Mid City DC Magazine April 2016 by Capital Community News

MIDCITY

APRIL 2016

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MIDCITY NEXT IssUE! MAy 7

CONTENTs APRIL 2016 08 10 54

44 ON THE COVER:

what’s on washington calendar classifieds

your neighborhood 30 36 38 40 42 43

Bulletin Board • Kathleen Donner The Numbers • Ed Lazere Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann Bloomingdale Buzz • Ellen Boomer Mt. Vernon Triangle • Ellen Boomer ANC 6E • Steve Holton

Cover: Flyer Paige Sipe is caught by Chris Donahue at a ﬂying trapeze class at TSNY-DC. Photo: Courtesy of Trapeze School New York-Washington, DC

kids and family 44

Arts and dining special 20 24 26 28

9 Ways to Put Spring Into Your Step • Kathleen Donner Spring Concerts Not to Miss • Meghan Markey Insatiable • Jonathan Bardzik Depeche Art • Phil Hutinet

Notebook • Kathleen Donner

at home 50

51 52

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate • Ellen Boomer Changing Hands • Don Denton N&M House Detectives • Catherine Plume

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DCRA FREE WORKSHOPS

EST.

FOR EXISTING AND ASPIRING DISTRICT BUSINESSES

1976

DCRA’s Small Business Week 2016 Save the Dates: Monday, May 2 – Thursday, May 5, 2016 For more information: Call (202)442-4538 or http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com

Senior Entrepreneurship Program Date: Thursday, April 7, 2016 Time: 10:15 am – 11:45 am Location: Bernice Fonteneau 3531 Georgia Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20010 To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/events/41358

Money Smart for Small Business Workshop: Recordkeeping & Time Management Date: Thursday, April 7, 2016 Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Location: 1100 4th Street SW 4th Floor (E-4302) Washington, D.C. 20024 To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/events/41939

How to Open a Non-Profit Small Business by Navigating through DCRA’s Regulatory Process Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Location: 1100 4th Street SW 2nd Floor (E-200) Washington, D.C. 20024 To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/events/41237

SmartStart Integrated Licensing and Money Smart for Small Business Program Date: Monday, April 18, 2016 Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am Location: 1100 4th Street SW 2nd Floor (E-200) Washington, D.C. 20024 To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/events/41078

The Regulatory Process of Starting a Business Date: Monday, April 18, 2016 Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Location: Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library 3160 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20010 To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/events/41345

Navigating Government Contracting with DCPTAC Date: Thursday, April 28, 2016 Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Location: 1100 4th Street SW 4th Floor (E-4302) Washington, D.C. 20024 To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/events/42132

For further information, please contact: Jacqueline Noisette (202) 442-8170 jacqueline.noisette@dc.gov Claudia Herrera (202) 442-8055 claudia.herrera@dc.gov Joy Douglas (202) 442-8690 joy.douglas@dc.gov

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissaashabranner@hillrag.com

Editorial Staﬀ

Real Estate

Managing Editor: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com CFO & Associate Editor: Maria Carolina Lopez • carolina@hillrag.com School Notes Editor: Susan Braun Johnson • schools@hillrag.com Kids & Family Editor: Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com

Don Denton • DDenton@cbmove.com

Arts, Dining & Entertainment Art: Dining: Literature: Movies: Music: Theater: The Wine Girl:

Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Celeste McCall • celeste@us.net Jonathan Bardzik • jonathan.bardzik@gmail.com Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Stephen Monroe • steve@jazzavenues.com Barbara Wells • barchardwells@aol.com Lilia Coﬃn • lilia@cellar.com

Kids & Family Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com

Homes & Gardens Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Catherine Plume • caplume@yahoo.com Cheryl Corson • cheryl@cherylcorson.com

Commentary Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com The Nose • thenose@hillrag.com The Last Word • editorial@hilllrag.com

Calendar & Bulletin Board

Production/Graphic/Web Design

Calendar Editor: Kathleen Donner • calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com

Art Director: Jason Yen • jay@hillrag.com Graphic Design: Lee Kyungmin • lee@hillrag.com Web Master: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com

General Assignment Elise Bernard • elise.bernard@gmail.com Ellen Boomer • emboomer@gmail.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com Stephen Lilienthal - stephen_lilienthal@yahoo.com Pleasant Mann • pmann1995@gmail.com Meghan Markey • meghanmarkey@gmail.com John H. Muller • jmuller.washingtonsyndicate@gmail.com Jonathan Neeley • neeley87@gmail.com Will Rich • will.janks@gmail.com Heather Schoell • schoell@verizon.net Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Michael G. Stevens • michael@capitolriverfront.org Peter J. Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Jazzy Wright • wright.jazzy@gmail.com Dr. Charles Vincent “Mickey Thompson Vincent

Beauty, Health & Fitness Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Jazelle Hunt • jazelle.hunt@gmail.com Candace Y.A. Montague • writeoncm@gmail.com

Advertising & Sales Account Executive: Kira Means, 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com Account Executive: Laura Vucci, 202.543.8300 X22 • laura@hillrag.com Account Executive & Classified Advertising: Maria Carolina Lopez, 202.543.8300 X12 • Carolina@hillrag.com

Distribution Manager: Distributors: Information:

Andrew Lightman MediaPoint, LLC 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; editorial@hilllrag.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.

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MIDCITY YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

F A G O N

GUIDE TO CAPITOL HILL

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Filmfest DC

From April 14 through 24, the Washington, DC International Film Festival, aka Filmfest DC, returns with a new lineup of the best cinema from around the globe. This year’s Filmfest DC features engrossing thrillers, laugh-out-loud comedies, social justice revelations and other award-winning quality work from some of the world’s leading filmmakers. Now in its 30th year, The Washington, DC International Film Festival brings the finest in contemporary world cinema to the nation’s capital. The festival has introduced over 1,000 feature and short films from over 55 countries to an ever-growing audience. filmfestdc.org. They are currently looking for volunteers to help them in the theaters. Those interested should fill out the Volunteer Application Form at filmfestdc.org/volunteer. Much Loved. Photo: Courtesy of Celluloid Dreams

DC Emancipation Day

April 16, 1862 marks the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. Over 3,000 enslaved persons were freed eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation liberated slaves in the South. DC Emancipation Day activities include a parade along Pennsylvania Ave, NW, on Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.; a concert at Freedom Plaza at 6 to 8:30 p.m.; and fireworks at 8:45 p.m., also at Freedom Plaza. The Benjamin Drummond Emancipation Day Celebration at Hill Center features talks on Friday, April 15, 7 p.m., Race and Democracy in Washington, DC: Civil War through WWII; on Saturday, April 16, 2 p.m., African American Women during Slavery and Freedom; on Sunday, April 17, 3 p.m., Racial Passing in American Life. Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital is at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org. RIGHT:

The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices will bring African American Music from the Civil War Era to life on Sunday, April 17, 6 p.m., at Christ Church, 620 G St. SE. Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices

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Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival

The Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival on Saturday, April 30, noon to 8 p.m., is a musical celebration of spring in DC that raises money for the Living Classrooms Foundation. The main entrance for Kingman and Heritage Islands Park is on the west bank of the Anacostia River. This entrance is at the back of RFK Stadium Parking Lot 6, approximately 0.1 miles south of Benning Road NE. As an environmentally friendly festival, guests are encouraged to walk, bike or take public transportation. Parking is available for a fee in RFK Lot 7 and the closest metro to the park is the Stadium-Armory station with a free shuttle. General admission is $15; children under 13, free. kingmanislandbluegrass.com. Photo: Sam Kittner for the Georgetown BID

Georgetown French Market

The Georgetown French Market is a DC tradition that marks the arrival of spring. This popular shopping weekend—perfect for shoppers, foodies and families—returns Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 1, noon to 5 p.m. The market is along Wisconsin Avenue between P Street and Reservoir Road in the Book Hill section of Georgetown. Each year, Book Hill boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, salons and galleries display their discounted wares in an inviting Parisian style, open-air market. Neighborhood restaurants also offer specials and French fare including: sweet and savory crepes, grilled merguez sausages, pastries and macarons. On Saturday, the TD Bank parking lot at 1611 Wisconsin Ave. becomes a community gathering spot from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring the kids and enjoy live music, strolling mimes, face painting and more. georgetowndc.com.

The Hackensaw Boys get the crowd going on the Bluegrass Stage at the Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival. Photo: Matthew Brazier

Washington Nationals Baseball Begins

Most people reading this can walk to Nat’s Park. What baseball offers is three solid hours of entertainment, a lot of silliness, a chance to catch a fly ball or a tee-shirt, standup patriotism and no-judgement chili dogs. The season begins on April 7 and, if there’s no post season, ends on Oct. 2. So consider becoming a fan this year and please pay attention to our Bulletin Boards and Kids and Family Notebooks throughout the season wherein we alert you to $1 hot dogs, giveaways, chances to run or walk the bases (kids and old people) and to bring your dog to the park. washington.nationals.mlb.com. PS: Unfortunately, there’s only one fireworks display this year on Friday, July 1, after the 6:05 p.m. game vs. the Reds. Nat’s celebrate Scherzer no-hitter. Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club

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Calendar 110 in the Shade at Ford’s. Through May 14. In sweltering 1950s Texas, headstrong and eternally single Lizzie Curry dreams of a romantic life with someone who is her equal. When a charming stranger named Starbuck swaggers into town, he vows to end the region’s drought and awakens Lizzie to the promise she holds within. Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. 202-347-4833. fords.org.

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The company in the Ford’s Theatre production of 110 in the Shade, directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

EARTH DAY, NATURE AND GARDENING National Arboretum Tram Tours. Weekends and holidays; noon, 1, 2 and 3 PM. $4, adults; $2, kids for to 16; free under four. Tickets must be purchased the day of the tour at the Information Desk in the Administration Building. usna.usda.gov. Lunchtime Tours of the Botanic Garden Conservatory. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 1 PM; Tuesdays, 2 to 3 PM. Take a tour with a knowledgeable guide who will connect the exotic plant world to everyday life. usbg.gov. Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. April 16, 9 AM to noon. Find a site and details you need to help at fergusonfoundation.org. Anacostia River Festival. April 17, 1 to 5 PM. Activities include: kayaking, boating, fishing workshops, hands-on art projects, musical performances, bike parades, pop-up stores and other unique programs engaging families with the river, its history and ecology. Held in Anacostia Park, Anacostia Drive and Good Hope Road. SE. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. Celebrate Earth Day Open House at the Botanic Garden. April 22, 10 AM to 2 PM. Enjoy hands-on activities. Meet with representatives of environmental organizations from throughout the region. Learn all the ways to make the planet a healthier place and become a more active steward of the plants that support life on earth. usbg.gov. Earth Day at the National Zoo. April 23, 10 AM to 2 PM. Celebrate Earth Day with the National Zooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sustainability Committee. Learn about the many green achievements and continued efforts across the National Zoo. nationalzoo.si.edu. Anacostia Watershed Society Earth Day Cleanup. April 23, 9 AM to noon, cleanup at 31 sites along the Anacostia River. Noon to 2 PM, celebration at RFK Stadium. Sign up at anacostiaws.org/earthday2016. Earth Day Cleanup at Kenilworth Park. April 23, 9 AM to noon. Join 200 fellow volunteers who will clean the park and the bandalong litter trap. Read more at anacostiaws.

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING WITH US? Call Laura Vucci 202-400-3510

or laura@hillrag.com for more information on advertising. APRIL 2 0 1 6 1 1

Dash Rip Rock appears at Hill Country Live on May 3.

Music at Hill Country BBQ Live. April 9, Aaron Burdett; April 12, The Lowest Pair; April 14, The Bobby Thompson Project; April 16, The Trongone Band; April 21, Cash’d Out; April 23, Quaker City Nighthawks; April 26, Jon Dee Graham; April 28, Teri Joyce and the Tagalongs; April 30, Folk Soul Revival; May 3, Dash Rip Rock; May 10, Gurf Morlix. Hill Country Live, 410 Seventh St. NW. hillcountry.com/dc.

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org/earthday2016. Groundwork Anacostia River DC is at 3939 Benning Road, NE. 202-650-5651. groundworkdc.org. National Arboretum Azalea Collections Tours. April 27, 10 AM to noon; April 29, 4:30 to 6:30 PM; May 4, 10 AM to noon; May 8, Mother’s Day, 1 to 3 PM. Stroll along wooded hillside trails amid a brilliant spring display of thousands of blooming azaleas while learning about the origins and culture of these popular shrubs. $12. Email registration required. usna.usda.gov. Annual National Arboretum Garden Fair & Plant Sale. April 29, 1 to 4 PM and April 30, 9 AM to 4 PM. Sale features new, rare and hard-to-find plants, garden supply vendors,

books, children’s activities, refreshments, entertainment and more. Bring your garden questions to National Arboretum staff members for expert advice. Sale is in the Grove of State Trees parking lot (new location). usna.usda.gov.

SPECIAL EVENTS National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. April 16, 10 AM to noon. Parade route is Constitution Avenue, Seventh to 17th Streets NW. Blessing of the Fleets. April 16, 1 to 5 PM. Passed down through generations of sailors and navies around the world, the centuries-old ceremony is intended to safeguard

crews and ships from the danger of the seas through a traditional blessing given by a clergyman at the water’s edge. United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. navymemorial.org. Anacostia River Festival. April 17, 1 to 5 PM. Activities include: kayaking, boating, fishing workshops, hands-on art projects, musical performances, bike parades, pop-up stores and other unique programs engaging families with the river, its history and ecology. Held in Anacostia Park, Anacostia Drive and Good Hope Road SE. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. Celebrating Shakespeare’s Birthday at the Folger. April 24, noon to 4 PM. Join the Folger for this annual tradition, as they celebrate the birthday of the Bard with a day full of festivities. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. folger.edu

MUSIC Music at The Howard. April 9, Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton; April 10, Hallelujah-The Story of the Clark Family; April 14, Construction Rocks; April 16, El Gran Combo; April 17, Luther Vandross Re-Lives Brunch and Steel Pulse with Special Guest Jah Works; April 19, Jazz is Phish; April 22, Alice in Wonderland; April 24, Sunday R&B Brunch featuring XFactor Band and The King’s Court Tour-An Official J. Dilla Tribute; April 25, Walter Trout; April 26 and 27, Floetry; April 28, Bunny Wailer; April 29, Colors DC; April 30, Majah Hype; May 1, Harlem Gospel Choir; May 5, The Afro-Cuban All Stars; May 6, Buckcherry and Big G and Backyard Band Birthday Bash. Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-8032899. thehowardtheatre.com. Music at 9:30 Club. April 9, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors; April 10, Magic Man & The Griswolds; April 12, Napalm Death & Melvins; April 13, The Joy Formidable; April 14, Lissie; April 15, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down; April 16, The Feelies; April 17, The Dandy Warhols; April 19, Esperanza Spalding presents: Emily’s D+Evolution; April 20, Good Charlotte; April 21, Tokyo Police Club and Dirtyphonics & Funtcase; April 22, Murder By Death; April 23, Tribal Seeds; April 24, Houndmouth; April 25, Puddles Pity Party; April 26, POLIÇA; April 27, Bob Mould; April 28, Elephant Revival; April 29, The Residents

present Shadowland and Miami Horror; April 30, Maggie Rose & The Morrison Brothers Band and Slander; May 1, M. Ward; May 3, Young Thug; May 4, Parachute; May 5, The Brian Jonestown Massacre; May 6, Super Furry Animals; May 7, The Sonics. 815 V St. NW. 877-435-9849. 930.com. Music at the U Street Music Hall. April 9, Run River North and Prince Fox; April 10, The Knocks (DJ Set); April 14, Eleanor Friedberger and Mano Le Tough; April 15, Le1f and Gigamesh & Solidisco; April 16, Coasts and DJ Tennis; April 17, Prof; April 20, Gryffin (Live); April 21, Aurora and Sliink & Brenmar; April 22, Steffi (Live) & Martyn; April 23, Gent & Jawns; April 28, Father; April 29, Yuna and Hudson Mohawke; April 30, Fat White Family/Dilly Dally and Big Wild; May 1, The Wild Feathers; May 4, Freddie Gibbs; May 5, Del the Funky Homosapien and Âme (DJ Set); May 6, Lou Doillon and Grum. U Street Music Hall, 1115 U St. NW. 202-588-1889. ustreetmusichall.com. Music at Rock and Roll Hotel. April 9, Go Cozy Official Album Release; April 10, Legendary Shak Shakers; April 12, The Subways; April 14, Unearth; April 15, Yuck; April 16, DC Brau 5 Year Anniversary and Small Black; April 17, Big D and The Kids Table; April 18, Denzel Curry; April 19, Little Green Cars; April 21, Future Rock; April 21, The Intrinsics; April 24, The Reverend Peytons Big Damn Band; April 26, American Authors; April 29, Elliphant. Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. 202-388-7625. rockandrollhoteldc.com. Music at the Lincoln. April 10, The Smashing Pumpkins-in Plainsong; April 18 and 19, Welcome to Night Vale; April 22, !Hay Jarana en al Calleion!; May 1, Children of the Gospel Choir & Children’s Chorus of Washington. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. 202-328-6000. thelincolndc.com. Music at Black Cat. April 10, Damaged City Fest; April 11, Red Room Open; April 13, Geographer The Crookes; April 14, Harry & the Potters; April 15, Chairlift and Al Night Long; April 16, Right Round; April 17, Har Mar Superstar; April 18, Paperhaus and Crushnpain; April 19, Michael Che; April 20, White Denim; April 21, Dag Nasty and Lewis Del Mar; April 22, Eugene Nirman, Robyn Hitchcock; April 23, Into it. Over it.; April 25, This was my night &

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this was a lot of other nights; April 26, Parker Millsap; April 28, Hemlines; April 29, Little War Twins, Alex Van’s Bad Business; April 30, The Thermals; May 1, Wild Belle; May 4, The End of America. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. blackcatdc.com. Sunday Concerts at the Phillips. April 10, Ingolf Wunder, piano; April 17, Paul Huang, violin; April 24, Lawrence Power & Simon Crawford-Phillips, violins; May 1, Jennifer Koh, Ursula Oppens, Frederic Rzewski, 75th Anniversary Commission; May 8, Metropolis Ensemble; May 15, United States Navy Band; May 22, JACK Quartet; May 29, The Phillips Camerata. $30, $15 for members, students, and visitors 6 to 18; includes museum admission for day of the concert. Reservations recommended. phillipscollection.org/music. Blues Night in Southwest. Every Monday, 6 to 9 PM. April 11, Tom Newman Blues Band; April 18, Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors; April 25, Jacques & Margie Live! $5 cover. Children are free under 16 years old. Reasonably priced meals offered. 202-484-7700. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St. SW. westminsterdc.org. Church of the Epiphany Weekly Concerts. Every Tuesday, 12:10 PM. April 12, I Dilettosi Fiori; April 19, Martin Labazevitch piano; April 26, Beau Soir Ensemble; May 3, Washington Bach Consort. Free, but offering taken. 1317 G ST. NW. 202-347-2635. epiphanydc.org. Jazz Night in Southwest. Every Friday, 6 to 9 PM. April 15, The Next Generation of Jazz; April 22, Special Attraction-Charles Covington Organ Trio; April 29, Tribute to Wes Montgomery; April 30, 1 to 3 PM, Thinking About Jazz, Wes Montgomery. $5 cover. Children are under 16 years old. Reasonably priced meals offered. 202-4847700. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St. SW. westminsterdc.org. “Notes from the Crypt” Chamber Music Concerts at Congressional Cemetery. April 17, May 22, and June 19; 4 PM. These one-hour concerts are held about once a month in the historic Chapel. The program is followed by a wine and cheese reception. Admission is free and seating is first come, first served. Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. 202543-0539. congressionalcemetery.org.

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Music at Sixth and I. April 20, Brad Mehldau Trio. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 202-408-3100. sixthandi.org. Music at the Library of Congress. April 20, noon, Esma Redzepova & Folk Masters: Romani (Gypsy) and Macedonian Music. This free concert is in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov. Jazz at the Atlas. April 22, 8 PM, Joanna Wallfisch; April 23, 8 PM, Tizer Trio; April 23, 7 PM, Brad Linde: The Lonely Poet Project. Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202399-7993. atlasarts.org.

THEATER AND FILM The Flick at Signature. Through April 17. The Flick follows the story of three employees at a crumbling Massachusetts movie theatre. Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Shirlington. signature-theatre.org. Mosaic’s After the War at the Atlas. Through April 17. This new play from the author of The Admission tells the story of Joel, a world-famous concert pianist and Israeli expatriate who returns to Tel Aviv following an 18-year absence to perform with the Israeli Philharmonic. Buy tickets at mosaictheater.org. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org. Falling Out of Time at Theater J. Through April 17. In this incandescent fable, a griefstricken man takes leave of his bewildered wife to embark on a beautiful and poetic journey that will change him forever. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. 800-494-8497. washingtondcjcc.org. Moment at Studio. Through April 24. In the suburbs of Dublin, a long-absent son returns home to visit his ailing mother. But his reappearance—and the welcome he receives—ignites his sisters’ long-simmering resentments and sets the siblings on a collision course over his criminal past. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org. The Nether at Woolly. Through May 1. In 2050, when Earth is a gray wasteland, how will humanity escape? Enter the Nether: an immersive wonderland offering users beauty, order, and the ability to satisfy their de-

sires—no matter how disturbing—away from “real world” scrutiny. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939. woollymammoth.net. All the Way at Arena. Through May 8. Robert Schenkkan’s Tony Award-winning drama All the Way, about President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s impassioned struggle to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org. The Mystery of Love & Sex at Signature. Through May 8. Complete opposites, Charlotte and Jonny have been best friends since they were children. Now, as college students on the eve of graduation, they toy around with taking their friendship romantic. Or not. Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Shirlington. signature-theatre.org. Chronicle of a Death Foretold at GALA. Through May 8. After marrying against her will, Angela is returned to her mother when the angry new husband discovers she is not a virgin. Forced to name the man who deflowered her, Angela’s brothers undertake a murderous mission of revenge. GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW. galatheatre.org. Angelika Pop-Up Cinema. April 10, BolshoiDon Quixote; April 19, Royal Opera HouseBoris Godunov; April 22. Experience includes gourmet snacks and craft beer and wine offered. Enjoy snacks in the lounge area before or after the film, or take them into the auditorium. Behind Union Market at 550 Penn St. NE. angelikafilmcenter.com/dc. Theatre Du Jour Presents To Have Done with the Judgement of God by Antonin Artaud. April 15 to May 7; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and May 6 and 7 at 10 PM. Having spent much of his final years in various mental asylums, Artaud resurfaced in 1947 with a radio play: “To Have Done with the Judgment of God.” DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. 202-462-7833. theatredujour.org. The Rat Pack at Signature. April 19 to 23. They were the coolest cats of all time. In the vein of the legendary crooners Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin, three suave Signature gentlemen take the stage for a sophisticated evening of ballads, booze and banter. Featuring classic songs from the 50s and 60s. Signature Theatre, 4200 Camp-

bell Ave., Shirlington. signature-theatre.org. William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) at the Folger. April 21 to May 8. The wonderfully inventive and wildly hilarious Reduced Shakespeare Company returns to Folger Theatre in this eagerly anticipated World Premiere. Discovered in a treasurefilled parking lot in Leicester, England, an ancient manuscript proves to be the longlost first play by none other than the young William Shakespeare from Stratford. Folger Theater, 201 East Capitol St. SE. 202-5447077. folger.edu. The Electric Baby at the Atlas. April 21 to May 15. When Helen causes a car accident that kills a young man, a group of fractured souls cross paths and connect around a mysterious baby who glows like the moon. Folk tales and folklore weave throughout this magical story of sad endings, strange beginnings and the unlikely people that get you from one place to the next. Atlas, 1333 H St NE. $15-$30. rorschachtheatre.com/tickets. Disgraced at Arena. April 22 to May 29. Amir has worked hard to achieve the American Dream — complete with a successful career, a beautiful wife and $600 custom-tailored shirts. But has he removed himself too far from his roots? Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org. The Body of An American at Theater J. April 27 to May 22. “If you do this, I will own you forever.” Canadian photojournalist Paul Watson is haunted by these words he heard as a soldier lay dying. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. 800-494-8497. washingtondcjcc.org. Mosaic’s Hkeelee (Talk to Me) at the Atlas. April 30, 8 PM and May 1, 2 PM and 10 PM. A probing portrait of a cosmopolitan Lebanese matriarch as Hkeelee invites you to engage in an interactive exploration of what it means to be(come) American: what we hold onto, what we let go and how those choices come to shape who we are. $60. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-3997993. atlasarts.org.

SPORTS AND FITNESS Washington Nationals Baseball. April 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27 and 28. washington.nationals.mlb.com.

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DC United at RFK. April 9, 4 p.m. vs. Vancouver; April 16. 7 p.m. vs. Toronto; April 23, 4:30 p.m. vs. New England. dcunited.com. Washington Capitals Ice Hockey. April 10. Verizon Center. capitals.nhl.com. Washington Wizards Basketball. April 10 and 13. Verizon Center. nba.com/wizards. DC Rollergirls. April 30, doors open at 3 PM; first bout starts at 4 PM. DC Armory, 2001 East Capitol St. SE. dcrollergirls.com. Practice with Love Yoga Gathering at the Botanic Garden. Saturdays, 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Free. Bring your own mat. usbg.gov. Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Arena closed for annual maintenance until first week in July. Fort Dupont Ice Arena is at 3779 Ely Pl. SE. 202-584-5007. fdia.org. Yoga at Northwest One Library. Thursdays, 7 to 8 PM. Free beginner/intermediate yoga classes. All are welcome; mats and blocks provided. Northwest One Neighborhood Library, 155 L St. NW. 202-939-5946. dclibrary.org. Soothing Sunday Yoga at Shaw Library. Sundays, 1:30 PM. This class is perfect for beginners, featuring soothing Hatha yoga and meditation. Bring your own mat or towel. Watha T. Daniel Neighborhood Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. 202-727-1288. dclibrary.org/watha. Closest Indoor Public Pools. Turkey Thicket, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE. Open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 8 PM; Saturday, noon to 5 PM; closed, Sunday. 202-576-9236. Rumsey, 635 North Carolina Ave. SE. Open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 9 AM and noon to 9 PM; Saturday, 1 PM to 5 PM; Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. 202-724-4495. The pools are heated and free for DC residents. Have ID with you. dpr.dc.gov.

progressive presses, literary magazines, and independent newspapers. Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives, Room 300, 1201 17th St. NW. SW Library Spring Book Sale. April 16, 10 AM to 3 PM; and April 17, 1:30 to 4 PM. Sale proceeds support events and supplies for the SW Library. Have Books to Donate? Email them at friendsofswlibrary@gmail.com. Southwest Neighborhood Library is at 900 Wesley Pl. SW. 202-724-4752. dclibrary.org/southwest. Arlington Festival of the Arts. April 16 and 17, 10 AM to 5 PM. One hundred of the finest artists in country will converge upon North Highland Street in Clarendon this spring for a two-day juried outdoor gallery style art exhibit and sale. 3003 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA. artfestival.com. Smithsonian Craft Show. April 21-24. Show and sale of 120 of the premier fine craft artists in the United States. The work of these artists represents all facets of contemporary design and craft: jewelry, wearable art, basketry, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wood, and ceramics. Daily admission is $20. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. smithsoniancraftshow.org. Northeast Library Children’s Book Sale. April 23, 10 AM to 1 PM. Most books are $1 to $2. Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 Seventh St. NE. dclibrary.org/northeast. National Cathedral Flower Mart. May 6 and 7, 10 AM. This annual outdoor spring festival sponsored by the Cathedral’s All Hallows Guild features locally grown plant sales, international floral displays in the Cathedral nave. More than 80 unique boutique booths, local and international foods, music and entertainment. Fun activities for children including rides on the antique carousel. Free admission. cathedral.org. Great Brookland Yard Sale. May 7, 10 AM to 2 PM. Sales all over the neighborhood. Map at greatbrooklandyardsale.org.

St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarketdc.com. Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Sundays, year round, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. 20th St. and Mass. Ave. NW, 1500 block of 20th Street NW. 202362-8889. freshfarmmarket.org.

Eckington Civic Association. First Monday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Harry Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. eckingtondc.org.

Branch Avenue Pawn Parking Lot Flea Market. Saturdays, year-round (weather permitting). Set up after 10 AM. 3128 Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD.

Edgewood Civic Association. Last Monday, 7 to 9 PM. Edgewood senior building, 635 Edgewood St. NE, ninth floor. theedgewoodcivicassociationdc.org.

Fresh Tuesdays at Eastern Market. Tuesdays, 3 to 7 PM. Farmers’ line of fresh produce. Eastern Market, 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-6985253. easternmarketdc.com.

Logan Circle Citizens Association. Visit logancircle.org/calendar for meeting dates and times. logancircle.org.

Union Market. Tuesday to Friday, 11 AM to 8 PM; Saturdays and Sundays, 8 AM to 8 PM. Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 Fifth St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com. Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around, 8 AM to 4 PM. 1819 35th St. NW.

CIVIC LIFE

Social Justice Book Fair. April 16, 10 AM to 3:30 PM. Fair features the critical work of socially engaged poets, writers, organizations,

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Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7 AM to 7 PM; Saturdays, 7 AM to 5 PM; Sundays, 9 AM to 5 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. 200 block of Seventh

Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association. Third Tuesday, 7:30 to 9:30 PM. Yale Steam Laundry, 437 New York Ave. NW. lifein. mvsna.org. U Street Neighborhood Association. Second Thursday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Source (second floor classroom), 1835 14th St. NW. ANC 1A. Second Wednesday, 7 PM. Harriet Tubman Elementary School, 3101 13th St. NW. 202-588-7278. anc1a.org.

Congresswoman Norton’s NW District Office. Open weekdays, 9 AM to 6 PM. 529 14th St. NW, suite 900. 202-783-5065. norton.house.gov.

ANC 1B. First Thursday, 7 PM. Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW on the second floor. 202870-4202. anc1b.org.

All Ways Mount Pleasant. First Saturday, noon to 2 PM. LaCasa. All Ways is a citizen’s association primarily for the tenants of the larger apartment buildings of Mount Pleasant. 3166 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. aass.org.

ANC 1B11. Second Monday, 7 PM. LeDroit Senior Building in the basement community room, 2125 Fourth St. NW. 202-481-3462. anc1b.org.

Chinatown Revitalization Council. Fourth Monday, 7 to 8 PM. 510 I St. NW. Chinatown Revitalization Council promotes the Chinatown renewal and the preservation of its cultural heritage. The public is welcome. Convention Center Community Association. Last Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Kennedy Rec Center, 1401 Seventh St. NW. facebook.com/pages/Convention-Center-Community.

MARKETS AND SALES St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church Rummage Sale. April 16, 8 AM to 2 PM. 4700 Whitehaven Pkwy. NW. stpatrickschurchdc.org.

St. NW. Contact: Al Hajj Mahdi Leroy J Thorpe Jr, 202-3871596.

Downtown Neighborhood Association. Second Tuesday, 7 to 9 PM. US Naval Memorial Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. miles@ dcdna.org. dcdna.org. East Central Civic Association of Shaw. First Monday, 7 PM. Third Baptist Church, 1546 Fifth

ANC 1C. First Wednesday, 7 PM. Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health, 2355 Ontario Rd. NW. 202-332-2630. anc1c.org. ANC 1D. Third Tuesday, 7 PM. 3166 Mount Pleasant St. NW. 202-462-8692. anc1d.org. ANC 2C. First Wednesday, 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. 202-682-1633. anc2C.org. ANC 6E. First Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Meeting at Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. anc6e.org. Have an item for the calendar? Email calendar@hillrag.com. u

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Ways to put a Spring in Your Step by Kathleen Donner

hen Six Flags, King’s Dominion and Myrtle Beach ads hit the TV screen, it is spring. The cherry blossoms arrive and depart. Winter coats go off to the cleaners. There are farmers markets, yard sales, flowers popping up and that remarkable new green on the trees. Here are nine events to enjoy Washington at its most beautiful.

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two Three Centuries of American Prints from the National Gallery of Art, through July 24. Since opening in 1941, the Gallery has amassed an outstanding collection of American prints representing the history of American art from the early 18th century to the present. Timed to coincide with the Gallery’s 75th anniversary, this first comprehensive exhibition of American prints encompasses three centuries highlighting some 160 works from the Gallery’s collection. Visitors can enjoy an diverse display ranging from John Simon’s Four Indian Kings (1710) to Kara Walker’s no world (2010). nga.gov.

Four Dragon Boats Racing in the Potomac River. Photo: Steve Tan.

three Mary Cassatt, Woman Bathing, 1890-1891, color drypoint and aquatint on heavy laid paper, plate - 36.5 x 26.6 cm (14 3/8 x 10 1/2 in., sheet: 47.9 x 31.2 cm (18 7/8 x 12 5/16 in.), National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of Mrs. Lessing J. Rosenwald.

All the Way at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, through May 8. President Lyndon Baines Johnson had a way about him. He could massage a victory with one hand and twist your arm with the other. But brokering a deal is like playing with dynamite. With the country still reeling from President Kennedy’s assassination, and a rising tide of bitterness over Civil Rights, it will take more than politicking to hold America together. It will take red, white and blue-blooded leadership. arenastage.org.

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DC Dragon Boat Festival, Thompsons Boat Center, 2900 Virginia Ave. NW, May 21 and 22 (rain dates, June 18 and 19). The Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival, now celebrating it’s 15th year, is a two day event held along the Potomac River complete with cultural exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and of course...dragon boat racing. Sponsored by the Chinese Women’s League. The festival promotes Chinese culture. Parking can be tricky. dragonboatdc.com.

Jack Willis as President Lyndon Baines Johnson in All the Way, which runs through May 8 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo: by Jenny Graham Courtesy of Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

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Photo: Courtesy of Capitol Riverfront BID.

five four Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concerts at Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE, Fridays, starting May 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This free concert series is back for its sixth Season, this year on the Great Lawn of Yards Park! Every Friday night this summer, come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverages. There are a large variety of great restaurants within a five-minute walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike. yardspark.org.

The Earth Harp at the Kennedy Center, May 17 to June 5. William Close is an installation artist and musician who has developed over 100 new types of musical instruments. Close will create a special Earth Harp to fill the Hall of States. Visitors will be able to view this stunning installation, as well as hear it played during daily short performances (times to be announced). This installation is open from 10 a.m. until the building closes at midnight. kennedy-center.org.

William Close and the Earth Harp Photo: Courtesy of the Kennedy Center.

Formed in the wake of this unprecedented tragedy, Lakou Mizik is a collection of musicians representing a cross section of generations, faiths and musical styles. Photo: Thomas Freteur.

Lakou Mizik at Dance Place, April 23, 8 p.m. Lakou Mizik is a multigenerational collective of Haitian musicians formed in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake. The group includes elder legends and rising young talents united in a mission to honor the healing spirit of their collective culture. They communicate a message of pride, strength and hope to their countrymen and the world. The band is making their Washington, DC debut on April 23, at Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE. danceplace.org.

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Spontaneous music at the Washington Folk Festival.

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Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD, June 4 and 5 (rain or shine), noon to 7 p.m., both days. The 36th Annual Washington Folk Festival showcases the diversity of traditional music in the Washington area. All musicians, storytellers, dancers and craftspeople live in the the greater Washington metropolitan area; and volunteer their talents to put on a first class festival. With performances representing cultures from around the world as well as around the country, it is your chance to find out what is going on in local folk performance communities. fsgw.org.

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Photo: Rob McDogall.

Riverdance at Wolf Trap, June 23 to 26. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day. Capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures, Riverdance is an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland — in rock, music, theater, and film — nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. wolftrap.org.

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District Merchants at the Folger, May 31 to July 3 (Pay-What-You-Will Tuesday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.). District Merchants is a variation on William Shakespeare’s The Mechant of Venice. Love and litigation, deep passions and predatory lending are taken to a new level in this uneasy comedy, which wades fearlessly into the endless complexities and contradictions of life in America. Set among the Black and Jewish populations of an imagined time and place, simultaneously Shakespearean, post-Civil War DC and today, District Merchants is a remarkable tale of money, merchandise, and mercy brought to the stage by four-time Helen Hayes Awardwinner Aaron Posner. folger.edu. u

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Spring Not-to-Miss Concerts Thao & the Get Down Stay Down appear at the 9:30 Club on April 15. Photo: Maria Kanevskaya

by Meghan Markey

here is no dearth of shows to pick from this spring concert season – there are at least 20 acts that I want to catch after a quick glance at area concert schedules. Whether you want to hear a Grammy winning band or a singer songwriter with local roots, DMV venues have a little something for everyone. Here’s a very eclectic list of some not-to-miss shows:

Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, 9:30 Club, April 15. Thao Ngyuen is no stranger to the DC area music scene. Now based in San Francisco, Ngyuen hails from Falls Church. Welcome her back to the area by enjoying her alternative folk rock sensibilities. Boys II Men, Kennedy Center, May 20 – 21. Boys II Men are the number one selling R&B group of all time. Just admit it; whenever “End of the Road” comes on in your car, you’re making sure your windows are up and belting out the chorus. Head to the Kennedy Center for some nostalgic crooning. The Cure, Merriweather Post Pavilion, June 22. What to say about The Cure? Come on, it’s The Cure. I still remember watching their set at dusk when they headlined the now defunct HFStival at RFK Stadium. Your voice will be hoarse from singing every word of their hits come June 22. u

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Boyz II Men at the Kennedy Center on May 20. Photo: Rony Shram

H y p e r L o c a l | hīpər

. lōk(ə)l |

Hyperlocal connotes information oriented around a well defined community with its primary focus directed toward the concerns of its residents. synonym: M I D C I T Y D C N E W S . C O M Daily online. Monthly in print.

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Farm-Fresh and Delicious by Jonathan Bardzik

never understood the true celebration of the fall harvest and the return of spring until I began shopping almost exclusively at farm markets. DC’s farm markets are returning to life, and while it will be a few weeks before the appearance of the first asparagus, my taste buds leap with the first radishes and spring onions. What markets are you shopping this year and what should you look for?

Bloomingdale and 14th and U

The Markets and More farm markets (MarketsandMore.info) at both 14th and U and in Bloomingdale, on R Street NW between First Street and Florida Avenue, are managed by founder and director Robin Shuster. Bloomingdale is a smaller market, but the smartly curated group of vendors provides a broad selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, locally raised meats, and prepared foods like bread, cheese, pasta, pickled vegetables, and pies (yay pie!). I spoke with Shuster about the upcoming season. The first big news? Mushrooms are back at both markets, and if you want local produce it doesn’t get better than this. Mycolumbia’s mushrooms, owned by Eckington residents James Mattingly and Natalia Allende, will be at both markets along with new microgreens producers and Cucina Al Volo. “Our pasta producer just had a superb write up in the [Washington] Post – well deserved!” says Shuster. Well-known DC Farm Market vendor Keswick Creamery returns to the Bloomingdale market this year. Shuster tells me, “They will have an incredible assortment of cheeses this year. The warmer than normal winter somehow encouraged the cows to produce a lot more milk than last winter, so they will start the season with even more cheeses, both cow and goat, than usual.” Keswick also has what is arguably the best Jersey cow whole-milk yogurt in the area. I know from experience. I’ve used it many times at my Bloomingdale Farmers Market cooking demonstrations. Want to keep your baking local? Pecan Meadow,

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which sells at the 14th and U farmers market, has more than doubled the land for growing their 1940s heirloom wheat, which Shuster tells me “they are now delivering to Bread Furst as well as selling at our markets. This is part of a growing trend of farmers returning to heirloom grains. My first cooking demo at Bloomingdale Farmers Market this season is on May 29. See you there!

Farm-fresh from FRESHFARM

Bloomingdale’s Sunday farm market packs a single neighborhood block with a diverse selection of fresh ingredients and locally prepared foods.

FRESHFARM (FreshFarmMarkets.org) operates 13 farm markets and stands around the DC metro area with a reputation for an exceptional selection of high-quality, locally produced food. Mid-city DC residents shop FRESHFARM Saturday mornings at both H Street NE and Mount Vernon Triangle, and Sundays at Union Market. The H Street market kicks off its 12th year on April 16 with extended hours to 12:30 p.m. This is particularly convenient if you enjoyed H Street’s restaurant and bar scene the night before and need to sleep in on Saturday. FRESHFARM market’s answer to communitysupported agriculture (CSA) is called Farmshare and will be available for pickup at the H Street market. Deputy Director of Marketing Nikki Warner told me that Farmshare is a selection of fresh produce from the farmers, curated by FRESHFARM staff, with optional add-ons like eggs, bread, or a market treat. “We’ll pick,” Warner says. “It’s a surprise in your share each week!” FRESHFARM offers shoppers using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) half off on Farmshare. For more information visit freshfarmshare.com. What’s new at H Street this spring? Local roaster Zeke’s Coffee will be offering beans and fresh brew. Rainbow Hill Farm, a certified organic farm from West Virginia, will be offering a wide variety of field grown vegetables and cheeses. Thirsty? Green-

Heart Juice creates unpasteurized, cold-pressed juice made with local produce along with their gluten-free granola. The farm stands at Mount Vernon Triangle and Union Market are run by the crew at Chicano Sol Farm from Blaine, Penna., and bring their own vegetables and round out their selection with items from other FRESHFARM producers.

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Agriculture: Farming the Desert

Fulfilling part of its mission to “create a more equitable and sustainable local food system in the Washington, DC area,” Arcadia Center for Sustainable Agriculture (ArcadiaFood.org) operates two mobile farm markets out of reclaimed school buses. They give access to the District’s food deserts, neighborhoods that typically have no grocery market within one mile, low car ownership, and a high number of SNAP users. Operating regularly scheduled stops in low-income, food-insecure communities, the Arcadia mobile markets offer “high quality, locally grown, sustainably produced farm products at affordable prices, accept all forms of payment – including food assistance benefits – and provide educational resources for how to prepare the market’s offerings in nutritious, cost-effective, delicious, and easy ways.” Why Arcadia? According to Executive Director Pam Hess, “There is not a lot of money to be made in these communities.” Arcadia, as a nonprofit, takes

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Cooking at the Markets

Many of DC’s markets have great cooking demonstration programs featuring chefs from our area’s incredible and still growing restaurant scene. This year I will be offering regular demonstrations at eight different markets including Bloomingdale, the FRESHFARM markets at Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter, and Eastern Market. Check out my full schedule of appearances here: jonathanbardzik.com/wheres-jonathan. Need a little inspiration to get cooking? I can’t wait for the first appearance of fresh spring asparagus, and this quick, creamy, cream-free asparagus soup is one of my favorite ways to enjoy it. Happy spring, and welcome back to the markets!

Photo: Matt Hocking

the financial risk of being first entrant and building demand by reintroducing or often exposing people for the first time to farm-fresh ingredients. Visit arcadiafood.org/programs/mobile-market for the full 2016 schedule and locations.

Asparagus Soup

Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 2 bunches asparagus, about 2 pounds 2 sprigs thyme 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, reserve stems 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock 2 tablespoons butter 2 medium red potatoes, diced 2 leeks, white and light green parts thinly sliced 2 tablespoons butter sherry vinegar Directions: • Snap tough ends from asparagus. Add ends to a 4-quart saucepan with stock, thyme, bay, and parsley stems. Simmer for 20 minutes. • Melt butter in a soup pot over medium-low heat. Simmer potatoes and leeks in butter. Add a little water as needed. Cook until potatoes are soft. • Strain stock into soup pot and cook for 5 minutes. Cut remaining asparagus into 2- inch pieces and add to stock. Remove 10-12 tips after 3 minutes. • When asparagus is just tender, pass soup through a food mill or processor. Stir through parsley. • Season to taste with salt, pepper, butter, and vinegar. Garnish with asparagus tips.

Jonathan Bardzik is known for his regular live cooking demos at farm markets around the city, His second cookbook, “Seasons to Taste,” a four-season celebration of farm and garden-fresh food, is available now at SeasonsToTasteCookbook.com and on Amazon. com. Order a copy and find out what Jonathan is cooking at www.jonathanbardzik.com or his Facebook page, “Jonathan Bardzik.” Need some foodporn? Follow @JonathanBardzik on Twitter and Instagram. u

Farm Market Hours and Locations Saturday

14th and U sts NW, 9am-1pm, April 30 to Nov. 19 13th and H sts NE, 9am-12:30pm, April 16 to Dec. 17 Mt. Vernon Triangle at 5th and K sts NW, 10am-1pm, May 7 to Oct. 29

Sunday

Bloomingdale at R and 1st sts NW, 9am-1pm, May 1 to Nov. 20 Union Market, 1309 5th St NE, 11am-2pm, May 1 to Oct. 30

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Depeche Art

Work by Jim Leach. Image: Hamiltonian Gallery

East City Art’s April Mid-City Gallery Exhibitions and News by Phil Hutinet

Gallery Neptune and Brown

If you have seen a series of wood sculptures downtown at 19th and L streets NW you have already been introduced to the work of Foon Sham. The Macao native and University of Maryland, College Park, professor recently completed an exhibition at the Lorton Workhouse Art Center, where Fairfax County residents were invited to bring books from their native tongues. Sham produced a series of sculptures out of these books to reflect Fairfax County’s present-day multicultural society. In “Exuberant Journey,” on view at Gallery Neptune and Brown through May 1, expect to see his signature sculptures, which employ hundreds, sometimes thousands, of wood blocks. Sham says he seeks to explore and “create forms that reference

Foon Sham with “Fe Wrap.” Image: Gallery Neptune and Brown

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environments and resonate with the human spirit.” In addition, works on paper created in pastel, pencil, and crayon will offer a

to Utopia and harmony between colors, Goebel employs aggressive, almost menacing brush strokes to create his paintings, resulting in an impasto, relief style.

Gallery C “Earth House” by Rosemary Luckett

Luckett continues to work on earthinspired work, shifting from the human form to other liv“Seeing Beyond Reality,” Rob Goebel, acrylic on canvas. Image: Touchstone Gallery ing organisms that inhabit our planet. glimpse into the artist’s vision as he realized “The Mountain,” Rosemary Luckett. Image: “I’ve become more Touchstone Gallery his three-dimensional work. appreciative of how complex biosystems Touchstone – Gallery B are, and the delicate relationships between other life forms “Between Two Worlds” by Rob Goebel and us,” explains Luckett. Inspired by Northwest Coast Influenced by abstract expressionism, parIndian transformation masks and Southwestern retablos, ticularly Jackson Pollock’s “Action Painting,” Luckett assembles found objects which she paints over to Goebel develops “a dreamlike utopian state of collage a series of masks and in some cases objects, which mind” in a vivid color palette which remains appear shrine-like in nature. paradoxically balanced as cool and warm colors work harmoniously to produce a conHamiltonian – “Spread” by Allison Spence nected ensemble. However, despite allusions Spence examines the creative power behind destruction,

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regeneration, and as she perceives it “additive, creative, and infinite forms.” In particular the artist contrasts Tomie, a female Japanese manga character, who regenerates sometimes through cannibalism and takes on various hideous forms, with Pando, a “clonal colony” of male quaking aspens in Utah that share an underground root system estimated to be at least 80,000 years old. Spence explores these themes through painting, video, and archival matter.

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Gallery Neptune and Brown 1530 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-986-1200 | www.neptunefineart.com Through May 1 Foon Sham, “Exuberant Journey” Foundry Gallery 2118 Eighth St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-232-0203 | www.foundrygallery.org Through May 1 Lindsay Mullen, “Visual Meditations” Hamiltonian Gallery 1353 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-332-1116 | www.hamiltoniangallery.com Through May 7 “Spread” by Allison Spence and “In Hot Water” by Jim Leach Hemphill Fine Arts 1515 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-234-5601 | www.hemphillfinearts.com Through April 30 “Smoke Drawings” by Rockne Krebs

Exhibitions Currently on View

“Dark Light,” Lindsay Mullen, 2015, oil on canvas. Image: Foundry Gallery

“In Hot Water” by Jim Leach

Leach’s sculptures find inspiration in literature, philosophy, and art history to discuss trends in contemporary morality and “challenging binaries of creative and negating, valid and specious.” With works entitled “Oh my God, we’re all gonna die!” and “Vacuum Sealed Dinner” Leach also employs humor to challenge prevailing cultural norms.

Foundry

English painter Lindsay Mullen has travelled extensively around the world, capturing what she calls “the fleeting moments that cause one to stop and contemplate.” Mullen has exhibited extensively in Europe, notably in her native United Kingdom as well as in France, Germany, and Switzerland. She participated in over 50 solo shows in Spain, where she lived until recently. Mullen now calls Washington, DC, home. Her debut, “Visual Meditations,” at Foundry Gallery will mark the first time Mullen has shown work in the United States. A Swiss gallery owner once commented that Mullen’s paintings “possess a special liveliness reflected in a style of painting rarely seen

Long View Gallery 1234 Ninth St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-232-4788 | www.longviewgallerydc.com Through April 24 Ryan McCoy Touchstone Gallery 901 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-347-2787 | www.touchstonegallery.com Through May 1 Artist Talk: Saturday, April 27, 5-7 p.m. Touchstone Member Artists Group exhibition, “The Bloom Is On” Rob Goebel, “Between Two Worlds” Rosemary Luckett, “Earth House” Washington Project for the Arts 2124 Eighth St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-234-7103 | www.wpadc.org Through April 15 “Mirror Mirrored: Art Meets the Monsters” group exhibition curated by Michelle Aldredge and Corwin Levi

today with this degree of potency.” Be among the first to experience her painting’s pensive allure. Phil Hutinet is the publisher of East City Art, dedicated to DC’s visual arts. For more information visit www.eastcityart. com. u

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Neighborhood

ation Trapeze Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New-WaLoc ess at its new location, 1299 New Jersey Ave. shington, DC (TSNY-DC) is open for busin

Trapeze School New York rfront, TSNY-DC offers a full in The Yards community in the Capitol Rive ro Met Yard y Nav the from ss acro ctly SE. Dire students of all ages and fitness levels. roster of flying trapeze and aerial classes for by side with more experienced , where first time beginners can learn side week a days n seve es class ers off C Y-D TSN ite outdoor flying trapeze rig. Admonths, TSNY-DC also operates an on-s mer sum and g sprin the ing Dur ents. stud c (silks), aerial hoop (lyra), static program. Aerial classes include aerial fabri arts l aeria an ers off C Y-D TSN , nally ditio ndc.trapezeschool.com. cing and trampoline. Read more at washingto balan er partn batic acro web, ish Span ze, trape Flyer Paige Sipe is caught by Chris Donahue at a ďŹ&#x201A;ying trapeze class at TSNY-DC. Photo: Courtesy of Trapeze School New York-Washington, DC

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Sixth in the City: for 20s and 30s

Designed for young professional Jews in their 20s and 30s, 6th in the City programming encompasses cultural, religious, and social opportunities including these regular offerings: April 11, Black Jewish Unity Seder: Celebrating Connected Histories and Café Nite; April 15, Good Soul Shabbat and Friday Night Shabbat Services with MesorahDC; April 16, Saturday Morning Shabbat Services with MesorahDC; April 17, Sunday in the Park with Sixth & I; April 18, Café Nite; April 18, Serve Others with Sixth & I and Torah Text, Torah Sex; April 20, Jam Session; April 22, Participatory Seder; April 25, Café Nite; and May 4, Running Club. Sixth & I offers a space for young Jews to connect to Judaism, arts and culture, spirituality, tradition and to each other. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 202-4083100. sixthandi.org.

Rito Loco: Best New Shaw Business

Rito Loco won the Best New Shaw Business of 2015 Award at the Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting on March 23. The restaurant offers a menu of tacos and burritos that have gained a following from DC to Miami. Accepting the award, owners Louie Hankins and Danny Diaz thanked the neighborhood for supporting their business, which got its start with an award-winning food truck of the same name. Rito Loco is at 606 Florida Ave. NW. For more information, visit ritoloco.com. District Pilates at 1302 Ninth St. NW placed second and Foundry Gallery at 2118 Eighth St. NW was third.

For the Record: Changing Exhibition Opens

The Historical Society of Washington, DC’s annual juried competition and exhibition, “For the Record: Changing DC,” opens April 14 in the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. The opening reception on Thursday, April 14, 6 to 8 p.m., is free and open to the public. This is the second year of this annual program created to preserve scenes of the

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Neighborhood

Photo: Maria Bryk/Newseum

2016 Newseum Nights Lineup Announced

On the heels of a sold-out 2015 season, Newseum Nights returns in 2016 with a new lineup of fun after-hours events featuring open beer-and-wine bars, food and exclusive access to the latest exciting exhibits. Tickets are $40. Newseum is at 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-292-6100. newseum.org. District’s cityscape. Pre-registration is requested at dchistory.org/events/record-changing-d-c/. The artwork is available for purchase through an online auction. All proceeds benefit the Historical Society’s mission. The auction will close at the organization’s 122nd anniversary celebration on May 26. The exhibit will remain open until Saturday July 16, 4 p.m. For additional information and auction details, visit dchistory.org.

Feeder’s Advisory: A Foodies Book Club

Love browsing cookbooks and trying new recipes? This month’s selection is “Burma: Rivers of Flavor” by Naomi Duguid. Register at Eventbrite. com. Continue the conversation all month long in the Feeder’s Advisory Facebook group. To reserve a copy of the book, contact Shawn McDermott. Feeder’s Advisory meets on Monday, April 18, 7 p.m., at the Watha T. Daniel Neighborhood Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. 202-727-1288. dclibrary.org/watha.

Accessing Business Capital

Learn about accessing capital for your business. The DC Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Restaurant

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Association Metropolitan Washington and business resource partners host “POWER UP DC 2016: Get Money, Get Movin’... Accessing Capital to Start and Grow Your Business With Non-Traditional Funding Resources,” a free small business forum, on Tuesday, May 3, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Marriot Marquis Hotel, 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Reserve a space by April 22 at DCHealthLink.com/ powerupdc2016/registration. For more information, contact Linda Currie at 202-638-7337 or at lcurrie@dcchamber.org.

Mosaic Theater Company of DC Receives $1 Million

Mosaic Theater Company of DC announces a $1 million, multiyear grant from The Reva and David Logan Foundation. Mosaic Theater Company of DC is committed to making powerful, transformational, socially-relevant art, producing plays by authors on the front lines of conflict zones and providing audiences with a dynamic new venue for the dramatizing and debating of ideas. MosaicTheater.org.

New Leader of Mount Vernon Triangle CID

The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District has appointed Kenyattah Robinson President and Chief Executive Officer. He will be responsible for the enhancement and economic development of the Mount Vernon Triangle community. Robinson will begin his work at the CID on April 11.

Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival Moves to The Yards

This year Capitol Riverfront hosts the 56th annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival on Saturday, April 16, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (rain or shine) at M Street and New Jersey Avenue SE. Produced by the

Japan-America Society, Sakura Matsuri is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the United States. Performers and vendors come from all over the country and the world to share their love of Japanese culture and traditions through art, cuisine and performance. Sakura Matsuri tickets are online and at the gate for $10. Children 12 and under are free. Ticket sales on the day of the festival are cash only. There will be special entrance lanes for pre-paid ticket holders. sakuramatsuri.org. Pups in the Park Games this year are April 23, 1:05 p.m. vs/ Twins; May 14, 7:05 p.m. vs. Marlins; May 27, vs. Cardinals; June 13, 7:05 p.m. vs. Cubs; Sept. 8, 7:05 p.m. vs. Phillies; and Oct. 1, 4:05 p.m. vs. Marlins. Ten dollars from every dog ticket purchased will benefit the Washington Humane Society. All those with tickets purchased for Pups in the Park must enter through the Right Field Gate. Before entering the gate, you must drop off a signed waiver for your dog’s up-to-date shots. All Pups in the Park attendees must print, sign and bring the Waiver Form with them to Nationals Park. Tickets are $26 for owners and $10 per dog. For more information, visit washington.nationals.mlb.com.

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Zero Street Harassment Project Public Art RFP

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In partnership with the District Department of Transportation’s Vision Zero Initiative, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and AgeFriendly DC announce the Zero Street Harassment Public Art Project, a new public art and place-making campaign designed to discourage and abate street harassment of DC residents, workers and visitors. Activation sites include 14th and U Streets, NW and First and Columbus Circle NE. Submission deadline is April 28, 5 p.m. For details, visit dcarts. dc.gov/node/1150317.

Gay Men’s Chorus 35th Anniversary Concert

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW ) commemorates its milestone 35th anniversary with Carmina/35 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on Sunday, May 8, at 8 p.m. under the guidance of Artistic Director Thea Kano. For more information, visit GMCW.org. GMCW partners with New York’s Gallim Dance and 40 members of the New York City Master Chorale to perform a perennial favorite of classical music, Carl Orff ’s canonical Carmina Burana. Soloists lending their talent to this performance are

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On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. On April 17, 2016, 1:30 p.m., help create and edit Wikipedia pages about the people central to this important event in the history of the District of Columbia. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk.

Outdoor Movie Series in the northern block of Canal Park, located at Second and Eye Streets SE. Each movie, selected and inspired by public demand, will begin at sundown. the BID invites movie-goers to arrive as early as 7 p.m., bring a picnic and enjoy the show. Here’s the lineup: June 2, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; June 9, Inside Out; June 16, Ocean’s Eleven; June 30, Star Wars The Force Awakens; July 7, Mean Girls; July 14, Jurassic World; July 21, Minions; July 28, Creed; Aug. 4, Pitch Perfect 2; Aug. 11, The Martian; and Aug. 18, Skyfall. Visit http://www.capitolriverfront.org/ calendar/do/outdoor-movie-series for more information.

Apply for a DC Community Heritage Project Grant

Free Tax Help at MLK Library

soprano Paige Cutrona, Young Kwang Yoo, and Robert Baker. The performance will also feature new choreography by Artistic Director for Gallim Dance Andrea Miller.

DC Emancipation Day Edit-a-thon at MLK Library

The Humanities Council wants to help you preserve the history of your community. They are accepting applications for the DC Community Heritage Project (DCCHP) grant, a unique opportunity to document Washington’s landmarks, neighborhoods and culture. The maximum grant award has been increased to $2500 this year. To apply, visit grantapplication.wdchumanities.org; proposals are due May 8. Attend a DCCHP grants workshop before applying. There is a Grants/Oral History Best Practices Workshop at Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW on Monday, April 11, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and another at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW on Wednesday, April 13, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Capitol Riverfront Outdoor Movies

The Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the lineup for this summer’s

On Sundays, at 1 p.m.; Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m; Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.; and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. through tax season, there is free tax preparation assistance, provided by Community Tax Aid, at MLK Library, 901 G St. NW. 202727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk.

DPR Wheelchair Tennis

Develop skills and refine reflexes by playing wheelchair tennis. No special equipment or modifications to the court are necessary. Compete against other wheelchair users and/or their able-bodied partners. Learn the serve, the forehand, and backhand groundstrokes, and volley. Participants will learn how to combine stroke production and wheelchair positioning and movement. All skill levels are accepted and will be accommodated. Junior and adult classes available. DPR Wheelchair Tennis is April 12 to June 9 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), 3 to 6 p.m., at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE. Email jeri.ingram@dc.gov for more information.

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Neighborhood

DOEE Launches Anacostia River Explorers Program

Anacostia River Explorers offers area residents of all ages the opportunity to engage directly with the Anacostia River and local wildlife through free, guided boat tours. These educational tours will provide an overview of the river’s history, associated wildlife, environmental threats and will highlight District initiatives to restore and protect the city’s two major waterways. Tours, offered in one or two-hour options, are conducted on motorized boats or canoes. The program is funded by the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund and participation is open to anyone, no matter their age, ability, or language — increasing accessibility to the river for residents in all eight wards. Tours launch from several locations along the Anacostia River; and are available to public and private groups. Special arrangements may be required for minors, individuals with disabilities and participants needing translation services. Visit doee.dc.gov/service/anacostiariver-explorers or call 202-645-4231 to sign up or get more information.

DOEE Needs Citizen Scientists

The Department of Energy & Environment’s Fisheries and Wildlife Division is monitoring the population of eastern cottontail rabbits and eastern chipmunks in the District. Become a Citizen Scientist by recording rabbit and chipmunk sightings and sharing them with their biologists. Help protect and conserve rabbits and chipmunks in the city. For more information on the program and how to become a volunteer, contact Lindsay Rohrbaugh at citizen.science@dc.gov.

District DMV Late Wednesdays

All District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles locations now open an hour later every Wednesday. The change in hours will improve customer service by allowing the agency to provide consistent training and accurate communication to all employees. On Wednesdays, the Service Centers, Adjudication Services, and the Brentwood Road Test and CDL Office will open at 9:15 a.m. During the spring/summer hours that start on the first Tuesday in June, the Inspection Station will open at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays. The Fall/Winter hours begin on the first Tuesday in September, and the Inspection Station will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays.

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Call for Graffiti and Aerosol Mural Artists

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in partnership with the DC Department of Public Works is seeking graffiti artists and artist teams to design, create and install aerosol murals. Selected artists will be required to work with youth, ages 14 to 18, interested in graffiti art by introducing and refining each student’s artistic skill in the discipline of graffiti style sketch work and aerosol mural painting. The work is budgeted at $3,000 to $15, 000 per mural. Find details at dcarts.dc.gov. The application deadline is Friday, April 22, 4 p.m.

Ladysmiths Art Jewelry Show

The Ladysmiths Art Jewelry group is holding their annual spring show and sale on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, 1 to 8 p.m. at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. The show will feature the work of 24 local jewelry and fiber artists. This event is an opportunity to purchase top quality, one-of-a-kind original designs created by talented local artists. The Ladysmiths, a group of dedicated female metalsmiths in the greater DC area, began nine years ago when friends got together to create a forum to support and encourage each other. They are focused on learning new techniques and creating new marketplaces for their work. For more information, go to facebook.com/ladysmithsjewelrycollective.

Pepco Provides Free Trees

Pepco has announced that it will provide 1,350 free trees to residential customers in the District of Columbia through the Energy-Saving Trees program. It’s the sixth year of the partnership that helps customers conserve energy and reduce household electric bills through strategic tree planting. Since 2011, Pepco customers will have received more than 13,000 free trees thanks to the partnership between Pepco and the Arbor Day Foundation. Pepco residential customers can request up to two free trees by visiting arborday.org/pepco, or by calling 1-855-670-2771. The 18 to 36 inch trees that will be delivered directly to customers include Eastern Redbud, Crepe Myrtle, River Birch, Red Maple, Northern Red Oak and are in small containers that allow for the growth of a better root system.

Save Honey Bee Swarms

If you see a swarm of bees, call 202-255 4318 or email dcbees-at-dcbeekeepers.org. DC Beekeepers can send an experienced beekeeper there quickly to help out. Remember that honeybees are under extreme survival pressure. Swarms represent the few that have not only figured out how to survive pests, pesticides and climate change, but thrive. DC Beekeepers can give swarming bees safe homes elsewhere. Help them ensure honey bees can continue to make our food supply and green spaces grow. Swarm information is at dcbeekeepers.org/do-you-have-swarm-honey-bees.

DPR Opens Natural Grass Fields

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation has opened all grass fields. DPR’s natural grass fields undergo yearly scheduled maintenance for re-seeding, re-sodding and re-lining. DPR offers 116 athletic fields for community use and organized play. Visit dpr.dc.gov for a location suited to your interest.

The George Washington Patriot Run

Grab ye olde tricorn hat and dash through history during the first-ever USATF-certified road race to enter the historic property at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. On Sunday, Sept. 11, the George Washington Patriot Run will host thousands of runners for its 5K and 10K races beginning at 8 a.m. Organized by Mount Vernon and the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee, the race will take runners up the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway. Return down the George Washington Memorial Parkway to trace Washington’s footsteps through the historic area at Mount Vernon. Cross the finish line with the beautiful Mansion in view. To register, visit mountvernon.org/run. Race registration is $50 and includes admission to Mount Vernon, a race t-shirt, and finisher medal.

Cancer Patients Need Volunteer Drivers

For many cancer patients, getting to and from treatment is the toughest challenge. The American Cancer Society (ACS) needs volunteer drivers in the DC area to help provide transportation for people undergoing treatment. Schedules are flexible. To volunteer, call 410-781-6909 or email jen.burdette@cancer.org.

Spring Cleaning Water Pipes Begins

Through May 2, the disinfectant in drinking water temporarily switches from chloramine to chlorine. The annual switch in water disinfection is part of a routine program to clean and maintain drinking water systems in the DC area. Every year for six to eight weeks, disinfectants are switched from chloramine back to chlorine to flush out the water distribution system and improve water quality. Individuals and business owners who take special precautions to remove chloramine from tap water such as dialysis centers, medical facilities and aquatic pet owners, should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch to chlorine. Most methods for removing chloramine from tap water are effective in removing chlorine. Individuals with special health concerns should consult a health care provider on the use of tap water. During this time, individuals may notice a slight change in the taste and smell of their drinking water. Local water authorities recommend running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating tap water to reduce the chlorine taste and odor. Water filters are also effective for reducing chlorine taste and odor. DC Water can be reached at 202-612-3440, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 202-612-3400, 24-hours. Have an item for the Bulletin Board? Email bulletinboard@ hillrag.com. u

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Neighborhood

Who Pays the Price When Child Care Assistance Is Too Low?

Ways to Reinforce the Early Care and Education Economy in DC by Soumya Bhat

ll families should have access to high quality care and education for their children. We know that quality care in the District is expensive, but also critical for our youngest residents, under age three, if they are to enter school healthy and ready to learn. Many of the District’s low-income families rely on the city’s child care subsidy program to access quality child care while they are pursuing work, education, or training opportunities. That means many child care providers in low-income neighborhoods rely on the city’s child care subsidy program to operate successfully. So how can we ensure that community-based providers offering early care and education to mostly low-income families are adequately funded to offer high quality care? This was the focus of the new report jointly released by DC Fiscal Policy Institute and DC Appleseed – Solid Footing: Reinforcing the Early Care and Education Economy for Infants and Toddlers in DC. The study looks at the cost of providing quality child care for infants and toddlers in the District, based on interviews with providers serving families in DC’s child care subsidy program. Families who qualify can receive financial assis-

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tance from the government to help offset the costs of child care. However, many early care and education providers struggle to make ends meet because of a large gap between the costs of providing quality care and resources available from the city through its subsidy program. This creates an unsustainable business model, which threatens the ability of low- and moderate-income families to find a high-quality center for their children that is close to home or work. In order to assure quality programs are available to all District residents – particularly children from low-income families – the District must invest strategically to build more sustainable business and service delivery models, and invest strategically in the child care workforce. Here are a few recommendations from the report that can help the District achieve these goals.

cannot afford to pay. That’s why one of our recommendations is to increase child care subsidy rates and other government services to cover the gap for high-quality providers. For the highest rated (gold) centers, we estimate the total investment needed is $38 million, which can be phased in over time. For all centers, the cost would be at least $70 million.

Differentiate Child Care Subsidy Rates

In addition to increasing the amount of subsidy, we recommend implementing differentiated subsidy rates that take other factors into account beyond a child’s age and program quality. For example, pro-

Increase Child Care Subsidy Rates

Our analysis shows that current child care subsidy rates from the District cover only 66 to 70 percent of the typical annual cost per infant or toddler for care in an accredited environment. In addition to subsidy, early care and education providers can receive support from private-paying families, other government sources, fundraising efforts, or in-kind resources. However, in some neighborhoods few families earn enough to pay the market rate and must rely on the subsidy program. In these neighborhoods, many providers struggle to make ends meet on the low reimbursements from the subsidy program, while meeting standards for quality. Many providers we interviewed reported operating at a loss, paying low wages to staff, or even going into personal debt to float their business operations. Child care providers serving our most vulnerable children should not have to be forced to choose between paying staff a competitive wage and covering the cost of caring for a child whose family

viders could receive additional funding for operating programs in census tracts with highest poverty rates, or for providing services during non-traditional hours.

Help Child Care Centers Share Services

Some providers in the District struggle to manage the business and administrative side of running a child care center and could benefit from outsourcing certain parts of the business that are not central to developing children’s cognitive and social-emotional development. We recommend the District continue to explore “shared service” arrangements which offer providers access to third-party professionals to handle administrative and business tasks for their child development center or home. This allows small

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The District should adopt or design specific professional development tracks, such as serving children with special needs, and then incentivize providers to pursue these opportunities with bonuses to staff who participate. Financial incentives reward providers and staff who choose such specializations and help them build more capacity to serve children and families.

Bhat is an education policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www. dcfpi.org), which conducts research on tax and budget issues that aﬀect lowand moderate-income DC residents. u

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We also recommend that DC create a salary supplement program for teachers and directors based on education levels and longevity. Increases in reimbursement rates alone may not change compensation levels for the child care workforce. However, there are programs, like the Child Care WAGE$ model from North Carolina, that invest in workforce compensation directly through annual supplements to early care and education teachers and directors based on education and time spent in the industry or their current program. This type of program could help DC improve retention and recruitment efforts while improving outcomes for children. We hope some of these recommendations can be accomplished during the FY 2017 budget season. You can find the full report at http://www.dcfpi.org/solidfooting-reinforcing-the-early-careand-education-economy-for-infants-and-toddlers-in-dc.

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Neighborhood

Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann

Shaw Main Streets Holds Annual Meeting

Shaw Main Streets held its 13th annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis Washington Hotel (901 Massachusetts Ave. NW ) on the night of March 23. After a welcome from Shaw Main Streets Board Chair Gretchen Wharton and Executive Director Alexander Padro, Anna Harvey, the director of the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, spoke on her experience with the group over the years and how important it is for the District to support neighborhood businesses. Councilmember Takoda rooftop beer garden. Photo: Vithaya Photography. Courtesy of Takoda Brianne Nadeau lauded the success of Shaw Main Streets and added 2015 marking the first year that more new nonthat she would like to expand the concept to other food enterprises opened than food and drink parts of her ward. Councilmember Charles Allen establishments in the Shaw Main Streets area. related his efforts on the DC Council to strengthThe openings created 300 new permanent jobs en businesses and industries. in Shaw. The organization won an Innovation on Padro gave a review of the organization’s past Main Street award from the National Main Streets year. Shaw saw a total of 33 new businesses, with Center in 2015 and is a finalist for the national Great American Main Streets Award in 2016, an honor that Padro promised Shaw Main Streets would bring back to the District in May. Then the winners of the Best New Shaw Business of 2015 contest were announced. The winner, determined by email votes submitted by neighborhood patrons, was Rito Loco (606 Florida Ave. NW), while District Pilates (1302 Ninth Rito Loco owners Louie Hankins and Daniel Diaz accept the Best New Shaw Business of 2015 award, with Shaw St. NW) and FoundMain Streets’ Alexander Padro and Ali Kianersi. Photo: Pleasant Mann

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ry Gallery (2118 Eighth St. NW) were runners-up. Rito Loco owners Louie Hankins and Daniel Diaz accepted the award, saying how happy they were to have opened in Shaw and thanking their customers for support of their business. The meeting closed with the election of new members to the Shaw Main Streets Board of Directors. On the slate of candidates were Ali Kianersi (Colombo Bank), Christine M. Lopez (Roadside Development), Maggie O’Neill (Swatchroom), Angie Salame (Columbia Room), and Ben Tesfaye (U Street Parking). The slate was elected unanimously. After the annual meeting the Marriott Marquis set up a reception for attendees on the hotel mezzanine. Fran Abrams of the Foundry Gallery expressed her excitement to be in Shaw, noting that since the gallery moved to the Atlantic Plumbing building it has gotten as much traffic in one week as it would have had in one month at the former Dupont Circle location.

Shaw Business Buzz Breakfast

Shaw Main Streets also held a Business Buzz breakfast at the Seventh Street Compass Coffee, March 15, as a meet and greet opportunity for local entrepreneurs. Hosts Harrison Suarez and Michael Haft announced that Compass Coffee was opening a third location on Sixth Street downtown. Courtney Snowden, the deputy mayor for greater economic opportunity, emphasized the importance of economic vibrancy to the District’s neighborhoods. Councilmembers Vincent Orange and Charles Allen reminded the crowd that a considerable part of the District’s procurement budget was available for small businesses and that the DC Council intended to make operating in DC easier for local enterprises.

Shaw Opens More Restaurants (Duh!)

Actress Linda Carter, speaking about keeping in shape post-Wonder Woman, noted that “Mexican food is my weakness. Thank God I live in Washington where it’s horrible. They put in some tomatoes and bell peppers and call it salsa!” Well, that’s not true anymore after the opening of Espita Mezcaleria (1250 Ninth St. NW ) in Shaw. Besides offering over 80 exotic, high octane mezcals, the restaurant has seven different salsas on the

extensive fare of beer, whiskey, and high-end bar food. Also opening was Kyirisan (1924 Eighth St. NW ), the first DC restaurant from celebrated chef Tim Ma. Characterized as an Asian-French bistro, Kyirisan will offer a mix of new dishes and standards from his other restaurants such as Water & Wall in Arlington.

Parcel 42 Update

The deputy mayor for planning and economic development will hold an informational session on the development proposals for

Deputy Mayor Courtney Snowden addresses the Shaw Business Buzz Breakfast at Compass Coffee. Photo: Pleasant Mann

menu including a mescal-based borracha. Espita also provides a full menu of authentic Mexican ceviches, various mole dishes, and of course full-bodied tacos. The tortillas are made from heirloom corn imported from Oaxaca state in Mexico. March also saw the inauguration of Takoda (715 Florida Ave. NW ), which got immediate notoriety for its large rooftop “beer garden” that has a view on three sides. A dining room on the second floor offers the establishment’s

Parcel 42 on Wednesday, April 13, 6:00 p.m., at the Howard Theater. Parcel 42, a city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Seventh and R streets NW, is one of the few undeveloped properties remaining in Shaw. The session will enable the six development groups vying for the site to present their proposals to Shaw residents, allowing an examination of the size, aesthetics, retail amenities, and provisions for affordable housing that each could bring to the neighborhood. u

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Neighborhood

Bloomingdale Buzz by Ellen Boomer

It’s Showtime!

Showtime bar is the best place in DC to deal with the Sunday night blues. Thanks to the funk fusion band Granny and the Boys and the $3 Natty Bohs, Monday mornings are easier to face. On a recent Sunday night the band was missing their bass player and got a late start due to technical issues with the equipment. Granny just shook her head, shrugged her shoulders, and kept right on playing the keyboard. “We were what I would call ‘coasting,’” said Alice “Granny” Donahue. “I wanted to play ‘Thriller’ but couldn’t without our bass player [Roberto Santos].” Guitarist Tony Harrad filled in for Santos, and with L.K. on vocals – and cowbell – the band brought the funk, rounding out their first set with Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” which could be Donahue’s anthem. “Age means nothing as long as you’re willing to work with it,” said Donahue, who plays music by ear. “The brain’s cortex is firing best when playing music; that could be why I’m still doing what I’m doing.” The 83-year-old is playing music so well, in fact, that one Facebook fan described her as a “bad-ass octogenarian.” Others may just call her a “cougar” since her partner, Richard Lynch, the band’s drummer, is 20 years her junior. She became manager of Lynch’s band when they started dating in the late-90s, and then she filled in for a missing keyboardist. She’s been on keyboard ever since. After losing various members over the years, Donahue and Lynch remain the heart of the band. “What I’m doing is what I love to do,” Donahue shared. “Music has no color lines and has its own language. This is what we need today.” Check out Granny and the Boys at Showtime on Sunday nights (note that Showtime is a cash-only bar) and, starting this month, at Old Engine 12

Granny and the Boys at Showtime. Pictured are “Granny” Donahue and Richard Lynch

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The Roost DC team at the company’s launch party. Photo: Victoria Milko

Restaurant on Thursday nights. Visit Showtime at 113 Rhode Island Ave. NW and Old Engine 12 Restaurant at 1626 North Capitol St. NW, at www.oldengine12restaurant.com, or call 202-299-9128.

Ruling the Roost

Roost DC, a boutique property management company, is Nest DC’s sister company and shares the same DNA commitment to community involvement. The main difference between these sisters is that Roost is co-owned by the employees. Nest DC owner Lisa Wise saw the opportunity to empower her employees and combat the notoriously high turnover rate in her field that results from lack of growth opportunities and team support as well as lower salaries. “As an owner, that dynamic is totally different, and so is the commitment to the growth and the excellence of our work,” Wise said. While Nest provides rental services, Roost works with condo associations and coops to manage properties that are anywhere from about 10 units to 100. “Most management companies provide a single point of contact for each building, but Roost … has a team of folks working on everything from maintenance to governance and finance,” Wise explained. “It allows us to develop stronger expertise, back each other up, and better meet the needs of the building.” A core part of Roost’s mission is to support the community through volunteering time at organizations such as the Humane Society, co-sponsoring activities with Bread for the City, or participating in neighborhood clean-ups. Community commitment extends to patronizing and partnering with local businesses, including Ace Hardware. “Every time a new tenant moves

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING WITH US? Urban farming at Common Good City Farm. Photo: Common Good City Farm

into a Roost property the unit needs to be refreshed – completely cleaned, a fresh coat of paint, maybe new lightbulbs and toilet parts,” said Gina Schaefer, who with her husband Marc Friedman owns 11 Ace Hardware stores in DC and Baltimore. “By choosing to spend their dollars at locally based businesses like mine, they are constantly reinvesting in community growth here in Washington,” Schaefer said. Contact Roost DC at www.roost-dc.com, at info@roost-dc.com, or call 202-986-3088.

Urban Farming

Common Good City Farm (CGCF) is gearing up for another season of growing fresh produce and educating the community. Through urban farming and various outreach programs this nonprofit is nourishing community members and empowering them in the process. “Our produce distribution programs … provide access to fresh, affordable produce to our neighbors,” remarked Rachael Callahan, CGCF’s executive director. “Our education and volunteer programs provide hands-on, experiential education and skillsbuilding to all ages.” Since it started in 2007, CGCF has taught more than 1,000 DC residents and over 2,100 DC students about the importance of eating healthy food and gaining access to it. CGCF works with youth in the

community through its LEAF after-school program. “At first students are less interested in actually eating the vegetables,” Callahan said. “But after being a part of helping the vegetables grow and being a part of preparing a dish with those veggies, they are eager to try because they were engaged in every step of the process.” Green Tomorrows enables low-income individuals to learn hands-on food production skills, cooking skills, and nutrition information. Volunteers receive a weekly bag of the farm’s produce. “The whole city’s attitude toward and awareness about healthy, local food has changed in the last three years,” Callahan explained, adding that food-assistance vouchers make buying local produce possible. “Many of the food banks and soup kitchens have regional, seasonal produce donated to them and/or are providing healthy cooking/ nutrition classes to their clients.” Callahan added, “We are happy to be a part of it and to be a place that people can go to connect with food and get excited about it. Then they can use all of the other great resources in the city to continue making the lifestyle change.” CGCF’s season opener event is on Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., on the farm. Visit Common Good City Farm at commongoodcityfarm.org or call 202-559-7513. The farm is on V Street between Second and Fourth streets NW. u

Call Kira Means 202-400-3508

or kira@hillrag.com for more information on advertising.

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Neighborhood

Mt. Vernon Triangle by Ellen Boomer

The Perfect Partnership

Politics & Prose (P&P) bookstore has arrived in the neighborhood and is happily settling in at Busboys and Poets. With DC’s iconic bookstore right in MVT, residents can have their minds and bodies nourished without ever leaving this community. “It made perfect sense for the two cultural hubs to join forces,” said Jon Purves of P&P. While all Busboys’ locations had bookstores, owner Andy Shallal wanted the expertise that an independent bookstore could offer. In addition to the MVT location P&P is currently managing the bookstores in Brookland and Takoma and at the original Busboys’ location at 14th and V streets. Adam Waterreus of P&P remarked that MVT “is a great neighborhood. You can feel the energy of a place rising, and we’re excited to be part of that.” He added, “The location is ideal too. Being closer to downtown means we can bring events within walking distance for thousands of workers and residents.” Just as the art and events at each Busboys’ location reflect the surrounding neighborhood, so too will P&P’s book selection and programming. And customers can order books from P&P and have them delivered free of charge to the MVT location. “We plan to reach out to the nearby apartment buildings to connect with the community and learn what people who make MVT their home are seeking,” Purves explained. “We’re looking at making this a hub for events about science, the environment, and sociology,

Politics & Prose’s outpost in Mount Vernon Triangle. Photo: Politics & Prose

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based on interests of many nearby workers and residents who are engaged in those fields.” In the coming months P&P will host several authors at MVT’s Busboys and Poets location including Joel Kotkin, Natalia Holt, Jean Troustine, CNN global contributor Parag Khanna, and baseball journalist Ben Lindbergh. Check P&P’s website for more details and take advantage of having one of the best independent bookstores in the country right in your backyard. Visit Politics and Prose/Busboys and Poets at 1025 Fifth St. NW, www.politics-prose.com and www.busboysandpoets.com, or call 202-733-3739.

Istanbul, not Constantinople

With this month’s opening of Ottoman Taverna, Hakan Ilhan is bringing a piece of his native Turkey to Mount Vernon Triangle. His newest restaurant will join Alba Osteria and L’Hommage Bistro Français to complete the restaurateur’s neighborhood trifecta of international cuisines. “Mr. Ilhan wants to bring a little piece of the world so everybody has a place to go,” said Emerson Rezende, director of special events. “He really believes in the neighborhood; he knows there’s a lot more to come, and he wants to be here from the start.” The restaurant, which will have about 160 seats indoors and 40 outside, will include several spaces for private events as well as a “Sultan’s” or chef ’s table next to the open kitchen. “We’ll work with buildings and residents to see how we can help them,” Rezende shared. “We are committed to being a neighborhoodfriendly place.” The cuisine will be as diverse and far-reaching at the Ottoman Empire itself. In addition to traditional Turkish dishes such as kabobs, vegetables, lamb, and rice the menu will feature Greek, Eastern European, and Lebanese items. “It’s not just Turkish and not just Mediterranean,” Rezende said. “It defies definition. What about Ottomanish?” The chef will change the menu two to three times per year, depending on

A rendering of Ottoman Taverna’s bar area. Photo: Ottoman Taverna

what’s in season, and will include individual dishes as well as larger dishes to share. In addition to the regular dinner menu there will be different menus for private events and brunch. “We want to be a fine restaurant without the top-dollar cost,” Rezende said. Visit Ottoman Taverna on Fourth Street between I and K streets NW, at www.ottomantaverna. com, or call 202-847 0395.

Wilkes Fellowship

The Wilkes Company is doing more for DC than just putting up new buildings. To support the community from the ground up this developer has established a $10,000 endowed annual fellowship to foster the creation of a network of parks and green spaces in the NoMa neighborhood. Mount Vernon Triangle is evidence of the company’s vision and community commitment. Wilkes built the Lyric, the Sonata, and Madrigal Lofts, and is currently developing several buildings as part of Mount Vernon Place. Sandy Wilkes, chairman of the Wilkes Company, is a founding director of the MVT Community Improvement District (CID) and a founder and vice chairman of the NoMa Business Improvement District (BID). Like MVT, NoMa is a quickly developing neighborhood though it lacks the same accessibility to parks, playgrounds, and plazas. With help from Wilkes and a $50 million grant from the DC Council the NoMa Parks Foundation hopes to change that. “With public funding in place there’s an opportunity for the private sector to step forward and play an important, civic-minded role in order to ensure that NoMa continues to develop not only as a vibrant

ANC 6E

by Steve Holton

Bike Lane Discussion

Sandy Wilkes, chair of the Wilkes Company. Photo: Wilkes Company

place to work and live but one graced by beautiful green spaces – places to play, to celebrate, to walk and refresh,” Wilkes said. “With the establishment of the fellowship the Wilkes Company is pleased to commit its resources toward this goal.” The NoMa Parks Fellow will conduct research on park precedents and best practices, identify grant opportunities, and assist with planning activities for NoMa parks projects. The NoMa Parks Foundation will unveil an interactive website where community members can share their ideas for parks in NoMa. “We are excited to provide members of the city’s graduate school community a meaningful opportunity to be involved in city-building and place-making at a critical moment in the evolution of this great neighborhood,” Wilkes said. “Funding this fellowship will further energize the work of the NoMa Parks Foundation and greatly enhance the ability of staff to properly deploy our public funding and facilitate community involvement.” Contact the NoMa BID at 1200 First St. NE, Suite 310, at www.nomabid.org, or call 202289-0111. Contact the Wilkes Company at 5101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 200, at www. thewilkescompany.com, or call 202-882-1100. u

The commissioners informed attendees that alternatives are being considered for bike lanes that will provide safe passage for cyclists who traverse through the jurisdiction of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6E. One recommendation made by ANC 6E01 Commissioner Alexander Padro would be to turn Sixth Street NW into a one-way street going south between Rhode Island and New York Avenue. The idea could be used as the basis for a study being taken by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) that would determine where to place a safe bicycle lane with minimal impact to street parking. Phil Koopman, owner of BicycleSPACE, located at 440 K St. NW, said at the meeting that the goal would be to provide safe and protected bike lanes for people who are not comfortable riding with traffic. Koopman also said that the Sixth Street plan is a good compromise for riders to travel between downtown and the Shaw area. “This is an effective way to move people across a city with an increasing population,” he said. He noted that the biggest impact will be on the weekend, when 10 parking spaces, maximum, would be eliminated. Businesses in the area support the plan because they believe that cyclists are more likely to stop and visit establishments than riders in automobiles. During the week, he said, traffic and travel time for cars will not be greatly impacted. Representatives of local churches said they favor rider safety but remarked that it will make Sunday worship extremely difficult with less parking spaces available. A few bicyclists commented that Sixth Street is very dangerous and can be terrifying for riders. The commissioners said it is possible to work out a compromise between riders and impacted residents but encouraged everyone to go to DDOT’s website and comment on the bike lane plans. They can also visit the Washington Area Bicyclists Association’s website, www.waba. org, for additional information.

Fourth Street Zoning Request

A representative of a building project located at 1212 and 1218 Fourth St. NW spoke at the meeting and gave details on the project, including parking plans. The project will have 22 residential units with approximately 29 underground parking spaces and ground-floor retail service. Project representatives had previously met with the 6E commissioners, and extra provisions were made since that meeting in preparation of going before the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). Any excess parking spaces will be offered to community residents who live within 200 feet of the building, renting at the market rate minus 15 percent. The representative said that the build-

ing’s tenants will not be allowed to apply for a residential street parking permit. Ground-floor retail will be 760 square-feet, and some of the area residents suggested using the space as a coffee shop or dry cleaners. The representative noted that there is some division in the community over the project, but the developer has been forthright and has addressed every stated concern to find a compromise. The representative also said that the number of parking spaces is a rough estimate and that a firm number will not be available until a civil engineer inspects the property and makes a determination. The commissioners took three separate votes on the project. The first vote, to support variance relief for the project and communicate that to DDOT and BZA, passed. The second vote, to support a letter to DDOT and BZA regarding extra residential parking permits (RPP), such as not allowing the project’s residents to park on the street, resulted in a three to three split among the six commissioners present. The third vote, to state in the letter that 29 spaces is the minimum number acceptable and that residents within a 200-foot radius have the first right of refusal of the spaces, passed.

Shaw Area Sewer Projects

Representatives from the DC Water and Sewer Authority Community Outreach Department were at the meeting and made attendees aware of upcoming sewer evaluation and repair projects. They noted that with today’s technology streets will not need to be closed, and maintenance will take a fraction of the time, but it will be necessary to inspect an area several times, taking videos and assessing whether or not work needs to be done. The repair process will last a couple of days at a time but not weeks and months. The most disruption will involve briefly taking out part of the parking zone. Notices will be sent to homes that may be affected, and it is not unusual to smell ethanol in the air during the repair period. The city choses the areas through conditional assessments based on the number of complaints of broken or backed-up pipes.

Outdoor Cafe Permit for K Street

A representative from Shouk restaurant, located at 613 K St. NW, appeared before the commissioners to request support for an outdoor cafe seating permit. The outdoor area will seat up to 12 people. The commissioners voted in favor of communicating support for the application to DDOT. Shouk is a quick-serve restaurant with a Middle Eastern concept and is scheduled to open later this spring.

Next Meeting

ANC 6E will meet at 6:30 p.m. on April 7 at the Northwest One Library on 155 L St. NW. Visit www.anc6e.org to view the newsletter; follow on Twitter @ANC6E and on Facebook by searching ANC6E. Steve Holton can be contacted at ssholton@gmail.com and followed on twitter @ssholton. u

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kids and family

by Kathleen Donner

USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo

On Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., explore science and engineering with more than 3,000 hands-on activities in fields like robotics, genomics, advanced manufacturing, 3D printing,

Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club

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cryogenics, space exploration and more. Meet astronauts, inventors, paleontologists, neuroscientists, teen scientists, astrophysicists, and more. Other highlights include incredible stage shows including Grammy Award-Winners ‘They Might Be Giants’, Actor Wil Wheaton, Sick Science’s Steve Spangler, Science Cheerleaders, and Dr. Ka-

Kids Run the Bases at Nat’s Park

Kids, ages 4 to 12, can run the bases after select Nationals games. Kids Run the Bases begins immediately following the game, weather permitting. Dates this season are April 10 and 24; May 15 and 29; July 3, 17 and 24; Aug. 7, 14 and 28; and Sept. 11. An adult must accompany runners to the field. There must be one adult per child on the field. Starting at first base, kids will be directed to run around the bases while the adults continue along the warning track and meet the runners near home plate. Once the game has ended, it takes the grounds crew approximately 20 minutes to prepare the field. Kids and parents/guardians can begin lining up at the end of the seventh inning. However, fans who would like to stay and watch the entire game will still be able to line up once the game has ended. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. The line forms outside of the park on the sidewalk along First Street SE. washington.nationals.mlb.com.

Providing families in Washington, DC with a fully implemented, public Montessori program for children ages pre-k through 6th grade.

NOW ENROLLING PRE-K 3 & 4 FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2016-17

1244 TAYLOR ST. NW WASHINGTON, DC 20011 202-810-5603 www.breakthroughmontessori.org For more information on 2016-17 enrollment, contact us at info@breakthroughmontessori.org

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kids and family

boom. This free event is at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The USA Science & Engineering Festival is a national grassroots effort to advance STEM education and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Their exhibitors, performers, speakers, partners, sponsors and advisors are a who’s who of science and engineering in the United States from major academic centers, leading research institutes and government agencies to cutting-edge high tech companies, museums and community organizations. USAScienceFestival.org.

The Wizard of Oz

This new production of The Wizard of Oz is an adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this production contains the beloved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, in a journey through the magical land of Oz. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys. The Wizard of Oz is at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., May 3 to 15. thenationaldc.org.

Wee Keegans Bright Stars Summer Camp

In one week (Aug. 15 to 19; 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), middle school students will collaborate to create a unified ensemble--a safe environment in which they can tell their own stories using various theatrical and language forms: poetry, monologues, scene work, improvisation, movement and music. Participants work with teaching artists representing a range of

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disciplines from choreographers to musical directors to spoken word performers; all working artists as well as educators. Bright Stars Summer Camp is at The Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. The cost is $350. keegantheatre.com.

Cherry Blossom Family Day

On Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival at National Archives with fun, hands-on activities exploring the many ways countries show their friendship. Investigate treaties and learn about some of the interesting gifts countries have given our government. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW. archives.gov.

Children of the Gospel Choir

Washington Performing Arts and Children’s Chorus of Washington present Children of the Gospel Choir & Children’s Chorus of Washington in a concert on Sunday, May 1, 4 p.m., at The Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are $25 to $45. thelincolndc.com.

Visual Arts Workshops for Children

Kuumba Expressions presents three two-hour visual arts workshops, led by its founder Afrika Abney, on April 16, May 21 and June 18, 2 to 4 p.m. The workshops are open to kids ages 6 through 12 including those with developmental disabilities. Participants receive instruction in painting, using traditional and nontraditional materials. The classes are at Emergence Community Arts Collective, 733 Euclid St. NW. One session is $15; three sessions are $30. For more information, send a note

to kuumbaexpressions@yahoo.com and visit them at kuumbaexpressions.weebly.com.

Volunteer with KEEN

KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) is committed to providing free recreational opportunities to children and young adults with disabilities by pairing them with trained volunteers for fun, noncompetitive activities. KEEN seeks to develop each athlete’s self-esteem and confidence. Volunteers must be mature, responsible, at least 15 years old and able to provide three references at their first training session. Read more at keengreaterdc.org/volunteer-keen.

Sleepovers at Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Associates presents true Night at the Museum experiences for children in the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Sleepovers are held April through August, beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 8:45 a.m. The next morning, kids and their chaperones can choose their adventure, whether it is sleeping beneath a 50-foot whale, spending the night at the home of the Star-Spangled Banner or among thousands of aviation and space artifacts including a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery. They will experience the museums in a whole new way during a night of fun that features tours, games, crafts and more. Children ages 8 to 12 may participate. There must be at least one adult for every three children in any group that registers. Chaperones must be 21 years or older. No adults without children. All participants must pre-register by calling 202-633-3030 or by visiting the

Smithsonian Associates box office in the S. Dillon Ripley Center at 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, Suite 3077. The $135 price includes exclusive access and activities in the museum, an evening snack, interactive exploration, arts and crafts activities and a light breakfast. T-shirts are available for purchase. For more information and a schedule of events, visit smithsoniansleepovers.org.

BEST Kids Superhero 5K & Fun Run

The BEST Kids 2016 Superhero 5K & Fun run is a celebration of the everyday heroes that make a positive impact in the lives of kids in DC’s foster care system. There are many ways to participate including running/walking the race, becoming a sponsor or volunteering. This family-friendly and stroller-friendly race takes place on Saturday, April 23, 8 a.m. The annual run this year is held on scenic Hains Point. bestkids.org.

Summer Transport Institute

DDOT and Howard University are accepting applications for the Howard University Summer Transportation Institute (HUSTI). This program is designed to attract rising ninth and tenth grade students to career fields in transportation. HUSTI provides a stimulating introduction to all modes of transportation through hands-on projects, problem-solving techniques, field trips, classroom and enrichment activities. Participants will gain skills in mathematics, science and technology. The program runs June 27 to July 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily, at Howard University. The program is free to all students and lunch is provided. To participate, students along with their parent or guardian must submit an application by May 6. Application materials and additional program information can be found

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kids and family

grab your friends and register today. Not a runner? Walkers and virtual runners welcome. Bring the whole family. Put your tots in a stroller and join the stroller brigade. The Bright Beginnings 5K takes place April 30, 8 a.m., at West Potomac Park. 202-842-9090. brightbeginningsinc.org/5k.

Chess Challenge in DC

Photo: Courtesy of the Kennedy Center

at hutrc.howard.edu/index.php/ hu-sti.

“Boxes, Boxes, Boxes!”

Moby Dick

The courageous crew of the Pequod sets out to find a legendary whale. This inventive production features three actors who use their bodies, ever-switching hats and a variety of musical instruments to create excitement and suspense. For ages 7 and older. $20. Performances on Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.; and Sunday, April 24, 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. kennedy-center.org.

Two friends use their imaginations to build bridges, birds, a train, a plane and even a castle from cardboard boxes. Jump inside the world of a child’s imagination. Performances are followed by a “free play” session, allowing the audience to build their own creations using props from the show. Best for two to five-year-olds. Imaginations Stage’s “Boxes, Boxes, Boxes!” runs from April 23 to May 1 at the Atlas. Tickets are $9. Buy tickets at atlasarts.org.

“Freedom in the Balance”

The Newseum has launched “Freedom in the Balance.” This free online resource for teachers and students uses the events of Sept. 11, 2001 to examine the fragile balance between the First Amendment’s five freedoms - religion,

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speech, press, assembly and petition - and concerns for personal safety, diversity and the public good throughout history. The new educational resource is available at newseumed.org. This website provides learners of all ages with free access to curated, standards-aligned content from the Newseum’s vast collection of more than 35,000 newspapers and magazines, 20,000 artifacts and 40,000 photographs. “Freedom in the Balance” is made possible with support by the For Action Initiative and the Families of September 11.

Bright Beginnings 5K

The annual Bright Beginnings 5K raises funds that help provide educational, therapeutic, health and family services free of charge to homeless infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families in DC. All proceeds directly support programs that prepare children for kindergarten and help parents get back on their feet. Put on your running shoes,

The fifth annual Chess Challenge in DC Citywide Chess Tournament is on April 16, at Woodrow Wilson High School, 3950 Chesapeake St. NW. It is open to all DC Elementary and Middle School Students. The unrated tournament features five rounds of play with a blitz playoff. Over 200 students from DC public, private, and charter elementary and middle schools are expected to take part. The top three finishers are awarded trophies and all participants receive ribbons. Registration includes a tee shirt, lunch, and raffle tickets for prizes. Registration has opened at ChessChallengeinDC.org.

Changes to DPR Tackle Football

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has announced changes for the 2016 Youth Tackle Football season. For over 20 years, DPR has offered a youth tackle football league program. Most recently, DPR participated in the national Pop Warner football program. Starting this year, DPR will return to the DPR Youth Tackle Football League (YTFL) program. DPR’s YTFL will be offered to interested associations/teams for kids, ages 5 to 14. Both male and female players are welcome. DPR’s Youth Tackle Football League is open to interested associations/teams from the District, Maryland and Virginia. Five divisions, classified by age

(not weight), will be offered. Registration is open. dpr.dc.gov.

Kids Farm Month at the Zoo

Celebrate Kids’ Farm Month, sponsored by State Farm, throughout April with special activities and events. Every day, there will be special animal encounters, keeper talks and demonstrations. Each weekend, the first 500 children can take home a special Farm sticker courtesy of State Farm. Visit the lion/tiger information booth to pick up your sticker every Saturday and Sunday in April. State Farm Day is Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. State Farm will present a variety of activities with arts and crafts throughout the day and giveaways for visitors to the Kids’ Farm exhibit. A special “Tend your Garden” program will feature ways to recycle used shipping pallets to easily create beautiful urban gardens. Meet members of the Zoo’s horticulture team and help them “plant” seedlings in the pallets. Special performances featuring children’s entertainment will take place on the lion/tiger stage. Girl and Boy Scouts receive a free Kids’ Farm patch. Wear your official sashes and vests and stop by the lion/tiger information booth to pick up your commemorative patch.

Paper Trails Family Workshop

In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, explore the importance of paper across Asian artmaking traditions. With educators from the Free/Sackler and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, use traditional Japanese papers and bookmaking tools and techniques to create your own artist’s book. This program is designed for children ages six to 12 and adults to enjoy together. Paper Trails Family Workshops are on Sunday, April 10, and Saturday, April 16; 1 to 4 p.m. Please register for this program at asia.si.edu.

Story Time at the Postal Museum

The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum invites adults and young children, ages 2 to 3, to discover the world around them together at Story Time. Children will build important developmental and social skills through books, activities, songs and self-guided gallery tours. Explore themes such as shapes, colors and sizes in a relaxed setting. Feel free to bring snacks and enjoy the space after the program. Story Time is on Mondays, beginning April 4, at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Please note

that the content will be different each week, but that the 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Story Time on the same day will be identical. Free; no registration required. National Postal Museum, Byrne Education Loft, Two Massachusetts Ave. NE. 202-6335533. postalmuseum.si.edu.

Day of the Dog Kids Fun Run

The 2016 Day of the Dog at Congressional Cemetery is on May 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 5k begins at 9 a.m. near the east end of the cemetery. The kids run begins shortly after, at around 11:35 a.m. The untimed Kids Run is $10 and is a distance of about 2k. Register at congressionalcemetery.org.

NSO Family Concert– Lights! Canvas! Music!

In this new program unlike any other NSO Family Concert, internationally acclaimed “speed painter” Dan Dunn joins the orchestra to turn your favorite music into amazing visual artwork in a matter of musical measures. Come early for the Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo,” a project of the Women’s Committee for the NSO. Immediately following the 4 p.m. performance, meet concert artists for a free Kids’ Chat. Performances on Sunday, April 24, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. For ages 5 and older. $15. kennedy-center.org.

Happy Birthday, Will! at the Folger

On April 24, noon to 4 p.m., join the Folger for their annual celebration of the birthday of the Bard. From Shakespeare performances to stage combat demonstrations and Elizabethan crafts, there’s something for everyone—including birthday cake. This is also the one day of the year when the historic Reading Rooms are open to the public. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. folger.edu.

Northeast Library Children’s Book Sale

raise money for the branch to enrich the experience for library patrons and staff. For more information contact Vincent Morris, President of the Friends of the Northeast Library at vsmorris@ gmail.com.

Looking for Roberto Clemente

Sam and Charlie are best friends and baseball fanatics in Pittsburgh, PA, in the year 1972. Puerto Rican superstar Roberto Clemente is the hero of the Pittsburgh Pirates, having led the team to victory after years of losing. When a mysterious fly ball transforms Sam into a Little League Superstar pitcher, he is invited onto the most prestigious Little League team in town, while Charlie is rejected for being a girl. Charlie forms her own team with the less athletic kids and her new friend Tommy, a boy with a disability. Sam and Charlie ultimately discover what it truly means to be a “hero” when their final game coincides with Clemente’s fateful decision to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Best for ages 5, up. Show runs April 13 to May 22 at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD. 301280-1660. imaginationstage.org.

Sleeping Beauty at Glen Echo

Yet another elegant production created by the Puppet Co., “Sleeping Beauty” combines romance and adventure in a story of fairies, frogs, kings and queens, and of course, a sleeping princess and the gallant prince destined to find her. Told with rod puppets and wonderful special effects, the show is a real treat for princesses and princes, big and small. On stage at Glen Echo through May 29. Recommended for ages three and a half, up. Running time is 40 minutes. Coming soon are Li’l Red & the Pigs, June 2 to July 17; and Peter and the Wolf, July 21 to Aug. 28. thepuppetco.org. Have an item for the Kids and Family Notebook, email bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u

On Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Friends of the Northeast Library are selling only children’s books. They expect to have thousands of high quality books board books and picture books, early readers, young adult fiction and everything in betweenmost of which will cost $1 or $2. This special sale takes place at the Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 Seventh St. NE. Friends of the Northeast Library book sales

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real estate

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Premier Taking a Holistic Approach Through the Real Estate Process by Ellen Boomer

More Than Just Your Mother’s Magazine

Last year, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Premier (BHGRE) opened its first East Coast office in DC. By combining the resources of Better Homes and Gardens with the lifestyle brand’s forward-thinking philosophy, BHGRE takes a holistic approach to supporting clients through every step of the real estate process. The Better Homes and Gardens monthly magazine, which has been around for about 100 years, has offered decorating, cooking, and lifestyle tips to generations of readers. The real estate division started about 40 years ago and, like the magazine, has changed with the times. “What separates us from the rest of the pack is that we’re the only real estate company in the United States that’s a true lifestyle company,” explained Rod Rochowiak, principal broker and president. “We’re the only company where you can get not just home decorating ideas for the holidays, but you can learn about the different types of hardwood floors and which one might work better for your home and your circumstances. It’s a true lifestyle brand.” The brand is so popular in DC that almost 25 percent of the city’s population subscribes to the magazine, and the numbers are even higher in Virginia and Maryland. After San Francisco, DC is the second urban marketplace where BHGRE has opened, and the company plans to open a new office in this area every 18 months, including a Falls Church branch early this summer. “The DC market is similar to a lot of urban markets in that it’s very sophisticated,” said Jay Hurst, director of training and development at BHGRE in DC. “Buyers here are smart and college-educated. They have their methods of finding real estate, and BHGRE has tried to build a really good system to provide them with the information they’re looking for.” Client David Silva chose BHGRE to sell his investment property in Columbia Heights. “I needed someone with education and knowledge about the market,” Silva said. “I decided to sign with Rod because he knows the feel of the neighborhood and the history of it, and he educated me on how

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the neighborhood has changed.” As Rochowiak noted, “Although we’re part of a national chain, we are a local company,”. “We are locally owned and independently operated.” In addition to supporting clients through every step of the real estate transaction, BHGRE has information on its website about everything from picking paint color to garage makeovers to seasonal tips for entertaining. The real estate agents continue to advise their clients as they settle into their new homes. “Our agents are not just real estate agents; they are true consultants to the whole lifestyle experience,” Rochowiak explained. “It makes us relevant beyond the real estate transaction. It makes us relevant every day of the year.” Another advantage to working with BHGRE is their access to the resources of a national chain but with the knowledge of a local business. “We have, to use a golf analogy, a lot of clubs in the bag,” Hurst said. “Because of the affiliation with Better Homes we’re able to provide so much more.” BHGRE also has several in-house experts to help clients with even the trickiest transactions. “They had a 1031 exchange person there. As soon as I emailed, I got an immediate response,” Silva shared. “My condo is under contract for more than the asking price.”

Rod Rochowiak and Jay Hurst in the BHGRE Premier office.

First-time homebuyer Helen Gradstein, who recently bought a four-bedroom house in Eckington, said she interviewed nearly 10 agents before choosing to work with agent John McCracken. “He was responsive without putting any pressure on me to buy and was personable, honest, funny, and attentive all the way through. He got to know my friends in the process, and we even invite him to our house for dinner.” Contact Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Premier at 1515 14th St. NW, Suite 200, at premier. bhgre.com, or call 202-449-8657. u

Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms. neighborhood Price Br Fee SIMPlE Bloomingdale 14 CHANNING ST NW $815,000 3 2220 FLAGLER PL NW $760,000 3 72 V ST NW $950,000 5 Columbia Heights 1006 FAIRMONT ST NW $550,000 1325 QUINCY ST NW $825,000 3531 10TH ST NW $825,000 3551 6TH ST NW $489,000 520 NEWTON PL NW $439,900 641 IRVING ST NW $550,000 703 HARVARD ST NW $505,000 745 GRESHAM PL NW $590,000

3 4 5 2 3 3 2 4

Logan Circle 1526 SWANN ST NW $1,199,000

1451 BELMONT ST NW #301 2750 14TH ST NW #208 2910 13TH ST NW #2 3205 GEORGIA AVE NW #303 3222 WARDER ST NW #4 3318 SHERMAN AVE NW #103 3543 WARDER ST NW #2 4120 14TH ST NW #36 730 QUEBEC PL NW #1 836 LAMONT ST NW 912 SHEPHERD ST NW #102

$733,000 $589,000 $680,000 $464,900 $570,000 $435,000 $649,900 $195,000 $712,000 $625,000 $300,000

2 2 3 2 2 2 3 1 4 2 1

Dupont 1711 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #126 $280,000 1 1416 21ST ST NW #301 $935,000 2 Ledroit Park 149 W ST NW #15 $350,000 2201 2ND ST NW #14 $340,000 57 BRYANT ST NW #1 $590,000 67 V STREET NW W #3 $685,000

1 1 3 2

Logan Circle 1203 N ST NW #A $462,500 1209 13TH ST NW #601 $699,000 1211 13TH ST NW #604 $550,000 1300 N ST NW #5 $277,500 1301 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #1 $620,000 1445 CHURCH ST NW #14 $750,000 1705 13TH ST NW #2 $895,000 1444 CHURCH ST NW #202 $747,500

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Mount Pleasant 1601 HOBART ST NW #1 $509,999 1700 KALORAMA RD NW #408 $929,000 1750 HARVARD ST NW #3A $450,000 2357 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #102 $579,000 $370,000 Shaw 3060 16TH ST NW #411 3420 16TH ST NW #108 $485,000 1716 NEW JERSEY AVE NW $835,000 2 3422 BROWN ST NW #302 $492,000

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U Street Mount Vernon Triangle 1317 FLORIDA AVE NW $923,737 2 1131 5TH ST NW #B $392,000 $446,000 CONDO 811 4TH ST NW #1221 811 4TH ST NW #419 $570,000

1 1 2

Petworth 205 VARNUM ST NW $418,000 3 309 WEBSTER ST NW $810,000 4 424 CRITTENDEN ST NW $599,900 3 4605 GEORGIA AVE NW $500,000 3 5113 7TH ST NW $642,000 3 5116 KANSAS AVE NW $510,000 3 5126 3RD ST NW $629,000 4 515 DECATUR ST NW $755,000 4 5230 5TH ST NW $371,000 2 628 MADISON ST NW $579,000 4 701 VARNUM ST NW $400,000 3 800 CRITTENDEN ST NW $565,000 6 5233 5TH ST NW $670,000 3 5516 CAPITOL ST NW $810,000 6

14th Street Corridor 1414 BELMONT ST NW #109 $299,750 1412 CHAPIN ST NW #303 $579,500 1412 CHAPIN ST NW #305 $574,900

0 2 2

Adams Morgan 2412 17TH ST NW #302 $520,000 2550 17TH ST NW #202 $249,900 2550 17TH ST NW #306 $284,900 2550 17TH ST NW #411 $294,900 2630 ADAMS MILL RD NW #103 $357,500

2 0 0 0 1

Bloomingdale 115 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #4 $510,000 2 1823 N CAPITOL ST NE #A $525,000 3 2416 N CAPITOL ST NW #1 $565,000 3 Cleveland Park 3510 39TH ST NW #D664 $335,000 3601 WISCONSIN AVE NW #310 $265,000 3611 38TH ST NW #101 $375,000 3616 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #207 $355,000 3883 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #901 $560,000 3891 NEWARK ST NW #C483 $375,000 4301 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #5014 $392,500

1 1 1 1 1 1 2

Columbia Heights 1202 FAIRMONT ST NW #3 $1,000,000 1308 CLIFTON ST NW #218 $755,000

3 3

Petworth 110 GALLATIN ST NW #1 $225,000 1 415 RANDOLPH ST NW #1 $549,900 3 415 RANDOLPH ST NW #2 $629,900 3 415 RANDOLPH ST NW #3 $625,000 3 417 RANDOLPH ST NW #4 $695,000 3 738 LONGFELLOW ST NW #201 $206,000 2 804 TAYLOR ST NW #203 $510,000 2 $327,000 1 804 TAYLOR ST NW #305 807 VARNUM ST NW #2 $208,500 1 809 OTIS PL NW #301 $377,500 1 Residences At Citycenter 925 H ST NW #810 $1,485,000

Shaw 1111 11TH ST NW #202 $399,900 1 1111 11TH ST NW #211 $412,250 1 U Street 1330 BELMONT ST NW #202 $635,000 2331 15TH ST NW #101 $385,000 2331 15TH ST NW #105 $395,000 2331 15TH ST NW #207 $460,000 2331 15TH ST NW #301 $505,000 2125 14TH ST NW #327 $585,000 u

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real estate

N&M House Detectives:

Unlocking the History of Your DC Home

by Catherine Plume

ave you ever wondered what intriguing people might have lived in your house or condo? Do you know what businesses occupied your lot in years past? Capitol Hill residents Michelle Pilliod Carroll and Nina Tristani were curious about the history of their homes, and in 2015 they decided to undertake a research project. Their investigations took them to the Historical Society of Washington, DC, the Washingtoniana Collection at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, the Library of Congress, and the National Archives. As the history of their homes came together they decided to compile the information into hard-copy books. An adventure that started as a lark has become a second career for both. According to Tristani, “After finishing the books about our own homes, we realized how much we enjoyed the process and learning about the history of DC. We thought others would be interested in something similar for their own homes, and N&M House Detectives was created!” N&M House Detectives (www.nmhousedetectives.com) has completed more than 20 house-history projects during the N&M House Detectives crack another case. Photo: Art Shmatko last year. For a cost of $600 plus a $75 until 1877, and then, from the 1890s publication fee they will produce a 20until 1964, the Department of War page, 8 x 11-inch book documenting in color the (now the Department of Defense) history of a home. (Discounts are available for the had to approve building extensions or purchase of multiple books on different homes.) alterations on any DC home. The reThe books include copies of building permits, search has also followed the evolution Census reports, directory listings, maps, neighborof neighborhoods. In the mid-1800s, hood and archival pictures, and a history of the for example, many residents of DC’s surrounding area. To research a property typically Uptown (now Shaw) neighborhood takes eight weeks, a bit longer for an older (prewere employed at Northern Liberty 1877) or a commercial building. Market, located on Mount Vernon Not surprisingly their research has uncovered Square from 1846 to 1872. Over time some interesting quirks and tidbits about DC. “Uptown” became a mecca for jazz Building permits, for example, were not required

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greats such as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald, and, later for homegrown talent such as Billy Eckstein and Sarah Vaughn. Meanwhile, several decades before Harlem’s Apollo Theater featured black entertainers, the Howard Theater boasted the best vaudeville and early jazz performers on its stage. While only spanning one block, Shaw’s French Street was known as DC’s Black Broadway. Most of the houses around Logan Circle were built from 1875 to 1900 for the wealthy and powerful. John L. Logan, a Civil War general, later senator from Illinois, and originator of Memorial Day, owned the home at 812 12th Street NW. In 1930 Iowa Circle was renamed Logan Circle in his honor. As a youngster Duke Ellington sold peanuts, popcorn, and candy at Griffith Park (later know as

N&M House Detectives’ final product: a hard-copy book documenting the history of a home. Photo: Michelle Pilliod Carroll

s r r d d e h . n r , , . r , s

Griffith Stadium), located between Georgia Avenue and Fifth Street and between W Street and Florida Avenue NW. Before starting N&M House Detectives, Tristani was a scholarly publisher while Carroll owned and operated a meeting-planning company. The skills, knowledge and accomplishments from their former careers are serving them well in their new endeavor. And customer reviews are positive. Dan Killingworth is pleased with the research N&M did for his French Street NW home. Capitol Hill resident Marie Cox notes, “We’re so pleased with the book that N&M House Detectives produced documenting the history of our 1904 brownstone. We’re surprised to see how much history they were able to find, including the building permits. What a treasure for our family!” While N&M House Detectives often fills a sentimental niche with their work, it also fulfills very pragmatic needs. Leigh Mailloux, president of LR Mailloux Construction Inc., notes, “I needed help with a historical provenance for a home on Capitol Hill. N&M House Detectives uncovered the information I needed to get approval from the Capitol Hill Restoration Society and an expedited permit. All this in addition to information on the builder, original owner of the home and more!” N&M will soon be launching a real estate research service for licensed DC realtors. Check out their website for details. If you’re looking for a unique gift for a DC homeowner – yourself, a friend or neighbor – or to document the history of your own home, consider putting N&M House Detectives on the case. Catherine Plume is a lifelong environmentalist, a writer, and a blogger for the DC Recycler: www.DCRecycler.blogspot.com; Twitter @DC_Recycler. u

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