From the exhibit,“Fibers Of Our Culture by the African American Fiber Arts Guild” (https://africanamerican berartsguild.org) Available from the Hill Center Galleries for $3,500 www.hillcenterdc.org
Andrea’s website: www.secondlifequilter.com
Classic Porchfront w/ New Baths, Kitchen, Solar Panels, Full storage Basement, Hardwood Floors, Original Floorplan, private yard and deck, GARAGE! Radiator Heat! Under $800K!
Next Issue: February 1
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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Yamato: The Drummers of Japan at Strathmore
Japanese Taiko drums are known for their lively, dramatic sounds that swell in excitement with every beat. With an impressive array of 40 drums on stage, the globally recognized Taiko drumming group Yamato showcases the power of humanity and its mastery over technology through its incredible musicianship. In a world filled with technological advancements, these drummers stand out with their powerful acoustic presence and energetic stage performance, wowing crowds since 1993 with over 4,500 shows across 54 countries.
Yamato: The Drummers of Japan are at the Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m. Tickets are $28 to $78. strathmore.org.
Bringing Satellite Data Down to Earth at Natural History
On-going discovery about how our planet works is central to the research of both the Smithsonian and NASA. Data collected from instruments in space orbiting Earth and on the ground helps scientists, policy makers, and communities around the world understand and respond to climate change and other human activities that are reshaping our planet. How do scientists collect and interpret data from a variety of sources, giving us the big picture of what we know about our home planet? The Smithsonian Natural History Museum invites you to find out by exploring high-resolution data visualizations, investigating three interactive experiences, and watching short, narrated videos displayed on NASA’s hyperwall. On the second floor through 2028. naturalhistory.si.edu.
Schmigadoon! at the KC
New York doctors Josh and Melissa go backpacking in a lastditch attempt to save their failing relationship, but instead get lost in the woods and end up trapped in Schmigadoon, a magical town that’s a classic Golden Age musical come to life. The show features hits from the Grammy Award–nominated score including the Emmy-winning “Corn Puddin” and other exciting new songs. Schmigadoon! is at the Kennedy Center from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9. Tickets are $59 to $299. kennedy-center.org.
Photo: Hiroshi Seo
KanKouran West African Dance Company at Dance Place
On Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m., ORIGIN: A Spiritual Journey Back Home, will take the audience on an amazing journey, reconnecting the African spiritual traditions back to the beginning, back to Africa, where those traditions were a central aspect of life, family and community. KanKouran’s Artistic Director, Assane Konte, will present an elaborate showcase of choreography that demonstrates a riveting and highly energized array of traditional spiritual dances that celebrate the long ancestral line from Africa to the world abroad. General admission tickets are $30; $25 for seniors; $20 for artists and students; $10 teens and kids. Dance place is at 3225 Eighth St NE. danceplace.org.
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at the National Back by Popular Demand! An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows were seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history. TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, which features her much loved songs, is at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NE, from Jan. 24 to 26. Tickets start at $51. It is recommended for ages 14+. broadwayatthenational.com.
The Story of Chocolate at the American Indian Museum
On Feb. 15 and 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy a weekend of chocolate history, culture and food. Create your own cacao-inspired codex, participate in a cacao-inspired mural painting, or follow the path from blossom to beverage with interactive presentations. All day ongoing activities in the atrium are Blossom to Beverage; Alcahuetes (Zapotec Chocolate stirring instrument); an interactive mural; and codice activities; food and drink activities from noon to 2 p.m.; and Cacao beverages from Oaxaca in the Rasmuson Theater at 1 p.m. All activities are free. americanindian.si.edu.
Onward and Upward Concert at National Cathedral
On Saturday, Feb. 1, 4 p.m., join the Washington National Cathedral in celebrating Black History Month by honoring the contributions of Black composers to classical music through musical and spoken word performances. Performers include The Denyce Graves Foundation and CAAPA, Coalition of AfricanAmerican Performing Arts, under the direction of Michele Fowlin. Free, however performance tickets or online registration is required. cathedral.org.
Chocolate Festival at American Indian Museum
Photo: Manuel Harlan
Photo: David Dowling
West Rose Window at the Washington National Cathedral
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Folger Theatre’s Annual Reading Room Festival
Folger Theatre at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, is having their third annual four-day festival of staged readings, panel discussions, workshops, and community celebrations on Thursday, Jan. 30 through Sunday, Feb. 2. Playwrights and adaptors of Shakespeare’s works include Barry Edelstein, Emily Lyon, Reynaldo Piniella and Whitney White. Staged readings include HENRY 6 by William Shakespeare; VALOR, AGRAVIO Y MUJER (The Courage to Right a Woman’s Wrongs) by Ana Caro Mallén de Soto; BY THE QUEEN by Whitney White; and HAMLET by William Shakespeare. All-access passes are $150 (individual events, $20) and available at folger.edu/readingroom or by contacting the Folger box office at 202544-7077. folger.edu/whats-on/the-reading-room-festival-2025.
David Gray’s Past & Present Tour at the Anthem
Fuenteovejuna at GALA
Fuenteovejuna, perhaps Lope de Vega’s most performed work, addresses the people’s right to rebel against the abuse of power. Written in 1613 and based on real events, it tells the story of the commander of the town of Fuente Ovejuna, Fernán Gómez de Guzmán, who subjects the citizens to suffer under the rigors of an arrogant, corrupt, and ruthless government. But when they find that power really resides in the citizens, they unite, take up arms, and confront authority with the battle cry of “What is Fuenteovejuna? The whole town, together!” Fuenteovejuna is at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NE, from Feb. 6 to March 7. Tickets are $22 to $50. galatheatre.org.
David Gray is back doing what he does better than almost anyone, and fans of complex, serious, lyrical songcraft should rejoice. Dear Life, his 13th, may be the deepest, strangest, loveliest album this pioneering British singer-songwriter has ever delivered. Years in the making, it is an album of emotional crisis and resolution, mortality and faith, reality and illusion, love and heartbreak, magic, science, loss and acceptance. Dear Life is a big statement, the work of a driven man obsessively focused on a personal artistic journey. The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Sunday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). Tickets are $56 to $126. theanthemdc.com.
Scena Theatre’s AJAX at the Atlas
From Jan. 17 to Feb. 9, Scena Theatre presents a powerful reimagining of the famous tragedy by Greek writer and philosopher, Sophocles-set in today’s war-embroiled US. Armed conflicts have become a constant throughout the history of the world: from Troy and Constantinople to the Revolution and WWII. From Iraq and Afghanistan to Ukraine and Gaza. It’s as if this famous Greek drama from 2000 years ago was literally torn from today’s headlines. Their compelling drama examines the never-ending American war machine through a brutally honest and deeply compassionate lens. AJAX is at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. scenatheatre.org.
Image: Created by Ariel Gómez
Archeologico firenze, bronzi della Meloria, sofocle. Photo: I, Sailko
January 3 - February 2, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 4th, 6 - 9pm
2118 - 8th Street NW
Hours: FRI-SUN, 12pm-6pm
Esperanza Spalding at the Warner Esperanza Spalding is an American bassist, singer, songwriter, and composer. Her accolades include five Grammy Awards, a Boston Music Award and a Soul Train Music Award. Her sixth studio record, 12 Little Spells, was released in 2019, and peaked at number one on Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums. The album also saw Spalding nominated for two Grammy Awards, winning in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. She sings in several languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Esperanza Spalding is at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NE, on Sunday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m. Tickets are $48 to $129. warnertheatredc.com.
Jazz singer Esperanza Spalding performing at the North Sea Jazz festival in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
In the Heights at Signature
Lights up on Washington Heights, NYC where the streets are full of music, and everybody’s got a dream. With the neighborhood on the brink of gentrification, and a life-changing winning lottery ticket somewhere in their midst, the vibrant inhabitants share hope, loss and love as they plan their futures while cherishing their home. Latin rhythms and hip-hop lyrics infuse “96,000,” “Paciencia y Fe,” “Carnaval del Barrio” and the title song as this breathtaking celebration of community and culture energetically bursts off the stage with Signature’s trademark immersive style. In the Heights is at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA, from Feb. 11 to May 4. signature.org.
In the Heights is the joyous Tony Award-winning triumph by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and Quiara Alegría Hudes (Daphne’s Dive). Photo: Christopher Mueller.
Art and Graphic Design of the European Avant-Gardes
The Irene and Richard Frary Gallery is the Hopkins Bloomberg Center’s free, public art gallery presenting rotating exhibitions drawn from the University’s collections, and special exhibitions born out of partnerships with leading museums and collections. Through Feb. 21, Art and Graphic Design of the European Avant-Gardes presents rare, avant-garde artwork, books, photography, and ephemera from Russia, Ukraine, Eastern and Central Europe, and the Baltics from 1910 to 1941. The exhibition brings together more than 75 works from the Frary Collections, spanning five diverse artistic movements: Futurism, Dadaism, Suprematism, Constructivism, and Surrealism. The gallery is open Tuesdays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on university holidays). The Hopkins Bloomberg Center is at 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. washingtondc.jhu.edu.
Will Kirk for Johns Hopkins University
Clue: The Movie: A Screening to Die For with Lesley Ann Warren
On Saturday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m., at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW, based on the popular board game, this comedy begins at a dinner party hosted by Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving), where he admits to blackmailing his visitors. These guests, who have been given aliases, are Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan), Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren), Mr. Green (Michael McKean), Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn) and Col. Mustard (Martin Mull). When Boddy turns up murdered, all are suspects, and together they try to figure out who is the killer. Tickets are $45 to $65. thelincolndc.com.
Photo: David Bicker
Photo:
From all of us at Eastern Market Main Street, wishing you a joyful, prosperous, and connected 2025.
Living the Dream… Singing the Dream: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
When the power of the human voice meets the spirit of community and the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the result is guaranteed to be joyous and inspiring, filling the Kennedy Center with stirring narrative and sound. This concert on Sunday, Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m., in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, is a must-see-andhear annual highlight featuring the combined Men, Women, and Children of the Gospel choirs of Washington Performing Arts and the Choral Arts Society of Washington, in tribute both to Dr. King’s achievements and to his ongoing, indelible impact. Tickets are $25 to $75. kennedy-center.org.
Go-Go turns 50 in 2025 at the Howard
On Feb. 19, 2020, Mayor Bowser signed the Go-Go Music of the District of Columbia Designation Act of 2019, to make Go-Go the official music of Washington, DC. The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW, is proud to announce the kickoff of a yearlong celebration of the music phenomenon that was pioneered in the 1970s by the legendary Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers and is DC’s homegrown sound. What better way to start a party, for ages 21+, than with Rare Essence, EU Feat. Sugar Bear and DCVybe on Sunday, Jan. 19, 8:30 p.m., doors at 7:30 p.m. $55 to $85. unionstagepresents.com/the-howard.
Photo: Shannon Finney Photography
Hand to God at Keegan
After the death of his father, meek Jason finds an outlet for his anxiety at the Christian Puppet Ministry, in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and—most especially—his mother are thrown into upheaval when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking personality all its own. Hand To God is an irreverent comedy that explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us. Tickets are $44 to $54. It is at the Keegan Theater, 1742 Church St. NW, from Feb. 1 to March 2. keegantheatre.com.
Patti Lupone at Strathmore (A Life in Notes)
Patti LuPone is an American actress and singer best known for her work in musical theater. Known for playing bold, resilient women on stage, she has won three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, two Grammy Awards, was a 2006 inductee to the American Theater Hall of Fame, and has received two Emmy Award nominations. In her new concert, Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes, she performs an array of songs that are touchstones and reflections on her life growing up in America—from a young girl during the burgeoning rock and roll scene of the fifties, to coming of age in the politically and socially turbulent sixties, to eventually achieving success with both career and family. Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD on Thursday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. Tickets are $28 to $108. strathmore.org.
Courtesy: DCVybe
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
The Bedwetter:
A Musical at Arena
Meet Sarah. She’s funny. She’s foul-mouthed. She’s 10. Faced with a new school, her parents’ divorce, and an embarrassing secret you’ll never guess (unless you read the title), Emmy winner Sarah Silverman’s bestselling memoir comes to life in The Bedwetter: A Musical featuring a book co-written by Silverman and Tony nominee Joshua Harmon and music by Grammy and Emmy winner Adam Schlesinger. Silverman’s heartfelt memoir makes its DC premiere on Jan. 31 to March 16, in Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theater, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $69 to $109. arenastage.org.
Amy Helm at The Hamilton Live
The Del McCoury Band at the Barns at Wolftrap
From traditional bluegrass that charmed honkytonks and the Grand Ole Opry, to the present-day buzz of viral videos, Del McCoury has maintained a legacy like few others. The Del McCoury Band, which includes McCoury’s sons Ronnie and Rob, delights and welcomes a growing musical community while advancing bluegrass music and heritage. Experience McCoury’s latest release, Songs of Love and Life, and more foot-stomping tunes during five different themed nights at The Barns—Jan. 21, The 1960s; Jan. 22, The 1970s; Jan. 24, The 1980s; Jan. 25, The 1990s; and Jan. 26, The 2000s. Tickets start at $59. Performances start at 8 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. The Barns, 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA. wolftrap.org.
Urban
Trivia Live at the Howard Urban Trivia is an interactive game show that tests your knowledge of the latest and greatest in Black culture. The questions cover various topics, genres, and knowledge from your favorite tv shows, movies, athletes, musicians, historical figures, and much more. So come ready to do a lot of singing, dancing and win some cash. On Saturday, Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. (doors at 5 p.m.), those over 18 can experience Live Urban Trivia at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. unionstagepresents.com/the-howard.
When creating her fourth album, the soulful and reflective Silver City, Amy Helm was guided by her North Star: women’s voices. “Women whispering, singing, shouting their stories— speaking the truth. I wanted to dig into that inherited narrative and reach for what I could.”
The anthology is a collection of conversations that travel through time, exploring and celebrating womanhood in all its complexities. Silver City blends the folk twang of Helm’s childhood with gos pel and soul, drawing inspiration from varied stories: the life of Helm’s great-grandmother, the story of a young fan struggling with substance abuse, Helm’s own life as a single mother and hard-touring singer. $25 to $50. The Hamilton Live, 600 14th St. NW, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. thehamiltondc.com.
Dar Williams at the Birchmere
Dar Williams’ lyrics contain bouquets of optimism, delivered on melodies alternating between beguiling lightness and understated gravity. Williams believes that all of us possess our own power and ability to achieve, and she rejects the exceptionalism that encourages us to “admire that yonder star,” while making us feel small and insignificant; unworthy of shining on our own but hoping to catch enough distant light to inspire some tiny accomplishment. Dar Williams with Special Guest Pat Bryne is at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria VA on Saturday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. birchmere.com.
Come From Away
This play takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. $48 to $133. Come From Away is at Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons, VA, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. capitalonehall.com.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS STUDIO ARTS
Contemporary Watercolors Course Course begins Saturday, January 25, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Introduction to Linocut Printmaking Workshop Saturday, January 25, 2:30pm - 5:00pm CONCERTS
Stone Room Concerts @ Hill Center Featuring Acclaimed Singer/ Songwriters Robinson & Rohe Friday, January 10, 7:00pm COOKING CLASSES & TASTINGS
Kitchen 101: Knife Skills with Chef Wendi James Tuesday, January 14, 6:00pm Cooking for One (or Two): Exquisite & Easy Winter Green Veggies Featuring Noted Chef and Cooking Instructor Susan Barocas Wednesday, January 15, 11:00am
Long Lunch: Lunar New Year Dumplings with Chef Mark Haskell Friday, January 17, 11:00am
Celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year of the Snake 4723 with Janet Cam Saturday, January 18, 11:00am
A Trip to Belgium: Moules Frites (Mussels & Fries) Wednesday, January 22, 6:00pm
Master Chef: Featuring Celebrated Chefs Amy Brandwein (Centrolina) and Pichet Ong (Hiraya) Sunday, January 26, 11:00am LECTURES & CONVERSATIONS
The Life of a Poet Featuring Celebrated Poet and Librettist Janine Joseph in Conversation with Poet/Editor Kyle Dargan Thursday, January 23, 7:00pm
Programmatic
We offer available office space and dedicated support staff, which are ideal for starting and growing your private practice. Partner with us and thrive in a serene, professional environment tailored to your needs.
LOCAL CALENDAR
Film Discussion at SW Library (A conversation circle prompted by a short film). Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m. Enjoy watching a short film with others and then engage in a friendly chat afterwards. Share your point of view and socialize with new people. SW Library, 900 Wesley Pl. SW. dclibrary.org.
Sing Out Piano Bar and Open Mic with Gay Man’s Chorus. Jan. 8, Feb. 5 and 12; 7:30 to 11 p.m. Come out to sing with live piano accompaniment or just enjoy the music. Free admission. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. atlasarts.org.
Hill Center Stone Room Concerts ft. Robinson & Rohe. Jan. 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. American songwriters Liam Robinson (banjo, accordion, vocals) and Jean Rohe (guitar, vocals) were brought together over fifteen years ago by their mutual love of afternoon song-swaps, American folk ballads, and wordplay. $20. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org.
NE Library Used Book Sales. Jan. 11 and Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. NE Library, is at 330 Seventh St. NE (corner of Seventh Street and Maryland Avenue NE). dclibrary.org.
Hill Center Galleries 2025 Regional Juried Exhibition. Jan. 13 to May 3. Open only to Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia artists. Exhibition is limited to original hanging work, in any
Brought to You by Schneider's of Capitol Hill
medium. The Opening Reception with Juror Phil Hutinet is on Wednesday Jan. 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org.
Kitchen 101: Knife Skills w/ Chef Wendi James. Jan. 14 and 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join Chef Wendi James in Hill Center’s kitchen as she teaches the essentials of knife skills for beginners. Learn the techniques of proper knife selection, care, basic cuts and proper form. The chef will guide you through breaking down common vegetables, while you chop along side or simply take notes. This participation class is limited to 12 people. The class is every other Tuesday. $49. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org.
Folger Salon with Shaul Bassi, Rob Clines, and Sylvia Korman. Jan. 16, 4:30 p.m. Each month, Folger Institute scholars and artists share their most exciting finds and thought-provoking challenges, followed by casual open conversation. Tea and coffee provided. Free; no registration required. folger.edu.
Lifelong Learners: Shakespeare 101: A Reintroduction. Jan. 16 and 23, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Join the Folger, 201 East Capitol St. NE, for a two-day program centered on Shakespeare, his works, and their new exhibition halls. This program is for anyone who wants to learn more about Shakespeare
Death Cafe at Congressional Cemetery. Feb. 6, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Congressional Cemetery welcomes you to join them at one of their monthly Death Cafes. Death Cafe is a global movement facilitating thoughts and discussion about the often taboo subject of death, It’s an intimate informal gathering to discuss death while eating cake and drinking tea. Suggested donation, $5. 1801 E St. SE. congressionalcemetery.org.
Start 2025 with a wine selection designed to elevate every moment. Our January Mixed Case Special features an incredible lineup of flavors and styles at unbeatable prices. Buy the case or any individual wine at the sale price.
8 Winter Reds, 3 Delightful Whites, and 1 True Champagne
Retail Price: $425.88 Sale Price: $268.88 Mixed Case Club Price: $234.99 (45% off Retail!)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 17-2025 RECYCLE COLLECTION SERVICES
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) Office of Capitol Programs (OCP) requires licensed qualified Contractors to provide Recycle Collection Services for DCHA.
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, December 16, 2024, and can be found on Bonfire at: https://dchousing.bonfirehub.com/portal
Respondents will then need to log in and locate this RFP for all related documents. It is the respondent’s responsibility to check the Bonfire site regularly to stay current on the documents that are available as this is the primary communication sit for this RFP.
To access files respondents are required to Register on the Bonfire platform. See registration link below:
https://vendor.bonfirehub.com/
DCHA will host a Site Visit scheduled for Friday, December 27, 2024, 10:00 a.m. so that respondents can become familiar with the conditions that may affect the performance of the work. Site Visits are scheduled as follows:
Friday, December 27, 2024 beginning at James Creek @ 10:00 a.m. 1265 Half Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 Management Office
Then Greenleaf @ 10:30 a.m. 203 N Street, SW Washington, DC 20024
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
Email Pernell Wingate, Contract Specialist pwingate@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
or find a new perspective on Shakespeare’s works, no matter your previous experiences. $150. folger.edu.
Bruce McCulloch: Tales of Bravery and Stupidity. Jan. 17, 8 p.m., doors at 7 p.m. Bruce McCulloch’s Tales of Bravery and Stupidity is a one-man show that moves brilliantly between funny, relatable and surprisingly touching. General admission, $25. The Miracle Theatre is at 535 Eighth St. SE. themiracletheatre.com.
Scena Theater’s AJAX at the Atlas. Jan. 17 to Feb. 9. Scena presents a powerful reimagining of the famous tragedy by Greek writer and philosopher, Sophocles set in today’s war-embroiled US Armed conflicts that have become a constant throughout the history of the world: from Troy and Constantinople to the Revolution and WWII. The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. atlasarts.org.
MLK Day at The Wharf Ice Rink. Jan. 20, noon to 5 p.m. The Wharf Ice Rink is the city’s only overwater rink. It is on Transit Pier outside The Anthem. Prices start at $15. wharfdc. com/wharf-ice-rink.
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Julia Bullock, soprano. Jan. 24, 8 p.m. Grammy-winning American soprano Julia Bullock joins Britain’s famed Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in an evening of vocal and instrumental showpieces from the Golden Age of the Baroque. Free. Thomas Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov.
Nicolas Altstaedt, cello. Jan. 28, 8 p.m. German-French cellist Nicolas Altstaedt plays the Library’s magnificent 1699 Stradivari “Castelbarco” cello in a powerhouse solo recital of works by J.S. Bach, Dutilleux and Kodály. Free. Thomas Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov.
Opposing Viewpoints: DC Statehood at SW Library. Jan. 29, 1 to
Walking the Camino do Santiago in Northern Spain at NE Library. Jan. 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrimage routes that lead to the tomb of the Apostle Saint James the Greater in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It’s one of the most well-known pilgrimages in Christianity and Europe’s oldest, busiest, and most famous route. This talk is part of the ongoing “Trips of a Lifetime” series. 330 Seventh St. NE. dclibrary.org.
2 p.m. What are the benefits of becoming the 51st state? What are the consequences of becoming the 51st state? SW Library, 900 Wesley Pl. SW. dclibrary.org.
Chiarina Chamber Players’ Josephine. Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Chiarina presents a chamber opera by Tom Cipullo about entertainer and civ-
Photo: Pablo Alvarez de Linera
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY
il rights activist Josephine Baker, paired with French and American chamber music from Baker’s world and beyond. $30; free for ages 18 and under, Mark’s Capitol Hill, 301 A St. SE. chiarina.org.
Francesco Corti, harpsichord. Feb. 1, 2 p.m. Italian harpsichordist Francesco Corti adds joyful spontaneity to virtuosity and flair in his recital of magisterial keyboard works by George Frideric Händel and J.S. Bach. Free. Thomas Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov.
Holger Falk, baritone: Steffen Schleiermacher, piano. Feb. 5, 8 p.m. Baritone Holger Falk and pianist Steffen Schleiermacher perform the music of Hanns Eisler and Franz Schubert in a one-of-akind vocal recital. Thomas Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov.
Second Wind Chorus Concert at NE Library. Feb. 13, noon to 1 p.m. From madrigals and the music of Palestrina to selections by Mozart and Mendelssohn to more contemporary compositions by John Rutter and Eric Whitacre, the chorus explores a diverse repertoire. Free admission. 330 Seventh St. NE, dclibrary.org.
Cupid’s Undie Run. Feb. 15, noon to 4 p.m. at Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW. Individual registration is $35. The run kicks off with drinking and dancing, then participants jog it out with a mile(ish) run and end it all with a dance party. Read more and register at cupids.org/2025-registration.
Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival. Feb. 15 through March 16. The festival is a month-long celebration of innovative and inspiring performances at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. Ticket prices are $25 to $32. atlasarts.org/intersections2025. ◆
jackie.sink@compass.com
libby.clarke@compass.com
CAPITOL STREETS
Top Stories From December Hill Rag Daily News
munity meeting, which is not yet scheduled. There will be a total of four to five community meetings on the design.
Renovation of Rumsey Pool Begins
The renovation of William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center (635 N. Carolina Ave. SE) kicked off Dec. 19 with a meeting in Eastern Market’s nearby North Hall (225 Seventh St. SE) attended by more than 125 people.
“You said you were expecting a smaller meeting,” a Hill resident in the front row told Tommie Jones, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Chief of External Affairs. “I hope this gives you some sense of how loved Rumsey Pool is and by how many.”
The pool renovation has a $37 million budget, making it the largest of the current nine DPR projects in Ward 6. The designbuild team was introduced at the meeting, including WKM Solutions, JV HESS and iStudio Architects.
The plan is to demolish the current building and to build a brand-new facility. That complex will include a new pool, but also a senior center with technology hub, a business incubator space and an indoor fitness center.
Project managers took notes as residents attending the meeting offered their suggestions and observations. Some asked DPR to consider using a disinfectant other than chlorine. They asked that the team preserve the number of 25-yard lanes and consider a separate pool to allow for temperature regulation for lap swimmers and others doing water aerobics or walking. They also asked the team to consider future maintenance as they planned features. One proposed that money be taken from the construction budget and applied to future maintenance. “You say ‘state of the art’ and all I hear is ‘that’s going to break,” another neighbor told the team. “I want features that will work even after a rock is thrown at them.”
Jones said the team would be sending a digital survey in early 2025, likely in early February. That data would be used to create initial concepts expected to presented at the next com -
The team said the design process will take a year to eighteen months. During that time the pool will remain open for use. Once permits are obtained at the end of that process, the pool will be closed around January 2026 and demolished prior to construction. Demolition and construction are expected to take about 18 months. That
brings us to a ribbon-cutting in approximately summer 2027.
DPR also assured residents that maintenance would continue on the pool for the last year it will be in use. One resident commented that while she appreciates and anticipates the new pool, the ADA access button on the current building door has been broken for two years, making it difficult for her to get in the building. “If you fix that,” she said, “that’s about all I need.”
See slides from the meeting and
More than 125 people attended the meeting that kicked off the design process for what will be a new Rumsey Aquatic Center. Photo: E. O’Gorek/CCN
follow the renovation at https://dgs. dc.gov/page/rumsey-aquatic-center.
Café 8 Ups Age Limit to 30+ at Night
Café 8 wants an older crowd —and Elif Sam from Café 8 said they’re checking ID at the door. Since Nov. 27, the Barracks Row bistro, hookah bar and lounge at 424 Eighth St. SE has required that patrons entering after 8:30 p.m. be aged 30 or older.
The age limit came up during Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B meeting on Dec. 10 as the commissioners considered a request from Café 8 for a substantial change to their current alcohol license, including an increase in seated capacity from 88 to 180. In 2022, ownership purchased their entire building, planning a slow expansion that is now complete.
Sam said that staff had experienced challenges with the younger crowd, receiving community complaints for instance that
people leave the establishment to blast music and party in their car. “Right now, so many places in DC, after the gun situations and robbery, they are trying to push the age limit higher for their own safety too.” Sam said that Café 8 had announced the change on social media to overwhelming positive response. By the Dec. 10 meeting, Ellie said, they had been implementing this for about two weeks.
On Instagram, responses were generally positive. “I may just go back now,” read one comment. “Good call,” was another.
But there are detractors. The day the restriction was implemented, “Asante’ E.” wrote a Yelp review of Café 8. Identifying herself as a regular, she said she would no longer patronize the café.
Staff are friendly and it is her favorite hookah bar, she allowed, “[B]ut now they put a 30 and up policy which is not right!” she said.
Asked about the legality of the restriction during the Dec. 3 ABC Committee meeting, Sam said an ABCA licensing specialist told Café 8 that because theirs was a private establishment, there was no objection to setting a higher age limit than 21.
Sam told the Dec. 10 ANC meeting that the café had later gotten similar feedback from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The District’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) said their counsel had offered no opinion on the restriction and referred questions to the Office of Human Rights (OHR).
DC’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) opined on a similar case in 2008. But in that case, the question was of two different age re-
quirements based on gender--women admitted at a younger age than men.
OHR said it is not their role to interpret the law in individual cases. However, there is a provision in the law that allows businesses to set age limits under certain circumstances. ”Though the DCHRA generally prohibits businesses that serve the public from refusing to provide goods and services based on a person’s age (D.C. Code § 2-1402.31),” OHR wrote, “there is an exception if the age restriction is necessary for the business to operate effectively.”
DC OAG did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Eastern Market’s Maryland Seafood Up for Sale
by Peter J. Waldron
Southern Maryland Seafood owner Richard Glasgow has put it up for
Southern Maryland Seafood in Eastern Market is up for sale. Photo: E. O’Gorek/CCN
Barracks Row Bistro and Bar Café 8 has set a minimum age of 30 for admittance after 8:30 p.m.
Photo: E. O’Gorek/CCN
sale. The business has operated at Eastern Market (225 Seventh St. SE) since 1936.
The news was shared at the Thursday, Nov. 21 meeting of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) in the North Hall (225 Seventh St. SE) and online.
The potential transaction could change the balance of the market. But that balance is protected by market regulations. Among the more difficult questions are what kind of business could replace the seafood shop.
Under the terms of its lease with Eastern Market, which is managed by the District Department of General Services (DGS), the type of business that takes the place of Southern Maryland Seafood will have to be approved.
That will be contingent upon having the product assessed as consistent with the purpose of the public market and balanced against offerings from the other South Hall merchants.
Chuck Burger, a member of EMCAC who professionally deals with complex lease negotiations, volunteered to sit in on the Operations Committee, appearing to signal an open mind. “The Market served as a grocery once and now it is more than groceries,” Burger said.
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Standing Up for Stanton Park Neighbors Organize an Effort to Revitalize the Park
by Annette Nielsen
Stanton Park, like the many wellloved green spaces on Capitol Hill woven into the fabric of our daily lives, is a place to for kids to play, to walk dogs, meet with friends, or just enjoy sunning oneself on a bench under the cherry blossoms in the spring. But if you go to the park, you may have noted some areas in disrepair. The park’s neighbors have noticed, too.
Jay Adelstein (ANC 6C03 Commissioner and former head of the Stanton Park Neighborhood Association), Andy Seymour and Karen Wirt gathered in the park on November 23 with a mission to create community awareness and identify action items to revitalize Stanton Park, as well as encourage the National Park Service to make repairs and improvements
there. NPS oversees all aspects of the park.
An enthusiastic park goer, Jay Adelstein says, “We identified areas that really need attentionfor the park to be safe and welcoming to all. We know that the some of the playground equipment as well as the surface needs repairing and/or replacement, that seating areas and benches need to be repaired, and that the broken water fountain on the south side needs to be replaced as it has had a water leak for a number of weeks. We need new trash receptacles, improvement to the grass areas and restoration of the Nathaniel Green statue, too.”
Says Andy Seymour at the November 23 gathering, “This is the start of building awareness and the start of advocating for action – where we make a case to the National Park Service for support. This park is in desperate need of attention – we would like to make Stanton Park a shining gem in our neighborhood.”
With their gathering in the park, they spoke with others who shared their concerns, started collecting signatures on their petition and had a visit from Councilmember Charles Allen, who has been a strong supporter of the District’s green spaces.
“While I’m a big fan of our National Parks and the work of the National Park Service across the United States, we need to see more attention paid to the small, urban parks right here in Ward 6” said Councilmember Allen. “For years, maintenance issues at our parks fall to the back burner. As long as parks like Stanton Park and Lincoln Park are under federal jurisdiction, we have to be proactive about our needs. Getting organized is a good step in that direction and I look forward to working with the Stanton Park Neighborhood Association to escalate those efforts. We have a good relationship with NPS regional leadership. We just need to see that translate into timely improvements.”
The group wants to show
On November 23, 2024, Councilmember Charles Allen visited with neighbors who gathered in Stanton Park to launch an initiative to revitalize the park. Photo: A. Nielsen
LEFT to RIGHT: Items in need of repair or replacement at Stanton Park include benches and seating. Trash receptacles are an important part of keeping public spaces clean and free of unwanted pests – and they need to be functioning. Children need safe play spaces. In Stanton Park there are repairs or replacements necessary in and around the playground equipment.
there is substantial neighborhood interest in these improvements and is aiming for at least 400 signatures on their petition (they have over 200 already), and as they are in the grassroots phase, noted next steps include talking to elected o cials. On December 4, 2024, they testi ed about the park’s condition as part of a DC Council roundtable meeting, addressing ‘The District of Columbia’s Parks and Opportunities for Collaboration with the National Park Service’ where testimony was heard from Casey Trees, ANC Commissioners and various parks and garden representatives from across the city.
It’s been noted, too, that even if they raise funds for new playground equipment, for example, the interested neighbors can’t purchase or install on the property without a National Park Service East partnership. The NPS needs to sign o on it.
“Franklin Park, downtown, is a good example of what can be done with a National Park Service property. It’s a treasure, with various partnerships and collaborations supporting a dynamic space used by many people each day,” says Adelstein. “However, that project took a decade to move through the
NPS process – we don’t have a decade to wait – and we’re competing for attention with larger entities under the NPS jurisdiction, like the Grand Canyon National Park.” Adelstein says it’s going to take everyone to get the project fasttracked, “We are in our grassroots stage now, but we need all sorts of expertise, whether it is to provide technical assistance or help identify funding.”
The Neighborhood’s Mission for Stanton Park
In re ecting on the positive impact Seymour remarks, “It’s a win-winwin for everyone – the community wins, the National Park Service wins, and the City wins.”
The Stanton Park Neighborhood Association’s mission statement for the park revitalization e orts:
“The Stanton Park Neighborhood Association is calling upon our elected o cials to collaborate with the National Park Service and fund an initiative to restore and revitalize Stanton Park. We are seeking this action to address the condition of the park which has deteriorated as evidenced by aging, faulty infrastructure and grounds. Furthermore, we are seeking improvements and enhancements for the future health of Stanton Park. We rmly and strongly believe that a restored and revitalized Stanton Park will be a win for our neighborhood, visitors, the National Park Service and our great city.”
To assist with this initiative, write to: 6C03@anc.dc.gov.
Hill residents gather in Stanton Park – whether to catch up with neighbors or to walk their dogs, on the launch of the initiative to revitalize Stanton Park. Photo: A. Nielsen
New and Noteworthy: A
Visit to H Street NE
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Cynthia - An “Upscale” Bistro on H Street
Phil Coppage’s goal as he reopened Cynthia Bistro & Bar (502 H St. NE), was to give the neighborhood what it wants. Cynthia is located in the former Irregardless wine bar, which Coppage purchased a little over a year ago. He de -
scribes the former iteration of his business as “a sort of a fancy wine bar” that served an upscale prix fixe menu.
Cynthia is a bit simpler, more accessible, but the food is still delicious, he said. Leaning Italian, both interior and offerings are nice, but not too nice –a place you could bring your kids or a date.
The bistro still serves wine. But the bar menu also includes cocktails, notably the Cynthia Sour, a golden bourbon-based liquid crowned with foam and served in a Gatsby-style coupe. When he opened, Coppage offered this cocktail to all guests named Cynthia or Cindy.
Coppage said they’re taking a wholistic view of the beverage program while leaning towards local craft beers and the best Virginia wines.
The menu is indeed simple, and delicious. Appetizers include an “anchovy” forward black garlic salad, with za’atar croutons and heaps of parmesan and a delightfully salty pumpkin squash soup. One guest told me that like Coppage, “the [appetizer] is slightly salty but all the more delightful for it.”
The go-to main is the Cindy burger, with caramelized onions and gorgonzola dulce, served with house pickles and parmesan fries. Or opt for the “fish burger,” a pattie mixed with shrimp and crowned with salsa verde, lemon aioli and arugula. A pappardelle bolognese and wild mushroom risotto round out the list.
Phil Coppage, owner of Cynthia Bistro & Bar, cuts the ribbon with Keiristin Wilbert of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) Nov. 20. Photo: E.O’Gorek/CCN
The star of the show: the Cindy Burger, like the bistro, named for Coppage’s mother. Photo: A. Smith-Thompson
The crowd at the bar after the Nov. 19 ribbon-cutting. Photo: E.O’Gorek/CCN
Coppage said the menu arose naturally as he rebuilt a menu from the foundation of Irregardless. “They were rising to the top of what we were trying,” Coppage said. “You can tell when people are particularly pleased with what you’re doing.”
Coppage reaches out to the community, working on fundraisers with local schools like J.O. Wilson. And the neighbors were out in force to support him at the Nov. 20 ribbon-cutting.
Greg is one of those neighbors. He first came to Cynthia when it was Irregardless, attending a birthday party for a friend. It exceeded expectations, he said. So Greg has since made it back for casual cocktails. “It has great ambiance, great sense of community and delicious food.”
Cynthia is named for his mother. “Cynthia is not Julia Child,” he said just before he cut the ribbon. “But she is an extraordinarily generous, giving and kind woman. And that’s what we hope to embody here at Cynthia.”
Coppage came to DC more than 20 years ago to take a job in politics. But he stepped away in 2021. He began bartending at Eastern Market restaurant Duck and the Peach before coming to Irregardless in 2022. A year later, he took the plunge, buying the business from original owners Ian and Mika Carlin.
Coppage says a lot has changed. But one consistent pillar is Chef Chris Randriarimanana, who has been the head chef of Irregardless since the spring of 2023 and has worked to shape the delicate balance of the menu: accessible, classy and what people want to order.
People are at the core of what
Sharon L. Bernier RN, PhD
H Street Thrift–Selling What You Want, Giving What You Need
Andrew Frenkel stops in the back of his new shop, H Street Thrift (1108 H St. NE), to answer a question from a little girl about 6 years old.
“How much is this?” she asks him, fingering a soft sweatshirt.
“It’s free,” he says to her. “You can have it. You can have any of these clothes you’d like.”
The girl, unaccustomed to being allowed to shop, let alone without limits, is astounded.
“Really?” she says, looking around her.
Frenkel smiles at her. “Yes,” he says. “Take whatever you need. Touch everything!”
The girl’s eyes go wide at this big “yes.”
Frenkel wants to give her the shopping experience, together with the sweaters she’ll require as the weather cools. That’s his goal at H Street Thrift — to fill a need. Children’s clothing, shoes and underwear are free as are men’s and women’s suits, plus blankets, feminine hygiene products and first aid materials. He welcomes donations: clothes of all kinds, blankets and sleeping bags for the unhoused as well as reusable bags. He also welcomes monetary donations to help meet his rent.
Coppage does. “I take an enormous amount of pride in being a business owner in this community,” he said as he cut the ribbon. “H Street, I can tell you, is coming back,” Coppage said at his the ribbon-cutting. “To Cynthia, a long and wonderful tenure here on H Street.”
See all the menus, hours and make reservations at www.cynthiadc.com
But you can also shop in the store. There’s a shelf of boots, a table of belts and bags and racks of clothing. Frenkel’s eclectic eye has styled a mannequin in a Hawaiian shirt with a large scarf and cargo khakis and it just works.
Shoppers help Frenkel pay the bills, but those who are unable to do so are welcome to take what they need. And Frenkel welcomes donations from the community that he will either sell to fund his work or give away to neighbors in need.
Opened in August, the shop is part of his 501(c) (1) nonprofit organization, H Street Community Outreach. Frenkel is moving quickly to work with established organizations. Inside the shop are three workshare spaces —one houses HIPS outreach, the other a nurse offering CPR certification; he’s using the third at the moment as a recording studio, but welcomes interest from all others. But he’s also having fun —check out the hstreet.thrift Instagram for proof (and outfit inspo!)
A Long Trip to H Street
Frenkel is a striking figure, about six feet tall with wavy platinum hair, his neck tattooed to the jawline; art also covers his arms and legs. His style is edgy and, like the shop, diverse, genderless and fun. It’s worth a visit just to see what he’s wearing today: flowing wide-leg pants with sleeveless crop tee; a pink suit over a t-shirt; a two-tone jean jacket with a patch on the back that says “Holy F**king Hell” over canvas work pants and motorcycle boots. He can pick a gem out of a pile and put it together in a way that makes a scrap of cloth look like gold.
Born in Virginia Beach to a successful eye surgeon, Frenkel started at VCU in 2008, quickly deciding that the retail career he had started on the side had more potential. For the next twelve years, he moved all over the U.S., opening stores for Urban Outfitters, learning about the widely varying cultures of US cities. In 2013, he became a business consultant, helping brands get off the ground (his most famous client is Stichfix, which he helped to launch that year).
But an opportunity in 2019 caused him to reassess his life direction. He entered the television singing competition The Voice. (His most notable song is the ballad, “By My Side.”) He landed a recording contract, signing in 2020. Just days later, the pandemic hit, derailing his plans and changing his life.
For the next year, Frenkel chose yet another path, living in his van, traveling city to city in support of Black Lives Matter (BLM) and eventually arriving back in his hometown of Virginia Beach. His experience living an untethered life among people already on the margins but pushed off the page by the pandemic gave him an even deeper understanding of the layers that make up city communities.
Realizing he had more to give than take, Frenkel found comfort in his home city, planning to ground himself and decide what was next. The opportunity came in 2021, when a friend’s daughter moved to the District to attend Howard University. Intrigued by the culture around cannabis, the two became partners and opened Taste Budz (317 Pennsylvania Ave. SE), which received approval in August as a social equity applicant to become a medical cannabis dispensary. Taste Budz, Frenkel said, was intended to educate and advocate around cannabis, not only to sell product.
Serving as Chief Managing Officer (CMO) for two years, Frenkel has stepped down and re-direct-
Andrew Frenkel in front of his shop, H Street THrift and Outreach (1108 H St NE). Courtesy: HSTO
Frenkel helps a customer in the shop. Courtesy: HSTO
ed his passions towards helping the community after nding the complicated regulations around medical dispensaries in the District prohibitive. Instead of trying to do the impossible, Frenkel decided to see what was possible.
H Street Opportunity
Frenkel likes what he sees on H Street NE. He’s not naive —he knows that, like in any big city, there is crime on the street. But, he said, H Street is di erent.
“When you come to the District, you come to H Street NE,” he said, “that is —if you want to actually meet DC, the people who make cool clothes, good food, sing amazing songs. H Street is that, it should be that to people.”
Frenkel wants to partner with those already on the ground doing the work. If you’d be interested in partnering to get needed items or to help those in need or as part of a holiday resource market, he’d like to hear from you. H Street Thrift and Outreach is a registered charitable organization and all gifts are tax deductible.
“I moved for my entire adult life to nd a place worth investing in,” Frenkel said. Now he has found the place his heart belongs.
Learn more and schedule a donation pick-up at the H Street Outreach & Thrift website —or visit Frenkel in the store Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. For fun and fashion, follow @ hstreet.thrift on Instagram. ◆
ROOFING & GUTTERS
FLAT ROOF SPECIALISTS
NEW ROOFS
EXPERTS IN PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
ROOF COATINGS AND REPAIR
ALL TYPES OF ROOFING
GUTTERS/DOWNSPOUTS
CHIMNEY REPAIRS
BRICK AND MASONRY WATERPROOFING
BRICK TUCKPOINTING
BLOWN-IN INSULATION
Meet the Winners of the 2024 Brickies
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
The 18th Annual Ward 6 Brickie Awards took place Thursday, Dec. 5 at Arena Stage in the Molly Smith Study on the first floor (1101 6th St SW). Throngs of Ward 6 neighbors attended the event, hosted by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D).
The Brickie Awards are an annual celebration of Ward 6, with actual bricks given as awards to winners in five categories: Neighbor, Community Organization, Business, Public Service, and Civic Pride.
Established as the ‘Livable Walkable Awards’ by thenWard 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, a 2023 winner, the awards are presented as engraved bricks. The event was nicknamed ‘The Brickies’ by Hill Rag Editor Andrew Lightman and th name stuck.
“Each year, the Brickies are such an uplifting evening,” Allen said. “The people recognized are inspiring, the food and drinks are delicious, the venue is spectacular, and the evening is a reminder of everything great about living in Ward 6.”
Neighbor Award: Ward 6 Pedestrian Advocates
The neighbor award usually goes to a single person, but this year Allen presented it to a group of neighbors working together for safer and better sidewalks throughout the Hill community. They include Cheryle Adams, Ward 6’s representative on the District’s Pedestrian Advisory Council. It also included members of the Capitol Hill Village Sidewalk Safety Team, led by former ANC 6C Commissioner Scott Price. Together they are working to encourage the DC government to prioritize the safety of all those who use the streets and sidewalks.
Community Organization Award: Waterfront Village
The award went to Waterfront Village, an organization of neighbors in Southwest DC. Together they work to connect and serve older neighbors by building a strong community, delivering key services, and advocating for neighborhoods that ensure seniors can live active, vibrant, and independent lives in Southwest. These include cultural and wellness programs, neighbor-to-neighbor volunteers and referrals to local services, resources and providers.
Public Service Award: DC Health’s Ward 6 Rodent Control Team
The award goes to DC Health’s responsive, persistent, hard-working, and dedicated Ward 6 rodent control team, which fights rats in alleyways, behind buildings, in parks, and everywhere else they are found. Their work improves the quality of lives and public health in Ward 6.
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) opens the 18th Annual Brickie Award Ceremony. All photos courtesy Office of Councilmember Charles Allen (D)
Waterfront Village Executive Director Pam Troutman accepts the Community Organization Award. Photo: Andrew Lightman
Community sidewalk advocates receive the neighbor award. Cheryle Adams, Ward 6’s representative on the District’s Pedestrian Advisory Council is on Allen’s left. The members of the Capitol Hill Village Sidewalk Safety Team, led by former ANC Commissioner Scott Price stand to the councilmember’s right (Price holds the brick).
Business Award: Solid State Books
The award goes to H Street NE bookshop Solid State Books. The store has something for everyone and is a dedicated and active member of the local business community. Allen said that owners Scott Abel and Jake Cumsky-Whitlock have created a special space where neighbors meet up, residents join book clubs, and people can grab a cup of coffee while finding their latest great read. They’re also a leading voice among local businesses, helping participate in everything from school fundraisers to improving safety and qual-
ity of life along the H Street corridor. Check out storytime with Mrs. Claus Dec. 12, 14 and 15! See the Solid State events calendar.
Civic Pride Award: The Shirley Chisholm Elementary School Community
The Shirley Chisholm Elementary (1001 G St. SE) community of staff, PTA leaders, parents, and students work together create a safe, inclusive, and passionate environment for student learning. The award particularly highlights the efforts over the last
few years that culminated in 2024 with a successful effort to rename the school which was formerly the John Tyler ES. The process included the entire school community and resulted in legislation Allen ushered through the Council. Chisholm school leadership has also hosted a regular Safety Hub that brings together leaders from the neighborhood, school, public safety and community service organizations to meet the needs of the whole child and family.
Special Recognition: The Hill is Home
This special award recognized the 15year anniversary of the founding of The Hill is Home, a ubiquitous local blog and social media presence documenting and driving daily life for Ward 6 neighbors. The tireless work and passion of Maria Helena Carey, the blog’s author, is the primary reason for its popularity, along with the regular contributions of local historian and tour guide Robert Pohl, whose pieces are must-reads for anyone wanting to deepen their local history knowledge. Attendees enjoyed free food and beverages generously donated by Ward 6 and local DC businesses.
From the H Street Corridor and Northeast: The Queen Vic | Tiki Garden Thai Street Food | Paste & Rind | Sticky Rice | H Street Liquors
From Capitol Hill: Tunnicliff’s Tavern | Hil l East Burger | We, The Pizza | Little Pearl | The Pretzel Bakery | DCanter | Mr. Henry’s
From Southwest: Good Company Doughnuts & Café | Bartaco | Cordial at The Wharf
Out of Mt. Vernon Triangle: A Baked Joint And brewing up fun here in DC: Atlas Brew Works | DC Brau u
Allen with Solid State Book owners Scott Abel and Jake Cumsky-Whitlock.
The DC Rodent and Vector Control team are presented with the Public Service Award. Program Manager Gerard Brown stands beside Charles Allen.
Hill is Home’s Robert Pohl, María Helena Carey and Charles Allen.
Members of the Shirley Chisholm Elementary School Community accept the Community Award from Allen Dec. 5.
Dan Donahue: 1947 to 2024 Soldier, Entrepreneur, Humanitarian & Eastern Market Raconteur
by Andrew Lightman
In 1993, I moved to Capitol Hill and rented an English basement on Seward Square. In those days, the only supermarket was the Safeway on 14th Street. Not owning a car made such a trek almost a Himalayan journey. Eastern Market quickly became my preferred fresh food destination. There on a fateful Saturday, I discovered Dan Donahue’s farm stand. It was a cornucopia of Amish produce, baked goods, peanut butter, lemonade, fresh ciders and, of course, conversation.
“Well, I have a compatible insanity approach to life and a neighborly kind of thing. If you don’t know your neighbor, who do you know? You have to develop a contact and part of the contact is trying to make an enjoyable experience at the Market,” said Donahue in his June 8, 2009 interview with the Ruth Anne Overbeck Project, Capitol Hill’s oral history project. Many Capitol Hill residents will recall Donahue’s wry sense of humor, terrible jokes and devotion to canines of all sizes and shapes.
Donahue was a fireplug of a man. Hair always trimmed to a bowl, a drooping mustache that could have graced a walrus, a cigarette between his teeth, John Lennon sunglasses, he held court on the corner of C and Seventh Streets chatting away in a gruff, deep voice, always with a twinkle in his eye.
A decorated Vietnam veteran, successful entrepreneur, humanitarian and Eastern Market raconteur, Daniel Stephen Thomas Donahue passed away on Dec. 12, 2024. This is his story.
Decorated Vietnam Veteran
Donahue was born on April 29, 1947 in Methuen, MA. He grew up in Texas and Massachusetts. He joined the Navy on July 30, 1964 and was initially trained as a dental technician. In 1967, he graduated from the Navy’s Field Medical School. Run by the Marine Corps., the school trains sailors
both for service in Navy or Marine medical facilities and as field corpsmen. After graduation, he was shipped off to Vietnam.
Corpsman Donahue joined the Third Marine Infantry Division in spring of 1967. The unit was posted just south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. Between 1967 and 1968, the Third Division suffered over 1,400 killed and over 9,000 wounded. The unit played a central role in the 1968 Tet Offensive protecting naval traffic along the Cua Viet River.
Donahue was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. The former medal is given to soldiers wounded or killed as a result of enemy fire while
serving in a conflict. The latter is awarded for heroic achievement or service in a combat zone. In addition, Donahue received a Fleet Marine Force Combat Insignia, a Vietnam Combat Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. He rose to the rank of Petty Officer and was honorably discharged on Nov. 29, 1968.
Having briefly been stationed at the Bethesda Naval Hospital, Donahue returned to the area after his discharge. “I decided to come back to Washington, because it was a sleepy little town,” he said his Overbeck interview.
Entrepreneur
In 1969, Donahue and three friends rented a three story rowhouse on 13th Street near Lincoln Park from a senator. The house was “dark and spooky most of the time,” Donahue recalled. The friends referred to it as the “Transylvania Hotel.”
Donahue found employment at a downtown patent law firm. Later he moved to his own place on Sixth Street NE near East Capitol. The house featured a huge garden, where he grew vegetables. His love for gardening led to a career in landscaping, including a stint as a horticulture instructor in Baltimore, MD. Donahue managed the Catholic University grounds and then worked for an international construction firm. Later, he founded Blossoms Lawn & Garden Care, a well-regarded Capitol Hill landscaping company.
Donahue’s interest in plants led to membership in the Capitol Hill Garden Club. The club members raised money through the sale of tulip bulbs at Eastern Market. In his 2009 interview, Donahue recalled:
“We were selling tulip bulbs for the Garden Club. And we would get there at six o’clock in the morning. And there was only four of us who were crazy enough to get up at that particular time of the day and go down there and sell tulip bulbs at the
Dan Donahue. Photo: Andrew Lightman
Market. We did that until about ten o’clock in the morning when normal people would get up and come to the Market.
“We had a wonderful time…That’s how I got hooked on the Market...,” Donahue told his Overbeck interviewer.
One day in 1989, Donahue found himself at the Southwest Post O ce. Looking up, he noticed the building across the street had a drive-up, rooftop parking lot. He negotiated a lease for the space and installed four greenhouses. For the next ve years, Donahue raised imported bulbs from Holland,
herbs and owers there. He sold the plants at Eastern Market and other farmers markets in the area.
At Eastern Market, Donahue ran into a Pennsylvania property owner, who asked if he was interested in selling vegetables. They reached an agreement for Donahue to farm the land and for the next three years, he sold the vegetables at Eastern Market.
The Pennsylvania property was smack in the middle of Pennsylvania Dutch country.
“When we have a crop failure, they’d (The Amish) come and laugh at us and show us what we were doing wrong.
So nally we struck up a deal that I wouldn’t grow any more if they wouldn’t drive. And we started bringing their things in. And pretty soon—the quality was excellent and much better than what we could do—and then they had relatives of course who would say, “Well why don’t you bring some this stu in?” Well, the next thing you know we’re talking about 84 di erent [Amish] families over a 10-year period of time—we developed into that.”
Out of these ad hoc agreements, Donahue created local import business he named Agora Farms. Each week he trans-
Donahue entertains a customer on his return to the Market after the 2007 fire. Photo: Andrew Lightman
Agora Farm’s stand at the corner of 7th and C Sts. SE. Photo: M. Ashabranner
ported vegetables, eggs, cheese, peanut baked goods and sundries from a network of local Amish farms stretching from the Pennsylvania-Maryland border from Lancaster to Duncannon in Perry County. He expanded his sales to more than nine markets in the DMV. By 2007, Donahue had perhaps the largest outdoor stand at Eastern Market.
Donahue’s relationship with the Amish was rich and multifaceted. After the tragic school house shooting in 2006, he raised money for the families by selling horse shoes at his stalls. He paid the farmers two dollars apiece for the shoes and sold them for $5. Then, he gave the farmers that money as well.
The tragic Eastern Market fire of 2007 threw a wrench into Donahue’s business. The subsequent closure of the street and closure of the market for renovation significantly eroded Agora’s business, he told his Overbeck interviewer. He stopped doing business there entirely for a year, returning after the Market reopened in March of 2009. Ultimately, Agora relocated to the C Street side of the building across from the entrance to the Pottery Studio, where it remained until Donahue’s last day in business on Dec. 30, 2023.
Humanitarian
Raconteur
Donahue loved dogs. For years, he was accompanied on his rural ramblings by an Australian Cattle dog named Garlic. Garlic copiloted his journeys perched on the front passenger seat of his truck. She guarded him during his daily afternoon siestas, poking her head out of the windows of the truck’s cab. She served as official greeter at his stand.
One of the issues in importing food into a city is the uncertainty of demand. If customers are uninterested or scarce, Donahue risked ending the day with a truckload of unsold perishables. His solution was to donate the unsold vegetables to local shelters and food kitchens.
For ten years, Donahue donated his excess to the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church. Volunteers from the congregation’s Our Daily Bread Breakfast Program would meet him at the close of business every Sunday to pick up a variety of fresh foods ranging from yogurt, cheese and nuts to kale, green beans, sweet potatoes and fruit. He even gave away popcorn. Donahue deliberately bought extra produce to ensure a remainder and kept a donation container for the program right next the cash register at his stand.
And of course, there was the turtle.
One day, Donahue was draining a cooler in the back of his truck. Water was dripping down off the tailgate. A nearby dog escaped his owner and started licking the water. “Hold on a second,” said Donahue, who quickly filled container to satisfy the thirsting pooch. Placed right beside the sign on which prices were posted, the dog dish became a feature of Donahue’s stand. My dog always made a beeline for it as soon as we crossed C Street SE.
Donahue got sick of filling the dish. So, he replaced it with a larger one. And, then he arrived at the ultimate solution: a stack of three 24 inch deep plant saucers. “I had one dog that would come in and put his whole “snoot” into the bottom of the dish and the water would be up to his ears, and that’s how he drank,” recalled Donahue in his Overbeck interview.
Unfortunately, shoppers often did not notice the dish, knocking it over in their hurried shopping. So, Donahue went out and bought a big rub-
ber turtle and placed in the dish. Tourists, he recalled, even tried to feed it. Then on one particularly busy day, according to Donahue, two officers from the Human Society pulled up in a truck. Flashing their badges, they told Donahue that there had been a complaint about the turtle being kept in the sun. The two threatened to issue him a citation for cruelty if he did not immediately put the turtle inside the tent.
Donahue decided to have some fun with the officers. He picked up the turtle and hurled it over the officers’ heads into the tent. It landed with an audible bump and flipped over on its back. Aghast, the officers ran over only to discover to their embarrassment that it was rubber turtle.
A month or so later, someone stole the turtle. The neighborhood was up in arms. Two women organized a vigilante group to find the thief. The Hill Rag did a story on the turtle-napping. Donahue tried unsuccessfully to find a replacement. After the story, a neighbor donated a three foot Godzilla to the stand.
In retrospect, Donahue’s life was much like a turtle’s. Most knew him as the extroverted raconteur who vended fine Amish produce and dispensed opinions on the corner of C and Seventh Streets on weekends. In a sense that was his shell. Yet, beneath that commercial and social façade lived a complex individual who served his country with honor, built a successful business that connected the Hill with far flung Amish communities and cared for the least among us. And, much like the purloined turtle, there will never be a replacement.
Readers can learn more about Donahue from his extensive interview with the Overbeck Oral History Project at www.capitolhillhistory.org/interviews/dan-donahue.
Please consider honoring Dan by adding a memory to his online tribute book: www.tributebook.com/domains/245385f1-bcd2-464e98d3-645fd17dff30/obituaries/34143432/ book?utm_source=www.goinghomecares.com&utm_ medium=referral&utm_campaign=obit_event_ view_book u
Donahue bends Mayor Adrian Fenty’s (D) ear after the 2007 fire that destroyed Eastern Market. Photo: Andrew Lightman
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Meet the New Commissioners
ANC 6A REPORT
by Sarah Payne
TANC 6B REPORT
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 6A) met via Zoom on Dec. 12. Commissioners Roberta Shapiro (6A03), Amber Gove (6A04, chair), Dave Wethington (6A05), Robb Dooling (6A06) and Steve Moilanen (6A07) were in attendance. Commissioner Mike Velasquez (6A02) was absent. Single Member District (SMD) 6A01 is currently vacant.
hree new commissioners were elected by community members in this year’s general election to serve their respective Single Member Districts (SMD). The incoming members attended the December meeting and introduced themselves to the community and outlined their goals for the upcoming term.
ANC Commissioners are elected, unpaid government o cials who each represent about 2,000 voters in the SMD in which they live. Voters elect the commissioner for their SMD to serve a two-year term. New commissioners will be sworn in in January.
Paul Spires will serve as the commissioner for 6A01 and is the current Community Outreach Committee chair. Spires hopes to facilitate weekly meet ups to foster a sense of community and help neighbors get to know each other. He is looking forward to getting to know commissioners and members of the community
and “working together in an extremely united way” on the challenges facing the neighborhood.
Je Giertz will serve as the commissioner for 6A06 and has been a resident of the neighborhood for more than 10 years. Crime and transportation, Giertz said, were top of mind issues for many neighbors while he was running, and he looks forward to collaborative work to address these challenges. He is “excited to be taking on more of an advocacy role” in the community.
Stephen Kolb will serve as the commissioner for 6A07 and has lived in the neighborhood since 2007. Kolb brings a keen focus on tra c noise and pedestrian and cyclist safety to the commission. “I hope that we can all [work] collectively to make the neighborhood a better place for all of us,” Kolb said.
ANC 6A will meet next on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Get details on committee meetings and how to join online at anc6a.org.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. ◆
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B held a hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at 700 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Attending were Frank Avery (6B01, treasurer); Jerry Sroufe (6B02); David Sobelsohn (6B03, secretary); Chander Jayaraman (6B06); Vince Mareino (6B07, vice chair); Edward Ryder (6B08, chair); and Matt LaFortune (6B09). Frank D’Andrea (6B04) was not present. 6B05 is currently vacant.
Café 8 (424 Eighth St. SE) requested a substantial change to their current alcohol license at the Dec. 10 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B. Café 8 purchased the adjacent building in 2022 and renovated it over the next year. They would like to increase seated capacity from 88 to 180.
The ANC has a signed settlement agreement (SA) and Security Plan (SP). The latter requires patrons to be seated and has provisions for sound and DJ music. It also uses a system similar to that introduced at As You Are Bar (500 Eighth St. SE), wherein entertainment stops an hour before closing and alcohol sales 30 minutes before closing, to facilitate staggered guest departure.
Since Nov. 27, the Barracks Row bistro, hookah bar and lounge has required that patrons entering after 8:30 p.m. be aged 30 or older.
ANC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Committee (ABC) Chair Chander Jayaraman (6B06) said the business has indicated that they are moving towards a model that is less entertainment and dance heavy to more of a sit-down establishment and thus it wants to
Stephen Kolb
Paul Spires
Jeff Giertz
GOVE, CHAIR, 6A04@ANC.DC.GOV
attract an older crowd.
Café 8 representative Elis Sam said that staff had experienced challenges with younger patrons, adding that she understood other District establishments are taking similar action in light of situations involving firearms and robbery.
She added that Café 8 announced the change on social media to overwhelming positive response. By the Dec. 10 meeting the limit had been in place for about two weeks.
Asked about the legality of the restriction during the Dec. 3 ABC meeting, Sam said an ABCA licensing specialist told her that because it was a private establishment, there was no objection to setting a higher age limit than 21. On Dec. 10, she told the ANC the café had gotten similar feedback from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The ANC voted unanimously to support the application.
Public Safety Committee Chair Honored
ANC 6B honored the founding Chair of their Public Safety Committee, Lisa Matsumoto, presenting her with the ANC6B Distinguished Public Service Award.
The award was presented in recognition of high levels of expertise, responsiveness, consistency and overall dedication to our community, said ANC 6B Chair Edward Ryder (6B08). “This recipient has helped not only the commissioners of ANC 6B, but also the Ward 6 community at large.”
Matsumoto chaired the committee from its founding through July, as the brand-new committee found identity and purpose “[helping] it find its mission and really achieve quite a lot,” Ryder told her.
The ANC 6B Public Safety Committee was established in January 2023. The committee has facilitated practical discussions between the community and officials in the public safety system, including US Attorney for DC Matthew Graves and then-Deputy Mayor for Public
Safety Lindsay Appiah. On Nov. 14, they co-hosted a District-wide virtual conversation around gun violence reduction strategies in the District.
The current chair is outgoing ANC Commissioner Frank Levy (6B01). A new chair will be selected in 2025. Matsumoto remains a resident member.
Created by a vote at the Oct. 13, 2020 meeting of the ANC, the ANC Distinguished Public Service Award acknowledges the outstanding contribution by a DC public servant in furthering the work of the commission and its individual commissioners.
Popeyes Switches Trash Room to Rest Room
The ANC voted unanimously to send a letter to the Department of Buildings (DOB) requesting an exception to the restroom code on behalf of Popeyes (409 Eighth St. SE).
Working with the community during the summer, the restaurant had agreed to indoor trash storage in their SA. ANC 6B and adjacent neighbors have emphasized indoor trash storage for restaurants on Barracks Row as part of rodent mitigation.
However, DC Code requires restaurants with more than five employees to have multiple restrooms. This fall, DOB halted construction on the restaurant to force compliance, compelling the restaurant to convert the space allotted for indoor trash into a restroom.
Exceptions are permitted under the DC building code for small occupancy structures.
The ANC Voted to Support:
• A letter to DC Council indicating support for the funding of Initiative 83.
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, January 9, 7:00 p.m.**
Transportation & Public Space Committee meeting 3rd Tuesday, January 21, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Economic Development & Zoning Committee meeting 3rd Wednesday, January 15, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Community Outreach Committee meeting 4th Monday, January 27, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual meeting via Zoom
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Licensing Committee meeting 4th Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
• A letter to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) asking the agency to prioritize a traffic safety inspection of pedestrian safety at the crosswalk on the south side of Lincoln Park where 12th Street SE meets East Capitol Street. The letter also urges DDOT to meet a previous commitment to Serving the Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, and H Street communities
We seek community-minded 6A residents interested in joining ANC 6A committees. Visit anc6a.org or email 6A06@anc.dc.gov for more information.
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.
eliminate a parking spot at the site in order to improve pedestrian visibility.
By-Law Discussion Deferred to New Commissioners
The ANC deferred consideration of amendments to bylaws to the January meeting to allow newlyelected commissioners to weigh in. The following newly elected commissioners will be sworn in Jan. 2, 2025: Tyler Wolanin (6B01), Brian Gorman (6B04), Samuel Pastore (6B05), Anna Krebs (6B06) and Karen Hughes (6B09).
ANC 6B generally meets the second Tuesday of each month except August. The next regular meeting of the full ANC will be a hybrid online and unperson meeting held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. See calendar and get information on how to join at anc6b.org u
Inaction from BZA Draws Concern
ANC 6C REPORT
by Sarah Payne
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C met on Dec. 11 via WebEx. Commissioners Leslie Merkle (6C02, secretary), Jay Adelstein (6C03), Mark Eckenwiler (6C04, chair), Joel Kelty (6C05, treasurer) and Patricia Eguino (6C06) were in attendance. Commissioner Tony Goodman (6C07, vice chair) was absent. Single Member District (SMD) 6C01 is currently vacant.
Commissioners decried the negative impact of “years of delays” in the issuance of written decisions from the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). In particularly, they were outraged about the cases of 719 Sixth St. NE and 337 H St. NE.
In 2019, the owner of 719 Sixth St. NE completed a three-story rear addition (BZA No. 20163). However, the building permit application filed by the project architect miscalculated the distance between it and the rear walls of the adjacent buildings in the building permit application. When completed, the building was 13 feet beyond the rear wall of the adjoining building to the north, violating the rear yard requirements of the RF-1 zone in which the house is located. The owner then applied to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for a special exemption.
In March of 2021, the BZA ruled in the applicant’s favor, despite opposition by the commission. That same month, commissioners filed a motion for reconsideration, alleging the applicant had made “intentionally false statements” to the Board concerning the source of the initial error and “numerous unexplained inconsistencies in the dimensions provided to the Board for the structure and proposed changes.” The BZA held another hearing on May 26, 2021 and then issued an initial written decision.
The decision, the commission argued, did not as legally required address its concerns. The BZA then reconsidered, reopening the record over the commission’s objections. It then voted a second time to approve the application. However, since then, it has failed to issue formal a revised decision that either grapples with the commission’s concerns or the newly supplemented factual record.
In the case of 337 H St. NE, the commission opposed the issuance of a certificate of occupancy in November of 2019 for a convenience store (Case 20232). The structure’s nonconformity, which predates the adoption of zoning regulations, allows commercial use of its first floor, its owner argued. However, the Floor Area Ratio of .91 occupied by the expanded establishment exceed the legal 0.5 maximum in a NC-10 Zone, the commission argued. The Board held a hearing on July 1, 2020, but never entered a ruling. In the interim, an illegal cannabis retailer rented the property.
“They just sat on their hands on these with unfortunately dire consequences for the community,” Chair Eckenwiler said, noting the importance of bringing these cases to the Council.
Eckenwiler called both cases an “egregious and inexcusable failure to act by the BZA” adding that he has “personally” made both the former board Secretary and incumbent secretary aware of these issues with repeated inquiries.
The commission voted to authorize Eckenwiler to provide testimony to the DC Council in their oversight hearings scheduled for early 2025 regarding the BZA’s inaction on these cases.
Other Matters
The commission supported a BZA application for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a third story and a three-story rear addition to an existing attached two story flat at 717 5th St. NE.
ANC 6C will meet next on Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. via WebEx. Visit anc6c.org to learn more about the commission and register to attend the meeting. u
Enforcement Against Illegal Cannabis
ANC 6D REPORT
by Andrew Lightman
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D met on Dec. 9 via Zoom. Commissioners Bob Link (6DO1, vice chair), Ronald Collins (6D02, treasurer), Gail Fast (6D03), Andrea Pawley (6D04), Chearie Phelps-El (6D05), Bruce Levine (6D06, secretary), Fredrica (Rikki) Kramer (6D07, chair) and Rhonda Hamilton (6D08) were in attendance.
The Wharf, in particular, and Southwest in general, have experienced issues with illegal, unlicensed cannabis retailers and delivery services operating in Southwest, stated Vice President Link. He invited both Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) Director Fred Moosally to address the issue.
Councilmember Allen outlined the general situation. There are licensed legal medical cannabis retailers and delivery services regulated by ABCA, whose products are tested by the agency. There are also unregulated, so-called “I-71” businesses that sell weed. The council, Allen stated, had created an “onramp” for those businesses to join the regulated market. However, many continue to operate illegally. Allen recently authored legislation to increase enforcement against them.
ABCA is doing a good job, but there needs to be more enforcement, Allen said. In particular, better coordination is needed between ABCA inspectors and other city agencies also tasked with business regulation. The products seized at these unregulated entities have been found to be laced with methylamphetamines, he stated, presenting a substantial public safety hazard. Allen wants to make sure that ABCA has all the tools to successfully tamp down the illegal market.
Moosally expressed appreciation for the enforcement tools provided by recent Council legislation. The agency now can padlock establishments, seize illegal cannabis and related products as part of a multi-agency effort that includes the police, the DC Dept. of Health (DOH) and the DC Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), he said.
Led by ABCA, District regulators have inspected more than 124 establishments and issued 96 written warnings. With the new legislation, the agency has moved to more aggressive tactics. It has subsequently issued more than 40 desist orders and
shuttered 15 establishments, Moosally stated.
ABCA now makes undercover buys at illegal cannabis establishments. MPD o cers are then tasked with raiding them to seize and test the products, some of which have been found to be laced with methylamphetamines. The police have also recovered weapons in the raids including rearms, Moosally said.
The Wharf asked ABCA’s assistance to remove residential tenants involved in selling unregulated cannabis products. These delivery services often operate out of apartment buildings. ABCA is now conducting undercover purchases that hopefully will lead to more arrests and seizures with the help of the First District’s crime suppression squads, stated Moosley.
What happens to businesses hosting illegal cannabis sales? asked Treasurer Collins. Do they lose their licenses? ABCA padlocks the entire property when it closes a business. The landlord must submit a remediation plan to regain control of the property, Moosally said.
What about the prosecution side? asked Commissioner Pawley. The recovery of illegal rearms and methylamphetamine-laced weed has gotten the US attorney’s attention, Moosally stated. The ofce is now bringing cases.
Councilmember Allen encouraged the commission to add its voice for increased enforcement resources for ABCA.
Amidon-Bowen Swing Space
DC Public Schools (DCPS) Deputy Chancellor of Finance and Operations Patrick Ashley briefed the commission on the plans for a swing space to accommodate Amidon-Bowen Elementary School during its modernization. DCPS has ten swing spaces. The system typically does four to six modernizations a year. These construc-
tion projects usually take two years to complete, said Ashley.
DPCS considers three factors in determining the availability of a swing space: distance from the modernizing school and capacity, said Ashley. Given the pace of modernization, not all swing spaces are available to be utilized. So, DCPS chooses the vacant space that both accommodates the migrating school’s requirements and is most geographically desirable, he said. “When we make one change in our swing space plan, that means the entire algorithm, and the entire layout of those swing spaces has to change,” he said. “Every community has different needs and different priorities. And, so when we change one, that means something that might work for one community may not work for the other community,” he added.
Given the rate of modernization, all of the swing spaces are typically occupied, Ashley stated. There are none presently in Wards 2, 3 and 6, he said. DCPS is currently attempting to add swing spaces, he said, citing the system’s reacquiring of the old McGogney School, formerly owned by the now shuttered Eagle Academy PCS. However, the reality is that there are no large fields or schools in Ward 6 that can be acquired, he stated.
As far as the alternative of a modular campus is concerned, a field of 100,000 square feet is required to provide enough space for both the temporary structures and green space for children’s recreation. In addition, there needs to be parking for delivery of the modular structures, Ashley stated. The cost is approximately $18-20 million. That level of expenditure only makes sense for housing multiple schools, he said. Unfortunately, modular campuses also remove valuable community green space as well. So, the decision to turn a recreational field into a modular campus requires both DC Dept. of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and sign off from the impacted community.
“It’s a hard issue, and I recognize DCPS has a lot of constraints. I get concerned when DCPS steps out of its lane to tell the community on behalf of other agencies why things can’t work the way we want them to,” stated Commissioner Pawley. The Amidon-Bowen community feels DCPS has “not acted in good faith,” she added. DCPS “has introduced delays” and not partnered with the school’s parents, she said. DCPS has continued to naysay any alternatives to using Meyer Elementary at 2501 11th St NW.
If modular units were considered, what budget year is involved and what level of funding? Pawley asked. The funding of $10 million would be needed in FY26 for construction and operation money, stated Ashley responded. DCPS objections to
the use of Amidon Recreational Field for a modular campus are specious, stated Pawley, given its mirrors the size of the existing school. Moreover, the community, she said, is supportive.
Will DCPS work with the Amidon Swing Space Committee (ASSC) to explore building a modular campus on Amidon Field? Pawley asked. “We are happy to consider exploring all options,” replied Ashley. However, the fields is only 52,000 square feet, he pointed out. The field is actually 80,000 square feet, corrected Pawley. “We need 100,000 square feet,” reiterated Ashley. Otherwise, something has be sacrificed either dining capacity, staff parking or recreation space. That 100,000 square foot requirement is recent, pointed out Pawley. Earlier DCPS had stated 80,000 was sufficient. The extra 20,000, DCPS told the ASSC, was for a staff parking lot, Pawley stated.
“I’m also troubled by the idea that this requirement for parking space is two blocks from a metro and [where] bike lanes meet from across the city. And yet there’s still this 20,000 square foot requirement for a parking lot. It just doesn’t seem sensible,” Pawley stated, complaining about DCPS’s shifting requirements.
It is not just a staff parking lot, replied Ashley. It is space for recreation, supply deliveries, handicapped access, he said. “So, I understand the frustration related to some changing numbers. When we’re talking about to how much space we need to put trailers down is about 80,000 square feet, and you are correct. It’s about 20,000 square feet of additional space for these other other needs,” Ashley responded.
Pawley invited the DCPS Chancellor at a planned February community meeting. Ashley stated his willingness to meet, but would not commit the chancellor.
Chair Kramer asked Ashley to commit to respond to specific community proposals to which he agreed.
Are the requirements for the Amidon Bowen swing space based on the “specific data and facts of the children that attend that school?” asked Vice Chair Link. For example, most children walk and the school generates very little vehicular traffic, he pointed out. Anytime a swing space is considered, Ashley stated, DCPS does a “test fit” to establish the number of general and specialty classrooms, recreation space and parking to fit the requirements. Ashley agreed to provide the specifics of the test fit to commissioners.
The travel time commuting to Meyer Elementary imposes a major burden on low income Amidon-Bowen parents, Commissioner Hamilton pointed out.
The commission voted to write a letter incorporating the commissioners questions regarding the choice of swing space to the DCPS chancellor.
501 I Street – The Former Shakespeare Project
Attorney David Avitabile briefed the commission on current plans for 501 I St. SW. Avitabile outlined the project’s history. The DC Zoning Commission (DCZOC) approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the parcel in 2019. That plan for was for a combination of office space and set production space for the Shakespeare Theatre, affordable artist residences and 64 marketrate condominiums.
The pandemic upended the project, Avitabile said. The project received an administrative one-year extension in 2021, granted to all projects impacted by the pandemic. In 2022, developers secured a modification to the PUD and a two-year extension. The rise in costs of the last two years made financing the project impossible, Avitabile said. The property is now under contract to a home builder, who plans to construct 17 townhouses under the by-right R-3 Zoning. Two of these would be affordable, per inclusionary zoning.
If the sale goes through, the existing PUD will be extinguished along with all required conditions and community benefits, Avitabile stated. However, an extension is necessary in the interim to allow the purchaser to complete their due diligence. There is a small chance that this deal might collapse. If so, an extension maintains existing requirements and community benefits if an attempt is made to develop under the existing PUD.
The PUD expired on Nov. 29, 2024. If it is not extended, the property reverts to R-3 Zoning, stated Avitabile. That is only relevant if the deal falls through and another purchaser seeks to revive the PUD. The PUD benefits already agreed to such as SW Night at the Shakespeare Theatre will continue until the PUD is extinguished, stated Avitabile.
The townhouse community surrounding the parcel supports low scale development, stated Commissioner Pawley. Chair Kramer and other commissioners expressed their sorrow about the loss of the arts development envisioned in the original PUD.
Commissioner Fast urged the extension to preserve protection against another developer attempting to have the site rezoned for large highrise. Pawley concurred with her assessment. The commission voted to support the extension.
Public Safety
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Captain Paul Hrebenak briefed the commission on public safety. There was a homicide at Capitol Park Apartments, he said. The crime happened inside a specific apartment and is still under investigation.
There were two instances of multiple gunshots at Sixth and I Streets SW. No one was injured. The police recovered shell casings. They took witness statements are reviewing video footage from residential cameras, Hrebenak said. He also thanked residents for making 911 calls related to the incidents. Police are increasing patrols in the area. “We are not going to take our foot off the gas,” the captain stated.
ABC Matters
Protests against Bria at 2121 First St. SW and Club Volo at 1880 Second St. SW on the corner of Potomac Avenue and Half Street have been assigned to mediation, Vice Chair Link reported. The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board dismissed the application for Love 420, when the applicant did not attend their hearing, he added.
Kaliwa (aka Pink Tiger) at 751 Wharf St. SW has requested an entertainment endorsement for their existing license, Link reported. The establishment has no community agreement attached to its existing license. The lawyer representing the establishment has not been responsive, he stated. The commission voted to protest the license on the grounds of peace, order and quiet.
Other Matters
Pepco Manager for External Relations Linda Greenan provided an update on the utility’s substation project on Buzzard Point. The sidewalks on Half, V and First Streets will most likely be closed at varying times due to construction, she stated, but no schedule is yet available since the contractor has yet to be hired. As far and timing and procedures, construction of the wall, the fence and the installation the cameras will take eight to 10 months beginning in second quarter of 2025. Chair Kramer asked PEPCO to return to the commission later in the winter once more specifics are available. Chair expressed her appreciation for the service of retiring commissioners: Vice President Link and Treasurer Collins. Treasurer Collins expressed his pleasure at serving with his colleagues.
ANC 6D meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. The next meeting is Jan. 13. For more information, visit www.anc6d.org. u
MPD Encourages Extra Holiday Precautions
ANC 7D REPORT
by Sarah Payne
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D met Dec. 10 via Zoom. Commissioners Siraaj Hasan (7D01), Commissioner Wendell Felder (7D03, Chair), Commissioner Mike Davis (7D04), Commissioner Ebony Payne (7D05), Marc Friend (7D06), Brett Astmann (7D07, treasurer), Brian Alcorn (7D08, vice chair) and Ashley Schapitl (7D09), secretary) were in attendance. Single Member Districts 7D02 and 7D10 are vacant.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Community Outreach Coordinator, Officer Jason Medina, briefed the commission on best practices for reducing the risk of being a victim of a crime throughout the holiday season.
“Some situations happen that are beyond our control, but we want to ensure that everybody is taking the necessary precautions to prevent themselves from being victimized,” Medina said.
Vigilance is crucial in anticipation of an increase in “crimes of opportunity” such as robberies and package theft around the holiday season.
He also encouraged residents who choose to have packages delivered to their homes to remove boxes from porches and steps quickly and to assist neighbors with securing unattended packages. “It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you’re from or how protected your community may be,” Medina said. “It doesn’t matter.”
The District offers safe, secure alternatives to home delivery at local police stations. District residents can utilize the Amazon boxes at the Sixth District Station at 5002 Hayes St. NE for package delivery and pick up.
The commission took no vote on this matter.
Other Matters
The commission will welcome two newly elected commissioners, Artilie Wright (7D03) and Dev Myers (7D10), in January.
ANC 7D will meet next on Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more about the commission at 7d0761. wixsite.com/anc7d-1.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. u
Vann and Half Street Parking Issues
ANC 8F REPORT
by Andrew Lightman
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 8F met on Dec. 19. Commissioners Nic Wilson (8F01, treasurer) Rick Murphree (8F02, vice chair) Brian Strege (8F03, secretary) and Edward Daniels (8F04, chair) were in attendance. SMD 8F05 is vacant.
The DC Dept. of Transportation (DDOT) has approved converting Half Street SE near the Nationals Stadium to a one-way street, Murphree reported. However, the agency rejected a similar plan for Vann Street SE. The issue on that thoroughfare is one of curbside management, DDOT stated in an email to the commission. Converting the street to one way, given a Pickup-Dropoff Zone (PUDO) is not an option.
Vice Chair Murphree promised to respond to DDOT. Making Half Street one way will exacerbate the issue, he said. DDOT “thinks that PUDO signs actually do something, but they don’t. People park no matter what.”
“The curbside team at DDOT has issues they need to figure out,” Chair Daniels said. “It has been a nightmare for a while.” Daniels promised to organize a ride-along for DDOT’s Director.
Goodbye to Vice Chair Murphree
Chair Daniels commended Vice Chair Murphee for his service to the commission.
“Thank you for your work with the ANC over the past two years…I always commend anybody that steps into the ring, because it’s so easy to sit on the sideline when it comes to anything in life. I really appreciate folks that step up to lead our community.”
“I appreciate that very much,” Murphee responded. “It’s been an eye opening experience for two years learning from the ANC. The position, the role, the government, how things really work and trying to get a few things done.”
This was Murphree’s last meeting as a commissioner, since he did not stand for reelection.
ANC 8F’ s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21 at DDOT headquarters, 250 M St. SE, at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.anc8f.org. u
Bulletin Board
National Cherry Blossom Festival Dates Announced
Cupid’s Undie Run Registration Opens
Cupid’s Undie Run is on Saturday, Feb. 15, noon to 4 p.m. at Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW. Individual registration is $35. Every February, thousands of undie runners in cities across the US come together, whether it be inperson or virtually, to support those affected by NF, a group of genetic conditions that cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. Cupid’s Undie Run kicks off with drinking and dancing, then participants jog it out with a mile(ish) run and end it all with an epic dance party. Read more and register at cupids.org/2025-registration.
The 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for March 20 to April 13. Here are the scheduled dates and times for some of the key events: Opening Ceremony, Saturday, March 22, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; Blossom Kite Festival, Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; PetalPalooza, Saturday, April 5, 1 to 9 p.m.; and Cherry Blossom Parade, Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. to noon; Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival, April 12 and 13. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is typically scheduled around the average peak bloom date. The hope is that the blossoms will come out at some point during the festival. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
DC Chinatown Parade Celebrates the Year of the Snake
In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be intuitive, strategic, and intelligent. They are also mysterious, smart, wise, good at talking, determined and caring. They value knowledge, work hard to achieve goals, and form deep bonds in relationships. The DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade is on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m., rain or shine. The parade is about seven blocks long starting from Sixth and I Street, NW and winding around Chinatown and proceeding under the arch towards the final stage at Sixth and H. The parade takes about 50 minutes from start to finish. The firecracker finale will start sometime between 3:45 and 4 p.m. dcparade.com.
Hill Center Galleries 2025 Juried Show Opening Reception
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., you are invited to the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, for an Opening Reception showcasing new exhibits from amazing local artists from DC, Maryland and Virginia. During the reception prizes will be awarded. All pieces of art will be on display throughout the Galleries and online at Hill Center Galleries. Free admission. The exhibition runs from Jan. 15 through May 3. hillcenterdc.org.
Ice Skating at Canal Park
Canal Park offers public skating sessions seven days a week until early March. Weekday public skating is from 2 to 8 p.m.; weekend skating is from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. General admission is $13 and skates can be rented for $7. Skating sessions are 90 minutes long, with a break at the half-way point to resurface the ice. On all non-holiday Fridays, all kids under 18 can skate for free (skate rental included) between 4 and 8 p.m. Pre-registration is required and a parent or guardian must check children in and out. Adults accompanying children are required to stay in the rink area and are also welcome (but not required) to skate. Canal Park Ice Rink is at 200 M St. SE. skatecanalpark.com.
The Anacostia River Earns Highest Grade In 10 Years
The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) has released its annual State of the River Report giving the river’s water quality a passing grade and its highest grade since the Report began grading the river in 2014. This milestone reflects 35 years of collaborative
DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.
DCHFA,
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership i city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust
DC Open Doors
homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia
homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust mortgages.You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
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 provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
COVID-19
DC4ME is offered to current fulltime District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower’s employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
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.
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
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.
www.DCHFA.org
DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.
how to apply to any of DCHFA’s homeownership programs.
restoration efforts to improve water quality in the river. Throughout the year, AWS collects and analyzes scientific data to evaluate key indicators of a healthy river ecosystem, including water clarity, levels of chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, fecal bacteria, and submerged aquatic vegetation. Each indicator is rated on a percentage scale, with 100% representing the ideal state of health. Read the report at anacostiaws.org.
DC’s Population Surpasses 700,000
The US Census Bureau has released new population data that shows the District of Columbia’s population grew by approximately 15,000 people from July 2023 to July 2024, bringing the city’s population to 702,250 residents. This marks the first time since 2019 that DC’s population has surpassed the 700,000 milestone, underscoring DC’s comeback and its place as a top destination to live, work, and build a future. Over the past year, the District had an annual growth rate of 2% and its largest population increase in 11 years. This growth was fueled by a com-
bination of natural increase, with 2,761 more births than deaths, and migration, with 12,165 more people moving into the District than moving out. The District’s population increased across all age groups. Notably, international migration has surged, increasing by 21% compared to the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Additional demographic insights about the District are available through the DC Office of Planning’s Demographic Data Hub at opdatahub.dc.gov.
CHRS Workshop on How to Research House History
If you would like to help write house histories for the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s May House & Garden Tour, CHRS is holding a training session on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 3 to 4 p.m., at the NE Library, 330 Seventh St. NE, in the second-floor meeting room. To attend, RSVP to akschmidtdc@yahoo.com. Plan to bring your laptop or let them know if you will need a loaner. chrs.org.
Yarn Lovers Club at NE Library
Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival Dates Announced
The Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE, announces the return of its INTERSECTIONS Festival, a month-long celebration of innovative and inspiring performances, running from Feb. 15 through March 16. Enjoy 37+ performances of story, movement, and sound over five weekends. Now in its 16th year, the INTERSECTIONS Festival transforms the H Street Corridor into a hub for artistic expression, inviting audiences of all ages to engage with a diverse lineup of performances in the genres of story, movement, and sound. With a mission to highlight cross-disciplinary collaboration and amplify the voices of artists from all walks of life, the festival continues to be a cornerstone of Washington, DC’s cultural calendar. Tickets are on sale now. Prices are $25 to $32. atlasarts.org/intersections2025.
On the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., bring your needles, yarn, and mug to NE Library, 330 Seventh St. NW. They’ll supply space, the tea, and the vibes. Join fellow yarn enthusiasts for a bi-monthly meet up to trade tips and encouragement. Bring your latest knitting or crochet project and a mug-they’ll make the tea. dclibrary.org.
2024 Brickie Awards Announced
On Dec. 5, Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen hosted the 18th annual Ward 6 Brickie Awards at Arena Stage. The “Brickies” is an annual celebration and community awards presentation for Ward 6 residents, organizations, and businesses, with hundreds of neighbors joining. During the evening, Councilmember Allen recognized winners of the five Brickie Award categories, who are nominated by submissions from the community, as well as a special recognition award at this year’s ceremony. The 2024 Ward 6 Brickie Award winners are: Neighbor Award –Ward 6 Pedestrian Advocates; Community Organization Award – Waterfront
The Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibition Tours
Through March 2, this exhibit at the MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, offers an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America and how the annual guide served as an indispensable resource for the nation’s rising African American middle class and evidence of a vibrant business class. During your visit you will also be guided through the companion exhibition, The Green Book in DC: “A Particular Place for Particular People,” which was produced by DC Public Library to complement the national, traveling exhibition by taking a deep dive into the stories of the more than 150 businesses and organizations right here in the District that were featured in The Green Book. At the end of the tour, visitors will be directed to additional displays and activities inspired by The Green Book throughout the library. One-hour tours are Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours begin near the MLK Library Welcome Desk. dclibrary.org.
Paint The Town Pink With …
The award-winning City In Bloom campaign is an opportunity for businesses, organizations, and individuals to join the National Cherry Blossom Festival and welcome spring across the region, bringing the spirit of the cherry blossoms into neighborhoods of the area. From March 20 through April 13, special lighting, custom installations, and Signature Decals printed by Blueboy Document Imaging, will visually unify the region--making it known that DC “owns” spring! Visit ncbfstore.org/city-in-bloom to sign up for City in Bloom and purchase the National Cherry Blossom Festival Signature Decals.
Village; Public Service Award – DC Health’s Ward 6 Rodent Control Team; Business Award – Solid State Books; Civic Pride Award – The Shirley Chisholm Elementary School Community; Special Recognition – The Hill is Home.
Folger Poetry: Not Just Another Day Off
From Jan. 18 to 20, in this free, pre-recorded event, the Folger Shakespeare Library celebrates the birthday of famed civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Not Just Another Day Off” in a performance sparkling with historical speeches and contemporary poetry. folger.edu/whats-on/ events/poetry.
How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition
Social climbing was a competitive sport in Tudor England, requiring a complex range of skills, strat-
egies, and techniques. How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition invites visitors into a world of lace ruffs, jousting, hawks, bad handwriting, scandal and political factions. Experience the playbooks, the people, and the spectacular fails, as courtiers tried to navigate the minefield of working for a boss who could shower you with riches or chop off your head. How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition is at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, from Feb. 9 to July 2025. folger.edu/visit/exhibitions.
Congressional Cemetery Closed to Dogs
Congressional Cemetery is now closed to all dogs each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for family grave site visits as well as during funerals, private and community events and Federal holidays. congressionalcemetery.org.
NoMa BID Call for Artists
The NoMa BID is seeking talented local artists or design teams working in the Capital Region to partner with them on various public art projects to be installed in the coming year. Most of the projects will involve outdoor installations and include, but are not limited to, murals, sculptures, digital/media/lighting installation art, community art, and architectural and design elements. Established professional artists and teams and those new to the field of public art are encouraged to apply. Fill out their interest form at surveymonkey.com/r/QLWCHZ7. nomabid.org.
Picture This! Free Professional Headshots at SW Library
Professional headshots can be a great way to connect with potential employers and clients, whether you use them on networking sites like LinkedIn, your own website, or other professional media. On Saturday, Jan. 25, 1 to 3 p.m., grab an appointment with local photographer Krista Boccio–Rebel with a View–to get a professional headshot at SW Library, 900 Wesley Pl. SW. Arrive photo-ready with any hair, makeup, and clothing you wish to be photographed in. Photography will take place indoors.
Sessions are limited and will last approximately 10 minutes each. Sessions are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To receive headshot(s), participants must be prepared to provide a valid email address. dclibrary.org.
Virtual ESL Conversation Circles
Are you a non-native speaker of English who would like to practice speaking English, improve your listening skills or build your vocabulary? Join an ESL Conversation Circle virtually to gain confidence in speaking English while practicing in a fun and comfortable environment. The virtual sessions are offered by the DC Public Library’s Adult Learning Department and are designed for non-native speakers of English, ages 18 and older, with low intermediate to high-level English skills. Sessions are led by experienced facilitators and held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. To receive the link to join virtually, email adultlearning.dcpl@dc.gov. You will also need an internet connection and a device to connect to the internet (smartphone, laptop, desktop, or tablet computer) with the Zoom web/video conferencing platform installed. For more information about resources and programs for English Language Learners, call 202-727-1616 or visit the Adult Learning Department on the second floor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. dclibrary.org.
DC Polar Plunge
The Polar Plunge is a cool way for community members to make a splash to support Special Olympics DC. Participants jump into a swimming pool erected on the boardwalk at the Capitol Riverfront. The Polar Plunge is the biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics DC. All funds raised by Plungers help Special Olympics DC provide year-round sports, health, and education programs to over 2,500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the District, always at no cost to them and their families. The DC Polar Plunge is on Saturday, Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about registering and/ or donating at dcpolarplunge.org.
SW Waterfront AARP Luncheon and Speaker Series
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, noon to 2 p.m., all attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and discuss important community matters impacting the
Radici’s customers enjoy coffee surrounding by festoons of pink, part of the 2024 City In Bloom campaign. Photo: M. Ashabranner
Senior population of Washington, DC and all city residents with Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen. All are welcome. The meeting is at River Park Mutual Homes, South Building Lobby, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW. Lunch is $5. For further information, contact Betty Jean Tolbert Jones, bettyjeantolbertjones@yahoo.com.
Federal Government Contracting Basics for Small Businesses
The US federal government is the world’s largest consumer of goods and services, providing vast contracting opportunities for both large and small businesses. These opportunities, however, are subject to complex regulatory and compliance requirements. This webinar will cover the fundamental concepts, principles, and regulatory frameworks that small businesses need to be thinking about when considering federal contracts and grant opportunities. The presenters are Tom Daley and David Lacker from DLA Piper LLP. The webinar is on Wednesday, Jan. 29, noon to 1 p.m. Register at probono. center/fed-government-contracting-webinar.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a tireless advocate for racial equality, working classes, and the oppressed around the world. Commonly called Martin Luther King, Jr. Day or MLK Day, the third Monday of January is a federal holiday to honor his life and legacy. Places where he made history and of the
greater Civil Rights Movement he in uenced are preserved in many national parks and in local communities around the country. Find service opportunities at servedc.galaxydigital.com.
The 2025 MLK Holiday Peace Walk
The 20th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Peace Walk will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m., at the Entertainment & Sports Arena, 1100 Oak Dr. SE. The walk is coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, a group dedicated to peace and positivity for DC metropolitan communities. Sign up at mlkholidaydc.org/get-involved.
Ground Broken on SE Tennis and Learning Center Expansion
On Dec. 11, Mayor Bowser broke ground on the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center South Expansion. The $18 million project will grow the SETLC from 12 to 19 tennis courts, from one to ve pickleball courts, expand recreational opportunities and services for DC residents, and enhance the District’s ability to host international junior tennis tournaments. Built in 2001, the SETLC, at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Valley Avenue SE, is a world class, state-of-the-art $50 million facility, which has serviced over 75,000 children and youth in the District.
Do You Have a Notice for the Bulletin Board? The Hill Rag Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. If you have a notice, send it to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. ◆
In Memorium Michael Ford – Photographer, Filmmaker and Neighbor
by Louise Fenner and Louis Linden
Michael Ford was a Capitol Hill photographer, documentary filmmaker, author and ethnographer whose work is held by the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress.
Michael died on September 4. He lived and worked on Capitol Hill since the late 1970s, and the headquarters of his company, Yellow Cat Productions at 11th & Pennsylvania SE, was a major creative hub until his retirement in 2023.
The Hill Center hosted a celebration of his life and work in December.
Michael started Yellow Cat Productions in Oxford, Mississippi in 1972 with the production of a 16 mm documentary about agrarian North Mississippi entitled Homeplace. It was a theme he would revisit numerous times over the more than 30 documentaries he created during his career.
He loved music, especially the blues, and over the years Yellow Cat hosted a litany of blues musicians when they played gigs in the District, including Taj Majal.
Another focus of his talents was ethnographic documentaries in Spain, South Carolina and West Africa, particularly Senegal and The Gambia. When not working on his own projects, Michael provided and led video crews for other producers with work seen on ABC, Discovery Channels, Showtime, A&E TV, PBS and numerous federal agencies. His work as cinematographer and executive producer for Return to Belaye: A Rite of Passage, set in a small village in Senegal, is listed in the Internet Movie Data Base.
Michael didn’t always look far from home when picking his topics. As a Navy veteran he made a video of a Capitol Hill institution, the Washington Navy Yard’s U.S. Navy Museum.
Originally trained as a still photographer, he continued to take pictures throughout his life. The Hill Center produced an exhibition of his photos in 2017. In 2019 the University of Georgia and the Library of Congress published his 200page photo essay on life in rural Mississippi.
While living in Oxford, Mississippi, Michael apprenticed himself to a local blacksmith. He continued to smith throughout the rest of his life, turning from hammering hot iron to jewelry smithing in his later years.
Michael was also an expert sailor. Whenever his smart phone rang, it played the sound of a bosun’s whistle.
His collection of materials about rural life and culture in the hill country of North Mississippi was acquired by the American Folklife Center in 2014. Michael shot over 16,000 feet of 16 millimeter lm, recorded many hours of interviews and music, and took over 1000 still photographs, capturing a way of life that has utterly disappeared. ◆
Michael filming in North Mississippi in 1972 for his documentary Homeplace. Photo: James Forward
GARDENS
Congressional Cemetery Seeks Arboretum Status Volunteers
by Annette Nielsen
Washington, DC is unique in many ways – particularly when you think about the area’s historic cemeteries serving as a final resting place.
Capitol Hill boasts the Historic Congressional Cemetery, and buried here you will find noted diplomats, elected officials, cabinet officials, members of the National Underground Railroad Network and more. Initially known as the Washington Parish Burial Ground, this beautiful 35-acre space, where Congress bought sites and buried noted civil servants, is a National Historic Landmark and a living cemetery where burial sites are still avail-
able for sale. Among the nearly 70,000 people buried at Congressional Cemetery are former FBI Director
J. Edgar Hoover, ABC News journalist and daughter of Congressman Hale Boggs, Cokie Roberts, composer John Philip Sousa, former DC Mayor Marion Barry and Apache Chief Taza, to name a few.
Living Friends
While Congressional Cemetery is a place filled with those who have passed on, it has many living stewards who have a passion and vision for the space.
“Blessed are those who plant the trees under whose shade they will never sit.” – Greek proverb.
Sharon Metcalf’s interest in Congressional Cemetery was piqued when she heard a piece on NPR that spoke about the green burials one could have there. At the time she was a Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs at the School of Communications at American University. She also advised AU’s beekeeping society, participated in Campus Beautification Day and was part of efforts to plant pollinator-friendly flowers throughout the university gardens. With an inventory of over 5,000 trees, American University has attained a Level II accredited Ar-
boretum status with Arbnet, the professional arboretum network.
As someone who already loved being engaged in outdoor activities, Metcalf appreciated the tree canopy at Congressional Cemetery. She became a cemetery volunteer and eventually took on the process to realize official arboretum status for the cemetery.
Says Metcalf, “There are four levels of accreditation and the first or Level 1 accreditation requires 25 distinct species of trees, with a focus on biodiversity and education (labeling and tagging the trees). The National Arboretum is working with Congressional Cemetery to assist with this work, and Casey Trees is providing mapping and taxonomy information for the trees planted over the years.” Casey Tress is a local non-profit decicated to expand the District’s tree canopy.
In bringing together the Congressional Cemetery in partnership with the local Trowel Garden Club, the cemetery is now the recipient of a three-year Partners for Plants grant from the Garden Club of America. With this funding the participants will be able to do the work to achieve Level 1 accreditation for the cemetery from ArbNet by identifying and tagging a diverse collection of oldgrowth trees, as well as some more recently planted by Casey Trees over the past couple of decades.
Says Congressional president Jackie Spainhour, “With so much history on our grounds and a beautiful collection of flora and fauna, it
Circle of Life at the Congressional Cemetery, using natural elements of stone, soil and plants. Photo: courtesy of Congressional Cemetery
Sharon Metcalf on the compass at Congressional Cemetery during the arboretum launch in September. Photo: courtesy of Congressional Cemetery
G G ROOFING
only made sense to us that we embark on a project to bring awareness to the trees on our property as an accredited arboretum. We were thrilled when volunteer extraordinaire Sharon Metcalf o ered to spearhead the project, and her commitment to see it to fruition has been instrumental since its inception. We are so grateful to Sharon and the plant partnerships and relationships she has stewarded on our behalf.”
Arboretum Launch
September 22, 2024 marked the o cial launch of the arboretum project and a key feature is the new “Tree Walk Through History,” a quarter-mile path highlighting signi cant memorial sites and showcasing the tree diversity. The trail brings you through tree tunnels formed by many varieties including American hornbeam, Kwanzan cherry and Chinese elms.
west – a connection to how L’Enfant designed the city.”
The Arboretum launch included a gathering at the Circle of Life, a contemplative space surrounded by a circular “tree-henge” with eight American linden trees (basswoods) planted in 2020. Each of the young trees are aligned with a navigational point on the central compass sundial. As the trees grow and mature, the respective tree shadows across the compass will mark the seasons and the sun’s path during equinoxes and solstices will provide a tribute to the life cycles of nature.
Says Metcalf, “The Circle of Life” o ers a wonderful vantage point to observe the sun’s celestial path through solstices and equinoxes. If you’re looking out over the southern hemisphere, you have an open view – no buildings, only sky and trees with the con uence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. You can imagine that Native Americans may have encamped there. This space not only celebrates nature’s perseverance but pays tribute to past and future stewards of the natural environment – a truly meditative space, telling the story of nature through sunrise and sunset and a focus on north-south and east-
Congressional Cemetery hosts several events throughout the year (visit congressionalcemetery.org). Be sure to put Arbor Day weekend on your 2025 calendar, the last weekend in April. There will be a spring tree planting event and on Sunday, April 27, a “Tree Walk Through History” tour as well as a return visit and procession by Batalá (the DC all-female Afro-Brazillian percussion band) leading a parade through the arboretum’s canopy, culminating in the Circle of Life.
Metcalf appreciates the cemetery’s leadership, too. “To have Jackie’s support throughout the work on this project has been key over the past few years. She made it possible for something like this to be created.”
Spainhour is enthusiastic about ways to enjoy Congressional Cemetery, “I encourage everyone to come and take a tree walk through history, and experience Congressional Cemetery in a whole new way.”
The Historic Congressional Cemetery is located at 1801 E Street, SE, has no admission or gate fees and is open daily from dawn to dusk (closed to dogs every Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm). Visit congressionalcemetery.org for a schedule of special events.
Annette Nielsen, a writer and food systems advisor, returned to Capitol Hill from New York where she served as the executive director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center. ◆
Cene Ketcham leading Tree Walk thru History in the arboreal allée.
Photo: Courtesy of Congressional Cemetery
In The Weeds
by
the Capitol Hill Garden Club
I’ve become interested in trying to start seeds indoors; it seems January would be a perfect time for this. Buying plants is so expensive! Can you give me some pointers about starting seeds indoors?
Why Start Seeds Indoors?
Starting seeds indoors gives your plants a critical advantage by extending the growing season. In the Mid-Atlantic, frost-free dates typically range from mid-April to mid-May, depending on your exact location. By starting seeds in January, you ensure your seedlings are strong and ready for transplanting once the soil warms. This method also allows gardeners to grow a wider variety of plants than what might be available as storebought seedlings.
Essentials for Indoor Seed Starting
Before you begin, gather the necessary supplies:
• Seed trays or small pots: These provide individual spaces for seeds to germinate.
• Seed-starting mix: A lightweight, well-draining medium specifically designed for germination.
• Grow lights: While a sunny windowsill can work, grow lights ensure consistent light exposure, crucial for healthy seedlings.
• Heating mats: Many seeds germinate faster and more reliably in warm soil.
• Plant markers: Labeling helps track your varieties and germination progress.
Best Vegetables to Start Indoors in January
Several vegetables benefit from an early indoor start, allowing for a robust spring harvest:
1. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum):
• Varieties like ‘Brandywine’ and ‘San Marzano’ are popular in the Mid-Atlantic.
• Start seeds 8-10 weeks before the last frost date to ensure healthy transplants.
2. Peppers (Capsicum annuum):
• Bell peppers and hot varieties, such as jalapeños, need a long growing season.
• Begin seeds 10-12 weeks before the last frost.
3. Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale (Brassicas):
• Cool-weather crops like these can be transplanted as early as mid-March.
• Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
4. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa):
• Quick germinators that thrive in cooler weather, these can go into the garden early under row covers.
• Start seeds 4-6 weeks before transplanting.
Best Flowers to Start Indoors in January
Flowers started indoors in January can bring early and sustained beauty to your garden. Consider these favorites:
1. Petunias (Petunia x atkinsiana):
• These colorful, hardy annuals are ideal for the Mid-Atlantic’s fluctuating spring temperatures.
• Start seeds 10-12 weeks before transplanting.
2. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus):
• A staple in spring gardens, snapdragons thrive in the region’s cool spring weather.
• Begin seeds 8-10 weeks before the last frost.
3. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana):
• Perfect for shady areas, impatiens bring vibrant color to low-light spots.
• Start seeds 8-10 weeks before transplanting.
4. Marigolds (Tagetes):
• Known for their pest-repellent properties, marigolds are a practical and attractive choice.
• Start seeds 6-8 weeks before transplanting.
Step-by-Step Process
(1) Prepare Your Containers: Fill seed trays or pots with a moist seed-starting mix, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. (2) Plant Your Seeds: Follow seed packet instructions for depth and spacing. Lightly cover seeds with soil and mist with water. (3) Provide Warmth and Light: Place trays on heating mats and under grow lights for 12-16 hours daily. (4) Water and Monitor: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Use a spray bottle for gentle watering. (5) Thin Seedlings: Once seedlings have their first true leaves, thin them to one plant per cell or pot to avoid overcrowding. (6) Harden Off Before Transplanting: Gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting them in the garden.
Want to learn more about gardening or spend time with people who like plants? For more information go to the Capitol Hill Garden Club website at capitolhillgardenclub.org. Questions on gardening? Send your questions to capitolhillgardenclub@gmail.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, Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker Realty on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.
In 2024 we worked hard to serve 70+ buyer and seller clients on Capitol Hill and beyond! As we successfully navigated market fluctuations, we drew upon our creativity, teamwork, experience, and hustle—skills proving more valuable than ever. We are proud that our commitment to successful outcomes helped our clients achieve their real estate goals.
CAN WE HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOURS?
As we enter 2025 – our 24th year!— contact us for a FREE consultation as you make your plans.
Joel Nelson Group is a leading full service real estate agency for the Nation’s Capital. Our team is committed to enhancing the fabric of life in Washington DC neighborhoods. We are proud to be part of KW Capital Properties on Capitol Hill, where our office overlooks Stanton Park at 519 C St NE.
Theater Night Spotlight on Theater Alliance
by Matthew McClure
As we collectively take the first few tentative steps into 2025 – a year that promises to be filled with challenges and change – this month’s column examines intentionality. It’s a buzzword that’s recently found new popularity, but the members of Theater Alliance are living it.
Theater Alliance has been making groundbreaking work in DC over 20 years. At the end of October, Shanara Ga-
brielle – Theater Alliance’s Producing Artistic Director – opened the 2024-25 season at the Alliance’s new temporary pop-up space in SW and christened it with a production of York Walker’s Covenant, the first iteration of this acclaimed Southern Gothic horror to be produced since its successful off-Broadway run.
340 Maple Drive SW is owned by Hoffman & Associates, a mixed-use real estate developer that builds out community-oriented urban spaces designed to foster diversity and inclusion. It’s one of the city’s arts-focused PUDs (Planned Unit Developments), so Gabrielle says it makes sense that Theater Alliance has found a temporary home here through Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Pop-Up Permit Program. “We have a really good story. We’ve been around for 25 years and we’ve activated neighborhoods over and over again. We were early adopters of H Street and Anacostia. Every decade we’ve reignited in a new neighborhood.” The vast, double-volume hall is envisioned as an incubator for the artists and makers that fertilize neighborhoods through intentional placemaking, economic and social empowerment and by writing stories that resonate with the people that come to listen to them. Gabrielle took up the mantle of Producing Artis-
DINING
tic Director for Theater Alliance last summer. On her eighth day at the office, she arrived at the Anacostia Playhouse in Southeast DC (where the company had previously been located) to find an eviction notice for unpaid rent pinned to a locked door. “Theater Alliance had consistently been paying rent in full.” she says. “Un-
Shanara Gabrielle, Producing Artistic Director at Theater Alliance. Photo: SuzanneBlueStarBoy.
Theater Alliance staff in front of their new pop-up space at 340 Maple Dr. SW. Photo courtesy Theater Alliance.
The Theater Alliance board at 340 Maple Dr. SW. Photo courtesy Theater Alliance.
beknownst to us, that rent was not being passed to the owner of the building.” Gabrielle is philosophical about the incident that forced Theater Alliance to look for a new home. “Running a notfor-profit is hard. People trust us to be intentional about how we use our resources to make impact in the community. We have to prioritize that.” What to others might have been a death blow became an incentive for Gabrielle to pause and reflect on the founding ethos of Theater Alliance. “There was a blessing in that for me, as a new leader. I was given the opportunity to reevaluate what it is that we offer and what our service to the community is. Once you’ve answered those questions, you can make decisions about finance, location and style of art.” While Gabrielle and her team were searching for new space, they realized that not only was their core audience still following them, but it had grown. “We didn’t lose our immediate zip code patrons. There’s been an increase.”
Holly Bass is a self-confessed fan of Theater Alliance. She’s a multidisciplinary artist, curator, poet and director, and her play The Transatlantic Time Traveling Company opened as part of Theater Alliance’s 16th season last summer. “I consider myself a long-time audience member. I just love the work they do. They’re so generous and kind, and I think that shows in the productions you see on their stage but also in the ways they pull audiences into conversations after shows. As someone who’s also worked with them, that’s also present behind the scenes.” Like Bass, Gabrielle knows that the inherent value of Theater Alliance isn’t tied to location. She’s done the work to understand the Alliance’s core audience and supporters and she knows that they come from all eight of DC’s wards. “The kind of work we make, the way we make the work, the consciousness with which we make those decisions. That’s the Theater Alliance legacy, no matter where we are.”
Their new temporary venue means the Alliance is now steps away from Arena Stage, The Wharf and a multitude of restaurants, bars and hangout spots. The possibilities are ripe for impact in a community that has a long and lauded history. Marvin Gaye was born in one of the low income neighborhoods that characterized this small patch of DC before it was transformed in the 1950s through the Federal Housing Administration’s campaign of urban renewal. “There’s
something about this particular location that puts us in proximity to neighborhood and community here.” Gabrielle says. She’s already met some of the legacy residents residing nearby and she plans to use the Alliance’s Radical Neighboring Initiative (where a limited number of tickets for each show are sponsored) to draw more of them to performances. “Radical Neighboring Initiative tickets mean you can come at any time for any price you wish. Our highest ticket price is $40. We make sure that all our communities know.”
Show Bill
The Garbologists Showing Jan 30 – Feb 23 theateralliance.com
How often do you think about the men and women who take out your trash every week? The Garbologists by playwright and author Lindsay Joelle –part of Theater Alliance’s 22nd season – is a deep dumpster dive into the secret lives and hidden stories of the people that keep our cities clean and functional come rain, shine or blizzard.
Danny (Chris Genebach) and Marlowe (Yesenia Iglesias) are thrown together in the cab of a New York City garbage truck, and through a humor-filled journey of disposing, excavating and salvaging the trash of the Big Apple’s residents, they come to learn that they’re not so dissimilar after all. “I lived in New York City for 21 years. It’s an old city that doesn’t have back alleys, so all your trash is on the curb waiting to be picked up. I’d frequently take books out of the trash that I’d wanted to read, or I’d see something that I wanted to give a second life,” Joelle recalls as she explains how she brought The Garbologists to life back in 2016. “I’d also just finished my thesis play that
was about two teenage boys that takes place in a truck, so my brain was already in the world of a truck on stage.”
It was on a subsequent long weekend with friends out in the country that Joelle met a sanitation worker who exploded all her assumptions about the job, giving her insight into what she calls the “micro community” of sanitation workers and their ‘invisible stories’. “He had a college degree. It’s a very coveted job in New York City. You take a test for it. He was very proud to be in sanitation.” After a few conversations and having spoken to his colleagues all over the country, Joelle knew this was a story that needed to be told. “I think we have an innate repugnance for what we view as disposable, whether it’s our literal trash or the way that we write people off. You can tell a lot about a person from what they throw out. It’s called ‘reading the bags.’ You read about the person from the trash. Trash lingers and tells stories long after we’re gone.”
Expect your journey into Marlowe and Danny’s world to start the moment you enter the theater. Director Shanara Gabrielle will transform Theater Alliance’s temporary space at 340 Maple Drive SW so that the audience is immersed in a universe of trash, treasure and humor before the show even starts. Don’t miss the opportunity to travel along with Danny and Marlowe and learn about the dignity, skill and respect required for one of our nation’s most critical – and perilous- jobs. u
Lindsay Joelle
Capitol Cuisine
by Celeste McCall
As winter tightens its frigid grip, we’re seeking ways to keep warm, nourish our minds, spirits and yes—our tummies. Here’s something to feed all four: After several months of delay, Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St., welcomes guests to its sprightly café, Quill & Crumb. The café is part of Folger’s almost ve-year, $80.5 million renovation and expansion. The Folger houses the world’s largest collection of the Bard’s works.
On a frigid weekday, Peter and I explored the new café. After navigating the winding entrance, we found ourselves in the Folger’s beautifully transformed Great Hall. Sparce winter sun streamed through the newly brightened windows. Seated at the last available table, we scanned the brief menu and placed our orders at the counter: deviled eggs, sweet potato and bacon soup, ham and asparagus quiche, glass of red wine and hot tea. A server promptly ferried our food to our table.
The three curry-scented deviled eggs were artistically festooned with edible owers. The bacon
provided an agreeable crunch to the nicely balanced sweet/savory soup. My mini quiche could have used more lling, but the generous side salad added a welcome splash of healthy greens. Unfortunately, eating utensils were plastic.
Among other menu options are warm artichoke dip, marinated olives, and a “personal picnic” with local cheeses and honey, fresh berries, nuts and hazelnut lavash. You will also nd pastries, co ee, tea, house-made lemonade, beer, wine, cider, and “seasonal” cocktails.
New on H
Created by Constellation Culinary Group, the café’s menu is reportedly inspired by the Folger’s collection. (Constellation also services numerous restaurants at nationwide cultural institutions including Merriweather Café at Hillwood Estate, New York’s Carnegie Hall and Stir Restaurant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.)
Since Quill & Crumb is open to the public, no timed entry passes or event tickets are necessary. Café hours are the same as the rest of the Folger Shakespeare Library; for more information, please visit www.folger.edu/quillandcrumb.org.
If you like the quirky moniker—we do—you should note that Quill & Crumb was the top votegetter in a crowdsourced project to name the café. Out of 1,750 suggestions, Folger sta members narrowed the list to ve nalists for the public’s vote. Quill & Crumb won.
Late last year, Taqueria Los Perez arrived at 1344 H St.NE. The casual Mexican eatery slings autas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas and sizzling fajitas, made from traditional recipes, we’re told. The shoebox-size newcomer is an outpost of a Maryland-based enterprise, with locations in Baltimore, Laurel and Riverdale. For hours and more information visit www.taquerialosperez.com.
Nearby, here’s another cozy, winter idea: We’ve recently revisited Queen Vic, the Britishthemed neighborhood pub at 1206 H St. NE. We were joining friends there for brunch while catching the Commanders game. Besides being accessible—our friend who uses a wheelchair had no problems navigating the front door ramp—the ambience was quite festive. Things got even livelier when we befriended some Brits at the next table who were loudly cheering for their soccer team. Only two TVs were tuned to American football; the rest showed soccer.
To really ward o winter chills, the thing to order at Queen Vic is shepherd’s pie. The well-seasoned layers of ground lamb and mashed potatoes were crowned with lots of gooey melted cheese. A healthy spring touch was the crisp green salad with little tomatoes, grapes and sliced strawberries.
Other choices are a hearty English breakfast with fried egg, rasher of bacon, pork banger (sau-
Among Quill & Crumb
are ham and asparagus quiche, salad and garnished deviled eggs.
At the Queen Vic British-themed pub, shepherd’s pie, accompanied by a salad, is a hearty winter dish.
sage), baked beans, mushrooms and a baked tomato. Fish-and-chips is another option; the accompanying mushy (mashed) peas taste better than the name suggests. And there’s a traditional Sunday beef (or lamb) roast with roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.
The gregarious bartender happily added tomato juice (fetching and opening a fresh can) to my overly spicy Bloody Mary. For Queen Vic hours and more information visit www.thequeenvicdc.com
Fond of fondue...
Latin style. This past December, my Red Hat (ladies group) enjoyed a festive, holiday lunch at Paraiso Taqueria, the wonderful authentic Mexican restaurant at 1101 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. As the weather was bitterly cold, I needed something to warm me up. After scanning the lineup of tacos, nachos, ceviche, quesadil-
The tongue-tingling appetizer comes with a basket of warm tortillas. Paraiso Taqueria is open daily; for more information visit www.paraisotaqueria.com.
Market Watch
We’ve discovered La Cabrita’s, a moderately-priced stand at Eastern Market’s weekend farmers row. Most sandwiches—big enough to feed two—are $18. We’ve ordered the Italian sausage—served on a sub roll, smothered with onions and bell peppers. The smoky, thinly sliced turkey is nestled in a bun. Escorted by potato chips, both sandwiches were delicious. Other options include roast beef and chicken sandwiches, and shrimp salad. You’ll nd La Cabrita’s there most weekends and Tuesdays.
We’ve also visited Harmonious Kitchen, which hawks bento boxes, rice balls and other Japanese delicacies. Founder/chef Takako Taniwaki and her assistant usually set up shop outdoors in front of Rumsey Aquatic Center, but in bad weather you might nd them in the Eastern Market North Hall. We’ve sampled a salmon-filled rice ball, light but satisfying. Served in a compostable tray, the bento box highlights mackerel, salmon, chicken or tofu.
las and more, I settled on a botana (starter): Queso Fundido. Presented in a cast iron pot, the piping hot dish is Oaxaca’s answer to Swiss fondue. Priced at just $15, the hearty concoction of melted Mexican cheeses and peppers is laced with choice of veggies or chorizo; I chose the latter.
The crispy-skinned mackerel was delicious. Bento sides include rice, veggies, tiny Japanese omelet and pickled condiments.
You’ll nd Harmonious Kitchen at Eastern Market most weekends. For more information visit www.harmoniouskitchen.com. ◆
At Eastern Market Saturdays, Harmonious Kitchen offers Japanese fare including assorted bento boxes. This box includes mackerel.
Self-Care Options on the Hill Leading Edge Procedures from Acupuncture to Skin Tightening
by Pattie Cinelli
Acupuncture covered by insurance, facials specifically designed for your own skin type, treatments that use a device that combines RadioFrequency (RF) and microneedling to help tighten skin, and procedures that use your own tissue to rejuvenate your face are a few of the latest state-of-the-art treatments available on the Hill.
Self-care continues to be a popular trend for 2025. It’s important because it helps improve mental health. It also assists in reducing stress and anxiety that can be a prelude to disease. Taking care of yourself boosts self-esteem and enhances your ability to manage life’s challenges, yet we are often consumed with being busy, multi-tasking and trying to be everything to everyone. We forget how feeling good about ourselves makes us better able to care for others.
Capitol Hill has attracted professionals who use innovative non-surgical techniques to help us feel as good as we look and look as good as we feel. The four businesses profiled here address a myriad of ways to care for your body inside and out. Naturopathy, massage, a plethora of injectables and allover body skin-tightening techniques are a sample of what’s available.
Custom Beauty Med Studio
Custom Beauty Med Studio has services that can enhance your physical beauty and help you turn back the clock. One is Morpheus8. “It tightens the skin,” said owner Chelsea Samo-Lipman. “It’s an FDA-approved RadioFrequency (RF) microneedling device. During treatment, ultra-thin needles plated in gold emit RF energy that is stamped into your skin to create a controlled injury, which, in turn, prompts your body to produce collagen and elastin.” Samo-Lipman said three treatments are required spaced about a month apart. Then a treatment once or twice a year is recommended for maintenance. In addition to skin tightening, Morpheus8 can also treat scars, stretch marks, skin texture and pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and
unwanted pockets of fat. “It’s not a facelift,” said Samo-Lipman. “But it’s the best you can do without surgery.”
Custom Beauty Med Studio’s Fotona Machine is a laser that does a four-dimensional facial. “It’s less painful than Morpheus8,” said Samo-Lipman. “It is a different approach to skin tightening because it does skin resurfacing.” She also said that it can help relieve sleep apnea because it can help tighten some tissue at the back of the mouth which becomes heavy and closes off the airway which is part of what leads to sleep apnea. 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE #103; 202-410-1199; Custombeautymedstudio.com.
Lavender Retreat
When I walk into Lavender Retreat at 1236 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, I think I’m entering a luxurious health resort on a Caribbean island. The pastel colors on the walls are soothing, the aroma of lavender is relaxing, and the soft, melodic music is comforting.
“Lavender Retreat, a spa and holistic health center, is the only facility on the Hill that takes insurance for acupuncture treatment,” said owner Jaime Bohl. “We have two acupuncturists on staff who individualize treatments to help the body mend, relax and address other issues as well,” said Bohl.
In addition to having several types of massage from which to choose, the only Naturopathic doctor on the Hill, Natalie Boulware, practices at Lavender Retreat. Naturopathic medicine uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. It embraces many therapies including herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise and nutritional counseling. 202-4502329. Lavenderretreat.com
Peel Haus
Peel Haus’ non-surgical services span the gamut of possible treatments that can enhance one’s beauty and well-being. Most popular are chemical peels,
fillers and HydraFacials. The treatment that most intrigued me is PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) which uses your own blood tissue to heal. Blood is removed, cells separated then it is injected back into your body. It becomes a natural filler, which is 100 percent donor tissue, explained Sorelle Jones Cooper, co-owner. “It’s been used in dentistry and orthopedics for years.” It rebuilds tissue that we’ve lost from the natural aging process. PRF can also be used in the neck, can enhance the derriere or hips or can stimulate hair growth.
The complimentary skin analysis digitally performed at Peel Haus is getting an upgrade this year. Peel Haus will have an AI-assisted digital skin anal-
Client receiving treatment given by Chelsea Samo-Lipman at Custom Beauty Med Studio
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
DCHE SOLICITATION NO.: 01-2025
NMTC Financial Audit Compliance Service
The District of Columbia Housing Enterprises (DCHE) requires licensed, qualified professionals to provide NMTC Financial Audit Compliance Services to this solicitation.
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Thursday, December 26, 2024, can be found on Bonfire at: https://dchousing.bonfirehub.com/portal
Respondents will then need to log in and locate this RFP for all related documents. It is the Proposers responsibility to check the Bonfire site regularly to stay current on the documents that are available as this is the primary communication site for this RFP.
To access files Vendors are required to Register on the Bonfire platform. See registration link below.
https://vendor.bonfirehub.com/
DCHE will provide either a live or pre-recorded demonstration for any vendors unfamiliar to the platform.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Friday, January 10, 2025 at 12:00 NOON.
Email Abdul Karim Farooqi, Procurement Specialist (OAS) at afarooqi@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.:
02-2025
CAPPER CARROLLSBURG PARKING LOTS
The District of Columbia Housing Enterprises (DCHE) requires licensed, qualified professionals to provide Capper Carrollsburg Parking Lots for this solicitation.
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Thursday, January 02, 2025, and can be found on Bonfire at: https://dchousing.bonfirehub.com/portal
Respondents will then need to log in and locate this RFP for all related documents. It is the Proposers responsibility to check the Bonfire site regularly to stay current on the documents that are available as this is the primary communication site for this RFP.
To access files Vendors are required to Register on the Bonfire platform. See the registration link below.
https://vendor.bonfirehub.com/
DCHA will provide either a live or pre-recorded demonstration for any vendors unfamiliar with the platform.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
Email Abdul Karim Farooqi, Procurement Specialist (OAS) at afarooqi@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
ysis machine. “After skin is analyzed, AI will use that information to assist with treatment planning. It will help us combine therapies to create the best possible result for a patient. We do a deep dive into the skin both on and under the surface. The system ranks clients against their peers and ranks wrinkles against their age and ethnic groups,” Cooper said. “The system also has simulators about how you will age. It also shows how, if you get treatment, how that will change.” 1105 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-8914287; Peelhaus.com.
Skin Obsession Studio
“We strive to give back confidence and radiance without the need for makeup, surgery or downtime,” is the theme of Skin Obsession Studio.
Christina Hoang, the owner, offers curated facials, advanced facial massage, skin care and brow and lash services. Of the nine facials listed on her website, I was most intrigued by two that address signs of aging.
Based on popular Korean techniques, the Glass Skin Facial provides a gentle treatment to produce smooth skin, improved tone, and an illuminating glow. Your skin will receive several treatments in this 90-minute service, including: gentle exfoliation, infusion of essential nutrients to boost skin health with oxygen therapy, cryo skin toning to stimulate collagen, and facial sculpting to lift the face. 98.5% freezedried Hyaluronic Acid is then applied to the face and is transdermal in its delivery to provide you with immediately bouncy, dewy skin.
The Lift Anti-Aging Facial is the ‘big Kahuna’ of facials given at Skin Obsession Studio. Time-re -
versing results can be achieved with this “workout for the face” 90-minute facial. The Lift Anti-Aging Facial is a preventative and corrective skin treatment and is recommended for anyone wanting to rebuild the loss of collagen and elastin, which naturally begins to decline in our midtwenties. It addresses fine lines and wrinkles, laxity and puffiness.
After receiving a gentle enzymatic exfoliation, the skin is introduced to a therapeutic facial massage that stimulates circulation and detoxifies. Microcurrent is then performed to correct both fine and static expression lines by lifting and re-educating weakened facial muscles. LED therapy is then added to further stimulate collagen and elastin. Tailored serums finish this treatment to help maintain newly defined facial contours. 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE #102; 202-9925388; Skinobsessionstudio.com
Capitol Hill has a wealth of businesses specializing in helping you look and feel your best. Make 2025 the year to focus on your wellbeing.
Pattie Cinelli is a journalist who has been writing her column for more than 25 years, please contact her at: fitmiss44@aol.com. u
Client getting injectibles at Peel Haus
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY
The District Vet Good Habits for Dog and Cat People
by Dan Teich
Calvin T. Dog is about 18 monthsold. Time flies. And here we are in 2025. We last reflected upon the year gone by, now it’s time to look forward. The proverbial resolutions of the New year we shall avoid, but how about cultivating some good habits that will benefit both you and your pet?
Walk the Dog, and Yourself
Walking your dog is one of the easiest and healthiest activities in which you and your dog (or cat) should engage. This simple exercise strengthens the hearts, reduces risk of stroke and heart disease, along with moderating weight. In addition, walking promotes bone density and improves balance and coordination.
Fresh air and the stimulation provided by walking are almost as important as the physical gains. Walking is essential for dogs to expend energy and physically stay fit, but dogs need more than just physical exercise: think their brain. One of the larger portions of a dog’s brain processes scent. Every sniff leads to a massive input of data, where dogs sense the world around them. This stimulation is essential for their well-being and consequently expend a large amount of energy! Want to tire out your dog or cat? Work their nose.
The fresh air and simple movement, along with sensing the world around us has been demonstrated to improve our immune systems, and by proxy, those of your dog. Mood improves and stress is reduced, decreasing cortisol levels. Decamping from indoors leads to socialization, too, for both you and the dog. Meet your neighbors. Sniff butts. Walk more.
Put Down Your Phone
Be present. Walking outside is refreshing, and essential, but the effects are blunted when one is star-
ing down constantly at their phone and tuning out the world around them. Such ignorance of the surrounding stimulation may increase stress and place one in danger. Pedestrian traffic fatalities have increased in the past years, possibly due to humans paying more attention to Instagram than the sidewalk.
Paying attention to the dog helps bonding and increases the satisfaction of the walk. In addition doomscrolling prevents one from monitoring if their dog picks up and eats a stray hamburger off the sidewalk. True story. “Forest bathing,” the act of walking through the woods, has been documented to be good for people’s well-being; it is ruined by giving attention to technology. Disconnect from the chaos of tech while walking the dog. Do what the dog does: enjoy the sights, sounds, and breeze. Meet people.
Engage in Positive Reinforcement
ly reward good behavior with love, and sometimes a food treat, but mostly love.
Stay Fit Together
In general we all like praise. Tell me someone at work who doesn’t appreciate a reward or kind words for hard work done. Your pets are the same, they thrive on attention. While home or out on a stroll, give praise for that which is worthy of a reward, such as sitting when reaching a curb, or not jumping when passing another person.
Positive reinforcement is essential to wellbeing. This is how dogs know that they are doing the right thing. By providing positive feedback, you strengthen the bond between you and the dog. This, too lowers blood pressure and releases calming endorphins. Remember to routine-
Whereas the true reward to a pet is attention, watch those calories together. Obesity in pets (and humans) has been on the rise for quite some time. It has been shown that weight loss programs when coupled with other people / accountability, works better than a solo adventure. When feeding the dog or cat, and when considering treats, remember that calories in needs to equal calories expended via normal activities and exercise. Any excess in energy equates to undesired weight gained, unless bodybuilding!
It’s appropriate to partner with your pet. You are responsible for their well-being and weight, couple it with yourself. Take long walks, eat a few less snacks and be fit together. When someone is concerned about their pet, they can translate it to being taking better care of themselves.
While not resolutions per se, the above will lead to a happier 2025.
Dr. Teich is the medical director for District Veterinary Hospitals in Navy Yard, Eastern Market and Brookland. Visit www.districtvet.com for more information. u
“Living Jewels”
Insect Treasures at Hill Center
by Elizabeth Nelson
Often dismissed as “creepy crawlies,” the insects that share our world are glittering and opulent when judged by an unprejudiced eye. The current work in the Young Artists Gallery at Hill Center makes this impossible to deny. Third grade artists at Maury Elementary School (1250 Constitution Ave. NE) have created larger-than-life portraits of our tiny neighbors. Some, like butterflies, are easy to love and already enjoy a sterling reputation. Others, including various species of spiders, are often seen as ugly, scary, or disgusting. This show will force you to reconsider your negative views.
Maury art instructor, Lauren Bomba,
chose the theme as an exercise in observation and drawing techniques. Using pens and colored pencils, students drew and redrew their chosen insects, with each iteration, asking their classmates for feedback on how to improve. As their focus and accuracy increased, so did their appreciation for the subtle color, form, and texture of their subjects. The final results are simply gorgeous. A big takeaway for the artists was to see, first-hand, that honest and specific feedback, especially from your peers, can be just as important as natural talent.
Sabal chose the black widow spider because he “likes very dangerous objects and things. In real life, they’re scary but if it’s a picture, it’s pretty much ok.” Frances went
with a monarch butterfly because she feels she’s “better at 2D than 3D and the butterfly’s wings are flat.” She “started with the basic shape, then made it bigger and added more details.”
The show will hang in the Young Artists Gallery on the ground floor at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) through March 15, 2025. Ms. Bomba invites you to visit and appreciate both the beauty of the insects and her students’ mastery of technique. And “consider how even the most misunderstood creatures are some of our most valuable community members. Can you imagine a DC summer without spiders helping out with the mosquitos?” Can’t arrange an in-person visit? Check out the virtual gallery: hillcenterdc.org/artist/living-jewels-insect-treasures/
If your Capitol-Hill-based school or youth art program would be interested in having a show in the Young Artists Gallery, please email elizabeth_knits@yahoo.com with ‘YAG’ plus the name of your organization in the subject line. u
Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly by Zoe M.
Black Widow Spider by Sabal G.
Christmas Beetle by Audrey Y.
Cobalt Blue Spider by Lucas C.
Picasso Bug by Nikki K.
Pink Grasshopper by Gus B.
Red Speckled Beetle by Timothy S.
Tarantula by Finn M.
Tiger Butterfly by Naomi L.
Toxic Milkweed Grasshopper by Jalendu W.
CROSSWORD
“Music or noise?” by Myles Mellor
Across:
1. Patron saint of girls
6. Military actions
12. Payroll processing company
15. Bedding pieces
17. Main channels
20. Began, with “off”
22. Sinking cash into a new band perhaps
24. Visual accompaniment
26. Where Lux. is
27. In a bit
28. Wing ___ prayer
29. Writer John Dickson ___
30. Messy people
33. El ___ (“View of Toledo” painter)
36. Summer month, abbr.
37. Auto body shop tasks
38. Boy on ‘The Jetsons’
40. President before DDE
42. Arrogant people
44. Taking the place (of)
47. Successful pitch
48. Slalom segment
49. Be on aural alert
52. Jazz instrument
56. ___ de toilette
57. Foe of the Cheyenne
58. Australian animal, for short
60. Multitude of colors
62. Shorebirds
63. The nos viewpoint
65. “A Fistful of Dollars” director Sergio
66. Give out
70. It may be picked
71. Genevan water
72. Snoop Dogg song
73. Opposite of dark
75. See
77. Hemmed in
79. Plants
80. Victorian for one
81. Not exactly on time
83. Org. in Tom Clancy novels
86. Rock-band member
89. What a lark might offer
92. Prom wear
93. Seine feeder
94. Counter
95. Lives in bivouacs
99. Suffix with absorb
100. Spud
102. Sparkle
103. Duke’s grp.
105. Road bends
107. Golfing cup
111. CPR pros
112. Don Juan, e.g.
114. Yearn
116. Yell in a bullring
117. Scale components
119. Party person’s request
124. Cut in a skirt
125. Viking adventurer, Leif
126. Building blocks
127. Naval rank: abbr.
128. Pacific weather phenomenon
129. Bizarre
Down:
1. Pack animals
2. Grave robber
3. Introduction to chemistry?
4. Velvet finish?
5. Benchmark, abbr.
6. Appetizing
7. Personification of peace, in mythology
8. Venusians, e.g.
9. Secure
10. “Aunt” with a “Cope Book”
11. Tuscan city
12. ___ minimum
13. Tennis ties
14. Pedagogue
16. Female sib
18. Provide (with)
19. Walk drunk
21. Potting soils, e.g.
23. Not doable
25. Hosp. areas
31. “So ___”
32. Siesta
34. Irritates
35. City south of Lillehammer
37. Cheerless
39. Charge
41. Mother Earth
43. Sch. in Stillwater
44. Land in l’océan
45. Vardalos in a film wedding
46. Shaq’s alma mater
47. One with a loud voice
50. Track legend Jesse
51. Less ready to eat
52. Imprecise recipe phrase
53. Type of cook
54. Valentine’s Day god
55. Browns
59. Not working
61. The end is not __
64. Trap, as by a winter storm
66. North Pole toymaker
67. Balmy
68. Operatic prince
69. Preposition
74. Gong
76. Chevy truck model
77. Wingdings
78. Letter-shaped opening
82. Abnormally active
83. Gush
84. Before Homeland Security
85. Sensitive subject, to some
87. Ornamental flower, for short
88. From one side only
90. German “a”
91. Nimble
95. St. ___ fire
96. Get under the skin of
97. A ___ point
98. Give it sparkle
100. Synthesized music
101. Tennis great, Arthur
102. Col.’s superior
104. Radium discoverer
106. Squelched
108. Question
109. Big name in bonding
110. She played Elle in “Legally Blonde”
113. Bottom-of-letter abbr.
115. Actress Longoria
118. A Cadillac
120. Service arm, abbr.
121. Clairvoyance and the like
122. “Deep Space Nine” character
123. Singer, Rawls
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.
