FEBRUARY 2021
CONTENTS
NEXT ISSUE: March 6
FEBRUARY 2021 BlAcK HiS
18
08
ToRY
special
10 The Summer of Our Discontent by CCN Staff
14 Black History LOCAL EVENTS
ON THE COVER:
compiled by Kathleen Donner
04 what’s on washington out and about 18 Insatiable • Celeste McCall
20
Photo: A father and son pay homage to Black Lives Plaza. Photo: Katie Yen
your neighborhood 20 Jury Suspension Strands DC Jail Defendants: COVID Scrambles the District System of Justice • Gavrielle Jacobovitz 25 Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann 28 ANC6E • Pleasant Mann 30 Bulletin Board • Kathleen Donner
at home 33 Changing Hands • Don Denton
kids and family
34
34 Notebook • Kathleen Donner
38 classifieds Capital Community News, Inc. Publisher of:
Capital Community News, Inc. PO Box 15477, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 www.capitalcommunitynews.com • www.hillrag.com
MIDCITY
F A G O N
GUIDE TO CAPITOL HILL
FAGON
EDUCATION
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissa.ashabranner@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR: Andrew Lightman • andrew.hillrag@gmail.com PUBLISHER: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2021 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Re
DC
SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! bat
10% OFF
LIST PRICE ON ANY EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS *Exp.02/28/2021
es
SEU
Ava i
lab
le
$25 OFF Any Service Call *Exp.02/28/2021
18 Month, 0% Interest Financing
FAST SERVICE FAST INSTALLATION
Serving Washington DC Since 2001 • Residential & Light Commercial • Roof Top Package Units • Highly Experienced Technicians • Low Prices • Free Estimates On Replacements • Convenient Financing • Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Specializing in:
Equipment: Change outs & Complete Ductwork Systems + High Velocity Systems WE SERVICE & INSTALL ALL MAKES & MODELS
202-333-1310
www.polarbearairconditioning.com All Credit Cards Accepted
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 0 3
PLUNGE FROM HOME
Photo from 2020 Plunge
WHAT’S ON
Special Olympics DC is inviting its community of supporters to”Take the Plunge” this year from the comfort of their own homes. Through Feb. 14, participants can virtually plunge anytime and submit a video to social media. It will culminate in a virtual celebration event on Feb. 27 with a highlight reel of the submitted plunge videos and announcement of top fundraisers. To participate, individuals must raise a minimum of $100 to receive the commemorative 2021 Polar Plunge T-shirt, or mask and hand sanitizer. Participants can submit a video “taking the plunge” for a chance to win even bigger prizes through Feb. 14. These videos can range from individuals or families plunging into their pools, bathtubs filled with ice, or bodies of water of all sizes. Submit your videos to fundraising@specialolympicsdc.org. To learn more and to register, visit dcpolarplunge.org.
WASHINGTON WE HAPPY FEW’S THE MYSTERY OF THE DRAWN DAGGERS IN SERIES’ STORMY WEATHER INspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the story of colonization and subjugation is retold from the perspective of Sycorax, mother of Caliban and mistress of Ariel. Told with the music of Billie Holiday (My Man, Strange Fruit, Don’t Explain, God Bless the Child), in poetic-prose written by Sybil Williams, this cabaret-club evening of song, word and beat explores the experience of peoples enslaved by privilege and even love. It’s a free access production—you just have to register, for free. Watch it and other full features on invision. inseries.org/full-feature/stormy-weather.
Photo: rx Loft
Heralded as “The Female Sherlock Holmes,” Loveday Brooke is the original Lady Detective. In The Mystery of the Drawn Daggers, Loveday is faced with one of the most complicated and intriguing puzzles of her career. Reverend Hawke is the unwitting victim of a dastardly scheme. He has received an anonymous communication in the mail: a drawing of a single dagger. Days later he receives a second envelope, this time with two daggers. Fearful that a third dagger means death, Mr. Hawke hires Loveday Brooke and the Lynch Street office to solve the case. Presented as an audio drama, The Mystery of the Drawn Daggers is accompanied by a mail-out experience that puts you on the case with the famous detective. $32. wehappyfewdc.com/lovedaybrooke. Debora Crabbe as Loveday Brooke
SCIENCE FICTION AT AIR AND SPACE
This model of the fictional starship Enterprise was used in the weekly hour-long “Star Trek” TV show (NBC-TV), which aired from September 1966 until June 1969. Despite its short initial run, Star Trek became one of the most influential shows in the history of television. Photo: Dane Penland
0 4 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
Science fiction allows one to imagine what happened a long, long time ago in a galaxy far far away, or to boldly go where no one has gone before. Through science fiction, we’re able to explore new frontiers in science, innovation, and society. Learn about Restoring the Enterprise Studio Model; Star Wars: The Magic of the Myth; and see A Space Odyssey Immersive Art Exhibit. airandspace.si.edu/learn/highlighted-topics-/ science-fiction.
100 Gallatin St. NE Washington, DC 20011
Pre-K 3 through 5th grade Building a strong foundation for learning
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR ALL GRADES FOR 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR ADDITIONAL LOTTERY FOR STUDENTS WITH HIGH LEVEL SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS.
Apply for admissions at:
www.myschooldc.org or call (202) 888-6336 Lottery Deadline March 1, 2021
Open Houses School Year 2021-2022 *All sessions will be virtual using ZOOM video conferencing. To register please call (202) 695-2393 or email info@bridgespcs.org to get information on how to join the session.
English
Friday 10:00 am - 11:00 am February 5th Tuesday 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm February 16th
Tuesday 10:00 am - 11:00 am February 23 w w w. br i dgespcs. org
Spanish
Tuesday 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm February 16th
Tuesday 9:00 am - 10:00 am February 23rd
I 2 0 2 . 6 9 5. 2 3 9 3
Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 0 5
WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON
Photo: Bill Lee
A YEAR TO REMEMBER AND FORGET Bill Lee’s A Year to Remember and Forget is an ode to the ups and downs of 2020. The social isolation stemming from COVID 19, civil unrest in response to anti-Black police brutality, and an election marred by conspiracy theories have marked 2020 as one of the worst years in recent memory. Baptisms, Go-gos, and protests are captured from Lee’s perspective--bringing them to life in this black and white photography exhibition. A Year to Remember and Forget is at the Anacostia Arts Center, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, through March 7. The Center is open Tuesdays through Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. anacostiaartscenter.com.
MUSIC CITY DC Washington, DC has given much to the musical world beyond its bestknown exports Duke Ellington and the punk and go-go scenes. Join musician, broadcaster, and historian Ken Avis as he explores the area’s lesserknown, remarkable, and fascinating musical avenues and why they could only have developed here. Film and recordings bring legendary musicians to life as Avis examines how social change, technological development, and business innovation shaped the sounds that emerged from DC—a political town with a serious music habit. There are three sessions: Feb.8, Jazzing the Capital; Feb. 22, The Country Music Capital; and March 8, Rocking the Capital. $30 each. smithsonianassociates.org.
ICE SKATING AT CAMERON RUN MONDAY NIGHT NEW PLAY READINGS SigWorks is Signature Theatre’s program dedicated to developing the future of theater works and artists. In 2021, all readings are virtual and recordings are available on YouTube. Each play will remain online for three weeks following the premier date. Next up is One Shot by Andrew Rosendorf on March 8 at 7 p.m. In 1999, a bigoted slur is spray painted onto a video store in McLean, Virginia, disturbing and possibly outing the owner and his high school employees. A life changing film scholarship hangs in the balance as secrets are thrust into the open in a riveting examination of race, sexuality and identity in a world on the cusp of the digital age. sigtheatre.org/ about/sigworks.
Andrew Rosendorf. Photo: Ryan Ripley
0 6 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
Through February, the ice rink at Cameron Run, 4001 Eisenhower Ave. in Alexandria, is open with ticket sales reduced to provide adequate social distancing on the ice. Skate sessions are limited to one hour, starting with your ticket time. Days and hours of operation are weekends and holidays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Skating is $16.88 which includes skate rental. Tickets sales are online only—no walk-ups. novaparks.com/events/ice-lights
Do you need mortgage assistance due to the effects of COVID-19? DC MAP (Mortgage Assistance Program) COVID-19 is here to help District homeowners stay in their homes during this pandemic. As businesses in the Washington, D.C. region have had to close or reduce staff, the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) recognizes the need to provide assistance to those impacted by the pandemic. DC MAP COVID-19 provides zero- interest monthly mortgage assistance loans that now include the coverage of condo and homeowner association fees up to $5,000 for up to six months for qualified homeowners.
Borrower Qualifications: • Must be borrower’s primary residence and must be located in the District of Columbia • Must have been current as of the March 1st payment (prior to being affected by COVID-19) • Must be able to document income affected due to COVID-19 • Borrower must be the borrower on the home loan, not just a member of the household • Must show proof that the borrower is not eligible for forbearance or other types of relief offered through the servicer and/or Hardest Hit Funds • If borrower is still affected after the CARES Act ends, then relief may be offered at that time (See additional terms)
For a full list of borrower qualifications and loan terms, visit
www.dchfa.org/homeownership
DC MAP COVID-19 financial assistance will be granted on a first come, first served basis until the program allocation has been exhausted. Homeowners seeking assistance through DC MAP COVID-19 should call 1-833-429-0537 to begin the process of applying. Questions regarding DC MAP COVID-19 may also be emailed to DCMAP@dchfa.org.
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 0 7
WIDE SHOE OUTLET Men’s and Women’s sizes up to 15 EE Savings in store and online
simplywide.com Brands: Naturalizer • Soft Spots • Ros Hommerson • Propet Walking • Cradles • Easy Street
10 off
$
Lots & Lots
Wide Width Shoes
All Sales
Limited Time simplywide.com
All Day Comfort
4279 Branch Avenue Marlow Heights, MD 20748
301-702 1401
0 8 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
K c A l B HiS ToRY
h n T O M
2021
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 0 9
BlAck Y R o T S i H O nT h M
The Summer of Our Discontent June 1 protests in front of the White House. Photo: Andrew Lightman BELOW: National Guard massing minutes before violently clearing Lafayette Park and H Street NW of protesters on June 1. Photo: Andrew Lightman
Black Lives Matter DMV closes down Maine Avenue SW on May 30, 2020. Photo: Andrew Lightman
DC’s Black Lives Matter Protests “Say Their Names!” chanted protesters who thronged the streets of the District of Columbia in June of 2020. Thousands gathered peacefully in historic demonstrations in the wake of the tragic police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. On June 1, nonviolent protesters endured rubber bullets and tear gas on H Street NW in front of Lafayette Park. The following day their numbers swelled. In recognition of the movement, Mayor Muriel Bowser had the words “Black Lives Matter” painted on a two-block long stretch of 16th Street NW just north of the White House. Protesters gathered in neighborhood parks to show their support.
A policeman guards the ALF protests. Photo: Andrew Lig -CIO headquarters during the June htman
A father and son pay homage on Black Lives Matter Plaza. Photo: Katie Yen
1 0 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 1 1
BlAck Y R o T S i H O nT h M
Glen and Stacey Yonkers, Jr. and their family have been protesting together since the death of George Floyd. Photo: Liz O’Gorek
Protesters close down I695 on June 15. Photo: Andrew Lightman
Protesters outside the White Hou se on June 7. Photo: Jason Yen
Protesters head to the US Capitol on June 6. Photo
: Andrew Lightman
Children lead a #DCProtest at Lincoln Park June 6, chanting “No Justice, No Peace” and “Say Their Names.” Photo: Liz O’Gorek
s on May
John Adams, Chanelle Dumas, and Bailey Adam 31 at Lafayette Square.
1 2 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
Chanelle Dumas holds up her handmade protest sign referencing Colin Kaepernick’s silent protests.
On June 23, 2020, cro wds listen to Freedom Foster speak in a Lincol Neighborhood leade He vowed the statue n Park event to protest the Emancipation r Glenn would come down. Ph statue. oto: Liz O’Gorek
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 1 3
BlAck Y R o T S i H O nT h M
black history LOCAL EVENTS compiled by Kathleen Donner
From the Continent to the Americas: Foodways, Culture and Traditions in the African American Family.
Feb. 6, noon to 2 PM. The panel is on the study of how food influences and drives culture. Free. asalh.org/festival.
Tour President Lincoln’s Cottage
Explore Abraham Lincoln’s seasonal home on interior, self-guided tours, Wednesday through Monday, 9:30 AM to 4:15 PM (schedule online). Admission is $5 to $15. For more than a quarter of his presidency, Abraham Lincoln lived at what we now call President Lincoln’s Cottage. Here he made some of his most critical decisions about freedom, the Union, and the presidency. Lincoln’s experiences at the Cottage provided him and those he influenced with new and diverse perspectives on issues of freedom, justice, and humility. President Lincoln’s Cottage is at 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. lincolncottage.org. Photo: Daniel Ardura of Punch Digital
The Rope: A True Story of Murder, Heroism, and the Dawn of the NAACP.
Feb. 9, 1 PM (online). In November of 1910, in Asbury Park, NJ, 10-year-old Marie Smith was brutally murdered. After days of investigation, Asbury Park and county officials were at their wits’ end in their attempt to pin the crime on two suspects, one White, one Black. In The Rope, Alex Tresniowski tells the remarkable true-crime story of the murder of Marie Smith, the dawn of modern criminal detection, and the launch of the NAACP. Free. archivesfoundation.org/ event/the-rope.
Nine Days: The Race to Save MartinLuther King Jr.’s Life and Win the1960 Election.
Feb. 11, 5 PM. Less than three weeks before the 1960 Presidential election, 31-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr., was arrested at a sit-in at Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta. Stephen and Paul Kendrick’s Nine Days tells the story of the ultimate October surprise: an emerging and controversial civil rights leader was languishing behind bars, and the two Presidential campaigns raced to decide whether, and how, to respond. Free. https://www.archivesfoundation.org/event/nine-days.
I will tell you the truth about this: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. Poet Maurice Manning will join with recent Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith for a virtual reading from Lincoln’s Cottage. After a virtual tour, Manning and Smith will read from their work. Manning’s latest
1 4 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
collection Railsplitter is in the posthumous voice of Lincoln. $15, suggested; $5 minimum. folger.edu.
Race in America, Unifying Our Communities.
Feb. 19, 6 PM. This program will focus on issues of race, inequity and justice and explore how Americans currently understand, experience and confront racism, its impact on communities and how that impact is shaping America and its values. Free. americanhistory.si.edu/ day-of-remembrance.
Slavery and the American Revolution.
Feb. 20, 10 AM to 4 PM. The American Revolution was a transformative moment in African American history, a war for freedom second only to the Civil War in significance. $90. smithsonianassociates.org.
Finding Our Roots in African American History: A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham.
Feb. 20, 1 to 3 PM. In dialogue with his Harvard colleague and ASALH’s national president Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Professor Gates will discuss the practice of genealogy and genetic testing as tools for excavating Black History through the heritage of African American families. $50. asalh.org/festival.
Historically Speaking: COVID-19 and The Economy.
Feb. 23, 7 PM. This panel explores the impact of COVID -19 on the housing, jobs, education and entre-
SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP TODAY For existing and aspiring District businesses - the Small Business Resource Center is here for you!
Interior of the reconstructed greenhouse slave quarter at Mount Vernon. Photo: Russ Flint, Courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
WEBINAR: FIND THE RIGHT FRANCHISE FOR YOU: A BUSINESS MODEL FOR SUCCESS
WEBINAR: ALL THINGS NON-PROFIT
Monday, February 1, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/51597
Thursday, February 18, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/51833
WEBINAR: LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CBE)
WEBINAR: NAVIGATING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING WITH DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (DCPTAC)
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/52324
WEBINAR: FOUNDATIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS: MODULE 2, THE BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Through July 11, 2021. This exhibition explores the personal stories of the people enslaved at Mount Vernon while providing insight into George Washington’s evolving opposition to slavery. Admission to exhibition included in Mount Vernon admission. mountvernon.org.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 2:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/50719
Thursday, February 25, 2021 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/51608
SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE Monday - Friday By appointment between 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events
Small Business Resource Center (202) 442-4538 | dcra@dc.gov
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING WITH US?
Joel N. Martin Licensed in DC, MD & VA Since 1986 DC resident since 1970 / Shaw resident since 2002
Call Carolina Lopez. 202-400-3503
or Carolina@hillrag.com for more information on advertising.
202-274-1882 office direct 202-338-8900 office main
“honesty, integrity, service & market knowledge” each office independently owned & operated
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 1 5
preneurial sectors by exploring the question: What aid could all levels of government bring to the American people? Free. nmaahc.si.edu.
Diving with a Purpose.
Feb. 24, 6:30 PM. A panel will tell of their remarkable efforts to preserve the heritage of Black people through discovering and investigating wreckages of slave ships and salvageable artifacts. Free. asalh.org/festival.
The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.
Feb. 25, 7 PM. The Black family has been a topic of study across disciplines—history, literature, the visual arts, film, sociology, anthropology, and social policy. A panel will discuss these ideas and perspectives including family traditions, brothers and sisters, powercouples, and community. archivesfoundation.org/event/the-black-family.
The Visionary Genius of Frederick Douglass – Contradiction and Change. WASHINGTON YU YING PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Onsite Covid-19 Testing
Onsite Covid-19 Testing: Washington Yu Ying PCS is seeking competitive bids from a laboratory, licensed by the state/Federal government to perform onsite, weekly collection and testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus - for both students and staff members. The total number of tests per week will likely range from about 80 to 250. The vendor will ensure the following: • Specimen collection service following social distancing guidelines, PPE, hand sanitizers, tissues, etc. • Courier service of specimens to the laboratory • Secure reporting of results to Washington Yu Ying’s leadership • A turnaround time of 24-48 hours for results
The vendor will provide all labor and materials. Bids must include evidence of experience in field, qualifications, and estimated fees. Please provide estimates per test / individual based upon the weekly estimates stated above. Deadline for submissions is close of business on February 24, 2021. Please e-mail proposals and supporting documents to RFP@washingtonyuying.org. Please specify “RFP for Covid-19 Testing” in the subject line.
1 6 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
Feb. 25, 6:45 PM. His talents were nothing short of extraordinary and he put his exceptional gifts to use in the service of freedom, helping to drive American slavery into oblivion. $25. smithsonianassociates.org.
Charlie Parker Centennial.
Feb. 26, 7 to 8:30 PM. In his short life, legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker changed the world of music, creating with a small group of innovators the musical style called bop or bebop. $30. smithsonianassociates.org
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience from the American Revolution to the War on Terror.
Online exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. nmaahc.si.edu.
Visit the MLK Memorial.
Open to visitors all hours, every day.
Walk the Anacostia Heritage Trail
Anacostia is a study in contrasts. Today's neighborhood started as two 19th-century villages, one white and one African American, that remained separate for a century. The mid-20th century brought great upheaval, still playing out in the 21st century. culturaltourismdc.org/portal/991. 1964 Independence Ave. SW. nps.gov/ mlkm.
Mighty Justice: A Family Event About Civil Rights Lawyer Dovey Johnson Roundtree.
Feb. 10, 4 PM. For those people not familiar with Dovey Johnson Roundtree’s name, you are invited to learn about a great woman who dedicated her life to service, justice, and lifting-up the most oppressed among us. Raised in the Jim Crow South, Dovey Johnson Roundtree’s early life was shaped by the strength of her grandmother. dclibrary.org/node/67693. u
FULL TIME JOB OPENING Direct Support Professionals
Wholistic Services Inc. is looking for dedicated individuals to work as Direct Support Professionals assisting intellectually disabled adults with behavioral & health complexities in our residential locations in the District of Columbia & Maryland.
Job Requirements:
• Ability to lift up to 75 lbs. • Completion of required trainings prior to hire • Completion of Trained Medication Employee (TME) and/or Certified Medication Technician (CMT) Certification(s) within 6 months of hire • Cleared DOH background check prior to hire • Valid Driver’s License • Valid CPR & First Aid
• Negative COVID-19 test results prior to start of work (taken within 3 days prior to date of hire) • COVID-19 vaccination within 45 days of hire
Due to the pandemic, Wholistic will not accept applications or conduct interviews on-site. Applications must be submitted online. Please contact Human Resources at 202-832-8787 for further information.
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 1 7
OUT AND ABOUT
Insatiable Article and photos by Celeste McCall
Winter Wonderland Fare
Our cold weather is not going anywhere for a while. With that in mind, Andre McCain, founder and CEO of HalfSmoke , continues winter solstice with his Shaw restaurant’s festive Winter Wonderland. Across the street from the cafe, a 2,500-square-foot parking lot has been transformed into an outdoor oasis ideal for socially distanced gatherings. This space can accommodate up to 100 guests at picnic tables, and inside a dozen heated igloos. On a recent sunny day, many igloos were filled with happy customers. Ideal for private bookings of
and pickled veggies; DCs’more pancakes are fluffy with homemade marshmallow, graham crackers and chocolate sauce. Diners may also order from HalfSmoke’s full menu, known for house-made sausages and grilled entrées. Or—check out Butter Me Up, the virtual breakfast sandwich pop-up with two locations: the Shaw eatery and another one at 703 Edgewood St. NW. There’s also Get Social, the Tortillas, tortillas and more tortillas virtual pizza pop-up which operates out of are shipped to Taqueria Xochi from the Mexican State of Oaxaca. the HalfSmoke space. HalfSmoke also pours tummywarming potent potables, plus wine, beer and other drinks. For additional The exotic culture and cuisine of Peru is coming to information and to place orders call 202Shaw’s Blagden Alley. Chelita, a hybrid of a cebiche986-2079 or visit www.halfsmoke.com. ria will showcase cebiche (also spelled ceviche) and an anticucheria (serving anticuchos, a popular South American street snack of skewered meat, often beef Taqueria Xochi has arrived at 924 U St. NW. hearts). At Chelita, you can also order them made Created by former China Chilcano paswith seafood or vegetables. try chef Teresa Padilla and business partner More than a year ago, Glendon Hartley and Geraldine Mendoza, this “authentic” MexiChad Spangler, took over the vacant space at the can charmer has operated as a ghost kitchen rear of 920 N St. NW. They had hoped to open a pop-up. Most recently, it’s added a carryout Peruvian fine dining establishment called Causa. window with a hot pink paint job. The house The pandemic scuttled those plans—at least temspecialty is a cemita, a pressed sandwich made with porarily—and the team decided the fast-casual sesame seed-studded buns stuffed with breaded Chelita would work better. Eventually, they will cutlets (chicken, beef, or eggplant), melted Oaxacan unveil Amazonia on the second floor, followed— cheese, refried beans, avocado, tomato and smoky hopefully--by Causa. morita chili salsa. The latter is also available by the Executive chef and partner Carlos Delgado will bottle. Braised beef quesabirria tacos come with helm all three eateries. Delgado and Hartley first colrich consommé. Chorizo and tlayudas (crispy tirelaborated at the now-defunct H Street NE Peruvian sized tortillas shipped from Oaxaca) are crowned restaurant Ocopa. Delgado, former executive chef with steak and other goodies. To place an order or of Jose Andres’ China Chilcano (riffed because of for more information, call 202-292-2859 or visit the pandemic), hails from Callao, the port city near www.taqueriaxochi.com. Lima. In preparation, the trio has traveled through Peru, fishing for piranhas in the Amazon and climbing Machu Picchu. Watch for updates.
More South of the Border
New on U
A snowman welcomes customers to HalfSmoke’s Winter Wonderland, where customers keep warm in a dozen igloos.
two to six guests, the structures can be reserved online. A $50 fee will be charged for small parties making reservations on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Located at 651 Florida Ave. NW, Winter Wonderland is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cozy blankets are available to purchase for $20 each. “We are very excited about the unique opportunity to create a safe, socially distanced, and comfortable outdoor space that allows us to share fun, food and drink with our customers,” said McCain. “In normal years, winter can get pretty bleak. This year, with the challenges we are facing, we wanted to create an experience that will be uplifting, fun, and unique.” HalfSmoke’s igloo guests may order dishes from Morning After Next, HalfSmoke’s breakfast fare created by Executive Chef Brian Dunbar and Executive Sous Chef Ernesto Varona. The menu is divided into breakfast bites, pancakes, hashes, and everything else. Avocado toast is multi-grain bread topped with poached egg and sesame seeds; Beyond Meat (vegan) sausage arrives with sweet potato hash
1 8 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
Peter’s Pickled Peppers
In HalfSmoke’s Winter Wonderland, guests snuggle up with food and drink in one the igloos.
In the Union Market District, Peter Serpico and restaurateur Stephen Starr have brought Pete’s Place, a casual, “kinda Korean” ghost kitchen from Philadelphia to Washington. Born in Korea, chef Serpico was adopted and raised in the United States. For his latest culinary enterprise, he’s come up with twice-fried chicken wings with chili glaze, bibimbap, (Continued on page 24)
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 1 9
NEIGHBORHOOD
Jury Suspension Strands DC Jail Defendants COVID Scrambles the District System of Justice by Gavrielle Jacobovitz
I
n May 2020, a 20-year-old man was arrested for armed carjacking and robbery. In April, a 19-year old man was arrested for an assault with a dangerous weapon. Months later, the two have yet to be been indicted. Both remain held in DC Jail, awaiting trial. Their extended detention is far from unique, as the coronavirus pandemic has upended the DC court system. On March 18, 2020, the DC Superior Court suspended juries due to the dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By Jan. 22, 2021, 751 people are confined in DC Jail pre-trial, a 57 percent increase from the 478 held at the end of March. Under the Code of the District of Columbia, a person arrested and detained on a felony charge must be tried within a hundred days or released. In March,
2 0 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
the Court paused this requirement. “It’s unconstitutional,” said Attorney Elizabeth Weller, who represents the two jailed defendants. Weller has appealed their extended detention in the DC Court of Appeals, one of several attorneys in the District to do so. “It violates the protections we have for people who have not been convicted of a crime—people who are by default not guilty because they haven’t been proven guilty. And their liberty is being taken from them without ever having a true finding of ‘guilty’,” Weller stated. In its examination of the extended detention of pre-trial defendants during the pandemic, Capital Community News interviewed over two dozen defense attorneys, DC Superior Court’s Chief Judge of the Criminal Division,
Chief of the Superior Court Division for the US Attorney’s Office of DC, a city council staffer, people currently and formerly incarcerated in DC Jail and criminal justice and jury experts. The suspension of juries has reduced the options for detained defendants to obtain a resolution of their predicament to: filing a bond review motion, taking a plea deal, requesting a bench trial or successfully securing a dismissal. For defendants unsuccessful at petitioning for their release, who seek to argue their innocence before a jury, these options provide inadequate relief. In the meantime, detention itself imposes tremendous personal costs on defendants.
COVID Suspends Juries
For most felonies, the DC Code requires defendants to be indicted within 90 days of their detention and tried within 100 days of that same date. Otherwise, barring extensions, defendants must be released. “There are some occasions where those hundred days become a little loose and flexible,” as there could be additional days added for continuances for a valid reason, but in the past there was at least a framework for when a defendant’s case would go to trial, said Carrie Weletz, a DC defense attorney.
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 2 1
NEIGHBORHOOD
On March 18, DC Superior Court’s then Chief Judge Robert Morin suspended court proceedings due to safety concerns amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The 100-day trial clock was “tolled,” meaning it was paused. Jury trials in progress proceeded, but new trials were not scheduled. Grand juries were also suspended. On May 14, 2020, the DC Superior Court formally suspended all criminal trials. It continued its suspension of the 100-day clock, as it would again in subsequent orders, the most recent of which was issued on Jan. 13. Under DC statute, the Chief Judge may suspend statutory and rules-based timelines in the event of natural disasters and emergencies. The Court determined COVID to be such an emergency. “Because when the pandemic began, we were not in a position to summon jurors into the building, it was obviously necessary to suspend that hundredday trial clock,” Superior Court’s Criminal Division Presiding Judge Juliet McKenna told CCN. In December, the Court resumed bench trials. However, the chances of acquittal are greater with jury trials than with bench trials, according to Attorney Henry Escoto. “You’d rather have twelve people deciding your fate than one,” Escoto said. Notably, in 2019, less than half of felony defendants were delivered a guilty verdict in jury trials, compared to 80 percent in bench trials. For defendants who want their day in court before their peers, the wait continues. This month the Court announced its intention to resume some felony trials beginning on March 22. These would be limited to defendants who had trial dates set before the pandemic charged with certain felonies, excluding, for instance, Weller’s clients. The heavy backlog of cases and limited trial capacity will extend delays, especially for people who were arrested since the onset of the pandemic. “A lot of decisions that the Court has made have been responsible decisions for the pandemic or for the public health at large and they’re not in an easy position,” said Joseph Scrofano, a DC defense attorney. “But the one area that’s most problematic about what’s happening with this delay are people who are held without bond having very little recourse or mechanism to get out of jail while they are presumed innocent,” Scrofano stated. The District releases the majority of defendants after their initial court appearance. In 2019, 94 percent of all defendants and 75 percent of defendants with felony charges were released. In 2020, 76 per-
cent of felony defendants were released. Beyond the pause in jury trials, some defendants have still not been formally charged with a crime. Typically, an average of five grand juries are seated, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC). Since October, when grand juries resumed, only one has been sitting intermittently. Prosecutors were unable to empanel new grand juries before the New Year. While 1,477 felony cases have been filed in Superior Court between March 18 and Nov. 30, federal prosecutors had only obtained 61 indictments during that time. As a result, many defendants remain detained in the absence of formal charges. In the meantime, COVID’s scrambling of the jury system imposes costs on those detained in DC Jail, considered innocent until proven guilty.
“Problems really come [with] some of the mental things people go through 23 hours for months and months at a time [when they] are being locked in the cell,” said Petty. Residents of the Jail haven’t been outside since March, as part of the lockdown, Petty said. The pandemic is exacerbating the difficulties of being jailed. Detained defendants may lose their jobs, income which their families may rely on, Petty said. They may have rent to pay and children who they need to take care of. “So now it’s [detention] affecting the whole family structure,” he explained. Petty is an Advisory board member of Neighbors for Justice, an organization founded this summer supporting residents of the DC Jail. “So it’s a lot of aspects of this pandemic that really messed everything up,” Petty added, characterizing the situation as “cruel and unusual punishment.” The DC Dept. of Corrections (DOC) did not respond when asked to comment. “Potentially, you have clients who have cases that they certainly could prove their innocence beyond a reasonable doubt before a jury and they’re sitting incarcerated during a pandemic at a jail that currently has its fair share of cases of COVID-19,” said Attorney Stephen LoGerfo. “A lot of individuals want their day in court. They are innocent until proven guilty and they’ve maintained their innocence,” said Sweta Patel, a DC criminal defense attorney. She does not fault the court system or judges for the situation. However, Patel termed extended detention beyond the amount of time defendants would typically serve a “miscarriage of justice” that would “take a toll on someone really wanting to fight for their innocence.”
“On March 18, 2020, the DC Superior Court suspended juries due to the dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By Jan. 22, 2021, 751 people are confined in DC Jail pre-trial, a 57 percent increase from the 478 held at the end of March.”
2 2 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
Detention’s Costs
As of Jan. 21, 232 residents of DC Department of Corrections (DC DOC) facilities had tested positive for the virus. Yet less than 40 percent of residents reporting symptoms had been tested, and sometimes even weeks later according to a brief filed as part of a lawsuit from American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-DC) and the Public Defender Service (PDS) of DC challenging conditions at the jail. Experts, cited by the brief, found around 100 examples of violations of COVID regulations in a single shift. This was after a June preliminary injunction in the case ordered the Jail to improve access to medical care, increase health resources and alter their COVID-19 policies. Since April, most residents in DC are confined to their cells 23 hours a day. Also, in an effort to stem infection, the jail has eliminated visitation from family and friends. Anthony Petty spent the last months of a 30-year sentence at the DC Jail until his recent release. As a mentor with the Young Men Emerging Program, Petty witnessed how the pandemic affected people held in the jail awaiting trials and indictments.
Petitioning for Release
In response to a flurry of COVID-19-related bond review motions filed and more anticipated, a few days after it suspended juries, the Superior Court instituted procedures for filing these motions. Almost every defendant being held pretrial in DC Jail has filed at least one, if not multiple motions for such relief, according to the USAO-DC. Between March 15 and Dec. 5, 2020, DC Superior Court received 1,365 bond review motions for 1,033 individual defendants held for felony and misdemeanor charges. “Almost all of them included some basis for relief due to the pandemic,” said Judge McKenna. Judges granted only 33 percent of those motions.
NEIGHBORHOOD
16 percent were pending, as of Dec. 5. However, for felony defendants, the approval percent dropped to 26 percent. Understanding the reluctance of judges to release defendants charged with certain felonies, Attorney Julie Swaney believes judges are becoming “immune to the arguments about how unsafe the jail is.” While there have not been many reports of increasing COVID-19 at the Jail, this “still doesn’t erase the risk for our clients to be congregated with other people and especially the staff to be coming in and out from their communities,” Swaney added. For defendants unsuccessful at securing release, few options remain.
Pleading Guilty
In 2019, almost 95 percent of cases ended without a trial. Indeed, the majority of cases are resolved through the negotiated plea agreements between defense attorneys and prosecutors. In these deals, an admission of guilt is often exchanged for a reduction in charges or a lighter sentence. The pandemic threw a wrench in the plea system. During the pandemic, the number of plea deals for both detained and non-detained defendants significantly trails pre-pandemic rates. In 2019, the Superior Court approved an average of 170 plea agreements per month, including guilty pleas and dismissal plea agreements. Between March 18 and Nov. 30, 2020, only 491 plea agreements were accepted. Before COVID, the Superior Court did not explicitly allow defendants to virtually plead guilty to felonies. This past summer, the Court commenced virtual proceedings for felony guilty pleas and sentencing. Even with the recent increase compared to the start of the pandemic, the number of plea deals is “still a shadow of what it would be during normal times,” stated the USAO-DC’s Chief of the Superior Court Division John Hill. There are other reasons for the continued decrease in plea deals. Before the pandemic, if an attorney and the government decided on a plea, they could schedule a court hearing the next day, explained Attorney John Machado. Now, scheduling is much more complicated and can require as much as two to three weeks notice, he said, since judges cannot move from case to case as quickly in a virtual setting. “Getting time before a judge is a much more challenging commodity to get,” said Machado,
though he acknowledged that judges are trying up to open up more courtrooms. Beyond logistical barriers, Escoto explained other reasons for the drop in pleas. These include the need during the pandemic to file a motion to request a hearing and increased difficulty meeting with incarcerated clients to research and analyze cases. Still, Escoto noted, detained clients “are more willing to not challenge the allegations at trial and plead out their cases to reduce incarceration.” Despite the drop in plea deals, defense attorneys remain worried that the lack of jury trials has or could increase pressure on those under pretrial detention to offer an admission of guilt to expedite the disposition of their case. There is “no doubt in my mind” that individuals are taking offers due to the delay in jury trials, Attorney Patel said.
many defendants wanted to plead guilty earlier, but did not have the opportunity to do so. While Judge McKenna hopes the pandemic has not placed additional pressure on defendants to take pleas, “I would be naïve if I said that it is impossible,” she observed. “That is one of the very reasons that we thought it was imperative to resume the jury trials for those defendants being held in jail pending trial.” “We do not want there to be a situation in which any individual is facing any possible risk of being detained beyond the statutory maximum that they could face at the time of sentencing,” said McKenna. “We wanted to avoid imposing that sort of pressure or onus by offering up the opportunity to resolve cases by actually being able to exercise the right to have a trial.” The Superior Court and USAO-DC plan to reboot jury trials and grand jury proceedings in 2021.
“It violates the protections we have for people who have not been convicted of a crime— people who are by default not guilty because they haven’t been proven guilty.” - Elizabeth Weller, a DC criminal defense attorney. Swaney has clients who had been released, she said, and were “very eager to exercise their right to trial,” who are now detained for a pretrial violation or re-arrest for something relatively minor, but who had a pending felony. “That has completely changed the calculation for them,” she said, regarding plea offers. For crimes without mandatory sentences, a plea can be more appealing to defendants if they think they will be released, said AJ Amissah, a defense attorney who practices in Superior Court. “We do our best to counsel our clients” that they do not have to plead guilty, Amissah said. “But it’s almost hard not to understand why they take a plea even if they think they’re innocent because the likelihood is that they’re going to be held for a long time,” he pointed out. Asked about the increased pressure on detained defendants to take plea offers, US Attorney Hill stressed the importance placed by his office and court on the voluntary element of such deals. “We certainly understand that these are unprecedented times and that presents new challenges for defendants and that many are being held beyond the time they would normally be held before they would have an opportunity for a trial,” said Hill, adding that
Looking Forward
Several defense attorneys have challenged the constitutionality and legality of their client’s detention in the DC Court of Appeals. “It’s well established that liberty is the norm and that detention prior to trial is supposed to be the carefully limited exception and we have case law and we have statutes designed to make it the carefully limited exception,” said Attorney Anna Scanlon, who represented a defendant in one such appeal. That appeal has since been ended after her client took a plea deal contingent on its dismissal. “Even though there is no doubt that the problem that COVID presents is vexing, that doesn’t mean we can just throw up our hands and say these people just have to sit in jail who are presumed innocent and that there’s nothing we can do about it,” explained Scanlon. Weller has filed appeals on behalf of two clients. Their continued imprisonment “violates the most basic tenet of liberty” in the Constitution, she wrote in her bond review motions. One of Weller’s appeals is pending. The Appeals Court returned the other to the lower court instructing the judge to reevaluate her client’s detention. Weletz has also appealed the detention of a client indicted for burglary and armed kidnapping. It was consolidated with another case brought by the Public Defenders Service of DC. On Dec. 15, 2020, the DC Court of Appeals heard the attorneys’ statutory and constitutional arguments. Both defendants, Judge McKenna, and Hill declined to comment on the pending appeal.
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 2 3
NEIGHBORHOOD
“The court’s ruling on the application of the statute and the constitutionality of indefinite detention is likely to impact a large number of people currently who are being held pretrial with no trial date in sight,” Scanlon said. While the DC Superior Court intends to commence jury trials for Felony 2 cases with previously scheduled hearings, the one hundred day trial clock remains paused for other detained defendants. Jury summons have not yet been mailed, according to a court spokesperson. The public health challenges of resuming jury trials are not insignificant. “Two months is a reasonable deadline to get all of the protections that need to be in place, and all of the procedures that need to be in place, for this to proceed safely on a small scale,” said Dr. Anne Monroe, an associate professor of epidemiology at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. Given the rate of vaccinations in the city, Monroe emphasized that proceedings in March would need to be on a “limited scale.” “Even once jury trials resume, in order to be able to safely and competently work through the backlog of cases, those timelines are going to have to remain suspended [tolled) for an additional period of time,” Judge McKenna said. The wait for a jury trial could be much longer than March 2021, especially for those arrested after the pandemic began. As for grand juries, the USAO-DC began the first of the year to empanel one a week the first two weeks of January, the office stated. Prosecutors are prioritizing detained defendants. Even if new grand juries are empaneled in 2021, “[t]he judicial system is still only able to safely accommodate a fraction of the grand juries that were operational pre-pandemic,” Hill stated. The Dec. 15 consolidated appeal will soon answer whether the city has statutory and constitutional authority to continue this practice in the midst of the ensuing pandemic. DC is not alone in facing such challenges. A number of jurisdictions that resumed jury trials were forced to reverse course. A North Carolina county saw its first jury trial end in a mistrial, due to pandemic health concerns. On Dec. 21, Maryland courts, which had resumed proceedings, sus-
pended jury trials until April. In York County, PA, criminal trials resumed in July only to be suspended on Nov. 30. According to Center for Juries Studies Director Paula Hannaford-Agor, “with a couple of rare exceptions most large urban courts that would be the most similar to the DC Superior Court have done few or no jury trials.” In rural areas, there have been more such proceedings, she added. “The pandemic took us all by surprise back in March so it’s understandable that it’s taken some time for the system to catch up,” said DC defense attorney Lee Smith at the end of December. Cases are starting to move, Smith continued, but not as fast as they should. “We’ve got to figure out a way to either get jury trials started again safely but much more quickly or [...] figure out some relief for clients who are detained,” said Smith. For instance, Smith referenced the High Intensity Supervision Program of the Pretrial Services Agency of the District of Columbia, potentially combined with home confinement. “Given the severe risk of the spread of COVID-19 inside courtrooms, the Court had to take unprecedented steps to suspend jury trials to protect public health,” said Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D), chair of the DC Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, in a statement. “While it remains the right call, we can’t overlook the hardship and challenges it has placed on anyone who is awaiting their day in court and seeking justice,” Allen stated. Gavrielle Jacobovitz is a recent graduate of Columbia University and a reporter at Capital Community News. She has previously interned with HuffPost Politics and NBC Owned TV Stations. DC Witness, a non-profit dedicated to creating transparency in the District’s justice system, is providing data on criminal cases for this project. For more information, visit www.dcwitness.org. This article was supported by a grant from Spotlight DC: Capitol City Fund for Investigative Journalism. Spotlight DC encourages the submission for proposals by independent journalists. For more information, visit www.spotlightdc.org. ◆
“A lot of individuals want their day in court. They are innocent until proven guilty and they’ve maintained their innocence,” said Sweta Patel, a DC criminal defense attorney.
2 4 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
(Continued from page 18)
Delicious, authentic Mexican fare emerges from Taqueria Xochi’s wood-burning oven.
creamy potato salad interspersed with kimchi, and an array of noodle bowls incorporating kimchi, chicken, vegetables and pickled peppers. Due to the pandemic, Pete’s Place is operating its delivery service out of the nearby St. Anselm restaurant. You can order online for pickup or delivery. St. Anselm is located at 1250 Fifth St. NE. To place an order or for up-to-date information, call 202843-8100 or visit www.stanselmdc.com.
South American Splurge
Here’s something exotic—and pricy—for a very special occasion: El Cielo (“sky” or “heaven”), tucked into the La Cosecha Latin market. The Colombian import has siblings in Medellín and Bogotá and one in Miami. El Cielo’s chef, Juamna Barrientos, has been consistently ranked among the top 50 chefs in Latin America. He also trains indigenous people and other displaced persons. At El Cielo, his tasting menu comes with a hefty price tag and various dinner “tiers.” The full 23-course “experience” ($195 per person before tax and service charges) includes truffle buñuelo fritters, prawn tamales, basil and paprika yucca bread shaped like a “tree of life,” and a “chocotherapy” course where customers wash their hands in liquid chocolate. (We’re not making this up; you can view it on the website: www.elcielorestaurant. com.) Fortunately, there’s a shorter, $135 tasting option plus an ala carte menu. La Cosecha is located at 1280 Fourth St. NE. For hours and more information call 202-5699855 or visit www.lacosechadc.com.
Bye for Now
As we do every February, we’re headed for the warm and sunny (we hope!) climes of Florida. Therefore, we won’t be writing a March column. See you in April. ◆
Soul Food in Shaw: Stop Smack’n.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann
Shaw Skate Park Final Design. Graphic courtesy of DC Department of Parks and Recreation
Progress on Shaw Dog Park and Shaw Skate Park
As work nears completion on the Banneker Academic High School, both the temporary Shaw Dog Park and the Shaw Skate Park had to close on January 18, 2021 before new construction could start on the projects. The closings also mark the end of the design phase of both the dog park and the skate park. The last meeting between the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the community on the dog park was on December 9. DPR went over the major features that the new dog park would have, including a decomposed granite surface, newly planted trees, a new structure for shade and a vinyl screen to shield the dog area from view of the other parts of the park. The new Mosco Lighting system, a major name in sports lighting, would allow the park to be used beyond dusk and could be controlled remotely. The one addi-
tional feature to the scheme would be a drinking water bottle filler, along with water fillers for dog bowls in both the small dog and large dog areas of the park. Given the expanded hours of operation, there was a question of whether the opening and closing of the dog park, currently the responsibility of the Shaw Dog Park Association, should move to DPR. DPR does have roving park rangers that could take this on, but the question has not been resolved yet. The last DPR meeting with the community on the design of the skate park was on January 27. Design of the new skate park is being done by Grindline, a design/build firm that specializes in concrete cast, in-place skateparks. The new design will make permanent improvements to the features of the 17-year-old skate park. A new lighting system will allow the skate park to stay open until late at night.
Both the new Shaw Dog Park and Shaw Skate Park are expected to be completed by August 2021, along with the new Banneker High School
Shaw Restaurants March On with Hope
While the pandemic crisis has continued to place a burden on Shaw restaurants, there have been glimmers of hope. Mayor Bowser lifted her restrictions on indoor dining on January 22, allowing establishments to use up to 25 percent of their capacity. Washington Restaurant Week started on January 25, with lauded places such as San Lorenzo and Unconventional Diner offering threecourse specials for $35. Even better, there are new establishments opening up in Shaw. Astro Doughnuts, the famed purveyor of donuts and fried chicken downtown, has expanded to Shaw, joining the virtual food hall at 1819 Seventh Street NW. Now you do not have to travel to
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 2 5
#ShawTakeout YOU COULD USE A DRINK RIGHT ABOUT NOW! pick up Astro’s exotic collection of donuts, their fried chicken, breakfast sandwiches or even cookies from their ghost kitchen Satellite Sandwiches. Another addition to the food hall is Saya Salteña, offering modern variations of the Bolivian standard. On the same block, the space at 1839-1841 Seventh, previously used for the Christmas Miracle on Seventh and the Game of Thrones popup bars, will now become home to a new Soul Food restaurant. Stop Smack’n will offer a menu of Gulf Coast and Caribbean inspired dishes, including sweet honey yams and collard greens on the side, by the end of February.
SERVICE BAR
Whether your taste runs toward the classic or creative, Shaw’s bars offer a wide range of tastes, from divey Ivy and Coney to world class Columbia Room, from sudsy Right Proper to frenchy La Jambe.
Mayor Says Take the Boards Off – Wood for Good Here to Help
Mayor Bowser, in her January 21 press conference, asked for DC residents and businesses to help the District by taking down the plywood boards they have put up
You can’t sit at the bar right now, but you can order your favorites to go or try something new.
TAKE A SIP OR CHUG A PINT. EITHER WAY, IT’LL BE #SHAWSOME!
www.shawmainstreets.org Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor ©2021 Shaw Main Streets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR
GEORGE OLSON (202) 203-0339 - (M) (202) 203-0339 - (D) george.olson@cbmove.com Capitol Hill Office 605 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE 202.547.3525
2 6 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING WITH US? CALL KIRA MEANS SR. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
202.400.3508 KIRA@HILLRAG.COM Capital Community News, Inc.
Astro Doughnuts moves into Shaw.
to protect themselves from the various demonstrations that rocked the town over the past year. With the Presidential Inauguration over, it was time for commerce in the District to get back to normal. The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development has started a campaign with the hashtag #DCisOpen, encouraging businesses to remove wood on their storefronts. In a tweet he added that “Donations of old plywood are accepted @ Wood for Good project by @ShawMainStreets.” Indeed, the Wood for Good project is still standing by to accept the city’s excess plywood with the intent of putting it all to a productive and creative second life. Artists, creatives and community groups interested in using this recycled lumber in a project should send an email to shawmainstreetsinc@gmail.com with their contact information and proposed use for the wood. They will be contacted as the inventory of planks increase and can be made ready for pick up. Based on the project description and quantity of wood provided, they may be asked to post images of finished work on Instagram, using hashtag #woodforgood, or donate items for a charity auction. ◆
Now Available ONLINE @
in the Whole Foods Section The best corn you’ve ever had 100% ALL NATURAL!
NO added sugar, additives, coloring or preservatives
Available at IN TH E F ROZ E N V E G G I E S SE C T I ON
More info andrecipes recipes at: at: larrysweetcorn.com larrysweetcorn.com More info and
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 2 7
NEIGHBORHOOD
ANC 6E by Pleasant Mann
A
dvisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6E held its monthly meeting for January on Tuesday evening, January 5, 2021. The meeting was held as a virtual conference. Commission Chair Rachelle Nigro (6E04) called the meeting to order with Michael Eichler (6E01), Alex Lopez (6E02), Frank Wiggins (6E03), Patrick Parlej (6E05) and Denise Blackson (6E06) in attendance. There was a quorum to conduct official business.
Election of ANC Officers
The first item of business for ANC 6E at the beginning of the year was the election of new officers. In an election presided over by former Commissioner Alex Marriott, Rachelle Nigro was reelected Commission Chair. Michael Eichler was elected Vice Chair, Alex Lopez took on the position of Secretary and Frank Wiggins was elected Treasurer.
Police Service Area (PSA) Reports
Lieutenant Michael Daee gave the police report for the Third District. There had been an increase in robberies recently. A 17-year-old was arrested for multiple robberies. PSA 308, however, has seen a decrease in crime compared to the same month last year. There is still a problem with carjackings. Two carjackings had been reported so far just that night. The First Police District did not give a report at the meeting, due to its mobilization to protect the Capitol and Mall prior to the certification of the Presidential election. Lieutenant Daee had gotten some statistics from 1D Captain Dorrough. Crime in the First District was about the same over the last 30 days. There was a shooting at 53 L Street on December 20, with the suspect arrested later. There was also an assault with a knife in December. Commissioner Nigro asked about reports of gunshots on M Street on New Year’s Eve. The lieutenant replied that this happens every year: one area was left with 200 shell casings. Commissioner Eichler asked what measures the police were using to reduce stolen cars, such as ticketing idling vehicles. Eichler also mentioned that he had contacted Third District Commander Emerman about the problem of non-emergency vehicles parking in bike lanes. Daee replied that the police are issuing tickets nightly to idling vehicles, and that he had heard that
2 8 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
Emerman was working on a parking problem on the 800 block of Florida Avenue. Eichler responded that parked police vehicles were the biggest problem in blocking bike lanes. Commissioner Wiggins noted that there was a lot of criminal activity going on near the Wonder Bread Building on the 600 block of Sixth Street.
DC Public Library Master Facilities Plan
After the DC Public Library (DCPL) released its new Master Facilities Plan, Commissioner Lopez invited DCPL Executive Director Richard ReyesGavilan to present it before the commission. ANC 6E has the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Branch Library and the Northwest One Neighborhood Library within its boundaries. Gavilan started by explaining that this is the first master facilities plan for DCPL. The District has spent half a billion dollars on building new and renovated branch libraries along with the massive reconfiguration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library over recent years. The plan starts with a facilities conditions assessment to anticipate when systems will need to be replaced. A library interior will probably only work for about 10 years before it must be redone to accommodate unanticipated new needs. For example, the design of the Watha T. Daniel branch did not anticipate the large number of toddlers it now serves. The provisions of the DCPL Master Facilities Plan are not set in concrete and are dependent on the support of the community. It also is not necessarily endorsed by the Mayor or DC Council. The plan also tries to identify the adjustments needed for libraries to adequately serve the entire District in an equitable way. Gavilan noted that the Watha T. Daniel Branch library is one of the busiest in the city. The building will probably need a major renewal in the next four to six years. The branch will also need a rethinking of its interior arrangement and functions. Both efforts could be done together in a four-to-six month construction project. The master facilities plan also tried to identify underserved areas of the city and found six service gaps. It suggests that the four neighborhood libraries, including Northwest One, be replaced by fullservice libraries. The current neighborhood libraries
are too small to provide a full set of services, such as meeting space and study carrels, and their physical plants are managed by the DC Department of General Services, instead of DCPL. Northwest One would be closed, to be replaced by a full service library in Eckington. Gavilan said that the DCPL Board of Trustees supports the replacement concept. A number of the commissioners expressed concern about the potential closure of Northwest One. They said that a new library would be too far for children in the neighborhood to reach, and that the current heavy use of Northwest One shows that its services are desperately needed by the community.
Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee (ABC)
Metropolitan Wellness Center (Kinfolk). Request for support to relocate operations. The Metropolitan Wellness Center is a medical cannabis dispensary currently located at 409 Eighth Street SE that wants to move to 433 Massachusetts Avenue NW in ANC 6E. Open since 2013, they have never had an incident requiring MPD to be called. They can expand to serve as many 2,000 patients per month if they leave their current 850 square foot space. They have worked for a year to move after they found space on Massachusetts Avenue. The move has been delayed by the transfer of program authority for marijuana dispensaries from the Department of Health to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA). The dispensary will be known as Kinfolk when it opens at the new location. Commissioner Parlej said that he did not see a reason to object to the move. They are the third largest dispensary in the District. Alexander Padro, Chair of the ABC committee, said that he had checked with Barracks Row Main Streets and they were sorry to see the dispensary move. Parlej made a motion to support the move of the dispensary to ANC 6E. The motion passed with five ayes, one abstention. Giant, 1400 Seventh Street NW. Request for support of liquor license renewal. Commissioner Eichler started the discussion, mentioning that it had been difficult to contact a representative from Giant. As a result, the commission voted to protest the license renewal. Now they have established a contact person for Giant. The representative said that store
G G ROOFING
REGULAR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CAN DO WONDERS FOR YOUR HOME
30% DISCOUNT ON YEARLY CONTRACTS
Full-Service Landscape Design & Maintenance
Thomas Landscapes
AWARDED BEST WASHINGTON, DC CONTRACTOR OF 2012 BY ANGIE’S LIST
had an exemplary record, outside of a sale to minor violation that occurred two years ago, and asked the commission to drop its protest. Padro said that he will send a letter to ABRA complaining about lack of licensee contact information on the latest alcohol license renewal placards. He said that the committee met the previous night with a representative from Giant and recommended that the commission endorse the renewal of the store’s liquor license. The commission voted unanimously to drop its protest and support the renewal of Giant’s alcohol license.
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Conversion of Fourth and Half Street NW. Commissioner Lopez, the committee chair, described the proposal as an effort to convert Fourth and Half Street to a one-way street southbound between I and K Street. The proposal had been supported by the commission over a year ago, but the Mount Vernon Triangle CID wanted the new ANC to revive it. A motion was made for the commission to support the proposal again and communicate this to DDOT. The motion passed unanimously. North Capitol Street Concept Study. A request for DDOT to fund a study to reimagine the ANC 6E section of North Capitol Street, taking the form of a letter that other groups can sign in support. North Capitol Street has seen six fatalities and is one of the most problematic roads for accidents in the District. The motion passed unanimously. ANC 6E will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, February 2 at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www.anc6e.org for more information. ◆
FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • “50 YEARS EXPERIENCE”
OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN CAPITOL HILL
Redefining Beauty One Client at a Time!
Flat Roof Specialists • Modified Bitumen • Skylights • Shingles • Slate •
Chimney Repairs • Roof Coatings • Gutters & Downspouts • Preventive Maintenance • Metal Roofs •
10% OFF WITH THIS AD
202.425.1614 WWW.GANDGHOMEIMPROVEMENTS.NET
Licensed & Insured | All Work Managed & Inspected by Owners
• Installation, arbors, retaining walls, walkways, lighting, water features • Patios, roof top gardens, townhomes, single family homes • Trees & shrubs, formal & informal gardens • Custom Masonry, Fencing and Iron work • Restoration and Enhancement
Winter Garden Special EXP 2/28/2021
10% OFF
15% OFF
NEW CLIENTS
ANY DESIGN
10% OFF
ON ANY NEW INSTALLATION
Derek Thomas / Principal Certified Professional Horticulturist | Member of MD Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association
301.642.5182 | 202.322.2322 (Office) thomaslandscapes.com
Joel N. Martin
JOHNSON LAW GROUP
Licensed in DC, MD & VA Since 1986 DC resident since 1970 / Shaw resident since 2002
202-274-1882 office direct 202-338-8900 office main
Wills, Estates and Trusts Business Law and Government Contracting Property and Housing Disputes Elder Law
“honesty, integrity, service & market knowledge”
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue SE • Washington DC 20003 202.544.1515 • www.jlgi.com • law@jlgi.com
each office independently owned & operated
WIDE SHOE OUTLET Men’s and Women’s sizes up to 15 EE Savings in store and online
simplywide.com Brands: Naturalizer • Soft Spots • Ros Hommerson • Propet Walking • Cradles • Easy Street
10 off
$
Lots & Lots
Wide Width Shoes
All Sales
Limited Time simplywide.com
All Day Comfort
4279 Branch Avenue Marlow Heights, MD 20748
301-702 1401
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 2 9
NEIGHBORHOOD
BULLETIN BOARD Streaming Live from the Hamilton
On Friday, Feb. 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m., a Hamilton Live fan-favorite, Newmyer Flyer is back with their expert vocalists and instrumentalists to bring perform their favorite love tunes from The Beatles. $20. On Saturday, Feb. 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m., another Hamilton veteran band, Jonathan Sloane Trio entertains with their skillful sound, deeply rooted in the blues. $15. thehamiltonlive.com.
“Is Justice for All” by Jimise Winston
Sixth and I Trivia Night
On Feb 18, 7 p.m., from sports and pop culture to geography and politics, Sixth and I will test your knowledge of it all from the comfort of your own homes. Form teams up to seven people. Trivia will last one and a half to two hours. $6. Free for those with financial need. sixthandi.org.
Lunar New Year Virtual Celebration
On Saturday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m., ring in the Year of the Ox! Celebrate the Lunar New Year online with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Chinese Cultural Institute, and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Enjoy streamed performances, including traditional Chinese acrobatics. Free. Registration required at eventbrite.com/e/lunar-newyear-virtual-celebration-tickets-131604824573?aff=.
Wunder Garten’s Après Ski 2021
Wunder Garten, 1101 First St. NE, is trading in their skis for cups of boozy hot chocolate, and a virtual ski resort experience for their 4th annual Après Ski Festival, Tuesdays through Sundays until February 28. The 13,000 square ft. NoMa beer garden will celebrate Après Ski the only way they know: with friends, drinks, private cabins, and a great outdoor atmosphere. Wunder Garten will safely bring together everyone’s favorite activities during the winter times; sipping hot chocolate, tasting whiskey flights, racing on a downhill ski simulator, staying warm in Après Ski branded apparel, and watching the Washington Capitals dominate. Free entry. Wunder Garten is open weekdays, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and weekends noon to 10 p.m. (closed Mondays). wundergartendc.com.
3 0 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
¡Printing the Revolution! Virtual Conversation Series
The activist and the cultural dimensions of the civil rights era fueled solidarity movements between Black and Latinx artists, leaving a visible imprint in the graphic arts that continues to reverberate today. On Thursday, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., this panel features three artists from ¡Printing the Revolution! who have engaged with these concerns across the decades. Participants include Malaquias Montoya, a prolific strike poster artist whose artwork defines the 1960s social serigraphy movement of the Bay Area; Favianna Rodriguez, whose art addresses migration, gender justice, climate change, racial equity, and sexual freedom; and Moses Ros-Suárez, an artist, printmaker, architect, and a member of the Dominican York Proyecto GRAFICA, a col-
“Distance Learning” Virtual Art Exhibit
In response to the toll COVID-19 has taken on artist educators, DC based curator and fine artist Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell presents “Distance Learning,” a poignant and compelling virtual art exhibition featuring the work of 21 art teachers from the Washington DC Metropolitan area. The artists examine themes of isolation and mental health during the 2020 pandemic and social unrest--from the closure of schools in March to the killing of George Floyd through the presidential election. Using the genres of portraiture, sculpture, print, digital and abstract art, and spoken word, the artists convey their observations of culture, how they managed the time in quarantine after schools closed, their continued connection to the youth and communities they teach, and the importance of having this opportunity to focus on creating their art. The virtual opening reception is Feb. 11, 6 to 8 p.m. RSVP at DCTeacherArtShow.com. Free adult painting workshops with teachers are 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 18 and 25; March 4, 10, 11 and 18.
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 3 1
NEIGHBORHOOD
lective of Dominican American graphic artists. Free; registration required at eventbrite.com/e/ printing-the-revolution-virtual-conversation-series-tickets-131957296827?aff=
Cupid’s Viral Undie Run
This year, because of the pandemic, instead of meeting for a mile(ish) run at your local bar, they’re giving you creative control--bike a mile, run backward, eat a mile-long sandwich? Anything goes! Then submit your video at cupidsawards.secureplatform.com/a/organizations/main/home and enter in one of five categories (Most Creative Mile, Thirstiest Mile, Most Hilarious Mile, Most Heartfelt Mile, Best Cupid’s Spirit) for a chance to win prizes. Cupid’s Undie Run funds research for neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and affects one in every 3,000 births. ctf.org. Ryan J. Haddad. Photo: Lawrence E. Moten III
Virtual Tour and Poetry at Lincoln’s Cottage
On Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m., take a live virtual tour of President Lincoln’s Cottage, followed by readings from poets Maurice Manningand and recent Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith. The reading, titled I Will Tell You the Truth About This, will be a poetic exploration of President Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Tickets for the live event on Zoom have a suggested price of $15, with a pay-what-you-can price at $5. folger.edu/events/ tracy-k-smith-maurice-manning.
Food & Friends Seeks Volunteers
Food & Friends seeks volunteers to deliver meals or work in the kitchen. New volunteers must sign-up for and attend an orientation and undergo a criminal background check (paid for by Food & Friends). As a new volunteer, you must make a six month or 20-hour commitment. foodandfriends.org/volunteer.
Help Preserve DC’s Culture
Hi, Are You Single? at Woolly
Streaming through Feb. 21, Woolly Mammoth teams up with IAMA Theatre Company to play “wingman” in Ryan J. Haddad’s search to find love (or at least a hookup) in his celebrated autobiographical solo show, Hi, Are You Single? available for digital streaming. Directed by Laura Savia and Jess McLeod and recorded with a limited live audience. Synopsis: Ryan has a higher sex drive than you. He also has cerebral palsy. You can often find him on Grindr or at your local inaccessible gay bar. From encounters with drag queens to platonic lap dances, Ryan will guide you through the gay dating scene with his provocative take on intimacy, rejection, and judgment. His one request? Please bring an attractive male friend with you. woollymammoth.net.
3 2 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
Free Admission to Mount Vernon
On Monday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., celebrate with General Washington in honor of his 289th birthday. Admission is free and must be reserved online. The mansion will be closed. No tickets are available on-site on this date. Number of tickets will be limited. Also, on Monday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., attend Mount Vernon’s virtual birthday party to celebrate Washington’s 289th birthday. Join in for an evening featuring performances and stories from a variety of actors, musicians, and historians to celebrate George Washington. These include stories and birthday wishes from bestselling author and the winner of the 2020 George Washington Prize, Rick Atkinson, multi-Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, renowned mezzo-soprano opera singer Denyce Graves, 26-time Grammy and Latin-Grammy Award-winner Juanes, and more. “Attendance” requires a donation of at least $5. Register at mountvernon.org/donate/fundraising-events/virtual-birthday-celebration.
HumanitiesDC volunteer reviewers assist in reading and evaluating the hundreds of project applications for grant funding HumanitiesDC receives every year. This short-term volunteer assignment is a great opportunity to use your skills to improve our community and meet other people who share your passion for the District’s heritage and preservation activities. They accept applications year-round so that they have talented teams in place by review time. humanitiesdc.org/getinvolved/become-a-grant-reviewer.
Near NW Mobility Public Meetings
DDOT will host a series of virtual public meetings to gather community input and discuss ideas about the upcoming Near Northwest III Safety and Mobility Study. The study is designed to improve the daily quality of life by taking a big picture look at the transportation network in the Logan Circle, Shaw,
Cardozo, Columbia Heights, and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods in Northwest DC. It will identify immediately implementable and concrete actions to increase safety and improve transportation connectivity and accessibility in this area of the District. The study will conclude by Fall 2021 with a series of short term quick-build projects and other near-term actions that may include traffic calming and intersection safety enhancements. The first meeting is Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m.; the second, March 9, 5:30 p.m. To learn more visit nnwiii-dcgis.hub.arcgis.com/.
Be an Arena Stage Usher
Arena Stage’s volunteer ushers are responsible for the comfort, safety and overall experience their patrons. Volunteers receive complimentary ticket offers to Arena Stage shows, invitations to special staff and audience enrichment events, an invitation
REAL ESTATE
to the Annual Usher Appreciation party, an opportunity to attend Arena Stage productions for free, and discounted parking in the on-site garage. Read more at arenastage. org/opportunities.
How to Build an Accessory Apartment in DC
The United Planning Organization and Coalition for Smarter Growth has released ADU DC Homeowner’s Manual: How to Build an Accessory Apartment or Second Dwelling in DC, to give homeowners guidance to create an accessory dwelling unit on their property. The new guide will make it easier for homeowners to add income-producing units to their homes. The manual covers project planning, zoning, design options, cost considerations, financing, permitting, and managing the rental unit. Download smartergrowth.net/resources/ adu-d-c-homeowners-manual.
Get Covid Vaccination Appointments and Alerts
Sign up for vaccine availability alerts or to schedule an appointment at coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc.
Hypothermia Alerts
Hypothermia alerts are activated when the National Weather Service forecasted temperature, including wind chill, is or will be 32° F or below; or, when the temperature is forecasted to be 40° F or below, and the forecasted chance of precipitation is fifty percent or greater. Transportation to shelter is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you see someone outside in need of shelter or a welfare check, call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or dial 311. If there is an immediate risk to safety call 911. When calling, include the time, the address or location of the sighting, and a description of the person’s appearance. ◆
changing hands
Changing Hands is a list of most residential sales in the Midcity DC area 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 14TH STREET CORRIDOR
2534 13th St NW
BLOOMINGDALE 20 Seaton Pl NW 2217 Flagler Pl NW 116 U St NW 57 U St NW
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1211 Park Rd NW 1369 Newton St NW 603 Kenyon St NW 505 Park Rd NW 1338 Perry Pl NW 1470 Newton St NW 3518 Park Pl NW 1311 Belmont St NW 1352 Spring Rd NW 1026 Park Rd NW 1522 Ogden St NW 1437 Parkwood Pl NW
DUPONT CIRCLE
1525 P St NW 1630 19th St NW #C ( 2 UNITS) 2036 17th St NW 1731 Swann St NW 1808 S St NW
LEDROIT PARK
2116 2nd St NW 336 Oakdale Pl NW 211 Florida Ave NW #PARKING-00
LOGAN CIRCLE 1318 T St NW 1306 Riggs St NW
MOUNT VERNON 200 N St NW
SHAW
906 S St NW 1402 5th St NW 1840 Vermont Ave NW 1728 6th St NW 1907 8th St NW
Price
BR
$1,415,000
5
$1,510,000 $1,275,000 $925,000 $925,000
5 4 6 5
$1,190,000 $1,015,000 $985,000 $950,000 $930,000 $925,000 $915,000 $910,000 $900,000 $890,000 $885,000 $884,000
4 3 4 6 3 5 4 5 3 3 5 4
$2,750,000 $1,700,000 $1,550,000 $1,337,500 $1,250,000
7 4 4 4 4
$897,000 $455,000 $30,000
4 2 0
$2,345,000 $1,125,000
5 2
$655,000
3
$1,575,000 $1,300,000 $1,225,000 $1,100,000 $869,000
4 4 4 3 3
$960,000 $530,000 $299,000
2 1 1
$1,325,000 $800,000
3 2
CONDOS 14TH STREET CORRIDOR 1444 Church St NW #504 2125 14th St NW #629 1415 Chapin St NW #2
ADAMS MORGAN
2303 Ontario Rd NW 2357 Champlain St NW #401
1832 Calvert St NW #2 2440 16th St NW #514 2337 Champlain St NW #104 2526 17th St NW #204 2412 17th St NW #C-01 1957 Calvert St NW #1957 2244 Ontario Rd NW #5 2630 Adams Mill Rd NW #102 1700 Euclid St NW #B-1 2440 16th St NW #504
BLOOMINGDALE
66 Rhode Island Ave NW #2 25 U St NE #1 129 W St NW #301 67 Randolph Pl NW #1 1929 1st St NW #105
CENTRAL
400 Massachusetts Ave NW #917 915 E St NW #401
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
1206 Lamont St NW #1 1428 Shepherd St NW #2 1005 Girard St NW #B 1485 Monroe St NW #1 1466 Harvard St NW #A-1 1508 Park Rd NW #2 3554 10th St NW #1 3609 13th St NW #2 1324 Euclid St NW #407 3900-3902 14th St NW #609 1417 Newton St NW #402 1441 Euclid St NW #203 1458 Columbia Rd NW #303 1458 Columbia Rd NW #405 1458 Columbia Rd NW #400
DUPONT
1745 N St NW #312 1332 21st St NW #302 1619 R St NW #LL3 2122 N St NW #8 2122 N St NW #7 1721 P St NW #C 2150 Florida Ave NW #2 1401 17th St NW #403 1700 17th St NW #405 1619 R St NW #LL2 1701 16th St NW #611 1701 16th St NW #134 2039 New Hampshire Ave NW #209 1725 17th St NW #313 1745 N St NW #103 1330 New Hampshire Ave NW #1010 1735 Willard St NW #2 1545 18th St NW #322 2007 O St NW #501 1725 New Hampshire Ave NW #407 1739 Q St NW #1 1705 P St NW #31
$667,500 $585,000 $510,000 $510,000 $499,000 $410,000 $410,000 $375,000 $285,395 $228,000
2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
$655,000 $650,000 $560,000 $415,000 $346,000
2 3 2 1 1
$445,000 $374,900
1 1
$950,000 $900,000 $819,000 $795,000 $750,000 $690,000 $650,000 $627,500 $435,000 $370,000 $355,000 $324,750 $300,000 $274,900 $255,000
3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
$579,000 $461,000 $399,000 $1,999,900 $1,500,000 $1,140,000 $725,000 $653,000 $590,000 $479,950 $570,000 $485,000 $230,000 $227,000 $479,000 $462,000 $445,000 $408,000 $405,000 $399,900 $395,000 $375,000
1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
1723 Q St NW #G3 1727 Massachusetts Ave NW #714
LEDROIT PARK
1844 3rd St NW #103 211 Florida Ave NW #5 211 Florida Ave NW #2 211 Florida Ave NW #3 211 Florida Ave NW #4
LOGAN CIRCLE
1133 14th St NW #PH8 1401 Church St NW #416 2250 11th St NW #201 1440 N St NW #712 1313 R St NW #1 1825 13th St NW #6 1445 Church St NW #23 1300 N St NW #403 1245 13th St NW #609
MOUNT VERNON
440 L St NW #904 1133 6th St NW #3 1010 Massachusetts Ave NW #206
NOMA
504 M St NW #2 OLD CITY #2 1325 13th St NW #13 408 M St NW #1 1300 N St NW #504 1245 13th St NW #712
SHAW
917 S St NW #1 1222 4th St NW #2 1835 6th St NW #1 2110 10th St NW #3 1411 11th St NW #B 459 Florida Ave NW #4 910 M St NW #730 459 Florida Ave NW #2 1502 10th St NW #1 304 Q St NW #2 1627 Marion St NW #B 435 R St NW #403
TRUXTON CIRCLE
1532 North Capitol St NW #402 222 Bates St NW #1 1532 North Capitol St NW #303 1532 North Capitol St NW #302 1532 North Capitol St NW #202
U STREET CORRIDOR 1405 W St NW #502 2001 16th St NW #501 1441 Florida Ave NW #2B 2120 Vermont Ave NW #502 ◆
$303,500 $215,000
0 0
$1,090,000 $514,000 $499,000 $468,500 $455,000
3 2 2 2 2
$700,000 $580,000 $450,000 $230,000 $1,710,000 $1,400,000 $949,000 $435,000 $375,000
2 2 1 0 3 3 2 1 1
$635,000 $609,000 $587,000
2 2 2
$590,000
2
$740,000 $679,000 $437,500 $399,000
2 3 1 1
$1,140,000 $855,000 $850,000 $707,500 $635,000 $585,000 $580,000 $544,900 $507,000 $485,000 $470,000 $449,900
2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1
$825,000 $785,000 $560,000 $435,000 $415,000
2 3 2 1 1
$575,000 $549,000 $533,000 $475,000
1 2 1 1
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 3 3
KIDS AND FAMILY
notebook by Kathleen Donner
on YouTube every Wednesday at 11 a.m. for Introducing… with a Portrait Gallery educator. Children will learn more about art, hear the stories behind the portraits, and even learn some new vocabulary. Select story times will be in Spanish. For children ages three and up and their families. On Wednesday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m., learn about Stokely Carmichael and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Free. npg. si.edu/event/introducing-20.
Arena Stage’s Winter Classes for Kids
Club members Jackson Sanders and Marcus McQueen with their project “Plant a Broken Tree”
Young Artists Gallery: Junk Art Club
The Hill Center has a Young Artists Gallery that features rotating exhibits from local schools. They’ve teamed up with the Junk Art Club from Eliot-Hine Middle School to stage their first Young Artists virtual art show. The Junk Art Club’s work speaks to climate change and the effect of human activity on the environment. Each piece is designed to convey the serious environmental impacts of climate change, or to show hope that climate change can be slowed or reversed. For materials, the students relied on recycling a diverse array of discarded items. While the public won’t be able to enjoy it in person, they’re pleased to open this virtual gallery. hillcenterdc.org/artist/young-artists-gallery.
Kids on Ice Winter 2021
Kids on Ice Winter 2021, brought to you by the Fort Dupont Ice Arena, is three sessions for ages five to seventeen with unique at-home virtual challenges over six weeks. Through March 7, choose a session and complete a task or complete them all--It’
3 4 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
s up to you. Earn points by submitting a picture of your work to either bgreene@fdia.org or tagging Fort Dupont Ice Arena in a photo on social media. Prizes awarded. Read more and register at bit.ly/koiwinter21.
Introducing... Stokely Carmichael and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Each week the National Portrait Gallery shines a light on some of this country’s lesser-known history makers and their portraits. Join them
Write the next hit musical. Get ready for your close-up or get up and dance. Online classes at Arena Stage allow young people to try something new or explore a favorite artform more deeply. Classes offered are Acting for the Camera, Hip-Hop Dance, Fashion Design, Mini Musical, and Sign and Song. Classes are $120. Need-based scholarships are available. No experience is required. Classes are one hour and meet once a week for eight weeks via Zoom. Zoom links are emailed to registered participants. arenastage. org/education/202021-winter-classes.
Arena Stage’s Family Creativity Workshops
On Saturdays, Feb. 20 and March 13, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., create and play as a team in this interactive drama workshop designed for families. Using theater games, visual art and imagination, family members will build connections while they explore what makes their family unique. This workshop is open to participants ages five to adult. Though the workshop is virtual, family members
ONE SCHOOL, ONE COMMUNITY, ONE CITY...THE WORLD INTERSECTS AT MERIDIAN Elementary School PK3-5th 2021 13th St NW (202) 387-9830
Middle School 6th-8th 770 Kenyon St NW (202) 793-2667
Apply today at www.myschooldc.org! • • • • • •
Supportive, community-focused school Visual Arts, Music, Spanish, Performing Arts, Technology A device for use in the classroom and a separate device to use at home Free/low cost before care, aftercare, and extracurricular activities Priority access to free, on-site COVID testing for all students, families, and staff Building safety protocols meet or exceed DC Health & CDC guidelines
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 3 5
KIDS AND FAMILY
White House Historical Association Student Art Competition
Art & Me: Lunar New Year
On Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 to 10:45 a.m., celebrate the Year of the Ox with the art doctors in this virtual workshop. From toys to tiles, see how artists have been inspired by oxen for generations and how Smithsonian conservators preserve these artworks. Then create your own ox masterpiece to ring in the new year. This hands-on, art-making preservation workshop is designed for children ages three to eight and their caretakers. The program is part of a yearlong series cohosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. One registration per family. A Zoom link and a list of suggested materials will be sent to registered participants 24 to 48 hours in advance. asia.si.edu/events-overview/kids. should be in the same physical space. Space is limited to six families. Registration is available up until the day of class based upon availability. $25 to $30 per family. arenastage.org/education/202021-family-workshops.
Artists on the Rise Exhibition Call for Entry
Montpelier Arts Center presents Artists on the Rise, an annual juried teen exhibition held in the galleries of Montpelier, designed to provide teens with an opportunity to showcase their work in a professional setting. They welcome students in public or private middle and high school or home school who are residents of Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia to enter one piece of original artwork online. Awards are given for first ($200), second ($150), and third place ($100). Submission deadline is Feb. 21. montpelierartscenter.submittable.com/submit.
3 6 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
The White House Historical Association has established a student-driven art competition inspired by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s vision of the White House as a national symbol. The theme of the competition is “The White House: An American Story,” and will solicit two-dimensional submissions from all kindergarten through twelve US students. The competition will be judged by Simmie Knox, who painted the Clintons’ portraits and was the first Black artist to paint official White House portraits, Betty Monkman, former White House curator, and Katherine Gilliland, the docent manager at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The competition will run from February to May 2021 and winners will be announced on or around Mrs. Kennedy’s birthday--July 28. WhiteHouseHistory.org.
DC Library Virtual Story Time
Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and DC Public Library Launch Books & Baseball
The Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, in partnership with DC Public Library, has launched a new season of the Books & Baseball program, a free, non-competitive, co-ed literature and baseball program for children ages three to five. Mondays at 5 p.m., through Feb. 22, 35-minute session includes the reading of a children’s book by a DC Public Librarian, followed by a beginner-level baseball clinic led by YBA coaches. Virtual clinic activities are easy to complete at home and focus on enhancing motor skills and learning the fundamentals of baseball. To learn more and register for the Books & Baseball program, visit nats4good.org/ BooksAndBaseball. Emma Natalya Stein, Hoi An Lanterns
On Weekdays at 10:30 a.m., grab your shakers, bells or anything that makes a fun noise and join the DC Library for Virtual Story Time at facebook.com/ dclibrary. This story time is recommended for kids ages birth to five. dclibrary.org.
DC Library Family Learning
Weekdays at 4 p.m., tune in to DC Public Library’s Youtube for fun and educational after-school live events and videos. Programs and content will cover themes related to STEM/STEAM, history, culture and so much more. These programs are recommended for school-aged children and teens and their families. dclibrary.org.
Students Empowered to Tackle Climate Crisis
Washington, DC has joined 17 cities to launch Students Reinventing Cities, a pioneering competition that will enable students and universities from across the globe to share their vision for green and thriving neighborhoods. The District is inviting students to share their creative vision and fresh ideas in line with the city’s climate and housing priorities. Mayor Bowser’s Comprehensive Plan proposal has identified the area of New York Avenue, NE as a key location for future planning and analysis. Interested students can visit c40reinventingcities.org. The deadline is March 2021. Finalists will be selected and invited to submit their final proposals by May 2021. A panel of judges from the District and C40 Cities will select a winner for each city site, which will be announced at a ceremony in July 2021.
Lighting up Lanterns for Tet
On Sunday, Feb. 21, 10 to 11 a.m., celebrate Tet, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, in this family workshop. Honoring the power of hope in dark times, this holiday reminds us that the light of a lantern can offer cheer and the promise of better times ahead. This program, led by artist Khánh H. Lê, will include an interactive lanternmaking workshop and information about how the holiday is celebrated in Vietnam. Designed for children six and older with adult companions, one registration per family. A Zoom link and a list of suggested materials will be sent to registered participants 24 to 48 hours in advance of the workshop. This program is part of Lunar New Year DC, organized by the Freer and Sackler Galleries and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. asia.si.edu/events-overview/kids.
SERVING GRADES 6-12
Social Studies in a Box
At President Lincoln’s Cottage, 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW, they use Lincoln’s life to inspire their work. The stories of what happened there historically have the power to bring out the leader in any person today. Their new activity packages, Social Studies in a Box, created for families with early learners (two to eight), provide at-home programming that encourages the development of social and emotional intelligence through games, interactive play, and stories. $50. lincolncottagestore.com/socialstudies-boxes.
National Museum of African Art Student Gallery
The National Museum of African Art (currently closed), 950 Independence Ave. SW, Student Gallery displays student artworks (K through 12) that were created in the classroom in response to virtual field trips, museum visits, or inspired by African art. Go to africa. si.edu/education/student-gallery and click on a school name to view student masterpieces. ◆
PAUL PCS IS MORE THAN A 6-12 SCHOOL We have a 90-year-old legacy of community and connection! Our faculty and staff know and care for every scholar with small class sizes and expertly customized learning plans!
Deadlines:
February 1 – Grades 9-12 March 1 – Grades 6-8
WHY PAUL PCS? • Tier 1 High School
Your legacy starts here. Apply today for School Year 2021-22. Seats are limited. Complete the application online through MySchoolDC.org. Increase your chances of being matched with Paul PCS by making us your #1 selection.
• Free SAT prep and Honors Classes Dual Enrollment, AP for College Credit • Study Abroad Program • Varsity Athletics and Extracurricular Programming in the Arts
Visit www.paulcharter.org to schedule a tour and learn more. 5800 8th Street NW Washington, DC | (202) 291-7499
TAE KWON DO WE HAVE RESTARTED! 10’ SOCIAL DISTANCING. FULLY MASKED. TEMPERATURE CHECKS. 6TH & EYE ST., NE. - PARKING • MASTERGUTMAN@GMAIL.COM
FEBRU ARY 2 0 2 1 3 7
CLASSI AIR CONDITIONING
ELECTRICIAN
ROOFING
PAINTING
CARS FOR SALE Need a CAR, TRUCK or SUV?
Over 1,000 vehicles in stock. 2 recent Paystubs & 1 Bill required. Gross Income must be at least $1,800 mo. Jason -202.704.8213. • Temple Hills, MD 20748.
CLEANING SERVICES
LANDSCAPES Thomas Landscapes
PLUMBING
DEREK THOMAS / PRINCIPAL
Over 20 Years of Experience in Capitol Hill FULL-SERVICE LANDSCAPE DESIGN & MAINTENANCE • Installation, arbors, retaining walls, • walkways, lighting, water features • Patios, roof top gardens, townhomes, single family homes • Trees & shrubs, formal & informal gardens • Custom Masonry, Fencing and Iron work • Restoration and Enhancement
Just Say I Need A Plumber®
Dial A Plumber, LLC®
• Licensed Gas Fitter • Water Heater • Boiler Work • Serving DC • References John • Drain Service • Furness Repair & Replacement
301.642.5182 (OFFICE) 202.322.2322 THOMASLANDSCAPES.COM
Licensed Bonded Insured
Kenny
202-251-1479 DC PLUMMER’S LICENSE #707
3 8 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
IFIEDS FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST WE STOP LEAKS! • Roof Repairs • Roof Coatings • Rubber • Metal • Slate
• Tiles • Chimneys • Gutters • Waterproofing • Roof Certifications
We Do Everything!
BOYD CONSTRUCTION INC.
75 years in service
LIC. BONDED. INS
BBB
Member
202-223-ROOF (7663)
G G ROOFING
AWARDED BEST WASHINGTON, DC CONTRACTOR OF 2012 BY ANGIE’S LIST FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • “50 YEARS EXPERIENCE”
Flat Roof Specialists Modified Bitumen • Skylights • Shingles • Slate • •
Chimney Repairs Roof Coatings • Gutters & Downspouts • Preventive Maintenance • Metal Roofs • •
10% OFF WITH THIS AD
202.425.1614 WWW.GANDGHOMEIMPROVEMENTS.NET
Licensed & Insured | All Work Managed & Inspected by Owners
Contact CARO at 202.400.3503 carolina@hillrag.com
UNCONVENTIONAL DINER
SAN LORENZO
#ShawTakeout Enjoy your favorite Shaw Main Streets bars’ and restaurants’ best dishes and alcoholic beverages at home. Order carryout and delivery tonight!
CHECK OUT OVER 50 GREAT OPTIONS AT
www.shawmainstreets.org Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor ©2021 Shaw Main Streets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.