East of the River Magazine – January 2023

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER AT THE KC

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has always been a treasured part of the Kennedy Center experience since they opened their doors in 1971. The company is a powerful incubator of pure talent, and you’ll watch as Ailey’s newest dancers showcase their skills amidst the virtuosity of the most tenured dancers. From Feb. 7 to 12, audiences will experience mixed repertory programs of signature Ailey classics and new works from the most dynamic choreographers of today—and each performance ends with the soul-stirring masterpiece Revelations. $49 to $169. kennedy-center.org.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

MOSAIC’S “BARS AND MEASURES” AT THE ATLAS

Eric, a classical pianist, and Bilal, a jazz musician, are brothers by blood, united through a love of music but separated by prison bars. When Bilal’s trial reveals hidden secrets and unexpected truths, the young men are forced to ask whether their love, and music, can withstand betrayal? Inspired by true events, award-winning playwright and breakbeat poet Idris Goodwin’s acclaimed Bars and Measures is a moving play with music that reflects on faith, family, and politics with equal parts imagination and intensity. $50 to $64. Mosaic’s Bars and Measures is at The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from Feb. 2 to 26. mosaictheater.org.

Bars and Measures playwright Idris Goodwin

THE UNITED UKRAINIAN BALLET MAKES US DEBUT AT THE KC

The United Ukrainian Ballet is comprised of about sixty Ukrainian dancers, most of whom fled their homeland to escape the Russian invasion. They are based in the Hague whose municipality repurposed the old Royal Conservatory Building, with five large dance studios, as a refugee center. On Feb. 1 to 5, this remarkable company of dancers unites in a powerful interpretation of Giselle, specifically created for them by world-renowned choreographer Alexei Ratmansky. Don’t miss a moving interpretation of one of the greatest romantic ballets of all time, performed by world-class artists united by the tragedy of war and an ardent hope for the future. $29 to $159. kennedy-center.org.

Choreographer Alexei Ratmanski’s Giselle is at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House from Feb. 1 to 5.

SPIRIT IN THE DARK: RELIGION IN BLACK MUSIC, ACTIVISM AND POPULAR CULTURE AT THE NMAAHC

Through never-before-seen objects from the museum’s permanent collection, alongside rare photographs and stories featured in Ebony and Jet magazines, this exhibition explores ways in which religion is a part of the cultural fabric of the African American experience. It includes photographs of several prominent African Americans, such as Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, Angela Davis, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Reverend Ike and Jesse Jackson, examining religion’s impact on their lives and the larger Black community. “Spirit in the Dark” will be on view through November 2023. nmaahc.si.edu.

Photo: Altin Kaftira

Photo: Dario Calmese

Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“TWO JEWS WALK INTO A WAR…”

AT THEATER J

Ishaq and Zeblyan are the last remaining Jews in Afghanistan. They share the only remaining synagogue that has not been destroyed by the Taliban. They share a vital mission to repopulate the Jewish community in Kabul. And they hate each other. Can this cantankerous couple commit to one incredible act of faith to keep their community alive without killing one another first? Part The Odd Couple and part Waiting for Godot, Two Jews Walk Into a War… is a ripped-from-the-headlines, modern day vaudeville full of schtick, sorrow, and survival. $44.99 to $64.99. “Two Jews Walk into a War…” is on stage at Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. theaterj.org.

FOLGER CONSORT’S “SING MY STORY: TROUBADOUR SONGS”

The troubadours flourished in 12th and 13th-century southern France, composing both melodies and poetry in Old Provençal, and establishing the forms and conventions of lyric love songs in the vernacular languages of Europe. In these concerts, the Folger Consort performs songs in their original language as well as rhyming English translations by Robert Kehew, along with lively instrumental dances featuring medieval fiddles, plucked strings, winds and percussion. On Friday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 4, 4 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 5, 2:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s 301 A St. SE, Folger Consort performs medieval French troubadour songs in Provençal and English translation. $45. folger.edu.

MLK MEMORIAL SOUTH WALL INSCRIPTION

Our Struggle for Justice: A Day of Action at the NPG

On Sunday, Jan. 22, 1 to 4 p.m., together with National Portrait Gallery’s partner Made by Us, commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday while honoring his social justice work and service. Be empowered and inspired by local social justice partner organizations and community groups during this day of community building, upliftment and action for young adults. Become more actively involved in important causes, hear enlightening talks and attend tours of the permanent exhibition “The Struggle for Justice.” Enjoy a meet and greet with DC activists and partake in art activism activities. Free admission. The National Portrait Gallery is at Eighth and G streets, NW. npg.si.edu.

ENTERTAINMENT NATION AT THE AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM

On Dec. 9, the National Museum of American History unveiled the new permanent exhibition Entertainment Nation/Nación del espectáculo. Anchoring the Culture Wing through iconic objects from the museum’s collection, Entertainment Nation/Nación del espectáculo showcases how Americans have long used entertainment to both elicit delight and understand different viewpoints. The museum, open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (except Christmas, is on the National Mall at Constitution Avenue, between 12th and 14th streets, NW. americanhistory.si.edu.

Judy Garland’s Ruby Slippers from 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Photo: Jaclyn Nash, Courtesy of the National Museum of American History.

Photo: Brittany Diliberto

MAKING THE MODERN BOOK SYMPOSIUM

On Thursday, Jan. 19, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., join artists, scholars, and specialists in the Library of Congress for a free, in-person symposium celebrating the donation of the Aramont Library. In private hands for over 40 years, the Aramont Library is comprised of 1700 literary first editions, illustrated books, exhibition bindings, finely bound author collections, and illustrated books by some of the most important artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including: Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Dorothea Tanning and Max Ernst. The collection also includes first editions of landmarks in Western literature by authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Oscar Wilde, and Virginia Woolf, as well as three variant first edition copies of James Joyce’s Ulysses, one of which includes a very rare schema and annotated anatomical figure describing Joyce’s novel. The symposium is in the Thomas Jefferson Building Coolidge Auditorium, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov.

IN SERIES: THE ORDERING OF MOSES

On Saturdays, Feb. 4 and 11, 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 5, 4:30 p.m., in a DC “surprise sacred venue,” IN Series (Opera that speaks. Theater that sings.) turns to the nexus of art, faith, and justice with an embodying of Nathaniel Dett’s tremendous oratorio The Ordering of Moses. Performed as a community music and theater ritual, surrounding the audience with action and sound, this performance, built on the tradition of the African American spiritual, will redefine both the artistic and the spiritual experience. Composed in 1932, the piece would become the central touring work in the repertoire of DC’s National Negro Opera Company, founded by Mary Cardwell Dawson, for whom IN Series’ Cardwell Dawson Artist Fellowship is named. $35 to $55. Inseries.org.

FIRST LADY OF SONG: ELLA FITZGERALD AT SIGNATURE

The definition of an icon, Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for over 50 years. From Jan. 31 to Feb. 5, celebrate her phenomenal range, syncopated style, and heart of gold with a swinging cabaret bursting with her incredible songbook including “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “The Nearness of You,” “Blue Skies” and many more. $30 to $38. Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA. sigtheatre.org.

THE PASSION OF MARY CARDWELL DAWSON

She trained hundreds of African American youth to sing. She founded the longest-running, allBlack opera company. She organized opera guilds in the country’s biggest cities. Mary Cardwell Dawson’s dream to bring opera music to African American audiences came true—and it changed the future of opera. The story starts in Washington, DC in 1943, where the company is set to perform on a floating barge to evade racially segregated venues. But when bad weather threatens—pushing the performance to a segregated performance hall—Mary Cardwell Dawson must find a way forward. On Friday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 22, 2 and 5 p.m., The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson makes its highly anticipated mainstage premiere to celebrate the remarkable founder of the historic and groundbreaking National Negro Opera Company, established in 1941. $39 to $99. kennedy-center.org.

For this performance, IN Series collaborates with DC’s own Heritage Signature Chorale, the nation’s premiere ensemble celebrating and interpreting the classical spiritual. DC artist Richshaad Ryan creates epic canvases telling at once the classical biblical story, the American story of the quest for equality, and a Washington, DC story of the journey towards justice through faith. Photo: Courtesy of The Heritage Signature Chorale

The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson stars acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves in the title role.

Photo: Karli Cadel Photography

WASHINGTON DC

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE SHOW

On Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center, you’ll discover thousands of vacation options from the top destinations, tour operators and travel providers from around the globe, and meet with travel experts who are on-hand to help you plan and book your trip. With four on-floor theaters, you’ll receive the most up to date travel tips and advice, with the chance to meet your favorite travel celebrities. Plus, you’ll have access to show-only travel savings, trip giveaways and show-only deals. One-day advance sale admission for adults is $11; two-day advance sale is $18. Kids 16 and under, free. travelshows.com/ shows/washingtondc.

“RIDE THE CYCLONE” AT ARENA

Winston Duke, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

THE 34TH ANNUAL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL AT MLK LIBRARY

Each Tuesday in February, 3 to 9 p.m., MLK Library presents a selection of great Black films and short documentaries before each film to celebrate and showcase Black art and life in America. Here’s the lineup: Feb. 7, 3 p.m., James BaldwinThe Price of a Ticket, 5 p.m., Emancipation; Feb. 14, 3 p.m., Strange Fruit, 5 p.m. Lemonade, and Woman King; Feb. 21, 3 p.m., Miles of Smiles, Years of Struggle-

The First African American Trade Union, 5 p.m., I am not Your Negro and 13th; Feb. 28, 5 p.m. Nat Turner-A Troublesome Property and Black Panther-Wakanda Forever. Movies are free and are shown in the auditorium. Feature films start at 5 p.m. MLK Library is at 901 G St. NW. dclibrary.org/mlk.

VOICES OF MISSISSIPPI AT STRATHMORE

“Voices of Mississippi” is an immersive multimedia experience and concert event that celebrates the people and art of the southern blues, gospel, and storytelling traditions. Based on the 2019 Grammy-winning box set of the same name, “Voices of Mississippi,” the program features musical performances by notable Mississippi artists, including Bobby Rush, Sharde Thomas, and Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. The show includes fascinating personal accounts as well as archival film and images from Dr. William Ferris. $24 to $68. Voices of Mississippi is at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln., North Bethesda, on Saturday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m. strathmore.org.

Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars

Part comedy, part tragedy and wholly unexpected, this wildly imaginative story delivers surprises at every turn. The lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. A mechanical fortuneteller invites each to tell their story of a life interrupted, offering the chance to come to terms with their fates. At once quirky and smart, edgy and beautiful, Ride the Cyclone ultimately reveals the resilience of the human spirit in spite of senseless tragedy. $66 to $115. Ride the Cyclone is at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SE., from Jan. 13 to Feb. 19. arenastage.org.

Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown will make an appearance at the Washington DC Travel & Adventure Show.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

CLARK AT LAPORTA’S IN ALEXANDRIA

FOLGER’S THE READING ROOM (NEW PLAYS DEBUT)

On January 19 to 21, Folger Theatre kicks-off the new year with The Reading Room, a new play festival of four premier readings inspired by and in conversation with the plays of William Shakespeare. Each reading will be followed by a conversation with the playwrights, directors, members of the press and scholars. The festival is at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St. NE, across the street from the Folger. Bilingual Hamlet is on Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Our Verse in Time to Come, Friday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Julius X, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2 p.m.; and A Room in the Castle, Saturday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. $25 for a festival pass. A $50 all-access pass includes three additional in-depth discussions of theatre, Shakespeare, and adapting new works featuring festival playwrights, directors, and actors. folger.edu.

Sharon Clark began her professional career with the Bottle Caps doing promotional work for the Coca Cola Company. The other “Bottle Cap” was her twin sister, Sharee. She has since performed at such jazz and non-jazz venues as Blues Alley, the National Press Club and Twins Lounge in Washington, D.C. and Sweet Basel in New York City. Equally adept with jazz, blues, and gospel, Clark has a husky but mellow voice and is a fine interpreter of lyrics. Listing Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Hartman, Ella Fitzgerald as musical influences, Clark appears at LaPortas Restaurant, 1600 Duke St., Alexandria, on Saturdays, 7 to 11 p.m. laportas.net.

UMPHREY’S MCGEE AT THE 9:30 CLUB

In the twenty-four years since eclectic improv-rock band Umphrey’s McGee formed, their sound has been an amalgamation of genres, moods, and tempos, effortlessly flowing from one feeling to the next throughout an album or concert—or sometimes within a singular song. Their fourteen-song album, Asking For A Friend, feels like a fresh statement from a group of world-class musicians reapproaching their craft with a new lens. But long-time fans will be happy to know that the Umphrey’s McGee they know and love is still very much present, just more refined. On Thursday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m., enjoy the Umphrey’s McGee 25th Anniversary Tour at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $45. 930.com.

CHAKA KHAN AT NATIONAL HARBOR

Songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist, Chaka Khan has influenced generations of recording artists. She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. She is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability. Witness her performance in person on Sunday night, Jan. 15, 8 to 10 p.m., at The Theater at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Ave. National Harbor, MD. $69.50 to $235. nationalharbor.com.

SHARON

Sharon Clark

Photo: Tara Tracer

AI Letson, Lauren Gunderson, Karen Ann Daniels, Malik Work, Emily Lyon, Reynaldo Piniella

JUNIOR H, ALTO LINAJE AND COMPA STEVE AT THE FILLMORE

Junior H, Alto Linaje and Compa Steve are performing on Friday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m., (daoors at 7 p.m.), at the Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD, on their Junior H – Sad Boyz 5 Life Tour 2022. The tour is named after Junior - H’s 2021 chart-topping album $ad Boyz 4 Life, via Rancho Humilde, which debuted at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart. General admission, standing room only. $42 to $55. livenation.com.

SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES’ ON-LOCATION (SIX WEEK) PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE

On Sundays, Jan. 22 to Feb. 26, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., learn to capture this vibrant capital city and sharpen your way of thinking about shooting outdoors in a course that focuses on deploying a minimal amount of equipment and a lot of fresh perspective. Students learn to take better photos by taking fewer of them and keeping post-processing to a minimum. Emphasis is placed on what happens before the shutter release is pressed, and on truly pre-visualizing the photograph. A basic understanding of photography is required, along with a camera that allows for adjustments to the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation. Participants provide their own cameras. Field trips may require considerable walking. $225. Registration ends on Jan. 20. smithsonianassociates.org.

KITCHEN 101: KNIFE SKILLS

AT HILL CENTER

Learning how to properly yield a knife is key to cooking great meals safely. Do you want to learn how to chop vegetables like a pro or learn the proper uses for certain knives? On Feb. 1 and 13 and March 1; 6 to 7:30 p.m., join Chef Wendi James in Hill Center’s kitchen as she teaches the essentials of knife skills for beginners. Learn the techniques of proper knife selection, care, basic cuts and proper form. The chef will guide you through breaking down common vegetables, while you chop alongside or simply take notes. $45. Learn knife skills at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org.

“THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT” AT KEEGAN

Jim Fingal is a fresh-out-of-Harvard fact checker for a prominent but sinking New York magazine. John D’Agata is a talented writer with a transcendent essay about the suicide of a teenage boy—an essay that could save the magazine from collapse. When Jim is assigned to fact check D’Agata’s essay, the two come head-to-head in a comedic yet gripping battle over facts versus truth. $50. The Lifespan of a Fact is at the Keegan Theater, 1742 Church St. NW, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 25. keegantheatre.com.

Photo by Joe Yablonsky on location.

neighborhood news

History Up in Smoke With Loss of Barn at St. Elizabeths, a Look at Some of the Campus Tales

by Liz O’Gorek

It could be seen for miles. A column of smoke billowed up from the St. Elizabeths Hospital East Campus one afternoon in early December. Burning was a very large barn: two stories and 75 by 100 feet. By the time DC Fire EMS was called, just before 4 p.m., the fire was well progressed; by 4:15 DC Fire tweeted that “collapse appears imminent.”

The fire completely destroyed the building. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but history was lost. The National Capital Planning Commission says the barn was one of the oldest existing buildings on the campus. It was an active part of the hospital, both in terms of therapy and sustenance, from the 1890s until just after World War II.

A great deal of development is slated for the East Campus; much has already happened. Redevelopment been underway since at least 2008, when DC Council approved plans for the site. There’s a lot to look forward to, from the relocated Whitman Walker Clinic to new homes at District Town and the $375 million Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center.

But the fire gutted an important piece of St. Elizabeths’ history. What stories lay now in the ashes of the barn, stories about St. Elizabeths and the fraught history during the period the barn played an active role there? What can we learn about the hospital, its patients and the community living around it?

Below, we dig into the history of St. Elizabeths and the community during the period that the barn was in active use on East Campus.

History

LEFT: The barn in the late 1940s. View of southwest corner - St. Elizabeths Hospital, Cow Barn, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, District of Columbia, DC Photos from Survey HABS DC-349-P. Library of Congress.

St. Elizabeths Hospital was a federal institution established in 1852 as the US Government Hospital for the Insane, but the Civil War veterans who were

ABOVE: Only the support beams remained. By 4:15, DC Fire tweeted the “collapse appears imminen.t”. The barn collapsed in less than an hour.

Photo: @dcfireems/Twitter

DC Fire EMS was called to a fire at the Dry Barn around 4 p.m., Dec. 3.

Photo: @dcfireems/Twitter

treated there for what we now think of as post-traumatic stress disorder didn’t want to put “insane” in the return address when they sent letters home. They referred to it as St Elizabeths, the name for the land patent on which the hospital was constructed. It stuck: the Federal Government made the name change o cial in 1916.

From its opening, the hospital was meant to be a “model institution,” o ering the most advanced mental health treatment available and showing o American medical knowledge to the world. It accepted Black patients from the day it opened in the 1850s. But being allowed inside did not mean patients were treated equally. St. Elizabeths wanted to model the best of American medicine, but it also modeled the worst racist prejudices of the society.

For instance, while St. Elizabeths accepted Black patients, it segregated them in smaller, outlying buildings. Even as new buildings were built, the Black patients were housed in the most overcrowded parts of St. Elizabeths, a situation that persisted until World War II.

Barn and Therapy

In 1869 the hospital purchased the East Campus to expand its existing farm activities. The facility was intended to be selfsustaining, so the expansion was essential. The building that burnt down Dec. 3 was called the “Dry Barn.” According to the DC Preservation League, it was built in 1894 to house dairy cows and hay.

St Elizabeths was a prominent example of the mid-19th century movement for what was called “moral treatment” of the mentally ill. Psychiatrists of the time believed that the combination of beautiful buildings and the natural outdoor environment would be therapeutic. Because doctors believed that fresh air and work were good for able-bodied patients, patients would help maintain buildings, milk cows and slop the pigs.

The barns, stables, hen houses and pig styes that contributed to the hospital’s food production were set on the East Campus together with cottages for sta on the pasture land. But the rapidly expanding hospital forced change. By the early 1900s beginning in the early 1900s, the East Campus began a gradual conversion from farming to facilities for the growing patient and sta population.

Labor Masquerading as Therapy

The hospital began to adopt new treatment methods like psychotherapy in the early 1900s. These new techniques, however, were used almost exclusively on the white patients. Black patients were instead directed to do what historian Martin Summers has called “a labor regime that itself masqueraded as therapy.” Instead of getting modern treatments, many Black patients were put to work around the hospital. It was hoped this would make them into “tractable laborers” upon their release.

In part, that’s because psychiatric belief held that Black and white brains were fundamentally di erent. When diagnosing Black patients, many doctors ltered their observations through a racial lens. Symptoms like delusions, aggression, and paranoia that would be considered concerning in white patients were often dismissed as built-in traits of the Black mind. (Modern studies have shown that whether they are explicitly stated in medical literature, some of these tendencies persist in the medical profession today).

But in the early twentieth century, physicians at St. Elizabeths weren’t just re ecting societal racism. Doctors at St. Elizabeths played a key role in advancing these ideas. Sta physicians published at least 10 studies between 1914 and 1933 that claimed to show fundamental di erences between the hospital’s white and Black patients.

Despite this systematic racism, Black patients, their families, and communities made St. Elizabeths work for them. They laid claim to government services that were typically denied to them in the Jim Crow era, pointing to sometimes horri c events to do so, especially invoking the rights of Black veterans of the two world wars.

Murder at the Barber

For instance, in July 1924 the Washington Tribune reported that two White attendants at St. Elizabeths had beaten a Black patient, William Green, to death. A coroner found abdominal contusion, ruptured pancreas and shock from violent assault. It took a year and a half, but the two were eventually indicted for manslaughter.

As part of the process, jurors visited the hospital and reported that they were appalled at what they found: buildings for Black patients were at double their designed capacity.

Among the organizations that rallied around Green’s death to call for change and advocate for the recognition of full Black citizenship was the Barry Farm Citizen’s Association. Founded in 1867, solidly Black and middle-class, the association included professionals, entrepreneurs and activists.

The Association kept abreast of the situation, reminding the press and the public that the US Veterans Bureau had recommended that Congress investigate the hospital, since many World War II vets were inmates. It was an agile move, elevating the concern with Green’s death from one man to the fate of many. The citizens of Barry Farm simultaneously held the federal institution responsible for Green’s life, calling on Congress to protect the Black patients who had served in the wars and simultaneously rea rming Black citizenship.

Artist in the Kitchen

But the history of the hospital isn’t all bleak. In one portion of the hospital, there was a genius at work. “First and foremost, John N. Robinson considered himself an artist,” an Anacostia Community Museum biography notes.

Robinson began working in the kitchens at St. Elizabeths in 1934 rising to food service management before he retired in 1970. “There I learned the discipline of work and the loyalties and friendships of co-workers, many of whom purchased my pictures,” he wrote in a biography for a 1976 exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery.

Born in Georgetown, Robinson’s work was noticed while he was working at the Key Bridge Garage in the 1920s. A chau eur brought his sketches to James V. Herring, the head of the Howard Art Department and Herring arranged for him to take art classes. Financial concerns cut his training short, but painting became his identity.

Robinson painted in earnest after moving to Anacostia in 1929, his job at the hospital providing stability for his growing family. Among his works was a

mural depicting Christ at Gethsemane in the old Emmanuel Baptist Church; other church murals were destroyed with their buildings during Southwest urban renewal.

His work depicted intimate scenes of family and community life, praised by the Washington Post as “hymns to the ordinary” that were “warmed by gratitude and gentleness.”

Robinson enjoyed fame after his retirement from St. Elizabeths. He died in 1994. A modest and quiet man, he said he was not sorry that fame came later in his life. “I cannot, I feel, have any regrets about my accomplishments,” he wrote in the biography; “What comes from art will just come.”

Stories in Smoke

The Dry Barn was being used for storage by the time Robinson retired from St. Elizabeths. Although farming continued until 1965, Summers notes that the barn ceased to house cattle when commercial milk became the more inexpensive choice sometime in the 1940s.

Only time will tell what stories will be written in the buildings newly erected on St. Elizabeths Campus. But, if walls could talk, they would tell many tales. We will tell these stories in the hopes that they, like tales centered around the now vanished Dry Barn, do not simply go up in smoke.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. u

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Robinson, Mr and Mrs Barton, 1942, oil on canvas,

New Home for Washington School for Girls Slated to be at THEARC

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

grades 3 to 8. Initially established as an afterschool program, the school was founded in 1998 to give additional educational opportunity to Black girls living in the east end of the District. Today, the school serves 100 students on two campuses. This project will unite the elementary and middle school students on one site. A great deal of enthusiasm is shared amongst the many stakeholders.

“I don’t know if anyone could be as excited as [WSG Director] Beth Reaves,” said W.C. Smith CEO Christopher Smith, Jr., “but we’re a close second.”

WSG later expanded to include fourth, fth and then third grades, taking on a second campus in 2013 to serve those grades at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (1600 Morris Rd. SE).

Getting Together

Afourth phase of expansion is coming to THEARC (1901 Mississippi Ave. SE) and it will unite a school community. Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR), the nonpro t operator of THEARC and the Washington School for Girls (WSG), are partnering to build a 33,000 square foot building that will unite all the school’s students, from grades 3 to 8, in one location.

“I feel hugely blessed,” said WSG Director Beth Reaves. “This is an opportunity as a small school you don’t often get: to have your big dreams come true in a way that you can see that is real.”

The School

The Washington School for Girls (WSG) is an all-scholarship independent Catholic school in Anacostia for girls in

W.C. Smith is the development company that founded non-pro t Building Bridges Across Rivers (BBAR) in 1997 to offer additional opportunities for education, recreation and connection east of the river. Smith serves as Chairman of the Board. THEARC is one of several BBAR projects; others include THEARC Farms, Skyland Workforce Center and the 11th Street Bridge Park Project.

Smith said there is a long relationship between WSG and BBAR. BBAR helped WSG nd their initial location in the Washington View Apartments, and WSG has been a partner at THEARC Campus since the latter opened in 2005.

When the school opened at THEARC, it was a middle school o ering grades six through eight located in 10,000 square feet of purpose-built space on the site.

Today, WSG is one of 14 partners on the THEARC Campus, most of which collaborate to provide the students with opportunities. Those include DC Central Kitchen, providers of school lunch; Washington Ballet, which o ers dance classes; the Boys and Girls Club, where students participate in afterschool programming; and the Philips Collection at THEARC, which o ers the Art Links to Learning program to WSG Students.

THEARC have found ways to ensure the younger students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help have access to pro-

Phase IV of THEARC will include a three-story, 33,000 square foot building that will house the Washington School for Girls (WSG). Courtesy: W.C. Smith

The building will unite the elementary grades of WSG with the middle school students in one building. Middle school students are currently located at THEARC with elementary students off-site. Courtesy: Washington School for Girls.

gramming. DC Central Kitchen supplies school lunches on both campuses, for instance, and the Boys and Girls Club provides transportation so that students can access the programming. But, Reaves said, it will be much easier to walk around the corner.

Challenges

Shortly before the pandemic, WSG presented a new strategic plan. One goal was to unify the two campuses in a single building. Reaves said this would not only allow WSG to expand curriculum and create a state-of-the-art learning environment, it would most importantly allow for cross-grade connections, for the students to both have and be role models.

“We really wanted an opportunity for the younger girls and the older girls to be together, to have a cohesive program. There’s so many bene ts to being in one place,” she said. “We really love and value all of the things that BBAR [and] being at THEARC brings in terms of collaboration and partnership.”

So WSG brought their goals to BBAR and W.C. Smith. BBAR President Rahsaad Bernard said the board assessed the compatibility of such a project, both with the THEARC campus and with its overall goals. He said a 2019 Urban Institute Study found that WSG students were one of the greatest beneciaries of cross-utilization of campus partners. It made sense, therefore, to ensure that all WSG students had ease of access to the services on site.

The Building

The new, three-story, 33,000 square foot building is Phase IV of THEARC’s expansion. It will be built in the space that is currently a parking lot, located between the buildings housing Children’s National and the Washington Ballet, at 1865 Mississippi Ave. SE. It will include a cafeteria, lab space, meeting and study rooms, ex common space, tness areas and classrooms and will house up to 150 students.

The building is being built in partnership between BBAR and WSG, who will jointly fundraise to cover the $24.3 million price tag. W.C. Smith has donated $1 million to the project.

WSG will sign a 30-year lease with BBAR, who manage the 16.5 THEARC campus located on National Park Service land.

BBAR President Bernard said the new building ts with the nonpro t goals to build metaphorical and real bridges across the river.

The building, Bernard said, is also a bridge to additional opportunity, educational excellence and opportunity for WSG students. He said the addition of 50 to 60 girls in grades 3 to 5 will also bene t the campus community overall.

“It brings a level of vitality, vibrance and interac-

tion [to the] community, and the partners will open their doors a little wider for these young girls,” Bernard said.

When

The expansion will more than triple the WSG space at THEARC; it is also 12,000 square feet more than the 20,000 square feet that WSG currently occupies between its two campuses. Right now, W.C. Smith is nishing drawings in preparation to apply for construction permits. The timeline calls for a June 2023 groundbreaking with delivery of the new building in November or December 2024.

That’s an aggressive timeline, all three parties acknowledge, and it requires aggressive fundraising which is already underway. You can donate now at bbardc.org. Select “Phase IV THEARC” under “Donate” to designate your gift for the new WSG building.

W.C. Smith CEO Smith said it has yet to be decided what will happen to the space WSG vacates in the building they currently occupy at THEARC. While designed for educational use, it is unlikely to host another school, he said, as THEARC tries to avoid hosting competing partners. (The other school on site, Bishop Walker, is an all-boys Catholic School). “I think it will be an important topic throughout 2023,” Smith said.

WSG President Reaves said the best part about this opportunity is that the school will have space available to make academic program decisions based on the students’ needs and can adapt the program as needed in the future. A grade level expansion is not yet in the cards, she said.

“We know that small class sizes and direct support from teachers, support and learning specialists and others is important to our students’ success,” Reaves said. “Our new building will give us generous space to implement that strategy.”

“It is a great partnership,” Reaves continued. “This is the best of all worlds, and I feel like it demonstrates a commitment to the girls of the community. I want the best that we can possibly do for the girls that we serve, and I feel like this is an important step towards that.”

BBAR President Bernard said that the nonprofit believes in that mission. “We are building bridges to opportunity here,” Bernard said. “This opportunity that BBAR, W.C. Smith and WSG are embracing is really uplifting the courageous young women in our neighborhood, and really giving them what they deserve,” he added.

“These women will rule the world one day, and I will say they got their start right here on the campus at THEARC.” ◆

Our River: The Anacostia

The National Arboretum – Lucky To Have It Along Our River

by Bill Matuszeski

The National Arboretum comprises over four hundred and fifty acres along the west side of the Anacostia River, just below the New York Avenue Bridge and within DC. It runs for several hundred yards above a small strip of National Park Service land running alongside the river. Not only is it an area kept largely in open space; it is managed to maximize its benefit to the river with projects and cooperative activities to improve the quality of the waters entering the river. And the public is welcome to come see them and the rest of the plant studies that are carried out as the main purpose of the location. There is even a dock and entrance along the river for those wishing to arrive by boat.

The managers of the Arboretum recognize that it is

a very popular area for the public to visit for recreation. But there is also an opportunity for visitors to learn about how to grow and manage plants. And to that the Arboretum management has added how to manage the lands and waters near the river to minimize adverse effects and maximize the benefits to Anacostia water quality. We need to thank them for that.

In particular, the Arboretum has shown how to take the storm sewers coming under New York Avenue and, where they enter the property, convert them to natural streams that allow the waters to spread out and contribute to the health of plants while slowing down the storm discharges. The effort has attracted attention from all over the country and even overseas for the results it has already achieved.

The project was originally planned to get under way on Hickey Run, the major discharge into the Anacostia from the Arboretum. But the upstream clean-up of Hickey was moving too slowly, so it was decided to move the project to its largest tributary, Springhouse Run. Near where that stream emerged as a ditch from a pipe under New York Avenue, an isolated pond was reconnected to it as it passed nearby, and the ditch was expanded to become a stream. It was so convincing as a new natural area that a group of beavers decided that where it passed through a field down below was a perfect place to build a dam! That just made it seem more natural than ever.

You can follow the signs to the new Springhouse Run and walk along it all the way to where it enters Hickey. And now that the City has taken action to clean up the Hickey Run upstream, plans are under way to use the lessons learned from Springhouse to turn it into a natural system when it enters the Arboretum. It has an

even larger disconnected lake downstream to put into the new “natural” stream. If you are confused about how to find these places, check in at the FONA (Friends of the National Arboretum) office to your right where you enter on R Street NE. Or park to your left and walk to the reception in the main office building for a map.

This is also a good time of year to take advantage of some of the vistas of the Anacostia from the Arboretum. Once the leaves have fallen, there is a great view upstream of a very wild area of the Anacostia from the dogwood collection; simply walk toward the woods above the river. There are also good views from parts of the Asia Gar-

View Up Our River from the Arboretum Dogwood Garden

View Up Our River from the Arboretum Camellia Garden

dens, which have trails all the way down to the gate on the river. There is a picnic table down there next to the dock.

All these connections are fun to discover in the Arboretum. What is odd is that absent a boat it is nearly impossible to get there from the east side of the Anacostia. There are no pedestrian bridges above Benning Road. There are proposals to link parts of Kenilworth Park with a new bridge, and the longshot possibility of extending the trail on the west side above Benning Road through the islands of the golf course to the Arboretum. The problem with the bridges is the addition of danger to students learning rowing who can now use the river from Bladensburg to Benning with only one set of large bridges at New York Avenue. One solution might be to add a pedestrian bridge to the ones already at New York Avenue to connect the Arboretum directly to the Aquatic Gardens on the other side. It would add little or no danger to the bridges already there.

So our Arboretum is a key part of Our River. Its streams are undergoing changes to benefit the river. Its lands provide natural cover for hundreds of acres near the river. And we can learn lessons from the professionals there about plants and water and flowers and food and sun, shade and forests, and soils and runoff—all the things that done right add to the health and life of Our River.

Bill Matuszeski is a member of the Mayor’s Leadership Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River, and the retired Director of the Chesapeake Bay Program. He also serves on the board of Friends of the National Arboretum and on Citizen Advisory Committees for the Chesapeake and the Anacostia. u

The Eastsider Cleaning Up the Anacostia One Tire at a Time

by Leniqua’dominique Jenkins

Kent Fothergill describes the Anacostia River as “a beautiful expression of our waterways.” Kent and his partner Kelly Tindall reside in Ward 5 yet the environmental work they are doing to keep the Anacostia River litter-free connects them to every community in the District.

Kent and Kelly are deeply knowledgeable about all things related to the environment. They are agricultural scientists with over five decades of professional experience between them. Although their love for the planet is obvious, you would never learn the impressive details of their resume unless you explicitly ask. When I did inquire strictly for the purposes of this article Kent replied “You don’t have to be a scientist to care about the planet.” This response reflects this couple’s lifestyle of taking care of each other and the District’s waterways.

Their favorite pastime is kayaking on the Anacostia River with their dog, named Anacostia, and removing trash from the river. They refer to this activity as trashyaking. Over time they have removed some interesting waste from the river. They have collected Bikeshare bicycles, helium tanks, fishing nets, and various forms of single use plastic.

But one pesky item that continues to contaminate the Anacostia River is tires. They told me that in one day they pulled 26 tires from the Anacostia River. Aside from the enormous amount of time and labor it takes to remove such a massive amount of tires from a river on a small kayak, disposing of them is even more challenging. The DC dump allows four tires per week to be disposed of at their site. Essentially, it would take Kent and Kelly seven weeks to dispose of one day’s worth of discarded tires. The current policy at the DC dump places a very unreasonable burden on residents to store, transport, discard trash in their effort to help keep the District free of illegal tire dumping.

When I asked Kent and Kelly what are some things DC residents can do to keep DC waterways clean, their answer was practical. They urgently asked residents to stop using single-use plastic. The microfibers in single-use plastic are very harmful to humans and animals. They encouraged residents to shift their mindsets from Earth Day to Earth Life. “It’s not about doing big things occasionally, but about doing small things continuously,” said Kent. They both agreed that pick-

ing up litter anywhere is valuable. Trash is very transient. It can start in your neighbor’s yard, then drift to the street gutter, wander to the road, and then end up in the river.

Kent and Kelly’s dedication to a lifestyle of creation care is a beautiful reminder that we all can do our part to take care of the planet.

To learn more about Kent and Kelly’s environmental work and their “trashyacking” on the Anacostia River subscribe to their blog at: https://biologistsoup.wordpress. com/2022/09/10/another-year-of-trashyaking-on-the-anacostia-river/

Leniqua’dominique Jenkins holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Houston and has worked on Capitol Hill and in Africa, India and Spain. She is a preschool teacher at a language immersion school in Ward 7. u

Kent Fothergill and Kelly Tindall cleaning the Anacostia River.

Chinatown Celebrates the Year of the Rabbit

The DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade is on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. Join in on the celebration by wearing the color red to ward o evil spirits and bring in good fortune. People born in the Year of the Rabbit usually have soft and tender personality traits. They keep a modest attitude and maintain a pleasant relationship to people around them. Years of the Rabbit include 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927. The parade starts at “I” and Sixth streets, NW and takes a circuitous route and ends Sixth and H. Find the exact parade route at dcparade.com.

Career Development at DC’s Achievement Centers

The Achievement Centers, at 2101 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE and 450 H St. NW, offer a range of career development programming led by expert sta who help young people develop their strengths and con dence. The pro-

gramming is free and open to all District youth ages 14 to 21. There is a seven-week vocational program for 18- to 21-year-olds that provides young adults with training to be able to pass recognized industry certi cations. The training includes preparation for industry-recognized exams and participation in work-based learning experiences that transition into employment op-

by Kathleen Donner

portunities, with a goal of receiving a Certi cate of Completion and job readiness. Young adults can register for the vocational program by walking into either Achievement Center or calling 202-576-7299. The next program begins in January 2023 and will focus on tattoo artistry and microblading. dyrs.dc.gov.

MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade

The Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade is in-person on Jan. 16, 11 a.m. The staging area is at The R.I.S.E. Center at St. Elizabeth’s, 2700 MLK Ave. SE. The parade reviewing stage is at MLK and W St. SE. The walk ends at a festival and health Fair at Anacostia Park. Over a thousand ‘Peace Walkers’ join annually in the two-mile walk along MLK Ave. in Southeast DC. Masks and social distancing required. mlkholidaydc.org

Anacostia Playhouse Seeks New Plays for Festival

Anacostia Playhouse is seeking new, non-produced plays from local playwrights for its New Voices New Works Play Festival. Submissions are being accepted through Jan. 15 and should address this year’s theme Love: Make Ya Do Right / Make Ya Do Wrong, be set in an East of the River neighborhood and have a maximum of four characters. The festival will run over three consecutive Monday evenings beginning April 28 at the Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. This project will introduce new and seasoned playwrights to Washington’s theater com-

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. is program o ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. is program o ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

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

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust mortgages. You are not required to be a firsttime homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in city. is program o ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in t city. is program o ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

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

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

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

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

Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP)

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

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

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

years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage.

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down payment and closing cost assistance up to $202,000 combined. DCHFA serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) first-time home buyer program.

Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to

DC4ME

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

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

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

COVID-19

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

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

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

COVID-19

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

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

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

COVID-19

COVID-19

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

Visit www.DCHFA.org how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs.

Visit www.DCHFA.org

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

how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs.

Visit www.DCHFA.org

how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs.

neighborhood news /

munity; as well as, and establish relationships among writers, producers, and directors. Send submissions to the Anacostia Playhouse by email to info@anacostiaplayhouse.com.

Wacky & Whimsical Tea at THEARC

Celebrate Building Bridges Across the River’s years of serving residents East of the Anacostia River at the Wacky and Whimsical Tea for THEARC. This Sunday afternoon tea party, an event for the whole family, features games and activities for kids, exciting performances, door prizes, and more. All proceeds will bene t THEARC, a 203,000 square-foot campus located on 16.5 acres in DC’s Ward 8. THEARC is home to fourteen of DC’s nonpro t agencies who work collaboratively under Building Bridges’ leadership to provide $30 million

worth of human services annually in cultural arts, health, recreation, and educational programs. Save the date, Sunday, March 12, 2 to 4 p.m. for THEARC’s, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, annual Wacky & Whimsical Tea party. Sponsorships are available. bbardc.org.

Fire & Ice at the Wharf

On Saturday, Jan. 21, 1 to 4 p.m., join The Wharf for the third Fire & Ice, featuring the WAFF Ice House. Stop by the House on District Pier and help support the Washington Area Fuel Fund in their mission to raise funds to keep our neighbors warm this winter. Sit in the House and get your “Bring the Heat” thermal photo. There will also be a DJ, whiskey sampling stations, re twirlers, an ice sculptor and s’mores at the repit. This event is free and open

to the public, must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Sampling tickets will be sold on-site. wharfdc.com.

Two Hon eur Artist-in-Residency Grants Awarded

In a non-conventional residency, the artists-in-residency can work for over a year in their own space. This annual program is a realization of the vision of the late Sharon Hughes Gautier to provide artists with the necessary time and funding to create their work. This residency comes with both speci c project funding and a monthly stipend. Two grants for FY23 were awarded. Melani N. Douglass: During her tenure, Melani will collaborate with community organizations to use art to activate communities east of the river, focusing on Anacostia. She will work to establish the Family Arts Museum as an intergenerational center of creativity and connection. Rik Freeman:Mr. Freeman will execute a series of paintings based on the subject matter of African American beaches during segregation and Jim Crow. Honfleur Gallery is a contemporary art space in the Historic Anacostia neighborhood, between Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE and 13th St. SE. Hon eur maintains a rigorous schedule of exhibitions and programming focusing on cuttingedge contemporary exhibitions by artists from the USA and abroad. hon eurgallerydc.com.

NPS Decision for Kenilworth Park Land ll Site Issued

Capital City Go Go at the Entertainment & Sports Arena

Through March 25, enjoy watching Washington’s own NBA G League Capital City Go Go in the 4,000-seat Entertainment & Sports Arena with sight lines designed for an exceptional spectator experience. Here are the remaining game dates: Jan. 18 and 29, vs. Long Island Nets, Jan. 25 and 27, Windy City Bulls; Feb. 1, vs. Maine Celtics, Feb. 10, vs. Wisconsin Herd; Feb. 15, vs. Westchester Knicks, Feb. 25 and 27, vs. Delaware Blue Coats; and March 17 vs. Texas Legends, March 23, vs. Wisconsin Herd and March 25, vs. Westchester Knicks. The arena is a three-minute walk from the Congress Heights Metro at 1100 Oak Dr. SE. Tickets are $15. eventsdc.com.

The National Park Service has released the Record of Decision (ROD) for the future environmental cleanup to take place at the Kenilworth Park Landll Site. The site was used as a municipal waste land ll beginning in 1942. It has been used for recreational purposes since the 1970s when the land ll was closed and covered with soil. The cleanup plan will include the placement of a one-footthick, clean soil layer on certain areas within the northern portion of the site. The NPS evaluated risks to human health within the site and determined

bulletin board

that the placement of a clean soil layer will eliminate health risks for visitors who engage in high-frequency activities such as playing contact sports on athletic elds for more than two hours per day and for an extended time period of time (26 years). The NPS will conduct a review of the site at least every ve years to ensure that the clean soil layer remains in place and continues to provide protection to human health. The NPS will post updates on the progress on nps.gov/anac/learn/management/kpls.htm.

Death Doula Days at Congressional Cemetery

Bring your curiosity, your courage, and a sense of humor as we sit around the table at the gatehouse (almost) every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in 2023, to explore the worries and wonderment about mortality. Join Congressional Cemetery’s new death doula in residence for a weekly series of conversations and workshops about the end of life. Guests will include those who sit with the dying, care for our bodies, and help those we will leave behind. Participants will work on projects like organizing their digital lives, documenting their wishes, and telling their life stories. You will play games, do projects, hear musicians, meet artists, and hear from scholars who explore the end of life in their work. The goal is to explore a “death positive” way to think about our mortality. You never know who you’ll meet around the table, but each person who enters the room is a gift to the event. Cake and tea provided. Donations to Historic Congressional Cemetery are warmly encouraged. Reserve your chair today at congressionalcemetery.org.

DC Holds DC Teacher Summit in

February

The Bowser Administration, through the O ce of the Deputy Mayor for Education, and CityBridge are partnering to hold a DC Teacher Summit for educators from DC public schools and public charter schools on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The summit is themed, “Teachers Teaching Teachers (T^3): Lessons from Classroom to Community,” and will bring together teachers from across the city to connect and share strong instructional practices through teacher-led sessions. Teachers interested in attending can express their interest at linktr.ee/teachersummit2023.

HBCU Scholarship Opportunities

DC Metro HBCU Alumni Alliance Higher Education Initiative will award ve $1,000 scholarships to incoming freshmen during fall semester. All applicants must be from DMV, Baltimore or VA/MD Eastern Shore. Applications are due by Feb. 17, 2023. Read more and apply at Bit.ly/ Higher/Education/Scholarship/Awards2023.

Ward 8 Wood Volunteer Programs

Ward 8 Woods volunteers work in the woods removing trash and cutting invasive vines. If you like to be physically active, spend time in nature, and immediately see the results of your work, you might enjoy working with them. The simplest way to get involved is to attend one of their regularly scheduled public events. Ft. Stanton Park Volunteer Day is every rst Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at Ft. Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. Shepherd Parkway Community Clean-Up is every second Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at 555 Newcomb St. SE. Register at ward8woods.org/volunteer.

Habitat Restoration Workday at Kingman

On Monday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will join the Anacostia Watershed Society and National Links Trust for a Habitat Restoration Workday. During this workday, volunteers will help AWS with their invasive plant control and revegetation e orts along the riverside area of Kingman Island at Langston Golf Course. This is part of a natural resources management plan for the golf course in partnership with National Links Trust. By participating you will not only have the opportunity to learn about invasive plants and the ecology of the Anacostia River, you will also help to improve the habitat for wildlife and the water quality of the Anacostia River. This event will involve lifting, bending, and walking. Participants are expected to wear closed-toed shoes

for the duration of the event. Registration required at anacostiaws.org.

New Sensory Experience at Capital One Arena

Monumental Sports & Entertainment has partnered with KultureCity to make Capital One Arena and all of the programs and events that the arena hosts sensory-inclusive. The Costabile Family Sensory Room inside the arena now o ers an inclusive and positive experience for all fans. The sensory room is out tted with custom door and window treatments by SelectBlinds, bean bags from Yogibo, the visual light panels by Nanoleaf, activity panels, Sparkle Interactive Light (by NunoErin—therapeutically fun furniture embedded with soft glowing lights that respond

Photo: Shepherd Parkway volunteers.

to motion), and bubble walls. The space is located at the Administrative Entrance on Level 1 across from section 115/116 and is available for all games and events. Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. For more information, visit capitalonearena.com.

An Eight-Part Business Law Series for Small Business Owners

This eight-part course is hosted by the DC Bar Pro Bono Center, the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development, and the DC Small Business Development Center. The course is designed for the non-attorney small business owner including sole proprietors, business partnerships, and owners of LLCs. Overview of setting up your business, contracts, employment law, risk/insurance, accounting, and intellectual property legal concerns. Registration includes all eight virtual sessions. There is a one-time $75 fee. Sessions are held on consecutive Tuesdays, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Participants will learn the basics of DC registration and corporate law, employment law, risk management, contracts, government contracting and certi cation, intellectual property, and accounting from experienced business attorneys at DC’s most prestigious law rms. Contact lpaley@dcbar. org with questions. Register at probono.center/smallbiz8part2023.

Winter Birdwatching on Kingman Island

On Saturday, Jan. 14, 8 to 11 a.m., join the Anacostia Watershed Society, Friends of Dueling Creek, and National Links Trust for a fun morning at the Langston Golf Course on Kingman Island looking for some of the Anacostia River’s prettiest and most secretive feathery friends— winter birds. The watershed is in the Atlantic Flyway. Learn about the di erent species of waterfowl and other wetlands birds that spend the winter at Kingman Lake and the Anacostia River. This event is open to birders of all levels. They will have some binoculars available on a rst come, rst serve basis and will have a couple of scopes to get a nice look at the birds. Bring your bird app and eld guides. Some hiking will be involved but mostly on at terrain on grassy and wooded terrain. Dress appropriately in layers and bring a warm beverage. Registration required at anacostiaws.org.

Foreclosure Prevention Webinars

The non-pro t Housing Counseling Services is conducting Foreclosure Prevention webinars in January to provide information about available options for people who are having di culty paying their mortgage, condo fees or property taxes. You may participate in the webinars by internet or telephone. Webinars, on Jan. 11, 18 and 25 at noon, are free: registration is required. Register at housingetc.org/webinar-registration. If you have questions, you may also call the Foreclosure Prevention hotline at 202-265-2255. housingetc.org.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and 5k Registration Open

Sign up to run the March 18, 2023 Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon or 5k at runrocknroll.com/washingtondc-register.

Chamber Music at Noon at MLK Library

On first Thursdays at noon through June, enjoy an hour of beautiful music in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library auditorium with their Performance Lab: Chamber Music at Noon concert series. Curated by Vasily Popov and Ralitza Patcheva, each program features di erent musicians and includes background discussions on the works being performed. Free. MLK Library is at 901 G St. NW. dclibrary.org/mlk.

Rock the Rink at The Wharf

Behaving Boldly: Women Leading 21st Century Museums

On Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m., join the directors of the Hirshhorn, National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, and Smithsonian American Art Museum as they look back at the Guerrilla Girls’ “Horror on the National Mall!” (2007) and discuss the 21st century responsibilities of museummaking. In-person, free and in the Hirshhorn Ring Auditorium. Registration required. Light refreshments available for purchase. hirshhorn.si.edu.

This year, there are two Rock the Rink days at The Wharf, Wednesday, Jan. 11. 6 to 10 p.m. (Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers) and Saturday, Feb. 11, 2 to 6 p.m. (Capitals at Boston Bruins). Skate at The Wharf Ice Rink with a DJ and Caps giveaways. The game will be broadcast on a jumbotron on the Transit Pier. Throughout the day, fans wearing Capitals gear receive $5 o admission to The Wharf Ice Rink. wharfdc.com.

Hypothermia Alerts

Hypothermia alerts are activated when the forecasted temperature, including wind chill, is or will be 32° F or below; or, when the temperature is forecasted to be 40° F or below. Transportation to shelter is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you see someone outside in need of shelter or a welfare check, call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or dial 311. ◆

Changing hands is a list of most residential sales

5006 Kimi Gray Ct SE $449,000 3 241 54th St SE $228,000 2

NEIGHBORHOOD PRICE BR

ANACOSTIA

1232 Talbert St SE $500,000 3 1815 Good Hope Rd SE $485,900 3 1344 Talbert Ter SE $305,000 2 1324 Dexter Ter SE $270,000 2 1351 Talbert Ter SE $195,000 2

BARNEY CIRCLE

1521 Independence Ave SE $655,000 2

CARVER LANGSTON 1826 L St NE $514,000 2

CONGRESS HEIGHTS

1231 Trenton Pl SE $550,000 4 946 Mississippi Ave SE $540,000 3 1134 Barnaby Ter SE $446,500 4 38 Brandywine St SW $306,000 3

DEANWOOD

4112 Hayes NE $799,900 4 1109 51st St NE $595,000 4 110 54th St SE $440,000 3 29 46th Pl NE $425,000 2 4509 Eads Pl NE $419,500 3 57 54th St SE $365,000 3 4121 Hunt Pl NE $350,000 2 59 46th St NE $340,000 3 4416 Foote St NE $320,000 3

FAIRFAX VILLAGE

3908 Southern Ave SE #101 $135,000 1

FORT DUPONT PARK

4121 Stanley St SE $570,000 5 4641 H St SE $488,000 4 4344 D St SE $460,000 2 467 Burbank St SE $350,000 3 1617 Fort Dupont St SE $305,000 1

FORT LINCOLN

3612 Jamison St NE $875,000 4 3605 Hansberry Ct NE $685,000 4 3624 Fort Lincoln Dr NE $575,000 3

HILL CREST

3670 Camden St SE $748,500 4 2701 Minnesota Ave SE $540,000 4 3607 36th Pl SE $515,000 3 2714 32nd St SE $490,000 3 2121 32nd Pl SE $525,000 3

KINGMAN PARK 523 23rd Pl NE $509,000 2

LILY PONDS

345 36th St NE $435,000 3 408 36th St NE $400,000 2

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 5042 A St SE $575,000 4 5120 B St SE $549,900 4

RANDLE HEIGHTS 3441 25th St SE $410,000 3 1824 Gainesville St SE $400,000 2 1915 Ridge Pl SE $365,000 3

TRINIDAD 1254 Oates St NE $675,000 3 1504 Montello Ave NE $544,505 3 1812 M St NE $450,000 3 1800 H St NE $350,000 2

VILLAGES AT DAKOTA CROSSING 2506 Ralph Ellison Way NE $615,000 4

WOODCREST VILLAS 409 Woodcrest Dr SE $540,000 3

CONDO

CARVER LANGSTON 1014 17th Pl NE #8 $555,000 2 761 19th St NE #3 $545,000 3 812 18th St NE #302 $518,000 2 828 18th St NE #001 $325,000 2 1014 17th Pl NE #5 $289,900 1 1014 17th Pl NE #1 $241,500 1

DEANWOOD 612 Eastern Ave NE #C3 $159,900 2

FAIRFAX VILLAGE 2059 38th St SE #101 $140,000 2 2006 Fort Davis St SE #201 $131,000 1

FORT LINCOLN 2821 31st Pl NE #2821 $459,000 2

H STREET CORRIDOR 1102 Staples St NE #401 $494,900 2

HILL CREST 1321b 27th St SE $350,000 3 1325a 27th St SE $265,000 3 1800 28th Pl SE #205 $237,000 2 MARSHALL HEIGHTS 11 46th St SE #203 $175,000 2 RANDLE HEIGHTS 3101 Naylor Rd SE #102 $85,000 2 TRINIDAD 1705 Trinidad Ave NE #3 $749,900 3 1016 17th Pl NE #UNIT 408 $325,000 1 1702 W Virginia Ave NE #102 $315,000 2 1710 W Virginia Ave NE #202 $310,000 2 1208 16th St NE #2 $289,000 2

east washington life

Meet Your Neighbor

Erwin Fowler: Author, Designer, and Screenwriter

by Anthony D. Diallo

At the age of eight, Erwin Fowler wrote his first sitcom. Entitled “Erwin and Antoine,” it narrated the travails of Fowler and his best friend, two elementary students trying to keep out of trouble. Residing in the Fort Chaplin neighborhood in Ward 7, Fowler, a lanky six-foot tall, remains a bundle of creative energy, who has authored comics and is children’s book author.

Early Life

Fowler is a native Washingtonian. He was raised by his grandmother, Helen Pettaway, who he lived with until her death in 2015. “I then went to live with my father and another brother,” said Fowler, now thirty-seven, who was the youngest of six children. His mother and another sibling passed away in 2019.

Despite a chaotic childhood shaped by multiple schools and

family deaths, Fowler describes himself as a happy child, always exploring ways to be creative. He attributes his prolific authorship to the encouragement of his teachers.

“I would always surf the web. Even when the library closed, the teacher would sometimes let me in. I wanted to be a child star. I was hungry to be a star,” said Fowler, who acted in high school dramas. All of this whetted his creative edge.

Comics and Children’s Books

“Powerboy,” one of Fowler’s many creations, is a comic book about an African American kid named Winston Campbell. When the protagonist is hit by a star, he develops superpowers: laser vision, flight and super strength.

Waterman is Powerboy’s nemesis. He is an evil genius, who manipulates water. Waterman, Fowler believes, is the only comic book villain ever made of water.

In addition to writing the comic book, Fowler has authored two children’s books entitled “3 Kids and Self Esteem” and “Mr. Mueller.”’ The former narrates the struggle of three children teased for being different. The kids encounter a man named Self Esteem, who transports them to a world in which their differences are celebrated. 3 Kids earned Fowler a Silver Award from the Mom’s Choice website (www.momschoiceawards. com/product/8362).

Screen Play Writer

Fowler has also not neglected his early love of drama. He wrote a screen play entitled “Pressure Pleasure Pain.” The script follows teenage basketball star Daniel Read. Remaining a virgin despite having a longtime girlfriend, Daniel has to resist the societal pressures to have sex, while still excelling on the court.

Shannon Gomez, the other protagonist of the play, is fellow student of Daniels. Known as a promiscuous young woman, she dates a much older man. The two, however, share growing up in single headed households. The play focuses on their struggles as they navigate notoriety and high school.

Fowler is confident of his screen play’s success. Shonita Frazier, who met the author at a University of the District concurs. She has signed on to be the film’s executive producer.

“He brought the movie to my attention about two years ago. I did not hesitate to get involved. I immediately saw the poten-

tial and the greatness in it. It was also an opportunity for me to enter another venue,” said Frazier, whose day job is running Katie Helen’s Family Service Center, LLC.

Fowler can be reached at Erwin.P.Fowler@ gmail.com. u

Anacostia Coordinating Council and DC Strings Ring in the Holidays at St. Philip’s

by Markus Batchelor

On December 10th, the Anacostia Coordinating Council, in partnership with DC Strings Workshop, brought a night of local music and holiday cheer to St. Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Historic Anacostia.

Led by conductor and Ward 8 resident Andrew Lee, the Messiah Chamber Orchestra performed live instrumental and vocal selections from the oratorio Handel’s Messiah – a particularly nostalgic experience for Ward 7 resident Ambrose Lane, Jr., who said it brought back memories of performing the songs in his Catholic school choir at 10 years old. When the orchestra began For unto us a child is born, “I was brought to tears”, Lane said.

The DC Strings Workshop hosts year-round youth education programming and performances across the District, including a Strings and Percussion Program at Ward 8’s Johnson Middle School.

After the performance, the ACC welcomed attendees and performers to dinner and a live holiday jazz concert, where both young and young-at-heart enjoyed dancing and photos with Santa.

This latest partnership is another one of ACC’s efforts to bring rich cultural and community events east of the Anacostia River —with organizations like DC Strings at the center. “ACC and the DC Strings Workshop plan to make the presentation of The Messiah an annual event,” said Philip Pannell, ACC’s Executive Director. “East-of-the-River residents will be able to look forward to enjoying that holiday classic.”

You can watch the full recorded performance at tiny.cc/MessiahConcert. u

Conductor and Ward 8 resident Andrew Lee leads DC String’s Messiah Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Stuart “Santa” Anderson of the Anacostia Coordinating Council relays a Christmas wish.

DC String’s Messiah Chamber Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah at Anacostia’s St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.

Concert attendees join together in prayer after a performance of Handel’s Messiah in Anacostia.

The Old Man of Anacostia East

On December 17th the Wards 7 & 8 Faith and Clergy Leaders 2nd Annual Holiday Prayer Breakfast was held in the Panorama Room, the fellowship hall of the historic Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church (OLPH). It is scripturally written that "man shall not live on bread alone" and the prayer breakfast did not disappoint. In addition to a delicious breakfast, over 200 guests were spiritually fed a course of inspirational messages, music, song and, of course, soaring prayers. The guests were led in prayer by clergy and faith leaders who called on God to guide and bless our community as we grapple with the issues of the environment, education, economics, violence, drugs and unity of purpose. The price of admission was right. It was free. The prayer breakfast was sponsored by the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC), East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership (ERCPCP), East River Family Strengthening Collaborative (ERFSC), Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative (FSFSC), OLPH and United Healthcare.

For the second year, the Reverend Karen Curry, rst lady of the Pennsylvania Baptist Church, served as the vivacious emcee and kept the program moving seamlessly. The Holy Trinity United Baptist Church provided a musical ensemble. The Potomac River Young Marines paraded their handmade posters while the guests prayed for the faith community to be good stewards of the environment. And although it was a religious event, there were hat tips to the secular with greetings by Reverend Thomas Bowen, the Director of the Mayor's O ce of Religious A airs; Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, and Councilmember Vincent Gray's chief of sta Sheila Bunn.

The keynote speaker Reverend Dr. Anika Wilson-Brown, senior pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church and chair of the Mayor's Interfaith Council, delivered a powerful message that clergy and faith leaders need to take care of themselves and attend to their needs. After all, what happens to the sheep if the shepherd is incapacitated? Her points were crystal clear and sensible: sometimes "a preacher needs a pastor."

For the closing prayer, the guests received a special treat. It was given by His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, DC and the rst African American cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. He said he had come to the breakfast after earlier sending birthday wishes to Pope Francis. Cardinal Gregory thanked the faith leaders for all their good works east of river. After the breakfast he was surrounded by the guests who wanted to take sel es with him.

The prayer breakfast can be viewed on YouTube at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=5wk2AsnMIss

Seven years ago, the ACC, ERCPCP and FSFSC organized the monthly Ward 8 faith leaders breakfast meetings. The meetings were held in di erent churches until the COVID pandemic made them virtual. Those meetings are held the second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Reverend Wanda Thompson, the Ambassador Baptist Church pastor, and Reverend Donald Isaac, Sr., Southeast Tabernacle Baptist Church pastor are the co-conveners.

In 2019 monthly faith leaders’ breakfasts were organized by the ERFSC, ACC and ERCPCP. They are held the rst Saturday of each month, 9:30 a.m to 11;30 a.m.

and are virtual until further notice. They are convened by Reverend Karen Curry and Irwin Royster, the ERFSC director of community engagement and partnerships.

During the COVID pandemic, the organizers of the Wards 7 and 8 breakfast meetings established joint quarterly meetings. These quarterly meetings were the genesis for the prayer breakfasts. In addition to the holiday prayer breakfasts, this year the inaugural Juneteenth prayer breakfast was organized with the hope that it will become an annual tradition. All the prayer breakfasts have been and are planned to be in the Panorama Room. Father Michael Thompson, the OLPH pastor, has been an extraordinary gracious and generous host.

There are nearly 200 churches east of the river. Collectively they could be a powerful force in the community, but it is extremely dicult to get the pastors together or have them send representatives to the monthly breakfast meetings. If the churches were constantly leading marches against the violence, maybe there would be fewer carjackings and murders. Yes, prayer is good and always in season. But we also need the churches to come together and stay together to implement a uni ed action agenda for the community. Then, we can all say Amen.

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

Traditions

by Philip Pannell

There are nearly 200 churches east of the river. Collectively they could be a powerful force in the community, but it is extremely di cult to get the pastors together or have them send representatives to the monthly breakfast meetings.

of the River

Philip Pannell at the registration table with Joyce Milton and Irwin Royster.

Thomas Byrd, ACC board member and Reverend Ernest Clover III

Denise Rolark Barnes and Cardinal Wilton Gregory.

The bottom right picture is Reverend Anthony J. Motley.

Reverend William T. Young IV, pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ.

Reverend Dr. Wanda Thompson, pastor, Ambassador Baptist Church and Reverend Dr. Anika Wilson Brown.