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S ingAr R ingR
Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist at the NGA
One of the defining artists of the 20th century, Elizabeth Catlett addressed the injustices she witnessed and experienced in America and Mexico through her bold prints and dynamic sculptures. From March 9 to July 6, see more than 150 of her creations in this exhibition, including rarely seen paintings and drawings at the National Gallery of Art. Trace the career of this cultural force—from her roots in Washington, DC, Chicago, and New York to the remarkable body of work she made during some 60 years in Mexico. In striving to make art for the people, Catlett put social justice at the very center of her work. nga.gov.
ABOVE: Elizabeth Catlett, J. K. Fine Art Editions Co., Joseph Kleineman, Maureen Turci, Links Together, 1996, lithograph on wove Arches paper, Purchased as the Gift of Art Information Volunteers in Honor of Dianne Stephens, 2021.63.1
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line at the Phillips
Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line reappraises the work of Art Nouveau pioneer Alphonse Mucha (b. 1860, Ivančice, Moravia, Austrian Empire; d. 1939, Prague, Czechoslovakia) and explores his impact on graphic art since the 1960s. This exhibition provides an opportunity to survey the development of Mucha’s style, and to explore how his art was rediscovered by later generations of artists. Mucha was a key influence on Psychedelic Art of the 1960s–70s, as well as on a wide range of visual culture from the late 20th century to today, exemplified by American comics, Japanese manga, and street murals. Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, from Feb. 22 to May 18. Adult admission is $20; seniors, $15; students and educators, $10. phillipscollection.org.
Alphonse Mucha Rêverie 1897–98 Color lithograph 72.7 x 55.2 cm. Collection of the Mucha Trust
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Kunene and the King at Shakespeare
A celebrated classical actor has just been given a career-defining role as King Lear and a life-changing diagnosis—and Lunga Kunene (John Kani) has been charged with his care. As Jack Morris (Edward Gero) confronts his mortality, two men brought together by necessity discover the unifying power of Shakespeare a quarter century after the fall of apartheid. Written and performed by Tony-winner John Kani (Black Panther, The Island, Sizwe Banzi is Dead), Edward Gero (The Lehman Trilogy) joins in the play’s US premiere. Tickets start at $35. Kunene and the King is at STC’s Klein Theater, 450 Seventh St. NW, from Feb. 16 to March 16. shakespearetheatre.org.
District Winter Beer Fest at Union Market
On Saturday, Feb. 22, noon to 9 p.m., try the best beer in town, all under the same roof: Specially curated seasonal beers, with a soundtrack provided by live entertainment at Dock5 inside Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. This is a fun environment for beer lovers & friends with a limited ticket capacity. There are two sessions—noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $49. districtbeerfest.com.
Laurel Canyon: Golden Songs of Los Angeles 1966-’72 at the Birchmere
The legendary music scene found in Los Angeles and its neighboring magic-struck neighborhood, Laurel Canyon, are the focus of this show. It celebrates the musical brilliance of more than a dozen legendary bands and performers who lived and made their music in and around LA. On Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., at the Birchmere, Laurel Canyon: Golden Songs of Los Angeles 1966-72 features the music of: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Buffalo Springfield, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, The Beach Boys, Linda Ronstadt, The Monkees, Spirit, The Byrds, The Doors, Carole King, Sonny & Cher, The Eagles, and more. $39.50. The Birchmere is at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria VA. birchmere.com.
A Room in the Castle at the Folger How does a woman survive the court of Denmark? A Room in the Castle finds Ophelia, her handmaid, and Queen Gertrude on the other end of a wild prince’s antics and realizing just how dangerous life in this castle has become. As Ophelia withstands Hamlet’s assaults and insults, Gertrude comes to see how far gone her son truly is. What is she willing to risk to save Ophelia and herself if it means turning against her problematic child? A meditation on women helping women and what responsibility generations of feminists have to one another, A Room in the Castle rebrands the stories of the women of Shakespeare’s Hamlet into a drama with music and defiant hope for the future. Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE, from March 4 to April 6. Tickets are $20 to $84. Folger.edu.
2019 Laurel Canyon Artist Activity in iconic photo of America’s Top Model, CariDee English. Shot by Canyon resident, photographer Victoria Smith.
Dr. John Kani is Lunga Kunene
Kronborg at night from Elsinore Harbour.
Story, Movement and Sound at the Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival
The Atlas Performing Arts Center’s INTERSECTION Festival is a month-long celebration of innovative and inspiring performances, running from Feb. 15 through March 16. Enjoy performances of story, movement, and sound over five weekends. Now in its 16th year, the 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. Tickets are $25 to $32. Festival three and five performance passes are available also. atlasarts.org/intersections2025.
Dom Flemons at Rams Head On Stage
Dom Flemons is known as “The American Songster” since his repertoire covers over one hundred years of American roots music. Flemons is a folk musician, Black country artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music scholar, historian, actor, slam poet, podcaster, cultural commentator, influencer, and the creator, host, and producer of the American Songster Radio Show on WSM in Nashville, TN. Over the past 25 years, he has received major awards, gained worldwide media recognition and has become one of the most influential and highly decorated voices in American roots music. Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis MD, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 plus tax and fees for this 21+ performance. ramsheadonstage.com.
Dropkick Murphys at The Anthem
Dropkick Murphys are Boston’s rock ‘n’ roll underdogs turned champions. Since 1996, the boys have created the kind of music that’s meant to be chant- ed at last call, in packed arenas, and during the fourth quarter, third period, or ninth inning of a comeback rally. Their discography includes four consecutive Billboard top 10 album debuts along with 2005’s Certified-Gold The Warrior’s Code featuring the double platinum classic “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.” Drop- kick Murphys, The Menzingers and Teenage Bottlerocket are at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m., doors at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 to $95. theanthemdc.com.
It’s a Motherf**king Pleasure (disability rights and wrongs)
at Woolly PR firm “Rize” faces accusations of ableism, unleashing a whirlwind of spin, changing narratives, and PC-culture. Enter Ross, a blind influencer with his star on the rise, who is ready to
profit off the guilt of non-disabled, anxious people. Will Rize and Ross come out on top, or will they get derailed by the sh**storm? Fron March 6 to 30, multi-award winning and disability-led theatre company FlawBored delivers a scathing satire on the monetization of identity politics, the guilt of non-disabled people, and what it costs to do the right thing. All performances are audio-described, relaxed and have captioning available. Tickets are $60 to $82. Woolly Mammoth is at 641 D St. NW. woollymammoth.net.
Dom Flemons demonstrates the pipes at the 2019 Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Liberated Muse performs at the Festival on March 2, 5 p.m.
Imo Nse Imeh: Monuments to Our Skies at the NAS
During the summer of 2020—amid the pandemic, lockdowns, and widespread displays of racially motivated violence that appeared on screens across the United States—artist Imo Nse Imeh was deeply engaged with questions of faith, trust, belief, and redemption, particularly in the context of Black communities. Monuments to Our Skies is the result. Each canvas in this series offers a unique combination of material and form. At the National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave. NW, through July 1. Government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport is required for entry. cpnas.org.
RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up at KC
On Wednesday, March 5, 8 p.m., join the Kennedy Center for RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up, a special comedy event in celebration of Women’s History Month and featuring an all-female lineup. Leading performers from across the comedic landscape come together to celebrate women in the arts through laughter. After sold-out performances in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024 RIOT! has become a national platform for female artists to embrace creative risk and emphasize their perspective in our rapidly evolving culture. Tickets price range is $33 to $68. kennedy-center.org.
Shucked: A New Musical Comedy at the National
SHUCKED is the Tony Award-winning musical comedy at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from Feb. 25 to March 2. And nobody knows funny like economists. This corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater. SHUCKED is recommended for ages ten and older+. It contains adult themes, moments of adult language and a harvest of corny innuendo. Tickets start at $62. broadwayatthenational.com.
Mother Tongue Film Festival: Singing Back the Buffalo
The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives. Celebrate the Festival’s tenth anniversary with ten days of free programming: in person in Washington, DC, from Thursday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 23 and online February 24 to March 1. The festival spotlights new feature-length films, short film programs and other forms of digital storytelling, Q&A sessions with directors and a filmmakers roundtable discussion. Films featured over the decade of the Festival will also be screened. Learn more on the festival’s website at mothertongue.si.edi.
Danielle Wade as Maizy and Erick Pinnick as Granpa in Shucked. Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
The Age of Innocence at Arena
When Countess Ellen Olenska escapes Europe and a cruel past, only to find herself trapped behind the suffocating gilded cage of New York society and in love with the man engaged to her cousin May, she battles privilege, desire, and tradition in pursuit of her own destiny. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, from Feb. 28 to March 30. Tickets start at $59. Savings programs are at arenastage.org/tickets/ savings-programs.
US Department of the Interior Museum (a hidden gem)
The Interior Museum opened on March 8, 1938, within the US Department of the Interior’s newly constructed headquarters building at 1849 C St. NW. The museum was a first for an Executive-branch Department and was heralded as an innovative approach to making a large, complex Federal agency more transparent and publicly accessible. While the Interior Museum’s collections have grown, and appearances have changed since 1938, the museum’s mission has remained the same: to inspire and educate employees and visitors about the Department’s ongoing stewardship of the nation’s public lands, heritage, and natural resources. All visitors enter through the building’s C Street lobby. Open weekdays (except federal holidays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All visitors over 18 years of age are required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID to enter the building. doi.gov.
DC Art Science Evening Rendezvous (DASER): Health and Wellness in the Black Community
DC Art Science Evening Rendezvous (DASER) is organized by the National Academy of Sciences, to explore several key questions: What are the relationships among art, science, technology, culture, and all related disciplines or systems of understanding? In celebration of Black History Month and Imo Nse Imeh’s exhibition, Monuments to Our Skies, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 6 to 9:15 p.m., join the National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave. NW, for a conversation about health and wellness in the Black community. The event features talks by Nii Addy, Albert E. Kent Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine; Imo Nse Imeh, Artist and Associate Professor of Art and Art History, Westfield State University among others. Government-issued photo ID is required for entry. Please register. cpnas. org/exhibitions-events/ events/dc-art-science-evening-rendezvous.
Solas Nua’s Capital Irish Film Festival
Solas Nua’s annual Capital Irish Film Festival presents one of the largest programs of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films, and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. The festival amplifies emerging voices on Irish screen, and reflects the robust and vibrant screen industry that has grown in Ireland in recent years. The four-day festival takes place on Feb. 27 to March 2 at the American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre & Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring MD. All-access passes are one sale now for $175. Additionally, gift cards are on sale at $25, $50 and $100. solasnua.org/ciff.
The Scenarios at Studio
Angie, an actor, has just landed her weirdest gig yet: improvising scenes with active-duty cops, helping to train them to respond to people in acute mental crisis. But when the backstage tensions and workplace hijinks begin to pull focus from the training’s actual goal—to save lives— Angie tries making things a little more real. Funny and compassionate, this world premiere looks at the intricacies of empathy and asks what it costs to pretend to be someone else. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW, from Feb. 26 to April 6. Tickets start at $55 with discounts available. Studiotheatre.org.
SPECIALS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
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Tudor Edition invites visitors into a world of lace ruffs, jousting, hawks, bad handwriting, scandal and political factions.
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition
Social climbing was a competitive sport in Tudor England, requiring a complex range of skills, strategies, 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. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, from Feb. 21 through July 2025. folger.edu/ visit/exhibitions.
Ireland at the Wharf
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at The Wharf on Saturday, March 15, noon to 6 p.m., with a lively festival with live Irish music, Irish dancers, and Guinness Beer in partnership with Kirwan’s Irish Pub. Enjoy all the fun of a true Irish festival with Guinness, Jameson, rugby, and bands. Ireland at The Wharf is free to attend; no tickets are needed. Drinks are available for purchase on District and Transit Pier and at all Wharf bars and restaurants. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol. wharfdc.com/Ireland.
for
Colin Quinn at The Miracle Theatre
Colin Edward Quinn is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. He first gained widespread attention for his work as a cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2000, and he became known for anchoring Weekend Update, the show’s news parody segment. Quinn has also become known for his comedic one-man shows that feature his takes on history and growing up in New York City. Colin Quinn’s Our Time Is Up is at The Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE, on Feb. 20, 8 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. $35. themiracletheatre.com.
Charles C. Eldredge Prize Lecture with Megan A. Smetzer at SAAM
On Thursday, March 13, 4 to 5 p.m., join art historian Megan A. Smetzer, the 2024 recipient of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Eldredge Prize, which annually recognizes originality and thoroughness of research and excellence in writing, for her 2021 book Painful Beauty: Tlingit Women, Beadwork, and the Art of Resilience. Through extensive archival and museum research, Smetzer shows how beaders countered repressive colonial systems and sustained cultural practices through innovative artistic visions deeply connected to the environment, clan histories, and Tlingit worldviews. This lecture is held in person and online; registration is required. americanart.si.edu.
Tlingit beadwork is a traditional art form practiced by the Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska, where women create intricate designs using beads on garments like moccasins, tunics, and bags, often incorporating symbolic imagery related to their clan history, natural elements, and spiritual beliefs. Photo: Megan A. Smetzer by Vance E. Williams
Comedian, Colin Quinn, performs
Marines and Sailors at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
How to Be a Power Player:
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Washington Stage Guild’s Escape from the Asylum (A Madcap Mystery)
Will the women outsmart the men again? Through Feb. 23, dual adventures ensue in this sequel to last season’s sell-out, The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective. Three intrepid lady detectives hatch a plan to free a perfectly sane woman explorer shut away in an asylum by her husband. Follow the clues to solve two mysteries amid a Victorian seance, a pre-Freudian alienist, some cross-dressing, and barriers to gender equality at every turn. Tickets are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., $50; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., $60. Washington Stage Guild performs at 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW. stageguild.org.
Sucker for Love at the Lincoln
Story District returns to the Historic Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW, with DC’s favorite annual Valentine’s Day show. Story District teaches and showcases the art of true, first-person storytelling to inspire, connect, and build a community of diverse voices within the Washington, DC region and beyond. They strive to combat bias and challenge portrayals of marginalized communities. On Friday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. $39.50. thelincolndc.com.
What If Fungi Win? A Conversation with Dr. Arturo Casadevall
From the delicious to the deadly, fungi—which share 50% of our DNA—present a wide range of benefits, and threats, to human health, many of which remain unexplored. Could fungal pathogens outsmart us before we find ways to combat them?
On March 4, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Bloomberg Hopkins Center, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Dr. Arturo Casadevall takes up this question and discusses his latest book, What If Fungi Win?, in conversation with Emily Kwong, founder and co-host of NPR science podcast Short Wave. Books will be available for purchase and signing from East City Bookshop at a reception following the program. Free but registration is required. washingtondc.jhu.edu/events/upcoming-events.
Your Name Means Dream at Theater J
Internationally acclaimed playwright José Rivera directs his profoundly intimate tragicomedy that asks what it means to be human as we embrace the technology of our future—and it embraces us. Aislin needs constant support in her later years, and her care is placed in the hands of an AI robot-caregiver named Stacy, designed to look and sound human. The unexpected relationship that blossoms between them sparks questions of what it means to have a soul, what defines humanity and what happens when those definitions begin to shift. At Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW, from March 12 to April 6. Tickets start at $49.99. edcjcc.org/theater-j.
Capital City Blues Festival at DAR Constitution Hall
This year marks the 6th Annual Capital City Blues Festival. There’s no other way to put this: you won’t be able to find another show with as much flow and good vibes as this one. King George, Puka, and Pokey Bear are among the performers who are once again going to be on stage. This year, though, marks the first appearance for West Love. She’s looking to provide that much-needed girl’s touch on the night. Before you know it, you’ll be dancing in the aisles. Here’s the lineup for the Blues is Alright Tour: King George, Puka, Pokey Bear, West Love, Lenny Williams and JWONN. Tickets from $111. dar.org/constitution-hall. Saturday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW.
Mica Cap, Shiny Cap or Glistening Inky Cap, Coprinellus micaceus, Family: Psathyrellaceae, Location: Germany, Erbach, Ringingen
courtesy: Story District
LOCAL CALENDAR
Jupiter Quartet. Feb. 19, 8 p.m. Celebrated as an ensemble of eloquent intensity, the award-winning Jupiter String Quartet brings a program of Carlos Simon, Shulamit Ran and Beethoven to the Library of Congress, performing on its renowned Stradivari instruments. Free. Thomas Jef-ferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov.
Skating at Canal Park. Canal Park, 200 M St. SW, 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 per person. skate-canalpark.com.
Skating at The Wharf. Thursday and Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Adult admission is $25 with skate rental; Youth (twelve and under), $20 with skate rental. Wharf skating is on Transit Pier just outside the Anthem. wharfdc.com.
Intro to Yoga Series: Sun Salutations & Activation with Deep. Satur-days, 10 to 11 a.m. Hotel Nell, 411 New York Ave. NE, is hosting a fun and energizing introduction to yoga focusing on Sun Salutations and ac-tivation techniques, led by instructor Deep. This class is an all-level friendly class with a focus on aligning your breath with the solar energy in your body through Sun Salutations & Astanga Yoga inspired pos-tures. $20. unionmarketdc.com.
Apres Ski at Wunder Garten. Through Feb. 22. Après ski, meaning af-ter skiing, is the cozy, celebratory tradition of unwinding with good drinks, great friends and winter vibes. 1101 First St. NE. wundergartendc.com.
Pop-up Movies at Union Market. Feb. 3, Moonstruck; Feb. 9, Gone with the Wind; Feb. 14, Casablanca; Feb. 17, The Philadelphia Sto-ry; Feb. 24, West Side Story; Feb. 8, Ex-Husbands; March 3, The Silence of the Lambs; March 9, Lawrence of Arabia. 550 Penn St. NE. angelika-filmcenter.com/dc.
Brought to You by Schneider's of Capitol Hill
pianist Steffen Schleiermacher perform the music of Hanns Eisler and Franz Schubert in a oneof-a-kind vocal recit-al. Thomas Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov.
Curling & Cocktails at The Wharf. Feb. 5, 12 and 19, 7 to 10 p.m. The Canadian game marries hockey and shuffleboard for a low-pressure evening on the ice. thewharfdc.com.
Death Cafe at Congressional Cemetery. Feb. 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Congressional Cemetery welcomes you to join them at one of their monthly Death Cafes at Historic Congressional Ceme-tery. Suggested donation, $5. 1801 E St. SE. congressionalcemetery.org.
Funny Arabs by Rola Z. Feb. 7, 7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). Don’t miss this unique show featuring leading Arab American comedians who explore a range of topics from the immigrant experience to displacement and belonging through comedy and laughter. $20 to $30. Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW. unionstagepresents.com.
(Second Saturday) NE Library Book Sale. 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.
Sweet Blood with Camille Simone Thomas: Workshop and Commu-nity Read. Feb. 8, 3:30 p.m. Join Whose Democracy? Artist Fellow Ca-mille Simone Thomas for a workshop and community read of her speculative historical fiction play Sweet Blood, set in 1727 Jamaica. Participants will learn about the rare materials that inform Camille’s work, as well as how she incorporates archival research into her writing process. Free registration. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. folger.edu.
Sing Out Piano Bar and Open Mic with Gay Man’s Chorus. Feb. 12, March 12, and April 9; 7:30 to 11 p.m. Come out to sing with live piano ac-
FEBRUARY MIXED CASE SPECIAL!
6 Romantic Valentine’s Day Reds, 4 Vibrant and Complex Whites, 1 Pretty in Pink Dry California Sparkling, 1 Dry Rose. Retail Price: $397.88 Sale Price: $295.88
and
Photo: Todd Rosenberg
Angelika
Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara
Mardi Gras at The Wharf. March 1, 3 to 7 p.m. Celebrate Mardi Gras with a community-wide extravaganza featuring a spirited parade down Wharf Street, a dance party with live music on District Pier, and a fire-works finale. wharfdc.com.
companiment or just enjoy the music. Free admission. The At-las, 1333 H St. NE. atlasarts.org.
Second Wind Chorus Concert at NE Library. Feb. 13, noon to 1 p.m. From madrigals and the music of Palestrina to selections by Mo-zart and Mendelssohn to more contemporary compositions by John Rut-ter and Eric Whitacre, the chorus explores a diverse repertoire. Free admission. NE Library is at 330 Seventh St. NE (corner of Seventh Street and Maryland Avenue NE). dclibrary.org.
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. at-lasarts.org/intersections2025.
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.
Rock the Rink at The Wharf. Feb. 22, 2 to 6 p.m. Join fellow hockey fans at The Wharf to Rock the Rink with the Washington Capitals. Skate at The Wharf Ice Rink and enjoy a DJ, Caps gear giveaways, and more. They’ll also broadcast the Capitals’ away game on the bar TV at the Caps Cantina. thewharfdc.com.
DC Polar Plunge. Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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. Learn about registering and/or donating at dcpolarplunge.org.
The Age of Innocence at Arena. Feb. 28 to March 30. When Countess Ellen Olenska escapes Europe and a cruel past, only to find herself trapped behind the suffocating gilded cage of New York society and in love with the man engaged to her cousin May, she battles
Folger Consort’s The Love Birds: Chaucer’s A Parlement of Foules. Feb. 14, 8 p.m.; Feb. 15, 4 and 7 p.m.; Feb. 16, 2 p.m. Geoffrey Chau-cer’s charming and trenchant A Parlement of Foules contains the first reference to St. Valentine as patron saint of lovers. The 14th-century poet’s vision of avian politics will be interspersed with bracing and in-tricate music of his times from England and France, perfectly mirrored by the newly composed music of composer Juri Seo. $20 to $45. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. folger.edu.
Theater Alliance’s The Garbologists (2025). Through Feb. 23. A fresh, quirky buddy comedy about two unlikely partners, thrown together in the cab of a nineteen-ton garbage truck. Tickets are $5 to $40. Perfor-mance space is at 340 Maple Dr. SW. theateralliance.com.
privilege, de-sire, and tradition in pursuit of her own destiny. arenastage.org.
Chiarina Chamber Players’ A Clarinet Celebration. March 2, 7:30 p.m. Clarinetist icon Ricardo Morales joins Chiarina artistic directors and vi-olinist Domenic Salerni in the world premiere of I will dance and dance with you, a work by Venezuelan-American composer Reinaldo Moya that draws on a myriad of pan-American musical styles and the clari-netists who championed them-from Cuban-American Paquito D’Rivera to New Orleanian Sidney Bechet. $30; free for ages 18 and under, Mark’s Capitol Hill, 301 A St. SE. chiarina.org.
Epidemic Cinema: Hitchcock, the Holocaust and Other Horrors at Hill Center. March 4, 6 to 8 p.m. Audiences accustomed to Alfred Hitchcock as the master of scary Gothic films like Psycho will be quite surprised to discover his little-known films about the Holocaust and plagues. He would never ignore “body horrors” but he understood pop-ular culture too well to ignore what really frightened people. Free. hill-centerdc.org. ◆
S ingAr
Theater Night
A curated review of theater in the DMV
by Matthew McClure
What makes a great leader? This weighty question looms large in our national discourse as a new presidential administration takes up the helm. For this month’s column, we’ve spoken to a kaleidoscope of cultural practitioners who have mastered their craft through a style of leadership characterized by diversity and di erence. Perhaps, as Roald Dahl’s Matilda eventually learns, our uniqueness can be our greatest advantage?
In the Spotlight Matilda the Musical, Little Theatre of Alexandria Showing Feb 8 – Mar 1 www.thelittletheatre.com
When you’re born a little di erent, the world can seem like a scary place. Roald Dahl’s tale of a little girl born to unloving parents who nds comfort within the pages of books, befriends a lonely teacher and learns that she possesses magical powers has inspired a musical that’s been performed across the world since 2010. With music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, Matilda the Musical has won a slew of awards and will soon be gracing the stage of Virginia’s Little Theatre of Alexandria.
Produced by Kadira Coley and Jennifer Hardin, this fantastical fable is being directed by Janie Downey, who just last year directed and designed the props for the same show at Yarmouth, MA’s Royal River Community Players. “I love the show. I have a really di erent way that
I direct and I had to make sure they were comfortable with that and they were, so here we are!” says Downey, whose software development-style technique of cutting the script into chunks to “run it, test it, see if it works” is being used to great effect with the children being cast in this production. Downey’s having fun with the cast, who she says are truly representative of the DC area. “Kids just bring it on. They’re daring and reckless. I love their energy.” Cecilia Gorini and Lyle Vogel play Matilda, while Bruce Bogtrotter is played by Caleb Dawkins and Kiril French and Bogtrotter’s famously nausea-inducing, larger-than-life chocolate cake (a star in its own right) is the very same that was used in the Royal River Community Players production.
yourself through education. It’s leadership through education and nding an adult that believes in you and that sees you.”
Special Mention
Downey is aiming for full immersion in Matilda’s world.
“I want everyone that comes to this to think ‘Oh my gosh! I’m in this classroom and that’s my teacher and my awful principal!’” There’s something special about the message of Matilda the Musical; that a leader can chart a way forward for herself and her friends through compassion, kindness and understanding, in contrast to the hatred and intimidation that the fearsome Miss Trunchbull embodies. Downey adds that the show is also about “ nding
Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival, Atlas Performing Arts Center Showing Feb 15 – Mar 16 www.atlasarts.org
This year’s cornucopia of star talent at H Street’s Atlas Performing Arts Center will showcase 650 artists from the DMV appearing in 37 di erent performances across the categories of Movement, Sound and Story. Exploring the convergence of art and humanity, performances will take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. For this month’s column—an amuse-bouche of what to expect later this month—we’ve chatted with three artists from each category to get you excited about what’s to come. Visit www. atlasarts.org/intersections2025/ to view the full program and to buy your tickets.
SOUND
Where Life Meets Art, Capital City Symphony Showing Feb 22, 7pm
“Art can be a vehicle for human connection, and
Matilda the Musical director, Janey Downey. Photo: Janey Downey
INTERSECTIONS Festival: Capital City Symphony: Johannes Visser conducting a holiday concert at Central Union Mission.
S ingAr
for people to come together.” Johannes Visser, Assistant Conductor for Capital City Symphony and the brains behind the lineup for the Symphony’s program at the Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival, explains. “It’s not often that people get to experience something at the same time in the same space and that was the spirit with which I approached the programming.” Visser’s lineup of classical compositions is a celebration of the universal power of music to connect communities across the globe, regardless of cultural, political, social or historical di erences: Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, George Walker’s Lyric for Strings, Edgar Elgar’s Enigma Variations and a special, deeply personal composition by Visser himself, titled A Winter Night in Palestine. Expect an evening of spine-tingling, soaring strings.
MOVEMENT
Where there’s smoke, there’s re… Aerial Ignition
Showing Feb 15, 8pm
If the spectacle of aerial dance per-
formers soaring through the air on ropes, silks, hoops and trapeze a la Cirque du Soleil thrills you, then you’re not going to want to miss Aerial Ignition. Michelle Khalili, a student, collaborator and artist who performs for both Aerial Ignition and The Eternal Art Collective, will appear alongside Sydney Ignacio and six other performers. They’ll be using straps, lyra (an aerial hoop) and other aerial performance equipment to communicate the passion, hard work, commitment and talent required to do what they do so well. “What you see on stage is the tip of the iceberg. Under that is the hard work and toil. Part of what we wanted was to bring in the real human side of what it means to be a performer and dancer.” Khalili says. Ignacio has performed with the Philippine Ballet Theatre, Verb Ballet, Washington Re exions Dance Company and CityDance. He’s familiar with the exceptional talent that DC possesses in this art form. “DC is a big place.” he explains. “My goal is for everyone to realize that we have really good
performers here.” This year’s show will debut an aerial spiral device and a performer that will hang from their hair. Don’t miss it.
STORY
Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, Olive Ghardon
Showing Feb 22, 7:30pm
You’re invited to the wedding of Brennan Newkirk and Joshua Pearson, but don’t you dare wear any bright colors or bold patterns! This dress code is the catalyst for Drew Droege’s 2017 one-person play of the same name, set during the evening before a wild weekend in Palm Springs where lead (and only onstage) character Gerry drinks, smokes and sashays through a steady stream of witty dialogue, steadfastly refusing to be squeezed into a closet of conformity. For one night only, Chad Rabago – and his alter-
Bright Colors and Bold Patterns: Photo: Olive Ghardon
ego Olive Ghardon – will take on the role of Gerry, with guaranteed hilarious results and an important message about being authentic in a world that too regularly tries to snu out individuality. “I’ve been doing drag as Olive for over 2 years and I’ve been involved in theater.” Rabago says. “I’ve been looking for a way to bring those two things together in a way where I have some creative control.”
Fans of Olive’s appearances at JR’s drag musicals will love Rabago’s interpretation of Droege’s script. Don’t forget to wear something bright and colorful. ◆
Aerial Ignition. Photo: Sydney Ignacio
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Capitol Cuisine
by Celeste McCall
Like a rude dinner guest, winter just refuses to depart. To warm up, how about a culinary journey down to sunny Rio? We took such a trip when we visited Fogo de Chao, 698 Wharf St. SW, the seventh o shoot of the nationwide chain. Based on the Brazilian churrascaria concept, guests settle in, order their drinks and partake of a bountiful Market Table (salad bar). We rst experi-enced a churrascaria years ago in Rio, but Fogo Chao’s seemingly endless salad bar is much longer. Items might include green salads, smoked salmon, hearts of palm, cheeses, salami, fruits and nuts, grains, yogurt, a few desserts. Warning: Don’t ll up. There’s more to come, much more.
For our visit, we were joined by a friend who was even more familiar with this concept and helped us through the interesting process. Here’s the deal: For $50 per person, diners rst order their drinks and partake of the Market Table. Then, un-
limited skewered meats are brought around by servers. You can request rare, medium or well-done cuts. Rotating selections might include let mignon, pork, picanha (prime sirloin), lamb chops, beef ribs, garlic beef, linguica sausage, frango (chicken). Each diner receives a cardboard disc; one side is green, the other red. When you want more meat, keep the green side up. To indicate “no more!” ip it to red.
But you don’t have to go whole hog. Fogo’s ala carte menu includes pan-seared salmon, cauli- ower steak, Chilean sea bass. Peter ordered the latter ($46) and it was delicious, moist, aky and topped with papaya vinaigrette and escorted by grilled asparagus.
Priced at $35, a special brunch Market Table o ers seasonal veggies, soups, cheeses, cured meats, omelets, wa es and more. Also available are appetizers: jumbo shrimp cocktail, seafood towers and chilled lobster and shrimp.
This place is not cheap; brunch for two came to $135 including a generously garnished bloody Mary with crisp bacon, celery stick and olives, and a nice glass of Malbec. But our experience was well worth the hefty tab. Fogo de Chao is open daily. For exact hours and more information visit www.fofodechao.com.
In the Pink
Nearby, also at the Wharf, is another newbie: Pink Tiger, 751 Wharf St. SW, where Kiliwa used to be. Pink Tiger is beautifully decorated with whimsical pink tiger motifs, funky artwork. The LED-lit replace is—you guessed it—pink. Wallpaper is a swirl of pink and violet. Pastel oral prints adorn chairs. The gorgeous, expanded bar is topped with marble and lit from underneath—pink of course.
Filipino chef Joe Castro, who is classically trained in French and Italian cuisine, showcases “Southeast Asian fare with American air.”
Joined by two friends, we ventured to Pink Tiger on a frigid, snowy Wednesday. To warm up, I
requested hot sake, only to learn it was only served cold. But our server, Leslie, thoughtfully heated mine up. Rather than zap it in a microwave (Pink Tiger has none), she warmed it in a pouch, sort of like sous vide.
Peter had planned to order the Thai pumpkin soup; but Leslie presented each of us with a complimentary cup of the delicious potage, perfumed with coconut milk, ginger and lemongrass. Then we shared pan-fried dumplings (a half dozen) lled with chicken, scented with lemongrass and sprinkled with scallions. Lumpia (Filipino-style spring rolls) were lled with shrimp and pork and enveloped in crispy, paper-thin wrappings. Edamame arrived piping hot (“wok tossed”) and sea-soned with sesame oil, furikake (Japanese condiment) and maldon, a type of salt.
Also emerging from chef Castro’s kitchen are miso deviled eggs capped with tru es; hot crab Rangoon dip with Sriracha cream cheese, scallions, Thai chili sauce and wonton chips; and thinly sliced wagyu beef cooked tableside atop a “hot rock” (lava stone) with ponzu sauce.
At the Wharf, Fogo de Chao offers Brazilian churrascaria, starting with a generous salad bar with more to come.
At Fogo de Chao, a server displays a skewer of beef, ready to custom slice for an eager eater.
Among more familiar options are Korean-style chicken wings, glazed salmon, green curry with mussels, Filipino chicken adobo. An unusual marriage of East and West is Mediterranean mous-saka, concocted with Japanese eggplant, cheeses, Béchamel, fried garlic, basil and smoked paprika. Dessert? Try the
fried cheesecake. Besides sake, the handsome bar pours dashi-infused martinis, Asian beers, wine and other potent (and non-potent) potables.
Lunch for two, with my $15 Jumal Ginjo sake, came to $77 including tax and tip. Leslie’s attendance was excellent. By the way, a pink tiger holds spiritual significance in Asian culture. For more information visit www.pinktigerdc.com.
Mediterranean Delights
Along the “Avenue,” Mezeh Mediterranean Grill, 333 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, has finally opened at the site of the former Roland’s grocery. The handsome décor features attractive Middle Eastern motifs and plenty of seating. Customers survey the colorful array, place their orders and await their food. So far, we’ve had the falafel kick (wrap) and classic bowl, both were generous and delicious. The falafel wrap envelops spicy hummus, tabbouleh, cherry tomatoes, cabbage and feta dressing. The classic bowl— big enough for two—is replete with
Nearby, Asian newcomer Pink Tiger is beautifully appointed with pink motifs, swirling wallpaper and marble topped bar.
A tummy warming Pink Tiger starter is Thai Pumpkin soup, with coconut milk and lemongrass.
Valentine’s Day
Make your reservations today by visiting www.cafeberlin-dc.com
322 Massachusetts Ave, NE Washington, DC 20002
202.543.7656
ADVERTISE WITH THE HILLRAG!
Call Kira Means at 202-400-3508 Or email: kira@hillrag.com
On the “Avenue,” Mezeh Mediterranean Grill is an attractive, welcome addition to the neighborhood.
chicken, rice, eggplant, cherry tomatoes and more. Among other options are Greek and Caesar salads, chicken shawarma, lamb gyros, wraps, salads, and build your own options. For more information visit www.mezeh.com.
And...
Up the street, there is DC Falafel, 1123 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, next to the recently expanded Frager’s Hardware. The Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean fast casual newcomer serves avorful falafel wraps, combo wraps, assorted falafel platters served with rice and salad, hummus, beef and lamb shawarma, baklava. Among beverages are boba milk tea (non-dairy is available), and no booze. For more information visit www.dcfalafel.com.
Market Watch
We no longer need to schlep to Ivy City for our smoked salmon x (although we love Ivy City Smokehouse and Tavern and visit regularly). Canales Delicatessen, in Eastern Market, now sells Ivy City’s smoked salmon salad subs. A small sub is $12.99, large is $15.99. And while you’re at it, check out Canales’ chicken noodle or ginger chicken soup. Generous enough to feed two, the savory soup is chock full of white meat and costs only $7. Eastern Market
is closed on Mondays. For more information visit www.easternmarket-dc.org.
Hawkish Elevation
Hawk ‘n Dove, 329 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, is revamping its “old comfort food.” menu. The fare will be basically the same but “elevated.” In fried sh sandwiches, grouper will replace the usual cod. Burgers will become “smash burgers,” thin patties smashed together to make them crispy on the outside. Fried wings will arrive with locally made mumbo sauce. And for dinner: let mignon will be escorted by asparagus, mashed potatoes and homemade gravy. Cocktails will be seasonal, concocted with Pratt Standard fresh mixers; local beers will rotate. “We try to use local purveyors such as Eastern Market,” added Brian Marvel, Director of Operations. Hawk ‘n Dove is open daily. For hours and menus visit www.hawkndovebardc.com.
Adios for now!
As we do every winter, Peter and I are heading for the warm and sunny (we hope!) climes of southwest Florida. Fortunately, our rental condo, badly damaged by back-to-back hurricanes last fall, has been repaired. Therefore, we will not be submitting a Capitol Cuisine in March. See you in April! ◆
UPCOMING PROGRAMS FILMS AND PERFORMANCES
Reel Abilities Film FestivalGreater Washington Tuesday, February 4, 6:00pm
Epidemic Cinema: Hitchcock, the Holocaust and Other Horror Tuesday, March 4, 6:00pm CONCERTS
King Bullfrog Hoppy Hour Friday, February 7, 5:00pm COOKING CLASSES & TASTINGS
On the Noodle Road with Jen LinLiu: A Lantern Festival Culinary Celebration Saturday, February 8, 11:00am Mastering the Art of Cake Baking & Decorating Featuring Pastry Chef Padua “SugaChef” Player: Vintage Valentine’s Day Cake Sunday, February 9, 11:00am
Valentine’s Day Wine & Chocolate Tasting Featuring Wine Expert
Janet Cam
Thursday, February 13, 6:30pm
More Love in the Air: Indulge in a New Valentine’s Day Menu
Thursday, February 13, 6:30pm
Classic English Tea with Gravlax
Saturday, February 22, 11:00am
Mardi Gras Celebration Dishes with Chef Mark Haskell Thursday, February 27, 6:00pm LECTURES & CONVERSATIONS
Our City. Our Music. Our Writers. Featuring Maurice Jackson and Willard Jenkins Tuesday, February 11, 7:00pm
Marie Benedict discusses her new book The Queens of Crime with Dolan Perkins-Valdez
Wednesday, February 12, 6:30pm
Programmatic support provided by the Capitol Hill Community Foundation and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.
Kim Roberts (KimRoberts. org), a resident of DC’s Park View neighborhood, is the author of seven books of poems, most recently Corona/Crown , a collaboration with photographer Robert Revere (WordTech Editions, 2023), and the forthcoming Q&A for the End of the World,
a collaboration with poet Michael Gushue (WordTech, April 2025). In October 2025, her second guidebook, Buried Stories: Walking Tours of Washington, DC-Area Cemeteries will be published by Rivanna Books, an imprint of the University of Virginia Press. She co-curates DC Pride Poem-a-Day each June with Jon Gann. To see videos from DC Pride Poem-a-Day, visit PridePoems.com.
“Stu ng” rst appeared in Kitchen Table Quarterly.
Stu ng
“Underneath the breast all my heart is shaken” – Sappho
The gift was not the mummies. Hundreds of mummi ed crocodiles dug up in 1900, from the ruins of ancient Oxyrhynchus.
The gift was not the mummies, but their stu ng. Out of their mouths came blackened scraps of papyrus. In Egypt, 56 fragments of poems by Sappho were discovered. They unfurled in pieces, still legible tatters. Words of ardor written among olive groves
disgorged from double ranks of serrated teeth. Despite desiccation, despite travel across deserts of time. The layers of words
came unglued, still sharp, set loose like breezes through myrtle leaves, like the echo of incoming tides tonguing the tender shore.
Sandra Beasley is the curator of “Poetic Hill,” a resident of Southwest, and the author of four poetry collections. If you live in D.C. and you’re interested in being featured, you can reach her at sandrabeasley@earthlink.net for questions and submissions (1-5 poems). ◆
Barbara Pliskin - Painting With Love - Oil on Canvas - 36 x 48
Construction to Begin at Pennsylvania/ Potomac Intersection
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin a two-year construction project at the intersection of 14th Street, Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenues SE starting Jan. 27.
The end goal is to improve traffic safety by replacing the complicated intersection, which has multiple markings and crosswalks that confuse users and endanger pedestrians.
The intersection will be replaced with a traffic circle or ellipse. Three 12-foot lanes of traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue SE will travel around the ellipse, with all street approaches controlled by signal. The neighborhood park in the middle of the ellipse adds about 34,000 square feet of green public space and will be laid out as a public park that is expected to be managed by the National Park Service (NPS).
Once the circle is complete, the protected bicycle lanes along Pennsylvania Avenue SE will be extended from the east side of 14th Street SE to the Anacostia River.
Improvements to the intersection were included in multiple studies nearly twenty years ago, but this project was initiated by an environmental assessment released in 2017. Concepts were drafted in that year. DDOT presented three possible alternatives to Advisory
News You May Have Missed from HillRag.com
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B, where the project is located. The intersection was reimagined around a triangle park, similar to the southwest side of Eastern Market Metro Plaza; a rectangle park, drawing on Seward Square; and an ellipse park, based on Dupont Circle.
In a letter written to DDOT June 2017, ANC 6B supported the ellipse park plan first, the rectangle park second, and the triangle park not at all.
In 2019, DDOT began detailed designs, submitting materials to the Commission on Fine Arts (CFA) in 2020 to get approval for the ellipse design. The pandemic intervened and that pro-
cess was not concluded until after the pandemic. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) pushed for funding for the project to be included in the FY2024 budget. Initial construction was expected to begin last fall.
Now, DDOT has announced that construction of the new traffic circle is expected to begin Jan 27, 2025 and end Dec. 28, 2026, although Commissioner Karen Hughes (6B09), who represents an adjacent SMD, cautioned that “there might be some overage on that time.”
Commissioners encouraged residents who may have challenges with the construction to contact the ANC. Commissioner Hughes said that DDOT has been really forward-leaning, reaching out and collaborating now that the project has started.
Learn more and follow the project: https://penn-potomac-intersection-dcgis.hub. arcgis.com/
Demolition of RFK Campus Begins in January
It’s a new year. That means lots of things are coming up; other things are coming down. Let’s start with the stadium in Ward 7. Events DC’s contractors are remobilizing in preparation for the initial phase of the demolition of RFK Stadium (2400 E. Capitol St. NE). This comes in the wake of a stunning 11th hour deal with Congress in which DC was granted a 99-year lease on the property. The lease also allows the District to do more things on the site. Under the previous lease, between the National Park Service (NPS) and DC, RFK Campus could only be developed for recreational or stadium uses. The new
The current configuration of the intersection of 14th Street with Potomac and Pennsylvania Avenues. Image: DDOT.
The concept design for the traffic circle or ellipse that will replace the intersection at 15th Street, Potomac and Pennsylvania Avenues SE.. Image: DDOT.
Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) at a 2022 press conference announcing funding for a recreation center on the site. File: CCN
terms allow for commercial or residential development, but set aside 32 acres to protect the river, and another 30 percent, or 42 acres, for park use. That leaves about 100 acres.
DC has moved slowly on this demolition, which was supposed to have been completed by 2021. An initial contracting process ending in 2020 was contested and restarted. Bowser said demolition was delayed due to the pandemic and is expected to re-start shortly. The site has since been prepared for demolition; they’ve gutted much of the interior.
Over the past several months, NPS and Events DC checked off regulatory boxes, getting the permits they need. DC now has permission to move forward with structural demolition.
The actual tear down of the building will begin slowly in February, starting with
what Events DC calls selective sections of the interior of the stadium and the exterior cladding. “We will take all necessary precautions to minimize the impact of these activities on the community and will continue to provide updates as the demolition process progresses.”
Now as for the site: Events DC has been working on plans for the site since at least 2016. In 2022, Mayor Muriel Bowser has set aside $60 million for a 100,000 sq. ft. indoor recreation center at the site. Bowser said it would accommodate an Olympicsized swimming pool, indoor gymnastics, track & field and boxing according to Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Delano Hunter.
The Mayor’s budget also included $18 million for bridges connecting the campus to Kingman and Heritage Islands. Both ele-
ments are part of plans drafted for the site in 2017. Financing has not yet been earmarked for another element, a market hall. The first phase of the plan, The Fields at RFK, opened in 2019.
The last element of plan was never final-
ized. Events DC discussed three potential “anchor facility” scenarios: a 20,000-seat arena, a National Football League stadium, or an open-air multi-purpose space. Now, of course, all that is up in the air. But Bowser has made her feelings clear
NPS map showing areas that were transferred in the Federal legislation in red. The long, dark strip along the river is the “riparian area,” a strip of land that cannot be developed in order to protect the Anacostia River. The blue spaces, which include Stadium Armory, the area once known as “Reservation 13”, as well as Eastern High School, are not included in the land transfer. Green areas are still under NPS jurisdiction. From Congressional Research Service (CRS) Dec. 9, 2024 Report. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12470/2
—she’d love to see an NFL stadium at RFK. Former Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray agreed with her. But newly sworn in Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder has been more circumspect. During the election he said he’d follow the desire of the community. In his speech as he was sworn in earlier this month he said that “we can redevelop the grounds of RFK in a manner that makes Ward Seven the envy of the region.”
But in a recent look at the site, Greater Greater Washington Board Member Nick Sementelli argues that it is nearly impossible to meet the current NFL standard on that footprint. The average NFL Stadium has 60-80,000 seats and about 20-25,000 parking spots. To host a super bowl, the NFL requires a minimum of 35,000 parking spots near the stadium. If about 150 spots fit on an acre, that’s between 100 and 300 acres for parking alone. Parking can be dispersed in lots in the neighborhood, but that’s less likely in Hill East, where there are few empty lots. According to GGWash, to accommodate 25,000 parking spots, DC would need to build up to fifty acres of five story garages—half the site. That’s all setting aside the question of the fate of the highly popular Fields at RFK.
It also doesn’t deal with who would pay for a a stadium. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D) has opposed public funding; meanwhile, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D), who represents neighborhoods west of 15th street, has opposed an NFL stadium on the site since 2018, when he kicked off the Hail No campaign, arguing the site should be used for additional housing, busi-
ness, and river access. Felder, who has said he wants to develop economic corridors in Ward 7 and to put the nearby State Highway 295 underground (an idea included in a study initiated by DDOT in 2024), is sure to weigh in.
It’s something to watch as the DC Council and the adjacent Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) reconvene throughout 2025.
DC Presents Designs for A New Jail
DC Department of General Services (DGS) DGS and the Department of Corrections (DOC) have presented concepts for a new DC Jail (1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE) at public meetings over the past few months. The District is in the process of applying to the DC Board of Zoning for approval of design review. This is required because the property is located in the Hill East Zone which has particular design and requirements, such as for setbacks and building height.
The new facility will replace the existing Central Detention Facility (CDF). Mayor Muriel Bowser has committed $463 million over six years from 2025-2030 for the first phase of the annex project.
DOC operates and maintains the 450,000 square foot facility, usually called DC Jail, which opened in 1976. The adjacent Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) opened in 1992. DOC said the project is intended to modernize the facility so it can better prepare the inmates for reentry and that the project will exceed current industry standards.
The proposed building exterior is based on the principles of biophilic design, described by DOC in the application as “a philosophy and architectural practice that connects people with nature in built environments.” The exterior of the building includes three layers. There is a secure barrier, a window wall of glazing and finally, a veil of perforated Coren metal panels, held up by a series of paired exterior columns. The window wall of the facility provides access to natural light while controlling visibility in and out of the building. The perforated metal panels are designed to “dissolve” from the top to bottom of the building, providing variation throughout the design. The new building will be buffered from the street by landscaped gardens. The focal point of the building will be the public entrance at the Northwestern corner of Building 1 (roughly at the center of the 1900 block of Massachusetts Avenue SE, currently a parking lot).
While the goal is to create a structure that connects people with nature, US Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) asked DOC and DGS to make changes to the designs because of the resemblance to a barrier. CFA members who reviewed the concept at a November 2024 meeting said they were worried the steel will darken over time and that the material, combined with the spikes at the top, would create the appearance of a dark, spiked fence. One commission member said the design “presents as a cage.” DOC told a January public meeting that design is a process and that feedback would be incorporated into a new presentation.
For security reasons, little is known about the interior layout of the building. The new annex will be constructed in two phases, expected to begin in 2027. The first building will be built in the parking lot just north of CTF along
an extended Massachusetts Avenue. It will house most of the administrative functions, such as intake and release, re-entry planning, medical services and treatment and support spaces as well as facility parking.
A portion of CTF will then be demolished and building two will be constructed in its place, containing housing and support spaces. The remaining CTF buildings will be renovated to include kitchens, a laundry, an outpatient clinic and a women’s center as part of a separate but simultaneous renovation project. The two buildings will be connected through an above-grade walkway on the second level of each building. The walkway will be framed in the same metal paneled scrim that is used elsewhere on the façade.
The current facility is badly in need of improvements. In a February 2021 report, the Center for Court Excellence (CCE) Task Force on A New District Jail recommended that the District implement changes to the justice system including alternatives to incarceration and community investment. These would have shrunk the jail population prior to facility planning.
There have been complaints about cleanliness, plumbing and vermin in the cells, conditions that staff have said are detrimental to rehabilitation. DOC said that since the pandemic, there has been an increase in those incarcerated due to serious felony offenses and a decrease in misdemeanors, the latter of whom would typically stay longer in the jail. In a 2024 statement, ECE said that 17 people died in the DC Jail between January 2023 and June 2024.
DOC and DGS say the design phase of the project is estimated to last about two years. Construction on building 1 could begin in late 2027 and is expected to take about three years. After a transition and activation process 2030-31 construction of building 2 will begin with demolition of a portion of CDF.
You can follow the project at https://newcorrectionalfacility.dc.gov/
We publish stories every day online at hillrag.com. The Hill News Round Up is a compilation of some of the most popular digital articles. Don’t miss another story about what’s going on in your neighborhood —subscribe to our daily newsletter at hillrag.com u
Concept design showing proposed DC Jail Building 1 in foreground and Building 2 in background. Viewer is facing west along Massachusetts Avenue SE with back to the Anacostia River. From DGS/DOC CFA Concept Submission, Nov. 21, 2024.
“Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don’t”
One Man’s Strange Long Trip In Cannabis Retail
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
One early fall afternoon in 2021, 66-year-old John “Bo” Kenney and his wife, Shannon Biggs, were going about their business at their second home in Ormond Beach, FL. Kenney was the proprietor of Wash Hydro and DC Glass. Biggs ran her own business, La Tache Couples Boutiques.
Suddenly, a tremendous noise erupted on the front lawn.
“I thought there was a shootout in our front yard,” Biggs said.
Gun-totting federal agents in full body armor broke down the front door of his home, training their laser sights on the two. Using infrared imaging equipment, they scanned the walls, searching for guns, marijuana and cash.
“They (the agents) carried me by the seat of my pants out of my house,” Biggs recalled.
The Raid
The Department of Justice (DOJ), it turns out, had secured a search warrant for 21 locations associated with Kenney and Briggs, alleging the two were involved in a drug and money laundering conspiracy. In addition to the Florida house, agents searched their DC residence, their daughter’s District home, as well as their businesses in Florida, DC and Virginia. In Florida, the Feds seized Kenney’s truck, boat, iPhones, laptops, thumb drives. They even took a Kindle. In Virginia, they grabbed two delivery vans. In DC, they took all of Kenney’s cannabis growing equipment and then had it destroyed.
“They (federal agents) got some marijuana, but nothing else,” Kenney said, as well as $13,000 from a safe.
Meanwhile Biggs’ and Kenney’ businesses were ransacked. They say police took everything
electronic—merchandise, cash register, credit card machines, muzak radios and even the smartphones of employees who happened to be working that day.
“We had nothing that they were looking for,” Kenney said.
Trying to Do Right
Kenney is the owner of cannabis retail shop Wash Hydro located at 2318 18th St. NW. Technically, he did not “sell” weed. Rather, operating under the gifting exemption enshrined in Initiative 71, the referendum that legalized personal possession of cannabis, his businesses sold hydroponics, t-shirts and hats, providing a two-grams of souvenir pot to customers. All the cannabis in his shops was District grown either at his Calvert Street home, at the store or at his other shop DC Glass Gallery, formerly located at 2625 Connecticut Avenue.
By 2019, Kenney had paid about a million dollars in District taxes on the proceeds of his stores.
The Florida raid wasn’t the first time Kenney had been the target of law enforcement. In January 2019, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) raided Wash Hydro arresting his employees, who were acquitted the following March. The cops followed up with another 23 “controlled buys” in the next two years, court records show. By the time they were done, all the police had found were misdemeanor possession charges. In October 2022, then President Joe Biden (D) pardoned all those convicted of such offenses.
In 2023, the federal prosecutors charged Kenney’s businesses Wash Hydro and DC Glass with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute a product containing a detectable amount of THC. They also threatened to bring additional charges against his wife and daughter, Kenney said. So, he agreed to plead both businesses to the simple
charge of cannabis sales, the lowest in the federal registry.
In May 2024, Kenney reopened Wash Hydro as a District medical cannabis dispensary, qualifying for a social equity license due to his business’s federal conviction.
“We did everything we were supposed to do with ABCA (The Alcohol and Cannabis Administration) and the ABC board (The Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Board),” Kenney said.
Going Legit Is Expensive
Operating a licensed medical dispensary, Kenney said, put him at a commercial disadvantage. In its earlier I-71 incarnation, Wash Hydro cost him $40,000 to open. The cost requirements for a licensed medical dispensary is upwards of a million, he said. Moreover, the new operation’s hours were limited. He now had to close at 9 p.m. rather than 11 p.m., missing the post dinner and late night business.
And, the people operating on the wrong side of the law picked it up.
“Now that we’re legal and we’re open,” Kenney said, “I can literally step out my front door in DC and throw rocks at five stores.” When a store
John “Bo” Kenney is the owner of cannabis retail shop Wash Hydro located at 2318 18th St. NW. Photo: E. O’Gorek/CCN
across the street was shut down and cleaned out by ABCA on a Friday, Kenney said, his sales tripled on the Saturday —then plummeted right back down when the competitor restocked and reopened in the next day or two.
As of Nov. 14, the government and MPD have shut down about 13 of the hundreds of I-71 stores in the District. However, Kenney said, his case history clearly shows that acting together, federal and District governments could take action if they really wanted to.
In October, ABCA shut down two such stores in the neighborhood, DC Dream and Grow Club, under the new law. Business has doubled since then, Kenney said. However, the largest so-called “gifter” in the city still operates down the street.
“There’s nowhere in the District of Columbia that says you can operate as an “I-71 retailer,” Kenney said. The whole point is that cannabis cannot be sold in the District without a license. “I don’t understand how you could have product marked as from California and be selling them in DC,” Kenney said. “Because I-71 language says cannabis should be grown in DC.”
“The other stores were left to operate, with products that are imported from out of state,” (drug trafficking across state lines), Kenney said, while he grew product in District. “They have out of state merchandise tags on them. It’s just not legal.”
Pressure from Illegal Wholesalers
The nebulous legal status of marijuana in DC has led to some bizarro situations — illegal operations coming for the legal sellers. On July 31, a woman walked into Wash Hydro, the medical dispensary operated by Kenney. “She proceeded to tell the two employees that things were getting ready to get real bad in DC, and you had to pick which side you were on and that things were going to be settled with guns,” Kenney related, “and you had to [decide], you know, “what turf were you going to be with?” is basically [the question].”
The woman offered the two employees cannabis, throwing a packet to one individual and instructing him to open it. He refused.
And, she eventually left. But both felt threatened and called MPD to make reports, submitting the video from security footage along with it. Kenney put extra security in place.
The incident has sent shock waves through the legitimate industry. Many retailers, both licensed and unlicensed, hesitate to speak out about the cannabis ecosystem, fearful of this threat.
A similar incident happened in June 2023. A customer was trying to buy a pipe from Paradise Smoke Shop on West Virginia Avenue NE when two men walked in. They offered to sell him marijuana, pulling out scales to measure it. When the customer objected, they threatened him with a knife and robbed him. 29-year-old Kevon Lockerman was arrested, convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to seven years in jail. To be clear, no connection has been established between Lockerman and the incident at Wash Hydro.
Persecuted if You Do
Kenney feels like in going legal, the harassment has simply switched. First it was the feds and MPD. Now, it is some woman working for illegal distributors.
Kenney wants to walk the straight and narrow. He has got a good relationship with local government. But, he is not seeing the benefit, Kenney says. “We try to be very transparent with them,” Kenney said of ABCA, “but to be honest with you, we’re getting killed every day by the illegal competition.”
That word choice is perhaps unfortunate. However, Kenney’s livelihood and his employees’ jobs are at stake. Now fully licensed for the first time, Kenney’s cannabis business is struggling. At the same time, is relieved that his employees are safe –so far.
“One minute, I’ve got the Feds with red dots in my chest and my wife’s, and the next minute, I’ve got some street girl in my store threatening us with violence,” Kenney said. “[Telling us there’s] going to be a turf war. It’s going to be settled with guns and we better get on board with them.”
“It was damned if you don’t, damned if you do,” said Kenney. u
Chimney Repairs
Storm
Muriel Martin-Wein: 1940 to 2024
Our Delightful Neighbor Remembered
by Maggie Hall
Generations of children knew the friendly woman who lived in the grey clapboard historic house on the corner of Independence Avenue and Sixth Street SE. With a ready smile she would wave to them from the veranda, chat
to them and encourage them to inspect the several, colorful bird-houses she had in her yard. Many people will remember how she encouraged the neighborhood to donate bird-houses which she hung in the trees of Turtle Park, the pocket park at 7th St. and North Carolina Ave SE, that she cared for. And there are many around who got to know her when, as a single mother with two young daughters, she worked at The Tune Inn to pay her way through nursing school.
We are of course talking about the delightful Muriel Martin-Wein. Muriel, 84, died in late December, after a fall at her home. Sadly, her husband Jim, had taken a tumble just a few days earlier, broke his hip, and was in hospital recovering from replacement surgery. At the time of publication he was in a rehab facility.
For the moment their pre-Civil War home lies silent. But the memories of Muriel abound. She even gained fame outside Capitol Hill. In 2007 she was featured in the Washington Post for the way in which she had nurtured and brought back to life a dying fig tree in her front yard. Everyone who passed by was welcome to pluck a ripe fig, or two. “Thank you, Miss Muriel!” the children would cry out. The article included two of Muriel’s favorite fig recipes, a tart and canned spiced figs. Her culinary wizardry (well known to those lucky enough to sit around her gourmet dining table or attend the lavish parties she loved to throw) during fig season turned every sort of food you can think of - chutney, ice-cream, bread, salsa, cake, jam - into delectable offerings.
The program for her memorial service, on January 16th, at the Capitol Hill
Presbyterian Church on 4th St, SE, included a short obituary, written by her daughters Ginger Staron, of Afton, Virginia and Beth Winters, of Mattituck, New York. In part it read: “She was always fun, laughed often and had the biggest and most generous heart. She enjoyed helping her neighbors and being part of the community.”
How true were those words. Muriel’s community passions were many and varied. Aided by like-minded volunteers she spearheaded the maintenance of Turtle Park and beautified it with flowering plants. One of the last grand events in the North Hall of Eastern Market before it burned down was a dance, organized by Muriel, to raise money for the park. It was dubbed “A Spring Fling.” It was such an enormous success that enough money was raised for Muriel to find a sculptor who could replace the shabby, wornout turtles. Her involvement with the Capitol Hill Garden Club was also an important part of her life. And a charity close to her heart was Bread for the City, where she worked for many years as a volunteer. And when it came to fun, Muriel was an enthusiastic member of the Red Hat Societywhich allowed her to indulge her renowned sartorial style, reveling in the mandated red and purple outfits.
In an emotional tribute to her mother, Beth, recalled the days of her and Ginger’s childhood, how Muriel made them the prettiest of dressesand how they would regularly take her breakfast in bed, not just on Mother’s Day, accompanied by notes of love and affection. And how, later in life, they rejoiced when Muriel, in 1980, moved to DC, got her RN degree, met and married Jim, and found the life she’d always longed for. A life which included two grandsons, followed in recent years by five great-grandchildren. All of whom she reveled in and loved to spoil.
Pastor Rachel Landers Vaageness, in her address, touched on all of Muriel’s worthy worksand her fun side that captivated so many. She be-
came close to Muriel in the almost five years years she’s led the Capitol Hill Presbyterian congregation. And in a reference to the party-giver that Muriel was, she said—to a knowing murmur of laughter— “We like to say that those who have died are ‘at rest’. But I like to think that Muriel is up there doing some major partyprep for when the rest of us arrive.”
Adding: “Fortunately for Muriel, Jesus also loves a good party. He always made sure there was enough to eat and drink. He ate with sinners and strangers and never passed up an opportunity to get together with friends. He knew the power of hospitality, just like Muriel.”
I was honored to be asked by the family to also say a few words. The essence of my eulogy was: “It’s going to take a long time to accept that Muriel is no longer that presence we all loved. It’s no exaggeration to say that whoever was lucky enough to encounter Muriel was totally charmed. She possessed that enviable characteristic of, without effort, drawing you into her metaphorical embrace at first meeting.”
Muriel was born and grew up
in Forest Hills, NY. Later her family moved to Southold, Long Island, where she went to high school. Eventually she found her way to DCand Capitol Hill. She worked at George Washington Hospital and later, for many years, as a hospice nurse.
Those who attended Muriel’s burial at Congressional Cemetery were struck by her impressive, unusual casket. It was sage-blue, reinforced cardboard embossed with flowers. As many remarked: it matched the sartorial elegance that Muriel always displayed.
The service ended with Muriel’s great friend and neighbor Jim Morton reading a poem he wrote for Muriel on her 75th birthday. It was a take on Cole Porter’s You’re the Top. At the end of the reading a church service protocol was broken by a burst of applause. A shortened version goes:
Muriel,
You’re the top!
You’re red hat mama,
You’re the top!
You’re the cat’s pajamas.
You’re the fairy queen
Who in her dream takes flight.
You’re a Browning poem, a gastronome.
You’re dynamite!
You’re the flair
Of a bright crepe myrtle.
You’re the mayor
Of a park named turtle.
We’re wannabes,
We’re used to-be’s, we’re the flops.
But if, Muriel we’re the bottom,
You’re the top! u
Muriel Martin-Wein A Warm Heart & A Green Thumb
by Pete McCall
Capitol Hill lost a beloved treasure on December 19. Former nurse, avid gardener and gracious hostess Muriel MartinWein died in a local hospital at age 84. She was instrumental in creating and maintaining the popular “Turtle Park” across from Eastern Market.
We first met Muriel at a neighbor’s home nearly 35 years ago after she won a DC chili cookoff contest. Not only could she concoct award-winning, delicious chili, Muriel was the life of every fete we attended with her for over three decades. Her dinner parties were festive, her spotless kitchen was well-organized, and her community involvement was inspirational. With her warm heart, green thumb and joyful personality, she brightened and beautified our community and enriched our lives.
On our 20th anniversary in 1992, Muriel gave us our favorite gift of all time—a flowering apple blossom tree that embellishes our back yard every spring. I think its beautiful snowy white blossoms rival those of the Japanese cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin.
Muriel and her husband Jim Wein’s own beautiful yard at 6th and Independence Avenue SE is a testament to her gardening skills; we enjoy figs from her tree. At nearby Turtle Park, she made sure the grass got mowed and the crepe myrtles were trimmed. Muriel was active in local garden clubs and the Red Hats (ladies) club where she widened her circle of friends. She encouraged Celeste to join the women’s group and don a red hat the first Monday of the month for lunch at a different restaurant or member’s home, or perhaps a museum visit.
A native of Long Island, NY, Muriel moved here more than 50 years ago. She became a regular patron of the Tune Inn, where she waitressed in the 1970s and organized a team from the popular pub to cook her chili recipe at a citywide cookoff. She won. Muriel also organized a festive fundraiser for DC Children’s Hospital that included an auction at Garfield Park. In addition to the Tune Inn, one of her favorite watering holes was Tunnicliff’s Tavern.
Full of compassion for others, Muriel switched jobs from waitressing to nursing many years ago. After her former husband, John Martin, passed away, she met Jim Wein for lunch at the Tune Inn on a snowy winter day. They married about eight years later. In addition to her beloved husband, Muriel is survived by two lovely daughters, Ginger and Beth, as well as two grandsons and five great grandchildren.
Muriel lived a full and interesting life. We will miss her radiant personality and longtime friendship. u
At Turtle Park. Photo: Celeste McCall
Grilling, Racquets and Records New & Noteworthy
by Andrew Lightman
Frager’s Expands
Frager’s Hardware has expanded to the triangular storefront just south of Frager’s Foliage at 1123 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. The space is right in back of the entrance to its existing outdoor garden center. Frager’s now spans the entire southern end of the block between 11th and 12th Streets SE.
The extension is designed as new showroom for the store’s extensive selection of grills, electric power tools and garden tools. Many of these items were formerly available on its extensive online offerings.
About a half of the new space is dedicated to the art of grilling. Customers can find a large selection of grass, charcoal and Kamado grills and smokers. From the massive Big Green Egg to the latest Weber, all are available for inspection. In addition, an extensive selection of spices, rubs, sauces, brines and injectables are on offer as well cooking implements—everything the grillmaster needs to grill succulent cuisine.
“It’s now a showroom where customers can physically see and touch the grills you only saw before online. They can decide whether a particular grill is big enough to feed family and friends and small enough to fit on their backyard deck,” said Jay Keegan,Associate Lead.
Aside from grills, the new space features a full line of EGO products. These electric power tools, mowers, chainsaws and blowers are battery driven,
perfect for those residents with a taste for green living. Best of all, the entire line features interchangeable batteries. Formerly, these tools had only been available online.
Lost the cap for your Yeti? Not to worry, the new showroom has a full display of the entire line of coolers, cups and replacement caps. And, last but not least, Frager’s vast selection of garden tools has also been moved from an outside shed into the new space.
The new Frager’s showroom can be accessed from Frager’s Foliage at 1123 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. For more information, visit www. acehardwaredc.com.
Spin Time Records
“It’s all my mom’s fault,” said Spin Time Records proprietor Jon Lottman. Lottman had turned six when his mother returned from a trip to Jamaica with an LP the soundtrack to the famous reggae crime epic, “The Harder They Come.”
“You’re six years old and that dude is speak-
TOP: Frager’s employee Sharon Crawford stocks the shelves of the store’s new showroom. Photo: Andrew Lightman
ABOVE: Frager’s Manager Charlie Hawkins demonstrates his technique at the store’s Nov. 23, 2024, “Thanksgrilling” event.
Photo: Courtesy Frager’s Hardware.
Spin Time Records has a large number of bins to browse. Photo: Andrew Lightman
ing your language,” Lottman recalled about rst hearing Jimmy Cli ’s rendition of “You Can Get It If You Really Want It.” He was hooked for life.
Growing up on the Hill in the 70s, Lottman attended Capitol Day School. He purchased his rst record at a now closed branch of Olsson’s, “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors” was his second. At age 14, he began seeing bands at the old 9:30 Club and DC Space, the venues made famous by DC punks.
“It’s easy to fall in love with the Hill,” Lottman said of moving back in 1994, working as a nonpro t policy analyst. At that time, it was an inexpensive and funky place to live. He rented a wonderful English basement with a backyard for next to nothing. He still lives on the Hill with his wife and daughter.
“I want to help preserve the soul and character that the neighborhood is in danger of losing,” said Lottman.
Showcasing DC’s musical life history is Lottman’s primary motivation for creating Spin Time Records. He started with an extensive website in 2021, delivering orders all over the Hill. In November of 2024, he opened his store. Lottman choose to sell primarily new records in an e ort to support current artists, since the area has plenty of good used record stores.
At Spin Time Records, vinyl connoisseurs can nd a highly curated selection of DC associated artists and rare reggae recordings, both old favorites and the latest recordings.
I picked up copies of “Repeater” and “A Steady Diet of
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Nothing,” two favorites by Fugazi. A four record set of torch singer’s Eva Cassidy’s famous performance at Blues Alley was another nd. Interested in DC’s GoGo scene or its jazz heritage? This store is a must visit.
Customers “come in and discover all these connections to DC in an artist they already knew,” Lottman said. They cannot believe the names on the bin cards. “If it’s in here, it’s because I think it’s pretty good,” he said.
There may be “many rivers to cross” to see reggae in its Jamaican homeland, but it is an easy jaunt to discover both the Caribbean’s’ and DC’s musical heritage at Spin Time Records.
Spin Time Records is located at 613 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Check out their full catalogue at www.spintimerecords.com.
Empire Racquet
Calling all Badgers! Has the snow covered your cricket wicket? Have the frigid temperatures discouraged your batting? Never fear! Empire Racquet will soon o er a heated, in-
door pitch on Capitol Hill.
Located on site of the long-departed Capitol Hill Tandoor and Grill at 419 Eighth St. SE, Empire Racquet will offer indoor space for playing cricket, tennis, pickleball and soccer to both kids and adults. Don’t let the wooden boards fool you!
Empire Racquet is the brainchild of 44year old Brynley “Bryn” Bryant. Bryant was the scion of a family of professional athletes. His father played rugby, while his brother pursued soccer. Their next door neighbor had a tennis court. Bryant’s dad, who never played tennis, taught him how to hit the ball. Later, Bryant studied under a famous coach. Despite this, cricket remained his rst love. At age 14, Bryant was sent to study at a boarding school in Cape Town known internationally for its cricket programs. While Bryant never managed to step up to the wick-
Spin Time Records owner Jon Lottman shows off one of his favorite records. Photo: Andrew Lightman
Empire Racquet’s proprietor Brin Bryant shows off his large new space.
Photo: Andrew Lightman
et as a member of that institution’s A squad, he quickly became captain of its tennis team. This proved to be the first step in an international career of teaching the sport.
In 2003, Bryant arrived in the United States to apprentice for Cliff Drysdale, an internationally ranked South African tennis player in Miami. A year later, he moved to California to work for Jose Higueas, a worldrenowned tennis coach. After four years, he moved on to teach on his own in Hong Kong and China.
In 2011, Bryant returned to the United States. He founded Sports for All in New York City. His nonprofit rented courts to teach the sport for the city schools. There, he started Manhattan’s first and only indoor cricket training center. In 2023, he and his wife moved with their five children to northern Virginia, her original home, to be closer to family.
The facility will feature an innovative ceiling and wall netting system, astroturf and floor mats that allow it to be configured for many different sports. The space can host a cricket batting cage, gymnastics, two pickleball courts or an indoor soccer field.
The front of the facility will function as a sports waiting room and a tennis pro shop. Bryn also plans to place 200 rental storage and 100 Amazon package lockers as well as PO boxes in the basement.
Bryant expects to open the new facility in the next 30 days. Empire Racquet is located at 419 Eighth St. SE. Visit www.empireracquet.com for more details. u
Opinion:
Safe Streets Require Active Law Enforcement Police Must Enforce Traffic Laws
by Chris Kennedy
Christmas Eve brought another preventable tragedy: the District’s 51st traffic fatality of the year, and the fifth in Ward 6. A speeding driver lost control, jumped a curb, and killed Ronnie Clark, a 66-year-old long-time D.C. resident, before fleeing.
Frustratingly, this section of C Street NE in eastern Capitol Hill recently underwent a “road diet” transformation—infrastructure improvements intended to encourage drivers to slow down as they traverse a dense, residential
DC’s seven police service districts issued 63% fewer moving violations in 2024 compared to 2019,despite traffic deaths increasing from 27 to 51.
part of the city. Every neighborhood in DC has seen similar changes over the last decade: speed bumps, narrowed lanes, and other traffic calming measures; more frequent crosswalks, miles of bike lanes, and visible crossing signals; lower speed limits and, of course, hundreds of automated traffic enforcement cameras that issue fines via mail for speeding and red-light violations. And yet, we saw 52 traffic fatalities in 2023, a 16-year high and twice as many as in 2014 when Vision Zero was announced, when Mayor Bowser promised to eliminate traffic deaths within ten years. Discouraging incorrigible drivers clearly isn’t working.
Lack of Law Enforcement is the Culprit
While it’s heartening to see the Council finally go after vehicles that have racked up thousands of dollars in unpaid traffic camera fines, there is little evidence cameras alone can encourage dangerous drivers to change their ways. A Washington Post analysis in August found that more than a quarter of this year’s traffic fatalities occurred within 250 feet of a traffic camera. Every phone-based GPS now warns us of upcoming speed cameras, and DC has installed signage for those who drive the old-fashioned way. Traffic cameras may be good for the DC budget, but they are doing lit-
H HILLRAG.COM
tle to make us safer. If DC is serious about addressing traffic deaths, we need real deterrence in the form of human enforcement. This type of enforcement has all but vanished from the District— and Capitol Hill—since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to data on moving violations issued by the region’s various law enforcement agencies, MPD enforcement of traffic laws has declined dramatically over the last five years. Comparing two randomly-chosen non-consecutive months in 2024 (June and September) to the same months in 2019 shows that officers assigned to DC’s seven police service districts issued 63% fewer moving violations this year compared to 2019, despite traffic deaths increasing from 27 to 51. The numbers for police service districts 1 and 5, which straddle the location where Mr. Clark was killed, are no better. Moreover, the nature of violations has shifted away from deterrence. Speeding violations issued by service district-assigned officers fell even more dramatically (86%), confirming what many of us already knew: DC beat cops have largely outsourced speed enforcement to cameras. Meanwhile, the proportion of moving violations associated with accidents—presumably as police sort out questions of fault—rose 50%. More response, less prevention.
To be clear, this is not just MPD. Police departments in many big cities reported significant declines in face-to-face enforcement following the COVID-19 outbreak and protests over the killing of George Floyd. Some activists argued that a reset of police tactics was necessary to ad-
dress the racial disparity of traffic stops—black drivers are about 20% more likely to be stopped by police—and prevent unnecessary, violent runins. This calculus, however, mostly ignored the disproportionate toll of traffic violence on Black communities. According to national data, Black pedestrians are more than twice as likely to die in traffic accidents, and in DC this disparity is both significant and growing: Ten of this year’s 21 pedestrian and cyclist fatalities occurred in Wards 7 and 8, up from 4 of 14 in 2019.
The good news is that we’ve made huge progress on the hardest parts of achieving Vision Zero—investing in our built environment and increasing awareness among responsible drivers. And MPD recently established a five-officer unit focused solely on enforcing traffic laws and conducting check-points that will help to address the epidemic of fake tags. This is an encouraging first step, but realizing the promise of Vision Zero will require more than five officers in a 3,400-strong department. Mayor Bowser rightly noted that eliminating traffic deaths will require “an all-hands-on-deck approach.” This can only happen when traffic law enforcement is a priority for all of MPD.
Chris Kennedy is an economist, avid cyclist, and resident of Capitol Hill since 2013. u
How Education Helps Haitians Escape Poverty Kids Connection Haiti
by Madi Koesler
Education is an essential tool in helping students survive poverty in Haiti. With a multitude of factors impacting Haiti, violence has continued to increase since the earthquake and presidential assassination in 2021. With a lack of stable government and distrust of foreign groups because of previous catastrophic interactions, the displacement of families and armed groups’ presence continues to increase.
Inspired by her faith and experiences in Haiti, founder Astrid de Vries started Kids Connection Haiti to keep students in school despite this. Originally from the Netherlands, de Vries visited Haiti for the first time in her 20s to volunteer in orphanages and medical programs.
Throughout her five years living in Haiti and her experiences in fundraising for this volunteer program, de Vries noticed a lack of support for young adults leaving orphanages. Without a diploma or routine, the adult transitional period became immensely difficult for lots of the kids she watched. At first, de Vries tried to help students she knew from her time in the orphanages, but in 2009 decided to take the next step. This is what led to Kids Connection.
“It’s really been a mission of my heart,” de Vries said. “Once you know somebody that’s struggling so much…it’s almost impossible to say no. So you know, that’s why I kept on doing it.”
Powered by grants and donations, Kids Connection Haiti (KCH) creates pathways to education and future career opportunities by providing support for students to finish high school, trade school or college. KCH aims to help students beat poverty by creating a safe place for students to learn.
KCH focuses on life skills and career development - allowing opportunities to not only learn but also build pathways to access opportunities. This is accomplished not only by enrolling young adults in school but also by
Three KCH students studying. Photo courtesy Astrid de Vries
KCH students pose, creating hearts with their hands. Photo courtesy Astrid de Vries
providing weekly programming related to social skills, financial independence and community bonding with other students. Some of the social skills programming includes: resume building, health care, hygiene, sexual education, anger management, healthy communication and more. This is accompanied by 24/7 access to a nurse.
Students stay in the program on average for about three years. During this time, young adults have freedom in the type of education they pursue after finishing their high school degree. In the last year, graduates received degrees in a variety of fields from agronomy to IT to cosmetology. 93% of graduates have found employment after completing the KCH program.
“I feel like the luckiest girl in this world,” Georgeline, KCH alumni said. “I met KCH at a moment where everything was dark for me. I felt hopeless, no one who care for me. l had no one to help me go to school.”
Seven KCH alumni are part of the ten-person team that runs KCH out of the local Haiti office. This entire team is made up of Haitians who relate to many of the experiences of the students.
“KCH is the bridge that shows me that the best way to reach your goal is education,” Ridore, a KCH alumni and current student social coach, said. “Today, as a staff member of KCH, I’m sharing with the students the KCH philosophy based on self-engagement in the community.”
According to founder de Vries, there are currently 65 active students with 35 on the education program waitlist. With about 750 orphanages across Haiti - many built after the 2010 earthquake, KCH aims to increase the number of active students.
KCH doesn’t accept students
based on previous educational merits or grades. If young adults want to learn, KCH wants to be able to help them. But the organization does have a preference for helping siblings and families stay together. With the increased amount of displacement and violence occurring in Haiti, KCH hopes to steer more young adults toward education.
“[In American culture] you know you can go back home,” de Vries said. “There’s some sort of backup plan if university doesn’t work out... Those kids didn’t have that.”
KCH is currently able to house about 12 young adults across three houses. In addition to enrolling more students from the wait list, creating safe learning housing is a program KCH hopes to expand. With more and more Haitians becoming displaced and increasingly at risk for trafficking, safe housing is a vital factor in helping young adults learn and escape poverty.
As everyone is still settling into the new year, KCH hopes to accomplish this goal with sponsorships. It costs $246 a month to sponsor a student entirely. But, as little as $20 a week can sponsor all essential food for a student. This money is essential to creating these education opportunities and rebuilding the community.
“If we can change just one life for the better, that is already worth it,” de Vries said.
Kids Connection also hosts fundraising events and happy hours in the Capitol Hill area for locals wanting to support the team in Haiti. More information on KCH and how to donate today can be found at kidsconnectionhaiti.org or at @KidConnectionHaiti on instagram.
Madi Koesler is a reporter for MidCity DC and the Hill Rag. She can be contacted at madikoesler@gmail.com or on Instagram @madikoesler. u
Updates on H Street ANC
6A REPORT
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 6A) met via Zoom on Dec. 12. Commissioners Paul Spires (6A01, Vice-Chair), Mike Velasquez (6A02), Roberta Shapiro (6A03, treasurer), Amber Gove (6A04, Vice Chair/Parliamentarian), Dave Wethington (6A05, Chair), Je Giertz (6A06, Secretary) and Steven Kolb (6A07) were in attendance. Commissioner Mike Velasquez (6A02) was absent. Single Member District (SMD) 6A01 is currently vacant.
Jen DeMayo from the O ce of Councilmember Charles Allen (D) provided an update on economic activity on H Street NE in response to an audience request. In 2024, Allen established the H Street alliance. The alliance engaged with property owners and developers of projects along the street, with the goal of developing a cohesive strategy.
DeMayo said that in 2024 many of the larger planned projects either stalled or were cancelled. These delays, she said, were often related to high interest rates which increase the cost of borrowing. The Auto Zone project (1207 H St. NE), for example, was to include a 200-unit apartment building and add 11,000 square feet of ground oor retail to the 1200 block. But work came to a halt in spring, 2024 and it is unknown when work will continue.
There are for-sale signs on properties on the 1000 block of H Street NE, where District Growth had planned an 80-unit residential project. As late as last November, Holladay Corporation and Monarch Urban were looking at a 54-unit residential building with 6,000 square feet of retail at 11th Street and H Street NE, but have since stepped away from the project, DeMayo said.
However, DeMayo also had some good news. There have been many openings on the street in recent months, and more are planned. On the 1300 block, a group including Jonathan Askarinam and Moe Pishvaeian purchased four buildings and alley lots, including the former Biergarten Haus (1355 H St. NE), planning to combine them into an urban market with roof patio “like Union Market, but on a smaller scale,” according to the application. The group presented plans to the ANC Planning, Zoning
and Economic Development Committee as part of an application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for special exception to parking and set back requirements. The proposed market would include 14 stalls, including food and beverage but also retail, event and lounge space. The committee supported the application ANC supported that application on consent.
In November, Irregardless reopened as Cynthia Bar and Bistro (502 H St. NE); Hiraya Chef Paolo Dungca expanded his o erings with tasting room Kayu (1250 H St. NE); and Taqueria Los Perez opened at 1344 H St. NE. The folks who run popular Indian restaurant Daru are opening Tapori at 600 H St. NE, the former Fancy Radish. Two more restaurants are set to open between Seventh and Eighth Street.
Election of Officers and Committee Chairs
O cers for the new term were elected, with Commissioner Wetherington as Chair, Paul Spires and Amber Gove as Vice Chairs, Je Giertz as Secretary, and Commissioner Shapiro as Treasurer.
Committee members and leaders for 2025 were approved, including: Joel Mendoza and Mike Cushman as
co-chairs for Economic Development and Zoning; Patrick Blumstein for Transportation and Public Space; Mike Velasquez for Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee; and Commissioner Spires as Chair of Community Outreach Committee.
In Other Business
The Commission voted to protest the following applications to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) in pursuit of a Settlement Agreement (SA):
• from Henceforth DC (1335 H St. NE) for a substantial change to a liquor license;
• from Ethio Vegan at 1362 H St. NE for a new Class C Tavern license;
• from Dreamy DC (1111 H St. NE) for a Medical Cannabis Retailer license.
The Commission also voted to approve:
• changes to the standard operating procedure language for the ANC’s Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) Committee, changing its name to the Alcoholic Beverage Cannabis (ABC) Committee and to expand its purview to also include cannabis licensing, settlement agreements and issues as well as similar issues linked to liquor licenses.
• a 10 percent increase in compensation for services provided by the ANC 6A administrator. The last increase was approved in October 2020.
ANC 6A generally meets on the second Thursday of every month except August. They will meet next virtually via Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. Get details on committee meetings and how to join online at anc6a.org. ◆
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 6A
DAVE WETHINGTON, CHAIR, 6A05@ANC.DC.GOV
Construction Begins at Potomac-Penn Avenue Intersection ANC 6B REPORT
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B held a meeting via Zoom and in-person at 700 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. On the dais: Tyler Wolanin (6B01); Gerald “Jerry” Sroufe (6B02); David Sobelsohn (6B03, Secretary); Brian Gorman (6B04); Samuel Pastore (6B05); Anna Krebs (6B06, Treasurer); Vince Mareino (6B07, Chair); Edward Ryder (6B08, Vice Chair) and Karen Hughes (6B09).
Commissioners noted for the public that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin a twoyear construction project at the intersection of 15th Street with Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenues SE. The project was initiated by a safety study in 2016. Design on the project began prior to the pandemic and was concluded in 2023.
Construction of a new traffic circle is expected to begin Jan 27, 2025 and end Dec. 28, 2026, although Commissioner Hughes cautioned that “there might be some overage on that time.”
The end goal is to improve traffic safety by replacing the complicated intersection, which has multiple markings and crosswalks that confuse users and endanger pedestrians, DDOT has said.
The intersection will be replaced with a traffic circle or ellipse. Three 12-foot lanes of traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue SE will travel around the ellipse, with all street approaches controlled by signal. The neighborhood park in the middle of the ellipse adds about 34,000 square feet
of green public space and will be laid out as a public park.
Once the circle is complete, the protected bicycle lanes along Pennsylvania Avenue SE will be extended from the east side of 15th Street SE to the Anacostia River.
There was no vote on the matter. Learn more and follow the project: https://penn-potomac-intersection-dcgis.hub.arcgis.com/
Election of New Officers
At an Executive meeting held just prior to the first full meeting of ANC 6B for 2025, Commissioners elected their new officers: Chair Moreno, Vice-Chair Ryder, Secretary Sobelsohn, Treasurer Krebs, and Parliamentarian Wolanin.
Crime Down in 1D ANC 6B
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) First District Captain Adam Crist provided an overview of endof-year public safety data for the First District and for ANC 6B. For the First District as a whole, crime was down 47% with homicides down 60%. Robberies and carjackings decreased by 52%.
“Property crime is basically the majority of our numbers,” Crist said; according to DC Crime Cards, property crime accounted for 3,545 of reported incidents, while violent crime (homicide, sex abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon (ADW) and robberies) accounted for 331 reports.
For ANC 6B as a whole, violent crime was down 38% in 2024 compared to 2023, meaning 46 fewer victims of robberies, carjackings, homicides, and sexual abuse. Most other forms of crime in 6B also dropped: robberies and carjackings were down 40%; motor vehicle thefts were down 13%; ADWs were down 8%; and burglaries decreased 4%.
But the ANC did see a slight uptick in thefts and theft from autos, which rose to 195 from 153 and to 431 from 372. Crist said that try-
Serving the Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, and H Street communities
ANC 6A generally meets the second Thursday of the month, virtually on Zoom. www.anc6a.org
**The next meeting is 2nd Thursday, February 13, 7:00 p.m.**
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Licensing Committee meeting February 4 (rescheduled from Jan) and 4th Tuesday, February 25, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Transportation & Public Space Committee meeting 3rd Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Economic Development & Zoning Committee meeting 3rd Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Community Outreach Committee meeting 4th Monday, February 24, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual meeting via Zoom
We seek community-minded 6A residents interested in joining ANC 6A committees. Visit anc6a.org or email 6A06@anc.dc.gov for more information.
for
will be
at anc6a.org.
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.
ing to keep enough visibility within the side streets is a challenge, and it is something that MPD is going to be looking at this year. As of Jan. 14, no violent crimes have been reported in the ANC.
Citywide, violent crime decreased by just under 35 percent and there were 87 fewer homicides in 2024 compared to 2023.
2025 is off to a good start as well; violent crime is down 36 percent versus the same time in 2024, although homicides are up – 4 in 2025 as of Jan. 17 versus 3 at the same point in 2024.
Theft remains a challenge Districtwide and is the most frequently reported property crime. Crist reminded the assembled that one way to avoid theft is to use Amazon lockers. MPD has them available at their Main Station (101 M St. SE); they are also located in most Whole Foods stores. “It’s a great way to kind of combat package theft when you’re getting Amazon packages,” he said.
The MPD Captain also discouraged people from warming their cars up with the keys inside, or leaving their car running while dropping something off. These are common situations in which cars are stolen, the Captain said.
The ANC voted to support:
• An application for a substantial license change to the Alcoholic Beverage Cannabis Administration (ABCA) from Kenneth H. Nash Post 8 American Legion (224 D St. SE) to allow the legion to offer games of skill. The motion included a condition that gaming machines would be in a private club for members only.
• A letter to the DC Board of Elections (DCBOE) expressing concerns about the length of time it takes to certify write-in winners of ANC elections.
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 in-person meeting held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11. See calendar and get information on how to join at anc6b.org u
KAE LLC Withdraws Cannabis Application, Reapplies
ANC 6C REPORT
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C met Jan. 8, 2025. The following were on the dais: Jeremiah Foxwell (6C01), Karen Wirt (6C02, chair); Jay Adelstein (6C03, treasurer); Mark Eckenwiler (6C04, vice-chair); Daniela McInerney (6C05); Andrew Hayes (6C06, secretary) and Tony Goodman (6C07).
Chair Wirt provided an update on the status of an application from KAE LLC (312 Massachusetts Ave. NE) to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) for a new medical cannabis retail license with endorsements for delivery and on site consumption.
The ANC first voted to protest the application in November 2024, citing public safety concerns as well as the proximity of the proposed location to residential neighborhoods. District regulations require at least 400 feet between a new medical cannabis retailer and any one of the following: school, daycare center, recreation center or a cannabis retailer who already holds a license.
In November, commissioners noted concerns with the proximity of schools and similar businesses from the proposed address but deferred to ABCA.
At the January 2025 meeting, Wirt told commissioners that the applicant had not appeared for a scheduled Dec. 9, 2024 roll call hearing before ABCA, so the application was dismissed. However, the applicant has since reapplied, re-starting the entire process. Wirt said that she expects that ANC 6C will again protest the application.
The chair proposed that commissioners research potential issues with the site’s proximity to schools as well as similar businesses, research that Eckenwiler said he had initiated late last year.
Alcohol and Cannabis Licensing (ACL) Committee Chair Drew Courtney said that there was some question about whether there was a distinction in law between cannabis and hemp retailers. “Commissioner Wirt and I had a long conversation with ABCA, and as far as ABCA is concerned, hemp and cannabis are precisely the same,” Courtney said.
The lack of distinction is significant because Flowerz Dispensary, which bills itself as a hemp retailer, is located a few doors from the proposed KAE location, at 318 Massachusetts Ave. NE. There was no vote on the matter.
Election of Executive Officers and Committees
Karen Wirt was again elected as chair, a role she held from 20062022; Mark Eckenwiler takes on the role of vice chair. The role of treasurer is assumed by Jay Adelstein; and the secretary is newly elected commissioner Andrew Hayes.
The ANC renamed the ANC’s Alcohol Beverage Committee; it is now the Alcohol and Cannabis Licensing (ACL) Committee. Commissioners also voted to confirm the following resident members and Chairs of the ANC 6C Committees:
Alcohol and Cannabis Licensing (ACL) Committee
Chair: Drew Courtney, 6C07 / Tom Ulan, 6C01 / Commissioner Karen Wirt, 6C02 / James Hecht, 6C03 / Emily Beline, 6C04 / Steve O’Neal, At-Large / Graham Grossman, At-Large / Michael Upright, At-Large
Grants Committee
Chair: Victoria Lord, 6C04 / Ivey Wohlfeld, 6C01 / Leslie Merkle, 6C02 Commissioner Jay Adelstein, 6C03 / Kristen Seals, 6C05 / Commissioner Andrew Hayes, 6C06 / Norah Rabiah, 6C07 / Danica Petroshius, At-Large / Dan Griggs, At-Large / Jason Starr, At-Large
Planning, Zoning and Economic Development (PZE) Committee
Chair: Commissioner Mark Eckenwiler, 6C04 / Michael Parker, 6C01 Donna McLean, 6C02 / Dru Tallant, 6C03 / Commissioner Daniela McInerney, 6C05 / Kateri Spear, 6C06 / Josiah Stevenson, 6C07 / Lauren McHale, At-Large / Mary Albert, At-Large
Transportation and Public Space (TPS) Committee
Chair: Michael Upright, At-Large / Joe McCann, 6C01 / Andrew Turner, 6C02 / Commissioner Jay Adelstein, 6C03 / Christy Kwan, 6C04 Kim Johnson, 6C05 / Nathan Gray, 6C06 / Garrett Hennigan, 6C07 David Abernethy, At-Large / Mark Kazmierczak, At-Large
In Other Business
The Commission voted to:
• Protest an application from The Consortium (201 Massachusetts Ave. NE), the former location of the Red River Grill, for a new Class C tavern license. The protest is in pursuit of a Settlement Agreement (SA) to address concerns with noise, capacity and concerns related to the possibility that promoters using the space may charge a cover. The venue is a job training center and event space that of-
fers per-employment drug testing and employment trainings. They have previously applied for catering licenses for events, which they say is not cost-efficient. The applicant is also contemplating a daily happy hour open to the public.
ANC 6C generally meets via Webex on the second Wednesday of every month with the exception of August. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12. See the full calendar of meetings and instructions to join at anc6c.org. u
DDOT TOPP 2025 ANC 6D REPORT
by Andrew Lightman
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D met on Jan. 13 via Zoom. Commissioners Marquell Washington (6DO1), Gottlieb Simon (6D02), Gail Fast (6D03), Andrea Pawley (6D04), Chearie PhelpsEl (6D05), Bruce Levine (6D06, chair), Fredrica (Rikki) Kramer (6D07, chair) and Rhonda Hamilton (6D08) were in attendance.
DC Dept. of Transportation (DDOT) Community Engagement Manager Kelly Jeong-Olson briefed the commission on the 2025 TOPP, (Traffic Operations Parking Plan). The agency is soliciting community feedback on the plan’s last iteration. DDOT updates it annually by the agency, said Jeong-Olson. Currently, the agency’s major concern is the effectiveness of the resident access placards, which grant access into Buzzard Point and the Ballpark District on game days. Is there a residential access placard for Wharf residents? asked Commissioner Washington. These
• Flat Roof Specialists • Modified Bitumen
• Skylights
• Shingles
• Slate
Chimney Repairs
• Roof Coatings
• Gutters & Downspouts
• Preventive Maintenance • Metal Roofs
placards are only used when MPD closes city streets for stadium events, which does not happen at the Wharf, stated Jeong-Olson.
Events at the Wharf can generate as many as 30,000 visitors, which is greater often than the stadiums, pointed out Commissioner Fast. The 2025 TOPP needs to include Wharf events, not just the Anthem, she said. She urged the revival of the weekly TOPP stakeholder meetings of earlier years. Those gatherings should include The Wharf, the SW BID and the Capitol Riverfront BID, she said.
The Wharf has not been significantly considered in previous plans, Commissioner Levine agreed. It is much more than the Anthem. “The whole premise of what needs to be addressed has to be reevaluated,” he said.
What are the most salient changes in the 2025 draft of the TOPP? asked Commissioner Simon. No changes have been made, because the plan has not yet been updated, Jeong-Olson responded. Given the large Wharf events planned for February as well as the commencement of DC United season, the planning effort is behind, a number of commissioners pointed out.
Planning needs to start earlier, said Kramer. The survey methodology and distribution has never been effective. People in Buzzard Point are being stranded by the Metro bus rerouting. The placard system is not working.
Jeong-Olson offered to meet with each commissioner to gather more feedback. The commission took no vote on the matter.
ABCA Matters
The commission voted to hold a special meeting to address on Jan. 27 to address any remaining issues with alcohol settlement agreements in advance of hearings by the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Board (ABC Board).
The commission voted to protest an alcohol license for Urban Roast located at 620 Maine Ave. SW on the grounds of peace, order due to the absence of negotiated community agreement.
The commission appointed former Commissioner Bob Link to the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee (ABC Committee) to assist with his expertise on ongoing issues that he had previous involvement in. Commissioner also made their individual appointments to said committee.
Other Matters
The commissioners elected new executive officers: Gottlieb Simon as Chair, Commissioner Levine as
Vice Chair, Commissioner Hamilton as Secretary and Commissioner Kramer as Treasurer.
Captain Adam Crist briefed the commission on public safety. There was a significant drop in crime in 2024, he stated.
The commission voted to approve its annual report and its 2025 calendar.
ANC 6D meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. The next meeting is Feb. 18. For more information visit www.anc6d.org. u
Plans Outlined for New Jail Construction ANC 7D REPORT
by Sarah Payne
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D met Jan. 14 via Zoom. Commissioners Artilie Wright (7D03), Mike Davis (7D04, vice chair), Ebony Payne (7D05), Marc Friend (7D06), Brett Astmann (7D07, treasurer), Brian Alcorn (7D08, chair), Ashley Schapitl (7D09) and Dev Myers (7D10, secretary) were in attendance. Single Member Districts 7D01 and 7D02 are currently vacant.
The Department of Corrections (DOC) Deputy Director of Administration Michelle Wilson briefed the commission on the replacement of the DC Jail’s Central Detention Facility (CDF) located at 1901 D St. SE. The agency plans to construct a new detention center on Reservation 13 consisting of two buildings, Wilson stated. The current facility is “extremely outdated” and in need of “significant, costly” repairs as a result of its “constant” use and evolving resident population, she said.
In addition to the plumbing, HVAC, leaks and airflow issues, the CDF has identified the need for additional “programmatic space” to promote rehabilitation for residents in their efforts to reduce recidivism, Wilson stated. This includes educational and vocational opportunities, mental and behavioral health services, substance abuse treatment programs and reentry supportive services. In order to accommodate these new spaces, the new facility plans to house slightly fewer people. DOC plans to decrease the maximum occupancy from 2,150 to around 2,000, she said.
The construction is expected to commence in
2027 and occur in three phases, Wilson stated. The first phase will focus on renovating features of the existing facility and break ground on the first annex facility. Between 2029 and 2031, the second phase will prepare the CDF for demolition and break ground on the second annex facility. The final phase, expected to commence between 2031 and 2035, will complete construction on the second annex facility and mark the decommissioning of the current facility, she told commissioners.
How will plans for the new facility would incorporate additional support for the mental health needs of residents? asked Commissioner Friend. In addition to specific plans for the new programmatic spaces, the DOC team is focused on these changes “early on” in the process and incorporating additional resources, developing a transition team prior to the move and establishing partnerships with individuals familiar with this work, Wilson responded.
Citing the programming requirements of the detention center, the DOC plans to submit several special exemptions including: zoning relief, area variance and several additional waivers, Wilson said. The department plans to appear before the commission again to request support. Representatives from the DOC also plan to host another public engagement session soon, though a date has not been set, she said. The commission took no vote on this matter.
Other Matters
Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder (D) briefed the commission on his upcoming term. He plans to serve on six council committees including: Business and Economic Development, Health, Human Services, Judiciary and Public Safety, Public Works and Operations and Education. Felder expressed avid interest in ensuring that the ward receives its “fair share” in the upcoming budget cycle and encouraged commissioners, nonprofit organizations and civic associations to submit their budget priorities early in the cycle.
The commission elected new officers: Brian Alcorn (7D08) as chair, Mike Davis (7D04) as vice chair, Brett Astmann (7D07) as treasurer and Dev Myers (7D10) as secretary.
The commission voted to reestablish the Environmental Committee for the upcoming commission period.
ANC 7D will meet next on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. You can learn more about the commission and register to attend at 7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1.
Elevation showing the evolution of the antennae proposed for installation on the penthouse at 1015 Half St. SE. The view is from Half Street SE north of L Street SE. Image: Hines/Hickok Cole, Case 21238, via DCOZ.dc.gov
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. u
Pepco Asked to Explain Fatal Shock to Pet ANC 8F REPORT
by
Elizabeth O’Gorek
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 8F met both in-person at 250 M St. SE and online via Zoom Jan. 21. On the dais were commissioners Nic Wilson (8F01), Markita Bryant (8F02), Brian Strege (8F03), Edward Daniels (6/8F04) and Liam Goodwin (6/8F05).
Commissioner Daniels told ANC 8F that on Jan. 6, 2025, a Northwest resident lost their service dog when the animal was shocked by an electric field. Daniels introduced an ANC resolution asking Pepco to discuss the findings of an electrical study and to provide any information on the Jan. 6 incident at the Feb.18 meeting of ANC 8F.
Daniels said two dogs have so far been killed due to a ground electric shock in the District.
The commissioner said that his own dog was shocked a few years ago outside the front door of his building. At the time, residents assumed it was static electricity created by the opening and closing of the door, Daniels added. However, the concierge of Daniels’ building noted that dogs walking past the door were also yelping; the concierge later learned they were being shocked, as well.
Daniels said Pepco has been aware of shock incidents for years and they had proposed a study. He noted that the DC Office of the Peo-
ple’s Council, advocates for utility customers, have also asked Pepco to release insight into the incident. Daniels said that Pepco has noted publicly that they have not found any live wires or sources of power strong enough to create a charge so significant that it could kill a pet. The resolution passed unanimously.
Antennae Application
Rob Holzman and Derick Wallace of Goulston & Storrs appeared on behalf of the DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA). As a firstfloor tenant at 1015 Half St. SE, HSEMA is applying to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for a special exception to zoning requirements in order to add 30 antennas to the roof of the building.
The antennas are to support HSEMA operations and information exchange with public safety agencies in the area, Holzman said. 25 antennae exceed the height limit. Eight antennae require setback relief on the alley side of the building. All antennae would be added to those previously installed by HSEMA for similar reasons on the penthouse of the building.
Associate Director and Chief of Operations and Intelligence DC HSEMA Danny McCoy was in attendance and underscored the importance of the antennae. McCoy noted that the antennae are part of the HSEMA Washington Metropolitan Area Warning System. The antennae are within a case plan for alternative contingency and emergency operations. The antennae will enhance communications with other jurisdictions throughout the region and nation, McCoy said.
The ANC unanimously voted to send a letter of support for the application to the BZA.
Planning for TOPP Begins
District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Community Engagement Manager Kelly Jeong-Olson introduced planning for the 2025 Traffic Operations and Parking Plan (TOPP). TOPP is the District’s annual plan to minimize the impact of travel and parking for large crowd events, such as those that take place at Audi Field and Nationals Stadium.
Olson said that DDOT is the leading agency on this collaborative effort that also includes MPD, DPW, ride share companies and District ANCs.
In particular, Olson wanted the ANC to comment on which streets were closed to traffic and which should be slated for restrictions dur-
ing events. She noted concerns in 2024 around MPD recognition of parking placards for residents, particularly in terms of allowing access to alleys leading to residential parking garages.
Olson said that DDOT had already initiated internal stakeholder meetings and was also meeting with ANC 6D that week. A public survey is expected to launch Jan. 27. DDOT will conduct a traffic analysis through February and then bring residents together for a public meeting, reviewing community feedback to create a draft TOPP in March. The goal is to launch the 2025 TOPP by April 1.
Olson acknowledged that DC United has games in February and March, but said that the time was necessary to engage the community in the process.
Commissioners pointed to a need for abundant parking enforcement on both game days and concert days, when folks are parking in pick up and drop off zones as well as in areas designated for ride share services and along areas designated as “no parking”. Commissioner Strege noted that some attendees are parking in crosswalks, creating safety hazards.
Daniels asked for dedicated parking on First Street for the MPD officers who attend all 81 Nationals games. He suggested a single public spot could be assigned to an officer for the games.
Commissioners asked for clarity so that neighbors would understand how to pick up placards indicating they are local residents in the TOPP area. Finally, Daniels asked that concert promoters be held to the conditions of their permits, particularly around blocking sidewalks and bike lanes during loading and unloading. Commissioners asked that DDOT and DPW be in the room together for a meeting with ANC on the TOPP at their February meeting.
There was no vote on the discussion.
New Executive
ANC 6D Commissioner Gail Fast (6D03) presided over the election of the new ANC 8F Executive. Commissioners elected the officers as a slate, as follows: Commissioner Strege as Chair, Commissioner Bryant as Vice Chair, Commissioner Daniels as Secretary, and Commissioner Goodwin as Treasurer.
ANC 8F meets on the third Tuesday of the month with the exception of August. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18. See the full calendar of meetings and instructions to join at anc8f.org. u
Bulletin Board
DC United Opens Season vs. Toronto FC at Audi Field
Here’s the early schedule: vs. Toronto FC, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m.; vs. Sporting Kansas City, March 8, 6:30 p.m.; vs. CF Montreal, March 15, 6:30 p.m.; vs. Columbus Crew, March 29, 6:30 p.m.; vs. FC Cincinnati, April 12, 6:30 p.m. View the 2025 schedule at mlssoccer.com/news/mls-2025-regular-season-schedule-information-details. For singlematch tickets, visit dcunited.com/tickets/single.
DC Polar Plunge
DC Teachers’ Night: An Environmental Education Evening
On Thursday, Feb. 13, 6 to 8 p.m., join the US Botanic Garden Conservatory for the 18th annual DC Teachers’ Night. Connect with DC area environmental education organizations and find ways to get your students learning about the natural world and how to bring the environment into the classroom. Learn about field trip experiences, professional development opportunities, and resources. Free admission: registration is required at usbg.swoogo.com/DCTN2025. Certificates of Participation are available for PDUs. usbg.gov.
Habitat Restoration Workdays at Kingman
The Polar Plunge supports Special Olympics DC. Participants jump into a swimming pool erected on the boardwalk at the Capitol Riverfront. 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. Saturday, Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about registering and/or donating at dcpolarplunge.org.
On Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers join the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) and National Links Trust for a Habitat Restoration Workday. During this workday you will help AWS with their invasive plant control and revegetation efforts along the riverside area of Kingman Island at Langston Golf Course. This is part of a natural resources management plan for the golf course in partnership with National Links Trust. Meet at the Driving Range Parking Lot of the Langston Golf Course. anacostiaws.org.
The entrance greenhouse to the US Botanic Garden.
DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.
DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership 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.
Friends of the National Arboretum Flowering 5k
On Sunday, March 23, enjoy spring at the US National Arboretum during Friends of the National Arboretum’s Flowering 5K. This run or walk takes you past brightly colored spring flowers, over tree-lined rolling hills, and along streams winding their way to the Anacostia River. Enjoy cherry blossoms, magnolias, and so much more. This race is not only scenic but also safe and secure. All roads are closed to cars so you can safely enjoy running or walking through this 451-acre urban green space. Music will get you in the groove before and after the event. Strollers and dogs are welcome, but dogs must stay on a 6’ non-retractable leash. Registration is $40 to $55. Kids under 13 are free. T-shirts are available while supplies last. fona.org/events_programs.
2025 Capitol Hill Community Achievement Awards Announced
Each year the Capitol Hill Community Foundationmakes three awards to individuals who have offered exceptional service in our community. This year these awards are going to Stephanie Byrd, Principal of Payne Elementary School, the only D.C. public (noncharter) school given a Blue Ribbon award of excellence in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Education; Susan Sedgewick, a leader not just on the boards of Everyone Home DC and Capitol Hill Village but as a hands-on volunteer doing everything from supervising poll workers to running her alley’s regular rat patrol; and Mark Weinheimer, a longtime member of the Board of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation who has, for the last six years, run and inspired the Grants Committee which in 2024 evaluated hundreds of applications and distributed $755,000 in 304 individual grants ranging in amount from a couple of hundred dollars to $25,000. These awards will be presented at a gala fundraising event in early May. Look for interviews with these neighbors in the April edition of the Hill Rag.
SW Nights at Arena Stage
Arena Stage patrons who reside or work in Southwest DC can buy discounted tickets for specially designated Southwest Night performances of each production. Tickets are $36 for musicals and $26 for non-musicals, plus fees. Proof of Southwest DC residency or employment for each member of the party must be presented at the time of ticket pick-up. Tickets are based on availability. Upcoming South-
west Nights are: Sarah Silverman’s The Bedwetter: A New Musical, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. and Feb. 8, 2 p.m.; The Age of Innocence, March 9, 2 p.m. and March 14, 8 p.m.; Fake It Until You Make It, April 9, 7:30 p.m. and April 19, 2 p.m.; We Are Gathered, May 25, 2 p.m. and June 3, 7:30 p.m.; A Wrinkle in Time, June 20, 8 p.m. and June 28, 2 p.m. arenastage.org.
Hill Center Regional Juried Show
The Hill Center Galleries 2025 Regional Juried Show features art created by DC, Maryland and Virginia residents. All pieces will be on display in the Galleries and online at Hill Center Galleries, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, through May 3. Free admission. hillcenterdc.org.
CHRS Preservation Café: Streetcars on Capitol Hill
The Capitol Hill Restoration Society presents a free virtual Preservation Café on the pivotal role streetcars played in the development and growth of Capitol Hill on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m. Eric Madison, executive director of the National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville, MD, will use a combination of historical photo-
Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon and 5k
Discover the District like never before when you run the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Washington DC. Get ready to experience a musical running tour that gets you up close to iconic monuments. The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC half marathon and 5k is on March 15. Half marathon is $145; 5k is $78. Read more and register at runrocknroll.com/washington-dc.
graphs, maps and first-hand accounts. He will take you through the streets of Capitol Hill as they were—bustling with the iconic streetcars that connected our neighborhood to the rest of the city. The Trolley Museum preserves and interprets the history of Washington’s electric street railways. Its collections include 17 streetcars. CHRS Preservation Cafés are free to both CHRS members and non-members. You can sign up to attend this Preservation Café at chrs.org.
Troop 380 Flapjack Fest (pancakes, sausages and beverage)
Capitol Hill Troop 380 is holding a Flapjack Fest on Saturday, Feb. 8, 8 to 11 a.m. in St. Pater’s Church Hall, 313 Second St. SE, to help support the scouts’ trip to Sea Base in August. The troop will be sending eleven scouts and four adult leaders to Sea Base camp in the Virgin Islands. The scouts will learn to sail and build teamwork skills to work and live together on a sailboat for a week. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for kids over five; kids under five, free; $45 for families.
Village Voices: Author Louis Bayard via Zoom
On Monday Feb. 10, 7 p.m. via Zoom, neighbor and best-selling author Louis Bayard will give an inside view of his experiences during the filming of the 2022 mystery-thriller The Pale Blue Eye starring Christian Bale. Join Village Voices to learn Bayard’s experiences during this creative transformation of the story from page to screen. Village Voices presentations are free and open to the public and sponsored by Capitol Hill Village. Sign up to receive the Zoom link at capitolhill.helpfulvillage. com/events/12861-village-voices:-louis-bayard.
Used Book Sales at NE Library
On the second Saturday of (almost) every month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there is a used book sale at NE Library, 330 Seventh St. NE. The Southeast branch is closed for renovations so used book sales are being held at the Northeast branch for the next year or two. All of the money raised goes into supporting programming at the branch. Any questions, email friendsofthenortheastlibrary@gmail.com or vsmorris@gmail.com.
Southwest Library’s (for adults) Book Lovers’ Bash!
On Thursday, Feb. 13, 5 to 8 p.m., get ready for a fun-filled evening of books, creativity, and community. Whether you’re an avid reader or just looking for a fun, bookish way to spend the evening, the Southwest Library’s Book Lovers’ Bash is the place to be. Connect with fellow book enthusiasts, get creative, and join in on exciting activities all centered around the magic of reading. Here’s the agenda: 5 to 5:30 p.m., Personal-
ized Book Recommendations; 5:30 to 6 p.m., Bookmark Decorating; 6 to 6:45 p.m., Book Speed-Dating; 6:45 to 7:30 p.m., 6:45 to 7:30 p.m., Book Scavenger Hunt; 7:30 to 8 p.m., Silent Book Club & Sweet Treats. dclibrary.org.
A New NFL Stadium at RFK?
Friends of Kingman Park will host two meetings on the future use of the RFK site. Tuesday, February 4, at 7 p.m., RFK Task Force planning meeting. Share thoughts on what you would like to see for the land’s future use and your questions for the Washington Commanders. Thursday, February 20, 7 p.m. Monthly meeting with representatives from the Washington Commanders. The team has committed to engage with the community as it considers a potential return to DC. both at St. Benedict the Moore Catholic Church, 320 21st St. NE.
The Dupont Circle Citizens Association is sponsoring a forum on a new stadium with Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson and moderated by Tom Sherwood on Monday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) at the First Baptist Church of WDC, 16th and O Sts. NW.
Bold & Beautiful After Dark at the ACM
On Thursday, Feb. 6, 7 to 10 p.m., join the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, for an inspiring exhibition, “A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Art Education in Washington, DC, 1900–2000.” Set the vibe with incredible sounds by Jerome Baker 3rd, whose beats will carry you through a night of selfexpression and connection. In the spirit of crafting your own history, talented poets will create poems tailored just for you. Satisfy your sweet tooth with toasty s’mores and a chocolate fountain from local dessert vendor, A Chocolate Chick Company. This event is for adults, 21+. Free but registration is required. anacostia.si.edu/events.
Meditate in Capitol Hill
Monthly, on the second Wednesday, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Buddhist Teacher Kadam Peter Kurczynski offers practical methods to improve the quality of our lives through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Suitable for everyone, each class is available by drop-in and you can come to either the entire series or anindividual class. Each class is self contained. Kadam Peter Kurczynski has been a Resident Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition for nearly 20 years. $12; financial hardship, $6. Register at meditation-dc.org/meditation-in-capitol-hill.
Join EMCAC Communication Subcommittee/Eastern Market
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee is forming an EMCAC Communications Advisory Sub-Committee to work directly with EMCAC to promote Eastern Market’s goals, operations, special events, market news, vendors and merchants. Participation can be as little as a few hours each month. A position on this committee is perfect for those with expertise in media communications, web management or are willing to be one of their Eastern Market social in uencers. If you are interested, contact Chuck Burger at cburger@cbmove.com or 202-258-5316.
Ladies Night at Frager’s Hardware
Calling all ladies! A night just for you is coming to Frager’s, 1115 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, on Thursday, Feb. 13, 5 to 8 p.m. Ladies Night offers customers a hands-on introduction to home improvement while having fun. During the event, shop 20% o the entire store (some restrictions apply); receive a goodie Bag ( rst 50 guests); chat with vendors; engage in hands-on tool demos and DIY activities; enjoy free food, samples and giveaways; win prizes; enjoy tunes provided by DJ Ace. acehardwaredc.com/pages/fragers-hardware.
Black History Month AARP Chapter Meeting
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, noon to 2 p.m., the Black History Month AARP Chapter Meeting includes a singing of Lift Every Voice and Sing and A Women of History presentation by The FREED Mission reenactors. The FREED Mission promotes the accomplishments of the African American Civil War soldiers and the women who supported their ght for freedom. The meeting is at the River Park Mutual Homes Charles Goodman Common Room, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW. Lunch is $5. For questions, contact Betty Jean Tolbert Jones at bettyjeantolbertjones@yahoo.com or 202-554-0901.
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. ◆
CHRS Announces Juried Photo Contest
By Marci Hilt
Do you have an award-winning photo of Capitol Hill? If you do, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) wants you to enter it in their annual photo contest, which is now open for entries.
CHRS is looking for your best shots of Capitol Hill – from its antique homes to great parks and everything in between. We want to showcase our gorgeous neighborhood.
Photos must be of the Capitol Hill community. Anyone can participate in the contest as long as the photos were taken in the historic neighborhood. All photos will be considered for this juried contest. There will also be a student section.
Here are the rules:
1. Photos must have been taken on Capitol Hill;
2. Photos must be emailed to caphillhousetour@gmail.com, in the highest resolution possible by 11:59 p.m. on March 1, 2025; and
3. Each submission must include a title, the
photographer’s name, and note if they are over or under the age of 18.
Members of the CHRS photo subcommittee will cull submissions to roughly 10 images that will then go to the four judges. The judges are Frank Thorp, NBC News photographer; Amy Moore, executive director of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop; Austin Gra , digital marketer/photography enthusiast; and Jenny Nordstrom, owner of Jenny Nordstrom Photography, the cover artist for this year’s House and Garden Tour catalog.
The winning photographs will be displayed in the windows of the Coldwell Banker Realty o ce at 350 7th St., SE – just down the street from Eastern Market and appear in the Hill Rag.. CHRS will hold an opening reception for the juried exhibit sometime in April.
In addition to having their photo displayed, the rst-place winner will receive free tickets to the society’s May House and Garden Tour. Honorable mentions will receive a free year’s membership to CHRS. ◆
David Parks
HOMES& GARDENS
Capitol Hill Residential Real Estate 2024
Where We Stand As We Begin 2025
by Don Denton
During 2024, our marketplace tackled stubbornly “high” mortgage interest rates. While we had some welcome reduction in rates (to around 7%), the anticipated reduction stalled in the late fall. For most buyers, it became more of “what you see is what you get (or will have)” for the foreseeable future. While high by the standards of the second decade of the 21st century, we are historically in the middle range of the past 40 years. While not comforting for buyers, it is doubtful we will see the rates significantly lower in the near future. If the rates do trend lower, our housing inventories will remain tight (the closer to Washington DC, the tighter inventory will become) and prices will rise.
What Do The Numbers Show For Capitol Hill
All of the data above shows a strong real estate market that underlies an incredibly vibrant neighborhood growing in desirability. More babies and more seniors bracket our demographics. You watch the children (hundreds of them) on their way to school in the morning (spot the grandparents accompanying their grandchildren to kindergarten). That evening you watch CNBC where the headline of the story is “Why Washington, DC outranks all 50 U.S. states as the best place to retire.” This neighborhood just keeps getting better and better!
A final word about the elections and their impact on our real estate market?
As I wrote in the Capitol Hill Guide last March, as it pertains to the coming elections, my experience says that there usually is a small “bubble” created by the elections. Like clockwork, the showing activity picked up as we moved toward the middle of January. Lots of people moving in
and a number of people moving out. Many neighbors rocked by the political change are just sitting tight and adapting! Most never go “back home.”
A very uid and promising spring market is upon us right now. Lots of people on Capitol Hill now have certainty in their professional and nancial lives for the rst time in months and are ready to move. Supplemented
In The Weeds
Gardening Advice, Information and Commentary from the Capitol Hill Garden Club
by Capitol Hill Garden Club
I know it is too early to be cleaning up leaves or digging in the garden; how can I jumpstart my garden in February?
One activity that is perfect for the winter months is to research new-to-you plants to include in your garden in the spring. This month, we look at two vines that may be of interest. Vines are climbing plants that use stems or runners on vertical surfaces to support themselves. Fences, walls and trellises are good supports for vines, and using these structures for plants expands your garden area. Vines can also be grown in containers with a trellis for support.
Cypress vine, Ipomoea quamoclit, has feathery green foliage and star-shaped bright red owers that are three-quarters of an inch in size. It has a long blooming period, from June to October and
by newly arrived folks from all over the world, our spring market should be marked by a tight inventory, very high demand and slightly rising prices. If you plan to sell in the next 12 months, now is the time!
Don Denton is an Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker Realty. He can be found at DDenton@cbmove.com. ◆
the flowers attract humming birds and butterflies. Cypress vine needs full sun for best owering. It is not fussy about soil type, but it does require good drainage. An annual, Cypress vine is often self-seeding. It takes only about 45 days from planting to blooming and enjoys warm temperatures. It is an aggressive grower, and can damage or kill other plants by climbing on them, but this can be avoided by giving Cypress vine su cient supports and space. Because it grows quickly, it can become too dense resulting in dampness and potential disease issues. Trimming the plant will open it up to better airow. Cypress vine is toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
Cypress vine is related to other familiar annual vines, including: Morning Glory, Ipomoea coccinea; Moonflower, Ipomoea alba; and Sweet Potato vine, Ipomoea batatas. Morning Glory and Moon ower are easily grown from seed and produce large flowers, while sweet potato vine is most often grown from cuttings or purchased as a plant when temperatures
are above 50 degrees. Sweet potato vine is grown for foliage, with leaf colors ranging from chartreuse to deep purple and varied leaf shapes.
Like Cypress vine, Bluecrown passion ower, Passiflora caerulea, is native to South America. It grows well in partial shade to full sun in moist soil with good drainage. A perennial, bluecrown passion ower has striking other-worldly owers that are attractive to pollinators, and it too has a long bloom period from summer through fall; the photo here is from November! It produces a two-inch orange fruit that is edible, but described as bland or having an undesirable taste. It is evergreen in warm winter climates and deciduous in temperate climates. The base of each linear-oblong shaped leaf has a twining tendril that wraps itself around other vegetation or structure to support the plant. It blooms on new growth and should be pruned in late winter or early spring. The leaves and stems are toxic to humans and problematic for dogs, cats and horses.
Want to learn more about gardening or spend time with people who like plants? The next Capitol Hill Garden Club meeting is on Tuesday, February 11 at 7pm, “Learn to grow and use a dozen unusual culinary herbs,” via Zoom. Contact capitolhillgardenclub@gmail. com for the Zoom link and more information. ... Send your gardening questions to capitolhillgardenclub@gmail.com. ◆
Cypress vine, Ipomoea quamoclit
Morning glory, Ipomoea coccinea
Bluecrown passionflower, Passiflora caerulea
Remodeling Rowhouses
by Cassaundra Brownell
Washington, DC’s rowhouses are treasured for their historic charm and character, but their narrow footprints and multi-story layouts can present unique design challenges. With smart planning and creativity, these homes can be transformed into functional spaces that balance modern living with historic appeal.
To make these, most times, narrow homes feel larger
and more inviting, removing non-structural walls on the main level can open up the layout, allowing natural light to flow from front to back. When opening spaces, for example, between dining, living, and kitchen, it is important to use architectural creativity to help define the spaces. Designs should work to improve the flow of the space while maintaining the home’s charm. We strongly encourage our clients to maintain the interior en -
velope of their home consistent with the same moldings, base, and trim. This respects the historical character. Carpenters must be particularly good at replicating original details. Preserving or repurposing details like exposed brick walls or decorative moldings is also an effective way to blend the old with the new.
Staircases, often steep and spaceconsuming, are another key consideration. Replacing them with a switchback
Tall custom cabinetry in this Washington, DC rowhouse maximizes storage while saving space, creating a bright and functional corner.
This kitchen blends warm wood cabinetry and accessible design with large windows and a patio door that connect the indoors to the outdoors, creating a bright and seamless flow.
design can reclaim valuable square footage while enhancing functionality. Adding builtin drawers or shelving under the stairs ensures that every inch of space is put to good use.
High ceilings in rowhouses o er opportunities for vertical storage. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, a stackable washer-and-dryer laundry closet, or built-in shelving for books and everyday items can make better use of these vertical dimensions without cluttering the space.
Kitchens are often con ned to galley lay-
outs but can be optimized with custom cabinetry and efficient storage solutions like pull-out pantries. Compact appliances and thoughtfully placed island or peninsula can improve work ow and provide a nice dining area.
Basements in rowhouses can in some cases be converted into guest suites, family rooms, or home offices, provided they are properly waterproofed and meet egress requirements. We typically recommend durable porcelain tile paired with area rugs as a practical choice.
Outdoor areas can extend living space and improve functionality. A rooftop deck or rear patio can provide a space for relaxation or entertaining, especially when paired with glass doors to enhance the indoor-outdoor connection. In narrow backyards, vertical gardens or a bistro table and chairs can be inviting.
In smaller spaces, every piece of furniture should earn its place. Our interior designer, Sydney Young suggest investing in multi-functional items, such as ottomans with hidden storage, fold-down tables, or Murphy beds, to maximize utility without cluttering the space.
Reconfiguring a rowhouse requires thoughtful design, Consider and reimagine a space that considers your lifestyle yet also celebrates the beauty of its historic architecture.
Elegant and accessible, this rowhouse bathroom combines marble tile accents with thoughtful design details like grab bars and a linear drain for a seamless, modern look
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.
The trees are bare, birds are scarce, the wind goes through your layers of clothes like sand flowing through a sieve, and it’s cold. Very cold. It’s February. Why would you want to venture outside? Because surrounding yourself in nature can be an effective way to manage stress, anxiety, depression and grief even in the heart of winter.
Turn off the tube, abandon social media, lock the frig and secure the liquor cabinet. These modern methods of releasing angst bring with them a host of detrimental effects to overall health and well-being. If you can get outside and immerse yourself in nature just two hours a week, research has shown it improves your mood.
Snuggling under a throw with a glass of Paul Cullen’s Arneis in my hand and a doodle in my lap watching Pluto TV is my go-to de-stressor. Except one glass leads to another which gives me a restless night of sleep and a morning head -
ache. I sleep better, work better and think better when I feel the chill on my cheeks and the cold in my eyes on a solitary stroll outdoors.
I’m outside everyday rain or shine,” said Karin Edgett, Capitol Hill artist. “I like being out in the open. There’re so many interesting things to look at. Being in nature in any way is good for both mental and physical health.”
Last month Edgett took advantage of the substantial snowfall the DMV experienced.
“I skied in Haines Point,” she said. “It was exhilarating. I felt totally alive. The city was all white and you couldn’t see the dirt. The cold crisp air clears my mind so when I come back in to work, I am refreshed.”
Hiking Your Feelings
If you want a more intense outdoor practice, you may consider hiking with California natives Sydney and Barry Williams. They are on a mission to improve community health by creating opportunities for
C-o-n-n-e-c-t-i-n-g with Nature Spending
Time Outside Improves Mental Health
by Pattie Cinelli
people to experience the healing power of nature. Their company, “Hiking My Feelings” began seven years ago as a replacement to the eating and drinking that had once been go-to methods for managing the reverberating emotions of lived trauma. They take groups on day, overnight and vacation treks. Their website teases, “Imagine what
your life would be like if you embraced your whole story, connected with nature and unlocked the courage to blaze your own trail.” The Williams describe their hikes as navigating the rugged terrain of limiting beliefs, scaling mountains of self-compassion and uncovering hidden treasures of self-acceptance. Like Edgett they go outdoors no matter
Volunteers brave the cold to pull invasive weeds at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.
what the environment. “We like to say there’s no bad weather if you have the right equipment.”
“We don’t experience natural environments enough to realize how restored they can make us feel, nor are we aware that studies also show they make us healthier, more creative, more empathetic and more apt to engage with the world and with each other,” stated Florence Williams from The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier and More Creative. The Williams created a workbook, a blog and a newsletter to inform and help people stay present, identify and release their feelings when outdoors. They give instruction both on their website and in their book, Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing a Trail to Self Love, for solo ventures.
Easy Access
Despite being a part of a major city, Capitol Hill has several nature spots that are either easy to walk to or
FAMILY LIFE
just a short car ride away. There’s Kingman Park, Rock Creek Park, the Arboretum, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens and Fort Dupont. Each morning, I loved walking my mini-goldendoodle Marcello in Congressional Cemetery where I learned how to be present and connect with my surroundings. I meditated on the trees, flowers and quiet energy that filled the 32 acres just a 10-minute drive away.
Humans evolved historically living mostly outdoors, but our modern ways have changed radically. We now live about 90 percent of our lives inside. However, we still have a deep connection with nature and our brain benefits from connecting regularly with our natural surroundings. A 2021 study found that even 20 minutes in nature can be beneficial for mental health.
Travel Also Helps Release Stress
Sometimes activities done daily become matter of fact. We can lose sight of the uniqueness of the environment on daily walks, bike rides or hikes. Changing your
environment can snap you out of a depression or lift you out of your stressful way of thinking. Whether going to another country or escaping for a long weekend, a trip can positively impact how you feel.
“You don’t have to be a skier, hiker or athlete to benefit from nature. Start with 15 minutes a day. Find ways to connect with your outdoor surroundings. Walking along one of the trails in my neighborhood I use my senses to feel the crunch of leaves or snow under my feet, look for signs of animal tracks, listen for birds and intentionally inhale the crisp, brisk air along the path. “Shutting off your brain and observing nature is so powerful that’s all you need to do,” said Edgett. “When your mind won’t stop jumping around, being in nature is a great way to calm that monkey mind.”
To learn more about Hiking My Feelings: hikingmyfeelings.org.
Pattie Cinelli is a journalist who has been writing her column for more than 25 years. Please contact her at: fitmiss44@aol.com. u
Dogs and their owners socialize at Congressional cemetery where members of the K9 Corps can walk their dogs. Photo: Melissa Ashabranner
Sandy and Barry Williams hiking at Kings Canyon National Park. Photo: Jon Norris-jonnorrisphoto.com
Pattie Cinelli is a writer and holistic fitness professional who focuses on how to get and stay well and thrive.
The District Vet Avian Influenza – Raw Pet Diets are a danger
by Dan Teich
Highly pathogenic avian influenza isn’t solely a concern of poultry producers. In the past few years culling of infected flocks on farm has led to the slaughter of in excess of 280 million birds, according to the World Animal Health Information System. This virus does not affect solely production flocks. HPAI is wellestablished in wild bird populations and is documented in many different species of mammal. The numbers of wild bird deaths is unknown and presumed in the millions.
farm workers. As of current, there is no known human-human transmission of the virus.
Dairy cattle, and their milk, have been testing positive for HPAI. The root vector of the virus in cows is unknown, but cattle are in close association with wild birds and frequently, poultry.
Wild birds, especially waterfowl, can harbor the virus and show no outward signs of illness. Birds of prey, such as hawks, and scavengers like vultures, are especially susceptible to the virus. While most city-dwellers are not in close contact with chickens, waterfowl, or other birds, their pets, especially outdoor cats, are at high risk. Avian influenza is well-documented in cats and mice. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, infected cats may develop respiratory illness, display neurologic signs, or die suddenly, before showing significant signs. Twenty big cats, including cougars and a tiger, died at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington, in Washington State.
While present since at least 1996, HPAI has spread from a goose farm in China and become more virulent, with dissemination to wild and domestic animals. The United Nations health agency has documented over 500 species of birds and at least 70 species of mammals as being infected; including polar bears. By 2022, it had been documented across the United States and Canada.
Chief concern is the jump from birds to mammals. In 2024 the UN documented 76 Human cases of H5 avian influenza, mostly amongst
Sarah Sirica, a veterinarian and Clinic Director for City Wildlife in Washington, DC, an organization which rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, said approximately 10% of City Wildlife’s patients were from an attack by a cat. This includes birds and over 50 different species of animal.
She continued, “There are many reasons to encourage everyone to keep their cats inside, and I’m afraid we now have one more to add to the list. Felids of all types are extremely susceptible to this type of influenza, and the risk for a domestic cat developing disease and dying after interacting with a bird that has died from HPAI is unfortunately very high.”
Avian influenza is transmitted via fecal matter, mucus, blood, and saliva. Professor Ian Brown, former head of virology at the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency, added that a teaspoon of fe-
cal matter, essentially that from one bird, is enough to kill an entire house of poultry.
Backyard chickens have emerged as a growing hobby within the District, posing risks to wildlife and those tending the coops. When cleaning poultry housing of any size and with any amount of feces, it is important to utilize appropriate protection, such as gloves, face masks, and carefully removing any clothing used when tending birds. The same caution should be implemented for handling sick or injured birds of any species.
This virus can be passed to people and pets through other means than contact with feces. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, who currently serves as Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management for the World Health Organization, stresses the importance of only consuming pasteurized milk products. Heating kills the virus. Raw milk products are especially dangerous for humans and felids.
The recent trend of feeding raw diets to dogs and cats significantly increases the risk of avian influenza transmission. Northwest Naturals turkey cat food was recalled in January after testing positive for avian influenza. The food was tested after a cat who ate this diet died from avian influenza. The USDA and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL) at Oregon State University confirmed the same strain detected in the diet affected the cat.
Simple measured to protect yourself and your pets include not feeding raw or unpasteurized foods, appropriate hygiene, and keeping cats indoors.
If you note sick or injured birds or other wild creatures, call City Wildlife, as Dr. Sirica says, “We are available by phone 365 days/year, 9am to 5pm.”
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
S chool N otes
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
DC Prep
DC Prep’s Anacostia Elementary and Middle Campus cheer teams marched in the annual MLK Peace Walk and Parade, showcasing their school spirit while honoring Dr. King’s legacy of unity and service!
DC Prep, 2330 Pomeroy Rd SE, dcprep.org
District of Columbia
International School (DCI)
December through February, DCI hosts Buddy Days! It’s a unique model. Fifth grade students from DCI’s five elementary schools pair up with DCI 6th graders to spend a day in their shoes. Buddies participate in class work together and they also participate in fun activities to learn more about DCI’s culture and academic expectations for middle school.
dcinternationalschool.org
Friends Community School
Recently, 8th grade language arts and social studies teachers at Friends led a joint unit on the Reconstruction era. At the end, students presented their understanding of the time period through oral debates. Modeled after higherlevel competitions, students were given a topic to study but learned their pro or con stance only the day before their debate, requiring them to rely on the groundwork they had done during the research phase.
Westchester Park Dr, MD; friendscommunityschool.org
Maury ES
Friends Community School, 5901
Pre-K students in Kaylee Mina’s music class at Maury ES practiced a steady beat by playing along to the Scottish folk song “Aiken Drum,” a song about a man who lived on the moon. Students are always eager to use “the big drum.” It is pretty darn big, indeed, with a deep and thrilling sound that
Mundo Verde Pre-K students recently hosted their Music Expo, where they showcased their learning and creativity. Families and friends gathered to enjoy performances that highlighted the students’ exploration of rhythm, melody and instruments. This special event celebrated their hard work and the joy of music, creating memorable experiences.
St. Peter School
Seventh grade student Anneliese Wingert received Saint Peter School’s Student of the Month Award for December’s virtue of Generosity. Anneliese is the founder of Panther Pals, a new student service group dedicated to serving senior and homebound neighbors. She is pictured with November Student of the Month Olive Gentile (Pre-K), who presented Anneliese with her award.
of Capitol Hill Cluster School, capitolhillclusterschool.org
Van Ness
ES
J.F. Cook Campus, 30 P St. NW; Calle Ocho Campus, 4401 Eighth St. NE, mundoverdepcs.org
Northeast Stars
In January, Northeast Stars students learned the word minus means to take away and the word plus means to add together. The children took turns working with a basket of apples. If there are eight apples in the basket and four are taken away, how many are left? Four! Because 8 - 4 is four. If there are three apples in the basket and two are added, how many apples are in the basket? Five! Because 3+2 is five. The students had lots of fun working on addition and subtraction.
St. Peter School Capitol Hill, 422 Third St. SE, stpeterschooldc.org
Templeton Academy
Students in Templeton Academy’s Forensic Science class recently conducted a lab where they extracted and observed their own DNA. This engaging hands-on activity served as the entry event to kick off the DNA Evidence unit, sparking curiosity and excitement about forensic techniques.
Templeton Academy, 406 Seventh St. SE, templetonacademy.org/dc
Watkins ESCapitol Hill
Cluster School
Students at Watkins Elementary capped off 2024 with an astronomical event—a visit from two NASA Astronauts, Loral O’Hara and Jasmine Moghbeli. During the visit, the Astronauts dazzled students with science experiments and encouraged them to explore the world of STEM. The visit was shared on NASA’s social media channels and even earned a shoutout from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson!
Watkins Elementary, 420 12th St. SE, part
The Capitol Hill Community Foundation has generously supported The Art & Sole Project, enabling 5th graders to create unique sneaker designs. Guided by art teacher Mx. Mason, students will explore various art mediums with the help of visiting local artists. This project encourages creative expression and reflects on personal journeys as students transition to middle school. Their artwork will be showcased, celebrating their creativity and fostering community connection.
Van Ness Elementary, 1150 Fifth St SE, vannesselementary. org u
Mundo Verde
Templeton Academy
Van Ness ES
Kids & Family
Animationland at the National Children’s Museum
Calling all budding stop-motion animators, directors and sound art-ists. Animationland is at the National Children’s Museum, 1300 Penn-sylvania Ave. NW, through May 11. Guests are introduced to Tracey the pencil dog and her cast of fantastical friends as they make their way through the colorful and immersive environments of the exhibit, learn-ing animation techniques along the way. This exhibit seeks to educate young learners about how art and science intersect in the making of an-imation. The exhibit focuses on the basics of the animation process in-cluding a sketching studio, a sound effects booth, and the opportunity to plan and star in a stop-motion production. Recommended for ages 6-11. Tickets are $18.95 for adults and children one and older. national-childrensmuseum.org.
Presidential Family Fun Day at the NPG
On Saturday, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate Presidents’ Day at the National Portrait Gallery’s yearly festival for all ages. Whether you want to learn about US presidents through guided tours of the muse-um’s “America’s Presidents” exhibition, story times, or art-making and writing activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Free but registration encouraged. The National Portrait Gallery is at Eighth and F streets NW. americaspresidents.si.edu.
Our seventh president (1829-1837), Andrew Jackson’s life was colored by struggle, conflict, and aggression. The orphan of impover-ished immigrants, he was the only American president to have been a prisoner of war or to have killed a man in a duel.
Heure Du Conte: Bilingual Fun in French and English at Shaw Library
On the first Friday of every month, 10:30 to 11 a.m., the Shaw library, 630 Seventh St. NW, invites children from birth to five, accompanied by an adult, to enter into a world of fun and make-believe. Through sto-ries, songs and movement, children will be able to discover the joy of reading and savor the flavor of language. If you would like to visit with a school, childcare or camp group, call ahead at 202-727-1288 to make arrangements. dclibrary.org.
Observe the Sun at Air and Space
On Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting, be-come an astronomer and observe the sun safely with a filtered tele-scope. Come to the corner of Seventh Street and Independence Avenue, near the silver Delta Solar sculpture, to view a variety of features on the sun. Knowledgeable staff will be there to answer questions and guide observing. Written and touchable explanatory materials are available for learners of all types. airandspace.si.edu.
JUNE 30TH - AUGUST 1ST
Children ages 3-10 (PK3-5th Grade) Kids
This summer, let your child unleash their imagination, explore new adventures, and create unforgettable memories!
4 OUTDOOR
4 FUN & FRIENDSHIP: Games, music, and wacky competitions!
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE:
Full Day: 8:0 0 AM – 5:00 PM
Half Day: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Half Day: 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
2025 SUMMER CAMP FEES
Full Day: $97 per Day $485 per week
Half Day: $67 per Day $335 per week
• Registration Fee: $150 per child (non-refundable)
DISCOUNTS:
• Sibling Discount: 15% off (after the first child)
* SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES EARNING $65,000 OR LESS.
Rate: $280 per child per week
Registration Fee: $100 (non-refundable)
First Saturdays at the NGA
On the first Saturday of every month, find kids activities in the National Gallery of Art’s East Building atrium. Here’s the schedule: Storytime, 10 to 11 a.m.; Kids’ Play Space, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Pop-Up Library, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Face Painting, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sketching Lab, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Drop-In Artmaking, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. nga.gov.
Family Fun Day at the INTERSECTIONS Festival
On Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m. to noon, join in the fun in the Alt-as lobby, 1333 H St. NE, for their annual INTERSECTIONS Family Fun Day featuring Mr. Rob’s Music. Mr. Rob is a performer and music edu-cator specializing in early childhood music education. He uses his per-formance experience to create highly engaging and interactive experi-ences. Family Fun Day also includes an Instrument Petting Zoo led by the Capitol City Symphony and craft stations for creative little ones. Admission is free. Family Fun Day is supported by the Capitol Hill Com-munity Foundation. atlasarts.org.
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
On Saturday, March 15, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., bring the whole fami-ly to the Kennedy Center Family Theater to enjoy smart, crafty lyrics with irresistibly fresh pop beats. Performing in Spanish and English, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band is on the pulse of all things kids’ music, creating indie sounds rooted in whimsical imagination. $25. Most enjoyed by ages five and older. Following the 1:30 p.m. perfor-mance, young audience members can ask questions and hear stories from the show’s artists and creative team. kennedy-center.org.
Callaloo Kids at Discovery Theater on the Mall
On Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 18 to 21, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., join a celebration of African Diaspora culture filled with puppetry, drumming, and storytelling. Performed by the CFA Repertory Theatre, this family-friendly show follows the adventures of Winston, Marisol, and Zoe as they discover the magical folklore of the Caribbean. It is recommended for ages three to seven. $8 for adults; $7 for kids; $3 for kids under two. Tickets are on sale now. Discovery Theater’s Ripley Center is at 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW (on the National Mall). discoverytheater.org.
Toddler Story Time @ La Cosecha
On the first Thursday of every month, 10:30 to 11 a.m., young children and their parents or caregivers are invited to a monthly story time at La Cosecha, 1280 Fourth St. NE, courtesy of NE Library. Story time meets in the Balcon area on the second floor. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. dclibrary.org.
King Bullfrog Happy Hour at Hill Center
On Friday, Feb. 7, 5 to 7 p.m., bring the family to Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, to enjoy a Friday evening filled with live music perfect for all ages. This concert will be outdoors, perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs. King Bullfrog is a rock trio that plays high-energy tunes
Photo: Courtesy of Capital City Symphony
Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis. Photo: Carson Sargent
PLAY BALL
Free Admission to Mount Vernon on President’s Day
On Monday, Feb. 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrate the rst president of the United States at his beloved home. Admission is free for Presidents Day. (Washington’s actual birthday was Feb. 11, 1731.) Tickets will be distributed on-site upon arrival; a limited number of tickets are availa-ble. Entry to the Mansion is by guided tour only and requires a Mansion tour ticket. The New Room, Servants’ Hall, and Kitchen are open. All other rooms are o -view due to preservation work. mountvernon.org.
that are developmentally appropriate for kids and grownups. With their musical stories, amusing wordplay, and close attention to all of their audiences, King Bullfrog is a sensation. Beer, wine, cheese and pizza will be for sale. Adult tickets are $7; kids, $14. hillcenterdc.org.
Advancing Adolescent Literacy at Planet Word
On Thursday, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., join Planet Word, 925 13th St. NW, and The Reading League–DC for a practical and instructive talk with Dr. Jade Wexler, a leading researcher and expert in adolescent literacy. You’ll learn evidence-based strategies to improve reading comprehen-sion in middle and high school classrooms and hear practical insights from Dr. Wexler’s groundbreaking work on PACT (Promoting Adoles-cents’ Comprehension of Text) Plus. Free admission. planetwordmuse-um.org.
Chess Girls DC
The mission of Chess Girls DC is to build the con dence of Girls using Chess as a tool. Chess teaches persistence. The Chess Girls DC program develops a solid foundation of chess knowledge taught in a way that every maneuver becomes a way to practice e ective thinking. Chess Girls DC 501c3 Nonpro t Organization was launched in response to sci-enti c evidence that self-con dence plays a tremendous role in a girl’s approach to course
The US Army 3rd Infantry, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard demonstrate Revolutionary War battle tactics and customs at Mount Vernon.
work that requires higher level thinking skills. Chess teaches focus and strategic thinking used to successfully tackle college examinations. Read more at chessempowersgirls.org.
Family Pottery Painting: Create Your Own Seder Plate
On Sunday, Feb. 23, 10 to 11:30 a.m., get ready for a creative adven-ture at the EDCJCC. Join Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW, and All Fired Up’s mobile studio to design and paint beautiful seder plates to celebrate Passover. They’ll provide everything you need, and you’ll be able to pick up your nished plate at the EDCJCC in about four weeks, in time for your Passover table. $38 per family. edcjcc.org.
NSO Family Concert: Earth to Space
On Sunday, March 30, 1 p.m., in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, ex-plore the vastness of space with music inspired by the planets, stars, and beyond. In anticipation of the upcoming voyage of Artemis II, the National Symphony Orchestra celebrates the discoveries and beauty of space through music and images. Tickets are $25 to $28. kennedy-center-org.
Art in the A.M. at SAAM
Inspire early childhood creativity with SAAM during Art in the A.M. Children ages up to ve years and their caregivers are invited to the museum before hours to learn, connect, and create in the galleries. During this program, participants will play an art detective game as they en-
The Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a re-al-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at bird-count. org. Anyone can take part in the GBBC, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world. This year the annual Great Backyard Bird Count is Friday, Feb. 14, through Monday, Feb. 17. birdcount.org.
joy the modern and contemporary art galleries at SAAM. Partic-ipants will then assemble their own mixed-media collage art-works. Space is limited and registration is required. Art in the A.M. is at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and G streets NW, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. Free. Get tickets at america-nart.si.edu/events/art-am-february-11-2025.
The Other Children of the Sun (A mystical realm of Navajo legend.)
This tale of a Navajo creation legend unfolds not on earth, but in the house of the Sun, where the lesser-known siblings of the Hero Twins re-side. These celestial children set forth on a journey to slay monsters—and
find their own place in creation. This whimsical superhero adven-ture follows the journey of celestial siblings. Writer and co-director Rhiana Yazzie and co-director Steven Paul Judd offer a funny and thought-provoking world premiere play that challenges us to look at heroism through a new lens. $25. At the Kennedy Center Family Thea-ter from Feb. 22 to March 9, best suited for ages seven and older. Eve-ryone, regardless of age, must have a ticket. kennedycenter.org.
Hello, Museo - A Bilingual English/Spanish program
Join educators from the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, every other Tuesday for a bilingual program featuring music,
sto-ries, crafts, and gallery exploration. Designed for children aged two to five and their caregivers, but all are welcome. Free. No registration re-quired. postalmuseum.si.edu.
NMAAHC Kids Story Time: The Way Champs Play
On Saturday, Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., celebrate Black History Month with a National Museum of African American History and Culture Kids Story Time. You’ll learn about historymaking Olympians, enjoy an interactive story, The Way Champs Play by tennis champion Naomi Osaka, play games, and celebrate your own accomplishments with
Imagination Stage presents Paper Dreams
This charming and dreamy dancebased performance imagines two friends who live inside a wastepaper basket. Together they discover what imaginative ideas might unfold from a crumpled piece of paper–can mistakes inspire our greatest ideas? Because the show is non-verbal, it can be enjoyed by people speaking all languages and of any age. DC Theatre Arts called Paper Dreams “an enchanting production that…educates and entertains and sparks inquiry into the creative pro-cess for young and old alike.” Imagination Stage presents (non verbal) Paper Dreams at the Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival, 1333 H St. NE, on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. and noon. Tickets are $20.25. atlasarts.org.
a gold medal craft. NMAAHC Kids Story Time is for ages four to eight and adult caregivers. Free but registration is required. nmaahc.si.edu/events
National Zoo Webcams
See elephants, lions and naked mole-rats on animal cams streaming live, 24/7 from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biolo-gy Institute. The Giant Panda Cam launched on Jan. 24 when the bears made their public debut. nationalzoo.si.edu/ webcams.
Presidents Day at The Wharf Ice Rink
On Monday, Feb. 17, noon to 5 p.m., The Wharf Ice Rink, which
Wegmans Wonderplace (for ages six and under) at American History
This learning space at the American History Museum combines age-appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians. It is the rst exhibition on the National Mall de-signed for children up to age six. Wegmans Wonderplace is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find it on the rst oor of the museum’s west wing. americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/wonderplace.
is usual-ly closed on Mondays, is open to skaters. The city’s only overwater rink is on Transit Pier outside The Anthem. Adult (12+) admission with skate rental is $25; $19, without skate rental. Twelve and under admission is $20 with skate rental and $15 without. wharfdc.com/ wharf-ice-rink.
Joyful ABC Activity Booklets from the NMAAHC
The Joyful ABC Activity Booklet series invites caregivers and educators to support children’s positive identity development while also growing their language and literacy skills with activities, museum objects, and new words. Learn more about the series and download all their availa-ble ac-
tivity booklets for early learners ages three to ve and infants and toddlers. nmaahc.si.edu/learn/early-childhood/joyful-abc-activity-books/joyful-abc-activity-booklet-series.
Omnium Circus – I’m Possible (The Thrill of Inclusion)
Omnium Circus is a world renowned comprehensively inclusive and ac-cessible circus company bringing excitement, thrills and joy to people of all ages as only a circus can. An Omnium Circus performance in-cludes audio description, tactile experiences, integrated ASL assisted listening devices, closed captions (wherever possible), relaxed perfor-mances (All forms of self-expression are
Photo: Hugh Talman, courtesy of the National Museum of American History
Alexandria’s George Washington Birthday Parade
The City of Alexandria’s annual celebration of George Washington’s birthday returns in 2025, culminating with the parade on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Old Town. The theme of the 2025 Parade is George Washington: America’s Commander-in-Chief in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolutionary War. Since 1801, Al-exandria has commemorated Washington’s legacy with a parade. This year, more than 1,000 participants are expected to march and perform along the historic route in Old Town Alexandria. The parade will show-case drum corps, color guards, bands, community and fraternal organi-zations, youth groups, local merchants, city dignitaries, and, of course, General George and Martha Washington. washingtonbirthday.com.
welcome.), calming area in lobby and ADA seating. Omnium means of all and belonging to all–presenting the best in family circus entertainment. Tickets start at $44. The Omnium Circus is at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW, on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m. warnertheatredc.com.
Sesame Street Live! Say Hello! at the Warner
At Sesame Street Live! Say Hello, sing, dance, and play alongside your favorite furry friends, all while
you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide & seek. So put on your dancing shoes and make your way to where the air is sweet for this all-new celebration on Sesame Street. The show is most enjoyed by ages one to seven but as an action-packed live show, it is enjoyable for the whole family. Tickets are $27 to $124. Sesame Street Live! Say Hello! is at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St., NW, on Saturday, March 29, 2 p.m. warnertheatredc.com.
Apply today for School Year 2023-2024. Seats are limited. Complete the application online through MySchoolDC.org. #ChoosePaul and we’ll choose you back! Increase your chances of being matched with Paul PCS by making us your #1 selection
The Sky Tonight: Live Planetarium Show
Come to the planetarium at the Air and Space Museum in DC for a live, guided tour of what you can see after sunset. The facilitator will answer questions and customize the program based on audience interests. This planetarium show is free to attend and runs 25 minutes. The Sky To-night generally takes place on the rst and third Saturday of each month from 10:30 to 11 a.m. airandspace.si.edu.
The Smithsonian (kid’s) Game Center
The Game Center offers free Smithsonian STEM games and simulations online or for download. Their games are designed with clear learning objectives, vetted by their team of curriculum experts, and are used by students around the world. Here’s the current listing: Shutterbugs: Wig-gle and Stomp (kindergarten); Mini Golf Motion (k to fth); Tami’s Tower: Let’s Think About Engineering (k to second); Showbiz Safari ( rst to third); Morphy! (third to fth);
Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nu-trition (fourth to eighth); Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game ( fth); BumperDucks and Disaster Detector (middle school). ssec. si.edu/game-center. ◆
CROSSWORD
by Myles Mellor
Across:
1. “Hollywoodland” star, Affleck
4. It’s corny
7. “Certainement!”
10. Rubber ring in the engine
16. Give off, as light
18. It’s not returned on the court
19. House shower
21. Even (with)
22. Beatles song
25. Over the speed limit
26. Profits
27. Not drunk
28. Space invaders, for short
30. First name of an Indy 500 winner
31. Fountain order
32. Sillier
36. Distressed cry
40. Plus the others
42. Attire
45. Row boat equipment
48. “12 Angry Men” star, Cobb
50. Patricia of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
52. Get to slow down
53. City known as a center of Cajun culture
55. Vetoes
57. Suffix with persist
58. Times 6 minus 10=8
59. Equals 8
66. The Smothers Brothers, e.g.
67. Dupes
70. Alleviate
71. Depends on
72. Many
74. Six-year VIP
75. Upper echelon
76. Type of auto collision
77. Rare trick-taker
79. Roarer
80. Aladdin’s monkey
83. Sandwich shop
85. Family name at Indy
87. Plus 88 across equals 8
88. See 87 across
89. You don’t want to get behind it
93. Soars
97. On top of
100. Novelist Grey
101. NCO below Sgt.
102. Get harder to climb....
104. Equinox mo.
105. Deaden
107. Bridled
109. Just slightly 112. Scent
117. Deer
118. Laughs heartily
120. Almost treeless plains
121. “____ “ 8 movie
126. Knots
129. Long Island county
130. Sermonize
131. Hither’s partner
132. ___ good example
133. Set up tents
134. Pump liquid
135. “A jealous mistress”: Emerson
136. Casting requirement?
Down:
1. Tree
2. Microphone inventor Berliner
3. Austin Powers’ father
4. Ill-bred men
5. Andes tuber
6. Tunis rulers
7. Perform surgery
8. Emirates, for short 9. Signed
10. Succeeds 11. Young Skywalker, informally
12. Film stars’ org.
13. Canadian rd. sign letters
14. Break bread
15. Attempt 17. Spicy cuisine
19. Mexican resort
20. Largest country in Western Europe
23. 2004 film with Brad Pitt as Achilles
24. 1975 ABBA song
29. Road cover
33. Bit of business attire
34. Record label inits.
35. Invigorates
37. Big cheer
38. Dewy
39. Rent
41. Humbug
43. Boy, to his madre
44. Cable station
45. Diamond Head locale
46. 60s hairdo
47. ‘’The Facts of Life’’ actress Charlotte
49. Spanish chief
51. French river
53. Inc., abroad
54. Violinist Menuhin
56. Olfactory’s job
60. Kilns
61. Computer buffs
62. “Chicago” star
63. 1986 Nobelist Wiesel
64. Not participate in
65. Golf ball support
68. Meg’s ‘’Prelude to a Kiss’’ co-star
69. Mustelidae member
72. “Cool” amount
73. Bisected
76. More seductive
78. California’s Santa ___ Valley
80. Right away
81. ___ weather?
82. Website symbol
83. Gossip
84. Almost forever
86. “ER” network
87. Scandinavian airlines abbr.
90. Singer Anderson of Jethro Tull
91. Awkward antelope
92. Pant bottom
94. Take in
95. Prefix with dermal
96. Lampoons
98. Riot control substance
99. Cancel the membership
103. New
106. Java neighbor
108. Clear, in a way
110. Swiss river
111. Rap doctor
113. Old clothes
114. “___ Majesty’s Secret Service”
115. “If at first you don’t succeed...” is one
116. Syrian leader
119. Kind of bean
120. Advanced
121. “___ night love affair,” Bryan Adams
122. ___-do attitude
123. Getaway keyboard key
124. __ __ rule (usually)
125. ‘60s war setting
127. Popular savings plan
128. Third word of “America the Beautiful”
by
For 41 years, Jim Finley’s labor of love was a no-frills gym he ran on the second floor of his auto repair shop at 10th Street and Maryland Avenue, NE. Boxing greats like Bob Foster and Sugar Ray Leonard went there to spar. They spent time with neighborhood kids and adults, bringing joy to so many around them. Read about Jim in his oral history at CapitolHillHistory.org. Keep Capitol Hill history alive by becoming a volunteer.
