Hill Rag Magazine – May 2023

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28 A Traditional CHRS Mother’s Day House and Garden Tour: Back In Person, With Improvements To Make It Even More Enjoyable by Elizabeth Nelson

32 Keller and Franzén Grants: CHCF Boosts Enrichment at Capitol Hill Schools by Barbara Wells

36 Happy 100-Year Anniversary, Eastern Senior High School by Elizabeth O’Gorek

42 Everything Is Beautiful: Mosaics Inspired by Alma Thomas at Hill Center’s Young Artists Gallery by Elizabeth Nelson

arts and dining

family life

"Captured

www.bbroadie.com

email: noconstraintdesigns@gmail.com

Instagram: @bbrody04

Prince George's County, MD graphic artist Broadie fell in love with art when he was a young boy. He was first introduced to digital art in 2005 while attending Bowie State University where he majored in Fine Arts. Broadie shows his love for art by blending his skills in graphic design and love of mixed media, bringing about a perfect marriage of his two passions. Broadie’s inspiration has been birthed from the richness of Black History, the past, present and possibilities of the future, while showing how African Americans' unique Black fashion has impacted the world.

Upcoming shows:

May 13-14: Downtown Bethesda, MD Fine Arts Show

May 18-21: The Other Art Fair (Brooklyn, NY)

June 10-11: Old Town Art Fair (Chicago, IL)

September 30-October 1: 21st Alexandria Old Town Art Festival

Next Issue: June 3

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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.

MUSIC IN THE MEADOW AT THE ARBORETUM

On Saturday, May 13, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., in the Ellipse Meadow, dance and listen to music from Cumbia Heights, a DC-based neoCumbian band. The grounds will not be open to the public during this event; only the Ellipse Meadow and National Herb Garden will be open to registered attendees. The suggested ticket price is $25 and free for children 12 and under, or pay what you can. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics, but food and drinks will also be for sale. Use the entrance at 2400 R St. NE for easy access. Read more and register at www.fona.org.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

THE DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Under the artistic direction of maestro Charlie Young, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra has celebrated jazz as a jewel of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and on Saturday, June 10, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Baird Auditorium of the Natural History Museum, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra will celebrate its musical legacy. Performance selections include “Rainy Nights,” “Harlem Airshaft,” “Charpoy” and “The Biggest and Busiest Intersection.” $25. www.smithsonianassociates.org

EVERYTHING, EVERYONE, ALL THE FOOD AT ONCE FEST BY MOON RABBIT AT THE WHARF

On Friday, May 19, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 20, 2:00 to 10:00 p.m., join Moon Rabbit around the dinner table at District Pier. Chef Kevin Tien from Moon Rabbit hosts a weekend celebrating Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. On Friday, a table spanning the entire length of District Pier will bring guests together for Dinner on the Dock, an elevated dining experience featuring six nationally recognized culinary superstars ($350). On Saturday, a Night Market showcasing 18+ chefs and makers, live music and more will be held in two ticketed sessions, 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. ($20 entrance; food and beverage, extra). www.wharfdc.com

Moon Rabbit Chef Kevin Tien.

Duke Ellington in the film “l’Aventure du jazz” (Jazz Odyssey), 1971.

ANACOSTIA RIVER FESTIVAL

On Saturday, May 20, 1 to 4 p.m., the 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the ninth annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival at Anacostia Park, Good Hope Rd. and Anacostia Drive SE. Join them to celebrate Breaking New Ground: 100 Years of Innovation at Anacostia Park. This familyfriendly event will offer fun outdoor activities, local performances, food trucks and more. Visit www.bridgepark.org/ARF for information.

CANOVA: SKETCHING IN CLAY

Antonio Canova (17571822), the most famous artist of Europe’s revolutionary period, produced sketch models in clay for designs of large statues in marble. The models reveal a working process that led to the creation of iconic sculptural works.

“Canova: Sketching in Clay” is at the National Gallery of Art (west building) from June 11 to Oct. 9. www.nga.gov

Antonio Canova, “The Three Graces,” terracotta, 1812, Muse des BeauxArts de Lyon. Image © Lyon

SHARING HONORS AND BURDENS: RENWICK INVITATIONAL 2023

From May 26, 2023, to March 31, 2024, “Sharing Honors and Burdens: Renwick Invitational 2023” features artists Joe Feddersen (Arrow Lakes/Okanagan), Lily Hope (Tlingit), Ursala Hudson (Tlingit), Erica Lord (Athabaskan/Inupiat), Geo Neptune (Passamaquoddy) and Maggie Thompson (Fond du Lac Ojibwe). These artists highlight principles of respect, reciprocity, and responsibility through work that addresses themes of environmentalism, displacement and cultural connectedness. Meet them at the exhibition open house on Friday, May 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Registration encouraged. Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. www.americanart.si.edu

Geo Sotomah Neptune (Passamaquoddy) has been weaving baskets since the age of four, with lessons from grandmother and master basket maker Molly Neptune Parker.

DUPONT-KALORAMA MUSEUM WALK WEEKEND

Walk Weekend is the annual event hosted by the Dupont Kalorama Museum Consortium in early June. This year, for two days, June 3 and 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors may enter free at participating DKMC museums. The museums are the Phillips Collection, Dumbarton House, American Revolution Institute, Dupont Underground and National Museum of American Jewish Military History, all within easy walking distance of the Dupont Circle Metro Station. Alternative transportation includes buses and Capital Bikeshare. Service animals are welcome. Due to the historic nature of the sites, not all of the participating museums are fully ADA accessible. www.dupontkaloramamc. com/walk-weekend

TAJ MAHAL AT WOLF TRAP

Fan favorite Taj Mahal blends traditional blues and rock with influences of the American South, the Caribbean and Africa to produce a memorable sound. Southern blues band North Mississippi Allstars opens the show. Taj Mahal, Los Lobos and North Mississippi Allstars are at Wolf Trap on June 1, at 7:30 p.m. (gates at 6 p.m.). Tickets start at $30. www.wolftrap.org

Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend visitors enjoy the Phillips Collection’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party.”

MBA; photo: Martial Couderette

“DC HOME RULE 50” PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

“DC Home Rule 50” is a pop-up photography exhibit produced by NEWorks Productions in collaboration with the DC History Center, 801 K St. NW. Featuring contemporary images by emerging photographers, the exhibit explores themes of self-governance, full citizenship, free elections and DC statehood, 50 years after the passing of the Home Rule Act of 1973. DC Home Rule 50 is presented in conjunction with DC Emancipation Day. The pop-up will be on view alongside “The Big Picture” exhibit in the DC History Center’s West Gallery until July 9. www.dchistory.org

HISTORY ALIVE: AFRICAN AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN THE VIETNAM WAR

The Vietnam War marked an important change in official views about bringing African Americans into the nation’s military establishment. Nearly two centuries of reluctance to give Blacks important military roles changed, and they began to fight and die in disproportionate numbers. On Sunday, May 28, at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m., learn about the experiences of African Americans in Vietnam. Free, walk-in. National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW. www. nmaahc.si.edu

“DISSONANCE” AT THE ANACOSTIA ARTS CENTER

“Dissonance” is a two-woman play about race, love and friendship. Angela and Lauren have been friends for more than 20 years. As they open their cafe in a historic Black neighborhood targeted for urban renewal in Pensacola, Florida, they uncover deeply held perceptions that threaten to dismantle their friendship. “Dissonance” is at the Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE, May 30 through June 11, Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays at 7:00 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; additionally, Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. $34 to $41. www.theessentialtheatre.org

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

MONTY PYTHON’S “SPAMALOT” AT THE KC

Telling the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail, Monty Python’s “Spamalot” features a chorus line of knights, men in tights, killer rabbits and sexy dancing divas. The score will be performed onstage by the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. “Spamalot” is at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater from May 12 to 21. Tickets are $69 to $325. www.kennedy-center.org

Monty Python’s “Spamalot” stars Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman (“Beetlejuice,” “School of Rock”) as Sir Lancelot.

Photo: Lateef Magnum

Kerry Sandell (left) as Lauren and Marci J. Duncan (right) as Angela in “Dissonance.” Photo: Courtesy of Artists at Play

George Walker had his works performed by every major orchestra in the country and was the first African-American composer to win a Pulitzer Prize for music. He composed nearly 100 pieces in forms ranging from solo piano pieces and songs to concerti and symphonies and was also a respected music professor and pianist.

GEORGE WALKER & BEETHOVEN’S SEVENTH AND EIGHTH SYMPHONIES

On Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13, at 8 p.m., the National Symphony Orchestra presents the final sinfonia by George Walker (1922-2018), a Washington, DC, native and the first Black composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. Gianandrea Noseda bookends the program with Beethoven’s Seventh and Eighth symphonies. $19 to $109. www. kennedy-center.org

JXJ FESTIVAL (JEWISH FILM, MUSIC AND TALKS)

JOSE JAMES SINGS BADU AT THE KEYSTONE KORNER BALTIMORE

Singer Jose James’s new project, “On & On: Jose James Sings Badu,” throws down the gauntlet on the past 100 years of jazz singing while charting a path forward. James is at Keystone Korner, 1350 Lancaster St., Baltimore, on Friday, May 26, and Saturday, May 27, at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. $35 to $45. www.keystonekornerbaltimore.com

JxJ, the Edlavitch DCJCC’s arts festival that encompasses the 31st Washington Jewish Film Festival and the 22nd Washington Jewish Music Festival, runs from May 11 thru 21 and features 50+ films, concerts and conversations. The festival reaches all the DMV, with screenings at the Cafritz Hall at the Edlavitch DCJCC in Washington, Landmark’s Bethesda Row Cinema in Maryland and at Cinema Arts Theatres in Fairfax, Virginia. The festival will also offer talks and Q&As with filmmakers and subject-matter experts. The full slate of programs and festival passes is at www.JxJdc.org/events.

Teenager Shadya Zoabi is a karate world champion, a Muslim Arab living in Israel and a feminist in a maledominated culture. Shadya is presented as part of “The 21%: The Lives of Arab Citizens of Israel,” at Edlavitch DCJCC on Wednesday, May 17, at 6 p.m.

MOUNT VERNON SUMMERFEST

JILL SCOTT AT NATIONAL HARBOR

Jill Scott is a poet, actor, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and multimedia entrepreneur. She is the founder of Blues Babe, a foundation that supports minority students pursuing college degrees. Jill Scott is at MGM National Harbor, May 11, 13 and 14, at 8 p.m. www.mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com

On June 9 and 10, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Mount Vernon Summerfest offers sample craft beer from local breweries, live music and after-hours access to the historic area. Your ticket includes a commemorative tasting cup and eight tasting tickets. From 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., enjoy live music by the Fly Birds. Craft beers, hard seltzers, fresh bread and concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn Food Truck will be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or small lawn chair to the 12-Acre Field or Bowling Green. Seating is not provided. $48. www. mountvernon.org

Dorothy Garris loved hats and hugs. She was an elementary school teacher and steadfast partner of her husband, the Rev. Grant Garris, as he built his Capitol Hill congregation. In 1963, they founded the New United Baptist Church, initially holding services in her husband’s barber shop on 11th Street SE, and later in a new church building at 14th and South Carolina Avenue SE. Read Dorothy’s oral history at CapitolHillHistory.org. Help preserve Capitol Hill history by becoming a volunteer.

Photo by Gayle Krughoff

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

BOURBON & BLUEGRASS AT PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S COTTAGE

On Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, 1 to 5 p.m., lounge on Lincoln’s lawn, sip bourbon and enjoy live bluegrass music at the eighth annual Bourbon & Bluegrass at President Lincoln’s Cottage. In addition to bourbon, delicious food, lawn games and preservation tours of the cottage, the event features Heritage Barbers to style your beard to rival Lincoln’s. Help keep this historic gem open and available to share Lincoln’s untold stories. One-day admission is $86 for adults; $35 for ages seven to 26; six and under, free. President Lincoln’s Cottage is at 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. www.lincolncottage.org

TO BE YOUNG AND IN LOVE IN PARIS!

When a group of artists gets tangled up in love’s highs and lows, growing up is its own bittersweet heartbreak. Puccini’s “La Boheme” evokes the city of love, from the gritty garrets of the Left Bank to the bustling Cafe Momus. With an acclaimed international cast, ravishing music and tale of exuberance and struggle, Washington National Opera’s “La Boheme” will win your heart. At the Kennedy Center Opera House from May 13 to 27. $25 to $299. www. kennedy-center.org

BRUNO MARS AT NATIONAL HARBOR

Bruno Mars is known for his stage performances, retro showmanship and variety of performance styles, from pop, R&B and disco to soul and rock. His band plays a variety of instruments and also serves as backup singers and dancers. Bruno Mars returns to MGM National Harbor on Tuesday, June 6, and Wednesday, June 7, at 8 p.m. www.mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com

TO LIVE AND BREATHE: WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN WASHINGTON

This exhibition, which opens on May 19 at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, highlights the stories of local women and their efforts to ensure that all communities are safe and healthy. The stories provide examples of women facing great odds who are tireless in their efforts to protect their families, their neighbors and their communities. The Anacostia Community Museum is open daily, except Christmas, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission and free parking. www.anacostia.si.edu

Washington’s disadvantaged neighborhoods have had a long experience with environmental injustice. Many of the alley houses in which Black families lived had no access to running water or electricity. This photograph was taken in1935.

Photo: Library of Congress

Photo: Courtesy of President Lincoln’s Cottage

Photo: Scott Suchman

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND AT THE BIRCHMERE

Jerry Douglas has produced over a hundred albums and featured on over 1,600 studio albums. Since 2017, The Jerry Douglas Band has been forging new paths with roots in bluegrass and folk, spreading out into the Americana and jazz landscapes. The band includes Daniel Kimbro on bass, Christian Sedelmyer on fiddle and Mike Seal on guitar. The Jerry Douglas Band is at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, on Saturday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. $35. www.birchmere.com

“HADESTOWN” AT THE NATIONAL

In a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back, “Hadestown” intertwines the mythic tale of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone. Beguiling melodies and poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith and fear against love. “Hadestown” is at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from June 6 to 18. $60 to $115. www.BroadwayAtTheNational.com

KENNEDY CENTER OUTDOOR SUMMER MOVIE SERIES

“GOOD BONES” AT STUDIO

Urban planner Aisha returns to her hometown to renovate a townhouse that’s seen better days, but when the contractor is caught up in an act of violence, Aisha’s homecoming becomes more complex than she expected. A commissioned play by 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames, “Good Bones” explores gentrification and belonging, displacement and upward mobility and being haunted by a legacy you’re only just beginning to understand. “Good Bones” is at Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW, from May 10 to June 11. www.studiotheatre.org

The Kennedy Center has announced the 2023 Summer Outdoor Film Series, featuring classic and modern films playing on the REACH video wall every Friday starting May 26 through Sept. 1. Film screenings are not ticketed and start at dusk. Here’s the lineup: May 25, “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark”; June 2, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”; June 9, “Hugo”; June 16, “Miss Juneteenth”; June 23, “The Swimmers”; June 30, “The Iron Giant”; July 7, “Jaws”; July 14, “True Grit”; July 21, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”; July 28, “The Princess Bride”; Aug. 4, “Moona”; Aug. 11, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”; Aug. 18, “A League of Their Own”; Aug. 25, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”; Sept. 1, “Washington Jazz and Art Institute: In their Own Words.”

www.kennedy-center.org

Photo: T. Charles Erickson

LOCAL CALENDAR

Union Market Drive-in Movies. On the first and third Friday of every month through July 21. Here’s the lineup: May 5, “The Karate Kid”; May 19, “Coco”; June 2, “King Richard”; June 16, “Clueless”; July 7, “Top Gun Maverick”; July 21, “Hairspray.” Cars are $20 each; otherwise free. www. unionmarketdc.com

ExPats Theatre: “The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield.” Through May 21. After being part of a mass graves commission sent to Bosnia to document war crimes, American psychologist Kate goes to a NATO rehabilitation facility in Germany where she meets Dorra, who is heavily traumatized and pregnant from a gang rape during the 1990s war. $20 to $40. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. www.atlasarts.org

Chess: Free Play Fridays. On Fridays, 1 to 4 p.m. at Eastern Market Metro Park, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, weather permitting. www.barracksrow.org

LOC Concerts. May 4 at 8 p.m., Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Chad Hoopes, violin, at St. Marks Church, 301 A St. SE. May 16 at 8 p.m., Signum Quartet at St. Marks. www.loc.gov

Half Street Central Farm Market. Opens for the season on Saturday, May 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The market features table seating, music, kids’ club activities, chef demos and more. 1250 Half St. SE. www.centralfarmmarkets.com/half-street

CHRS Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour. May 13, from 4 to 7 p.m., and May 14, 1 to 5 p.m. $35 in advance; $40 on tour weekend. www.chrs.org

Take a Tour of Hill Center with David Bell, Award-Winning DC Architect. May 13 or May 14, from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m., Capitol Hill Restoration Society presents the annual Home & Garden Tour. During the event, Hill Center’s building will serve as a will-call station for the public to view the gallery spaces and will host two free tours on both dates. Sign up at www.hillcenterdc.org.

Cemetery Speaker Series: Capitol Police. May 13, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. A combined speaking en-

gagement and docent-led tour features keynote remarks on the founding of the US Capitol Police from historian Blake Lindsey, followed by a complimentary tour of the gravesites and memorials of USCP-associated individuals such as Montjoy Baly and John Quincy Adams. $5. Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. www.congressionalcemetery.org

House Concerts at Hill Center: Latin Grammy-Nominated Instrumentalist & Singer Elena La Fulana. May 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. $8 to $15. www.hillcenterdc.org

Capitol Hill Classic 10k, 3k and Kids’ Fun Run. May 21. The three races start at Peabody Primary School, 425 C St. NE, at Stanton Park. The Fun Run is a single lap around Stanton Park (approximately a third of a mile). Read more and register at www.capitolhillclassic.com.

Chiarina Chamber Players at St. Mark’s. May 21, 7:30 p.m. “Nonpareil,” the final concert of the season, brings together composers whose distinct voices stand out in their time. $25; 18 and under, free. Concerts are at St. Mark’s Church, 301 A St. SE. www.chiarina.org

Mosaic’s “One in Two.” June 1 to 25. Three Black queer men sit in an ethereal waiting room inviting audiences to join them in a whimsical theatrical experiment that is harrowing, hilarious and hopeful. $29 to $50. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. www.atlasarts.org

Create Your Author Website: Workshop with E. J. Wenstrom. June 11, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. A hands-on workshop to create a basic author website and begin building a readership. Southeast Library, 403 Seventh St. SE. www. dclibrary.org/southeast u

Market SW. Fridays, from 4 to 10 p.m.; May 12 and 26, June 9 and 23, July 7 and 21, Aug. 4 and 18, Sept. 1, 15 and 29. This family- and petfriendly market has arts, food, live music and a beer garden. Fourth and M streets SW. www.marketswdc.com

Brought to You by Schneider's of Capitol Hill

A Traditional CHRS Mother’s Day House and Garden Tour

Back In Person, With Improvements To Make It Even More Enjoyable

by Fynnette Eaton, Jackie Krieger and Angie Schmidt

This year, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) returns to pre-pandemic life with its 66th annual House and Garden Tour, coming up on Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14.

In 2020, CHRS addressed the challenges presented by the pandemic and made the tour virtual, with 3-D scans of selected private homes available for online viewing. In 2021, CHRS of -

Cozy living space in a repurposed carriage house.

DC WATER & SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE

PRESERVATION CAFE

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 6:30 PM

Running water and modern sanitation are necessary for healthy living but were not available to most when the District was established. Learn about the development of these essential services from CHRS Board Member, Joanna Kendig, Free, virtual. Details and reservations: chrs.org/infrastructure-pc/

2023 MOTHER’S DAY HOUSE & GARDEN TOUR

Celebrating the 66th year of this Capitol Hill tradition

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 13 & 14

Enjoy eleven delightful homes and stop at Hill Center for refreshments. Visit  chrs.org/more- house-tour-2023/ for details, including a list of addresses.

CONNECT WITH US!

fered the very successful Mother’s Day Tour of Tours, a collection of docent-led, socially distanced walking tours. CHRS then increased its o erings of walking tours, which have been a great way to share and appreciate our neighborhood. In 2022, still sensitive about health concerns, the tour shifted back in the direction of normal, with a hybrid version, limited in-person and virtual tours and walking tours.

Now that the health emergency has been lifted, CHRS is back to a traditional tour, with improvements. This year, the tour’s footprint crosses the entire historic district, from Sixth and A streets NE to 10th and I streets SE. It includes a diverse collection of 11 homes and seven beautiful gardens and outdoor entertainment spaces. In a nod to the signi cant interest in neighborhood walking tours, this year

will include a self-guided architectural tour of the 100 block of 10th Street SE.

The houses on the tour re ect the long history and diversity of living on Capitol hill. Highlights include:

1. A “secret” garden at 640 East Capitol St. NE, with a magnificent, espaliered ginkgo tree.

2. “Twin” homes at 209-211 10th St. SE that share very little besides a wall, making an interesting comparison of styles and spaces.

3. Homes at 617 A St. NE and 232 Ninth St. SE whose beautiful street facades do not begin to reveal the surprises inside, as traditional exterior styles make way for modern interior living.

4. At 350 11th St. SE, see an impressive collection of artwork

350 11th St SE. Treasures collected in a lifetime of travel.

from all parts of the world.

5. A collection of homes in the area of 11th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue and Walker Court SE reflects a variety of styles, all within viewing distance from two rooftop decks.

6. An interior decorator’s dream sits on I Street SE.

The historic Hill Center will serve as the tour headquarters. It will present the Capitol Hill Art League’s juried exhibit, hung throughout the building, and an architectural tour of the building. Refreshments and samples from two neighborhood small businesses, Captain Cookie and the Capital Candy Jar, will be available. Local artist Erin Thompson, who designed the house tour poster and brochure cover, will be at the Hill Center to present her work and handmade gifts.

An important change in the tour this year involves ticketing. To make purchasing tickets and checking in fast and easy, all tickets are being sold electronically, solely through Eventbrite. Ticketholders can check in at six locations, all homes on the tour, making it easy to check in, receive the tour brochure and start the tour wherever they wish. Ticketholders can take their time and visit the houses on either day or both days.

Fynnette Eaton, Jackie Krieger and Angie Schmidt chair the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s House and Garden Tour Committee. For more information on this and other events and issues of historic preservation, please visit www.chrs.org. u

Month HILL CAPITOL

Keller and Franzén Grants

CHCF Boosts Enrichment at Capitol Hill Schools

by Barbara Wells

Education innovators working in the Capitol Hill community have pioneered strategies to improve student performance and help prepare young people for success beyond school. This spring, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation will help expand some of these key enrichment efforts with its annual award of two major grants.

The $25,000 Arnold F. Keller, Jr. Grant, created to support new initiatives or expand existing programs, will be divided between Everybody Wins DC (EWDC) and Reach Incorporated, two nonprofits that engage students in reading while fostering positive relationships between elementary school students, teens and caring adults. The Franzén Award for the Arts, honoring John Franzén’s dedication to making Capitol Hill a cultural hub, will provide $10,000 each to the music programs at

Eastern High School and the Eliot-Hine and Stuart-Hobson middle schools.

“The Keller and Franzén grants recognize the contributions of these programs to the social health and academic development of Capitol Hill students, particularly those from low-income households” said Mark Weinheimer, who chairs the foundation’s grants committee.

“In the wake of educational setbacks caused by the COVID pandemic, we feel an even greater sense of urgency in extending literacy and arts resources and support to as many students as possible.”

Keller Grant for Reading and Mentorship Opportunities

The Keller Grant will help address racial and economic disparities in English language arts (ELA) proficiency. In the 202122 school year, the District’s annual Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment found that just 20% of Black students citywide and 33% of students in Ward 6 met or exceeded the ELA standards, compared with 79% of White students citywide and 68% of students in Ward 3.

“Reading is fundamental to a child’s success in the classroom and in life,” said EWDC Executive Director Jordi Hutchinson. “But for children to truly thrive, they must also be confident in their

potential, understand their personal value and have the tools needed to navigate life’s obstacles.” In addition, according to a recent report from the Brookings Institution, “Children need to learn in active and engaging ways that are meaningful and joyful.” Both EWDC and Reach aim to achieve those goals.

Last year, EWDC’s programs enlisted 790 volunteers to bring the power of reading to over 7,700 children across the city. EWDC gave away over 12,000 new books while its Power Readers mentoring program connected volunteers with students to read for one hour a week. Volunteers also serve as Reading Role Models: they read aloud to younger students from selected texts with themes like perseverance and empathy, and with older students they talk about books that influenced their lives or reflect their experiences.

EWDC will use the Keller Grant to expand its partnerships with J.O. Wilson and Tyler elementary schools, two Title I schools with high percentages of students from low-income households. The grant will support additional staffing and supplies to increase enrollment in the Power Readers program and to host more reading and book distribution events. In addition, the grant will allow EWDC to launch the Power Readers program at Van Ness Elementary School next year.

Reach promotes mentorship as well by recruiting, training and hiring teens to tutor local second and third graders. “During twice-weekly training sessions led by program instructors, the teens create lesson plans to nurture the younger students’ reading skills,” said Executive Director Jennifer Cartland. “Along the way, their own reading improves.” The tutors also gain coaching and leadership skills while expanding their understanding of accountability, responsibility, commitment and focus.

The pandemic stalled Reach’s program delivery in 2021, but last year it rebounded. Today, Reach partners with eight elementary and high schools in Wards 4, 5, 6 and 8. In total, Reach employs 65 teens who work with more than 70 young

Everybody Wins DC Power Readers pairs

A Reach Incorporated teen mentor.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

FAMILY, CHILDREN, & TEENS

Summer Camps 2023!

*Starting in June: go to HillCenterDC.org/ events/school-break-camps to see all our offerings!

Fabulous Family Fun with Michael Hearst!

Saturday, May 6, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Family “Hoppy” Hour with King Bullfrog!

Friday, May 12, 5:00pm-7:00pm

GALLERIES CHAL 2023 Opening Reception

Wednesday, May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm

CONCERTS

Hill Center Presents: I Draw Slow

Friday, May 5, 7:30pm-9:30pm

Global Sounds on the Hill: Peni

Candra Rini

Saturday, May 6, 7:00pm-8:30pm

American Roots: Jill Andrews

Sunday, May 7, 4:30pm-6:30pm

House Concerts at Hill Center: Elena

La Fulana

Sunday, May 14, 4:30pm-6:30pm

American Roots: Oh He Dead

Sunday, May 21, 4:30pm-6:30pm

COOKING CLASSES & TASTINGS

Handmade Pasta Workshop

Thursday, May 4, 6:00pm-8:00pm

A Trip to Japan: Onigri (Rice Balls)

Tuesday, May 9, 6:00pm-8:30pm

Long Lunch: DIY Dumplings

Friday, May 12, 11:30am-1:00pm

La Vie en Rosé: The Pink Wine

Tasting

Friday, May 19, 5:30pm-7:00pm

Classic English Tea with Marianne Tshihamba

Saturday, May 20, 11:00am-2:00pm

Urban Foraging & Cooking with Archaeologist/Chef Bill Schindler

Sunday, May 21, 9:00am-2:00pm

Persian Persuasion: Cooking Tachin with Marianne Tshihamba

Thursday, May 25, 6:00pm-8:30pm

LECTURES & CONVERSATIONS

Talk of the Hill with Bill Press: Neil King, Author of American Ramble

Thursday, May 4, 7:00pm-8:00pm

SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP TODAY

Are you an aspiring or existing business in the District? The Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) is here for you!

BUSINESS SPEED COACHING

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 • 9:00 am • R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center

2730 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington D.C. 20032

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60682

WEBINAR: LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CBE)

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/58979

GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP

Thursday, May 4, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61581

GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP

Mapping Segregation:

A Walking Tour of DC

Saturday, May 13, 2:00pm

Take a Tour of Hill Center with Architect David Bell

Saturday, May 13 or Sunday, May 14, 3:00pm-3:45pm

STUDIO ARTS

Contemporary Watercolors

Monday, May 1, 8, 15, & 22, 6:30pm-8:00pm

Basic Drawing Techniques: Drawing from an Image

Tuesday, May 2, 9, 16, & 23, 6:30pm-8:00pm

Islamic Geometric Patterns Workshop

Saturday, May 6, 2:00pm-4:00pm

Local Makers Workshop: Mother’s Day

Floral Arranging

Saturday, May 13, 11:00am-12:30pm

One-Off Workshops

Contemporary Watercolors: Saturday, May 13, 12:00pm-2:00pm

Introduction to Linocut Printmaking: Saturday, May 13, 2:30pm-5:00pm

Mother’s Day Sip ‘n Paint: Saturday, May 13, 5:30pm-7:30pm

HUMANITIES & PERFORMING ARTS

Writing for Change Workshop

Saturday, May 13, 1:00pm-4:00pm

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP)

Busy Bees: Music & Art Playgroup

French Courses: Various Levels

District Flow Yoga

Frontlines: Infant and Child CPR

Gottaswing

Mr. Mike’s Music Together

Opera Starts with Oh! - Opera

Lafayette

Piano Lessons with Gordon Tenney

Profs & Pints DC

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Spanish Courses: Various Levels

Studio One Dance

Super Soccer Stars

Tai Chi Chuan

Tippi Toes Dance

Warrior Fusion Karate

Programmatic support provided by the Capitol Hill Community Foundation and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.

Thursday, May 4, 2023 • 2:00 pm • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61746

LICENSING BASICS FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADES AND INDUSTRY

Monday, May 8, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61806

DLCP AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY –LEARN THE PROCESS OF STARTING A BUSINESS

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 • 6:00 pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Library • 901 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60824

THE LATEST ON SHORT-TERM RENTAL WORKSHOP

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61736

WEBINAR: MADE IN DC: BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR THE CREATIVE/MAKES BUSINESS

Thursday, May 11, 2023 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60795

2ND SESSION GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP

Tuesday, May 18, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61582

GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP

Thursday, May 18, 2023 • 2:00 pm • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61747

FIND FUNDING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 • 10:00 am • R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center 2730 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington D.C. 20032 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61543

SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE WORKSHOP

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 • 10:00 am • Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor Room E-200, Washington, D.C. 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61737

RECURSOS PARA SU NEGOCIO (RESOURCES FOR YOUR BUSINESS)

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 • 5:30 pm • Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) 1401 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61546

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE

Monday – Friday by appointment between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: “TALK BUSINESS AFTER HOURS”

Wednesdays by appointment between 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

LLAMADA TELEFONICA: 1:1 PASOS PARA OBTENER UNA LICENCIA COMERCIAL CON LA SRA. HERRERA

Miercoles con cita de 12:00pm a 1:00pm Registro: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/61546

MEET IN PERSON MONDAY - 1.1 BUSINESS SESSION

Mondays by appointment between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

Small Business Resource Center (202) 442-4538 | dlcp@dc.gov

learners, including 10 tutors from Eastern High School who mentor 20 students at Payne Elementary. The Keller Grant will enable Reach to hire about 10 more tutors from Eastern and begin mentoring 10 additional students through a partnership with Miner Elementary School.

Franzén Award Extends the Musical Pathway to Academic Success

The Capitol Hill Community Foundation has long supported Eastern High School’s Blue and White Marching Machine ‒ the Pride of Capitol Hill that primes students for college and helps them earn full scholarships. This year, that support extends to the music programs at two middle schools whose students might one day participate in Eastern’s music program. All three schools need funding to purchase equipment and instruments to build and solidify their music education programs.

“The foundation is encouraging the schools to coordinate their programs, potentially creating a pipeline of middle school musicians for the Eastern High School program and also collaborating on after-school music education,” Weinheimer said. That collaboration may be enhanced by shared history. Eastern’s James Perry, EliotHine’s Sandra Jean and Stuart-Hobson’s Robert “BJ” Simmons all attended Norfolk State University, where they played together in the band.

Tedrick Bonds, Eastern’s director of vocal music, is building the school’s award-winning con-

cert choir back to its prepandemic levels of musicianship and numbers. The music program bolsters the music technology program and the band, led by Perry. “As Eastern’s only music teacher during school hours, I have the privilege of reinforcing what the band students are learning when they attend my music classes,” Bonds said. In addition, next year the school plans to add a band teacher to the faculty who will work closely with Bonds to develop jazz and concert bands.

The Franzén Award will help fund the purchase of new uniforms for the Eastern High School choir, students’ travel to music festivals, workshops with resident artists and the addition of classroom equipment and software needed for recording and film scoring.

“The choir and band programs provide an outlet for our students to be creative and learn with hands-on training and opportunities to perform,” Bonds said. “Mr. Perry and I hope these programs encourage students across the city to consider choosing Eastern for their high school career.”

Sandra Jean, EliotHine’s music director, is preparing students in grades six to eight for high school music programs. She is rebuilding the choir and concert band following years of tight budgets and virtual learning. “This year we have 37 newcomers in the band, as well as three returning eighth graders who are preparing applications to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts,” Jean said. She will use the Franzén Award to purchase a set of timpani drums and two new brass instruments.

Jean provides instruction on all instruments, from woodwinds to brass and percussion, primarily to students who are playing them for the first time. But she notes that the program teaches students about more than music. “It teaches them about themselves,” she said. “They’re finding out what they can do and how far they can go through the discipline of practice.”

At Stuart-Hobson, Simmons leverages his music program’s reputation as the city’s best. He recruits students who are talented musicians while also teaching students with no experience how to play. He augments the program through his relationships with professional jazz musicians and organizations such as the Washington Performing Arts Society and the Thalea String Quartet. As a result, many of his students aim to pursue a career in music.

Simmons will use the Franzén Award to bolster a program that includes a jazz ensemble and 25-member big band, a 30-piece orchestra, a drum line and a go-go band. The grant will fund the purchase of a new keyboard for the jazz ensemble and new drum line equipment.

“Hundreds of students across the Capitol Hill community will benefit from the ingenuity and dedication of these leaders in literacy and arts education,” Weinheimer said. “Our foundation is proud to support their programs and help find the synergies among them.” u

The Eastern High School choir.

The Stuart-Hobson Middle School jazz ensemble.

Happy 100-Year Anniversary, Eastern Senior High School

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

Sheila Carson showed off her 1979 class ring outside Eastern High School (1700 East Capitol St. NE). Behind her, the school’s noted marching band stood at attention, having just finished a performance with the Lady Gems dance team. Clusters of people in white and blue exclaimed joyfully as they met old friends for hugs and photographs.

“It has not come off my finger, and I got it my 11th-grade year,” Carson said, looking at the ring, before remembering her wedding. “As a matter of fact, it came off. I put on my wedding band, and then I put it right back.”

Eastern is part of Carson’s family in more than one sense. Three of her siblings, three of her own children and one of her grandchildren also graduated from the school. She returns whenever the school needs her, whether to advocate for new windows (as in the late 1990s) or to celebrate Rambler Pride.

And she isn’t alone. Carson was one of hundreds who gathered outside the school as the pride of Capitol Hill celebrated 100 years on East Capitol Street. The Story of Our Schools and Eastern High School presented the anniversary celebration beginning 6 p.m. on Friday, March 31.

The exhibit’s opening was followed by a ceremony honoring 14 new inductees to the Hall of Fame.

The current building opened March 6, 1923, but the school itself dates to 1890, making it one of the District’s oldest high schools. After the performance by the Eastern marching band and the Lady Gems, the Eastern US Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) raised a new centennial flag. Knots of people dressed in blue and white circulated around the exhibit, reconnecting with old friends. The museum-grade exhibit features a replica of the Greensboro lunch counter where civil rights activist and Eastern alum Franklin McCain joined oth-

ers for the famous sit-in.

A photographic timeline honors Eastern’s academic, athletic and creative accomplishments over the last 100 years. “Kids come through the front door, this is the first thing that they see,” principal Steven Miller said of the exhibit, which tells the history of Eastern via images, film and objects. Seniors will walk ninth-graders entering for their first day of school through the exhibit, Miller said, showing them “what it means to be an Eastern Rambler.”

Eastern is the first high school to participate in the Story of Our Schools program, which helps students develop storylines about their school community. According to Jennifer Harris, the

Inaugural inductees and representatives of inductees to the Eastern Senior High School Hall of Fame. Photo: Mark Roy Sheila Carson shows off her Eastern class ring. Photo: E. O’Gorek

program’s founder and executive director, the exhibits become learning tools and inspire additional projects and engaging conversations.

Unlike elementary or middle school students, who participate for over a year, high school students spend a term on their project, working with the executive director of the District’s Charles Sumner Archives. Students researched, wrote and created mini-documentaries about aspects of the school’s history. “These are high school kids,” Harris said. “They can do really cool stu .”

Rodney Red Grant of the anti-violence program Don’t Shoot Guns, Shoot Cameras came in to give students an overview of making lms on smartphones. The lms, once integrated into the digital component of the exhibit, play in a loop on 50-inch screens. QR codes will allow visitors to upload their own photos to the digital archives to be included in the loop. “The idea,” said Harris, “is that we get alumni photos, parent photos, and our kids’ lms will be in the exhibit.” It’s a living exhibit and keeps the display fresh.

“It’s a hundred years of history,” noted Harris. “How could there not be interesting facts?” The most obvious thread throughout the past 100 years, Harris remarked, is advocacy, the way students have spoken out against wrongs and used their voices to create change and a better school environment.

Advocacy

Eastern High School has a tradition of advocacy for equity, both in education and society. That includes McCain, who participated in the Greensboro protests that helped change America. He was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame on March 31, when Franklin McCain

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Jr. accepted the award on his father’s behalf. When his father began the sit-in, McCain Jr. recounted, “he said that it was at that moment that he felt like he had truly reached his standard; he had become a man. That was his way of standing up to the injustices of that time. Little did he know, or any of the gentlemen, that they had truly made a change that would a ect almost everyone.”

In acknowledging the Hall of Fame honor, McCain Jr. said his father would have reminded the Eastern community “not to make decisions that are popular, but instead those that are right.” He would also have told the audience how proud he was that they have continued the traditions that Eastern High School represents,

not only for the city but for the nation.

Eastern students have also focused on inequity in the District. Eastern High School students formed the Modern Strivers in the 1960s, when they saw a need for coursework that re ected the Black experience and Black culture. “Many groups were formed to bring awareness of racial inequality in this country during my time at Eastern,” said Sheila Stevens, of the class of 1970 and a member of the Modern Strivers.

They created the Freedom School in 1968, using money raised by the community to hire full-time teachers. Eastern students were permitted to leave school and attend classes that focused on Black history and culture. The exhibit memorializes the group with photos of students as well as iers circulated for the classes.

The Hall of Fame Committee. Photo: Mark Roy

Guests look at the new “Story of Our School” exhibit, the first thing seen by those entering the school. Photo: Mark Roy

Visitors seated at the replica of the Woolworth’s counter. Eastern alum Franklin McCain was one of the Greensboro Four who staged the 1960 sit-in.

Photo: E. O’Gorek

Join local author, Pasquale A. Carlucci as he explores family and friendship through the eyes of a keen observer of the National Pastime. The games seem like minutes, but the memories last forever.

Eastern High Hall of Fame

Inductees

• Anthony Boyd, longtime Director of the Eastern High School Marching Band.

• Dwight S. Cropp, George Washington University Professor of Public Policy.

• Linda Washington Cropp, at-large council member and rst elected female Chair of DC Council.

• Isaac Fulwood Jr., chief of the Metropolitan Police Department and later chair of The US Parole Commission.

• Dr. Joyce Garrett, founder of The Washington Youth Choir.

• Admiral Cecil D. Haney, one of the rst Black four-star admirals, Commander of the US Paci c Fleet and later the US Strategic Command.

• Franklin McCain, one of The “Greensboro Four,” who staged a 1960 sit-in at the Woolworth lunch counter.

• William Richard (Dick) Mentzer, who coached the school’s football square to nine inter-high school championships and two city titles.

• Anita ‘Ma’ Nance, biology teacher and student mentor.

Integration

The Freedom School was a sign of a big change in the school and its mission. Eastern had been an allwhite school until integration came to the District in October 1954. Ann Hopewell Batiste graduated in 1957. Speaking at the Hall of Fame ceremony, she noted that integration came with social, cultural and academic challenges. “Socially, we had each other,” she said. “And culturally, thanks to our many years in all-Black schools, we knew who we were and took pride in our heritage,” she explained. “The question was, Would we be able to compete academically? And the answer was a resounding yes.”

Many of the white students transferred out, Batiste said. But many stayed. “Eventually, we did become a cohesive group ‒ as classmates, but not so much in the social realm,” she remembered. “Notably, there was great congress between our minds. Our community, our shared pride in being Eastern Ramblers transcended many other categories of division.”

The Hall of Fame ceremony was a new idea, capturing the momentum of the 100-year celebration. Principal Miller, who took on his role last year, said he wants to continue the legacy of the school captured in the exhibit and at the event. “I want to make sure,” he declared, “that as the school begins to change ‒ in terms of population and life experience ‒ that we are still tightly connected to the legacy of those who have come before us.”

Learn more about Story of Our Schools and donate to the exhibit at https://www.storyofourschools.org/ schools-exhibitions/eastern/. Learn more about Eastern High School by visiting easternhighschooldcps. org/.

(Continued from 39)

• Eastern Principal Ralph H. Neal, known for his consistent high standards.

• Vinna L. Freeman, physical education teacher and rst Black female to oversee DCPS athletics.

• Dr. Constance Roseberry Clark-Snead, former Deputy Superintendent of DC Public Schools.

• Dr. Estelle W. Taylor, English teacher during racial integration and the rst Black woman awarded a PhD in Renaissance English Literature from Catholic University.

• Eastern Principal Madison W. Tignor, the rst Black woman to hold that position.

Hall of Fame Committee

Steven Riddick, Phyllis Anderson, Johnnie Rice, Ann Batiste, William Chesley, James Wesley, Tina Short, Kathryn Gray, Ella Holloway, Tyrone Parker, Rita Peyton Nelson, Dorothy Darbouze, Ralph Jones, Sheila H. Gil-Mebane, Aona Je erson, Rahim Jenkins, Donna Gardner, Deanne Flournoy, Steven Jamison, Tedrick Bonds

Everything Is Beautiful

Mosaics Inspired by Alma Thomas at Hill Center’s Young Artists Gallery

by Elizabeth Nelson

The Young Artists Gallery at Hill Center is showing works created by students at J.O. Wilson Elementary School that were inspired by Alma Woodsey Thomas, a pioneering DC artist and educator. Thomas was the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at

the Whitney Museum of American Art and the first Black woman to have work acquired by the White House. She was also the first graduate of Howard University’s art department and a DC public middle school teacher for 38 years.

An abstract expressionist, Thomas avoided political or social commentary, once saying, “Through color, I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness, rather than on man’s inhumanity to man.”

In honor of Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March, young artists at J.O. Wilson Elementary School studied Thomas’s color field paintings. Under the guidance of teachers Karen Kelly and Elizabeth Wyrsch-Ba, the artists used construction paper tesserae to create mosaics achieving a similar effect to the paintings. This introduced the students to both the history of mosaics and an understanding of what is meant

Finished Work...

Sebastian, 2nd grade Gaby, 5th grade

Ayesiga, Kindergarden

Cherry Blossoms - Brick and Blocks. Pre-K3 class

by “expressionist” art.

The students made the connection. Leena, in pre-K3, observed that she “made it with little pieces of paper like bricks.” And Landyn, in second grade, reported that “I made this by choosing colors that work together and then I tore it up. We tore it up because it looks like Alma’s brush strokes, that’s why we didn’t cut it.”

Pre-K classes worked on a cherry-blossom-themed group

project, while older students produced individual works.

A selection of these works is on view in the Young Artists Gallery on the ground oor at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, through mid-June. You can also go to a virtual gallery on the Hill Center website: www.hillcenterdc.org/ artist/young-artists-gallery-everything-is-beautiful/.

Kelly invites you to see the show and “celebrate the amazing artists at J.O. Wilson and honor one of our very own local artists, Alma Thomas.”

Anziyah, 5th grade

Our River: The Anacostia

Special Places to Visit Upstream along Our River

by Bill Matuszeski

We all love our river here close to home, but some very special places upstream have vistas and histories you don’t want to miss. Here are four to the north in Maryland, starting with the closest and taking you to the place that has been designated the very source of the Anacostia. Obviously, there are many sources and they are all along the river, but one has been designated as the farthest upstream and it has played a real part in our nation’s history.

1. Lake Artemesia

Starting with the closest of the places, Lake Artemesia is a beautiful water surrounded by paths and natural landscapes and served by two tributaries, Indian Creek and Paint Branch, which form the Northeast Branch just below it. The lake is named after the daughter of a couple who, beginning in the 19th century, used the land and ponds to raise and package fish. It is a great place to escape to. It is difficult to believe you are inside the Beltway!

It is not completely wild. One side of the property is bordered by the railroad and Metro. But the only way to cross that barrier and enter College Park

is to take a low tunnel for bikes and walkers at the south end of the property.

The current lake was formed in the mid1970s, when the sands, soils and rocks were needed for Metro construction. The deal was to convert the site to a large lake and a natural recreation area. Today we have a 38-acre lake with 2.4 miles of loop trails as well as superb picnic spots, changing rooms and restrooms. The number of visitors varies from few to many, depending on the day and the time, but the walking, biking and fishing are ongoing. It is a great place for youngsters to learn to fish, but a tidal angling permit is required for those 16 years or over. Prince George’s Audubon hosts bird walks the first and third Thursdays of each month.

The trails to and from Lake Artemesia offer a range of options. You can bike up the Northeast Branch Trail from Bladensburg. You can walk from the Metro station. Or you can park north of the park and take a short walk to the northern trails around the lake both ways. However you come and go, you will come back!

2. A Trail for Hiking or Biking

The next two places are connected to each other along the same trail but they will almost surely be separate visits. The first is a beautiful and quiet trail for hiking or biking. It is the most northerly part of the Northwest Branch still inside the Beltway. Three things make it special. First, the section begins at the Adelphi Mill Historic Site, a beautiful piece of stream-side architecture that now serves as a community meeting place and has a first-class playground for youngsters. Second, since the trail at the Beltway becomes impassable for bicycles, it is never crowded. And third, as the stream valley moves north it narrows with taller and taller trees, so that all signs of civilization disappear until you hear Beltway traffic high above you. At that point you turn around and return along the stream. If you are walking, you have the option of

continuing under the Beltway and entering the next special place (see below), but it is quite a walk to what draws us there.

The best route to the Northwest Branch at Adelphi Mill is to bicycle up from Bladensburg. Watch out for the left turn up to the roadway after you cross the stream; if you miss it you are on Northeast Branch. By car, take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to the Beltway and west to New Hampshire Avenue, the first exit after I-95 leaves. Left on New Hampshire Avenue and left again at

The Northwest Branch rushes between the Beltway and Adelphi Mill.

The Northwest Branch tackles the fall line above the Beltway.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE PROPOSED 2024 MOVING TO WORK PLAN

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is providing notice of a Public Hearing and Comment Period to solicit comments on the agency’s proposed 2024 Moving to Work (MTW) Plan.

MTW is a HUD program that allows select public housing authorities to design and implement innovative programs and policies with the intent to: 1) reduce costs and improve efficiencies; 2) encourage residents to obtain employment and become economically self-sufficient; and 3) increase housing choices for low-income families. The MTW Plan outlines operating plans for the fiscal year and requests and provides updates regarding MTW flexibilities.

To request a copy of the MTW plan, please call (202) 681-1487, send an email to MTW@dchousing.org, or download from the DCHA website at www.dchousing.org/mtw2

The Public Hearing will take place online at 6 pm on Monday, May 8, 2023. To join the live event, please join at https://bit.ly/dchousing_mtw using webinar number 2303 565 6069 and webinar password aS36JyMpM5w. This event will also be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/dchousing

Comments

Written comments regarding the MTW Plan will be accepted through Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Email your comments to MTW@dchousing.org. Alternatively, you can mail comments to:

Hanna Koerner

c/o DCHA

1133 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20002

Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation

DCHA strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. It is the policy of DCHA that all agency-sponsored public meetings and events are accessible to people with disabilities. DCHA is committed to providing equal access to events for all participants & residents with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, or assistance in participating in a meeting or event due to a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact our ADA/504 Program Office at 202-535-1000 or at ADA504@ dchousing.org with your complete request. Every reasonable effort will be made to meet your request.

If you need a sign language interpreter or foreign language interpretation or translation, please contact our Office of Customer Engagement at 202-535-1000 or go to www.dchousing.org/language. Please allow at least 5 business days to make the necessary arrangements.

Adelphi Road right away, then right on Riggs Road to parking at Adelphi Mill.

3. The Fall Line

Next is the fall line, where the Northwest Branch tumbles over eroded rocks and enters the coastal plain. Two old mills sit right above the fall line, one on each side of Columbia Road. Bring good boots and a walking stick for your exploration. The next half mile or so downstream will be a series of rocks and waterfalls squeezed into a narrow gorge that is barely passable.

It is a spectacular place, worth exploring! Teddy Roosevelt used to ride by with his mother, on horseback, and considered it second only to Great Falls in the region. Although the scale is about 1/20 that of the Potomac fall line, you are much closer to the crashing water here and feel about to fall in. There is much to explore here, and once it begins to level out, hiking options open up, including a trail over the wooded hills and back to the parking lot if the rock climbing is too much.

The best way to reach this spectacular fall line is to take the Beltway west to University Boulevard, then north to take a right at the first major intersection, onto US 29 (Colesville Road) and the Columbia Pike. After about half a mile the road will begin to head downhill to cross the branch. Pull into parking behind the old mill on the right side and follow the signs to walk to the fall line a short way downstream.

4. Sandy Spring

The last special place has the most interesting history of all. Sandy Spring is a small town in Montgomery County that is named for the farthest place where the river emerges from the ground. This is a pleasant little area at the edge of a woods with the gurgling of the spring surrounded by a stone marker and a few flowering plants. The stream moves into the woods and grows as it heads south.

A century and a half ago, this was a critical point in the Underground Railroad to help escaped slaves reach safe areas. The Quakers were associated with the railroad, so it is not a coincidence that a Quaker meeting house stands along the road, not far from where the

river springs from the ground. Quakers provided facilities to sleep, eat, clean clothes and plan safe routes to the north.

Today, the whole area is a beautiful mix of forests and farmlands rented from the government. As public land it is open to all. If you have a vehicle you must leave it at the Quaker meeting house or the gate at the field that starts down the street. The walk to the spring is about a quarter-mile from the gate along a dirt road; where the road turns right look left to the edge of the first woods to find a fenced area within which the Anacostia springs forth among trees and flowers.

To get to Sandy Spring may seem complicated, but it is a pleasant trip. Take the Beltway west to Route 650, New Hampshire Avenue north. Follow this interesting road all the way to Sandy Spring Road (108) west (an intersection with a light). Sandy Spring comes up fast; look for a left turn to the Quaker meeting house and follow that to the field entrance.

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 the Friends of the National Arboretum and on the citizen advisory committees for the Chesapeake and the Anacostia. u

The most distant emerging of the Anacostia River, the Northwest Branch, appears at Sandy Spring.

Bulletin Board

Springhouse Run Volunteer Days

On Saturdays, May 6 and 20, and Thursday, May 11, join Friends of the National Arboretum for a volunteer day on the grounds. Help keep the restored Springhouse Run stream healthy by pulling invasive vines and weeds. No experience necessary. You must be 16 or older for this event. Wear comfortable outdoor clothes that can

get dirty; layers are good. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and work gloves (if you have them). The Friends will supply guidance, tools, gloves and a small snack. Read more and register at www. fona.org/events_programs.

Jazz in Canal Park

Enjoy free live jazz by local groups in the middle block of Canal Park, 200 M St. SE, on Wednesdays this spring.

Half Street Central Farm Market Opens

DC’s newest farmers market, Half Street Central Farm Market, 1250 Half St. SE in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood, opens for its second season on Saturday, May 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The dogfriendly market features over 30 farmers and vendors with products including meat and poultry, seafood, dairy, breads and pastries, produce, prepared foods and juices. Marketgoers can also enjoy table seating, chef demos, children’s activities and live music performances. There is garage parking on N Street and lot parking at First and N. For a list of vendors, visit www.centralfarmmarkets.com/half-street-vendors.

Capitol Hill Classic 10k, 3k and Kids’ Fun Run

The NCB Capitol Hill Classic 10k race on Sunday, May 21, is a major annual fundraiser for the Capitol Hill Cluster School. This 42nd annual running includes a 10k race ($45), a 3k race ($38) and a kids’ run ($12). It is the only race run exclusively on Capitol Hill streets, and approximately 3,500 people are expected to participate. The three races start at Peabody Primary School, 425 C St. NE, at Stanton Park: 10k at 8:30 a.m.; 3k at 10:30 a.m.; and kids’ fun run at about 11:00 a.m. Read more and register at www.capitolhillclassic.com.

Here’s the remaining schedule: May 3, Heru Peacock; May 10, DC’s Different Drummers; May 17, Tobago Bay Calypso. www.capitolriverfront.org/canal-park

DC Water and Sewer Infrastructure Preservation Cafe

Joanna Kendig, a board member of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, will present a virtual Preservation Cafe, “DC Water and Sewer Infrastructure,” Tuesday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. Preservation Cafes are free to all. Register at www.chrs.org/infrastructure-pc.

Photo: Djenno Bacvic

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.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors

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. 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 int city. is programo 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.

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

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.

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.

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

DC4ME

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

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

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

COVID-19

DC4ME 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

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.

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.

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

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

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

Post-Game Fireworks at Nats Park

Nats Park postgame fireworks are on Friday, May 12, Nationals vs. Mets; Friday, June 2, Nationals vs. Phillies; and “Freedom Fireworks” on Monday, July 3, Nationals vs. Reds. Look for the fireworks on the southwest side of the park. www.mlb.com/nationals

St. Mark’s Players Present “The Color Purple”

This musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening forms the arc of the story. With a score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, “The Color Purple” is a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. St. Mark’s Players present “The Color Purple” on May 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., and May 20 at 2 p.m. $22 to $25. COVID vaccination is required to attend and audience members must be masked when in the theater. St. Mark’s Church, 301 A St. SE. www.stmarksplayers. org

Taffety Punk Presents “This Inherent Echo” at CHAW

“This Inherent Echo” is a collaborative dance work that considers our experiences and connections to people or places that affect us currently and beyond. The production is directed and choreographed by Erin Mitchell Nelson, with original live original music by Amy Domingues and Amy Farina, in collaboration with artist Rania Hassan and dancers Paulina Guerrero, Katie Harris Banks, Safi Harriott, Katie Murphy and Chloe Richier. It is presented at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE, on May 4, 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. $15. Tickets at www.taffetypunk.com.

Clay and Cabernet at CHAW

Clay and Cabernet with ceramics teacher Rebecca Bock is on Friday, June 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sip on cab and play in some clay for this evening among friends with guidance provided. $30. Call CHAW at

Live! at the Library: Experience the Main Reading Room

On Thursday evenings, the Library of Congress now welcomes visitors to experience its grand Main Reading Room in the Thomas Jefferson Building, which is usually reserved for credentialed researchers. The Thomas Jefferson Building and all of the library’s exhibitions are open for extended hours on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m., with happy hour drinks and food available for purchase in the Great Hall overlooking the Capitol. Conversations, music, performances, films and workshops showcase the broad range of holdings. The number of visitors to the Main Reading Room at one time is restricted to about 40. Visitors are permitted to take photos but may not photograph researchers at work. Bags and coats are not permitted on the floor of the Main Reading Room. Free timed-entry passes required. www.loc.gov/live

Capitol Riverfront Free Spring Fitness Series

Capitol Riverfront Spring Fitness Series is on Sundays, 8:30 a.m., Boxing+HIIT with Mayweather Boxing+Fitness; Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m., Kickboxing with 9Round Fitness; and Thursdays, 7 a.m., Sunrise Yoga with VIDA Fitness. All classes are at Yards Park boardwalk, 355 Water St. SE. Arrive at least five minutes before the class to allow time for check-in and bring your own yoga mat (when applicable) and water bottle. Check out the full schedule and register for every class you want to attend at www.capitolriverfront.org/do/capitol-riverfrontspring-fitness-series.

Photo: Nan Raphael

Photo: Sam Kittner, courtesy of Capitol Riverfront BID

Friends of the National Arboretum Summer 5k

On Saturday, June 3, at 8 a.m., enjoy the US National Arboretum during FONA’s Summer 5k. Road closures will ensure safe running through this 451-acre urban green space. Come early to enjoy the tunes of the 5k DJ, who will also be calling out runners as they cross the finish line. Strollers and dogs are welcome, but dogs must stay on a five-foot, non-retractable leash. In-person participants must pick up their race packet on Friday, June 2, between 2 and 6 p.m., at Pacers 14th St. or on race morning at the starting line from 6:15 to 7:55 a.m. Early-bird registration, which ends at midnight on May 3, has a deeply discounted price and includes a T-shirt. Race registration is $40. Register at www.fona.org/events_programs.

Toni Morrison Fiction Book Club at SW Library

Club members will read and discuss one of Toni Morrison’s novels on the third Tuesday of every month, 7 to 8 p.m. All are welcome. The remaining 2023 schedule is May, “Beloved”; June, “Jazz”; July, “Paradise”; August, “Love”; September, “A Mercy”; October, “Home”; November, “God Help the Child”; and December, special reading. Southwest Library, 900 Wesley Pl. SW. www.dclibrary.org/southwest

J. Edgar Hoover at Congressional Cemetery

On Sunday, May 21 at 1 p.m. Yale historian Beverly Gage, recent winner of the National Book Critics Circle award for her celebrated new biography G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century, will speak on his life and historical legacy. Seating at the graveside is available on a first come, first served basis. Free, rain or shine. Complimentary docentled tours will be offered at the conclusion of the Q&A session. 1801 E St. SE, congressionalcemetery.org.

Envisioning the Future of DC: Conversations on Planning and Citizen Engagement

The Committee of 100 on the Federal City, an independent citizens’ group, is marking its 100th anniversary by hosting public conversations on topics of interest to DC residents, elected officials, academics and all others who care about our nation’s capital and call it home. Remaining conversations are: Reclaiming the Commons ‒The Value of Public Space on Wednesday, May 24, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.; Before Development Is a Done Deal … Empowering Residents with ArcGIS Visualization on Wednesday, June 7, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.; and Does DC’s Planning and Zoning Need an Overhaul? In September, date and time TBA. All programs are in person and will be recorded at First Congregational UCC, 945 G St. NW. Light refreshments afterwards. Read more and register at www.committeeof100.net/centennial-conversations. www.committeeof100.net

Toni Morrison, 2008.

Photo: Kurt Kaiser

Photo: Courtesy of Friends of the National Arboretum

(202) 547-6839 to register. Pay at registration. Space is limited. www.chaw.org

“Gentleman’s Gambit”: A Prohibition Era Mystery

“Gentleman’s Gambit” is an immersive and interactive outdoor live theater experience at Congressional Cemetery on May 19 and 20, from 4 to 9 p.m. (Timed-ticket start times determine when the mystery challenge begins.) Actors playing interred residents o er historical vignettes to participants, who are challenged with solving a mystery involving James “Jimmy” LaFontaine, the Gentleman Gambler. The event also features cocktails at the Speakeasy Bar, live period-appropriate music throughout the evening and more thematic fun. $30 donation. Historic Congressional Cemetery is at 1801 E St. SE. www.congressionalcemetery.org

Public Art Grant Request for Applications

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is soliciting applications from individual artists or organizations for its FY 2024 Public Art Building Communities Grant Program (PABC). Multiple awards may be made under this RFA. Submission deadline is July 17, 9 p.m. CAH sta contact is Kerry Kennedy, public art program coordinator, at kerry.kennedy.dc.gov.

“Star Wars” Trivia Night at Atlas Brew Works

Capital City Showcase is having a special edition of Thursday Night Trivia, at Atlas Brew Works Ivy City, all about “Star Wars.” Star Wars Day, Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m., brings trivia action to Atlas Brew Works Ivy City, 2052 West Virginia Ave. NE. The rst Thursday of every month features special theme trivia nights. Here’s the special edition schedule for the rest of the year: July 6, “Lord of the Rings”; Aug. 3, Stranger Things; Sept. 7, The O ce; Oct. 5, Rocky Horror; Nov. 2, Marvel vs. DC; and Dec. 7, Holiday. The game is always free to play. www.capitalcityshowcase.com

The Great Brookland Yard Sale

The Great Brookland Yard Sale is a day for Brookland residents to host concurrent yard sales. This year the sale is on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, May 14. The Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association will publish an online map closer to the event date. www.brooklandcivic.org

Community Garden Plots Available to Rent

The 1200 Potomac Avenue Community Garden has a few garden plots available for the 2023 gardening year. Located at the corner of 12th Street and Potomac Avenue SE. Plots rent for $75. Contact Marci Hilt at marcihilt@aol.com.

Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 19. Join bicyclists at over 100 pit stops in DC, Maryland and Virginia for this free event. The rst 15,000 who register and attend at a pit stop receive a free T-shirt. There will be giveaways, food and beverages at participating locations, while supplies last. To nd a local participating pit stop and for details, visit www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/ nd-your-pit-stop. Read more and register at www.biketoworkmetrodc.org.

Happy Birthday, Audrey, at Miracle Theatre

On Fridays at 7 p.m., see “Roman Holiday” on May 5, “My Fair Lady” on May 12, “Sabrina” on May 19, and “Charade” on May 26. Tickets are $8; $6 for kids, military and seniors. Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE. Public parking lot on Eighth St. between I St. and Virginia Ave. SE themiracletheatre.com

Hiring Bonuses for MPD Recruits Increased

The hiring bonus for new Metropolitan Police Department recruits has increased from $20,000 to $25,000. The increase will make the department more competitive and support the goal of getting MPD back on the path

Christian Hunt of Capital City Showcase presides. Photo: Steven Phillips

to having 4,000 sworn officers. To learn more about how to become an officer, incentives for new hires and the Cadet Corps Program, visit www.joinmpd.dc.gov.

Jazz First Fridays on Barracks Row

On Jazz First Fridays, shops and restaurants on Eighth Street SE Barracks Row host live performances from local artists, from 6 to 10 p.m. This is the current list of performances: Ted’s Bulletin, 505 Eighth St. SE, 6 to 9 p.m.; Matchbox, 521 Eighth St. SE, 7 to 10 p.m.; Lola’s, 711 Eighth St. SE. 8 to 10 p.m. www.barracksrow.org

Summit Kilimanjaro with Erin Tyler

Kilimanjaro, at 19,243 feet, is Africa’s tallest peak. On Wednesday, May 10, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Erin Tyler will share her experience planning, preparing, training and summiting Kilimanjaro and the impact the trip had on her as a result. This talk is part of the library’s ongoing Trips of a Lifetime series. Northeast Library, 330 Seventh St. NW. www.dclibrary.org/northeast

Summer Blast Off! at Wolf Trap

On Sunday, May 28, at 8 p.m., the Marine Band will celebrate Memorial Day weekend with its annual Summer Blast Off! concert at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The program will conclude with a medley of Armed Forces service songs honoring all those serving, veterans and their families, followed by one of the best fireworks displays of the year. Free admission. www.wolftrap.org u

ANC 6A Report

by Sarah Payne

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A met via WebEx on April 13. Commissioners Keya Chatterjee (6A01, vice chair), Mike Velasquez (6A02), Roberta Shapiro (6A03), Amber Gove (6A04, chair), Robb Dooling (6A06) and Steve Moilanen (6A07) were present. Commissioner Laura Gentile (6A05) was absent.

H Street Condo Raises Concerns

District Growth (www.districtgrowth.com) returned for a second time to discuss its proposal for a detached, ve-story, 78unit, mixed-use project at 1000-1016 H St. NE. The project requires a grant of relief from the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for three reasons. First, the parcel is in an NC-16 zone with more than 6,000 square feet of land area. Second, the developer is providing eight rather than the 13 parking spaces required. Last, the parcel’s service alley is 10 feet wide rather than the re-

quired 15. At its March meeting, the commission voted to request a delay of the BZA hearing, and the proceeding was subsequently delayed.

Representing District Growth, attorney Meredith Moldenhauer outlined changes to the project made to earn community support: an increased amount of retail space and a modi ed storefront design. The developer also drafted a construction management agreement with neighbors. Under its terms, Saturday construction start time will be delayed to 9 a.m., a rodent management company will be hired and a designated point of contact appointed to address resident concerns. The construction management agreement also contained a controversial no-objection clause.

“The Neighbors,” states the document,” will not sue, challenge, contest, testify, or le any documentation in objection, whether administratively, judicially, or publicly, in connection with the Owner’s application, approvals, permits, or other development rights granted by the Board of Zoning Adjustment or DOB in connection with the Property. The Neighbors shall make their best e ort to support the zoning relief before the ANC and the Board of Zoning Adjustment.”

Resident Emily Price objected to the “lack of transparency” in the clause’s drafting. Shapiro questioned “the nature of the relationship with the community and with the ANC,” adding, “I nd this language quite onerous and I think it sets the wrong tone.”

Resident Adam Ezring supported the development, claiming the number of vacant buildings along H Street NE, contributes to an uptick in crime. “They’ve addressed the retail concerns, they’ve addressed the concerns about appliances and it sounds like we’re getting somewhere on the neighborhood concerns,” Ezring stated. “This commission should be supporting growth, development and revitalization in our neighborhood because it’s sorely, sorely needed.”

The commissioners voted unanimously to support the application for special exception.

Other Matters

The commissioners voted to write the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), requesting disclosure data regarding the nature and disposition of the pre-Jan. 6, 2023, Tra c Safety Inves-

Site plans for a proposed condo at 1000-1016 H St. NE.

tigation (TSI) request, the TSI 2.0 prioritization model and the identification and availability of data used to compute the prioritization scores. Unless the information was made available within a “reasonable” period of time, the commission indicated it would submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Commissioners also voted the following actions:

• Protested the Class C Tavern License application for Hiraya Kapamilya, 1250 H St. NE, on the basis of peace, order and quiet, unless a settlement agreement is entered into prior to the protest deadline. It authorized the Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee chair and Chatterjee to represent the commission.

• Protested the Class C Restaurant License application of Old City 1 Cafe, 1307 H Street NE, on the basis of peace, order and quiet, in the absence of a settlement agreement.

• Requested DDOT and Washington Gas to reinstall all barriers along the entire Florida Avenue bike route.

• Supported area variance relief from the lot occupancy requirements for a rear addition to an existing two-story dwelling unit at 912 Maryland Ave. NE, on condition that the owner provide letters of support from neighbors.

• Supported relief from the lot occupancy requirements and an exception from historic review of a rear and side addition to an existing attached, two-story dwelling unit at 336 11th St. NE, on the condition that it is approved by the Historic Preservation Office.

• Supported a special exception for a two-story rear addition

to an existing semi-detached dwelling unit at 214 Warren St. NE, on the condition that the developer make best efforts to provide letters of support from neighbors at 216 and 222 Warren St. NE.

The next meeting of ANC 6A will be held online at 7 p.m., May 9. Get details at www.anc6a.org.

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached

ANC 6B Report

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

Present at the April 11 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B were Frank Avery (6B01, treasurer), Jerry Sroufe (6B02), David Sobelsohn (6B03, secretary), Frank D’Andrea (6B04), Kasie Durkit (6B05, parliamentarian), Chander Jayaraman (6B06, vice chair), Vince Mareino (6B07), Edward Ryder (6B08, chair) and Matt LaFortune (6B09).

Councilmember Allen’s Spring Visit

Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) made his spring visit to ANC 6B to talk about the District budget. Many of the items he discussed coincided with letters or resolutions later passed by commissioners.

Allen said this year’s is a tight budget, the District’s economic growth having slowed. The city is worried about an expected decrease in the value of downtown commercial properties, which will decrease tax revenue. In addition, the approval of 12 collective bargaining agreements, including one for the Wash-

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 6A

AMBER GOVE, CHAIR, 6A04@ANC.DC.GOV

Serving the Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, and H Street communities

ANC 6A generally meets the second Thursday of the month, virtually on Zoom.

www.anc6a.org

ALL ARE WELCOME

The Next meeting is 2nd Thursday, May 11, 7:00 p.m.

Transportation & Public Space Committee meeting

3rd Monday, May 15, 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting via Zoom

Economic Development and Zoning Committee meeting

3rd Wednesday, May 17, 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting via Zoom

Community Outreach Committee meeting

4th Monday, May 22, 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting via Zoom

Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meeting

4th Tuesday, May 23, 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting via Zoom

Call in information will be posted under Community Calendar at anc6a.org 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C P.O. Box 77876 • Washington, D.C. 20013-7787 www.anc6c.org

Next meeting Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Information will be posted on the ANC 6C website.

ANC 6C COMMISSIONERS ANC 6C COMMITTEES

ANC 6C01

Christy Kwan 6C01@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C02

Leslie Merkle 6C02@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C03

Jay Adelstein 6C03@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C04

Mark Eckenwiler 6C04@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C05

Joel Kelty 6C05@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C06

Patricia Eguino 6C06@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C07

Tony Goodman 6C07@anc.dc.gov

Alcoholic Beverage Licensing

First Monday, 7 pm

Contact: drew.courtney@gmail.com

Grants

Last Thursday, 7 pm

Contact: torylord@gmail.com

Twitter: @ANC_6C_Grants

Environment, Parks, and Events

First Tuesday, 7 pm Contact: jgmccann@gmail.com

Transportation and Public Space

First Thursday, 7 pm

Contact: anc6c.tps@gmail.com

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development

First Wednesday, 6:30 pm

Contact: 6C04@anc.dc.gov

Twitter: @6C_PZE

at sarahp@hillrag.com. u

Instructions for accessing the meeting via Zoom have been posted under Hot Topics at anc6a.org. Call in information will be posted under Community Calendar at anc6a.org 24 hours prior to the meeting. You will be able to enter the meeting no earlier than 15 minutes prior to its scheduled start time.

ington Teacher’s Union, will mean backpay for raises. These are worthy costs, Allen said, but add to the budget. Of particular concern to him are budget cuts to schools, even those with growing populations. Allen said that laws have been passed but not fully funded and that Mayor Bowser is trying to repeal some budgeted funds.

Allen said he remains focused on public safety. His office, the DC Council and the community need to work with effective policing and accountability and prevention strategies and community outreach. He looks forward to working with the ANC’s new Special Committee on Public Safety.

Allen said a funding gap had been closed for interim services at Southeast Library (403 Seventh St. SE), which is set to close for renovations this summer. Southeast Library Task Force chair David Sobelsohn noted that four members of the task force were set to testify at a budget committee meeting. Allen said that he thought the community’s desire for services is being heard but the details need to be elevated. He encouraged the library task force to lay out exactly the community’s priorities for interim services. Later in the meeting, the commissioners unanimously supported a letter to the DC Council requesting support in securing funding for interim services at the Southeast Library.

Traffic Safety

Allen, now chair of the DC Council Transportation Committee, said he shared frustration expressed by Councilmember Christine Henderson (D-At Large) when she appeared at the committee the week prior. Last year the two helped move a legislative amendment to withhold driver’s license renewals when there were unpaid tickets for certain serious traffic violations. The amendment failed by a significant margin. Allen said he intended to hold a hearing on how to move forward on traffic safety. He hoped an open-ended approach would be more successful.

Allen said that the mayor’s budget will funnel funds from traffic cameras into the general budget rather than into traffic safety measures. The District Department of Transportation has said it intends to upgrade technology and double the number of automated enforcement cameras by the end of summer 2023. There are currently 136 cameras. Allen would like to ensure the fines are directed toward traffic safety.

Near the end of the meeting, the ANC unanimously supported a resolution calling for improved traffic enforcement that will prevent dangerous driving as opposed to raising revenue. The resolution suggested tying non-financial penalties to traffic violations, insurance reports and remedial lessons and urged better interagency cooperation.

DC Circulator

Allen noted that he strenuously objected to budget cuts that would eliminate the DC Circulator Eastern Market-L’Enfant Plaza route, noting that it was one of the most used of the circulator routes and also that there is no Metrobus route duplicating the service. “It just doesn’t make sense,” he said. Later, ANC 6B unanimously supported a letter opposing the cuts and route elimination, noting that the loss would harm students, businesses and seniors in particular.

In Other Business

Sean Moore from DC Water spoke about the Lead Free DC Campaign, whereby the agency hopes to eliminate lead pipes by 2030. The project also targets galvanized steel pipes, which build up sediment that can trap lead. When DC Water announces watermain replacements for a block, residents with lead pipes can have the private portion of their water line replaced free. There are also two programs that provide assistance when a capital project is not planned. Need-based assistance of 50-100% of costs is available to help replace the private side once the public portion has been replaced. DC Water also has a voluntary program to replace the public side free, and the resident can pay for the private line. Residents can see if their line is made of lead and learn more about programs at www.dcwater.com/lead.

Representatives from Harvest Tide spoke to the Notice to Cure they received about violations pointed out with the terms of their settlement agreement. Changes have been made to trash storage, third-party truck deliveries and rear-yard cleanliness. Residents spoke of satisfaction with the changes.

ANC 6B next meets 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 9. See the agenda and information on how to join at www.anc6b.org. u

ANC 6C Report

by Sarah Payne

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C met on April 12 via WebEx. Commissioners Christy Kwan (6C01), Leslie Merkle (6C02, secretary), Jay Adelstein (6C03), Mark Eckenwiler (6C04, chair), Patricia Eguino (6C06) and Tony Goodman (6C07, vice chair) were present. Commissioner Joel Kelty (6C05, treasurer) was absent.

Councilmember Allen Talks Traffic Safety

The commissioners discussed traffic safety and enforcement with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D). Eguino began by raising the matter of vehicles speeding along H Street NE. She suggested increasing street lighting and the repainting of

DC Water Representative Sean Moore presents on lead abatement programs. Screenshot: Zoom ANC 6B/DC Water

bike lanes to improve tra c and pedestrian safety.

Kwan objected to plans in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) FY 2024 budget to redirect the revenues of tra c enforcement cameras from safety improvements to the general fund. She organized a letter opposing the action that has been signed by 82 other commissioners.

Enforcement cameras, Goodman stated, are insu cient to address an issue that poses risks to public safety, owing to the increasing number of cars that are di cult to ticket because they lack proper license plates. Goodman added, “Either they have fake tags, expired tags or tags that are doctored in a way that can’t easily be captured by a camera.” The ANC has recommended towing vehicles with fake or expired tags or illegal license plate covers. Eckenwiler noted that drivers with improper credentials are “trying to evade accountability,” something that “goes hand in hand with reckless driving.”

Councilmember Allen said of current District law, “You have to go 25 miles an hour over the speed limit before we call it reckless.” He continued: “In our residential neighborhoods that means you may be going 50 miles an hour, and only when you hit 51 do we think it’s reckless. That’s insane.”

Eckenwiler said it was easy to nd a car that owes thousands of dollars in unpaid tickets, “not just meter overstay or residential parking permit [ nes], really serious speeding violations.” Adelstein pointed out the need for reciprocity with enforcement in Maryland and Virginia. Michael Upright, chair of the Transportation and Public Space Committee, agreed. He suggested expanding enforcement to I-295 and I-695, which have minimal enforcement.

“Frankly,” Councilmember Allen said, “If you have that many reckless driving tickets and you pay, that’s not any better, it just means you have the ability to pay.” As chair of the Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment, he plans to hold hearings this spring on tra c enforcement. Many of the current policies are simply ine ective, he said. The hearing will collect ideas to inform legislation moving forward, he promised.

Other Matters

The commissioners voted the following actions:

• Supported the Capitol Hill Classic race, scheduled for May 21.

• Requested the District Department of General Services and the Department of Parks and Recreation to repair the playground at the Hayes Senior Wellness Center tot-lot playground at 500 K St. NE.

• Approved the streetscape plans and requested installation of an additional curb ramp on the north side of the mid-block crosswalk at 301 Florida Ave. NE.

• Requested the removal of the Jersey barriers along the L and M street underpasses and improvements to the spaces.

• Requested the installation of basic safety and access improvements, including ADA accessible passageways and signage, for Brentwood-Hamilton Field at 1300 Sixth St. NE.

• Requested the establishment of a publicfacing construction management o ce, better signage, temporary barriers for pedestrian and cyclist safety, the repurposing of the outer lanes in the underpass and installation of additional tra c-calming measures during the ongoing construction along Florida Avenue NE. ANC 6C will meet via WebEx on May 10, at 7 p.m. Learn more about the commission and register to attend the meeting by visiting www. anc6c.org.

ANC 6D Report

by Andrew Lightman

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D met on March 13 via Zoom. Commissioners Bob Link (6D01, vice chair), Ronald Collins (6D02, treasurer), Gail Fast (6D03), Andrea Pawley (6D04), Ashton Rohmer (6D05), Bruce Levine (6D06, secretary), Fredrica (Rikki) Kramer (6D07, chair) and Rhonda Hamilton (6D08) were in attendance.

Talking Transportation

The commissioners debated a letter to the DC Department of Transportation in advance of a visit by agency director Everett Lott scheduled for the May meeting. The letter focused on issues related to the 2023 Transportation Operations and Parking Plan (TOPP) for the two sports venues, congestion on Buzzard Point and problems with the Fourth Street SW protected bike lanes (PBLs).

Fast asked that the letter omit mention of issues relating to the I Street bike lane and Amidon-Bowen Elementary as well as the section taking issue with the ending of Southwest Circulator service. She said she is working with a group of stakeholders to resolve the former issue and does not want those negotiations upended. As for the Circulator, she asked it be addressed in a separate communication.

Hamilton supported the letter as written. Rohmer o ered three amendments to the letter:

• Ask DDOT to provide a plan for reducing tra c speeds in Southwest to 20 mph, quadrant side, and 15 mph in school zones.

• Ask for the provision of a marked ADA reserved space on each side of every block on Fourth Street between M and P streets SW for a total of eight spots.

• Ask for the completion of the I Street SW PBL by June 30.

Fast o ered an amendment to remove mention of the Circulator from the proposed letter.

Commissioners agreed to Rohmer’s rst amendment and decided to add language

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.

about traffic safety at the beginning of the letter. They also agreed to remove mention of the Circulator. Levine objected to Rohmer’s amendment on reserving ADA parking spots and asked for the matter to be discussed in detail. The motion failed. Rohmer withdrew her amendment on the I Street PBL.

The motion for the letter passed as amended.

ABC Matters

Levine appointed Katie Donahue as SMD 6D06’s representative to the ABC subcommittee. The commission also approved:

• A correction to the community agreement of the Pearl Street Warehouse, 33 Pearl St. SW, that aligns the summer garden occupancy with the 125-person limit provided under the certificate of occupancy.

• A protest to the application by Milk & Honey, 676 Maine Ave. SW, in the absence of a community agreement, on the basis of peace, order and quiet.

• A protest to the application by Z O O Z, 636 Maine Ave. SW, in the absence of a community agreement, on the basis of peace. order and quiet.

The commissioners tabled consideration of a structure planned for one of the small parks at The Wharf.

Other Matters

Levine, Pawley and Hamilton reported on their meeting with the store manager of the Southwest Safeway. The store will be remodeled early this summer, they related, and the manager agreed to the establishment of a community advisory committee.

Metropolitan Police Department captains Harding and Roth briefed the commissioners on public safety. There were five robberies in the last 30 days in PSA 103, they stated, one

involving a carjacking in the Third Street tunnel and a second relating to a road rage incident. The remaining robberies involved construction workers. Individuals of interest have been identified and the police have allocated additional resources to protect construction workers.

Commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter to the director of the DC Housing Authority summarizing comments at last January’s meeting related to maintenance backlogs, the authority’s reconstituted advisory board and other issues. It also requested the director to visit.

Commissioners authorized $200 to purchase open shelving for the office and approved the financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2023.

ANC 6D meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. The next meeting is May 8. For more information and links to join ANC meetings, visit www.anc6d.org. u

ANC 7D Report

by Sarah Payne

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D met April 11 via WebEx. Commissioners Siraaj Hasan (7D01), Wendell Felder (7D03, chair), Ebony Payne (7D05), Marc Friend (7D06), Brett Astmann (7D07, treasurer), Brian Alcorn (7D08, vice chair) and Ashley Schapitl (7D09, secretary) were in attendance. Commissioner Milton Hardy (7D04) resigned from the commission on April 7. Single Member Districts 7D02, 7D04 and 7D10 are vacant.

Hill East Development Discussed

In 2021, Mayor Muriel Bowser select-

ed R13 Community Partners to lead a team consisting of Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC, BRP Companies, H2 Design Build, Broughton Construction, A. Wash & Associates and U Street Parking to develop a section of Reservation 13 in Hill East. Their proposal, in addition to a Marriott Hotel, includes 1,246 residential units: 407 deeply affordable units, 334 middle income, 500 market rate and 5 reserved for building superintendents. Of the units, 1,116 would be rentals and 125 for sale. The hotel includes approximately 150 rooms and about 60,000 square feet of retail space. A triangular park celebrating the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy is envisioned, as well as a historical and cultural walk to recognize the history of Reservation 13.

“We see this as a community hub,” stated landscaper Sharon Bradley of Bradley Site Design, “so we would like to design it with a lot of community input.” Friend said he appreciated that commitment and hoped that the developers would stay true to it. Schapitl questioned the timeline, given the amount of required utilities work. Construction is slated to begin in a year and a half and take about two and a half years to complete. Community resident Francis Campbell questioned the sufficiency of planned off-street parking, particularly for the hotel, and the height of the proposed development. The commissioners held no vote on the matter.

Mayor Bowser Visits

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) attended the meeting to discuss her FY2024 budget proposal with both commissioners and residents. Bowser emphasized her “firm” belief that the District’s “renaissance” has been tied to investments in public schools

and public safety. She highlighted a bargaining agreement with teachers, capital improvements for schools, the increasing number of officers in the Metropolitan Police Department and “the full spectrum” of violence prevention services.

The mayor took comments and questions related to the proposed improvements at the RFK Stadium campus, proposed cuts to the Circulator bus service across the city, specific traffic enforcement and safety issues on Ward 7 streets, recent shootings and carjackings in the neighborhood and the proposed increase in traffic enforcement cameras across the District, among other concerns.

Bowser spoke about several tough decisions made throughout the budget process as the District reports a downturn in revenues while simultaneously experiencing an increase in costs for the first time since 2009.

Representatives from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and members of the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) plan to follow up with commissioners and residents regarding specific concerns and updates.

The proposed budget, Bowser explained, is focused on “the basics” and her mission to deliver on longpromised projects and programs.

Protected Bike Lanes for 19th Street

Representatives from DDOT provided an overview of the proposed 19th Street NE redesign project which aims to expand protected bike lanes for cyclists. Some of these protected tracks have been built along 19th Street between D and East Capitol streets NE. The section in discussion has a left-side bike lane which would be modified by the project to be a protected bike lane and would include a crossover into a “more tra-

ditional” right-side bike lane.

The public comment period is open for the next month. Representatives expressed interest in feedback pertaining to the best location for the crossover.

Other Matters

The commissioners approved the appointment of community members to serve on five committees: Housing, Economic Development and Economic Justice, Transportation and Public Space, Grants and Community Outreach, Environment and Public Safety. Felder invited other residents to consider joining a committee.

The commission has posted a draft of its bylaws to www.7d0761. wixsite.com/anc7d-1 and will solicit feedback next month.

ANC 7D will meet on May 9 at 6:30 p.m. via WebEx. Learn more about the commission and register to attend the meeting at https://7d0761. wixsite.com/anc7d-1.

u

ANC 8F Report

by Andrew Lightman

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8F (ANC 8F) met on April 25. Commissioners Nic Wilson (8F01), Rick Murphree (8F02, treasurer), Brian Strege (8F03, secretary) and Edward Daniels (8F04, chair) were in attendance. Clayton Rosenberg (8F05, vice chair) was absent.

L Street Shooting Dominates Discussions

Capitol Quarter residents turned out for the meeting. Outraged by a

recent shooting at their courtyard on the 300 block of L Street SE, they demanded action by both Councilmember Charles Allen (D) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Captain Elias Danho, both of whom were in attendance.

For the last several years, the block has been the locus of summer parties that can number upwards to 300 attendees. Residents complained that the parties go into the wee hours and feature loud music, with public consumption of alcohol and marijuana. Illegally parked cars, many with paper tags, often block driveways. Most of the partygoers are not local but have ties to the area that predate its redevelopment.

“It’s like an open-air drug market,” stated Daniels, who said he had worked on this issue for many years, even holding meetings in the private courtyard of the Capitol Quarter Home Owners Association (CQHOA) in the middle of the block. Strege and Wilson, who represent the area, concurred in his assessment.

“When the shooting happened, no one was surprised,” stated one resident. Commissioners, the DC Councilmember and the MPD captain discussed approaches to solving the issue. Commissioners considered authoring a letter demanding the adoption of new anti-loitering legislation. Allen spoke against the move, cautioning that such laws are unconstitutional and have been used racially in the past.

Allen suggested using the incommoding law. Danho proposed working with the DC Housing Authority, which is responsible for the affordable units in Capitol Quarter, and the CQHOA to gather names of partygoers for barring orders that would give the police a lever to remove them. Allen doubted that the US Attorney, responsible for Dis-

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.

trict prosecutions, would charge such arrests, citing recent reporting on the o ce’s 67% declination rate. He cited this as one reason o cers are reluctant to make such arrests.

Danho promised to raise the issue with his superiors. The location receives “special attention,” he stated. Questioned by residents about the details, he said the area is one where police are encouraged to park between calls for service, but that MPD resources are constrained by sta ng shortages.

Commissioners decided to table consideration of their letter.

Charles Allen Visits

Councilmember Allen discussed the coming District budget. DC’s nancial situation is di cult for three reasons, he stated: the decline in value of downtown commercial properties, which has reduced tax revenues, rising in ation and 12 labor agreements recently signed with city workers.

Allen is concerned about the slashes in funds that Mayor Bowser’s proposed budget makes for emergency housing assistance and legal assistance for housing court. He vowed to restore funds for the SW Circulator.

As head of the DC Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment, Allen spoke about plans for his new assignment. He wants to craft legislation and hold hearings on building out the infrastructure for electric vehicles. He also promised a “brainstorming” hearing on tra c enforcement, citing the increase in reckless driving and decreasing pedestrian safety.

The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) are not using technology effectively to catch ticket sco aws, Allen stated. The Council has funded an increase in DPW tra c-enforcement sta re-

sponsible for such o enders, but Allen was unable to move legislation for withholding driving license renewals from sco aws.

Allen wants to change the city’s strategy of reducing the use of natural gas from one relying on tax credits to a direct subsidy system friendlier to lowincome earners.

Other Matters

Neighborhood carjackings are up while car theft is down, stated Danho in his public safety brie ng. Many carjackings involve rearms and target idling cars. Residents should remain vigilant when unloading vehicles or waiting for passengers.

The commissioners voted unanimously to petition DDOT to restrict its tra c control o cers from using ofcial vehicles to travel to their posts, noting the high incidence of illegal parking by such cars.

Representatives of Brookfield, the owner of The Yards Development, said the owner is working with other stakeholders to repair broken lighting in Yards Park and adjacent streets.

The Zoning Commission (ZC) followed the commission’s lead in opposing the design of the One K Street development in SE, reported Daniels. The ZC asked the developer to return with a proposal that added a ordable units.

Daniels informed the commission about DDOT’s plans to replace parking at 20 M St. SE with a taxi zone. He wants to encourage the broadening of the pickup/dropo zone’s use to include other for-hire-vehicles.

ANC 8F meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for May 23 at the DDOT headquarters, 250 M St. SE. For more information and links to the meetings, visit www.ANC8F.org. ◆

EcoBlossoms Farm Brings May Flowers through the Summer

On March 11, 2023, DC’s Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) held the third annual urban agriculture summit at Anacostia High School. Called Rooting DC, the summit is a daylong forum that provides education about urban agriculture and food systems, cultivates health and protection of the environment and builds community. In a booth between DC Master Gardeners and a bee producer was one participant whose beautiful photos of flowers and flower arrangements, along with her sparkling smile drew, everyone in.

Meet flower farmer Bahiyyah Parks, owner and all-around person for EcoBlossoms Farm in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Her farm is a project in the making but one that she has embraced fully. Having just returned from a seven-and-half-month sabbatical in Turkey and Morocco, Parks is busy pulling weeds and putting her work in order. A huge fence around her four-acre farm keeps deer and other unwanted guests out and has allowed her to expand her plantings. “Between COVID, needing to secure my farm and the fact that the farm did not

Article and photos by Rindy O’Brien

have a water source, my startup has been slower than I thought it would be,” she remarks. “In the last year, a well has been put in and the fence is up, so now I am ready to move forward.”

How to Become a Flower Farmer?

“I have always loved flowers and gardening, ever since I was small,” says Parks. She grew up in an urban setting and remembers being chased by boys in elementary school, threatening to throw her into grass and dirt. She laughs to think of them seeing her now, pulling weeds and doing every dirty job there is on the farm.

“I became conscious of organic farming when I had my son and started buying organic at Whole Foods. It was so expensive, I decided I better grow my own, and one thing led to another. I thought I wanted to grow fruit trees,” said Parks, “but I didn’t have the space to do that.” She signed up for a six-week course on farming offered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, hoping to learn about fruit trees, but attended all the classes. Realizing that growing fruit trees weren’t going to work, on the last night of the class, when she was asked

Peonies are one of the most beloved flowers.

Bahiyyah Parks checks the buds as the peonies come online. Peonies are in season for only six weeks, and any climatic disruption can mean disaster.

what she planned to farm, she replied that she wanted to grow peonies and flowers.

In what might be called divine intervention, that very night she got a call from a flower farmer who wanted to quit and asked if she would come and dig up his plants. Just like that, Parks and a friend had 72 peony plants.

She is grateful for the help she receives from the state and Prince George’s County programs and for the generosity of other flower farmers who share their journeys and information. “It is a really amazing network of people.”

May Is Peony Time

In addition to peonies, Parks plants sunflowers, zinnias, dithianes and snapdragons. But her heart is really with the peonies. This late spring flower, often associated with Mother’s Day, is one of the world’s beloved perennials. The plant and flowers are easy to maintain and have a great fragrance. “I love the pink Hawaiian coral color peony, Miss America and Paula Fay,” says Parks. She plants 40 varieties of peonies each season.

The peony season is six weeks. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, it can be horrible for the flower farmer. Last year, the spring was cold, wet and unpredictable. Ecoblossoms’ peonies were late. Parks had only two weeks to cut all her peonies, which usually mature in the sixweek period. “I was cutting 400-500 stems a day,”

she says. “I couldn’t keep up and my hand seized up from the overuse.” This year she is more hopeful. With the early heat, the peonies are on schedule to be in full bloom for Mother’s Day.

It takes three years for a plant to be ready to yield five to seven stems to cut. Sometimes a plant will produce one bud in the early years, but it is better to pluck the bud and let the plant spread and be better rooted. Parks thinks it is best to plant the ball roots in the fall and let the plant root itself in the winter months. When you buy a plant, it will be described as having a certain number of eyes with the root, which means the number of stems the plant will put out. She recommends one with five to seven eyes.

Bringing the Flowers to Your Home

“I love the idea that I can bring the beautiful flowers to your home or be part of

your special event,” says Parks. “There is something special about local flowers. They are grown by hand, without pesticides and without a history of social injustice for the workers.”

If you want to subscribe, as in the CSA system of vegetables, Parks offers a variety of plans, starting with the spring peony subscription (six weeks) from May 7 through June 11 for $160 to $270. A spring floral subscription is nine weeks for $270. She also offers a Mother’s Day bouquet (extra-large) for $45 to $60. The bouquet can be delivered to your home, or you can pick it up at Petworth’s Farmers Market from May 6 to June 10. You can meet Parks at the farmers market or sign up online.

Not only will you have a home full of beautiful flowers and smells, but you will also know you are supporting a local farmer and business. Buying peonies locally guarantees your flower arrangement will be truly oneof-a-kind.

To buy a single bouquet, sign up for a subscription to receive flowers all summer, or hire Parks to help you design your own garden: http://ecoblossomsfarm.com. You will wonder where this service has been, and you will enjoy spring and summer in a totally new way.

Rindy O’Brien’s love of flowers started with her grandmother, and now she passes it on to her own granddaughter. Contact Rindy at rindyobrien@gmail. com. u

Bahiyyah Parks says being a flower farmer is a dream come true, and she is excited to be able to grow her business in 2023.

A new deer fence around her four-acre farm will enable Bahiyyah Parks to plant more flowers and even some black lentils.

EcoBlossoms Farm will deliver to your home, or you can pick up and meet Bahiyyah Parks at the Petworth Farmers Market on Saturdays.

DCDepartment of Public Works (DPW) has announced its pilot Curbside Composting Program will begin this summer. Sign-up began on Earth Day, April 22.

DPW Zero Waste program analyst Rachel Manning said the precise date has not been set for pilot collections to begin, but DPW is planning for summer of this year. “This is something that residents have really been asking for,” Manning said, “and programs we’ve seen in other cities have been really successful. We are excited to launch it here in the District and hopefully expand it to all DPWserviced households.”

The Pilot

Up to 12,000 households will participate in the program, about 1,500 from each of the eight wards ‒ slightly more than 11% of the 105,000 households that receive DPW services like trash and recycling collection at single-family dwellings and buildings with three or fewer apartments. Larger residential buildings, which have private collection, will not be eligible for the pilot.

A starter compost kit will have a curbside collection bin, a countertop kitchen compost caddy and compostable liner bags. DPW estimates that the project could capture up to 6,000 tons of food waste over the year of the pilot.

Composting has an important environmental impact. When food waste goes to the dump, all the nutrients are lost, but when it is composted nutrients can be returned to the soil. Composting also reduces food-waste decay emissions like methane and other greenhouse gases. Composed waste can

Curbside Compost Pilot Program Launches

12,000 Families Will Participate in Food Waste Initiative

be aerated, which prevents the microbes from producing methane. Waste becomes a nutrient-rich soil enhancer or fertilizer.

Preparing for Pick Up

The program has been a long time coming. Impetus for the curbside program was provided by the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amendment Act of 2014. The bill set a goal to divert 80% of District waste through reduction, reuse, recycling and composting.

In 2016, DPW brought on a consultant to develop an analytical model to address the feasibility of curbside composting. The analyst found that local facilities were not large enough to accept curbside composting, which did not become feasible until the recent expansion of operations such as the Balls Ford Composting Facility in Manassas, Virginia.

In part due to land limitations, the District does not have a composting facility or any plans to build its own. According to Manning, DPW is in the process of securing a contractor to haul the waste to a composting facility which will be selected through a solicitation process.

Composting Now

DPW already facilitates some District-based composting. For instance, it composts collected leaf and yard waste. Residents have been able to drop o their compost at weekly Food Waste Drop-O program sites, o ered on Saturdays at farmers markets. Those have been extremely successful, Manning said. Between 5,000 and 7,000 tons of collected yard waste are composted annually. Additionally, last year 32,152 residents brought 919,687 pounds (or nearly 460 tons) of food waste back to the soil. The pilot will not interrupt these activities.

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

DPW has also o ered lessons about how to compost and o ered a rebate on composters purchased. Lessons are being revised but will resume later this year, Manning said. DC residents who need compost can get it free ‒ up to ve 32-gallon bags’ worth ‒ on weekdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fort Totten Transfer Station (4900 John F. McCormack Drive NE). Bring your own bags.

The goal for the curbside program is for all of the 105,000 DPW-serviced households to participate. That’s a big task. According to Biocycle, in 2021, 181 US communities o ered curbside food waste pickup. In Maryland, 30,000 Howard County households have access to curbside collection. Prince George’s County, University Park and Takoma Park have nearly 6,000 households participating.

The participating households in Maryland are about a third the number of the operation the District is contemplating ‒ and one reason why a pilot is needed. “It’s not as easy as collecting trash or recyclables,” Manning noted of curbside composting. “It’s a material that can’t be left on the street for long, because people would have to deal with the smell and rodent problems.”

A lot of planning is necessary, from determining proper bins and collection strategies to educating residents on how to compost. Education is key, stated Manning. “Things like trash and recycling have been happening for years and years, so people are used to those services, but something like this could be a huge learning curve,” she cautioned. Testing the program in a smaller subgroup gives the city a group that is interested in composting and perhaps educated on it to some extent. This will help DPW get a sense of challenges and ways to improve the program before it is launched

to all DPW-serviced households.

The investment will be worth it if it helps meet the District’s zero waste goals, according to DPW acting director Timothy Spriggs. “DPW continues to invest in DC’s sustainability efforts,” he said. “By launching a new curbside compost pilot, unveiling a comprehensive zero waste plan for DC that re ects the diverse perspectives and priorities of our community and adding two new food waste drop o sites, we are empowering residents and businesses to take meaningful action toward reducing waste and building a more sustainable future.”

Composting in the Future

The pilot will run from summer 2023 to summer 2024. After that, DPW will assess lessons learned, Manning said. What happens next will depend on what those lessons are. DPW may nd it needs additional resources or di erent equipment, such as bins or liners. Manning said the program may step up in increments of larger samples rather than jump to serving the entire DPW-serviced residential community.

Selected households will receive a con rmation email from DPW’s O ce of Waste Diversion via zero.waste@dc.gov and will be informed when weekly collection will begin, as soon as that information is available. Families will receive kits a week before collection begins.

Learn more about the pilot by visiting www.zerowaste.dc.gov/ curbsidecomposting. Learn more about food and yard waste initiatives at zerowaste.dc.gov/page/ food-yard-waste-residents. ◆

The Capitol Hill Garden Club presents Dear Garden Problem Lady,

by Wendy Blair

My husband, wise but stubborn, tells me that once roses are in the ground they do not need to be watered. Please! He may listen to you. I asked Google, which quotes “The Basics of Growing Roses ‒David Austin Roses” as follows. Water newly planted roses every two or three days. Established roses – water once or twice a week as needed to keep the soil moist around your roses.

What are the inch-long white grubs I often nd when I dig in the garden? Dad used to call them cutworms. These white grubs with orange noses and dark tails turn into various kinds of destructive chafers or beetles, which climb up to devour the stems, leaves and owers of plants. Some stay underground to eat roots.

A true cutworm is a dark grub or worm that appears composed of hairy segments with legs its entire length. It metamorphs into a dark moth that does catastrophic damage to plants by eating them to death.

My tulips, da odils and hyacinths are planted at the front of the garden so we can see them from the living room. But when they’re nished, how long must I keep their greenery? We need something prettier to look at now.

You should leave the bulb foliage in the ground until it turns

Over 95% of my business are past clients or their

brown! Gardeners learn to gure out what can be planted to hide spent perennials with another perennial that comes up at the right time ‒ which is easier said than done. Your best bet now? Annuals! Shop for something big enough to grow taller and wider than your bulb leaves as they die. Find small places where you can nestle the little annuals that will spread their roots around and start showing their colors. The stores are full now.

There used to be something called Open Days, a website that listed private gardens in the US that were open to anyone who wanted to visit – for free! Each garden was open for only a single day. Does it still exist?

Open Days ‒ Tours of America’s best private gardens is provided by the Garden Conservancy, a nonpro t run entirely by volunteers. These are gardens that are NOT open to the public – except for one day in the year. The goal is “to fuel the public’s passion for gardens and gardening.” A small sta in New York organizes with volunteer gardeners in 41 states. Starting in April, call (888) 842-2442, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST; after hours email opendays@gardenconservancy. org. The bad news right now is that no gardens are listed (yet) in DC, Virginia or Maryland – but that could change.

For information about the Capitol Hill Garden Club, visit capitolhillgardenclub.org.

Feeling beset by gardening problems? Send them to the Problem Lady c/o the Editor, Hill Rag. Your problems could prove instructive to others and help them feel superior to you. Complete anonymity is assured. ◆

Capitol Hill Residential Market Now

by Don Denton

The first quarter is in the books, and no real surprises. As things slowed last summer under the weight of “spiraling mortgages rates,” we reached the dizzying heights of 6.5-7% for 30-year mortgage rates.

I assured my colleagues that come Q1 of 2023, there would be three types of buyers in the market. First, those who retreated from the market to wait for the return of the days of 3-4% rates. Best of luck! Second, those who were in the market last August and smelled opportunity coming and thought they would figure out the mortgage piece. Third, new buyers who would enter the market without the baggage of longing for what used to be.

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with sellers who had bought their homes on the Hill in 1992-94. Now there was a buyer’s market for those bold enough to seize it. Many of our friends were fleeing to the ‘burbs with their young families. Many with professional moves could not sell and were forced to rent their homes here on the Hill. Our local government was a mess and showing no hope. Crime was hitting all-time highs. And if you bought in 1989, you probably could not get out whole until 2000-02.

I can’t tell you how many settlements I attended in those days when the seller was bringing more money to the settlement table than their buyers!

A home is a long-term investment. It’s a place to live and to build wealth over time. Timing has nothing to do with long-term objectives. It’s more about dumb luck in the short term. Those who were buying in the early 90s were using double-digit 30-year mortgage rates or less expensive adjust-

ables. They would have killed for a 6.5%, 30 year fixed-rate mortgage. With all of these factors, they were clearly taking risks at the time. In hindsight they were making one of the most significant financial decisions in their lives.

No one who bought then and still owns the property will be bringing money to the settlement table (unless they treated their home like a piggy bank), and they will see doubling, tripling or quadrupling of their original purchase price. Not the cash they put down but the gross value of the property.

So Where Are We Now?

It looks more like 2007-08, when financial markets and institutional lenders were in the tank and some residential marketplaces were devastated. Not here in DC and not on Capitol Hill. Our market slowed a little. Prices vacillated somewhat. Basically, we took a break from the sizzling market we had experienced for the preceding six or seven years. Once things settled down a little, we were off and running for another decade, with that pandemic.

Inventories today remain tight and that is

holding property values at a stable level. Some homes may be selling for a little less than a year ago, but not many. More are on par with levels of a year ago and some higher ‒ stunning to see the strength in the market between $750,000 and $1,500,000. The drop in median price in the chart is more a reflection of the strength in the lowerpriced part of the market than any decrease in value anywhere.

A Few Tips To Keep In Mind:

1. If you are thinking of selling in the next year or so, and your rental unit becomes vacant, DO NOT RE-RENT IT.

2. If your spouse were to die, have a legitimate professional appraisal done to establish the property value at the time of death. There could be significant tax implications when you sell. Consult with your accountant.

3. If you are approached by a friend or a neighbor or some nice young man who knocked on your door, and they want to buy your house without a realtor, and the price sounds fair, don’t sell unless you consult with a known local realtor or pay for that professional appraisal. What you pay in a real estate commission or appraisal fees might be a pittance compared to underselling your home for many tens of thousands of dollars. Put your property into our local multiple listing service and let the market speak!

Keep these things in mind and consult with a professional realtor from a reliable firm.

Don Denton, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker Realty, has lived and sold properties on Capitol Hill for more than 40 years. He can be reached at ddenton@cbmove.com. u

Changing Hands

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

NEIGHBORHOOD PRICE BR

At The Movies

A Superb Wildlife Documentary and a Touching French Family Drama Arrive at Area Screens

by Mike Canning

“Wild Life”

This superb new documentary traces one couple’s sustained commitment to preserving wild lands against the encroachment of urban growth. It follows Doug and Kris Tompkins ‒ both mountaineers and entrepreneurs ‒ to their creation of the largest privately protected swaths of nature on the planet. (93 minutes, rated PG-13 and now running in local cinemas.)

We know from the film’s beginning that Doug Tompkins died in late 2015 (the picture opens with his funeral), but, since he was a public personage for decades, there is plenty of archival interview and media material to show him as a striking presence and an articulate advocate for environmental views. Kris, still alive, is on screen much more, relating their backstories, common interests and tribulations and triumphs. She presides over the culmination of their dreams when Doug’s name graces national parks in Chile.

Tompkins combined a climbing passion with creating landmark outdoor fashion companies, including The North Face and Esprit. He was so thoroughly committed to mountain climbing, especially in the Chilean Andes, that he gave up his businesses to focus on purchasing land there to establish national parks. Simultaneously, his partner (and wife), Kris McDivitt, led a somewhat parallel life, with an interest in climbing and outdoors fashion. She pursued the latter until she became CEO of the environmentally conscious company Patagonia, though she left the firm in the early 1990s.

The Tompkins connection came together in the early 1990s, when both were single and available. Doug pursued Kris, and they truly clicked during a European sojourn. By then, they had decided to take on their life’s work: to purchase tracts of Patagonian land and convert them into a national nature preserve for the Chilean people.

Over 25 years, they carefully but doggedly extended their holdings ‒ with periodic and understandable pushback from skeptical Chilean authorities ‒ to establish a grand nature preserve of almost 2 million acres over several parcels. As part of their efforts, they also began “rewilding” their parklands by reintroducing species into areas where they had disappeared. At one point, Kris, feeling down perhaps, states that, despite their efforts, “on any scorecard, Nature is losing,” but she is doing her best to counter that.

The saga is told in fascinating detail by an esteemed team of climbing documentarians, Jimmy Chin and his wife Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. The quality of their work is more than proven by their Oscar win in 2019 for “Free Solo” and their earlier films “Meru” and “The Rescue,” about the Thai

soccer kids’ cave rescue in 2018. They have an eye for regal landscapes, vistas of terrain and skies that dazzle, and the ability to capture delicate details of stone and snow. They have exhibited a daredevil skill by filming close up and right in line with climbers doing their business (see “Free Solo”). “Wild Life” adds another pearl to their growing necklace of vivid documentaries.

“Everything Is Fine”

From French director François Ozon comes “Everything Is Fine” (Tout s’est bien passe), a powerful family drama in which a daughter is forced to reconcile with her father and their shared past after being presented with a devastating final wish. Parisian art collector Andre Bernheim (Andre Dussollier) is a gay man who had two daughters

Ecologist Kris Tompkins looks over an expanse of the Patagonian mountains she has helped form into national parkland in Chile. Photo: National Geographic Films

while married to Claude (Charlotte Rampling), but they are long estranged. He has also had a tempestuous long-term a air with Gerard, whom he has since spurned. The trigger to the plot happens in the movie’s rst minute, when he su ers a debilitating stroke. (In French with subtitles, not rated, 113 minutes.)

His daughters, the elder Emmanuele, a writer (Sophie Marceau), and the younger, Pascale, a teacher (Geraldine Pailhas), rush to aid a man who has been a di cult father to them both, especially Emmanuele. (We see brief ashbacks of his indi erence to her as a child.) After release to a new rehab hospital, Andre tells Emmanuèle that his future life is not worth living and asks her to help him “end it,” putting the onus on her to help him commit assisted suicide. Since the act is illegal in France, she and Pascale must struggle to grant this last wish.

With France not an option, the sisters look to Switzerland to nd an institution to perform the procedure. Their facilitator, a sweet older woman, gets right down to business on the serious paperwork. (She is played by the great Hanna Schygulla, a one-time muse of director Rainer Werner Fassbinder.) Even with some wavering from Andre, the girls book a private ambulance for the journey to Bern. A last-minute kerfu e (which plays out like a chase movie) almost botches the whole semi-secret plan. The French police are informed of the project, and the sisters are taken in for questioning.

Ozon, known for his varied films (“8 Women,” “Swimming Pool,” “Franz”) tackles this delicate subject with exceptional intelligence and understanding. Based on Emmanuele Bernheim’s 2021 ctional memoir, the script uses a plain, matter-of-fact style that renders its otherwise weighty ‒ and potentially maudlin ‒ topic more accessible and genial. It doesn’t make light of the moral arguments of euthanasia but instead focuses on the reck-

oning Emmanuele must make with an ornery father who needs help but refuses to accept it.

“Everything Is Fine” proceeds smartly, with a semi-restless camera that briskly moves its protagonists around Paris while still giving them their due in more dramatic and calmer moments. Ozon handles a solid and wellrounded cast with a sensitive touch, though he really excels in eliciting stunning performances from veterans Marceau and Dussollier.

Andre Dussollier is an icon of French cinema, having worked with almost all its major lmmakers for over 50 years. He has won the equivalent of the French Oscars (the Caesars) for Best Actor three over the years. Here he masters the tough role of a gru , addled man of 85 sorting out the remainder of his life. Physically, too, he must take on the look of a stroke victim ‒ with sagging mouth and body ‒ and pulls it o splendidly.

Sophie Marceau has a resume almost as long as her co-star’s, having made almost 50 lms since she starred as a teenager in 1980. She has mastered a myriad of roles and here takes absolute control of another as an injured daughter forced to confront a surly, ine ective father. She does it with grace and poise, while looking ever gorgeous.

Hill resident Mike Canning has written on movies for the Hill Rag since 1993 and is a member of the Washington Area Film Critics Association. He is the author of “Hollywood on the Potomac: How the Movies View Washington, DC.” His reviews and writings on lm can be found

From left: Sophie Marceau, Geraldine Pailhas and Andre Dussollier appear in “Everything Is Fine.” Photo: Cohen Media Group

Adios, conch fritters. Hola, sizzling fajitas. Mexico has replaced the Caribbean as Tortuga Caribbean Bar & Grille, 514 Eighth St. SE, morphs into Playa Ocho Cantina. The “new” restaurant remains under the ownership of Hill Restaurant Group.

Playa Ocho ‒ Beach on Eighth ‒ sports a lively ambience, replete with skull motifs, brightly colored serapes, hats and pastel-hued tables and chairs. The upstairs roof garden, even more festive, features neon lighting zigzags around the lively bar as repits ward o the early spring chill.

Settling in the downstairs dining area, we sipped our drinks, of

Capitol Cuisine

by Celeste McCall

which more will be said, and perused the revamped menu. The star of the show was the elote – Mexican street corn. The good-sized grilled ear was dripping with melted cotija cheese and sprinkled with cumin and a smattering of salt. Momentarily considering attacking it with knife and fork, I simply picked it up and chewed away. Almost a meal in itself.

Fortunately, I saved room for my shrimp quesadilla, a quartet of our tortillas oozing with melted Chihuahua cheese and a few plump crustaceans. Other options included chicken or beef. The handsome platter was garnished with pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole ‒ the colors of the Mexican ag. Peter’s generous burrito was lled with spicy shredded pork and escorted with black

beans, Spanish-style rice, pico de gallo and guacamole.

Among other South of the Border o erings are fondue-like queso fundido, seafood posole, assorted tacos, camarones, carne molida. Besides a selection of soups, lighter o erings include ensalada de taco and a Mexican Cobb with optional add-ons.

Tequila flows, incorporated into several margarita varieties. I sipped a tangy, refreshing mango- avored classic. One might also choose watermelon or jalapeno margaritas, a pina colada or a Miami Vice (strawberry meets pineapple) pina colada, plus beer and wine. There’s also a happy hour and kids’ menu. For more information visit www.playaochodc.com.

Mussel Power

Belga Cafe, 514 Eighth St. SE, now offers a Tuesday special,

mussels for $23. The plump mollusks may be enhanced with white wine, shallots, butter, garlic, parsley and more. Visit www.belgacafe.com for hours and a full menu.

Caribbean Power

We nally returned to Cane, 403 H St. NE. This Caribbean hotspot is as good as ever. Our large group ordered a variety of dishes, including the tongue-torching “doubles” favored by Barack Obama, who is depicted in a mural enjoying one. Always plural, doubles is a popular street snack in Trinidad and Tobago made with spicy chickpeas piled atop fried atbread. At Cane, a doubles arrives on a pretty bluepatterned plate. Unlike the ex-prez, we used a knife and fork.

We considered ordering another Caribbean staple, snapper escovitch, a traditional marinated

LEFT: Also at Playa Ocho, quesadillas are garnished with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo, the Mexican flag colors.

RIGHT: elote ‒ tasty Mexican street corn ‒ heads the menu at Playa Ocho Cantina.

and grilled fish. However, we settled on the “bowl” of meaty oxtails, with a bed of jasmine rice and a cooling cucumber salad, served in attractive metal vessels with handles. Another crowd pleaser is the jerk chicken wings. The wings are marinated and smoked over pimento wood. The chef’s rum punch ‒ dark rum, lime juice and Angostura bitters ‒ complements these spicy dishes. Room for dessert? A favorite is the smooth, creamy coconut flan. For hours and more information visit www.cane-dc.com.

Menu Change

Nearby, Irregardless, 502 H St. NE, has ditched its $85-per-person tasting menu in favor of a sensibly priced a la carte option. Leading the makeover is newly named executive chef Laetitia Chrapchynski, who

moved from her native Calgary in 2021 to be the head chef at the Canadian Embassy. For hours and the details on the new menu visit www. irregardlessdc.com.

H Street Farmers Market Opens

Nearby, FRESHFARM H Street Market, 800 13th St. NE, welcomes spring with extended hours. Look for the bustling market on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30. p.m. For more information and a list of vendors visit www.freshfarm.org.

Watch This Space

Coming soon to the Navy Yard is Any Day Now, at 2 I St. SE, the former premises of ABC Pony. The jazzy all-day enterprise is the brainchild of chef Tim Ma, who brought us Arlington’s Lucky Danger and Laoban Dumplings in Union Market. Watch this column for details. Already arrived is Surveyor, 221 Tingey St. SE, located in the hip Thompson Hotel. Besides a lively rooftop bar, the lobby-level newcomer has recently launched a weekend brunch. Expect avocado sandwiches, smoked salmon toast, fried chicken and waffles. House-made pop tarts evoke childhood memories. A loftier addition, the establishment’s lively rooftop bar, boasts an expansive view. For more information visit www.surveyorrestaurant.com.

Wine about It

Nearby, District Winery Restaurant, 385 Water St. SE, has announced its spring menu. Crafted from seasonal ingredients, the modern American lineup includes garlic shrimp, pan-seared skate wing, bison meatballs, roasted Bell & Evans chicken with Swiss chard. For more information visit www.districtwinery.com.

More Pizza?

And coming soon is Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza, located in the long-vacant corner at 301 Massachusetts Ave. NE. The other day, I peeked inside and glimpsed the on-

going renovation. The location is the fifth for the fledgling pizza chain, which has outlets throughout the Washington area. For updates visit www. pupatella.com.

RAMMY Finalists

Congrats and best of luck to restaurants on or near Capitol Hill that’ve been named finalists for the 2023 RAMMY Awards:

• Wine Program of the Year: Shelter (in The Roost)

• Rising Culinary Star: K at Petonito (The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells)

• Favorite Gathering Place: Crazy Aunt Helen’s

• Best Brunch: Circa

• Favorite Best Bites: RASA

• Hottest Sandwich Spot: Fight Club, Grazie Grazie

• Casual Restaurant: Bammy’s, Maketto

• Upscale/Casual Restaurant: L’Ardente, Moon Rabbit

• Pastry Chef or Baker: Rochelle Cooper (The Duck & The Peach, La Collina)

• Chef of the Year: Matt Adler (Caruso’s Grocery, in The Roost), Kevin Tien (Moon Rabbit)

• Restaurateur of the Year: Greg Casten and Tony Cibel (Fish and Fire Food Group), Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira (Timber Pizza, Call Your Mother, Turu’s, Mercy Me)

Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on July 9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. For tickets and more information email therammys@ramw.org. u

Depicted on a mural at Cane, Barack Obama chows down on a “doubles.”

On H Street, Cane showcases Caribbean cuisine, including “doubles,” a popular street food in Trinidad.

Crazy Aunt Helen’s on Barracks Row is a finalist for Favorite Gathering Place in the 2023 RAMMYS awards.

Art and the City

by Phil Hutinet

May Art Exhibitions & Festivals!

OAS AMA | Art Museum of the Americas

Dominique Paul, “Silent Fall”

April 22-July 20 • www.museum.oas.org

Montreal native Dominique Paul, who now calls Brooklyn home, will exhibit a series of work at the Organization of American States’ Art Museum of the Americas which examines human impacts on the environment, specifically on wildlife. “Silent Fall” is curated by New York-based Ayelet Danielle Aldouby. Paul will use a wide range of mediums including photography and video to address the disappearance of at-risk animal species. The title is inspired by biologist Rachel Carson’s ground-breaking book “Silent Spring.” Aldouby explains that Paul’s work “inspires us to collaborate as compassionate beings and reclaim our role as temporary guardians of a vanishing world.” Paul has spent years researching and evolving this project. 201 18th St. NW. Hours: Tues.Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (202) 370-0147 or query artmus@oas.org.

IA&A at Hillyer May Solo Exhibitions

Concurrent solo exhibitions by Claudia “Aziza” Gibson-Hunter, Amber Robles-Gordon and Zhenya Parish

May 6-28 • www.athillyer.org

• Claudia “Aziza” Gibson-Hunter, “Flight School.” Hunter sees flight as “a spiritual technology,” a means to reach an altered state of being which offers both protection and transcendence. Through a series of abstract mixed-media works, Hunter explores this idea by drawing inspiration from Zora Neale Hurston, Alvin Ailey’s “Revelation” and gospel music lyrics.

• Amber Robles-Gordon, “Remnants: A Visual Journey of Memory and Renewal.” Robles-Gordon’s series addresses the bits and

pieces in life that make up memory and loss. By examining the notion of “remnants,” “slivers” and “fragments,” Robles-Gordon recompiles found parts into collages which represent “a journey of self-awareness and growth.” “Together,” she explains, “these artworks present a visual telling of love, loss, and healing.”

• Zhenya Parish, “The Art of Letting Go.” Like Robles-Gordon, Parish examines fragmentation and loss through a series of recent paintings which examine the “symbology of perceived experiences.” Parish hopes that the pieces “will challenge the viewer to find a new point of relation and help create a moment of understanding, appreciation, or feeling. We live in flux. Embrace it.” 9 Hillyer Court NW. Hours: Tues.-Fri., 12-6 p.m., and Sat.-Sun., 12-5 p.m. Call (202) 338-0680 or query hillyerdirector@artsandartists.org.

New Art Installation Connects Art and Urban Farming

A new series of public art funded by the Darryl Chappell Foundation in partnership with Building Bridges across the River and the District government seeks to connect urban farming with the community through visual markers. Created by local artist Sonia Jones while a resident at the National Children’s Center (NCC) Baby Bloomers Urban Farm, the work connects Ward 8 students with the environment and healthy eating. “I’m honored to be a part of the story of this innovative space that is tackling food insecurity and creating inclusive spaces for children with special needs, while serving as an anchor for continued community engagement,” said Jones. “As a mother who enjoyed my first harvest from my home garden this year,” she added, “I wanted to use my artistic talents to support organizations that teach the next generation to be self-sufficient.”

SPRING ART FESTIVAL SEASON

With the arrival of good weather, outdoor art festivals abound. Free of charge, these events are the opportunity to see hundreds of artists and artisans, experience live performances and try new food. Here is a chronological listing of events:

Claudia “Aziza” Gibson-Hunter, “Dawn Flight_ Flight Dawn” (detail), 2022, acrylic paint, colored pencil, 25 x 30 x 4 inches. Photo: John Woo

Dominique Paul, “Maquette Damoiseaux,” 2021. Image: Courtesy of the artist

VisArts’ 11th Annual Rockville Arts Festival

Sat. & Sun., May 6 & 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

www.visartscenter.org/rockville-arts-festival

The festival features 130 fine artists and artisans, Raku demonstrations by VisArts instructors and community art projects including printmaking and chalk art. Along Maryland Avenue between Beall Avenue and East Middle Lane, Rockville, Maryland. Metro accessible; public parking garages nearby.

Gateway Open Studio Tour | Arts, Beats & Eats

Studio Tour, Sat., May 13, from 12 to5 p.m. After-party at miXt Food Hall, Sat., May 13, from 5 to 8 p.m.

www.artsbeatseatsdmv.com

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the region’s largest art district, this is the day to do it. Over 150 artists live and work between Eastern Avenue and College Park. I recommend targeting a few studios this year and planning to come back in 2024. There are too many venues to see in one day. Then, at 5 p.m., go to miXt Food Hall for an after-party and meet the locals. The Gateway Open Studio Tour takes place in Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood and Hyattsville, Maryland. Scroll down the website above for all participating locations. miXt Food is at 3809 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, Maryland. After-party parking at Brentwood Fire Station, 3716 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood.

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival

Sat., May 13, from 10 a.m. to 6p.m.; Sun., May 14, 10 a.m.-5 pm. www.bethesda.org/arts/artsfestival.htm

The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival features artists and artisans from around the nation, selling everything from artwork to handmade furniture to clothing. A stage on Del Ray Avenue will feature live musical performances all weekend. The festival takes place on Del Ray, Auburn and Norfolk avenues. Metro accessible; public parking garages available.

Tephra ICA Festival

Sat., May 20, from 10 a.m. to 6p.m.; Sun., May 21, 10 a.m.-5 pm. www.tephraica.org/festival

Now in its 32nd year, the event was formerly known as the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. It boasts over 200 artisans and artists from around the US and features live music as well. Of particular note, artist Hoesy Corona presents “Hacia la Vida” (Toward Life), a performance piece about climate change and its impact on immigration. The artist has created “sculptural costumes” which will be worn by performers marching in procession through the festival. Reston Town Center, Market Street. Now accessible by Metro’s Silver Line; parking garages nearby.

Phil Hutinet is the founding publisher of East City Art, DC’s visual art journal of record. For more information visit www.eastcityart.com. u

Now open for lunch Wednesday-Friday. Spargelzeit is here! White asparagus is in season and is now on the menu! Enjoy this German delicacy in our quaint biergarten or in our cozy dining rooms. Open at Noon on Saturday, May 13th and Sunday, May 14th for a post CHRS House & Garden Tour lunch and to celebrate Mother’s Day!

322-B Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002 www.cafeberlin-dc.com

Baby mural. Photo: Ayanah George

the LITERARY HILL

A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events

by Michelle LaFrance

Rambling, Surviving, Painting: Underlife Times Three, DC 2020

The events that shook DC in 2020 are the backdrop for each of this month’s stories. Each offers unique insider’s perspectives ‒ razor wire around the Capitol and National Mall, virtual school days and family dynamics, finding humor and joy and movement to stave off the numbing disquiet ‒ during the isolating and trying events of 2020 and early 2021.

American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal

When Neil King’s story of walking for 26 days and over 330 miles to New York City begins, he’s just dodged a cancer diagnosis and the National Mall is still fenced-off and patrolled by the National Guard. In this unusual travelogue, peppered with history, encounters with the folk of farmland and suburb and reflections on who we are as a people ‒ soured, skeptical, anxious, standoffish, frank, yet too, curious, welcoming, encouraging, hopeful and enigmatic ‒ King narrates his journey and gives voice to a living US both banal and strange below the national news cycles.

Early in his recounting, King cites poet Mary Oliver: “Attention … is the beginning of devotion.” As he walks, the former Wall Street Journal writer dwells in fond attentiveness on the fields and streams, the byways and forests, historic sites, place markers, cemeteries, homes and exurbs that are the way. Readers will enjoy King’s keen descriptions of encounters with the people and places (some more open to strangers than others) on his route to the crossroads of Central Park. An ode to the ramble, to “measuring time by foot fall,” to the underlives of our region and to human connection that will stay with readers.

Spare but moody black and white drawings by George Hamilton complement King’s narrative, making a hard copy a must-have for readers who want an endearing and poetic vision of the region.

“American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal” can be found at local booksellers.

What It Cost Us: A Summer of Pandemic & Protest in DC

Coming of age in 2020, a year of pandemic isolation, Black Lives Matter marches and protests for social justice, stoppered by the January insurrection, is the topic of this local publication from DC-based Shout Mouse Press. The 10 young BIPOC authors who contribute to this collection share snapshots and reflections on their everyday lives during a year cleaved by tumultuous unrest and tight monotony.

From the dissociated mundanity of preparing to graduate from high school via virtual technology, to emotional text exchanges, break ups and difficulties with friends, parents and siblings, to the mental health struggles of isolation, and the uncertainties of irascible marginality, this collection of fierce young voices is, in turns, raw, humorous, angry, hopeful, loving and simply very real.

As Bilal Saleem writes in his bio for the collection, “Despite all the nastiness and turmoil that the past couple of years had to offer, we’re still getting through it, one day at a time.”

Stories are complemented by original artwork, maps, headlines, DC Council press releases, text exchanges and social media posts. Shout Mouse Press, a nonprofit, seeks to amplify the voices of underheard youth.

Readers will find “What It Cost Us” at www.outmousepress.org.

“The Corona Diaries: Sketches from 400 Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Graphic artist and designer Debora Naylor’s book of daily watercolors captures the tem-

BELOW: The “What It Cost Us” Authors

pered anxieties of lockdown in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Captured with humor, affection and ragged color in 128 diary entries, here is Capitol Hill life under a shelter-in-place order: parks and open spaces as furtive social sites, walking routes, boredom, varied parades of masks as “personal protective fashion statements,” small elations of ordering take out coffee in a cafe and a snow day, day-to-day strategizing to avid contagion, aka “emerg[ing] from our cave shortly after dawn to hunt and gather at the best time of day ‒ (taking advantage of old-geezer hour at the grocer).”

The diary ends as the author and her husband peer out their front doors gazing with relief and exuberance into a future that is sunshine and greenery. Steeped in a heartfelt gratitude for the people, places, health and neighborhoods that carried us through.

For more info about the “Corona Diaries” visit www.dchistory.org and look for “Corona Diaries” under the “Books and Posters” tab.

Podcasts for DC Booklovers

For lit-lovers looking for a good listen, three excellent local podcasts about authors, books and writing craft, and the library.

“The Black Writer’s Studio”

The Hurston Wright Foundation’s podcast, an outgrowth of its annual awards celebration, explores the books and craft of Black writers of all genres. Episodes feature award winners such as poet Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib, journalist Gary Younge and novelist Jacqueline Woodson.

Visit www.hurstonwright.org or stream, or download on iTunes and SoundCloud.

“Inner Loop: A Literary Reading Series”

Led by Rachel Coonce and Courtney Sexton, “Inner Loop” hosts readings of local writers as well as communityfocused discussions of events and opportunities in the DC metro area. Authors to be featured in the remaining months of 2023 include Jacki Lyden, Bethane Patrick, Teri Ellen Cross Davis, Eric Weiner, Thea Brown, and Alexia Arthurs. Find the podcast at www.theinnerlooplit.org, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, GooglePlay and other podcast hosting sites.

You can also view the podcast on the “Inner Loop” dedicated You Tube page.

DC Public Library Bookcast

Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the DC Public Library podcast hosts book and historical talks, stories about the library, library services and events and other conversations for book lovers, library goers and residents. The podcast is recorded at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Lab. Transcripts are available upon request. To listen go to https://dcplpodcast.simplecast.com/.

2023 Literary Hill Bookfest

Typically held in early May, the Literary Hill Bookfest has pushed back to autumn this year. The annual celebration of the “vibrant literary culture” of Capitol Hill, including local authors and booksellers, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in historic Eastern Market.

This fall’s bookfest will host returning vendors and ‒ the stars of the show ‒ fiction, history, mystery, memoir and political and children’s books authors who happen to be our neighbors.

For more info, to volunteer or to highlight your published work, email info@literaryhillbookfest.org.

Michelle LaFrance is associate professor of English at George Mason University. She teaches creative nonfiction, life writing and civic writing at the Hill Center. In her free time, she can be found reading, writing and hiking the region’s forests with two mischievous four-leggeds. u

Poetic Hill

by Sandra Beasley

Natasha Saje was born stateless in Germany and grew up in New York City and its suburbs. She learned to love DC (Pier 9! Museums!) as a University of Virginia student, lived in either DC or Baltimore from 1978 to 1998, when, equipped with a PhD from the University of Maryland, she took a teaching job at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. Now happily retired from that job/exile, she lives in the Broadmoor (Cleveland Park) with her Veterans Administration employee (and Boston sports-fan) wife. Saje teaches poetry and non-fiction writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of five books of poems, a memoir-in-essays (“Terroir: Love, Out of Place”) and a postmodern poetry handbook. At a poetry reading, the writer Bob Ross suggested that she would have fun using phrasal verbs in a poem. She went home and looked them up, and yes! Verbs followed by prepositions are wonderful idioms. To tell a story, this poem restricts itself to phrasal verbs and offers options for completing the sentences.

A Phrasal Verb Primer you and I did not use up (what we had)

I looked after (you) (myself) you went through (who can know)

after you ran out (of time)

I turned down (sheets) (nothing)

I am getting on with (a new life) (a wife)

you made sure of (the setting sun in a crimson sky) (a watermark moon)

what can add up to (a memory) (forgetting)

I give back (what you gave me) (to someone else)

I do over (better) (with more or less heart)

let me spell out (guilt)

don’t look over (here) (at us)

I’ll go on (as long as I live) and answer to (no one) (myself)

Southwest DC resident Sandra Beasley is the author of four poetry collections. If you live in DC and are interested in being featured, reach out to her at sandrabeasley@earthlink.net for questions and submissions (1-5 poems). u

Natasha Saje . Photo: David Baddley

Mustard Seed Massage

A Spa That Provides Unique Ways To Relax, Reduce Pain And Burn Fat

by Pattie Cinelli

Owner Carine Jemia opened Mustard Seed Massage this past fall at 405 8th St. NE, one of the busiest blocks in Capitol Hill. It has become a welcome oasis that presents several massage modalities, facials and many types of energy-healing techniques. Mustard Seed is the only facility on Capitol Hill to offer cryotherapy.

Jemia said she wants her services to be affordable for everyone, so she offers cost-effective packages and has made financing available. Jemia will bring Mus -

tard Seed treatments to clients in their homes or hotel rooms. “We also enjoy renting out our facility and providing services to a private group. We’ve had pre-wedding parties and a group of women celebrating birthdays or just a girls’ night out.”

What Is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy, sometimes known as cold therapy, is the use of low temperatures in medical therapy. Mustard Seed uses a partial body cryotherapy technique that targets local areas of the body. Jemia said she did much research to find a

tool and treatment she believes works well for a variety of needs.

“Cryotherapy is administered by a hand-held device with four different attachments that are used for different reasons,” she explained. The pulsing head breaks up fat, and the radio frequency cavitation head melts the fat and helps break up cellulite. The cooling attachment tones the body and reduces inflamma-

Carine Jemia, Mustard Seed’s owner.

Client at Mustard Seed getting a facial.

To reserve a photo and personalized message for your grad:

• Email: seniorshout@hillrag.com

• Indicate your size choice, include a message with the associated word count and a hi-resolution photo.

• A Hill Rag Account Executive will contact you for payment along with a proof of your design.

tion and pain as well as tightening the skin. The fourth attachment, the bipolar head, improves stretch marks, wrinkles and ne lines. Mustard Seed also performs cryofacials to tackle fine lines and wrinkles.

The treatment is non-invasive and painless. A client lies on the table and does not have to disrobe. “The machine glides over the body part we are working on,” said Jemia. The cooling wand goes below subzero temperatures and may produce a strange sensation but no pain. The temperature is colder than a typical ice pack and can reduce pain and swelling because the cold constricts blood vessels and decreases circulation to the area.

Mustard Seed Massage has one cryotherapy machine in its Capitol Hill location. Jemia recommends six sessions, with one every ve days. “It’s a noninvasive therapy, therefore a client needs no time to recover,” she added.

Other Services Offered

Mustard Seed has many types of services. Massages include deep tissue, medical, sports therapy, myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, isolative stretching, hot stone and aroma therapy. Her energy-healing modalities include sound baths, nervous system tune-ups for people under stress, breathing lessons, Reiki and chakra balancing as well as cupping.

The Eighth Street NE location is Jemia’s second (the other is on K Street NW). It was formerly housed in Union Station, but Jemia found that location to

have changed signi cantly so she searched for another spot to serve her Capitol Hill clients.

Jemia believes massage should be a part of everyone’s wellness and self-care journey. “We help people with chronic stress, pain, rehabilitation issues. We believe consistent outcomebased massage therapy creates lasting change.”

Jemia named the spa after a biblical verse, Matthew 17:2021, “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Mustard seeds are among the tiniest of seeds and seem almost insignicant, said Jemia. “A mustard seed is only about one millimeter, yet when watered and nurtured can grow into a towering and beautiful tree 30 feet tall whose branches have an impressive girth that invite birds to perch.”

Jemia created Mustard Seed Massage to nurture every individual to grow in health. For information or to make an appointment at Mustard Seed Massage at 405 8th St. NE, visit www.mustardseedspa.com or call (202) 644-3759.

Pattie Cinelli is a health and tness professional and journalist who has been writing her column for more than 25 years. She focuses on nontraditional ways to stay healthy, get t and get well. Please email her with questions or column suggestions at tmiss44@ aol.com. ◆

Designed specifically for you and your unique needs and desires, Pattie listens to your goals, evaluates through conversation and demonstration and outlines a specific plan she recommends as a pathway to success.

Don’t know where or how to start? Too many choices? Not enough time? Limited budget?

Whatever is holding you back from transforming into a healthier, stronger, happier you Pattie will co-create a path for your success. Pattie focuses on solutions to get you started, keep you motivated and consistent.

The District Vet Think Local When Choosing Your Vet

by Dan Teich, DVM

Ever try to return an item to IKEA? Have you ever tried to change your order on Door Dash? Have you ever tried to speak to a real person at Verizon?

Not too successful, eh? What these three companies have in common is partially what makes them impersonal: they have no local roots. With a complicated corporate structure and rules, large businesses give staff little empowerment to solve problems. No two problems are alike, and if a particular concern or request is not in the rule book, it must go up a chain of individuals with no connection to you or the community.

At local businesses, there’s no having to ask corporate or call the home office. Our home office is our own desk.

America has been powered since its founding by local businesses. These businesses are owned and run by neighbors, friends, community members. While local businesses may not have glitzy signs or marketing materials, they provide benefits and a level of service that no large company can match.

First is understanding the client’s needs. Using the veterinary world as an example, vaccinations vary based upon geography and risk assessment. A blanket policy for different areas is simply ignoring what is the concern right here, where it matters most. The needs of Boston or Los Angeles are not the same as Washington, DC. It is important that medicine be tailored based upon local factors, not an average of disparate communities. Pets living in the Brookland neighborhood

or other wooded areas have different needs than those downtown.

Our neighborhoods have character all their own. When you walk into a corporate conglomerate, everything appears the same, including the fake plants. At many corporate businesses, every space is contrived to maximize profits and efficiency and avoid individualism. Your local businesses are an image of their founders, of their communities. And I bet the plants are real.

We feel warmth when we see friendly, familiar faces in our community businesses. Those of us who own or work locally feel a pride that no chain business can imbue. We know our clients (human and furred) and neighbors personally. When clients call a local business, they hear the same voices; when visiting, see familiar faces. We establish relationships that are personal and not superficial.

When your family expands, we celebrate. When you lose your mom, we comfort and mourn. We are a big city, but a small town, too.

We shop here, eat at area restaurants, purchase books at the bookstore. We depend upon the same services as the rest of the community and are active members of local life. When the PTA is having an auction, local businesses give back, providing donations to support our children. Need a speaker at an event? Local businesses will try their best to help. Same with career day.

Local business is good for the economy. Consider taxes. Yes, taxes. Local businesses pay tax right here, benefiting the coffers that support our schools, civic operations, government and more. Outof-District corporations export their tax dollars to other jurisdictions, depriving the residents of needed funds. The Small Business Administration states that 20% more revenue stays in a local community from small businesses than larger corporations.

Support your local businesses, whether the vendors at Eastern Market plant store or the kitchen supply shop, Italian restaurant, bakery or clothier. Before using your computer and pulling up Amazon or Chewy, ask if you are being local and supporting your neighbors. And ask if you are getting friendly service with a genuine smile.

We at District Vet are proud to be local members of our community.

Dan Teich, DVM, is medical director at District Veterinary Hospital Eastern Market. u

Staff at District Veterinary at the New Navy Yard location. Photo Dan Teisch

S chool N otes

by Susan Braun Johnson

Engineering, DC Beekeepers, Anacostia Watershed Society, Casey Trees, US Geological Survey, US Forestry Service, American Institute of Architects, Labyrinth Puzzles and Games, Bard High School, McKinley Technology High School and Eastern High School. Maury alumnus Sean Mullins, now a sophomore at McKinley Tech, demonstrated a robot created by his robotics team.

Maury Elementary School, 1250 Constitution Ave. NE. www. mauryelementary.com

Payne Elementary School

Payne’s science teachers organized an amazing science fair for students, who formed hypotheses, conducted experiments and observed the results to form their conclusions. Parents and commu-

Maury Elementary School

On March 30, many local organizations and 35 Maury students gave demonstrations at this year’s STEAM EXPO. (An “ A” was added to STEM to highlight creative ways to repurpose, reimagine and recycle trash into treasure.) In addition, each student made a piece of up-cycled art for display at the event. Attendees created a 20-foot-long collaborative community plastic bag-weaving which will become a permanent installation at the school. The participating organizations included NASA, SLAC National Accelerator Lab, University of Maryland

nity members helped judge the fair and heard the students describe their experiments. Students experimented with water filtration, robotics, building bridges, solar energy, growing plants and more. The science fair even had a VIP judge, Dr. Oye Owolea, who is the Shadow US Representative for the District of Columbia and also works as a pharmacist. Payne Elementary School, 1445 C St. SE. www.paynedc.org

Van Ness Elementary School

At Van Ness Elementary School, author Akura Marshall Smith told the story of the first African American to receive a patent in the United States. The visit was part of a new partnership between the school and Naval District Washington, which also gifted a copy of Smith’s book, “Gary and the Great Inventors,” to each student in the class.

Van Ness Elementary School, 1150 Fifth St., SE. www.vannesselementary.org

Maury

Payne

Van Ness

Eastern Senior High

Eastern’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years program offers integrated, exploratory lessons that enable students to dive deeper into the curriculum. Tenth-graders studied World War II in history, visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum, analyzed themes of dehumanization in “Night” by Elie Wiesel and gave presentations to their ninth-grade classmates on what they had learned.

Eastern Senior High School, 1700 East Capitol St. NE. www.easternhighschooldcps.org/

Mundo Verde Public Charter School

Mundo Verde students celebrated Earth Day by taking care of their school garden and planting seeds.

Mundo Verde Public Charter School, J.F. Cook Campus, 30 P St. NW; Calle Ocho Campus, 4401 Eighth St. NE. www.mundoverdepcs.org

Capitol Hill Day School

Why do certain containers do such a good job keeping liquids hot or cold? This is a question Capitol Hill Day School fifthgraders recently investigated. Students created initial models to explain their thinking and collected their ideas in a collaborative model. Next, they designed a test to collect data from different cup systems. After analyzing the data, students determined that lids, multiple layers and certain materials are key for creating a cup that works well to keep drinks at a certain temperature. Students have begun designing and testing their own cups that limit temperature change.

Capitol Hill Day School, 210 South Carolina Ave. SE. www.chds.org

Northeast Stars Montessori

The students at Northeast Stars Montessori recently worked with flower arranging, an activity that exercises motor skills and handeye coordination through activities like pouring water into the vase with a funnel, using scissors to cut the stems of the flowers and inserting the stems into the vase.

Northeast Stars Montessori Preschool, 1325 Maryland Ave. NE. www. nestars.net

Waterfront Academy

Waterfront Academy held its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 12. Teachers and parents and the Easter Bunny himself helped make the day fun for students.

Waterfront Academy, 222 M St. SW. www.waterfrontacademy.org

Mundo Verde

Capitol Hill Day School

Waterfront Academy

Kids & Family

Visit the Children’s Garden at the Botanic Garden

Get hands-on in the Botanic Garden Children’s Garden, where kids can care for plants, dig in the dirt, use gardening tools and watering cans and more. Located in the Conservatory, the Children’s Garden is a favorite exploration space for local families and visitors. The Children’s Garden is seasonal, opening after near-freezing temperatures are fully past in the spring and before near-freezing temperatures set in in the fall. www.usbg.gov

Live on the Hill: The Great Zucchini

The Great Zucchini is an award-winning preschool and kindergarten children’s entertainer who has been a staple in the DC metro area for over 25 years. He performs his hands-on, interactive magic shows for more than 700 groups a year. He will be at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, on Saturday, June 3, Sunday, July 2, and Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. www.barracksrow.org

Capitol Hill Classic Kids’ Fun Run

The NCB Capitol Hill Classic 10k race, on Sunday, May 21, is a major annual fundraiser for the Capitol Hill Cluster School. This 42nd annual running includes a 10k race, a 3k race and a kids’ run. It is the only race run exclusively on Capitol Hill streets. The races start at Peabody Primary School, 425 C St. NE, at Stanton Park. The Fun Run starts at about 11 a.m. (immediately after the 3k) and is a single lap around Stanton Park (approximately a third of a mile). Fun Run registration is $12. Read more and register at www.capitolhillclassic.com.

Photo: Djenno Bacvic

Eric Knaus, better known as the Great Zucchini, specializes in performing for children ages two to six in the Washington metropolitan area.

DPW’s Annual “Truck Touch”

The DC Department of Public Works invites the public to a free “Truck Touch” on Saturday, June 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at RFK Stadium, Lot 8. DC government agencies will present and demonstrate nearly 30 vehicles used to clean and repair streets, change trafc lights, collect refuse, clear snow, provide emergency services, administer mobile healthcare and more. Last year, more than 3,000 residents came out to climb on sweeper and boom trucks, sit atop MPD’s Mounted Unit’s police horse and maneuver the levers of a police chopper. Residents also received information about vital city services. www.dpw.dc.gov

Free Chess Tournaments for Kids in Grades 2-8

The US Chess Center, in partnership with Barracks Row Main Street, is presenting free chess tournaments at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Students in grades two to eight who know the rules of chess and understand tournament etiquette are invited to participate in one or both of the remaining chess competitions on Saturdays, May 20 and June 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Free, and at each event students may play one or more games. Space is limited; register in advance and arrive at 10:20 a.m. to ensure a place. Drop-ins are allowed. Families may wait in designated areas during the games, but parents and other spectators are not allowed in the playing area. www.chessctr.org/play/easternmarketmetro

International Family Equality Day

On Sunday, May 7, celebrate family diversity with the Smithsonian’s National

Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Visitors will have the chance to speak with zoo nutritionists, attend keeper talks and see animal demonstrations. Free entry passes are required; parking is $30. www.nationalzoo.si.edu

DC Sail Youth Programs

Through Kids Set Sail and the High School Racing Program, DC Sail provides fun and educational sailing programs to area children. Each of the programs follows the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum and uses the sport of sailing to develop self-respect and sportsmanship and foster teamwork, as well as cultivate sailing skills and an appreciation for maritime-related activities. Read more at www.dcsail.org/youth.

Tutor Tots at Tudor Place

On Wednesdays, 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW, presents Tudor Tots ‒ activities for learners aged 18 months to four years and their care-

takers. Here are the upcoming programs: May 10, from 10:00 to 10:45, “Where Are You Going? How Do People Travel? Where Do They Travel to?” Discover the answers in this globetrotting program. On May 31, “Who’s Hopping?” Learn about the u est inhabitants of the garden. On June 14, “What’s Waving?” Learn about ags from around the world and create a colorful craft to celebrate Flag Day. On June 28, “Are You Ready for Summer?” Celebrate the start of summer by learning about how to keep cool. $6.50 per child; accompanying adult free. Pre-registration required. www.tudorplace.org

Andean Bear Cub Brothers Now on View at the Zoo

Two male Andean bear cubs born Nov. 15, 2022, at the National Zoo made their outdoor debut Thursday, March 23. The rst cubs born to four-year-old mother Brienne and nine-year-old father Quito are on exhibit near the lower entrance to American Trail, weather permitting. Same-day passes will be available on site. Zoo admission is free; parking is $30. www.nationalzoo.si.edu

National Zoo’s Renovated Bird House Opens

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo invites visitors to soar into its renovated Bird House, which opened on March 13. The innovative exhibit explores the world of migratory songbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds native to North, Central and South American ecosystems. Bilingual (English and Spanish) panels tell the story of how migratory birds connect communities and contribute to healthy ecosystems across the Americas. Multi-sensory, immersive aviaries mimic natural ecosystems important to the life cycles of migratory birds. Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the new Bird House for the rst several months. Same-day passes will be available on site. Zoo admission is free; parking is $30. www.nationalzoo.si.edu

Shorebirds stroll on the beaches of the Delaware Bay aviary. Visitors to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute can see these migratory birds up close at the renovated Bird House.

Photo: Courtesy DC Department of Public Works

ANNUAL 2023

Location: Maury Elementary

1250 Constitution Ave. N.E

JULY 5 – AUGUST 4

Children Ages 3-10

Hours:

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Full Day

8:00 AM –12:30 PM Half Day

12:30 PM – 5:00 PM Half Day

Kids love us; parents trust us. Discover the difference that Polite Piggy’s makes.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

Whether you are looking for the morning, full-day, or all five weeks, we have you covered with top-notch programming.

Why Choose Polite Piggy’s This Summer?

Your child will find joy, friendships, and caring team members daily. In addition, we offer unique classes like art, music, sciences, Stemovate, chess, fitness, sports, cooking, Legos, and a hiking club with Aunt Lizzie.

P.S. We forgot to mention there are weekly water play sessions and plenty of popsicles!

2023 SUMMER CAMP FEES

Full Day: $79 per Day          $395 per week

Half Day: $59 per Day         $295 per week

Sibling Discount: 20% discount for each child after the first.

$185 per week scholarship rate

NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE (PER CHILD):

Three weeks or more: $150 Two weeks or less: $75

Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap

Across from the Filene Center, in the woods at Wolf Trap National Park, the Children’s Theatre-in-theWoods has been a summer tradition for generations. Performances range from music and dance to puppetry and storytelling. All shows are about an hour long. Performances are interactive. Here’s a list of early summer shows: Jumpin’ Jamie, June 20, ages 2-12; “Musiquita,” June 21, ages 2-8; David Engel, “Captain Nemo’s Adventure Academy!” June 22 and 23, ages 4-12; The Alphabet Rockers, June 24, ages 4-12;

Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards, June 25, ages 4-12; Starr Chief Eagle, June 27 and 28, ages 4-12; Mister G, June 28, ages 2-12; Sova Dance & Puppet Theater, June 30 and July 1, ages 4-12; Michael Hearst, July 6, ages 4-12; and the Rainbow Fish, July 7 and 8, ages 4-12. All shows are at 10:30 a.m. (gates at 10:00 a.m.). Tickets are $12. After each performance, children and parents are encouraged to enjoy the free and open space in the park. Theatrein-the-Woods, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, Virginia. www. wolftrap.org

The Family-Friendly Anacostia River Festival

On Saturday, May 20, from 1 to 4 p.m., the 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the ninth annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival at Anacostia Park, Good Hope Road and Anacostia Drive SE. Join to celebrate Breaking New Ground: 100 Years of Innovation at Anacostia Park, a family-friendly event filled with outdoor activities, local performances, food trucks and more. Visit www.bridgepark.org/ARF for more information.

Saturday Morning Live! at the National Fun takes center stage at the National Theatre for Saturday Morning Live! Kids are invited to the Helen Hayes Gallery space on select Saturday mornings at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. for entertainment of all sorts, from interactive performances and puppets to dance and music. On May 13, see “Mangos to Apples Tumbling Tumbling from a Filipino Rainbow” by Regie Cabico, who takes audiences through a spoken word poetry experience. On June 10, see “VIORE: An Adaptation Story” by Regan Linton. Shows are best enjoyed by ages three to six, but anyone is welcome to join. Tickets are free, but advance registration is advised. Walkup tickets are subject to availability. Masks are highly recommended. The National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. www.nationaltheatre.org/ saturday-morning-live

“New Squid on the Block” at Discovery Theater

On June 1 and 2, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. (each day), kids can see “New Squid on the Block,” a show from Barefoot Puppets that celebrates creative thinking, problem-solving, friendship and fun. The show takes the audience on an epic journey to Antarctica. Featuring handcrafted puppets and an original score by Ned Haskins, this come-

dic, wordless performance celebrates the ability to create connections despite our differences. $8 for adults; $7 for kids; $3 for kids under age two. Tickets are on sale now. Recommended for ages four to eight. Discovery Theater’s Ripley Center is at 1100 Jefferson Drive SW (on the National Mall). www.discoverytheater.org

Kids Run the Bases at Nats Park

Kids ages 4-12 can run the bases after every Sunday Washington Nationals day game. This season’s remaining dates are April 30, May 14 and 21, June 4 and 18, July 9 and 23, Aug. 13 and Sept. 3, 10 and 14. An adult must accompany runners to the field. Kids and parents/guardians can line up at the end of the seventh inning, but fans who want to 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 Street. www.washington.nationals.mlb.com

Family-friendly Live Music at Occoquan

Music on Mill is a free summer concert series featuring family-friendly entertainment. Concerts are held one Saturday evening a month at River Mill Park, 458 Mill St., Occoquan, Virginia, from 7 to 9 p.m. Guests are invited to bring a blanket

or lawn chairs and enjoy live entertainment as well as views of the Occoquan River. Here’s the summer schedule: May 20, Mystery Machine (rock); June 17, Maggie Shot Burns (covers); July 15, Hand Painted Swinger (rock); Aug. 12, the 257th Army Band (traditional). Free. www.occoquanva.gov/ summer-concert-series

“Jack and the Beanstalk” at Glen Echo

Through May 21, this multimedia production with rod puppets and full masks and costumes tells the story of a lazy lad whose life changes because of magic beans. The show runs Thursdays and Fri-

Kids Welcome at NoMa’s Weekly Outdoor Movie Nights

On Wednesday evenings, May 3 to 31, NoMa BID presents CiNoMatic, an outdoor movie series at Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE. The theme of CiNoMatic’s spring season is Villains We Love. Here’s the lineup: May 3, “The Devil Wears Prada”; May 10, “Black Panther”; May 17, “Hook”; May 24, “Men in Black”; May 31, “Cruella.” Movies begin at sunset, with seating on the lawn at Alethia Tanner Park opening one hour prior to showtime. Seating is first-come, first-served. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and picnic dinners. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from food truck partners. Leashed dogs are welcome. For more information and weather-related schedule updates, visit www.cinomatic.org.

Art Museums for Colonial Williamsburg Kids

Explore items from the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg’s collection. Learn cool facts, have fun with at-home craft projects and find out where to see these items in person when you visit. www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/ art-museums-cw-kids

days at 10:30 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Recommended for ages four and up. $15; free for under age two. “Jack and the Beanstalk” is at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Maryland. Other upcoming shows are guest artists Dino Rock, June 1 to July 9; Beauty and the Beast, July 20 to Aug. 20; Magic Mirror, Aug. 31 to Sept. 17. www.thepuppetco.org

Children’s Village at Gaithersburg Book Festival

The Gaithersburg Book Festival, on Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is a free annual celebration of great books and writing. At the festival’s Children’s Village, award-winning children’s and YA authors speak about their books and give an inside look into what inspires them. All books are available for purchase from Politics and Prose Book Store on site. Writing workshops and storywalks engage and stimulate book curiosity and interest in reading and writing. The festival is in Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, Mary-

land. Admission and shuttles from Shady Grove Metro and Lakeforest Mall are free. www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org

Disney Princess in Concert at Wolf Trap

On Wednesday, July 12, at 8:00 p.m. (gates at 6:30 p.m.), immerse yourself in Disney magic with larger-thanlife animation and theatrical effects as acclaimed stars sing favorite songs and share behind-the-scenes stories from stage and screen. $29, up. www. wolftrap.org

Unleash Your Inner Child

You and your child can experience the wonders of the natural and cultural worlds at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Family memberships at the museum open the door to unique adventures for the entire family. Members have exclusive access to special events and programs and insider knowledge of exhibitions and collections. An annual membership is $250. Read more at www.naturalhistory.si.edu/events/family-programs. u

“Big Daddy’s House at Hickory Hill” by Bernice Sims, ca. 1996, acrylic on canvas.

Photo: Courtesy NoMA BID

CARPET CLEANING

WOVEN HISTORY

We wash carpets in the traditional manner – by hand, using no chemicals or machinery. No preheated room for drying. We dry in the sun and the wind. Free pick-up and delivery for Capitol Hill residents. Call 202-543-1705. More info. at wovenhistory.com. Located at 311-315 7th St. SE. Your neighborhood carpet store on Capitol Hill since 1995. Open Tuesday- Sunday from 10 am- 6 pm.

One of our small offices is available on the third floor of our ADA-accessible building. The space comes with reception services at the front entrance of the building; shared access to a staff kitchenette; a Conference Room furnished with a table and chairs that will accommodate 14+ individuals; an informal seating or “huddle” space; and toilet facilities. Utilities and internet connectivity are included in the monthly use fee of $1,080. Interested parties may email info@ hillcenterdc.org.

CROSSWORD Ones to Follow

by Myles Mellor

Down:

49. Dusk, to Donne 50. Secrecy agreement, for short 52. Chop __ (Chinese dish)

Stole

___ Canals

Smear 58. Post-Q queue

Mosaic work 60. Watchdog’s warning

Proper home maintenance

John or Paul

Flipper

Has lunch 68. Remain sullen 69. Spider, e.g. 70. Part of an ear 71. Land of the brave and free 73. Pop music’s ___ Vanilli 74. Tiny battery size

76. Ave. crossers, perhaps

77. Dance, e.g.

78. Takes to the water!

79. “Bye now”

80. Prefix meaning “water”

81. Sonny’s partner

82. Salad fruit

83. Appear

84. G.I. with chevrons

88. Rap doctor 90. Dignify 91. Relaxing 92. Greets with respect 93. Judge 94. ___ Victor 97. Egyptian king, colloquially 98. Reddish brown 100. Italian article 101. Some Monopoly bills 104. Crackerjack 105. Do a practice round with Tyson 106. Lions’ prey

107. Powerful D.C. lobby 108. Human physiques (slang) 109. Fort attacked in “Goldfinger”

110. Pot-builder 111. ___ Martin (cognac)

112. Trap

113. Dance type 114. Pub staple 116. Genetic initials