Shopping In Our Neighborhood
T
his holiday season, wouldn’t it be splendid to shop within walking distance? To stroll in for a cup of hot cider, and window shop on your way to a store that you know has exactly what you want? Peruse this gift guide and see some of the fabulous things our local stores have waiting for you. Unique, quality, thoughtful gifts –- that’s what our Capitol Hill businesses have to offer. There is something special for everyone: gifts that are edgy to conservative, inexpensive to extravagant, shrink wrapped or vintage. And green to, um, alligator and fur. (Don’t judge.) So on behalf of Capitol Community News, thank you for supporting the merchants of Capitol Hill. Have yourselves a merry little Christmas, a hilarious Hanukkah, a wild and crazy Kwanza, and the best 2011 there ever was! photo by Andrew Lightman
ART & SOUL This place, tucked beneath the awning, to the left of the door, is coyly holding a gallery of fabulous wearable art in all price ranges. Over 30 clothing designers, with sizes 4 to 18, and 60 jewelers from areas local, US, and abroad are represented here. The unique pieces are not what you will find in a department store. Featured here is a beautiful wool cardigan in variegated shades of dark plum, with raised detail and sleeves that can’t help but flirt. Covelo. $275. Earrings by Alexis Bittar, an Art & Soul long-treasured designer from New York. $190.
225 Penn Ave. SE, 202-548-0105 BLUE IRIS FLOWERS Sweet Angie Brunson is located in Eastern Market, ready to create beautiful holiday arrangements for your home–-a festive essential if you’re hosting! And where would your manners be if you attended a party empty-handed? Flowers are always appreciated.
225 7th St. SE, 202-547-3588
CAPITOL HILL BIKES Wow, a new bike! Two words: 2011 Laser. It comes in shiny red or stealth black. Are you kidding? It’s the best present ever! If you’re already hooked up with wheels, Capitol Hill Bikes has got you covered with bike bells, helmets, blinky lights–-everything you need to roll.
719 8th St. SE, 202-544-4234 www.capitolhillbikes.com
CAPITOL HILL SPORTING GOODS If the Redskins are your team, Capitol Hill Sporting Goods is your kind of place. For the serious sports enthusiast, we have for you today a Jergensen Redskins jersey. He was a hall of fame quarterback, don’t you know! $285.
727 8th St. SE, 202-546-8078
CAPITOL HILL BOOKS Step into Capitol Hill Books for the bibliophile on your list. There must be a million books on the shelves, above the shelves, in stacks from floor to ceiling. Jennifer Ellingston, who has worked there since 1995, can show you where everything is, including books on Capitol Hill for your favorite District historian.
657 C St. SE, 202-544-1621 capitolhillbooks-dc.com 54 ★ HillRag | December 2010
KEEP YOUR LOCAL SPORTING GOODS STORE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Skip the Traffic! Shop Locally! Capitol Hill Sporting Goods & Apparel 727 8th, SE (Across from US Marine Barracks)
202.546.8078 Mon. - Sat. 10 – 6, Sun. 1:30 – 5
eikonphotography Maternity, Newborns, First Year packages and the whole family Family portraits make great holiday gift giving.
Karen Sayre • 202.898.1777 • Capitol Hill Studio www.eikonphotographer.com • www.eikonphoto.com
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C.A.T.WALK New kid on the block! The C.A.T.Walk Boutique is your H St. source for uncommon clothing for the fashion-forward femme. If you want to give her something different, come here. New and consignment. Open weekends only.
1404 H St. NE, 202-398-1818 www.thecat-a-t-walk.com CHATEAU ANIMAUX Chateaux Animaux is open. At some point, they will pack up their myriad of pet gear and move to another Hill location, but for now, they are still at their regular, fully stocked place on Barrack’s Row. You might like to stop in for some boutique dog cookies, or this great Hanukkah gift to your favorite canine friend, a plush dreidel. Yes, it squeaks. No, it’s not kosher. $9.99.
524 8th St, SE, 202-544-4660 www.chateau-animaux.com
CHAT’S LIQUORS Bernie Williams will hook you up. Chat’s, a Barrack’s Row staple for all your libations needs, offers a special gift in a 21-year-old High West whiskey. $125. If a party in a bottle of Foss Marai Vino Spumanti is more your style, pop in for a big, black bottle of the bubbly. $40.
503 8th St. SE, 202-544-4660 www.chatsliquors.com CHAW/CHAL Walk into the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop/Arts League, a gallery space for creating, enjoying, and learning the arts, and take in the work of your talented neighbors. From Dec. 11 to the 22nd, CHAW will offer gift-priced art, and even wrap it up – hence the name, Wrap it Up! One eye-catching piece currently available is “The Tea Party” by Ellen Cornett, a CHAW teaching artist. Ellen has exhibited her work in Wyoming, Colorado, and throughout the DC area. Pastel. $1,000. Gift certificates available by phone or victor@chaw.org.
545 7th St. SE, 202-547-6839 www.chaw.org
CLOTHES ENCOUNTERS OF A SECOND KIND Clothes Encounters is like raiding the closets of the super-cool, rich and stylish. Find fur jackets (even a pink one), unique and interesting jewelry, designer clothing (Uh, hello – St. John!), and one-of-a-kind accessories. Take this cigar box purse, for example. Where did it come from? Who made it? Who knows?! All it can tell you is that it’s fabulous. With many items like this in the $10-$100 range, you and your friends can afford to be standouts!
202 7th St. SE, 202-546-4004 56 ★ HillRag | December 2010
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THE CORNER STORE The Corner Store is a gathering place for people who enjoy the arts. They offer a gallery of fine art, sculpture, hand-blown glass, a Corner Store cookbook, and CDs from the 2010 roster of Corner Store musical performances. Featured musician Liz DeRoche’s new CD for children, Alphabeat, would make a great stocking stuffer!
900 S. Carolina Ave. SE www.cornerstorearts.org DAWN PRICE BABY The children on your list deserve the best, right? Dawn Price Baby will outfit them out in the finest for your holiday parties, and your little one will look like a baby model in a print ad. A fun gift for your busy bee is one of their Skip Hop little kid backpacks. They’re BPA-free, Phthalate-free, PVC-free, with an insulated pouch for snacks and a mesh bottle pocket. Choose from an owl, monkey, dog, or other brightly colored animals. $21. Matching lunch box is $14.
325 7th St. SE, 202-543-2920
DUNKIN DONUTS Conjure the warm and tantalizing smell of fresh donuts. Let Dunkin Donuts make you the office favorite by surprising your coworkers with a box of deliciousness. Pick up a holiday-flavored latte while you’re there--pumpkin spice, peppermint, gingerbread...And a Dunkin Donuts card is a perfect solution for a little gift.
801 Penn Ave SE, 202-543-3923 www.dunkindonuts.com EASTERN MARKET POTTERY Don’t miss it--it’s on the corner of the Market building, just across from Marvelous Market. Walk down stairs that evoke a time long past, and there it is. Several potters offer distinct styles of housewares, all of which are functional. Audrey Jones’ home goods have a clean and fresh appeal. Ellen Jaffe’s work is decorative and colorful porcelain. Lynn Murphy’s sushi plate ($18) and chop stick rests ($4) are sleek and cool. And Susan Jacobs makes smooth and richly textured pots in a host of luscious shades. Classes available, too!
225 7th St. SE, 202-544-6669 Edible Arrangements Looking for something special for that special someone? Not to worry. With a great variety of fruit, arrangement sizes, chocolate covered fruit, specialty containers, balloons and bears, you’ll be able to create the perfect present. Pick it up and give it person, send it across town or across the country. Edible Arrangements is the perfect gift!!!
600 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, 202-544-7273
58 ★ HillRag | December 2010
RATED ONE OF THE BEST WINE SHOPS by Washingtonian Magazine July “Best & Worst” Issue Listed in the Wall Street journal as one of the most enjoyable places to shop for wines nationwide. “Best Website Award”, 2008 by the Wine Spectator’s Market Watch Voted “Best Liquor Store” and “Best Wine Selection” two years in a row by the City Paper
Champagne Sale! Armand de Brignac “Ace of Spades” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$299.99 Bertrand Delespierre Brut Vintage 2002 1er Cru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$59.99 Clicquot Yellow Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$39.99 Clicquot Le Grande Dame 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$149.99 Doyard Rose Oeil de Perdrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$89.99 Doyard Blanc des Blancs 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$109.99 Doyard Cuvee Vendemiaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$39.99 Heidsieck Monople Blue Top Brut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$34.99 Montaudon Brut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$29.99 Montaudon Class M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$44.99 Montaudon Grand Rose Brut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$29.99 Pannier Blanc de Noir 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$49.99 Pannier Brut Vintage 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$49.99 Vranken Diamant Blue 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$129.99
“One of the Best Wine Stores in the Country is Right Here on Capitol Hill” SELECTION The country’s most complete range of spirits, beer & wine. Our old and rare wine list is the most extensive anywhere, and it’s in your neighborhood. PRICING We will not be undersold. Come see for yourself. SERVICE Second to none, with seven full time wine specialists to assist you. Come in and be treated like family!
Vranken Diamant Brut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$69.99
713 D STREET SE | WASHINGTON DC 2003 202.543.1997 | WWW.HILLSKITCHEN.COM MONDAY-SATURDAY 10AM TO 6PM, SUNDAY 10AM TO 5PM
Sidamo Coffee and Tea
300 Massachusetts Ave., NE • www.cellar.com 1.800.377.1461 • 202.543.9300 • fax: 202.546.6289
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert All Under One Roof!
Organic, Fair Trade Coffee 25 Types of Loose Teas
Coffee • Breakfast Sandwiches • Bagels • Ice Cream
Holiday Gourmet Gift Baskets and Gift Cards
FRESH HOT LATTE AND DONUTS FOR THE COLD SEASON
Specializing in East African Coffees Freshly Roasted on Site! • Breakfast & Lunch: Bagels, Salads, Sandwiches & Desserts • Daily Grind • Fresh Roasted Coffee Beans • Catering • Ethiopian Coffee Ritual Sundays @ 2pm
FREE
202-548-0081 Mon.-Fri. 7-7 • Sat. 8-6, Sun. 8-5 www.sidamocoffeeandtea.com 417 H Street, NE
RESERVE UPSTAIRS FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES
202-543-3923
801 Pennsylvania Ave, SE capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 59
FAIRY GODMOTHER BOOKS & TOYS Parléz-vous cute? In addition to an array of quality children’s books, puzzles, dress-up, and animal and fantasy figurines, Fairy Godmother now carries Les Jolis Pas Beaux, a folksy, French and plush line of patchwork critters. Soft and sweet, they are made for little hands to squeeze. $20.
319 7th St. SE, 202-547-5474 FOLGER LIBRARY It is a treat just to visit the Folger Shakespeare Library’s gift shop. The building is old and grand with its gothic woodwork, the music haunting and pretty, the staff friendly. There are a variety of items to choose from, but what could be better for a mature soul than a copy of “Fools and Fricassees” in an official Folger tote bag? The book provides a glimpse into the Shakespearean kitchen in 1610, with recipes, manuscripts, laws for baking bread, and a host of other riches of the time and age. By Mary Anne Canton, guest curator of the Folger. $26.95. (The fool on your list may prefer the head of Shakespeare with tissues emanating from his mouth!)
201 E. Capitol St. SE, 202-675-0312 www.folger.edu FORECAST Forecast’s downstairs is a mecca of home furnishings and for discerning customers. Upstairs is just about everything a lady needs to look smashing – jewelry, cashmere, and fabulous shoes. Everywhere you turn is a gift-in-waiting, from earrings to bottle stoppers to table dressings, and the staff is just as lovely. One standout item that delicately and colorfully demands your attention is a Mustard Seed and Moonshine tea set for the feminine and fancy on your list. The fine hand-crafted earthenware is from South Africa, and is microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe! Pieces starting at $35 each.
218 7th St. SE, 202-547-7337 www.forecaststore.com FRAGER’S HARDWARE Hey, have you heard of this place called Frager’s? Okay, we all know that Frager’s is a neighborhood institution, but did you know they carry Woolly Pocket? It is a cool vertical garden [read: takes up zero floor space]. Use it indoor or out to create lushness and life on an otherwise lifeless wall. Oooh, look at you with your herbs growing in your kitchen! Attaches with two hooks or nails. Made of 100% post-consumer plastic bottles! Comes in black, blue, or natural. Don’t forget to pick up some plants while you’re there. $49.99.
1115 Penn. Ave. SE, 202-543-6157 www.fragersdc.com FRAME OF MINE Let the experts turn a picture into wall art, using the magic of proper matting, framing, and glass. Outfit an old lithograph from Eastern Market with a perfect new frame. What better gift for grandma than framed artwork created by her own grandchild, along with a picture of the little one creating it?
522 8th St. SE, 202-543-3030 frame-of-mine.com 60 ★ HillRag | December 2010
december 18 - janurary 30 dec 31 jan 13 dec 17 dec 30
jan 14 jan 30
Sale applies to all fall/winter infant and toddler clothing and accessories. Not applicable with any other offer, strollers, stroller accessories, custom orders, or orders already in process. Sale items are final sale.
FAIRY GODMOTHER
O U T F I T T E R S F O R CO N T E M P O R A RY L I V I N G
Children’s Books & Toys EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS MON. - FRI. 10:00a-6:30p SAT. 10:00a-5:00p SUN. 10:30a-5:00p • Babies Books & Toys • Toddler - Teen: Books and CD’s • Dolls: Madame Alexander, Corolle • Playmobil • Lego • Wooden Toys • Steiff • Puzzles & Games
7 1 5 8 t h s t re e t, s e w a s h i n g to n , d c 2 0 0 0 3 ph 202-544-8445 hours tu- sa 11-7, sun 12-6 w w w. h o m e b o d yd c. co m
French & Spanish Available
319 7th Street, SE •
202-547-5474 RE
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Purveyor of Recycled Children’s & Maternity Clothing
321 & 323 7th St. SE (202) 543-6471 Your Holiday and Winter Wear Headquarters! K IN
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FREER & SACKLER GALLERIES MUSEUM SHOP The Freer and Sackler galleries are all about the mysteries of the Orient. Well, okay, maybe not mysteries per se, but their wares are exotic and becoming. There are colorful silk scarves from Uzbekistan, Feng Shui cat figurines for kids (too cute to not buy in every color), Tibetan busts, beautiful stationery, and to surprise and delight the most discerning on your list, an antique Japanese Samurai doll of ceramic and silk. $1,900.
1050 Independence Ave. SW, 202-633-0535 www.freersacklershop.com
GEORGE’S PLACE LTD. George’s is kickin’ it old school on the outside, but inside they’re sporting some very cool stuff for your main man. They’ve got work shirts, cool hats and belts, and neatly organized racks of jeans. And then there are the shoes--royal blue, fire engine red, and these urban cowboy boots...Black. Alligator. Statement. $500.
1001 H St NE, 202-397-4113 GINKGO GARDENS If you thought Ginkgos was just about plants, boy, were you wrong! Ginkgo Gardens has lovely candles, delicious soaps from Provence, and an airy upstairs offering outdoor accoutrements. There are terrariums, orchids, and water features for indoors and out. But one of the coolest things is their array of carnivorous plants! Pitcher plants, Cobra plants, and the ever-popular Venus Flytrap. Kids love these! $8.
911 11th St. SE, 202-543-5172 www.ginkgogardens.com
GROOVY DC In the words of Roger Sterling, “Have a drink. It’ll make me look younger.” Channel your inner Don Draper by offering up a Mad Men-esque shaker set, along with martini glasses and a mixology book. Retro? Absolutely. Fabulous? Always, dear. Wild Eye Designs martini shakers $31.
425 8th St. SE, 202-544-6633 www.groovydc.com
GREENWORKS Start a conversation with this unique table from Greenworks. This handcrafted piece of art is rustic and interesting, not something you are likely to see at just anyone’s house. Visualize the rough-hewn wood, juxtaposed with an elegant orchid atop. Be the lucky owner for $523.
660 Penn. Ave. SE, 202-548-0011 www.greenworksflorist.com 62 ★ HillRag | December 2010
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HILL’S KITCHEN Sprinkles! Nothing screams “Holiday!” like gourmet sprinkles! Choose from shimmers, pearls, or classics. Give them as a gift in their vintage-inspired jars, pair them with Hill’s Kitchen’s iconic DC cookie cutters, or make the iconic DC cookies and give a dozen as a gift to teachers, the mail lady, the UPS guy, neighbors...You get the idea. Now get the sprinkles. $6.50 to $8.50 per bottle, cookie cutters $3.25 each. Open on Dec. 24!
713 D St. SE, 202-543-1997 www.hillskitchen.com HOMEBODY Sleek lines, minimalist vibes, and punches of color are what you will find at Homebody. You can cross off your entire gift list in this one store. Did you draw your boss for Secret Santa? Get her this Design House Stockholm carafe. The amethyst ball sits atop the 50 oz. carafe, or tuck it under for use as a vase. Elegant and clever. $64.99.
715 8th St. SE, 202-544-8445 www.homebodydc.com LABYRINTH Brand new to the Hill, Labyrinth Games & Puzzles’ aim is to offer every kind of puzzle and game they can. This is not a toy store, but a game store for adults and kids, family-friendly and for dinner parties. Speaking of dinner parties, why not make your hosts work for it a bit with this handcrafted wine bottle puzzle? Labyrinth’s owner Kathleen Donahue will put it together for you if you bring in a bottle of wine. Once they figure it out, they can return the favor! $24.95.
645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, 202-544-1059 www.labyrinthgameshop.com LIBRARY OF CONGRESS SHOP One of the perks of living where people dream of visiting is that we can send them a piece of our grand city. The Library of Congress’ gift shop offers national treasures in framed iconic photographs (there’s a striking picture of Malcolm X), drawn images of the places we’re lucky enough to see every day (the Capitol, the White House), and a host of fun toys and games for kids. The patriots in your family will be pleased as punch when they open their LOC publication of In Lincoln’s Hand, a reflection on one of our country’s greatest presidents, including images of his letters, and insight to his thought processes. Hardcover. $35.
101 Independence Ave, SE, 202-707-3895 www.loc.gov/shop MARVELOUS MARKET CAPITOL HILL Ingratiate yourself to the foodie on your list with a Marvelous Market gift basket. Choose the Wine and Cheese version with gourmet nibbly things, or the Coffee and Tea, if you prefer. Small for $49.99, large for $79.00. Pick up a warm and yummy raisin challah while you’re there – it’s delicious.
303 7th St. SE, 202-544-7127 www.marvelousmarket.com 64 ★ HillRag | December 2010
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METRO MUTTS Awww, good dogs deserve good treats, don’t they? Yes they do! Metro Mutts offers Sojos USA-made dog treats in gift packaging. There’s a grain-free option, an organic option – even a fortune cookie option. $6.99 and up. If you’re so inclined to have a chew with your treat, try a peppermint or a minty snowball by Planet Dog, both with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. $12.49.
508 H Street NE, 202-450-5661 www.metromuttsdc.com MONKEY’S UNCLE Monkey’s Uncle has an ever-evolving inventory of clothing and accessories for babies and children, baby gear for the parents, and baby gear for the nursery. Buy your favorite mom (or mom-to-be) a lot for a little. Especially nice is winter gear that you know won’t be used daily, like a snow suit or a fleece-lined winter wonderland snuggle sack for baby. Catch these adorable little ice skates while you can! $25.
323 7th St. SE, 202-543-6471 www.monkeysuncleonthehill.com
NEWMAN GALLERY For your manly man, a masculine piece of art or photo in a leather frame is an ideal and personal gift. Michele Newman offers frames in rainbow colors, plus special finishes such as mother-of-pearl inlay, solid hardwood, gold leaf, metalwrapped, and a frame that looks like it’s ceramic. There are frames for pet lovers, and frames for children’s rooms. There is no way in Hades that you can not find a frame to perfectly compliment your decor. Gift certificates are available.
513 11th St. SE, 202-544-7577 www.gallerynewman.com
P & C MARKET P&C Market is the only store in the US to directly import Albert Ménès, offering fine honeys, mustards, jams, and spices of the exotic and familiar. Right here in the little market at Lincoln Park! Menes is a premier source for spices in Europe, and P&C has an entire display for your own kitchen, or to give to your own top chef. Starting at $6.99.
1023 East Capitol St. SE, 202-365-5100 pandcmarket.blogspot.com.
PARK’S HARDWARE Get your handy other half a Black & Decker tool. Personally, I like a drill for outside, and a clean one for my “inside jobs”. Cordless ($45.99) or corded ($59.99) drills, or -- great for all the toys with a screw between you and the batteries -- a power screwdriver ($29.99) is an affordable way to get ‘er done.
920 H St. NE, 202-546-8878 66 ★ HillRag | December 2010
Give A Unique Gift This Season!!!!
Woven History & Silk Road TWO TREASURES, ONE GATE
View Our Entire Selection On Our Web Site
www.wovenhistory.com
The source for the finest vegetable dyed, hand spun wool, tribal, village and urban rugs from Woven History Looms, woven by Tibetan and Afghan refugees in Nepal and Pakistan.
Gifts and arts from every country along the Silk Road, including jewelry, clothing, antique furniture,musical instruments and more.
Since 1995 on Capitol Hill
We also offer: • Cleaning • Repairing • Restoring • Appraising • Acquiring
rve nd prese Frame aerished your ch , photographs, artwork psakes for a and keelt holiday gift heartfe
Open Tuesday - Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm
We specialize in Do-It-Yourself picture framing
Our staff helps with selections, expertly cuts all components, AND assists you with the assembly! Custom Framing, Dry Mounting, Conservation Framing, Calligraphy Also Available
Frame of Mine All Major Credit Cards Accepted Celebrating 28 Years on the Hill!
311-315 7th St. SE • 202.543.1705
202-543-3030
522 8th Street, S.E. / www.frame-of-mine.com
Turkish Arts & Crafts Holiday Sale Saturday, Dec 4th 10-4pm Washington Int School • 3100 Macomb St NW Your purchase supports low income artisans and keep traditions alive!
Anatolian Artisans – 501c3 non-profit organization
www.anatolianartisans.org furniture & upholstery lamps & accessories
Happy New Year! If your resolution is to read the books you should...or have always wanted to, come in...we have it. Pride and Prejudice? Moby Dick? Any Mark Twain? Or do some deep history. Come on in.
design services
Two Lions Antiques & Interiors 507 Eleventh St SE 202-546-5466 capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 67
PAWTICULARS Don’t forget your furry friends this holiday season. Visit Pawticulars, a petcare boutique, for all of your pet care needs, but get your little poochy-pooch a special treat. Cody, a fuzzy-faced speck of a dog at the store, was quite intrigued by the low squeak of the candy cane plush, 18 inches of holiday pet fun! Also a great gift for the neighbor’s pup. $22.
407 8th St. SE, 202-546-PETS www.pawticulars.com PEREGRINE ESPRESSO For the serious coffee enthusiast, for whom coffee can never be too fresh, Peregrine offers Beehouse drippers for the freshest cup of coffee ever. Grind the beans, place a filter in the dripper, and pour hot water to instantly brew a delicious cup of coffee. Breathe it in, sip it slowly, savor. $15.
660 Penn Ave. SE, 202-629-4381 www.peregrineespresso.com PUBLIC SCHOOLS Support your local public schools! Maury Elementary offers a pack of 8 note cards and envelopes, with artwork done by students in grades preschool to 5th (like this one from 5th grader Joaquin Hill), their works judged by Capitol Hill Village artists. Cards available from Boogie Babes events, Dawn Price Baby, Forecast, Groovy DC, Hill’s Kitchen, Monkey’s Uncle, Pawticulars, and Petit Gourmet. $10. Stuart-Hobson Middle School offers Recyclelopes --envelopes made out of old wall calendars or wallpaper books. You use them just like you would a regular envelope. When you use a Recyclelope, you are helping reduce the amount of waste in our country’s landfills. Available at Riverby Books. $5.
RIVERBY BOOKS Don’t you just love to go into Riverby Books? It’s comfortable, yet austere, and it just feels like it’s the right thing to do. Maybe that’s because its owners, Steve and Nicky Cymrot, are such fixtures in the community? Because the space is homey with rugs and rich wood floors? Whatever the reason, stop in, buy a child a book from the downstairs kids’ area, then check out their section on local authors. Support your local business and writers in one swoop.
417 E. Capitol St. SE, 202-543-4342 www.riverbybooks.com SCHNEIDER’S OF CAPITOL HILL Vintners have such wonderful names! Entre Deux Mers, Picpoul de Pinet, Monbazillac. And the wines themselves -- the names roll off the tongue. La Graviere Tirecul Vendage Tardive Cuvee Madame -- say it with me, people! Schneider’s knows wine, and they will help you find the perfect match to your host, your guest, your palatte. One suggestion that will curry favor with the company you keep is the 1999 Anciano Tinto Gran Reserva, a well-dressed bottle of Spanish wine at a most affordable $10.
300 Mass Ave. NE, 202-543-9300 www.cellar.com 68 ★ HillRag | December 2010
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SIDAMO COFFEE AND TEA A rough-hewn coffee sack, made into a Sidamo gift bag with their name on the side, filled with freshly roasted coffee, tea, crystals of sugar, and a Sidamo mug for your hot beverage on the go is what to get for your favorite fair trade, shade grown, organic coffee lover. $39.99.
417 H. St. NE, 202-548-0081 www.sidamocoffeeandtea.com STAN’S Stan’s, with its cool sign made of pants, is the place on H for all your Dickies coverall needs, for your selection of cufflinks, for your jean suits. ( Juits?) Get your man one of these hooded jackets, perfect for shoveling snow. $49.99, or $59 for the Dickies.
822 H St. NE, 202-547-3414
SURROUNDINGS Surroundings has transformed the corner of 11th and North Carolina into a festive winter garden. This holiday season visit them for Christmas trees, garlands, fresh wreaths and centerpieces. Bring in your favorite container, and Surroundings will create a custom arrangement for you. $50 and up.
1023 E. Capitol St. SE, 202-546.2125 www.surroundings.bz TWO LIONS ANTIQUES & INTERIORS Let Janet Crowder put her 26 years of experience to work for you if you need a little help picking out something nice. There is plenty to choose from at Two Lions, such as carved trunks that double as extra storage space, inviting chairs, mirrors, and lamps, including lamps by Quoizel Collectables. These reproduction of early century lamps will warm a room this winter, as your gift illuminates her book or glints off his wine. This particular glow runs $485. Open Saturdays and by appointment.
507 11th St. SE, 202-546-5466 UNION STATION Tucked between the franchises, Union Station has some interesting shops for your holiday purchases. Just past the sparkle of White House/Black Market is Cupid’s Craft, a new store that carries visually striking lamps that look like illuminated vases made from glass or shells. $95 and up. Also on the upper level is Life on Capitol Hill, with which they are not familiar, but they do have a huge selection of the popular Ugly Dolls and Watchover VooDoo Dolls. How about a henna tattoo gift certificate for your friends? You can get a whole hand done for just $30 from Unique Eyebrows, located near the currency exchange booth. At the Zen kiosk, pick up a sweet qipao for your little China girl in pink, purple, or blue in sizes 3 mo. to 12 years. $20. How about a fossil from Fire and Ice? They also have a fun, 5-piece nesting Beatles set for $59. And you know about Godiva and Neuhaus Chocolatier...
50 Mass Ave. NE. 202-289-5154 www.unionstationdc.com 70 ★ HillRag | December 2010
Complimentary trim for first time guest Or a full haircut and facial with Katya for 70$ Michael Craig 1221 Pennsylvania Avenue SE Washington, DC 20003 Tel: 202-544-0725 Fax: 202-544-0726 www.michaelcraigdc.com
(202) 398-7437 1339 H Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 We’re your local pie shop. We make really good pies and quiche. We love what we do and we hope you will too. Thank you DC, for welcoming us with open arms. We work really hard, the old fashioned way, and make pies from scratch, the old fashioned way. And to those who get it, to those who dig it...
We salute you. In Pie We Crust!
ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY PIES!
Place your holiday orders by Sunday December, 19 Call 202.398.7437(PIES) or E-mail PieLadyDC@gmail.com Ask about our holiday party catering!
This holiday season, give the gift of yoga. Bring in this ad and get 10% off any gift certificate. Capitol Hill Yoga 641 Pennsylvania Ave, SE Washington, DC 20003 202-448-9680 www.capitolhillyoga.com
THE VILLAGE Claire Southerlin and Alan Braley of the Village offer an eclectic mix of art and jewelry. Alan creates what inspires him -- nature, his dog, or a bottle of wine. Claire is moved by tribal beads, and seeks them for her hand-made wearable art. For a one-of-a-kind gift, this Tuareg protection box from Mali will surely fit the bill. Put your prayer inside! $395.
705 N. Carolina Ave. SE, 202-546-3040 thevillageoncapitolhill.com VOLANNI Striking art through floral design is what Volanni brings as a most special gift. Maybe a gift from you to you is in order -- a centerpiece for your holiday table, or a door wreath that will festively greet your return home. Or send your good wishes for the season in botanical art form. Hill Rag readers receive a 15% discount on holiday arrangements and decor.
218 9th St. Rear, SE, 202-547-1603 www.volanni.com WAGTIME Just around the corner from the Mt. Vernon Sq. Metro is Wagtime, which offers, in their words, “boarding, daycare, grooming, and cool stuff.” Falling in the latter category, especially for city dogs freaked out by traffic noise and commotion, is the Thundershirt, essentially an anti-anxiety swaddling for nervous dogs. It comes XXS-XXL in pink, blue, or gray. $40.99, shown here with a $100 Auburn Leather Crafters collar. (They’re Swarovski crystals, you see.)
1232 9th St. NW, 202-789-0870 www.wagtimedc.com WIRELESS ZONE Ever wonder what Wireless Zone has? Phones, phones, phones! Get your self in there for DROID X – it comes with an HDMI cable for serious viewing. Already have one? Trick it out – Wireless Zone has lots of phone accessories. Don’t forget the car charger! DROID X is $199 after $100 rebate.
427 8th St. SE, 202-364-1911
WOVEN HISTORY Woven History/Silk Road features wonders from many countries in the Orient and Middle East, but the large Turkish evil eye baubles are especially colorful and beautifully crafted. They are great to hang for the holidays, but you might want to keep them up to enhance your décor year-round. Sizes, colors, and prices vary; protection against evil does not.
311 7th St. SE, 202-543-1705 www.wovenhistory.com
72 ★ HillRag | December 2010
Have a little Whoopie for your Holidays
NEWMAN GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAMES Serving Capitol Hill since 1984
Featured in Daily Candy, Food & Wine Magazine, Brides.com, and selected by USA Today for the 2010 Mother’s Day Gift Guide. We use European style butter, and the finest essences from France to create unique flavors.
B. Hall, Baker LLC • 202.596.6611 (Local delivery or Pick up at the Eastern Market!)
Order at www.bhallbaker.com
Rotating exhibits of local artists
“High quality design and preservation framing are our top priorities” Custom designed mats • Wide selection • Work done on premises
or email bhall@bhallbaker.com
513 11th St., SE (Eastern Market Metro) Tue.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 202.544.7577
Scrumptious Whoopie Pies on the Hill
www.newmangallery.com
New Look for 2011!
Look Your Best for the Holidays 20% off first visit Hair-care professional products available
hair • manicure pedicure • skin care waxing Come see our fine selection of brewing equipment, travel mugs and holiday gift boxes. 7th St and Pennsylvania Ave, SE www.peregrineespresso.com
655 c street, se • wdc, 20003 202.543.6118 www.bravadohairdesign.com Walk-ins Welcome
Affordable Health Insurance Plans for individuals, families, small business and the self-employed
• Replace expensive COBRA insurance • Choose your own doctors/hospitals • Doctor Office Co-Pay available • Prescriptions, Disability, Life • Preventive care benefits • Fast, fair claims & great service
0SEFS ZPVS 1JF GPS UIF )PMJEBZT Locally Made, Freshly Baked • Pumpkin • Apple Cranberry • Chocolate Pecan
Call for a FREE quote!
William J. McNamara 202-333-8325 Since 1993 We offer 25+ plans. We will help you pick the plan that works best for you.
4PVQT (PVSNFU 4BOEXJDIFT Petite
• Specialty Cheeses & Deli • Dolcezza Gelato • Kingsbury Chocolates • Emmi & Total Yogurts • Sweet Treats
224 7th Street, SE | 202-544-5999 9-7 weekdays, 9-6 weekends
capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 73
EASTERN MARKET FLEA MARKET
I
f you live on the Hill, you already know that the Eastern Market Flea Market is a destination for just about anything that is legal to buy or sell. Clothing, jewelry, original photography and art, books, CDs, lithographs, fragrance, food, and furniture (new to used to antique). There’s old stuff and new stuff, imports and things locally-made. Recycled, recovered, renovated, re-purposed. The only thing you CAN’T find is NOTHING! Need some ideas on what to get while you’re there? Teenagers who abhor everything will reluctantly admit you scored on the leather cuffs. (Conversely, the ones who love everything might dig a Nepalese bag.) Your sister-in-law...is she a new Polish pottery or an antique Tibetan vase kind of person? Get your nephew a guitar, your baby a Peruvian sweater, and your parents...How about a hand-forged copper wall adornment? Encourage your other half to do the cutting and chopping on an artisan cutting board. The office gift swap demands a silky, fragrant soap. And for your sister from another mother, a colorful piece of original art (go in on it with friends and go big!).
74 ★ HillRag | December 2010
Eastern Market has been featured on national television as one of the coolest outdoor markets in the US. It’s the oldest continuously operating fresh-food market in the District--open since 1873. Relish this iconic piece of neighborhood history!
225 7th St. SE www.easternmarket.net
capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 75
article by Karen Lyon | photos by Ed McManus
Holiday Wrap-Up A gift book is much more than a nicely wrapped present. A wellchosen book can give the recipient a thrilling read, a fresh perspective on history or politics, insight into someone else’s life, an unexpected view of religion, an instructive taste of whiskey, or a new way to cook a burger. Local authors have provided all of that -- and some valuable childhood lessons as well --- in the books they’ve published in the past year. So here is your shopping list. Match it up with the readers on your gift list and spread the joy. Happy holidays!
Fiction “The Black Cat” by Martha Grimes. With more than twenty Richard Jury novels to her credit, Martha Grimes remains the unassailable queen of the British pub mystery. In her latest, the Scotland Yard superintendent is called upon to find the murderer of a Jane Doe shot
76 ★ HillRag | December 2010
to death outside a pub in Chesham. Replete with her usual cast of English eccentrics, unnerving children, and precocious pets, “The Black Cat” is a witty and entertaining addition to Grimes’ string of best-selling mysteries. “A Geography of Secrets” by Frederick Reuss. This thought-provoking novel follows the parallel lives of two map-makers: a cartographer seeking to unravel his father’s murky past in the foreign service and a military defense analyst responsible for targeting drone attacks in Afghanistan. Reuss explores the cost of secret-keeping in his vivid portrayals of men searching for elusive honesty. Critics have called “A Geography of Secrets” “a modern-day Graham Greene novel, painting a world in which even the smallest choices have devastating consequences.”
History & Politics “Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln’s Corpse” by James Swanson. Master storyteller James Swanson brings to life the historical drama of two amazing journeys. One heads South, where the President of the Confederacy, with a bounty on his head, leads pursuers on a desperate manhunt. In what the Washington Post calls “a gripping counterpoint,” the other track wends its way through Northern cities, as throngs of mourners gather to bear witness to the funeral procession of Abraham Lincoln. “Reasons to Kill: Why Americans Choose War” by Richard E. Rubenstein.
the LITERARY HILL A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events George Mason University Professor Richard E. Rubenstein presents a trenchant analysis of why otherwise reasonable Americans so readily follow our leaders into wars. Drawing on both historical and current events, he probes beneath the rhetoric that sells war to the public and explores the cultural and sociological factors that allow such efforts to be successful.
Local History “Washington at Home: An Illustrated History of Neighborhoods in the Nation’s Capital” edited by Kathryn Schneider Smith. This rich compendium of information on Washington’s neighborhoods is the work of a team of historians, journalists, folklorists, museum professionals, and others, who offer informed perspectives on the political, economic, and social histories of 26 distinct neighborhoods. “Massachusetts Avenue in the Gilded Age: Palaces and Privilege” by Mark N. Ozer. Washington, D.C. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was teeming with millionaires, many of whom built grand and glorious homes along Massachusetts Avenue. Mark Ozer takes you on a tour of these stately mansions and dishes a wealth of details about the people who resided behind those BeauxArts facades. “Peirce Mill: Two Hundred Years in the Nation’s Capital” by Steve Dryden. The history of Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, the last example of an early industrial site in the District of Columbia, is also the history of Washington itself. Starting with the mill’s founding in the late 18th century through its recent restoration, this illustrated book provides an invaluable chronicle of the forces that drove the course of business in the nation’s capital.
Food & Drink “The Good Stuff: Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Wedges, and More” by Spike Mendelsohn. You love eating them in Good Stuff Eatery; now you can make Chef Spike’s signature burgers and shakes at home. Written with Micheline Mendelsohn, Spike’s cookbook is a clear and sensible guide to making mouth-watering menus of your own – and having a lot of fun in the process. “Whiskey: A Global History” by Kevin R. Kosar. The Washington Post called “Whiskey” “a perfect primer for the person who wants to quickly learn the basics.” Kosar gives a cook’s tour of how and where whiskey is made and delivers a brief but solid history of the political, economic, and cultural issues involved in its production, taxation, and consumption. Nicely illustrated with vintage photographs, cartoons, and advertisements, this one is perfect for the ‘whiskeyhead’ on your list.
Memoir & Travel “Triumph & Hope: Golden Years with the Peace Corps in Honduras” by Barbara Joe. Barbara Joe defied the warnings of skeptical friends to join the Peace Corps at age 62 and encourages others who want to make a meaningful contribution before “retiring to the golf links” to follow her lead. Her spirited story of the more than two years she spent volunteering in the Central American villages of El Triunfo (The Triumph) and La Esperanza (The Hope) was winner of the Best Peace Corps Memoir of 2009. “Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World’s Holy Dead” by Peter Manseau. Now in paperback, Peter Manseau’s 2009 book about his global odyssey in search of bones, hair, and “other odds and ends” that once belonged to saints or other spiritual icons is an entertaining look at why these
Telling your family story with images. Children, Family, Birth and Maternity Photography
objects hold such appeal among the faithful. “The book could have been ghoulish,” wrote the Washington Post reviewer, “but Manseau’s irreverent approach and enthusiasm keep the tone surprisingly light.”
www.fwright-photography.com fwrightphotography@comcast.net
202-297-0749 10% discount when you mention Hill Rag
Baking & Catering on the Hill
For Kids “Melonhead and the Big Stink” by Katy Kelly. Adam Melon and his Capitol Hill friends get up to all sorts of shenanigans during the summer between fourth and fifth grades – but what they really, really want to do is visit the New York Botanical Garden for a oncein-a-lifetime whiff of the titan arum, “a one-hundred-pound, twelve-foot flower that smells like dead mammals.” En route, they learn some important lessons about helping neighbors, keeping promises, and discovering friendship in unlikely places. Ages 9-12. “Dotty” by Erica Perl. If you had a wonderful friend with big red spots, a wild-looking mane, and horns, would you give her up just because nobody else could see her? That is the dilemma faced by a little girl named Ida when her classmates decide to leave their imaginary friends behind. Ages 4-8. “Shine!” By Peggy Walton. Alison and Jayme, a pair of adventurous fireflies, break loose from the familiar embrace of Mama and Papa to explore “a far-off glow on the horizon” in a charming story about growing up and discovering new worlds both outside and within. Evocative illustrations by Hazel Caldwell lend lively warmth to this hopeful tale. Ages 9-12. ★
• Specialty dinner parties catered at your home or at a private space. • We can also entertain your guests at our private residence here on the Hill. • Homemade style cream cakes, fruit pies, cakes made with the finest ingredients. • Freshly baked breads
• • • • • • •
A diverse product line of quality beverages from all over the world One of the largest and most unique wine selections on Capitol Hill A friendly and knowledgeable staff Located just minutes form Downtown, DC and Alexandria, VA 1 block south of Eastern Market Metro on the vibrant Barracks Row Owned by the Williams Family since 1978; established before 1919
The best weekly wine tastings on “The Hill”- Sat (3-6pm)
HILL Dinners & Sweets www.hilldinnersandsweets.com 202.397.7132 • We will deliver on the Hill
1740 M Street NW Washington, DC, 20036 202-955-5660
5 01/31/2011
hill1210
capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 77
A Theory Of Jazz Jazz can be enigmatic, an alchemy of mysterious sounds and moods that is spontaneous and yet deliberate in its free flowing creativity. The music can be complex, but good jazz feels as simple as first love—it goes straight to the heart and rests there, beating gently. At times, the music can be so life-like that it speaks to you with honesty and love. One still gets a keen sense of understanding of the complexity of the music. There is such a high note of haughtiness, perhaps a sort of natural aristocracy from a kind of inbred austerity about jazz that puts it in a class by itself, elevating one to a higher ground of one’s consciousness. It almost borders on elitism, and yet jazz strikes one as a beautiful music for everyone. And it is, especially for those of us who not only enjoy but truly love the music. True, most good jazz musicians more than likely think of jazz as the arbiter of modern music. And on a good day, I think they are correct. You can walk in your door after a hard day’s work and a harrowing Metro ride, put on Sarah Vaughn and your world is transformed. Your mind clears, your body relaxes and suddenly life is pretty good. There’s no drug in the world that can do that. Jazz is beautiful music.
■ Let’s Touch The Sky •••
by Jean-Keith Fagon
Fourplay, Heads Up Here’s an excellent album that offers a blend of contemporary jazz and soulful blues anchored by some fine high-spirited musicians like Bob James (keyboards), Nathan East (bass & vocals), Chuck Loeb (guitars) and Harvey Mason (drums and percussion) with special guest star Anita Baker (“You’re My Thrill”). Highlights include “More Than A Dream,” “Pineapple Getaway,” “I’ll Still Be Lovin’ You,” featuring Nathan East, and “Love TKO” featuring Ruben Studdard.
Crescent •••• Mike Mainieri, NYC Records A first-class double album of impeccable standards that offers some classic performances like “Naima,” “Nancy,” “Wise One, “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Miles Mode,” “Giant Steps,” and “Body And Soul.” Meditative and at times almost cerebral,
the fecundity of the music ensures thoughtfulness with an undercurrent of superiority. Performers include Mike Mainieri (vibraphone), Charlie Mariano (alto sax), and Ilg (bass).” Superbly recorded with three topquality musicians, the recordings are full of atmosphere but well balanced with a somewhat timeless quality.
Burnin’ ••• Paul Taylor, Peak Records One of coolest of today’s pied pipers of smooth contemporary jazz is saxophonist Paul Taylor. Full of lovely swinging melodies, Mr. Taylor offers nightcrawlers some fun-loving music for wining and dining with a sexy touch of class. The latest album, Burnin’ is chock full of romantic interludes and jam-down-hip-come-loveme sassy jazz starting with “Back in the Day,” “It’s Like That,” “Me and Baby Brother,” “Remember the Love,” “Revival,” and “So Fine.”
Twillight ••• Luis Bonilla, New Jazz Consortium Although this album boasts a stellar collection of musicians (six to be exact), the music heard here never quite achieves its full potential and exemplify its accomplishments only with pieces like the title track, “Twillight,” “Cork Grease,” “Let It Be Said,” and “Visions.” Musicians include Luis Bonilla (trombone), Ivan Renta (sax), Bruce Barth (acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond C3), Andy McKee (acoustic bass), John Riley (drums and percussion), and guest artist Vincent Chancy, French Horn, (“Visions”).
78 ★ HillRag | December 2010
Give the Fields of Moons ••• Chris Washburne and the Syotos Band, Jazzheads Fields of Moons, as the title suggests, is a very sweet, mellow album that will allow you to sit back and enjoy jazz on any occasion. Still, on pieces like “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans” and “Evening Rites,” the tragedy of New Orleans is a painful reminder that we are all one people in life and death. Listen close and you’ll more than likely be reminded of a loved one, a memory, an event or a moment in time when all was well in your world. Such is the power of music when it hits you, and on “Fields Of Dreams” (title track), “Long Time Coming” and “Obsession,” you will enjoy this album from a group of dedicated musicians. Performers include Chris Washburne (trombone, tuba), John Walsh (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ole Mathisen (sax, clarinet), Barry Olsen (piano), Leo Traversa (bass), Diego Lopez (drums), and Cristian Rivera (percussion).
Gift of Gardening
to a Loved One
Thomas Landscapes is Offering Gift Certificates Purchase gift certificates in any denomination. Please call us at 301.642.5182 for our discounted packages rates and we will set up your gift certificate over the phone.
Initial Consultation ❁ Garden Clean Up Garden Make-Over ❁ Ongoing Maintenance
Redefining Beauty One Client at a Time
THOMAS LANDSCAPES
Specializing in urban landscapes since 1989
301.642.5182 www.thomaslandscapes.com
Derek Thomas / Principal - Certified Professional Horticulturist, Master Gardener Member of the MD Nursery and Landscape Association & the Association of Professional Landscape Designers
Coin Flip ••• Nathan Eklund Group, OA2 Records All the music heard here is played with a sense of robust authority and enthusiasm from a fine group musicians like Nathan Eklund (trumpet, flugelhorn), Shawn Baltazar (drums), KellenHarrison (bass), Craig Yaremko (saxs), and Steve Myerson (Fender Rhodes). While there are no surprises on this album, some of pieces have a certain flair for subtle improvisation especially on “The Supernatural,” “Triple Shot Espresso,” “Happy’s Sadness,” and the title track, “Coin Flip.” The recording is spacious and full of radiance for a well-balanced album. All CDs and DVDS reviewed in this article are heard through Bowers & Wilkens 802D Speakers and ASW 4000 subwoofer, and Rotel Preamp 1070, amplif ier 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. ★
capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 79
Garden Gift Book Roundup by Derek Thomas Venetian Gardens by Mariagrazia Dammicco photographs by Marianne Majerus; Flammarion Imagine a garden with an old stone patio that spills forth onto a lawn area that is flanked on one side by a sitting wall and on the opposite by a weathered pergola. Juxtapositions of planters collide with varying textures of plant material. The garden walls are high and render the garden private and tranquil. Now stroll under the pergola to the gate that propels you back to Giudecca Canal – oh, did I forget to mention we have just been interloping on one of Venice’s wonderful, often private gardens. The gardens in this book cover a multitude of styles and forms from the ornate to the extravagant back to the tranquil and sedate. Their common thread is the author’s passion to show you Venice as a living thriving garden city that happens to have a bit more watery canals than most. This is Venice from a garden aficionados eye. Page after page of stunning gardens show the rich vibrant love of gardens that are an important part of residents to this old world city. You will have two simultaneous reactions: a desire to travel there and see these secret gardens for yourself, and a desire to replicate parts into your personal garden. This book is a beautiful collaboration of garden history and art, eloquently presented in picture and verse.
Wreaths & Bouquets by Paula Pryke photographs by Sarah Cuttle; Rizzoli Tropical lilies and cabbages, dried fruit, callas and cinnamon. Fancy ribbons and delicate edibles--these are a few of the things that make this book so special. In the seventh of a series of books that just keep getting better, Paula Pryk, masterfully guides you through her creative world of girlie birthdays, summer weddings, fruit nuts and berries, and gift bouquets found in “Wreaths and Bouquets.” Easy-to-follow instructions accompany the creations so you can return to this recipe book of creativity time after time. You will wow your family and friends with your creative flair from any of the creations found within these pages. A perfect book for any one who is creative, but done a manner so straight forward that even the greenest apprentice can follow and learn. Very well done.
Gardens of the World Two thousand years of garden design by Jean-Paul Pigeat: Flammarion Everything you need to know about this book is contained within its title. This book is a tour de force of gardens of the world. Gardens that have been created over the paste two centuries all have one important element--timeless craftsmanship unapologetically executed. This 80 ★ HillRag | December 2010
is a book for every person who has ever grown an ornamental plant, designed any garden space, was inspired by any aspect of garden design, or simply has an appreciation for gardening. The gardens are from every aspect of garden design. There are the formal gardens of the Taj Mahal, the “Joyous confusion of styles” found in the gardens at Villandry, to the successful adaptation Italianate garden styles at Dumbarton Oaks. This book is one that will become an important part of your garden inspiration library. A book that will continue to transcend the times like the gardens contained within. Beautiful. 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 ★
inside Eastern Market on 7th Street SE
202-547-3588 • 202-547-5777 202-547-3587 FAX
CAPITOL HILL BOOKS 657 C Street SE • 202.544.1621 www.capitolhillbooks-DC.com capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 81
The Art of Giving Making A Difference with Your Generosity by Ronda Bresnick Hauss, LCSW
I
t’s that time of year again when many of us are making our lists of holiday gifts to buy for family and friends. As you mull over your plans for giving, you might want to consider reading the book, “The Power of Giving: Creating Abundance in your Home, at Work and in your Community.” The authors, Asim Jamal and Harvey McKinn, write about the power of giving -- not simply the giving of material objects or money -- but also the giving that involves your time, your love, knowledge, leadership, skills, advice, hope, laughter or attention to others. In our community, there are many people who are struggling. The unemployment rate in the District is higher than it has been in more than a decade and people in our community have also had to face pay cuts or shorter work hours. For those of us who are in a position to make a contribution to others, there are clear benefits to all for doing so.
The Benefits of Giving When you give with joy, selflessness and love, Jamal and McKinn say in their book, you benefit greatly. Giving promotes social connections; it helps us to understand others, and also reduces self-centeredness and isolation. Giving to others is also good for our health. Studies have show that those who volunteer benefit from their actions in measurable ways. Volunteering can enhance your immune system, reduce stress and strengthen your heart. Giving can also bring to the giver a sense of pride in their contribution, and fulfillment from making a difference. It offers an experience 82 ★ HillRag | December 2010
of meaningfulness to one’s life. Mahatma Gandhi said, “To find yourself, lose yourself in the service of others”. Finally, your contribution can make a positive, life-changing difference to others, sometimes in ways that you cannot predict. At times there are immediate benefits to giving and at times the benefits of your actions may not occur until many years in the future. What ever your contribution -- your time, your enthusiasm, your money or your knowledge -- it matters.
To Whom Could You Give? Give to yourself. It is important to give compassion and love to yourself. To look after others, you have to look after yourself first. Offer yourself the same kindness you would others, nurture your health, your relationships and your skills. Give to your family. Set aside time for your spouse and your children. Make a conscious effort to bring kindness and compassion to them. Give them your love and unconditional support. Give to your neighbor. We all know someone next door or in our neighborhood that could use some help. Whether it’s giving someone a ride, helping them clean up the yard or offering them a listening ear -there are plenty of opportunities to give in our own back yard. Give to your community. There are many local charities that contribute to our community and need our help. They are facing hard times because of the economic downturn. Here are a few examples. For more choices, you can go to www.idealist. org and put in your zip code for a local non-profit in your neighborhood. • The Fishing School: The Fish-
•
•
•
ing School provides a safe haven, intervention and education for vulnerable children and youth in Wards 6 and 7 during afterschool hours. The programs and services are designed to strengthen academic achievement, deepen cultural and social values and develop leadership skills that will assist youth in developing into independent, productive and contributing members of society. 202-399-3618. www.fishingschool.org Hill Hounds: Hill Hounds is a small, volunteer-run non-profit organization that works to enhance the welfare of dogs and their human companions in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC. 202-715-3879; www.hillhounds.com Horton’s Kids, Inc.: Horton’s Kids is a non-profit that provides comprehensive services to the children of Ward 8. The programs improve the quality of their daily lives and nurture their desire and ability to succeed. This organization provides opportunities for Capitol Hill residents to tutor kids from Anacostia right on Capitol Hill. 202-544-5033. www.hortonskids.org. Washington Youth Garden, Friends of the National Arboretum: Using the garden cycle as a tool, the mission of the Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum is to inspire children and families to engage in self-discovery, explore relationships with food and the natural world and contribute to the health and well being of their communities. 202-544-5398. www.fona.
org/youthgarden.html Family Health and Birth Center: The Family Health and Birth Center is a full scope birth center providing prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in NE Washington D.C. 202-398-5520. www.yourfhbc.org. • Atlas Performing Arts Center: The Atlas Performing Arts Center presents innovative, thoughtprovoking performances by its Arts Partners and other artists, and provides arts education opportunities for DC’s Near Northeast community. 202-399-7993. www.atlasarts.org • Episcopal Senior Ministries: Provide services to low and moderate income seniors and their families of all faiths to help them maintain their independence and dignity. 202-414-6310. www.esm.org During this holiday season, remember that it is better to give than not to give. As Asim Jamal and Harvey McKinn say in their book, “Give with respect and humility. Give unconditionally. Give even when you think you can’t. There are other things to give besides money.” In your giving you have the opportunity to find meaning and fulfillment, while making a contribution to others. What better way could there be to celebrate the holidays? •
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, nonverbal techniques. She can be reached at 202544-5050 and is on the web at http://www. quietwaterscenter.com. ★
COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS Our mission is to help homeless, at-risk individuals and families return to self-sufficiency and independent living, through a range of residential and social services.
In 2009 the Coalition served
• 550 individuals and families daily. • 344 individuals and families were placed into permanent housing • 194 adults were placed in jobs • 41 families with children were prevented from becoming homeless
Rebuilding lives and strengthening communities Please support us by donating through the 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) # 83436 Suite C-1015, Washington, DC 20005 or United Way #8194 Main Office: (202) 347-8870 / Fax: (202) 347-7279 Open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm
For more details on our program and services, please visit our website at www.dccfh.org. capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 83
CFC LISTINGS Access Housing, Inc. CFC #22663 Access Housing, Inc. (DC) operates the Southeast Veterans Service Center and Chesapeake Veterans House in Southeast DC. This is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing support services and housing to formerly homeless veterans. Both male and female veterans reside at the facilities. Veterans from all branches and wars have been served by the SEVSC; which celebrated its 10 year anniversary last November. 820-840 Chesapeake Street, SE, DC 20032, 202-561-8387, Accesshousingdc.org
The Arc of the District of Columbia
311 Seventh Street, Southeast On Capitol Hill 546-4004 METRO: EASTERN MARKET
The Coalition for the Homeless was established in 1979. Our mission is to help transition homeless and at risk individuals and families in the Washington area to self-sufficiency through housing programs and supportive services. The Coalition fulfills its mission by operating 13 housing and shelter facilities. 1234 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Suite C-1015, Washington, DC 20005, 202-347-7279, www.dccfh.org
Environmental Investigation Agency CFC #26610
In 1807 a burial ground for citizens in the east end of the new federal city was founded. In the first five years, 13 members of Congress, two vice presidents, and numerous military and government officials were interred, along with a number of ordinary citizens. The Association maintains and operates the 35+ acres, 14,000 headstones, and burial place of over 55,000 people. 1801 E St SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-543-0539, http://www.congressionalcemetery.org/
Items accepted daily
CFC #83436, United Way #8194
The Arc is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) membership organization serving persons with intellectual and their families since 1950. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all persons with intellectual disabilities and their families through supports and advocacy. 415 Michigan Ave, NE, DC 20017, 202636-2950, www.arcdc.net
CFC #7537
...OF A SECONDKIND
Coalition for the Homeless
CFC #35103
Association for the Preservation of The Congressional Cemetery
WOMEN’S CONSIGNMENT CLOTHING
immigration and more. We have 79 programs in 53 locations. www.CatholicCharitiesDC.org
Capital Area Food Bank CFC #30794, United Way #8052 For 30 years, CAFB has been the D.C. metro area’s hub for food sourcing, distribution and nutrition education - serving over 478,000 people struggling with hunger. Through direct service and a network of 700 nonprofit partners, the CAFB distributed 27 million pounds of food last year, including 10.8 million pounds of fresh produce. For more on hunger, visit our website at CapitalAreaFoodBank.org. 645 Taylor Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, 202-526-5344, www.CapitalAreaFoodBank.org
Capitol Hill Restoration Society CFC #50747 CHRS provides guidance on the preservation of historic sites and buildings on the Hill and conveys the views of its 1,000 members to governments and other organizations on issues affecting the Capitol Hill community. CHRS convenes several forums annually on key community issues such as education, crime, transportation, development, zoning and the environment. 420 10th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-543-0425, www.chrs.org
Capitol Hill Village CFC #55474 Capitol Hill Village is a nonprofit organization of neighbors working together to provide services Hill residents need to live safely and comfortably in their own homes throughout their lives. With one phone call or e-mail message, Village members gain access to professional and volunteer services and a variety of educational and social programs. Box 15126, Washington DC 20003, 202-543-1778, www.capitolhillvillage.org
Casey Trees CFC # 24598 Casey Trees is committed to restoring, enhancing and protecting the tree canopy of the Nation’s Capital. Since 2001, we have planted over 8,000 trees across the District, educated thousands about the importance of trees and worked with elected officials and developers to protect and add trees. 3030 12th Street NE, DC 20017; 202.833.4010;; www.caseytrees.org.
The nonprofit Environmental Investigation Agency “protects wildlife and our environment with ‘intelligence’”—using tenacious advocacy backed by exclusive evidence from its investigations exposing some of the biggest abuses against the natural world. EIA’s award-winning work drives innovative solutions to illegal wildlife trade, mass illegal logging of forests, and climate change. P.O. Box 53343, Washington, DC 20009; 202483-6621; www.eia-global.org
For Love of Children CFC #72093, United Way #8260 For Love of Children (FLOC) provides educational services beyond the classroom to help students succeed from first grade through college and career. We bring together students, volunteers, families, and community partners in proven programs that teach, empower, and transform. 1763 Columbia Rd, NW, DC 20009, 202-462-8686, www.flocdc.org
Green Door CFC #13954 , United Way #8197 Since 1976, Green Door has been empowering people with mental illnesses to take charge of their own recovery and rehabilitation by focusing on their three biggest challenges: stigma, poverty and recovery. Today, we serve nearly 1,500 individuals through programs and services at our locations. 1623 Sixteenth St, NW, DC 20009, 202.462-4092, http://www.greendoor.org
Little Lights Urban Ministries CFC # 89156 Little Lights provides award-winning programs to under-resourced children on the Hill. Recruiting 80+ weekly volunteers, Little Lights offers one-to-one tutoring, enrichment, and youth job training. Chosen by the Catalogue of Philanthropy as one the “best small charities in DC,” Little Lights also received the Keller Award in 2009. 760 7th Street SE, DC 20003, 202-5484021, www.littlelights.org
N Street Village CFC #90946, United Way #8281 N Street Village is a community of empowerment and recovery for homeless and low-income women in Washington. With comprehensive services addressing both emergency and long-term needs, we help women achieve personal stability and make gains in their housing, income, employment, mental health, physical health, and addition recovery. 1333 N Street NW Washington, DC, 202-939-2076, www.nstreetvillage.org
So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E) CFC#74405 Since the 1970s, SOME has offered meals, a medical clinic, job programs and affordable housing programs to those in need. 1,000 meals are served each day in our dining room. SOME offers comprehensive programs that meet a full spectrum of needs while giving a sense of dignity to the poor and homeless of the District. 71 O Street, NW, DC 20001, 202-797-8806, www.some.org
Washington Humane Society CFC #58899
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington CFC#83997, UW#8054 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington helps individuals and families overcome poverty and isolation in the District and Maryland. Annually, over 100,000 people receive help with housing, food, legal aide, physical and mental health,
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The WHS has been the area’s leading voice for animals since 1870. As the only open-access shelter in the Nation’s Capital, WHS provides comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals each year through its broad range of services including sheltering, adoption, spay and neuter, CatNiPP, Humane Law Enforcement, lost and found, human–animal therapy programs and Humane Education. 4590 MacArthur Boulevard, NW Washington, DC 20007, 202-234-8626 , www.washhumane.org