HILLRAG 0710

capitalcommunitynews.com • July 2010

Est. 1981

Art House Open House Happy Hour

Featuring a group show of local DC Artists. Come see how an eclectic art collection can warm up & enliven a home. July 15th 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

610 Independence Ave, SE

www.homevisit.com/DC7332222

www.homevisit.com/ DC7361472

2416 39th Place, NW

447 Tenn. Avenue, NE

Pete Frias 202-744-8973

Pete Frias 202-744-8973

SHEPHERD PARK – Rarely Available RENOVATED Home in Shepherd Park! $799,500

www.MouseOnHouse.com/11435

1508 Portal Drive, NW

Fern Pannill 240-508-4856

CAPITOL HILL – 1BR Condo w/ patio, parking, fireplace & 12 foot ceilings! $309,000

www.chriszimmer.com/614EL

614 Elliott Street, NE #1C

Genie Hutinet 202-413-7661

537 7th Street, SE

Extremely well appointed 3BR/3.5BA w/ stunning 3BR/2.5BA w/ GARAGE, steps to Barrack’s Row & 1.5 blks to E.Mkt. METRO! $698,500 www.chriszimmer.com/5377SE

Todd Bissey 202-841-7653

Extremely well appointed 3BR/3.5BA w/ stunning marble kitchen, an enormous MBR suite w/ deck, finished bsmt & steps to E.Mkt! Genie Hutinet 202-413-7661

GLOVER PARK – Absolutely perfect 3BR/3BA Glover Park Tudor! $799,000

CAPITOL HILL – Wow! Is it possible that this 4BR/3.5BA is too nice?

Stan Bissey 202-841-1433

16th St. HEIGHTS – 4BR/2BA charmer w/ finished bsmt, deck & fabulous yard! $549,000 www.chriszimmer.com/4617arkansas

4617 Arkansas Avenue, NW Todd Bissey 202-841-SOLD THE BISSEY TEAM

CAPITOL HILL – Renovated 3BR/2.5BA, parking, double decks, yard & 1 block to METRO! $629,500 www.chriszimmer.com/1718bay

1718 Bay Street, SE

Todd Bissey 202-841-SOLD THE BISSEY TEAM

PENN QUARTER – New 1BR condo w/ 24 HR desk, gym, roof deck & business center with free WIFI. $349,000

777 7th Street, NW #404

Pete Frias 202-744-8973

CAPITOL HILL – 2BR/2.5BA on picturesque block! $579,500

116 Duddington Place, SE Fern Pannill 240-508-4856

229 8th Street, NE

4BR/2.5BA w/ 1BR In-Law Suite, backyard oasis & GARAGE! $849,000 www.chriszimmer.com/2298NE

Todd Bissey 202-841-7653

Stan Bissey 202-841-1433

“WHERE WASHINGTON SHOPS FOR A NEW ADDRESS!”® 225 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003

Tel: 202-544-3900 www.johncformant.com

Sales • Rentals • Commercial Leasing • Property Management • Investments

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G COMIN SOON! Expect to be Envied!

826 A Street, SE

Freedom in View!

302 4th Street, SE

Gardener’s Paradise!

328 6th Street, SE

Power Location!

431 First Street, SE

Buried Treasure 218 6th Street, SE

J A N E

Capitol Hill Castle!

209 8th Street, SE

Grandeur at the Market 801 Independence Ave SE 5217 Westpath Way Ft. Sumner — Bethesda Presented by Wm. C Murphy

Condo at the Court!

11 2nd Street, NE

Phyllis Jane Young COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE LICENSED BROKER IN DC, MD, AND VA

P H Y L L I S

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705 N. Carolina Avenue, SE Spectacular Eastern Market Location + C2A Zoning + Parking!

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Visit my listings at cbmove.com, realtor.com, oodle, trulia, cyberhomes, zillow, google, yahoo, aol, craigslist, washingtonpost, nytimes, AND OF COURSE...

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Remember! Many are the agents...But few are the pros!

Y O U N G

capitalcommunitynews.com H

H HillRag | July 2010

Rob Bergman Invites to

Join The 8th Annual Capitol Hill 4th of July Parade Sponsored by Robert Bergman, Tiber Creek Associates of Capitol Hill and the Masons of Naval Lodge No. 4 on Capitol Hill

Sunday, July 4th – 10 AM Don't miss: * The Commandant's Own Drum and Bugle Corp! * Engine Co. 18 Truck! * Mini Cooper Club of Capitol Hill! * Monster Bikes! * Model T's! * Fairy Princess Patrol! * USMC vehicles and special surprise USMC guest ...and much more!

Capitol Hill

Celebrate the Nation's Birthday!

4 The event will take place from 9 AM and 2 PM. Parade marchers should meet at the intersection of 8th and I SE at 9 AM. The parade will begin at 10 AM. Immediately following the parade, the 4th of July Family Festival will be held at the Eastern Market Metro Plaza, from 10:45 AM until 2 PM. The festival will benefit an Arts Education Fund for DC Public Schools on Capitol Hill.

To register a marching group, visit http://tiberdc.com/4thofjuly.

For more information, contact Sharon Boesen at (202) 230-4588 or email sharonboesen@gmail.com.

Proudly Presented since it’s beginning by Rob Bergman, Former Marine and The Capitol Hill Cluster Schools Parent.

202.262.3848 capitalcommunitynews.com H

W

elcome to The Chesapeake Room where our mission is simple… To bring our guest an organic, sustainable & free range dining experience while bringing to life the natural & fresh taste of each season. We have a passion for all that our beautiful Mid-Atlantic waters & farms have to offer & hope you will, too. Thanks for coming!

The Chesapeake Room 501 8th Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 (p) 202-543-1445 (f) 202-543-1447 thechesapeakeroom.com

Now Open: Serving Lunch and Dinner Daily 11am-10pm Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm Late Night Menu till 1am Daily

+TZWYM TK /ZQ^ 8FQJ Celebrate the birthday of America and Ginkgo Gardens...... for 10 days only......

June 26th through July 5th.

25% to 50% off on selected perennials & annuals 25% to 50% off on all furniture - tables, chairs, plant stands, patio umbrellas HUGE savings on all types of pottery, statuary, garden ornaments, trellises, & fountains.... all 25 to 50% off during the 10 day celebration.

Many other items will be marked down during this sale.......register for our July 4th drawing during the sale.

Winner receives a $100.00 shopping spree.

Over 10 Years on the Hill! www.ginkgogardens.com )(§X 'JXY :WGFS ,FWIJS (JSYJW H HillRag | July 2010

911 11th Street, SE • Washington, DC 20003 • 202.543.5172 • M-F 8-7 • Sat 8-6 • Sun 9-5

capitalcommunitynews.com H

07.10

What’s Inside

ineveryissue 14 16 34 42 44 59 103 140 148 150

Go ... See ... Do Washington’s Best Calendar The Bulletin Board The District Beat / by Mark Segraves The Numbers / by Ed Lazere Spotted on the Hill / by Peter Vankevich Dining Coupons Classified Ads Last Word The Nose Knows

newsofthecapitolstreets

54

31 Hill Buzz / by Celeste McCall 46 ANC 6A / Crime, Convenience Store ‘Connection’ and Contentious Construction/ by Tanya Snyder 48 ANC 6B / Sorting Out ‘Peace, Order and Quiet’ on Barrack’s Row/ by Hunter L. Gorinson 49 ANC 6C / New Residential Development in the Mount Vernon Triangle/ by Hunter L. Gorinson 50 ANC 6D / Another Capper/Carrollsburg Hope VI Delay/

by Roberta Weiner 54 Streetcar Questions Loom / by Paul D. Shinkman 56 Eastern Market Watch / by Paul D. Shinkman 58 IGU Loses Accreditation and Tax-Exempt Status / by

Peter Waldron

communitylife 60 62 64 66 68

Little Lights in the Big City / by Melanie Sunukjian Rita Hunt Martin Retires / by Celeste McCall Barracks Row / by Sharon Bosworth H Street Life / by Elise Bernard South by West / by William Rich

realestate 71 Huge Project Planned Above Boat House Row / by Shauna Holmes 72 Changing Hands: Residential Home Sales / compiled by Don Denton

Capitol Hill Pets Special

79 90 92 93 94

Pet Photo Contest Living Longer and Better / by Dr. Gary Weitzman Sit-A-Pet celebrates 30 years / by Heather Schoell ‘Rover’ is SO over / by Rebecca Bisgyer New Pet Store Opens on H Street / by Heather Schoell

ARTSdining

97 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 112

Acque al Due / by Celeste McCall Policy / by Celeste McCall Dining Notes / by Celeste McCall Spanish Wines for Summer / by Jon Genderson One Actor’s Collection of Characters / by Brad Hathaway New Italian Movie With a Different Accent / by Mike Canning The Literary Hill / by Karen Lyon Artist Portrait: Gayle Krughoff/ by Jim Magner The Jazz Project / by Jean Keith Fagon

kidsandfamily 113 116 118 119 120

79

Kids & Family Notebook / by Mary-Frances Daly Middle School Reform Proceeds / by Alexander Krughoff DC Sail / by Laurie Pomerson Eastern SHS Health & Medical Sciences / by Elizabeth Nelson School Notes/ compiled by Susan Johnson

beautyhealthfitness 125 128

Relieving Pain and Staying Healthy / by Pattie Cinelli Your Brain Needs Excercise / by Ronda Bresnick Hauss

homesgardens 129 132 136 138

The Hill Gardener / by Rindy O’Brien Ask Judith / by Judith Capen Garden Spot/ by Derek Thomas Dear Garden Lady / by Wendy Blar capitalcommunitynews.com • July 2010

COVER: “Cuddle” by Marie Straw, 19”x25”, Acrylic on Canvas. Visit Marie’s Website at http://mariestraw.com. She will also be having an exhibit at Reston Art Gallery in October.

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Hill Rag Dc North East Of The River Fagon Community Guides Capital Community News, Inc. 224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 • www.capitalcommunitynews.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner melissaashabranner@hillrag.com Editorial Staff

Cell phones Six Inches From Your Head

By Dr. DaviD Walls-Kaufman

l

ike growing numbers of chiropractors and doctors around the world, i’ve been warning about the risks of cell phone radiation for years. now, i’m not so alone.

The dangers of cell phone use are pretty clear when independent researchers look at the likelihood of brain tumors. Every study that has been able to analyze persons who have used phones heavily for a decade—including those done for industry—has found the same thing. in fact, brain tumors can take three or four decades to form, and definitive patterns will not be evident in humans until 2030. But, what about other neurological diseases, i.e. lou Gehrig’s, multiple sclerosis, and more general learning problems—all apparently rising today around the world? Could cell phone radiation play a role here? my friend, and long-time Capitol Hill resident, awardwinning, writer-researcher, Devra lee Davis, has founded Environmental Health Trust(EHT)—a non-profit aimed at identifying and controlling important environmental health hazards. Davis’s important new book, Disconnect will be released at riverby’s in september and is already gaining attention government and the research community. The mayors of san francisco, Jackson Hole Wyoming and Bordeaux, france, have all taken this advice to heart, as have governments in israel, finland and England and growing numbers of neurosurgeons, including Cnn’s sanjay Gupta and australia’s vinnie Karuna. Cell phones today are like cars—essential devices that must be used safely.

Our office provides information on the Campaign for safer Cell Phones, as dose EHT’s web site www.environmentalhealthtrust.org.

For the better health and life experience of you and your family Capitol Hill Chiropractic Center 411 East Capitol St., SE | 202.544.6035 Serving Capitol Hill since 1985.

Society & Events

Managing Editor: Andrew Lightman andrew@hillrag.com CFO & Associate Editor: Maria Carolina Lopez carolina@hillrag.com Kids & Family Editor: Susan Braun Johnson schools@hillrag.com Associate Editor: Mary-Frances Daly maryfrances@hillrag.com

Mickey Thompson • socialsightings@aol.com

Homes & Gardens

Rindy O’Brien - Hill Gardener • rindyob@mac.com Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Judith Capen • judith.capen@architravepc.com HomeStyle: Mark Johnson • mark@hillrag.com

News & Neighborhood Reports

Arts, Dining & Entertainment

Art: Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Dining: Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.com Hit the City: Hunter Gorinson • hunter.gorinson@gmail.com Literature: Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu Movies: Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net Music: Stephen Monroe • samonroe2004@yahoo.com Retail Therapy: Hunter Gorinson • hunter.gorinson@gmail.com Theater: Brad Hathaway • brad@potomacstages.com Travel: Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com The Wine Guys: Jon Genderson • jon@cellar.com

Calendar & Bulletin Board

Hill Rag, DC North & East of the River: Calendar Editor: Kathleen Donner calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

General Assignment

Michelle Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Celeste McCall • celeste@hillrag.com Heather Schoell • hschoell@verizon.net Tanya Synder • tanya.c.snyder@gmail.com Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Peter Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Hunter Gorinson • hunter.gorinson@gmail.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Paul D. Shinkman - pdshinkman@gmail.com Melanie Sunukjian - melsunuk@gmail.com Shannon Holloway - holloway.shannon@gmail.com

BEAUTY, Health­­ & Fitness

Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW • www.quietwaterscenter.com quiet_waters_center@yahoo.com Peter Sherer • Peter@expmatters.com

KIDS & FAMILY

Mary-Frances Daily • kidsnotebook@hillrag.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com

anc6a:

Tanya Snyder • tanya.c.snyder@gmail.com Hunter Gorinson • hunter.gorinson@gmail.com anc6c: Hunter Gorinson • hunter.gorinson@gmail.com anc6d: Roberta Weiner • rweiner_us@yahoo.com Barracks Row: sharon@barracksrow.org H Street Life: Elise Bernard • inked78@hotmail.com the Nose: thenose@hillrag.com Logan Circle • mark@hillrag.com Shaw • shaw@hillrag.com Mount Vernon Triangle • triangle@hillrag.com Bloomingdale • bloomingdale@hillrag.com 14th & U • 14thandU@hillrag.com anc6b:

Production/Graphic Design

Associate Art Director: Jason Yen 202.543.8300 X21 • jay@hillrag.com Graphic Designer/ Web Master: Jason Nickens 202.543.8300 X17 • jason@hillrag.com

Advertising & Sales

Senior Account Executive: Deborah Bandzerewicz 202.543.8300 X13 • deb@hillrag.com Account Executive: Kira Means 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com Classified Advertising: Maria Carolina Lopez 202.543.8300 X12 • carolina@hillrag.com

Distribution

Distribution Manager: Andrew Lightman Distributors: Southwest Distribution Distribution Information: distribution@hillrag.com

Deadlines & CONTACTS

Advertising: sales@hillrag.com Display Ads: 15th of each month Classified Ads: 10th of each month Editorial: 15th of each month; submissions@hillrag.com Bulletin Board & Calendar: 15th of each month; calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

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.

Publisher: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com ADVERTISEMENT

Copyright © 2010 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.

capitalcommunitynews.com 10 H HillRag | June 2010

Marvelous Market 303 7th Street SE (202) 544-7127

*Your Neighborhood Realtors* FOR SALE:

BAKERY CAFÉ BISTRO DELI BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SNACKS ENTERTAINING CATERING TGI MARVELOUS: Through October, live entertainment EVERY Friday from 5-7 on the patio featuring Redwood Classical Guitar Duo and Dave Mosick & Friends.

1st Friday of each month: Kids music with MR. SKIP Last Friday of each month: Wine Tasting

1307 South Carolina,SE $1,100,000 | 6 bds, 3 1/2 bath Grand Lady, with 4 parking spaces and 2 bedroom rental unit

559 15th St, SE $599,999 | 2 BR plus DEN, 2.5 BA. Antique charmer w/chic twist and glorious garden/decks.

5016 9th St, NW $564,000 | 3BR, 3BA, Basement studio apt, 4 car pkg

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 6/27, 12- 2 PM 748 7th ST, SE | Unit C $799,999 | A RARITY INDEED: 2100+ Square Foot, 3BR condo (bigger than many Hill homes!) with VIEW OF CAPITOL, outdoor space, and PARKING!

1311 Delaware Ave, SW Unit S445 | $114,900 Studio, 1BA

UNDER CONTRACT: 736 7th St, SE ................................................................... $599,000

*July 4 is Just Around the Corner.

Time for our ever-popular FLAG CAKE and CUPCAKES! (Don’t forget to pre-order!)* WWW.MARVELOUSMARKET.COM

Hours: 7am-9pm Monday-Saturday 8am-7pm Sundays

Megan Shapiro (Cell) 202-329-4068 meg@megandgeorge.com

George Olson (Cell) 202-203-0339

george@megandgeorge.com

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Fitnesstogether.com/capitolhill

FORGET THE FAD DIETS. FORGET THE GIMMICKS.

Get your FREE session*

Fitness Together combines one-on-one training and our nutrition program, Nutrition Together, to help you reach your health and fitness goals.

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Call 202-558-6486 Hurry! This offer expires 07/31/10

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PRIVATE TRAINING GET RESULTS.

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(o) 202.543.8300

(f) 202.544.8941

www.capitalcommunitynews.com 12 H HillRag | July 2010

capitalcommunitynews.com H 13

GO.SEE.DO.

Capitol Hill July 4th Parade and Festival Picnic.

July 4, 10 AM. Don’t miss Capitol Hill’s hometown Independence Day parade featuring The Commandant’s Own Drum and Bugle Corp, Engine Co. 18 Truck, Mini Cooper Club of Capitol Hill, Monster Bikes, Model T’s, Fairy Princess Patrol, USMC vehicles, special surprise USMC guest and much, much more. The parade begins at 10 AM and proceeds north on Eighth Street SE from I Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. Parade marchers should meet at the intersection of Eighth and I streets SE at 9 AM. A Family Festival will be held at the Eastern Market Metro Plaza, from 10:45 AM until 2 PM. The festival benefits an Arts Education Fund for DC Public Schools on Capitol Hill. To register a marching group, visit http://tiberdc.com/4thofjuly. For more information, contact Sharon Boesen at 202-230-4588 or sharonboesen@gmail.com.

14 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Sunday Forum Conversations at the Washington National Cathedral.

Chincoteague Pony Swim and Firemen’s Carnival.

July 28 and July 29. The Pony Swim is on July 28. The exact time of the swim isn’t announced until the day before. The Pony Auction and Firemen’s Carnival is on July 29. For several decades the annual Pony Swim has been the Eastern Shore’s biggest event, drawing up to 50,000 spectators from across the nation. It started in 1925 to raise money for new firefighting equipment. Members of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company gather the herd of wild ponies on neighboring Assateague Island and swim them over to Chincoteague. The Firemen’s Carnival features old-fashioned family fun with rides, games, food, live entertainment, raffles, and more.

The carnival is open July 1-3, 9-10, 16-7, 23-24, 26-31, and Aug. 6-7. There are fireworks on July 3. www.easternshorevisitor. com/chincoteague-pony-swim

Sundays, 10:10 AM (lasts about 50 minutes). Washington National Cathedral at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue, NW. The Sunday Forum is a weekly program of honest, intellectually probing, and generous-spirited dialogue about major issues of our time as seen from the Christian perspective. Issues such as health care, homelessness, hunger, aging, youth, animals, politics, civic life are discussed with prominent experts. Free and welcoming of the public. No tickets required. 202-537-6382. www. nationalcathedral.org/learn/sundayForum.shtml

“Design for the Other 90%”.

On exhibition daily through September 6, 9 AM-5 PM, National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. This exhibit highlights the growing trend among designers to develop solutions that address basic needs for the vast majority of the world’s population not traditionally served by professional designers. Of the world’s 6.5 billion people, 90 percent have few to none of the basic necessities required for progress and survival. “Design for the Other 90%” presents more than 30 innovative products and solutions to these obstacles. Free. 202-857-7588. www.nationalgeographic.com/museum capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 15

★ ★ ★

JULY

HillRag CALENDAR

TOP TEN DC AREA JULY 4TH EVENTS July Fourth National Symphony Orchestra Concert Full Dress Rehearsal. July 3, 7:30 PM. US Capitol West lawn. You will find a much smaller crowd at the concert rehearsal.

You will be allowed on the Capitol grounds starting at 3 PM. You will go through security, and alcohol may be confiscated. Free. www. nso.org The National Archives Celebrates the Fourth of July. July 4. Band performance, 8:30-9:45 AM; Ceremony, 10-11 AM; Family activities, 11

16 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Free to DC residents – apply today!

Success starts NOW. Prepare your 3 or 4 year old to thrive in school with AppleTree.

Now enrolling for the 2010-2011 school year.

AM-2 PM. The celebration will include patriotic music, a dramatic reading of the Declaration by historical reenactors, and exciting free family activities and entertainment for all ages.

Following its morning celebration, the first-ever National Archives float will launch the National Independence Day Parade in front of the National Archives Building at 11:45 AM. Free. Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW. 202-357-5400. www.archives.gov Capitol Hill July Fourth Parade and Festival Picnic. July 4. Parade, 10 AM. Festival, 11 AM. Parade route is along Eighth Street SE between Pennsylvania Avenue and I Street SE. Festival is at Eastern Market Metro Plaza. Free.

Patriotic Organ Concert at the National Cathedral. July 4, 2 PM. Washington National Cathedral. The all-American program opens with Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and includes opportunities for audience singing the National Anthem and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.” Free. 202537-8980. www.nationalcathedral.org July Fourth Fireworks and National Symphony Orchestra Concert. July 4, 8 PM. US Capitol west lawn. Fireworks at about 9:15 PM. No one will be allowed on the Capitol west lawn until 3 PM. Come early with a picnic and a blanket to the grounds of the US Capitol for the National Symphony Orchestra Annual Independence Day Concert.

The fireworks can be seen from all over the Mall, from many rooftops and from across the river. Just make sure that you have a clear view of the top half of the Washington Monument. You will go through security, and alcohol may be confiscated. The fireworks and concert go on except in the case of extremely bad weather. Your best source for up-to-the-minute information is local TV and radio stations. Free. www. nso.org America’s Independence Day Parade.

July 4, 11:45 AM (sharp). Parade begins at Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW and proceeds on Constitution Avenue to 17th Street.

The parade consists of about 20 marching bands (including fife and drum corps), 15 floats, military units, giant balloons, equestrian units, drill teams, municipal entries and ce-

AppleTree’s evidence-based program helps children develop skills they need for kindergarten. They develop academic and social skills through: • Caring and engaged TEACHERS who receive extensive training on early childhood learning & development • Stimulating and fun CLASSROOMS where children learn important skills and a positive approach to learning • A CURRICULUM that increases academic and real-life knowledge for students and supports their individual needs Pre-applications for the East Capitol campus, located on the grounds of Eastern High School at the intersection of East Capitol Street and 19th St NE are being accepted through July 8, 2010 If required, a public lottery will be held Friday, July 9th, 2010 at our Riverside campus (address below) Request an application form by calling the East Capitol campus on 202.525.7807 or apply online at www. appletreeinstitute.org AppleTree Early Learning PCS – East Capitol 1900 East Capitol Street, NE –202.525.7808 Visit one of our additional campuses: AppleTree Early Learning PCS - Riverside 680 I Street, SW • 202.646.0500 AppleTree Early Learning PCS - Amidon 401 I Street, SW • 202.646.0094 AppleTree Early Learning PCS - Columbia Heights 2750 14th Street, NW • 202.667.9490 AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School prohibits discrimination on the basis of a student’s race, color, religion, national origin, language spoken, intellectual or athletic ability, meaures of achievement or aptitude, or status as a student with special needs.

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 17

Kitty Kaupp & Tati Kaupp Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 605 Pennsylvania Ave SE 202-741-1699, kkaupp@cbmove.com 142 12th Street NE $1,250,000 Pristine historic wide bay front Victorian.Light-filled house w/ windows on 3 sides. 3BRs 2.5BAs + 2BR 2BA unit. 2 car pkg.Formal entry, LR w/ bay gas fireplace. Center stairs/foyer/library.Formal DR w/bay & wood FP, pocket door. Heart Pine floors.

PR .Large eat- in kitchen + FamRm. granite,SS appl.

Screened porch to rear garden & side dog leg for bikes/grill. Upper level 3 BR's, 2 BA -MBA suite.

2nd porch .Pre-wired cable. 2 BR rental unit covers approx 400K of mortgage.

408 3rd Street SE $887,000 Live on the park! At Providence & Folger Parks.

Close in location- Walk to US Capitol, House Side.

2BR 2.5BA main house and 1BR 1BA 1 st Fl Legal unit w/ C of O. Rental income debt services mortgage. Open fl plan. LR w/wood burn FP, built-ins, windows & glass door to rear yard +2 Car Pkg. Formal DR. Kitchen w/ French doors opening to park tree top views. PR. Hhwd floors, CAC, MBR w/ dbl closets.Fresh MBA w/ glazed tiles. 2nd BR, 2nd BA W/D & linen closet & storage. Capitol South + Eastern Mkt metro.

319-321 D Street NE $1,600,000 Under Contract C2A within CID,CAP & CHC Overlay District. At US Capitol, Senate, Congress. 2 bayfront TH joined together, 3 levels, 3,486 SF floor area.

Total: 10 offices,open area, Conf Rm, 2 full BA, 2HB& Kitch. 2 offices sound proofed, 3 blocks toUnion Station, Metro & Amtrak.

!

D L SO

3418 Porter Street NW, Under Contract $979,500 Renovated by award win architect Neal Payton. 3 BR 2.5 Ba. Semi-detached light-filled home on 3 levels + Bsmt. Graceful side entrance. LR w/FP +French doors to terrace. Kitch + DR w/Family Rm open to amazing deep garden + stone patio.

Finished attic office+ sep storage. Bsmt work space, attached Garage + additional 2 car Pkg rear of house. Walk to METRO/shops/restaurants.

!

D L SO

530-532 7th Street SE $3,150,000 Commercial zoned C2A. Edwardian Brick Two Story, elegantly appointed semi detached bldg.

6553 SF of office space. Pkg- 17 Available land for future development. Land area 7,923 SF. Prime location at Eastern Mkt & Metro & PA Ave SE , Navy Yard. 8 blocks from the US Capitol, House Side.

1400-1404 K Street SE Land 3 Buildable Lots $695,000 6000 SF Land Area, 3 Buildable lots, 6 Grand units 2000sf each or 3 2Unit Town houses, 13,000 GBA, Blueprints available. Traditional Capitol Hill design. 1.5 blocks to Pennsylvania Ave, Jenkins Row Condos & Harris Teeter grocery. Potomac Avenue metro steps away. Walk to Eastern Market & Barracks Row retail.

View on www.kittykaupp.com 18 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Lost at Sea: The Ocean in the English Imagination, 1550–1750. Through Sept. 4. Mon.-Sat., 10 AM-5 PM. Folger Shakespeare Library. On display are the tools early modern mariners used – from maps, astrolabes, and compasses to books, symbols, and stories – to plot locations and understand their place in the world, both literally and figuratively. Free. 201 East Capitol St. SE. 202-544-4600. www.folger.edu.

lebrities. www.july4thparade.com “What to the Slave?” Speech Reenactment at Frederick Douglas National Historical Site. July 5, 1-3 PM. Frederick Douglas reenactor delivers the famous “What to the Slave?” (does July Fourth mean) speech from the front porch of the home at 1 PM. Kids activities follow. Free. 1411 W St. SE. 202-426-5960. www.nps.gov/frdo Palisades July Fourth Parade & Picnic.

July 4, 11 AM. Parade route is MacArthur Blvd. between Whitehaven Blvd. and Sherier Pl. NW. The July Fourth parade has been a Palisades tradition for many years. What makes this parade unique is that anyone can march in it. Registration is not necessary. The line-up begins at 10:15 AM on Whitehaven Parkway in the order in which people appear. After the parade, marchers and spectators will gather for a free picnic with moon bounces, horse rides, hot dogs, watermelon and live music at the Palisades Rec Center on Sherier Place. www.palisadesdc.org An American Celebration at Mount Vernon. July 4, 8 AM-5 PM. Mount Vernon, Va. Celebrate Independence Day at the home of the first American hero with “General and Mrs. Washington”. Festivities include patriotic music by the National Concert Band of America, military re-enactments by the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, FREE “Happy Birthday, America!” cake (while supplies last) and a unique daytime fireworks display over the Potomac River.

The Sons of the American Revolution host a wreathlaying ceremony at Washington’s tomb where visitors are invited to lay a carnation. $15 for adults ($14 for seniors 62 and older), $7 for children 6 to 11 and free for ages 5 and younger. 703-780-2000. www.mountvernon.org Independence Day Celebration and Air Force Band Concert. July 4, 8 PM (fireworks over Washington Monument follow).

Air Force Memorial at One Air Force Memorial Drive in Arlington, VA. Contemporary and patriotic tunes and spectacular views of the nighttime Washington, DC skyline.

Free. www.airforcememorial.org Antietam Battlefield Salute to Independence. July 3, 7:30-9:30 PM (fireworks follow). Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Md. Join the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and Zambelli International Fireworks for a special Independence Day commemoration. Be sure to bring a blanket, plenty of water or soft drinks, and a flashlight. Food and drink for sale. No pets.

301-432-5124. www.nps.gov/anti

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS Smithsonian Folklife Festival. July 1July 5. 11 AM-5:30 PM. Evening events at 6 PM. 2010 themes are MÉxico, Asian Pacif-

ic Americans and Smithsonian Inside Out. Free entrance (food is extra). National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. www. folklife.si.edu/center/festival Hip-Hop Theater Festival. July 6-10.

Hip-Hop is an urban art form of stories, people, music, dance, and spoken word.

For many in DC, Hip-Hop and its scene is the soundtrack that defines them and their communities. www.hhtf.org Capital Fringe Festival. July 8-25. Over 14 venues throughout Downtown DC will be hosting performances. “Uncensored.

Unjuried. Risk-taking.” With its diverse and abundant programming concentrated during a short period of time, audiences will have an easy time exploring the tapestry of experimental work available. $15 plus a one-time “fringe” button. www.capfringe.org Fort Stevens Day. July 10, 11 AM-4 PM. Learn the compelling stories of bravery and sacrifice during the Civil War through live reenactments, lectures, tours and music. Free. 13th and Quackenbos streets NW. 202-895-6070. www.culturaltourismdc.org Bastille Day at the Embassy of France.

July 10, 7 PM-midnight. Food, fun, music and dance for a worthy cause. $85. 4101 Reservoir Road NW. www.Bastille.Org 2010 Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Annual Waterlily Festival. July 17, 10 AM-3 PM. Blooming lilies and lotuses. Storytelling and puppet show. Face painting. Gardening workshops. Pond and greenhouse tours. Arrive at 9 AM and help clean up the gardens.

Free. 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-4266905. www.nps.gov/keaq Post-Game Fireworks at Washington National’s Stadium. July 2, 9 and 30, (about) 10 PM. The fireworks take place immediately after all Friday night home games. You don’t have to be at the game to enjoy the fireworks. Free. South Capitol and N streets SE. www.washington.nationals.mlb.com

SIX GREAT WAYS TO MEET PEOPLE Tennis on the Hill Adult Tennis Mixer. On July 10, 9-11 AM, play mini-sets with different partners to give you a chance to meet other Tennis on the Hill players. Refreshments. Gallaudet University Tennis Courts.

Register at www.tennisonthehill.org “Asia After Dark” at the Sackler and Freer Galleries on the Mall. July 15, 6:3010:30 PM. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW; Freer Gallery of Art, Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW. $18 advanced purchase and $20 at the door. This includes one free drink. A cash bar will offer specialty cocktails, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the evening, as well as food from area restaurants. www.

Vet Taxi introduces Zilla’s Dream B & B for Dogs Let our home be a second home to your aging or special needs dogs Offering Personalized Care for Dogs with: • • • • •

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asia.si.edu/asiaafterdark Phillips after 5. First Thursday of every month, 5-8:30 PM. The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. Gallery talks. Live jazz.

Museum shop. Food. Socializing in the Galleries. Cash Bar. Admission is the price of the current exhibition. 202-387-2151. www.phillipscollection.org Jazz on Jackson Place. First Thursday of every month through September, 6:30-8:30 PM. Decatur House Courtyard, 748 Jackson Pl. NW (at Lafayette Park). “In the spirit of our nearly two centuries-old tradition of great entertaining, Decatur House invites you to gather and relax in our beautiful, historic setting while enjoying the sounds of local musicians.” $25, includes food and drink (beer and wine). 202-218-4332. www. decaturhouse.org First Wednesday Jazz @ The Historical Society. First Wednesday of every month, 6-9 PM. The Historical Society of Washington, DC, 801 K St. NW. Described as a “motivational mixer” featuring jazz, R&B and neo soul. $10 cover. Food and spirits are extra. 202-383-1850. www.historydc.org Volunteering Made Easy by One Brick. One Brick brings volunteers together to support other nonprofit organizations by adopting an innovative twist to the volunteer experience: they create a friendly and social atmosphere around volunteering, and after each volunteer event, invite volunteers to gather at a local restaurant or cafe where they can get to know one another in a relaxed social setting. www.onebrick.org

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Fourth of July Cookout, Fireworks viewing. July 4, noon-10 PM. St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, sodas for sale. Contributions for seating to view fireworks. Proceeds to benefit church’s outreach programs. 600 M St. SW. 202-554-3222 or rector@staugustinesdc.org

Thomas V. Kelly In Loving Memory Tom Kelly, who died last week at the age of 86, lived almost his entire life on the block of Constitution Avenue where he grew up and where this photograph captured him, on the roof of his house. He leaves his wife, Marguerite, author of the Washington Post’s Family Almanac column, daughters Katherine Kelly Bottorff, Meg Kelly Rizzoli, Nell Kelly Conroy, three sons-in-law, one daughterin-law, and eight grandchildren. His son, Michael, also a journalist, was killed in Iraq in 2003.

Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to the Thomas and Michael Kelly Scholarship Fund at Gonzaga College High School, which both attended, 19 Eye St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.

Photograph: Charles Arnhold

20 ★ HillRag | July 2010

The Corner Store Game Night. July 6.

7:30-9 PM. Calling all Wordsmiths for Bananagrams. Four players per table. Open to first 24 to sign up. $5 donation. 900 South Carolina Ave. SE 202-544-5807. www.cornerstorearts.org Art & Spirit Coffeehouse at St. Augustine’s. July 7, 7 PM. St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church. Featured are BJ Durham; a poet, singer and teacher and Raheem Rasta; musician, band leader and math tutor. Free.

Donations accepted to offset program expenses. 600 M St. SW. 202-554-3222 or rector@staugustinedc.org Honoring Mary McLeod Bethune at Lincoln Park. July 10, 6 PM. Every July 10, The

National Council of Negro Women gathers to celebrate Mary McLeod Bethune’s birthday.

Guest speaker. Youth choir. All are welcome.

Free. Lincoln Park, East Capitol St. between 11th and 13th streets. 202-737-0120. www. ncnw.org Barracks Row, Second Saturday. Second Saturday of every month. 5:30-9:30 PM. Stroll Barracks Row and enjoy promotional samples from restaurants, discounts at retailers. Eighth St. SE from Pennsylvania Avenue to the Navy Yard. 202-544-3188. www. barracksrow.org Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. Sundays, 2 PM. Sidamo Coffee and Tea. Visit Sidamo on Sundays and take part in a centuriesold ceremony led by storeowner Yalemzwed “Mimi” Desta. 417 H St. NE. 202-548-0081. www.sidamocoffeeandtea.com Community Office Hours with Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells. Second Thursday of the month in Southwest and fourth Thursday of the month on H Street NE; both are 8-9:30 AM. All Ward 6 residents encouraged to come out and meet with Wells and members of his staff. Call Wells’ office for meeting location, 202-7248072, or check online, www.tommywells. org Eastern Market Pottery Classes. Mon.Thur., 7-10 PM. $268 for 8 weeks including materials, firing and Saturday practice time.

Seventh and C streets SE. (use the outside stairs to the basement under the market) 202-544-6669. www.easternmarketpottery. com Marine Barracks Evening Parade. Fridays through Aug. 27. Guests admitted at 7 PM. Program begins at 8:45 PM. Marine Barracks (front gate). The Evening Parade has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines. Free. Eighth and I streets SE. 202-433-4073. www.mbw. usmc.mil 2010 Twilight Tattoo at Fort McNair.

Wednesdays (weather permitting), 7 PM. Members of the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard), the US Army Band “Pershings Own,” Fife and Drum Corps and the US Army Drill Team will perform an hour-long sunset military Pageant. Over 100 Old Guard soldiers dressed in period uniforms will provide a glimpse of Army history from colonial times to the soldier of the future. Free. Fourth and P streets SW. 202-685-2888. www. usarmyband.com US Capitol Exterior Walking Tour. Every Monday through November (including holidays, rain or shine), 10 AM. Meet at the top of the escalators at Union Station by the METRO sign post. The US Capitol Historical Society tour explains why it took 40 years to build the Capitol; why and how it has been continually enlarged since then; famous incidents and crucial events that took place inside it; the scope and purpose of the massive construction project now un-

derway; and daily activities that occur in and around the building. $10 (cash) per person. No reservations are necessary. 202-543-8919. www.uschs.org Tour of Duty: Barracks Row Heritage Trail. Follow the signs on this self guided Cultural Tourism DC Neighborhood Heritage Trail to learn more about the rich military and political history of Capitol Hill’s Barracks Row. The first sign is located at the Eastern Market Metro station plaza (Seventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue SE). The 90-minute, self-guided tour proceeds down Eighth Street, loops through the residential neighborhood, and ends at Eastern Market. 202-6617581. www.CulturalTourismDC.org

MUSIC Fort Dupont Summer Concerts. Saturdays, July 17-Aug. 21 (rain or shine, except in the event of lightening), 810 PM. July 10, Jazzin with Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and Juilliard; July 17, Kindred the Family Soul; July 14, Roy Ayers; July 31, “WPFW” Night with Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes; Aug. 7, Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players; Aug. 14, Midnight Starr; Aug. 21, SOS Band. Free. Minnesota Avenue and Randle Circle, SE. 202-426-7723. www.nps.gov/fodu Jazz Night (and fishfry) in Southwest. Fridays, 6-9 PM. Westminster Presbyterian Church. Local musicians perform, and the Southwest Catering Company provides a fish fry 5:30-8:30 PM. $5/general; free/children under 16. Modestly priced food. 400 I St. SW. 202-484-7700, www.westminsterdc. org/jazz.htm.

ATrue Taste of Tuscany.

Open for Dinner 7 Days a Week 212 7th St SE, Wash DC 20003 • 202 525 4375 www.acquaal2dc.com

Blue Monday Blues. Mondays, 6-9 PM. Westminster Presbyterian Church. Local musicians perform, and the Southwest Catering Company provides a fish fry from 5:30-8:30 PM. $5/general; free/ children under 16. Modestly priced food. 400 I St. SW. 202-484-7700. www.westminsterdc.org/blues.htm.

Capitol Riverfront Concerts. Wednesdays, through Aug. 25, noon-2 PM. New Jersey Avenue and Tingey Street Plaza. Capitol Riverfront Concerts is a 10-week summer concert series with lively and diverse musical artists, performing everything from original pop to Latin Jazz, R&B, bluegrass, Caribbean and more. Free. 202-465-7093. www.capitolriverfront.org Rhythm in NoMa Concerts. Thursdays, through July 22, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM. Au Bon Plaza (off Florida Avenue NE, north entrance of the New York Avenue Metro Station). July 1, Jimi Smooth & the Hittime (Motown); July 8, 40 Thieves (Celtic); July 15, Mon-

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 21

JULY CALENDAR

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ster Band (funk/dance); July 22, Karl Stoll & the Danger Zone (blues).

Free. 202-289-0111. www.nomabid. org Jazz in the Sculpture Garden.

Fridays through Sept. 10 (rain or shine), 5-8 PM. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Live jazz performed by an eclectic mix of top artists from the Washington area entertains visitors outdoors in front of the fountain or in the Pavilion Cafe (if it’s raining). The Pavilion Cafe features a seasonal tapas-style menu and bar service during the concerts.

Everyone can enjoy these concerts.

You do not have to order food or drinks. Free. 202- 289-3360. www. nga.gov Live! on Woodrow Wilson Plaza.

Weekdays through Sept. 24 (weather permitting), noon-1:30 PM. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. LIVE!’s lunchtime performances feature world-renowned entertainers in a variety of flavors, such as African dance, legendary R&B, Motown sounds, hip hop, Latin swing and pop rock. Free. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-3121300. www.itcdc.com Sunset Serenades at the ZOO. July 22 and 29 and Aug. 5, 6:30-8 PM. National Zoo (lion and tiger hill).

The music spans a range of entertainment styles including oldies, jazz, reggae, pop/rock, blues and classical. Free. 202-633-3071. www. fonz.org Golden Triangle Summer Concerts at Farragut Square. July 1, 8 and 15, 5:30-7:30 PM. Farragut Square Park (Connecticut Avenue and K Street NW). July 1, Cazhmiere (funk & soul); July 8, Sin Miedo (Latin & salsa); July 15, Crowded Streets (Dave Matthews tribute). Free. 202463-3400. www.gtbid.com Summer Organ Concerts at the National Shrine. Sunday evenings, 6 PM (5:30 PM performance of the Knight’s Tower Carillon). Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. All are welcome to come and hear music from the majestic pipe organ of the Great Upper Church. Free. 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300. www.nationalshirne. com

Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Skating. Saturdays, July 10-Aug. 14, 1-2:30 PM. $5, adults. $4, children and seniors. Skate rental, $3. 3779 Ely Place, SE. 202-584-5007. www.fdia.org.

22 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Steinway Series of classical music concerts at American Art Museum.

Second Sunday of every month, 3 PM. The Steinway Series is a classical music concert that features the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s refurbished Steinway Concert Grand

Look at Our Results!

For the Month of June 2010

piano. Free. McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level American Art Museum (between Seventh and Ninth and F and G streets NW.) 202-633-1000. www.americanart.si.edu Concerts at the Netherlands Carillon. Saturdays in summer, 6-8 PM. Carillon concerts are presented by outstanding carillonneurs. During concerts, visitors are welcome to climb the tower’s 135 steps to watch the carillonneur perform and view the city of Washington and the surrounding area. Free. 703-289-2500. www. nps.gov/gwmp/carillon Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

Daily (including all holidays), 6 PM. The Kennedy Center Grand Foyer.

“Performing Arts for Everyone” at the Millennium Stage was instituted to introduce the Kennedy Center to wider audiences by offering free performances, 365 days a year. Free. 202444-1324 or 202-467-4600. www.kennedy-center.org Adams Morgan Summer Concert Series. Saturdays through July 10 (canceled in the event of rain), 5-7 PM. July 3, DownTyme and July 10, Pablo Grabiel. There will be a limited number of chairs for audience members.

Please feel free to bring your own beach chair. Free. Columbia Road, Adams Mill Road and 18th Street NW (new public plaza in front of BB&T Bank). 202-997-0783.

Carillon and Peel Bell Recitals. Carillon Recitals on Saturdays, 12:30-1:15 PM. Peel Bell Rehearsals on Tuesdays.

7:30-8:30 PM. Peel bells ring every Sunday at approximately 12:30 PM after the 11 AM service. Washington National Cathedral. Manufactured by the John Bellfoundry of Loughborough, England, the smallest bell weighs 17 pounds; the largest 12 tons. The carillon is played via a keyboard and pedals, situated high in the cathedral’s central tower (150 feet above the nave floor) and directly amid the bells. The carillon recital and peel bells are best heard from the Bishop’s Garden. Look for signs as you enter the cathedral grounds. 202-537-6200. www.nationalcathedral.org

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Military Band Concerts at the US Capitol. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in summer (weather permitting), 8 PM. Mondays, US Navy Band; Tuesdays, US Air Force Band; Wednesdays, US Marine Band; Fridays, US Army Band. Free. West Terrace US Capitol Building.

Navy Band (outdoor) “Concerts on the Avenue.” Tuesdays in summer, 8 PM. US Navy Memorial. The United States Navy Band and its specialty groups will perform. Free. Seventh and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. 202-737-

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2300. www.navymemorial.org US Marine Band Concerts at the Sylvan Theater. Thursdays in summer (weather permitting), 8 PM. You are welcome to bring folding chairs, blankets and refreshments to the concert.

Free. 15th Street and Independence Avenue SW (on Washington Monument grounds). 202-433-5717. www.mbw. usmc.mil Air Force Band Concerts. Wednesdays and Fridays in summer. 8 PM. Air Force Memorial at One Air Force Memorial Drive in Arlington, Virginia. Expect a pleasing mix of contemporary and patriotic tunes and spectacular views of the nighttime Washington, DC skyline.

Free. www.airforcememorial.org

MOVIES NoMa Summer Screen. Wednesdays, through July 28, 9 PM. July 7, Sleeper; July 14, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; July 21, Logan’s Run; July 28, Groundhog Day. Each film preceded by live DJs, barbecue, special guests and more. Free. L Street between Second and Third streets NE. www.nomasummerscreen.com Capitol Riverfront Movies. Thursdays, through Aug. 5, 8:45 PM. Canal Park.

July 8, Star Wars; July 15, Slumdog Millionaire; July 29, Happy Gilmore; Aug. 5. Rocky. Free. Second and M streets SE. 202-465-7093. www.capitolriverfront.org/calendar “Screen on the Green” Film Festival on the Mall. July 12, 19 and 26 and Aug. 2, (about) 8:30 PM. The National Mall between Fourth and Seventh streets. July 12, Goldfinger; July 19, The Goodbye Girl; July 26, 12 Angry Men; Aug. 2, Bonnie and Clyde. Moviegoers start sprawling out as early as 5 PM. Free. 202-619-7222.

Summer Film Series @ the Atlas.

The Atlas Performing Arts Center will be screening three different film series this summer. Every week will feature different films in all three of the series. ‘70s Family Series: July 3, Charlotte’s Web; July 10, The Bad News Bears; July 17, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; July 24, Bugsy Malone; July 31, Snoopy Come Home.

Cinema al Fresco Film Series: La Dolce Vita, July 3; Everybody’s Fine (Stanno Tutti Bene), July 10; Seven Beauties, July 17; Only You, July 24; It Started in Naples, July 31, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Gay 101: July 1, Breakfast at Tiffany’s; July, 8 Auntie Mame; July 15, La Cage Aux Folles; July 22, Valley of the Dolls; July 29, Where the Boys Are. 8 PM. 1333 H St. NE. $6. 202399-7993. www.atlasarts.org

24 ★ HillRag | July 2010

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U Street Movie Series: Harrison Field Under the Stars. July 13; 7 PM, gates open; 8 PM, free popcorn; 8:30 PM (about). Movie for July is Buena Vista Social Club. Free.

Harrison Recreation Center, 1330 V St. NW. www.movies.ustreet-dc.org

MARKETS Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7 AM-7 PM; Saturdays, 7 AM-6 PM; Sundays, 9 AM-5 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM-6 PM. 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. 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-544-0083. www.easternmarketdc. com H Street Farmers’ Market. Saturdays, 9 AM-noon, through Nov. 20. Parking lot in the 600 block of H Street. The market is a producers-only outdoor market offering fruit, vegetables, meats, baked goods, cheese, flowers and more for sale. www. freshfarmmarket.org Capitol Riverfront Farmers’ Market.

Thursdays through November, 3-7 PM. New Jersey Avenue and M Street SE, (adjacent to the Navy Yard Metro, New Jersey Avenue exit). Farm-fresh produce, baked goods and more. www.capitolriverfront.org/calendar/ do/riverfron-farmers-market.

Friends in the Market “Funky Flea Market” with a DJ. Saturdays and Sundays, 8 AM-5 PM. New and used clothing, tools, furniture, jewelry, plants, soaps, art, CD’s, videos and electronics. Sixth Street NE (north of Florida Ave. beside DC Farmers Market). 202-399-6040.

Mi Tierra (Latino) Market at Unity Park.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (weather permitting). 9 AM-7 PM. Unity Park at Champlain Street, Euclid Street and Columbia Road NW. Mi Tierra market has 18 approved vendors that sell foods and crafts from their native countries in the heart of Adams Morgan.

Dupont Circle Farmers’ Market. Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9 AM-1 PM. During the peak season, there are more than 30 farmers offering fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheeses, fruit pies, breads, fresh pasta, cut flowers, potted plants, soaps and herbal products. 20th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW. 202362-8889. www.freshfarmmarket.org Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (except in the case of very inclement weather), 8 AM-4 PM. The crowd is as diverse as the items for sale! Antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, rugs, pottery, china, jewelry, silver, stained glass, books and photographs are an example of the

available items. 1819 35th St. NW. 202775-3532. or www.georgetownfleamarket. com

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Washington Nationals Baseball Home Games. July 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. 7:05 PM (Sunday games at 1:35 PM). $5 and up. South Capitol and N streets SE. www.washington.nationals.mlb.com

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East Potomac (outdoor) Pool. Open daily except Wednesdays; weekdays, 1-8 PM; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-6 PM. Free for DC residents (have ID). 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 202-727-6523. www.dpr.dc.gov/dpr Randall (outdoor) Pool. Open daily except Mondays; weekdays, 1-8 PM; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-6 PM. Free for DC residents (have ID). South Capitol and I Sts. SW. 202-727-1420. www.dpr.dc.gov/dpr Water Aerobics. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 AM. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 PM. Saturday, 8-9 AM. Rumsey Pool. $25 for 16 sessions. 635 North Carolina Ave. SE. 202-724-4495.

Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Third Wednesday of each month, noon. This run is free and informal. West Potomac Park (meet on Ohio Drive at West Basin Drive, near the Tourmobile. stand).

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Kung Fu and Tai Chi at the Historical Society of Washington, DC. Every Saturday (rain or shine). Kung Fu, noon; Tai Chi, 1 PM. Suitable for all ages. Kung Fu is a broad term that is used to describe all martial arts of Chinese origin. The ancient art of Tai Chi is a style of Kung Fu that emphasizes internal energy. Free. No RSVP required. Historical Society of Washington, DC, 801 K St. NW (Mount Vernon Square).

202-383-1850. www.historydc.org

Rumsey Pool. Weekdays public swimming, 6:30-10 AM; noon-5 PM; 6:30-7:30 PM (adult lap swimming only); 7:30-9 PM. Saturdays, 1-5 PM. Sundays, 10 AM-5 PM. May be open on July 4. Please call to confirm.

Free for DC residents (have ID). 635 North Carolina Ave. SE. 202-724-4495. www.dpr. dc.gov/dpr

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Tai Chi Class. Saturday mornings (except when it’s below zero or very inclement weather), 8 AM. Lincoln Park. Dr. David Walls-Kaufman, a Capitol Hill chiropractor, conducts this class every Saturday morning. Please dress comfortably. Free. East Capitol St. between 11th and 13th streets.

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Play Bocce (aka Lawn Bowling). Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Garfield Park, Second and F St. SE. Check website for times. www. dcbocce.com

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Vet Taxi introduces Zilla’s Dream B & B for Dogs Let our home be a second home to your aging or special needs dogs Offering Personalized Care for Dogs with: • • • • •

Complicated medication regimens Specialized dietary requirements Back, hip or mobility problems Sight or hearing difficulties Post surgical care needs

Accommodations & Care: • • • • •

A serene park-like setting Five or more walks or play sessions a day An individual sun-filled room with a view Fetching tennis balls (if health allows) Ear scratches, belly rubs & bed-time cookies

Also offering behavioral modification & training

Owned and operated by a veterinary technician 202-276-5744 | www.zillasdream.com capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 25

26 ★ HillRag | July 2010

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African Dance Class. Every Monday, 6:30-7:45 PM. For adults. No prior experience necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

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Pilates Class. Every Tuesday, 6:307:30 PM. For adults. No prior experience necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

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Ballet Class. Every Wednesday, 6:307:45 PM. For adults. No prior experience necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

THEARC. $10. 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. www.thearcdc.org

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Yoga Class. Every Thursday, 7-8:15 PM. For adults. No prior experience necessary. Walk-ins welcome. THEARC. $10. 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202889-5901. www.thearcdc.org Pick-up Field Hockey on the Mall.

Every Monday at 6 PM. Meets at the fields in front of the Smithsonian Metro stop for males and females who have a passion for field hockey. No experience necessary. Bring water, shin guards, mouth guard, cleats, a field hockey stick, and either a reversible jersey or a light and dark shirt - no grays please. Free.

Roller Skating at Anacostia Park.

Skate any time. This is a covered, outdoor skating pavilion. Free. One-hour skate “rental” in summer months is free but sizes and supplies are quite limited. Go east on Penn. Ave. across Anacostia River and make the first right turn onto Fairlawn Ave. and another right onto Nicholson and then into the park. 202-472-3873.

East Potomac Mini Golf. Open daily in summer, weekdays, 11AM-7 PM and weekends, 10 AM-8 PM. East Potomac Park. Built in the 1920’s with stone bumpers and obstacles. $6 for adults and $5 for kids under 18. 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 202-488-8087. www.golfdc.com East Potomac Driving Range. Open daily except Christmas, 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Tuesdays open 10 AM to 9:30 PM. The East Potomac Driving Range features 50 covered and 50 uncovered stalls for year-round golf practice. $6 for 51 balls. East Potomac Golf Course, 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 202-554-7660. www. golfdc.com Langston Driving Range. Open every day except Christmas, sun-up to sundown. In addition to the driving range, Langston has an 18 hole course, snack bar, pro shop and offers golf lessons.

45 balls, $4.75. 180 balls, $14.25. $2, golf club rental. 26th and Benning Rd. NE. 202-397-8638 www.golfdc.com Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. Open daily; Mon.-Sat., 9 AM-9 PM; Sunday, 9 AM-6 PM. Four indoor

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28 ★ HillRag | July 2010

courts. Six outdoor courts. Summer hourly fees at $6 to $10 for adults.

Kids 17 and under play for free. 701 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-645-6242. www.dpr.dc.gov/dpr Free public tennis courts in Ward 6. King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N St. SW; Garfield Park, Third and G streets SE; Randall Park First and I streets 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 first-come, first-served basis for onehour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-671-0314. www.dpr.dc.gov/dpr

COMMUNITY MEETINGS Champs Links Lunch. July 15, 11:30 AM-1 PM. (Third Thursday of every month except August) Location TBA. Goals, Strategies and Setting Benchmarks for Accomplishment. $20. RSVP to Champs @capitolhill.org or 202547-7788. www.champsdc.org ANC Meeting for 6-A. Second Thursday, 7 PM. Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE. 202-423-8868. anc6a.org ANC Meeting for 6-B. Second Tuesday, 7 PM. 535 Eighth St. SE (The Peoples Church). 202-543-3344. anc6b.org ANC Meeting for 6-C. Second Wednesdays, 7 PM. Call 202-547-7168 for meeting location. anc6c.org ANC Meeting for 6-D. Second Monday, 7 PM. Call 202-554-1795 for meeting location. anc6d.org.

Lonestar Toastmasters. Every Tuesday, 7-8 PM, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE. 240-6043575. ★

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30 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Capitol Streets HillBuzz

By Celeste McCall

Bomb scare T’was a steamy, late spring evening when Peter and I set out for an art opening at the Corner Store, our neighborhood cultural center at 9th Street and South Carolina Ave., SE. The show, “American Political Art,” featured anti-war paintings and framed posters from the Cold War and Vietnam era, created by Miriam Zizmor, her art professor Clayton Pinkerton, and other members of the San Francisco-based “Group Commentary.”

Miriam’s daughter Karen (who loaned her late mother’s work for the show) is a friend and neighbor, and the Corner Store is a few doors from our house. As we stepped outside, a police officer shooed us back into our house. Then we noticed police cars, bomb sniffing dogs and yellow tape everywhere. Apparently, there was a “dangerous situation” across the street in Eleanor Roosevelt Park, and the block of South Carolina between Ninth and 10th streets SE was closed off.

Although our street was in “lock-down,” a friendly

officer allowed some neighbors--also en route to the gallery--to proceed to our house. The entire incident lasted only an hour, and our little group enjoyed an impromptu party on our patio before finally heading to the Corner Store. We also found it ironic that a bomb scare had temporarily kept us away from an anti-war art exhibit, which we enjoyed immensely. Oh yes, the “suspicious item” in the park turned out to be an orange foam yoga mat draped over an empty crate.

Groundbreaking At long last, the Hill Center broke ground at the Old Naval Hospital site. At the June 13 event, hundreds of residents and dignitaries, including Mayor Adrian Fenty, mayoral candidate and DC City Council Chairman Vincent Gray, Ward 6 Council Member Tommy Wells, atlarge Council Member Phil Mendelson, DC Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, braved 90-plus temperatures. They cooled off with ice cream and viewed

A Navy Honor Guard salutes the crowd at the groundbreaking for the Hill Center. Photo Andrew Lightman capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 31

architect David Bell’s renovation plans for the crumbling, 145-year-old brick structure at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. After the Display of Colors, the U.S. Navy Band presented a lively concert, and the actual groundbreaking took place shortly thereafter. Construction of the Hill Center–which will serve as an educational and community

resource for children and adults–should take about a year, we’re told.

DCLAW helps House of Ruth DCLAW, the Washington area ladies arm-wrestling team, flexed their biceps and declared their “right to bare arms” June 5. At the zany tournament held at the American

Mayor M. Adrian Fenty, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chairman Vincent Gray break ground for the Hill Center. Photo: Andrew Lightman

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Legion Post #8 at 3rd and D Streets, SE on Capitol Hill, more than 80 fans cheered on their favorite wrestlers, as Silver Spring resident Kelly Wood (aka “Mommie Dearest”) took top honors.

Referee was American Legion member and Vietnam vet Phil Yunger. Competitors--decked out in funny costumes--were introduced by Washington actress Kimberly Gilbert and “Dirty Marty,” a guy who hosts a female roller derby league in Baltimore.

The lively DCLAW competition raised $1,500 for the House of Ruth, a national, non-profit organization which provides services for abused women and their children.

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Retiring Gail Kern Pastor, director of the Folger Shakespeare Library, has announced her retirement, effective next July. In her eight years overseeing the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, Pastor has raised millions of dollars, acquired rare Elizabethan documents, and has eased the historic library into cyber space. (What would The Bard think?)

In 2002, Pastor helped rescue 28,000 rare books when the building, located at 201 East Capitol SE, sprang a major leak. Packed in 900 boxes, the priceless volumes were shipped to Amherst College.

According to The Washington Post, Pastor announced her retirement a year early because “the institution needs a good year of transition.” No stranger to Capitol Hill, Pastor’s sister, Jan Kern, is an accomplished artist who lives with her husband Tom Grahame near Lincoln Park. ★

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A DC fireman drags a hose back to his hook and ladder after helping to put out a fire on the 100 block of G St. SW. Photo: Andrew Lightman 34 ★ HillRag | July 2010

New Traffic Patterns on H Street, NE As part of the H Street, NE Reconstruction Project, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has implemented a new traffic pattern in preparation for shifting the construction work to the two south roadway lanes from Third St. to Seventh St. The shift marks a milestone toward completion of the project. From Third to Seventh, the work is substantially complete in the north curb lane, the north shared transit lane, and the north and south center lanes. The total project – from Third St. to an end point just east of 14th St. – is now approximately 60% complete. The target date for substantial completion of the entire project is June 2011.

Just to the west of the 6th Street intersection, the north curb lane will be marked to permit parking. A two-hour parking limit will be in place to assure turnover of the spaces within a reasonable time for customers of H Street businesses. The 300 and 400 blocks were re-opened for north curb lane parking in mid-March of this year. Implementation of the new traffic pattern adds the 500 block and most of the 600 block to make a total of almost four blocks in which north curb lane parking has been restored. In the south curb lane and shared traffic lane, work will begin at Third St. and move steadily eastward to Seventh St..

The work includes the excavation

and reconstruction of the existing roadway, the installation of streetcar tracks, and installation of new streetlight poles, sidewalks, and sidewalk amenities. The south side work from 3rd to 7th Street is expected to take approximately 90 days to complete.

If you need additional information or assistance please contact Margaret Gentry at 202-388-3081 or by email at magentry@mactec. com The work is part of DDOT’s H Street Reconstruction Project. More information about the project is available on the DDOT website, http://ddot. dc.gov under the Ward 6 portion of the “Projects and Planning” section.

CHGC’s Annual Bulb Giveaway The Capitol Hill Garden Club is giving away free spring-flowering bulbs for use in public spaces on Capitol Hill. Daffodils and crocus have been chosen as they come back and proliferate every year.

Applicants should include a plan for the planting, which must be visible from the street. A photograph is appreciated. The plan must also designate the person responsible for the planting. Coordinator Amy Haddad says no qualified applicant will be turned away!

Individuals and groups are invited to apply. Applications, available July 1, are due on September 15. The bulbs will be distributed in October. To request an application form (which can be submitted electronically), please contact

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 35

HEADLINES SALON CHGC at http://capitolhillgardenclub. blogspot.com or phone Amy Haddad at 202-486-7655.

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Southeast Neighborhood Library will host the Kojo Nnamdi show “The DC Politics Hour” on Fridays, July 30, Aug. 27 and Sept. 24 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Come to listen, call-in or email a question. You are welcome to bring your lunch or join cast and crew after the show at a neighborhood eatery. For questions call April King, SE Branch Manager. 202-698-3375.

Folger Theatre 2010/2011 Season Announced Taking a cue from Queen Katharine’s remark on her husband Henry VIII—”He was a man of an unbounded stomach”—a sense of larger-than-life theatricality permeates the 2010/11 season of plays at Folger Theatre. Henry VIII’s famous appetites, Cyrano’s gargantuan nose, and the highly improbable happenstance of two sets of identical twins and mistaken identity in “The Comedy of Errors” underscore theater’s ability to amplify stories that captivate. The season opens with William Shakespeare’s dramatic tale of political intrigue “Henry VIII,” with Ian Merrill Peakes in the title role, on Oct 12. Sub-

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HGTV Looking for First-Time Home Sellers “My First Sale,” the popular primetime HGTV show, is looking for first-time home sellers (and their real estate agents) in the Washington, DC and Arlington, VA areas. They are looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the process of selling their first place. Cameras will be there to capture all the trials and tribulations, stress and success of prepping for sale, pricing, negotiating, and ultimately selling a home. Ideal candidates will be motivated, financially candid people who want to share the experience and the purchase details with HGTV and their audience. Singles, couples and families are all invited to apply!

If selected to appear on an episode of “My First Sale,” home sellers and real estate agents will receive a DVD copy of the episode. For more information or an application contact Andrew Olthuis at 303712-3310 or aolthuis@highnoontv.com

Extended Summer Hours at the Washington Monument The National Park Service has extended visiting hours at the Washington Monument to 10:00 P.M. through September 6.

All visitors to the Washington Monument’s 500-foot level observation area must have a free, time-stamped ticket to gain entrance into the Monument. Free tickets may be obtained by either calling toll-free 1-877-444-6777 or by ordering tickets online by visiting www.recreation. gov and allowing at least two weeks for Washington Monument tickets to be mailed to a requester’s home. While the ticket itself is free of charge, there is a nominal per ticket service charge of $1.50. Also, there is a $2.85 shipping and handling fee per order when ordering 10 or more days in advance. Visitors may place orders for Washington Monument tickets up to one year in advance.

Visitors may also obtain free, same-day tickets to the Washington Monument at the National Park Service’s “Monument Lodge,” located on the 15th St. side of the Washington Monument grounds, between Constitution and Independence, beginning at 8:30 a.m. daily until tickets for that day are gone.

Watch the Fireworks with DC Sail Watch the July 4th fireworks from aboard the American Spirit. Tickets are $100 ($75 for members) for this specialty cruise with the best view in DC. Space is limited.

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LOC Seeks Poem Submissions for Poetry at Noon The Poetry and Literature Center at the Library of Congress is seeking submissions from poets who would like to read at the Poetry at Noon series for fall 2010 and spring 2011. Poetry at Noon programs

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capitolstreets news The Free Masons of Naval Lodge No. 4 march in the 2009 July Fourth Parade. Photo: Andrew Lightman

of each month at the SWNA Waterfront Office, 1101 Fourth St. SW, Suite W110, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

These meetings are for those who have recently received a breast cancer diagnosis, are currently undergoing treatment, or are in remission. Caregivers are also welcome. If you plan to attend or for more information, contact the group facilitator Thelma D. Jones, Certified Breast Health Educator, at 202-488-3746 or tjones15@verizon. net. RSVP is required for security reasons.

MetroDash 2010

are based on themes. The themed readings for the 2010-2011 literary season are: “Insider/Outsider Life Experiences” for November; “Decade One: Life in the First Decade of the 21st Century” for December; “Love Poems” for February; and “Reversals of Fortune” for March, according to Patricia Gray, head of the Poetry and Literature Center.

Submissions must be postmarked by Thursday, July 15. For submission guidelines, visit http://www. loc.gov/poetry/poetrynoon-guidelines.html.

MPD Reminds Iphone Users to Protect Property The Metropolitan Police Department is seeing a spike in the number of robberies involving the Apple iPhone. This ubiquitous, expensive device appeals to criminals because it can be easily reprogrammed, or erased, and quickly sold for cash.

These incidents often occur as a “mugging” on the street. People have also had their phones snatched from their hands as they walk down the street, or taken from tables while sitting at restaurants. Although the vast majority of these offenses do not involve physical harm to the victim, this is a disconcerting trend that deserves attention.

The MPD is reminding people to be aware of their surroundings, especially while walking down

38 ★ HillRag | July 2010

the street and talking on the phone. It is particularly important to be aware of your surrounding if you are walking alone at night. Do not leave your phone on a table while dining out, as this may also attract would-be thieves.

Free Online Technology Training and Certification The D.C. Department of Employment Services is partnering with Microsoft to provide 11,250 vouchers to DC residents for no-cost, online technology training and certification. DC residents can request a voucher for free online business worker or IT professional training, or can request a voucher that will enable them to take a Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 business worker exam for free at a DES training center. Visit the Microsoft Elevate America Free Training link (top left-hand corner) at jobs.dc.gov for more information and to request a voucher. This is a limited-time offer. Training vouchers must be activated and certification exams must be completed by Aug. 25. For more information, call Dy Brown at the DC Department of Employment Services, 202-671-1904. does.dc.gov

A New Breast Cancer Support Group Meetings will be held the third Wednesday

Registration is open for MetroDash 2010, an urban adventure race based in the Capitol Riverfront, to be held on Saturday, July 17th. The dash starts at The Bull Pen at Nationals Stadium, 1299 Half St. SE. Check-in is 10:0011:30 A.M. and the start time is noon. Competitors run city streets in search of scattered physical challenge points, power through intense interval workouts, and conquer the Gauntlet, extreme obstacle course. MetroDash Corporate Challenge incorporates and 8-week wellness program that culminates in the MetroDash urban race. Teams earn points for participation, fundraising and overall perfomance. In order to compete you must be 18 or older on race day. $50. www.metrodash.com/washington-dc

District and Arlington to Rollout “Capital Bikeshare” This Fall The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Arlington County have selected “Capital Bikeshare” as the name for the new regional bike sharing program. Capital Bikeshare will launch later this year with roughly 1100 bikes at 114 stations in the District and Arlington, and will be the largest of its kind in the U.S. The new system will be similar to the one the Public Bike System Company (PBSC), based in Montreal, produced, commonly known as BIXI. BIXI bike sharing stations are solar powered and use wireless technology to allow for easy installation and adjustments. It may look different, but the BIXI bicycle has many of the same features

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as the Smartbike: 3-speed, internal hub gears, fenders, chain guard, lights, and a front rack. Annual, monthly, and daily memberships will be available for area residents and visitors. www.ddot.dc.gov

New Traffic Pattern at New York and Florida Avenue Intersection DDOT is making major safety improvements in the busy intersection, which also includes First St. NE and Eckington Pl. With the adjustments, traffic will flow in a circular pattern around the intersection. The $5 million reconfiguration of the intersection is designed to improve circulation and decrease accidents. First St. NE will become one way southbound from Florida Ave. to New York Ave. Florida Ave. will be limited to one way traffic westbound between O St. and First St. NE. Eastbound Florida Ave. traffic will be detoured to First St. From there, drivers can go left at New York Ave. and right on O St. to return to Florida Ave. Northbound First St. traffic wishing to access westbound New York or Florida will be temporarily detoured via M and Third sts. NE. Southbound Eckington Pl. traffic will no longer be allowed to turn left on Florida Ave.. Eckington traffic will use First St. to reach New York Ave. and eastbound Florida Ave. Additional information about the project is available online at dashboard.ddot.dc.gov.

Art by Haitian Children after the Earthquake Soon after the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake, first lady of Haiti Elisabeth D. Préval called on Haitian artist Philippe Dodard and his fellow artists, as well as psychologists, educators and politicians, to create a safe place for children to express their feelings through art.

Nearly 100 paintings and drawings created by Haiti’s young

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people at Plas Timoun (The Children’s Place) are featured in “The Healing Power of Art: Works of Art by Haitian Children after the Earthquake.” This exhibition is on view through October 17 in the concourse of the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. 202-633-1000. www. africa.si.edu

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Introduction to Genealogy at the National Archives One the first Wednesday of every month at 11:00 a.m., the National Archives presents a free lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records. National Archives, Seventh St. and Penn. Ave. NW. Room G-24, Research Center. Use the Penn. Ave. entrance. 1-866-272-6272. www. archives.gov

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Blue Star Museums Program Offers Free Admission to Military Blue Star Museums, a initiative with the National Endowment for the Arts, is partnering with museums across the country to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2010. The free admission program is available to active duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members), which includes active duty Reserve and active duty National Guard. Some special museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. Local participating members include: Corcoran Gallery of Art, DAR Museum, Dumbarton House, Kreeger Museum, National Museum of Health and Medicine, National Museum of Women in the Arts, The Phillips Collection, Tudor Place Historic House and Garden and Woodrow Wilson House.

Arlington N. Looking For Space? • $879,900 Gigantic (nearly 4,000 base sq. ft) 5 br’s, 4 full & 2 half ba’s “Mid Century Modern” rambler nestled on a gorgeous landscaped lot backing to woodlands in North Arlington’s ultra convenient commuters dream neighborhood of Woodmont (just off Spout Run & Lorcom Lane.) Enjoy the sun drenched wide open contemporary floor plan, huge oversized windows, sweeping living/dining rooms, updated eat-in kitchen opening onto main level sunroom, walk out finished basement, extremely flexible floor plan with unusual privacy perfect for an extended family/teenager arrangement, enormous storage/home gym/hobby area and carport. All on a quiet cul-de-sac lot just steps from extensive county parkland.

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Voice of America filming Peregrine owner Ryan Jensen for a documentary the broadcasting station is making about Ethiopian coffee. By Larry Janezich.

Peregrine’s Global Fame The Peregrine coffee house is going global - thanks to Voice of America. The popular Eastern Market java hang-out is to be featured in a television documentary being made by the government-backed broadcasting station, that transmits all over the world. The program will examine Ethiopian coffee, tracking it from the plantation to the final purchaser - of which there are many among Peregrine’s customers. As a camera-man filmed the brisk sale of the North East African brew, on a typically busy morning, Peregrine owner Ryan Jensen said: “Ethiopian coffee is of the highest standard. It has special qualities that many of our customers appreciate.

We’re delighted that Peregrine was picked

by Voice of America to emphasize the following Ethiopian coffee has in the States.”

- submitted by Maggie Hall.

Summer School 2010 Registration For School Transit Subsidy Program The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will register summer school students for the School Transit Subsidy Program, from June 21-July 23, at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW (first floor, near DC Lottery office), Monday-Friday 8:15 a.m.-4:45 P.M., Wednesdays in June and July until 7:00 PM. All

40 ★ HillRag | July 2010

students and/or parents must obtain a Student Travel Application from their school.

Have the application signed, dated and stamped by your school principal. In order for students to receive discounted travel on Metrobus and Metrorail enrolled in an elementary or secondary public, charter, private or parochial school that is located in the District of Columbia. 202-673-1740.

Smithsonian Unveils New Ocean Education Website -- www.ocean.si.edu This new online resource from the Smithsonian Institution allows visitors to stay abreast of the latest in ocean news and research and discover important actions they can take in their everyday lives to positively impact the ocean and its surrounding environments. The Smithsonian Ocean Portal content is based on best-in-class educational, scientific and intellectual assets from the Smithsonian and more than 20 environmental organizations. www.ocean.si.edu

River Farms to Urban Towers: Southwest Heritage Trail Southwest Heritage Trail consists of 17 poster-sized illustrated signs, which combine story-telling with historic images. The first sign is located at the Waterfront/SEU Metro station plaza, Fourth and M sts.

SW. The two-hour, self-guided tour proceeds up Southwest’s historic “main street,” Fourth St. and heads west toward the Washington Channel Waterfront. The trail continues along the waterfront toward Fort McNair, Washington’s first military installation. The last trail signs guide you back toward Waterside Mall. Walkers are encouraged to follow the trail at their own pace, sampling neighborhood character, businesses, and restaurants along the way. 202-661-7581. www.CulturalTourismDC.org.

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Arbor Media (www.arbormediadc.com) in conjuction with Studio H Gallery (www. studiohdc.com), CITY Gallery (citygallerydc.com), Simplicity Staging (simplicitystagingdc. com) and John C. Formant Real Estate (johncformant.com) present Art House, Open House Thursday July 15, 2010 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm at 610 Independence Avenue SE. Come visit John C. Formant’s latest renovation while viewing the work of local artists. Included in the exhibition are the works of Katherine Mann, second place winner of the Bethesda Painting prize, Ellen Cornett, Sarah Thibodeaux and Tim Conlon.

Dino Almaguer’s playful handcrafted furniture using all-green recycled materials will also be on display. http://www.citygallerydc.com

DDOT’s New Tool Allows for More Direct Communication The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today launched its first ever official blog, called DDOT Dish (d.ish), to help facilitate more direct communication with District residents and other interested members of the public. The Blog is now live at ddotdish.com. ★

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by Mark Segraves

Bamboozled It’s been a few years since Vincent Orange was on the campaign trail. Last time out, the former Ward 5 Councilmember got a Districtwide pounding earning just less than 3 percent of the vote in the 2006 Democratic mayoral primary. Since then he’s been working as a lobbyist for Pepco.

Now V.O. is back, and he hasn’t forgotten how to politic. Since announcing his candidacy for chairman of the DC Council, Orange hasn’t wasted anytime. His signs can be seen all over town, mostly on public space. V.O. has raised about the same amount of cash as his chief rival, Councilmember Kwame Brown (D-At-Large). They both have raised

about $180,000. Brown has been campaigning longer than Orange in this race, which is one reason the Kwame yard signs are more likely to actually be in somebody’s yard rather than along the side of a road or on a telephone pole.

At a recent Ward 8 Democrats debate, moderated by WTOP political analyst Mark Plotkin, Orange played to the crowd telling them, “Don’t be bamboozled” and then pointing to Brown. (A reference to the speech Denzel Washington gave in the Spike Lee film “Malcolm X.”) Orange used the “bamboozled” line more than once that night. But it was Brown who scored the final blow at the end of the night in his closing statement when he turned the tables on Orange and told the crowd, “Bamboozled? Don’t fall for that.” Then

turning to Orange he said, “You’re not Malcolm X.” “It brought the house down,” Plotkin recalls.

As for another early indicator as to how this race is shaping up, Brown trounced Orange in the DC Democratic party’s District-wide straw poll.

Brown took 585 votes to Orange’s 329. And the Ward 3 Dems endorsed Brown who took more than 75 percent of the vote in that straw poll.

While straw polls and endorsements aren’t always true indicators of how the primary will shake out, it does help to boost a campaign’s morale. A better indicator would be the fact that Kwame has proven he can win in a District-wide election. In 2006 Orange proved he can come in fourth behind Fenty, Linda Cropp and Marie Johns.

Chairman Vince Gray chats with supporters at the groundbreaking of the Hill Center. Photo: Andrew Lightman

Don’t Count Doug Out For the first time in several years, the District’s non-voting Delegate to Congress has a legitimate challenger.

Doug Sloan is his name – he’s well organized, bright and most importantly, he doesn’t come off as a crazy person who can easily be dismissed. Just ask the Ward 3 Democrats. Sloan pulled off what can only be described as a huge upset winning the Ward 3 straw poll with 65 percent of the vote compared to Norton’s 30 percent.

“Ward 3 Democrats don’t like Norton,” political analyst Mark Plotkin says. And while it’s hard to imagine Norton losing the primary – Norton crushed Sloan in the DC Dems District-wide straw poll, and she won the endorsement of the Gertrude Stein Democrats Club winning 87 percent of the vote – Plotkin says the Ward 3 numbers “could be an early indicator that Norton’s popularity is slipping.”

Can’t Buy Me Love Despite the fact that Mayor Adrian Fenty has raised eight times what his closest competitor has raised, an unprecedented $4.2 million, Fenty can’t seem to buy himself a break.

Council Chairman Vince Gray has won nearly all of the recent straw polls, including the Ward 3 Dems where Gray won by 6 votes, the Gertrude Stein Dems where Gray snagged 63 percent of the votes and the DC Democratic State Convention where Gray bested Fenty with 703 votes to Fenty’s 190. Leo Alexander managed to get 75 votes. Fenty did manage to win the Ward 8 straw poll, but only when unregistered voters were allowed to vote. When the vote was limited to previously registered voters, Gray came out on top.

It’s not a good trend for Fenty, who less than four years ago won every single precinct in the District and has 42 ★ HillRag | July 2010

a good record of accomplishments to run on. Not to mention that Fenty is a far better politician than Gray, better organized, better looking and better known.

On paper, Fenty would be the odds on favorite by a mile. But right now, with fewer than 90 days before the election, it’s Grays to lose.

I have to admit, I never thought I would write those words. Six months ago when Gray was toying with the idea of running, it didn’t seem like he had a chance to beat Fenty. It was a fool’s errand. But Gray has proven he’s nobody’s fool.

And Fenty continues to prove that he is his own worst enemy. Take the recent incident surrounding the theft of two bicycles from Fenty’s home. According to police and press reports, some kids walked into Fenty’s garage and made off with his son’s bicycles. Any other politician would have seen this as an opportunity to show the public he’s just like they are, and anyone can be a victim of crime. “I feel your pain” comes to mind.

But not our mayor. No, Fenty has based his mayoral career on secrecy. Everything he does is a secret, whether it’s taking trips to foreign countries paid for by governments that discriminate against minorities like China and the United Arab Emirates, or his mid-day bike rides using a police motorcycle escort, or his meetings with elected officials, Fenty thinks the public is on a needto-know-basis only. And the public doesn’t need to know.

So it was with the bike theft. The police report was marked confidential; at first Fenty would not answer questions about it, then when it was clear this was going to be a news story, he released a brief statement.

It all goes to his attitude toward the public. The public who he is sworn to serve, the public who pays

his salary, and the public who is depending on him. And on the heels of the missing bikes comes news that a Fenty campaign staffer was arrested for selling crack to an undercover police officer. Fenty just can’t seem to buy a break.

But Gray has his problems as well. And like Fenty, they are selfmade. Gray still refuses to admit he did anything wrong when it comes to the fence he built at his home.

District officials have determined the fence is illegal and must be moved. Gray insists this is political payback from Fenty loyalists in the government.

The fact is Gray built the fence without getting permits, and no matter how screwed up the DC permitting process is, Gray is the second highest elected official in the District and should be held to higher standard than the average homeowner.

His insistence that he’s done nothing wrong does not play well in the church basements and living rooms across the eight wards. But Gray seems tone deaf on this issue.

Watch Most of the Candidates You can see most of the candidates this summer on my weekly TV show, NewsPlus, Fridays at 7:30 a.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. on DC 50.

Or you can watch anytime at www. dc50tv.com. I say “most of the candidates” because for the past three and a half years, despite promising to do so, Mayor Fenty has refused to appear on my radio or TV show.

Luckily the other candidates are not afraid to sit down with me.

Mark Segraves is an award winning investigative reporter and talk show host. He can be heard daily on WTOP Radio 103.5 FM and weekly on DC 50 TV. He can be reached at msegraves@wtop.com. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 43

capitolstreets news the N U M B 3 R S

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The Wrong Prescription DC’S Financial Woes are Being Misdiagnosed

by Jenny Reed

Y

ou may have heard that DC is headed for another control board. But you know better than to believe everything you hear, right? Yes, DC’s finances have suffered in the recession, as have every city’s and every state’s. But the District isn’t anywhere close to the kinds of problems that actually would trigger a control board, such as consistently failing to pay its bills on time or running a year-end deficit.

So why the alarm? The reason is that the city’s “fund balance” — essentially DC’s bank account — has declined from a high of $1.6 billion in 2005 to $920 million in 2009 and perhaps as low as $650 million by the end of 2011. The pace of the decline has justifiably raised some concerns.

But the reality is that the District is weathering the economic storm better than most states, which also are pulling money out of reserves to avoid major budget cuts in the midst of one of the worst recessions in history. In fact, DC’s reserves are healthier than in 43 states.

The concern over the state of fiscal affairs has led to calls to shore up the city’s dwindling reserves. While this goal makes sense, a plan just adopted by the DC Council goes too far too fast, and it will tie up a significant amount of any new resources. The middle of a recession is the wrong time to focus solely on building reserves, when limited resources are needed to avoid cuts in city services, and to make critical reinvestments as we start the long road to recovery.

So What Is ‘Fund Balance,’ and Why Is It So Important?

DC’s Fund balance is essentially the city’s checking and savings account in one. Not surprisingly, Wall Street credit agencies keep an eye on how well we manage the fund balance as one of many factors considered when they set our bond rating.

What’s in the city’s bank account? The fund balance includes lots of parts, including the city’s rainy day reserves, escrow funds needed to back DC’s bond payments, and taxes collected for specific purposes that haven’t been spent yet.

When DC’s economy is strong and the city runs a surplus, that goes into the fund balance, too.

One critical use of the fund balance is to help the city meet its cash flow needs. Some tax collections come in as big chunks at different times of the year — like property taxes that are paid in September and March. Yet DC’s bills come in every month. Having money in the bank — the fund balance — helps the city meet its regular payments and avoid shortterm borrowing to cover expenditures.

44 ★ HillRag | July 2010

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Why Did DC’s Fund Balance Go Up? And Why Is it Coming Down?

DC’s bank account swelled in the mid-2000s as a result of large and unexpected budget surpluses. Our fund balance reached an unprecedented $1.6 billion — equal to 37 percent of DC’s budget at a time when the average for states was 8 percent.

In the face of that, DC’s leaders made conscious and sensible decisions to put some of that excess to good use. Most notably, we devoted huge sums to fund a backlog of capital and infrastructure projects without the need for borrowing. And when the recession hit, the mayor and council tapped into a number of “special purpose funds” that were underutilized and had built up large surpluses, using those funds to avoid deep cuts to program and services.

DC’s fund balance could fall by 2011 to a level equal to 10 percent of the city’s budget. Yet that still is higher than in 43 states, including Maryland and Virginia.

Shoring up DC’s Finances: What’s the Most Important Thing to Do? Even if DC’s fund balance is not at a crisis state, we probably can’t take out too much more — and at some point it would be good to build our savings back up. But how much and when are key questions to ask.

The budget just approved by the DC Council includes provisions to start rebuilding reserves now. While the council deserves credit for seeing this as an important issue, their plan ultimately will tie up a lot more money than is necessary at a time when DC’s finances are still fragile.

Under the new budget, 100 percent of future budget surpluses will be used to fill two reserves until they reach a total of nearly $700 million.

(Yes, even in a recession, DC is likely to end the year with some surplus.)

Initially, half of surplus funds will go to a reserve to help respond to unforeseen spending pressures that arise during the year. This makes sense, and it’s similar to a $50 million budget reserve DC maintained until fiscal year 2009 when it was eliminated. Under the new plan, the

operating reserve will be built up to $145 million.

The plan for the other half of future surpluses is far more problematic. These funds will just sit in the fund balance — to help meet the city’s cash flow needs — and will not be available for anything else, like an increase in Medicaid caseloads or another drop in revenue collections. This reserve will be built up to a whopping $530 million even though DC has never had more than $175 million sitting around for these purposes.

Building up the fund balance by $675 million will take many, many years, which means a large amount of taxpayer funds will be tied up for a long time.

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Tying Up a Significant Amount of Resources as We Exit the Recession Is the Wrong Prescription In the end, this decision reflects the wrong diagnosis of DC’s current financial ills – and the wrong prescription. Every dollar we put into a reserve is a dollar that can’t be used to invest in our city. That balance needs to be weighed carefully going forward. DC’s most pressing fiscal problem is the large drop in tax collections that has led to cuts in all parts of the budget – from libraries to parks to street sweeping to affordable housing. DC’s finances are likely to be fragile as it comes out of the recession, which means preserving resources for the budget should be the top priority right now.

A more balanced approach would still include a rebuilding of our fund balance, but not by setting aside nearly all future resources or by building it up more than necessary.

Setting aside a smaller portion of resources would help us rebuild our reserves while also giving the mayor and council enough flexibility right now to preserve services and to begin making critical reinvestments as we exit the recession.

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OCTOBER? Well then come fest on Riverby's once-a-year (or sometimes twice) 30% off book sale.

Reed is a policy analyst with the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi. org), which conducts research on tax and budget issues that affect low- and moderate-income DC residents. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 45

capitolstreets ANC reports

NEWS ANC 6A Crime, Convenience Store ‘Connection’ and Contentious Construction

by Tanya Snyder

A One-Man Crime Ring Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner David Holmes (6A-03) announced that crime in the neighborhood went up 29 percent in May – but it was all one guy, and he’s been arrested. André Grimes allegedly stole laptops, television sets and other expensive items, mostly entering homes through unlocked rear windows. He was arrested June 2 and pled guilty to 14 burglaries – though they think he’s responsible for even more.

46 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Problems are popping up on H Street, too. Commissioner Raphael Marshall (6A-01) brought to the ANC’s attention fights and drug activity occurring at some establishments on the corridor, including Sticky Rice. Commissioner Nick Alberti (6A-04), who also serves on the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, said ABRA investigated the incident at Sticky Rice and determined that the restaurant wasn’t in violation. The management did everything right leading up to and in response to the event. Still, Marshall says it’s at least the third serious fight to break out at Sticky Rice.

And that’s not all. Juvenile incidents are on the rise as well, “and we’re not even in the summer months yet,” in the words of Commissioner Kelvin Robinson (6A-08). He says youth have been responsible for three incidents lately, including one that involved the use of a pistol. No

one was hurt that time, and police responded quickly with police dogs.

Three young people were detained, but the gun was not found. Another incident appeared to be gang-related, as kids fought over turf. And then a “melee” broke out around 16th and A Streets NE. The police have pledged to bring in more forces, but things are going in the opposite direction on the ANC itself. The Public Safety Committee had consisted of Commissioner Robinson and Rebecca Sibilia, a community volunteer. Sibilia just resigned, leaving the committee with no chair and just one member.

Robinson is hoping to be able to reconstitute a functioning committee to address the crime issues in the neighborhood that don’t seem to be going away. If you’re interested, contact Commissioner Robinson at kelvin.robinson@anc6a08.com or 202-744-0379.

No One’s Thanking Heaven for This 7-Eleven Some neighborhood residents looking forward to the coming H Street facelift are disappointed to learn that the new H Street Connection will include a 24-hour 7-Eleven store. They worry about late night hours of operation, litter, the sale of tobacco products and loitering.

Representatives of the store attended the last Economic Development & Zoning Committee meeting to discuss the issues. They said they’re working with a cleaning service to deal with trash and will be using security cameras to address crime. They said their surveillance systems are high-tech, involving up to 16 cameras per store, and employees are trained yearly in safety and crime prevention. They try to get a full frontal shot of every person coming into the store, and they save surveillance videos for at least four

6A

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 6A Kelvin Robinson, Chair, 744-0379 or five months.

Other neighbors rejected the idea of a 7-Eleven on more aesthetic grounds that it won’t “fit into the neighborhood” or help to remove the “negative stigma” H Street has developed. The store representative tried to reassure them that 7-Eleven has been part of “gentrification efforts” elsewhere in Washington, DC. He also addressed questions about loitering, saying 7-Eleven works with local police to “debar” habitual loiterers, including day laborers who often congregate in front of 7-Eleven stores to wait for work. Though the store normally staffs according to sales demands, he said 7-Elevens in DC never have just one staff person during the late-night hours, so there will always be someone on hand to deal with a security issue, while another person stays at the register.

Another sticking point: the H Street Overlay prohibits new fast food establishments, and 7-Eleven sells wings in most of its stores.

The ANC is trying to reach an agreement with 7-Eleven on all of these issues.

Public Staircase It seems there is always a crowd of people lining up at ANC meetings to pitch some home improvement project or another, only to be smacked down by the commission.

This month was no exception. Peter Haley bought a vacant property in the neighborhood six months ago.

By all accounts, it was an eyesore, and neighbors are glad he’s fixing it up. But in the process of doing so, he’s run into familiar problems with public space permits.

In DC, the land in front of your house and on the side is all public space. Only your backyard is your own. So anything you want to build on the front or side of your house requires a special exception, allowing you to build on public space. And the ANC is on record as protecting public space wherever possible.

The ED&Z committee supported Haley’s construction of window wells on the side of his house but was less convinced by his petition to build a staircase up from

the basement (which is now just a cellar with a dirt floor.) Committee members say he can just as easily build those stairs in the back, on his own land.

The issue sparked a somewhat unusual backlash from audience members who had no stake in the construction project whatsoever.

One accused the ANC of being “nitpicky.” Another wanted to know “what’s the big idea” if the city and the neighbors say it’s OK. (Indeed, Haley has collected 10 letters of support from neighbors, and an initial meeting with the city’s Public Space office indicated that they were friendly to the idea.)

One person said he “sympathized” with Haley and advised ANC commissioners to “be careful” how they use their authority, saying “it irks me that you’d decide against someone who wants to do a thoughtful renovation.”

On the commission, Bill Schultheiss (6A-06) agreed with them.

He said the commission wasn’t being fair and that the proposal was consistent with how properties have been developed on the Hill.

Some on the commission worried that the underground staircase could be a safety issue, with Maury Elementary School nearby. But others mentioned that right at Maury there were several large dumpsters – also on public space – behind which many people could hide. The staircase, as designed, would take up more than half of the 6-foot space between the house and the sidewalk.

Community member Margaret Halwell agreed with the commission’s final vote to oppose the construction of the staircase. She said the danger of making an exception is that others will be right behind, demanding the same treatment.

She said, “This is how entire historic neighborhoods become degraded and lose their fabric, their character and their integrity.”

Serving the Kingman Park, Linden, Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, Rosedale, and Stanton Park communities

★ ★ ★

ANC 6A meets the second Thursday (July 8), 7 pm, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE.

www.anc6a.org Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee 3rd Tuesday, June 20, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner of 10th & G Streets, NE • Chair, Mary Beatty, 546-4196 Transportation & Public Space Committee 3rd Monday, July 19, 7pm • Community Room of the Capitol Hill Towers 900 G St. NE • Chair, Omar Mahmud, 546-1520 Economic Development & Zoning Committee 3rd Wednesday, July 21, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner of 10th & G Streets, NE • Chair, Drew Ronneberg, 431-4305 Community Outreach Committee No Meeting in July • Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith Annex 1235 C Street, NE • Chair, Elizabeth Nelson, 543-3512

Please check the Community Calendar on the website for cancellations and changes of venue.

Attend a meeting! Volunteer for a committee! It’s your ANC!

ANC 6A meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE. Visit www.anc6a.org for more information. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 47

capitolstreets news

ANC 6B Sorting Out ‘Peace, Order and Quiet’ on Barrack’s Row

by Hunter L Gorinson

W

hen it comes to dealing with the District’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA), the paperwork may be signed and permits paid, but buyer beware – you may not be getting what you think.

One new establishment, Senart’s Oyster House, found out as much the hard way prior to the June meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B. Senart’s proprietor, Xavier Cevera – the same restaurateur behind two Eighth Street establishments, Molly Malone’s and Lola’s – came before the ANC’s Alcohol Beverage Commission Committee for a liquor license and permission for a 22-seat sidewalk café, as well as two outdoor “summer gardens,” at his new oyster house at 520 Eighth St. SE. Funny thing is, however, Cevera never requested a permit for a “summer garden” – much less two – on his application to ABRA. After clarifying that mishap with the ANC’s ABC Committee and local residents, Cevera was able to address the matter of hours for his patio seating. Dampening concerns over what the ANC described as “peace, order and quiet in the neighborhood,” Senart’s agreed to “cease service” outdoors at 11 p.m. five days a week and at 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

In ABRA’s nomenclature, however, “ceasing service” equals “ceasing consumption” – something that Cevera was not aware of when he 48 ★ HillRag | July 2010

entered into his agreement and now disputes. This left the patio matter still open to debate when the ANC convened to consider his outdoor seating request. And the commission too was a bit baffled by ABRA’s distinction.

“We’re not really quite so focused on whether alcoholic beverages are being served are not. We have a noise concern for the neighbors and want be clear about that point … [but] it’s not exactly clear where to go,” said Chairman David Garrison.

With Cevera not in attendance to discuss the issue further, the only resolution, it seemed, was for the commission to begrudgingly move to protest Senart’s patio seating – something that not that all commissioners were entirely comfortable in doing.

“Mr. Cevera has been the one to come in and say I want to resolve the problem. I think we need to leave him alone and let him do what he wants to do. I think he’s a responsible business owner,” said Commissioner Carol Green, noting the standards maintained at Senart’s soon-to-be sister establishments.

But with no voluntary agreement to sign, the ANC voted to protest the Senart’s application based on the unclear hours of the sidewalk café with seven commissioners for the measure, Green voting against it and Commissioner Mary Wright abstaining.

“It feels awkward … but I don’t see what our choices are here,” said Garrison.

During the same session, the commission also faced another laundry list of liquor license renewals from currently operating establishments. As in the month prior, the majority passed without exception, aside from a select few who, too, faced complaints about noise, sanitation and other issues of community concern – popular hotspots Good Stuff Eatery, Matchbox and Tunnicliff ’s among them.

All three were approved unanimously for renewal after discussions at the committee level between the ANC, the respective business owners and affected community members.

A neighbor of one of the contested

establishments, Mary Wadley, called the process a prime “example of good communication on all fronts.”

Even the Ugly Mug, which had received a negative recommendation from the commission in May due to ANC concerns that went unanswered, regained the panel’s support after implementing restricted patio hours, posting signs that implore customers to be mindful of the neighbors and hiring a doorman for Friday and Saturday evenings.

New Capper Community Center Still a Long Time Coming Dan McCabe of Urban Atlantic was back before ANC 6B this June to seek a second extension for his company’s redevelopment of the demolished Capper Community Center at Fifth and K streets SE – just one component of the 32-acre Capper/ Carollsburg Planned Unit Development (PUD) project that the developer, in tandem with the DC Housing Authority, has been working on for a decade. The panel had previously opposed such a delay a year prior during McCabe’s last visit, though the Zoning Commission eventually granted it.

McCabe told the panel that the community center portion of the development was still facing significant “financial difficulties” and, as such, hoped to gain an extension through July 2012. Urban Atlantic hoped that construction would then begin, he said, in July 2013 – a best-case scenario projection, based on the pilot bond financing behind the project, which will require the majority of the townhouses and multi-family housing units within the development to be completed before work on community amenities can begin.

“Further down the road, when we have a better real estate-slashincome stream, the second portion of the pilot bonds, which is $26 million, will be used to finance the remaining components along Canal Park and the community center,” he said.

The commission remained skeptical, though, as the developer had failed to provide its planning committee with plans or a concrete

6B

timeline for the community center -- once projected to go to ground as early 2008. While McCabe did produce “60 percent” completed construction documents for the center, he did concede that “there is no timeline” and added: “We’d love to build it, we just don’t have the money.”

Commissioner Kenan Jarboe cited a need for the developer to demarcate milestones in the development process that would allow the ANC to track progress towards the center, instead of an ongoing “put it off, put it off ” scenario.

“The original sin here is that … the community center should have been dedicated right up front. There are too many public amenities in these things that get paid for at the end of the process rather than up front. We’re in that box,” he said.

Still, McCabe stressed the fact the community center was but one piece of a much larger, federally mandated development that will have widespread ramifications for both 6C and 6D areas in the coming years.

“The whole concept … is that we use the value of that land to be able to replace 707 public housing units that were dilapidated. We’re at 339, and they’re beautiful… To deep-six the PUD now, I think, would be shortsighted,” said McCabe.

On the heels of a lengthy discussion, Jarboe introduced a motion to support the extension on the condition of support from ANC 6D, the formalization of a timeline and the submission of written document to the Zoning Commission by the developer outlining specific funds for the center. The extension request passed unanimously.

ANC 6B regularly meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at The People’s Church, 535 Eighth St. SE. Call 202-543-3344 or visit www. anc6b.org for more information. ★

ANC 6C Progress on Parking Lot, New Residential Development in the Mount Vernon Triangle

by Hunter L. Gorinson

T

wo months after the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development controversially converted their development site at Fifth and I streets NW into a parking lot, Bill McLeod, executive director of the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District, came before Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C for help in reclaiming the parcel for weekend use among residents of the neighborhood.

McLeod’s organization is looking to host an outdoor summer movie night – similar to those already held in the neighborhood north of Massachusetts Avenue (NoMa) and the Capitol Riverfront – at the site but, as the second smallest business improvement group in the city, is unable to cover all the costs itself. To that end, McLeod submitted a $1,500 grant request to the commission – a sum that would cover website design, marketing banners and fliers, as ANCs are precluded from directly financing entertainment.

McLeod projected that the cost of the series will come in at a “pretty lean” $7,200 and is currently fundraising throughout the community.

The summer-long event will showcase notable Asian films, in order to capitalize on the Mount Vernon Triangle’s proximity to Chinatown.

The commission as a whole was relieved to hear that at least some good would come of the much maligned parking lot snafu.

“It’s my firm belief that the most wanton act of neglect that local government can do is that act of no transparency and no community engagement. Both issues were the case regarding this project at Fifth and I streets,” said Commis-

sioner Keith Silver. “On the other hand, I think… [we can] right this injustice by making this concession [to allow] the parking lot for community use on weekends.”

Commissioner Charley Docter introduced a motion to support the grant request, which was seconded

by Commissioner Tony Richardson. McLeod said that he hopes to start the film series sometime in July and that he is still looking for an operator to host a possible farmer’s market at the Fifth and I site.

Meanwhile, the ANC was relieved to hear word that another Mount Vernon Triangle development actually would be proceeding – Steuart and Paradigm Development’s 14-story residential building at 444 New York Ave. NW. W. Clarke Ewart, executive vice president of Paradigm, came forward with a rare request to reduce the curb cuts currently on site.

“What we’re putting in place is consistent with the operation of this 390-unit apartment building so that things run smoothly and safely because we’ll segregate the loading from the delivery and drop-off areas, so that we don’t have congestion every morning,” said Ewart.

Following the unanimous approval of Paradigm’s request, the ANC’s Planning, Zoning and Environment Committee chairman, Rob Amos, presented a brief, nonvoting update on the status of the project. To the pleasure of many in attendance, it was announced that 444 New York is fully funded and currently scheduled to break ground this coming fall.

6C

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An Unexpected Resignation In a surprise turn, Commissioner Anne Phelps relayed word that Commissioner Ryan Velasco was to resign his post as the representative of Single Member District (SMD) 6C07 effective immediately. Velasco, who was not attendance, cited an upcoming stretch of “extended business travel” and his intent to soon move outside his SMD as the motivating factors behind the decision in statement read aloud at the hearing. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 49

“Each of us should take pride in knowing that [the ANC] is now viewed as one of the more functional and responsible commissions in the city… For more than three years, it’s been an honor to work with you, [Ward 6] Councilmember [Tommy] Wells and his staff, and members of the community,” wrote Velasco.

Under city regulations, a replacement for the now vacant seat cannot be sought within such close proximity to the upcoming citywide elections, but Chairperson Karen Wirt stated that Velasco’s duties will be divided amongst the remaining commissioners and that constituents of 6C07 will still be represented by their panel.

project since its inception as a way to create a neighborhood transportation system within the District but also as a way to spur economic development.”

Phelps went on to explain her belief that in the coming years “battery technology should have advanced so that we can move off of the overhead wires,” but that, at present, they remain vital to the streetcars’ immediate implementation.

Following a second from Commissioner Silver, the commission voted unanimously in support of the motion. Commissioner Richardson will appear on behalf of the ANC at an upcoming council hearing regarding the Amendment Act.

ANC’s ‘Great Weight’ in Jeopardy?

ANC 6C meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Call 202-5477168 or visit www.anc6c.org for more information and meeting agenda. ★

Commissioner Tom Hamilton was chagrined to report that the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) has seemingly ignored a January ANC recommendation that would allow the homeowner of 647 C St. NE to construct a second story arts studio on top of their existing garage. In addition to the affirmative ANC vote, Hamilton also wrote a personal letter in support of the project - only to watch neither be considered when the BZA voted down the measure 3-2.

“The BZA gave no thought to our recommendation when it voted to deny the application,” said Hamilton. “It seems to me that this is consistent with the modus operandi of this administration, and I suggest to all of my fellow the commissioners that notion that any ANC advice be taken with great weight … may well be a thing of the past.”

ANC 6D Another Capper/Carrollsburg Hope VI Delay

by Roberta Weiner

Another Show of Support for Streetcars Following a report from the ANC’s Transportation and Public Space Committee on the outcome of a June 3 meeting on streetcar construction, Commissioner Phelps proposed that the commission draft a letter to the city council in support of the Transportation Infrastructure Amendment Act of 2010 – a piece of legislation introduced by Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells that would overturn 19th-century federal statutes barring the use of overhead wires in the District of Columbia. While the amendment would continue to proscribe their use, it would return the authority to make exemptions to the council, thereby enabling streetcar construction to proceed unhampered.

“It’s important to return transportation planning and authority to the municipality,” said Phelps.

“This body has supported the streetcar 50 ★ HillRag | July 2010

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he DC Housing Authority (DCHA) and EYA, its private development partner in the long-term Hope VI project that is slowly coming into being in Southeast, have asked Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D for support before the Zoning Commission of a two year extension of its Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the construction of the community center that is a key part of the project.

The delay would require that construction begin in 2012.

The original PUD for the project was filed in early 2003, and the building permit application for the center was scheduled to be filed by July 1. The sole reason for the delay, according to project manager Dan McCabe is that there is an inability in the current real estate market to obtain sufficient financing for the project.

Commission Chair Ron McBee reflected

Stop Elder Financial Abuse the views of the commissioners when he asserted that the community is adamant about having the community center as a central part of the project and that the ANC needs assurances that it will be built. McCabe responded that the plans are complete, and the design program is far along. David Cortelia of DCHA added that the agency believes there are two cornerstones to the project: one is to replace the 707 housing units that were eliminated when the Capper/Carrollsburg House was razed, and the other is the construction of the community center.

He said the project has consistently moved forward, and they will close on the second phase of the row houses in August. He reported that there had been a grant of $9.5 million in stimulus funds to the project, which was being spent on infrastructure for the several new streets of row houses that were currently being built, which will be low income, workforce rate, and market rate housing.

A motion was made to support the request for a delay in the construction start date until 2012. A suggestion was made that the motion be tabled until there was a meeting was held at which the community could be briefed on the delay, and on other issues concerning the relocation of former tenants. The developers were amenable to holding such a meeting, and the commission then voted unanimously to support the delay, with the proviso that a meeting was held before July 12, the date the issue is scheduled to come before the Zoning Commission.

In a related presentation, Adam Hayes, the engineering director of EYA, the developer of Capitol Quarter, the residential development at the site, gave an update on the new townhouse construction. Phase 1 will begin construction in late July or early August and

Do you know a District of Columbia senior resident whom you suspect is being abused?

Elder abuse comes in many forms: physical, financial, emotional, neglect or abandonment.

Financial abuse is one of the most common forms of abuse to elders, quickly becoming the crime of the 21st century as more seniors are targeted.

The D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) recently marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and put out a call to action:

1) Prevent abuse (and take time to check on elderly family and neighbors) 2) Recognize the signs 3) Report to authorities If you witness elder financial abuse; or if you suspect it, please report it.

Never ignore elder abuse.

DISB will continue to use the summer to mark Financial Fraud Awareness Week with seniortargeted events on financial fraud. DISB is the District of Columbia government agency that oversees financial-service providers such as insurance companies, investment advisers, banks, mortgage lenders, and more.

Remember to Contact DISB to: • File a Complaint • Verify a Financial Institution is Licensed in the District of Columbia • Access Consumer Information • Request a Speaker

Protecting Your Financial Interests

To do any of these, or to report any financial fraud or financial elder abuse, please call DISB at (202) 727-8000, go online at www.disb.dc.gov or by emailing suggestdisb@dc.gov.

NANCY L. LITHGOW, RN, MSW

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Individuals, Couples & Families Mothers & Infants Counseling & Psychotherapy when talking to friends and family isn't enough

202-543-7700 101 6th St., NE and 1616 18th Street, NW capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 51

will consist of 179 units, and Phase 2 will begin in late December or January and will consist of 163 units. The build-out for the project will take about two years.

Town Center West Park

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WILLS • SEPARATION DIVORCE • CHILD CUSTODY REAL ESTATE • TAX 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Suite 210 Washington, DC 20002 Two blocks from Union Station

202-547-1777 52 ★ HillRag | June 2010

An enthusiastic response greeted a presentation by Kelly Malone, a member of a new group, the Friends of Two Center West Park, the lovely but rundown park at Sixth and I streets SW. The Friends have undertaken to cleaning up the park, which has a new pump for the pond at its center.

Malone came to the ANC to ask for support for the group’s plan to apply to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to be designated as the official Partner of the park, part of DPR’s Park Partnership Program that enables one group per park to assume responsibility for its well being. According to Malone, this will enable the group to solicit donations from area business and individuals for projects such as tree trimming and pond cleaning.

The park was originally designed as part of Marina View Towers, and the developers of the new modifications to that project have committed $250,000 as part of their PUD to the park’s restoration. To date, they have paid for a study by the original landscape architects of the park’s condition and will move forward with a renovation before they receive a certificate of occupancy for their delayed renovation and reconstruction of Marina View Towers.

The commission voted unanimously to support the application of the Friends of Town Center West Park to be its official Partner of the Park.

plans call for a mixed-use residential, hotel and retail development, along with a gallery/museum in the school building itself to house the Rubell’s extensive art collection — but no school. This will require an amendment to the original agreement by the city council. The council is expected to act in September, and, according to Commissioner McBee, a decision whether the ANC will support the project should be made in July.

A major element in the commission’s support of the project will be the future of the expansive community benefits agreement that had been worked out between the ANC and the Corcoran. And while a community benefits agreement cannot be negotiated until the building changes hands and the developers are working on a new PUD, the commission voted unanimously to reconstitute its previous negotiating committee – Commissioners McBee, Moffatt and Sobelsohn – to meet with the potential owners to discuss their ideas for future community benefits.

6D

Randall School Commissioner McBee gave an update on the status of the plans by the developer Telesis and the Rubell family to purchase the Randall School from the Corcoran Galley and School. The District had sold the building to the Corcoran with a covenant requiring that the property be used as a school. Current

Public Space Policy

Asserting that the ANC had an inconsistent policy in making decisions to support sidewalk cafes and other uses of public space, Commissioner Sobelsohn moved a resolution that would require a negotiated community benefits agreement as a condition of support for a public space application.

Commissioner Jane Jorgensen said that outdoor seating was, in itself, a community benefit because people appreciated the ability to sit outdoors, and she found having a requirement of community benefits distasteful. Commissioner Bob Siegel agreed and said that the ANC should be reaching out to new merchants, not issuing them requirements. However, Commissioner Moffatt’s view that there had not been adequate notice of the resolution so it could not be studied carried the day, and the motion was tabled.

Outdoor Cafe at Justin’s The commission voted to sup-

port a substantial change to its liquor license, and an amendment to the voluntary agreement it has with Justin’s Cafe at Fourth and L streets SE that will permit the service of liquor at a new 16-seat outdoor cafe.

The public space permit for the space was apparently approved without any notification to the ANC, but the tenants of the building in which the cafe is located overwhelmingly approve of the outdoor seating.

Commissioner Moffatt was concerned that the eating area extended beyond the cafe’s property, and Commissioner Sobelsohn objected to the fact that smoking will be permitted. Theirs were the two negative votes.

The next meeting of ANC 6D will be July 12, 7 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 600 M St. SW. 202-554-1795, www.anc6d.org. ★

NEWS capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 53

capitolstreets news

Streetcar Questions Loom Ongoing Operations Financing and Help for H Street Businesses are up in the Air Photos and Artilce By Paul D. Shinkman

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s the city approaches the abrasively humid dog days of a DC summer, locals turn to establishments like the Philadelphia Water Ice Factory at 1204 H Street, NE for some cooling comfort. Unfortunately for owner Khadijah Bronson, her customers cuing at the walk-up window now have to compete with pedestrians and construction workers funneled into the three feet between the building’s façade and an open, active municipal construction site.

“I’m losing business,” said Bronson, who claims patronage to her establishments has fallen 80-85% since the project first began. “It shouldn’t be because of the city.”

For the past three years, the DC Department of Transportation has been working to install on H Street and Benning Road an inaugural segment of a roughly $1.7 billion city-wide streetcar project. There is an air of excitement about the resulting economic development and increased connectivity – this line will link the Minnesota Avenue metro station across the river to Union Station — but many local businesses are taking a big hit from the disruption to foot and vehicular traffic along the length of the corridor.

DDOT predicts construction on the new tracks will continue until at 54 ★ HillRag | July 2010

least next summer.

“I think it’s really a waste of money,” added Bronson, who also owns Spoiled and Rotten Kids Boutique & Spa at 1012 H St. “They should have just redone the sidewalks, streets and lighting.”

Hae Jun “Susan” Park, who came to H Street five years ago, owns and operates a wig and hat store at the corner of 12th and H streets. She is three months behind in paying her rent, despite her landlord lowering the rate $300 for six months.

“I cannot make money, everyone left,” Park said of the local clientele’s response to the construction immediately outside her store.

In addition, Park recently found out that her building has become structurally unsound – due to the construction, she claims – and that she will have to vacate the premises for fear the adjacent construction could cause the building to “collapse at any time,” according to a letter from her landlord.

Park, who emigrated from South Korea to the United States almost 20 years ago, approached Ward 6 City Councilmember Tommy Wells’ office to explain her situation. She has not yet heard back.

Fiscal troubles are a common theme with this project. As the track

construction continues to chug down the corridor, DDOT has not yet nailed down a specific plan for funding and operating the city-wide project.

Capital Financing DDOT representatives peg the remainder of the H Street line capital costs at $63 million. This includes finishing the track installation and “streetscape” renovations, and purchasing the trolley cars, which cost between $2.5 and $3.5 million each. DDOT hopes for a fleet of six cars for this line allowing one to run every ten minutes.

“It will be funded with local and federal money, and maybe private funds,” said DDOT spokesman John Lisle of the city-wide project, which will require an eventual 37 miles of track. DDOT is simultaneously working on a half mile continuation of the Anacostia streetcar track to open in 2012, and plans for an eastward extension track on Benning Road to 45th Street NE by 2015.

The transportation department will find out this month if it is selected to receive a $24.99 million Urban Circulator Grant from the Federal Transit Administration to help fund capital costs.

Operations Funding According to an April letter from Scott Kubly, associate director of

DDOT’s Progressive Transportation Services Administration, fares from the streetcar (which will match fares for the DC Circulator Bus, Kubly told The Hill Rag) will only pay for 30% of the operating costs for the entire system. This means the city must come up with $3.5 million to cover the rest of the cost of running the vehicles, he wrote.

This is a “relatively small part of ” the roughly $250 million annual public transportation budget, he said. Kubly mentioned hearing rumors from business owners on H Street that the city would raise area taxes to help pay for the streetcar operations.

“Not true,” he said.

What’s The Plan?

The enduring ambiguity in DDOT’s plans has concerned some in the city government.

DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray recently approved $47 million for DDOT – enough to finish the track construction on H Street, but only enough to purchase three streetcars. He also warned DDOT that they must soon solidify the projects’ financial and logistical details.

“The chairman has never waivered on support for the streetcars,” said Doxie McCoy, Gray’s communica-

tions director, “but he has expressed deep concerns with planning.”

Gray submitted a letter to DDOT Director Gabe Klein on May 14 asking for specifics on funding and logistics for the H StreetBenning Road line. It elicited a 24-page response from the DDOT director, but that did not seem to put the chairman’s concerns to rest.

“The response was not satisfactory,” McCoy said, “there are still certain questions.”

In addition to determining how to pay for the project, DDOT does not yet know where the H StreetBenning Road line will begin and end, how it will be powered, how it will connect with the maintenance facility slated for Anacostia, where it will be temporarily maintained and how it will turn around.

McCoy added that the future of streetcar funding will depend on “how the [DDOT] planning goes.”

Lisle did not say when DDOT expects to resolve the remaining issues for the project, but many other organizations are weighing in.

Local non-profit DC Surface Transit commissioned the Brookings Institution last summer to research how other American cities have paid for streetcar systems. By analyzing models in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, the study outlines hypothetical, and controversial, methods of financing a streetcar program. These include capturing some of the revenue generated by the presence of a streetcar, such as greater property values and increased business, which could then alleviate tapping any federal financing or the general fund of the DC government.

However, DC is a much more complicated case. Unlike the other cities, which only had to deal with a few landowners on their proposed streetcar lines, there are almost 3,000 separate parcels of land along the H Street-Benning Road line alone.

“Whenever we need to build something, we figure it out,” said DC Council Member Tommy Wells (Ward-6), citing recent municipal projects like Nationals Ballpark, which opened in 2008, and the new Washington Convention Center, completed in 2003. “I’m more concerned with the operating costs than

the capital costs.”

As they keep tabs on the costs of the invasive project, city officials are also looking for ways to prevent H Street businesses from going under.

Helping Small Businesses in the Interim In an attempt to attract more commercial traffic to the corridor during the construction, Council Member Wells helped organize a bus to shuttle customers and employees between Union Station and H Street.

The overarching streetcar project also includes a $50 million initiative for “streetscape improvements” to the corridor, he said.

Wells also introduced legislation the Council passed in March delaying the property tax due date until this September. Since it is not guaranteed that landlords will pass these savings on to their tenants, Wells hopes to earmark up to $3 million to distribute directly to local businesses.

He is not yet sure how this will be done.

“The city needs to be more small business friendly,” said Anwar Saleem, executive director of neighborhood organization H Street Main Street, who supports the streetcar project but believes the city could be doing more to help. “We need relief, not delay.”

Saleem cited the positive effect of Councilmembers Kwame Brown (At-Large) and Wells’ initiative to advertise for H Street businesses on local busses and bus shelters.

“It will be well worth it to have a daytime presence,” said Julia Christian, executive director of CHAMPS, the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, explaining how currently H Street is largely a nighttime destination whose patrons use taxis to get in and out. Christian also cites the inherent difficulty for area small businesses.

“Across the board, DC is one of the worst in the country for this kind of business, with fees and taxes,” she said. “I think the city could be doing a lot more…to level the playing field.”

“Small business is really the backbone of the city,” said Christian, adding that without support, “you begin to cut into the backbone of what makes DC unique.” ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 55

capitolstreets news Eastern Market

Watch

Shorter Counters and Long-Term Leases

By Paul D. Shinkman

J

une marked the one-year anniversary of Eastern Market reopening its doors after the devastating fire in 2007. Now, a year later, the indoor merchants have settled into an updated facility, alongside the vendors and farmers who peddle their wares and produce outside on Saturdays and Sundays. But it is not without a few headaches.

Leases and Permits

Money Counters The indoor merchants and the DC Department of Real Estate Services, the current governing body of the Market, have temporarily agreed to lower the interior refrigerated counters to three inches off the ground. These counters delineate the Market’s central corridor and divide the merchants’ areas.

The counters have remained lifted six to nine inches since the Market reopened, in accordance with the DC Department of Health regulations stipulating these counters be either raised at least six inches, or flush with and sealed to the floor. DOH has granted DRES an exemption to this rule in Eastern Market. Many merchants argue that any additional height interferes with business and want the counters to be lowered to the floor.

“It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is a lot,” said Bill Glasgow, owner of Union Meat Co. and South Hall food merchant representative to the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee.

“Being able to look at our customers, see their mouths move and make eye contact is very important,” he said. Glasgow has had to build a nine-inch step on his side of the counter to help communicate with his customers in a venue that already has a lot of ambient noise. “It’s like our customers are walking in a trench,” he added. “It’s not healthy.”

56 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Tall counters are an inconvenience to customers and market vendors. Photo by Andrew Lightman.

“We’re losing elderly trade,” said Jose Canales, of Canales Delicatessen. “They don’t like to communicate when raising their voice.”

Glasgow also pointed out that supermarkets, like Harris Teeter, are allowed to have their counters flush with the floor, allowing much easier communication with the customers.

“Are we second class citizens?”

Glasgow asked. “We’ll continue to fight this.”

EMCAC has long supported lowering the counters to the floor, and passed another motion as such at their last meeting on June 2.

Barry Margeson, the Market manager for DRES, recently said at a public meeting, “There are a number of reasons that Construction opposes this and they include, corrosion of the cases’ bottoms, vermin infestation, and the closing of drains,” according to an email he wrote to The Hill Rag. DRES is waiting for the Market’s “original contractor” to determine if they will be willing to lower the counters to three inches off the ground.

DRES has provided EMCAC with a draft of a five-year lease, with an option to renew for five years, that it is willing to issue to the Market’s indoor merchants. This is the first lease longer than one year that has been made available to the merchants for more than a decade. EMCAC voted unanimously in support of this draft at their June 23 meeting, and also voted to recommend increasing the term length to ten years, with an option to renew for another ten.

“I’m happy to finally have a lease for longer than one year,” Glasgow said, adding he and the other merchants have not had a lease since they signed the short-term agreements after moving into the temporary facility across from the Market following the 2007 fire.

For the past two months the department’s lawyers have reviewed the leases, which Glasgow just received last week, he said. Most of the merchants have not yet seen the draft leases, he added.

“At least now we can negotiate,” Glasgow said.

DRES is also in the process of negotiating leases, called “permits,” for the vendors who work outside the Market on weekends.

“We need to address the whole organization of the outdoor vendors,” said Jenae Michelle, who sells custom handbags at the Market. Earlier this month, she took over from Joe Snider as chairperson of the Eastern Market Tenants’ Council, the representative body for the outdoor vendors and farmers.

Michelle cited the importance of organizing the available outdoor space and deciding who can work where, and improving the process for filing grievances with management.

Currently vendors and farmers must approach the DRES market manager

to complain about the DRES market manager, she said.

The permits are still in draft form, she added, and, unlike the indoor merchants, the outdoor vendors and farmers would accept oneyear terms.

Task Force: Eastern Market DC Council member Tommy Wells (Ward-6) announced earlier this year the creation of a task force to analyze the framework for a potential new governing body for Eastern Market to replace DRES. The task force is headed up by Peter Waldron, a contributing writer to The Hill Rag Eastern Market Watch column and former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, and former Ward 6 DC Council member Sharon Ambrose, who served in office when the Council passed the 1998 legislation establishing the Market’s current governance structure.

“We need to find the best model for Eastern Market,” said task force member Ken Jarboe, ANC 6B commissioner and EMCAC member.

Members of the task force have looked at the historic market in Lancaster, PA, which has hybrid system of a director and a Board of Trustees.

“I’m looking at the next generation, a new governance board with the authority to hire and fire the market manager,” Wells told The Hill Rag, referencing EMCAC which currently serves only as an advisor to DRES. Wells also pointed out that EMCAC is comprised of members from various local organizations, such as the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District, the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce (CHAMPS) and representatives from political groups. It will be important to stipulate membership with specific expertise for the make-up of the new group, such as engineering and development, Wells

said.

“I’m hoping the task force will develop guiding principles to test out at public meetings,” added Wells.

The task force is planning to meet for the first time in late June.

Artists with a Voice Take to the Street! article and photos by Shannon Holloway

The Roof Was On Fire The cause of the 2007 fire garnered much speculation in the months following the incident. Right around the Market’s reopening ceremony in June 2009, Council member Wells aired his suspicions that the fire was caused wby arson.

In late May of this year, DC Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin announced that electrical problems with the exterior trash compactor started the blaze that shuttered the building for more than two years.

“In the early accounts, the fire started in the dumpster, and there were a few other area dumpster fires that were arson,” Wells told The Hill Rag recently, adding that he is now satisfied with the DC Fire/EMS findings.

Capitol Hill Restoration Society Second Vice President Monte Edwards, also a member of the EMCAC board, said the trash compactor system was installed when Eastern Market Ventures oversaw the Market, the precursor to the current DRES management.

Wells said he did not know enough about the issue to determine if EMV should be held responsible for the fire. ★

Clockwise from Top Left 1. Albus Cavus’ gliding mobile sculptures.

2. The circus of performers gather for the precession.

3. The community supported by generations.

4. Batala Drummers marching to the beat of their own drum.

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rtists, performers, activists, and the community came out on June 5 to participate in the Washington Project for the Arts ( www.wpadc. org/) “WPArade”; the District’s first ever art parade!

“One of our missions at WPA is to bring art to the masses. Some people are intimidated by contemporary art in a gallery setting, so we do some ‘out of the box’ events like the parade…to bring art out into the street for everyone to see. It’s the lighter side of contemporary art, but really, it’s performance art, and more conceptual than it may seem at first glance,” said Kristina Bilonick, Program Director for the Washington Project for the Arts.

The Nationals Ballpark was the parade’s scenic backdrop (running along Half Street and M Street SE, DC). The festivities began at noon as participants emerged from an enclosed lot across from the Navy Yard Metro Station. The sounds of swiftly beaten drums filled the air as sights of wonder were wheeled into place surprising many who curiously stopped to watch the show. There were floats and mobile sculptures

by Artomatic, Albus Cavus’ “Give me a Vote,” John James Anderson ( Job Creation Project), the Glade Dance Collective, Adrienne Mills and music performed by the all woman Batala Washington Percussion Band walking with the Riverside Community Center. The Gallery O/H used a cell phone tower sculpture and provided an (866) number to listen to

their synchronized performance music while they entertained the crowd with a critique of the modern cell phone user; nevertaking their eyes, ear, or attention away from their phones. “Scream at the Economy” used experimental music, sporting masks, laboratory jumpsuits and “screamers” (speakers resembling jet packs/leaf blowers) by The Floating Lab Collective) with Silvana Straw and DJ Fleg. The Washington Puppet Underground, Nadine Bloch sculptures and the Washington Peace Center processions included lots of sculptures, puppets, an activist band, stilt walkers, and an interactive game show called “The Price is Wrong”, which compared citizen values with government spending.

For More On Participants www.artomatic.org/ www.givemeavote.org/ www.jobcreationproject.info/ www.gladedance.org/index www.batalawashington.com/ www.washingtonparks.net/riverside.html www. floatinglabcollective.org/screamattheeconomy.html www. puppetunderground.blogspot.com/ www.nadinebloch.com/puppets/ www.washingtonpeacecenter.org/ ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 57

capitolstreets news

IGU Loses Accreditation and Tax-Exempt Status Future use of the Property is in Question

By Peter Waldron

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he International Graduate University, located at 13th & D St. SE, has lost both its accreditation as a “university” and its tax exempt status. The latter, effective May 26, was confirmed via email by the DC Office of Tax and Revenue.

The 92,899 square foot property, sold as part of the disposition of surplus school properties under the Congressionally-appointed Control Board, was purchased by Dr Walter Boek in the late ‘90s for $1.5 million. The property was recently assessed at $10.5 million by the District’s Real Property Division. Without Boek’s non-profit status, taxes on this property would ordinarily be charged at the commercial rate of $1.85 per $100.00 a square foot or just under $200,000 annually. In addition, Dr. Boek secured tax exempt status for his residence in Northwest by claiming it as the University president’s home. Boek’s residence is currently assessed at $1,895,240, so the loss of tax-exempt status will mean property taxes of close to $20,000.

As for the institutions accreditation, IGU lost its ability to continue to be an educational institution when the Educational Licensing Commission denied its application in December 2009. Among its 11 carefully worded charges were that IGU failed to operate as an educational institution in the period for which it had a conditional license, did not have qualified faculty nor even the rudiments of a library.

IGU has operated with mixed success and sporadic licensing since its purchase. Neighbors have reported only intermittent signs of classroom instruction. The IGU website lists masters programs in Management Science, Human Services and Constitutional Democracy. The website claims that IGU has enrolled over 40,00 students.

According to Sharon Ambrose, former Ward Six Councilmember who chaired the Regulatory Affairs Committee which is responsible for educational licensing oversight, IGU was never a degree granting school because it is not a chartered university. It is classified as a “proprietary” school much like a barber college or secretarial school.

58 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Controversial High School Rejected Faced with the loss of its accreditation, IGU became embroiled in controversy this winter when its proposed newest tenant, University High, presented an application to the DC Public Charter School Board for a high school for at-risk teenagers. The community galvanized in opposition with 350 parents of the adjacent Watkins Elementary School signing a petition expressing their concern at having primary grade children sharing playground space in proximity with struggling teenagers. Other issues raised at University High’s hearing were the discovery that its application contained curriculum descriptions which were virtually identical in wording to those of nearby Gonzaga H.S. Rob Bergman, a ten-year neighbor of IGU, scoffs at any suggestion that Boek genuinely consults with the community. Bergman says that Boek pretends to be involved in the community until he no longer “needs us and then he goes silent.”

Ward Six Council member Tommy Wells wrote a letter opposing the application of University High as a charter school, citing among other reasons the apparent plagiarism and a worrisome linkage between members of the boards of both IGU and University High: “There is a clear governance and management relationship between the two,” he said. “The relationship is of concern because the IGU has no track record of working with the community.”

In addition, the charter application listed the Community College of the District of Columbia as a partner. Julie Johnson, Deputy Director of CCDC, in turn has made clear that no relationship exists nor were there any plans for a future relationship. The application was subsequently rejected.

When reached, Dr Boek said that he could not comment but that there would be “a news release going to go out tomorrow. I am not ready to make a comment today. But we will continue to do the things we have been doing,” adding that a program for “addiction counselors” would be going forward. ★

Community Life Spotted on the Hill The Eastern Towhee Article and photo by Peter Vankevich

T

he Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is a strikingly handsome bird that, good looks notwithstanding, is perhaps more noted for its vocalizations.

The male has a black head, neck and shoulders, a white chest and rust-red wings and sides. The female has the same color pattern as the male, but is dark brown where the male is black colored. When one thinks of a sparrow, many envision dull-colored birds with subtle streaking, spots and eye lines that make species identification sometimes challenging. Many will be surprised to learn that this towhee is also a member of the sparrow family.

In most of its distribution area including here, the eye color of these birds is red, but if you find yourself birding in Florida or the southeastern coastal regions beginning on the lower Outer Banks of North Carolina, you may see a form of this bird whose eye color is white or straw colored.

Towhees are birds that prefer undergrowth and you may know of their presence by hearing loud rummaging sounds as they kick leaves in search of seeds, beetles, grubs and worms. Although ground feeders, in the spring and early summer they will often

perch on top of a shrub or small tree and sing out loudly. Towhees although present year round, are in small numbers from late fall to early spring.

They are most prominent on the Hill in April and early May when they pass through in migration and you may be pleasantly surprised to see one in your back yard in the morning resting from a long night’s journey into day.

The hazards of migration are many.

Because they are ground birds, they are susceptible to predators such as cats.

Perhaps a sign of the times or a bad signal, but I found a study of arrival times on wintering grounds in Florida that was based on specimen records from birds killed by striking a television tower in northern Florida.

Picking up an older Eastern region birds field guide published before the mid 1990s you won’t find the Eastern Towhee; rather it will be called the Rufous-sided Towhee. The official arbiter of bird nomenclature, The American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU), determined that this bird and its counterpart in the west, the Spotted Towhee formerly lumped together as subspecies were split and each received full species status.

This bird was named towhee in 1731 by a British born naturalist/artist named Mark Catesby who published in two volumes (1731 and 1743) a monumental work called the Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Islands of the Bahamas. Consisting of 220 portfolio sized plates of birds, in-

sects, fish, reptiles and amphibians, and mammals, it was the first published account of flora and fauna in America and produced 100 years before James John Audubon’s release of Birds of America. Interestingly, Catesby paired the towhee with a cowbird against a balsam poplar tree.

So why are they famous for their sounds? This bird gets its name from one of its calls which does indeed sound like “towhee.” It also makes a variant call described as “cherwink.”

But it is its song that I find so impressive, which sounds to me almost exactly as “Drink your teeeeeee.”

Hearing it for the first time, made me think, “Wow, the bird knows English!”

Rumor has it that a well-known playwright who has recently become a fanatical birder is working on a screenplay about one of our featured birds, which after an unusual cold snap, takes up with a fast-flying, high-living flock of Cedar Waxwings that had settled in on a tree in its territory to imbibe on fermented hawthorn berries. The bird’s natural red eyes hide the signs of many hangovers and possible addiction as it struggles to make it to spring when grub worms become plentiful again.

Due for production in 2011, this opus has been tentatively titled “Tea for the Towhee.” OK, just kidding, but maybe I’ll do it myself.

This photo was taken on an early Sunday morning in Bartholdi Park of the Botanic Gardens late April, and this bird was no doubt in migration heading north.

If you have any comments or know of any interesting birds on Capitol Hill that could be a possible feature for this column, or would like to join me for a stroll on the Hill with your binoculars or camera on a weekend morning, feel free to contact me, petevankevich@gmail.com. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 59

communitylife

Little Lights in the Big City

by Melanie Sunukjian

I

f you walked past the red corner house on Seventh and I streets SE, you may never give it a second look. Its unadorned exterior, slightly unkempt yard, and stone’s-throwfrom-the-freeway location could make one assume that it’s just another diminutive domicile without much to offer. But similar to the kids the Little Lights house serves, if you take the time to look inside and get to know it, you would see it for the amazing potential that it has become.

Little Lights Urban Ministry (LLUM) has been blessing and empowering local kids since 1995. That’s when its founder, Steve Park, says he felt God’s call to share his love with underserved children and families. He and his wife, Mary, live in Anacostia with their two children and work together to serve the needs of the kids who live in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood.

In the last 15 years LLUM has slowly grown into an effective and well-established ministry. They began as an after-school tutoring program and branched out by offering a specialized one-on-one curriculum for math and reading on designated evenings. They launched a summer camp in 1997 that has grown into the Summer D.I.P. (drop in program), and the spring break camp was developed five years later. In a move to encourage the natural gifts that they saw in the kids, a choir was formed, and the annual talent show followed soon after.

The next year, Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn, Va., generously donated the actual house to the ministry so they could now invest the rent money more directly in their students and programs. In 2006, they initiated a mentoring program, but their most recent crowning achievement has been the Teen Internship Program. It provides part-time jobs for teens who have grown up in LLUM, giving them an opportunity to “pay it forward.”

60 ★ HillRag | July 2010

ABOVE: Steve Park (Right), founder of Little Lights, poses with one of the program’s many participants.

Photo: Melanie Sunukjian.

Over the years, the success and longevity of LLUM has garnered them some respectable accolades. They have received awards from the Family Research Council, the Catalogue of Philanthropy and the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.

Popular theologian and author Brian McLaren spoke on their behalf at the 2007 fundraising banquet, and last year, the first lady of South Korea paid them a visit.

The recognition comes from the obvious success of their efforts. According to their 2009 academic statistics, 70 percent of their students mastered at least four of the math objectives identified in their learning plan; 59 percent of their students have improved in reading with 44 percent reading independently at grade level. With that kind of success, I was eager to see a day in the life of the Little Lights program.

My kids and I decided to stop

by after school one Tuesday in late May. As we entered the front room, we joined their circle time to sing songs, do stretches and then go over the house rules. While the different age groups split up into their assigned rooms – Activity, Chill, or Homework – Josie, the fundraising coordinator, gave me a tour of the place. Aesthetically, I loved how “lived in” it felt. The walls were trimmed with a number

of colorful, floor-to-ceiling murals, lots of snapshots of happy kids and scattered displays of artwork and assignments.

I then met two of the current teen interns, Mia and Geizel. Mia started at LLUM as an elementary student, but despite aging out of the program, she figured she could still hang out by mentoring the younger kids. She’s been helping the kids with activities

START HAVING THE YARD OF YOUR DREAMS and art for the last two years and feels like her friends and leaders have become like family to her. Geizel became very close to the volunteers when she was a young student in the program, and as a result became one of the first teen mentors.

As a student at Cesar Chavez Charter School, she says her administrative responsibilities at LLUM have prepared her very well for a required public policy internship.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Dwaine, an inspiring alum. He was visiting his old stomping grounds after completing his junior year as a broadcast journalism major at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. When I asked him what he gained from his years at LLUM, he compared how his life had been changed to a firm foundation that you build a house upon. “Because it gave me a more spiritually mature mindset in life, I know that no matter what happens, the foundation is still there, and there’s always a way to recover.”

Needless to say, I was quite impressed by the staff, volunteers, interns and students.

When I asked Steve about the future of LLUM, he was eager to tell me that they had recently received access to one of the apartments at Potomac Gardens. Their dream is to turn it into an employment and technology center to help students and adults create resumes, find job placement and build up interview and technological skills.

They are currently looking for business and church partners to help them with this exciting endeavor.

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If you are interested in learning more about Little Lights Urban Ministries, then visit their website www.littlelights.org and watch some of their encouraging videos.

Or pay them a visit at the little red house and let them have the pleasure of showing you around.

It really is “more than meets the eye.” ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 61

communitylife

Rita Hunt Martin Beloved Officer Retires From the Force article and photo by Celeste McCall

B

est wishes to Rita Hunt Martin, veteran Washington DC Metropolitan Police officer, who serves at the First District Substation at 500 E St. SE. After almost three decades on the force, Officer Martin. She will be 50 on July 18, making her eligible for retirement.

We’ve known Rita Hunt since the 1980s, when we used to hang out at the Ainilian Art Gallery on Seventh St. SE (across from Eastern Market) operated by the late Agnes Ainilian. I was a student in Agnes’ informal art classes, and Rita knew Agnes from her “foot beat.” A self-proclaimed night owl, Agnes–a talented water colorist–painted evenings before heading out in her vintage automobile for a midnight supper at a neighborhood eatery. Rita stuck around to make sure Agnes was OK (back then crime was a real problem, even around the Market). She still owns several of Agnes’ colorful, impressionistic paintings; so do we.

A native of Beckley, West Virginia, Martin now lives in Upper Marlboro with her new hubby, Theodore Martin, her high school sweetheart. The couple reconnected after almost 30 years, and he proposed to her outside a West Virginia coal mine, where he works.

(Both come from coal mining backgrounds; Rita’s brother Mark drives a bulldozer (above ground, Rita assured us) at the Big Branch Mine, the scene of the April 5 explosion which killed 29 miners.)

However, Rita decided to come to Washington, where she attended the Metropolitan Police Academy near Blue Plains. She graduated at age 20. “I was still too young to carry a gun,” she recalled. Since then, Rita has ably served her community, while garnering numerous citations, including the CHAMPS Community Outreach Award in 2003. You can see the framed certificate in the precinct lobby.

“What I have liked best about my job are the people....Capitol Hill is my community,” she told me over lunch in her spacious, air conditioned office. “They just finished installing the AC,” she laughed, over barbecued wings. “They put it in just in time for someone else to enjoy it. I socialize here on Capitol Hill...I have life-long friends here, and have formed many personal relationships over the years.”

Naturally, police work has its down side, besides being downright dangerous. Martin is particularly saddened about the high suicide rate among fellow police officers, including deaths in her own precinct. Also, seeing the neglect of city youth on the family level (an example is the recent, horrific drive-by shooting in far Southeast). “Our hands are tied,” Hunt laments. “We’d like to do something about it, but it doesn’t work that way.”

Probably the saddest point in Rita’s law enforcement career occurred almost 20 years ago. Hunt’s former partner, Jim Elliot, had retired from the police force and purchased the Lil’ Tavern in the 600 block of Pennsylvania Ave. SE. (It’s still there.) In 1992, Elliott was stabbed to death by an underage customer he had confronted earlier. The killer was never caught; he had fled to Central America. The unsolved crime was featured on “America’s Most

62 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Wanted,” and some of us watched the show at the Lil’ Tavern, where Elliott’s widow Gae was bartending. However, one positive thing emerged from this tragedy. Rita befriended actress Gail Alexander, who had portrayed Rita on the crime show.

Future plans? The mother of a grown daughter, Celia, and adopted 12year-old Leeann, Rita, who recently underwent a hip replacement, plans to relax, and spend time tending her garden. “It was time for me to go from here,” she said. She will be missed. ★

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communitylife

Quietly Making a Difference

by Sharon Bosworth Barracks Row Members join with Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells to open the new parking lot located on Eight St. SE under the highway. Photo: Andrew Lightman

two guys around the corner were doing for our neighborhood right here on Capitol Hill.

In mid-June, Barracks Row Main Street cut the ribbon on a new parking lot on Eighth Street SE under Interstate-295-395, celebrating the arrival of 54 new parking spaces for the corridor. Right next to the new parking lot, tucked up to the freeway, we noticed a garden that stretched for an entire block. Even in the heat of summer it was lovely and well tended, with lush grass and blooming flowers. At Barracks Row Main Street, we work hard every day to beautify the corridor; the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District cleans the sidewalks, plants and maintains the tree boxes throughout the area. But neither of our organizations could claim this pretty park. We wondered who was making it happen.

They Made a Pact

“A

sk not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” JFK’s 1961 inaugural address galvanized a generation of college seniors. Suddenly they were inspired to spend a few years after graduation doing good before being swept up in their careers. But almost 50 years later, most of us who heard Kennedy that day are content to pay our taxes, obey the law and worry about the economy.

Though we may support a religious organization or a favorite nonprofit, very few of us are still stirred to give back with vigor, to put sweat equity into doing something noble for our city, state or country.

At least that’s what I thought until I realized what 64 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Meet Bert Randolph and Jeff Gannon. Neighbors on I Street SE for the past five years, their front windows both overlooked a dull triangular field across the street that ran for the block between Seventh and Eighth streets SE and along I Street SE. The triangle was populated with typical city-issue cobra light poles ringed with weeds. Unlike many of the quiet, quaint streets of Capitol Hill, I Street SE on their block would be most accurately described as a freeway entrance road. All day long in front of their houses, cars and trucks lined up to get on to the freeway ramp a few blocks to the west.

It was exactly the ugly urban landscape we train ourselves not to see. But Bert Randolph saw it. “I had just moved here from Potomac, and I was actually kind of embarrassed by it,” remembered Bert. He met his neighbor, Jeff Gannon, and discovered they both

felt the same way. Jeff said he knew about a program where they could get some low cost mulch and supplies. And they made a pact.

They would adopt the triangle. Bert would cut the grass and trim the trees, and Jeff would plant flowers and bushes and do the weeding. That was four years ago, and they’re still at it.

The Key to the Problem I called to congratulate Bert on his civic gardening and to thank him for his hard work ( Jeff was traveling at the time). That’s when I found out about the problem. To keep the garden alive during previous summers, the pair had actually toted water buckets and watering cans from their houses. Then this year they ran a hose across I Street to water the plants. “But when the water bill came last month, we realized the hose was not going to be the solution,” said Bert. Both men have developed back problems, so they can’t use the bucket brigade anymore.

“I love gardening and yard work,” said Bert.

“I’m willing to invest the time and energy to make the park look good. I’d love to plant more fescue so the grass will be deep green, but I have to have water.” What’s so frustrating is that there is actually water access right in the Seventh Street area of the triangle park, but the pipe is capped. Often seen in golf courses, cemeteries and city parks, there are keys that can be fitted to capped-off water lines to allow occasional access. That is what Bert and Jeff are hoping for, but they are getting desperate.

“We want the park looking its best for the Fourth of July parade in a few weeks, but unless we get help fast, the sun is going to win the battle,” said Bert. He further noted that they plant hearty, sun tolerant varieties, but getting the grass, flowers and plants regular water is of paramount importance.

So the race is on. Calls and e-mails to Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Well’s office are promising.

No one is saying no, but no one is saying yes. No one is sure which department can solve this problem.

But a new white knight has just entered the scene. Yesterday, when they learned of water crisis

WIDE SHOE OUTLET at the park, Patty Brosmer and her team at the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID) agreed to water for a few weeks until the city can help with a permanent solution. The plants in our little park now have a reprieve because of this generosity, but the clock is ticking.

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Thanks to Bert and Jeff, from Barracks Row Hundreds of us who plan to be in town over July Fourth will march in the Fourth of July parade – the Capitol Hill Village, the Congressional Dog Walkers, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, the Eastern High School band and loads of kids in wagons and on bikes and floats of all description. Every year the marchers form up in the park that Bert and Jeff keep up, sitting in the cool, fresh cut grass, waiting for their group to be called.

Because of the last minute help from the BID, the grass will be green as we roll out the red, white and blue, but who knows where the water will come from later in the summer. We promise to follow this situation and report back next month.

But, to Bert Randolph and Jeff Gannon, many thanks from all of us in the Eighth Street corridor for a job well done! The ideals of JFK are alive today, just blocks from the steps of the Capitol where we first heard that remarkable challenge.

For more information about the DC’s partnership program which helped Bert and Jeff begin their gardening work on the triangle of land at Eighth and I Street, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Partnerships and Development at 202-673-7647, dpr.dc.gov.

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Sharon Bosworth is marketing manager at Barracks Row Main Street. Call 202-544-3188 or visit www.barracksrow.org for more information. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 65

communitylife h street streetlife life

Biergarten Haus Opens Dr. Granville Moore’s & Sticky Rice Plan Expansion article and photos by Elise Bernard

DC

in July brings to mind three things: fireworks, grilling outdoors and summer heat. The urge to get out of town can be strong. In that spirit, I’m starting this month’s column with a couple of local escapes that will have you feeling like you’re on vacation.

A Taste of Germany on H Lines have been out the door ever since Biergarten Haus (1355 H St. NE, biergartenhaus. com) opened in mid-June. The combination of a large, outdoor drinking area and World Cup Mania proved an irresistible draw for the crowds that have swarmed the new watering hole. I was there live-blogging the event opening morning, and I watched familiar face after familiar face walk in, look around and smile.

Biergarten Haus will no doubt be a hit with locals, as well as visitors to the neighborhood. In addition to the dinner menu, Biergarten Haus also has a breakfast menu, and soccer fans took full advantage of it that day, ordering up mountains of pork snitzel.

With 12 beers on tap and many more in bot-

tles, you’ll need to visit often if you want to sample them all.

Summer Film Series at the Atlas Movie madness is in full swing this summer at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. NE, www.atlasarts.org). As I mentioned last month, the Atlas is running three concurrent film series this summer. Cinema al Fresco, a series of films either made or set in Italy, will be a balm for those suffering from summer wanderlust. Café concerts will be held between shows, and Schneider’s of Capitol Hill will hold wine tastings in the lobby. The other two series are ‘70s family movies (aka the Gen X nostalgia series) and Gay 101 (classic films traditionally embraced by the gay community).

Expansions in the 1200 Block of H Not to be upstaged by the recently announced merger of the Red and the Black (1212 H St. NE, www.redandblackbar.com) and Palace of Wonders (1210 H St. NE, www.palaceofwonders.com), Sticky Rice (1224 H St. NE, www.stickyricedc.com) and Dr. Granville Moore’s (1238 H St. NE, www.granville-

moores.com) have each announced plans to expand.

Sticky Rice will take over the building next door (a vacant church located at 1222 H St. NE) to gain 40 additional seats. Dr. Granville Moore’s intends to gain seating by digging out the basement. The total number of new seats has not been announced.

Our Place Coming to H Street The southwest corner of Sixth and H Street has been the source of much speculation as residents wondered about ongoing construction. Wonder no more. The space is slated to become a sports bar called Our Place. The owners, who have backgrounds in security and law enforcement, hope to cater to local residents and tourists alike.

Alfresco Dining Dreams at Ethiopic The owners of Ethiopic (401 H St. NE, www. ethiopicrestaurant.com) are getting closer to their hopes for a sidewalk café. Community response to the idea has been overwhelmingly positive, and the streets should be more hospitable once the construction on that end of the corridor wraps up in August. Personally, I can’t wait to enjoy a little azifa

LEFT: Biergarten Haus brings a bit of Bavaria to H Street. RIGHT: Streetscape construction on the corridor is about 60 percent complete.

66 ★ HillRag | July 2010

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The pharmacist you know The care you deserve Mussels fans rejoice at the news of Granville’s expansion.

and awaze tibs in the evening air.

Angelico Out, Desperados In The not-yet-open pizzeria formerly known as Angelico la Pizzeria (1387 H St. NE, www.angelicopizzeria.com) has changed its name to Desperados Pizza. Construction in preparation for the restaurant, which will also serve casual Mediterranean fare, continues. It should be noted that 1387 H St. is a wood structure and a rather large building for the H Street Corridor. In the meantime, the owners have applied for a liquor license that would include a summer garden with seating for 24 patrons.

Art Man B. K. Adams Strikes Again A series of colored bikes ride through the air, and smiling barrels gaze out at their audience. Surveyors of this scene aren’t standing in an art gallery. They are standing in the 300 block of H St. NE, looking at the future home of a Giant grocery store.

Local artist Bryant K. Adams recently completed his second installation on the lot. Adams works mostly in found objects and seeks to interject a little beauty into the mundane.

H Street Construction Reaches Milestone The District Department of Transportation recently implemented a new traffic pattern on a portion of H Street in preparation for moving the construction to the southern lanes between Third and Seventh streets. The north side of the road on that stretch is substantially complete.

According to DDOT, the project,

between Third and 14th streets is now about 60 percent complete. The change means drivers will once again be allowed to park in the northernmost lane in the 500 and 600 blocks of H Street.

Adopt an H Those brightly colored H planters dotting the H Street Corridor are seeking new homes. As streetscape construction enters the final stages, the DC Greenworks (1341 H St. NE, www.dcgreenworks.org) designed planters, must yield their space to trees. If you are interested in getting one of the H planters for yourself, contact Ashley at DC Greenworks (202-518-6195). The planters are free, but there is a $75 fee if you have one delivered. This is pretty cool opportunity to take a little bit of H Street home with you.

Upcoming Arrivals The new owners of the restaurant under development at 1245 H St. NE had an unexpected set back the other day when a car in the Auto Zone (1200 H St. NE, www.autozone.com) parking lot punched a hole in the side of their building. The restaurant, known by the working name Drew before it changed hands, will be a bistro.

Rita’s (1014 H St. NE, www. ritasice.com), that much celebrated purveyor of ice custard, is set to open the doors on its H Street location very soon.

For more on what’s abuzz on and around H Street, you can visit my blog frozentropics.blogspot.com. Send tips or questions to inked78@hotmail.com. ★

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communitylife

BYwest

SOUTH Capitol Skyline Hotel Sizzles article and photos by William Rich

LEFT to RIGHT: 1. The Capitol Skyline Hotel has become a summertime hotspot because of its large pool and deck. 2. The fountains at the Town Center West Park duck pond have been restored, with the center fountain shooting water high in the air.

T

hings are heating up this summer at the retro Capitol Skyline Hotel in Southwest, as the large pool and deck area at the Morris Lapidus-designed hotel has reopened for business. Since June 5, local promoter Nocturnal Vibe (www.nocturnalvibe.com) has been hosting pool parties featuring guest DJs playing house music, residents Mr. Greene and RGF, live percussion and saxophone. Some of the guest DJs who have performed so far at Liquid Lounge, as the parties are called, include LJ MXT, Dan Simpson and Sam “The Man” Burns.

Liquid Lounge is held on Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m., and the cover charge is $15. Beers cost $5, cocktails are $6, and a special Liquid Lounge cocktail costs $5. There is also food service available at the pool deck, and World Cup matches are shown on a large screen near the pool.

According to Douglas Van Sant of Nocturnal Vibe, the Liquid 68 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Lounge pool parties draw a diverse crowd from all around the DC metro area. “Our concept of focusing the party on music has actually helped us draw a larger segment of the DC area, because folks know exactly what to expect and will leave their immediate neighborhoods to enjoy these DJs and musicians,” says Van Sant.

Although the pool and deck can accommodate up to 1,300 guests, after the first two weeks of operation, a maximum of 600 people have showed up during an afternoon, so the parties have not been overcrowded.

In case you may think Liquid Lounge is an exclusive event, Van Sant says there is no need to worry.

“The main thing folks need to understand about these pool parties is we’re not holding auditions for America’s Next Top Model,” says Van Sant.

“Anyone and everyone is accepted at these events, and it’s the music that bring us all together. An afternoon by the pool shouldn’t elevate stress and

anxiety because of a see-and-be-seen mentality. Come as you are, enjoy a cocktail by the pool and listen to some of the best soulful house, live sax and percussion you’ll find in DC.” This is the second season that the pool has been open since the Rubell family, who are the new owners of the Capitol Skyline Hotel, renovated the pool and hotel two years ago. Last summer, the pool deck at the I Street SW hotel made its debut on the DC scene, hosting poolside events throughout the week, including Pool Boy Parties on Thursdays, Young Professional mixers on Fridays, DJ parties on Saturdays, and Spike’d Cinema on Sundays, where Spike Mendelsohn (former “Top Chef ” contestant and

proprietor of Good Stuff Eatery on Capitol Hill) served up burgers, and cast members from “The Real World DC” were spotted on several occasions. Other events taking place at the Capitol Skyline Hotel pool this summer include the Capitol Skyline Conference water polo league on Tuesdays and pool parties on Sundays put on by Fedora Events & Promotions (www.fedoraevents.com) called REFRESH Sundays.

The Capitol Skyline Hotel is at 10 I St. SW and is a few blocks from the Navy Yard Metro.

Town Center West Park Restoration in Progress More than a year after the duck

Some of the retaining walls in Town Center West Park are unstable.

pond fountains at Town Center West Park first stopped working, the District Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has finally replaced the pumps, and the fountains are functioning once again. When the pumps broke in the spring of 2009, the lack of circulation in the pond caused a potential risk for mosquitoes to breed in the area and spread disease. Last summer, a resident who lives in the vicinity of the park contracted West Nile Virus, likely caused by the stagnant water at Town Center West Park.

Part of the problem with the maintenance of the park, located at Sixth and I streets SW, is when the park was transferred from the National Park Service to DPR, there were issues with the drainage system and water lines that were not brought to the attention of DPR. As a result, the deferred maintenance caused the pumps in the duck pond to malfunction. Another concern was the condition of the park, which was strewn with trash and leaves, missing streetlights, uncut grass and crumbling brick retaining walls. These problems had nothing to do with the property transfer, but were due to negligence. Eventually, the park was cleaned and the duck pond drained by DPR until new pumps could be installed.

Other fixes to the park, including the repair of the brick retaining walls, is supposed to be done by the developers of the neighboring View at Waterfront apartments, who were to make those improvements as a concession in their Planned Unit Development (PUD) submission in 2008. However, the improvements

to the park do not need to be made until the new south tower residential building planned at the View at Waterfront is built. Since the PUD submission in 2008, the View at Waterfront property was foreclosed on and now has new owners. The state of the economy has put plans for new construction of apartments at the View at Waterfront, as well as the repairs to Town Center West Park, in limbo.

In the meantime, some local residents recently formed an organization called Friends of Town Center West Park to care for the park and serve as an advocacy group. Every second Saturday of the month, this group of volunteers picks up trash and does other maintenance at the park. At the June Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to designate Friends of Town Center West Park the official community representative for the park.

The condition of Town Center West Park, despite the fact that the fountains are now operational, stands in stark contrast to the portion of Town Center Park that is along the recently reopened Fourth Street SW. New park benches line the paths leading from Town Center West Park to Fourth Street SW and Waterfront Station, along with new landscaping, sidewalks, streetlights, bike racks and brick retaining walls. Town Center Park is on its way to once again becoming a treasured open space in the Southwest neighborhood, but more needs to be done before the entire park is fully restored. ★

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70 ★ HillRag | July 2010

RealEstate & Finance Huge Project Planned Above Boat House Row

by Shauna Holmes

A

very large project planned for the Anacostia Waterfront would construct a mixed-use development with hotel, office, retail and commercial space. The site lies between the freeway and the Anacostia River, immediately east of Maritime Plaza and right above Boat House Row. As proposed, it will contain approximately 815,000 square feet of gross floor area and will be 130 feet tall, with an overall floor/area ratio of 6.33. The buildings would tower over Boat House Row and obstruct views toward the river from the Capitol Hill Historic District.

The project as planned would involve construction within the rightsof-way for Virginia Avenue and M Street SE, and would span 14th Street with an enclosed bridge connecting two buildings. Therefore, it requires formal closing of portions of Virginia Avenue and M and 14th streets SE. Furthermore, the city is transferring ownership to the developer – 1333 M Street SE LLC – of over one-andone-third acres from the closed streets’ right-of-way plus Reservations 129, 130 and 299. The street closings and land transfers are part of a settlement

for a legal case involving the DC government and the Cohen Companies – majority owner of 1333 M Street SE LLC – to resolve a lawsuit. The settlement also includes a change in zoning and/or approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) that would permit mixed uses at the site. The land transfer, zoning accommodations and street closures were to be accomplished by June 1, unless the Cohen Companies agree to a later date. As of mid-June, the case had not been filed with the Office of Zoning.

Because the streets slated for closure are within the original L’Enfant city, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the closure was referred to DC’s Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). HPRB acted on the matter last January, and while it did not object to the closure, it recommended “that any encroachment on L’Enfant views and vistas be completely avoided or minimized to the maximum extent feasible through direct Historic Preservation Office involvement in the DC Office of Planning’s on-going review of the project.”

HPRB did not consider potential effects on views from the Capitol Hill

Historic District.

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) voted to support HPRB’s recommendation.

NCPC also advised that the proposed street closings and associated development would not have a negative impact on the federal interest provided that no development occurs within the L’Enfant streets’ rights-of-way and recommended “that the development plan be modified to respect the viewsheds” of the streets. NCPC noted that “the streets in the project area are original L’Enfant Streets, of which title is held by the United States, and further notes that the federal and District governments differ in their positions regarding the authority to transfer title to such streets.”

Although the US government owns the streets proposed for closure and transfer, the District government maintains it has a right, under a DC statute, to dispose of portions of streets owned by the federal government. The United States contends that Congress did not authorize the city council to dispose of federal property, including federally owned streets, and that the Home Rule Act specifically prohibited capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 71

real estate 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.

the council from disposing of federal property.

NCPC also noted that “the project is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital, in particular the Preservation and Historic Features Element.” The report cites the following applicable policies from that Element: • “Promote continuity in the historic design framework of the nation’s capital by protecting and enhancing the elements, views, and principles of the L’Enfant Plan.

Both the federal and the District of Columbia governments should adhere to these principles in any improvements or alterations to the historic framework.

• “Protect the integrity, form, and design of the L’Enfant Plan’s system of streets and reservations from inappropriate new buildings and physical incursions.”

DC Bill B18-0572, which authorizes the mayor to transfer US Reservations 129, 130 and 299 to the developer in fee simple, became effective May 27. It designates the recipient of these three reservations as CASCO Marina Development LLC, a Cohen Companies entity that manages the James Creek Marina near the mouth of the Anacostia River.

Another DC Bill (B18-0694) addressing closure of the three public streets orders portions of the streets closed, with title to vest in the developer. It also releases the developer from paying rent for any vault it may construct that would occupy the Virginia Avenue right-of-way; exempts the developer from Section 4 of the First Source Employment Agreement Act; and excludes the developer from requirements of Section 3 of the DC Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act, which requires construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing in exchange for street closing that results in additional commercial office space. The bill is expected to become effective by July 22. ★

72 ★ HillRag | July 2010

722 CRITTENDEN ST NE 21 V ST NE 1207 TAYLOR ST NE 1032 GIRARD ST NE 16 EVARTS ST NE 1500 KEARNEY ST NE

$282,000 $260,000 $250,000 $246,000 $235,000 $129,186

3 3 4 4 3 5

$1,050,000 $1,000,000 $900,000 $819,500 $800,000 $740,000 $739,000 $739,000 $730,000 $720,000 $719,000 $703,000 $699,900 $685,000 $685,000 $659,000 $647,500 $625,000 $621,000 $619,900 $615,000 $613,500 $600,000 $582,500 $573,000 $572,000 $569,000 $569,000 $560,000 $558,500 $555,000 $550,000 $550,000 $529,000 $529,000 $470,000 $462,500 $450,000 $450,000 $448,000 $399,000 $395,000 $375,000 $353,000 $300,000

3 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 5 3 4 3 4 4 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 4 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2

$2,100,000 $1,955,000 $1,475,000 $1,225,000

7 6 4 5

$775,000 $650,000

5 4

$898,900 $699,900 $650,000 $600,000 $575,000 $520,000 $499,000 $490,000 $450,000 $420,000 $370,000 $324,000 $287,000 $285,000 $219,000 $217,000

5 4 3 4 3 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 2 2 3

$185,000

2

CAPITOL HILL

Neighborhood

AddressClose Price

FEE SIMPLE 16TH STREET HEIGHTS 1409 KENNEDY ST NW 5307 14TH ST NW 5502 13TH ST NW 1518 BUCHANAN ST NW

$800,000 $450,000 $440,000 $397,500

8 4 3 3

$1,095,000

7

ADAMS MORGAN 1777 LANIER PL NW

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK 4706 49TH ST NW 4611 ALTON PL NW 4616 46TH ST NW 4627 49TH ST NW 4410 HARRISON ST NW

$979,334 $925,000 $879,113 $865,000 $735,000

4 3 4 5 3

$225,750 $150,500 $125,000 $93,000 $85,000 $57,000

3 3 2 3 3 2

$2,711,500

5

ANACOSTIA 2107 FAIRLAWN AVE SE 2103 15TH ST SE 1522 U ST SE 1134 CHICAGO ST SE 1637 U ST SE 1313 DEXTER TER SE

BERKLEY 4412 W ST NW

BRENTWOOD 2222 13TH ST NE 1513 DOWNING ST NE 1358 ADAMS ST NE

$240,000 $130,000 $110,000

3 4 3

$530,000 $494,900 $369,000 $305,000 $275,000 $227,000 $210,000 $200,000 $185,000 $176,000

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 4

$700,000 $570,000 $525,000 $467,000 $427,000 $420,000 $369,500 $355,000 $315,000 $306,000 $300,000

7 5 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 5 3

BROOKLAND 3514 15TH ST NE 1315 VARNUM ST NE 1311 QUINCY ST NE 1035 NEWTON ST NE 1410 KEARNEY ST NE 1610 OTIS ST NE 2716 10TH ST NE 3004 12TH ST NE 4748 6TH PL NE 1217 FRANKLIN ST NE 1262 DELAFIELD PL NE

3324 NEWARK ST NW 3624 PORTER ST NW 3087 ORDWAY ST NW 3512 PORTER ST NW 1785 VERBENA ST NW 1813 TULIP ST NW

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1020 PARK RD NW 1229 KENYON ST NW 2315 15TH ST NW 1433 TAYLOR ST NW 1452 OGDEN ST NW 453 LURAY PL NW 1428 TAYLOR ST NW 622 QUINCY ST NW 3567 10TH ST NW 744 PARK RD NW 1339 SHEPHERD ST NW 748 PRINCETON PL NW 3547 10TH ST NW 738 LAMONT ST NW 905 EUCLID ST NW 440 LAMONT ST NW

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 61 DANBURY ST SW

$125,000 $100,000 $52,250

3 3 3

$1,100,000

5

CRESTWOOD 1723 VARNUM ST NW

DAKOTA CROSSING 3242 ROBERT CLIFTON WEAVER WAY NE $440,000

3

DEANWOOD 5224 DIX NE 1055 48TH PL NE 229 DIVISION AVE NE 5205 JAY ST NE 4621 GAULT PL NE 5730 SOUTHERN AVE SE 5051 JAY ST NE 226 56TH ST NE 213 62ND ST NE 5320 JAY ST NE 507 58TH ST NE

$225,000 $209,000 $207,000 $205,000 $199,900 $195,600 $190,000 $184,900 $69,900 $57,900 $55,000

5 3 4 2 3 2 4 3 2 3 3

$1,532,000 $1,040,000 $800,000 $799,000 $1,500,000 $1,048,500 $1,100,000 $1,100,000

5 3 3 4 3 4 3 3

$594,500 $490,000 $380,000 $378,000 $358,000

4 4 3 3 4

$1,300,000 $1,060,000

5 3

$220,000 $215,000 $190,000 $182,900 $175,000 $164,000 $52,000

3 3 3 2 3 3 3

$4,000,000 $2,205,000 $2,190,000 $1,800,000 $1,225,000 $1,224,000 $1,150,000 $1,010,000 $925,000 $764,500 $680,000 $582,000 $545,000

6 4 4 3 3 4 2 3 2 2 2 2 1

$790,000 $759,000 $751,000 $720,000

4 3 3 3

$480,000

3

$975,000

4

$339,900 $331,000 $300,000

4 3 5

DUPONT 1406 21ST ST NW 1758 CHURCH ST NW 1434 FLORIDA AVE NW 1613 V ST NW 1531 S ST NW 1453 Q ST NW 1517 Q ST NW 1517 Q ST NW

ECKINGTON 134 RANDOLPH PL NW 15 TODD PL NE 158 UHLAND TER NE 1744 NORTH CAPITOL ST NW 311 SEATON PL NE

FOREST HILLS 3060 GARRISON ST NW 2923 TILDEN ST NW

FORT DUPONT PARK 4268 SOUTHERN AVE SE 4310 E ST SE 1678 40TH ST SE 4224 H ST SE 1675 FORT DUPONT ST SE 4368 F ST SE 3400 ELY PL SE

GEORGETOWN

CLEVELAND PARK

COLONIAL VILLAGE

BRIGHTWOOD 1439 WHITTIER PL NW 1214 TEWKESBURY PL NW 1343 RITTENHOUSE ST NW 613 TUCKERMAN ST NW 6400 8TH ST NW 608 RITTENHOUSE ST NW 6311 8TH ST NW 6315 7TH ST NW 6306 7TH ST NW 603 RITTENHOUSE NW

208 9TH ST SE 501 3RD ST SE 309 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE 404 7TH ST NE 1347 CONSTITUTION AVE NE 639 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE 447 12TH ST NE 426 10TH ST NE 437 10TH ST NE 616 C ST NE 319 14TH ST NE 915 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE 1219 G ST NE 626 6TH ST NE 822 CONSTITUTION AVE NE 412 E ST SE 546 14TH ST SE 432 KENTUCKY AVE SE 122 10TH ST SE 126 NORTH CAROLINA AVE SE 406 11TH ST SE 342 14TH ST SE 1159 4TH ST NE 214 TENNESSEE AVE NE 1530 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 1323 CORBIN PL NE 1354 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE 403 4TH ST SE 1116 G ST NE 408 K ST NE 413 12TH ST SE 1109 7TH ST NE 1367 E ST SE 1426 C ST NE 1354 NORTH CAROLINA AVE NE 1004 13TH ST SE 708 12TH ST NE 1837 BAY ST SE 519 17TH ST SE 240 14TH PL NE 116 16TH ST NE 1432 DUNCAN ST NE 512 GROFF CT NE 1133 3RD ST NE 1141 3RD ST NE

1231 SAVANNAH ST SE 1236 BARNABY TER SE 827 XENIA ST SE

2903 P ST NW 1617 35TH ST NW 3102 P ST NW 3413 DENT PL NW 1333 30TH ST NW 3636 RESERVOIR RD NW 1675 WISCONSIN AVE NW 1407 33RD ST NW 2719 O ST NW 1215 35TH ST NW 1241 31ST ST NW 1342 29TH ST NW 3 POMANDER WALK NW

GLOVER PARK 2419 39TH PL NW 2222 39TH PL NW 3714 MANOR PL NW 2404 TUNLAW RD NW

H STREET 1031 5TH ST NE

HAWTHORNE 3125 BEECH ST NW

HILL CREST 2900 32ND ST SE 2618 32ND ST SE 3240 O ST SE

THE HEAT IS STILL RISING SO DIVE INTO OUR COOL NEW LISTINGS!

CONTRACT – 5 DAYS!

AVAILABLE

CONTRACT – 5 DAYS!

COMING SOON!

1823 Mass Ave, SE

318 5th St, NE

1259 F St, NE

1547 NC Ave, NE

Another Quest classic! Total renovation! 1st rate construction and a modern floor plan, just 50 yards to Metro!

(4BR/3.5BA) $595,000

Contemporary conversion at the heart of the Hill! 11 ft ceilings, huge rooms, finished basement. Near Union Station. (2BR/2.5BA) $689,000

Twice as nice! Conversion of a rowhouse & corner store w/ huge room sizes & a beautifully landscaped garden retreat. (3BR/2.5FB)

Completely rebuilt! Featuring 2 master suites, gourmet kitchen, all new systems.

Finished basement w/8 ft ceilings & private rear yard.

(3BR/3.5FB) $525,000

202.243.7707

$699,900

COMING SOON!

438 Kentucky Ave, SE Re-pointed historic façade on that block you’ve been craving! Classic living/dining & large, BRIGHT kitchen!

Patio/carport. (3BR/2BA) $639,000

joel@joelnelsongroup.com

CALL US TO SELL YOUR CAPITOL HILL HOME! D SOL

D SOL

D SOL

E SAL FOR

CT 1 TRA CON

DAY

202-641-0299 319 14TH St NE

5109 13th NW

639 Massachusetts Ave, NE

1826 Burke St SE

303 11th ST NE

3BR/2.5 BA Upper Unit. Lower Legal 1Br/1BA Exposed Brick, Great Details, Renovations Are Done! $709,000

3BR/3.5 BA Big Yard, OS parking, Totally Renovated Just Finished! $569,000

3BR/2.5BA Updated kitchen/ windows, flex space sep. metered. Walk to Eastern Market and Union Station. $769,000

3BR/2BA Renovated and ready to move in. Steps from Metro.

Open floor plan $549,000

3BR/2.5 BA Updated kitchen and bath, Exposed brick and private patio. $599,000

www.jasonmartingroup.com

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 73

NEWMAN GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAMES Serving Capitol Hill since 1984 3121 ALABAMA AVE SE

$132,000

4

$8,450,000 $3,600,000 $2,750,000 $2,475,000 $1,261,000

7 5 5 5 4

$1,435,000 $1,300,000 $1,030,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000

5 6 3 4 2

$612,750 $455,500 $397,500

4 2 4

$249,900 $350,000 $236,250 $229,000 $90,300

4 4 3 3 2

$769,500 $1,395,000 $603,500

2 5 3

$420,000 $375,000

4 3

$2,000,000 $736,000 $735,000 $725,000 $656,000

7 5 3 4 3

$795,000 $540,000 $538,000 $538,000 $538,000 $535,000 $480,000 $425,000 $415,000 $385,000 $366,000 $359,000 $355,000 $330,000 $330,000 $330,000 $327,000 $312,000 $275,000 $267,000 $265,000 $260,000 $250,000 $250,000 $196,566 $96,000 $670,000 $500,000 $455,500 $449,955 $399,999 $389,000 $300,000 $173,200

4 2 3 3 3 2 4 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 4 2 3 3 5 3 4

$785,000

3

$435,000 $409,000 $396,000 $395,000 $387,250 $348,000

4 3 4 3 4 3

KALORAMA 2340 KALORAMA RD NW 2121 LEROY PL NW 2216 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW 1800 KALORAMA SQ NW 1926 BELMONT RD NW

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”

KENT 4925 WEAVER TER NW 4910 LOUGHBORO RD NW 5201 KLINGLE ST NW 5187 WATSON ST NW 2927 UNIVERSITY TER NW

LEDROIT PARK

Rotating exhibits of local artists

“High quality design and preservation framing are our top priorities” Custom designed mats • Wide selection • Work done on premises

Deborah Charlton Realtor Long & Foster

513 11th St., SE (Eastern Market Metro) Tue.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

202.544.7577

DC.DC@LongandFoster.com www.yourneighboronthehill.com

Specializing in all aspects of Real Estate Settlements We Guarnatee Attention to Detail & Personalized Service

1454 T ST NW 1830 13TH ST NW 928 P ST NW

MICHIGAN PARK 4226 22ND ST NE 1627 WEBSTER ST NE 1841 PARK RD NW 1719 KENYON ST NW 3159 ADAMS MILL RD NW 1901 PARK RD NW 1830 INGLESIDE TER NW

OLD CITY

6000 sq. ft. vacant lot on Capitol Hill Two blocks from the Potomac Ave. Metro stop, the new Harris Teeter and the Anacostia Waterfront riverwalk. Near Pennsylvania Ave retail corridor, Eastern Market and Barracks Row.

340 35TH PL NE 4301 ORD ST NE 4417 ORD ST NE 1416 44TH ST NE 3325 BLAINE ST NE

MOUNT PLEASANT

650 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Suite 170 Washington, DC 20003-4318 202-544-0800

Rare Opportunity at a Great Location!

LILLY PONDS

LOGAN

www.newmangallery.com

(202) 415-2117 (202) 944-8400

155 ADAMS ST NW 1858 3RD ST NW 74 U ST NW

1400 K STREET, SE A Wonderful Location on Capitol Hill

668 E ST NE 523 14TH ST SE 730 6TH ST SE 519 12TH ST NE 727 11TH ST NE 1360 EMERALD ST NE 1218 POTOMAC AVE SE 910 12TH ST NE 809 9TH ST NE 234 14TH ST SE 1417 E ST SE 1243 K ST SE 728 9TH ST SE 1007 K ST NE 1731 A ST SE 834 7TH ST NE 411 12TH ST SE 1521 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE 1632 GALES ST NE 714 16TH ST SE 118 O ST SW 418 19TH ST NE 645 8TH ST NE 647 8TH ST NE 1634 KRAMER ST NE 647 20TH ST NE 1618 6TH ST NW 2133 15TH ST NW 1806 10TH ST NW 1618 NEW JERSEY AVE NW 1842 8TH ST NW 426 Q ST NW 34 N ST NW 28 O ST NW

PALISADES PRICE REDUCED 3 buildable lots totalling 6000 sq. ft., 3 two family flats or up to 6 condos possible. Blueprints available (McAllister Architects); 10' Easement provides all lots with parking. 13,000 sf GBA.

74 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Kitty Kaupp & Tati Kaupp Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate 605 Pennsylvania Avenue SE 202 255 0952 cell 202 741 1699 office

4433 MACARTHUR BLVD NW

PETWORTH 335 ROCK CREEK CHURCH RD NW 5023 5TH ST NW 820 ALLISON ST NW 903 ALLISON ST NW 4016 7TH ST NW 4127 4TH ST NW

CHUCK

5412 KANSAS AVE NW 844 DELAFIELD PL NW 4627 GEORGIA AVE NW 4018 MARLBORO PL NW 4911 9TH ST NW 5317 ILLINOIS AVE NW 5307 5TH ST NW 616 KENNEDY ST NW 928 INGRAHAM ST NW 623 KENNEDY ST NW

$335,000 $322,000 $280,000 $276,000 $267,500 $250,000 $230,000 $230,000 $185,000 $155,000

4 3 3 3 4 3 2 2 5 3

$255,000 $160,500 $160,000

4 3 10

$275,000 $270,000 $205,000

4 3 2

$330,000

2

$639,000 $580,000

4 3

$2,700,000 $1,640,000 $1,500,000

7 5 5

BURGER Realtor

RANDLE HEIGHTS 3212 BUENA VISTA TER SE 2315 R ST SE 3205 28TH ST SE

RIGGS PARK 5043 8TH ST NE 636 RIGGS RD NE 415 PEABODY ST NE

SHAW 1638 6TH ST NW

SHEPHERD PARK 7423 12TH ST NW 7317 ALASKA AVE NW

508 A Street SE Rare Opportunity! Stately 6BR/3.5BA mansion on premier Capitol Hill block. One of the Hill's largest homes abounding with dramatic features and architectural detail on four floors. Special features include double living room, formal dining area, expan-

COLDWELL BANKER 605 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Washington, DC 20003

TAKOMA 6514 5TH ST NW 42 UNDERWOOD ST NW 7216 7TH ST NW 401 ASPEN ST NW 6539 NORTH CAPITOL ST NE

$530,000 $200,000 $520,000 $629,000 $300,000

5 3 3 3 4

$270,000 $199,900 $148,050 $120,000 $114,000

3 3 4 4 3

$741,950 $423,000 3

3 3

$900,000 $789,900 $1,050,000 2

9 2 4

$912,000 $452,000 $390,000 $381,000 $357,000 $354,000 $347,000 $339,000 $325,000 $299,000 $260,000 $250,000 $179,900 $319,900

2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2

$385,000 $459,000

1 4

$425,000 $419,000 $330,000 $249,000 $142,000

4 3 2 1 1

202.258.5316 Cell 202.741.1676 Direct Line cburger@cbmove.com

Visit www.chuckburger.com

SPRING VALLEY 4717 QUEBEC ST NW 4725 QUEBEC ST NW 5166 TILDEN ST NW

sive gourmet kitchen, family room, 2BR/2BA staff quarters/inlaw suite, mature garden patio and parking. Perfect for entertaining and the Capitol Life. Call today for additional information or private showing. Offered at $2,435,000.

“We are part of Capitol Hill, We don’t just work here... We live here, too.

Let our neighborhood experience work for you...”

Signature Properties...Signature Service. SM

TRINIDAD 1610 MONTELLO AVE NE 1313 WEST VIRGINIA AVE NE 1227 18TH PL NE 1110 QUEEN ST NE #1,2,3,4 839 20TH ST NE

U STREET 1304 W ST NW 732 FAIRMONT ST NW $900,000

202.546.3100 210 7th Street, SE. #100. WDC 20003 www.monarchtitle.net

Karen Voellm

Wes Grooms

(202) 262 - 5242

(202) 549 - 1779

kvoellm@cbmove.com www.kvrealtyteam.com

wgrooms@cbmove.com www.pennqtr.com

WOODLEY 2612 CATHEDRAL AVE NW 2773 WOODLEY PL NW 2736 CORTLAND PL NW $115,003

CONDO CAPITOL HILL 1315 INDEPENDENCE AVE SE #11 116 6TH ST NE #201 141 12TH ST NE #1 1127 C ST SE #3 1323 K ST SE #302 18 15TH ST NE #18 240 MARYLAND AVE NE #7 661 MORRIS PL NE #5 1459 A ST NE #E 115 E ST SE #204 1323 K ST SE #B-01 101 NORTH CAROLINA AVE SE #109 2 17TH ST SE #102 1018 FLORIDA AVE NE #101

SOUTHWEST WATERFRONT 355 I ST SW #S-524 202 G ST SW

COOP

VISIT US:

We are right around the corner from you!

AGENTS WANTED! NEW & EXPERIENCED CALL TODAY ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN REAL ESTATE!!

WATERFRONT 1304 4TH ST SW 1311 4TH ST SW #TH #8 560 N ST SW #N815 530 N ST SW #S-106 1301 DELAWARE AVE SW #N718 ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 75

Taste of Jamaica 528 H ST NE (202) 546-1999 Can’t travel down to the Caribbean this summer? Not to worry. Taste of Jamaica offers the best in Island fare right here on H Street! Curried Goat and Fish. Vegetarian Dishes. Find it all here.

The Cat Walk 1404 H ST NE (202) 398-1818 Fashionistas come on down! This emporium features the latest new and gently used designer garments. Find an outfit for any budget.

76 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Looking For Your New Home?

Search at www.LeeMurphy.net Super Fine Condo!

1437 Rhode Island Ave NW Unit 407

UNDER CONTRACT IN 5 DAYS! 410 5th Street NE Unit #3

DRAMATIC LOGAN CIRCLE 2LVL + 2BR + 2BA = WHAT’S NOT 2 LUV!? Light & Airy. Renovated BAs w/fine Calacata, art glass tiles, Kohler & Jado, recycled glass vanity. Kit w/ Blue Pearl granite. Low fee 4 aprox. 940 sq. ft. $499,900 MLS: DC7336856

202.277.7477 lmurphy@cbmove.com REALTOR, licensed in DC, MD & VA Coldwell Banker Residential Brogerage 2.547.3525

CAPITAL CORNER CONDO at the CARBERRY! Steps to the Dome, Union Station & Stanton- PRIVATE OUTDOOR SPACE plus PARKING! Flooded with light from two sides, working fireplace, low fees!

LEE MURPHY Distinctive Homes. Distinctive Style.

THOM BURNS Celebrating 32 Years in the Capitol Hill Real Estate Market Just Sold 121 5th Street NE Sold at $890,000

605 Pennsylvania Ave., SE

202.543.5616

Custom Wood Radiators Covers Increase the Beauty and Value of your Home

10% off f rchase o with puore. Sale 3 or m 7/31/10. ends 0Today!

Call

- Child Safety - Shelf Space - Stylish, Sophisticated & Cozy - Improve Heat Distribution - Increase Property Value

Lloyd’s Custom Cabinetry

301.599.1616 www.lloydpitts.com

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 77

78 ★ HillRag | July 2010

BEST PHOTOS WIN

Carolina the Walker Hound and baby. “Waiting for snow to fall.” by Lyndsey Medsker.

Pet Photo Contest Much thanks to everyone who sent in photos this year. We hope you enjoy this annual celebration of our special friends.

PLACE

Reds III and Friends by Ken Briers

SHOW

Toby & Miyax,

by Michelle Calderon.

HONORABLE MENTION Frida at Congressional Cemetery, by Zen Husky

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 79

TOP CAT WIN PLACE

Stellaluna

by Kate Kahan

Jo, by Roger Munter & Heidi Keller

HONORABLE MENTION Prince Mustang, by Rikki Schmidle

SHOW WIN

Kermit by Jen Kern

Wylie in Lincoln Park by Sybil Anne

SHOW

PLACE

Falco,

by Danielle Sigmon

Lexie, by Diana Embrey

HONORABLE MENTION Major,

by Andrew Turnbough

80 ★ HillRag | July 2010

TOP DOG

Waterfront 4002 17th Street Chesapeake Beach, Md. 20732 Vacation All Year!

You won’t believe the amazing views of the chesapeake bay from almost every room of this beautiful, spacious townhome in the much sought after community of Chesapeake Station! Steps to the beach, boardwalk, resaturants, shopping center, public library, railway musuem, water park and marinas! This home is in “move in” condition and features three bedrooms, three and one half baths, two sided fireplace in master bedroom and master bath.

Fireplace in living room, chef’s kitchen, finished lower level with large recreation room, one bedroom and full bath. Mulitple decks, and much more! $469,000

The Old Bowen Farm At Sandy Bottom 1525 Old Plum Point Road Huntingtown, Md. 20639 Fully Restored Historic Home Circa 1832 Lovingly restored three bedroom, one and one half bath farm house with wood floors throughout, formal living room, separate dining room, country kitchen, guest cottage/office/artist studio with running water, garage/barn with electric, and water. A large parking area surrounded by granite curbs and walkways. This home boasts two center halls with formal staircases, nine and ten foot ceilings surrounded by 92 feet of porch. Historic zoning allows for a bed and breakfast, antique or craft shop.

The main house has the original woodwork, doors, wood floors and plaster walls.

Property is surrounded by rolling farmland and is an easy commute to DC, Annapolis or Baltimore. $575,000

Capitol Hill

Huge Price Reduction!

1377 Independence Avenue, SE Semi-Detached Grande Dame!

Wonderfully maintained and updated home convenient to Eastern Market and two Metros! This corner property is flooded with light from three exposures and boasts hardwood floors, original moldings and three working fireplaces. Upstairs features a large eat-in kitchen, separate dining and living rooms, a charming den plus three bedrooms and two and one half baths. Downstairs is a one bedroom/one bath rental unit. The side gardens have been professionally landscaped and provide an oasis from city life. Plus a private rear patio for entertaining and dining al fresco. $939,000

Forest Hills 3883 Connecticut Avenue, NW #110, The Connecticut Almost new contemporary condo building perfectly positioned within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and the Metro at Cleveland Park! This pristine one bedroom/one bath boasts hardwood floors, granite and stainless in the kitchen, and a nicely proportioned bedroom with dual access bath. Complete with lovely parkland views, washer/dryer in the unit and parking!! This luxurious building offers 24 hour concierge, a business center, state of the art gym, and a pool with a large sun deck!! $355,000 or for rent $2,000/mo.

Price Reduced!

2216 North Capitol Street, NW DROP DEAD GORGEOUS PORCH FRONT! High end renovation features an open floor plan with gourmet kitchen - stainless steel appliances, granite counters and recessed lights. French doors lead out to large deck which is perfect for entertaining. Second floor Master bedroom with en suite bath and a separate loft, two other bedrooms and hall bath completes this level. Copious closet/storage space, hardwood floors, ceiling fans, alarm system washer/dryer, high ceilings throughout. Lower level is a legal one bedroom unit with open floor plan, upgraded stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer and outdoor space.

Off street parking for at least two cars. Easy access to downtown, Capitol Hill. $589,000

Steal A Deal 3537 14th Street, NW Prime Commercial Space!

Fabulous opportunity to purchase a prime commercial property located close to the Tivoli Theatre, the new Giant and the Target shopping complex.

The 14th Street corridor is booming with new restaurants, shops and condominiums. This property has been renovated and consists of four office suites, a kitchenette and an unfinished storage basement. $464,000 or for rent $2,700/mo.

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Hill Pets Special

Living Longer and Better Advances in Veterinary Medicine

by Dr. Gary Weitzman Sophie. Photo: Andrew Lightman

T

he days of a general practice physician coming to your house to treat everything that ails you are over. Frankly, so too are the days of a veterinary generalist.

Today, there are as many specialties in veterinary medicine as there are in human medicine and surgery. From cardiology, to ophthalmology, from dermatology to radiation oncology, veterinary medicine has changed dramatically. The James Herriot days which lured us veterinarians into this field are over.

Recent advances include stem cell treatments for arthritis, complicated orthopedic repairs that would have been inconceivable a decade ago, limb prosthetics, and medical protocols so sophisticated that they take a team of doctors – and at least a few check90 ★ HillRag | June 2010

books – to administer.

Clients, by and large, welcome these changes and even expect veterinary medicine to be equal in sophistication to human medicine. Yet few will happily pay for it. While we expect and accept astronomical fees for human health care, many of us still deeply resent the expenses that stem from providing comprehensive, advanced care for our animals. That’s a paradox.

And then there’s the convenience factor. Remember the daily heartworm tablets? Now, that was inconvenient. Or what about the days of dipping your dog or – horror! – cat in flea dip? Now we complain because the monthly application of flea medication that is so quickly and easily applied onto one small spot on our

pet’s neck may not work the full four weeks. We’ve become accustomed to progress and convenience. Fortunately, veterinary medicine is doing its best to keep up.

But to keep up, we veterinarians have had to learn more, continue longer training under huge debt, and seek board certification, like our human physician counterparts. Today’s veterinary school graduate is predominantly female, has had at least eight years of post-high school education, and is in debt well into the six figures for her education. Then, there is the year of internship and at least three years of residency training, followed by specialty fellowships and board examinations. That’s another half to full decade of training to get through – and pay for.

What that means is we can do so much more for you and your pet than the previous generation of general practice veterinarians could. But as in human medicine, these advances affect the very nature of health care.

It’s no longer reasonable to expect quick answers from your primary veterinarian. Or a rapid cure. With the scope of today’s diagnostic tools and medicinal options, treatments may take time. Not everything we try may work, or even work the same way between one patient and the next. Given today’s many advances in veterinary medicine, it should be more understandable than ever that your vet may not be able to diagnose and treat every disease quickly and at a minimal cost.

Consider, for a moment, the dental service we offer. These days there are new machines, dental x-rays, and entire dental suites to aid in keeping our best friends’ teeth and gums healthy and happy. And thank heaven for this. But would you ever, in a

hundred years, expect your physician to treat your teeth? Of course not.

And that’s the point. Stop expecting your veterinarian to be superman (or woman).

With all of the detailed knowledge and exacting specialties these days, your vet can no longer be expected to do a perfect, absolutely comprehensive physical exam, analyze blood work, do the cytology, spay or neuter your pet, know every detail about internal medicine, perform complicated surgery to, say, repair a cruciate ligament, and offer flawless advice on animal behavior.

Given the knowledge base and advances in our field, this is simply no longer possible.

And our patients are also changing: they are living longer, long enough to develop chronic diseases that were never a problem decades ago. Fifty years ago, veterinarians did not treat diseases like cancer, arthritis, immune-mediated illnesses and allergies. Dogs and cats simply died of what was considered the natural, albeit shorter, course of his or her life.

Today, your veterinarian can extend your pet’s life and improve its quality through total hip replacements, laser surgeries, cataract laser treatments, kidney transplants (for cats), corneal transplants, open heart surgery, in-depth cancer treatments and telemedicine. There are now probiotics and nutriceuticals to treat and prevent many aging symptoms or control inflammatory bowel disease and allergies. New vaccines range from the first canine melanoma vaccine to dental vaccines to prevent tartar and gingivitis. There are drugs, like Slentrol®, for canine obesity. (Yes, really!) Laparoscopic surgery can take care of everything from arthroscopic joint surgery to spaying.

A curious dog owner can even ask

We Are Moving!

The Capitol Hill Veterinary Clinic will close its doors for business on August 20, 2010. A new clinic is being built on the Pennsylvania Ave. SE and is scheduled to open September 1, 2010. All records will be transferred to the new clinic.

We’re lucky here in Washington; we’re surrounded by no fewer than half a dozen advanced, specialty veterinary hospitals housing teams of specialists for everything from surgery and internal medicine to acupuncture and cobalt radiation machines.

These days, even our regular, progressive animal hospitals have ultrasounds, digital dental radiographs and telemedicine.

So it’s time to see your primary veterinarian differently. Let him or her be your partner in keeping The beautiful Miss Shadow. Photo: Andrew Lightman your pet healthy and happy. Vets have more expertise and tools a veterinarian for DNA testing for than they have ever had, and they’ll mixed breed composition, if he or help you seek specialists when you she has enough disposable income need them.

And please don’t comfor this. And before too long, many plain too much about the price.

It’s medications—everything from expensive out there — it’s expentranquilizers to analgesics and thyroid treatments—may be adminis- sive everywhere. Just bear in mind tered through trans-dermal patches. that veterinarians still offer expert care comparable to what humans (No more difficult pilling!)

And it doesn’t stop there. In the receive — and with deep compaspast two decades, we’ve developed sion in most cases — for about a numerous behavior-modifying fifth of the price a human hospital medications for our animals, all of would charge. Let’s hope that pracwhich sound very familiar in hu- tice is one advancement that never man mental health: Elavil, Prozac, changes.

Buspar and Xanax to name a few.

We even have drugs specifically la- Gary Weitzman, DVM, MPH, is the beled for separation anxiety. True, CEO of the Washington Animal Reswe don’t yet offer the couch and cue League, located at 71 Oglethorpe analysis, but an entire college of St. NW (202-726-2556 or www. hugely talented veterinary behav- warl.org). The League, an animal reiorists can actually save an animal habilitation and adoption center, also from being surrendered to a shelter, houses a full-service medical center for shelter animals and the pets of lowor worse, euthanized.

I could keep going, but this list income guardians. Weitzman can be seems to double yearly (or even heard every week on WAMU 88.5 faster). And that’s the best evidence FM’s “The Animal House” at 7 a.m. there is of the sort of medical ad- Saturday mornings. He can be reached vancement we have come to want at gweitzman@warl.org. ★ and expect for our pets.

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Hill Pets Special

Sit-A-Pet Celebrates 30 Years on the Hill

by Heather Schoell 30 Years!

In 1980, Debbie Hollander had just graduated with a degree in management, and was wondering what to do with her life. After leaving an unrewarding hotel job and a 6-month gig shrink-wrapping gift baskets for Capitol Hill Wine and Cheese, she took the advice of a friend who had heard of a pet-sitting service in Ohio.

“I didn’t know if it would fly,” she said. “There was the trust issue, letting people into your house to take care of your pet.” She took a chance, placing an ad in the Hill Rag. Her home phone started ringing.

Thirty years later, Sit-A-Pet is on the Hill, in Maryland and in Virginia.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s been 30 years, because I love what I’m doing,” she said. “What a wonderful way to earn a living – making pets happy,” said Debbie, who attributes Sit-A-Pet’s longevity to her passion for animals.

“From elephants to spiders,” she said.

“This may sound corny, but it’s absolutely true. I only hire people to work with me who share this passion.”

Animal People Massage therapist Monika Holland has been working part-time for Sit-A-Pet for 10 years and was a zookeeper at the National Zoo for 14 years. “I love animals,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun going to visit with other people’s pets and playing with them.

All the animals I visit are happy to see me, so it’s very rewarding.”

Pam Causer, whose diabetic cat, Mimi, will be 21 years old on Bastille Day, said of SAP, “Coverage is never a problem. Monika is tremendous. She loves Mimi. Christmas before last when I was away, she took a picture of Mimi and made it into a Christmas card – it was waiting for me when I got home.” Pam has used SAP for three years – she’s still considered a “new” client.

92 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Debbie Hollander with Charles and Camilla, photo courtesy of Sit-A-Pet.

A 15-year-old boy cat named Rosie, blind in one eye and diabetic, and Bella, his 5-year-old housemate, call Jan Johnson their favorite sitter.

Bonnie Andreres, a 25-year client and their owner, said of Jan, “She is wonderful, has a calm personality. The cats don’t come out for a lot of people, but they come out for her. She brings in the mail, puts out bird food in the front and back feeders – it’s kitty TV. She spends time here – you can tell because when we come back, the cats don’t seem like they missed us!”

Jan has been a Sit-A-Pet sitter for 24 years. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” she said. “It’s so entertaining – I love the animal world. There’s hardly a block on the Hill that I haven’t been in one house or another. I try to do as much as I can do as the owners do. Animals are much happier when they’re in their own homes instead of a kennel.”

Louis Perry has a dog with special needs – a three-legged Rottweiler named Nubia. Jan is their primary sitter, but on occasion, Monika has filled in. “Jan is wonderful, a caring lady who loves animals to no end,”

he said. “They take care of the house, bringing in the mail. They leave a note on how the walks went. Nubia enjoys Monika’s massages, and they know how to handle a dog that needs extra coaxing.”

“Our sitters go above and beyond,” Debbie explained. “One sitter went running to the airport when she saw the client had left his passport.

During a blizzard, a sitter crosscountry skied to the clients’ homes.

One time a contractor sealed the cat under the tub – the sitter heard the meowing. And another client was wondering why the water bill was so high – the sitter caught the cat flushing the toilet!”

The Business End “SAP was the first pet-sitting service in the region,” said Debbie.

“The concept was unheard of before I started. We have developed a very loyal client base, and much of our business comes from client referrals, and we’ve been rated Best Pet Sitting Service in every pet issue of Washingtonian Magazine.”

“I can recommend Sit-A-Pet

from all aspects,” said Kathy Meyer, who became a client for her two cats when she moved to DC from Baltimore in 2000. In 2004 she became a sitter for their Arlington clients, and in 2006 she became SAP’s manager.

Clients new to Sit-A-Pet call Kathy to set up an initial meeting in the home with the sitter. That sitter will become “theirs,” bonding with the pet, and keeps the house key, coded with no identifying name or address. Thereafter, Kathy schedules sits. “There are two things that clients trust us with – their pets and their homes. Both are secure with us,” she said.

“Pet sitting is an extremely personalized service,” said Debbie. “As the modes of communication have come to include texting and emails, it’s a challenge to constantly maintain a personal connection. We strongly encourage our clients to call us. There is nothing that can replace an actual conversation about the health and well being of your pet.”

For more information on SitA-Pet, visit www.sitapet.com or call 202-362-8900.

Heather Schoell is a regular contributor to Capital Community News and can be reached at hschoell@verizon.net. ★

Sit-A-Pet Sitters on the Hill: Jan Johnson - 24 years Monika Holland - 10 years Joel Kubicki - 10 years Jolene Conko - 11 years Inger Mobley - 12 years That’s a combined total of 67 years of pet sitting experience!

‘Rover’ is SO Over

by Rebecca Bisgyer

Indiana Jones, Fletcher, Little Boy Skai, Julius and Schroeder doing their daily business at Dog-ma.

S

o, what’s in a (dog’s) name?

Possibly some confusion, if you happen to be one of several “Emmas” or “Scouts” playing at Dog-ma on the same day. Luckily, we’ve never had all of them board at the same time – there’s over 25 of each, as well as tens of other “clients” sharing the same popular dog names. But after 11 years and thousands of clients, we’ve seen more than just the usual fare.

We’ve had “Sweets” of all kinds.

Sugar. Caramel. Toffee. Cookies, Ginger Snaps, Snickers, Nestles, Hersheys, as well as Cocoas. Other appetizing canines include Popcorn, Peanuts, Biscuits, Muffins, and Pancakes – Buckwheat included.

Our more savory guests have featured Grits, Beans, CousCous, Potatoes, Pickles, Peppers, and Olives, flavored by “Spices” such as Basil, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Tabasco.

Additionally, I’ve watched fresh Pumpkins and Mangos and Clementines down Bosco, Latte, Guiness, and Tanqueray – and knock back two Billy Holidays, a Barry

White, several Satchmos, Sammy Davis, Snoop Dogg, Puff Daddy, Coolio, and a whole pack of Elvises.

They hail – at least in name – from places around the globe including Brooklyn, Cairo, Carolina, Dakota, Montana, Savannah, Sedona, Pecos and Sydney.

A new trend is what I call the “David Letterman” names – monikers that seem just a bit more … human. Bob. Larry. Jim. Jeff. Joe. Ed. Fred. Then, of course, there are those with a purely creative streak – Boom Cha, Floop, Zot, Tainted Evidence, Tin Cup, Ampersand, or Skedaddle.

But my favorite, and perhaps the ultimate antidote for that old “chestnut” – of “What’s in a Name?”, … Paxil.

The author is the owner of Dog-ma Daycare and Boarding for Dogs, a doggie daycare and boarding facility located on Capitol Hill at 821 Virginia Ave. SE and online at www. dog-ma.com. 202-543-7805 ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 93

Hill Pets Special

New Pet Store Opens on H Street

by Heather Schoell

Anna and Kelly, Lee and Batman, Hannah and Sunny. Photo courtesy Metro Mutts.

Bring it Back! Good Job. So you know H Street – lots of bars, lots of food, theater, dance and a couple of retail spaces that sell motor oil, Islamic Shea butter, kids clothes.

There had been a pet store at 508 H – at the corner of Eye Street – that went under, leaving an empty space for H Street and for pet owners.

Lee and Kelly Hartshorn and their friend and neighbor Anna Lappas-Collins got an idea. They would open a pet store on H, just steps from their home, where they could stock all the good stuff that they fed their own animals, and make it so other locals could likewise feed their pets healthfully without the schlep. They call it Metro Mutts.

“The city aspect – [the Depart94 ★ HillRag | July 2010

ment of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs] – was very easy,” said Anna.

“There was already a Certificate of Occupancy for this address. The biggest hurdle was finding time for all the little things it takes to open a store.” They have proactively sought the brands and products that people want and have a white board for suggestions. “We wanted to do it right, wanted to be a little different.”

“People tend to know H Street for its bars and restaurants rather than its retail options,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Drew Ronneberg (6A). “However, that’s starting to change with the arrival of new businesses like Metro Mutts. Sparky and I have become loyal customers. Their dog food and treats are high quality

and reasonably priced, and their store is clean and well stocked.”

A current, albeit temporary, challenge is H Street construction. “There’s not a lot of foot traffic yet, but the local neighbors are shopping here,” Anna said. “The H Street community has been so supportive. Dangerously Delicious Pies brought us a pie. Sidamo brought us a carafe of coffee for our customers.” Kelly added that they do “Argo-Mutts” with the Argonaut, treat and drink specials for people and pets on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m.

Want a Treat?

“It’s great,” said first-time Metro Mutts customer Hilary Hart. “They carry the food I like. He’s on a holistic diet,” she said of her little pookie, Lou.

“Our biggest sellers are VeRUS and Merrick,” said Anna. “Our focus is USA-made, holistic food, no food from China, all natural, and nothing from the Diamond Food Plant.” They carry FREDFRED collars from local leather artist and Eastern Market vendor Jon Wye, Wacky Walkers (sort of a bungee leash that keeps shoulders in sockets), and Port-A-Poo (the name truly captures the essence). They also have 100 percent guaranteed Planet Dog toys, which smell like mint and gives a percentage to service-dog training and placement.

Despite having three kids, a house and a business, Anna finds the time to bake homemade dog treats. “The bacon cheeseburger cupcakes are the favorites, and the puppy pizza” she said.

“The cheese fries, too,” said Kelly.

When she doesn’t have time to whip up a batch, they always have K9 Granola Factory treats in stock – peanut butter cookies, donuts and decorated birthday treats. Metro Mutts “saves me a trip to Virginia,” said neighbor Jeremy Kenny. “Our dog Niña loves their homemade cookies.”

It’s not all about dogs, however. There are plenty of catnip things to pounce on – squeaky mice, US-made cat food and lots of kitty treats. Cat owner and ANC 6C Commissioner Anne Phelps is also a fan of the store. “It’s terrific to be able to get quality cat food right in our neighborhood. And the owners are so friendly, too – makes me wish we had a dog so we could shop there more!”

When the need arises.... Insist on

Community Service Metro Mutts is doing what they can to be a part of the community where they live and work. They get a lot of hearing-impaired pet owners from Gallaudet, so they hold a oncemonthly ASL social gathering with questions about products and services translated by Katrina, a student there.

On the last Tuesday of the month, from 7 to 8 p.m., Heather Morris from Spot on Training is at Metro Mutts. Bring your puppy aged 6 months or younger for training and discounts on training products.

Grooming is available every Wednesday evening. Call for details and pricing.

See local photographer Bev Hollis’ striking images displayed throughout the store, available for purchase.

The Humane Society is going to be at Metro Mutts for an adoption event on July 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Stop in for a new family member!

Join Metro Mutt’s fan page – they’re on Facebook, look them up at www.metromuttsdc.com, call them at 202-450-5661, or stop in at 508 H St. NE. ★

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Arts & Dining Acqua al Due Florence arrives at Eastern Market

By Celeste McCall

S

o you can come home again– three years before deciding to return and do very well. Ari Gejdento his home town. “I wanted to move son, who grew up on Capitol back here, and I wanted to bring my Hill, spent eight years in Italy befavorite restaurant with me,” he said. fore returning to his home turf to “It took a long time to find a locaunveil our newest Italian restaurant: tion, but my real estate agent showed Acqua al Due (2). Located across me this space and I fell in love with from Eastern Market in the space it,” Ari said. Renovation involved formerly occupied by Dottie’s Boutotally gutting and renovating the tique and A&A Athletic, Acqua al building. Seating a total of 100, the 2 arrived May 8. This is Acqua’s first restaurant has two comfortable dinEast coast venture; the 4-member ing areas plus a handsome coppergroup has a sister restaurant in San covered bar. Later this summer, look Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, which for an al fresco sidewalk section. opened in 2000. At first we thought Back inside, the handsome dethe watery-sounding moniker recor is partly the work of contractor ferred to seafood, but that is not the Scott Kneper. “We worked together, case. (More about Acqua’s fishy ofcreating as we saw brick walls beferings later.) We then learned the ing exposed,” said Gejdenson. The name comes from the original’s walls are now plastered with large address in Florence, Italy: Via dell’ white ceramic plates, autographed Acqua Ni2, near the Arno. by family, friends, soccer Capitol Hill’s Acqua al stars, Redskins and politicos 2 sports a pale yellow brick including House Speaker facade, and the rustic inteNancy Pelosi who has dined rior is reminiscent of Tuscan at the restaurant several times trattorias. The Washington already. More than likely, the partner/chef is 28-year-old Speaker has ordered one of Ari Gejdenson, who grew Acqua’s most popular dishes: up playing soccer a few assaggio di primi (a samblocks away. His passion for pling of five pastas) or filetto the sport took him to Boaceto balsamico (filet mignon livia–then across the pond glazed with balsamic vinegar). to Firenze, where he opened Also well received is the filet TOP TO BOTTOM: –of all things–an American topped with blueberry sauce.

Rigatoni alla Melanzane, a tube-shaped pasta with a sauce of eatery called Ari’s Diner. “I When we asked why the tomato and eggplant, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Photo: Andrew Lightman saw the need for a late-night regular menu did not offer place that served American seafood (except for a smoked Acqua- Gianni Ravera, Ralph Lee and Ari Gejdenson with a signature food,” Gejdenson explained. salmon appetizer), Gejdenson Antipasto Toscano. Photo: Andrew Lightman “So we served blueberry panexplained: The menu in the cakes, omelettes, fried chicken, burgers, milkshakes.” Since his Florence restaurant lists no fish but carries lots of steak fellow soccer players and many co-workers spoke no English, and pasta (Tuscany is known for its excellent beef ). But Ari soon became fluent in Italian. the Hill spinoff does offer specials such as grilled catchAlong with business partner Ralph Lee, a life-long of-the-day. friend and fellow Hill native, Gejdenson teamed up with Located at 212-214 Seventh St. SE, Acqua Al Due is the owners of Florence’s famous Acqua al Due, which dates open nightly for dinner, with plans to eventually add lunch from 1978. “They wanted younger people involved,” said and brunch service. Call 202-525-4375. The closest Metro Gejdenson, whom they hired as a cook. He worked there is Eastern Market (Orange/Blue lines). ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 97

ARTS& Dining

Good Policy Comes to Logan Circle

By Celeste McCall

I

t was Saturday night at Logan Circle just off U Street NW, and we felt like we had wandered into another city. New York maybe? Where were all the early-to-bed-early-to-rise, buttondown Washington bureaucrats?

We sure didn’t see any along the lively sidewalk on U, or in Policy, the sleek hotspot around the corner on 14th street.

On this muggy June evening, we emerged from the Metro stop and strolled into Policy. There our party of three was greeted by charming hostess Olivia, who led us to a cozy booth toward the back of the restaurant/night spot.

Policy joined the Logan Circle dining lineup in March, 2009.

Designed by Peter Hapstak III of Core, the high profile Washington architectural firm, the decor is a dramatic vision of red and black. I should add, a rather dark vision. Until our eyes adjusted to the dimness, it was hard to see.

No doubt, we were dining in a nightclub, almost a retro circa1960s supper club. Our only apparent light source came from

Chef Brian Murphy. Photo: Andrew Lightman

small inlaid fixtures in each booth, enabling us to read the menu. In addition, pencil-thin red pendant lights dangled over the bar. The ceiling looked like faux pressed tin, glittering in the semi-darkness. Along with the bright red booths, the dinette-style, Formica-topped tables harked back to the 1950s. Again, delightfully retro.

We later wandered upstairs, where the decor reflects Afghanborn proprietor Omar Miskinyar’s style and interesting life. A large, graffiti-style mural depicts his attractive wife, Imren; another shows his beloved dog, who died last year. “Obama’s corner” is festooned with a likeness of the president. So far, the Obamas have not dined at Policy, even though the restaurant purportedly is a favorite of White House staffers. Upstairs, crystal chandeliers add yet more pizzazz and a hint of elegance as smartly-attired patrons sip martinis and mojitos at the bar. On the small roof deck, yet more colorful, impressionistic murals depict Washington’s cher-

ry blossoms. Inside, the lounge seating is casual, with comfy sofas and chairs.

The Food Ah, the food. My frequent dining partner, Peter, enjoyed his meal so much that he ranked Policy among his top 10 restaurants in his carefully maintained and updated list. Executive Chef Brian Murphy’s menu consists of tapas (or mezze) and slightly larger “small plates.” Yes, many restaurants do this. However Murphy’s novel creations really stand out.

As we sipped our drinks (a nice crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a tangy mojito), our competent server Ryann (that’s a she) brought us concise but eclectic menus, which were divided among vegetables, seafood, and meats. Here’s what we ordered, or rather overordered, as there was no way we could finish everything: • Red curried lentils, accompanied by feather-light cauliflower puffs. Tasting of the exotic East, the lentils delivered just enough firepower to tingle the tongue.

• Sauteed herbed gnocchi was not the usual Italian version (made with potatoes), but a lighter flour version, tossed with oven roasted tomato, basil, caramelized onions and crowned with melted Parmesan. Delicious!

• Prince Edward Island (PEI) mussels, enlivened with spicy linguica sausage, and laced with shreds of spinach. The mollusks were plump and tender, and accompanying, crusty garlic bread was perfect for sop-

Pair of tiny lamb sliders. Photo: Andrew Lightman

Chocolate S’mores cheesecake. Photo: Andrew Lightman 98 ★ HillRag | July 2010

ping up the rich sauce of Hefeweizen (a South German-style wheat beer).

• Sauteed crab and asparagus (some white, some green), were arranged with truffled asiago polenta cakes (light and fluffy), with a whisper of tarragon and preserved lemon.

• A pair of Madras curry lamb sliders, made with perfectly cooked minced lamb topped with gorgonzola cheese and a hint of mint pesto, snuggled in a dainty, doll-size toasted brioche bun.

Charming, but too small.

• Zippy, roasted chicken skewers (two), escorted with a few leaves of arugula and what looked like baby spinach.

We were tempted to order more — tempura-style Maryland softshell crab, roasted lamb chops and duck spring rolls with bok choy and mango-soy sauce, but there was no way we could fit in another bite.

Chef Murphy also makes Policy’s decadent desserts, such as Bev’s famous coffee cake (Bev is Murphy’s Mom, we learned); chocolate S’more’s cheesecake (made with graham cracker crust, naturally), sour cream pound cake with blueberries and apricot sorbet, strawberry rhubarb crisp with frozen yogurt. There’s also a short list of ports and other

Policy 1904 14th St. NW (just off U Street) 202-387-7654 Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. www.policydc.com. ★

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Sauteed crab and asparagus. Photo: Andrew Lightman

post-prandial libations.

A protege of the late Francois Haeringer (who died recently at age 91), founder of L’Auberge chez Francois, Murphy was inspired to pursue a degree at Johnson and Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts.

He further honed his skills with chef John Cochran at Ruppert’s (now closed), Frank Ruta of Palena, and Yannick Cam at the departed Le Relais.

Proprietor Omar Miskinyar has an equally impressive background. On an earlier visit to Policy, Miskinyar described his harrowing escape from Afghanistan after the 1979 Soviet invasion, when Omar was only five.

“We fled Kabul dressed as farmers,” he recalled.

“We walked across the desert to Iran at night.

When the Russians threw lights on the desert, we had to drop down and hide. They were after my father because he was a journalist.”

However, in Iran, their troubles were not over.

Since the Shah of Iran was about to be overthrown (and we know how that turned out), the family obtained fake passports and hurried to Germany. Sponsored by an uncle, the Miskinyars eventually arrived in Miami and finally, the Washington area. Now we know why the word “freedom,” along with “truth” and “love,” appears in Policy’s front window and on the menus. By the way, Miskinyar chose the name “Policy” to reflect the distinct character of Washington.

Parking around U street is difficult, although Policy does provide valet service.

Don’t even think of driving on a weekend.

Policy is located a few blocks from the U St./ African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green/Yellow Line) Metro.

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ARTS& Dining

Dining Notes

By Celeste McCall

Chesapeake Room Shines We finally dined at the Chesapeake Room, Barracks Row’s newest dining addition. We’re happy to report that the food matches the classy decor.

Walls are richly paneled, punctuated with nautically-themed paintings.

But the first thing we noticed was the huge aquarium above the beautifully, burnished bar. Everything here – from sea and land – is local; fish comes from the Bay. I decided to try the bison tartare. Paired with roasted beets, the free-range American buffalo was delicious, with an almost silken texture.

Another unusual appetizer was a plate of alderwood-smoked oysters. The bi- The chef and staff of the Chesapeake Room. Photo by Andrew Lightman. valves had a wonderful smoky flavor, enhanced with pickled onions and jera–a spongy fermented pancake– We The Pizza herb mustard. Peter began with a pair which soaks up the flavors and is Up the “Avenue” at 305 Pennsylof “petite” crabcakes, flavorful with used to scoop up wat (stew). Since vania Ave. SE, We the Pizza is about virtually no breading. His entree was our group of four included a vegetar- to debut in the former Zack’s Taverna roasted rockfish, escorted by dainty asian, we ordered the veggie sampler: space, next door to parent restaurant paragus spears and new potatoes. We did not make it to dessert. Next time. pureed lentils, collard greens, pota- Good Stuff Eatery. Presiding over the Open daily for lunch and dinner, 501 toes and carrots. When we weren’t kitchen are chefs/co-owners Spike Eighth St. SE. Call 202-543-1445 or raiding Marilyn’s plate, we carnivores Mendelsohn and Michael Colleti. devoured doro key wat (chicken leg visit www.thechesapeakeroom.com. and hard boiled egg in berbere sauce); Sweet Green Coming Soon awaze tibs (diced beef in berbere), Sweet Green–the sustainable salThe owners of Matchbox and Ted’s and yebeg aletcha wat (lamb in a ad/yogurt bar with several area locaBulletin plan to unveil DC3, an up- milder sauce). tions–has opened at 221 Pennsylvania scale gourmet hot dog and sandwich We suspect Ethiopic’s kitchen Ave. SE. You’ d never guess it used to shop in the old Firehouse Café, 423 tames the spicing somewhat, but it house Trover Books.

Brick lined walls, Eighth St. SE. The (mainly) carryout was delicious nonetheless. Our server and blond wood furnishings set the should arrive in late summer or fall. kept us supplied with additional in- “green” theme. Plastic utensils are all jera, rolled up like napkins. recycled; carryout is packed in paper Cooling our palates was Ethiopian bags. Even the menu paper is lined Exotic on H We recently visited Ethiopic, 401 beer; they also serve wine, with a full with wildflower seeds, which should H Street NE in the Atlas District. bar in the works. Portions are gener- sprout when planted. We’ll try it and Open since spring, the exotic eatery ous, and the cuisine is rather filling, so give a report.

Besides ready-made is the creation of Meseret Bekele and we had no room for dessert. Ethiopic salads, customers may “make their husband Samuel Ergete. Ensconced is open Tuesday-Thursday from 5 to own” for $6. Choose greens (mesclun, in a former drug rehab center, the 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from noon baby spinach, romaine, etc.), then pile modern interior is softened by basket to 10 p.m. Closed Monday. Call 202- on roasted peppers, corn, chick peas, tables and columns emblazoned with 675-2066 or visit the snazzy website: edamame, sprouts. Meats and cheeses the Amharic alphabet. www.ethiopicrestaurant.com. are $1 each. Organic frozen yogurt Spicy dishes are served on inis topped with fruit and crunchies.

100 ★ HillRag | July 2010

There’s Honest Tea and a refreshing watermelon lemonade. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 202547-9338 or www.sweetgreen.com, twitter.com/sweetgreen or facebook. com/sweetgreen.

Hill’s Home Soda Escaping from the heat, I stopped in Hill’s Kitchen, 713 D St. SE, to check out seltzer makers. Proprietor Leah Daniels was happy to offer a demo (and a sample) of her SodaStream machines: the $199.99 Penguin (actually shaped like the flightless bird), and the smaller Pure ($149.99).

Advantage over bottled soda water?

“You’re not creating waste,” Leah explained. “You don’t have to send cans or bottles to be recycled. (Each year, 1.5 million barrels of oil are needed to manufacture plastic bottles.) SodaStream makers come with CO2 canisters (just add tap water), which customers may return to Hill’s Kitchen for recycling. A replacement is $15.

Hill’s Kitchen is closed Monday; call 202-543-1997.

Wine About It HillBuzz enjoys discovering new wines, and Capitol Hill offers plenty of opportunities. Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, 300 Massachusetts Ave. NE, hosts informal samplings Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 3 p.m. Sipped in the store’s small back room, the wines usually come from a specific country or region: California, Australia, France, Chile.

Ask about Schneider’s “Fine wine collection,” which includes a Chateau Lafite 1900, tagged at $4,500.

Schneider’s wine-oriented dinners resume in September. They have two each month, with one (on a Tuesday) at Toscana Café, 601 Second St. NE,

near Union Station. Others are held in various restaurants. Dinner prices range from $50 per person to $130 for a gala, multicourse repast. For more information call 202-543-9300.

On Barracks Row: Chat’s Liquors, 503 Eighth St. SE, has tastings Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m. A recent afternoon featured wines from six participating World Cup nations: France, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, USA and host country South Africa. Most Chat’s selections are moderately priced, but occasionally we get to sample a high end vintage.

Call 202-544-4660 or www. chatsliquors.com

Asian Flair The other day I was preparing for our neighborhood gourmet club’s June dinner. The theme was Thailand, and I didn’t have to go far for Japanese eggplant. Paik Produce, an Eastern Market fixture for 20 years, carries practically everything you need for an authentic Asian repast. Besides the selection of fresh produce, Paik Produce, operated by Joanne Jung, offers: * bulgogi (Korean spiced beef ready for grilling) * kimchee (made with cabbage or other vegetables) * won ton and spring roll wrappers * dried shrimp * Thai curry (red, green, yellow) * Sushi ingredients including rice, nori (seaweed), pickled ginger * soy milk A frozen case holds shrimp and chicken gyoza (potstickers), surimi, vegetables, rice cakes, fish cakes, udon (buckwheat noodles), and banana leaves, often used in Southeast Asian cooking but hard to find around here. And you thought you had to drive to Virginia for Asian foodstuffs. Paik is closed Mondays. ★ capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 101

ARTS& Dining

Spanish Wines for Summer

by Jon Genderson

A

s I contemplate restocking a few empty shelves in my home wine cellar, I am drawn to wines that work well in the heat of summer. I think of bright, fruity whites and soft, flavorful reds that are enjoyable by themselves on a hot day and will also go with summer fare. I find myself picking up an excellent Verdelho from Riuda, an Alberino from Rias Baixas and an old vine Grenache from Campo de Borja. It is at this point that I realize that all my choices are Spanish. I like the theme and continue selecting some Mencia from Bierzo, Spain’s answer to Burgundy, and a full-bodied Toro for grilled chicken. My, wouldn’t a sparkling Cava make a great aperitif? In less than a minute I had a great, reasonably priced case put together.

I’m not sure why so many Spanish wines are good for summer drinking, but their versatility makes them perfect for Washington’s torrid summers. I have selected some of my favorites to recommend, by region.

Monterei The Monterrei region is located in Galicia in Northwest Spain. It is an area of steep hills, terraced vineyards and maritime climate. The best white wines in the appellation are made from the aromatic white grape Godello. The most widely planted red grape is Mencia, also the grape of Bierzo.

Alma de Blanco Godello 2008 ($14) Here is a white wine with character and flavor.

Quite fruit forward with peach and apricot aromas, very good body and mouthfeel with no oak, and fresh, lively acidity. This lovely wine is perfect for summer sipping and excellent with fish.

Alma de Tinto Mencia 2007 ($14) This is a light, refreshing red with excellent acidity beautifully balanced by cherry and wild strawberry fruit that is remarkably refreshing. Racy and graceful, its lingering minerality makes it perfect for warm weather drinking.

Rueda Rueda is located in northwestern Spain, in the Castilla y León region just below Ribera Del Duero. Like Bordeaux and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the “soils” are mostly covered by rocks which generate stored heat back into the vines at night. Here, the white grape Verdejo is king and produces outstanding wines of exceptional fruit and character.

102 ★ HillRag | July 2010

Cuatro Rayas Verdejo 2009 ($14)

Mont Ferrant Brut Blanc Nature ($22)

This is a longtime favorite of mine with intense lime and mineral aromas lifted by white flowers. It possesses excellent balance with citrus and apple flavors leading to the crisp finish.

This is a rich, very dry and crisp Cava with toasty and yeasty pome fruit flavors.

It is very well made with complexity and length. Excellent!

Azumbre Verdejo 2008 ($17)

Canals Canals Gran Reserva Rosato Cava ($17)

The Azumbre Verdejo comes from 65-year-old vines, bush pruned, and possesses citrus, pear and yellow plum aromas enlivened by zesty minerals and anise. Energetic and concentrated, with powerful fruit flavors braced by citrus zest. Delicious!

Rose’s from Cava are made from traditional red grapes from Pennedes and the Canals is quite special. Strawberry and raspberry flavors combine with yeast and smoked herbs to produce a lovely sparkler for warm evenings on the porch.

Rias Baizas In the northwest corner of Spain, the Rias Baixas (low rivers) is located in the region of Galicia, just above Portugal. The star wines from Rias Baixas are made with the Albariño grape. Albariño is likened to Riesling and Viognier, Riesling for its mineral character and Viognier for its bouquet of peaches and apricots.

Orballo Albariño 2008 ($20) Orballo is light-gold colored with a fragrant perfume of mineral, flowers and lemon. Medium-bodied, it has a succulent creamy texture, ripe, slightly tropical flavors and a lengthy finish. This Albariño is estate bottled, a relative rarity in Rias Baixas.

Veiga da Princesa Albariño Vineyard A 2008 ($20) Vivid lime and grapefruit on the nose, with spicy mineral and lemon. The clinging finishing flavors of lime and orange peel are intense and strikingly pure.

This is delicious.

Cava Cava is a sparkling wine, made in the true Champagne method, produced in six regions of Spain.

Ninety percent comes from the Catalon region of Penedes near Barcelona. It is traditionally light and fresh with apple, pear and yeast aromas and flavors.

Gran Gesta Reserva Brut ($14) Very clean, crisp and balanced with butterscotch, apple and yeast aromas leading to apple, pineapple, toast and white-raisin flavors. It’s big, smooth and eminently enjoyable.

Sangria Sangria is not a region but almost a way of life in Spain. I offer you a bottled version and a very good recipe.

Vinito Sangria ($7) It tastes like wine and fruit and costs $7; no, the base wine is not Lafite.

Good (there is no great) Sangria Recipe Ingredients: 1 bottle red (use a good inexpensive Spanish red like Spada Toro) 1 lemon (cut into wedges) 1 lime (cut into wedges) 1 orange (cut into wedges) 1 apple (cut into wedges) 3/4 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen) 2/3 cup Agave nectar (can use sugar but the agave is better for you) 2 cups sparkling water ½ cup brandy (optional) Mix everything together except the sparkling water and place in fridge for 24 hours. Add sparkling water, some ice and serve.

Read the August Hill Rag for the Spanish regions of Rioja, Toro, Ribera Del Duero, Campo de Borja and Mencia.

Jon Genderson, co-owner of Schneider’s on Capitol Hill, writes the monthly “Wine Guys” column for the Hill Rag. He can be reached at 202-543-9300. Schneider’s is located at 300 Massachusetts Ave. NE, or visit the store online at www.cellar.com. ★

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202.544.5680 capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 103

ARTS& Dining

TH E ATE R One Actor’s Collection of Characters Rick Foucheux’s Roles Range from Bush To ‘Bucky’

by Brad Hathaway

M

ove quickly and you can catch one of Washington’s finest actors in yet another of his remarkable characterizations. Arena Stage is presenting Rick Foucheux in a solo-performance play in which he becomes the designer/ scientist/philosopher R. Buckminster Fuller. For something over two hours, Foucheux seems to be Fuller, the slightly off-beat, early prototype of that feature of the digital revolution, the super-intelligent “nerd.”

Foucheux brings Fuller to life in all his bizarre uniqueness. For example, during the performance, Foucheux wears two wristwatches and carries a pocket watch. “It comes right out of Bucky’s life,” he explains.

“He traveled a great deal, and he did wear three watches, one set to the time zone he was in, one to the time zone of his next engagement and one to the time zone where his wife was.

I always thought with a brain like that he could do the calculating, but I guess he didn’t want to bother.” The play goes on a bit too long, but that is the fault of the script and not of the actor. Foucheux (pronounced “foh-shay”) is fabulous.

It is the latest in a long line of characters made always interesting and frequently fascinating by Foucheux who has worked at most of the major theaters in town. Just recently, he was on the stage at Ford’s Theatre in a play that recreated some of the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln (played by Robert Parsons) and Stephen Douglas. It was both an entertaining and a historically fascinating evening in that historic hall.

104 ★ HillRag | July 2010

“R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe” is not Foucheux’s first solo-performance piece. At Round House’s Silver Spring facility he became legendary director Elia Kazan testifying before the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities in “The Director: The Third Act of Elia Kazan.”

His torment as he faced the moment of decision over whether to “name names” in the committee’s search for communists in the entertainment industry is clear and convincing.

Foucheux commands rapt attention from the very first moments of the one-act play. Sitting alone in a small chair on a low platform in the center of a very large dark space, he fairly whispered the early lines of the play, forcing the audience to pay even closer attention than they might have had he been yelling. Again and again he used the power of softness to draw them into the performance, alternating quiet asides with bombas-

In the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Rivalry.” Photo: T. Charles Erickson.

In the Arena Stage production of “R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe” – Photo: Scott Suchman In the Olney Theatre Center production of “Stuff Happens.” Photo: Stan Barouh

Other Notable Roles

Brad Hathaway operated Potomac Stages, a website and email service covering theater in Washington, Maryland and Virginia and has written about theater for Theatre.Com, Musical Stages Online, The Connection Newspapers and such magazines as American Theatre, Show Music, the Sondheim Review and Live Design. He and his wife live on Capitol Hill.

He can be reached by email at Brad@PotomacStages.com. ★

E R B LI é f a

N

Even the most “far out” characters don’t seem to faze Foucheux. At Woolly Mammoth, he was a disabled Elvis impersonator in “Cooking with Elvis”; for the Open Circle Theatre, he became Pontius Pilate hosting a television show for a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In that production, the normally non-singing Foucheux used his acting skills to turn his songs into scenes.

Characters don’t have to be fictional, historic or dead to be subject to his ability to make an audience believe they are in the presence of the real thing for the duration of a play. George W. Bush was still in the White House when Foucheux portrayed him in a superb production of David Hare’s drama “Stuff Happens” at the Olney Theatre Center. While the script cuts the thenpresident little or no slack in its examination of the decisions that led America to war in Iraq following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Foucheux avoided a cartoonish impersonation while using enough of Bush’s mannerisms to establish and maintain his identity from scene to scene. His Bush may have been cocky and free of self doubt, but he also had a strength of command that surprised many of his opponents or, for that matter, supporters.

Foucheux came to Washington in 1982, not as a stage actor but as a morning TV show host. He headlined Channel 7’s “Good Morning America” for almost a year, but television is even more mercurial a business than legitimate theater, and he was looking for work by 1983. He did find work on the stage but didn’t really break into the front ranks of Washington actors until after he had taken a four-year hiatus from the stage and concentrated on film and audio books. When he returned to the stage, however, he soon found he was landing some really important roles at some of the city’s most important theaters.

The steady stream of significant portrayals in solid productions really dates to 2000, the year he won his first (but not his last) Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play. It was for his role in David Mamet’s grim look at a lost soul adrift in the big city, “Edmond” at Source Theatre. The next year he was nominated for that award twice – once for the Washington Stage Guild and Source Theatre Company joint production of Eugene O’Neill’s “Hughie,” and the other for his performance as a bitter policeman

in George F. Walker’s “Heaven.”

In 2006 he won his second Helen Hayes award as the conflicted homosexual accountant in the Studio Theatre mounting of “Take Me Out.” It was a great role in the hands of a great actor: the same role earned the Tony Award for the actor who played it on Broadway – Denis O’Hare. I had the pleasure of seeing both of those performances, and for my money, Foucheux did more with the part and was both more interesting and more touching than O’Hare.

Buckminster Fuller isn’t the first role he’s played for Arena Stage. The last time he was on Arena’s temporary stage in Crystal City, it was in one of the most important roles for a mature male actor in the catalogue of American drama, that of the salesman Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.”

He even brought a dead man to life in “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” at Woolly Mammoth. He had a marvelous monologue in that piece – an 11-minute gem after his character had settled into the peculiar hell that playwright Sarah Ruhl envisioned for him.

What is somewhat astonishing is that all of these roles have been played out on Washington stages. He did head off to New York to appear in the Irish Repertory Theatre’s “Emperor Jones” last year and also worked at the McCarter Theatre in New Jersey. Now, he says, after “sniffing around up there I learned, not too surprisingly, that they are all right when they say ‘there’s no place like home.’”

So, what’s next for Foucheux? He’ll spend the next year as an “artist in residence” at Theater J at the DC Jewish Community Center on 16th Street. He’ll be a “bombastic right-wing television talk show host” in Willy Holtzman’s “Something You Did,” pair up with another fabulous local actor, J. Fred Shiffman, in Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple,” and then star as Reb Saunders in Aaron Posner’s adaptation of Chaim Potok’s novel “The Chosen.” That, he says, “pretty much fills up the year!”

It certainly gives theatergoers a head start on filling up their year.

C

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ARTS& Dining

ATTHE MOVIES

A New Italian Movie with a Different Accent

by Mike Canning

I Am Love For casual consumers of Italian movies over the years, some solid stereotypes prevail. Think of the postwar era of giddy comedy-dramas with Lollabrigida, Gassman, Loren and Mastroianni, Manfredi and many others, plus all the grotesques of Fellini in his 50-year career. More recently, Italian films have continued to highlight either the carefree, sentimental side of the peninsula’s denizens (“Cinema Paradiso” and its spawn) or to focus – very unsentimentally – on the crime-ridden, mafioso element in Italian politics and life ( “Il Divo” and “Gomorrah”).

Edoardo Gabbriellini and Tilda Swinton star in “I am Love.” Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Still, there has always been a concurrent strain in Italian cinema Emma (Tilda Swinton), a Russian The English actress, with her otherto counter-balance the pasta and pul- émigré who has become so Italianized worldly beauty, has starred in some chritude that many see as characteriz- that she has forgotten her Russian and of the last two decade’s most experiing Italy from Rome to Sicily, i.e., a is immersed in her upper-class life. mental and off-beat films (beginning strain that shows a cooler, more ear- Edo’s friendly rowing rival, Antonio with Derek Jarman films 25 years ago) nest world of the country’s northern (Edoardo Gabbriellini), an aspiring while also performing solid featured climes. That world can still be lush, as chef, enters the family’s life and even- roles in more commercial pictures, like in the films of Luchino Visconti, or tually generates inexplicable longings 2007’s “Michael Clayton.” Here she stark, as in the works of Michelangelo from Emma. The two strive to hide has one of her best parts ever, and she Antonioni, but it is one which scru- their trysts from the family, but their pulls it off with aplomb. Her puzzled, tinizes contemporary urban environ- affair is ultimately revealed, and this often tense features are perfect for a ments rather than sunny, picturesque revelation, together with an acciden- woman falling under the spell of ansettings. A new example of this more tal death and other internal stresses, other and pursuing her love against all serious Italian product opened in breaks up the Recchi clan. reason. Her passion may seem insane, Washington on June 25 with “I Am In the hands of writer/director but she makes you believe it. Always Love” (Io Sono L’Amore), a story of Luca Guadagnino, “I Am Love” is a good with accents, she here pulls off cool passions and family values which stylish, sumptuous melodrama, graced another by speaking a grammatically bears comparison to the films of the by an alert but restrained cast, spare correct and careful Italian over a genearlier northern masters. (Rated “R,” but pithy dialogue, elegant production tle Eastern burr. the film runs 120 minutes.) design and lighting, and, notably too, Swinton is seconded nicely by the “I Am Love” tells the story of the a striking score cobbled together from young Gabbriellini, a perfectly affable, family Recchi,a textile-making dynasty the music of American contemporary earnest young man who can’t believe based in Milan whose patriarch, Edo- composer John Adams (see related his luck, both in pursuing and winning ardo (Gabrielle Ferzetti, remembered item below). It skirts melodrama to an aristocratic older woman and exerfrom Antonioni’s “L’Avventura”), at edge into the operatic. cising his cooking muse. Most approa family feast, passes on leadership of The project was long fostered by priate, too, is Delbono as the too-corthe firm to his son, Tancredi (Pippo Guadagnino who had signed on Tilda rect Tancredi, an icy man who wants Delbono), and his grandson, Edoardo Swinton as his lead years before, and everything in order and everyone in Jr. or “Edo” (Flavio Parenti). Tancredi she eventually became a co-producer. their place and cannot countenance it is married to the loyal and striking 106 ★ HillRag | July 2010

when they roam free.

The film is also an intriguing depiction of the urban Italian ruling class, these days commercial rather than familial, confident of their place and living in an exquisitely tasteful contemporary manse, all smooth, burnished surfaces adorned almost casually with tasteful art (Morandis on the wall). Supremely representative of the Recchi’s status are Edoardo Sr. and his impeccable wife, Allegra, played with easy insouciance

by Marisa Berenson. They are all, of course, attended by staff, which we see flutter and float among them.

Among the Recchis, only the outsider Emma seems not entirely at ease, not always sure of her place.

Her closest confidante in the house, in fact, is her housekeeper, Ida (Maria Palato), a sweet-hearted woman whose mission in life is service to the family. One of the best scenes in the picture, in fact, tenderly highlights their class divide. Alone together one evening with the rest of the Recchis out, Emma invites Ida, patiently keeping her company, to dine with her in the family dining room. The housemaid demurs, embarrassed, unable to break bread with her matron, no matter how sympathetic she is. These are the kinds of nuances that “I Am Love” gets right time and again.

A Singular Sound Track One of the strongest elements of Luca Guadagnino’s film “I Am Love” is its music, which, according to the director, was an essential part of its making. And almost all the music is the work of the contemporary American composer John Adams (b. 1949). Adams himself, who was recently in DC to conduct the Washington National Symphony, spoke about the music of

the film at a colloquium at the Goethe Institute in town.

The music track, Adams insisted, was definitely not a film “score,” i.e., music specifically crafted to meld with a completed motion picture. Guadagnino pointedly had Adams’ work in mind when directing scenes, and only after matching those scenes to the music in editing did he approach Adams about using his compositions.

Adams was contacted by producer/actor Tilda Swinton, who, he said, “wrote me the most beautiful and articulate email,” describing the filmmakers’ intention to use his music and asking for permission for its use.

He agreed to meet Swinton and her director in London where an arrangement was made to grant the rights. Adams felt some of his compositions were ill or oddly used, such as his dramatic orchestral piece “Harmonielehre” at the end, but found others effective in the context of the picture once he screened it.

To this critic’s ear, the Adams pieces are most effective when their urgent, repetitive style underscores scenes of tension or menace, such as during a long, unscripted sequence where Emma, coming upon Antonio in the tourist town of San Remo, both stalks him and contrives to “accidentally” meet him.

The steady pulsing of the score rightly conveys her knit-browed intensity and nervous focus.

Ruminating about music in film, Adams opined generally that “music is used really badly in movies,” adding that feature films now typically use “music consultants” to piece together resonant pop tunes rather than creating a true score. He said that “the problem (for him) with film writing is one of timing”; his own writing projects have long lead times, often years, whereas movie productions leave the music element to the end, then ask the composer to step in and do the job right away—not his style. ★

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the LITERARY HILL A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events

by Karen Lyon

Stuffed With Goodness Full disclosure: I have never eaten a Good Stuff burger. They look great, mind you: juicy and meaty and dripping with fabulous homemade sauces. In fact, based on the photos in the new “Good Stuff Cookbook,” they’re downright irresistible – to anybody, that is, who hasn’t been a vegetarian for 40 years. So what is a tofu-eater doing reviewing a cookbook that devotes two chapters to carnivorous creations? Well, as anyone who has set foot in the place knows by now, Good Stuff Eatery is about much more than piling meat on a bun.

The name says it all: fresh ingredients + simple, It was Chef Spike Men- flavorful preparations = Good Stuff! delsohn’s sister Micheline who got the ball rolling. Living in favorite) on the TV reality show DC at the time, she was walking by “Top Chef ” (as he relates, “one of the the former site of Pulp on Pennsylmost exhausting, grueling and best vania Avenue and saw that the space experiences I’ve ever had”). was for rent. Her first impulse was to So when he decided to open Good envision a restaurant there; her secStuff Eatery in 2008, Mendelsohn ond was to start calling relatives. This had a wealth of resources among is not as much of a leap as it sounds. family and friends in the restaurant As Spike explains in the book’s acbusiness, many of whom converged knowledgments, “The restaurant on DC to help. From the moment it business is the epitome of family.” opened, the eatery was hot as a jalapThe senior Mendelsohns began eno, attracting long lines of salivating opening restaurants in Montreal customers every day. While you no 1989 with their cousins, and eventulonger have to spend your lunch hour ally expanded to 32 eateries across waiting in line (thank goodness), the the country. At the 1992 World restaurant is still hugely popular.

Exposition in Seville, Spain, they Now the “Good Stuff Cookbook,” owned and operated 12 restaurants, written with Micheline Mendelsohn where 11-year-old Spike was “overand with photography by Joe Shyworked and underpaid and loving manski, promises to keep the sizzle every single minute of it.” So much going. The book lays it all out for you. so that he made a career of it.

Start with Spike’s philosophy: “Give Mendelsohn went on to gradupeople simple, delicious, fresh Amerate from the Culinary Institute of ican comfort food using local, fresh, America and to train under some farm-grown ingredients.” Throw in of the finest chefs in the world. His some sensible advice: “Don’t overresume includes stints at Bouchon think!” Assemble your ingredients, in the Napa Valley, Les Crayeres in follow the clear, no-frills recipes, and France, and Le Cirque in New York now you’re cooking. Above all, follow City. He is also a media celebrity, the book’s motto: “Good times and claiming runner-up status (and fan 108 ★ HillRag | July June2010 2010

good friends.”

Gene Tooney In addition to burgers everyReaders of the “Washington Post” which-way, you’ll find recipes for comics pages may have noticed that a variety of wedge salads, fries (in- “The Amazing Spider-Man” has a cluding batter-dipped Vidalia onion new upstairs neighbor. On June 7, petals), beans, slaw and other sides. a strip about an unlikely friendship There’s a Vegetarians Are People Too between a billionaire and a homeless ’Shroom Burger (thanks, Spike!), as man debuted in that slot with the bywell as tributes to both Obamas – a line Weingartens and Clark. “Barney Prez Obama Burger that won the and Clyde” comes, of course, from the restaurant’s “Countdown to Elec- fertile but demented mind of Capitol tion” challenge and Michelle’s Melt Hill’s own Gene Weingarten, author in honor of her famous lunchtime of the weekly “Below the Beltway” visit. And don’t forget those shakes. column in the Sunday “Post.” Actually, Shymanski’s photographs lin- the original idea came from his son, ger on every glistening morsel of Dan Weingarten, who is part of that the burgers and fries, but he really triple byline; cartoonist David Clark is shines on the ice cream concoc- the third member of the trio. tions. His shakes, malts and floats As Gene recounts in his “Chatoooze down the sides of the glass logical Humor” online site, it all startwith gooey abandon.

And Spike’s lively, anecdotal narrative adds just the right touch, as if he’s standing at your shoulder reassuring you that you, too, can duplicate what you’re seeing in that perfect picture next to the recipe. Or, if not, you’ll still have a darn good time trying.

“So turn on the Beatles,” he writes,” throw on some cheeseburgers, and top them “Old dog” Gene Weingarten learns a new trick by launching with some ruby red a comic strip in the “Washington Post.” Photo by Michael S. tomatoes and a lovin’ Williamson spoonful of Good Stuff Sauce. Make a batch ed when a cartoonist he knew solicited of Sunny’s fries and Sriracha Mayo his opinion of a new strip. Gene didn’t for dipping, spin some Toasted like it – but Dan liked it even less and Marshmallow Milkshakes, and wasn’t shy about saying so. His father bring out the brownies you made on chastised him for his harsh critique, Sunday. Now you just made the saying that it was very difficult to come Good Stuff!” up with a new idea for a comic strip.

Signed copies of the “Good Stuff “Five minutes later, Dan returned and Cookbook” are available at Good said, ‘You know what would be a good Stuff Eatery, 303 Pennsylvania Ave. idea? A comic strip about a friendship SE, or at Hill’s Kitchen, 713 D St. between a billionaire and a bum.’”

SE. “Barney and Clyde’s” inaugural week began with a chance meeting

where the homeless man turns the tables on J.B. Pillsbury, a pharmaceutical tycoon, by giving him a buck. By week’s end, Pillsbury’s ruminations have led him back to the park bench. You can see where this is going – but getting there is going to be more than half the fun.

It’s clear that one recurring theme will be the hypocrisy of clueless corporate culture (it took only four days to get to the strip where a new product results in “three percent fewer kitten eyeballs exploded!”).

As the “Post” noted, the strip is a “trenchant sociological satire” that would probably win a Nobel Prize “if it weren’t for all the underpants jokes.” That’s our Gene.

“Barney and Clyde” runs daily and Sundays and now has its own Facebook page. You can chat with Gene on one Tuesday of each month at www.washingtononpost.com.

Everybody Into the Pool!

The DC Public Library urges kids to “Make a Splash!” in the 2010 Summer Reading Program.

The DC Public Library 2010 summer reading program is in full sail. This year’s aquatic theme encourages infants to 14year-olds to “Make a Splash!” and urges teens ages 12 to 17 to “Make Waves” with their summer reading. As always, the libraries will award prizes to the most prodigious readers and is offering a series of educational and entertaining events through the summer. Full reading lists for both age groups as well as program schedules and information about performers are on the DCPL website (www.dclibrary.org).

The Southeast Neighborhood Library (403 Seventh St. SE) will hold Splish/ Splash Water Days for all ages every Friday at 11 a.m. The “Make a Splash” set can enjoy Janice the Griot, a storyteller who spins tales of lighthouses, mermaids and talking rivers in and around the Chesapeake Bay ( July 15, 1:30 p.m.), as well as Living Classrooms ( July 6, 6:30 p.m.) and Splash the Water Dude ( July 13, 10:30 a.m.).

Teens can make Musical Waves of Poetry ( July 8, 7 p.m.), learn about Wetland Creatures ( July 17, 10:30 a.m.), or achieve A Perfect Balance ( July 20, 7 p.m.). For more information, call 202-698-3377. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 109

Artist Portrait: Gayle Krughoff

A Capitol Hill artist and writer, Jim can be reached at ArtandtheCity05@aol.com

G

ayle Krughoff photographs the mystery of light to bring you to a new understanding of the nature of the place. Maybe it’s really the ghosts that emanate from the substance of chairs, or trees or things that just happen to be there.

Her latest series, Out at Night, captures the spirits that inhabit the quiet darkness and are eager to pass along the message of the timeless – to exalt the significance of the insignificant and whisper the earthly supremacy of the ordinary. It’s testimony that simple things are inherently more powerful than the celebrated, vainglorious monuments of man.

Gayle started taking pictures of her infant son 35 years ago and gradually began to freelance. She worked with commercial studios and then started her own business shooting weddings, portraits and other subjects – but taking them to a higher artistic level. She also explored the character of the world around her – not celebrated, familiar images, but the fleeting suggestions of something taken for granted – a special reality that derives from the ever-changing fight to survive and exists only in the moment.

Now mostly retired from the commercial side of photography, Gayle is freeing her imagination to let those ghosts of the ordinary find her lens and connect with you as you glance in that direction. And that’s what happens.

Her work connects. The light and shadows of the moment reach somewhere into your imagination – the space where the memories of insignificant things and places go, waiting for you to call on them. www.gaylekrughoffphotography.com. memories seem to rise from the grass as the unhappy memories are filtered out.

In an era where cremation is common and ashes are spread in places meaningful to the deceased, less urban space is being dedicated to those precious green acres that hold the dead and await the living. That’s too bad.

We Tucson kids would hang out in a shady old cemetery beneath the great trees and among the flowering shrubs. There was

Jim Magner’s Thoughts on Art It struck me on Memorial Day that it was all about cemeteries. Visually, at least. Images of endless rows of simple white military headstones from Normandy to Arlington were on every front page and in every news report.

So were the other resting places of soldiers and leaders who get remembered annually. But it doesn’t end there. We often show our respect to those who lived before by visiting gravesites. That is more peaceful to me than sad. The good 110 ★ HillRag | July 2010

artandthec ity

BY JIM MAGNER

no one to chase us away. The marble headstones with chiseled cherubs and carved portraits were wonderful. But more interesting, this rarely-visited planted-people park had become habitat – a small ecosystem for a mix of native and imported species.

As I get ever closer to being planted myself, I give more thought to making some small contribution when I’m gone. I had settled on a military cemetery because I would get a stirring burial … and the price is right.

But now I’m thinking more of a happy place – like the wildly adorned Mexican church lots of the Southwest. I think cemeteries should be welcoming, cheerful places with art, built to accommodate wildlife and captivate the kids. It would make me feel good to be part of something useful.

Maybe Gayle Krughoff could take a picture of the collective spirits of the night dance – those elusive lights that glow in perpetuity.

At the Museums German Master Drawings 1580-1900 The National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street & Constitution Avenue NW. To Nov. 28 These are terrific – 120 gorgeous German watercolors and drawings from the Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, embracing 16th-century mannerism, the 17th-century baroque, the 18th-century rococo, early 19th-century romanticism, and late 19th-century realism.

And that’s not all. A parallel exhibition of 82 National Gallery-owned drawings from the same periods provide an even larger view of German art through these centuries. Don’t miss them. www.nga.gov.

‘Beat Memories’ National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street & Constitution Avenue NW. To Sept. 19 The ‘50s Beat Generation lives again in all of its intellectual angst and Idon’tgiveadamn brilliance through the black-and-white snapshots of poet Allen Ginsberg (1926–1997).

William S. Burroughs, Neal Cassady, Gregory Corso, and Jack Kerouac and Ginsberg himself somehow look special even before their fame and legends grew.

The second part of the exhibit features his later photographs–from the ‘80s to his death.

These are the self-conscious legacy prints with extensive inscriptions beneath each image, describing both his relationship with those and other cultural icons and his memories of their times together. So what? He was in the middle of it all, and it’s not only critical American history, it’s a celebration of nonconformity, in both ideas and literary form. www.nga.gov.

At the Galleries Emma Tapley Hemphill, 1515 14th St. NW. To Aug. 7 Emma Tapley uses an abstractionist’s perception of nature in her new landscapes.

She might take an object out of the natural world, filtered through a window, water or just floating in space. The paintings are constructed from layers of glazes and details are meticulously rendered with imperceptible brushstrokes to emerge as luminous and reflective. www.hemphillfinearts.com.

‘A Washington DC Vacation’ American Painting Fine Art, 5118 MacArthur Blvd. NW. To Sept. 11 The Washington Society of Landscape Painters set out to capture the DC of television and travel guides, but don’t expect the ordinary. Over 20 of the area’s most accomplished landscape and cityscape painters present the familiar in personal and original ways. www.classicamericanpainting.com.

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Associate Member Show City Gallery, 804 H St. NE #1. June 27July 31 The City Gallery’s July show opens July 10 with a reception for all, featuring the associate members of the newly opened gallery.

Most of the 12 accomplished artists, who work in a wide range of styles, techniques and materials from painting to sculpture, will be at the reception to discuss their art. www. citygallerydc.com.

‘Reflections’ Capital Hill Art League. The Fisher Gallery, Northern Virginia Community College. To July 30 The Capitol Hill Art League presents its season-ending juried show at the Fisher Art Gallery in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center on the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. The show represents a body of work created in the last 12 months by DC area artists. www.CHAW.org.

‘Transparency’ Zenith Gallery, 1111 Penn.Ave. NW To Sept. 30 The glass sculptures of Jackie Braitman, an architectural designer by trade, her works range from the abstract and architectural to highly representational, often using dance and the human figure in motion. You can meet the artist on Wed. July 14, 5:30-8:30 p.m. www.zenithgallery.com. ★

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Crescent Shores ••• Les Sabler, Big Deal Records Sometimes revisiting the past enables us to move forward. That’s exactly what contemporary jazz guitarist Les Sabler did on his sixth studio album, Crescent Shores, along with the use of a nylon-stringed acoustic guitar for the first time ever.

Produced by Mr. Sabler and keyboardisttrumpeter Allon Sams, the genesis of the collection sprang from sessions recorded in 1991 in Richard Elliot’s Tampa studio. Mr. Sabler re-did most of the original tracks, composed new songs (including the title track) and selected a few covers for the album.

“Shortly after releasing my first album, my band and I started recording material for what was intended to be my second album,” Mr. Sabler said. “We all lived in the Sarasota area and I used to walk around Crescent Beach on Siesta Key. It inspired my songwriting. Some business challenges caused the shelving of the original tapes, but I rediscovered them recently. We transferred the tapes to digital and went back into the studio to finish what we started nineteen years ago. Teaming with Allon, we were able to strike a creative balance

between the old and new recordings resulting in what you hear today on Crescent Shores.”

Crescent Shores fits neatly into a contemporary jazz, R&B and adult pop collection. Three cuts — “Market Street,” “Walfredo” and “Peace River Suite” (the latter of which retains an original performance by saxman Richard Elliot) — did indeed appear on Mr. Sabler’s second album, Time For Love, but they were re-recorded. Also re-recorded were four songs from the 1991 sessions “Crescent Shores,” “Island Princess,” “Turn Of The Century” and “Sunset Serenade,” although some of the original performances were retained, including rhythm tracks laid down by drummer David “Frankie” Toler and the late bassist Bruce Waibel, both of whom had played with the Gregg Allman Band. Contributing beats to the new recordings were drummer Erik Hargrove ( James Brown Band) and percussionist Joe Lala (CSNY, Bee Gees). In addition to delivering agile guitar work that took on adds emotional depth through the use of his acoustic instrument, Mr. Sabler coolly croons breathy lead vocals on “Lonely Girl” and “Mirror Of Your Heart.” A version of Sting’s “Fragile” appeared on last year’s Les Sabler Live CD, but appears as a newly recorded studio version on Crescent Shores.

Another standout on the album is the gorgeous version of Stevie Wonder’s ethereal paean “Overjoyed.”

All CDs and DVDS reviewed in this article are heard through Bowers & Wilkens 802D Speakers and ASW 4000 subwoofer, and Rotel Preamp 1070, amplifier 1092 and CD player 1072. CDs are available for purchase through amazon.com For more information about this column, please email your questions to fagon@hillrag.com. ★

Kids & Family Kids & Family Notebook

by Mary-Frances Daly

Eighth Annual Capitol Hill Fourth of July Parade Comes to Barracks Row This July Fourth, at 10 a.m., Barracks Row will again host the annual Capitol Hill Fourth of July Parade and the Fourth of July Family Festival. This will be the eighth year for the celebration. Parade participants congregate at Eighth and I streets SE at 9 a.m., and everyone will begin marching at 10 a.m., finishing at the Eastern Market Metro plaza at Pennsylvania Avenue and 8th Street SE, where a family festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with food and fun provided by Naval Lodge No. 4 on Capitol Hill. All proceeds from the day’s activities will go to benefit the Arts Education Fund for DC Public Schools on Capitol Hill.

“Naval Lodge is delighted that we will be able to again host the Capitol Hill Fourth of July Parade. Here in the heart of our nation’s capital, we remember the humble beginnings of our nation while we try to raise money for its future,” said Michael Webb of Naval Lodge No. 4. “We look forward to a great parade and festival and hope that the community gets as much enjoyment out of this Fourth of July as we have putting it together.”

This event is sponsored by Naval Lodge No. 4, Rob Bergman, Tiber Creek Associates of Capitol Hill Inc., The Office of Councilmember Tommy Wells, Barracks Row, and The Hill Rag. To participate in the parade, or for more information, please visit tiberdc.com/4thofjuly or contact Sharon Boesen at sharonboesen@gmail.com.

Boy Scouts from Troop 380 to Attend National Scout Jamboree Five Boy Scouts from Troop 380 chartered at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill plan to attend the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., from July 26 to Aug. 4, Capitol Hill scouts Calvin Wineland, Patrick Merkle, Richard Merkle, Jacob Owens, Drew Rivera and John Tanner plan to join more than 43,000 scouts from around the nation, Canada and Mexico at the National Scout Jamboree. This year, the participants are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

The scouts will be participating in a program that reflects

The Capitol Hill July 4 parade. Photo by Andrew Lightman.

the skills of scouting: physical fitness, mental awareness and moral values. Among the activities that the Boy Scouts plan to join are the Opening Ceremony, the 5K walk/run, religious services and finally the Closing Ceremony.

There are other activities that scouts individually select.

Most of the scouts at the Jamboree aren’t from the Washington area, so some might make a trip to the nation’s capital.

Events such as the Jamboree provide an opportunity for scouts from all over the country to meet each other and to become friends. It also is an opportunity for scouts to learn about other parts of the nation firsthand from other scouts.

Watch this space for a recap of the event in a future Hill Rag. – Submitted by Drew Rivera

DC Youth Orchestra Program Moves East The DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP) announced that this year, the program’s 50th anniversary, it will be moving operations from Coolidge High School in Northwest DC, where DCYOP has operated for the past 50 years, to Eastern Senior High School (1700 East Capitol St. NE). Upon learning of DCYOP’s move to Eastern, Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells said, “The Youth Orchestra is a terrific asset for our city’s youth, and it is fantastic we are getting the program at Eastern High School.”

DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee has been working in tandem with the DCYOP to support the move of the area’s largest out-of-school-hours music program. Rhee capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 113

kidsfamily said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for Eastern Senior High School and contributes to the future success of our students.”

Ava Spece, executive director of DCYOP, said, “We are so excited to be able to provide this new environment for our students, including improved Metro and freeway access and a more central location. The new facility will enable DCYOP’s incredible faculty to better serve the youth of the Washington region.”

Physical relocation will occur sometime in August, and the program will hold its regularly scheduled Open House, Petting Zoo, and Orchestra Day on Sept. 11, in the new location.

In celebration of the program’s 50th birthday, the organization will also have a day-long celebration on Aug. 21, which will include bringing together some of the program’s 50,000 alumni from around the country to perform at the Kennedy Center at 6 p.m. followed by a VIP reception.

The esteemed Marvin Hamlisch will host the event and conduct one of the pieces in the program. To learn more about DCYOP, call 202-723-1612 or visit www.dcyop.org.

Casey Trees High School Summer Crew Program Kicks Off June 28 Each summer, over 100 students apply for 11 spots on the Casey Trees Summer Crew, which helps care for Casey Trees-planted trees in Bloomingdale, Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, Eckington Park, Downtown, Embassy Row, Georgetown, Mount Pleasant and other areas as needed.

This year’s program begins June 28, and as in years past, the crew’s responsibilities will include watering, weeding, mulching, pruning and tracking the condition and mortality of trees. Two teams work out of trucks, and one team makes up a “Water By-Cycle” crew, the nation’s first bicycle-powered tree care program. Summer crew members also engage in professional development opportunities to learn careers in the green industry. For many crew members, this is their very first job. Activities change each year, but students in the past have climbed 100-foot trees at the US National Arboretum, 114 ★ HillRag | July 2010

planted trees on Dangerfield Island and built a rain garden with the Anacostia Watershed Society. To learn more about this program, contact Casey Trees at 202-349-1894 or visit www.caseytrees.org.

Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express The Pony Express is roaring down the trail this summer, and the Postal Museum needs help to get the mail through! This two-day festival, July 9 & 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express and has something for everyone, including a trivia relay race, tall tales and your chance to star in a puppet show. Free. 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. 202-633-5533, www.postalmuseum.si.edu.

DCPS participants in this year’s DC SCORES Jamboree!

DCPS Students Score at this Year’s Jamboree!

The 15th annual DC SCORES Jamboree! celebration was held June 5 on Trinity University’s athletic fields. The event highlights the conclusion of the nonprofit after-school program’s spring season.

DC SCORES uses soccer, poetry and service-learning to inspire over 700 public elementary and middle school students in the District.

The Jamboree! kicked off with the best of the elementary school Westside and Eastside teams facing off to decide the City Cup Championship. In hard-fought games, the Burrville Elementary School girls, representing the Eastside, and the Westside’s Bancroft Elementary School boys prevailed. Meanwhile on the upper fields, middle school teams battled for a spot in the championship games. And the Lincoln Middle School boys and OysterAdams Bilingual School girls came out on top.

Each SCORES team competed in at least three soccer matches, all against teams they never saw in the regular season. Throughout the day, nine fields were occupied by SCORES students completing giveand-gos or making diving saves, with parents and friends cheering from the sidelines.

There were also a number of activities for students. Washington Freedom players led soccer drills, a local graffiti artist displayed his talents in creating a “Leadership” piece, volunteers painted students’ faces with soccer balls, and the DC Fire Department sent over a few trucks to let the students explore.

Kids also enjoyed looking at bones and other artifacts at the Celebra la Ciencia (Celebrate Science) booth, and learning about the importance of maintaining healthy lungs with UDC’s 4-H program.

“It was so much fun,” said one student as she gathered her belongings. For more information on DC SCORES, visit www.dcscores.org.

DC Neighborhood Library Schedule Northeast Library Preschool Summer Splash video “Preschool Power,” ages 3-5, July 1, 10 a.m. Children’s Book Club discussing Gary Paulsen’s “Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered,” July 1, 4 p.m. Baby/toddler story time, ages birth to 3 years, Thursdays, 11:15 a.m. Splash into Stories preschool story time, ages 3-5, July 6, 10 a.m. Washington National Opera, ages 6 and up can attend an engaging presentation of “The Flying Dutchman,” complete an arts and crafts project and receive a Washington National Opera family activ-

ity guide, July 8, 10:30 a.m. Make a Splash Stories and Craft, ages 3-8, July 12, 19 & 26, 4 p.m. Teen movie night, ages 12-19, July 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Teen gaming night, ages 12-19, July 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Signs Under the Sea, ages 3 and up can explore the world of underwater animals and learn sign language with Kathy MacMillan, July 22, 1:30 p.m. 330 Seventh St. NE. 202-698-3320, www.dclibrary.org.

Northwest One Library Washington National Opera, ages 6 and up can attend an engaging presentation of “The Flying Dutchman,” complete an arts and crafts project and receive a Washington National Opera family activity guide, July 6, 10:30 a.m. Splash the Water Dude, ages 3 and up participate in songs and activities with Ray Owen, July 21, 4 p.m. Game night for all ages, every Tuesday, 5 p.m. Story times for children on Wednesday mornings: baby/toddler lap time, 10 a.m.; tales for 2’s and 3’s, 10:30 a.m. 155 L St. NW. 202-939-5946, www. dclibrary.org/northwest.

Southeast Library Preschool story time, ages 35, Wednesdays, 10-10:30 a.m.

Baby/toddler story time, ages 3 and under, Wednesdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Tales for 2’s and 3’s Fridays, 10-10:30 a.m. 403 Seventh St. SE. 202-698-3377, www.dclibrary.org/ southeast.

Southwest Library Preschool story time, ages 25, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. 900 Wesley Place SW. 202724-4752, www.dclibrary.org/ southwest.

The Family Room Schedule for July The Family Room, located at 411 Eighth St. SE, has the following schedule for July. The calendar is subject to change, so please call to confirm dates. Visit the website for detailed class descriptions.

• Spanish story time, Tuesdays, 1:30-1:45 p.m.; French story time, Thursdays, 12:30-12:45

p.m.

Music for infants, Tuesdays, noon-12:30 p.m.; Music and movement story time, Wednesdays, 9:15-9:30 a.m.; Music for 1’s and 2’s, Wednesdays, 10-10:30 a.m., Fridays, 11-11:30 a.m.

• Activity time, Wednesdays, 22:15 p.m.

Please call 202-640-2855 for the most up-to-date information.

Check out www.thefamilyroomdc. com for pricing and more details.

•

Children’s Programs at NCM The National Children’s Museum will host the following activities for children in July at the National Harbor’s Launch Zone: • Fireworks and Patriotic Fun: June 28, 30 & July 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 10. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate Independence Day with astonishing firework art.

Designs feature images of the Washington Monument, so kids can create art that looks like the firework spectacle you might see in and around the nation’s capital. Free.

• Community Heroes: July 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23 & 24.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore the role of community heroes and make community hero puppets. Don’t miss out on special community hero visits throughout the week. Free.

• Earth Day Every Day: July 26, 28, 30 & 31. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Discover ways to preserve the planet with eco-friendly, fun family activities. Free.

NCM is located at 112 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md. 301-686-0225, www.ncm.museum.

Have a listing for the Kids & Family Notebook? E-mail kidsnotebook@ hillrag.com by the 20th of the month prior to publication. Submissions may be edited. Publication is not guaranteed. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 115

kidsfamily

Middle School Reform Proceeds Hill Families Future Rests On the Creation of Top-Notch Middle Schools

by Alexander Krughoff

E

llen Shaw and her husband, Pranav Badhwar, love living and raising their two children, Annika, 6, and Aidan, 3, on Capitol Hill.

“We can’t imagine living any place else,” said Shaw. “We are total urbanites and thinking of leaving is painful.”

But leaving is something Shaw said is in the back of their minds.

Three years ago they took a risk when deciding to enroll Annika in Brent Elementary School’s pre-kindergarten program. Ward 6 parents had a history of moving out of the area or turning to private school rather risk their children’s education in poor performing schools, and Shaw was nervous because Brent Elementary was struggling.

“We took a long look at the school, meeting with teachers, administrators and other parents in the neighborhood who were planning on sending their children to Brent,” recalled Shaw. “What we saw were committed teachers and a good principal. That gave us enough confidence that Brent was going to be a good place for our children.”

Today, Shaw is happy with the decision, so much so she enrolled Aidan in Brent in the 2009. But it’s the next step that has Shaw, Badhwar and numerous other parents worried and at least pondering the idea of moving to a better school district or investing in the private option.

While Ward 6 elementary schools are flourishing and a new Eastern High School with its new curriculum and facilities is being planned, it’s the lack of middle school options that is the focus of many parents’ concerns.

New Middle School Plan “There is no parallel in what has happened with Ward 6 elementary 116 ★ HillRag | July 2010

schools anywhere else in the country,” said City Council Member Tommy Wells (Ward 6), referring to the rapid influx of enrollment. “But, there is no clear path on how we will deal with the middle school issue. This is a tough challenge for the city.”

At Well’s urging, the Capitol Hill Public School Parent Organization, a collection of parents and stakeholders from Ward 6 schools, drafted a proposal detailing what they think needs to happen with the ward’s middle schools. The proposal was presented to D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee earlier this year.

On Eve’s last day at Peabody Elementary this year, her mother, Cara Spencer wonders if middle school reform After reviewing the plans will actually deliver better secondary education options for Ward 6 parents. plan and meeting with stakeholders across Ward schools with the implementation of and Thompson Elementary Schools 6, Rhee released her own Ward 6 the popular International Baccalaure- would continue to feed into Jeffermiddle school reform plan on May ate Middle Years Programme starting son Middle School.

19, based in large part on the CHP- in 2011.

Stuart Hobson would see sigSPO plan. But with three different The IB Middle Years Programme nificant changes in its feeder pattern Ward 6 middle schools and close to is based on bridging the gap between with the addition of students from a dozen elementary schools feeding traditional subjects and the real world, Ludlow Taylor and J.O. Wilson Elinto them, some parents are not sure allowing students to become critical ementary Schools. To make room Rhee’s plan will actually deliver new and reflective thinkers. The IB Mid- for the additional students, Rhee has and viable options. dle Years Programme is designed to proposed that Watkins expand to in“We will continue to evaluate prepare students for the IB Diploma clude fifth grade in its current facility the [middle] schools from year to Programme, which Rhee announced and the Montessori program housed year and see how they progress,” said will be included in the Eastern High in Watkins, which goes through 5th Shaw. “When Annika gets to fourth School curriculum when the school grade, would be relocated and extendgrade we will have to evaluate if we reopens. While the IB program would ed through 8th grade. are comfortable enough to stay in the start in 2011, it would not be eligible To help implement the IB Middle city or move to a place with a strong to receive accreditation until 2014.

Years Programme at Jefferson, Rhee middle school program.”

Under Rhee’s plan, the the ma- has proposed the creation of a “sixth jority of Ward 6 elementary school grade academy,” which would have its feeder patterns will remain the own administration and teachers and IB Curriculum for same. Minor, Payne, Tyler and Mau- expand with each new enrolling class Middle Schools Rhee has made it clear she in- ry Elementary Schools would con- until comprising the entire school.

“On the face of it, it looks great,” tends to drastically overhaul the cur- tinue to feed into Elliot Hine Midriculums in the ward’s three middle dle School. Brent, Amidon Bowen said Greg Herrick, who has two chil-

Greg Herrick is hoping that middle school reform will result in a Jefferson Middle School where he will feel comfortable sending his children.

dren in kindergarten at Brent. “Problem is if you are at Elliot Hine or Jefferson there is a lot of heavy lifting that has to be done. And if that doesn’t happen the only option we have left is the lottery [for out-of-boundary schools], which isn’t a great option.”

Cara Spencer and Daniel Kolker, whose daughter Eve will start first grade at Watkins in the fall, are also unsure about what lies ahead.

“We have been very happy with Peabody and are optimistic about Watkins,” said Spencer. “While middle school is a ways off, I am very concerned. We can’t afford private school, don’t even want to think about moving and counting on getting into a charter or the lottery is not a great position to be in.”

But given the proposed curriculum changes and the appeal of sending their children to neighborhood schools, some parents are not turned off by the challenges that lie ahead.

“We took some risk when we decided to send our children to Maury in a way; test scores were a lot lower than they are now,” said Sonia Waltee, a parent of two children at Maury. “If I was placed in a situation of deciding to continue on to Elliot Hine, say I had a fifth grader, I would take the risk. I feel confident my child will feel comfortable with, and can excel in, the IB and accelerated

math programs.”

While some parents are very apprehensive with what lies ahead, there are those who have been working for years to just get the basics for their children’s schools, basics that are taken for granted by many elementary school parents today.

Bradley Pine and Cathy Townsend, never even considered private school for their four children.

“Public schools are about everybody and that is what we are about,” said Pine, who has seen two sons graduate from Stuart Hobson and will send one son there next year. “But what we found was that the facilities and resources were a mess. Those two issues were a real deterrent for us and a real detriment to learning.

We had to defend our decision to send our children there all the time, to family and friends. But overall, the experience has been great.”

Next Steps Suzanne Wells, a parent at Tyler Elementary and leader of CHPSPO, said she was very pleased with the plan presented

by Rhee.

“I think they were very responsive to a lot of the ideas that we presented,” said Wells.

“Our proposal was focused on Capitol Hill and I think it was smart of DCPS to put out a Ward 6 proposal. This is a turnaround for DCPS. They have not always done that and I give them credit for doing that. I am quite hopeful for the proposal. This is a very unique opportunity. Chances like this don’t come around too often.”

In the meantime, parents across the Hill are pondering the details, flooding school list serves, running student test score and enrollment data models to see if they agree with Rhee’s proposal or can suggest ways to tweak it. At the same time, Rhee’s office is also looking for more input, sending home a middle school reform questionnaire with every Ward 6 elementary student.

Rhee is expected to release a final plan within the next month, with the hopes that planning for the curriculum overhaul can start with the new school year in late August. ★

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capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 117

kidsfamily

Join DC Sail on the Water this Summer

by Laurie Pomerson

L

ooking for some new outdoor recreation actives this summer? Come give sailing a try! Located in Southwest DC at the Gangplank Marina, DC Sail offers adult and youth sailing lessons, weekend boat rentals, racing nights, social sails, schooner charters and more.

The group is open to new members, sponsors, volunteers and anyone who loves to spend time with fellow sailors.

DC Sail offers beginner and advanced lessons where participants can learn to sail a Flying Scot, an FJ or a more performance-oriented boat – a Laser. Students can also become US Sailing Certified by learning from the many US Sailing Certified instructors.

For a more relaxing experience on the water, DC Sail offers group sales for four to 20 people for three hours – skipper provided – and private charters and sunset cruises aboard a 65foot schooner, The American Spirit.

Private charters can be made for up to 35 people and are often booked for corporate outings, birthday celebrations, weddings and other get-togethers. Sunset cruises are held every other week on Friday evenings throughout the summer.

There’s also “Boating and Baseball” aboard the Spirit. DC Sail will sail guests down to Old Town Alexandria and return to the dock in time for a short walk to the National’s Park for a baseball game, tickets included.

DC Sail offers extensive youth programming, including Kids Set Sail, a summer camp where kids ages 7 to 14 learn to become beginner and intermediate sailors. Sailing teaches skills that are used on and off the water, and these youth programs instill lessons that last a lifetime. Weekly camps are going on now, and campers can still register.

Other youth initiatives include after-school High School Racing, Learn to Swim and Sail, and Schooner Education programs. Due to generous donations from community members, scholarships are available to these programs.

DC Sail will host this year’s third annual Cantina Cup Regatta, Oct. 2, which will feature a full day of sailing with more than 100 participants. The Cantina Cup, hosted by Cantina Marina and sponsored in part by Mount Gay Rum, benefits DC Sail.

DC Sail is a community program of the National Maritime Heritage Foundation and is a nonprofit organization that relies on program revenue and commu-

118 ★ HillRag | July 2010

nity support to continue its programming.

Consider supporting DC Sail by booking a charter or becoming a member. DC Sail also accepts contributions though its website, www.DCSail.org. Also find information on volunteering at the website or by e-mailing volunteers@dcsail.org. For other questions or to make reservations for any programs, call 202-547-1250. ★

DC Sail sailboats on the water.

Eastern SHS Health & Medical Sciences Academy Senior Awards Ceremony

by Elizabeth Nelson

F

or the 14 graduating seniors of the Health & Medical Science Academy (HMSA) at Eastern Senior High School, the Senior Awards Ceremony on June 4 was a long-awaited, much-anticipated event. It marks a major transition in their lives, from the struggles and successes of their high school career to the new challenges they will face in the adult world. For these students, this means entering college.

Every single one has been accepted, some to local schools including Trinity College and the University of the District of Columbia. Others will be venturing far afield to South Carolina State University, Clark Atlanta University or Iowa State University. Wherever they go, they will have been well prepared. Each has had the opportunity for “real world” experience though internships and job-shadowing, and each has completed a minimum of 200 hours of community service.

The ceremony was held in the historic (and sumptuous) Charles Sumner School, designed by Washington architect Adolph Cluss, and featured many special touches. In lieu of year books, each student was given a framed class photo to be personalized with messages from their mentors and classmates. Each student received a “goody bag” that included a stethoscope and smock (useful to anyone in the health care fields) and an inspirational book on the importance of a positive attitude toward serving others (useful in any walk of life!).

Academy Director Craig English advised the graduates that “you are on your own now with no one to wake you up or encourage you to

study” but expressed confidence that they “all have the inner power to succeed.” They may make mistakes but must not lose focus on their goals. And that “it is not succeeding every time that makes you a winner – it is doing your best every time.”

The evening ended with a delicious buffet supper for the students and their supporters.

The school year that just ended has been an eventful one. New courses were added, Pharmacy Technician and Emergency Medical Services, and the faculty to support them. But English, who headed the academy since its inception and more-or-less willed it into being, is no longer in the classroom.

In January, he was promoted to central administration at DCPS and is now managing eight programs District-wide – good news for the other seven programs but not so much for HMSA. However, he continues to take a proprietary interest in the program and recently pulled off a major coup … Eastern is under construction (as most everyone knows), and when the roof was removed for replacement, Craig worked out a deal to drop a decommissioned ambulance into one of the classrooms.

Future students will be able to practice their emergency management skills using a genuine, fully stocked ambulance. If that doesn’t excite learning, nothing will.

TOP to BOTTOM: 1. HMSA graduates and faculty 2. Graduates say goodbye to EMT instructor Louis J. Mann.

3. Graduates personalizing the group photo.

Eastern Senior High School is located at 1700 East Capitol St. NE. If you would like to have more information, schedule a visit to the HMSA, or make a donation, please send an e-mail to englishca@gmail.com or 202-4425071. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 119

kidsfamily school notes

school notes

Ms. Heffelbower likes the program because it reinforces the District Science standards and also supports her students’ development in English/Language Arts and because the kids have fun with it. She and her colleagues have also found the “field test” process interesting, because it has given them the opportunity to provide feedback to the program developers on what works and what doesn’t before it’s formally launched. More information about the City College curriculum is available at http://citytechnology.org/node/12.

Compiled by Susan Braun Johnson

Cluster School News SWS at Peabody Says Farewell to Long-time Teacher Louise Chapman The School-within-School community bid a fond farewell last month to Louise Chapman, who retired after 22 years at the Peabody Early Childhood campus of the Cluster School.

She began in the traditional program, teaching pre-k and kindergarten for seven years before founding the Reggio-Emilio inspired School-withinSchool program with fellow teachers Margaret Ricks, John Burst, and Sarah Burke and spending another 15 years there. She taught over 260 students in her tenure at Peabody and SWS, and her impact was reflected by the fact that virtually every class was represented by students or parents in a class parade.

A passionate educator, Mrs. Chapman has been recognized with many awards and accolades – the one that is perhaps most telling is her nickname among parents and staff, who call her “The Child Whisperer” for the rapport she has always been able to establish with her young students. Mrs. Chapman took the podium only briefly, to hand off her classroom chime to Jere Lorenzen-Strait, who will take over her classroom in fall, thank her colleagues for their going away gifts and sentiments, and express her gratitude to all of the par120 ★ HillRag | July 2010

SWS Teacher Louise Chapman, who retired this year after 22 years at Peabody!

ents who entrusted their young children to her over the years.

Watkins Students Test New Physical Science Curriculum At Watkins, third-graders in Kendra Heffelbower’s and Judy Bowers’ classes and second graders in Lauren Tate’s class spent the past month “field testing” a new Physical Science curriculum for elementary students called “MechAnimations.” The curriculum was created through collaboration between the Engineering and Education School faculty at City College in New York, with support from the National Science Foundation.

The hands-on, inquiry-based program is designed to help students understand science concepts through direct experience, using models they build and manipulate and incorporating them into fun, kid-friendly activities. For example, the second and third graders at Watkins are learning about force and motion by working with levers, which they build, test, experiment with, and ultimately use to create puppets (“MechAnimations”) that animate stories, also of their own creation.

Stuart-Hobson’s Living Classroom Grows Fifth graders in Sandra Burst’s class were hard at work a few weeks ago on the newly expanded native wildlife garden at the southeast corner of the Stuart-Hobson campus.

The garden was created two years ago through a partnership between 5th grade science teacher Nina Harris and Living Classrooms, a non-profit dedicated to educating children and young adults about the environment. Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region has worked with both Stuart-Hobson and Watkins through its DC-Schoolyard Stewards Program, which brings project-based learning experiences to area schools that focus on storm water pollution and its prevention. Through hands-on activities, the program aims to teach students how watersheds work and how activities in their neighborhoods (and even at their schools) can impact the Anacostia River and the Chesapeake Bay. Ms. Harris says that all four of Stuart-Hobson’s 5th grade classes have contributed to the development and maintenance of the garden, learning techniques for making their school and community “greener” in the process. Ms. Harris believes the work not only reinforces good conservation practices and strategies by

the students, but also “creates student educators for family members and neighbors who may not have yet reached the same level of ownership regarding what happens in their communities and the environment.” In short, the DC Schoolyard Stewards Program is living up to its name, creating stewards, and advocates, for the environment, one class at a time.

More information about Living Classrooms and its school-based programs can be found at http://www. livingclassroomsdc.org/SchoolPrograms-inschool.html.

-Karen Bates. The Capitol Hill Cluster School has three campuses: the Peabody Early Childhood Center, at 425 C St, NE (698-3277), Watkins Elementary, at 420 12th St, SE (6983355), and Stuart-Hobson Middle School , at 410 E St, NE (671-6010).

CHDS Math Teacher Yvette Yamagata received the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (grades 7 through 12).

Capitol Hill Day School News CHDS Teacher Honored by President Obama CHDS Math Teacher Yvette Yamagata has received the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (grades 7 through 12). Ms. Yamagata is the

only Washington, DC recipient of this prestigious award, which will be presented officially later this year.

Congratulations, Ms. Yamagata! www.whitehouse.gov/the-pressoffice/presidential-math-and-science-teachers-award-release

Looking Back...

A Sampling of CHDS’s busy year

St. Anselm’s Abbey School News

E CL CY RE

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The 32 young men of the Class of 2010 received a total of 168 college acceptances at 112 colleges in the United States, Canada and Europe.

The students will attend a diverse mix of highly-ranked private universities, liberal-arts colleges and large public universities. The class, more than a third of which was honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the College Board in their annual scholarship competitions, has also been awarded a total of over $2.5 million in scholarship aid for college.

As a Catholic school, St. Anselm’s typically gets many students into the nation’s finest Catholic institutions of higher education, and this year was no exception. There were 16 acceptances to Catholic colleges and universities, including Georgetown, Fordham, Notre Dame and Boston College. Students were also accepted at several Ivy League schools, including Princeton, Harvard, Brown, the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell. Three students will be attending service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Given the present economy, several St. Anselm’s graduates will take advantage of lower tuition rates at state schools, including the University of Virginia, the College of William & Mary, the University of Maryland, the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina. Five graduates are taking advantage of the tuition break given to District residents attending public universities across the country.

In many cases, students chose more-affordable public colleges over higher-priced private institutions to which they were also accepted, including the University of Chicago, Duke and Johns Hopkins. One hard-working young man will be attending Stanford University, having turned down Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, the California Institute

RE

Community Service: Under the guidance of the parent-run Community Service Committee, CHDS families • Provided over 2,283 lunches through our weekly “Extra Lunch” program.

• Filled over 150 bags of groceries for food banks.

• Provided food and bedding to animal shelters.

• Brightened the holidays for families with toys, books, and winter clothing, including $600 in gift cards to Our Place and Camille’s Place.

• Raised over $500 through the Help the Homeless Walkathon.

• Dressed and accessorized women preparing to re-enter the workforce, furnished apartments for families moving out of shelters, and provided books, videos, and games for community child care centers.

• Joined over a 100 volunteers to help clean-up and maintain the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

Field Education: Students benefited from over 325 field trips, all related to the curriculum, including overnight trips to New York City (4th), the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in West Virginia (5th), Port Isobel Island in the Chesapeake Bay (7th), and the Sheridan School Mountain Campus (6th and 8th).

After School Music Program: This year’s Program culminated in a recital with performances by 60 students (including the five-person Jazz Band) who were taught by 7 musicians.

Eighth Grade: At the June Graduation Ceremony, students, teachers, and families wished the 22 eighth graders well as they prepared to move on to 12 different high schools.

—Jane Angarola. janea@chds. org. 210 South Carolina Ave., SE, 202-386-9919.

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St. Anselm’s Abbey School graduated its 65th class on May 29 at their campus in Northeast Washington.

of Technology, and the University of California, Berkeley. He is the recipient of a Gates Millennium Scholarship, which pays for tuition and all other related expenses for up to five years of undergraduate and up to six years of graduate education.

St. Anselm’s Abbey School is an independent Roman Catholic day school for academically gifted boys in grades 6-12 located on a quiet, wooded 40-acre campus in Brookland. Limited spaces remain for the 2010-2011 academic year. For more information, please contact E.V. Downey, Director of Admissions, at admissions@saintanselms.org.

Brent News Brent Students Show off Their Talents At the end of the school year, Robert Brent Elementary School students showed off their talents by performing in two amazing performances.

Brent’s 5th grade students capped off their year-long partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library by performing an act from Hamlet at the George Didden Shakespeare Festival

“Brent is fortunate to be one of five schools on Capitol Hill to participate in this introduction to Shakespeare and the world of theater led by artisteducators from the Folger,” said Dr. Cheryl Wilhoyte, Brent’s school principal. To prepare for the event, Brent 5th graders explored the language and world of Shakespearean England, learned about period costumes and stage combat, then performed in the Folger’s Children’s Festival.

Lastly, Brent’s talented young actors in nearly every grade level performed in school’s second annual play – The Wizard of Oz on June 10. During the school day, 48 student actors preformed a matinee for the entire student body, which includes students in grades PK-3 through fifth grade, and later in the evening they performed for a packed audience of family, friends and neighbors.

For Brent’s student actors, being in the play was thrill of a lifetime. “This was my first time in a play and playing the scarecrow has been a dream of mine,” said Madison Van Eyken, a Brent 2nd grader.

The entire Brent community, including parents and teachers, helped

On June 10, 48 Brent Elementary school students performed in the Wizard of Oz – an end of the year school performance – to a packed audience of family, friends and neighbors.

make the play a huge success. Specifically, Brent’s PK-3 teacher, Ms. Stacy Miller and Brent’s kindergarten teacher Ms. Shohreh Homayoun provided excellent leadership and coaching to the young performers.

Robert Brent Elementary School Brent is located at 301 North Carolina Ave, SE, serves students in grades PK-3 through 5th grade; www.brentelementary.org; 202-698-3363.

Maury Elementary News Maury-Nationals Partnership Maury’s first partnership game at Nationals Park was an enormous success! Maury sold a whopping 750 tickets to the Nats. v. Orioles game, cementing a mutually beneficial (and fun) relationship with the Club. The next Maury at the Park day will be Sept. 12 against the Florida Marlins.

Tickets are $10, and kids 4 to 12 run the bases after the game!

Bon Chance, 5th Grade!

Mrs. Cooper’s 5th grade: you have been wonderful people to have around, and great role models for the younger children. Your deeds have not gone unnoticed, from reading to the preschoolers, helping with the fresh fruit and veggie snacks, being lunch monitors to the younger classes, and politely holding the door in the morning rush. You have been appreciated and you will be missed. Keep up the hard work and your fine citizenship, and we wish you all the best in middle school and beyond!

- Heather Schoell. Maury Elementary, 1250 Constitution Ave., NE. Carolyne Albert-Garvey, Principal. www. mauryelementary.com; 202-698-3838.

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St. Peter School News Pre-k students Elaina, Mikayla, Jessie, and Ellie.

Sing it, baby!

Spring Concert Maury’s music teacher Mrs. May, along with every student, put on an entertaining showcase of talent during the June 3 Spring Concert and Art Show. The small students sang, clapped, and snapped. The older students performed an arresting version of “Stand by Me,” and the orchestra played violin, xylophone, and recorders. The whole audience joined in to sing a little Stevie Wonder for the grand finale!

$25k Grant Awarded to Pre-K Program The Maury Early Childhood Education program just learned they are the recipients of a $25,000 grant from the DC office of the State Superintendent of Education. The grant is intended to assist the pre-k programs on 2.| July 2010 122 ★June HillRag

in meeting the required high quality standards. Maury preschool and pre-k teachers will be able to use these funds for accreditation and training, instructional and support materials, ageappropriate curriculum and related training, support for development of family engagement programs. Thanks to all who worked to make it happen!

Moving On Up! Thirteen St. Peter’s School eighth graders kicked off graduation ceremonies with a class trip to Williamsburg, VA and Busch Gardens. On June 4, the class participated in the Rose Ceremony, a St. Peter School graduation tradition at which siblings and underclassmen present roses to graduates.

Friday evening, graduates donned blue caps and gowns and processed in St. Peter’s Church for Mass and the graduation ceremony. Honors awarded for academic excellence and community service included: • St. Peter’s Award to William Neidecker-Gonzales for demonstrating academic excellence, leadership and spiritual development; • the Distinguished Student Award to Edmund Hundley for excelling academically and displaying exemplary character; • the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence to Marissa

Donnelly, Victoria Smith, William Neidecker-Gonzales, Edmund Hundley and Meron Hagos for maintaining a grade point average of 90 per cent or higher.

Also, the newest members of the O’Sullivan Society were recognized for attending St. Peter School from Pre-K through eighth grade. Following the conferring of diplomas, a reception was held in the Church Hall hosted by the seventh grade class. Congratulations to the St. Peter’s Class of 2010! Enjoy your summer!

First Holy Communion Forty-seven second graders not only from St. Peter’s School but from across Capitol Hill, celebrated their First Holy Communion at St. Peter’s Church.

Hundreds of friends and family attended the First Communion Mass to witness the children receive their first sacrament of the Eucharist. A reception was hosted by the St. Peter School third grade class in the parish hall following the service.

Sally Aman. St. Peter School, 422 Third St., SE , 202-544-1618, www.stpetersinterparish.org.

Two Rivers News

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On June 4th Two Rivers Public Charter School Middle School students took the stage at The Atlas Performing Arts Center for the annual Two Rivers Middle School Musical with a production of Willy Wonka, Junior. Congratulations to the students and thank you to the teachers who made it all possible, Ms. Tonia, Ms. Zahra, Ms. Kali, Ms. Janet as well as the staff and parent volunteers!

–Barbara Silva. TRPCS is located at 1227 4th St NE. Become a fan of Two Rivers on Facebook, follow them on Twitter or join them on Linkedin to keep up with all the latest news.

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a camera. Turning the Page, a local non-profit and partner of Payne supplied each student with a digital camera and gave them a week to take pictures of their world. After trips to local museums, discussions with real life photographers, and time First Communion for three St. Peter School second graders. to explore with the cam[Credit: Sheila Walter Faison.] era the children brought their images back to the classroom. The results were incredible: artistic and thoughtful images of famneighborhood buildings, teachPayne Celebrates a Year of Learning ilies, ers, houses, pets, and friends brought with the Annual Carnival the lives of the children to the school.

June 10 was a day when students, Students then had the challenge of parents, teachers, Payne staff, and the selecting one photo to use as a visual community celebrated the success prompt for written and verbal expresof the 2009-2010 school year with sion. The projects were presented to the annual school carnival. Since the families, the community, and Turning school will open its doors for the 2010- the Page at the last Payne community 2011 school year as a World Cultures night in May and are still on display in themed school, the carnival this year the front hallway of the school. Stop kicked off with an energetic and in- by and check out the amazing photogformative performance by KanKouran raphers at Payne!

West African Dance. Following the - Vielka Scot, Principal.. Payne is dance and drumming performance at 305 15th St., S.E., 202-698-3262; students got their faces painted, took Vielka.Scott@dc.gov. a spin on the ferris wheel, jumped in the moon walk, circled the school in a train, danced to a DJ, and appreciated their time with each other. One look at the faces of the students when the bell rang to go home showed that Strawberries & Salad Greens On June 3, students across Capitol the annual carnival was again a huge Hill got to sample fresh, locally-grown success! strawberries and salad greens in their school lunches! This was part of a celLiteracy through ebration called “Strawberries & Salad Photography at Payne Greens” organized by the DC Farm During May, Payne’s fifth grad- to School Network. Ludlow-Taylor, ers had an opportunity to explore Maury, Peabody, Tyler and Watkins their own lives through the lens of

Payne Elementary School News

Tyler Elementary School News

The Two Rivers Cast of Willy Wonka

elementary schools participated in the event.

Tyler to be Renovated In August, Tyler Elementary School students will walk into a completely new building to match its beautiful outdoor classroom. Over the summer, Tyler Elementary will be transformed into a state-of-the-art, green, modPayne Kids Enjoy their World Cultures Carnival ern school. From classrooms with smart boards, display is undefined. She wears so many hats space for student work, antiallergenic flooring and top-of-the- at Ludlow-Taylor -- teacher, friend, line furniture, to all-new music and and grandmother to all.”

Many hats indeed! Ms. Simon is art rooms, and a bright library with a stage for acting out plays, Tyler’s rede- also a longtime member of the PTA sign is a wonderful inauguration of its executive committee, and the LSRT. According to Principal Cobbs, “Ms. Simon is the heart and soul of Ludlow-Taylor ES. She embodies the spirit of who we are, a person who loves and cares about this building, the staff, and the students. She has devoted years of her life trying to make it the best school it can be.”

Ms. Simon will be Tyler students enjoy their strawberries and salad greens after a greatly missed by the demo from Chef Lauren Von Der Pool of Cafe Green. entire LTES community. As PTA President approach to integrating the arts in all Ms. Champion puts it, “She has a big subjects, grade levels, and programs. heart and will do anything for anybody.

The environment will be much more “At the same time, Ms. Simon asserts conducive to learning with improved she will remain a presence at LTES, acoustics, air quality, and natural light- in her capacity as grandparent, voluning. Work is scheduled for completion teer, and active member of PTA and

by August 15th. To see the floor plans, LSRT. Shahna Gooneratne, frequent visit http://tylerelementary.net. –Su- school volunteer agrees, “Ms. Simon’s zanne Godec. Tyler is located at 1001 devotion to LT is without question . . . I don’t think she’ll be able to stay G St. SE. away!” - Donny Kirsch. 659 G St. NE. 202-698-3244, www.ludlowtaylores. com.

Ludlow-Taylor News Rosa Simon Retires

When you ask somebody at Ludlow-Taylor to tell you about Ms. Rosa Simon, who will be retiring after 35 five years of service to DCPS, with the last 23 years serving as Maintenance Supervisor at LTES, you get a lot of puzzled looks. That is because, in the words of longtime fourth grade teacher Ms. Francis, “Ms. Simon’s job 124 ★ HillRag | June 2010

Editor’s Note: There will be no School Notes column for the August issue. Please email submissions for the September issue to dcjohnsongypsies@yahoo.com by Aug. 13. Thanks to all who have contributed this school year! Have a great summer!SBJ. ★

Health & Fitness Relieving Pain and Staying Healthy Non-Traditional Treatments to Keep You in a Healthy Balance

By Pattie Cinelli

O

ver the past decade in this column I have written about alternative and integrative treatments that can relieve pain, decrease stress and if practiced regularly, can help prevent illness. It is much easier to stay well than to try to get well once you are out of balance.

Most of these treatments are not taught to traditional western medical practitioners although acupuncture and massage have been gaining ground in mainstream medicine. All modalities I talk about in this article are non-invasive except for acupuncture. Most deal with soft tissue issues – an MRI or XRay can show if a serious injury is present. All also have many “miraculous” anecdotal healing stories. And none of them work for everyone.

While the cost of these therapies may not be covered by insurance, some costs may be covered under flexible spending accounts. The price for most is far less that the cost of most prescription drugs or for surgery, hospital stays or other invasive treatments undertaken when the pain becomes unbearable.

Most of the techniques I describe I have used. I roll on a foam ball regularly; I receive monthly massages and reflexology treatments. I seek Active Release Technique from Dr. Martin Skopp in Alexandria when I know I need help and, as a level 2 Reiki practitioner, I regularly do Reiki on me and on my dog Marcello. I periodically get Rolfing tune-ups. I also practice several kinds of meditation depending on my mood of the day – walking meditation, breath work or guided meditation.

I have suggested many of these methods to dozens of friends and clients who have complained of chronic pain that their doctors could not heal or who have had an injury or decreased

range of motion. The methods can be used with more traditional treatments or alone or for maintenance of health.

Soft Tissue Release I couldn’t do an article about releasing pain without mentioning fascia release.

Many are discovering the value of rolling on foam rollers and balls as a way to get rid of minor aches and pain that stretching doesn’t touch.

Fascia is the sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and binds down muscles and tendons. If you took all bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs out of your body, the fascia would remain in your body’s shape. Foam rolling can release the fascia closest to the surface, which can Mary Rieger of Healing Arts heals a patient with acupunccreate greater range of moture. Photo: Andrew Lightman tion, reduce pain and restore well being. One of my clients drainage. Massage may be the oldoften uses this technique and massage est and simplest form of medical care. to relieve the incredible pain in her According to www.holisticonline.com, neck and shoulders that gives her mi- Egyptian tomb paintings show people graine headaches. being massaged. It can help lower the heart and pulse rate, detoxify the body, assist weight loss, improve muscle tone, Massage Massage has been an important and relieve emotional tension and pain. part of my health and fitness regimen A massage should be relaxing and over the past 20 years. I don’t look at pleasurable. There are many different it as a luxury because it helps keep me kinds of massage from which to choose injury, pain, drug and surgery-free. It – deep tissue, Swedish, hot stone, sports also relieves stress and imbalances that massage and Thai to name a few. To have accumulated in my muscles. Mas- find a massage therapist on the Hill, sage increases the blood, oxygen and check the listings on page 114 in the nutrients flowing in the body. When 2010 Fagon Community Guide. a muscle becomes warm from blood flow, the soft tissue becomes more liq- Reflexology uid and malleable. Massage improves Reflexology is an ancient healing circulation and can improve lymphatic art that originated in China thousands capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 125

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of years ago. Some people mistakenly think it is similar to a foot massage. In the1930s, the American physiotherapist Eunice Ingham discovered that the most powerful reflex points were located in the feet, and she eventually drew up the foot maps that are still in use today. Seven thousand nerve endings on the soles of the feet track to all areas of the body. A Reflexologist is able, through touch of a specific area, to reduce the level of toxicity in the body and increase organs’ function.

“Reflexology can feel good,” said Pat Meyer comes to my house once a month for a session. “But it can feel somewhat tender as those areas with toxin are worked out.” She has worked with hyperactive children, depressed people and seniors. Reflexology can help people with migraines, allergies, fatigue, and sleep disorders, women who have problems with menstrual cramps or menopause and people for whom stress exacerbates on illness.

Active Release Technique For more of a deep fascia release, Active Release Technique (ART) can help. ART has been a well-kept secret in the medical field for more than 20 years. The method relieves pain without the use of drugs, needles or knives.

It’s a hands-on approach to the treatment of injuries of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, nerves and the surrounding soft tissue. The technique and name is patented and trademarked to allow people anywhere to receive standard results from standard procedures.

ART’s technique and successes have been well documented in published research findings and patient profiles. Whether you are an athlete who has over-trained, an office worker with poor posture, a squash player with knee pain or a weekend warrior with aches and pains, ART may help.

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Rolfing Structural Integration is an original and scientifically validated system of body restructuring and movement education. Dr. Ida Rolf founded it about 60 years ago. It releases the body’s segments – legs, torso, arms, etc. – from life-long patterns of tension and racing, permitting gravity to realign them. By doing so, it balances the body. The results are increased grace, ease and efficiency of movement, a more powerful sense of self and often the relief of physical stress caused by gravityresistant movement patterns. Rolfing addresses connective tissue and Rolfers use muscles as landmarks. They do not massage muscles. They release the tissue. “You can release the muscle, but if the envelope it sits in (connective tissue) is full or has adhesions or scar tissue, then the muscle will return to the old pattern,” ex-

plained my Rolfer Rebecca Carli-Mills. “You have to give it more space so it behaves differently.” Rolfers think in terms of the nervous system and the integration of their work. “For example, I notice that someone who comes to me for back pain is not standing on the center of their feet. If I just relax their back and don’t make them aware of how to use their feet differently, the old painful patterns will resurface.” A basic Rolfing session lasts about an hour to an hour-and-a-half. Each builds upon the previous session.

Reiki Rub your hands together rapidly. Now hold them apart. Feel the vibration. Feel the energy. That’s Reiki. When you stub your toe or bump your arm, what’s your immediate response. That’s Reiki.

Reiki is a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. A Reiki Master administers the treatment which is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s life force energy is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The word Reiki is made up of two Japanese words – Rei, which means the essence of everything in the universe or the Higher Power, and Ki, which is life force energy. The treatment can unlock blocked energy that may cause disease.

It can be used to treat simple ailments such as a headache or toothache or can be used to supplement other treatments for severe illness and give people a better quality of life.

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Acupuncture and Acupressure Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy that involves the insertion of very thin needles into the skin at specific points in order to restore the body’s energy to harmony. It is used to treat all kinds of illness particularly pain, allergies, asthma, anxiety, neurological disorders, digestive and bowel problems, insomnia and stress. It also can be used for a supportive therapy for cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and others. Treatment involves the insertion of one to 16 or more needles for five to 30 minutes.

In most cases, it is painless. The treatment usually takes 48 hours to fully work, and improvement is usually seen in three to six treatments.

Acupressure is a massage therapy involving the stimulation of acupuncture points using the fingers instead of needles. Practitioners use firm finger pressure and stimulate the points, usually for five to 15 minutes. It can be used in massage and is effective in treating pain, nausea, digestive disorders, migraines, tiredness, insomnia and depression.

For a list of acupuncturists on the Hill check page 110 of the “2010 Fagon Community Guide”.

As practitioners and patients get more frustrated with the limitations of an exclusively scientific approach to healing they are turning to methods that treat the whole body, mind and soul as a way helping people to feel better. The above are just a few of the treatments from which to choose. No one is meant to live with pain. It is a signal that something is out of alignment.

Having patience, introspection and the courage to be open to possibilities can bring the whole you back into balance.

Pattie Cinelli has been a fitness professional for more than 20 years and has been writing her Hill Rag column for more than 10 years. You may contact her at: fitness@pattiecinelli.com. ★

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beautyhealthfitness “It is exercise alone that supports the spirit, and keeps the mind in vigor.” Cicero - 65 BC

Your Brain Needs You to Exercise The Latest Scientific Evidence

by Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW stress. Dr. Ratey notes that research has show that when rats that have been chronically stressed are exercised, that activity causes their hippocampus to grow back to its prestressed and pre-shriveled state.

As you exercise regularly, you also gain a sense of mastery and selfconfidence. You can observe yourself managing your stress level better and become aware of your improved ability to cope. This increases your psychological health as well.

Reducing Your Anxiety

W

e all know that aerobic exercise is good for the body — it builds muscles and strengthens the heart and lungs. What if exercising were just as crucial for building and conditioning the brain?

Well, it turns out that exercise has a profound impact on our cognitive abilities and on our mental health. In fact, aerobic exercise may be one of the best treatments for depression, anxiety, stress, and a host of other mental health problems.

Exercise increases the body’s levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine — which are neurotransmitters that have a significant impact on our thoughts and emotions. Research has shown that insufficient serotonin has been associated with depression.

Less commonly understood, however, is that when we are stressed out, there is an erosion in the connections between the cells in the brain; depression can actually shrink certain areas of the brain. So, how does exercise promote a healthy brain?

It is now known that our brains are actually plastic. In other words, rather than being hardwired for learning, they can be rewired — that is we 128 ★ HillRag | July 2010

can actually grow new brain cells. And exercise has a profound impact on that rewiring. According the psychiatrist, John Ratey, author of the book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, exercise improves the brain’s ability to learn on three levels. First, it improves alertness, attention and motivation. Second, exercise prepares and encourages nerve cells to bind to one another, which is the way, on a cellular level, we take in new information. And third, exercise encourages the development of new nerve cells from stem cells in the hippocampus (an area of the brain that is important for learning).

Coping Better with Stress Exercise is also an important factor in helping to prevent the damaging effects of chronic stress from taking hold in the body. Dr. Ratey points out that exercise helps cellular repair mechanisms in the body, keeps cortisol in check and increases levels of key neurotransmitters that regulate our mood, focus and motivation. Beyond helping to keep the ill effects of stress away, exercise also can actually reverse the negative effects of chronic

Anxiety is a natural reaction to a threat and the physical symptoms include feeling anything from tense, jittery, and short of breath to the more extreme of having a racing heart, and at times chest pains. While anxiety is a natural response to fear, when we worry frequently with no real threat and that worrying affects our daily functioning — then that’s an unhealthy level of anxiety. The fact that aerobic activity works to lower levels of anxiety is now well established. It has been found that physical activity calms the body and when the body is calm, the brain is less likely to worry.

In addition, exercise provides a distraction for the mind, putting it on something else rather than worry. It also reduces muscle tension which can be a chronic problem for those who are chronically anxious.

Reducing Depression According to Dr. Ratey, exercise counteracts depression at almost every level. He points out that in Britain, doctors now use exercise as a first-line treatment for depression. Research has shown that regular exercise influences the same chemicals that antidepressants do and has a clear impact on improving mood.

However, exercise may be even more important for prevention than it is for the treatment of depression, according to Dr. Ratey. One of the first symptoms of depression he points out is sleep disturbance — either you can’t get up or you can’t get to sleep or both.

This often causes inertia — a loss of energy and then often interest in things.

Exercise helps to break this vicious cycle by getting us moving again. This increases our overall level of energy and vitality. When we see ourselves moving again. That in itself is an achievement and proof that we can do something to help ourselves.

Dr. Ratey’s book details the ways that exercise can also help with attention deficit disorder, addiction, hormonal changes and aging. He repeatedly outlines the scientific research that shows that exercise is the single most powerful tool we have to optimize our brain function. Walking, running, biking, swimming — all have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. We were made to move and our body and mind respond to exercise quickly. Regular exercise can make the difference between a calm and focused mind and a hassled and inattentive one.

Do your brain and your body a favor and exercise regularly. It’s the best medicine you can give yourself.

Ronda Bresnick Hauss is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of the Quiet Waters Center for Trauma, Stress and Resilience, on Capitol Hill.

She uses an integrative & holistic approach to psychotherapy – addressing the connection between the mind, body and spirit through the use of traditional talk therapy, meditation, visualization, and creative, non-verbal techniques. She can be reached at: 202-544-5050 and is on the web at: http://www.quietwaterscenter.com. ★

Homes & Gardens Stone Dogs and Memorials Grace our Hill Gardens Article and Photographs by Rindy O’Brien

H

ave you ever noticed how many dog statues there are on Capitol Hill? We all know Hill residents love their pets.

You can see it from morning to night as Lincoln Park, Stanton Park and Turtle Park are filled with pet owners throwing balls or Frisbees, chasing their dogs, or walking block after block as their dogs stop to smell the roses in every tree box available.

Judging from the number of stone dogs gracing the Hill’s front doors and gardens, dogs also hold a special sway with Hill gardeners and homeowners.

Throughout history, dogs have played a big part in people’s everyday lives and have influenced art as well. Archeologists have found artifacts depicting dogs in all different kinds of civilization. The Hill gardens’ stone dogs are representative of civilizations from the

Han Dynasty to Egyptian pharaohs and, of course, the Victorian era. Some of the dog sculptures are more functional serving as a flower container or doorstop.

In addition to the stone art sculptures, there are also rocks and headstones that mark the place where families have buried their beloved pets.

Some of the stones have names of the buried pets while others just mark the spot. For many new homeowners, the stones are a genuine surprise found months after buying a house.

Officially, it is illegal to dispose of an animal on your property according to Sec. 11-3-7 Dead animals; Disposition in the 1978 District Code. However, many Hill residents will privately confess that they have buried their beloved dogs or cats in the corner of their yards. If you have questions about dis-

posal of your pet, you can contact the DC Department of Environment or your veterinarian.

Guarding our Possessions The Washington Humane Society reports that DC residents often tell them one of the important reasons they are looking to adopt a dog is for protection. The choice of placing a dog sculpture near your front door may reflect the same impulse. The dog sculptures known as Feng shui Fu dogs or Imperial Guardians Lions are considered strong protection symbols. Traditionally, the dogs were placed in the front of Imperial palaces, temples and government offices. The Fu Dogs were also a sign of family wealth and social status. So we shouldn’t be surprised to see these good luck mythical guard

LEFT: The King Charles spaniel is just waiting for a bouquet of flowers on A Street NE. RIGHT: A Fu Dog guards a Hill home at the corner of Seventh and C streets NE following in the Chinese tradition of the Imperial Lions.

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 129

The James Anthony Colias memorial bench at the Historic Congressional Cemetery memorializes his life with wife and dogs – Poopsie and Baby Pie.

dogs protecting our Hill homes.

Dogs were also held in high esteem during the Victorian era, thanks to the passion of Queen Victoria for her many dogs. The King Charles spaniel was one of her favorites, and she often commissioned statues and paintings of her cherished pets. In addition to the spaniels, she had greyhounds, mastiffs and collies. Given the Victorian style of many Hill homes, it seems a natural choice to add statues depicting the Charles spaniel and other Victorian style statues.

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Queen Victoria was also known for the poetic and very sentimental tributes she wrote to memorialize her pets, like the one: “Here lies Dash …

His attachment was without selfishness, his playfulness without malice, his fidelity without deceit.”

At the Hill’s Congressional Cemetery, there are two memorials that celebrate the close relation-

ship of people to their dogs. A picnic table with two benches in marble is situated close to the entry gates just yards from the gatehouse. The tributes etched into the table remember the family and also a long list of family dogs – Bucky, Pudgy, Major, Jeep I and II, Rosie I, II and III, Frannie I and II, Mimi I and II, and Madame Nu. It is definitely one of the favorite stops on the Congressional Cemetery tour.

At the other end of the cemetery is a more recent bench that has etchings on each side. The front side expressed the deceased couples unending devotion – “A life time together wasn’t enough.” And on the backside of the bench are two names – Poopsie and Baby Pie. Cindy Hayes, a volunteer docent at the cemetery, verifies that the memorial bench does indeed celebrate the couple’s two dogs.

Hayes also notes that pets are not allowed to be buried at the Congressional Cemetery, although she sus-

A marble picnic table and benches at the Congressional Cemetery remembers 16 family dogs including Bucky, Pudgy and Madame Nu.

pects that some ashes may have been co-mingled over the years.

The 2010 winter newsletter of the Association for the Preservation of the Historic Congressional Cemetery, the organization that now manages the cemetery, has a wonderful article about a Foreign Service widow who petitioned to have her husband’s ashes returned from his foreign post to the Congressional Cemetery along with their beloved dog. She was denied her request to include her dog’s ashes and spent years in protest to no avail.

The entire story can be accessed through www.congressionalcemetery.org.

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The soft light of afternoon shines on the Victorian style statue of woman and adoring dog at the corner of Second and F streets NE.

The stone dogs adorning our gardens continue to keep ancient traditions alive while giving our gardens and homes good prosperity and protection. The statues also provide a wonderful way to memorialize the joy and life that our pets have given to us.

Rindy O’Brien lives on the Hill and loves all the dogs on the Hill, real or stone. If you have thoughts or want to share your memorial, email rindyob@mac.com. ★

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homesgardens

?

Ask Judith

Basements…Again article and photos by Judith Capen

ABOVE: This is the sort of window “well” your contractor is proposing, although you’ll have to wait for the landscape.

LEFT: A historic window well. Not generous but the windows are generous and contribute lots of light to a basement.

BELOW: The historic area drain that the historic window well drains into.

Basement Basics

T

hose of you with good search engines or good memories know moisture in basements is one of my themes. I have said, early and often, that basements if not wet now, will be. Underground buildings of our clients provide our practice with job security, although we’ve been chasing water in some of them so long and diagnose leaks so quickly, that they don’t provide much living.

To paraphrase Tolstoy, warm dry basements are all alike; every cold wet basement is miserable in its own way. Thus, I keep getting basement questions and keep answering them.

132 ★ HillRag | July 2010

1.

Basements, if not wet now, will be. And, if not actually wet, certainly damp, so get a dehumidifier or two.

2.

Mold needs three things: spores (they are everywhere); food (everything organic); and moisture. You can’t control the presence of spores, so you have to keep basements as dry as possible (dehumidifiers) and provide as little in the way of food and places for moisture to lurk that you can. This means no carpet, wall furring, drywall, etc. etc. in basements. Expose the brick. Expose the concrete or install ceramic tile.

3. Slope the exterior grade, walk, patio, or whatever away from the building.

4. NEVER build a new basement.

What’s French About a French Drain?

Q. We’re extending some of our basement windows downward for more light. The contractor said we didn’t have to worry about water in the bottoms of the window wells because he’s going to install a

“French drain.” How does this work?

A. Because the drawings for your Capitol Hill row house show about eight inches of gravel in the bottoms of the semi-circular corrugated steel pre-fab window wells, the answer to “How does this work?” is simply: NOT AT ALL.

Although French drain is a term of art for something very specific, many people toss the term around as if it meant “some gravel.”

Actually, a French drain is a drainage system with three components: water transport system, slope, and destination for the water.

The water transport system can be as simple as a gravelfilled ditch. Putting a perforated pipe in the gravel-filled ditch and covering the ditch with topsoil and plants is an aesthetic insurance policy. The gravel, and maybe drainage cloth, keeps soil from clogging the pipe.

A slope directs the water somewhere.

The destination for the water can be a “dry well” (basically a gravel-filled pit) to hold the water long enough to let it percolate back into the ground, or a “bio-retention” area. A bio-retention area is a sort of purposeful wetland, aka “rain garden,” that uses wetland plants to absorb excess water and return it to the air through transpiration.

French drains are used to direct water away from building foundations or from behind retaining walls to prevent water pressure from building up, or, their original use, to drain areas of garden or farmland.

The French drain is named for Henry French, father of Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the seated Lincoln in the Lincoln memorial. Henry French, judge and farmer, wrote a book about farm drainage describing the drain that bears his name. You might think it curious that French, Harvard-educated, neighbor of Ralph Waldo Emerson, was so interested in the uberpractical subject of drainage that he wrote an entire book about it (“Farm Drainage: The Principles, Processes, and Effects of Draining Land with Stones, Wood, Plows, and capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 133

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Drainage is not just historic on Capitol Hill. Here are two examples from Siena, Italy.

Open Ditches and Especially with Tiles Including Tables of Rain-Fall, Evaporation, Filtration, Excavation, Capacity of Pipes; Cost and Number to the Acre, of Tiles, Etc, Etc.” New York: A.O. Moore & Co. 1859. Scanned by Google so you can read the entire thing if you wish.)

But drainage is a topic that figures prominently in Victorian-era farming, gardening, and landscape concerns, so while his prominent neighbors focused on vegetarianism, raising flax as an alternate to slave-grown cotton, women’s rights, and philosophy, French was thinking about making soggy fields productive. Maybe the 19th century was particularly wet.

Capitol Hill, product of the 19th century and the Victorian age, might seem to be a natural location for French drains, but actually is not. The problem with French drains on Capitol Hill is that we

rarely have the grade changes to allow water to drain away from where it is not wanted.

Back to your windows: standard practice is to put a drain, called a yard or area drain, in window wells and at basement doors. That drain is connected to the storm drain or sewer. That is just about our only choice of where to send the water we don’t want flowing into our basements. Even in the 19th century when so many of our houses were built, area drains were installed at basement doors. This is what you need in each of your window wells with drain pipes connecting them to the sewer.

P.S. The grading on your drawing does not meet the slope-away-f rom-the-house test. Instead, your drawing shows a nice little wetland along the side of your house.

After you do all this work you will have a basement you can’t use for anything other than grow mushrooms.

On the Other Hand Disclaimer: my partner feels like I need to be more nuanced about whether the 8” of gravel in the bottom of your window wells might work. He wants me to point out that it might work if your soil is unlike all the soil on Capitol Hill. You can test your soil’s percolation by digging a hole, filling it with water, and seeing how fast it soaks in. If it’s fast, maybe you’ll be fine.

Stay tuned for MORE about basements next month if my editor doesn’t give me the gong. Next month it’s about thermal comfort in basements and the big question of to insulate or not to insulate.

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homesgardens gardenspot

Capitol Hill Hideaway

by Derek Thomas

T

he houses on the 1200 block of E St. SE are fortunate in that the size of their rear gardens are very large by Hill standards.

And though they are just within earshot of Pennsylvania Avenue, these gardens have a private, secluded feel. Peter Theil and Peggy Friedlander’s garden is a fine example of the many wondrous urban hideaways to found behind our Capitol Hill homes.

A Multi-faceted Garden Peter and Peggy’s garden occupies three

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Peter and Peggy Friedlander in their garden.

The pergola is a secluded area covered with wisteria.

Lush winding paths connect the lush garden rooms.

The fountain adds the perfect punctuation to a great space.

136 ★ HillRag | July 2010

times the space of most Capitol Hill back yards. Easily 40’x16’ the garden has room after room of meticulously maintained garden nirvana. It has been a continuous source of enjoyment and pleasure for the pair.

The excitement starts from the back door where a neutral gray stained deck is flanked by an enormous lattice wall of fall blooming clematis and honey suckle.

Planters flow over themselves with colorful annuals, and a staircase winds around a crape myrtle dropping you into the main level of the garden. The wooden stairs open onto a brick patio that is a bow to the traditional brick used in paths and walkways throughout the Hill.

The patio walk spills out in all directions and at each corner there is a specimen plant vying for your attention. A paper birch becomes magnificent in this most unlikely urban setting. A mature burning bush flanked on three sides by an enormous daphne competes flawlessly with the birch. An enormous hydrangea planted in an equally oversized planter exudes huge globes of pink excitement. The dogleg area, a space usually forgotten, contains a lush border garden of impatiens. If the garden were to end here it would be the envy of the masses. Oh but no. We have only just passed the entry and first formal room of this enormous tribute to all things green.

Ahead lies the pergola. A secluded area covered with wisteria and surrounded with viburnum and toad lily, echinacea and Lenten rose, camellia and carex.

At this point the gardens path winds left towards several specimen roses and clematis, alliums are sprinkled below each rose to keep the black spot monsters at bay and by now the garden is taking on a feel of conservatory garden and moving you further away from the predictable or expected.

As you wind your way by the pergola a sentinel rose and rudbeckia occupy opposing planters, flanking a cement-sitting bench that is perfectly placed below a mature dogwood tree. Lilies leap up five feet into the canopy of the dogwood and in mid-July the scent is both alluring and invigorating. The rear garden room is shaded and contains one of the most magnificent private collections of mature hostas I have ever seen. Coralbells and ferns add complexity and texture to the hosta

garden and species rhododendron and azaleas bring forth riotous color in early spring.

As you return to the house, the west side of the garden is alive with sun loving hostas and weigela, butterfly bush and native daylilies and it is now you start to double take and see all the secondary plantings that create lush green layers for a mature gardeners garden. Peggy gives credit for the garden to Peter and Peter humbly accepts the credit.

Transitions While I sat and visited with Peter and Peggy, the discussion moved from the garden to the changes that are on the horizon for the pair. They are in the process of moving across the Hill to the new town homes on the south of the freeway where their new garden will most likely be very different. Peter has a look of uncertainty about the future of his beloved garden, while Peggy has has a calm certainty that her partner will always have a unique green space.

Writers Note This month marks my fifth year of bringing Hill Rag readers garden news and reviews.

It is only fitting that Peter and Peggy have given me the honor of sharing with you their magnificent garden retreat on this special milestone in my writing life. Each month I am honored to share fun gardening facts, news about advancements in the craft, or like this month, sharing with you the special urban gardens that bring the beauty of nature into our urban surroundings. Enjoy.

Derek Thomas is principal of Thomas Landscapes. His garden designs have been featured on HGTV’s Curb Appeal. 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. ★

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Do annuals need fertilizing?

If yes, what with?

Some say annuals are heavy feeders. Take care not to overfertilize, however. Read labels and instructions carefully.

Compost is a nutritive mulch for annuals. In general, minimize the nitrogen content of any fertilizer you choose – nitrogen produces leaves – and go heavier on the phosphorus content – it encourages blooms.

A plant that is blooming profusely probably can use a boost of fertilizer. And ditto if it isn’t blooming profusely.

Why isn’t my lace cap hydrangea blooming? She has plenty of sun, but not too much. I haven’t fed her.

Fertilize with superphosphate 0-20-0. This will help promote flowering and nothing else. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that push heavy leaf growth. You want the plant to concentrate on flowering.

Our butterfly bush is so tall I can’t reach the top to snip off the spent blooms. Is it necessary to cut the spent ones to keep the thing blooming as long as possible?

Not really. The fragrant Buddleia globosa, also known as “summer lilac,” grows rampantly and profusely with little care. The spent blooms do not fall or drop off by themselves, but there are so many other blooms, the spent ones hardly show. Next year you can keep your buddleia neater by cutting it back to the ground in early spring. Flowers form on new

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Feeling beset by gardening problems? Send them to the Problem Lady c/o Capitol Hill Garden Club at andrew@hillrag.com.

Your problems might even prove instructive to others and help them feel superior to you. Complete anonymity is assured. The Capitol Hill Garden Club next meets on Sept. 14, at the Church of the Brethren, corner North Carolina Avenue at Fourth Street SE. Membership information: 202-543-7539. ★

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142 ★ HillRag | July 2010

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capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 143

Ricardo Ramos PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER

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202-251-1479 144 ★ HillRag | July 2010

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capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 145

OTHER SERVICES

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INSTRUCTION Professional Tennis Instruction

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146 ★ HillRag | July 2010

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FOR SALE HISTORIC ANACOSTIA 2BR w/DEN & Scenic Balcony Views. Buyers Hurry!

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HILL RAG CLASSIFIED RATES LINE CLASSIFIEDS: $25 for the first 15 words; 25 cents for each additional word BOX CLASSIFIEDS: $25 per column inch, two inch minimum; $25 each additional inch; 3 month minimum Multiple paper discounts available.

Paid in advance and billed quarterly FREE CATEGORIES: Lost and Found, Items to Give Away, Club Meeting Notices E-mail your ad with credit card information to carolina@hillrag.com or call 202.543.8300 x12 capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 147

thelastword In Memorium Thomas V. Kelly Thomas V. Kelly, 86, a Washington journalist so rooted in the nation’s capital he was often called “The Mayor of Capitol Hill”, died of a heart attack on June 17 at George Washington Hospital.

Kelly, whose career spanned five newspapers including the old Washington Daily News, made a name for himself as a feature writer, an investigative reporter and a media critic, for which he won a number of awards and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize three times. He also authored two books.

A Gonzaga graduate, he began as a copyboy on The Washington Post in 1939 while still in high school. He joined the Navy in World War II, first as a quartermaster on a three-masted schooner--the only Navy defense north of Boston until 1943—and then on a minesweeper. He was plucked from the fleet in 1944 and sent first to Bloomsburg State Teachers College and then to Penn State where he got his degree in journalism. He first worked as a reporter at the Baton Rouge (La.) State-Times and then the New Orleans Item, where he exposed corruption in the police department so thoroughly that every officer was fired. The top lawman left on the force—a desk sergeant--became the superintendent. The series led to the formation of the New Orleans Crime Commission.

Tom moved to the Washington Daily News in 1954 and soon became its star reporter. In his twelve years there he covered Eisenhower and Kennedy at the White House and the McCarthy hearings at the Senate; walked with ex-President Harry Truman when he came to town; di148 ★ HillRag | July 2010

rected and wrote the coverage of the Kennedy assassination and the March on Washington and got the last interview with Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the first one with poet Ezra Pound. He interviewed Malcolm X--before he was Malcolm X--and reported on the malfeasance at DC General Hospital; which led to Congressional hearings and a total change of hospital administration. In some sort of apex of journalistic mischief during the Civil Rights years, he and another reporter merged the local chapter of the segregationist White Citizens Council with CORE--the Congress of Racial Equality--after packing the membership with his neighbors on Capitol Hill.

Tom left the News in 1965 and went to the new War on Poverty, first serving as a regional director of inspections and then as director of national affairs for VISTA. In 1969 he became a free-lancer, writing and editing the magazine, Canada Today/d’Aujourd’hui, for many years, as well as pieces for the New York Times, People, Nation and Nation’s Business. For Washingtonian magazine he chronicled as many interesting local murder cases as he could find, new and old, which led to his writing an irregular series on murders for the magazine. These were later collected in the book, Washington Murders. He also wrote “I Knew I was Irish Before I Knew Anything” and a number of other stories, including an article on the Washington Post.

This was the basis of his well-received book, The Imperial Post, published by William Morrow in 1983. Some years later he worked as a feature writer on

Tom Kelly. Photo: David Deutsch

the Washington Times.

In his writing career, Tom Kelly was known for his clever turns of phrase and his legendary leads. In his Daily News story about the small group of Nazis that was scaring half the population, he said, “George Lincoln Rockwell has his room fixed up better than any kid on the block”. In a story about a high society couple in the Washingtonian, he wrote, “In the candlelight, Tom and Joan Braden almost seem like a success.” In a Washington Times profile of a Louisiana governor, he said, “Gov. Edwin Edwards is so cold, if you put a pat of butter in his mouth in the morning, it would still be there when he went to bed at night.” And in The Imperial

Post, he said that Donald Graham was “as discreet as the queen’s gynecologist.”

Although Tom Kelly was once described in a Washington Post profile as a ‘woodchip on the sea of life’, he was deeply into stability. He not only was a writer all his life but he lived on the block where he was born for all but 11 of his 86 years. Here he saw the Ku Klux Klan and the Bonus Marchers come to his door in the 20’s; FDR wave to children as he drove out B Street--or Constitution Ave., as it is now known— in the 30’s and watched a generation of marchers go by in the 60’s and early 70’s.

Tom and Marguerite Kelly were married for 57 years and had four children—three of whom became writers and one who says that she’s going to write a book as soon as she has the time. So far the family has published thirteen books, with three more in the pipeline including one that Tom was about to submit at the time of his death. It is about the life and death of their son, Michael--the first U. S. journalist to be killed in Iraq.

In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by three daughters, Katherine Kelly Bottorff and Meg Kelly Rizzoli, both of Washington, and Nell Conroy, of Darien, Conn., and eight grandchildren, Emily and Marguerite Bottorff of New York; Tom and Jack Kelly of Swampscott, Mass.; Sally and Tommy Rizzoli of Washington and Michael and Jim Conroy of Darien. ★

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 149

by Anonymous

T

he Nose must admit a bit of puzzlement about the mayor’s race. One option is to elect a native Washingtonian, who at every chance repeats he is a “dyed in the wool homey.” He was born at Freedmen’s Hospital, grew up around Sixth and L streets NE and graduated from Dunbar. It doesn’t get more DC than that.

Black DC, that is.

The other option is to elect the guy who builds dog parks, pushes for streetcars and wants a whole bunch of other stuff attractive to the “newcomers.” It seems easy to assume that the candidate of splash parks, bike sharing and the Wilson Aquatic Center ain’t a true native son. But hold on, DC Birthers: He grew up in Mount Pleasant, went to DC public schools, and has a law degree from Howard University.

So why, given both meet the criteria of a native Washingtonian, does it seem there’s a difference between the native Washingtonian-ness of Mayor BlackBerry and his electoral foe, DC Council Chairman Vince “The Undertaker” Gray?

Is this focus on DC nativism another way of getting at the old trope of DC politics: Is BlackBerry black enough?

Back in the day when Mayorfor-Life Marion S. Barry Jr. told Ward 3 to “get over it,” we all knew who and what he meant. But now, as the District becomes not only whiter, but whiter in neighborhoods far afield from Upper Caucasia, a whole new group of euphemisms have taken hold to describe key parts of BlackBerry’s assumed base of supporters: There’s “those who want dog parks” and “those who want streetcars” and “those who want bike lanes.”

Translation: White people.

Of course, The Nose recognizes this is a stereotype, and stereotypes are bad, unfair, gross exaggerations.

In other words, does the popular Shaw dog park look like the lawn crowd at Merriweather Post Pavilion for a Phish or Lilith Fair concert?

150 ★ HillRag | July 2010

The Nose is not a dog owner or walker, but from all indications this fido-lovers hub attracts all types. But, then again, The Nose would be negligent if we did not note that the push for dog parks has occurred in either predominantly white or increasingly white areas of town: Walter Pierce in Adams Morgan (Ward 1), S Street in Dupont Circle and Shaw (Ward 2), Newark Street in McLean Gardens (Ward 3), and Upshur Street in Petworth (Ward 4). You see what The Nose is getting at: No half-million dollar dog parks in Wards 5, 7, and 8.

Then there are the streetcar evangelists. Yes, Dear Readers, streetcars are like a religion. They are based in the faith that if you build it, property values will rise.

Make no mistake: Streetcars are about economic development, not transportation. The Nose can cite numerous studies, but it all boils down to this: The bus sucks in the eyes of developers. There’s no permanent tracks guaranteeing continued city investment, it’s not cool, and poor people use it.

Now, then again, there’s the core constituency opposing BlackBerry’s use of overhead wires for the holy streetcars: The Committee of 100 on the Federal City. If there’s a group in this city that looks more like Chris Rock’s imitation of white people, The Nose does not know it. (OK, any Georgetown ANC, but The Nose digresses.)

Here’s the point: BlackBerry helped bring a supermarket back to Ward 8, a white-clothed steakhouse and a state of the art Deanwood rec center to Ward 7, and built and refurbished several rec centers in Ward 5. He has staked his mayoralty on improving DC public schools. He’s certainly focused on quality of life improvements for white and black Washingtonians, though his “soon as humanly possible approach” has not extended to the city’s entrenched poor and unemployed, who are almost entirely black.

But instead of using his laser-like focus to conquer poverty, BlackBerry has sought to establish black DC street cred by aligning himself with two dubious characters: Sinclair “Grahamzilla Black Business Killa” Skinner and Ron “Not So Peaceful” Moten.

Both Skinner and Moten have profited considerably from their relationship with BlackBerry. The Nose has detailed his arm-linking with Skinner in a previous column — aka Why Doesn’t BlackBerry Throw Skinner Under the Bus — and Moten’s Peaceaholics hustle has been well chronicled in the press. The Nose does not think BlackBerry has gotten much beside scandal in return.

Does BlackBerry’s biracial background make a difference?

Perhaps, but certainly much less than his well known arrogance.

But DC nativism cuts both ways, and BlackBerry has hyped the idea that a vote for The Undertaker will turn back the clock to the ‘90s when the mayor-forlife reigned, crack was an epidemic, and the District almost went bankrupt. Nothing scares white people more than this. Of course, it scared black people, too, which is how Prince George’s County became the wealthiest majority black suburb in the county.

The Undertaker does his part to contribute to this nostalgia trip: His campaign is packed with relics from the unfortunate eras of Sharon Pratt Dixon/Kelly (Lorraine Green, campaign chair); Barry (Vernon Hawkins and Marshall Brown, field operators), and Linda Cropp (Stephanie Reich, special assistant).

The question isn’t whether BlackBerry is black enough. The question is whether either candidate has a vision for how to move all parts of this city forward: the last, the least, the lost, the streetcar evangelicals and the dog park lovers all. ★

HOMES THAT SHOW BETTER SELL BETTER WITH

JT POWELL!

View Our Marketing Online at www.JTPowell.com/marketing 1205 6th Street NE 4 Bedroom 2.5 bath Victorian w/ In-Law Suite, 4 blocks to metro. For Sale $475,000

920 10th Street NE Renovated 2 bedroom 1 bath with full basement and large yard. SOLD $467,000

1133 3rd Street NE Renovated 2 bedroom 1 bath just 2 blocks from metro.

SOLD $353,000

2718 P Street NW 4 level Georgetown Victorian.

For Sale $1,549,000

906 12th Street NE 3 level Federal Shell.

Needs total Rehab.

For Sale $314,900

1134 6th Street NE #2 Top Floor 2 bedroom 2 bath condo w/ parking, 4 blocks to metro.

For Sale $329,000

the lights are much brighter here...

JT Powell Coldwell Banker 1606 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 202-465-2357 Direct 202-478-0347 Fax info@JTPowell.com

capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 151

Showcase Property

“When the Market's Hot, We Get Cookin’!”

Call the Smith Team

1208 C Street, SE A Classic & Class Capitol Hill Home, this Porchfront Federal has been Lovingly Treated by its Current Owners. The Original Floor Plan has been Preserved, but all the Amenities have Been Updated & Modernized; Designer Cement Countertops; Faux Finishes by Historic Expert; Antique Tiles; & Feng Shui Elements throughout. 3 Bedrooms, Screen Porch, Deep Back Yard, A Great House to Live In!

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$700K

TO HILL WITH THE SUBURBS! 1211 Independence, SE

1121 G St, NE

Imposing VIctorian Bay w/ 3 Levels plus Basement on The Avenue, scant blocks South of Lincoln Park w/ Original Floor Plan, expanded Kitchen & Breakfast Nook. Lots of Period Details like Pocket Doors, Ornate Mantles, Transoms, Exposed Brick,PLUS Upgrades: Insulated Windows, Whole House Vaccum, Garage combine in this Wonderful Home!

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$629,000

504 13th St, SE

9 15th St, SE

$739,000

3 Levels of Modern Urban Style w/ Luxuries Galore! A Landscaped Front Yard leads to a Full Footprint Split Level Living Space with 12" Ceilings, Hardwood Floors, Gas Fireplace, Long Wine/Wet Bar; Floating Stairs & Spacious Island Kitchen w/ Marble Counters, Laundry & Pantry. Upstairs, 2 Very Large Master Bedrooms w/ Shower Baths; Top Floor Guest/Family Room & Rooftop Deck! Garage Space!

COMMUNIT Y CORNER D O YOU HAVE ANY WORTHWHILE CAUSES THAT NEED PUSHING? ANY LO CAL CHARITIES? AXES TO GRIND? YARDS TO SELL? LET THE SMITH TEAM KNOW! WE WILL LIST AS MANY AS WE CAN HERE!

316 6th, NE

Suburban Sized Yard in Heart of the Hill! The Original WoodFramed 1880's Colonial w/ Gingerbread Porchfront has a Modern Tiled Addition containing 4 Skylights Illuminating a Table Space Kitchen, Glassed in Family/Living Room and Laundry, overlooking the Large Landscaped Side Yard w/ Patio, Greenhouse, Hot Tub, Waterfall Koi Pond, & Separate Artists Studio! 3 BR/2 ba.

Marvelous Hill Multi-Unit! Solid Construction, Original Unpainted Woodwork and a Fabulous Full Footprint Unfinished Basement make This A Great Investment for the Future Owner! The Main Floor is 1 BR/1ba w/ Big Open LR/DR w/ Hwd Flrs, Renovated Kitchen & Bath, & Bright East Bedroom! Top Floor has 2 BR's, Small LR, TSKitchen, Renovated Bath & Lots of Light From Atrium Airshaft!

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Terrific Two-Unit Townhome is A Stanton Park Stunner!

Spacious Upstairs 2+ Bedroom Unit w/ Hwd Flrs, Fireplaces, Back Deck & Yard, Balcony and Patio. Modern Designer Kitchen, Storage & 2 Full Baths!

Downstairs Unit is a 1BR/1ba Currently Rented Property, with nice amenities and a Great Equity Enhancer! A Great Home for the Growing Hill!

$779,000

MORE HILL HOMES! 1522.5 Massachusetts, SE - $475K 2+BR's/2.5 Baths; Garage; Pvt Patio!

308 E. Capitol, NE #11 - $485K 2BR; Fireplace; Nr. Congress!

210 10th St, SE REAR - $399K 1+BR,/2 ba; Stone Staircase! Nr. E. Mkt. Please contact the Team to see These or Other Fine Capitol Homes! 5 Agents - No Waiting!

TO HILL WITH THE SUBURBS!

John Smith 202-262-6037

Aaron Smith 202-498-6794

Peter Grimm 202-270-6368

Peter Davis 301-332-1634

Eboni/Honesty 202-243-7907

Kristine Jones 202-415-4716 216 7th Street, SE Washington, DC

jsmithteam@gmail.com