hillrag.com • September 2014
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Sales • Rentals • Commercial Leasing • Property Management • Investments 2 H Hillrag.com
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“In addition to helping Buyers and Sellers on greater Capitol Hill & DC for over 14 years, we are committed to building community in Arlington, Alexandria & close-in MD.”
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capitol streets
What’s Inside?
174 Where We Live
60
48
The Numbers
50
The Anacostia: Our River
Andrew Lightman Wes Rivers Bill Matuszeski
A Greener Eastern Market Plaza May Be David Cranor
54
ANC 6B Departures
56
EMCAC Report
Emily Clark
Charnice A. Milton
community life
20 Calendar
170 Last Word
The District Beat
On The Way
16 What’s on Washington
164 Classified Ads
Bulletin Board
46
52
In every issue:
58 Hill Rag Crossword
33
59
E on DC
E. Ethelbert Miller
60
Roasting Alvin Ross
62
Dawn Clemens, Cluster School Principal
64
South by West
66
H Street Life
Stephanie Cavanaugh Vincent Morris
William Rich Elise Bernard
sep. 68
The Pursuit of Happiness Hits Barracks
Row
Sharon Bosworth
Michael Stevens
70
Capitol Riverfront
72
Greening Connectivity
75
homes and gardens SPECIAL
76
Eight Columns Are Enough
82
Preparing the Fall Garden
86
229 12th Street, SE: A Smart Home Hides behind a
Catherine Plume
Bruce Wentworth Cheryl Corson
Classic Facade
76
90
The Value of Historic Preservation
94
Restore, Don’t Replace Your Antique Windows!
100
Norm Metzger
Lisa Dale Jones
Case Study: Repairing Historic Wooden Windows
Jeff Fletcher Wendy Blair
102
Garden Lady
104
Pruning with Purpose
Derek Thomas
real estate 107
The Complicated Lawsuit Over the Hine Development May Be Over, Maybe
110
Changing Hands
Shaun Courtney
Don Denton
119
arts and dining 119
Dining Notes
Celeste McCall
122
At the Chef’s Table: Jorge Zamorano of Annette Nielsen
Banana Café
Lilia Coffin
126
Wine Guys
128
At the Movies
130
Art Profile: Cheryl Edwards
Mike Canning
Haysel Hernandez-Holzshu 132
Art in the City: Aniekan Udofia Jim Magner
134
The Literary Hill
136
Jazz Project
Karen Lyon Jean Keith Fagon
health and fitness 139
A Most Worthy Service Care Coordination, Capitol Hill Village Style
142
Mike Canning
VIDA Fitness Opens on the Capitol Riverfront
144
All-Women’s Pickup Soccer at Watkins Field
146
Pattie Cinelli
on the cover: Hanky Panky by Jill Brantley Acrylic withmixed media collage. 14” x 11” at Touchstone Gallery 901 New York Ave NW. WDC 20001 202-347-2787 info@touchstonegallery.com touchstonegallery.com Open: Wednesday-Friday 11-6, Saturday-Sunday 12-5
UNDER CONTRACT: 644 E ST SE • $669,000 It’s the classic’s that stand the test of time! 2 BR, 1.5 Bath. This 1895 beauty has Metro, Eastern Market and Barracks Row just blocks away. Include large backyard and plenty of living and entertainment space on the inside.
About Face . . . et al by Bill Mould. Ceramic Bill Mould explores the complex topography of the human face, with the many odd, touching and unwittingly hilarious expressions which we use to communicate. Out of Service by Pete McCutchen. Photography A landscape beckoned: rows of rusted vehicles, twisted wrecks from somewhere in North-Central Pennsylvania. Dozens, hundreds, fading into the woods. They come already aged, wounded, twisted, crushed. Left exposed, they are further reduced, eaten away by wind, rain, snow, and sun. Ruffled Feathers avian motifs as metaphors for human activity are the subject for Touchstone member artists. The caged bird sings of freedom and birds of a feather flock together in this exhibit.
COMING SOON:
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PROUD SPONSORS OF: MOTH FAMILY FEST 2014 – JOIN US!
Saturday, September 14, 2014 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Garfield Park, 3rd & G Streets SE Bands, games, raffles, food, & fun!
Capitol Hill Group Ministry’s Help for the Homeless Golf Tournament
The Ride for a Cure
September 22, 2014 Golf.CHGM.net
kids and family 149
Kids & Family Notebook
154
Singing with Mister Mike Music Together on
Kathleen Donner
Emily Haynes, photos by Maya Wechsler
Why Your High School Freshman Should Take This October’s SAT
156
We’ve got your number - contact us to find out.
this month at touchstone gallery: Preview: Sept.3-4, 11 am-6 pm • Sept. 5-28, 2014. Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 5. 6-8:30 pm
Haysel Hernández-Holzshu
155
What’s Your Hill Home Worth?
about jill: Jill Brantley a mixed media artist, paints in an abstract representational style. She utilizes color, pattern, texture and found objects to create layered narratives that evoke emotion and stimulate curiosity and visual excitement in the viewer. You can see more of her artwork at jillbrantleyart.com or at the Touchstone Galley’s Ruffled Feathers Exhibit. touchstonegallery.com.
Jonathan Neeley
Capitol Hill
Meg: 202.329.4068 | George: 202.203.0339
School Notes
Colleen Quinn Buchanan Susan Braun Johnson
Look Us Up on Facebook! The Norris Group
Specializing in all aspects of Real Estate Settlements
We Guarantee Attention to Detail & Personalized Service 650 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Suite 170 Washington, DC 20003-4318 202-544-0800
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Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Emily Clark • clapol47@gmail.com Celeste McCall • celeste@us.net Jonathan Bardzik • jonathan.bardzik@gmail. Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Stephen Monroe • samonroe2004@yahoo.
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We welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to andrew@hillrag.com. We are also interested in your views on community issues which are published in the Last Word. Please limit your comments to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send Last Word submissions to lastword@hillrag.com. For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.
When:
A Comprehensive Guide for Small Business Planning
When:
SBRC One-on-One Session: Basic Steps to Obtaining a Business License
When:
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
When:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Where:
1100 4th Street SW, 4th Floor (E-4302), Washington, D.C. 20024
Where:
1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (E-268), Washington, D.C. 20024
Time:
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Time:
By appointment only between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
To Register: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=38910
To Register: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com
When:
How to Open a Small Business in D.C.
When:
When:
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
When:
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Where:
1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (E-200), Washington, D.C. 20024
Where:
1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (E-200), Washington, D.C. 20024
Time:
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Time:
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
To Register: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=38911
Meet One-on-One with a Lawyer
To Register: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=38417
September 2014 H 15
“Spark” at Anacostia Playhouse Theater Alliance opens its 12th season with the world premiere of “Spark” by Obie Award-winning playwright Caridad Svich. This gritty, powerful drama tells the story of a veteran returning from war, her family, and their ongoing battle to overcome economic challenges, emotional conflict, and the specter of war that haunts them. “Spark” also opens a deeper dialogue about society’s responsibility to address our veterans’ physical, emotional, and mental needs and break the cycle of abandonment in families. Sept. 4-28 at the Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Place SE. theateralliance.com
Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon On Sept. 20-21, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., the Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon features 50 colonial-attired artisans demonstrating 18th-century crafts and selling traditional wares such as baskets, woodcarvings, tin and ironwork, leatherwork, weaving, and furniture. Eighteenth-century cricket games will be played throughout the weekend. “General Washington” will be on hand overseeing the lively Revolutionary War military drills and 18th-century entertainment including music, fire-eating, sword-swallowing, and puppet and magic shows, plus hearty specialty food for sale. This weekend only, Potomac River sightseeing cruises are free of charge. mountvernon.org
A fire-eater entertains the crowd at last year’s fair.
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Mayoral Debate at American University The first mayoral debate of the general election season is at American University’s Katzen Art Center Abramson Recital Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7:00 p.m. It is co-hosted by American University, the Kennedy Political Union, the Palisades Citizens Association, and Ward 3 Vision. The debate will be moderated by NBC 4’s Tom Sherwood and include a media panel with The Washington Post’s Clinton Yates and WAMU’s Patrick Madden and Kavitha Cardoza. All candidates on the ballot have been invited to participate.
Art All Night: Nuit Blanche On Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, Art All Night: Nuit Blanche will encompass five Main Street areas. Art All Night presents an eclectic evening of music, activities, and visual and performing artists. Based on a festival concept that began in Paris, Art All Night offers residents and visitors an exciting opportunity to engage with DC arts and artists. This year’s festival will include the Dupont Circle, Shaw, North Capitol, H Street NE, and Congress Heights main streets. Each neighborhood will host its own unique mix of artistic programming for audiences to enjoy free of charge. facebook.com/ pages/Art-All-Night
Shanna Lim, “The Room – A Living Exhibition,” performs at last year’s Art All Night: Nuit Blanche.
Our Favorite Fall Festivals The oldest of our favorite fall festivals is Adams Morgan Day, which is always the second Sunday in September, this year Sept. 14, noon-7:00 p.m. on 18th St. NW between Florida Ave. and Columbia Rd. (ammainstreet.org) The massive (and growing) H Street Festival is on Saturday, Sept. 20. It starts about noon but the real action is later in the day. (hstreet. org) A week later, on Saturday, Sept. 27, the Barracks Row Fall Festival returns. (barracksrow.org) SW Artsfest, “breaking new ground” in the Southwest neighborhood near the Waterfront Metro station, is over the long weekend, Oct. 3-5. swdcartsfest.org
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Rosslyn Jazz Festival Sept. 6, 1-7 p.m. Emceed by WPFW 89.3 FM DJs, the festival will feature performances by The Corey Wallace DUBtet at 1 p.m., Ghost Train Orchestra at 2:15 p.m., Red Baraat at 3:45 p.m., and Rebirth Brass Band at 5:30 p.m. Festival goers will also enjoy a wide selection of food and drink from food truck row as well as a beer and wine garden. Gateway Park is at 1300 Lee Highway at the base of Key Bridge. rosslynva.org/do/24th-annual-rosslyn-jazz-festival Photo: Courtesy of Rosslyn Jazz Festival
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR SPECIAL EVENTS Labor Day Concert at the Capitol. Aug. 31, 8:00 p.m. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. Open rehearsal at 3:30 p.m. The National Symphony Orchestra celebrates Labor Day with a concert at the Capitol, a tradition since 1979. Conducted this year by the NSO’s Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the featured artists are Emmy Award-winning actress and singer Nicole Parker, and actor and singer Christopher Johnstone. Truckeroo. Sept. 12; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. at the corner of Half St.and M St. SE. The event will have over 20 food trucks, live music all day, shade and picnic tables, and games. truckeroodc.com Rock-N-Roar at the Zoo. Sept. 12, 6-9 p.m. Get ready to Rock-NRoar at Friends of the National Zoo’s annual outdoor concert featuring the popular band, The Fray. Ticket prices range from $45 to $55. National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Go to nationalzoo.si.edu to learn more. Kalorama House and Embassy Tour. Sept. 14, noon-5:00 p.m. Long the home of diplomats, congressmen, and “Captains of Industry”, the
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Kalorama neighborhood offers a mix of many cultures and architectural gems. Tickets include a self-guided map detailing the architecture and history of each stop. $35 in advance; $40 at the door. For tickets or more information, visit woodrowwilsonhouse.org/events. Cía. Ceibadanza presents “Tierra Ecuatoriana” Dance Concert at CHAW. Sept. 20, 5:00 p.m. The show brings you to Ecuador, showing the different cultures, customs and colorful energy from this beautiful country. Tickets are $5. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St. SE. 202-547-6839. chaw.org Hard Choices Down The Road, Sept. 18, 9:00am-4:00pm at The Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St. Attendees to this all-day event by the Capitol Hill Village will learn how you and those that you love can prepare for the surprises, hiccups and crises that can happen to all of us. Believe it or not, there are some concrete plans and conversations that can help to avoid the system’s sinkholes and make these difficult experiences go as smoothly as possible. Attendees will hear from noted experts in the field, including authors Howard Gleckman and Hank Dunn, and will leave with concrete information on what questions to consider and how to document decisions in a way that will ease care transitions for all involved. The symposium is open
R
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to the public. The event is free for CHV members, and there will be a $25 fee for non-CHV members (refundable if you join CHV anytime before the end ofDecember 31, 2014!). To register, call CHV at 205-543-1778 or email info@capitolhillvillage.org. Anacostia Watershed Society 25th Anniversary Celebration. Sept. 22, 5-8 p.m. at the Osteria Morini at the Capitol Riverfront. Tickets are available at aws25.eventbrite.ca.
(Full Band); Oct. 4, The Dogwood Tales. Ebenezers Coffeehouse, 201 F St. NE. Call 202-558-6900 or visit ebenezerscoffeehouse.com to learn more. Music at the Corner Store. Sept. 12, Ken and Brad Kolodner; Sept. 26, Gina DiSimone’s Acoustic Blues Women. Corner Store, 900 So. Carolina Ave. SE. Call 202-544-5807 to learn more.
MUSIC
Local Artist Concert at Botanic Garden. Sept. 12 and 26, Oct. 24 and 31; 6:00 p.m. US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Call 202-225-8333 or visit usbg.gov for more information.
Music at Ebenezers. Sept. 4, The Acoustic Guitar DC Showcase; Sept. 5, The 9 Songwriter Series; Sept. 6, Henry Nam; Sept. 11, Karen Jonas, Duke Walker, MaryLeigh Roohan; Sept. 12, Revely, The Deep Space Network, Eileen Graham, Jann Klose; Sept. 13, Chris Monaghan; Sept. 18, Koshari, Sansyou, Lost Civilizations experimental music project; Sept. 20, Sam Morrow; Sept. 25, Jason Harrod; Oct. 2, Caleb Hawley
American Roots Music Series: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Sept. 14, 4:00 p.m. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org Friday Night Live at National Harbor. Fridays through Sept. 19, 6-9 p.m. Performances include local and nationally touring bands playing a variety of genres: pop, rock, soul, funk, blues, country and jazz. Go to nationalharbor.com for more information.
Courting Elizabeth: Music and Patronage in Shakespeare’s England. Sept. 26-28. The great virtuoso lutenist John Dowland aspired to be appointed to Elizabeth’s court, but to no avail. Along the way he acquired the patronage of many nobles, however, including the King of Denmark and the Earl of Essex, one of Elizabeth’s favorites. In this program, Folger Consort performs Dowland’s dances for five viols and lute named for his patrons, along with consort songs and lute ayres of Shakespeare’s time and lyra viol pieces by Tobias Hume. Featuring tenor James Taylor and viol consort Arcadia Viols. $37. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. 202-544-7077. folger.edu American Roots Music Series: Front Country. Sept. 28, 4:00 p.m. This outdoor concert is free. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org HR 57 Weekly Jam Sessions. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 p.m.- midnight. Friday and Saturdays, 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m., featured performances. BYOB
CHGM Hope for the Homeless Golf Tournament Sept. 22, 1:30 p.m. CHGM’s golf tournament will feature hundreds of dollars in cash prizes, the Peggy Pecore Putting Contest, and a chance to win $10,000 in a Hole-In-One Challenge. Buffet dinner and unlimited beverages are included in registration. Tournament at the Glenn Dale Country Club benefits the Capital Hill Group Ministry. chgm.net
Some of last year’s tournament participants enjoying the beautiful September weather on the course. Photo: Rindy O’Brien
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Photo: Courtesy of FONEL
on Wednesday and Thursday only. Since 1993 HR57 has provided a place where aspiring musicians gather to learn the history and cultures of the genres of jazz and blues. It’s a venue for the exchange of ideas and information between aspiring and professional musicians, students, aficionados and the general public. Tickets are $8. 1007 H St. NE. 202-253-0044. hr57.org Church of the Epiphany Weekly Concerts. Every Tuesday, 12:10 p.m. Free but a free will offering taken. 1317 G ST. NW. 202-347-2635. epiphanydc.org Jazz Night (and fish fry) in Southwest. Every Friday night, 6-9 p.m. Expect a large, fun and friendly crowd. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St. SW (Fourth and I, south side of intersection). The cover is $5. Children are welcome and free under 16 years old. 202-484-7700. westminsterdc.org/jazz Blue Monday Blues. Mondays, 6-9 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church. Local musicians perform, and the Southwest Catering Company provides a fish fry from 5:30-8:30 p.m. General admission is $5, children under 16 receive free entry. Modestly priced food. 400 I St. SW. 202-484-7700. westminsterdc.org/blues Sunday Gospel Brunch Featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir. Every Sunday, 12:30-2:00 p.m. Tickets are $30-$45. The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com
THEATER AND FILM Rorschach Theatre’s She Kills Monsters at the Atlas. Through Sept. 14. It’s the 1990s in suburban Ohio and Tilly lives among the most fearsome creatures known to man: American high school students. Atlas performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Call 202-399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org to learn more. Scena Theater’s Shining City at the Atlas. Through Sept. 21. Dubliner John is convinced he sees his dead wife. He visits Ian, a fledgling therapist with his own troubles. Shining City examines the impulsive choices we make and their haunting effects on our lives. Atlas performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org
Northeast Library Book Sale Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. The Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL) continuously accepts book donations. The collection bin is in the stairwell next to the meeting room and is available whenever the library is open. Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 7th St. NE. 202-698-0058. Visit dclibrary.org/northeast for more information.
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Scena Theater’s Molly by George O’Brien at the Atlas. Through Sept. 21. Molly explores secret revelations of the young mistress of J.M. Synge—esteemed playwright of the Irish Literary Renaissance. Atlas performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org Sunday in the Park with George at Signature. Through Sept. 21. Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave. off I395 at the Shirlington exit (#6). signature-theatre.org Yentl at Theater J. Through Oct. 5. As a girl in 19th Century Eastern Europe, Yentl is forbidden to pursue her dream of studying Talmud.
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{september events calendar}
Unwilling to accept her fate, she disguises herself as a man. But when she falls in love, Yentl must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her identity. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. 800-494-8497.
“Living Yoga” Film Screening Sept. 19, 7-9 p.m. The film chronicles the life and teachings of Swami Satchidananda, known for his practical wisdom and spiritual insight. This special screening will be followed by Q&A with Alan and Carol Binstock, who began studying with Swami Satchidananda in the 1960s, shortly after his arrival to the US. This event is free and will take place at The Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-549-4172. stmarks.net
Belleville at Studio. Sept. 3-Oct. 12. Belleville unmasks the seemingly perfect marriage and Parisian life of expats Abby and Zack, anatomizing the consequences of deceptions small and large and the terrifying, profound unknowability of our closest relationships. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org King Lear at the Folger. Sept. 5-21. Old King Lear proposes to give up his crown and divide his kingdom between his three daughters--but his rash generosity is cruelly repaid. Lear discovers too late the falsity of the values by which he has lived, and is ultimately plunged into despair and madness. Its vibrant poetry shot through with moments of humor and heart-rending grief, King Lear is a profound exploration of the human condition in all its complexity. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. 202-5447077. folger.edu Hollywood on the Potomac Returns: Films featuring DC with Mike Canning. Sept. 5, First Monday in October (1981); Sept. 12, DC Cab (1983); Sept. 19, No Way Out (1987); Sept. 26, Chances Are (1989). Movies at 7:00 p.m. at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org The Cole Porter Project and Fatal Song: The Great Opera Murders. Sept. 6-21. Source Theatre, 1835 14th St. NW. inseries.org Marie Antoinette at Woolly. Sept. 15-Oct. 12. Cake enthusiast and infamous one-percenter Marie Antoinette opens Woolly’s 35th season with a burst of high fashion and shaky morals. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939. woollymammoth.net
Alan and Carol Binstock with Swami Satchidananda
SPORTS AND FITNESS Washington Nationals Baseball. Sept. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 at Nat’s Park. Tickets start at $5. Go to washington.nationals.mlb.com for more information Nat’s “Pups in the Park” Games. Sept. 7, 1:35 p.m. and Sept 24, 7:05 p.m. Discounted tickets available for everyone in the family, including pets. Everyone is encouraged to come out and support the Washington Humane Society. Tickets are $25 for humans and $10 for dogs. The $10 dog ticket will benefit the Washington Humane Society. washington.nationals.mlb.com DC United at RFK. Sept. 24, 8:00 p.m. vs. Tauro FC; Sept. 27, 3:00 p.m. vs. Philadelphia; Oct. 3, 8:00 p.m. vs. Sport-
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ing KC. RFK Stadium. dcunited.com Free public tennis courts in Ward Six. King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N St. SW; Garfield Park, Third and G sts. SE; Randall Park First and I sts. SW; Rosedale Recreation Center, 1701 Gales St. NE; Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th St. NE. All courts are open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are lighted for extended evening play. Courts are available on a firstcome, first-served basis for one hour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-6710314. dpr.dc.gov/dpr Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Third Wednesday of each month at noon. This run is free and informal. West Potomac Park (meet on Ohio Dr. at West Basin Dr., near the Tourmobile stand). 703-505-3567. dcroadrunners.org
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Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon. Oct. 5. Registration now open. Call (703) 587-4321 or visit wilsonbridgehalf.com for more information.
SALES AND MARKETS Maury ES Yard Sale. Sept. 27, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Maury will hold its annual yard sale at the school, 1250 Constitution Ave. NE. Sale items will include clothes, toys, house-wares, and more. You can drop off donations at the school during the week prior to the event. This is a great opportunity to clear your closets and score bargains while supporting a neighborhood school. Grant Avenue (flea) Market in Takoma Park. Sept. 14 and Oct. 12, 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m. The market is at the intersection of Grant Ave. and Carroll Ave. in Takoma Park, MD. Items available for sale include antiques, collectibles and funky finds. grantavenuemarket.com Alexandria Art Market. Second Saturday of the month (rain or shine), through Oct., 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the Nicholas A. Colasanto Park, adjoining the Del Ray Artisans gallery at 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA (corner of Commonwealth Ave. and Mount Vernon Ave.). The variety of original artwork from over 25+ artists will be displayed for sale including, painting, photography, pottery, jewelry, and glasswork. 703-627-7656. TheDelRayArtisans.org H Street FRESHFARM Market. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, through Dec. 20. SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) accepted. 13th and H Sts. NE. freshfarmmarket.org U Street Flea. Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The U Street Flea Market features a diverse mix of art, crafts, fashion, jewelry, imports, antiques, collectibles, furniture, and more. The market is in the parking lot, next to Nellie’s Sports Bar (three blocks east of U Street Metro), at 912 U St. NW. ustreetflea.com larendon Night Market. Alternate Saturdays, May 17-Oct. 25, 3-9 p.m. It features a diverse mix of art, crafts, fashion, jewelry, imports, antiques, collectibles, furniture, and more. Bistro lights will be strung among the tents creating a festive evening shopping bazaar. It is in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot, 3140 N. Washington Blvd. at the intersection of Washington, Wilson and Clarendon Blvds in North Arlington, VA. ClarendonMarket.com Aya Community Markets @ SW Waterfront. Saturdays, through Nov. 22, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at 900 4th St. SW on the grounds of Christ United Methodist Church. dreamingoutloud.net RFK Stadium Farmers’ Market. Open Saturdays, year round (weather permitting), 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The market also has merchandise vendors. It can be seen in the RFK parking lot from the interestion of Benning Rd. and Oklahoma Ave. NE. Branch Avenue Pawn Parking Lot Flea Market. Saturdays. Set up (depending on the weather) after 10:00 a.m. 3128 Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD
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Fresh Tuesdays at Eastern Market. Every Tuesday, 3-7 p.m. Tuesday afternoon farmers’ line of fresh produce. Eastern Market, 200 block of 7th St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarketdc.com Union Market. Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 a.m.8:00 p.m. Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year-round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 5th St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7:00 a.m.7:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sundays, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. On weekends, the market area comes alive with farmers bringing in fresh produce, craft and flower vendors, artists, a flea market and street musicians. Eastern Market is located on the 200 block of 7th St. SE. Call 202698-5253 or visit easternmarketdc.com to learn more. Anacostia Big Chair Flea Market. Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. The market features a diverse mix of art, crafts, imports, antiques, collectibles and furniture. The market will also feature local specialty food items such as fruits and vegetables, flowers, preserves, prepared foods and beverages. 2215 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. bigchairmarket.com
10 th Street Auto repAirS
Serving Capitol Hill for over 25 years Owner Kevin Ehrman and his dedicated staff will treat your car as they would their own. 518 10th St., NE (MD & 10th St., NE) Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m – 6 pm • 544-1110
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Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. During the peak season, there are more than 30 farmers. The market is on the 1500 block of 20th St. NW (between Mass. Ave. and Q St. in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank). 202-362-8889. freshfarmmarket.org Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (except in the case of very inclement weather), 8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. Shoppers may find antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, rugs, pottery, china, jewelry, silver, stained glass, books and photographs to name some items. 1819 35th St. NW. www.georgetownfleamarket.com Maine Avenue Fish Market. Open 365 days a year. 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. 1100 Maine Ave. SW. Call 202-4842722 for more information.
CIVIC LIFE Mayoral Forum on Arts Education. Sept. 8, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St. SE. DC Appleseed 20th Anniversary Celebration. Sept. 16, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Enjoy a reception and hear a panel of regional leaders discuss the changes in the District over the last 20 years and where the District is headed in the next 20 years. Tickets are $300. Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P St. NW. dcappleseed.com Southwest Waterfront AARP Luncheon Meeting. Sept. 17, noon at the River Park Mutual Home’s Community Room, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW. $5 for lunch. For more information, contact Chapter President Betty Jean Tolbert Jones at 202554-0901.
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Talk of the Hill with Bill Press: Jennifer Duffy and David Wasserman of The Cook Political Report. Sept. 18, 7:00 p.m. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org Spanish Language Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic. Sept. 24, 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the Office on Latino Affairs, Reeves Municipal Building, 2000 14th St. NW. This free clinic is for aspiring or existing small business owners. Attendees will meet one-on-one with attorneys for brief advice on any legal issues their businesses may be facing. dcbar.org Congresswoman Norton’s NW District Office. Open weekdays, 9 a.m.6 p.m. 529 14th St. NW, suite 900. 202-783-5065. norton.house.gov ANC 6A. Second Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Meeting at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE. 202-423-8868. anc6a.org ANC 6B. Second Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Meeting at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-543-3344. anc6b.org ANC 6C. Second Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Meeting at Heritage Foundation, 214 Mass. Ave. NE, first floor conference room. 202-547-7168. anc6c.org ANC 6D. Second Monday, 7:00 p.m. Meeting at 1100 4th St. SW, DCRA meeting room, 2nd floor. 202-5541795. anc6d.org ANC 6E. First Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Meeting at NW One Library, 155 L St. NW. anc6e.org u
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{capitol streets}
Bulletin Board
Last year’s FANtastic March runners Photo: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC.
Mandarin Oriental FANtastic March 5K
Volunteer at the H Street Festival The H Street Festival is on Saturday, Sept. 20 this year. Persons wishing to volunteer must contact H Street at volunteer@hstreet.org.
Join SW ArtsFest SW ArtsFest (Oct. 3-5) is in need of artists and other individuals looking to become involved in the Festival.
Mandarin Oriental, Washington, DC will take to the streets for the fourth consecutive year to sponsor its FANtastic March, a 5K fundraiser event on Sunday, Sept. 7. The funds raised will be used to purchase “newborn kits” for Unity Health Car, Inc. and families in need in Southwest DC. The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. at the Mandarin Oriental, Washington, DC and wind around the National Mall before returning to the hotel for a celebratory BBQ at approximately at 11 a.m. The fee to participate in the walk is $45 per person. It includes a continental breakfast, morning pre-walk stretching, event t-shirt and admission to the celebratory BBQ. For more information, visit razoo.com/story/Fantastic-March-Iv.
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Congressional Cemetery LGBT Memorial Design Released The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Veterans Memorial Project has released the design for the monument to be placed at the Congressional Cemetery. The design consists of three black granite panels standing 11 feet high, 5 feet wide, and 1 foot thick. Cremation inurnments of LGBT service members will surround the memorial that will be available for individual purchase. On each of the three panels, there will be two of the six service emblems: Army and Air Force, Navy and Marines, and the Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. They will be placed in a triangle allowing space for visitors to walk through. In the middle of the triangle there will be a flag pole and inscriptions explaining the Memorial’s meaning and the history behind it. The memorial site is close to the 1988 gravesite of Leonard Matlovich, who came out as gay on the cover of TIME magazine in 1975, leading to his discharge and a lifelong fight for LGBT inclusion in the armed services. Since then, other LGBT individuals have purchased and been interred at the “gay corner,” thought to be the only LGBT cemetery section in the world. For more information, go to nlgbtvm.org. Questions may be directed to Chair@ nlgbtvm.org.
Anyone looking to volunteer may email ArtFestVolunteers@yahoo.com. All other inquiries should be directed to contact@swdcartsfest.org.
September CHRS Preservation Cafés On Wednesday, Sept. 17, 6:30-7:15 p.m., Garrett Peck will give a “refreshing” presentation on the Breweries of Capitol Hill, at Ebenzers Coffee House, 2nd
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and F St. NE. Think DC is hot in the summer? Just imagine it without all the trees! At CHRS’s next public meeting on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE., Executive Director of Casey Trees, Mark Buscaino, will explain how DC’s tree cover is maintained and what residents can do to help their trees and support the local ecosystem. The presentation will be preceded by a brief membership meeting at 6:45 p.m. Both events are free and handi-capped accessible, and the public is encouraged to attend. No reservations necessary. chrs.org
Overbeck Lecture: A History of the U.S. Marine Band On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the U.S. Marine Band’s historian, Gunnery Sergeant Kira Wharton, will deliver an Overbeck History Lecture on the renowned band’s origins at the end of the 18th century and its long and colorful history in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Known as “the President’s Own,” the Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization and has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams. With its unique mission to provide music for the President and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, it has grown from a handful of fifers and drummers to one of the premiere musical organizations in the world, with more than 150 musicians and support staff. A highly skilled musician in her own right with a doctorate in musical arts from the
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Kick-Off 2014
Oktoberfest AT University of Iowa, GySgt Wharton joined the Marine Band as a librarian in 2003, with duties including the preparation of music for performances by the band and the Marine Chamber Orchestra. She was appointed assistant chief in 2008 and historian in 2013. The lecture, which will include musical samplings from the band’s storied past, is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Naval Lodge Hall at 330 Pennsylvania Avenue S.E. As always, admission is free but a reservation is required due to limited seating. Please contact OverbeckLecture@CapitolHillHistory.org and indicate how many seats you will need
September Quaker Potluck and Dialogue There will be a potluck and Quaker dialogue at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7 at the William Penn House. The subject is “the reflections of a returned citizen on life within our failed US prison system.” The speaker will share his experiences in our prison system, the inhumanity, and the demoralizing nature of those who populate the system, both the incarcerated and their keepers. Bring a dish to share. William Penn House, 515 E. Capitol St. SE.
NoMa Underpass Design Competition Finalists Announced The NoMa Parks Foundation has announced the 10 finalists for the NoMa Underpass Design Competition. A distinguished group of artists, architects, lighting designers, and landscape architects representing three countries and seven cities across the United States have been selected. The finalists will be given an honorarium to further develop their conceptual designs to transform four underpasses into safe,
inspiring and beautiful spaces. Final designs will be presented to the community in October. With community feedback in hand, the jury will select the winners by yearend. Installation of the winning designs will begin in 2015.
End-of-Summer at Capitol Riverfront Join your neighbors during these last days of summer and the early days of fall for a Nats game, the final two Friday night concerts in Yards Park (9-5 and 9-12), the last outdoor movie in Canal Park (Thursday 9-4), an outing to the water features with the kids, or to eat in one of our restaurants before taking a stroll by the Anacostia River on the boardwalk.
September 20th at Noon Join Us as We Celebrate a Munich Tradition By Tapping the First Oktoberfest Beer Keg Stay for the Pig Roast! $35 Gets Guests Unlimited Spit-Roasted Pork, Two Sides and a Liter of Oktoberfest Bier.
SATURDAYS DURING OKTOBERFEST September 20 to October 31 Starting at Noon Spit-Roasted Whole Pig Until the Pork Runs Out!
(202) 543-7656 322-B Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002 | www.cafeberlindc.com
Job Seekers Clinic at Northeast Library The Job Seekers Clinic at Northeast Library meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 2-4 p.m. The clinic provides handson support for DC Job Seekers, a one-stop portal to job seeking resources. DC Job Seekers helps individuals get started with basic job search tasks such as creating an email account, searching for jobs online, creating and saving a sample job search, writing a resume, working on an online application, and finding useful books and other resource materials. For more information, call the library at 202-6980058. Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 7th St. NE. dclibrary.org/ northeast
CulturalDC Storefronts DC Project CulturalDC is partnering with the Atlas Performing Arts Center and the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities to implement Storefronts DC. The project is supported
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by the National Endowment for the Arts and the DC City Fund with grants totalling $111,000. The Storefronts DC project is a two-part series of art installations and creative pop-up projects to activate vacant spaces and connect neighborhoods. The project will be implemented as Arts Connect Northeast. Local artists will have the opportunity to create work for public display. As many as eight vacant or public sites will be activated by artists, to serve the 200,000 residents living in the neighborhoods of H St. NE, Benning Road, NoMa, and Union Market. Read more at culturaldc.org.
DDOT ADA Transition Plan Public Meeting On Tuesday, Sept. 30, 5:307:30 p.m., the District Department of Transportation will host a meeting to gather input from the public for DDOT’s Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan. The plan will craft a framework for making the District’s public rights of way accessible to individuals with disabilities by identifying and prioritizing barriers. The meeting will be held at the Mt. Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St. NW. wmata.com
Library of Congress Seeks Volunteer Docents Each fall, the Library’s Visitor Services Office offers a 15-week training program for volunteer docents who will gain the skills necessary to lead tours and answer questions about the Library’s collections and servic-
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es. For more information about the program and other volunteer opportunities, contact Susan Mordan-White at 202-7079203, smordan@loc.gov, or go to loc.gov/visit/volunteers.
The Green Clothing Donation Bin at 4th and East Capitol has relocated to 8th and East Capitol next to Morton’s Pharmacy
Clothing Donation Bin at 4th and E. Capitol Relocated After 15 years, the green clothing donation bin at 4th and E. Capitol Street has been relocated to 8th and E. Capitol Street, next to Morton’s Pharmacy. The clothing donation bin benefits Christ House in DC, the Arlington County Street People’s Alliance, and InterfaithWorks in Montgomery County.
Theater Alliance Announces Season 12 Theater Alliance, at Anacostia Playhouse, announces the start of its 12th Season with an impressive lineup of three world premieres by award-winning playwrights. Additionally, the Theater Alliance welcomes the return of the holiday classic Black Nativity, and the third annual Hothouse reading series that will develop four new pieces from DC based playwrights. The season launches in September with the World Premiere of Spark by Obie awardwinning playwright Caridad Svich. In the holiday season, the company will present a revival of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, which is returning after a two year hiatus and for the first time produced at the Anacostia Playhouse. In the spring, as part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, the season continues with Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea by Nathan Davis, a winner of the Lor-
DOES YOUR CHILD LOVE TO SING?
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AUDITIONS for 2014-15 Season Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H St. NE, WDC 20002
Providing music education of the highest artistic quality in a weekly, after-school program, for ages 8-14, that is creative, supportive and fun! To schedule an audition, email AYCManager@congressionalchorus.org, or call 301-502-4952. Info: www.congressionalchorus.org September 2014 H 39
MOTH Family Fest 2014 Sunday, September 14, 2014 From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Garfield Park, 3rd & G Streets SE Bands, games, raffles, food, & fun!
Moms On The Hill
mothfamilyfest.blogspot.com
raine Hansberry playwright award. The main stage season concludes with the World Premiere of Occupied Territories, a modern adaptation of Seneca’s Trojan Women, developed by director Molye Maxner and written by award winning poet and playwright Matthew Buckley Smith. Theater Alliance will offer Subscription Flex-Passes which provide the maximum flexibility to audience members to participate in the season at their convenience and at a substantial discount to the price for individual tickets. Subscriptions and individual tickets can be purchased at theateralliance.com.
Streetcar Operator Training Begun on H/Benning In-traffic streetcar operator training has begun along the H St. NE and Benning Rd. NE streetcar corridor. As streetcars are now a permanent fixture along the H/Benning corridor, pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists are advised to use caution when traveling through the corridor, during operator training and at all times. Everyone must remember to “Look, Listen, Be Safe!” around streetcar vehicles at all times--look both ways and listen for the streetcar before stepping into the crosswalk, and never walk in front of a moving streetcar.
The DC Poetry Writer’s Workshop and Open Mic at Southeast Library On Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10:30 a.m., poets, writers and other spoken word artists are invited to attend the DC Poetry Project Traveling Writer’s Workshop and Open Mic Poetry Reading. The semi-structured writers workshop will meet from 10:30-
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11:45 a.m. The program focuses on developing personal meaning in the writing process. The workshop strongly emphasizes process over final product. The belief is that there are no right or wrong ways to express oneself, so everyone is invited to attend the workshop and help celebrate the power of poetry. The DC Poetry Project strives to foster a non-judgmental, inclusive and accepting community. The open mic for all begins at noon. The doors and sign-up lists open at 11:45 a.m. Poems may be on any subject, and you may read more than one, but they ask that you keep your time to three minutes. The open mic will go for as long as there are participants or until 1:30 p.m. Southeast Neighborhood Library, 403 7th St. SE. 202698-3377. dclibrary.org/southeast
DC Housing Breaks Ground on Capitol Quarter Community Building DCHA broke ground on the estimated $11 million community building for the Capitol Quarter community, located on 5th Street between K and L streets in Southeast on August 20. The LEED Gold facility should be complete by November 2015. “This is an event about the community,” said DCHA Executive Director Adrianne Todman at the ceremony. “We’ve been working with the community on what programs are important for their facility.” “This site will verify all of our work,” Todman said. Some 475 community members participated in a survey this spring that showed the surrounding neighborhood would benefit from a gym, day care center, multipurpose rooms of varying sizes, and an indoor soft play area. Of those who an-
The Preservation Café Series - “Breweries of Capitol Hill’ a free forum with topics of interest to the greater Capitol Hill community. Garrett Peck will give a “refreshing” presentation on the Breweries of Capitol Hill, Wednesday September 17, 6:30–7:15 p.m. at Ebenzers Coffee House, 2nd and F St. NE.
Valuing Our Unique Urban Forest
Think DC is hot in the summer? Just imagine it without all our trees! At CHRS’s next public meeting, Mark Buscaino, Executive Director of Casey Trees, will explain how DC’s tree cover is maintained and what residents can do to help their trees and support the local ecosystem. Thursday, September 25 at 7 p.m. at HillCenter, 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE. The presentation will be preceded by a brief membership meeting beginning at 6:45. Both events are free and handi-capped accessible, and the public is encouraged to attend. No reservations necessary.
202-543-0425
www.chrs.org
@CHRSDC
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CHRIST CHURCH ON CAPITOL HILL We invite you to join us for worship, fellowship, outreach and education. Sunday Services at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Children’s Sunday school and nursery care available at both services Adult Forum at 9:45am swered the survey, 86 percent reported living within a half mile of the building.
Come as you are and join a welcoming community of faith, spiritual growth, fellowship and service.
Black Student Fund At Fifty Years
202.547.9300 620 G St., SE Washington, DC 20003 www.washingtonparish.org Office@WashingtonParish.org
In celebration of its work, BSF is staging a 50th Anniversary GALA on October 17, 2014 at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park. www.blackstudentfund.org The Black Student Fund (BSF) was established in 1964 by a group of community leaders who believed that everyone would benefit if children from different races had the opportunity to learn together. Since then, BSF has grown into a full fledged Washington institution providing essential advocacy, academic and retention support to students and families to facilitate their access and success at BSF member school.
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After 15 years the Green Clothing Donation bin at 4th and East Capitol that benefits Christ House in the District, Arlington County Street Peopleís
Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential 605 Pennsylvania Ave. SE | office: 202.547.3525
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DC Health Link’s new small business mobile app is designed to be an educational guide for small businesses looking to browse health plans and enroll in health coverage through a licensed health insurance broker. The app delivers streamlined access to information and resource tools for small businesses currently only offered through DCHealthLink.com.
Clothing Bin Moves
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Alliance (ASPAN) in Arlington, and Interfaith Works in Montgomery County has moved next to Mortonís Pharmacy at 8th and East Capitol N.E.
CHAW Hires New Marketing Director Hannah Jacobson has been hired as CHAW’s Director of Marketing and Strategy, responsible for planning, development, and implementation of CHAW’s marketing strategies, and the point-of-contact for media, community, and press relations. Executive Director Jill Strachan commented: “As a former CHAW intern, Ms. Jacobson brings a knowledge of our organization and skills to coordinate at strategic levels with other functions of the organization. We are delighted by her return to CHAW.” Most recently, Hannah has served as the Research Coordinator in the Research & Policy Department of Americans for the Arts, a national research, policy, and advocacy organization. Since 2011, she has also been working as the Project Manager of the Capitol Hill Alphabet Animal Art Project, a public art project facilitated by CHAW and funded by the DC Department of Transportation, focusing on livability and community development on Capitol Hill. Hannah graduated from Yale in May 2011 with honors in History of Art.
Get Your Boat “Coast Guard Ready” Take advantage of the free Vessel Safety Checks offered by the Washington, DC flotilla of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Vessel Safety Checks go over the re-
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quired and recommended safety equipment, and can be done for boats and paddlecraft (like canoes and kayaks). Once a vessel meets all of the requirements to have a safe trip on the water, the owner gets a decal to display on the vessel showing that it passed. Vessel Safety Checks are given at Gravelly Point Park in Virginia by members of the Washington, DC flotilla. Read more at washingtonflotilla.org.
Littering Enforcement Program Expanded The Metropolitan Police Department has launched citywide enforcement of the DC’s anti-littering laws, expanding it from a pilot program used in the Fourth and Sixth Police Districts, and allowing officers to issue $75 Notices of Violation to any pedestrian observed littering. Beginning Monday, Sept. 1, anyone violating the littering law may be issued a ticket. MPD officers will continue to issue $100 traffic tickets to the driver of any vehicle where an officer observes either the driver or any passenger toss trash of any kind onto someone else’s private property or onto any public space, such as streets, alleys, or sidewalks.
CSX Decision Delayed Until Sept. 15 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton yesterday announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will delay a decision on the CSX tunnel expansion until after September 15, 2014. This will allow the DC Council to exercise oversight over the CSX proposal, including a hearing on August 26, as Congresswoman Norton requested. “All of us at DCSafeRail ex-
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tend a heartfelt thanks to Congresswoman Norton for supporting the need for local input into this transportation project with farand long-reaching implications,” said Maureen Cohen Harrington, of DCSafeRail. DCSafeRail has asked DDOT to delay a final decision for the CSX tunnel expansion until the Rail Plan, and Council oversight, is complete.
“I Read Banned Comics” at Northeast Library National Banned Book Week focuses this year on comics and graphic novels, shining a light on this often misunderstood form of storytelling and celebrating the value of graphic novels to readers from all walks of life. On Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m., the public is invited to a discussion focusing on freedom of information and expression. Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite graphic novel or comic to share with others and explain their admiration for the genre. Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 7th St. NE. 202698-0058. dclibrary.org/northeast
DPR Hosts the Annual Doggie Day Swim The DC Department of Parks and Recreation will partner with the Department of Health to host the Sixth Annual DPR Doggie Day Swim on Saturday, Sept. 6, from noon to 4 pm at DPR’s Upshur Main & Kiddie Pool (4300 Arkansas Ave. NW); Francis Pool (25th and N St. NW); and Randall Pool (South Capitol and I Sts. SW). Admission is free, however all dogs must have a valid, DOH-issued DC dog license, to enter the pool.
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September 2014 H 45
{capitol streets / district beat}
Can Bowser Get A Mandate?
W
hat do you call a candidate that wins an election by one vote? Mayor! Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser faces a situation qualitatively different from any previous Democratic nominee for mayor. Typically, Wards 5, 7 and 8 provide a cushion of blue support to Democratic candidates. These eastern wards proved either apathetic or hostile to her during April’s primary. In their absence, she may not be able to secure a real mandate to govern.
How Bowser Spent Her Summer Vacation Unlike her mentor, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty whose shoe-leather campaign achieved a landslide with victories in every city precinct, Bowser appears to be aiming for a bare majority rather than a mandate. Since winning her party’s primary this past spring with a plurality, Bowser has maintained a very low profile. Aside from a blowout fundraiser on her birthday, her public sched-
Muriel Bowser. Photo: Andrew Lightman
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by Andrew Lightman ule has been light, and her policy pronouncements few. Floating like a butterfly above the political fray, Bowser has avoided the sting of engagement with her two major opponents, Councilmember David A. Catania (I-At Large) and Councilmember Carol Schwartz (R-At Large). Refusing all invitations to summer public debates, she has yet to share a stage with the two. Rather than get in knife-wielding distance of her competitors, Bowser spent the summer raking in the cash and endorsements. In the aftermath of the primary, she quickly earned the homage of her Democratic rivals Councilmembers Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Vincent B. Orange (D-At Large). She also garnered endorsements from her colleagues on the dais: Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7), Marion S. Barry (D-Ward 8) and Kenyan R. McDuffie (DWard 8) and Anita Bonds (D-At Large). Popular former mayor Anthony A. Williams soon joined their ranks. The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, an important voice in the city’s Democratic LGBT establishment, also gave her the nod. Mayor Vincent C. Gray has thus far withheld his blessing. Council Chair Phil Mendelson and Ward 3 Councilmember Mary M. Cheh (D) have chosen not to join their colleagues, maintaining a polite neutrality. Labor followed in the footsteps of the District’s elected officials. The DC AFL-CIO and Council 20 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees quickly fell in line. The latter represents the largest number of District employees. Both gave Bowser the nod. The police union, which had been a strong supporter of Wells in the primary, bucked the trend throwing its support behind Catania. Dollars followed endorsements. Bowser started the summer with $716,869.76 in the bank. Between June 11 and Aug. 10, she raised another $511,160.52. As of Aug. 10, she had $1,026,632.42 in cash on hand. Her haul included thousands of dollars from corporate donors. Yet, can cash and blessing of the Democratic establishment secure Bowser’s residence on the
top floor of the Wilson Building? The answer lies in who shows up at the polls in November.
November Low Turnout Likely In the Democratic primary last spring, 73 percent of registered Democrats failed to visit the polls. Only 99,395 ballots were cast. This turnout was fully five percentage points below the previous record low turnout (32.1 percent) set in the September 1998 contest between Williams and Kevin P. Chavous. In both 2006 and 2010, there was a five to 10 percentage point drop in voter participation in the general election as compared to the Democratic primary. In contrast, the 1998 and 2002 contests saw three to four point rises. These increases in voter interest were the result of competitive campaigns mounted against the Democratic nominees by Schwartz. History tells us therefore that low voter participation in an earlier Democratic primary is a solid predictor of low turnout in the November general election. If voters perceive the latter to be uncontested, their engagement is likely to drop further. If the race is perceived as competitive, participation may increase by a few percentage points. So, voter turnout in the General Election should range between 27 and 31 percent. In other words, 121,000 to 139,645 voters, 76 percent of whom are registered Democrats. Come November, Catania, Bowser and Schwartz are going to be fighting over relatively few voters.
Eastern Ambivalence In April’s Democratic primary, voter apathy increased from west to east mirroring a substantial collapse in support for Gray across the city’s eastern wards. 114,901 Democrats in Wards 5, 7, and 8 simply boycotted the polls. Only 26.64 percent of registered Democrats voted in Ward 5, 21.52 in Ward 7 and 15.54 percent in Ward 8. Historically, voters who skip the polls in the primary seldom bother to make the trek in November. Unfortunately for Bowser, Wards 5, 7 and 8 are among the ‘bluest’ in the city containing many of its traditionally highest-voting precincts such as the
much-storied 110 in Hillcrest. In the past, these localities have swung strongly behind the Democratic nominee in November providing an unassailable base in the District’s general elections. In the 2010 primary, Gray amassed 39,180 votes in the city’s eastern wards or 54 percent of his total victory. As the favorite son of Ward 7, he did not have much ground to gain in the subsequent general contest. With opponents writing Fenty’s name onto the ballot, Gray increased his take in Wards 5, 7 and 8 by 4,336 votes for a total of 43,516 that constituted 44.41 percent of his solid November victory. In the 2006 primary, Adrian F. Fenty amassed 20,685 votes, 34 percent of his total, from the city’s eastern wards. In the general election, with no significant opponent on the ballot, his take of the same localities increased by 16,666 votes to 37,351 votes to constitute 35 percent of his total. This substantial swing ratified Fenty’s triumph in the primary, providing him with an electoral mandate for reform. Bowser is likely seeking a ‘Fenty bounce’ from the city’s eastern wards. However, 2014’s General Election may chart new waters.
No Fenty Bounce On April 1, Bowser garnered a total of 42,045 votes in the Democratic Primary, winning with a 43.38 percent plurality. The city’s northern wards powered Bowser past her opponents. She gathered 8,730 votes from Ward 3. Ward 4 gave her another 8,223. Together, they contributed 40.32 percent of her total. In Wards 5, 7 and 8, only 31,227 Democrats bothered to vote at all. Of these, 9,650 voted for Bowser, accounting for 23 percent of her plurality. Gray received 16,408 votes. History tells us that the record low turnout in eastern neighborhoods is not likely to change by much in November. So, there are only 21,577 voters, mostly Gray supporters, up for grabs in Wards 5, 7 and 8. To get a Fenty Bounce, Bowser will have to convince a substantial number of them to move to her column. This will not be easy given that Gray has steadfastly refused to release his core supporters by giving Bowser the nod. Lastly, a substantial number of these voters are older African-American women, a demographic that substantially rejected Bowser in pre-primary polling.
Despite her #ALL8Wards rhetoric, Bowser will not be seeking her margin of victory in November in the city’s eastern wards.
The 51 Percent Solution In the absence of a push from the traditionally blue voters of Wards 5, 7 and 8, Bowser will be looking to cobble together a majority from her existing base and the supporters of her former Democratic opponents, Wells, Evans and Gray in Wards 1, 2, 3 and 6. In the run up to the Democratic primary, Bowser successfully argued that she alone of all the competing candidates could evict Gray from the Wilson Building. Absent polling, there is no way of establishing what percentage of her plurality was made up of strategic voters, who voted against Gray rather than for Bowser and may need to be resold on her candidacy in November’s contest. Bowser’s greatest opportunities lie in the city’s northern precincts. In her home ward, which had the highest voter turnout in the primary (35 percent), there are 5,900 Gray supporters to lure to her column. In neighboring Ward 3, continued Washington Post endorsements will likely secure her dominance. In Ward 6, 6,013 Wells supporters and 3,731 Gray adherents are up for grabs. Here, Bowser will benefit from Wells’ strong endorsement and elements of his ward organization. However, she will also have to contend with the opposition of former Ward 6 Councilmember Sharon Ambrose, who is chairing Catania’s election bid. In Ward 1, Bowser faces the challenge of holding on to her 5,463 votes, while adding from the 2,228 Wells and 2,802 Gray supporters. Given the traditional strength of the LGBT vote in this ward, the historic nature of Catania’s candidacy may play a role. A similar situation exists in low-voting Ward 2, where Bowser must secure her 3,966 votes while seeking converts among the 3,300 adherents of Evans, Gray and Wells. Strong campaigning by Wells and Evans could turn the tides here. In the end, all Bowser needs in November to secure her perch on the top floor of the Wilson Building is one more vote than her opponents. u
September 2014 H 47
{capitol streets / the numbers}
“Pitch”-ing the Perfect Deal
A Fair and Responsible Way for DC to Support a New Soccer Stadium
D
C caught the soccer buzz this summer. The World Cup dominated televisions across the city, and DC United played a superb start to the season. The enthusiasm for soccer adds to our cultural fabric and highlights DC’s diversity. That helps explain why many area residents are excited about the plans for a new stadium for DC United – at Buzzard Point, near Nats Park – that would allow the team to move out of their current home at RFK stadium. But in the midst of that excitement, we should not forget that the stadium deal proposed by Mayor Gray is complex and contains many possible pitfalls for DC taxpayers. There are hefty city subsidies – covering more than half of the costs – even though the greatest financial benefits will go to the team. The plan includes complicated land swaps including trading the Reeves Center to a private developer in a nobid process. And it will have big impacts on residents in at least two communities – at Buzzard Point and near the Reeves Center. This means the DC Council still has a big job when it takes up the stadium deal as early as this fall, to address its financial fairness and transparency and to make sure it benefits all affected communities.
Drop The Swap Mayor Gray’s stadium plan looks a little bit like a DC version of the game Monopoly. At the heart of the deal, the District would trade the Reeves Center for cash and some of the land needed at the stadium site. The city would acquire other stadium parcels by trading other pieces of city-owned land near the Sursum Corda housing development to Pepco. Just as any Monopoly player knows, high-stakes property deals can be intense and controversial. A closer look at the Reeves Center trade shows why this is better as a game than in real life. The mayor wants to turn over the Reeves Center, at 14th and U Streets NW, to local real estate developer Akridge. In return, the city would get cash and land from Akridge at Buzzard point. Akridge would continue to own some land near the stadium site that presumably would become ripe for development with a new soccer stadium.
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by Wes Rivers This deal raises several concerns. First, the Akridge land swap looks shady and isn’t really needed. Gray administration officials say that the city needs to sell city properties to get money for stadium land, rather than borrowing money, because the city is close to its borrowing limit or “debt cap.” They say a land swap would also be a fast way to get stadium land. But the District could just as easily sell the Reeves Center to the highest bidder –Akridge or another company – and use the proceeds to purchase land at the stadium site. That’s important because the mayor’s team and Akridge settled on a sales price – $56 million – that is well below some recent appraisals. What’s more, we all know that property in DC’s hottest neighborhoods, such as 14th and U, often sells for more than its appraised value. Without putting the Reeves Center out for bid, the District could be offloading an important public asset at a price well below value. Second, the mayor’s plan would turn decisions of re-developing an important public property entirely over to Akridge. Usually when public property is sold, the District sets conditions on how the site can be redeveloped, taking into account the needs of the community. However, under the proposed deal, there are no such stipulations, and Akridge would not be required to seek or respond to public input. Community members have raised concerns of the lack of affordable housing and the need for daytime retail and commercial activity. Control of the Reeves Center gives the District the ability to shape the continued development of the U Street area. The District shouldn’t give up that control just because it needs cash quickly.
Stadium Costs: Dc Shouldn’t Pay More Than Its Fair Share Mayor Gray’s plan would have the city buy land and pay for cleanup and new infrastructure, up to a cap of $150 million. But the District also would take on several expenses outside of the cap – putting taxpayers on the hook for more than half of the stadium’s costs. While it’s true that professional sports stadiums usually get some financial help from their host city
or state, that is based more on fear of losing the team than on any hard economic analysis. It’s important to remember that DC United stands to benefit hugely from a new stadium – higher ticket sales, control of concessions, naming rights, an increase in the team’s value, and more. So it makes sense to have the team pay as much of the stadium’s costs as possible. The proposed stadium legislation caps the city’s obligation at $150 million for buying and preparing the land. (City officials estimate actual costs may be about $120 million.) However, contrary to the widely-publicized notion of a “50/50” deal, the District also would give DC United property and sales tax breaks estimated at $44 million. This would be partially offset by a $2 ticket surcharge the city would collect, but not until after 10 years. That would total $10 million. Another cost not discussed is the relocation of the operations and agencies within the Reeves Center. When Akridge takesacontrol, it will temporarily lease space to the District at a cost of $15 million. Once the lease is up, the District must relocate agencies and the traffic operation center located there, at a cost of $14 million. In total, the District would pay $183 million to complete all aspects of the project. With the team poised to make a lot of money off of this venture, it does not seem fair that taxpayers take on the bulk of the costs.
A Winning Goal: Ensuring Communities Benefit A new soccer stadium will allow fans across the region to enjoy games in an accessible, world-class venue. But it also will have an impact, potentially disruptive, on the nearby community. It only makes sense that the stadium deal address possible negative effects and include new benefits for the community surrounding the new stadium. The District will need to ensure basic protections for the residents of Buzzard Point: preserving affordable housing, alleviating game-day traffic and parking congestion, making the area safe for walking and biking, and providing adequate public transportation. Neighbors also want the city to mitigate
environmental hazards that surface as industrial lands are redeveloped. The city is working toward some of these goals already. It produced a transportation study and is working to produce transportation management and operations plans. Most stadium developments also include new amenities to ensure that the community thrives along with the team and the fans. Community benefits agreements (CBA) are binding and hold the city and the developer accountable to the community for specified new amenities. In Southwest, a CBA could address concerns raised by the community by providing access to job and apprenticeship opportunities, recreation and after-school programming for neighborhood youth, and rehabilitation of recreation centers. Community groups are already in preliminary discussions with the team and the City Administrator, and all parties have expressed an interest in a CBA. Because the soccer deal involves several neighborhoods, the city should look to foster similar community benefit agreements with neighbors of the Reeves Center and with Sursum Corda residents. DC is a soccer town and will likely make some financial contribution to help DC United build a new home. But in representing a city with a lot of needs and limited financial flexibility, the DC Council should rethink the approach to how the city and the team share that burden. Costs should fall more to those who primarily benefit – DC United – and new development and amenities should improve the lives of all affected residents. If those conditions are met, a new stadium would be a true community asset and a vehicle for positive development in Southwest. Rivers is a policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org), which conducts research on tax and budget issues that affect low- and moderate-income DC residents. u
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September 2014 H 49
{capitol streets / nature}
A
s time goes b y, m o r e and more of us are discovering our neighborhood river, the Anacostia. Whether enjoying the live music on a Friday night at Yards Park, paddling a canoe or kayak through what seems an almost magic wilderness near the Arboretum or the Aquatic Gardens, or just throwing out a fishing line along its banks, the Anacostia continues to surprise us. In part that surprise is because at heart the Anacostia is still a classic urban river, with a lot of problems caused by neglect and pollution. This article is the first of a monthly series that will try to get a handle what the Anacostia is, is not, and could be.
Progress on Eliminating Runoff The Anacostia begins as a series of streams in the suburbs of Prince Georges and Montgomery counties with names like Paint Branch, Sligo Creek, Watts Branch, and Beaverdam Creek. The watershed draining into the Anacostia includes such places as Cheverly, Wheaton, and Greenbelt, as well as Fort Lincoln and a large part of DC. It also drains nearly all of the Beltsville Agricultural Research facility of the USDA. The major branches join just
50 H Hillrag.com
The Anacostia Our River
by Bill Matuszeski photos Andrew Lightman
above the Bladensburg Marina, which is also the limit of the tide coming in from the Potomac. The river was once navigable to Bladensburg by oceangoing ships, but that is a tale for another time. With this kind of a watershed profile the river can be expected to have some problems. An oversupply of nutrients from fertilizer and other sources creates conditions that encourage algal blooms in warm weather. There is so much roof and pavement and other impermeable surface that storm water rushes off into streams bringing trash and eroding the banks to add heavy sediment loads. In large
sections of the District the storm and sanitary sewers are combined so that, an average of once a week, they overflow and discharge raw sewage into the river, where it sloshes back and forth with the tides. And there are heavy levels of toxics from sources that have long operated along the river. But progress is being made on a number of fronts. New and innovative provisions in storm-water permits under the Clean Water Act are reducing nutrient loadings and runoff from the first flush of storms by holding and slowly releasing the water. Many of these efforts involve homeowners by providing incentives or paying the cost of rain gardens, rain barrels, and the replacement of walks and driveways with permeable pavers. The new local controls on plastic bags and Styrofoam are also having an impact. The Long-Term Control Program for combined sewer discharges under DC Water is moving along with construction of large underground storage facilities that will reduce raw sewage discharges to once or twice a year. The traditional sources of toxics are being cleaned up under the Superfund Program in places like the PEPCO plant on Benning Road and the Navy Yard.
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Arlington N. $1,559,900 A Toxic Legacy All of these efforts will take years to complete, but they are underway and we are already benefitting with a cleaner river. However, the big remaining job is just getting started. This involves the issue of “legacy sediments,” the toxic material that lies on the bottom of the river as a result of all those years of release of chemicals, solvents, and other toxic materials from sources along the river that are in the process of closing down or cleaning up their discharges. Much of it has been there for decades, and since it is in areas subject to tidal ebb and flow it does not clear out as it would in a fast-moving stream. But it does not lie there inactive. During storms the sediments can be stirred up and re-suspended for a period, during which their toxics can be consumed by fish and other living resources. This is not an easy issue to deal with, which is one reason why it has received little attention until now. If we hope ever to be able to swim or to eat the fish in the Anacostia, it has to be done. The District Department of the Environment has been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others to develop a plan for toxic sediments. There are basically two stages. Stage One is evaluative; it will study what is in the sediments and where, and what the options are to deal with them. Sampling began this summer and Stage One is to be completed in 2017. Experts consider it an aggressive timetable. Stage Two will be the effort to carry out the recommendations of Stage One to deal with the legacy toxics. The scheduled completion date, 2025, seems a long way off, but it is a realistic date given the likely amount of work involved. A similar effort is underway in the upper Hudson River to deal with toxic sediments filled with polychlorinated biphenyl’s (PCBs), one of the major pollutants in the An-
acostia sediments. It is a seven year project currently in its sixth year and on schedule. One key issue is whether to try to treat (or “cap”) the sediments in place or remove them to another place for treatment and/or disposal. Capping is cheaper and does not require finding a permanent disposal site, but it has drawbacks. Where there is constant tidal flow and occasional stormdriven currents that may re-suspend sediments, capping has its limits. It is also a problem in an area with a lot of shallow water, where the new configuration may exclude boaters or damage vessels.
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Hope for the Future After years of costly efforts, we want the thing to work. The Hudson River project has proven the technology of removal with minimal disturbance and re-suspension of the toxics as they are removed with closed buckets. In addition to the government agencies cooperating on the legacy sediments project, two new groups are bringing focus to this and other clean-up efforts on the Anacostia. They join and draw support from a number of existing organizations such as the Anacostia Watershed Society, Riverkeeper, and Groundwork DC, as well as the government-wide Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership. First there is a new coalition of environmental groups called United for a Healthy Anacostia River. Second, Mayor Gray has established a Leadership Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River, to be chaired by former Mayor Anthony Williams. Public involvement is the key to all these efforts, so get involved in all that’s going on. It’s our river! Bill Matuszeski writes on environmental issues. He is former director of the Chesapeake Bay Program and current chair of the Anacostia Watershed Citizens Advisory Committee. u
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CALL, EMAIL OR TEXT WEICHERT REALTORS ARLINGTON OFFICE #1 AGENT TODAY September 2014 H 51
{capitol streets / city planning}
A Greener Eastern Market Plaza May Be On The Way
W
here today the parks around the Eastern Market Metro are mostly tired expanses of grass with a few trees, the parks soon could contain an expanded library, formal playground, cafe-style tree bosque and several stormwater management features. The roads and sidewalks around the square could also get a better layout. The $45 million redesign has gone through years of planning and outreach. The project originally started as a Congressional earmark to Barracks Row Main Street, which funded the Capitol Hill Town Square study in 2008 that considered ways to redesign the intersection, including possibly rerouting Pennsylvania Avenue around a square similar to Stanton or Lincoln parks. Any changes to Pennsylvania Avenue ran into fierce opposition from immediate neighbors. But the project team continued studying ways to redesign the parks and started a new round of public engagement in 2013, this time assuming Pennsylvania stayed where it is. Architect Amy Weinstein of Esocoff & Associates recently revealed a final design coming out of numerous community meetings and feedback on two concepts from January. The most dramatic change would be on the southwest parcel with the Metro entrance. A new pavilion would lead to a massive below-ground expansion of the Southeast Library, across the street from the square. A long courtyard and a water feature would connect this pavilion with the Metro.
by David Cranor The parcel would also get a shaded tree bosque (an urban grove of shade trees similar to the one at New York’s Lincoln Center) with a crushed gravel surface, movable furniture, and an open space along the “desire line” path where people most often walk between the Metro station and Barracks Row. A straight pedestrian path along the South Carolina Ave- The Metro entrance, library entry pavilion, and water feature on the southwest parcel.All images from Esocoff & Associates unless otherwise noted. nue axis would divide the northeast section, the largest parcel. A fenced-in children’s play area and an open lawn would flank it on the each side. The play areas include a landscape with “Anacostia Hills,” a “Floodplain,” a “Valley,” and a “Ridge,” and on that landscape, children will find a tree house, water pump, a pair of jungle gyms and a swing set. The wide median of Pennsylvania Avenue The playground and promenade. would become a pair of bioswales surrounded by wrought iron fencing. The bioswales will absorb up to 70% of the stormwater runoff from the inside portion of Pennsylvania Avenue during most storms. Meanwhile, the fences prevent pedestrians from crossing in the middle of the block. The smaller triangular parcels on the south-
Artist’s rendering of the bosque.
The plaza now. Image from Bing Maps.
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Site plan for the smaller triangular parcels.
east and northwest sides would become green space with stormwater management gardens and trees surrounded by an outward facing bench. The southeast parcel would be further expanded by closing D Street in front of the Dunkin’ Donuts and adding the land to the park. Around the square, the plan would make changes to street directions and sidewalks to pro-
vide better flow and greater pedestrian safety. The segments of D Street along the northeast and southwest edges would reverse to carry traffic away from 8th Street instead of toward it. 8th Street would get a new left turn lane for those turning west onto D Street south of Pennsylvania. To aid pedestrians, many intersections would get curb bump outs and pedestrian islands. The northbound bus stop on 8th would move south of Pennsylvania, while southbound buses would stop just across the street from that spot, closer to the Metro station. Building the parks and plazas will cost an estimated $13,500,000, while the expanded and renovated library would cost $22,800,000. With DC management fees, a maintenance endowment and other costs, the project team estimates the whole project would need a budget of a little over $45,000,000. The team is still accepting comments and will issue a final report in September. Barracks Row Main Street has some money to help pay for development, but from the (somewhat vague) statements from the project team, it appears they would be looking for city funding to help make the project a reality. This article was first published on the Greater Greater Washington Blog, www.greatergreaterwashington.org, on July 30, 2014. David Cranor is an operations engineer. A former Peace Corps Volunteer and former Texan (where he wrote for the Daily Texan), he’s lived in the DC area since 1997. David is a cycling advocate who serves on the Bicycle Advisory Committee for DC. u
September 2014 H 53
{capitol streets / city politics}
ANC 6B Departures
Seven out of ten Commissioners will be leaving
T
ahere will be a significant change in the makeup of ANC 6B at the beginning of next year, as seven out of 10 commissioners will not seek re-election. One, Dave Garrison, resigned earlier this year and moved out of DC. The departure of so many is unusual, even in a commission with regular turnover every two years. There’s no smoking gun. All commissioners interviewed were grateful for the opportunity to serve. But changes in neighborhood demographics probably mean there will be more regular departures, as commissioners with challenging jobs, and family obligations find that two to four years is enough. Serving as an ANC commissioner could be Washington’s most demanding volunteer job. The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, created in the 1970s, devolve political power to the neighborhoods and allow constituents a venue for voicing concerns over issues impacting their neighborhoods. Each DC ward is divided into ANCs comprised of single-member districts of about 2,000 constituents, represented by an ANC commissioner. Commissioners are elected every two years, and they often find themselves busier than Congressmen, without the staff, perks, or pay. They do get small grants from local government and, recently, parking passes, though these benefits are negligible. Commissioners involve themselves in planning and zoning, public safety, education, historic preservation, liquor licensing, and many other issues. They attend monthly ANC meetings, committee and subcommittee meetings, task force meetings, hearings, neighborhood meetings, site visits, and meetings with developers and their neighborhood nemeses. Most of the departing commissioners have served two or four years, with one notable exception. Here is a recap of their reflections and reasons for leaving.
Francis Campbell Campbell’s departure is the most and least surprising of all. Most because he has been a passionate
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by Emily Clark advocate for his neighborhood, recipient of a Capitol Hill CommunityAchievement Award, and (according to him) a thorn in the side of city agencies as he has fought for rational, comprehensive development of Reservation 13. Least because he has been an ANC 6B commissioner for 12 years. “I might have run again, but my family wanted me to spend more time with them,” he says. Campbell is retired, so there are fewer demands on his time. Nevertheless he says the job has gotten harder and newly elected commissioners may not have expected the workload. “I don’t think they anticipated more than 40 hours a week, plus day jobs and family obligations, and the nearly 24/7 oncall demands from constituents,” Campbell says. “People know where we live, they’re our neighbors, they have our phone numbers.” Campbell admits he had a hard time walking away, especially with issues like Reservation 13 left unresolved. He regrets that so many departures leave ANC 6B with a shortage of expertise, but, he says, “maybe it’s time for someone with a different point of view than mine.”
Ivan Frishberg Frishberg, elected to ANC 6B in 2010, is turning his attention to global issues. As Climate Change Campaign Manager at Organizing for Action, he has a stepped-up travel schedule and a young family. Turnover at ANC 6B is to be expected, he says, because the commission is now more reflective of the community. “When the two Brians [Pate and Flahaven] and I were elected, there was only one other commissioner who had a full-time job, which isn’t normal,” he says. And four years ago the ANC had only one task force and two committees. “The younger members pushed for more committees, and now we have transportation, outreach, police, zoning, and more,” Frishberg says. “We’ve chosen to make more of the big cases like Hine and CSX, so we’ve made it more work.” Hopefully, Hine is moving forward, Frishberg says, “And I hope we don’t go back to a ‘just say no’ approach to development.”
Nichole Opkins Opkins, elected in 2012, says her goal “was always to work toward consensus and emphasize that we should be good neighbors.” Opkins is the parent of a five-year-old and an attorney who does contract work with a nonprofit. She is also project manager for a software development company. The ANC is a “wonderful community service opportunity” she says, adding her goal on the transportation committee was to work toward reconnecting Hill East with the Anacostia.
Brian Pate Pate was elected in 2010 and thinks four years is “the right amount of time to serve.” A management consultant and a Marine combat veteran, Pate calls his work with smaller issues most rewarding. “Whether it’s getting a sign fixed, a ticket properly adjudicated, or a street quickly repaired, positive outcomes on small issues have a direct and tangible impact on quality of life.”
Phil Peisch Elected in 2012, Peisch had to hit the ground running. All liquor licenses in his single-member district were up for their three-year renewal. His takeaway: renewals should be staggered. “They were all dealt with at once, so some of them were just rammed through without much scrutiny.” As for leaving, Peisch notes job demands (he’s a healthcare lawyer), a baby on the way, and the constant need for “fresh perspectives and new ideas” at the ANC.
Sara Loveland Newly elected in 2012, environmental activist Loveland recently started a job in rural Virginia. “Ultimately, I wasn’t able to commit enough time,” she says, adding that her ANC colleagues “are all really dedicated people who are passionate about public service.” The biggest reward: “Our neighborhood has a lot of planning opportunities, and I think we have great momentum in the right direction.” u
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September 2014 H 55
{capitol streets}
EMCAC Report by Charnice A. Milton Intern Reports Three interns, Zachary Horowitz, Freddie Potter, (both from the Washington Center) and Dominique Thomas (District Leadership Program), made presentations to highlight their work during the summer. Potter reported on his analysis regarding outdoor vendors; while revenue has increased over the years, the number of stall rentals per day has decreased. Last year, there were 6,649 stall rentals, compared to 2009’s 8,325, resulting in a net loss of 1,676. Potter listed possible reasons for the vendors’ departure, including moving away (28 percent of vendors). Finally, he suggested that the market accept more new vendors annually and expect a large percentage to leave; Porter said he will calculate the amount the new vendors the Market needs to accept. Horowitz worked with Annette Nielsen, the marketing communications manager, on the newsletter and website. Changes to the newsletter include a calendar of events and links to social media (including a new Instagram account). Using Mailchimp, an email distribution service, Horowitz reported that newsletter goes out to 7,000 people, with 2,044 recipients opening them. However, when he first arrived, many recipients could not receive the newsletter because the dc.gov address used did not work with some email clients; he created a Gmail account for the newsletter, which led to less bounce-back. For the website, he suggested creating sub-pages for each vendor and distributed website update forms to the vendors. Thomas was charged with redesigning the website; instead of creating three drafts, she used Wix.com to create a new website. Focusing on the design aspect, she hoped to attract new vendors and visitors, while still appealing to older ones. Her changes include a “News” page with the market’s recent media mentions, a “Visit” page with directions to the market and a map, and vendor sub-pages, which included instructions on how to join the market as a vendor.
Petitioning at the Market During his Manager’s Report, Barry Margeson stated that the Department of General Services’ (DGS) General Counsel is reviewing a policy draft regarding petitioning, busking, soliciting, and similar activities at the Market; after the General Counsel gives its feedback, the policy will go to EMCAC for approval. Over the past few years, he explained, the Market barred anyone from conducting petitions in the area it manages. As a market, there is enough space for people to do different activities without being impeded upon by those doing activities not licensed by the market. After receiving complaints from political petitioners, the Market permitted petitioning until EMCAC enacts the new policy. Richard Layman pointed out that it would be difficult to restrict political petitioning according to the First Amendment, a point that Conrad Cheek, Jr. and other audience members agreed
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with. Cheek, a Street Sense vendor, said that he was kicked off his usual spot, the corner of Seventh and C Streets, losing one-third of his income. Another audience member stated there might be selective enforcement to the rule, since she was escorted off the Market for petitioning pot legalization while other petitioners were left alone. Ivan Frishberg (Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B Representative) asked for some sensibility in the discussion; he argued that while lawyers can argue about the legality of the new policy, Eastern Market also functions as a town square, where free speech is permissible. EMCAC Co-Chair Donna Scheeder ended the conversation, saying that it is a balancing act: protecting First Amendment rights while running a place of business.
Trash Compactors and Parking During the Tenant Council report, Chuck Burger (EMCAC CoChair and CHAMPS Representative) stated that the upstairs merchants raised concerns about the trash compactors and dumpsters in the back alley. The Council’s co-chair, Mike Bowers, pointed out that visitors do not know about parking spaces in the area because the compactors blocks them. Also, he notes that a pad built to hold the compactors is being underutilized. Bowers believed that the Market could better utilize the space by extending the pad and making it flat, which would add more parking spaces.
Other News Eastern Market is participating in Produce Plus, a program in which the city gives five-dollar checks to food assistance recipients for them to buy produce from farmer’s markets. So far, the market gave over $800 in Produce Plus checks. The meeting began with began with a moment of silence for two outdoor vendors who passed away the week of July 30: Bob King, who sold Swiss peelers and was known for his demonstrations, and Rebeccah Mensah, a jewelry artist who has been with the Market since 1978. Also, Tom Kuchenberg’s (Independent Community Representative) wife passed away in July. Berger announced that the Credentials and Nominations Committee will hold elections during their next meeting. EMCAC is currently looking for nominations for Independent Community Representative, as Kuchenberg’s term is ending. Eastern Market was featured in the Washingtonian’s “Best of DC 2014” issue and will be featured in National Geographic’s upcoming book “World’s Best Cities.” The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) will not meet in August. The next meeting will be September 17, 2014 at 7:00pm in Eastern Market’s North Hall. For more information, visit easternmarket-dc.org. u
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 6A NICK ALBERTI, CHAIR, 202-329-1193 Serving the Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, Rosedale, and Stanton Park communities ANC 6A generally meets the second Thursday of the month, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE.
www.anc6a.org Next ANC 6A meeting is 2nd Thursday, September 11 Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee
3rd Tuesday, September 16, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner of 10th & G Streets, NE • Chair, Jay Williams, 906-0657
Transportation & Public Space Committee
3rd Monday, September 15, 7pm • Maury Elementary School 13th Street & Constitution Ave NE Co-Chairs, Omar Mahmud, 546-1520; Todd Sloves, 347-735-8633
Economic Development & Zoning Committee
3rd Wednesday, September 17, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner of 10th and G Streets, NE • Chair, Dan Golden, 641-5734
Community Outreach Committee
3rd Monday, September 15, 7pm Maury Elementary School • 13th Street & Constitution Ave NE Chair, Elizabeth Nelson, 543-3512
Please check the Community Calendar on the website for cancellations and changes of venue.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C P.O. Box 77876 • Washington, D.C. 20013-7787 • www.anc6c.org Call (202) 547-7168 for meeting time and location. ANC 6C generally meets the second Wednesday of each month.
ANC 6C COMMISSIONERS ANC 6C01 Daniele Schiffman Daniele.Schiffman@gmail.com
ANC 6C04 Mark Eckenwiler 6C04@anc.dc.gov
ANC 6C02 Karen Wirt (202) 547-7168 6C02@anc.dc.gov
ANC 6C05 Mark Kazmierczak 6C05@anc.dc.gov
ANC 6C03 Scott Price (202) 577-6261 6C03@anc.dc.gov scott.price@anc.dc.gov
ANC 6C06 Tony Goodman (202) 271-8707 tonytgood@gmail.com
ANC 6C COMMITTEES Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee Contact: (870) 821-0531 anc6c.abl.committee@gmail.com
Transportation and Public Space Committee First Thursday, 7 pm Contact: (202) 641-4264
Grants Committee Contact: SDucote@afscme.org Planning, Zoning, and Environment Committee First Wednesday, 7 pm Contact: zoning@eckenwiler.org Twitter: @6C_PZE
September 2014 H 57
“You Can Call Me Al”
Crossword Author: Myles Mellor • www.themecrosswords.com • www.mylesmellorconcepts.com
by Myles Mellor Across:
1. X-Men villains 6. Penny ___ 12. City play place 19. Quarter 20. Airport area 21. Little sound 22. Iconic film director 25. Clear, in a way 26. Incite 27. Knowing about 28. Finnish river 29. Starting place 31. Scratches (out) 33. Automatic 35. Tennessee’s state flower 38. Still sleeping 40. Conclusion starter 42. West Indies native 47. Chess pieces 48. Tip-top 49. Boyfriends 51. Highland 52. Astronaut 56. Small passenger vehicle 57. Digital money 58. Flag 59. Grave marker 60. Pans 61. Mail Boxes ___ 62. Solemn stretch 63. Paul and Neal 66. Go downhill 69. Islam denomination 73. Catch 74. Fed. tax program 75. The “A” in James A. Garfield 80. Tube 82. Endured 84. Brazilian river 86. Russian novelist 89. Short overskirt 90. Primed 91. Effluvium 92. Witch 93. Fragrant compound 94. Rubberneck 95. Enclose a room 96. Come-on 97. Farm equipment 99. Eastern pooh-bah
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102. Ghanian monetary unit 104. Normal prefix 108. On the safe side? 110. Cocoon contents 112. Roast host 116. American inventor 120. Beat 121. Walls 122. At the top 123. Stepped 124. Ukrainian port 125. Italic language
Down:
1. Raconteur’s offering 2. “Carmina Burana” composer 3. Some computer keys 4. Muralist Rivera 5. Outfield surface 6. Minute bit 7. Abraded 8. Stream 9. Enough 10. Morse bit 11. Bounce back, in a way 12. Scraps 13. Cravat 14. Maximum 15. Leader 16. Golden Triangle country 17. Middle Earth creatures 18. Kindergartener 19. Defective 23. Balkers 24. Sudden flow 30. Former Portugese province 32. Sports figures 34. Pomp 35. Mosque officials 36. Kindled anew 37. Cockeyed 39. “Humanum ___ errare” 41. Theater admonition 43. Fourth in a series 44. Chain of hills 45. Twain’s ___ Joe 46. Special Forces cap 48. Old Jewish scholars 49. Motions 50. Greek consonants
Look for this months answers at labyrinthgameshop.com 51. Lickety-split 53. Zippo 54. Old Spanish kingdom 55. Small amphibians 60. Tribulation 61. Poet’s palindromic preposition 64. Muhammad’s religion 65. Aim 66. In a languid manner 67. Court call 68. Low point 69. Suffix with sea or moon 70. Nathan and others 71. Bungling 72. Hopping joint? 74. Goad
76. Put on the line 77. Divinely inspired poet in India 78. Indo-European 79. Animal woe 81. Seize 82. Cold one 83. Honshu port 84. ___ report 85. New World lizard 87. Payor 88. Tiller’s tool 94. ___ oldies 95. Chips at 96. Pertaining to the edge of a body part 98. Pop
100. Church property 101. Corridors 103. Vast extents 104. Contract 105. Apple spray 106. Make over 107. Pink-slipped 109. Proof word 111. MasterCard rival 113. Anatomical sacs 114. Snap 115. Building add-on 117. Boolean logic operator 118. Certifiable 119. Indochinese language
{community life}
E on DC
Bookstores for the Hungry Mind by E. Ethelbert Miller
B
efore my brother Richard left home to join a Trappist monastery in the early 1960s, he introduced me to bookstores. Often on a Saturday afternoon the two of us would walk the streets of Greenwich Village, stopping into Brentano’s, Rizzoli, or the 8th Street Bookstore. This was a few years before I had any ideas about becoming a writer. A good bookstore is like a magical kingdom. Many times I found myself tucked in the corner of a small room turning the pages of history books and science-fiction. I should have been a wizard. Instead I graduated from high school early and took a job at a place called Bookazine in lower Manhattan. The year was 1968. Bookazine distributed books to almost all bookstores in New York City. It was here I met the elderly Louis Michaux, who owned National Memorial Bookstore in Harlem. Years later I would learn that this small man knew every major black writer and leader. While at Bookazine I also met a number of civil rights activists who ran the Drum & Spear Bookstore in Washington DC. Drum & Spear was the first bookstore I visited when I arrived in this city, hungry to obtain a higher education. I would soon learn to go steady with a few other seductive book places. By the time I started writing poetry and had graduated (1972) from Howard University, I was visiting book sites near DuPont Circle and other places where there were as many writers as in Greenwich Village. I recall once walking into a store on Connecticut Avenue and meeting Michael Lally. He took one of his books off the shelf and gave it to me. I never forgot that – a real, living writer placing his book in my hands. Not even Amazon can come close to that today.
Dupont Circle once featured Folio Books on the corner of 21st and P streets. I did a reading with Larry Neal there and met a young Greg Tate. Soon the center of gravity would become Common Concerns run by Dave Marcuse on Connecticut Avenue close to what was then Riggs Bank. Here is where we had a couple of book happenings. More than 50 black authors in one place during Black History Month, creating community and good vibes. Common Concerns was a progressive place reaching a point of political saturation, I guess, when it started selling coffee from Nicaragua. Like the Supremes after Diana Ross, a few people associated with Common Concerns followed the motion of history and opened Vertigo Bookstore. Bridget Warren and her husband Todd became the First Family of books. I held many Ascension poetry readings there. Vertigo gave this city a spin. It was more than a bookstore, it was a cultural center and a meeting place before Sisterspace. Langston Hughes wrote about how he knew rivers. I’ve known bookstores – from Minneapolis to Seattle. I’ve been a witness to what it means for a child to purchase a first book, for a mother to find that special one, or for the scholar to come across something just published. This September, Upshur Street Books will open in the Petworth neighborhood. I went last month to a reception and tour of what I hope will become a city treasure. Maybe it will be as successful as Teaching for Change located at Busboys and Poets. I think we need the bookstores as much as Woody Allen said he needed the eggs at the end of Annie Hall. In a city with so many important monuments, a good bookstore is a reminder that our city is a living and breathing community with arms open for those who wish to dream, read and create u
September 2014 H 59
{community life / people}
Roasting Alvin Ross
Retiring Restaurateur Takes a Little Flack
I
by Stephanie Cavanaugh
t’s hot enough to grill a burger on the sidewalk this mid-week, mid-afternoon in August. By moonrise the sidewalk cafe at Mr. Henry’s will fill with burgers and fries and nachos, beers and margaritas. Right now the patio is abandoned, but inside the restaurant is as it always is, cool and dark, denying the hour. Any hour. Any year. A spiffily-suited quartet appears to be negotiating Something Very Important at a center table. A few regulars inhabit the bar, but the curmudgeonly cloud that normally hovers, always ready with a sarcastic remark and a hemorrhoidallyfueled smile, is missing. Alvin Ross, the mug of Mr. Henry’s for over four decades, has retired. Alvin has been at the pub since 1971, when local property baron Larry Quillian won the place in a poker game from Henry Yaffe, the pint-sized, peripatetic entrepreneur who ensconced songstress Roberta Flack in a room of her own on the second floor. At the time, Yaffe owned six bars around town, operating under different names, but with the same stylistic formula of red-checked tablecloths and a hodge-podge of Victoriana hung over flaking plaster walls. Larry absconded with Alvin as well, luring him out of Yaffe’s Tenley location, appointing him co-manager, then manager, then ten years later co-owner. For the first 17 years he also ran
Alvin Ross, who is now living it up in Bethany Beach, where he has a “real senator and congressman,” says with what sounds like an actual smile in his voice: “I want to thank all of my customers for their patronage and my staff for their loyalty and hard work.”
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ABOVE: Alvin Ross of Mr. Henry’s. Photo: Andrew Lightman. LEFT: Alvin Ross soon after he started at Mr. Henry’s.
another of Larry’s restaurants on Pennsylvania Avenue, Machiavelli’s. (The latter has since gone through several owners and incarnations before becoming the Barrel this spring). “When Alvin took over the business he had no background, no training -- he ran it and kept it out of my hair, that’s all I was interested in.” says Larry. He did more than that. Through the Hill’s jolts and slithers toward yuppification, Alvin, with his masters in philosophy, created a welcoming place, no matter your proclivities. The Hill’s version of Cheers. Cheryl’s tending bar today. Ralph Ditano’s here and Ed McManus is pretending he’s not, leafing through the paper down by the window. Ralph has known Alvin from the beginning. “He’s a nice guy, always calm when things aren’t calm -- and fun to tease. I’m forever indebted to him for hiding a jar of grey poupon for me.” Cheryl whips it out of a cabinet below the bottles of booze, holding it aloft like bitter herbs from the Seder plate. “The regular mustard was so bad,” says Ralph,” I was bringing in small jars, which embarrassed him. So he bought a big jar for me.” Ralph also convinced him to bring back the guacamole for the empanadas. “It was too expensive, he insisted. I’ll never do it.” So he was...tight? “He’d take the subway in to work,” says manager Mike Fry, who’d sidled up to my elbow. “And he’d always borrow my car to go to Costco. One morning he asked for it and I said, ‘It’s empty, empty!” And he came back and said, ‘I made it! ‘ He was so proud of himself. He borrowed it for months
Serving DC Since 1974
and didn’t put in a dime of gas.” Ed looks up. “Alvin has a good heart. He was interested in local projects.” Mr. Henry’s has hosted the planning of the Capitol Hill Literary Festival, which Ed and his wife Karen Lyon founded three years ago, keeping the proceedings fueled with coffee and cokes. “He has the sweetest wife,” Cheryl sighs. “Chris moved in with him because he had a washing machine and she had a mouse in her apartment.” Chris, now a consultant for the state department, was working at Henry’s as a waitress when they met. About that sweetness, Alvin agrees: “She’s my counterpart. As much of a pain in the ass as I am, that’s how sweet she is.” Some of us have grown old with Alvin. Others have grown up. When realtor Tom Faison moved to the Hill in 1981, “a dumb kid exiled from North Carolina,” he went to every bar on the street before hitting Mr. Henry’s. “Alvin and I went upstairs and I lied and said I’d worked in restaurants all over the south. I was a smooth talker. I got that job by pure BS. He hired me for Machiavelli’s -- but when I saw how much money they made at Henry’s ...” He was there for the next 12 years. “You get a little summer job at Henrys and...it’s a black hole, a vortex. Waiters and bartenders are there for years.” Rudy Appl, who passed away last month, tended bar for fifty years. The classic Alvin? “ ‘I hate my life, why have I been here for 40 years?’ But he also impacted a lot of people,” says Tom. “He was never afraid to give his opinion on what you should do with your life, like getting the employees to try EST.” (If you don’t remember EST, Google it). You might say Maddie Hartke
Weber was born there. Her parents, Kristen Hartke and Rick Weber, got engaged at the pub. “That sounds much sexier than it was,” says Kristen. “We were having dinner and looked at each other and said, let’s get married.” That was 24 years ago. Their daughter has been a bar fly since she was in diapers. “Maddie grew up there,” says Kristen. “Birthdays, celebrations, half-price burger night. Everyone knows to bring her nachos. The night before she left for college Alvin hugged her and said, ‘take care of yourself’. When she came home for the summer she wanted to go see Alvin and let him know how things were going. He hugged her and said, ‘your parents are crazy to let you study theater.’ It was very sweet.” Monica Cavanaugh (full disclosure, as they say, my daughter) has also celebrated every childhood transition at Mr. Henry’s: from graduation from Wee Care (now The Hill Preschool) through St. Mary’s College. And then... “I got home from college wanting to be a writer,” she says. “I went over to Andrew at the Rag, then immediately after to Alvin. I said, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing - will you hire me?’ He told me to come in the next day at 10.” “Alvin was like another family member, ever aware of my bare ring finger, pestering me about giving my parents grandchildren.” “His training style was the ‘tough love’ type. Troublesome customer? ‘It happens. You’re doing fine. Now go carry these eight plates up your arm.’ Now I can carry four plates and a basket of fries, which is still a very cool party trick. I get lots of oohs and ahhs.” Thanks Alvin, and no she and Pete still haven’t set a date. Noodge. u
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September 2014 H 61
{community life / profile}
Dawn Clemens, Cluster School Principal Working Overtime for the Heart Of Capitol Hill
D
awn Clemens’ IPhone usually begins buzzing around 6 a.m., when Dawn is at the gym getting in a workout before her day at school opens. The principal of the Capitol Hill Cluster School, now entering her fourth year as leader, uses text and email to connect with staff, teachers, parents, contractors, central office and everyone else. But she’ll tell anyone that her favorite moments are interacting with students – the hugs, the high-fives and the moments of joy when a child is really happy about something. “It’s the best part – the highlight of every day,” says Clemens, who has what is often described as one of the most challenging assignments in the city’s public school system. Clemens, who worked in both private and charter schools prior to coming to the Cluster, also has experience working in education in California and Singapore, where she lived for several years in the 1990’s. Clemens, who lives in Maryland and has two adult daughters, says this school year may be the best yet at the Cluster even as she acknowledges that there are many segments of the three campuses that are still evolving. “Getting all our buildings renovated will help – we’re halfway there and it already makes a big difference,” she says. The Cluster, created 25 years ago to provide stability, certainty and unity in a public school system that had sunk pretty low, is essentially three schools united under one name and one principal. When it works best, it provides an easy way for parents to have their son or daughter attend school with the same cohort of neighborhood kids from age 3 to 13, when they head off to high school. There is a single school identity that provides for the creation of a “Cluster way of doing things” that helps students build on each year and move forward through the grades in a consistent way. The downside is that the Cluster is large – 1,200 students – with families from nearly every corner of the city. Clemens notes that her school is the largest in Ward 6 and as such requires a steady hand; with so many kids of different ages there is almost always someone somewhere that requires attention.
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by Vincent Morris tra time to the collection and working with students – sometimes asking kids to assist to shelving books.
Challenges of Competition
Ms. Clemens with a Watkins student, both dressed as Fancy Nancy when the whole school came dressed up as their favourite literary character. Photo: Vince Morris
On the plus side, the school’s larger student enrollment means that it has a comparatively large budget that allows it to provide many offerings that are not available at many smaller elementary and middle schools.For instance, the Cluster maintains three outstanding libraries with full time and beloved librarians at each who are able to devote ex-
Like other DC public schools, the Cluster has been destabilized by the creation of new charter schools – especially those that market themselves to Capitol Hill families. By attracting families who are seeking more academic rigor, elements of the charter system have often recruited the most motivated and in some cases highest performing students – hollowing out many public schools not just in Ward 6 but in other parts of the District. Clemens admits that some of her top performing students have opted to leave the Cluster in recent years, primarily to enroll in Basis Charter School and Washington Latin Public Charter School. The domino effect of those rolling transfers means that Watkins sometimes ends up losing families who opt not to remain as part of the Cluster for all 10 years. One of her targets is to change that. “We are working very hard to keep every family at the Cluster every spring,” Clemens says. One way she worked to provide a greater level of challenge for some students at Hobson was to essentially create the school’s own unique honor program, even though DCPS does not technically provide for an honors curriculum for middle school students.
Cheerleader for the School
Ms. Clemens speaking to parents at the winter concert while standing in front of the Stuart Hobson middle school band. Photo: Vince Morris
Clemens says an ongoing challenge has been finding ways to help Hobson stand out, it helps that in recent years the school has hosted everyone from President Barack Obama and Wynton Marsalis to James Patterson and Arnold Schwarzenegger. At Watkins, Clemens and her team are reorganizing the program to provide more opportunities for younger students to expand into science and social studies instead of just focusing on English and math. And the school continues to benefit from the Food Prints program taught at the school’s very own kitchen – one of the nicest at any school in the city. With Peabody, most of the focus has been on maintaining what is already a legendary environ-
ment for early learning; the waiting list to enter the PreK program at Peabody this year stretches 374 names. Parents and teachers have worked very closely to create a program that helps young children ease into a school routine, one that expanded to PreK 3 in 2008. There is a strong body of teachers and staff who work closely with young learners, with an energetic art and music program, a large library, an extensive system of gardens around the school and renovated playground space. Clemens admits she is cheerleader for the school and spends a lot of time talking about so many of the great programs at the Cluster. That includes everything from an Honor Society, the Space Camp trip to Alabama, the Science Fair and a special yearly visit to the Lincoln Memorial where Cluster students take turns reciting part of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a Dream Speech.” Among the most exciting accomplishments at the Cluster under Clemens’ tenure are changes at the middle school – Stuart Hobson – to provide a more rigorous and challenging curriculum while at the same time putting in place supports for students who are struggling.
Renovations Two summers ago, Peabody was completely renovated with new classrooms, bathrooms, cafeteria and other spaces molded to perfectly accommodate three, four and five- year-olds. The more extensive renovation at Hobson has been staged over a fouryear period and includes not only a new library, cafeteria, classrooms and technology but an entirely new addition – a black box theater, an atrium and band space, along with a weight room, dance room and additional storage in the basement, plus plans for a large turf field on the north side of the campus. Clemens says one of her nic-
est memories at the Cluster was when the new full size gymnasium was dedicated, after years of coping with a small “girls” gym and equally small “boys” gym. “The students were wild, the faculty was totally engaged and the feeling in the gym was one of family,” Clemens says, noting that the space now hosts Clusterwide PTA events, pep rallies, summer and after care camping options and even local volleyball and other neighborhood activities. Clemens is chagrined that the central office has not prioritized the renovation at Watkins, but there is more than $10 million set aside to full overhaul the school and staff and teachers are eagerly awaiting that day. In the meantime, the school has benefited from the expensive and extensive renovation of the turf field behind the school – space which is owned and managed by the city’s Department of Park and Recreation. Aside from the physical changes, the Cluster is like other schools in the city and elsewhere trying to strike a balance between preparing students for implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the rise of standardized testing as a measurement – and the simple desire to just nurture curiosity and learning. But the school also prides itself on working with “collaboration with faculty and staff” to prepare for high school and life beyond public school, according to Clemens. She’s quick to offer praise for her whole team: Assistant principals Scott Harding at Peabody, Vanessa Drumm and Anthony Lawson at Watkins and Katherine Turner and Steve Miller at Hobson. But ultimately, it’s Clemens that is accountable and she knows it. Vince Morris, President Capitol Hill Cluster School PTA and father of three Cluster students. Find out more about our school at:www.capitolhillclusterschool.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. u
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP NO. 0032-2014
Development Consulting Services THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY (DCHA) s seeking proposals from interested Professionals to provide Development Consulting Services for DCHA development projects. SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available at 1133 North Capitol Street, NE, Room 300, Contracts and Procurement Administration, Washington, D.C. 20002 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or on our website at www.dchousing.org beginning Monday, August 18, 2014. SEALED PROPOSALS RESPONSES are due to the Issuing Office by 11:00am on Thursday, September 18, 2014. Contact the Issuing Office, Cheryl Moore on (202) 535-1212 or by e-mail on or chmoore@dchousing.org for additional information.
September 2014 H 63
{community life / south by west}
South by West article & photos by William Rich 3rd & I Street Park is Now a Playground After more than four years of dealing with DC government bureaucracy and fundraising, construction finally began at the end of June at the library park at 3rd and I streets, SW, which marks the start of phase one of the Southwest Playground Project (SWPP). The SWPP is a project of the Near SE/ SW Community Benefits Coordinating Council and was championed by Southwest resident Felicia Couts. In an email to supporters announcing the playground’s opening, Couts said: “I’m so thrilled to report that the construction fencing is down and the 3rd & I Street Park is open for use! Children and neighbors of all ages have already stopped by to check out the new play equipment, sit on the new benches and enjoy the park!”
The Road to a Playground Construction took a little more than seven weeks to complete and the playground opened to the public on August 19. However, construction of the playground was a long time coming. Back in 2010, a group of parents came up with the idea to build a centrally-located playground in the neighborhood since there was a dearth of play space for young children. With other members of the community joining the parents’ group, the SWPP was born. The group eventually settled on building the playground at the park located at 3rd and I streets, SW, adjacent to the Southwest branch library. This location was chosen because of the synergy that could be created between the library and the playground. In addition, the park is located between public housing and middle class housing, and could serve as a bridge between the two areas where neighbors can interact. The SWPP first tried working with Kaboom!, a non-profit organization that builds playgrounds across the country. Due to technical issues with working with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the SWPP did not move forward with Kaboom! and instead tried to work with Make Kids Smile, Inc., a local non-profit. The playground equipment used by Make Kids Smile, Inc. was not compatible with the Gametime equipment
64 H Hillrag.com
preferred by SWPP, so the group ended up working directly with DPR and the Department of General Services to hire a contractor to install the play equipment. The selected play equipment is suited primarily for kids ages 2-5 and has a nature theme, including swings, a slide, spinning leafs, mushroomshaped stepping stones, and climbing bars in a shape of a butterfly.
Community Engagement In 2011, the SWPP hosted a “Draw Your Playground” design competition with students at Amidon-Bowen Elementary, which is about one block away from the 3rd & I Street Park. The students were able to show through their drawings that they wanted features such as swings, slides, a bike rack, and a water fountain at the playground. First place went to Edugwu Agada, second place to Jostin Garcia and third to Vanquisha Smith. In addition, a series of charrettes were held in the community to gather further input on the design of the playground. The original intent was to have a Community Build Day, but the city decided to have a contractor build the playground instead for liability reasons.
The new playground at the 3rd & I Street Park benefits from the shade provided by several trees that were maintained in the park. Below: Signage has been installed for the new playground.
Budget Concerns An initial budget of $50,000 for playground equipment ballooned to $720,000 once it was discovered that significant infrastructure improvements were needed at the 3rd and I Street Park, including grading, utilities, and drainage, not to mention the need to hire an architect. The SWPP raised over $100,000 on its own through donations from individuals and local businesses, but the infrastructure improvements necessitated city assistance. After some lobbying, $350,000 was secured in the District’s budget to close the funding gap and allow phase one to be built. Phase one included pruning and removing dead or dying trees in the park, as well as grading the site; retaining walls along the center berm area; fencing along I Street, SW and portions of 3rd Street, SW and Wesley Place, SW; playground
equipment and soft surfacing were installed in the center berm area; and utilities work. A second phase will cost $270,000 and is still unfunded. The second phase will include storm water retention; more retaining walls; and repaving and scoring of the sidewalks. Two other playgrounds in the neighborhood are supposed to be upgraded later this year as a part of the Play DC Playground Improvement Initiative, including ones at King-Greenleaf Recreation Center and Randall Community Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be announced soon for the 3rd & I Street Park.
Urban Design Framework for Buzzard Point Due to the proposed DC United soccer stadium and a new Frederick Douglass Bridge, an Ur-
The Townhomes at Edmonds School ONLY THREE REMAINING! ban Design Framework has been developed by the Office of Planning for Buzzard Point over the past few months and the draft summary has been recently released. The framework plan will inform and guide public and private development decisions for the next 10 years. It is broken into several sections, including: public realm, environment, housing and community development, and transportation. Below are summaries of each:
zard Point area under current zoning would allow up to 11.9 million SF of development with 5,480 residential units (370 affordable units). If the urban design plan is adopted and a stadium is built, the total potential development would decrease to 10.2 million SF, but it would be more concentrated, so up to 6,200 residential units could be built with 400 of those set aside as affordable units under inclusionary zoning.
Transportation Public Realm The urban design concept, as envisioned, would transform Buzzard Point into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood. The neighborhood would be centered around a series of open spaces along the Anacostia River, as well as the traffic oval planned at the foot of the new Douglass Bridge and near the proposed soccer stadium. These open spaces would connect with Yards Park and other destinations on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.
Environment The urban design concept calls for improved environmental conditions, both through the public realm and private development. Over 1,000 new trees could be planted in Buzzard Point along with drought tolerant plantings, rain gardens, green roofs, and other green elements. Environmental remediation would also be done to clean up any potentially contaminated soil in the area.
Housing and Community Development The urban design concept seeks to protect the existing public housing within the study area (which includes 80 out of 239 units at James Creek that are located south of P Street, SW) and create additional residential opportunities. The current capacity for development in the Buz-
In the near term, the South Capitol Street Bridge and soccer stadium improvements will improve access to major regional connections and enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity. An esplanade along the Anacostia River will be created that will facilitate the movement of pedestrians across the new Douglass Bridge. Patrons of the proposed soccer stadium who arrive by car would be encouraged to use the parking lots used by Nationals attendees. Streetcar lines are planned to potentially terminate in Buzzard Point, but those lines won’t be built for several years. The Office of Planning’s Buzzard Point urban design framework is the latest plan for the area. Back in 2009, the American Planning Association was brought to Buzzard Point to prepare a plan, which recommended the neighborhood should be “a center for low-intensity recreational uses by area residents, visitors to the area and residents of other parts of the District, as well as an important link along the Anacostia River chain.” Whether either of these plans come to fruition remains to be seen. In the meantime, the area is bracing for a significant amount of investment and construction activity.
4-5 bedrooms, 4-5.5 bath townhomes 3,600-4,200 sq. ft., Roof Terraces, Parking Developed by CAS Riegler & Ditto Residential Interior Design Collaboration with Darryl Carter $1,649,000-$1,749,000 2014 National Association of Home Builders Award Finalist!
Pamela Wye 202.320.4169 Pwye@ttrsir.com
Richard Seaton 202.907.8037 Rseaton@ttrsir.com
Will Rich is a blogger at Southwest…The Little Quadrant that Could (www.southwestquadrant.blogspot. com). u
OFFICE PHONE: 202.234.3344 September 2014 H 65
{community life / h street life}
H Street Life
S
eptember means festival season is in full swing here in DC, and it is time again for our own H Street Festival. Did you know the H Street Festival is the largest neighborhood-based festival in the District? Last year it drew over 100,000 visitors from both near and far, but the Festival is far from the only thing happening in our neck of the woods.
W.S. Jenks & Sons Hardware Store to Open on Bladensburg Road Residents have speculated, and circulated many a rumor about the building since the eviction of the methadone clinic at 910 Bladensburg Road NE five years ago. For a while there were whispers that the space might become a sports bar, or another sort of entertainment venue. The future of the former clinic is now clear, and it involves a local hardware store that’s been around for nearly a century and a half. W.S. Jenks and Son (http://www.ws-
by Elise Bernard jenks.com) first opened its doors in NW DC in 1866. At that time they sold hardware, horseshoes, and coal and wood burning stoves. The Bladensburg Road location (they currently have a location on V Street NE) will be a full service hardware store, selling everything from pet food to fireplace accessories, from camping equipment to modern farming necessities, and every sort of hand tool one might need.
HR-57 Closes Its Doors on H St. NE A few weeks ago, Tony Puesan, the owner of HR-57 (http:// hr57.org, 1007 H Street NE), shared with me that he was closing his establishment to pursue a larger space in NW Crafty Bastards is a great place to find that perfect funky gift.
Crafty Bastards Offers Funky Shopping Fun Thinking ahead about a holiday gift for that certain someone who merits something really special? Look no further. Crafty Bastards (http://www.washingtoncitypaper. com/craftybastards) at Union Market (1309 5th Street NE) has you covered, whether you are shopping for a friend or for yourself. Beneath the big white tents you’ll find tables covered in hand-stitched stuffed monsters for kids, locally made belts, some very cool pottery, ironic tshirts galore, and more screen-printed posters than you handle. When you shop at Crafty Bastards you buy directly from the folks who make the goods you purchase. The shopping experience is as much fun as seeing the look on your friend’s face when she opens that perfect gift. If you need a break from shopping they have a beer garden and an area with food trucks. Kids are welcome, and they even had a stroller corral last year. Crafty Bastards is scheduled for September 27-28th.
DC Harvest Reaps the Bounty of Local Growers
The H Street Festival offers a little something for everyone.
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DC. The performances on the weekend of August 9th were the last held at the H Street NE location. Puesan remarked that he had enjoyed HR-57’s run on H Street, but couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a spacious venue in NW that would allow a higher degree of audience interaction. The new venture will likely not only feature jazz acts, but also country, blues, and other types of music. HR-57 will maintain a “virtual” presence in NE as well, partnering with a local university to offer outdoor concerts and other events.
DC Harvest (http://www.dcharvest.com, 517 H Street NE), a restaurant serving cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients, will open its doors in early September, serving dinner, and adding brunch and a late night menu into the mix soon. The New American cuisine will be based around local ingredients and products with a menu of food and drink that will change with the seasons. Think fresh spelt linguine with house-made spicy lamb sausage, Swiss chard, and garlic breadcrumbs ($11/$19), or Zata roasted turkey breast with Swiss chard, kamut, and shitake mushroom ($21). DC Harvest will feature local brews such as Flying Dog and Port City as well as Maryland and Virginian wines, and DC-area libations such as Catoctin Creek. The venture is truly a family affair. Not
only will Chef Jared Ringel run the kitchen while his brother Arthur Ringel acts as general manager, but the restaurant’s walls will feature photographs from uncle Norm Ringel. DC Harvest’s logo was even designed by cousin Tracy Ringel. Here’s hoping they quickly become an integral part of our H Street NE business family.
It’s H Street Festival Time Again Over 100,000 people turned out for last year’s H Street Festival. Unlike in past years, the Festival stretched all the way down to include the 400 block of H Street NE. This proved highly advantageous for two reasons: it alleviated the congestion that plagued the 2012 Festival, and it allowed for greater engagement with the businesses located in the lower blocks of H Street NE. So we can expect to see this configuration again this year. This 2014 Festival (http:// hstreet.org/events/festival) is scheduled for Saturday September 20. The H Street Festival is traditionally a chance for new businesses that have yet to open to show off their culinary chops with a table at the Festival. The H Street Festival offers fun for folks of all ages. In years past they’ve had a gospel tent, belly dancing, live jazz, hip-hop performances, human hamster balls, fashion shows, art cars, and so much more. Don’t forget about the competitions. In addition to the crowd-pleasing tattoo contests, there have been battles that pitted challengers against each other to see who could consume the most pie, water ice, half-smokes, or tacos in the allotted time.
Cocktails and Asian Street Food Meet at Copycat Co. Michael Neibauer of the Washington Business Journal recently re-
vealed that the old Newsom Real Estate building at 1110 H Street has a new tenant. The space was most recently occupied by Newsom, a cute little restaurant that served up fabulous food and drinks at its soft opening during the H Street Festival a couple of years ago, but never actually opened. The new tenant is a restaurant and cocktail bar known as Copycat Co. that comes to us from craft cocktail slinger Devin Gong, who previously tended bar at Barmini. Upstairs a cocktail program will dominate, while the first floor will feature inexpensive foods favored by Gong. Among the offerings one might enjoy: pot stickers, bao, skewers, and other Chinese street food. Another bit of good news is that they plan to serve food late into the night. Look for a beer garden in the back.
IMM Thai Headed to H Street NE In answer to the wishes of many residents, H Street NE will be getting a Thai food restaurant sometime in the near future. 1360 H Street NE, formerly Pho Bar & Grille, currently displays a sign announcing that Thai food is coming to the location soon, but provides no other details. Local blog District Cuisine (http://districtcuisine.com/2014/08/03/imm-thaicoming-to-h-street) has identified the space as the future site of IMM Thai (http://www.immthai.com), a restaurant with a location in Annandale that garners four stars from the reviewers on Yelp. The restaurant’s menu features many Thai staples (e.g., Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and several curries), but also stresses its Thai street food offerings. For more on what’s abuzz on, and around, H Street NE, you can visit my blog http://frozentropics.blogspot.com. You can send me tips or questions at elise.bernard@gmail.com. u
September 2014 H 67
{community life / barracks row}
The Pursuit of Happiness Hits Barracks Row
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by Sharon Bosworth
uring the magically cool August of 2014, one of our Row’s newest businesses, Rose’s Luxury, 717 8th St. SE, was declared the Top New Restaurant in America by Bon Appetite Magazine www. bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/best-new-restaurants. A few weeks earlier Forbes Magazine rated DC the Coolest City in America www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2014/08/06/washington. While some raise questions about how practical, purposeful Forbes Magazine could be the arbiter of cool, no one doubts the creativity of Aaron Silverman, 32, and his crew at Rose’s Luxury who are singularly devoted to bringing happiness to each one of their diners every evening with world class food, casual, glowing dining rooms and unique acts of hospitality. Bon Appetite restaurant critic, Andrew Knowlton saluted Silverman noting that while many restaurant owners talk the talk of aiming for customer delight, Silverman walks the walk. Further, Knowlton acknowledged the continual pursuit of customer happiness found at Rose’s Luxury was in itself a breakout restaurant trend that led him to reset his Best in America grading curve. Future contenders will be held to the newly defined Silverman standard of hospitality.
Opening Soon - More Happy! Two additional 8th Street businesses, District Doughnut, 749 8 St, SE, and Capital Teas, 731 8 St, SE, also plan to develop their brands by creating deep bonds of customer loyalty with their specialty products as well as with the engaging designs of their shops. Although firm September opening dates are now set, both businesses got caught in a 6 month undertow of DC permitting issues. District Doughnut soft opened on Fridays in August giving away free doughnuts (petite, retro puffs without holes) to the first 500 people in line at 6:00 p.m. Crowds waiting for the sunset parade at Marine Barracks Washington along with DD’s social media followers made quick work of the bonanza. To further their pursuit of customer happiness, owners Gregg Menna and Christine Shaffer just
Cool down at ice carving
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signed up Compass Coffee roasters Michael Haft and Harrison Suarez to complete the shop’s menu. Both Marine Corps veterans, Haft and Suarez last year authored a well-reviewed digital guide, Perfect Coffee at Home (available exclusively at www.ibookstore.com). At Capitol Teas owner Peter Martino says he’ll open mid-September. Martino noted that his team managed to find, lease, up-fit and open two new shops, in Philadelphia and Charlottesville during the same time it took to open one shop in DC! Capital Teas will feature a sniffing wall, indoor tearoom, interior tea patio and a retail business selling teas and tea accouterments. One notable customer of Capital Teas is neighbor Aaron Silverman, who sources many of the teas served at Rose’s Luxury from their selection.
Fall Festival Splash Fall season begins on Barracks Row with our Annual Fall Festival, Saturday September 27, 2014. This year discerning fairgoers will notice a water theme. While chefs from all branches of the United States military compete for the trophy of Top Chef, their comrades will be hefting chain saws competing in the daylong ice-carving contest. Fifteen teams of chefs and six teams of ice carvers (fans may get soaked) will compete starting at 7 and 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. A Chopped-style narrator will call the contests. Come by early and root for your team. From the Chef’s Cook Off walk north up the midway and you’ll discover “river row.” Businesses, clubs and non-profits that work on and for the Anacostia River will be grouped together in a mini-midway under bouquets of bright blue balloons. Take the rowing machine challenge at Capitol Rowing Club booth. Help make a video at Living Classrooms. Learn about Near Southeast Community Partners, or volunteer for river cleanup at the booths of Anacostia Watershed or Anacostia River Keeper. The 11th Street Bridge Park Project (over the river) and The Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District which programs
Center stage performances
Chefs plate entries
•Natural Dog & Cat Food
•Self Serve Dog Wash
•Pet Supplies
•Dog Cookies & Cakes
•Raw Dog & Cat Diets •Grooming
•Doggy Birthday Supplies •Small Animal &
Fish Supplies
Treat Your Dog To Diamond Teague Park along the river will be there, too, for those who like to river watch but stay dry. The beer garden is back with an Oktoberfest slant. Located in parking lot across from Matchbox it is hosted by Belga, Cava, DC3, Matchbox and others. There you will join many St. Pauli Girls, guys in lederhosen along with live music. Introduce your city kids to real farm animals at the petting zoo at 8th and E Street. Trapeze School New York will be flying in the treetops with shows beginning at noon. Batala, the phenomenal allgirl drumming troupe, is set to arrive at 2:15 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon enters Center Stage at 8th and G St, SE, performing precision drills and rifle handling routines with no verbal commands.
Final Report From EMMP Design Team In late September BRMS is anticipating the publication of the Final Report from the Eastern Market Metro Park Design Team architect Amy Weinstein and landscape architect Lisa Delplace. That report will define and cost out a plan to make this divided, neglected area between 7th and 9th Streets, SE on both sides of Pennsylvania Ave. more cohesive, user friendly and visually appealing. The Final Report will be posted on the project website www.easternmarketmetropark.org. Inspiration for a below ground library expansion emerged in brainstorming sessions among Friends of the Southeast Library, the project Design Team, the Taskforce and members of the community. For years FoSEL searched for a way to enlarge the tiny, landlocked Southeast Library, one of two Carnegie Libraries in DC. The building’s iconic façade faces the metro plaza (referred to as Parcel 4 in EMMP design parlance) and visually anchors the west side of the park.
The District has been on a campaign recently to enlarge and transform many DC libraries into centers for 21st century learning. Shaw and Anacostia have recently opened new libraries and the Northeast Library was fully renovated.
Southeast Library Goes Underground The vision of a subterranean library extension has captivated all involved in the re-development of the park. A small, ground level entry pavilion leading to stairs and an elevator would be positioned in Parcel 4 not too far from the METRO canopy. The library itself would expand under 7th Street, SE, from 8,000 square feet, the second smallest in DC to almost 24, 000 square feet, which is typical of DC’s modernized libraries. An expansion is justified; the Southeast Library is one of the busiest in town. In other Metro plaza related developments, responding to concerns from neighbors District’s Department of Transportation removed vegetation in the plaza over the summer that it deemed likely to attract rats. DDOT is solely responsible for this work. It is not related in any way to the master plan for the Plaza and surrounding area that is about to be released. Continued concern about rats disturbed by the construction of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, 522 7th St, SE, lead a group of businesses, residents and Barracks Row Main Street to engage DDOT in another project: the renovation and reconstruction of the alley behind the 500 block of 8th Street. The reinforced alley was completed in early August. Further coordination among the businesses is expected to eliminate old style dumpsters that rodents can easily get into.
A Make Over!
Full Service Grooming 7 Days a Week DOG ADOPTIONS
CAT ADOPTIONS
www.ruraldogrescue.com Every Saturday 12-3
Capital Cats www.capitalcats.petfinder.com Every Sunday 12-3
733 8th Street SE • 202-544-8710 • www.HowlToTheChief.com
To volunteer for Barracks Row Fall Festival or other BRMS events: sharon@barracksrow.org u
September 2014 H 69
{community life / capitol riverfront}
Capitol Riverfront BID The Neighborhood Keeps Growing by Michael Stevens, AICP, President
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From Left to Right: Yards Park Friday Night Concert Crowd Enjoying the Live Music VIDA Fitness, Bang Salon, and Aura Spa Opening at Twelve12 in October Takorean Now Open Harris Teeter Opening at Twelve12 in October
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s we ease out of summer into the fall months it is worth celebrating the success of the parks in the Capitol Riverfront, as well as noting the ongoing changes in the neighborhood as we continue to grow. Yards Park, Diamond Teague Park & Piers, and Canal Park are all wonderful additions to our community, a gift, if you will, from the government of the District of Columbia based on the vision of key leaders in our city. Diamond Teague Park & Piers was the first park installment, and it provided the first real engagement of the Anacostia River for our 500-acre Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. The new piers and first segment of the AWI Riverwalk Trail in the neighborhood provided the initial vision of what a full-fledged engagement of the river could be like. The commercial piers allow ferries and water taxis to bring visitors and Nationals fans to the Capitol Riverfront, while the floating piers allow canoes and kayaks to launch directly into the river for a more personal and up-close interaction with the waterfront. Yards Park was envisioned as the centerpiece of the redevelopment of the Southeast Federal Center, a 5.5-acre park “portal” to the Anacostia River for the public and future residents of the neighborhood. World-class design as well as a strategic location right on the river have enabled Yards Park to become a regional waterfront destination and the “front porch” of the Yards development and our Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. In its fourth year of operations Yards Park has attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the Friday night concert series, other special events such
as Tour de Fat and DC Jazz Fest, and to the canal basin water features – the “splash park” favorite of children from all over Ward 6. Nestled in the heart of our residential community, Canal Park has become the more neighborhood-centric park. It serves as the “front yard” for single-family townhomes, condos, apartments, and
coop units and offers abundant play areas and water features for children as well. The seasonal ice-skating rink is open for four months during the winter months, and the 42 water jets create an additional water park feature for children. The southern block is also anchored by the Park Tavern restaurant, and the northern block has been home to bocce ball and our summer outdoor movies. All three parks offer opportunities to be outside and engaged with your neighbors and nature alike. They collectively function as outdoor living rooms and create a sense of place, community, and identity for our neighborhood where none had existed. Before our parks opened many of the high-density residential towers were “vertically integrated” in that the residents had social events over potluck dinners, pool parties, or sports and movie-watching parties. We like to think that our parks have now provided “horizontal integration” of the neighborhood by encouraging residents to come outside and play, relax, stroll along the river, or enjoy a concert. Lady Bird Johnson said it well: “While the spirit of neighborliness was important on the frontier because neighbors were so few, it is even more important now because our neighbors are so many.” Her words capture the essence of our parks in the Capitol Riverfront and how they provide communal gathering spaces for social interaction among neighbors, places for children to play, and the opportunity to be outdoors, where you have the choice to chat with neighbors or to just enjoy the quiet of the river or landscape plantings and lawns. Her words are relevant today for another reason – our neighbors are so many! Over 4,200 people currently live in the Capitol Riverfront, and more will be moving in over the next three years as approximately 1,900 residential units deliver during that time. You may have noticed four construction cranes populating our skyline; three of them are for residential projects:
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L SO •
800 New Jersey Avenue – this 336-unit apartment building by WC Smith is also anchored by the 35,000 sq. ft. Whole Foods Grocery. (Delivery 3Q 2016) • Arris – this 327-unit apartment building is Forest City Washington’s next residential project adjacent to the Foundry Lofts. (Delivery 1Q 2016) • The Lofts at Capital Quarter – the next phase of the Arthur Capper rebuild by Urban Atlantic includes 195 residential units located on L Street between 5th and 7th streets. (Delivery 4Q 2015) One residential building has recently delivered and that is the Twelve12 project at 4th and M streets by FCW that contains 218 apartment units and is now leasing. The Toll Brothers River Parc apartment building (287 units on 1st Street) has topped out, as has the Park Chelsea apartment building (432 units) by WC Smith at 880 New Jersey Avenue. The temporary protective canopy installed over the Navy Yard Metro station at New Jersey Avenue signals the beginning of the Donohoe residential project, a 324-unit apartment building named the Gallery at Capitol Riverfront. The building should deliver in late 2016 and will include the demolition of the church at the corner of New Jersey Avenue and L Street. It will also contain ground-floor retail space overlooking the Metro plaza. Other residential projects that we know are in the development pipeline include RiverFront by MRP (305 units), adjacent to Diamond Teague Park; the Ballpark Square apartments by Grosvenor (325 units); an approximately 150-unit condominium project by PN Hoffman in the Yards development; and an approximately 150-unit condominium project by MRP at the Metro chiller plant site at Half and L streets SE. The other crane on our skyline is for the 168-room Hampton Inn located near Nationals Park at 1st and N streets. This hotel is anticipated to deliver in the second quarter of 2015 and will provide additional lodging options for visitors. Two other hotels are gearing up for construction starts in 2015 – the 195-room Homewood Suites at 50 M Street and the 170-room hotel that is part of the Ballpark Square mixeduse project with frontage on 1st and M streets. Neighborhood support retail continues to play a vital role in our evolution. Recent open-
ings include Ice Cream Jubilee in the Lumber Shed Building; the TaKorean taco and rice bowl restaurant in the Twelve12 project on 4th Street; and the Sweet Green salad restaurant located in the Twelve12 project. Upcoming openings include the new 50,000 sq. ft. Harris Teeter grocery store scheduled for October 2014; VIDA Fitness, also scheduled for opening in October 2014; and Aura Spa and Bang Salon, which should be open for customers in September 2014. The Spanish restaurant 100 Montaditos is under construction in the Boilermaker Shops and is scheduled to open in October 2014. It will be offering 100 different combinations of smaller, tapas-style sandwiches based on type of breads, meats, cheeses, and other toppings. Forest City Washington also recently announced the signing of another new restaurant for the Lumber Shed Building called the Navy Yard Oyster Company, to be located in the space between Osteria Morini and Aqua 301. This wine and oyster restaurant by the founders of Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar is looking toward a spring 2015 opening. Our Capitol Riverfront neighborhood is experiencing another significant growth cycle, with the greatest expansion occurring in the residential, retail, and hotel market segments. We continue to market our neighborhood not only as a great place to live, visit, shop, and play but also as an excellent location to work for office tenants. We think that the neighborhood is becoming a prime location for GSA tenants, nonprofits and associations, media/communications firms, and technology companies. The regional office market is still going through a transition period as “downsizing” and “compression” of tenant space continue to impact demand and supply. But our ongoing value propositions of proximity, economic value of leases, ease of accessibility through multiple transportation options, a solid retail foundation, and parks and access to the river make us an office market of the future. Come visit the Capitol Riverfront during September for a Nats game, a Friday night stroll in Yards Park, an outing to the water features with the kids, or to eat in one of our restaurants before taking a boardwalk stroll along the Anacostia River. The neighborhood landscape is changing at a rapid pace and we are positioning for future growth. u
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{community life / businesses}
Greening Connectivity Repair, Reuse, Recycle
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by Catherine Plume
obile technology has become a staple of American life. According to the Pew Research Internet Project, as of January 2014, 90 percent of American adults had a cell phone, 58 percent a smartphone, and 42 percent a tablet computer. Unfortunately there’s an environmental downside to this connectivity. A New York Times article reports that Americans threw away some 150 million phones in 2010 along with their associated metal toxins including lead, bromine, chlorine, mercury, and cadmium. Sadly, many of these discarded devices end up in landfills in the United States and also in developing countries where containment is not secure. While a July 2014 study notes the difficulty of tracking exactly where these devices go and in what quantity, the United States is the only industrialized country that hasn’t ratified the Basel Convention, an international treaty that makes it illegal to export or traffic in toxic e-waste. The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act introduced in Congress in 2011 would have made it illegal to export toxic waste including e-waste to the world’s poorest nations and provided an incentive for safer waste management, but despite bipartisan support the bill was never put to vote. While we wait for the U.S. government to act, companies and municipalities are creating responsible e-waste disposal programs. There are also responsible actions that you can take as a technology consumer: repair, reuse, and recycle!
the one on Barracks Row. Nick Youngstrom is the store manager of the Barracks Row uBreakiFix, where business is booming. Replacing cracked smartphone screens is the most common repair, and since opening on Barracks Row in November 2012, uBreakiFix has replaced over 5,000 screens. They do other repairs as well, and their technicians can replace most cameras, microphones, and other accoutrements on your phone, computer, iPad, or other device. They’re continually expanding their services. For example, they can now replace optically clear adhesive (OCA) that holds the glass panel and the liquid crystal display (LCD) together on Samsung Galaxy devices. Per Nick, “we work here because we love tinkering with cool new things, solving difficult problems, and putting a smile on your face when we recover those baby pictures you thought you lost when you spilled a glass of water on your computer.” Most screen repairs range from $69 to $159 and come with a 90-day guarantee. Their website has a tool for calculating repair costs or they’ll give you an estimate at the shop. With a good supply of the most commonly needed parts on hand, most repairs take only between 45 and 60 minutes. To ensure the longevity of your device Nick suggests paying the extra $100 or so for a premium model. “With better hardware, your phone will last longer, and if it breaks it’s definitely worth fixing. If you’re ever unsure of whether to replace your device, bring it by and ask us. We’ll be happy to give you an honest assessment.”
Repair Located on Barracks Row at 409 8th St., #200, SE (next door to and upstairs from Popeye’s), uBreakiFix is reducing e-waste and prolonging the life of phones, computers, and game consoles. A growing company with more than 80 stores nationwide, the firm operates a store in Cleveland Park in addition to
Nick Youngstrom manages the uBreakiFix Eastern Market shop.
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Reuse or Donate! You have several responsible options when you decide to upgrade. To protect your privacy, any device should be wiped clean of memory. uBreakiFix will do this for $20 or you can find instructions online for doing it your-
Behind the scenes at uBreakiFix: a computer toy store! Credits: C. Plume
self. uBreakiFix purchases some used smartphones, but typically only those from the last generation or two. Over the next few months they’ll be rolling out an online system whereby customers can get an estimate for their used phone and view what’s available for purchase. eBay and Craigslist are also great resources for selling older working devices. A Google search shows that a host of nonprofits will take used electronic devices and provide you with a tax deduction. Or call your favorite local organization and see if they can make use of it.
Recycle If your device is beyond repair, the memory should still be wiped before you dispose of it. uBreakiFix will recycle cell phones and batteries, and they plan to offer a laptop recycling service in the future. Staples has an Easy On the Planet program that recycles a wide variety of electronics and will give you instore credit for your device. Verizon and AT&T offer mail-in recycling programs that will give you a discount on your upgrade. DC offers a free hazardous and e-waste disposal program for residents every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on the Thursday evening preceding the first Saturday of the month from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Fort Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack Road NE, not far off North Capitol. Regardless of what option you choose, don’t just throw your old technology into the trash! Catherine Plume is the blogger for the DC Recycler, www. dcrecycler.blogspot.com; Twitter @ dc_recycler. u
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THE HILL RAG’S FALL
SPECIAL 2014 EDITION
September 2014 H 75
A new rear porch enables great enjoyment of the outdoor space. All Photos: Ron Blunt
Eight Columns Are Enough An Architect Discusses Design Solutions to His Own Porch Addition
S
everal years ago I designed and built a new rear porch for the 1923 house in Washington, DC that I own with my wife, Eryl. The new porch has become a favorite space at the house and our outdoor living room in good weather. But it was quite a process to get to the point where we could enjoy the porch.
The Old House Our house was designed by architect Arthur B. Heaton and was among a group of five houses speculatively built in Northwest DC. It is a modest house, what could be called “Builder-Tudor-Style.” Previously owned by a couple with the U.S. State
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by Bruce Wentworth, AIA Department, the house had been rented for 15 of the 20 years they owned it and got little attention aside from a new slate roof, which I greatly appreciate. But aside from the new roof and painting the exterior brick white, the maintenance to the house was minimal at best. A slap-dash 1967 kitchen and bath remodel was unappealing. So when we moved into the house in 2001, we began a three-year remodeling saga: kitchen, bathrooms, windows, HVAC--you name it, it had to be done. As we got the serious remodeling work behind us and made progress with a new brick-walled garden, it was time to build our long-awaited back porch - the fun stuff.
The Design Concept The design concept was to make the porch a bit whimsical with hints of “garden folly,” which are architecturally sympathetic to the house and yet serve its purpose as a space to relax and view our brick-walled garden. To reduce maintenance and enhance my architectural vision, we agreed that it was a necessity to use high-quality materials throughout, including red wood columns by Chatsworth, a custom-made cedar wood louver panel for sun control, copper roofing, and powder-coated aluminum and tempered glass railings. An existing elevated 12’ x 16’ stone terrace with steps, added in the 1967 remodel, had a brick foundation that
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September 2014 H 77
{home & garden}
made financial sense to keep. The elevated terrace, perfect as a garden viewing perch, received new 2” thick flagstone as the floor for the new porch. It was a practical beginning for a bit of architectural indulgence.
The Plan As with many aspects of life, what seemed simple at the start got complicated as the design’s floor plan emerged on paper. For example, there was the kitchen’s triple casement window, which provided a wonderful garden view from the kitchen but overlapped the existing terrace, making it impossible to place a column or pilaster at the corner where the porch met the house. And being a casement window, it had to swing-out for ventilation, requiring that any column would have to be placed just so to provide space for the casement window to open. After many iterations and instead of solving this problem in a traditional way (with four columns, one at each corner), I decided that eight were the number of columns needed. Placing the columns 24” from the rear wall of the house allowed clearance for the casement window to open and looked natural and uncluttered. The columns were grouped in pairs to frame views at the north and south. A column was placed at each outer corner and a final pair of columns at the east elevation to frame the garden view. Each pair of columns frames the view, embraces railings at two locations, and at the south elevation the pair of columns frames a louvered wall panel (for sun control and privacy). An existing seven-riser brick stair allows guests to walk directly into the garden from the porch.
The Elevations If I was going to design a porch for the back of our house, it ought to be something to love, and the classic temple-like form worked well for this
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home addition. Doric columns, which are round columns with appealing entasis, were a must. The hammered metal aluminum railings with tempered glass do not impede garden views. A classic entablature capped with crown molding provides an elegant elevation. Success is shown with a limited number of architectural components working together to mark a special place called the porch.
The Ceiling A good porch has a high ceiling that allows hot air to rise and a breeze to stir. A pair of Casablanca ceiling fans helps the air flow, too. Plus, keeping the ceiling height in proportion to the old house made sense with a 9’ ceiling. Framing the ceiling is a classic beam detail that sits on the columns and wraps four sides of the porch. The porch’s location could easily have blocked the sunlight from the dining room so a custom skylight by Renaissance Conservatories was installed to admit light. To accentuate the skylight’s sunlight penetration, the ceiling design tapers up on four sides of the skylight, in a hopper-like shape, that minimizes the depth of the skylight well and adds aesthetic interest to the ceiling. A ceiling is not a traditional porch ceiling without wood bead board, which accommodates the unobtrusive recessed lighting. We chose to paint the porch ceiling a classic white instead of the traditional robin’s egg blue because we liked the cleanness of the white and blue seemed a bit too serious for our porch.
The Roof and Skylight A big concern was the dilemma of maximizing the porch’s ceiling height and minimizing the height of the new roof so as not to conflict with the master bedroom window above it that offers the only garden view from the second floor. Add to that an existing projecting
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second floor box-bay (oriel) window that needed to be harmonized into the design of the rear façade. It was a complicated convergence of architectural forms and requirements. The roof solution was to create a slightly sloped roof with built-in concealed gutters. A low hip shaped skylight, custom fabricated by Renaissance Conservatories, is flashed and trimmed in copper to unobtrusively occupy its location. Flat-seam copper roofing was specified to make the roof watertight and to be attractive when viewed from the master bedroom window. Built-in copper gutters are concealed behind an entablature, which eliminate the staining problem caused by runoff seen on many porch roofs. A bit of whimsy was introduced with two custom spun-copper torch flame finials. Fashioned after a finial design I had seen years ago, the new copper finials were mounted on the roof upon ziggurat-like plinths.
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We don’t always get our dream house and perhaps the house we have is not quite what we want. But I do know this: If a person invests enough of himself or herself into a home, both financially and emotionally, to make it the best it can be, then the home will become a part of them… and it will be enough. You will fall in love with your old house. It may take a while, but it will happen and you will enjoy it for many years to come. Bruce Wentworth, AIA, is a licensed architect and contractor. He is president of Wentworth, Inc. a design/ build firm located in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Visit the website at www. wentworthstudio.com or call 240395-0705 to learn more about its design and construction services. u
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{home & garden}
Preparing the Fall Garden article and photos by Cheryl Corson, RLA, ASLA
N
o summer in recent memory has been so mild. By mid-August, Washington was running 40 percent below normal in 90-degree days. This means we gardeners have energy, so let’s put it to good use and get a jump on fall planning and planting.
Fall Perennials Over the years I’ve cultivated fall blooming perennials in my garden. Unlike their prim spring cousins, the fall bloomers tend to be wild and floppy. They speak in long, run-on sentences. In my garden the combination of Fireworks goldenrod (Solidago rugosa “Fireworks”) and Chocolate eupatorium (Eupatorium rugosum “Chocolate”), both in the aster family, with Autumn Joy sedum and late blooming summer phlox (Phlox paniculata) project irrational exuberance right up until frost. With bright red dogwood berries and burgundy foliage above them, it’s a nice reward for saving space for plants that bring up the seasonal rear. Even after the frost I don’t cut them down until late winter, preferring to keep the whole mess intact for birds to take shelter in during winter storms. I also grow toad lily (Tricyrtis formosana “Samurai”), which is blooming now with its orchid lookalike flowers and will continue to do so until the frost. Samurai is nearly carefree and its variegated foliage brightens up a shady corner. Planted near evergreen hellebores, which can bloom as early as February, you get flowers at the either extreme end of the growing season.
Plant Now This is a great time for planting trees, bulbs, and cool weather edibles. Trees love the long days above freezing when they can focus solely on root production without the distraction of having to make flowers and foliage at the same time. No matter what you buy, go to a reputable source and be sure you know the species and cultivar you are getting, especially if you have a tight space. Understand how tall and wide the tree you select will become. When you plant trees (or shrubs) in the fall, keep them well watered until winter. Don’t let the cooler temperatures fool you; they need water to grow those roots. A chapter in Jan Johnsen’s new book, “Heaven Is a Garden” (St. Lynn’s Press), is devoted to trees and might provide just the inspiration you need. Johnsen conjures up the beauty and ancient mystery of trees and mixes her sto-
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Homeowner Jim Vore getting the job done. Cleaning the garage roof preserves it and makes the garden look nicer.
ries with practical advice on species, types of plantings, and even symbolism of various species. This eight-inch-square book is full of good design ideas with illustrations from gardens designed by the author. It’s time to order bulbs too, especially popular ones that sell out quickly like large globe allium. For specialty bulbs that may not be available locally try Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, https://store.brentandbeckysbulbs.com, based in Gloucester, Va., east of Richmond. Brent and Becky Heath are bulb hybridizers and third-generation bulb growers. Check out allium Sugar Melt, the dark-plum-colored helleborus Midnight Ruffles, or the early spring daffodils Orange Comet. The Heaths will present a workshop on Oct. 25 for the Annapolis Horticulture Society called “Let’s Have a Plant Orgy in an Earth Friendly Way,” accompanied by a living flower arrangements workshop. Check their website for details. Local edible gardeners are extending the growing season more and more. Now is time to plant cool season crops like peas, chard, kale,
BELOW: Toad lily (Tricyrtis formosana “Samurai”) has small, orchid-like flowers that will bloom through fall.
parsnips, carrots, radishes, garlic, lettuce, and spinach. One great way to plant is in fabric Smart Pots, http://smartpots.publishpath.com. These practically weightless foldable containers encourage root production, unlike plastic containers. They come in many sizes and can be used on decks or concrete as well as on garden soil. I plan to start rainbow chard in mine and mix in garlic when it gets a little cooler. The garlic will overwinter and produce bulbs later next spring, and with luck I will be able to harvest the chard for Thanksgiving dinner. If you think you may forget to water your planter until the frost, try Plant Nanny, a simple terra cotta stake inserted into the soil, into which you place a filled inverted wine or soda bottle. The porous terra cotta delivers a slow and steady flow of moisture to the plant’s root system. A quick visual check of the bottle is easier than sticking your finger in the soil to check the moisture (I have one client who doesn’t like doing this). See http://siemerenterprises.com/lawngarden/plantnanny.html. A new fan nozzle I just found has a nice
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and easy flow controller that you can slide with your thumb as you’re watering, which means you don’t have to put down your beverage as you go along. Dramm makes those colorful nozzles you’ve seen locally. The onetouch is a great additional feature (http://www.dramm.com/ html/main.isx?sub=475).
Cleaning Up No discussion of fall gardening would be complete without clean up. If you’re lucky enough to have trees nearby, you will have leaves to gather up. Once you do you can mulch them and cover your garden beds with the chopped up clippings that provide valuable organic nutrients. If you are short on storage space perhaps your block can pitch in and share a leaf shredder like the affordable Worx 13-amp electric mulcher/shredder (http://www. amazon.com/WORX-WG430Electric-Mulcher-Shredder/dp/ B002MAPZYC). If someone can store it, you can safely make mulch for your entire block. Nothing is less appealing than noisy leaf blowers, yet some people either have a lot of sidewalk to handle or garden beds that make raking difficult. Others have garage roofs that collect leaf litter. One new battery operated blower is the new Toro Lithium Ion Cordless Blower. It’s quiet, weighs less than five pounds, and costs less than $200. The light weight alone is why I plan to order one, but it really is very quiet, which your neighbors will appreciate. For years, fall garden clean up meant cutting down all my perennials, leaving a bald garden space except for shrubs and evergreen perennials. Not anymore.
Thomas Landscapes Over 20 Years of Experience My new philosophy is, “Brown is a color.” I like to leave purple cone flower (Echinacea) seed heads standing and watch goldfinches feed on them. I want to allow butterfly eggs and/or caterpillars (larvae) to winter over without destroying their habitat. Some will spend the winter in rolled up leaf tips, seed pods, the base of plants, or below ground. Nature’s messiness is important to butterflies and migrating birds. We can accommodate them by doing our spring clean up in late winter before the returning birds make their nests. Grasses like switch grass (Panicum virgatum) are at their best in fall and winter, so don’t give them a buzz cut in fall either. Allow their feathery stalks to register the winter wind and sparkle in the sun after ice storms.
Moving Inside When gardening slows down and you move indoors, consider all the plants we drink, both alcoholic and not. Two books that will entertain and instruct are “The Drunken Botanist” by Any Stewart (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2013) and Susy Atkins’ “How to Make Your Own Drinks” (Octopus Publishing, 2011). Stewart’s amusing and best-selling book includes recipes and lots of plant info while Atkins’ book is rich with photographs and includes more nonalcoholic recipes. Cooking is the next best thing to gardening, after all. Cheryl Corson is a licensed landscape architect practicing on the Hill and beyond. She takes this opportunity to remind you that fall and winter are ideal times to design your garden. www.cherylcorson.com u
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{home & garden}
229 12th Street, SE A Smart Home Hides behind a Classic Facade
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by Catherine Plume
stone’s throw from Lincoln Park, Eastern Market near Mott’s, one of Capitol Hill’s oldest operating corner stores, and Walker Street, which is arguably the best place to spend Halloween on the Hill, the area around 12th and C streets SE has always been a unique part of Capitol Hill. Now this area has another notable feature – one of the Hill’s very first fully integrated “smart” homes. Hill resident Justin Sprinzen is president of New Vision Properties LLC, which he established in 2013 with a vision of creating renovated properties that are a “Perfect 10.” He purchased 229 12th St. in Capitol Hill’s Historic District in March 2013 to create a “smart home” with the latest technology. While renovating a row house is a common undertaking on the Hill, Sprinzen took this effort to a new level. After acquiring permitting from DC Regulatory Affairs, the Historic Review Board, and the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, and negotiating with neighbors, he began the work in earnest in March 2014. The house, which was built around 1900, was gutted with even the floor joists and insulation removed. Once he had exposed the house to its basic infrastructure, Sprinzen
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brought in Magnolia Design Center in Alexandria to design and install the “smart” aspects of the house. Features include a home management system that controls the temperature, lighting, music, and entrance in and out of the home that can be controlled remotely with a smartphone, tablet, or iPad. Ever wish you’d remembered to turn your thermostat down before you left town
on vacation? With access to your thermostat and lighting through a mobile app, you can adjust the temperature in any room of the house from anywhere in the world with a wifi connection. You can also dim or turn lights on and off and turn on your stereo, with different stations playing in different rooms. Concerned about how many keys to your house are circulating with friends, neighbors, and cleaning services and repair folk – or tired of looking for your keys? These are no longer concerns as the house is accessible through a digital code. Each family member can have a unique code, and comings and goings can be monitored. If you have a cleaning service that comes between noon and 1:00 p.m. on a Thursday, they can have their own code that is set so that they’ll only have access during a given time period. An access code can also be canceled at any time. Justin notes that the smart aspects of the home lend themselves to environmental friendliness and cost savings. The master bedroom steam shower has an on-demand gas water heater that saves space and money and heats water only as needed. An energysaving furnace, skylights that bring in heat during the winter months, lights that can be set at a reduced percentage to curb energy costs, water-saving faucets, and high-end energy-savings appliances add to the environmental aspects of the house. An irrigation system regulates watering needs. There’s parking for bicycles on the secured side of the house,
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and the roof is ideal for a solar installation! Renovation nearly doubled the size of the house to 2040 square feet. It now includes three bedrooms, two baths and a powder room, and an office or nursery space packaged in new insulation (R19 in the walls and R49 in the roof), with vaulted ceilings, recessed lighting, and energy efficient windows that conform to Historic Review regulations. The design also includes a strong element of practicality. The kitchen, where socializing often occurs, offers ample space for a sitting area/den in a large area that is highlighted with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows. A shady outdoor patio includes an ideal dining area. The overall result is a spectacular renovation, sleek and light-filled, with the homey feel that is the essence of so many Capitol Hill homes yet with a distinctly modern, and smart, touch. While the work was much more extensive than that of most renovations, Justin notes that gutting the house also facilitated the installation of the smart aspects and allowed them to be intrinsic and essentially invisible. Of the many unique features of the house, he’s especially fond of the hefty slab of white and grey streaked Italian marble that tops the kitchen island. “This piece of marble speaks to all that is different and unique about this house.”
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Justin Sprinzen shows off the beautiful and smart kitchen at 229 12th St SE – not your average Capitol Hill row house.
In preparation for sale the house has been elegantly staged by New Vision Staging & Design. It went on the market in late August with Dee Dee Branand and John Parker of Coldwell Banker as the realtors. Stop by and take a look at just how smart this old new house is. It’s a Perfect 10! Catherine Plume is the blogger for the DC Recycler: www.dcrecycler. blogspot.com; Twitter @dc_recycler. u
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{home & garden}
Elegant townhouses on East Capitol Street might have been turned into an eastern Mall. What happens outside the Historic District boundaries where people are allowed to modify their homes by adding an additional story.
The Value of Historic Preservation by Norman Metzger
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he Editor said to write about the value of historic preservation -- quality of life, walkability, etc. A reasonable assignment although my eyes did start to glaze over just a bit. Afterwards, as I noodled the question, I began to think about dates: August 2014, 1929, and December 1967. And, as a bonus, three more dates: 1973, 1976, and 1978 August 2014 After a morning Cappuccino at Peregrine, I strolled past Le Pain Quotidien (LPQ to some), and was stopped by a young woman sitting with her baby at an outside table. She had noticed my Capitol Hill Restoration Society tee-shirt. She exclaimed “Thank you! This is such a wonderful neighborhood; we love it.” Her family was new to the Hill, having moved in only a few days before. I thanked her, and suggested that she later stroll to Capitol Hill Books just around the corner and pick up a copy of Brick Walks and Iron Fences, by Nancy Metzger (no conflict with my interest). 1929 The National Capitol Parks and Planning Commission (now just NCPC) offered its scheme for extending the Mall eastwards. One could admire it for its immodesty but not its plan: To replace the East Capitol Street homes with a site for each state on every block reaching toward the Anacostia. It was to be a “traditional French boulevard enclosed by neoclassical buildings and embellished by a park at Lincoln Park....” p. 123, Washington in Maps, Iris Miller). 1967 A Joint Committee of Members from The Capitol Hill Community sent its Capitol Hill Prospectus to Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson noting in its con-
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clusion that; [M]uch of the spirit and grandeur of its historical past have been recaptured to make Capitol Hill one of Washington’s most distinctive residential communities. The resurgence of this center-city residential location has come about mainly through the enterprise of the inhabitants of the area themselves, who have been interested in restoring the fine homes there, and equally interested in re-establishing a community of pride, vitality, and concern. My three bonus dates: • 1973 - Designated an Historic District. • 1976 - The Capitol Hill Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. • 1978 - The D.C. Council enacted the city’s first comprehensive historic preservation ordinance, the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act. Of course, my unexpected conversation with the new resident didn’t magically conjure up these dates -- my memory is supposed to be regressing, after all. But I began to reflect and to understand that what happened on those dates is what created the Capitol Hill we know. A disastrous plan that didn’t happen (among others; e.g. an 11th Street highway across the Hill). The 1967 observation by “Members from The Capitol Hill Community,” many gone, that for the community to thrive its people needed to move beyond their “fine homes,” but also needed to be “equally interested in re-establishing a community of pride, vitality, and concern.” They gave us an inheritance that we treasure and in our own ways guard.
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Fine. But still remains the Editor’s question, the value of historic preservation. I turned from history to today and the literal. “Value” can mean many things; it can mean community but indubitably it means “economic.” Is historic preservation -- living in an historic district -worth it? Or is it an economic sinkhole? What is the relation to property values vis-à-vis not living in an historic district? What is its role in not only revitalizing neighborhoods and but keeping them robust and vital? Turns out these questions have very data-laden answers.
Economic Impact of Historic Preservation There is a very robust literature on the economic impact of historic preservation resting on detailed analyses in many cities -- five cities in Utah, four in Connecticut, Philadelphia, Louisville, Greensboro, NC -- with more studies coming -- Savannah, Georgia, Pittsburgh, Pa. etc. That work was nicely summarized by Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics (placeeconomics.com) in the July-August 2014 issue of The Alliance Review of the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (napc.uga. edu). Dr. Rypkema noted that these and other studies have had “surprisingly consistent results -local historic districts most often enhance the value of residential properties.” No surprise to most of us, as we’ve watched the rise -at times spectacularly -- of home prices on Capitol Hill. More pointed is what happens in historic districts when black clouds appear, and prices fall -- as they did on the Hill and elsewhere in the 1990s and 2008, and, giv-
en that everything cycles, will again. There is reassurance in studies in Connecticut, Utah, and Kentucky towns that the “rate of foreclosure in the local [historic] districts was half that of comparable [non-historic] neighborhoods.” True, foreclosure rate is an indirect measure of risks to property values in a downturn but still telling. Of course, there is more to quality of life than property values. “As analysis has broadened,” quoting Rypkema, additional benefits of local historic districts have emerged, and not just from preservationists. Among these is ‘walkability’. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine noted that: ‘Neighborhoods built a half century or more ago were designed with “walkability” in mind. And living in them reduces an individual’s risk of becoming overweight or obese.’” It’s of course reassuring to have multiple studies of historic districts in many states affirm what we observe in our own community: Our legacy from those who fought to make our community so splendid is economically sound, that the value of an historic district is very palpable. But, then, nothing is forever. So, perhaps the greatest value of historic preservation may be not only what is before us now, but also that it can be a major bulwark for futures that may not always be so rosy. Noman Metzger is a longtime resident, former ANC Commissioner, past contributor to the Hill Rag with articles on “The New Capitol Hill and (with Nancy Metzger) on the turtles that live in their garden. u
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{home & garden}
Restore, Don’t Replace Your Antique Windows!
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by Lisa Dale Jones
f you live on Capitol Hill your home probably has the original windows. You know it, because as winter approaches each year you put up sheets of plastic, frame the sash edges with clay insulation, or do whatever else it takes to keep the cold air from blowing in. And at some point you’ve probably thought,
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Broken quarter-round.
“I wish we could just get our windows replaced!” But it’s not quite that simple. If you live in the historic district the District’s Historic Preservation Office (HPO) must approve a permit to replace your windows. HPO requires most replacement windows to be configured exactly like your antique ones. According to the guidelines the replacements should be either wood or certain approved types of wood-look fiberglass. Custom replacement windows that mimic your existing ones are expensive to have manufactured and installed. And because they’re made of fast-growth plantation lumber, they may only last about 15 to 20 years before they need to be replaced again, adding
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Restored quarter-round windows.
to already overflowing landfills. But there’s a better and much more environmentally sound source for great windows: your existing ones. These were most likely made of old-growth lumber, which has already lasted at least a hundred years. With some TLC they may last another hundred. If you’ve got the old wavy glass, that’s a bonus – it’s considered quite rare and valuable. There are window restoration specialists in the DC area who can bring your windows back to their original state – or better – for less than the cost of getting custom replacements. These craftspeople will remove the many layers of paint that have built up, taking care to avoid lead contamination, repair the wood, fix the hardware, reglaze the glass, add appropriate weather-stripping, and make them as beautiful and functional as they were when new. If you live outside the historic district you have more options,
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but note that most vinyl replacement windows are not very durable, so the lower initial cost may be more than offset by their shorter lifespan. Whether you live in the historic district or not, if you choose to replace your antique windows please don’t send them to the dump! The Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) can put you in touch with window restorers who would love to take your old windows and reuse the parts. Repairing or restoring your windows doesn’t require a permit; nor does adding stormers. CHRS is happy to answer your questions about your windows or any other part of your home. Just send us an email at CapHRS@aol.com or visit us at www.chrs.org. You can find HPO’s guidelines at http:// planning.dc.gov/DC/Planning/ Historic+Preservation. Lisa Dale Jones is president of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. u
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{home & garden}
Case Study Repairing Historic Wooden Windows by Jeff Fletcher
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he wooden windows in our 110-year-old Capitol Hill home were a mess: air leakage, improper closing, broken and frayed sash cords, poor or non-existent weather stripping, loose paint and glazing, damaged glass and sashes, rotting sills and jambs, and missing or mismatched hardware. At least we had storm windows, installed in the late 1970s by a previous owner. After getting several estimates, we hired Mozer Works Inc. of Takoma Park, a company dedicated exclusively to the restoration of old windows and doors with extensive experience Capitol Hill. Our project involved removing all 13 double-hung windows and sending them to Mozer’s workshop. Mozer can do either “partial” or “full” restorations. We opted for the partial restoration, which doesn’t involve total paint stripping. Using wooden dowels and epoxy, they stabilized the loose mortise-and-tenon joinery of our sashes. They sanded the sash stiles, rails, and grills. If needed, Mozer can repair heavily damaged sashes with old-growth wood from other discarded sashes, thus maintaining the integrity of the sash composition. At our house, Mozer used a concealed zinc weather stripping system to eliminate drafts both at the perimeter and at the midrails where double-hung windows meet. After priming the window sashes they
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Additions & Basement Experts BUFFALO COMPANY, LLC www.buffalocompanyusa.com For all your Construction Needs ADDITIONS cleaned and re-glazed the glass as needed so each pane was tightly set to keep out air and water. They also removed the old paint layers on the window jambs. Wood sashes need to be able to expand and contract, and years of paint and caulk had eliminated that ability in our house. Mozer “re-sized” the windows, sealing their openings and the exposed jambs with boiled linseed oil as protection against moisture. Finally, they checked the weight pockets for leakage and inspected the storm windows for a good seal to guarantee that the restored windows and storms would act in tandem at a high level of energy efficiency. As the final step Mozer and his staff returned and re-hung the sashes with new cords, checked the weights for proper balance, and installed new hardware. The project took about six weeks. Mozer and his staff used drop cloths and heavy vinyl plastic to seal off areas to minimize lead, dust, and debris. While the sashes were in the shop being restored, we kept our house sealed up with the existing storm windows. The company typically “weatherizes” window openings to keep them waterproofed and airtight while sashes are restored, and plywood can be used if there are security issues. We are delighted with our smoothly working, beautiful looking, weather-tight windows. They are functional, energy efficient, and preserve the historic integrity of the house. Our wooden windows have been given a second life and should last another hundred years. Jeff Fletcher is a board member of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. u
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The Capitol Hill Garden Club presents
Dear Garden Problem Lady, by Wendy Blair I have two beautiful grandiflora rose plants that seem to bloom less and less each year. They get good morning sun. Each is about 10 years old. How can I encourage more blooms? Your roses are signaling their constitutional need for full sun. At least six hours of sun per day – and, with adequate watering, even more than six. Roses are sensitive and dislike being transplanted. Still, assuming that you can find a sunnier place for them, you really should transplant. The good news is that in DC, for an established rose, early autumn is the best time to transplant. Please research the following steps fully. Each is more important than I have space for here. First, water the rose plants for two days prior to moving them. Prepare the planting holes in advance, in fertile soil. Make the holes deeper and wider than the root balls you dig up. Do the move on an overcast or rainy day. Carefully dig around each rose at least a foot from the stalk and to a depth of at least 16 inches. If the root ball is too heavy for you, place it on a heavy piece of plastic for ease of carrying. Place root ball in the hole, spreading out any appar-
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Standard Cleaning Services ent roots. Rose should sit slightly above ground level, same as before. Water thoroughly. Fill in with rich soil. Press down firmly. After planting, using angled cuts, prune the plant back as much as possible. Keep it watered. My peonies should be thinned out. I know peonies hate being dug up, and I don’t know how to divide them, or when. Autumn is the best time to do it. You may lose blooming in 2015, but blooms will diminish even if you do nothing, so go for it now. First, cut off all foliage. Gently extract the roots. Wash thoroughly. Discard shriveled or rotten roots. Choose roots that have the most “eyes” and no fewer than three. Each so-called eye is a bloom bud. On a cutting board slice the roots with a strong, clean, sharp knife. Replant in rich, fertile soil with eyes only two inches from the top of the soil. Water. Settle an argument please. My wife thinks that orange roadside lilies are tiger lilies. I think they are ordinary day lilies and that tiger lilies are the ones shaped like a “Turk’s cap” and have black spots or speckles. You are correct. Take your wife out to dinner to celebrate. The Capitol Hill Garden Club meets regularly on the second Tuesday evening of each month – next on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Northeast Library, corner Maryland Ave. and 7th St. NE. Feeling beset by gardening problems? Send them to the Problem Lady c/o The Capitol Hill Garden Club at andrew@hillrag.com. Your problems might prove instructive to others and help them feel superior to you. Complete anonymity is assured. u
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{home & garden}
Pruning with Purpose
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article and photo by Derek Thomas
ur beloved gardens of Capitol Hill are often gardens in miniature. We find smaller varieties of favorite plants due largely to the space limitations our properties present. Many Hill gardeners can be seen pruning unruly plants in an attempt to contain some of the larger specimens within limited space. Enter the art of pruning-- a complex cutting of the branches and leaves of our plants and trees. What follows is a broad overview of the craft; each one of you to go out and get a good book on pruning so before you start to chop off life and limb from your plants, you are armed with the understanding of why.
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One of the primary reasons for pruning is to make sure that plants are as healthy as possible. Removing weak and damaged limbs and reducing the risk of disease and infection are two of the accomplishments proper and timely pruning achieves. Pruning will also increase a plant’s ornamental value, and improve their natural appearance. You have to understand the principals of a plant’s response to pruning in order to fully realize its full potential. Understanding how plants grow will aid you in comprehension of the how and why pruning should be done. Pruning should never be done without a good reason or without a clear purpose.
has different requirements when pruning. Knowing the growing habits of the plant will help you to properly prune. Pruning also ensures vigorous new growth while keep dead and decaying limbs from spreading disease and infection to younger healthier limbs.
Controlling Plant Size Heavy pruning can be used to control plant size. When heavy pruning is done there is usually a flush of new growth that follows. The pruning has stimulated new growth, however you have also cut the plant’s ability to produce food (photosynthesis), while forcing the plant to use up its stored food. Keep in mind repeated heavy pruning without proper fertilizer will actually hurt the plant in the long term. So it is important to use heavy pruning sparingly. If your plant continues to exceed the space allowed perhaps it is best to eliminate the plant and replace it with a smaller variety.
When to Prune It is important to understand the habits of the plant you are about to prune. If you are thinking about pruning your Hydrangea back to the ground this spring, be prepared to have sparse, if any, blooms this year. You see, most Hydrangeas only bloom on last year’s stems and pruning them back to stubs in early spring will produce wonder-
Why Pruning Works
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The most important thing to know about pruning is that when a part of a plant is removed you are diverting hormones. Plants have growth regulating hormones that ensure that the tips continue to grow away from the roots, a phenomenon termed “apical dominance.” When you remove these young green shoots, the plant will have to divert its growth hormone known as auxin to the next highest node, a node is usually located in the space where the leaf connects to the stem. Most plants will respond with new growth at the node closest to the cut you make. Some plants will respond to this type of pruning by producing multiple stems along nodes below the cut. Each plant
Removing dying leaves helps the plant both aesthetically and ensures better health.
Your One Stop Stone and Surface Solution Custom Countertop, Kitchens, Baths Fireplace and Outdoors Spaces ful leaves and very few, if any, blooms. Always be careful when pruning in early spring since this is the time that food reserves are moving rapidly back up the stems and cutting back harshly in early spring can severely hurt the plant. This problem can be avoided by pruning in late winter or once the plant has fully leafed out. Avoid heavy pruning in summer as this can harm the plant. Pruning deciduous trees in winter allows you to see the structure of the tree without the obstruction of its leaves. Winter pruning also helps prevent the entry of pathogens, since healing will be rapid in spring.
How to Prune Once you know the time is right for your particular plant, and you know the parts that will be removed, you must now consider performing the job in a way to insure rapid healing with minimal risk of infection. The cuts must be made cleanly, with no crushing or fraying of twigs. You should prune above a bud that is the right height for the desired outcome. Make sure that the uppermost bud is pointing in the direction that is desired. Make an upwardly sloping cut starting on the opposite side of the shoot to the bud. Cutting on an angle will ensure water runs off the new cut. Refrain from using pruning seals since their benefits have not been proven. In fact many professionals are doubtful that there is any value in using these products. When buying your pruning tools make sure you buy a reputable brand, keep your tools sharpened, and clean and your plants will respond in a healthy manner. Derek Thomas is principal of Thomas Landscapes. His weekly garden segment can be seen on WTTG/ Fox 5 in Washington. He can be reached at www.thomaslandscapes. com or 301.642.5182. You can find and friend us on Facebook at Facebook/Thomas Landscapes. u
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{real estate}
The Complicated Lawsuit Over the Hine Development May Be Over, Maybe by Shaun Courtney
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tanton-EastBanc could begin demolition of the former Hine School site in Eastern Market as soon as this fall, assuming the remaining project opponents do not take another run at the appeals process. In the wake of the Hine School decision by a panel of DC Court of Appeals judges much of the Eastern Market community is ready to see something--anything--new happening at the corner of 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue SE, but a few remaining opponents are holding out hope they can change the course of development for the former middle school site.
The Project The proposed redevelopment of the Hine School site in Eastern Market can now begin following a ruling by the DC Court of Appeals Aug. 14 in favor of the development team, Stanton-EastBanc. The project, which received approval from the Zoning Commission in October 2012 and was reaffirmed in March 2013, has been on hiatus pending the ruling on an appeal by a group of several neighbors supported by the Eastern Market Metro Community Association who opposed the mixed-use proposal. Stanton-EastBanc proposes a $150 million development with office space, retail and more
than 130 units of housing, to include as many as 46 affordable units in a building on a northern parcel of the site. The District government chose the team to redevelop the site through a competitive bid process initiated in 2008. Ground floor retail and office spaces would line Pennsylvania Avenue SE across from the Eastern Market Metro Plaza as well as 7th Street SE leading to the historic Eastern Market building. A residential building would sit on 8th Street SE facing existing townhomes while a second residential building built to the north of a newly-reconnected C Street SE will be entirely affordable housing. The northern affordable hous-
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{real estate}
ing building will sit on the site currently occupied by the temporary Fragers Hardware garden shop. The requested height and massing of the new project required zoning map amendments from the Zoning Commission to allow a development much taller than the mostly two- and threestory homes in the immediate neighborhood. The team requested the site be redefined as medium density, which generally allows a planned unit development project to build up to 90 feet. However, the developers also requested approval for a portion of the project to rise to 94.5 feet for mechanical equipment like the elevator.
The Ruling The height became one of the biggest issues for nearby residents and was among the primary concerns raised during both the Zoning Commission process and the ultimate appeal to the court. In their appeal, the petitioners argued the Zoning Commission did not sufficiently consider the impact the tall, dense project would have on nearby homes. The court, however, did not agree. “Although the record contains many objections to the project’s size, it is also replete with evidence upon which the Zoning Commission based its conclusion to the contrary. We therefore reject petitioners’ claim,” the order reads. The appellants also raised concerns about the terms of the land disposition agreement (LDA), arguing many of the community benefits the developers presented in support of their project during the zoning hearings will actually be paid for by taxpayers, such as the re-opening of a city street. The court did not address this issue because the petitioners did not raise such concerns during the zoning proceedings for the commission to consider. Several neighbors who remain in opposition to the project and the attorney handling the appeal took particular issue with the court’s reasoning on this point, arguing they had not had access to the full terms of the LDA during the zoning process.
A Blow to Opponents The ruling last Thursday was a blow to opponents who first pushed through what many called an “exhausting” zoning commission process and
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then continued on with an appeal. “None of the protections in the law worked for us at any level and we tried all of the levels,” said Wendy Blair, one of the petitioners. “We’re very discouraged.” Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B (ANC 6B) Commissioner Ivan Frishberg said petitioners were just “trolling for a legal hook” by raising concerns such as affordable housing during a lawsuit when they did not do so during the Zoning Commission hearings. Charles Allen, former chief of staff to Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells and the Democratic candidate for the Ward 6 Council seat this fall, was part of extensive community outreach efforts that started before the request for proposals for development went out and continued through various layers of the development process. Allen said of course not everyone is going to be happy with the project, but that he believes the public was highly involved in discussions about the school’s development and in the Eastbanc project specifically. “The ANC went through an exhaustive and very full and robust public process where changes were made. I think the deal got better and better,” said Allen.
A Question of Transparency The entire land disposition and zoning process stacks the odds against opposing community groups, said the petitioners attorney, Oliver Hall. Hall is no stranger to appealing zoning cases; he was the attorney for the community group opposed to the redevelopment of the West End Library, a project also involving a land disposition agreement between developer EastBanc and the District “This is how business is getting done in the District. The developers know how to play the game and the DC Council and the Mayor’s office and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED)--they are all playing along,” said Hall. Frishberg said the process revealed there are “clearly transparency problems,” but he thinks discussions on how to address those problems need to be part of a larger conversation. Allen also sees the need for city-wide reform to bring more transparency to the land disposition process, but said he does not think flaws in the
District’s handling of a few aspects of the Hine development mean the project should be stalled any longer. “I believe it is DMPED’s failure,” said Allen about the way the LDA was communicated to the community. ”I don’t think that means that we go back to the starting line.” If elected in November, Allen said he wants to lead the conversation about changing the LDA process and to potentially create new laws requiring greater openness. “I think at the end of the day we’re going to have something that we’re proud of in the community,” said Allen.
Moving Forward “We’ve been waiting 11 months,” said Alex Golding, Vice President of Stanton Development, regarding the appeal decision. “We have everything ready and can now move forward.” The team has already drawn up permit documents and will now need to secure financing and file permit requests to begin construction. Work on remediation of the site and possibly demolition of the old school building could begin as soon as this fall. As a rare part of the zoning order, the developers and the ANC agreed to a construction management plan that sets the allowable hours of work, the flow of construction traffic and addresses the impacts on neighboring homes and businesses. Though the development team has been trying to secure leases for the office space, they can now offer firmer dates for completion, which will make it easier to lock-in leases. Golding estimates the soonest the 27-monthlong project could deliver would be early 2017. That is, unless the petitioners seek a rehearing of their case either before the same panel of judges or en banc before the full court. Beyond that, the next level is the US Supreme Court “It’s not necessarily the end of the line” said Hall. Shaun Courtney is the co-founder and editorin-chief of District Source, a D.C. real estate and neighborhood news blog, co-founded and supported by Lindsay Reishman Real Estate. Shaun has been a local reporter in D.C. since 2009 and has called the city home since 2002. She currently lives in Kingman Park. Read more from District Source at: www.districtsource.com. u
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Beautiful & Affordable in Cheverly $1995 month + utilities Beautifully maintained Cape Cod situated on a well landscaped and private yard in Cheverly. 3BR, 2 full baths and many upgrades throughout the house. A successful contractor owns this house, and it shows!
Available October First Please call: (202) 813-0148
Beasley Real Estate is a boutique property brokerage firm with a global reach, specializing in the greater Washington DC market. Chris Johnson has a loyal client base ranging from first time homebuyers to experienced investors and developers. His experience includes working on historic preservation projects, 1031 Starker Exchanges, commercial sales, foreclosures, and short sales.
202.306.0020 CJohnson@BeasleyRE.com beasleyre.com
Looking to Buy or Sell on the Hill? I want to be Your Agent!
Let s get together to review the market and design a winning strategy!
Dee Dee Branand At
home on the Hill
605 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003 Office: 202 547-3525 Cell: 202 369-7902 Email: dbranand@cbmove.com Web: www.deedeebranand.com
Steve Hagedorn Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Search listings at cbmove.com/steve.hagedorn Licensed in DC & MD
Direct: Cell: Office: Fax: Email:
202-741-1707 202-841-1380 202-547-3525 202-547-8462 shagedorn@cbmove.com
September 2014 H 109
{real estate / changing hands}
Changing Hands Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms. NEIGHBORHOOD FEE SIMPLE 16TH STREET HEIGW HTS 5008 13TH ST NW 4606 15TH ST NW 5107 13TH ST NW 1424 OGLETHORPE ST NW 1509 GALLATIN ST NW 1204 INGRAHAM ST NW
CLOSE PRICE BR
$825,000 $775,000 $755,000 $730,000 $691,000 $529,900
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK 4123 45TH ST NW 4706 YUMA ST NW 4512 49TH ST NW 4611 44TH ST NW 4421 YUMA ST NW 4918 ALBEMARLE ST NW 4524 CHESAPEAKE ST NW 4430 GARRISON ST NW 4522 44TH ST NW 4228 ELLICOTT ST NW
ANACOSTIA 2103 13TH ST SE 1763 W ST SE
BARRY FARMS 2206 BRYAN PL SE
BERKLEY
2158 DUNMORE LN NW 4700 RESERVOIR RD NW
BLOOMINGDALE 15 Q ST NW 23 T ST NE 61 W ST NW
BRENTWOOD 2418 10TH ST NE 1606 W ST NE
BRIGHTWOOD
1322 RITTENHOUSE ST NW 5821 3RD PL NW 6631 13TH ST NW 1330 TEWKESBURY PL NW 5909 4TH ST NW 6924 9TH ST NW 503 NICHOLSON ST NW 724 ROXBORO PL NW 6009 5TH ST NW 616 TUCKERMAN ST NW 6317 7TH ST NW 810 SOMERSET PL NW 718 ROXBORO PL NW
BROOKLAND
1439 NEWTON ST NE 2511 CAPITOL ST NE 51 FRANKLIN ST NE 3321 18TH ST NE 1244 GIRARD ST NE 4312 13TH PL NE 211 BRYANT ST NE
110 H Hillrag.com
4 5 5 4 3 3
$1,195,000 $1,195,000 $1,183,000 $1,056,000 $925,000 $875,000 $850,000 $840,000 $800,000 $765,000
4 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 2 3
$189,950 $85,000
3 3
$250,000
2
$3,795,000 $1,000,000
6 3
$775,000 $725,000 $850,000
3 4 3
$475,000 $250,000
4 3
$648,000 $620,000 $600,000 $570,000 $524,990 $510,000 $509,000 $485,000 $430,000 $410,000 $370,000 $310,000 $275,000
3 4 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 3
$610,000 $605,000 $599,900 $585,000 $517,000 $485,000 $485,000
3 5 4 5 3 3 3
3218 8TH ST NE 2745 4TH ST NE 2809 4TH ST NE 4105 12TH ST NE 5041 NORTH CAPITOL ST NE 4561 NORTH CAPITOL ST NE 729 DECATUR ST NE
BURLEITH
3834 T ST NW 3725 S ST NW 1928 37TH ST NW 1908 35TH ST NW
CAPITOL HILL
8 4TH ST SE 136 D ST SE 131 NORTH CAROLINA AVE SE 535 6TH ST SE 412 3RD ST SE 318 NORTH CAROLINA AVE SE 401 CONSTITUTION AVE NE 1617 H ST SE 11 10TH ST SE 209 10TH ST NE
$450,000 $399,999 $395,820 $350,000 $336,026 $295,000 $294,000
3 3 2 3 2 3 3
$1,200,000 $900,000 $780,000 $699,000
5 3 3 2
$1,450,000 $1,325,000 $1,300,000 $1,205,000 $1,175,412 $1,126,752 $955,000 $930,000 $925,000 $895,000
4 4 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 3
813 E ST SE 620 C ST NE 514 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 1515 A ST SE 315 18TH ST SE 318 10TH ST SE 1005 E ST SE 915 C ST SE 139 DUDDINGTON PL SE 320 G ST SE 1011 EAST CAPITOL ST SE 518 TENNESSEE AVE NE 1352 NORTH CAROLINA AVE NE 664 ACKER PL NE 107 8TH ST NE 1537 E ST SE 413 12TH ST SE 1619 E ST SE 108 14TH ST SE 1741 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 1330 E ST SE 421 11TH ST NE 209 WARREN ST NE 645REAR CONSTITUTION AVE NE 1622 D ST SE
$870,000 $858,500 $850,000 $825,000 $820,000 $808,500 $787,000 $775,000 $750,000 $720,000 $710,000 $695,000 $695,000 $692,000 $689,000 $646,900 $635,000 $625,000 $620,000 $614,000 $602,500 $575,000 $565,000 $549,500 $505,000
3 3 3 4 4 2 0 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 3
AUTUMN ARRIVES BRINGING EXCITING HILL HOMES!
316 KENTUCKY AVE SE 904 13TH ST SE 429 19TH ST NE
$504,000 $479,000 $415,000
CHEVY CHASE 2728 MCKINLEY ST NW 3909 ALBEMARLE ST NW 4001 HARRISON ST NW 3716 INGOMAR ST NW 6346 32ND ST NW 3711 INGOMAR ST NW 3121 MILITARY RD NW 3357 STUYVESANT PL NW 3505 RUNNYMEDE PL NW 3332 TENNYSON ST NW 3332 TENNYSON ST NW 3015 OLIVER ST NW 3235 MCKINLEY ST NW 3502 MCKINLEY ST NW 5431 30TH PL NW 5031 41ST ST NW 4052 FESSENDEN ST NW 3308 MCKINLEY ST NW 5251 43RD ST NW
$1,860,000 $1,380,000 $1,286,000 $1,190,000 $1,185,000 $1,150,000 $987,000 $964,736 $950,000 $950,000 $950,000 $890,000 $850,000 $849,325 $832,500 $828,000 $826,450 $792,000 $699,900
2 2 3 5 4 4 6 4 3 6 5 3 5 5 3 5 4 4 3 4 4 3
CHILLUM 113 MADISON ST NW $399,999 136 SHERIDAN ST NW $387,500 CLEVELAND PARK 3631 TILDEN ST NW $2,250,000 3408 QUEBEC ST NW $1,110,000
COLONIAL VILLAGE 1900 SPRUCE DR NW 1715 TAMARACK ST NW 1620 PORTAL DR NW
$976,000 $759,000 $730,000
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 2711 11TH ST NW 1302 FAIRMONT ST NW 3658 PARK PL NW 1360 TAYLOR ST NW 1465 MONROE ST NW 1439 TAYLOR ST NW 1428 PERRY PL NW 728 GIRARD ST NW 615 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW 1338 RANDOLPH ST NW 774 COLUMBIA RD NW 3523 WARDER ST NW 738 HOBART PL NW 613 GRESHAM PL NW
$1,165,000 $1,000,000 $920,000 $819,000 $789,000 $788,000 $769,000 $750,000 $745,000 $724,400 $565,000 $517,000 $474,900 $396,000
CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3206 5TH ST SE 612 BRANDYWINE ST SE 829 BARNABY ST SE 4133 4TH ST SE 1352 BARNABY TER SE 612 RALEIGH PL SE 741 CONGRESS ST SE
$249,000 $244,900 $239,000 $209,900 $152,000 $96,500 $85,000
CRESTWOOD 3820 ARGYLE TER NW
$1,038,000
DEANWOOD 5302 CENTRAL AVE SE 4203 FOOTE ST NE 851 51ST ST NE 832 DIVISION AVE NE 4709 SHERIFF RD NE 4319 HUNT PL NE 845 50TH PL NE 5807 DIX ST NE 5038 JAY ST NE 6340 SOUTHERN NE
$399,000 $261,000 $244,900 $208,000 $190,000 $180,000 $126,500 $125,000 $98,765 $95,000
3 3
LD ! U URS CO O Y BE
634 8th St NE 3BR/2BA $799,000
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108 14th St SE 2BR/2BA $620,000
JU
3 3 3 3 2 3 3
!5 LD O S
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Charming front façade shows off period details near the leafy intersection of 14th & A Streets SE. Inside, crisp clean modern interior with spiral stairway, two sided fireplace flows from dining room to living room, convenient rear patio space and two master suites on 2nd level!
4 4 3
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315 18th St SE 4BR/3.5BA $825,000 Federal Porch-Front end unit has sun cascading across all 3 levels with windows everywhere. Double living room greets you as you enter, and the open floor plan flows to the HUGE kitchen island with french doors out to rear deck and yard with off-street parking. Fully finished lower level and gleaming hardwoods throughout.
431 15th St SE 2BR/2.5BA Bay-front Victorian steps to Potomac Metro. Open floor plan, imported terra cotta tile, high ceilings & wood-burning FP. Granite counters, new SS appliances, cherry cabinets & breakfast bar. Glass tile accent wall in powder room & high-end baths. Bonus den/media room. Beautifully landscaped private yard w/ornamental trees. Gated off-st parking.
WIDE Wardman-style w/ historic trim & built-ins, custom fixtures, sky-lit upper hall, two BIG BRs on upper level PLUS finished 1BR lower level w full bath, laundry and storage -- all with interior, front and rear doors PLUS huge deck, deep private garden and GARAGE! ULTIMATE EXPANSION OPPORTUNITY!
5 4
7 8 4 4 5 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 2
G IN ! M N O C OO S
1617 H St SE 4BR/3.5BA LISTED $825,000 SOLD $930,000 Porch front features a foot print 20 Feet Wide, with tall ceilings over three levels. 3 real upper bedrooms, huge master bath, Open kitchen with granite and stainless, restored heart pine and oak floors, unique central butler’s pantry, rear den and deck and lower guest suite ensure an unforgettable package.
G IN ! M N O O C O S
YOUR HOUSE HERE!
In times of market shift, homebuyers and sellers are finding our energy, creativity, and direct experience more vital than ever. For the BEST RESULTS, put us to work today! Call Joel for a free consultation on market values, smart improvements, and more!
4 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 2 2 2
September 2014 H 111
{real estate / changing hands}
4321 MINNESOTA AVE NE 5304 JAMES PL NE
$79,000 $60,000
3 2
DUPONT 1530 15TH ST NW 1802 S ST NW 1808 CORCORAN ST NW
$1,990,000 $1,235,000 $826,000
ECKINGTON 122 V ST NE 1932 1ST ST NE 27 U ST NE 226 S ST NE
$635,000 $570,000 $560,000 $410,000
EDEN PLACE 466 EASTERN AVE NE
$250,000
FOREST HILLS 2510 UPTON ST NW 1178 46TH PL SE 4215 H ST SE 3116 E ST SE 5029 BENNING RD SE 4227 FORT DUPONT TER SE 806 HILLTOP TER SE
$2,231,000 $230,000 $181,500 $161,600 $159,000 $150,000 $135,000
FORT LINCOLN 3285 THEODORE R HAGANS DR NE 3260 THEODORE R HAGANS DR NE
$515,000 $510,000
4 5 3 4 3 4 3 3 5 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 3
5335 MACARTHUR BLVD NW
$875,000
KINGMAN PARK 1601 ROSEDALE ST NE
$685,000
LEDROIT PARK 1920 6TH ST NW 2120 FLAGLER PL NW 2118 FLAGLER PL NW 130 THOMAS ST NW
$900,000 $880,000 $877,500 $655,000
LILY PONDS 4028 MEADE ST NE 4245 NASH ST NE 3318 BLAINE ST NE
$290,000 $210,000 $145,000
1340 WALLACH PL NW 1320 10TH ST NW
$1,180,000 $1,270,000
MARSHALL HEIGHTS 5441 BASS PL SE
$95,000
MICHIGAN PARK 1819 UPSHUR ST NE
$350,000
MOUNT PLEASANT
FOXHALL
GARFIELD
NORTH CLEVELAND PARK
2759 WOODLEY PL NW
$1,045,000 $950,000 $925,000 $1,295,000
GEORGETOWN 3235 R ST NW 1314 30TH ST NW 3343 P ST NW 1250 31ST ST NW 1506 30TH ST NW 3366 VOLTA PL NW 2708 OLIVE ST NW 1616 33RD ST NW 3040 DENT PL NW 3749 WINFIELD LN NW 2708 O ST NW 2441 P ST NW 1662 34TH ST NW 1626 33RD ST NW 2523 Q ST NW 3252 JONES CT NW 3244 JONES CT NW 1340 29TH ST NW 1716 34TH ST NW
$5,000,000 $3,495,000 $3,000,000 $1,925,000 $1,750,000 $1,675,000 $1,495,000 $1,450,000 $1,350,000 $1,280,000 $1,275,000 $1,255,000 $1,075,000 $875,000 $830,000 $827,500 $805,000 $680,000 $80,000
GLOVER PARK 2120 HUIDEKOPER PL NW 2300 39TH ST NW 3803 W ST NW 3746 BENTON ST NW 2131 OBSERVATORY PL NW 2016 TUNLAW RD NW
$974,500 $970,000 $940,000 $730,000 $727,300 $639,000
HILL CREST 3001 N ST SE 2215 30TH ST SE 3200 GAINESVILLE ST SE 1208 34TH PL SE
$440,000 $325,000 $305,000 $230,000
HILL EAST 1621 C ST SE
$550,000
KALORAMA 2126 BANCROFT PL NW 1817 VERNON ST NW
$3,377,000 $1,400,000
6 5 4 5 7 6 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 0 3 5 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 2 6 5
KENT 4940 LOWELL ST NW
112 H Hillrag.com
$1,900,000
6
4312 RENO RD NW 3507 ALTON PL NW
$1,208,000 $950,000 $939,000 $896,000 $872,498 $815,000 $752,000 $925,000 $710,000
OBSERVATORY CIRCLE 2811 35TH ST NW 2820 34TH PL NW 3838 FULTON ST NW 3708 FULTON ST NW
$1,918,000 $1,795,000 $1,325,000 $1,050,000
OLD CITY #1 610 MARYLAND AVE NE 808 CONSTITUTION AVE NE 128 13TH ST SE 1335 NORTH CAROLINA AVE NE 1137 7TH ST NE 913 12TH ST NE 724 4TH ST NE 214 14TH PL NE 1309 F ST NE 1124 PARK ST NE 1360 C ST NE 1031 6TH ST NE 1145 4TH ST NE 813 7TH ST NE 642 L ST NE 1303 POTOMAC AVE SE 432 24TH ST NE 213 14TH PL NE 2104 D ST NE 706 16TH ST NE 72 Q ST SW
$2,450,000 $1,250,000 $1,175,000 $901,000 $775,000 $775,000 $750,000 $665,000 $610,000 $603,000 $595,000 $593,000 $580,000 $575,000 $535,000 $499,500 $494,500 $469,000 $424,000 $320,000 $245,000
OLD CITY #2 511 P ST NW 1727 21ST ST NW 817 T ST NW 2130 12TH PL NW 1243 10TH ST NW 1735 SEATON ST NW 1630 5TH ST NW 313 M ST NW 407 R ST NW 440 N ST NW 1218 KIRBY ST NW 1417 1ST ST NW 1831 9TH ST NW
$1,300,000 $1,280,000 $865,000 $825,000 $760,000 $760,000 $660,000 $655,000 $582,000 $520,000 $440,000 $425,000 $860,000
PALISADES 4512 Q PL NW
3 3 4 4 4 3 3 2
LOGAN
3122 18TH ST NW 3240 19TH ST NW 2003 KLINGLE RD NW 1815 LAMONT ST NW 2037 ROSEMONT AVE NW 1717 HARVARD ST NW 1735 HARVARD ST NW
1542 44TH ST NW 4440 GREENWICH PKWY NW 4412 VOLTA PL NW
4
2 5 2 3 6 4 5 5 4 3 3 4 2 7 4 4 3 5 4 4 3 4 7 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 5 4 2 2 2 3 2 2 6 2 4 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 2 3 3
$1,099,000
PETWORTH 4929 KANSAS AVE NW 4616 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW 3915 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW 4709 8TH ST NW 5113 ILLINOIS AVE NW 5302 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW 5121 3RD ST NW 407 RANDOLPH ST NW 621 HAMILTON ST NW 5309 9TH ST NW 330 TAYLOR ST NW 514 DECATUR ST NW 4602 4TH ST NW 4021 MARLBORO PL NW 930 LONGFELLOW ST NW 4934 1ST ST NW
$724,800 $689,000 $670,000 $660,000 $650,000 $640,000 $609,000 $600,000 $575,000 $559,999 $525,000 $510,000 $505,000 $489,000 $469,000 $230,000
RANDLE HEIGHTS 2411 S ST SE 1836 VALLEY TER SE 1522 WHITE PL SE 3127 20TH ST SE 2429 SKYLAND PL SE 3425 24TH ST SE
$325,000 $260,000 $257,000 $245,000 $218,500 $110,000
RIGGS PARK 338 PEABODY ST NE 5035 SARGENT RD NE 580 NICHOLSON ST NE 648 JEFFERSON ST NE 801 GALLATIN ST NE 1278 DELAFIELD PL NE
$429,500 $415,000 $357,900 $350,000 $315,000 $265,000
5 5 4 4 3 3 5 4 4 3 5 6 3 3 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 3
SHAW 1407 COLUMBIA ST NW 608 S ST NW
$776,500 $507,000
SHEPHERD PARK 1520 IRIS ST NW 1407 LEEGATE RD NW 1338 GERANIUM ST NW
$1,100,000 $723,000 $675,000
SPRING VALLEY 3731 48TH ST NW 5015 OVERLOOK RD NW
$1,800,000 $1,750,000
TAKOMA PARK 6621 1ST ST NW 819 ASPEN ST NW 6009 CHILLUM PL NE
$880,000 $580,000 $399,999
2 2 5 4 4 5 5 5 3 3
TRINIDAD 1110 ORREN ST NE 1258 FLORIDA AVE NE 1263 MORSE ST NE 1200 STAPLES ST NE 1783 LYMAN PL NE 1265 PENN ST NE 1326 TRINIDAD AVE NE 1741 LANG PL NE 1107 16TH ST NE 1109 16TH ST NE
$690,000 $560,000 $550,000 $499,000 $452,500 $439,900 $405,000 $331,900 $290,000 $246,000
TRUXTON CIRCLE 39 BATES ST NW
$625,000
U STREET CORRIDOR 2116 12TH ST NW
$910,000
WESLEY HEIGHTS 3009 44TH PL NW 3107 44TH ST NW 3023 44TH ST NW 4347 EMBASSY PARK DR NW
$1,625,000 $1,547,000 $1,400,000 $851,000
WOODRIDGE 2707 18TH ST NE
$595,000
4 3 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 4
From the Seller of
Making Your Real Estate a Success Story!
412 3rd St, SE
3219 CHESTNUT ST NE 1817 KEARNY ST NE 1723 FRANKLIN ST NE 3709 26TH ST NE 2232 QUINCY ST NE 4221 22ND ST NE 2803 FRANKLIN ST NE 2500 31ST ST NE 2111 RAND PL NE
$585,000 $485,000 $449,000 $365,000 $328,000 $324,900 $322,000 $301,000 $300,000
4 5 3 2 3 3 3 6 4
$189,000
1
$849,000 $772,000 $675,000 $605,000 $419,000
2 3 2 2 1
CONDO 16TH STREET HEIGHTS 1404 LONGFELLOW ST NW #202
ADAMS MORGAN
2428 17TH ST NW #3S 1672 BEEKMAN PL NW #D 1670 BEEKMAN PL NW #B 1701 KALORAMA RD NW #314 2426 ONTARIO RD NW #305
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK 4101 ALBEMARLE ST NW #337 4101 ALBEMARLE ST NW #308 4101 ALBEMARLE ST NW #535
BLOOMINGDALE
1929 1ST ST NW #203 1722 1ST ST NW #1 43 HANOVER PL NW #2 150 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #302 1824 NORTH CAPITOL ST NW #1 43 HANOVER PL NW #1 1700 2ND ST NW #3 1929 1ST ST NW #104
BRIGHTWOOD
529 BRUMMEL CT NW #529 343 CEDAR ST NW #121
BROOKLAND
3725 12TH ST NE #204 421 EVARTS ST NE #4 421 EVARTS ST NE #3 421 EVARTS ST NE #1 2625 3RD ST NE #101
CAPITOL HILL
901 D ST NE #205 310 CAPITOL ST NE #F 1732 BAY ST SE #1 1732 BAY ST SE #2 1341 EAST CAPITOL ST SE #308 263 14TH ST SE #B 220 4TH ST SE #2 1341 EAST CAPITOL ST SE #202 1391 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE #235 1391 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE #465 408 SEWARD SQ SE #7 401 13TH ST NE #408 629 CONSTITUTION AVE NE #103 523 8TH ST NE #T2 305 C ST NE #102 105 6TH ST SE #106 26 17TH ST SE #26 1104 HOLBROOK TER NE #102
CATHEDRAL HEIGHTS 3051 IDAHO AVE NW #225 4200 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #701
CENTRAL
916 G ST NW #1004 1830 JEFFERSON PL NW #9 1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #704 809 6TH ST NW #31 616 E ST NW #502 631 D ST NW #1031 2141 P ST NW #1009
$807,500 $719,000 $480,000
2 2 1
$440,000 $620,000 $499,000 $498,000 $465,000 $450,000 $350,000 $298,000
2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1
$425,000 $392,000
3 2
$290,000 $289,900 $289,900 $275,000 $159,000
2 2 2 1 1
$899,900 $625,000 $605,500 $589,000 $490,000 $475,000 $470,000 $458,500 $437,000 $435,000 $399,999 $382,000 $379,900 $358,000 $339,000 $309,000 $272,000 $231,400
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
$429,000 $285,000
2 2
$1,130,000 $1,025,000 $899,000 $519,000 $449,000 $443,500 $424,900
2 2 2 2 1 1 1
“…and thanks Andrew, to you and Ryall for the great service on the sale and listing of my house! The smoothest house buy/sale I have ever been through! And this was my 13th transaction in 25 years – (I hadn’t realized it was 13 until I counted during the drive to PA! Thank you!”
The GranT, ryall & andrew Group
Grant Griffith 202.741.1685 Ryall Smith 202.741.1781 Andrew Glasow 202.741.1654 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 605 Pennsylvania Ave. SE • 202.547. 3525
COOLER WEATHER ON THE WAY BUT.... THIS MARKET IS HOT! Joan Carmichael Realtor 202.271.5198 joanvcarmichael@gmail.com Bridgette Cline Realtor 202.271.4196 bcline8041@aol.com for all you real estate needs 1000 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Wash., DC 20003 office #202-546-0055 September 2014 H 113
{real estate / changing hands}
631 D ST NW #335 1316 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #308 2201 L ST NW #202 400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #810 1260 21ST ST NW #502 1301 20TH ST NW #901 2130 N ST NW #105 1330 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #410
$422,000 $420,000 $375,000 $353,000 $330,000 $268,000 $200,000 $510,000
CLEVELAND PARK 3670 38TH ST NW #247 3840 39TH ST NW #103 3620 39TH ST NW #539 2721 ORDWAY ST NW #3 3010 WISCONSIN AVE NW #B10 2732 ORDWAY ST NW #3 3520 39TH ST NW #B656 3420 38TH ST NW #B 416 2728 ORDWAY ST NW #1 3110 WISCONSIN AVE NW #801 3024 WISCONSIN AVE NW #104 3701 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #323
$610,000 $519,000 $467,000 $395,000 $390,000 $385,000 $375,000 $363,500 $349,500 $296,000 $274,500 $245,000
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
2827 15TH ST NW #202 $675,000 1324 EUCLID ST NW #408 $610,000 1423 COLUMBIA RD NW #2 $580,000 1442 HARVARD ST NW #4 $545,000 701 LAMONT ST NW #28 $540,000 1300 TAYLOR ST NW #303 $485,000 1417 CHAPIN ST NW #308 $455,000 3511 13TH ST NW #205 $449,900 3511 13TH ST NW #205 $449,900 3511 13TH ST NW #205 $449,900 3511 13TH ST NW #205 $449,900 3511 13TH ST NW #205 $449,900 3511 13TH ST NW #205 $449,900 1401 COLUMBIA RD NW #405 $440,000 1438 MERIDIAN PL NW #301 $435,000 1340 FAIRMONT ST NW #21 $425,000 3328 SHERMAN AVE NW #1 $415,000 3606 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW #305 $384,900 3606 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW #305 $384,900 3606 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW #305 $384,900 3606 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW #305 $384,900 1308 CLIFTON ST NW #101 $319,500 1401 COLUMBIA RD NW #407 $310,000 1427 CHAPIN ST NW #103 $300,000 1447 CHAPIN ST NW #304 $275,000 1441 EUCLID ST NW #304 $192,500 1451 PARK RD NW #409 $179,500
CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3221 8TH ST SE #13
$62,000
CONVENTION CENTER 910 M ST NW #904
$505,000
DEANWOOD 4929 FOOTE ST NE #5
$102,500
1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 3 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 2
$840,000 $709,500 $622,400 $565,000 $535,000 $282,500 $360,000 $859,000 $824,000 $494,000 $300,000 $42,000
ECKINGTON 131 QUINCY PL NE #2 50 Q ST NE #2 1900 4TH ST NE #2 1900 4TH ST NE #1 219 T ST NE #401 1831 2ND ST NE #401
114 H Hillrag.com
$745,000 $600,000 $537,000 $499,900 $235,000 $171,000
$171,000
FOGGY BOTTOM 522 21ST ST NW #801 922 24TH ST NW #221 2401 H ST NW #302 2515 K ST W #108
$326,000 $322,500 $310,000 $235,000
FOREST HILLS 3901 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #407 3883 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #711 2720 ORDWAY ST NW #3 4707 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #416 2731 ORDWAY ST NW #3 2939 VAN NESS ST NW #1220
$539,000 $521,500 $450,000 $399,995 $389,000 $265,000
FORT LINCOLN 3101 CHERRY RD NE #34 3316 BANNEKER DR NE #3316 3126 CHERRY RD NE #37
$265,000 $240,000 $122,000 $399,999
GEORGETOWN 3251 PROSPECT STREET NW #402 3251 PROSPECT ST NW #R-402 1537 30TH ST NW #D12 1015 33RD ST NW #606 3222 CHERRY HILL LN NW #D2 1080 WISCONSIN AVE NW #1015 2500 Q ST NW #123
$2,500,000 $2,500,000 $1,979,000 $838,000 $639,900 $480,000 $300,000
GLOVER PARK 2320 WISCONSIN AVE NW #208 4000NW TUNLAW RD NW #516 2400 41ST ST NW #511 3925 DAVIS PL NW #301 2325 42ND ST NW #320
$388,000 $342,500 $333,000 $285,000 $215,620
HILL CREST 2110 38TH ST SE #301
$40,000
KALORAMA 2230 CALIFORNIA ST NW #2C-E 1904 KALORAMA PL NW #1050 2011 COLUMBIA RD NW #3 2013 KALORAMA RD NW #8 2227 20TH ST NW #106 1827 FLORIDA AVE NW #104 1851 COLUMBIA RD NW #409 2227 20TH ST NW #507 2003 ALLEN PL NW #201
$950,000 $780,000 $605,000 $600,000 $532,000 $449,900 $343,000 $340,000 $249,000
LEDROIT PARK 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 3 3 2 2 1 1
1 1 2 1 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 4 3 3
GARFIELD 3100 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #344
DUPONT 1700 Q ST NW #2 1801 16TH ST NW #205 1401 17TH ST NW #805 1279 21ST ST NW #7 1401 17TH ST NW #601 1545 18TH ST NW #201 1614 Q ST NW #A 1816 19TH ST NW #5 1816 19TH ST NW #3 1816 19TH ST NW #4 1545 18TH ST NW #117 1545 18TH ST NW #P36
1831 2ND ST NE #404
150 V ST NW #V-208 149 W ST NW #13 2311 1ST ST NW #2
$370,000 $355,000 $815,000 $749,000 $565,000 $470,000 $305,000 $210,000 $570,000 $735,000 $925,000 $885,000 $670,000 $540,000 $429,000 $380,000 $245,000 $430,000 $574,900
MARSHALL HEIGHTS 4932 A ST SE #401
$125,000
MOUNT PLEASANT 1654 EUCLID ST NW #PH-3
$939,238
$790,000 $740,000 $680,000 $675,000 $595,000 $385,000 $340,000 $335,500 $331,000 $45,000
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE 456 M ST NW #4 475 K ST NW #1102 1130 5TH ST NW #2 1240 4TH ST NW #300 475 K ST NW #704
$610,000 $713,000 $605,000 $560,502 $515,704
NAVY YARD 1025 1ST ST SE #1103 1025 1ST ST SE #615
$427,000 $595,300
1
NORTH CLEVELAND PARK
4 4 2 2 2 1 0
OBSERVATORY CIRCLE
1 2 2 1 0 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 1 1 2
LOGAN 1307 T ST NW #3 1111 11TH ST NW #805 1445 N ST NW #201 1239 VERMONT AVE NW #106 1440 N ST NW #604 1529 14TH ST NW #302 2125 14TH ST NW #226 1235 S ST NW #1 1515 15TH ST NW #201 1226 11TH ST NW #300 20 LOGAN CIR NW #LL-1 1435 CORCORAN ST NW #3 1314 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #504 1440 N ST NW #1008 1117 10TH ST NW #912 1117 10TH ST NW #411
3162 18TH ST NW #1 3162 18TH ST NW #2 1738 PARK RD NW #3 1738 PARK RD NW #2 1738 PARK RD NW #1 3155 MOUNT PLEASANT ST NW #306 2440 16TH ST NW #221 3314 MOUNT PLEASANT ST NW #49 3420 16TH ST NW #605S 2200 17TH ST NW #G-41
2 2 2 1 0 1 2 3 2 2 2 1 1 0 1 2 2 2
4444 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #502 2501 WISCONSIN AVE NW #303 2501 WISCONSIN AVE NW #301 4100 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #708 2828 WISCONSIN AVE NW #304 2111 WISCONSIN AVE NW #506 2141 WISCONSIN AVE NW #603
$387,500 $1,200,000 $960,000 $835,000 $741,000 $360,000 $240,000
OLD CITY #1 509 M ST NE #4 1391 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE #530 302 OKLAHOMA AVE NE #302 302 OKLAHOMA AVE NE #202
$560,900 $364,000 $222,000 $219,900
OLD CITY #2 2031 Q ST NW #1 1622 19TH ST NW #2 1440 CHURCH ST NW #106 1816 19TH ST NW #2 1618 11TH ST NW #PH-3 1816 19TH ST NW #1 1415 10TH ST NW #1 1225 13TH ST NW #112 2125 14TH ST NW #327 2004 11TH ST NW #124 1001 L ST NW #406 2125 14TH ST NW #706 1401 R ST NW #202 475 K ST NW #420 555 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #607 1300 N ST NW #717 555 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #811 1718 P ST NW #804 36 Q ST NW #3B 1618 11TH ST NW #T103 1390 V ST NW #410 1225 13TH ST NW #407 2117 10TH ST NW #G-02 1601 18TH ST NW #205 1 SCOTT CIR NW #713 1 SCOTT CIR NW #413 1718 P ST NW #201 1727 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #409 1825 T ST NW #605 1718 CORCORAN ST NW #43 2001 12TH ST NW #312
$1,100,000 $800,000 $799,000 $730,000 $727,500 $679,000 $644,000 $561,000 $520,000 $518,000 $515,000 $510,000 $490,000 $450,000 $415,000 $399,900 $397,500 $390,000 $380,000 $375,000 $370,000 $365,000 $365,000 $315,000 $307,500 $275,000 $259,000 $238,500 $233,500 $229,900 $569,000
2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
PALISADES 4545 MACARTHUR BLVD NW #205 4559 MACARTHUR BLVD NW #101
$249,900 $225,000
PENN QUARTER 555 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #1007
$424,000
PETWORTH 610 NEWTON PL NW #9 610 NEWTON PL NW #12 610 NEWTON PL NW #2
$609,900 $605,000 $524,900
1 1 1 2 2 3
NEW LISTING 610 NEWTON PL NW #1 5611 5TH ST NW #24
RANDLE HEIGHTS
3105 NAYLOR RD SE #303 2400 GOOD HOPE RD SE #201
RLA (SW)
700 7TH ST SW #234 350 G ST SW #N-421 800 4TH ST SW #S-808 1250 4TH ST SW #W401 1425 4TH ST SW #M2 800 4TH ST SW #S-725
SHAW
1401 5TH ST NW #2 1412 5TH ST NW #301
SHERIDAN STATION 2517 SAYLES PL SE #10 2501 SAYLES PL SE #6 2501 SAYLES PL SE #14 2517 SAYLES PL SE #3 2517 SAYLES PL SE #7 2501 SAYLES PL SE #3
SW WATERFRONT 240 M ST SW #E305 237 G ST SW #120 265 G ST SW #106
TRINIDAD
1227 MORSE ST NE #3 1227 MORSE ST NE #1 1227 MEIGS PL NE #C 1227 MEIGS PL NE #D 1354 QUEEN ST NE #201
TRUXTON CIRCLE 1519 1ST ST NW #2
U STREET
2120 VERMONT AVE NW #19 919 FLORIDA AVE NW #406 1413 T ST NW #407 1210 V ST NW #5 929 FLORIDA AVE NW #1002 1454 BELMONT ST NW #6
WESLEY HEIGHTS
3205 SUTTON PL NW #3205A 4201 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #1201W 3101 NEW MEXICO AVE NW #212 4201 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #503E 4201 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #1413E 4201 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #1419E 4200 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #1102
WEST END
1177 22ND ST NW #2L 1177 22ND ST NW #5E 1111 25TH ST NW #617 2425 L ST NW #224 2425 L ST NW #634 2301 N ST NW #103 2512 M ST NW #2512 1111 25TH ST NW #312
WOODLEY PARK
2801 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #30 3100 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #144 2818 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #102 2829 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #107
$524,900 $174,000
2 1
$81,000 $33,000
2 1
$350,000 $345,000 $312,000 $279,000 $240,000 $227,500
2 1 1 1 1 0
$1,150,000 $925,000
3 4
$376,900 $324,900 $306,900 $305,400 $305,400 $256,900
3 3 2 2 2 2
$247,000 $545,000 $555,000
1 3 3
$525,000 $435,000 $220,000 $215,000 $206,000
2 2 1 1 2
$342,500
1
$374,000 $530,000 $300,000 $629,000 $422,000 $950,000
1 2 1 2 1 2
$600,000 $553,000 $410,000 $280,000 $260,000 $236,000 $222,000
2 2 1 1 1 1 1
$1,429,500 $1,175,000 $809,000 $580,000 $539,000 $499,000 $399,000 $340,000
2 1 2 1 1 1 1 0
$549,900 $387,500 $385,000 $209,000
2 1 1 0
COOP ADAMS MORGAN 1789 LANIER PL NW #1
$550,000
2
Silver Spring 10238 Capitol View Ave
Three bedrooms, main floor master, wood floors, family room addition, parking for 4+ cars
FOR SALE Randle Heights 2402 24th St SE Three big bedrooms, two living areas, large kitchen, separate dining room, garage.
Columbia Heights 1458 Columbia Rd NW #301 One BR condo, light and bright, large bedroom, pet friendly building
Your Neighbor On The Hill
“The road to success is not always straight; let me help you through the real estate maze to a happy and successful destination”
Deborah Charlton
Long and Foster Realtors Christie’s Great Estates
(202) 415-2117 (202) 944-8400 DC.DC@LongandFoster.com www.yourneighboronthehill.com
Licensed in DC, MD & VA
UYERS. SERVING BSELLERS. SERVING OUR COMMUNIT Y. SERVINGroud Sponsor of Hilloween P
Jackie VonSchlegel 202.255.2537 Mark Spiker 202.341.9880
jackie@jackiev.com 202-547-5088 Licensed in DC, VA, MD & FL
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Here Is What My Clients Are Saying...
1661 CRESCENT PL NW #409 2801 ADAMS MILL RD NW #409
CATHEDRAL HEIGHTS
Dare was responsive, professional and focused on my success. Testimonial provided by my clients’ reviews on Zillow See more at: Zillow.com/profile/TopherAndDare
4000 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #741/742B 3900 WATSON PL NW #B-3D
CENTRAL
1200 23RD ST NW #802
CLEVELAND PARK
3024 PORTER ST NW #201 3900 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #202F 4514 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #505
DARE JOHNSON WENZLER Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential
DUPONT CIRCLE 1701 16TH ST NW #832 1701 16TH ST NW #617 1701 16TH ST NW #606 1701 16TH ST NW #704
FOGGY BOTTOM
700 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #1112 700 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #514 730 24TH ST NW #816 730 24TH ST NW #617
HARBOUR SQUARE
202.957.2947
605 Pennsylvania Ave. SE office: 202.547.3525 Check out my blog for a weekly Capitol Hill open house update.
RealEstateOnTheHill.com
560 N ST SW #N-416
KALORAMA
2220 20TH ST NW #26 1840 BILTMORE ST NW #24 1832 BILTMORE ST NW #4 2122 CALIFORNIA ST NW #555 2122 CALIFORNIA ST NW #460
MOUNT PLEASANT
2853 ONTARIO RD NW #518 1801 CLYDESDALE PL NW #506
NAVY YARD
5-Star Premier agent
1000 NEW JERSEY AVE SE #1016 1000 NEW JERSEY AVE SE #917 1000 NEW JERSEY AVE SE #223
OBSERVATORY CIRCLE
Own a Piece of History!
3900 WATSON PL NW #3E-B 4000 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #238B 4101 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #1117 3900 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #506A 3900 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #705A 4000 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #230B 4101 CATHEDRAL AVE NW #1107
OLD CITY #2
2039 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #705 1701 16TH ST NW #117 1440 W ST NW #403
RLA (SW)
1301 DELAWARE AVE SW #N725 1301 DELAWARE AVE SW #N216
SOUTHWEST
318 N ST SW 1311 DELAWARE AVE SW #S-629
SW WATERFRONT
Historic Manor of Truman’s Place, circa 1770, has been meticulously restored with modern features while maintaining the original grandeur. The main house boasts 6 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 7 fireplaces in keeping with period features of the era. The property consists of 40 acres with a historic tobacco barn, horse stables, a 2-bedroom carriage house, a 1-bedroom guest cottage, a 3-car detached garage, brick-walled gardens, and a koi pond - all just under 40 miles from Washington, DC! Don’t miss the opportunity to seize this once-in-a-lifetime property! $1,250,000
Bonnie Baldus Grier Associate Broker bonniegrier@gmail.com
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1301 DELAWARE AVE SW #N807 1311 DELAWARE AVE SW #526 SOUTH 520 N ST SW #313
TILDEN GARDENS
3900 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #404-F
U STREET CORRIDOR 1915 16TH ST NW #403
VAN NESS
3001 VEAZEY TER NW #1621 u
301.807.1400
$330,000 $195,900
1 0
$527,500 $416,500
2 2
$319,750
1
$349,000 $317,000 $422,500
2 1 1
$385,000 $367,000 $225,000 $163,500
1 1 0 0
$410,000 $352,000 $214,000 $213,000
1 1 0 0
$168,000
0
$725,000 $470,000 $449,900 $399,500 $355,000
3 2 2 1 1
$398,000 $282,600
1 1
$339,508 $330,000 $390,000
1 1 2
$490,000 $399,900 $360,000 $310,000 $305,000 $220,000 $220,000
3 2 2 1 1 1 1
$1,255,000 $338,000 $111,471
3 1 1
$240,000 $185,000
2 1
$450,000 $185,000
3 1
$250,000 $230,000 $198,900
2 2 0
$342,000
1
$340,000
1
$306,000
1
September 2014 H 117
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{arts & dining} Dining Notes by Celeste McCall
A
Eastern Market teems with early fall bounty.
utumn leaves swirl around Capitol Hill sidewalks as Eastern Market explodes in a colorful cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, jams, salsas, and other seasonal victuals. On a recent Saturday Peter tagged along on a foodie tour of the market, led by Linda Guerrine, a DC tour guide in training. A dozen tour guide students of international trainer Maricar Donato tasted white peaches from a Shenandoah Valley vendor, Market Lunch’s blueberry pancakes, and cheeses from Bowers Fancy Dairy. The culinary odyssey concluded with Jonathan Bardzik’s lively cooking demonstration, with samples.
Rose’s Hits the Big Time Capitol Hill has arrived: Acclaimed foodie mag Bon Appetit has named Barracks Rowís Roseís Luxury ìBest New Restaurant in America, 2014.î So now thereís another reason for diners to queue up along Eighth St. SE as early as 4:30 p.m., waiting to get into Roseís, which does not accept reservations. Bon Appetit restaurant writer Andrew Knowlton was especially blown away by owner/ chef Aaron Silvermanís fried chicken, which he described as the ìcrunchiest, most addictive fried chicken youíll ever eat.î We agree. We first visited Roseís (named after Silvermanís grandmother) on a drizzly October evening, shortly after it opened and before it became the latest celeb hot spot. Yes, the brined, crusty fried chicken was divine; so was the melt-inyour-mouth potato bread and the Prince Edward oysters, which tasted, according to Washington Post columnist John Kelly, ìlike ìkissing a mermaid.î Silverman, by the way, lives on Capitol Hill near his restaurant. “Rose’s isn’t just in the restaurant business; it’s in the making-people-happy business,î Knowlton wrote. ìIf that feels like a revelation in dining, it should. It did to me, and it’s why Rose’s tops our list of this year’s best new
restaurants.î Expect the lines to get even longer; get there early. Located at 717 Eighth St. SE, Roseís Luxury is open Monday-Saturday for dinner only. Call 202-580-8889 or www.Rosesluxury.com.
Bier Hier! On the “other side” of Capitol Hill, Café Berlin, 322 Massachusetts Ave. NE, is celebrating Oktoberfest in true Teutonic style from Sept. 20 through Oct. 31. Held annually in Munich, the 16-day fest commemorates the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810. At high noon on Sept. 20 Café Berlin will tap the first Oktoberfest beer keg. Moreover the staff is roasting an entire pig on a spit. To partake of the feast $35 gets you unlimited pork, two side dishes, and a liter of beer. Café Berlin plans to roast an oinker every Saturday during Oktoberfest “until we run out of pig.” For more information and reservations call 202543-7656 or visitwww.cafeberlindc.com.
New Kids on the Block District Doughnut was set to arrive at 749 8th St. SE. It’s hard to miss the turquoise façade. Owned by Greg Menna and Juan Pablo Segura, the sweet newcomer offers yeast doughnuts and cake options (created by pastry chef Christine Schaefer), along with Shaw roaster Compass coffee. Check @DCDoughnut on Twitter for updates. Up the street Peter and Manelle Martino planned to unveil their seventh area tea boutique, Capital Teas, at 731 8th St. SE. For updates visit www.capitalteas.com.
More from Eighth … Szechuan House is back. Situated at 515 8th St. SE (upstairs from Medium Rare), the “new” Szechuan offers mainly carryout with a couple of small tables practically in the kitchen. Long-time patrons can expect such favorites as steamed or fried dumplings, egg rolls, hot and
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Happy Hens’ Barnyard
sour soup, orange chicken, and beef teriyaki. Lunch, served weekdays from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.(except holidays), offers General Tso’s chicken, beef broccoli, double-cooked pork, and healthful steamed dishes. You might recall that the original Szechuan Grill morphed into the Fusion Grill, which eventually gave way to Medium Rare. Open daily; call 202-546-5303 or visit www.szechuanhouse.com.
Market Watch Check out Happy Hens’ Barnyard, a stand at the C Street end of the weekend farmer’s row. Operated by Tom and JacQui Hornsby, the farm also sells free-range chicken (and their eggs) and seasonal seafood. The Hornsbys are “working on” a website, so for more information call 443-366-5173 or 443-235-7454. Some cooks use duck eggs in baking and other recipes. Besides being slightly larger than chicken eggs they have tougher shells, making them harder to crack. Folks allergic to chicken eggs might substitute duck eggs but should always check first with their doctors.
Indian Delight In nearby Southwest we’re fans of Masala Art, which debuted this summer. A long-awaited spinoff of Atul Bhola’s parent restaurant on upper Wisconsin Ave. NW, this stylish, 133-seat charmer showcases the cooking of Chef Ajay Ramola. (Masala is an Indian spice blend.) Much of Masala’s dazzling décor is Bhola’s own creation. The comprehensive luncheon menu offers an array of appetizers and entrees. Among starter options I zeroed in on broccoli and pea shammi stuffed with “drunken raisins.” Reminiscent of falafel, the crunchy, fried patties
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were escorted with coriander-scented green mint chutney. Equally intriguing was lamb ki nizami pudina seekh, savory ground lamb sausages spiced with jalapeno and mint. Chickpea-battered onion rings also looked tempting – next time. The duo made a pleasant, not-toofilling midday meal. Husband Peter chose an entrée. Options included a daily lamb dish and a vegetarian combo, but he decided on tandoor chicken flanked with dal (spicy lentils), palao rice, and the obligatory Indian bread called naan. A glass of refreshingly dry Sacha Lichine (French) rosé and Peter’s Kingfisher (Indian beer) complemented our meals. Our lunch came to around $40 before tip, and we’ll return soon for dinner. Located at 1101 4th St. SW, Masala Art is open daily including weekend brunch. Call 202-5541101 or visit www.masalaartdc.com.
New Korean Nearby, Korean BBQ taco restaurant TaKorean opened last month at The Yards in the Capitol Riverfront. Located in Twelve12 at 1212 4th St. SE, this is native Washingtonian Mike Lenard’s third enterprise, including a popular food truck (still roaming DC streets) and a stall in Union Market. Fans can expect a similar lineup of tortillas stuffed with bulgogi beef; sweet-spicy chicken; hoisin tofu topped with kimchi; rice bowls and pork roasted with chili paste. Craft brews, sake, and iced tea accompany the zesty victuals.
Rice Is Nice Restaurateur Med Lahlou is showcasing rice at his three restaurants, including Station 4, 1101 4th St. SW, which is hosting “paella night,” Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to
11:00 p.m. Executive chef Orlando Amaro will create a different version each week: bacalao paella (squid ink, cod, and garlic aioli), del campo paella (chicken, bell peppers), del mar y de la tierra paella (saffron rice, seafood, chicken, chorizo, peas), and clams and chorizo paella with lobster broth. Paella is $25 for one or $35 for two. Sangria carafes are $15. For more information call 202-4880987 or visit www.station4dc.com. Also creating special rice dishes are Lupo Verde (Logan Circle) and Ulah Bistro (14th St. NW).
Tidbits Le Pain Quotidien, 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, has a daily happy hour starting at 4:00 p.m., with halfprice organic beer and wine. Nearby, Sona Creamery serves Saturday and Sunday brunch from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Radici (formerly the Silver Spork), 303 7th St. SE, was scheduled to complete renovations around Labor Day. They’ve been operating an outdoor pop-up shop along 7th St. Ambar, 523 8th St. SE, has opened its roof deck. So has Red Rocks pizza, 1348 H St. NE. DC’s fourth Shake Shack rolled into Union Station this summer, where America used to be. Look for Romeo & Juliet Garden Café at 301 Massachusetts Ave. NE, replacing the longgone White Tiger.
New on H Justine Choe, who operates Tony’s Breakfast at 1387 H St. NE, is eyeing the long-vacant building at the corner (same address as Tony’s) for a Korean/fusion restaurant called BAB. On the drawing board are chili fries topped with buttered kimchi; crispy pork belly; kimchi quesadillas; Korean sweet potatoes. Also coming to H is Sin Bin Sports Bar at 1336 H St. NE, and Thai Cuisine is replacing Pho Bar & Grill at 1360 H. u
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{arts and dining}
Banana Café’s Jorge Zamorano, at home in his kitchen, preps the limes for his family mojito recipe, a drink he’s been making for decades.
At the Chef’s Table
Jorge Zamorano of Banana Café by Annette Nielsen; Photos by Andrew Lightman
A
man of many talents, Jorge Zamorano, owner of the much-loved Banana Café and Piano Bar, started honing his hospitality skills at age seven. “My Cuban grandfather gardened all the time. There was a daily after-school ritual where he would take my hand and lead me on a tour of the family’s garden. He’d show me what he’d accomplished there that day, tending the bananas, plantains, mangoes, and flowers. We’d pick mint from the garden and he would say, ‘Fix me a mojito and I will let you light my cigar.’ I’d wrap chunks of ice in a towel and crush them with a mallet and then make the drink.”
A Caribbean Childhood Zamorano was Cuban born, but the family moved to Puerto Rico soon after. With an affinity for the visual arts, he enrolled in classes as a child. “Since I was 10 my mom took me to art lessons. She always supported my love of the arts and we frequently visited museums, and we always had lots of art books around,” says Zamorano. His paternal grandparents lived with Zamorano and his parents and siblings, and the kitchen was always bustling with his grandmother preparing the next meal of the day. Living in a fairly traditional household, his father sold wholesale gas and major appliances while his mom taught for a short time. “My grandmother was the cook. She pre-
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pared breakfast, lunch, and dinner – her kitchen was sacred.” While Zamorano says he was a picky eater, he was often told to sit in the kitchen with his grandmother as she cooked. “I learned how to prepare her dishes by watching everything she did.” When it was time for Zamorano to enter college he attended Loyola in New Orleans and studied business. “Starting with my first semester I worked at the legendary Commander’s Palace. I fell in love with the food business.” He stayed in New Orleans for a number of years.
Coming to DC When Zamorano moved to DC in 1986 he worked at the Intercontinental and Henley Park hotels, and while he aimed for and attained a food and beverage director position, his parents were hoping he would study art in Italy. “While I thought I should be in business, I never stopped painting. Finally one day I called my parents and told them my heart wasn’t in what I was doing, that I wanted to leave the hotel business. They had been waiting a long time to hear those words.” He had been living on Capitol Hill when Banana Café (formerly the Lone Star Cantina) was run by Jaime Vargas, who opened the restaurant on 8th Street in 1994. “Jaime invited me over to see his new restaurant. We had a coffee together and he asked me to help out at the restaurant.
The preparation of Zamorano’s arroz con pollo includes a garnish of white asparagus, an ingredient his mother always included with one of his favorite family meals.
Over time I started selling my art work from the restaurant, too.” A few years later, Jaime decided to sell the restaurant and Zamorano thought it was a great opportunity to jump into the business. “I suggested that he sell me half of the restaurant and see where we were at after six months,” says Zamorano. “It all worked out and we shifted the menu from just Tex-Mex, adding Cuban and Puerto Rican specials.” He inherited the line cook, Walter Guiterrez, who is still working with him today as the chef. Zamorano had always loved piano bars and at one point leveraged his car for the grand piano that now is the focal point of the piano bar at Banana Café. During the time that Zamorano was getting involved with the restaurant he also met Darren Love, the manager who is now his Zamorano’s arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), his family’s easy, go-to recipe for delicious comfort food.
September 2014 H 123
a taste of
Old Havana!
Banana Cafe & Piano Bar Brunch All Weekend Saturdays & Sundays
10 AM TO 3 PM REGULAR MENU ALSO AVAILABLE
Where Every Customer is Family! Serving the Finest Cuban, Puerto Rican and Latin Cuisine. 202-543-5906 500 8th Street, SE www.bananacafedc.com
The Best of Capitol Hill Eating From
to
Lunch and Dinner Daily Happy Hour 3:30 pm - 7 pm Weekend Brunch 10:30 - 3 pm
Join us for brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 10:30a-3p
Join us for Game day specials before and after the game
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735 8th Street, SE Washington, DC 202.544.7171 • www.zestbistro.com
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Zamorano Family Arroz con Pollo You’ll notice a base of onions, bell peppers and garlic, also known as sofrito – the Holy Trinity of Latin-Caribbean cooking. Similar to the French mirepoix (a mix of chopped celery, onions, and carrots), sofrito is aromatic and savory. With origins in Spanish cuisine it can include variations used as a sauce, as a base for beans, rice, and stews and as a condiment. You’ll also enjoy the coveted pegado, or crusty coating, at the bottom of the pot after you’ve prepared the chicken and rice. Zamorano prepared this dish in a caldero, a versatile, cast aluminum cooking vessel (like a casserole dish, with rounded edge, manufactured by a company called Imusa) with great heat distribution. The natural finish seasons over time, and versions that have been in the family for many years darken as they age. Jorge Zamorano’s version of arroz con pollo includes a garnish of white asparagus, a nod to his mom, who always cooked with them. • 3 chicken legs, with skin • 4 chicken thighs, with skin • ½ cup olive oil • 1 large yellow onion, chopped • 1 large red bell pepper (stem, ribs, and seeds removed), chopped • 4 cloves garlic, crushed • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped • ½ cup bacon, chopped • ½ cup olives stuffed with pimiento, sliced • ¼ cup capers (optional) • 3 cups white rice (medium-sized grain) • 1 can tomato sauce (8 ounces or 1 cup) • 1 bottle of beer • 3 cups of chicken broth • 2 bay leaves 1 package of sazon con culantro
y achiote (a seasoning easily found at your local supermarket. Goya is a popular brand. Annatto, or achiote, derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, gives a slightly peppery, nutty, and sweet flavor and yellow-orange color.) • 2 teaspoons ground oregano • 2 teaspoons ground cumin • 1½ teaspoons salt • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper • ½ cup green peas (canned), drained (for garnish) • 1 jar white asparagus spears, drained (optional, for garnish) Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to large frying pan over medium high heat. Trim the chicken pieces (cut off excess fat) and season with salt, pepper, and cumin; brown chicken on both sides. Work in batches so you don’t crowd the chicken. Remove chicken to a platter and set aside. Remove excess oil and add bacon; stir for a couple of minutes. Add chopped onion, red pepper, and keep stirring. Sauté for a few minutes and when the onions turn translucent add the garlic. Add rice and spices; stir for a couple of minutes to brown and the rice begins to be coated. Add the bottle of beer (something similar to Negra Modelo or your beer of choice), chicken broth, and tomato sauce. Stir for a minute and add bay leaves, capers, and olives. Stir well, return chicken to pot to make sure the chicken pieces are submerged under the broth so they will finish cooking. Bring everything to a boil and then reduce to low heat, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Serve on a platter, add green peas as garnish as well as white asparagus spears (optional). Serve with a side dish of fried plantains.
life partner. Love brought him to beautiful Cumberland, Md. (near where he grew up), and for a time Zamorano operated a couple of restaurants there as well. The two enjoy traveling, and when they have free time spend it in Rehoboth, cooking meals with and for their friends. “My dad is very social,” he remarks, “and we always had lots of big parties. We’d always make snacks of cheese, crackers, sardines, and olives stuffed with anchovies.” It’s a tradition he still enjoys today. The consummate host, Zamorano easily prepares a mojito – squeezing the limes, muddling the mint, adding some Puerto Rican rum (he says any type will do and favors a coconut rum) with a splash of soda water. While he enjoys mojitos, Zamorano has started his own tradition after he takes his nightly walk with their cocker spaniels. “I love to walk them around the neighborhood and then sit outside under a tree with a bloody Mary.” Banana Café, 500 8th St. SE, 202-543-5906. bananacafe.com
545 8th Street SE Washington, DC 20003 Tuesday-Saturday (11:00am-9:00pm)
Sunday (12:00pm-6:00pm)
Closed Monday
Providing CaPitol Hill WitH... Flavorful Artisan Wines and Craft Beers
Enjoyable Tasting Events
Fun and Informative Classes
Sign Up Now for Upcoming Classes! No Eff’n Merlot: A Study of Pinot Noir September 11, 7:00 - 8:00 PM Craft Beer 101 September 17, 7:00 - 8:00 PM Old World & New World Wine: Styles, Traditions & Tastes September 18, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Scan to visit DCanter’s website (202) 817-3803 www.dcanterwines.com | hello@dcanterwines.com Follow us @dcanterwine | Like us /dcanterwines
Annette Nielsen, food editor of the Hill Rag, has been engaged in food, farming, and sustainability issues for nearly two decades. Her experience includes catering, coordinating artisanal and farmbased food events and teaching cooking classes. She’s the editor of two Adirondack Life cookbooks and is at work on an Eastern Market cookbook. Nielsen heads up Kitchen Cabinet Events, a culinary farm-to-fork-inspired event business. A native of the Adirondacks, she’s a long-time resident of both New York City and the District. annette@hillrag.com. u
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{arts and dining}
California’s Dreamy Cabs
ing their own signature dark fruit, smoky earth, and round, smooth tannins. There are thousands of outstanding bottles of California Cabernet and Cab-heavy red blends available for every wine drinker, at every price point. Below are just a few!
by Lilia Coffin
I
f you have seen the movie Bottleshock then you know the story of the 1976 Paris wine tasting where a Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon took first prize in a blind tasting against all of the very best of Bordeaux. Ideal weather, unique terroir (i.e. the soil’s mineral make-up), and the pioneer spirit are all ingredients in the red wines that put America on the wine map. California grows expressive, unctuous, velvety Cabernet, and is home to some of the most experimental wine makers who, for good and ill, have continuously revolutionized the industry. Bottleshock’s plot does not include the decades of toil that preceded the victory. California’s viticultural history dates back to the Spanish settlers in the 18th Century. Sacramental wines, too difficult to route from Mexico, were made by Franciscan monks in the missions, eventually inspiring small private vineyards and commercial producers. Some of the major wineries were started during the Gold Rush, as the population around San Francisco grew, and the potential of Sonoma and then the Napa Valley were realized. Charles Krug, Inglenook, and Schramsberg all developed their craft in the years when phylloxera and mildew decimated vineyards in Europe. The early vintners lacked much of the knowledge, tradition, experience, and equipment necessary, even finding themselves short on glass bottles until a factory opened in 1862. Regardless, Californians persevered, until, unfortunately, their efforts were stalled in the 1880s by their own bout with phylloxera, and in the 1920s by Prohibition. By the time Prohibition was appealed in 1933, only 140 wineries had survived by going back to their roots as sacramental wine makers. The Californian wine industry took until the 1960s to resurge. Only ten years before the Paris tasting, California’s production was focused on cheap, sweet ports but within the decade they had developed into an award-winning, advanced wine region, with their cabernet leading the way. A major part of California’s success is its incredible climate. Along the coast, cool breezes blow in from the Pacific, whereas hot weather dominates the Central Valley. In the long stretch of valleys just inland of the coast and west of the center, where the
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The Big Names Mondavi, Coppola, Krug, all great men who worked tirelessly to make a name for California Cab by putting their own names on the labels of some of the best-made wines. Those, and some others you should know: 2008 2009 2009 2000 1984
cool fogs from the ocean meet that hot air, the balance makes for the ideal grape growing climate. The San Francisco Bay acts as a natural funnel that directs sea breezes directly to the Sonoma Coast and Napa Valley. The daily dance, the inflow of fog in the morning burned off by sunshine in the afternoon, is both beautiful to behold and beneficial to the million acres of farms in Sonoma. The large houses of Napa and their bold reds would cook in the heat if not for the cool vapors rolling over the mountains. This consistently gorgeous weather means it is difficult to come across a truly terrible vintage of California wines. Without the intense climactic swings that plague Burgundy with summer hail and Bordeaux with devastating frosts, California’s grapes enjoy fairly predictable, amiable, nurturing growing seasons. This is, of course, a commercial boon, allowing for the state to produce everything from jug wines and cheap sweet port to world class Meritage blends. With fewer hyper-strict regulations on winemaking practices and no official quality classification system, unlike the D.O.C.s of France and Italy, the variety of great wines available, especially reds, especially those that experiment with traditionally European grapes, is endless. The king of California red grapes remains Cabernet Sauvignon, however. On its own and in blends it has not been usurped by Merlot or even the incredible, highly rated Syrah. Where in its homeland Bordeaux it is restrained to maximize a balanced body and elegant finish, here it is allowed to let loose, get loud. Ever more often, California Cabs are displaying the elegance of France while retain-
1997 1997 2009 2008 2000 2009 2000 2010
Bacio Divino – Divine Kiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750ml $69.99 Bryant Family Bettina Napa Red . . . . . . . . 750ml $599.99 Capture Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750ml $109.99 Caymus Special Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750ml $114.99 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6L $2,000.00 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . . . 750ml $139.99 Fisher Vineyards Wedding Vineyard . . . . . . 750ml $500.00 Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon . . . 750ml $49.99 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon . . . 750ml $129.99 Niebaum-Coppola Rubicon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5L $200.00 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve . . . 750ml $89.99 Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 . 750ml $149.99 Colgin IX Proprietary Red Estate . . . . . . . . 750ml $759.99
The Rogues These wines are amazing small producers that are known for their limited production, cult following, acclaimed vineyards, and better value. Just to name a few: 2012 2010 2009 2010 2000 2007 2010 2010 2000 2006 2010 2006 2009 2009 2010
Barrique Cellars Cab. Sauvignon Napa . . 750ml Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Napa Valley . 750ml Broman Cab. Sauvignon . . . . . . . . . . 750ml Chappellet Cab. Sauvignon Napa Valley . 750ml Chimney Rock Cab. Sauvignon Stags Leap District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750ml Constant Diamond Mt.Vineyards Claret . 750ml Corison Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . . 750ml Dunn Howell Mountain Cab. Sauvignon . 750ml La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . 750ml Palladian Cabernet Sauvignon Napa . . . 750ml Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . . 750ml Rustridge Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . 750ml Trivium Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . . 750ml Von Strasser Cab. Sauvignon Diamond Mt. . . 750ml Wing Canyon Cab. Sauvignon Mt. Veeder Napa750ml
$39.99 $59.99 $49.99 $49.99 $99.99 $99.99 $84.99 $99.99 $89.99 $39.99 $59.99 $49.99 $79.99 $39.99 $59.99
And a few everyday sippers for when you want something fantastic at the end of a busy Tuesday: 2009 2010 2010 2011
Worthy Sophia’s Cuvee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750ml Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . . . . 750ml Vina Robles Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . . 750ml Eagle Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750ml
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Enjoy! Lilia Coffin is a wine consultant at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill u
Rated One of the Best Wine Shops by Washingtonian Magazine July “Best & Worst” Issue Listed in the Wall Street journal as one of the most enjoyable places to shop for wines nationwide. “Best Website Award”, 2008 by the Wine Spectator’s Market Watch
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{arts and dining / at the movies}
Second Look
A Movie List for the Fridge
T
his annual column takes a look back at “The Movies That Got Away,” feature films little noticed or publicized when first released. This selection avoids mainstream Hollywood fare for films which offered something distinctive, discriminating, or offbeat. It is subtitled “For the Fridge,” since you can tape the column there to remind you of what to look for in your next movie rental or streaming video. If you read this column, you know that your friendly reviewer has a catholic taste in films, including the subtitled variety. Since so few foreignlanguage films get noticed, I usually take this occasion to signal some recent foreign-language films that offered insights and visions outside our domestic purview (all are subtitled).
by Mike Canning earthquake sequence and in several inspiring flying sections. A feast for the eyes.
Fill the Void The first international film to depict the world of the Hasidic Jewish community in Israel, it tells the story of a devout 18-year-old Israeli pressured by the rigid rules of her community to marry the husband of her late sister. It was written and directed by Rama Burshtein, the first Orthodox Jewish woman to direct a film intended for wide distribution. Filmed in an environment both hermetic and poetic, it introduces viewers to a previously hidden realm. It is graced by the lead performance of Shira Mendelman, as the 18-year-old girl, a poignant yet winning presence.
moves past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafés to capture Rome in all its glory, a timeless landscape of sometimes absurd yet always exquisite beauty. Beside the foreign-language films cited above, two low-key American films plus two Europeanmade gems are worth a look: Toni Servillo is imperious in “The Great Beauty.” Photo courtesy Janus Films.
The Gatekeepers Good movies can immerse you into another world and offer a palpable sense of another culture. Such is this Saudi Arabian film telling the simple story of the eponymous ten-year-old girl who, more than anything, just wants to ride a bike like the neighbor boy. This unassuming tale achieves real resonance because of how it attentively introduces us to Saudi society. “Wadjda” reveals the simple intimacies of Saudi family life in a down-to-earth style. Not only is this the first full-length feature ever filmed in Saudi Arabia, it was written and directed by a woman, Haifaa al Mansour, who has created a singular breakthrough.
The “Gatekeepers” here are the six retired directors of Israel’s secret service agency, Shin Bet, (from the organization’s Hebrew initials) talking openly about their work in protecting the Jewish state over the past 45 years. For his incisive documentary, director Dror Moreh got all of these directors to sit down and talk to his camera, discussing their agency’s work since the 1967 Six-Day War. This is the first time that these men have publicly spoken about their super-secret lifework and their stories are compelling. As it turns out, for men who helped the Israeli government to gird for war, they are most convincing advocates for peace.
The Wind Rises
The Great Beauty
This film is the great Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s fictionalized biography of aviation pioneer Jiro Horikoshi who dreams, figuratively and literally, about flying airplanes and eventually becomes a great designer of aircraft. Miyazaki is of the old school of animation, and he makes it wondrous. He and his team believe in the traditional style: exquisite, fully hand-drawn cels photographed one at a time. The effect can be miraculous, as in the shapes and swirls of an
A paean to Rome’s classic splendor—and to its charming indolence--“The Great Beauty” follows the vagaries of Jep, a notorious writer who has glided through Rome’s lavish nightlife for decades. A birthday finds him unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries. The great Italian film actor Toni Servillo is outstanding as the rakish Jep. Director/ writer Paolo Sorrentino creates what may be the most glorious travelogue of a city on film. One
Wadjda
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Fruitvale Station Based on a true story, “Fruitvale Station” traces the last 24 hours in the life of Oscar Grant, a young African-American from Oakland who was killed by transit police at the Fruitvale BART station on New Year’s Day 2009. At the time, the incident produced a swirl of outrage at police authorities. The film stands or falls on the work of Michael B. Jordan as Oscar, a young man on the cusp of promise, and he passes that test in a revelatory performance. The picture, written and directed with confidence and acuity by newcomer Ryan Coogler, carries the full dimension of the tragic.
Short Term 12 Set in a foster-care facility for at-risk teenagers, the film features a young counselor, Grace, trying to do her best for kids from tough home situations while struggling with issues of her own. Brie Larson as Grace is utterly believable and touching as a
woman guiding profoundly scarred kids, earning sympathy both for her and for them. The film displays a great ensemble, with Grace’s fellow counselors and the group’s troubled youngsters completely convincing. For a theme treated rarely in movies, “Short Term 12” offers hope for both those disturbed teenagers and their protector. A small movie but with important themes well handled.
he offers here a lovely contrast with his more macho movie roles. With grace and believability, her emotions constantly bottled up, Andrea Riseborough plays a young woman under pressure both from her committed family and from Owen. Finally, there is one singular documentary that arrived this year from Canada:
Stories We Tell Rush Director Ron Howard provides a pulse-pounding chronicle about the greatest season in Formula One auto racing: the year-long 1976
A searching and compelling portrait of a family discovering and then disclosing a long-held secret. Director Sarah Polley calmly explores her own family’s narrative focusing on a deMichael B. Jordan protests in “Fruitvale Station.” Photo Courtesy of The Weinstein Company.
showdown between the Austrian champion Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) and the British contender James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). It was a thrilling contest contended by two men who could hardly be more different and whose natures are extremely well described. Whether you know anything about auto racing, you can still be thrilled by the ample footage of the races themselves, with dramatic car closeups and track turns that truly tuck you in the driver’s seat.
ceased mother she never knew. Her documentary technique may at first seem clumsy, almost like a “home movie,” as she adjusts equipment and simple set-ups to interview her father and sundry sisters and brothers. Yet it turns out that Polley’s method is hardly inept or offhand. Hers is rather a very sly and pointed intelligence that has produced more a work of artfully crafted “truth” than a straightforward documentary. A revelation comes with the credits.
Shadow Dancer
Hill resident Mike Canning has written on movies for the Hill Rag since 1993 and is a member of the Washington Area Film Critics Association. He is the author of “Hollywood on the Potomac: How the Movies View Washington, DC.” His reviews and writings on film can be found online at www.mikesflix.com. u
A tight, tense film about the late 20th century Irish Troubles and the moral dilemmas they present. What shines in “Shadow Dancer” is the acting, underplayed just right and taut in its subtlety. Sturdy Clive Owen is a competent but conflicted British agent who comes to identify too much with his Irish source;
September 2014 H 129
{arts and dining / art}
Profile: Cheryl Edwards
I
t’s Tuesday night and Hill resident Cheryl Edwards is busy entertaining at Studio 9. She sits behind a scattered worktable gingerly sipping white wine. The second she hears someone at the entrance, she peers up and offers them a drink. Latin jazz drifts in from the live band playing in the promenade just outside the door. One begins to get the sense this isn’t a run of the mill art gallery. In fact, number 9 is one of 27 art studios that make up the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market, the new artist space that opened last fall across the street from Catholic University. The concept is a working studiogallery combo where artists, as well as their art, are on showcase, free to create and exhibit themselves as much as their work. “Let me know if you have any questions,” Cheryl tells visitors. She’s inviting yet unobtrusive, allowing people to navigate as they please while being vigilant of their needs. Perhaps her nonchalant style belies something deeper. “I’m an observer of people,” she admits. Indeed she is. The human form inspires Cheryl and is everywhere in her art, prominent even in the abstract. Despite the wide-open garage-style doors, the smell of epoxy and ink lingers. If developers thought the industrial looking mix of towering ceilings, glass, and stained concrete would forever doom the style to “cold modern loft” they certainly hadn’t counted on Edwards’ art. Bursts of color explode from the walls, little volcanoes challenging their dull gray backdrop. “I have northern light and that is an artist’s dream” Edwards beams proudly, referring to the importance of neutral lighting. Out of a back corner peaks a Madonna and two children reminiscent of Botticelli’s “Madonna and Child with St. John.” Except the older child in this instance peers defiantly from the canvas, a slight scowl on his brow. Edwards is a relative latecomer to the art world. The Miami native became a lawyer at Syracuse University and set off to litigate civil suits in New York. “It was nasty stuff,” she says referring to the divorces and custody battles she handled. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that Edwards received any formal arts education. “I’ve been painting and drawing for over 30 years. I finally realized it was something I wanted to do so I decided to go for it and attended the Art Student League in New York City.” Edwards would de-
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by Haysel Hernandez-Holzshu
velop her skill over the next two years under the tutelage of the late Ernest Crichlow. who remains one of her main inspirations. Like the renowned master of realism, Cheryl likes to portray the intricacies and struggles of the lives of blacks in America “My art tells a story. I want people to learn something. I try to tell the ugly parts of history via visual arts. I want to spark curiosity in people about what happened and how it happened.” Whether it’s delving into the civil rights movement, slavery, or intercultural issues, Cheryl tells her stories in series of 25 to 31 paintings. A recent series entitled “Occupy America” holds a special place for Edwards. The universality of the protesters camped out against the perceived inequality within American society resonated with her. “During the time of the Occupy movement African-Americans did not necessarily feel that it related to them. But the issues they were protesting are not black or white, they are all universal. To me I saw the civil rights movement and I saw the influence of Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr. being relived again.” Cheryl showcased how African Americans are dealing with issues of unemployment, housing, and lack education – struggles, she says, that don’t just speak to one ethnicity or racial group. Although the series showed as a solo exhibit at the African American Museum in Nassau County she has refused to sell any
Cheryl Edwards in her Studio 9; one of her Ndelbele inspired paintings; a piece from the Occupy America series.
of the pieces. “That series is still intact because I want to travel it and show it as a whole. It is very educational,” Edwards explains. In search for a full understanding of the African-American reality Cheryl started at the roots,
host your next dinner party in
travelling extensively through Africa. Those trips fueled the creativity for “The Door of No Return,” which showcased the origins of the slave trade in the African west coast. “I dealt with that series in terms of showing this ugly historical reality juxtaposed to the perseverance and elegance of the Senegalese people today.” Her visit to South Africa inspired a second series, “Play,” which marks an evolution of Cheryl’s style with an incursion into the abstract. “For me the complexity of the technique in my art has grown over the past 30 years. I paint in layers, laying one idea on top of another.” “Play” explores the use of dolls by the Ndebele with a focus on shape and color. “I like to use color, I’m very big on color,” Cheryl explains. These days Cheryl is busy organizing material from her summer trip to Cuba, where she researched local art and culture. She says the trip gave her the opportunity to reconcile the perception of the Cuban refugee community she grew up with and the reality back on the island. “This trip completed a question for me. It gave me the chance to see the other side.” She also returned with a breadth of subject matter and new palettes to work from. To share her newfound knowledge she is organizing a number of artist talks on Thursday nights at Studio 9, beginning this September, because, as she points out, “art is about discussion and education.”
www.ChefNeilW ilson.com
• • • • • • •
A diverse product line of quality beverages from all over the world One of the largest and most unique wine selections on Capitol Hill A friendly and knowledgeable staff Located just minutes form Downtown, DC and Alexandria, VA 1 block south of Eastern Market Metro on the vibrant Barracks Row Owned by the Williams Family since 1978; established before 1919
The best weekly wine tastings on “The Hill”- Sat (3-6pm)
301.699.2225 ChefNeilWilson@aol.com
202.549.7422 ChefJasonLawrence@hotmail.com
Cheryl’s Studio 9 is located at 716 Monroe Market NE. Inquiries may be directed at cheryledwards@verizon.net or 2023094539. u
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I
t was just a wall. Now it’s a flowing, happy fantasy with a beautiful young woman in crystalblue tones – with closed eyes and serene smile. The trailing blue-green and magenta ribbons could be water currents. Her long flowing hair turns from a silvery frost to crimson, becoming a loose interpretation of the DC flag that flies over the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center, the public swimming pool next to historic Eastern Market. The dreamy girl emerges through a green leafy hoop that could be seaweed, or just vines. The bubbles, other than an inventive design element, give the most obvious clue that she is swimming, and not just within an aura but in real water. Aniekan Udofia began this mural in the manner of each of his works, fitting the images, composition, and colors to the established themes of the sponsors, Murals DC, a Department of Public Works project, and Cirque du Soleil. “Looking for balance from the start,”
Aniekan began with a black-and-white sketch. He wanted it to be playful, fun. It’s stylized but becomes free and loose when combined with the rhythms of hip hop. Aniekan was born in DC to Nigerian parents but grew up in Nigeria, “going to school and painting signs.” He returned to DC in 1999 with a growing art portfolio and took odd jobs while working on style and technique. He finally landed a job as an illustrator for a New York magazine, and work began to roll in. He is the best-known, and maybe the best, muralist in the area. With Aniekan Udofia it is always about art at its best. See a lot more of his work at aniekanudofia.com.
by Jim Magner ral at the Rumsey Aquatic Center, don’t confuse him with a “street artist” or, God help me, a graffiti “artist.” Those folks do their own thing on somebody else’s wall. It’s always about them: the spray-can selfie. Aniekan has the most distinctive murals in town, and most successful. It’s because he works directly with the clients and lets them express their basic ideas. Then it’s his job to “tell them what they can’t see” and often can’t understand. And, yeah, he has to make compromises. It’s not about him. It’s about everyone else. He’s a pro. Street art still has an off-the-street, underground, outlaw ambiance. It comes in a hundred different styles. Some are pretty good and others are just visual clutter. Aniekan has adapted many of the better visual expressions in an inventive and creative way.
Jim Magner’s Thoughts on Art Aniekan Udofia is a professional muralist. He is also a portrait painter and illustrator. Although he used aerosol paint for finishing touches on his mu-
It goes back to graffiti, which have been around at least since Cro-Magnon times. Sometimes it’s clever. Think “Kilroy was here,” which popped up in funny places during World War II. But when the aerosol can hit the postwar market, the cities of the Western world were infested with visual termites eating away at the foundations of surviving structural icons as well as lofty new architectural boxes of monetary arrogance. There was no actual political statement, just the powerless, donning the self-envisioned cloak of gallantry, striking out to claim an identity or to “tag” some territory, like a dog peeing on a fire hydrant.
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artandthecity
Artist Portrait: Aniekan Udofia
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That still happens, but a few of the crafty practitioners have moved uptown, gone commercial, and the advertisers have jumped on board. Maybe that is a sign that street art is sinking, and the muralist will live on in that proud tradition.
At the Museums “Andrew Wyeth: Looking Out, Looking In” National Gallery of Art, West Building 7th and Constitution NW —Nov. 30 Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009) is one of the best-known and publicly loved painters of 20th century America. His works in tempura and watercolor always contained a quiet, lonely loveliness and were often sentimental at a time when many, if not most, prominent artists and critics rejected and often despised those qualities. This major exhibition focuses on Wyeth’s fascination with windows, which he described as beginning in the summer of 1947, and includes some 60 works on paper. As usual the gallery’s curators provide insights regarding the artist’s craft and vision. You can read the excellent explanations and analysis or you can stand in the middle of the room and turn in a circle and discover where your eye lands first in each composition – the focal point. It is usually the brightest spot on the canvas, but sometimes it is the darkest. Degas/Cassatt National Gallery of Art, West Building 7th and Constitution NW —Oct. 5 The other major show at the NGA is Degas/Cassatt. Mary Cassatt is closely associated with Degas, with whom she painted and grew as an artist, but had a reciprocal influence on his work as well. That influence is closely examined in this exhibit. It includes over 70 works in a variety of media. Again the curators provide “groundbreaking technical analysis” and much historic information, but just wandering through, looking at these great works, can alone be worth it. The two-way “influence” is there certainly, but Degas is always Degas and Cassatt is always softer and warmer.
At the Galleries “This Place Has a Voice” Various Capitol Hill locations —Culminating Sept. 20 Three projects are being developed inde-
pendently but will converge and become one celebration, one festival, on Sept. 20, in and around the Capitol Riverfront and Canal Park (located between the baseball stadium and the Navy Yard). The three projects, which have been several years in development, are 1) The Cube at Canal Park, 2) Capitol Hill Alphabet Animal Project, and 3) Then and Now. Bruce McKaig, of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, is the project administrator and lead artist. For complete explanation and timetable: www.thisplacehasavoice.info.
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Juried Show: Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE —Sept. 28 More than 50 artists from DC, Virginia, and Maryland have their works on display, featuring a wide array of mediums and subjects. Philip Kennicott, art and architecture critic at The Washington Post, juried the exhibition. For a list of award winners and other information see www.hillcenter.org. Colors of Kurdistan: Foundry Gallery 1314 18th St. NW —Sept. 3-28 Reception: Friday, Sept. 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Kurdish Artists Ramzi Ghotbaldin and Sardar Kestay are two very accomplished painters who have exhibited extensively worldwide. They could easily be defined as colorists, hence the title of the show, but are a great deal more. You’ll find dream-like, calming images that beg for stories to be composed and told, perhaps late at night. www.foundrygallery.org American Painting Fine Art 5118 MacArthur Blvd. NW —Sept. 27 “Images of Washington” by more than 20 members of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters delivers just that, plein air works by the region’s prominent society of outdoor painters. These are recent works that capture the city streets and parks as we all experience them. www.classicamericanpainting.com A Capitol Hill artist and writer, Jim Magner can be reached at Artandthecity05@aol.com. His award-winning book, “A Haunting Beauty,” can be acquired through www.ahauntingbeauty. com. u
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the
LITERARY HILL
A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events
A Knight to Remember
detailing the shameful U.S. record on World War II refugees, when What would you do if your fanwhat Harry Truman called “flatasies came to life? What if your grantly discriminatory” laws passed daydreams consisted of “vivid litby Congress allowed thousands of tle monks, knights, and barbarNazi collaborators to slip into the ians” from the Middle Ages? country. The law was amended in That’s what happens to 1952, but by then it was too late, and Rosie, the heroine of “Bulfinch,” attempts to find the war criminals a new young-adult novel by Hill were often blocked by the very agenauthor Hannah Sternberg. One cies charged with enforcing the law. minute she’s a graduate student The reason for the stonewallat Johns Hopkins, living in a Baling, Rashke reports, is the “nastimore townhouse with Uncle Alty little secret” that the United vin, and the next thing she knows, States was not only paying former a sweaty knight shows up in her Nazis to act as spies on its behalf room, complete with armor, mebut was also employing Nazi sciendieval hygiene, and a frantic tists. It wasn’t until the 1970s that monk in hot pursuit. “the government cover-ups startRosie gets more than she bared to unravel,” paving the way for gained for as she embarks on a duthe trial of Demjanjuk and others. al-purpose quest to return her visiThe Middle Ages come to life “Useful Enemies” is a thoughtful tors to their own time and to solve for a Baltimore student in this time-traveling fantasy. and thorough piece of reporting the mystery of her parents’ disapthat reads like a spy novel but nevpearance when she was twelve. “I er lets you forget the enormity of the crimes or the used to imagine that being plunged into the supercomplexity of the moral issues involved. natural world would excite me,” she says, but that Hill author Richard Rashke, who has been was before “the strange found me.” featured on the award-winning international teleTold with a playful sense of whimsy, “Bulvision series “Nazi Hunters,” is also the author of finch” is a time-traveling delight full of humor, “Escape from Sobibor” and “The Killing of Karen conflict, and a poignant introduction to the realiSilkwood.” Visit him at www.richardrashke.com. ties of adulthood. Hannah Sternberg is co-founder and senior editor of Istoria Books, a publisher of literary and Take a Walk on the Wild Side genre fiction, and the author of “Queens of All the September is a great time for a nature walk. The Earth,” published in 2011. Visit her at www.Hanweather is cool, the sky is clear, and the kids are nahSternberg.com. back in school. So grab some gorp and hit the trail, but not before packing Know Thy Enemy a copy of the Why did it take nearly 60 “Field Guide years for the United States to the Natuto find and extradite the noral World of torious concentration camp Washington, guard known as Ivan the TerD.C.” rible? It’s a long story, and Hill T h i s author Richard Rashke tells it handsome to perfection in “Useful Ennew book emies: John Demjanjuk and by Howard America’s Open-Door Policy A local author details Youth, with for Nazi War Criminals.” how (and why) the exquisite ilU.S. government Rashke lays the groundblocked the hunt for lustrations work for the Demjanjuk case by Nazi war criminals.
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by Mark A. Klingler and photographs by Robert E. Mumford Jr., will give you a renewed appreciation for every insect, bird, and bush you encounter. Each plant and animal is fully described, including its common Discover who’s who (and what’s what) when you take locations, ecologan urban safari with ical role, notes of this new guide. interest, and key points and pictures to help you identify it. In addition to all the critters, trees, and wildflowers native to our area, the guide includes sections on the natural (and not so natural) history of Washington, the parks in each quadrant of the city, and the geology of the region. Published by Johns Hopkins Press, the guide is a must-have for any DC resident who enjoys the outdoors, even, or perhaps especially, if it’s only your own backyard.
Witches and Vampires and Blood. Oh, My! Hang onto your seat for “Bread, Blood & Roses,” a new novel by local author J.R. Masterson. And you’d better bring a scorecard too, because there are more than 20 characters to keep track of as well as three murders, two fistfights, a drug gang massacre, and a Betrayal, love, blood, lust, vampire attack – all witches, and vampires all make an appearance before chapter 2. Clearly there’s in a new novel by J.R. Masterson. a lot of mischief afoot in this self-published adventure featuring Dorian Masters and his rich Aunt Rachael. The action culminates in a party at her estate, when Dorian’s twins are kidnapped and the plot really
takes off, in what the author describes as “Betrayal, love, blood, lust, Witches, Gangsters and Vampires. Oh my!” Be forewarned that Masterson’s style of not separating speakers by paragraph sometimes makes it hard to follow the dialogue, and his punctuation can be a trifle unconventional, but there’s a lot of energy in his book and it’s clear that he’s a born storyteller. J.R. Masterson is a native Washingtonian who published his first novel, “Forsaking All Others,” in 2009.
This Month on the Hill The Hill Center presents “The Life of a Poet: Conversations with Ron Charles,” featuring National Book Award winner Mary Szybist, Sept. 17, 7:00 p.m., and “Culture Worrier: Selected Columns, 1984-2014: Reflections on Race, Politics, and Social Change,” with Pulitzer Prizewinning Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page, Sept. 24, 7:00 p.m. www.hillcenterdc.org or 202-549-4172. The Northeast Neighborhood Library’s fall book sale offers a generous selection of books of all genres as well as free popcorn! Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., 330 7th St. NE, northeastlibrary@dc.org, 202-698-0058. The Folger Shakespeare Library offers several poetry events in September: the “Richard Wright Birthday Celebration,” Sept. 4, 6:00-8:00 p.m.; “Poet Lore,” celebrating 125 years of literary discovery, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.; and “Here and Now: Stephen Dunn,” Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.; and author Thomas Cahill, “Heretics and Heroes,” Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m. www. folger.edu, 202-544-7077. The Smithsonian Associ-
ates offers “The Next ‘Hunger Games’? Writing for the Hot Young-Adult Fiction Market,” Sept. 13, 10:00 a.m., and “Ken Follett: Looking Back at the Tumultuous 20th Century,” Sept. 17, 6:45 p.m. www.smithsonianassociates.org.
The Lyon’s Share Dear readers, have you ever wondered why people can’t seem to walk down the street these days without yakking on their cell phones? Loudly. My theory has long been that they’re afraid to be alone with their thoughts, and research suggests I may be right. A recent article in Science cited a study at the University of Virginia whose test subjects found sitting alone quietly to be so onerous that a significant portion of them, especially men, preferred to administer electrical shocks to themselves. Even the researchers were amazed by one man who was apparently so desperate for stimulation that he shocked himself 190 times during the 15-minute session. You can understand why he, at least, wouldn’t want to spend much time alone in his head. Maybe it’s time to stop the madness. Spend a few minutes every day doing absolutely nothing. Come on, you can do it. If you must have a distraction, sit outside and listen to the birds (okay, you can leaf through the “Field Guide” reviewed above). But please put down the devices and consider the world, both without and within. You may be surprised at what you discover. And the rest of us will get a little peace and quiet. u
Y
THE POETIC HILL
ermiyahu Ahron Taub is the author of four books of poetry: “Prayers of a Heretic” (2013), “Uncle Feygele” (2011), “What Stillness Illuminated” (2008), and “The Insatiable Psalm” (2005). He was honored by the Museum of Jewish Heritage as one of New York’s best emerging Jewish artists and has been nominated three times for a Pushcart Prize and twice for a Best of the Net award. He works on Capitol Hill. Visit him at www.yataub.net.
Orphan’s Dowry I bring you these arts of the kitchen gleaned from my mother, her voice awhisper in the pantry, scanning, harvesting components, at grace over the sink, shoulders back, chest forward, stirring the cauldron, tendrils escaped from her kerchief, sweat beading her forehead, “Observe the caper of bubbles, the mood of the flame, fear not the fire. Now is the time for cumin, now saffron. Follow the compass granted you by this feast unfolding.” I bring you these arts of the needle gleaned from my nana, her eyes rheumy, ringed with red from years of not looking away, huddled over fabric pierced, arranged without pattern, pins posted, lines stitched so steady by fingers somehow still so sure, a medley of whirring, humming, punctured by sighs, until finally, a sky blue and white gingham frock ready for the picnic: “There you are, my dear.” I bring you these arts of dance gleaned from my sister, her voice aflutter in the dark, her fingers gently prodding, a kerosene lamp suddenly aglow, her hand around my waist, my hand on her shoulder, whirling me through flickering light, madcap shadows, guiding me towards nimble, my feet, my body suddenly coming into knowledge: so this is how it’s done. “Yes,” she answered, “Just so. This joy is now available to you.”
I bring you these arts for they cannot be unlearned, despite the theft of my mother snatched from us so early, her sweat no longer benign, despite my protestation, despite Nana’s disbelief for it surely could not be so, it surely could not be so, despite my sister’s flight from the abyss of her new role with better to go, better to just go. And so my words are no longer to be spoken, my eyes are no longer to be raised, my smile is no longer ... to be. But here are these loves. Here, savior, have these arts instead. This poem is by a local poet who wishes to remain anonymous. It is the last poem edited by the late journalist and poet Diana McLellan, and was written and submitted for her critical review by one of her longest-associated apprentices just days before she took her “turn to rush toward the light.” “Nice,” she said. “You’re getting there.”
That Smile I’ll always see that smile when I’m alone … Not in a crowd of thoughts that never knew you, Not in a rage against your setting sun, Not for hiding in or from … You, that smile, I hoped for me, Waiting, watching, looking back to be My bemusing muse who offered words From where I had and have never been; Words sufficient then and, I hope, again, To tell the flickering you what we’ve both known: I’ll always see that smile when I’m alone…. If you would like to have your poem considered for publication, please send it to klyon@literaryhillbookfest.org (There is no remuneration.) u
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{arts and dining / music}
P roject by Jean-Keith Fagon Thoughts Of A Jazz Lover Jazz can be enigmatic, an alchemy of mysterious sounds and moods that is spontaneous and yet deliberate in its free flowing creativity. The music can be complex, but good jazz feels as simple as first love—it goes straight to the heart and rests there, beating gently. At times, the music can be so life-like that it speaks to you with honesty and love. One still gets a keen sense of understanding of the complexity of the music. There is such a high note of haughtiness, perhaps a sort of natural aristocracy from a kind of inbred austerity about jazz that puts it in a class by itself, elevating one to a higher ground of one’s consciousness. It almost borders on elitism, and yet jazz strikes one as a beautiful music for everyone. And it is, especially for those of us who not only enjoy but truly love the music. True, most good jazz musicians more than likely think of jazz as the arbiter of modern music. And on a good day, I think they are correct. You can walk in your door after a hard day’s work and a harrowing Metro ride, put on Sarah Vaughn and your world is transformed. Your mind clears, your body relaxes and suddenly life is pretty good. There’s no drug in the world that can do that. Jazz is beautiful music.
Smile ••• Peter White Concord Music Who among us doesn’t have a romantic heart? No surprise that guitarist Peter White’s latest album, Smile, will touch most people with its subliminal magic and romantic sensualities. This is strictly vacation music and it’s all in the sound of Mr. White’s guitar. Start with the title track, “Smile,” and then travel over to “In Rainbow” and “Head Over Heals.” Get the picture? Now ask yourself “Where would I like to be now?” Cool, start dancing; life is good; where do you want to go? Grab a copy of this album and get
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out there and give thanks. As a smooth jazz and jazz fusion guitarist, Mr. White first gained fame with his distinctive guitar style as accompanist to Al Stewart over a 20-year tenure. He began recording his own albums in 1990. During this time some of his most popular songs reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Songs chart including “Midnight In Manhattan” by Groover Washington, Jr., “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)” by Jr. Walker & The All Stars, and “Bright.”
Scarecrow Sessions ••• Kiki Ebsen Painted Pony Media This latest album from Kiki Ebsen, dedicated to her father, the late actor Buddy Ebsen, is a compilation of cover songs associated with her father’s career. Due to be released late September, Scarecrow Sessions showcases her classically-trained voice embued in its warm, elegant, and inspirational performances. To help forge such an accomplished jazz album, Ms. Ebsen turned to some first-rate performers like Chuck Loeb (electric and acoustic guitars), John Patitucci (acoustic and electric bass), Henry Hey (piano and organ), Clint de Ganon (drums) and David Mann on saxophone and flute. Live strings add grace and emotional depth to the proceedings. Scarecrow Sessions takes its name from a little known story of Hollywood heartbreak. Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Scarecrow in “The Wizard Of Oz,” but yielded the role to Ray Bolger while agreeing to play the Tin Man instead. However, Mr. Ebsen had a toxic reaction to being cloaked in tin from head to toe with his hands and face dusted in aluminum that caused severe breathing problems when his lungs became full of metallic particles. He ended up hospitalized forced to breathe with the aid of a respirator for several days requiring him to relinquish the role. Songs on Scarecrow Sessions with much
happier Golden Age associations are “Moon River,” in which Mr. Ebsen played opposite Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”; “At The Codfish Ball,” which he originally sang and danced with Shirley Temple in “Captain January”; and “St. Louis Blues” from his first motion picture, “Banjo On My Knee,” in which he starred alongside legends Joel McCrea and Barbara Stanwyck. Kiki Ebsen unearthed the yearning torch song “Missing You” when sifting through a box of her father’s old scripts and songbooks after his passing. She began performing the arresting piano and voice confessional co-authored by her father during her own concerts. The liner notes booklet contains photos from her father’s storied career, intimate family pictures and personal remembrances. Other songs featured on Scarecrow Sessions are: “You Don’t Know What Love I,” “If I Only Had A Brain,” “Comes Love,” “Tea For Two,” “Laura,” “Easy To Love,” “Prelude,” “St. Louis Blues,” and “Over The Rainbow.” All CDs and DVDS reviewed in this article are heard through Bowers & Wilkens Nautilus 801 speakers and ASW 4000 subwoofer, and Rotel Preamp 1070, amplifier 1092 and CD player 1072. B&W speakers are now available at Magnolia, Best Buys (703.518.7951) and IQ Home Entertainment (703.218.9855). CDs are available for purchase through amazon.com For more information about this column, please email your questions to fagon@ hillrag.com. u
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{health & fitness} A Most Worthy Service
Care Coordination, Capitol Hill Village Style by Mike Canning
I
t was a calamitous day for Mary Turner: she had fallen in her house, fracturing six bones in her spinal column. After a struggle, she got a neighbor to call 911 and made it to a hospital. Luckily for Mary, she also had Capitol Hill Village (CHV), a community non-profit of which she is member, to call upon. She could count on the Village’s accomplished social worker, Julie Maggioncalda, to help her and her family navigate the maze of care options, facilities, and services that would follow. After the hospital, Julie swung into action to help identify Mary’s short-term rehabilitation facility, where she recuperated for a month. Meanwhile, Julie arranged for Mary’s home to be adapted to her physical limitations and helped organize additional in-home rehabilitation therapies. Mary is now fully recovered and back in her charming Hill rowhouse. “Capitol Hill Village saved my life,” she summed up the episode. Julie Maggioncalda gets along naturally with everyone, especially with people of a certain age. As Director of Volunteer and Social Services of Capitol Hill Village (CHV), she has ample time to interact with seniors. Julie, a native of the Philadelphia area, came to CHV as a summer intern in 2010 and, after receiving her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, she joined the permanent staff in June 2011. At CHV, her expertise is directed toward care coordination, i.e., working with Village members and their families facing long or short-term medical challenges. According to Roberta Shapiro, the Village’s executive director, “Julie’s ability to turn chaos into order for our members, in a very short period of time, is just amazing. Sometimes, I question whether she is hiding a magic wand somewhere in the office.” Care coordination is a subset of a growing specialty called Care Management. Care managers partner with older adults and their family members, friends, and other caregivers to coordinate health care and other support to improve the individual’s quality of care. Care Management concerns everything from health and social services through insurance coverage to housing. This service can be especially important for those needing help organizing care for a loved one at a distance. The best care managers work closely with a client and their support network to develop realistic and actionable plans consistent with the client’s preferences. Sometimes these plans have to do with a major change in someone’s health, which often requires coordinating new resources. Other times a family turns to a care manager to provide guidance on future care options. No matter the situation, a care manager Julie Maggioncalda (right on bike) of Capitol Hill Village drops by to see Village member Mary Turner. Photo: Judith V. May
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be answered and now in a tight time frame. Julie stepped in, coordinating Village volunteers, the McLellan’s daughter, local lawyer Brad Johnson, and a battery of physicians, social workers, long-term care providers, etc., to craft a plan for Diana’s final weeks and Dick’s long-term care. This involved moving the family out of its Capitol Hill house, with Diana going to her daughter’s home to receive hospice care and Dick moving to a nearby memory care facility. Together with Johnson, all the necessary paperwork was done to assure that Dick would be Julie and Mary share a lively moment during a consultacared for. Within three days of the completion in Mary’s home. Photo: Judith V. May tion of all of these tasks, Diana passed away quietly at her daughter‘s home. can be seen as a translator of our disjointed health After Diana’s death, her daughter lauded Juand social services systems, a person who ensures lie’s and the Village’s contribution: that the client is receiving the best care possible. The Village has been amazing. I cannot believe Within CHV, some of the traditional care manwhat you do, the miracles you perform, and the truager roles are coordinated and overseen by staff, but ly caring kindness, support and guidance that you many are delegated to competent volunteers, who have provided. Thank you for being there every sinprovide myriad services from taking notes for memgle step of the way. bers at doctor’s appointments to picking up groceries Julie noted that such complex care coordinaand prescriptions to caring for a beloved pet. In some tion (which saw her dedicating 10-15 hours weekly cases, specially trained volunteers from CHV’s innoto the McLellans during Diana’s final weeks) was vative “Village Connections” program are called in. possible because Village membership allows CHV These volunteers are paired with a specific member staff to get to know the members over time. In her whose needs have grown, and the volunteer works words: “Building a trusting relationship with the closely with Village staff and the member to coordiVillage is an important part of preparing to age in nate services and introduce new resources. our community.” One telling case of complex care coordinaThe care also proves economical: “For this tion involved the family of Diana McLellan, a wellkind of service, a professional care manager would known Washington gossip columnist (she was “The charge $145 an hour, often billed in six minute time Ear” for both the Washington Star and the Washincrements,” says Maggioncalda. By comparison, ington Post). She and her husband Dick, long-time CHV’s current membership fees are $530 per year Village members, were “so in love with the neighfor individuals and $800 for households. In addition borhood that we couldn’t think of living anywhere to care coordination, that membership includes acelse,” but they had to call on CHV when Dick becess to interest groups and educational activities, gan to suffer from dementia. volunteer services, and vetted vendor referrals. During this trying time, Village volunteers asWhile the McLellan’s case shows CHV’s care sisted the McLellans as friendly visitors who spent coordination at its most dramatic, other members time with Dick, giving Diana both “respite care” can also count on Maggioncalda and her team and a chance to perform other chores and activiin important, if less intense, circumstances. Take ties. In late 2013, however, Diana herself was diagthe case of Mike Grace, a hearty 70-something nosed with cancer, and additional help was needed, who, along with his wife Ann, have been active including volunteers staying with Dick so she could Village members. address her own health needs. While biking, Mike swerved to avoid a dog and Early treatment for her cancer seemed promwound up in the hospital with several broken bones ising, but it was later deemed ineffective, and the and multiple reparative surgeries. Once again, Jucancer entered “end stage.” A whole flurry of queslie and her team of volunteers stepped in, beginning tions-- residential, financial, legal, familial—had to
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with strong advocacy to ensure that Mike‘s hospital discharge plan adequately reflected his needs and would be significantly covered by insurance. This effort was continued through post-discharge assistance, arranging meals, medical equipment delivery, and other support. Again, CHV’s care coordination capability came through. Mike has since mended, and when Ann reflects on this rough patch she notes that, in a flash, you go from “being the volunteers and the helpers to suddenly needing help. I don‘t know what we would have done without the Village.” The Village movement nationwide has grown amply since the first, Beacon Hill Village, launched in 2002 (CHV was the second village, opening October 2007). All successful Villages are able to provide much-needed services and longed-for social interaction, but Capitol Hill Village, from early on, has employed social workers, who coordinate care for members in times of serious medical crises and emergencies, a service that other Villages are only now beginning to duplicate. For members like Mary, the McLellans, and the Graces, care coordination is among the most valuable service their local Village delivers; it is a response to members’ needs which Julie Maggioncalda and dedicated CHV volunteers have superbly answered. Capitol Hill Village can be reached at : 202543-1778 or info@capitolhillvillage.org. u
Geriatric Care Management Information Some care managers practice in groups, but many others practice independently. Some are nonprofit institutions, others are for-profit businesses. Lists of certified Geriatric Care Managers around the country and in our area can be searched for at: www.caremanager.org/ A few major groups that provide geriatric care management services to DC area residents include: Seabury Care Management 4545 42nd Street, NW, Suite 314 Washington, DC 20016 202-364-0020 • www.seaburyresources.org Debra Levy Eldercare Associates 11120 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Suite 505 Silver Spring, Maryland 20904 301-593-5285 • www.care-manager.com ElderTree Care Management Services 703-424-7575 or info@eldertreecare.com
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{health and fitness}
VIDA Fitness Opens on the Capitol Riverfront
V
by Pattie Cinelli
IDA Fitness is scheduled to open its sixth gym in DC this month at the Yards on 4th Street SE, south of Capitol Hill and east of Nationals Park. VIDA’s latest facility will have many of the features of the other gyms but it will also offer members services, classes, and features unique to the Yards. The new location is built in the heart of the new development around Nationals Park and showcases a plethora of glass windows to allow members to take advantage of the riverfront scenery and new landscape. “You have a view of the Potomac and Nats Park while working out on our state-of-the-art cardio equipment,” said Richie Poe, general manager. “We also have VIDA’s only heated yoga studio.”
In addition to the heated yoga studio VIDA at the Yards has a huge group fitness studio, a Pilates studio complete with reformers for small group training classes, and an experiential cycling studio situated on tri-level stadium platforms. The 30 bikes are equipped with Bluetooth capabilities and provide riders with a virtual-reality screen. “It’s an immersive experience in real world biking.” The Yards location will offer VIDA Exclusive classes: VIDA Extreme, VIDA RX, VIDA Circuit, VIDA Body, Yoga, Zumba, and Pilates. The new facility with four floors has more than 30,000 square feet of usable space, complete with a rooftop penthouse pool and lounge. “Our pool is exquisite with enough length and width in which to swim and exercise. Off to one side we have floating lounge chairs that are partially submerged,” said Poe. The pool area also has a communal fire pit, a bar, and cabanas with HDTVs. If swimming is not your thing you may opt for the membership without pool privileges that includes access to sauna, steam room, tanning bed, and a myriad of group fitness classes that reflect the latest trends in fitness. “VIDA also provides members with babysitting services directed by our Kids Zone manager, who incorporates health and wellness principles into her plan,” said Poe. On days off from exercise a member may visit VIDA at the Yards to rejuvenate with a massage, facial, waxing, or a body wrap. At VIDA’s signature Aura Spa they can detox, scrub, or polish to reduce stress and balance energy.
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eco-Friendly efforts VIDA makes an effort to reduce its carbon footprint in many ways. The gym is powered by wind energy. It uses LED lighting. Gym floors are made of recycled rubber flooring. VIDA uses Woodway treadmills, which use less energy than the old ones and contain recycled rubber material. By installing bottle filler attachments to the water fountains VIDA reduces the need to purchase disposable plastic bottles. The gym has also switched to paperless membership agreements and is placing informational materials online. Even its cleaning and laundry products have become eco-friendly. VIDA’s signature Aura Spa uses only USDA certified organic oils and lotions for all spa services and treatments. VIDA is also purchasing more shower and workout towels, which allows use of more efficient wash cycles. By laundering only full loads of towels they reduce the number of loads and amount of water used without having a shortage of towels for members. While many members will walk or Metro to VIDA, the facility provides 50 parking spaces underground at a reduced rate ($2.00 for two hours). For more information about VIDA at the Yards call 202-554-0444 or log onto www.VIDAfitness.com. Pattie Cinelli is a personal trainer who combines her professional experience of more than 30 years in the fitness business with her personal knowledge to provide clients with motivation, direction, and skill to achieve health and fitness goals. She has been writing her column for more than 20 years. Email Pattie with questions or story ideas at fitness@pattiecinelli.com. u
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING WITH US? Call Kira Means 202-400-3508
or kira@hillrag.com for more information on advertising.
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{health and fitness / sport}
All-Women’s Pickup Soccer at Watkins Field Is a Fun Way to Exercise and Socialize by Jonathan Neeley; Photos by Andrew Lightman
I
t’s 8:30 p.m. on a cool summer Monday, and women are trickling onto the turf at Watkins Field at 13th and D streets SE. They’re here for a weekly all-women’s pickup soccer game. It’s not exactly the World Cup. A number of women are here for the first time. One of them recently caught wind of the game at a bar and another hadn’t played soccer since she was seven but came out after hearing about it from her neighborhood Listserv. The Watkins game is about getting out of the house and having fun regardless of soccer experience or ability level. It’s not cutthroat, and players don’t usually keep score. When a group of three, one wearing a “regional champs” T-shirt and all looking like they’ve been here before, shows up and warmly introduces themselves to the newcomers, the pickup game’s most important element is on display: attendees are welcoming of any and all women who want to play. “All Skill Levels Welcome – Everybody Plays!” reads the weekly email from Kit Arrington, the game’s de facto organizer. “The more the merrier – bring a friend!” “It’s a fun way to get some exercise,” says Arrington. “Everyone just does as much as they are able to do, it’s very inclusive. Playing a game gets your energy going no matter what your skill level.” After Arrington arrives with a bag of pinnies at 8:45, the group, which has grown to about 10, splits into two teams. The women wheel the field’s soccer goals close enough to make suitable dimensions for their small-sided game, and without much discussion the game is on.
between thirty and fifty, but girls as young as middle school have joined as well. Mother-daughter appearances aren’t unusual, and tonight there are two girls who don’t look a day over fifteen. “There are moms who have never played soccer or any other sport but have children who do, recent college graduates who are incredible players, and everything in between,” says Helen Cymrot, a regular player. “This really is what is so fun about it. Everyone plays hard, it’s a fantastic workout and everyone is supportive.” By 9:00 the group has grown to 15, which Arrington says is about the upper limit of how many come out each week. The Listserv she uses for the game, however, has nearly 120 women. Being able to drop in and out without making a regular commitment is part of the game’s informal, inviting atmosphere. “Most of the women on the list are juggling many different things in their lives, but they’ve had so much fun at the game that they hang on,” says Arrington. “It’s not often that someone writes requesting to be removed from the list, and the most common reason is that they’ve moved away. Everyone wants to play.”
who plays?
how the Game started
Most of the women who play are
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When the Watkins field
was renovated to turf in 2011, the Department of Parks and Recreation held stakeholder meetings to discuss how it should be used. To address concerns that there weren’t enough hours being set aside for women’s sports or general use, Parks
WIDE SHOE OUTLET Men’s and Women’s sizes up to 15 EE Brands: Naturalizer • Soft Spots Ros Hommerson • Propet Walking Cradles • Easy Street and Rec agreed to hold community hours at 8:15 on weeknights, partitioning part of the field for pick-up soccer and leaving another part for unstructured use. Arrington says that once the women’s game got the Monday time slot, a soccer player and coach named Edith Shine encouraged friends and acquaintances to join. “I ran into her at the pool and she said ‘come play!’” says Arrington. “She had great energy and said it would be fun. And it was! The energy that got it started is what kept it going.”
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Keeping its Charm That the game is all-women, Arrington says, is fundamental to its personality. “There have been times when guys come, looking to jump into a pickup game, and we actually say no,” says Arrington. Co-ed, she says says, can make it hard for less competitive women to ask questions, make mistakes, and stay involved in the game. “We have to be sort of protective of what we have. It’s about a different thing that comes from a different place.” When the ball isn’t on their side of the field, women from both teams chat and laugh. After one takes a fall the gathering around her turns into an extended water break that serves as halftime. In a few minutes the teams switch attacking sides and return to play. They’ll go until the lights get turned off at 9:45. Those involved in the game really did stress that newcomers are welcome. To get more information or join the Listserv email Kit Arrington at kma@tulsablue.com. u
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{health and fitness}
The Ride for a Cure
Gabe and Michael hanging out Gabe Griffin and Michael Staley ride together
by Haysel Hernández-Holzshu
W
hat do you do when you know someone you care for is going to die soon? Michael Staley gets on a bike and rides cross-country in an effort to prevent that from happening. This summer Staley put on hold his job as chief of staff for Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), left his apartment on Capitol Hill, and headed toward Oregon to begin the ride of a lifetime to help save nine-year-old Gabe Griffin. Ride4Gabe, as the quest was named, took Staley through 11 states, pedaling 3,400 miles to raise awareness for Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy. It all started when the Griffin family visited Bachus’ office to educate people about Duchenne. “Gabe’s magnetic personality combined with the serious nature of this child-killing disorder drew me in quickly,” says Staley. Duchenne (pronounced dooshen) is the top genetic killer of children. It is estimated that 1 out of every 3,500 baby boys will have Duchenne. The disease is caused by a genetic mutation that inhibits the production of dystrophin, a protein vital for muscle strength. What makes Duchenne so devastating is how quickly the loss of muscular function progresses. “Gabe can swing a bat and hit a ball today. In a couple years he will need a wheelchair and a few years after that he will eventually lose his ability to feed himself, go to the bathroom, and breathe,” explains Staley. Sadly the prognosis is similar for the estimated 24,000 boys living with Duchenne in the United States today. Their muscles will waste away, leaving them wheelchair bound by the time they are twelve. Ultimately the disease affects breathing and heart function, and most of them will die by the time they reach twenty. Faced with such a crushing prognosis, Staley decided to take action and begin spreading the word. As he matterof-factly explains, “nobody can do anything to solve a problem they’ve never heard of.” An avid cyclist, he thought a bike ride seemed as good a way as any to complete his mission. The logistics were tremendous. According to Staley success was due to “a lot of pedaling, a common purpose, and some help from God.” Staley was joined by rider Wes Bates, a student at Indiana University, two drivers (one was Scott Griffin), a documentarian, and a press assistant. They slept in tents near a rented motor home and had an SUV driving behind while cycling.
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Along the route, they were touched by the way total strangers opened their minds to their message, their hearts to Gabe, and their wallets to the cause. “An extraordinary group of individuals and groups came together to make Ride4Gabe possible. Whether it was a major donor or a simple ‘like’ or ‘share’ on Facebook, we could not have done this alone.” Two special incidents stood out for Staley. One in Wyoming, where a truck driver pulled over to the Ride4Gabe RV. “He said he had heard us on the radio, and emptied all the cash out of his pocket and gave it to the Hope for Gabe Foundation.” The other in Iowa, where a radio interview led to Gabe being able to ride on a special bike with Staley for the first time. Duchenne is diagnosed in early childhood. In Gabe’s case he wasn’t developing at the same rate as his twin sister. A neighbor recognized the symptoms and contacted his parents, Scott and Traci, suggesting he get tested. That neighbor’s actions changed their life forever. “The Griffin family has a world that revolves around Duchenne. I believe they are closer to each other and God because of Gabe’s special condition. While it would be easy to get lost in a world of despair and negativity, Gabe’s family has been strengthened by their common goal of saving their youngest son,” Staley says with obvious admiration.
Michael Staley on bike.
Although there is no cure, there is hope. “After listening to what the experts have to say, it is my belief that Duchenne can be eradicated during our lifetime. If Gabe and the other children with Duchenne can gain access to new and developing treatments their lives can be enhanced significantly.” Staley is referring to the new drug Eteplirsen, shown to slow the disease’s progression. The drug is currently in Phase 2 trials in the United States and Europe, yet families like the Griffins don’t have the luxury of time and are pushing for an expedited FDA approval process. The ride now over, Staley will continue to build a following for the Hope for Gabe Foundation. Although for him this was an epic adventure, he is very clear what the ride was really about: “At the end of the day Gabe will still have Duchenne and his family has a tough road ahead of them.” Readers can follow the Hope for Gabe Foundation at www.hopeforgabe.org. u
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Hill Center Jacob’s Coffee Jenkins Row JO Wilson Elementary School Kenny’s BBQ Lincoln Park Cleaners Lustre Cleaners Meridian at Gallery Place Metro Cleaners MLK Library Morton’s Pharmacy Mr. Henry’s National Capital Bank NE Library Neighbors Cleaners New York Pizza P&C Market Park (NAM) Market Pen Fed Realty- 7th St Peregrine Expresso Potomac Place Tower Prego Cafe Results Gym – Capitol Hill Riverby Books Roland’s Rosedale Library Rosedale Rec Center Safeway – Benning Road Safeway – Capitol Hill
Schneider’s Liquor Sherwood Rec Center Senate Square Sidamo Coffee Sizzling Express – Penn AVE Southeast Library Sova Espresso Bar St. Mark’s Church St. Peter’s Church Stadium Metro Super Care Pharmacy The Axiom The Jefferson The View The View 2 Town Square Towers Washington Fine Properties- New Mexico Ave Washington Sports Club Waterfront Tower Wisdom Yarmouth Property
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414 H ST NE 530 H ST NE 801 H ST NE 961 H ST NE 1359 H ST NE 1234 H ST NE 1433 H ST NE 8 ST & H ST NE 410 H ST NE 3rd & F ST NE 1504 E Capitol St NE 200 Florida AVE NE 239 Massachusetts AVE NE 331 Constitution AVE NE 4th and Constitution NE 13th ST & Constitution AVE NE 400 E. Capitol NE 516 A ST NE 732 Maryland AVE NE 1450 Maryland AVE NE 4th and Mass AVE NE 701 7th ST NE 1305 E. Capitol ST NE 1365 H ST NE 600 E. Capitol ST NE 1200 E. Capitol ST NE 6th and I ST SW 401 M ST SW 600 M ST SW
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{kids & family} N O T E B O O K
by Kathleen Donner
Family Day at President Lincoln’s Cottage On Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., enjoy the Soldiers’ Home grounds as the Lincoln family did at this free festival. Family members of all ages will enjoy the live entertainment and activities inspired by the Lincoln family and their life at the Soldiers’ Home. Make your own top hat. There will be pony rides and a petting zoo featuring Tad Lincoln’s favorite animals (peacocks, goats, geese, and more), a Civil War encampment, Civil Warera games, live musical performances of Civil War-era tunes, and food vendors and picnicking grounds. President Lincoln’s Cottage is at Upshur St. at Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. Free parking is available on-site. 202829-0436. lincolncottage.org Photo: Courtesy of President Lincoln’s Cottage
The Big Build: A Free Hands-on Family Festival of Tools, Trucks, and Construction On Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., be a builder for the day at the Big Build festival. Amateur builders young and old can discover what it’s like to build a brick wall, carve stone, hammer nails, and much more as they work side by side with designers, builders, and artisans demonstrating their
skills. Meet plumbers, electricians, ironworkers, landscape architects, woodworkers, and experts in many other fields to learn about their professions and hobbies. At this year’s Big Build, attendees can climb aboard cranes and tractors, build a brick wall, construct a log cabin, carve stone, imagine a sculpture made of plumbing pipes, compete in a nail driving contest, and create a hardware wind chime to take home.
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This year, the Big Build festival highlights the exhibition PLAY WORK BUILD and the theme of play. Similar to the exhibition, Big Build will celebrate the connection between children’s affinity to construct imaginary worlds and the professionals who create the built world around us. You can help them construct the World’s Tallest Construction Toy Tower (120’) out of Superstructs. Certified by the Guiness World Records during the afternoon of the Big Build, it will be the tallest free-standing tower ever constructed out of a toy! Additionally, a portion of F St. NW will be closed for exhibitors and the work trucks. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org
St. Mark’s Dance Fall Registration Fall Registration is Friday September 5, 2014 from 3 PM - 6 PM and Saturday September 6, 2014 from 9 AM - 12 Noon.
Games for 3-6 Year-Olds at Labyrinth First Moves September 13, October 11 9:30am 10:30am First Moves is a special game club for young children, aged 3 to 6, on the second Saturday morning of the month. We will play all sorts of great games designed to help dexterity and logic, math and language, and even social skills. Our First Moves classes are specifically designed to help children learn the basic skills needed to play games, including taking turns, winning and losing with grace, and following directions. Each class will be $15 per child. You may drop your child off or stay with them as you prefer. This offers the perfect opportunity to get a free hour to explore Eastern Market. Children must be potty trained. You must reserve a spot for this class. Spaces are limited. Please register via our Eventbrite page: http:// labyrinthdc.eventbrite.com. Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003. 202-544-1059.
Shake Up Your Saturdays at the Folger Sept. 6, 10-11 a.m. At “All in the Family,” discover how people, including Shakespeare himself, used heraldry to describe their family history. On
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Moms on the Hill Family Fest This year's festival is on Sunday, Sept. 14, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Garfield Park, 3rd and G Sts. SE. There will be games, live entertainment, music, raffles and food. Over 1,500 people attended the MOTH Family Fest 2013.
Oct. 4, 10-11 a.m., “Something Wicked This Way Comes.” Prepare for Halloween by discovering all the magic and witchcraft in Shakespeare. Recommended for ages 6-12. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. 202-544-7077. Visit folger. edu to reserve a spot.
Race for Every Child Kids’ Dash Saturday, Sept. 13. Race for Every Child supports children and families throughout the Washington area by raising funds for specialized medical care, research into childhood diseases, and important wellness and preventive services at Children’s National Health System. The
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100-yard Kids’ Dash is a great way to encourage children to be active and healthy. Just one block long, the Kids’ Dash route is on Pennsylvania Ave. NW, starting at 12th St. and finishing at 13th St. It will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and participants will dash in waves, based on their age group. Kids’ Dash participants will receive a t-shirt, a Kids’ Dash bib and finisher’s medal. Children between the ages of 3-10 are eligible to participate. Parents will not be allowed to “dash” with their child (unless under special circumstances). Registration deadline is Sept. 10. childrensnational.donordrive. com
Buds Storytime at Hill Center Buds is a tree-focused storytime aimed toward an audience of toddlers and preschoolers (18 mos.4 yrs.). The storytime features five tree and environment-focused books interspersed with songs and a craft project. Each family will leave with a list of seasonally appropriate “scavenger hunt items” to track down while exploring Hill Center’s grounds on their own after the Buds program has concluded. The program is free. Sept. 5, 10-10:45 a.m. at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org
Rainbow Rock Band Kids’ Music at Ebenezers On Saturday, Sept. 6, 10:30-11:15 a.m., get ready for all the excitement and fun that you get at a Kate Moran Band show, shrunk down to size for your little dudes. The Rainbow Lady, Princess Fiddlesticks, Captain Toe Tappin, and Guitarmony Gus will entertain with a combination of classic and original children’s tunes.
Always on hand, inside the box of fun, tambourines, shakers and more for children to join in the fun, and if they are feeling like completing their rock star appearance, temporary Rainbow tattoos are available from Pattycake Patty or Miss Rockin Rox Anna. Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door for everyone 1 year and older. Ebenezers Coffeehouse, 201 F St. NE. 202-558-6900. ebenezerscoffeehouse.com
9:00 a.m. sharp - 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 16 Saturday, November 8 Tuesday, November 18 Friday, December 5 Saturday, January 10 Thursday, January 15 Application Deadline -- Jan. 16, 2015
Rosedale Library Mustaches You to Get a Library Card
5901 Westchester Park Drive, College Park, MD 20740 Tel: 301.441.2100 www.friendscommunityschool.org
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Starting Sept. 8, children ages birth to 12 who sign up for their first card on Rosedale’s special “MUSTACHE MONDAYS,” can opt to take a silly, mustachioed photo with their new card and favorite library book. Signed consent and ID from an accompanying adult is needed to obtain the library card and to take photo. Remember that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Rosedale Neighborhood Library, 1701 Gales St. NE. 202-727-5012. dclibrary.org/rosedale
Only 15-20 minutes up the Baltimore-Washington Parkway!
SHINING
STARS M O N T E S S O R I ACADEMY, PCS PK3 - 3RD GRADE
Maury ES Yard Sale Maury will hold its annual yard sale on Sept. 27, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the school, 1250 Constitution Ave. NE. Sale items will include clothes, toys, house-wares, and more. Donations can be dropped off at the school during the week prior to the event. This is a great opportunity for everyone to clear their closets and score bargains while supporting a neighborhood school.
Botanic Garden Junior Botanist Festival On Saturday, Sept. 20 (rain or shine), 10 a.m.-2 p.m., help celebrate the wonders of being a Junior Bota-
MONTESSORI CERTIFIED AND TRAINED TEACHERS
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INTEREST APPLICATIONS ARE ONLINE
(202) 319-2307 H www.ss-montessori.org 6015 Chillum Place NE 20011 H Ward 4 September 2014 H 151
nist. Visit the US Botanic Garden and discover all the talents needed to become a Junior Botanist. Between hands-on activities and engaging discussions with USBG staff and volunteers, be sure to ponder plants with wheat experts. Then stick around and try their Junior Botanist program in the Conservatory. The festival is free. No preregistration is required. United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-8333. usbg.gov
Women in Aviation and Space Family Day at Air and Space
Jean-Keith Fagon wishes his grandson
NEO
LUKAS FAGON
much happiness on his second birthday.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., join them for a family day that celebrates the accomplishments of women in aviation and space exploration. From the days of the earliest pilots to today’s space program, women have been making significant contributions. During this event visitors will have the opportunity to meet female role models and learn about the women who inspired them. National Air and Space Museum, Independence Ave. at 6th St. SW. airandspace. si.edu
Heure du Conte: French Storytime at Northeast Library On Sunday, Sept. 21, 2 p.m., attendees are exposed to French vocabulary through story, song, rhyme and crafts during this interactive story time. Ages 2-6 are encouraged, though all ages are welcome. Please note that this program will be done entirely in French. Call Whitney Jerome at 202-698-0183 with any questions.
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DCschoolHUB.com Launches Childcare and School Search Website DCschoolHUB’s features a geolocator for ease of searching, chat rooms where schools and care centers can connect one-on-one with prospective parents, and forums where parents can pose questions to one another. They can even ask “experts” questions on everything from how to navigate the financial aid process to potty training tips. Who’s Got Spots allows schools and care centers to post current and anticipated spots or seats. DCschoolHUB.com
Hispanic Heritage Family Festival
1701 Gales St. NE. 202-727-5012. dclibrary.org/rosedale
Mentor a Middle School Student In a city where 59% finish high school and only 9% get a college degree, 93% of Higher Achievement graduates finish high school, and 76% graduate from college. Higher Achievement is creating lasting change in the lives of youth. Be a part of that change in the DC Metro area. For more information about the commitment and center locations, or to fill out an application, visit higherschievement.org/volunteer.
Savanna’s Treasure
On Saturday, Sept. 13, 11:30 a.m.4 p.m., bring the whole family to the Smithsonian’s kickoff celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Held in conjunction with the exhibition Portraiture Now: Staging the Self, the day includes musical performances, interactive demonstrations, arts and crafts, storytelling and gallery tours. Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F Sts. NW. americanart.si.edu
Wild new children’s book, Savanna’s Treasure, proves that danger, adversity and even poachers are no match for the power of unlikely friendships. Chris Behrens’ story of two unlikely allies, a baby elephant and a mouse who fight off poachers and pirates, is an engrossing narrative about never giving up and sticking close to those one loves. Savanna’s Treasure is published by Xlibris.
Newsies Storytime and Craft at Rosedale Library
On Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., celebrate Hispanic Heritage month at ZooFiesta. See animal demonstrations and learn about animals native to Latin America, such as golden lion tamarins, sloths, Andean bears, and anteaters. Meet Zoo experts and learn how they are working to save these species. Animal feedings, arts and crafts, musical entertainment, educational activities highlighting conservation research in Central and South America, and authentic gourmet cuisine at a Latin American inspired food bazaar. Admission is free, however parking is $22. The National Zoo is at 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. nationalzoo.si.edu u
According to legend, ten-year-old Barney Flaherty answered a newspaper ad for the New York Sun and became the first newsboy. National Newspaper Carrier Day celebrates him and other newsboys and newspaper carriers. Rosedale will be offering a special storytime and craft. On Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m., children can enjoy stories and songs involving newspaper and imagine themselves as “newsies” and then make their own news article with recycled paper and other material. Rosedale Neighborhood Library,
ZooFiesta
Yoga for the whole family newborn to adult!
Fall classes and camps enrolling now!
Fun, fitness, and family… • Kids classes at Hill Center or your child’s school • Adult instruction, including prenatal and beginners • School day off and summer camps • Professional development for school teachers
For more information visit: breathingspacedc.com 202-599-0434 yoga@breathingspacedc.com September 2014 H 153
{kids and family}
Singing with Mister Mike Music Together on Capitol Hill by Emily Haynes, photos by Maya Wechsler
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id anybody do their homework?” Mike Showalter asks the group of parents and toddlers seated in a circle on the floor of a studio in the Atlas Theater on H Street, Northeast. “Yeah, I did!” squeals a blonde toddler. She’s in the middle of the circle, still dancing even though the class has finished singing. Two things are clear: she doesn’t know what the homework is, and she’ll say anything to get the music started again. Showalter laughs and exchanges knowing looks with the parents. “Homework” is used loosely in Mister Mike’s Music class. His classes are a franchise of the broader Music Together program, which is unique in its focus on imparting creative musicality in children, without the pressure of performing. Of course, grades aren’t given in Showalter’s class, but the curriculum is certainly educational, as it is deeply rooted in the research Music Together has conducted on early childhood development since 1987. Today’s homework involved creating a new verse to the classic American folk song, This Train. “This train is going to Chicago, this train,” a grandmother sings, while the rest of the class keeps a beat by clapping their hands or slapping their thighs as they sit crossed legged. “This train is going to Chicago, gonna watch the Cubbies go play ball. This train is going to Chicago, this train.” We keep the beat going, as some of the children try to find the rhythm and others just get up and dance in the center circle. More parents join in to share their own verses of This Train. They sing alone, accompanied only by our clapping and the children’s giggles. It’s odd hearing adults sing in such an informal setting, and many of the parents give sheepish smiles as they listen to the sound of their own singing voices. After class, Showalter talked with me about the embarrassment so many of us feel about singing publicly. “People have gotten this idea that…there’s talented people, who had magic dust sprinkled on them when they were little, and then there’s other people that just can’t sing,” he said. But that is exactly the kind of sentiment Showalter and Music Together are determined to stamp out. “There’s not really such a thing as talent, it’s more about support,” Showalter explains. The Music Together Curriculum is designed to create support networks—between both children and parents, and families and teachers—that inspire families to be more musical in their daily lives. “By emphasizing actual music experiences rather than concepts about music, Music Together introduces children to the pleasures of making music instead of passively receiving it from CDs or TV,” the program’s website explains. Although Showalter studied conducting and voice at Eastern Mennonite College and sang for years with the Washington Bach Consort, he did not set out to teach music. It wasn’t until after he had two young children, and was shifting gears after a career in graphic design, that he began to look to music teaching as a career option. Showalter was searching for a suitable music education program for his young children when he came across Music Together. Unlike other children’s music curriculums—which focus on funny lyrics sung in major keys—Music Together draws heavily from traditional American folk songs, includes songs in a variety of musical keys, and incorporates tunes in a range of languages and rhythms.
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From Top to Bottom: Mike Showalter, of Mr. Mike’s Music, high-fives a student during a Music Together class. A student watches his parents sing along with Showalter. Parents are just as involved in Showalter’s classes as their children. Showalter leads the class in song.
“I think what appealed to me first, when I didn’t know anything about child development, was the richness of the music,” Showalter said in an interview. As he learned more about the program, however, Showalter began to value Music Together’s grounding in research as well. In 2010, Showalter took Music Together’s teacher training in order to better understand the program. However, even after completing the training, he wasn’t convinced that teaching music was right for him. It seemed too goofy, and there was a significant emphasis on movement, which he was unfamiliar with. What initially seemed daunting to Showalter
Why Your High School Freshman Should Take This October’s SAT was an instant success. He easily reached capacity in all three of his classes, and quickly began hearing positive responses from parents about how their children incorporated his lessons into their play at home. “I was really amazed at some of the really fundamental skills that were being essentially taught in a very non-direct way, and a very consistent way,” parent Daniel Abraham observed of his daughter, Junah’s, experience in Mister Mike’s Music classes. Emily Roderer has enrolled both her children in Showalter’s classes and noted that, although her children each approached the class differently, they both have had very positive experiences. Her daughter, Livia, in particular, has taken to the class. “She’s always dancing,” Roderer said. “Any music she hears—any—she dances to, or taps out a semi-beat.” This kind of immediate, joyful response to music is exactly what the Music Together program encourages. Showalter works to introduce his students and their parents to music in a variety of keys, rhythms, and languages, and to show them that everyone can be musical. “Taking back music from those who believe that…it’s a special treat for that talented: that would be the greatest gift,” Showalter said. “Wouldn’t it be great if people didn’t need this class because they got together and sang anyway?” For more information go to musictogether.com or to mistermikesmusic.com, or phone Mike Showalter at 202-251-7205. u
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by Colleen Quinn Buchanan
arents are surprised when I recommend high school freshman take the October SAT college entrance exam. The first response I get is usually, “But freshmen can’t take SATs, right?” Actually freshman can and do take the high school SAT, and for a very good reason. It is a true-to-life way to find out what ninth graders need to learn the next three years to get ready for this traditionally important, sometimes critical admissions requirement at the end of secondary school. The reality of this is rarely as clear to students before taking the test as afterwards. Actually taking the test is the surest way to see if nervousness, confusion, and test-taking skills will impede a student from scoring commensurate with their best ability. No practice session can replace experiencing the real thing. I’ve seen students’ scores, attained during practice, tank when they step up to a real administration. Some college admissions officers look for candidates with the forethought to take this exam early. They seek applicants who are strategic in this way, showing a seriousness of focus on education, a desirable trait. The next thing I usually hear is, “But freshman won’t do well, right?” My answer is, “Y-e-s, but it doesn’t really matter, does it?” Freshman scores will be viewed just as such, and scores earned later will supersede these, if they are even one point higher. If freshman scores are unexpectedly low, everyone knows it is time to roll up sleeves to start needed interventions while there is still ample time for implementation. If the scores are high (gifted kids are typically able to figure out more than grade level or even coursework would predict) then more options, like early entrance to college, can be explored, enabling families to take into account newly revealed prospects. “Finally,” they ask, “why October?” The answer is the Question and Answer Service. This service is the only way students can see actual questions from the very exam they took under pressure. It is only offered a few times a year in the United States and once a year internationally. The small fee is well worth it, if the student sits down and goes over each missed question meticulously. (This can be done with or without a parent or tutor.) The goal is to figure out why the student missed that particular question. Was it a geometry question and they have not had geometry yet? Good, now at least the student knows one reason why they need to study geometry. Was it a two-step problem, and did the student solve the first step and impulsively choose that wrong
answer from among the five multiple choices? (Yes, that wrong answer is always there! In test-preparer jargon it is called the “distractor.”) Now we’ve learned something! A student making this type of error needs to come up with and test out strategies so this same mistake is not repeated when it counts. This takes time and often money. The fees for taking the test are cheap compared with the cost of popular testprep classes, tutors, and coaches. It can be the most effective money spent. Just knowing where to focus resources can be priceless. I repeat: my heartfelt recommendation to every freshman is to take the SAT as early as possible in high school – with the additional Question and Answer Service – and that is in the October of freshman year. Hurry. The deadline for the Oct. 11 SAT exam regular registration is Sept. 12. For a small extra cost the late registration deadline is Sept. 30. For more information see http://sat.collegeboard.org/SAT/public/pdf/sat-answer-verification-services.pdf. Colleen Quinn Buchanan, a learning specialist on Capitol Hill, helps parents know when and how to take steps to assist their children in school. She offers private educational assessments and school observations to craft learning plans that capitalize on innate talents and burgeoning interests. Her primary role is to synchronize all of the learning supports for a student, both inside and outside the school building. She comes to private practice after years of work in schools across the Washington region. A long-time resident of Capitol Hill, Colleen is the mother of two grown children. Colleen can be reached at LearningSpecialistontheHill@ gmail.com or by phone at 202-827-5669. u
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School Notes Susan Braun Johnson
Capitol Hill Day School New Beginnings for CHDS Students, Parents, and Alumni September marks the end of summer and back to school preparations. This month, Capitol Hill Day School teachers welcome 225 students, including 36 new students, but are also thinking of their alumni as they move on to high school and college. The 22 most recent graduates head off to 14 high schools, including four to the Field School, three to Georgetown Day School,
three to St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, and two to Maret. Currently, 65 CHDS alumni attend 24 different high schools: 53 are at 15 independent day and boarding schools, and 10 are at seven public and charter schools. On the college front, the 22 members of the Class of 2010 matriculated to 19 colleges and universities in 14 different states. CHDS families and faculty will enjoy a busy month, beginning with a Back to School Picnic on September 6 in Garfield Park, an eighth-grade
parent intro to the high school application process, Back to School Night, and a new parent coffee with the Head of School, Jason Gray. They hope to meet old and new friends at the September 27 Barracks Row Festival, where they will have an information table with a children’s craft activity. CHDS alums can catch up with each other at National Park on September 24. Contact Shannon Ryan (sryan@chds.org) for ticket information. Follow CHDS on Facebook, Twitter (@explorewithCHDS), and Instagram to see students
Four Friends at CHDS Back to School Picnic. Photo: Laura Nakatani
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and teachers, exploring, engaging, and connecting, in the classroom and on over 300 field trips each year. - Jane Angarola. Capitol Hill Day School, 210 South Carolina Avenue, SE. jangarola@chds.org.
Waterfront Academy Spanish Immersion Summer Camp This summer, Waterfront Academy’s first Spanish Immersion Summer camp was full of great adventures and aprendizaje (learning) in the Capitol Hill, Navy Yard and Southwest Neighborhoods. Campers explored the Naval History Museum, splashed around Yards Park and Canal Park, and enjoyed story time at the Library of Congress each week. During rainy days they did science experiments. Some of the favorite experiments for the children and counselors alike were the Erupting Watermelons, Crystal Trees, Apple Science (acids v. bases), and making their own finger paint. Parents were the biggest supporters, encouraging the children to keep an open mind to Spanish and to use the Spanish that they already knew. All in all the summer was a great success.
Open House Waterfront Academy is hosting several Open Houses in September. Join in and meet some school leaders, tour the new facility and learn more about this great new school! Waterfront Academy is a dual immersion (Spanish and English) faith-based Montessori school with emphasis on charity and stewardship in the Catholic tradition. They are now enrolling
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Waterfront Academy’s Spanish Immersion Summer Campers
students between the ages of 2.5 to 9. Waterfront Academy is located at 60 I Street SW. More information can be found at WaterfrontAcademy. org, 202-484-0044. www.facebook.com/WaterfrontAcademy.
School-Within-School at Goding It’s been a summer of exciting changes at SWS. One of the most visible developments is the beautiful new playground sprouting behind the school. Great progress was made over the summer and it is expected to be completed by early fall. While SWS students were enjoying their time off, their teachers were preparing for the year ahead (and also enjoying some well-deserved rest.) This year, SWS is adding two third-grade classes. The school is also welcoming Mrs. DeAnna and Mrs. Ewart, who will be SWS’s first-ever thirdgrade teachers. Mrs. DeAnna comes to SWS after 19 years at Watkins ES. She was born and raised in New York City and lives on Capitol Hill. Mrs. DeAnna is a
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baseball fan who enjoys hiking, reading, and doing math games and puzzles. “I am especially excited to be able to help nurture the love and understanding of mathematics in young children through progressive, constructivist instruction, and to continue to grow as an educator” she said. Mrs. Ewart also comes to SWS from Watkins ES. She hails from New York State and has lived in Washington, DC for 26 years. She and her family live in Brookland, where she enjoys reading and knitting in her time off. “I am so excited to be working in a school where a shared leadership among teachers and administrators is a goal,” she said. - Hannah Schardt. SWS at Goding, 920 F St. NE, 202-727-7377; schoolwithinschool.org.
Cluster Schools: Peabody Pre-K and Kindergarten: With a new Assistant Principal in place, Scott Harding has spent the last month preparing for
the first day of school. Harding, who came to Peabody from Maury Elementary school, has many ideas for engaging families in education and finding new ways to work with the three, four and fiveyear-olds at Peabody. Some of the newer teachers have come to school early to get ready for the year, including Sarah Poland, a kindergarten teacher who has taught in Maryland, D.C. and abroad before this year. The school hosted the rising Watkins fifthgraders who attended their middle school orientation at Peabody early in August. Many of the students had not visited Peabody since before the major renovation during the summer of 2013.
Watkins Elementary School Watkins had a lot of activity in August. The school hosted DC public school summer school sessions, which provided an opportunity for students who needed some extra work to get additional help from teachers. The only downside to the summer sessions
was that it prevented the school system and city finish the longawaited project of replacing windows at Watkins. Many of the windows at Watkins do not close fully and even more do not open correctly, a problem common in many older schools. New energy efficient and easily maneuverable windows were supposed to be popped in with little fuss during the summer but now that project is on hold. An effort is underway to have it done early in the school year; more details are expected soon. As recently as last week, staff at Watkins were polishing the floor and working with parents. For the first time ever, all parents received classroom assignments for their students in the mid-summer mailing packet. The biggest news however is the announcement that Kristina Kellogg, a longtime member of the third-grade team at Watkins, has been selected as a state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The award is the highest honor possible for teachers in that field. Ms. Kellogg spent this recent summer working to assist other DCPS teachers on their skills. The decisions on winners will come next spring.
NOW ENROLLING! First Day of School is Tuesday, September 2nd and we are still enrolling. Open Houses: Waterfront Academy is hosting several Open Houses - join us and meet some of our school's leaders, tour the new facility and learn more about our great school!
Wednesday, September 10th- 8a-10a Wednesday, September 10th- 5p-7p Wednesday, September 17th- 8a-10a Wednesday, September 24th- 8a-10a Mamá y Yo: Fall Session of classes are starting again on September 19 and 20th. This class is a Spanish immersion Montessori “Mommy and Me” class. Your child, along with a caregiver or parent, will participate in a collaborative class, building on foundational vocabulary and skills each week. This class is for ages 18 months to 3 years old. Learn more and register at WaterfrontAcademy.org. Waterfront Academy is a dual immersion (Spanish and English) Montessori school with emphasis on charity and stewardship in the Catholic tradition.
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Stuart Hobson Middle School Work Continues on the Addition Along the 4th Street Side Of The School The new theater space and band area is expected to be completed late this year or early next year. Staff, parents and teachers are very excited about the headway being made.
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Stuart Hobson’s Afterschool All Stars meet with Senate majority leader Harry Reid.
In addition, every window at Hobson was replaced and additional work done in the basement as part of the large-scale renovation that includes a new weight room, a dance space and additional storage. On another note, a number of Stuart Hobson students, who participate in the new After School All Stars program, have had opportunities this summer to visit college campuses and learn life skills. One group of students had a chance to visit with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as part of the AFAS enrichment program that started last year and will continue in 2014-2015. -Vince Morris, President Cluster School PTA, Father of a 7th grader at Hobson Middle School and a 5th and a 3rd grader at Watkins Ele-
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mentary. President@chcspta.org, www.capitolhillclusterschool.org.
Maury Elementary Welcoming a New Assistant Principal Maury ES has a new Assistant Principal this year - Ayinde Spradley. While Mr. Spradley is new to the position, he is most certainly not new to Maury. He came to the school as a second grade teacher in 2000, where he distinguished himself in the classroom and coached basketball before taking a position with DCPS central administration in 2006. He served as a Mentor Teacher, training teachers, instructional coaches and principals until 2012 when he became an Assistant Principal at Davis ES and subsequently Eastern SHS. Through
it all, he’s continued his affiliation with Polite Piggy’s before and after care. He is a very familiar face to the students, faculty and staff. The Maury family is looking forward to having more of his time, attention, and loving care. And Mr. Spradley is equally happy to be back. He says his experience at Eastern SHS has given him fresh insight into the work being done at the elementary school level and that he hopes to “play an instrumental role in preparing our Capitol Hill students for successful high school careers.”
Maury Yard Sale Sept 27 Maury will hold its annual yard and bake sale at the school on September 27 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Items for sale will include clothes, toys, house-
wares, and more. Any interested individuals can drop off donations (receipts available) at the school during the week prior to the event. This is a great opportunity for residents to clear their closets and score bargains all while supporting a neighborhood school.-Elizabeth Nelson. Maury Elementary, 1250 Constitution Ave., NE. 202-698-3838; mauryelementary.com.
Eliot-Hine Middle School New Year Brings New Staff! This school year brings exciting new changes in staff. Dana Watson, a fantastic English teacher with a strong understanding of IB teaching and learning, is being promoted to Eliot-Hine’s IB Coordinator. In this position, Ms. Watson will be able to share her knowledge with the entire staff and help shape the IB landscape of the school. New hires are already familiar with the building, and although some are new to the school, they are well-versed in teaching and IB.
Get on the Listserv Eliot-Hine’s listserv is open to all families and friends of the school. Please join to keep abreast of community events, PTO announcements, upcoming seminars (there will be an IB info session on Sept. 23), and important dates (such as early dismissals). It’s all on the calendar for next school year! Go to https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/eliothine/info and click JOIN.
Join the PTO at Eliot-Hine! Eliot-Hine is your neighborhood school, and you are invited to be a part of it! JOIN the PTO! It’s only $7, and your involvement is welcome at EliotHine! Meetings are usually at 6pm on the 2nd Wed. of each month. Due to a DCPS event, the first meeting will be on Tues., Sept. 9. Back to School Night is Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Eliot-Hine Middle School, 1830 Const. Ave. NE. 202939-5380, eliothinemiddleschool.org,
Assistant Principal Ayinde Spradley on the Maury playground
@EliotHine, and facebook.com/EliotHineMS. - EH parent Heather Schoell.
District of Columbia International School New Language Immersion School Opens September 2 The DC International School (DCI) opens on September 2, 2014 with 200 sixth and seventh graders. Over three years ago, the five DC PCS language immersion schools - Latin American Montessori Bilingual, Washington Yu Ying, Elsie Whitlow Stokes, Mundo Verde and DC Bilingual - initiated an unprecedented collaborative effort to form a secondary education experience for public charter school students in DC. Member school families and students had been continuously notifying their respective schools that there were no middle and high school options that would let them continue their language learning. Individually, each school could not create a school with a robust secondary program. However, working together as a collaborative, the schools believed they could. When it reaches
District of Columbia International (DCI), a new language immersion school opens Sept 2.
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capacity, DC International will serve over 1200 DC students in Delano Hall on the Walter Reed campus in grades 6-12. In addition to having students with a language immersion background, the students will experience an education focused on internationalism, social justice, environmental stewardship, and language as the root of cultural understanding and competence. The DCI partnership is groundbreaking and will offer a solution to a common problem that is truly more than the sum of its parts. DCI is an International Baccalaureate Candidate School offering Chinese, French and Spanish language. In addition to accepting member school students, DCI accepts lottery students. This year DCI will have 170 member school students and 40 lottery students in its inaugural class. In 2015, the school will accept applications for the sixth, seventh and 8th grade. - Mary Shaffner. DC1, 3220 16th Street NW; www.dcinternationalschool. org. 202.459.4790
St. Peter School Kicking Off Another Blue Ribbon Year After a blessedly mild summer, St. Peter School students and faculty are ready and raring to go! Before welcoming students on the first day of school, teachers and administrators have been busy with faculty planning meetings, first aid training, and the opening Mass for Catholic Schools at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. St. Peter School is proud of their legacy of learning that – for 146 years – has offered students a Catholic education grounded in faith, service and academic excellence. Here’s to another blue ribbon year! - Sally Aman. St. Peter School, 422 Third St, SE, 202-544-1618. www. stpeterschooldc.org/
Friends Community School New Website Launched Friends Community School will start the year with a brand new website that will improve communications within the school community and with others who want to learn more about the school. The site will provide families, prospective families and others with information they need about
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Jonah Lyke, a fourth grade Friends Community School student who lives on Capitol Hill, with teacher Maleeha Asghar on the home page of the new school website.
tan area. 5901 Westchester Park Drive, College Park, MD; www.friendscommunityschool.org.
Friendship’s Tech Prep Academy: Engineering, technology and environmental careers
Friends. The site will be populated by hundreds of photographs taken by Sharon Natoli, a professional news photographer and the parent of a Friends Community School alumnus. “The photos really capture the feel of our school and show FCS in action,” said Hannah McCann, a parent of two current students who managed the website transformation. “There are students conducting science experiments outdoors, teachers working with kids on the floor and students doing projects together.” The site also contains biographies of each teacher. Many of them have interesting backgrounds, having worked in other fields before entering teaching. In addition, FCS families will be able to update student information online, review their children’s progress reports and find out what is happening in classrooms. They also will be able to collaborate with other families on volunteer projects and in sharing information. Prospective families will be able to apply for admission online. In the last school year, FCS added new classroom, science, performing arts and visual arts space. The new space has greatly enhanced learning and will allow the school to grow gradually from just over 200 students to its goal of 240 students. - Eric Rosenthal Friends Community School is a small kindergarten through 8th grade Quaker school that welcomes students of all beliefs. It educates a growing number of children from Capitol Hill, as well as students from other parts of the metropoli-
This school year, an exciting new opportunity will begin for a college preparatory middle and high school public education on Mart i n Luther King, Jr. Avenue, in the Congress Heights neighborhood. On August 26th, a brand new $18 million state-of-the-art Technology Preparatory Academy school campus will begin enrolling students from the sixth through the twelfth grade and open its doors for the start of the new school year. Specializing in STEM—science, technology, engineering and math and environmental sciences, the new campus will provide students with the high-quality education and 21st century skills necessary for success in today’s high-tech economy. The presence of the new facility will be felt in a community that has long been underserved for adequate educational, job and housing opportunities. The new facility includes a SMART—science, math and research technology—lab, allowing students to complete projects across a wide array of subject areas using the latest technology. The building also includes a robotics lab, two chemistry labs, two biology labs and a rooftop greenhouse for career opportunities in environmental sciences, engineering and technology, including computer-aided design, 3-D printing and gaming: 21st century jobs and skills. - Dan Cronin. Friendship’s Technology Preparatory Academy, 620 Milwaukee Place SE. To learn more email the principal at dtindle@friendshipschools.org or visit friendshipschools.org.
Capital City PCS Fourth-Graders Journey to Colonial America Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in Colonial America? Or how to use
a “necessary” and cook meals over an open fire? This past spring, Capital City 4th graders traveled from 21st century DC to 18th century colonial America within only an hour. In a twoday trip to Claude Moore Farm in McLean, VA, students experienced first-hand the life of a prerevolutionary war colonist. Students stayed overnight on the farm, slept outdoors in tents without running water or bathrooms, and cooked their own meals, including roast chicken, but not before they also gathered the wood and started the fire. The students and teachers gathered in colonial classrooms during the day, learned songs and their multiplication tables, and played colonial games such as chess and checkers. The overnight at the farm was part of the fourth- grade’s spring expedition on Colonial America. It was experiential fieldwork, giving students the opportunity to immerse themselves in colonial life. In preparation for the trip, students learned about the many types of people involved in Colonial America – the people who surrounded George Washington --including colonists, Native Americans, slaves, loyalists and indentured servants. Students chose one of these groups, conducted research, designed their own character sketch, and gained a personal understanding of how they lived during that time. Direct link to full article: www.ccpcs.org/news/claudemoore/. - Janelle Mackereth. CCPCS, 100 Peabody St. NW; www.ccpcs.org.
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School is a bilingual immersion elementary school at which students are taught to read, write, think and learn in two languages, French and English or Spanish and English. As part of this learning experience, Stokes school offers its final year students study tours of two countries, Martinique for French immersion learners and Panama for Spanish immersion learners. In Martinique students reviewed their vocabulary while visiting a farm, petting zoo and butchery. Additionally, they increased their environmental awareness by touring an earth science museum, and discussed the impact of tourism and the economics of sugar, a staple industry.
Students also met the Frenchspeaking students they had become pen-pals with prior to their visit and became more confident French speakers as their week-long trip progressed. They returned to D.C. with a broader outlook on the world influenced by understanding a culture different than their own. Stokes students who visited Panama undertook a number of field trips related to nature, including a boat trip a visit to some natural springs and rain forests. These stimulated study of water cycles. Panama-bound students visited the presidential palace and learned about government and elections in Panama. Other differences in culture and society that were explored included the metric system and experience of the culture of indigenous people. For all study tour students it was their first experience outside the country without family and for some it was their first experience outside the United States and for yet others their first time on an airplane. - Amy Benson. Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS, 3700 Oakview Terrace, NE; www.ewstokes.org.
Tyler Elementary School Principal Mitchell Brunson Welcomes You Tyler is off to a great school year! Cucumbers in Tyler’s Food Prints garden On August 25th, Tyler Elementary showcased brand new tile throughout Tyler will also ramp up their arts integration the building, as well as a beautifully program. While many know Tyler because of its renovated auditorium and other school facilities. Spanish Immersion programming, few know that In addition to the fresh facelift, Tyler’ Food Prints they have a strong arts-integration focus. This year garden welcomed students with fresh zucchini, pat Tyler will have many new partnerships—from the pan squash, peaches, and fresh herbs. What an exCorcoran Gallery, to the Philips Collection and citing thing! neighborhood Shakespeare Theater Company. Mitchell Brunson, in his second year as There is a chance, if you visit the Hill Center, you school principal, is happy to share some new exmight see framed visual arts on the wall from the citing initiatives for the 2014-15 school year. This Tyler Tigers! year Tyler will continue to focus on great reading If you haven’t been to Tyler in a while, or are instruction, so visitors to the building may often wondering what’s new, stop on by! They’d love to see students reading in small groups, with a teachhave you. Anika Wilson. 1001 G St, SE. www.Tyer or individually. The hope is to have all students lerElementary.net; Anika Wilson at anikacd.ad@ spend as much time reading as they can, because gmail.com. u this makes a big difference in student achievement.
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ELECTRICIAN
Let Us Chase Out the Dust Bunnies
OLDE TO
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FLOORS
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Windows
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alex@windowscraft.com Licensed, Insured and Bonded License # 69006200
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(301) 990-7775 Family owned and operated 3 Generations of Experience September 2014 ★ 165
Jim's Handyman Service, LLC Too busy to do it yourself?
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C
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E an
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166 ★ Hillrag.com
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Call Tom for a Free Estimate
202-544-4484
www.michaligamasonry.com FORMER HEAD MASON OF THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL FROM 1989 - 1996.
Reasonable Prices : Hill Resident Licensed • Bonded • Insured
P
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CHIMNEY REPOINTING, LINING & REPAIRS!
HALLIDAY
es
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PAINTING
ROOFING / GUTTERS R.W. ROOFING
We offer the most competitive price in town. All Roofing & Rubber Roofs. We do everything: replacements, repairs, maintenance and coatings. See our ad under general contracting. 202-674-0300 or 301-929-0664.
CONCRETE & BRICKPOINTING Historic Masonry Repointing & Repairs Restoration cleaning on historical brick and stone Basements & Waterproofing
• • •
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NO Job Too Small! We Do it All!!
Serving D.C. since 1918
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We are a family-owned business with three generations of expertise in Capitol Hill.
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Little Peach in Training
Short Term Notice Moves Local & Up to 300 mile Radius Expert Packing & Unpacking Temporary Storage by the Day Hourly Rates
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PLUMBING Just Say I Need A Plumber®
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Licensed Bonded Insured
Kenny
202-251-1479 DC P
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WOOD & WHITACRE ROOFING CONTRACTORS 20 years on the Hill Slate - Tile - Copper Specializing in all Flat Roof Systems and Leaks Free Estimates • Work Guaranteed Licensed Bonded Insured
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301-674-1991
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September 2014 ★ 167
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G G ROOFING
AWARDED BEST WASHINGTON, DC CONTRACTOR OF 2012 BY ANGIE’S LIST FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • “50 YEARS EXPERIENCE”
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MENT N R E GOV IOR S AD & SENWITH 10 OFF O UNTTHIS C S I D •
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Keith Roofing EXPERT WORKMANSHIP AT REASONABLE PRICES! Residential/Commercial Over 40 years in Business Chimney Repairs Storm & Wind Damage Repair
• New or Re-Roofing • Tear-Off & Replacement • Flat Roof Specialist • Copper, Tin, Sheet Metal & Rolled • Seamless & Flat Roofs • Re-Sealing • Tar, Asphalt, Gravel, Hot Coats • Modified Bitumen • Ask about our gutter specials Insurance Claims • Free Estimates • 24Hr. Service
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168 ★ Hillrag.com
WATERPROOFING
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STORAGE
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WELDING
Suburban Welding Company
®
Welding & Ornamental Iron Work • Repairs of Original Cast Iron Staircases • Window bars and door security gates • Handrailings & Stair Railings • Fences, Sidewalk Gates, Tree Box Fences • DC code approved bedroom window security bars • Excavating, back hoe services and tree stump grinding • Certified welding
24-hours, 7-day service Free estimates
703-765-9344
www.suburbanweldingcompany.com
k
m
OTHER SERVICES
SOFTWARE/COMPUTERS
BEAUTY/HEALTH/FITNESS
Big dogs, puppies, hard to handle and older dogs. I love them all ….and I also love kitties.
Phillip DuBasky Dog Walking, Kitty Care & Pet Sitting
Serving Capitol Hill Since 1995
Never missed a walk in 10 years Experienced and Reliable Outstanding Hill References • Insured by PSA
202.889.0996
zoolatry (zoo-ahl’-uh-tree)
MISC. FOR RENT 1BR APARTMENT
Street level, one-bedroom apartment, basic furnishings, $1,200 per month, utilities included. Two blocks from Metro orange, blue, silver lines and Harris Teeter grocery. Contact: mbsharp71@gmail.com or 202.546.6549.
2 BR CONDO
Condo for rent Fairfax Village, Washington, D.C, SE. 20020. 2 bedroom no pets, no smoking. $1,250 month (utilities no included). Close to bus & metro. Contact email: Angelique.p.woodson.civ@mail.mil.
the worship of animals – especially a pet
Mid-Day Dog Walking Service
Anchor Computers LOOK AND FEEL BETTER WITH HOT YOGA! New Students Only $20 For 7 Days Of Unlimited Yoga!
WE HAVE: • 37 Bikram Yoga classes weekly • Express 60 minute classes 6 days a week • Children’s non-heated Hatha Yoga on Sundays • Hip-hot yoga Friday nights • Fitness assessments including body composition (with RJL Quantum IV)
On-site Service for Homes and Businesses • • • • • •
Troubleshooting, Repairs & Upgrades Virus and Spyware Removal New and Existing Computer Setup Network andWireless Installation Data Recovery, Transfer and Back-up Webpage Development
ALL LEVELS WELCOME! No reservations required!
410 H ST. NE 202-547-1208 info@bikramyogacapitolhill.com Living on & serving the Hill since 1986
Dr. David Walls-Kaufman Chiropractor
Insured – Bonded Member of National Association of Professional Petsitters
(202) 547-WALK (9255) Meet Our Walkers Online at
SHOE REPAIR
Eastern Market Shoe Repair • Shoes • Boots • Purses • Luggage 645 Penn Ave., SE upstairs M-F 8:30-7 • Sat 9-6
202-543-5632
NANNY AVAILABLE EXPERIENCED PT NANNY
Larry Elpiner Elpiner 301.767.3355 • 202.543.7055
PET SERVICES
TUTOR
www.anchorcomputers.com
DC TUTORING ON THE HILL
All are welcome to Dr. Walls-Kaufman's free Saturday morning Tai Chi class at 8 am in Lincoln Park
Because Optimal Health is Impossible Without Optimal Posture!
SALES ASSOCIATE
UNION STATION BOUTIQUE. Kashmir, a high-end fashion and gift boutique, is seeking a part-time sales associate. Must have excellent people skills and ability to sell with an eye for styling our clients. Flexible hours, professional, friendly atmosphere. Previous sales experience helpful. Please email resume to kashmir@kashmirboutiques.com
I have worked on the hill 20 years, plus good references. Experience with special needs kids. Best nanny you can find. Looking for part-time child care or nanny on call. Call 202-704-9054 or email EvamcLean41@gmail.com.
411 East Capitol St., SE
202-544-6035
BOOK KEEPER
Book keeper - for small Cap Hill office, part time, 3 mornings a week, Dunphy Properties 202 546 2859.
www.zoolatry.com
DOG TRAINING
www.BikramYogaCapitolHill.com |
Pet sitting – Medications Administered Crate Training
HELP WANTED
PET ADOPTION
CAPITAL CATS
Does your student need some expert help with his writing? Does she find it difficult to understand and retain the most important points in assigned reading? Or are simple study skills the problem? I provide a free initial consultation, weekly or biweekly tutoring, and flexible hours. I bring to the job a Ph.D.; years of university teaching experience, including at Georgetown University and George Washington University; and even experience grading the SAT essay. Email me for more information at DCTutoringontheHill@ gmail.com. References available on request. Let me help.
Adoption Event at Howl to the Chief Sundays Noon to 3 PM 733 8th Street, S.E.
a five-minute walk from Eastern Market Metro.
Visit our Web site to view pictures and their engaging personalities at www.capitalcats.petfinder.com or www.homealone.petfinder.com Capital Cats is a non-profit cat rescue organization on the Hill that has many wonderful, personable cats and kittens available for adoption to good homes.
MAKE YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESSFUL!
contact CAROLINA at 202.400.3503 • carolina@hillrag.com September 2014 ★ 169
{the last word}
Remembering Virginia ‘Ginny’ Gaddis
Remembering Mickey Pultz: Owner of Mickey’s Patio
Virginia (Ginny) Gaddis was an active member of the Capitol Hill community from the time she arrived on Capitol Hill in 1974, until 2012. She was elected and served as the single member representative of District 6 A 03 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for many years during the 1980s and 1990s and continued to serve on economic development and transportation committees until 2005. She was a stalwart supporter of historic preservation on Capitol Hill. The historic neighborhood status requires constant vigilance on the part of people in the neighborhood to fight off constant attempts to remodel homes in ways inappropriate to the historic district. Ginny was the principal bird dog for the 6A 03 area of the Capitol Hill for many years. She constantly walked the neighborhood and found nascent attempts to add illegal renovations and additions to properties that were not in keeping with the historic neighborhood designation. She advised people in her district of historic remodeling requirements and helped fight against transgressions wherever possible. Ginny was a bicycle messenger well into her 60s and understood the perils of riding bikes in downtown DC. She supported the building and maintenance of bicycle paths throughout the District of Columbia. Her best-loved vacations were bicycling through England and then Holland. She was ahead of her time on bicycling initiatives in the city and a pioneer in support of more use of bikes in DC. She constantly supported better bicycle paths on the urban streets and parkways of the Nation’s Capital. She was able to ride her bike in DC well into her 80s. Fortunately, she lived to see the day when Capitol Bike Share made significant inroads into commuter and leisure bike paths throughout the city. She was an animal lover who always made a home for shelter dogs and cats and the stray who might lodge with her occasionally. In her final years on the Hill she was always seen with her faithful dog Rita, named for Rita Hayworth for her green eyes. Ginny was one of the initial members of the Congressional Hill Cemetery dog walking community. She and her husband Phil supported the functions at the cemetery including roasting hotdogs on the annual Halloween
My grandmother, Mickey Pultz passed away on August 10, 2014 at the age of 81. She had spent the majority of her adult life owning and operating restaurants on Capitol Hill. She most recently owned “Mickey’s Patio,” which is now the Old Siam on 8th Street. She loved Capitol Hill, and the people of the community, and her generosity and kindness to those in need really captured the hearts of the locals. “The Patio,” as many locals referred to it, was a favorite spot for huge hamburgers, dart games, billiards and a great old jukebox in the back. My grandmother operated Mickey’s Patio by herself, worked hard, and always helped anyone down on their luck, even staying open many years on Thanksgiving, to make sure that any loners that needed a familiar place or a meal were taken care of. She was such an institution on Capitol Hill, and I hope many remember the positive effects she left behind. She was grateful for the many people in the community who visited her during her last days and always had a story about how “Miss Mickey” had helped them out at one time or another. Kristin Heiser kheiser@wicomicocounty.org
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Virginia Gaddis
parties held there. Before coming to DC, Ginny was one of five women who won a battle to prevent the construction of I-485 through the middle of Morningside Lenox Park, her neighborhood in Atlanta. The five women, along with some friends worked for over 10 years to stop the proposal. The I-495 was meant to cut through two parks and would have required the destruction of two schools. Due to the efforts of Ginny and her friends, Morningside Lenox Park is now known as the neighborhood that killed an Interstate. DC was her favorite place for the final 40 years of her life. She clung to her home on 11th St. NE and was a cheerful and friendly presence on her street and in her community. She died in her daughter’s home near Atlanta in June 2014 after a two-week battle with pneumonia. Ginny’s friends, neighbors and comrades in the support of historic preservation, bike paths and animals miss her more than words can express. She was a grand old dame and the Capitol Hill Neighborhood is a sadder place without her. Condolences can be sent to her daughter, Eleanor Stone, at yomamastone@gmail.com. Sandra Rowland Unit Block of Ninth St. NE skrowland@verizon.net
Mickey Pultz
Capitol Hill’s Unique Problem For those of us who live on Capitol Hill there is a unique positive when Congress departs for its summer vacation. When it is in session we don’t get nearly as much rain as the rest of Washington—when they leave, the rain starts coming our way again. After decades of observation and analysis I finally identified the answer that turns out to be too obvious. I would estimate that about two-thirds of the rainfall approaches Washington from the west-northwest. I often watch the clouds and the stormy weather advance across the Potomac River toward the Capitol, but much too often it doesn’t cross into our neighborhood and water our gardens. Although I am a bit embarrassed it took me so long to come up with the explanation, here it is. When Congress is in session it produces and accumulates large heaps of thick and weighty hot air throughout the Capitol and the six (yes six!) House and Senate office buildings. As you might expect this mass of heavy air is not easily budged and all too often it prevents precipitation from breaking into our neighborhood. If Congress would cool down, my flowers would be forever grateful. Leo A. Orleans lorleans@verizon.net 600 Block of E Street SE
Pet Pee-ve I’ve just returned from Eastern Market and a brief visit to the les toilettes after picking up a chicken (Hi Mel!) and I was, as has become sadly regular, confronted with every single seat Rorschach spattered with, to be polite, peepee. And one, as is also the disgusting norm, clogged with sodden tissue. Yes, it is I that calls you out when I enter a booth you’ve just departed and left in a mess. I do not apologize. You deserve the embarrassment. Mama may have told you not to sit on strange pots, and it’s so nice of you to obey, for once. But be mindful of those lacking the paranoia about disease, or the thigh strength to squat, and wipe off your stray deposits. There are these lovely paper things in a dispenser on the wall that are there to protect your posterior, perhaps you’ve noticed? Use them. There is a charming little ditty that goes, “If you sprinkle when you tinkle please be neat and wipe the seat.” Would that the market gods sprayed THAT on the walls. Your pissed off neighbor. Stephanie Cavanaugh stephaniecavanaugh@verizon.net u
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2014 FALL
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PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE ARE THEIR #1 GO-TO RESOURCE FOR UP-TO-DATE LOCAL NEWS!
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202.543.8300 Carolina x12 • Dave x22 • Kira x16 • Andrew x19 Publication Date - Hill Rag: October 4 MidCity DC & East of the River: October 11
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{where we live}
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Southwest Neighborhood Assembly meets in the sunlit atrium of Arena Stage. Photo: Andrew Lightman