poetry Festival calls poets, writers, educators, activists and scholars together for three days of readings, workshops, panel discussions, youth programming, open mics, activism and a book fair. Featuring some of the most socially significant and artistically vibrant poets today, the Festival offers opportunities to build connections and community and celebrate the many ways poetry can be a practice for social change. The festival is from March 26 to 28 at GWU’s Marvin Center. splitthisrock.org.
Photo: Kelsey Hunter Ayres
BRIAN FALLON Brian Fallon and the Howling Weather are Lincoln Theater, 1215 U St. NW, on March 13, 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is not assigned. Best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main lyricist of The Gaslight Anthem, Brian Fallon combines the working class sensibilities of Springsteen and Tom Petty with the sounds of The Clash. His third album, Local Honey, is scheduled for release on March 27. $35. thelincolndc.com.
AGE OLD CITIES: A VIRTUAL JOURNEY FROM PALMYRA TO MOSUL
Photo: Arab World Institute, Paris/Iconem
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Through Oct. 25, journey to three cities in the Middle East—Palmyra and Aleppo in Syria and Mosul in Iraq—in this virtual exhibition organized by the Arab World Institute, Paris, and created in collaboration with UNESCO. These cities, among the oldest uninterrupted human settlements in the world, have recently been devastated by war. To preserve these sites for future generations, Age Old Cities offers large-scale projections and digital reconstructions of iconic monuments and ancient structures rising from ruins to their former glory. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. asia.si.edu.
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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Irish punk band The Murder Capital
THE MURDER CAPITAL On the title track of their debut album, “For Everything:” The Irish punk band Murder Capital scream: “I am a blissless star, corroded through the core / The very many know I’m dodging holes / There’s nothing left in store, for I am a weightless diver, terrified and free / The possibility of symphony within my tragedy, seen.” The song combines heaviness, the bleakness and the rage with a surprising amount of tenderness. Their new record, “When I Have Fears,” has been called “a purple bruise on the hard knee of the so-called post-punk resurgence.” The Murder Capital is at the DC9 Club, 1940 Ninth St. NW, on Monday, March 16, 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 to $13. dc9.club.
Courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
SAKURA MATURI JAPANESE STREET FAIR The Sakura Maturi Japanese Street Fair is the largest oneday celebration of Japanese culture in the US. This year enjoy four stages of performances and demonstrations, cultural exhibitors, food vendors, cooking demos and a children’s corner. Held the same day as the Cherry Blossom Parade, April 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Pennsylvania Avenue between Third and Seventh Streets NW, it features 30 cumulative hours of programming and welcomes more than 80 cultural groups, arts vendors and food booths. Admission is $10; children 12 and under, free. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
Jules Coignet, View of Bozen with a Painter, 1837, oil on paper, mounted on canvas, National Gallery of Art, DC, Gift of Mrs. John Jay Ide in memory of Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Donner
ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL From March 12 to 22, DC hosts the largest environmental film festival in the world with more than 100 films. Collaborating with over 110 partners, including museums, embassies, universities and theaters, the Environmental Film Festival is the city’s leading green cultural event. The full schedule will be announced shortly. Many screenings are free. dceff.org. ABOVE: In ADAPTATION: Kentucky, scientist and National Geographic Explorer Alizé Carrère travels to western Kentucky to meet Angie Yu, a Chinese American woman who is turning the Mississippi River’s invasive Asian carp problem into an environmental and economic triumph.
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TRUE TO NATURE: OPEN-AIR PAINTING IN EUROPE, 1780–1870 An integral part of art education in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, painting en plein air was a core practice for avant-garde artists in Europe. Artists such as Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, John Constable, Simon Denis, and André Giroux—made sometimes arduous journeys to paint their landscapes in person at breathtaking sites, ranging from the Baltic coast and Swiss Alps to the streets of Paris and ruins of Rome. This exhibition of some 100 oil sketches made outdoors across Europe during that time includes several recently discovered works. True to Nature is at the National Gallery of Art through May 3. nga.gov.
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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
IN SERIES’ RIGOLETTO
Photo: T a mzi nB . Sm ith
Verdi’s darkly unforgettable and tuneful opera comes to life as an immersive circus production. The horror and visceral drama of this immortal opera which remains as beloved and shocking today as it did at its premiere. Conductor Victoria Gau of Captial City Symphony leads a brilliant new orchestration for circus ensemble and a vibrant young cast in this new version of Verdi’s opera which promises to delight and overwhelm audiences who step right up to the GREATEST OPERA-SHOW ON EARTH. Rigoletto is on stage at The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from April 11 to 19. inseries.org.
Photo: Wojciech Wandzel
IRELAND AT THE WHARF On March 14, 1 to 6 p.m., celebrate the rich culture and tradition of the Emerald Isle with bagpipers, live music, Irish dancers and the Guinness beer garden on District Pier. Jig along to live music from Poor Man’s Gambit, 19th Street Band and festival headliner Scythian. New this year: enjoy special samplings from Roe & Co. Irish Whiskey and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Entrance to the festival is free; food and drinks sold on site. All ages are welcome; must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Sláinte! wharfdc.com.
Image: Charles Chaisson
THE KRONOS QUARTET On March 13, 8 p.m., San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet with the Choral Arts Chamber Singers performs Sun Rings at GW’s Lisner Auditorium. On the heels of its second Grammy Award, the quartet travels not just beyond standard musical genres, but into outer space itself in the first-ever DC performance of Sun Rings. This ten-movement suite, composed by Terry Riley, was commissioned by NASA to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Voyager Planetary Mission launches. Sun Rings weaves together string quartet, choir and the sounds of space. $30 to $50. kronosquartet.org.
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AUGUST WILSON’S SEVEN GUITARS The 1940s Pittsburgh is the backdrop for August Wilson’s fifth cycle play and the second production in the August Wilson Festival. Seven lives are interconnected when old friend and blues singer Floyd Barton vows to turn his life around after a surprise windfall leaves him hopeful for a second chance. Infused with deep and soaring blues rhythms, this play pits the desire for a better future against the harsh realities ultimately leading to heartbreaking and inescapable circumstances. Seven Guitars is at Arena Stage from April 3 to May 3. arenastage.org.
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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
HOPFEST 2020 Photo: DC United / Xavi Dussaq
DC UNITED SEASON OPENS DC United season begins on Feb. 29, 1 p.m., at Audi Field in SW in a match against the Colorado Rapids. Other home games this spring are March 7 vs. Inter Miami CF; April 3 vs. New York City FC; April 15 vs. Toronto FC; April 26 vs. New York Red Bulls; May 9 vs. Houston Dynamo; May 16 vs. Orlando City SC; and May 30 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Ticket prices are $35, up. dcunited.com.
The DC brewing community invites hop-lovers to its sixth annual HopFest on March 14, 1 to 5 p.m. at DC Brau Brewing Company, 3178 Bladensburg Rd. NE. HopFest 2020 is the only DC beer festival by local brewers, for local brewers. Tickets for this 21+ event are $50 which includes a DC Brewers’ Guild tasting glass and unlimited pours. HopFest 2020 benefits the District of Columbia Brewers’ Guild, an 501(c)(6) organization that exists to unify the DC brewing community by honoring the city’s brewing heritage, fostering community development and pride, educating consumers, promoting shared business interests and encouraging sustainable growth. Jump quickly. Hopfest sells out. dcbg.org.
INHERIT THE WINDBAG In the summer of 1968, liberal Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley met for a series of debates that rocked America and defined the genre of punditry. Now, for one evening only, Vidal and Buckley meet in the Dismal Beyond, also known as the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA, to reprise their infamous debate. What ensues is a battle for history itself, in a noholds-barred sesquipedalian brawl and satirical battle of wits, assisted by an ever-revolving cast of characters from Aaron Burr to Ayn Rand. This world premier play is on stage at the Atlas from March 11 to 29. atlasarts.org.
Photo: Courtesy of the Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House
WOODLAWN NEEDLEWORK SHOW Woodlawn Mansion was the first family home of Eleanor “Nelly” Custis, George and Martha Washington’s granddaughter and one of America’s first “celebrity” craft people. The annual needlework show and sale honors this legacy as a premier showcase of the needle arts, promoting emerging needlework artists and raising the needed funds to preserve this historic site. Visit the show and sale daily in March, except Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A general admission ticket is $15; $6 for K through 12; and free for five and under. woodlawnpopeleighey.org. 10
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John Lescault (left) and Paul Morella (right) Photo: Iwan Bagus
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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
A RIGHT TO THE CITY: BRANDI T. SUMMERS Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club
NATIONALS SEASON OPENS The 2019 World Champion Washington Nationals Home Opener is on April 2, 1:05 p.m. against the Mets which is followed by a day games against the Mets on the weekend. April game series are against the Marlins, Cubs and Dodgers. Single game tickets are on sale now. Friday night fireworks this year are April 17, May 1, June 19, July 3 and Aug. 14. mlb.com/nationals.
On March 21, 2 to 4 p.m., Brandi Summers talks about “Black in Place: The Spatial Aesthetics of Race in a Post-Chocolate City.” The book documents DC’s shift to a “post-chocolate” cosmopolitan metropolis by charting H Street’s economic and racial developments. In doing so, Summers offers a theoretical framework for understanding how blackness is aestheticized and deployed to organize landscapes and raise capital. This program is part of a series of author talks in connection with the exhibition, A Right To The City. It was developed in partnership with American University, Metropolitan Policy Center. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu.
Sting as Jackie White and the cast perform “We’ve Got Nowt Else” in The Last Ship. Photo: Matthew Murphy
Photo: Stan Barouh
THE LAST SHIP The Last Ship, inspired by Sting’s 1991 album “The Soul Cages” and his own childhood experiences, tells the story of a community amid the demise of the shipbuilding industry in Tyne and Wear with the closure of the Swan Hunter shipyard. When a sailor named Gideon Fletcher returns home after seventeen years at sea, tensions between past and future flare in both his family and his town. Staring as shipyard foreman Jackie White, Sting will perform at every show. Best for ages 12, up. $49 to $154. The Last Ship is on stage at the Nation, March 27 to April 5. thenationaldc.com.
PEARSONWIDRIG DANCE THEATER On March 28 and 29, Pearsonwidrig Dance Theater premieres two solos and remount “Take Me With You,” which won the Dance Metro DC Award for Outstanding Overall Production in 2013. In exploring impending loss in the midst of longing for the Beloved, it asks unanswerable questions with disarming humor. And then there’s the blue floating shark. The premiers are The Sky is Falling and Heathens and Havens. $15 to 30. Dance Place is at 3225 Eighth St. NE. danceplace.org. 12
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KRS-ONE Rap legend and stop-the-violence activist KRS-One is at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW, on March 13, 9 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Lawrence “Kris” Parker better known as KRS-One, rose to prominence as part of the hip hop music group Boogie Down Productions, which he formed with DJ Scott La Rock in the mid-1980s. He is best known for top hits: “Sound of da Police”, “Love’s gonna get’cha” and “My Philosophy.” Tickets are $25 in advance: $30 day-of. howard.theatredc.org.
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MARCH AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD This Bitter Earth at Anacostia Playhouse. Through March 22. Jesse, an introspective, black playwright, finds his lack of activism questioned by his white boyfriend, Neil, an impassioned member of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. theateralliance.com. Twilight Tuesdays at the Anacostia Community Museum. Tuesdays, 5 to 8 PM. Stop by and see their exhibits, learn
about their collections, or hang out in their Sunburst Room. This is a free drop-in program. March 10, Learn about Barry Farm resident Georgiana Rose Simpson, the second African American woman in the US to receive a PhD in early 20th century America. March 17, Irish Step Dancing. Have some cookies and green kool-aid for the occasion. Watch a performance of traditional Irish step dancing with the Shannon Dunne Dance Company outside on the museum’s garden plaza. March 24, Open Mic Night. Is there a stand-up comedian in you itching to get out? Stop by the museum
Anacostia River Festival
April 5, 1 to 5 PM (rain date April 19). Take a canoe out to explore the River, ride in their bike parade, play lawn games with your family, and experience Southeast DC’s local arts scene at this special free event. Anacostia Park, Anacostia Drive and Good Hope Rd. SE. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. Photo: Chan Davis
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and tell us your funniest jokes or monologues. Program will be hosted by comedian, P.T. Bratton. March 31, Bring in Your Treasures. What is the best way to store your personal heirlooms? Join museum staff to learn about a recent project to create state-of-the-art containers for over 1,000 objects in the Museum’s collection. Museum staff will describe the best materials, techniques and strategies to use for storing a variety of objects. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu. Mushroom Inoculation Workshop. March 21, 10 AM to noon. Join the BBAR Farm team inoculating edible mushrooms on THEARC Farm. Participants will learn the basics of fungi growing, and gets hands-on experience inoculating oyster and shiitake mushrooms. Register at bbardc.org/. Busboys and Poets Weekly Open-Mic. Every Tuesday, 8 to 10 PM. For two hours, audiences can expect a diverse chorus of voices and a vast array of professional spoken word performers, open mic rookies, musicians and a different host every week. Busboys and Poets-Anacostia, 2004 MLK Ave. SE. busboysandpoets.com. Soufside Sip & Shop Brunch. Every third Sunday of the month, 11 AM to 3 PM. Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, 3200 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. chacc.org. Soufside Sip & Shop Happy Hour. Every Thursday, 6:30 to 9 PM. Featuring music, food, vendors and vibes. Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, 3200 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. chacc.org. East of the River Spanish. Sundays through June 15, 10 to 11:45 PM. Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, 3200 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. chacc.org. Bird Walks at Kenilworth Park. Sundays, 8 AM. Walk takes place over a 1.5-mile route and visitors should be prepared to stand and walk in both sunny and shaded areas and on unpaved trails. Tours are offered year-round and will focus on park history as well as wildlife found along the Anacostia River and flowers blooming during that season. Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, 1900 Anacostia Ave. SE. nps.gov/keaq. A Right to the City at the Anacostia Community Museum. Through April 20, 2020. After a half-century of population decline and disinvestment, Washington, DC, and similar urban centers around the country have been witnessing a “return to the city,” with rapidly growing populations, rising rents and home prices. A Right to the City explores the history of neighborhood change in the nation’s capital. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu.
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SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP TODAY For existing & inspiring District businesses - the Small Business Resource Center is here for you!
DCRA at Your Neighborhood Library – Learn The Process of Starting a Business
All Things Non-Profit Thursday, March 19, 2020 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200 Washington, DC 20024 Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47906
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Deanwood Neighborhood Library 1350 49th Street NE Washington, DC 20019 Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/48232
Meet One-on-One with a Lawyer for Free!
Senior Entrepreneurship Workshop
Saturday, March 21, 2020 9:30 am – 12:00 pm Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200 Washington, DC 20024 Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/48964
Thursday, March 5, 2020 10:15 am – 11:45 am Model Cities Senior Center 1901 Evarts Street NE Washington, DC 20018 Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47875
The Secret Sauce
DCRA at UPO: How to Start a Business
Thursday, March 26, 2020 10:00 am – 11:30 am Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant 1114 U Street NW Washington, DC 20009 Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/49038
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm United Planning Organization 2907 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE Washington, DC 20032 Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/48383
How to Develop a Successful Business Plan
SBRC’s One-On-One Session: Basic Steps to Obtaining a Business License
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200 Washington, DC 20024 Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47981
Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (By appointment) Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor, Room E-268 Washington, DC 20024 Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events
Jacqueline Noisette | (202) 442-8170 | jacqueline.noisette@dc.gov Claudia Herrera | (202) 442-8055 | claudia.herrera@dc.gov Joy Douglas | (202) 442-8690 | joy.douglas@dc.gov Tamika Wood | (202) 442-8004 | tamika.wood@dc.gov
ANC-8B
Regular Monthly Meeting 3rd Tuesday @ 7:00 pm Seventh District Station • Alabama Ave., & McGee St., S.E. 16
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Anacostia Parkrun: Weekly Free 5k Timed Run
Saturdays, 9 AM. Anacostia Park, 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE. Registration required before your first run. You are welcome to join in whatever your pace (you against the clock). Every week runners grab a post parkrun coffee at a local café. Read more at parkrun.us/anacostia. Tour the Frederick Douglass House. Daily tours are at 9 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM, 3 PM and 3:30 PM. Ranger led tours are the only way to see the inside of the Frederick Douglass house. Tours are ticketed, and there are a lim-
Photo: Eden Gray
ited number of tickets available for each tour. Tour tickets are available by reservation or on a first come, first served basis. Tours last about 30 minutes. 1411 W St. SE. nps.gov/frdo. A Self-Reliant People: Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail. Discover this traditionally African American enclave in far Northeast when you follow A Self-Reliant People: Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail. Fifteen poster-sized street signs combine storytelling with historic photographs and maps to transport you back to the days before Deanwood was Deanwood. culturaltourismdc.org/portal/820. The Blackest Battle. May 16 to June 14 (save the dates). It’s the Fourth of July in the not too distant future. Reparations have been paid to the African-Americans of Chief County—yet Black on Black violence rains down like a fiery storm. In this revolutionary hip-hop musical, Bliss and Dream, members of warring rap factions, fall in love while wrestling with making sense of their turbulent lives. Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. theateralliance.com.
SPORTS AND FITNESS Capital City Go-Go at Entertainment and Sports Arena. March 20, 22 and 28. Single game tickets start at $10. Entertainment and Sports Arena, 1100 Oak Dr. SE. esaontherise.com.
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The Building of A March at Deanwood Library
Deanwood Neighborhood Library invites you to visit the newest Diorama featuring “ The March on Washington” by Library Associate Dawn Fox. Come out and experience the wonder of what it was like on that day in August 1963 when hundreds of thousands marched for Voting Rights for African Americans on the National Mall. Deanwood Library, 1350 49th St. NE. dclibrary.org/deanwood. Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Skating closes for maintenance on March 15. It will re-open in early July. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE. fdia.org. Transpose Yoga. First and Third Saturday, 11 AM to noon. Free; donations welcome. Anacostia Arts Center, 2131 Good Hope Rd. SE. anacostiaartscenter.com. Vinyasa Yoga. Every Wednesday, 6:30 PM. Unite the mind, body, and spirit through a soothing moving meditation practice of yoga. All levels. $5; mat rental $1. Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, 3200 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. chacc.org. Barry Farm Aquatic Center. Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30 AM to 8 PM; and Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM to 5PM. Free for DC residents. 1230 Sumner Rd. SE. dpr.dc.gov. Deanwood Aquatic Center. Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 8 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Free for DC residents. 1350 49th St. NE. dpr.dc.gov. Ferebee Hope Aquatic Center. Open weekdays, 10 AM to 6 PM. Closed weekends. Free for DC residents. 3999 Eighth St. SE. dpr.dc.gov. u
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neighborhood news
Hamilton comes to the KenCen. Photo: Joan Marcus
and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Francis Gregory Library. For more information and to find other sites offering tax assistance, visit dclibrary.org/incometax.
Fort Stanton Park and Shepherd Parkway Cleanups Hamilton Tickets On-Sale in March
return enThe Kennedy Center has announced that single tickets for the Washington, DC online a.m., 10 at 9 March , Monday on public the to sale on gagement of Hamilton will go 202-467 calling by or ce, offi box Center Kennedy the at person in rg, at kennedy-center.o There 20. Sept. to 16 June 4600 or 800-444-1324. Tickets will be available for performances ed closwill be forty $10 orchestra seats offered for all performances. Details will be announc er to the engagement. nt Hamilton is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigra Revoluthe during man d from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-han that blends tionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score then, as America of story the is n Hamilto y, Broadwa and hip hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, now. told by America
The Southeast Porchfest Call for Artists
The Southeast Porchfest, on May 17, is a music festival held on front porches and lawns throughout the Penn Branch Community. They are looking for artists, host homes, vendors and sponsors. Visit porchfestdc.com.
Share Your Ward 7 Circulator Ideas with DDOT
DDOT has been going to meetings across Ward 7 asking for input from the community about where they want a new Ward 7 circulator to go. Visit dccirculator.com/tdp2020 for information of how to offer DDOT your ideas and feedback.
Free Tax Help at East of the River Libraries
Through April 15, meet with a qualified AARP tax aide to help answer your tax questions and prepare your 2019 income tax filing. Get free help on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Bellevue Library; on Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Anacostia Library; on Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Capital View Library; and on Tuesdays 20
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On the first Saturday of every month, help remove trash and invasive plants from Fort Stanton Park, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers meet in front of the Ft. Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. Gloves, bags, and light refreshments are provided. Wear boots, durable pants, and clothes you won’t mind getting dirty. Bring a water bottle-refills provided. Documentation of community service hours will be provided upon request. Ward 8 Woods also holds Shepherd Parkway cleanups every second Saturday of the month, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers meet at 555 Newcomb St. SE. For questions, contact Nathan at 301-758-5892 or nathan@ward8woods.org.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III Discusses Memoir “A Fool’s Errand”
On Thursday, March 12, 7 p.m., at Francis A. Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE, Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and founding director of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture discusses his book ìFool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush, Obama, and Trumpî. Secretary Bunchís tale of the triumphs and challenges of bringing the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to life is by turns inspiring, funny, frustrating, quixotic, bittersweet, and above all, a compelling read. Copies of the book with pre-signed bookplates will be available for purchase. Secretary Bunch will be in conversation with Prof. Dana Williams of Howard University.
Kenilworth Park Spring Volunteer Events
Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens partners with the National Park Service to host special events and celebrations throughout the year. Spring clean-up volunteer events are from 9 a.m. to noon, on Saturdays, March 28, April 25 and May 30. Read more and register at kenaqgardens.org/events.
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neighborhood news / bulletin board
AWS Earth Day Cleanup 2020 (save the date)
On Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to noon, join the Anacostia Watershed Society for their signature annual clean-up event. With nearly 40 sites across the watershed, volunteers will be collecting litter while beautifying and restoring their Anacostia River. Volunteer registration will open on March 2. If you would like to find out more about volunteering on Earth Day or sponsoring the event, email the AWS Earth Day team at earthday@anacostiaws.org. Join the Earth Day email list at anacostiaws.org.
Free St. Patrick’s Day Lyft Rides Offered
Preparing to combat that time of year when, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, well over a third of all US traffic deaths involve drunk drivers, free St. Patrick’s Day Lyft rides will be offered to deter impaired driving throughout the Washington-metropolitan area beginning Tuesday, March 17. Offered by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, the St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide program will be in operation from 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) until 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18. During this time, area residents age 21 and older celebrating with alcohol may download Lyft to their phones, then enter a SoberRide code in the app’s “Promo” section to receive their no cost (up to $15) safe transportation home. WRAP’s St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide promo code will be posted at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 on SoberRide.com. Volunteers at one of Anacostia Watershed Society and Adopt-a-Block locations in Historic Anacostia. Photo: Courtesy of the Anacostia Watershed Society and
Adult College Completion Fair
Are you 18 years of age or older and interested in going to college? Did you start college but were unable to finish? If that’s you, on AWS Anacostia Park Cleanups Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at One Judiciary Square, 441 On Saturdays, March 21, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and June 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the Anacostia WaterFourth St. NW, join the Office of the State Superintendent of Edushed Society and help clean up one of their favorite National Parks by the future 11th Street Bridge Park. cation for the Sixth Annual Adult College Completion Fair. Register Meet at the Corner of Good Hope Road SE and Anacostia Drive. This event will involve lifting, bending at eventbrite.com/e/osses-sixth-annual-adult-college-completionand walking. Participants will be expected to wear closed-toed shoes for the duration of the event. Great fair-tickets-89134320151. Have conversations with representatives for families! For more information, contact Emily Castelli at ecastelli2@anacostiaws.org or call 301-699from local universities and colleges that offer adult friendly creden6204 x103. Register at anacostiaws.org. tials and associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs; scholarship and resource information; adult friendly online education options; degree audits with local college or university representatives; workRFK Stadium: From the Past to the Future shops on financial aid; application fee waivers from participating colleges and univerOn Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m., the winner of the 2020 Dick Wolf Prize, Nicholas Masities; and on-site admissions for eligible prospective students. lin, will present a lecture, “RFK Stadium: From the Past to the Future,” at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Nick’s lecture will provide a layman’s explanation of historic preservation and what that means if the stadium is transferred to the District of ColumImproved E-Bikes Return to Capital Bikeshare bia. His lecture will focus on the historic context of sports stadiums, with emphasis on this Spring the unique history of RFK, and how that might inform us about the future of RFK StaDDOT and its six partner jurisdictions announced that e-bikes will return to the Capdium in terms of its eligibility for historic preservation and future uses. Nick is a graduital Bikeshare system this spring with a new mobile app experience that will include a ate of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Michigan, and currently hybrid locking technology. The 1,500 e-bikes will be added to the existing Capital Bikeserves as an attorney for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Deshare fleet in a phased roll out throughout the spring. The new e-bikes developed by velopment. During law school, Nick took great interest in real property law, land use law, Lyft will be equipped with a hybrid locking technology, allowing riders to either lock environmental law, and historic preservation law. Nick hopes that his legal career will conthe bikes to one of the District’s 5,000 bike racks for a $1 out-of-station fee per trip; or tinue to be defined by his commitment to public service. The talk will be preceded by a dock at a Capital Bikeshare station. Capital Bikeshare users, including members, will brief membership meeting and followed by a champagne reception. The event is free and be charged $1 e-bike fee per trip, in addition to the normal trip fees. These fees will not the public is encouraged to attend. apply to members in the Community Partners Program, which is Capital Bikeshare’s The Dick Wolf Memorial Lecture is an annual event to showcase excellence in research equity program; or customers riding classic Capital Bikeshare bikes. ddot.dc.gov. and writing on urban planning and historic preservation in the District of Columbia by a student or intern. The winner delivers a presentation and receives a $1,000 prize. chrs.org. 22
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DPW Announces Next Phase of Bike Lane Enforcement
The DC Department of Public Works has announced that the agency will issue $150 tickets to any motorist improperly standing, stopping or parking in a bike lane. DPW has increased its bike lane enforcement program by mobilizing 26 new Parking Enforcement Officers and giving the entire PEO team—now nearly 300 strong—the ability to photograph vehicles blocking bike lanes. Violators will receive a $150 printed ticket at the scene, or a photo ticket in the mail along with an image showing the bike lane violation. Tickets can be appealed through the normal adjudication process with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Grant Panelists Wanted
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities relies on volunteer citizen panelists to evaluate and rate grant applications at various times throughout the year. Panelists review applications, provide comments, and score applications in order to advise on proposals submitted to the agency’s various grant programs. Selected panelists will demonstrate expertise through involvement in one or more sectors of the creative economy in the District. Individuals with arts and humanities backgrounds make the strongest candidates. CAH supports panel diversity in all forms: age, race, gender, disabilities, sexual orientation, artistic discipline, location, etc. CAH grant programs will be paneled during the spring, summer and fall of 2020. Apply at dcarts. dc.gov/page/be-grant-panelist.
Annual Abraham Lincoln Symposium Date Announced
The Abraham Lincoln Institute and Ford’s Theatre Society present a free full-day symposium focused on the life, career and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln, Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Ford’s Theatre, 511 Tenth St. NW. This event is free and open to the public. Day-of tickets will be available on March 21, 2020, on a first-come basis. Noted authors and historians will discuss aspects of our 16th president’s youth, popular memory and legacy, Civ24
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il War-era newspapers, the stigma of insanity that followed Mary Lincoln, and more. Each discussion concludes with audience questions. Authors will sign books in the Ford’s Theatre lobby following their presentations. Books will be available for sale at the Ford’s Theatre Gift Shop. Fords.org.
File Federal and DC Taxes for Free
You can benefit from high quality, trusted and free tax preparation services throughout the District of Columbia and online. Services are provided for DC residents with income up to $35,000 and for DC families with income up to $56,000. Your Federal and DC taxes will be filed for by IRS-certified community volunteers thanks to the services provided by Community Tax Aid, Catholic Charities-Archdiocese of Washington, and United Planning Organization. To learn what to bring with you and to locate a free tax preparation site in Washington, DC, visit caab.org. Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create opportunities for lowand moderate-income individuals in the Greater DC region to build financial security, savings, and wealth for the future.
Free Legal Clinic for Start-up Nonprofits and Small Businesses
On Wednesday, March 18, 2 to 4 p.m., the DC Bar Pro Bono Center will hold a free legal clinic to help small businesses and nonprofits go over the legal requirements for starting up in DC. At the clinic, pro bono attorneys will meet with you one-on-one and walk you through several questions regarding your organization’s current status, in order to identify your next steps toward becoming a legal entity. Entrepreneurs and aspiring small business owners can learn about the different entity types and the requirements for each, internal governing documents, registering and licensing their business in DC, and other necessary steps to get their for-profit business going. Nonprofits can learn how to incorporate with DCRA, the process for obtaining
501(c)(3) status from the IRS, and early stage corporate governance best practices. The clinic will only provide brief legal information, but your organization may request additional assistance from the DC Bar Pro Bono Center to follow up on legal issues identified in the course of the attorney consultation. Registration is required at probono. center/startupclinic. Questions? Email Lauren Paley at Lpaley@dcbar.org.
Politics & Art: District of Creativity Call for Musicians
Politics & Art, June 10, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Wilson Building, is a celebration of DC’s vibrant arts community with performances by singers, vocal ensembles, bands, and spoken word artists. It will spotlight DC-based artists who use the power of their voices to inspire, entertain, and empower. Artists who live in the District are invited to apply. This is a showcase format, with multiple locations that will be activated within the Wilson Building. Each act will perform a set of 15 minutes. This call is open to artists of all ages residing in Washington, DC (or, in the case of an ensemble, where a majority of the artists reside in Washington, DC), in the following categories: Vocal Performance with Accompanist; Vocal Performance A Cappella; Spoken Word and Vocal Percussion. Deadline is March 13. washingtonperformingarts.submittable.com.
Small Business Program Podcast: So You Want to Hire Employees
Join David Broderdorf, Senior Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and Christine Kulumani, Staff Attorney, DC Bar Pro Bono Center, as they discuss the significant step of hiring an employee. Learn about the differences between independent contractors and employees, hiring your first employees, and the major obligations and costs associated with having employees. Listen to the podcast at https://www.lawhelp. org/dc/resource/podcast-so-you-wantto-hire-employees. u
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A Proven Success in Affordable Housing
Southwest’s St. James Mutual Homes Shows How It Can Be Done by Elizabeth O’Gorek
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t was Christmas time, housing units becoming a coopbut there was no erative. In the late fifties, most of wreath on the door of Southwest was razed as part of Yolanda Eaton’s secan Urban Renewal plan, where ond-floor apartment at the federal government seized the St. James Mutual Homes the entire area through emi(215 O St. SW). The living nent domain, razing 560 acres room was shrouded in darkof land. The project destroyed ness, the curtains were pulled most of Southwest DC and the across the windows. Her elthriving black community that derly downstairs neighbor lived there. In 1959, the Reknew that Eaton, who everydevelopment Land Agency one called Yo, had lost her (RLA), charged with managing mother only days earlier. But renewal, purchased the Koberthe neighbor hadn’t seen Yo Sternberg Courts. in days, and her car hadn’t Kober-Sternberg Courts moved, either. was not razed because the The neighbor dialed Yo’s complex was around 20 years number, leaving her a voiceold and because it providmail. “Now, Yo, you know I’m ed affordable housing in the your Momma now and there’s area. With the help of a Fedno need for you to be upset eral Housing Authority (FHA) and lonely and sad. I’m right loan the newly created St. St. Jame Mutual Homes Board Members, L-R Terrence D. Richardson, Vice-President; Yolanda M. Eaton, Treasurer; Barbara down here,” Eaton recountJames Mutual Homes CoopD. Richardson, Secretary; Marguerite E. Parker, President. Missing is William F. Broadus, Member-At-Large. ed the message, years later. erative, consisting of current She was touched that the elresidents, bought the comder lady cared about her in her plex from RLA for $500,000 Last Effort of the Washington time of mourning. in 1966, RLA having lowered the price to allow reasonSanitary Movement “But I had to call her and tell her I was in Hawaii,” able rents after renovations. St. James Mutual Homes (here STJMH for short) was she said. It is the first identified example of a complex purchased one of the last developments built during the final wave of Sitting in the office of the St. James Mutual Homes, by a cooperative group represented by tenants. By August, the Sanitary Housing movement, which aimed to provide Eaton and the other members of the cooperative commu1967, 98 of the 107 units were sold, mostly to former tenhealthy, beautiful housing at an affordable rate. nity’s board laugh uproariously at the punchline. ants, most of whom were African American, and some of The STJMH campus, formerly known as the KoberBoth the tale and the laughter encapsulate the sense whom are still living there. Sternburg Courts, actually consists of two separate develof family and the tenacious positivity shared by members opments, each arranged around vast, green spaces. Built in of St. James. First built in 1937 and designated a coop1937, Sternberg Courts is composed of 56 units in 15 twoInvested in Multiple Ways erative in 1966, the well-maintained, quiet Southwest story red brick flats. Constructed on the other side of the STJMH Board President Marguerite Parker said that the cooperative is a long-lasting, successful example of af200 block of O Street SW in 1939, Kober Court houses cooperative model, where each member owns a part of St. fordable to moderate income housing. In a period when 51 oneand two-bedroom units. Appearing to be three atJames, means that residents are literally invested in the enthe District confronts a shortage of housing, especially tached buildings, it is actually a three-story, three-wing brick tire community, and in multiple ways. affordable homes, what lessons can this 83-year-old afand cinder building with a single basement. Each resident has an ownership stake in the St. James fordable housing community provide? An unusual set of circumstances led to the affordable Mutual Homes. Shares are purchased through a mem26
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bership fee ranging between $5,000 to $7,000, depending on the size of the unit. Shares never increase in value, and are rebated to the member when and if they choose to move away, minus a $100 relisting fee and any necessary costs such as repainting. There are no income limits, but part of the application process is a credit check. Monthly carrying charges, which pay for building maintenance and stand in lieu of rent, can range from about $600 for a one-bedroom to $1,000 for one of the few three-bedrooms. The 83-year-old buildings are in excellent condition, with maintenance living on site–the man liked the complex so much, he applied to become a resident. Neighbors band together to maintain the grounds, with one resident dedicated to picking litter up across the campus and others working on the beautiful gardens situated in large, courtyard lawns. “I think another reason why they’re so well kept and so well preserved is because [residents] recognize this is not just any old apartment,” Parker said. “This is your home.”
Family
Although buildings have no central air or elevators, it is common for people to live in St. James into their 90s. Parker says at least four residents have lived there since the buildings reopened as a cooperative in 1967. Parker has lived in the complex for 41 years and said that cost and comfort are part of the reason why residents stay. “Once they get here, people don’t move out,” she said. “When they move out, they’re old and they’re going to their children or to rehab.” “I ain’t moving. They’re going to have to drag me out of here,” Parker added. She said that because it’s a small community, everyone knows one another. “If we don’t know your name, we know your face, and we know who’s supposed to live here and who isn’t supposed to live here.” When there is a problem, there is a conversation between the member and the board, a strategy that works most of the time. While residents describe the community as ‘a family’, for many that is literally true. Several multi-generational families
call the cooperative home. For example, Board Secretary Barbara D. Richardson lives in one unit; her son, Board Vice President Terrence D. Richardson lives in another with his wife and children; and her father is yet in another. Residents will check in on people they haven’t seen and help one another out. They shovel snow together, help each other carry groceries up the stairs and sit and talk on garden benches in the sun. As it comes difficult for residents to climb stairs for reasons of age or injury, the board arranges to move them into main floor units. “People in wheel chairs, they come on and snatch them up like they’re bags of groceries,” Richardson said, describing the helpfulness of neighbors. “They put them in the door, no problem. We don’t have a ramp, but they’re getting in the house.”
A Model Community?
DC Housing and Community Development (DCHD) Representative Tim Wilson said it’s difficult to judge St. James Mutual as a model for future affordable housing. This is in part because the mechanisms that facilitated its construction and conversion to a cooperative, such as the Sanitary Movement and the role of the Federal Government, were specific to their time. However, while DHCD does not spearhead affordable housing projects, the agency is open to receiving cooperative models when the Request for Proposals for Affordable Housing Projects is again issued, he said. Wilson said that the District does have a mechanism for a cooperative group to purchase housing: The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). Residents can use the District’s technical and financial resources to preserve affordable housing by exercising their TOPA rights. DCHD has offered loans to cooperative organizations exercising TOPA to create affordable cooperative housing. In June 2019, DC Council approved a loan for $3,459,372, funded by the Housing Production Trust Fund, to the 5912 Missouri Cooperative Association, which created a cooperative of 22 affordable housing units in Northwest. Monica Warren-Jones is the Director of Mid Atlantic Capital Solutions for EnE ast
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memory, Board President Parker said that residents wanted to get under the umbrella of historic protection. “The way they were building up all the property and trying to get all the property–we know this can’t stop them if they wanted, but this will slow them down,” she said.
Lessons
Part of the St. James Mutual Homes complex on 3rd and P Streets SW
terprise Community Partners, a nonprofit that helps to multiply the impact of local affordable housing development through investment. She said the city could use the Mutual Homes as a cooperative model of a way to preserve lowincome and legacy communities, but then would have to be willing to make plans to provide them with some financial support. That’s because while funds available through DHCD may be sufficient for the purchase of the building, they are often not enough to rehabilitate it, nor support longterm capital expenditures, said Warren-Jones. A sudden, large repair bill that runs into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars can be beyond the means of a lowor moderate-income membership, causing an extraordinary increase in monthly fees or requiring them to seek major financing. It is often more feasible for residents to choose to assign rights to a developer that can obtain sufficient funding on behalf of ensuring long-term affordability rather than to form a cooperative themselves. If the District wanted to encourage cooperatives and encourage accessible homeownership for low- and moderate-income residents, she said, they would need to find a way to subsidize the fees of low-income cooperative owners in order to protect both the building and its shareholders. She agreed that from a financial perspective, the constellation of circumstances that led to the cooperative make it difficult to replicate. The acquisition of the St. James property took place in a time and place of urban renewal and red-lining, and was purchased cheaply from a public entity. The low cost made it possible for a low- to moderate-income community to pay off the mortgage –perhaps 28
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multiple times-- as the property appreciated, making it possible for the membership to leverage the property for capital improvements. “That is impossible to do right now given real estate prices and limited public subsidy,” Warren-Jones said. Warren-Jones said that her personal, rather than professional, opinion is that the city could offer incentives to lowincome cooperatives such as those offered to private developers tied to inclusionary zoning. Ed Lazere, executive director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, agreed with Warren-Jones’s analysis. However, Lazere would like the city to take a step further and directly fund the development of housing cooperatives for lower income residents. “Helping DC residents stay in the city and become homeowners is the best kind of economic development. Our leaders hand out millions to developers, often without asking for anything in return. They should put the same energy and resources into low- and moderate-income homeownership opportunities,” he said. The unique circumstances of its history aside, Warren Jones said she believes that community is critical to the survival of the Mutual Homes. A really strong group of intergenerational shareholders who are wedded to the building and the community is an asset in itself, she said, and is perhaps one reason that they managed to resist what must have been tremendous market pressure to sell. Realizing the value of their asset, coop members have worked to protect the property from development. In 2015, the cooperative moved to have the building designated as historic by the District’s Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). With the RLA acquisition of property via eminent domain still fresh in collective
STJMH Board members say that community is key to their success. Everyone is invested in the strength of the community as well as the property, which enforces the sense of accountability to one another. Board members say they try to ensure that they listen to the residents and incorporate their input and needs, building trust with membership. “If people have buy-in, they will act differently. If they don’t feel like they have buy-in, you’re going to give different results,” said Member at Large William F. Broadus. “I think that’s key.” You also have to have faith in your people, said Parker. The cooperative often takes a chance on applicants with less than perfect credit, recently admitting an applicant whose record had been jeopardized by student loans. So far, she said, they haven’t regretted it. “I think that’s what would help with the affordable housing. Give these people a chance. Don’t look at what they make: look at who they are,” said Parker. “They’re human beings who need a place to stay –give them a chance.” “It’s a business, and we run it like a business, but we keep it like a family,” said Parker, “we can call on them, and we can call them out when we need to, you bet we can.” Broadus agreed. He said that while it is hard to quantify, there is actual value in the cooperative community. “Outside of the value that you can see visibly, there’s an internal value, or I guess emotional value that’s here that you won’t see anywhere else,” he said. “And I would dare you to go anywhere else and feel the warmth that you feel in this neighborhood.” Learn more about cooperative housing ownership in DC by visiting coopsdc.org. Learn about DC Housing and Community Development (DCHD) and TOPA by visiting dhcd.dc.gov. Learn more about the work of nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners by visiting EnterpriseCommunity.org. Watch a 50-minute DC Humanities video on how Urban Renewal changed the face of Southwest and its residents at youtu.be/gpJ35Lw0D5w. u
The Numbers
The DC Budget Is Coming! What Can You Expect? How Can You Get Involved?
T
he budget is where political rhetoric meets reality. DC’s elected leaders know that residents care about schools, housing, healthcare, jobs and more. But they also know there’s never enough money for everything. Budget decisions affect all of us. The budget also is the main tool for addressing DC’s economic and racial inequities and creating opportunity for all residents to benefit from our city’s growth. The need is urgent. Despite a booming economy, poverty in DC is no lower than a decade ago, the median Black household income hasn’t budged, and skyrocketing housing costs are resulting in the growing presence of tents as homes of last resort. It may be early in 2020, but the budget debate for fiscal 2021 is underway. Mayor Bowser just finished four budget engagement forums, and her proposed budget goes to the DC Council on March 19. But it’s not too late for you to get involved. In fact, the timing is perfect. The good news is that DC’s finances are incredibly strong, with a $500 million surplus last year that filled our reserves with millions left over. At the same time, the needs of our prosperous-but-gentrifying city are great, as residents told the mayor at her budget forums. This column walks through key features of DC’s budget conditions and the budget process, with tips for getting involved. For a deeper dive, see DCFPI’s A Resident’s Guide to the DC Budget.
DC’s Surplus: What Does it Mean?
The recent news of DC’s hefty $500 million budget surplus in 2019 marks an important moment in DC’s finances. The surplus allowed DC to fill its reserve requirements—after nearly a decade of working toward it—and still left $324 million to fund affordable housing and other projects. With our reserves now filled, it means that 100 percent of future surpluses will be available to be spent, rather than saved. This will provide hundreds of millions of dollars for badly needed affordable housing construction. Under legislation passed in recent years, half of each year’s budget surplus, once reserves are full,
by Ed Lazere
goes to DC’s Housing Production Trust Fund for development of affordable housing. The 2019 surplus generated $162 million for the HPTF. When added to the roughly $70 million in taxes dedicated to the Trust Fund under current law, it will double DC’s investment and help develop 1,500 new affordable homes. Under current rules, the other half of annual surpluses goes to fund DC government capital projects, like schools and fire stations. Now that this opportunity is here, it’s worth broadening the list of possible ways to use these funds. Our annual surplus could serve other urgent purposes, such as repairing public housing, protecting legacy small businesses being priced out by gentrification, or helping DC residents become first-time homebuyers.
How You Can Get Involved
There are many opportunities to let the Mayor and Council know what you want to see in the budget (though some opportunities have passed this year). • DC Council Budget Hearings: Once the mayor’s budget comes out, the Council holds a round of hearings, to get resident input on the Mayor’s budget, especially where it falls short. • Connect with the Mayor and Council on Your Own: All residents should feel free to send a letter or email to the mayor, to their Ward Council members, or to the five at-large councilmembers. Or let them know what you think if you see them in the community. There is no guarantee that you’ll get what you ask for, but for sure you won’t get much without asking.
Some Key Budget Issues
With the budget around the corner, here’s some of the buzz in budget advocacy circles. Schools: The past year was a tragedy for school budgets. Funding per student increased, but less than the increase in key costs—including average teacher compensation. Beyond that, DCPS diverted funds intended for “at-risk” students and many schools in Wards 7 and 8 faced steep cuts. This year, Mayor Bowser is taking some steps to avoid that, with a historically high 4% increase in per-stu-
dent funding. However, she hasn’t proposed any increase in funding intended for students who are lowincome or otherwise at-risk, which is key to closing the opportunity gap in DCPS. Many advocates also are pushing for more mental health professionals in schools, to address the very high rate of trauma experienced by students in low-income communities and families. Early Education: There is little that is more important than investments in the healthy development of babies. The District payments in the childcare subsidy program are below the level needed to provide high-quality care, leaving many providers struggling to even keep their doors open. This has led to limited access to childcare in DC’s lowest-income communities. In 2018, the District passed legislation to address these issues—the Birth to Three for All in DC Act—with advocacy led by the Birth to Three Policy Alliance of which DCFPI is a part. The legislation provides a great roadmap but remains only partially funded and implemented. Housing: The surplus money going to the Housing Production Trust Fund will make a huge difference in DC’s affordable housing landscape. But for a variety of reasons, the Trust Fund alone has not reached the lowest-income households, like seniors living solely on social security or a full-time minimum wage worker. To get there, DC needs to layer on additional support through the Local Rent Supplement Program—at least $24 million next year. Homeless Services: Substantial support for homeless services by Mayor Bowser has not been enough to keep up with the gentrification forces that are pushing more people into homelessness. The mayor just announced a new plan to end homelessness, and to get on that path she will need to provide money to house 1,800 individuals and families. These offer just a sample of the key issues the mayor and Council will tackle this spring. Before it’s too late, you should let them know what else you want to see in the budget this year. Ed Lazere is the Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org). DCFPI promotes budget and policy solutions to reduce poverty and inequality in the District of Columbia and increase opportunities for residents to build a better future. u E ast
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Our River: The Anacostia
Lessons From The Chesapeake by Bill Matuszeski
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have been working with colleagues to identify lessons learned from the Chesapeake Bay clean-up that might be useful to others trying to restore their local river or bay. Some are lessons learned the hard way where the right things were not done. But most are from recent experience with the clean-up, which is going pretty well. I began to think how those ten lessons might apply to the effort to restore the Anacostia. Let’s take a look. Lesson 1 – Be Transparent – In general, it is important to keep the full range of interested parties aware of what is going on with the clean-up of the River -- from scientists to politicians to environmental groups to the general public – boaters, hikers, swimmers, fishermen, etc. Be clear on sources and quality of the information being used, on progress, and on new issues that are popping up. The Anacostia recovery effort is doing a pretty good job on this given the complexity of the issues. Lesson 2 – Communicate Results Clearly and Regularly – Is the River safe? Is it getting better? This is what the public wants to know first and foremost. Clar-
ity and credibility are key, whether talking to the general public, news reporters, scientists or fishermen. In the Chesapeake, the Bay Journal is an independent monthly that reports what is happening. There is no equivalent periodical from the Anacostia clean-up program, and there probably should be one from the Council of Governments, which coordinates Anacostia recovery efforts regionally, or from the DC Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE). Lesson 3 – Engage Everyone – The Anacostia cleanup seems to welcome all who want to participate. Some are with citizen-based non-profits involved in the overall clean-up; others want to deal with a single issue. Some take part as employees of partner agencies or local businesses and industries involved in the clean-up. All seem to feel welcome to participate in acquiring information, forming policies, influencing key decisions and even committee work. The key is to keep this sense that all are welcome – that no one and no interest is being left out. Lesson 4 – Assure Leadership – Keeping a unified focus and preventing the emergence of dissenting views
Photo: The Old and the New at South Capitol St. Photo: Melissa Ashabranner
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based on politics or unrelated bureaucratic rivalries are key. This requires leadership from the top of each participating government entity and other participating organizations. Obviously, there will be disagreements, but they should focus on the appropriate technical and budgetary solutions. Along the Anacostia, there are a number of old industrial sites being cleaned up to comply with various Federal, state and local statutes. So far, all the players seem to be working together; there is a strong need for this to continue. Lesson 5 – Build All Levels into the Structure – Restoration of complex natural systems such as rivers and bays needs to operate at many levels to draw upon the mix of technical and political expertise to get the job done. This includes top-level elected officials in both executive and legislative branches. Government professionals at all levels and with varied expertise must represent a wide range of participating agencies. Educational and environmental groups, as well as private site landowners should participate in committees or independent review groups. So far this seems to be working on the Anacostia, with industrial and other private contaminated sites sharing goals and remediation actions with the broader River recovery. 6 – Secure Long-term Funding – Many an environmental restoration project has had its needs well-defined, but the money to do the job has eluded the advocates. In the case of the Chesapeake, the political support from six states and the District has been remarkable and assured on-going budgetary and other support from Congress, Federal agencies and other partners. But that long-term focus has not yet emerged in the Anacostia. Executive and legislative leaders must be strong advocates, and program needs must be clearly defined in terms of multi-year funding. Clear goals reached by broad consensus is the key to broad public support for funding to get the job done in the Anacostia. 7 – Cite the Science Behind Decisions – The general public and the scientific community both need to understand the results from analyzing data from modeling, monitoring and other credible scientific sources. Reporting to these two groups is quite different; the scientific community expects highly technical explanations, while the public is interested in the overall progress being made. Information must be
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METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, DC
HOMICIDE VICTIM
Up to $25,000 Reward VICTIM’S NAME
Charnice Milton LOCATION
2700 block of Good Hope Road, SE DATE/TIME
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
9:40 PM CONTACT
Detective Chanel Howard
(202) 437-0451
(cell)
Detective Robert Cephas
(202) 497-4734
(cell)
Homicide Branch
(202) 645-9600 (main)
05.28.15 HOMICIDES/2015/MILTON_CHARNICE.PDF
layered in technical detail, but consistent throughout in terms of the overall message on progress. In the Anacostia, full technical reports are made available, with too little effort to boil down the issues so the general public can get a grasp. 8 – Use Science to Inform and Confirm – The role of science in complex recovery efforts such as these is critical and its integrity must be protected. As with any bureaucracy, scientists working in government can be constrained by superiors seeking to save money or avoid spreading “bad news.”. Two solutions are (1) to spread the scientific role among partners and layers so that one off-message partner can be drawn back into the fold; and (2) to establish an independent peer review or science advisory panel to detect when there are issues of accuracy or consistency. The first is used effectively in the Anacostia effort, but the second should be given some consideration. 9 – Be Adaptable – Many lessons above suggest that strong, clear goals supported by science and the public are important to progress. But sometimes credible information suggests that adjustment of a goal is wise. The reputation of the program is the key to being able to make these adjustments without raising suspicions. And the public reaction will depend on their trust that those in charge are not backing off, but achieving better and/or quicker results. The DOEE and its partners seem to have done well in explaining change to the public. 10 - Be Accountable – Clear and challenging goals should build a system of accountability. All associated with the program should be expected to be part of achieving the goals; no one in the program should see advantage in publically attacking the goals or the measures of progress. Each participant should feel accountable for the formulation of goals and their achievement, as well as needed adjustments along the way. In the Anacostia, this seems to be handled well. Those are the 10 Lessons and my sense of how we are doing in the Anacostia. So how do you think we stack up?
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DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
On Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at approximately 9:40 pm, Ms. Charnice Milton was shot and killed in the 2700 block of Good Hope Road, SE. The Metropolitan Police Department seeks the public’s assistance in gathering information regarding this homicide. H O W TO H E L P O U R I N V E S T I G AT I O N
This case is being investigated by the Department’s Homicide Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the detective(s) listed above or the Command Information Center (CIC) at (202) 727-9099. Anonymous information may also be forwarded to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. TEXT TIPS 50411
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of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Your assistance is appreciated by your community.
@DCPoliceDept
We care. Do you?
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CATHY L. LANIER
Chief of Police
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Meet Your Neighbor
Chef Big Jon of Sinfully Wright Catering by Anthony D. Diallo
C
hef and caterer Jonathan Wright starts by marinating the beef tenderloins. This will take approximately four hours. Then he must tend to the grilled asparagus. Later, he applies the finishing touches: a splash of red wine and some Caribbean garlic rub. Voila! A signature dish is born: beef tenderloins with grilled asparagus and roasted garlic mashed potatoes. This “food designer,” as Wright prefers to call himself, has been tickling the taste buds and delighting dozens of distinctive palates with his scrumptious meals since 1989. A Philadelphia native, Wright has lived more than half of his life in the District. Just turning 55, he’s called Ward 8’s Parkland neighborhood his home for the past 21 years. “When I attended Howard University in the 1980s, I did not envision my life going in this exact direction. But, I have little to no regrets,” said Wright, who majored in labor relations and business communications with a minor in hotel management.
A Mentor To Kids
His closest family and friends call Wright “Big Jon.” One might attribute this nickname to his massive phy-
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sique. However, Wright earned it with his substantial generosity toward community members. He has mentored many Ward 8 youngsters. “In my 30 years of business, I have had many apprentices that have come through Sinfully Wright Catering to learn the craft and make money and who have then moved on to bigger and better things,” Wright said. He points to Monte Brown, a young man he originally met while attending services at Union Temple Baptist Church. Brown worked for Wright as a kid. He now owns his own catering business, Taste the Occasion Catering, said Wright proudly. Kenneth Gray, Alonzo Medley and Jarrod Williams are all examples of Wright’s impact. Gray, who worked with Wright as a teen, graduated from Hampton University. Now, as a local architect, he assists Wright in the catering business occasionally. Medley, after working in Wright’s kitchen, is now a third-year student at Oregon State University majoring in sports management. Williams, a close family friend and godchild, went on from Wright’s catering company to found Jrodfilms, a production company. Both occasionally return to assist Big Jon on his big events. “At about 12-years-old I hit him up. My father knew that I wanted to make some money on my own, and he encouraged me to work with him. I couldn’t cook, but I was in charge of setting up events and making sure that everything looked pretty,” Williams said. “He’s loving, hard-working, a motivator and definitely a role model for me.” Williams vividly remembers the first catering event that he worked about 20 years ago with his godfather. It was for the Magic Johnson Foundation, held in connection with the famous NBA Hall of Fame. Accord-
ing to Wright, Johnson was the ultimate professional – classy and reserved – but, most importantly, his godson worked out perfectly then and ever since. Wright currently lives in his Southeast townhome with Lynn, whom he calls the love of his life. Mentees like Williams, Medley, Gray and Brown have become like his offspring. Together with them, he creates a “sinful experience” for those lucky enough to dine on his cuisine.
The Sinful Experience
“I try to give every one of my catering clients the complete ‘Sinfully Wright Experience,’” Wright said. “It starts with the initial call or conversation that connects us,” he elaborated. “Then we discuss the vision and theme of the event and whether it’s a dinner party, anniversary, wedding, sweet 16, baby christening, housewarming, graduation, memorial service or family repast.” Sinfully Wright Catering (www.sinfullywrightcatering.com) is a full-service, onestop catering service. It provides clients with access to a whole gamut of professionals including bakers, bands, bartenders, disc jockeys, event planners, photographers, rental companies, servers, videographers and wedding planners. Wright has feted politicians including Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), Mayor Anthony Williams (D) and Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray (D). Celebrities such as Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Chante Moore, Sommore and the late Teena Marie and John Witherspoon have dined on Wright’s creations. He has also served delegates from Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Wright is known for his lavish personal parties. For his 50th, he treated himself to a blowout bash at the Almas Shriners in Northwest. Dance club icon CeCe Peniston performed as the headliner for the more than 100 invited guests. The artist complimented Wright, raving about his honey spiced collard greens. “It is supposed to look natural,” said Wright of the event, “but a lot of things go together with catering to make an event special. There’s plenty of preparation and planning.” Wright “always want everything to be just perfect,” he said. “Most of all I want everything to taste Sinfully Wright!” u
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east washington life
A Love Affair with Pizza by Jonathan Bardzik
I
love pizza. Truly, truly love pizza. I have not, however, always loved Washington, DC pizza. When I moved to town 17 years ago from New England, I found the pizza scene more than a bit lacking. But over the last few years. I have discovered DC pizza worthy of my love and this past Valentine’s Day I discovered one of the reasons why. I spent Valentine’s Day at Stellina Pizzeria for their From Capri with Love event. My friend and fellow cookbook author Amy Riolo organized the event with owners Antonio Matarazzo and Chef Matteo Venini along with Ristorante D’Amore Capri’s Executive Chef Pasquale Rinaldo and Pizzaiolo Antonio Fusco who had just arrived in the US to cook at the James Beard House a few days prior. Riolo is an expert on all things pizza. As a Brand Ambassador for the Pizza University and Culinary Arts Center (pizzauniversity. org) in Beltsville, MD, she also writes blog posts and teaches classes on the subject. When choosing great pizza, Riolo says, you have to first figure your “pizza personality,” or at a minimum, what you’re in the mood for. Today in the DC area there are as many styles of pizza as there are toppings, and some pizzerie actually identify themselves by the style they prefer – which makes the selection process easier. For example, if you know you like super-crunchy crust, then try Neo- Neapolitan. If you like traditional, go for Neapolitan, or if you prefer your pie filled with lots of toppings, then go for Chicago or Detroit. (Want to know the details behind the differences in style? Check out Amy’s blog post on pizza styles at pizzauniversity.org. Until recently, says Riolo, DC was not known as a pizza-lover’s dream destination. “But that has changed thanks to many pas-
Stellina serves up Neo-Neopolitan pizza and classic, crisp fried bites in their Union Market pizzeria.
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Above: Stellina Pizzeria owners Antonio Matarazzo and Chef Matteo Venini serve it up Neo-Neopolitan during a celebration of Capri with pizza expert Chef Amy Riolo, Executive Chef Pasquale Rinaldo and Pizzaiolo Antonio Fusco. Photo: Nandor Nagy
sionate consumers, restaurateurs, and the Marra Family.” The Marra family, originally from Naples, Italy, founded Marra Forni (marraforni.com) in Maryland. The leading US manufacturer of custom brick ovens, their ovens provide local pizza restaurants with the tools they need for success. In 2018, the Marra Family also opened The Pizza University and Culinary Arts Center to teach not only the art of pizza making, but also integral knowledge about the pizza-business to anyone looking to open a successful pizzeria. “Our mission is to offer the most comprehensive pizza-making and business operation information in the industry. Authen-
tic, artisan pizza-making combines science, artistry, technique, knowledge, passion, operational skills, and a commitment to centuries-old traditions,” says Riolo. Nowadays the DMV boasts many restaurants with certified Pizzaioli as well as Marra Forni ovens, both of which ensure authenticity and quality. So, seated next to an expert, enjoying a hot, crisp-crusted slice of pizza I asked Riolo for her DMV favorites:
AMY’S TOP CHOICES: Stellina
The winds of March that make my heart a dancer....lead me to Mr. Henry’s! Check out our Wine Club, live music and great patio! check out all of our happenings at www.Mrhenrysdc.com
601 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
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Here you can enjoy Neo-Neapolitan at its brightest and best in an atmosphere that takes you to modern Naples. It’s no accident that Stellina is on the Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurant list and was named a “Best New Restaurant” in 2019 by many. Chef Matteo Venini cranks out hundreds of classic and new pizza interpretations daily in his Marra Forni oven. Stellina has also earned much deserved press for their fried items – just like off the streets of Italy – sometimes better. Don’t miss the fried arti-
Using an oven imported from Napoli, Il Canale serves wood-fired pizza at their Georgetown restaurant. Photo: Roberto Farruggio
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Homemade pizza is an easy treat. Jonathan Bardzik cooked up this pumpkin, Merguez sausage and feta cheese pizza for his new show Jonathan’s Kitchen debuting this spring on Amazon Prime Video.
Pizza At Home
While your home oven is not going to reach the 700-900 F plus temperatures of these restaurant ovens, you can still make darn good pizza at home. Below is the recipe for my basic crust. Homemade Pizza Crust makes 2 10” pizza crusts This takes an hour to proof the dough and pre-heat the oven, so start your dinner prep early and have plenty of wine on hand while you wait.
Pizzeria-Old-Town- Pizzeria Paradiso began serving up its delicious, award-winning pizza in their original location near Dupont circle nearly 30 years ago. Photo: Pizzaria Paradiso
chokes, cauliflower, and arancini! Riolo says, “If I had to pick a pizzeria to eat at daily, it would be Stellina, and I would be happy doing it!” (stellinapizzeria.com, 399 Morse St NE)
Il Canale
Owner Joe Farruggio, opened the restaurant in 2010 after decades of making pizza in New York. He has become a pillar of the Italian-American community in DC and many local charity events are hosted there. His traditional wood-fired pizzas are tried and true. If you happen to go there when the Italian team is playing in the World Cup (soccer), you might just find Riolo, and her Italian guests eating there. (ilcanale.com, 1065 31st Street, NW)
Pizzeria Paradiso
The restaurant was founded in 1991 to “make the kind of pizza we longed for but couldn’t find in the
RIGHT: Maggi’s Pizzeria owner Patrick Maggi serves up his US Pizza cup award-winning Maryland Margherita. Photo: Nick Bogatz
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Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup warm water 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast (about 1 packet) 3 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp salt 2 tbs olive oil Directions: Place pizza stone in oven and preheat to 500F while dough proofs. You want the oven good and hot so I pre-heat for at least an hour. In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water. If it doesn’t begin to foam within 5 minutes, sprinkle in a pinch of sugar. If it still doesn’t foam then order a pizza for delivery and plan to buy new yeast. When yeast starts to foam, stir in the flour and salt to make a slightly tacky dough. Knead in the mixer with a dough hook or on a floured surface with your hands until it springs back to the touch, about 3 minutes in the mixer or 6 minutes by hand. Pour oil into a large, clean mixing bowl. Add dough and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set somewhere warm, about 75-80F, for an hour to rise. Divide dough in half and, using your fingers, press out from the center to form a roughly round, thin crust. Top lightly and bake for 8-10 minutes until crisp and beginning to brown. Last fall Amy and topped the crust with fresh roasted pumpkin, Merguez sausage and feta cheese from Mike Bowers at Eastern Market for my upcoming, new TV show Jonathan’s Kitchen.
homes & gardens / changing hands
DC area; the kind of pizza where the crust was the most important part.” To create that pizza, like Il Canale, they also start with a wood-burning oven. Riolo told me, “I have had the opportunity to collaborate with award-winning owner Ruth Gresser on several occasions. Her commitment to quality ingredients and making a difference in the community are exemplary. If you’re looking for creative toppings and global influences in your pies and are interested in pairing them with craft beer, this is the place for you.” (eatyourpizza.com, multiple locations in and around DC)
Maggi’s Pizza – Damascus MD
I know many of you might be thinking “who would go to Damascus, MD just for pizza, right?” Well, the answer is, to taste the U.S. Pizza Cup champion’s pizza, that’s why. The competition is organized by the US Pizza Team at the Pizza University and Culinary Arts Center. According to Riolo, “Competition at the Pizza Cup was stiff – and I was a judge. What made Patrick Maggi’s pizza shine was his usage of locally grown--as in, his garden--tomatoes and locally produced mozzarella to create The Maryland Margherita.” Maggi’s Pizza’s combination of truly local ingredients with Italian inspiration makes for a unique pizza that locals can be proud to call their own. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg with 2 Amy’s Menomale, Declaration, All Purpose, and many other pizzerias earning my love as the list of praise-worthy pizza restaurants in the DMV continues to grow! Jonathan Bardzik is a Washington, DCbased storyteller, cook and author. Jonathan got his start offering weekly, live cooking demos at Eastern Market and can be found today at more than 10 markets in the DC area. He has written three cook books and his new television series, Jonathan’s Kitchen, will be available this spring on Amazon Prime Video and HereTV. For more information follow Jonathan on Instagram @JonathanBardzik and visit JonathanBardzik.com. u
Changing Hands Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list,based on the MRIs, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.
NEIGHBORHOOD
PRICE BR
5222 Karl Pl NE $235,000 3 5028 Jay St NE $232,000 3 ANACOSTIA 5715 Foote St NE $230,000 3 1305 Maple View Pl SE $835,000 5 5237 Karl Pl NE $205,000 4 2230 Nicholson St SE $565,000 3 522 56th St NE $200,000 3 2022 14th St SE $565,000 3 FAIRLAWN 1612 16th St SE $553,000 4 1720 T St SE $380,000 3 2522 West St SE $485,000 3 1350 Maple View Pl SE $450,000 3 FT DUPONT PARK 2124 13th St SE $375,000 4 3341 Alden Pl NE $300,000 2 915 Ridge Rd SE $545,000 4 1333 Maple View Pl SE $260,000 3 3353 Baker St NE $300,000 3 824 Hilltop Ter SE $479,000 4 2333 16th St SE #201 $184,000 2 1786 41st Pl SE $462,000 3 MARSHALL HEIGHTS 4016 Q St SE $457,000 4 ATLAS DISTRICT 4617 A St SE $221,000 2 721 Adrian St SE $428,000 4 1204 5th St NE $751,500 3 5005 D St SE #201 $80,895 2 1504 Fort Davis Pl SE $422,000 3 730 11th St NE #401 $460,000 2 1676 40th St SE $396,000 3 NAVY YARD BARRY FARMS 4357 G St SE $395,900 3 1025 1st SE #610 $687,500 1 1527 Morris Rd SE $437,550 3 3914 S St SE $375,000 3 801 Virginia Ave SE #203 $499,900 1 1412 Morris Rd SE $430,000 3 4028 Southern Ave SE $369,000 3 1025 1st SE #1308 $399,999 0 2328 14th Pl SE $359,900 0 3947 R St SE $315,000 3 RANDLE HEIGHTS 1567 42nd St SE $289,000 2 CAPITOL HILL EAST 2346 Q St SE $595,000 4 128 17th St NE $1,260,000 4 H STREET CORRIDOR 1863 Tubman Rd SE $402,000 3 1391 Pennsylvania Ave SE #359 $570,000 2 1012 9th St NE $736,300 3 3150 Stanton Rd SE $285,000 3 1508 F St NE #1 $410,000 2 646 H St NE #403 $729,900 2 1950 U Pl SE $235,000 2 1508 F St NE #2 $406,000 2 646 H St NE #505 $642,400 1 3447 24th St SE $200,000 2 1391 Pennsylvania Ave SE #348 $399,900 1 723 18th St NE #1 $565,000 3 3275 15th Pl SE #202 $169,000 3 1621 E Capitol St SE #4 $375,000 1 646 H St NE #401 $480,000 1 3101 Naylor Rd SE #103 $95,000 2 646 H St NE #301 $451,500 1 DEANWOOD RIVER TERRACE 711 15th St NE #3 $448,500 1 620 49th Pl NE $505,000 4 3332 Clay Pl NE $241,000 2 1629 L St NE #102 $275,000 1 38 Burns St NE $495,000 3 TRINIDAD 4856 Brooks St NE $480,000 4 HILL CREST 1318 Queen St NE $690,000 3 902 48th Pl NE $480,000 4 3706 Bangor St SE $697,000 3 1609 Holbrook St NE #2 $606,000 3 5415 E Capitol St SE $480,000 4 3159 Westover Dr SE $617,000 3 1021 17th St NE #8 $600,000 3 4216 Eads St NE $479,000 3 2561 36th St SE $518,500 4 1628 Trinidad Ave NE #1 $595,000 4 243 57th Pl NE $432,000 4 2237 30th St SE $485,000 3 1609 Holbrook St NE #1 $590,000 3 5228 Karl Pl NE $410,000 3 3311 Carpenter St SE $406,000 3 1613 Meigs Pl NE $536,000 2 28 54th St SE $396,000 4 1004 30th St SE $280,000 2 1124 Owen Pl NE $508,800 2 4018 Grant St NE $375,000 3 KINGMAN PARK 1328 Queen St NE $500,000 3 4926 Jay St NE $317,900 3 619 16th St NE #PH-B $765,000 3 1340 Queen St NE $495,000 3 4237 Eads St NE $296,000 3 1726 E St NE $620,000 2 1753 Lang Pl NE $440,000 3 5308 Jay St NE $284,000 5 543 25th Pl NE $457,500 3 1104 Holbrook Ter NE #4 $375,000 1 5921 Clay St NE $281,000 2 315 18th Pl NE #3 $345,000 1 1232 Montello Ave NE $375,000 2 3934 Blaine St NE $270,000 4 1727 L St NE $370,000 2 4212 NE Gault Pl NE $262,000 3 LILY PONDS 1220 Holbrook Ter NE #203 $259,000 1 919 46th St NE $244,000 3 415 34th St NE $365,000 2 u 5103 Sheriff Rd NE $240,000 4
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kids & family
by Kathleen Donner
Kids Run the Bases at Nat’s Park
Kids ages four to twelve can run the bases after every Sunday day game. This season’s remaining dates are April 5 and 19; May 3 and 24; June7 and 21; July 5, 12 and 26; Aug. 16 and 30; and Sept. 20 and 27. An adult must accompany runners to the field. Starting at first base, kids will be directed to run around the bases as the adults continue along the warning track and meet the runners near home plate. Once the baseball game has ended, kids and parents/guardians can line-up at the end of the seventh inning, however fans who would like to stay and watch the entire game will be able to line-up once the game has ended. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. The line forms outside of the park on the sidewalk along First St. washington.nationals.mlb.com. Kids at Nats Park. Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club
Arts on the Horizon: Drumming with Dishes
Shakespeare for the Young: The Tiniest Tempest On Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m., the Shakespeare for the Young puppet show will be performing at the Anacostia Playhouse ,2020 Shannon Pl. SE. This theatrical company of puppeteers is dedicated to bringing Shakespeare to young children, ages four and up, through a fun and interactive experience. Based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, four puppeteers bring the characters of Miranda and Prospero, Antonio and Alonso, and Caliban and Ariel to life with their story of hurt, love, revenge and forgiveness. The puppets are both large-bodied and shadow puppets with actors also playing the roles of Prospero and Antonio/Alonso. The show features group activities after the performance with song, movement and interactive play. Free. No tickets or reservations are needed. anacostiaplayhouse.com.
Books to Movies: From Amazing Books to Incredible Films
The Anacostia Library has an assortment of amazing books that have been adapted into blockbuster movies. Every month, library staff will select a book that has been adapted into a film and display it all month long for your reading pleasure. Read and enjoy the featured book of 38
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the month and on the third Thursday of each month, at 4 p.m., library staff will present the film adaptation of the book for your further enjoyment. Anacostia Library is at 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. dclibrary.org/anacostia.
Eggstravaganza at Benning Library
On Thursday, April 9, at 5 p.m., bring your baskets and a friend to the Egg-ceptional Hunt at the Dorothy I Height/ Benning Library. Seek and you shall find eggs, eggs and more eggs waiting just for you. This program is for ages three to ten. Benning Library is at 3935 Benning Rd. NE. dclibrary.org/benning.
Capital City Symphony’s Meet the Orchestra
On Saturday, April 4, at 10 and 11:30 a.m., at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, meet a section of the Capital City Symphony orchestra through this engaging, educational and intimate program for young people. Join them for an instrument petting zoo to meet the musicians and see their instruments up close. Then, learn about the music they play and hear the beautiful sounds come to life. $15. This program is best for ages three to eight. All patrons age one and above must purchase a ticket to the performance. atlasarts.org.
What happens when you invite someone very different from you to come over to play? Such an adventure awaits an energetic child when she introduces her shy imaginary friend to a very special kitchen. But instead of food, they’ll cook up beautiful music! This gentle, whimsical adventure celebrates friendship and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Join them and discover what wonders can be accomplished through friendship. $15. Drumming with Dishes is on stage at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, March 11 to 15. Best for ages two to five. atlasarts.org.
Kite Flying Fun on the National Mall
On Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the National Mall serves as the backdrop as thousands of kites take flight during the annual Blossom Kite Festival. Held on the grounds of the Washington Monument, this event is a spectacle to see and one you don’t want to miss. Professionals and novices alike showcase their skill through a variety of competitions and demonstrations, Rokkaku Battles, and the Hot Tricks Showdown. Bring your own kites or children can make a kite at an activity station to fly on the Public Field. Kites are also available for purchase onsite. Free. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
SAAM Cherry Blossom Celebration
On Saturday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Join SAAM and the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a celebration of Japanese culture. A taiko drumming performance kicks off the day, followed by Les The DJ spinning Japanese pop,
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es of traditional dances from Okinawa. Watch a kimono dressing demonstration and draft a kimono design. Make a cherry blossom pendant to take home. The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st St. NW. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
Saturday Morning at The National Unissa Cruse as Big Fish and Gary L. Perkins III as Zomo in Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth at Imagination Stage. Photo: Margot Schulman
Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth
Zomo--one hip-hoppity rabbit--is taking on Washington, DC. When Zomo is dissed and dismissed by the other tricksters in town, he turns to the Sky God for more power. The Sky God sends him on an impossible quest taking him from the breakdancing fish on the DC Waterfront, to the graffiti artist cow at the National Zoo, and finally to the DJ Leopard in Adams Morgan. Will Zomo find the power he’s seeking? Or will he wise up? This high-energy hip-hop adaptation of a Nigerian folktale, originally commissioned by Imagination Stage in 2009, puts a local spin and lots of silly humor on the global tradition of trickster tales. For ages four, up. Plays through March 22 at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD. imaginationstage.org.
funk, and boogie beats and the Koto Ensemble performing traditional Japanese dance. Enjoy face painting, make cherry blossom crafts, and go on an art scavenger hunt throughout the exhibition Chiura Obata: American Modern in the firstfloor galleries. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets, NW. americanart.si.edu.
Japanese Fashion Family Day
On Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate Japanese Fashion. This museum family day will feature kimono, happi coats, accessories, and the creativity of contemporary Japanese fashion designers. Enjoy performanc40
E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
You and your children are invited to the National Theatre on select Saturday mornings, at 9:30 and 11 a.m., for free programs that engage and inspire the young mind. Saturday programming is best suited for children four to ten. Siblings and friends of other ages are always welcome. Here’s the remaining spring lineup: March 14, Traveling Lantern’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; April 4, Interact Story Theatre’s Not My Monkey; April 18, Great Works Theatre’s The BFG (the bid friendly giant). The National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Reserve free tickets at thenationaldc.org/saturdaymorning-national-season.
Rigoberta, ¿dónde estás? A Journey through Guatemala
As 10-year old Pilar travels to Guatemala City in search of her idol Rigoberta Menchú, villagers along the way suggest questions she should ask the Nobel Peace Prize winner. This is a journey of self-discovery filled with stories, song, and dance. The bilingual Rigoberta, ¿dónde estás? A Journey through Guatemala, written and directed by Cornelia Cody (El Salvador/USA), is on stage at GALA Theatre, March 14 to 28. $12 for adults; $10 for children. Student matinees are March 16 to 20 and March 23 to 27, at 10:30 a.m. (weekdays). For more information, contact education@galatheatre.org.
Orchid Family Day at the Botanic Garden
On Sunday, March 15, 1 to 4 p.m., come learn all about orchids from the experts, including how to care for them. Hands-on activities will include the art, the science, and the taste of orchids! Learn how to re-pot an orchid and pot one up to take home. Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the incredible world of orchids during this year’s Orchid Family Day. Free; no registration required. US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. usbg.gov.
The Art and Science of Orchids
On Sunday, March 29, join Botanic Garden staff for a hands-on workshop where they uncover both the beauty and the botany of the orchid. Dissect flowers and learn about the function of a flower and its many parts while exploring the intersection of art and science to create several original art pieces. The 1 p.m. workshop is for ages seven to eleven; 3 p.m. is for twelve to sixteen. Free but registration is required at usbg.gov.
MCM Kids Run Registration Open
The MCM Kids Run will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 in the Pentagon North Parking lot. Nearly 3,600 children ages five to twelve will participate in the one-mile just-for-fun running challenge. Shuttles from Metro, pre- and post-event hospitality, activities, entertainment, make this an unforgettable event. The Kids Run offers families eight start time options between 9:30 and 11:50 a.m. Registration is at marinemarathon.com.
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The Snowy Day
This beautiful show follows the character of Peter and his friend Archie around the neighborhood in four of Ezra Jack Keats’ beloved tales, The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie, Goggles!, and A Letter to Amy. Renowned for his tender personality, the character of Peter faces relatable everyday challenges to which children of all ages will find delightfully entertaining. At Adventure Theatre at Glen Echo, through March 29. All ages. Tickets are $19.50 adventuretheatre-mtc.org or 301-634-2270. u
Contact us for a free evaluation
202-698-8037 www.earlystagesdc.org
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XWORD
www.themecrosswords.com • www.mylesmellorconcepts.com
“Pairs” by Myles Mellor Across:
1. Carpenter’s wedge 5. Golden state, for short 8. Stowe character 13. Calendar abbr. 17. Lofty nest 19. Fleshy fruit 20. Nut pine 21. First-class 22. Cities 26. Deny oneself 27. Chit 28. Qty. 29. Govt. auditing gp. 30. ___ Moines, Iowa 31. As a whole 34. Like an eddy 36. Anatomical eggs 39. Saddle feature 42. Baseball exec Bud 44. Founded: Abbr. 45. Composer of “Bolero” 48. URL starter 50. Perennial herb 52. “Pipe down!” 53. Darts 54. Bird food 55. Himalayan inhabitants 57. Come clean 59. League heading, for short 62. Smaller 67. Wilson’s predecessor 70. British megastar pop-rock singer 74. Ruhr industrial center 75. Rivers 82. Take back, in a way 83. Pants 84. Address a King 85. Tree with gourdlike fruit 87. Borscht vegetable 89. Cincinnati university 95. Avoid 99. Mounties’ acronym
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102. Real thing 103. Actress Lupino 106. Express gratitude to 108. TV actor, Scott 109. Everglades bird 110. American cuckoos 111. Words before sight and mind 113. Some cameras: Abbr. 115. Old spy org. 116. Hightail it 119. Plant used in salads 121. Big Ten inits. 124. Skill 125. Lummox 127. Where It.’s at 128. Strangeness 133. Islands 138. Letter before kappa 139. Check for fit 140. Nov. voting time 141. Bouquet ___ (chef’s bunch of herbs) 142. Provo neighbor 143. Veggies used to replace animal protein 144. The Atlantic’s Cape 145. FBI’s target, with wanted
Down:
1. It’s hard to tell 2. Basil, e.g. 3. Persia, now 4. Dug out 5. Get along 6. Horner’s last words 7. Ushered 8. Ornamental shoulder piece 9. Civil Rights Memorial designer 10. Neither Rep. nor Dem. 11. “Thérèse Raquin” novelist 12. True inner self 13. Central truth 14. Greedy 15. Reveal 16. Sell again
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Look for this months answers at labyrinthgameshop.com 18. Halftime lead, e.g. 19. Kind of hand 23. Too hasty 24. Blubbers 25. Whitney and others, abbr. 31. Understandings between governments 32. Beauty products provider 33. Movie theater 35. Horror maven Craven 36. “Carmina Burana” composer 37. A farewell 38. Rental car agency 40. Raised-eyebrow remarks 41. Way to go, abbr. 43. Canada’s sales tax: abbr. 46. Aliens, for short 47. N.C.A.A.’s Fighting Tigers 49. Handheld 51. Pound sound 56. Plaintiff
58. School/parent group for student’s welfare 60. Verb category 61. Legal scholar’s deg. 63. Government security agency, abbr. 64. Follower’s suffix 65. Wide spec. 66. OB’s coworkers 68. Director Lee 69. Rx org. 71. It sets a precedent 72. Arles assent 73. “Science Friday” carrier 75. Obstacle 76. Put ___ good word for 77. Spanish bear 78. Schmooze 79. Pitcher Nolan 80. Police alert 81. Curse
86. Plant sci. 88. Tarzan creator’s monogram 90. Onetime Jeep mfr. 91. DVD player ancestor 92. Aviation acronym 93. Seemingly forever 94. Deli breads 96. Yet, briefly 97. Paint 98. Aware of 100. A million bucks 101. ___ favor (please, in Spanish) 103. Wrong 104. Tyrannize 105. ___ general rule 107. Seoul residents 110. Slowly (music) 112. Goat hybrid 114. Short-billed marsh bird 117. Stylish, in the 60s 118. Deals 120. Persona non ___ 122. Blab 123. Free a mechanism 126. Portugal seaport 128. Perfect place 129. Winding road’s shape 130. Mark’s successor 131. Without, in Beverly Hills 132. Hissy fit 134. Site of Asian war of the 70s 135. Why, why, why, in a way 136. Bygone bird 137. Sally Field’s role
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