An Urban Lifestyle Magazine SEPTEMBER 2015
MIDCITY
#EntreeDC2015
BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
Date:
Monday, September 21, 2015
Time:
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW Washington, DC 20001
To Register: www.EntreeDC2015.com What:
Third Annual Entrée DC: Food & Drink Forum 2015
Audience:
Business owners who want to grow their business, get ideas, and have an opportunity to network with other business owners, and District leaders.
• DC Government Regulatory Processes • Do’s and Don’ts of Operating a Food Industry Business in DC • The 5 BIGGEST Business Public Relations Mistakes • How to Get Financing to Open a Business • Entering into a Building Lease Agreement • Ins and Outs of Food Trucking, Public Markets, and Vending
Money Smart for Small Business: Organizational Types & Tax Planning and Reporting
How to Open a Small Business by Navigating through DCRA’s Regulatory process
Navigating Government Contracting with DC Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Date:
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Date:
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Date:
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Time:
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Time:
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Time:
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: 1100 4th Street, SW 4th Floor (E-4302) Washington, DC 20024
Location: 1100 4th Street, SW 2nd Floor (E-200) Washington, DC 20024
Location: 1100 4th Street, SW 4th Floor (E-4302) Washington, DC 20024
To Register: http://goo.gl/fmMWwS
To Register: http://goo.gl/36Pgmb
To Register: http://goo.gl/kmMfO5
Money Smart for Small Business: Recordkeeping & Time Management
The Regulatory Process of Starting a Business
SmartStart Program Integrated Licensing and Money Smart for Small Business Program
Date:
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Date:
Monday, September 28, 2015
Date:
Monday, September 28, 2015
Time:
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Time:
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Time:
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: 1100 4th Street, SW 4th Floor (E-4302) Washington, DC 20024 To Register: http://goo.gl/FnMlPO
Location: 1800 Good Hope Road, SE Washington, DC 20020 To Register: http://goo.gl/qNOhFX
Location: 1100 4th Street, SW 2nd Floor (E-268) Washington, DC 20024 To Register: http://goo.gl/1ASgGv
For further information, please contact: Jacqueline Noisette (202) 442-8170 jacqueline.noisette@dc.gov | Claudia Herrera (202) 442-8055 claudia.herrera@dc.gov | Joy Douglas (202) 442-8690 joy.douglas@dc.gov
september 2015
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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2015 08 10 46
what’s on washington calendar classifieds
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MIDCITY
37
ON THE COVER:
your neighborhood 26 E on DC • E. Ethelbert Miller 28 Bulletin Board • Kathleen Donner
Washington National Opera (WNO) opens its 2015-2016 season with a new-to-Washington staging of Georges Bizet’s popular classic Carmen, Sept. 19 to Oct. 3 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. Photo: Matt Karas
32 The District Beat • Jonetta Rose Barras 34 The Numbers • Soumya Bhat 36 Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann 37 Bloomingdale Buzz • Ellen Boomer 38 Mt. Vernon Triangle • Ellen Boomer
out and about
kids and family
18 Catania Bakery • Annette Nielsen
40 Notebook • Kathleen Donner
22 Let’s Get Physical • Jazelle Hunt
at home
24 Depeche Art • Phil Hutinet
45 Changing Hands • Don Denton
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september 2015
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Are you a small business owner? Are you looking to improve your place of business? If so, consider submitting an application for a GREAT STREETS SMALL BUSINESS GRANT through the DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). Grants of up to $50,000 each will be awarded on a competitive basis to owners of small retail and service-oriented businesses in 13 Great Streets corridors who want to renovate or expand their place of business. Prospective applicants can verify their location eligibility by using the interactive mapping tool at www.greatstreets.dc.gov. Visit greatstreets.dc.gov to learn more and apply today!
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F A G O N
MIDCITY
GUIDE TO CAPITOL HILL
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Capital Community News, Inc. • 224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 • www.capitalcommunitynews.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissaashabranner@hillrag.com Publisher: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2015 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved.
Editorial Staff
Beauty, Health & Fitness
M������� E�����: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com CFO � A�������� E�����: Maria Carolina Lopez • carolina@hillrag.com S����� N���� E�����: Susan Braun Johnson • schools@hillrag.com K��� � F����� E�����: Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com F��� E�����: Annette Nielsen • annette@hillrag.com
Patricia Cinelli • fitmiss44@aol.com Jazelle Hunt • jazelle.hunt@gmail.com Candace Y.A. Montague • writeoncm@gmail.com
Arts, Dining & Entertainment A��: D�����:
L���������: M�����: M����: T������: W��� G���:
Jim Magner • jjmagner@aol.com Emily Clark • clapol47@gmail.com Celeste McCall • celeste@us.net Jonathan Bardzik • jonathan.bardzik@gmail.com Karen Lyon • klyon@folger.edu Mike Canning • mjcanning@verizon.net Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Stephen Monroe • steve@jazzavenues.com Barbara Wells • barchardwells@aol.com Jon Genderson • jon@cellar.com
Calendar & Bulletin Board C������� E�����: Kathleen Donner • calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com
General Assignment Elise Bernard • elise.bernard@gmail.com Ellen Boomer • emboomer@gmail.com Stephanie Deutsch • scd@his.com Michelle Phipps-Evans • invisiblecolours@yahoo.com Maggie Hall • whitby@aol.com Mark Johnson • mark@hillrag.com Stephen Lilienthal - stephen_lilienthal@yahoo.com Pleasant Mann • pmann1995@gmail.com Meghan Markey • meghanmarkey@gmail.com John H. Muller • jmuller.washingtonsyndicate@gmail.com Jonathan Neeley • neeley87@gmail.com Will Rich • will.janks@gmail.com Heather Schoell • schoell@verizon.net Virginia Avniel Spatz • virginia@hillrag.com Michael G. Stevens • michael@capitolriverfront.org Peter J. Waldron • peter@hillrag.com Jazzy Wright • wright.jazzy@gmail.com
Kids & Family Kathleen Donner • kathleendonner@gmail.com Susan Johnson • schools@hillrag.com
Homes & Gardens Derek Thomas • derek@thomaslandscapes.com Catherine Plume • caplume@yahoo.com Cheryl Corson • cheryl@cherylcorson.com
Commentary Ethelbert Miller • emiller698@aol.com T�� N��� • thenose@hillrag.com T�� L��� W��� • editorial@hilllrag.com
Production/Graphic/Web Design A�� D�������: Jason Yen • jay@hillrag.com Graphic Design: Lee Kyungmin • lee@hillrag.com W�� M�����: Andrew Lightman • andrew@hillrag.com
Advertising & Sales Account Executive: Kira Means, 202.543.8300 X16 • kira@hillrag.com Account Executive: Laura Vucci, 202.543.8300 X22 • laura@hillrag.com Account Executive & Classified Advertising: Maria Carolina Lopez, 202.543.8300 X12 • Carolina@hillrag.com
Distribution M������: D�����������: I����������:
Andrew Lightman MediaPoint, LLC distribution@hillrag.com
Deadlines & Contacts A����������: sales@hillrag.com D������ A��: 15th of each month C��������� A��: 10th of each month E��������: 15th of each month; editorial@hilllrag.com B������� B���� � C�������: 15th of each month; calendar@hillrag.com, bulletinboard@hillrag.com
Real Estate Don Denton • DDenton@cbmove.com
We welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to andrew@hillrag.com. We are also interested in your views on community issues which are published in the Last Word. Please limit your comments to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send Last Word submissions to lastword@hillrag.com. For employment opportunities email jobs@hillrag.com.
september 2015
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08 M Id ci tyd cn ews. coM Art All Night: Nuit Blanche DC
Watch as DC’s creative community reimagines public and private space and invites us all to see our city anew. Indoor and outdoor venues will showcase work by artists in a diverse range of media--with vibrant visual arts, street performances, live music, and DJs contributing to an unprecedented mash-up of cultural experiences in the nation’s capital. Art All Night: Nuit Blanche DC will be held on Sat., Sept. 26, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Sun., Sept. 27. It takes place in the Dupont Circle, Shaw, North Capitol, H Street NE and Congress Heights neighborhoods. For more information, visit thedcarts.com Art All Night 2014. Photo: Valerie Russell
Rosslyn Jazz Festival
The Rosslyn Jazz Festival, Sat., Sept. 12, 1 to 7 p.m., is the annual free music celebration in Gateway Park just across Key Bridge in Rosslyn. This year is the 25th anniversary of the festival. It features locally, nationally and internationally acclaimed artists including Funk/Afrobeat ensemble The Funk Ark at 1 p.m.; internationally acclaimed Sonny Knight & The Lakers at 2:20 p.m.; Ethiopian pop music inspired Debo Band at 3:30 p.m.; and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, a group whose music has been featured on the HBO series Treme at 5:20 p.m. The festival is two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro Station and there is $5 flatrate parking at 1911 N. Fort Myer Dr. A full schedule is available at rosslynva.org Photo: Courtesy of Rosslyn BID
september 2015
DC Department of Parks and Recreation Annual Doggie Day Swim
The annual DPR Doggie Day Swim is on Sat., Sept. 12, noon to 4 p.m. at Upshur Pool, 4300 Arkansas Ave. NW; Francis Pool, 25th and N Streets NW; and Randall Pool, South Capitol and I Streets SW. Capacities are: 75 dogs at Upshur Pool, 150 dogs at Francis Pool and 75 dogs at Randall Pool. With the end of the outdoor swimming season, this event provides dogs with a one day opportunity to enjoy a swim and play fun aquatics games. The DC Department of Health will be on hand to monitor the health and safety of the pets and their owners; to ensure all dogs have a DC dog license and to provide outreach and education on animal related issues. Licenses will be issued on site, however dog owners must have all the required documentation (proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations; and proof of spaying/neutering) and fee payment. Read the rules at pr.dc.gov/release/dprhosts-sixth-annual-dpr-doggie-day-swim. Annual Doggie Swim at Randall Pool. Photo: Andrew Lightman
H Street & Barracks Row Festivals
The H Street Festival is on Sat., Sept. 19, noon to 7 p.m. on 10 blocks of H St. NE. There will be 14 stages of music; over 100 restaurants, food trucks and food vendors; the standard array of community information tables; and a Washington Nationals Presidents’ race at 3 p.m. starting at the Eighth Street Stage. For more information, visit hstreet.org. The Barracks Row Fall Festival is Sat., Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Eighth St. SE, between E and I Streets. The festival has plenty of activities for the whole family, including a military chef cook-off, a performance by Trapeze School New York, swing dancing, an ice carving competition, live music, food trucks, fashion trucks and information tables. The DC Area Drone User Group will showcase do-it-yourself and consumer drone technology. For more information, barracksrow.org Dancing to music at the H Street Festival. Photo: Andrew Lightman
National Cathedral Blessing of the Animals
The annual Blessing of the Animals celebrates the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. This year’s blessing at the National Cathedral takes place on Sun., Oct. 4 at 2:30 pm. The service features a brief prayer followed by individual blessings. All animals are welcome and must be leashed. cathedral.org. No need to drive. There are blessings right on the Hill. On Sun., Oct. 4, there is a Blessing of the Animals at Christ Church, 620 G St. SE. at 11 a.m. and another at St. Monica & St. James Episcopal Church, 222 Eighth St. NE at 11:30 a.m. The Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell blesses a dog and its owner at Washington National Cathedral’s annual Blessing of the Animals. Photo: Courtesy of Washington National Cathedral
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SE P TE M B E R
Calendar Washington National Opera’s Carmen. Sept. 19 to Oct. 3. WNO opens its 2015-2016 season with a new-to-Washington staging of Georges Bizet’s popular classic Carmen in the Kennedy Center Opera House. kennedy-center.org/wno Washington National Opera opens its 2015-2016 season with a new-to-Washington staging of Georges Bizet’s popular classic Carmen. Photo: Matt Karas
SPECIAL EVENTS
Truckeroo Food Trucks. Sept. 11, 11 AM to 11 PM. Half and M Streets SE, near Nat’s Park. Truckeroodc.com Columbia Heights Neighborhood Festival. Sept. 12, 11 AM to 6 PM. 11th St. NW, between Kenyon St. and Park Rd. columbiaheightsday.org East of the River Book Festival. Sept. 12, 11 AM to 3 PM. This event highlights the creative work of authors who are independently published and/or from small presses in the area. Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE. eastoftheriverbookfestival.com “This Old Warehouse” Celebration at Community Forklift. Sept. 12, 10 AM to 3 PM. They’ll have antique experts giving advice on appraisals, vintage shops and preservation societies with information tables, old-time music and entertainment, food trucks, free restoration workshops all day long and a rare opportunity to check out our large selection of vintage tools and hardware. Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Dr., Hyattsville, MD. 301-985-5180. communityforklift.org Kreeger Museum Open House. Sept. 12, 10 AM to 4 PM (cancelled in the event of rain). Live jazz, rock and roll, outdoor storytelling and art activities for children, drum circle, sculpture garden and gallery art talks. Treat yourself to lunch at food trucks and enjoy beer provided by local breweries. The Kreeger
Museum, 2401 Foxhall Rd. NW. kreegermuseum.org Snallygaster: DC’s Largest Craft Beer Festival. Sept. 12, 1 to 6 PM. A benefit for Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, Snallygaster is once again setting new heights tapping no fewer than 300 unique craft beers, featuring more than 10 of DC’s finest food trucks & vendors, multiple musical acts, entertainment, games, family fun and more. The Yards, First and N Streets SE, across from Nationals Park. snallygasterdc.com Adams Morgan Day. Sept. 13, noon to 6 PM. Festival is along 18th Street and Columbia Road in Adams Morgan. facebook. com/adamsmorganday “40 Chances-Finding Hope in a Hungry World ” at Newseum. Sept. 18 to Jan 3. The Photography of Howard G. Buffett,” featuring 40 of Buffett’s photos documenting the world hunger crisis as part of a global awareness campaign. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. newseum.org Park After Dark. Sept. 19, 6 to 10 PM. This event is held under the stars in the C&O Canal NHP at the Historic Great Falls Tavern. Attendees will kick back and enjoy live music, great food, libations, unique live and silent auction items, a campfire, and much more. Benefits the C&O Canal National Historical Park. $175. Historic Great Falls Tavern, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD. ParkAfterDark.org
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Turkish Festival. Sept. 27, 11 AM to 7 PM. Explore the Wonders of Turkey in DC. Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between 12th and 14th Streets and Freedom Plaza. turkishfestival.org Taste of Georgetown. Oct. 3, 11 AM to 4 PM. The annual Taste of Georgetown, celebrates its 22nd year with creative tastes from more than 35 of the neighborhood’s best restaurants, as well as a Craft Beer & Wine Garden. The Taste will move from Wisconsin Avenue to K Street, along the Georgetown Waterfront. tasteofgeorgetown.com Chile Pepper Day at the National Arboretum. Oct. 3, 1 to 4 PM. Taste-test a variety of peppers, sample chili-based foods, watch live demonstrations, and pick up informational materials at this annual dropin event celebrating the cultivation and use of chili peppers. Explore the National Herb Garden’s extensive collection of over 60 varieties, including some of the world’s hottest peppers. Free. No registration required. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE. usna.usda.gov Taste of DC. Oct. 10 to 11. Noon to 7 PM, daily. Taste of DC is a culinary and cultural event that packs four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue with area restaurants, great drinks, lively entertainment, engaging corporate partners, and fellow Washingtonians and visitors. Event entrance is Pennsylvania Ave. and Seventh St. NW. thetasteofdc.org
LAST OF THE OUTDOOR SUMMER MUSIC AND MOVIES
National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Concert at the Capitol. Sept. 6, 8 PM. Dress rehearsal is 3:30 to 6 PM. Gates open at 3 PM. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move to the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. Call the NSO Summer Concert Hotline at 202-416-8114 after 2 PM. Harbor Nights Summer Concerts. Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Sept. 9, Phil Kominski; Sept. 16, The Suitors; Sept. 23, Dan Haas Duo; Sept. 30, The Bubbas. Washington Harbor, 3050 K St. NW. thewashingtonharbour.com Yard’s Park Friday Night Concert Series.
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Fridays, through Sept. 11, 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a five-minute walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike. The Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE. yardspark.org MOAPIA Under the Stars: Outdoor Movie Screening. Sept. 18, 8 PM. Chinatown Park, 6th and I St. NW. RSVP at moapia-underthestars.eventbrite.com.
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Hot 5 @ Hill Center: (outdoor) Jazz on a Summer’s Eve. Sept. 20, Nasar Abadey; 5 PM. Performance is preceded by a short Q&A with the artist. Sponsored by Stella Artois. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. hillcenterdc.org Live! Concert Series on the Plaza. Through Oct. 2, weekdays, noon to 1:30 PM. Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. itcdc.com
MUSIC 4080A Howard Ave. Kensington, Maryland
(Off Connecticut Ave.)
www.amicusgreen.com | info@amicusgreen.com | 301.571.8590
Music at The Howard. Sept. 6, Labor Day Fest with the Kings of Go-Go; Sept. 9, Dru Hill; Sept. 10, Aaron Camper, Black Alley & Devon Beck; Sept. 11, Lizz Wright; Sept. 1, Point Break Live and DNA After Dark Hip-Hop; Sept. 13, The Orb; Sept. 14, Reverend Horton Heat and the Addicts; Sept. 15, Saxon & Armored Saint; Sept. 18, The Internet; Sept. 19, Chante Moore; Sept. 20, W.H.A.T. Band Reunion Show; Sept. 22, Ky-Mani Marley; Sept. 25, Eric Roberson; Sept. 26 and 28, Lalah Hathaway; Sept. 27, Touristes; Oct. 6, Creative Collab Tour featuring Matthew Espinosa; Oct. 8, Big Daddy Kane & Rakim; Oct. 10, Daley. Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com Sunday Brunch at the Howard. Sept. 6, 1:30 PM. Harlem Gospel Choir. $20 to $40. Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-8032899. thehowardtheatre.com Music at Black Cat. Sept. 7, J. Sleazy; Sept. 8, Justin Gellerson & Matt Cohen; Sept. 9, Black Cat Anniversary Party; Sept. 10, Mimicking Birds; Sept. 11, Mac Sabbath; Sept. 12, Titus Andronicus; Sept. 13, Goodnight, Texas; Sept. 15, The Doubleclicks; Sept. 23, Joyce Manor; Sept. 24, Dream Boat; Sept. 25, El Ten Eleven; Sept. 26, Low; Sept. 27, Parlor Mob; Sept. 28, Fidlar; Sept. 30, Hemlines; Oct. 1, Joey Cape; Oct. 3, Noah Gunderson; Oct. 4, Radkey; Oct. 6, Com-
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puter Magic; Oct. 8, Saintseneca; Oct. 9, Metalachi; Oct. 10, futurebirds. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. blackcatdc.com Music at 9:30. Sept. 9, Godspeed You! Black Emperor; Sept. 10, Lil Durk; Sept. 11, Langhorne Slim & The Law; Sept. 12, Heartless Bastards and MIXTAPE: Alternative Dance Party; Sept. 15, Eagles of Death Metal; Sept. 16, Catfish and The Bottlemen; Sept. 17, Ride; Sept. 18, Viceroy; Sept. 19, Years and Years; Sept. 20, Three Years Grace; Sept. 21, The Fratellis; Sept. 23, Lianne La Havas; Sept. 24 to 26, moe. (Three Night Package); Sept. 27, The Jesus and Mary Chain; Sept. 28, THE NEIGHBOURHOOD; Sept. 30, Ibeyi; Oct. 1, MS MR; Oct. 3, Built To Spill; Oct. 4, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls; Oct. 5, Destroyer; Oct. 6, Luna; Oct. 7, WAVVES & Twin Peaks; Oct. 8, Kurt Vile and the Violators; Oct. 9, Owl City; Oct. 10, The Growlers. 815 V St. NW. 877-435-9849. 930.com American Roots Concerts at the Botanic Garden. Sept. 10, 3 to 5 PM, Jonny Grave, Blues; Sept. 25, 3 to 5 PM, South Rail Band; Oct. 15, 3 to 5 PM, Backroads Band; Oct. 22, 3 to 5 PM, Phil Wiggins. Concerts are in the Conservatory Garden Court. usbg.gov Music at Ebenezer’s. Sept. 10, Anthony Alvarado CD Release with Alvin Tan; Sept. 17, Madonnas in a Field, The Harmaleighs, Zoe Ravenwood, Nathan Storey; Sept. 18, Claude Bourbon - Live in the Coffeehouse. Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse, 201 F St. NE. 202558-6900. ebenezerscoffeehouse.com Music at the Lincoln. Sept. 12, Kumail Nanjiani; Sept. 18, Ana Carolina; Sept. 25, Yo La Tengo Featuring Dave Schramm; Sept. 27, Loretta Lynn; Oct. 5, FFS (Franz Ferinand & Sparks); Oct. 8, the Zombies-Odessey & Oracle Live; Oct. 10, Bo Burnham. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. 202-328-6000. thelincolndc.com R Kelly at Verizon Center. Sept. 26, 8 PM. Starting his career in 1992, he has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, won 3 Grammy Awards (24 nominations), 6 American Music Awards, 6 Billboard Awards, 8 Soul Train Awards and 3 NAACP Image Awards. ticketmaster.com Music at Sixth and I. Oct. 3, Cécile McLorin Salvant. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 202-408-3100. sixthandi.org Church of the Epiphany Weekly Concerts. Every Tuesday, 12:10 PM. Free but a free will offering taken. 1317 G St. NW. 202-347-2635. epiphanydc.org
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Music at the U Street Music Hall. Sept. 7, Blackbear; Sept. 8, Say Lou Lou; Sept. 9, Pouya; Sept. 10, TRUTH; Sept. 11, Chelsea Wolfe and Zimmer & Crazy P; Sept. 12, White Ford Bronco and Recondite; Sept. 13, Melanie Martinez and EDX; Sept. 14, Jess Glynne; Sept. 15, Rita Ora; Sept. 17, Pearson Sound & Ron Morelli; Sept. 18, Vacationer and Gaiser (live); Sept. 19, Julio Bashmore; Sept. 22, Mikal Cronin; Sept. 23, The Cribs; Sept. 24, Sam Feldt; Sept. 25, Marian Hill and J. Phlip; Sept. 26, Mynabirds; Sept. 27, CocoRosie; Sept. 29, Mutemath; Oct. 1, Wolf Alice; Oct. 2, Kenny Dope; Oct. 3, Tensnake; Oct. 5, Seoul; Oct. 6, Oberhofer; Oct. 7, Autechre; Oct. 9, Danny Howells; Oct. 10, Lissie. U Street Music Hall, 1115 U St. NW. 202-588-1889. ustreetmusichall.com
Blackbear appears at Music at the U Street Music Hall on Sept. 7.
THEATER
Shakespeare Theatre Company 25th Anniversary of Free For All! Through Sept. 13. A Midsummer Night’s Dream. shakespearetheatre.org Scena’s The Importance of Being Earnest at the Atlas. Through Sept. 13. Scena’s genderbending production of Earnest is back—reset in the decadent, roaring 20s and with a sexy, surprising twist. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. scenatheatre.org Dogfight at the Keegan. Through Sept. 19. On the night before their deployment to Vietnam, three young marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery. Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. 202-265-3767. keegantheatre.com
Night Falls on the Blue Planet at Anacostia Playhouse. Through Sept. 27. Renee has had a rough couple of years. Screw that--a rough life, shaped by alcoholism and estrangement. All that changes when she gets a massage and discovers that her body is a world unto itself. She starts to map and explore a lifetime of trauma: but is she healing, or is she vanishing into her own world? Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. 202-2902328. anacostiaplayhouse.com Rorschach’s TRUTH & BEAUTY BOMBS: A Softer World at the Atlas. Through Oct. 4. Somewhere, not far from here, there’s a place where we can touch the clouds and all the monsters are real. Based on Emily Horne and Joey Comeau’s web comic, this softer world explodes with brutal honesty and dark wit.
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. rorschachtheatre.com
Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org
Women Laughing Alone with Salad at Woolly. Sept. 7 to Oct. 4. What’s on the menu for Meredith, Tori, and Sandy: the three women in Guy’s life? Healthy lifestyles, upward mobility, meaningful sex? Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939. woollymammoth.net
Yerma by Fernando J. López at GALA. Sept. 10 to Oct. 4. GALA launches its 40th anniversary season with the world premiere of a new adaptation of Yerma by Fernando J. López, a tragic poem originally written by the Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca. Spanish with English surtitles. GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW. 202-234-7174. galatheatre.org
Chimerica at Studio. Sept. 9 to Oct. 18. In 1989, Joe, a young American journalist, photographs a protester facing down four tanks in Tiananmen Square. In 2012, with election season bringing US-China relations into the spotlight, Joe decides to seek out the subject of his most famous image—just as an old friend from China reaches out with an agenda of his own. Studio
Destiny of Desire at Arena. Sept. 11 to Oct. 18. On a stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico, two baby girls are born — one into a life of privilege and one into a life of poverty. When the newborns are swapped by a former beauty queen with an insatiable lust for
se p te mb e r 2015
power, the stage is set for two outrageous misfortunes to grow into one remarkable destiny. Arena Stage, 1101 6th St. SW. 202488-3300. arenastage.org Queens Girl in the World at Theater J. Sept. 16 to Oct. 11. It’s summer 1962 in Queens, New York. The sounds of doo-wop music fill the night, the Civil Rights movement is stirring and 12-year-old Jacqueline Marie Butler is on the verge of adulthood. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW. 800-4948497. washingtondcjcc.org texts&beheadings/ElizabethR at the Folger. Sept. 19 to Oct. 4. Through poems, prayers, and private letters, the woman who swore that she would not make windows into men’s souls reveals her own. Folger Shakespeare Theater, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. 202-544-7077. folger.edu The Guard (World Premiere) at Ford’s. Sept. 25 to Oct. 18. In this world-premiere comedic drama, playwright Jessica Dickey paints shimmering portraits of Rembrandt, Homer and those who protect the art we cherish. Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. 202-347-4833. fords.org Salomé at Shakespeare. Oct. 6 to Nov. 8. A tale as provocative as the Dance of the Seven Veils. According to the New Testament tale, Salomé, Princess of Judaea, danced for Herod Antipas and asked for the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW. 202547-1122. shakespearetheatre.org
SPORTS AND FITNESS
Washington Nationals Baseball. Sept. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26 and 27. washington.nationals.mlb.com Washington Mystics Basketball. Sept. 8 and 15. Verizon Center. mystics.wnba.com Nation’s Triathlon. Sept. 13, 7 AM. Swim the Potomac River; the bike and run starts and finishes at West Potomac Park. nationstri.com DC United. Sept. 15, 8 PM vs. Arabe Unido; Sept. 19, 7 PM vs. Crew SC; Oct. 2, 7 PM vs. NYCFC. RFK Stadium. dcunited.com Navy-Air Force Half Marathon & Navy 5 Miler. Sept. 20, 7 AM. Starts and ends on Washington Monument Grounds. navyairforcehalfmarathon.com Freedom 5K at President Lincoln’s Cottage. Sept. 26, 8 AM. $30. President Lin-
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coln’s Cottage, 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. lincolncottage.org/freedom5k2015
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Dead Man’s Run 5k and Kids Fun Run at Congressional Cemetery. Oct. 3, 6 PM (kids run at about 6:05 PM). $40 for the 5k, $10 for the untimed kids run (around a 2k distance). Packet pick-up at 5 PM. Bags may be left inside the Chapel during the race until 7 PM, and a volunteer will oversee them during this time. Strollers and dogs allowed. No retractable leashes; all participating dogs must be properly vaccinated and well-socialized. Contact Congressional Cemetery race staff with questions at 202-543-0539. congressionalcemetery.org Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon, 6k, and Kids’ Mini Half. Oct. 4, 7 AM. Half marathon from George Washington’s Mount Vernon to National Harbor, 6k from Bell Haven Park in Alexandria to National Harbor. wilsonbridgehalf.com Public Skating at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Fridays, noon to 2 PM and Saturdays 12:45 to 1:45 PM Public Skate, $5 for adults (13 to 64); $4 for seniors and children (5 to 12); $3, skate rental. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE. 202584-5007. fdia.org Nearby Public Tennis Courts. Banneker Community Center (8 outdoor tennis courts), 2500 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-6736861. Kennedy Recreation Center (1 outdoor tennis court), 1401 Seventh St. NW. 202-671-4794. All courts are open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are lighted for extended evening play. Courts are available on a first come, first served basis for one hour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-6710314. dpr.dc.gov Closest Indoor Public Pools. Turkey Thicket, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE. Open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 8 PM; Saturday, noon to 5 PM; closed, Sunday. 202-576-9236. Rumsey Pool, 635 No. Carolina Ave. SE. Open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 9 AM and noon to 9 PM; Saturday, 1 to 5 PM; Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. 202-724-4495. The pools are heated and free for DC residents. Have ID with you. dpr.dc.gov
run is free and informal. West Potomac Park (meet on Ohio Dr. at West Basin Dr., near the Tourmobile stand). 703-5053567. dcroadrunners.org
MARKETS AND SALES
Market SW “night market”. Sept. 25 and Oct. 23, 4 to 9 PM. Bills itself as “an evening of arts, food, flea & fun, live music.” Market is at Fourth and M Streets SW. marketswdc.com Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair at Union Market. Sept. 26 to 27, 10 AM to 5 PM. Now in its 12th year, Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade goods from independent artists. washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show. Oct. 2, 10 AM to 8 PM; Oct. 3, 10 AM to 5 PM. (Advance Chance Party held Oct. 1, 5:30 to 9 PM, $75.). Over 50 American craft and wearable art designers, all previously juried into the renowned Smithsonian Craft Show, will offer unique jewelry, clothing and accessories for women and men in all price ranges, with many items under $100. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. Craft2Wear. Smithsonian.org Penn Quarter Farmer’s Market. Thursdays, 3 to 7 PM, through Dec 17. Market at north end of Eighth St. NW, between D and E St. SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) accepted. freshfarmmarkets.org Bloomingdale Farmer’s Market. Sundays, 9 AM to 1 PM, through Nov. 22. First and R Streets NW. 202-536-5571. marketsandmore.info 14th & U Farmer’s Market. Saturdays, 9 AM to 1 PM. 14th and U Streets NW. marketsandmore.info Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market. Sundays (rain or shine), year round, 10 AM to 1 PM. 20th St. and Mass. Ave. NW, 1500 block of 20th St. NW (between Mass. Ave. and Q St. in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank). 202-362-8889. freshfarmmarket.org
East Potomac (outdoor) Pool. Closes for season on Sept. 30, 6 PM. 972 Ohio Dr. SW. dpr/dc/gov
Foggy Bottom Farmer’s Market. Wednesdays, 3 to 7 PM, through Nov. 25. Market at 23rd and I Streets NW. SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) & G World card accepted. freshfarmmarkets.org
Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Third Wednesday of each month at noon. This
Farmer’s Market by the White House. Thursdays, 11 AM to 2 PM, through Nov.
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Thomas Landscapes Over 20 Years of Experience 19. Market at 810 Vermont Ave. NW. SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) accepted. freshfarmmarkets.org
(CRC) promoting the Chinatown renewal and the preservation of its cultural heritage. The public is welcome.
CityCenterDC Farmer’s Market. Tuesdays, 11 AM to 2 PM, through Oct. 27. Market at I Streets NW, between 10th and 11th. SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) accepted. freshfarmmarkets.org
Convention Center Community Association. Last Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Kennedy Rec Center, 1401 Seventh St. NW.
Mount Vernon Triangle Farm Stand. Saturdays, 10 AM to 1 PM, through Oct. 31. Fifth & K Streets NW. freshfarmmarkets.org Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7 AM to 7 PM; Saturdays, 7 AM to 5 PM; Sundays, 9 AM to 5 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarketdc.com Branch Avenue Pawn Parking Lot Flea Market. Saturdays, year-round (weather permitting). Set up after 10 AM. 3128 Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD. Union Market. Tuesday to Friday, 11 AM to 8 PM; Saturday to Sunday, 8 AM to 8 PM. Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 5th St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays, 8 AM to 4 PM. 1819 35th St. NW. georgetownfleamarket.com Maine Avenue Fish Market. Open 365 days a year. 7 AM to 9 PM. 1100 Maine Ave. SW. 202-484-2722. Fashion Trucks on U. Sundays, noon to 5 PM. Fashion Trucks offer a mix of crafts, clothes, accessories and jewelry at the former home of the Sunday U St Flea in the parking lot, next to Nellie’s Sports Bar at 912 U St. NW.
CIVIC LIFE
Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs Action Forum. Sept. 12, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The purpose is to examine how they can work more collaboratively across different cultures and ethnic backgrounds and to create implementable strategies for MOAPIA. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl., NW. Register at dctakesaction.eventbrite.com.
Downtown Neighborhood Association. Second Tuesday, 7 to 9 PM. US Naval Memorial Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. miles@dcdna.org. dcdna.org East Central Civic Association of Shaw. First Monday, 7 PM. Third Baptist Church, 1546 Fifth St. NW. Contact: Al Hajj Mahdi Leroy J Thorpe Jr, 202-3871596. Eckington Civic Association. First Monday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Harry Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. eckingtondc.org Edgewood Civic Association. Last Monday, 7 to 9 PM. Edgewood senior building, 635 Edgewood St. NE, Ninth floor. theedgewoodcivicassociationdc.org Logan Circle Citizens Association. Please contact Jennifer Trock at jennifer.trock@logancircle.org for meeting dates and times. logancircle.org Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association. Third Tuesday, 7:30 to 9:30 PM. Yale Steam Laundry, 437 New York Ave. NW. lifein.mvsna.org
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U Street Neighborhood Association. Second Thursday, 7 to 8:30 PM. Source (second floor classroom), 1835 14th St. NW. ANC 1A. Second Wednesday, 7 PM. Harriet Tubman Elementary School, 3101 13th St. NW. 202-588-7278. anc1a.org ANC 1B. First Thursday, 7 PM. Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW (second floor). 202-870-4202. anc1b.org ANC 1B11. Second Monday, 7 PM. LeDroit Senior Building (basement community room), 2125 Fourth St. NW. 202-481-3462. anc1b.org ANC 1C. First Wednesday, 7 PM. Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health, 2355 Ontario Rd. NW. 202332-2630. anc1c.org ANC 1D. Third Tuesday, 7 PM. 3166 Mount Pleasant St. NW. 202-4628692. anc1d.org
Congresswoman Norton’s NW District Office. Open weekdays, 9 AM to 6 PM. 529 14th St. NW, suite 900. 202-783-5065. norton.house.gov
ANC 2C. First Wednesday, 6:308:30 PM. Watha T. Daniel Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. 202-682-1633. anc2C. org
All Ways Mount Pleasant. First Saturday, noon to 2 PM. LaCasa. All Ways is a citizen’s association primarily for the tenants of the larger apartment buildings of Mount Pleasant. 3166 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. aass.org
ANC 6E. First Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Meeting at Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. anc6e.org
Chinatown Revitalization Council. Fourth Monday, 7 to 8 PM. 510 I St. NW. Chinatown Revitalization Council
REDEFINING BEAUTY ONE CLIENT AT A TIME!
Have an event for the Calendar? Email the details to calendar@hillrag.com. u
301.642.5182 | WWW.THOMASLANDSCAPES.COM
OUT & ABOUT / dining
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NoMA Authenticity
R
ise and shine on a Saturday morning if you want authentic, freshly baked Italian bread and sweet pastries from Catania Bakery. This established District institution has been turning out excellent loaves of Italian bread since August of 1932. Started by the Caruso family (and named after the Catania province in Sicily, their original home), the Caruso’s moved the family business from Massachusetts to DC. Louis Caruso sold the
article & photos by Annette Nielsen business in 1978 when Nicole Tramonte and her husband, Anthony took over the space. Anthony’s day job was that of a dentist, and during the same time they purchased Catania Bakery, he and Nicole also owned the Bayou, a Georgetown nightclub and weren’t yet experienced with baking Italian bread. “The Caruso’s offered to stay on to teach us the business and share their recipes while they lived upstairs,” says Nicole. Former owner, Louis Caruso, Manolo Ortega started with the bakery in 1970 and still makes daily deliveries. He shares a moment with Nicole Tramonte’s niece, Carolyn Craig who is responsible for baking the beautiful pastries offered at Catania Bakery.
now 101, can still be seen at the bakery some Saturdays when one of his nurses brings him by to chat with customers and check in on this North Capitol mainstay. On days when he doesn’t get a ride in, Nicole makes sure to visit him on her way home. The bakery provides Italian breads and rolls for numerous restaurants and Italian delis like wellknown Litteri’s, Trattoria Alberto, Mangialardo’s, The Italian Store, Vace and Manoli-Canoli. “Many of our customers started with the Caruso family and have stayed on with us for the last 37 years that we’ve run the bakery,” says Nicole. Here on North Capitol Street, you find it’s authentic and old world – from the pressed tin ceiling to the large dough mixer with only three buttons for fast, slow and stop (and a brass plaque that states, “Built for Catania Bakery, sold by I.J. White Corp in NY”) to the large cast-iron trough that hold the dough during it’s proofing stage. The team that arrives a little after midnight includes Santos Reyes and his son, Jose, as well as Oscar Canales. Together, they’re responsible for coordinating the mixing, proofing, baking and packaging the bread that goes out each day for delivery. Reyes notes that the mixer they use has a 250-pound capacity and says, “We need to refrigerate the water we add to the flour and yeast to make the dough during the summer months – tap water isn’t cold enough and would make the dough proof prematurely.” The oven has 14 tiers that hold up to 30 loaves per level (each peel is set with six loaves, five peels per level) and running on gas, the current oven replaced the original wood-burning oven in 1948.
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“It’s also a challenge if something happens to the oven, as there aren’t as many people with the skill to repair this type of equipment any longer,” says Reyes. The bread baking is finished on weekdays by 7 a.m. and on the weekends, when they’re baking in larger quantities, by 8 or 8:30 a.m. It’s placed in large paper sacks that are pre-labeled by hand and set out for delivery. On Friday and Saturday mornings, Catania Bakery is open for retail business and people know to arrive early to get the best selection of breads and sweet treats, as the pastries are baked in small batches. “Nothing is absolutely uniform – the bread may not be shaped the exact same way each time – and we don’t use any additives or preservatives – it’s only the combination of flour, yeast, salt and water,” says Nicole. Originally from France (near Fountainbleu), Nicole came to the US fifty years ago and met her husband in DC. She and her niece, Carolyn Craig, are responsible for adding the baguettes and sweet treats to the weekend retail lineup. She says that her niece would most likely take the reins of the bakery when she decides to retire. Carolyn joined the family, marrying Nicole’s nephew. She had been working in a hair salon for over a decade and asked for a leave of absence, when a trip was planned to travel to France in the early 1980s. Carolyn was told she would have to quit her job if she wanted to take an extended holiday, but she took the trip anyway. “When we returned to DC, I started working in the bakery and we kept getting calls for biscotti or different Italian cookies and pastries, based on holiday favorites and Italian traditions. I would do the research, test recipes, and now we’ve built up our offerings. I really think someone has strength as a cook or as a baker – and while I like to cook, I really enjoy the process of creating the pastries.” Joining the Saturday morning crew is long-time friend Al Penberg, originally from Scranton and a former DC policeman who loves to cook (see his recipe below for meatballs that are great paired with Catania Bakery’s bread or sub rolls). He first started coming into the bakery after he would attend a nearby mass each morning and would pick up some bread. Now, every Saturday he shows up to help out at the counter, share stories and typically brings in a treat for Nicole. “That’s my breakfast,” Nicole says, as Al unpacks pork roast with sliced tomatoes and horseradish he places on a freshly-baked sub roll. As she greets ev-
Rebecca Bardet and her daughter Olivia keep a Saturday tradition of visits to Catania Bakery to enjoy their favorite bread.
Center: The happy Saturday morning crew includes Santos Reyes, owner Nicole Tramonte, Al Penberg, Jose Reyes and Oscar Canales. ABOVE: Saturday morning at Catania Bakery is filled with long-time customers who are like family, sharing great stories from around the neighborhood.
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Al’s Meatballs Meatballs 2 lbs. ground beef 3/4 cup ketchup 2 tbsp yellow mustard 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce 1-2 tbsp garlic powder pepper 1 tbsp basil 1 tbsp oregano hot sauce (Trinidad Scorpian - Naga Jolokia
aka Ghost Pepper - Carolina Reaper -
sirarcha) bread crumbs 2 eggs
Sauce 28 oz can tomato sauce 1/4 - 12 cup worcestershire sauce 1/4 red balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp garlic powder 2 tbsp onion powder
a grilled burger). Brown the meatballs in a frying pan over medium heat and then cover the pan and cook on low heat and check every 5 minutes or so; drain all visible fat. When fat is no longer present, they’re done. Add them to the sauce and let them simmer for 15 minutes or so and then turn off the heat. Pour over pasta or rice and add some cheese, or take a loaf or sub-roll of Catania Italian bread, flay it, spread it open, remove the innards (toss them into a frying pan with garlic and olive oil or melted butter). Spoon some sauce onto both sides, add the meatballs, mash a bit, cover with cheese - provolone, mozzarella, asiago, fontinella (no cheddar) - sliced or shredded – and cover with more sauce.
1 tbsp paprika 2 tbsp crushed red pepper
Nicole’s Rigatoni
1/4 cup curry powder
Note: Nicole offers this recipe that is perfect served up with Catania Bakery’s bread – a recipe that is given more in the tradition of how a recipe might be handed down from generation to generation. This dish is one that she serves to her family alongside the Turkey at Thanksgiving, in addition to having a place of importance on the table at Christmas, to remember her husband and his Italian roots.
1/4 cup cumin powder 1/4 cup cinnamon 1 tbsp fennel seed 1 tbsp anise seed pepper hot sauce (same as above) (Al says that the recipe is a guide,
so add or subtract depending on taste)
Sauce prep Mix all the sauce ingredients in a sauce pan - be sure to be careful with the Scorpion, Ghost Pepper, and Reaper sauces as 4 or 5 drops is usually enough. Of course, the hot sauce is option. Add more of whatever you can’t taste, but don’t overdue it. Cover and heat at low to medium temperature, tasting occasionally. When it starts to bubble, reduce the heat to low.
Meatballs Mix all the ingredients (except the bread crumbs & eggs) thoroughly in a bowl until you have a good uniform mix. Taste and add whatever it needs and, again, be careful with hot sauce, if you decide to use it. (Remember to taste as you go!) Add the meat and mix well until the color is consistent - add the eggs and the bread crumbs and resume mixing. (Al likes halfpound meatballs or burgers and suggests that they’re formed and packed firmly, not tight, except for
Rigatoni (cooked al dente) Ground meat sauce, bolognese style (meat-heavy, thick sauce) Béchamel sauce Pecorino (grated) cheese Butter
In a square or rectangular buttered glass dish, lay a bed of the tomato sauce, then a layer of rigatoni and sprinkle lightly with Pecorino cheese. Add a light layer of the tomato sauce then cover with another layer of rigatoni; repeat with the Pecorino and the tomato sauce and add a layer of béchamel. Cover with another layer of rigatoni, repeat another layer or more, then cover the whole dish with béchamel. As all the ingredients are already cooked, just keep it under the broiler for a couple of minutes to give it a little color. Serve with Catania Bakery’s Italian bread. u
TOP: Santos Reyes and Oscar Canales sprinkle the wooden baking peels with corn meal before the unbaked loaves are placed. BOTTOM: Jose Reyes moves the bread out of the 14-tiered, 1948-era oven.The bread baking operation takes place every day to supply many restaurants and Italian delis in the region.
eryone with a hug or a kiss she says, “Al knows everyone who walks in the door – the kids, parents, even the dogs – all by name.” As customers stop in and chat while they pick out their favorite breads and pastries, Al shows a customer photos of his grandson, and a man arrives to pick up day-old bread to give to animals on a nearby farm. Nicole says, “While you
can keep the bread in plastic for a day or two or freeze it to keep it longer, it can get stale easily because we don’t use preservatives.” Manolo Ortega arrives to greet everyone before he makes some bread deliveries, something he’s been doing for the bakery since 1970. Nicole mentions that Manolo is from Canary Island in Spain and that Al’s family is from Lithuania. Customers that stop by are from Germany, Buffalo, France and more. Al says, “People come here representing all parts of the world.” The conversation then shifts to the Pope’s visit in September. “Last time the Pope visited, he had our bread,” says Nicole. People stream in on a Saturday morning, and there are always familiar faces behind the counter. Nicole states, “The best part about this place is that most customers that come here, keep coming back.”
Catania Bakery, www. c a ta n i a b a k e r y. c o m . 1Open Friday from 7:30 am to 10:30 am; Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm; call 202.332.5135 for special orders. Annette Nielsen is the food editor of Capital Community News and she can be reached at annette@hillrag.com; follow her @The_ Kitchen_Cab. u
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OUT & ABOUT / Fitness
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Let’s Get Physical
Dance to the Music
T
by Jazelle Hunt
hough the dance fitness boom is now in its twilight, such classes are still packed each week and have become group fitness staples. The District is no stranger to these offerings, even producing one of its own for the world to enjoy. In no particular order, here are Let’s Get Physical’s top three features for people who only need a beat.
Flirtyfied Pole @ Jordin’s Paradise
Flirtyfied Pole offers all the building blocks for embracing the exotic dancer inside. The intro class is all about learning basic spins and climbs and building the muscle to not only execute them, but also look sexy while doing it. Not going to lie – the dancing happens in fleeting moments in the intro class. The hour begins with some suggestive stretches and muscle-warming body rolls, as well as a few actual exercises such as pushups and crunches. The bulk of class is mostly spent trying to coax muscles into doing things they haven’t done since grade school recess. Still, in that hour participants learn three ways to spin on the pole, one way to climb it, and even an inversion (upper-body strength willing). With the instructor’s step-by-step mechanical instructions these feats are actually achievable in just one class. It won’t be pretty, of course – but all the prancing about on tiptoe and hip shaking between harder moves make up for this. It all happens as an aspirational soundtrack of sultry songs with heavy baselines and breathy melodies croons in the background. Jordin’s Paradise (1215 Connecticut Ave. NW, 4th floor) hosts Flirtyfied Pole Intro on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. Check the online schedule for upper levels. It’s $25 to drop
in. A four-class pass is $49; an eight-class pass is $88; and a 10-class pass is $99. Unlimited classes per month for $149, or unlimited classes per year for $999. Call 202-997-8211 or visit www.jordinsparadise.com for more information.
Dance Trance @ Balance Gym
Dance Trance at Balance Gym offers nonstop moves and energetic instructors. Photo: Jazelle Hunt
Get sexy and supple by shaking what your moneymaker with Flirtyfied Pole at Jordin’s Paradise. Photo: Jazelle Hunt
Doonya at Jordin’s Paradise gets all your body parts in motion with its Bollywood-inspired choreography. Photo: Jazelle Hunt
Dance Trance fuses the best part of a dance class – the captivating choreography and inspired instruction – with the best part of a club night – the loud music and fun with friends. From warm-up to cool-down this class is full-on choreography, more dance-centric than any other dance fitness program this column has featured. There are no cleverly disguised aerobic or cardio moves, no fitness sessions interrupting the turn up – just a nonstop hour of sweating to pop, hip hop, Bollywood, and more. Class runs on blocks of choreography. Each song has set moves for its chorus, verses, and the bridge and instrumentals if applicable. Since the moves are repetitive, it’s easy to catch on. And regulars and newcomers alike are kept on their toes with dynamic playlists, as songs are added or retired throughout the week. Best of all, you don’t have to be good at it, just enthusiastic. The beginner Breakdown & Advanced High Cardio is a package deal that lets newcomers learn the choreography – so when the ceiling lights go off and the strobe lights come on, everyone’s ready to dance up a storm. Balance Gym Thomas Circle (1111 14th St. NW ) hosts Dance Trance Breakdown & High Cardio Advanced class on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Breakdown class (with no high cardio after) are on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. There are several High Cardio Advanced classes without the breakdown through-
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out the week, and there’s an all-levels “Dance Party” on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. It’s $18 to drop in; $20 for seven consecutive days of unlimited Dance Trance classes (10 classes); $80 for five classes; $150 for 10 classes; or $270 for 20 classes. For more information visit dancetrancefitness.com/dc or call 202288-2268.
doonya @ Jordin’s paradise
Cooked up right here in the District, Doonya blends cardio and conditioning intervals with the bright and powerful music and movement of Bollywood films. And since it seems as though being a triple-threat is the minimum requirement for being a face in a Bollywood crowd, participants can expect rivulets of sweat and a few breathless moments. The warm-up is light stretching and a quick sampling of fundamental Doonya moves. The rest of class is pure dance, boasting the potential to burn up to 800 calories. With toe-taps, hasta mudras (classical Indian hand gestures), and everything in between, the exuberant choreography engages everything from foot arches to fingertips. And the music – from slower, steady love songs to up-tempo Bolly-mixes of American pop songs – is as varied as it is irresistible. The best part of original Doonya, though, is that it’s all about having a good time – the fitness is a bonus. Jordin’s Paradise hosts Doonya: The Bollywood Workout on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at noon. See above for location, pricing, and contact information. u
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING WITH US? Call Laura Vucci 202-400-3510
or laura@hillrag.com for more information on advertising.
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OUT & ABOUT / ART
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Janet Wheeler, “Quarter Sections” (many). Image: Touchstone Gallery
Depeche Art
September Mid-City Gallery Exhibitions and News by Phil Hutinet painting, every hour on the hour from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., by artist Monsieur Arthur (Arthur Gallice), who works in France and China. During this time Rikki K. from Baltimore will perform live ambient music against a nature-themed video backdrop. The projections will continue until 3:00 a.m., the official end-time of the citywide Art All Night festival.
Hamiltonian 2015 Fellows
Rendering of Carnegie Library at 801 K St. NW during Art All Night. Photo: Rikki. K., courtesy Citelum.
Art All Night Shaw at the Carnegie Library
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Art All Night returns this month at five locations citywide to include Congress Heights, Dupont Circle, North Capitol, H Street NE, and Shaw. In Shaw the Carnegie Library will come alive with the following offerings: Olivia Morrow. Artist Olivia Morrow will show work in the Carnegie library’s lower level. The historic domed ceiling in the space will provide the backdrop for the artist’s installation piece. Entitled “Stretch,” it will use chicken wire mesh as the skeleton while donated fabric from clothing will become its flesh. The fabric has a context and a story behind it. Morrow collected clothing from almost 30 women from across the country including the DC area, California, Colorado, Georgia, and New
York. Much of the fabric derives from underwear and pantyhose. “Clothes have sentimentality, they weave together different experiences and, once you talk to people about it, it’s interesting to see what memories are attached,” explains Morrow. “It’s experimental and it evolves over time. When people have their
underwear or favorite dress as part of the work, they definitely have stories to tell!” Video Projection and Performance Pieces. The façade of the Carnegie Library will become the canvas for an artist-rendered video projection sponsored by French lighting company Citelum. Programming includes live Rob Hackett, “Archway.” Image: Hamiltonian Gallery
“new. (now). 2015” is the opportunity to experience the work of this year’s Hamiltonian Fellows selected annually by a rotating panel of collectors, curators, and artists. This year’s pool of applicants comprised 144 aspiring fellows. The six selected include the following artists: Kyle Tata, a Baltimore native who works in photography, collage, and cyanotypes; Nara Park, a sculptor who has exhibited widely in the DC area; Rob Hackett, who has a background in printmaking but currently works in sculpture; Christie Neptune, from New York City, who works primarily in lens-based media; and Jim Leach, a sculptor based in Baltimore. This group exhibition offers the public a chance to meet the new fellows at the opening and preview coming work at the gallery.
Touchstone Openings
“Quarter Sections” by Janet Wheeler. Janet Wheeler’s work relies on Asian philosophy, which more readily accepts two contradictory notions simultaneously, unlike Western though which relies heavily on Kantian notions of categorization and separation. As such, the artist has created work based on the following dichotomies: manmade vs. natural and repetition vs. variation. Wheeler explains the result of her work: “This display carries the viewer’s eye across the shapes, just as one would view a ceremonial procession of apsaras and bodhisattvas dancing with subtle gestures across the facade of an eastern temple or watch rows of blossoms bending both high and low in a changing breeze.” “Metropolis” paintings by McCain McMurray. As a seasoned architect with almost four decades in the field, McMurray reexamines the urban land-
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scape by restructuring color to produce recognizable forms. The pieces in McMurray’s “Metropolis” build upon one another, and the artist intends for the audience to view the ensemble as a whole – a whole city. As one walks through the exhibition, one should feel as though walking down a street, recognizing long vertical forms, horizontal lines, and other contrasting marks.
Marlow Heights Shopping Center 4123 Branch Ave. Marlow Heights, MD
301-702 1401
August Mid-city Gallery openings & events
Art All Night – Shaw Carnegie Library at 801 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 www.artallnightdc.com • Event: Saturday, Sept. 26 | 8:00 p.m-3:00 a.m. Gallery Neptune and Brown 1530 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-986-1200 Sept. 12-Oct. 17 “Picasso to Kentridge – Prints by Modern & Contemporary Masters” Opening reception: TBD Hamiltonian Gallery 1353 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-332-1116 | www.hamiltoniangallery.com “new. (now). 2015,” Fellows Group Exhibition Sept. 19-Oct. 31 • Opening reception: Saturday, Sept. 19 | 7:00-9:00 p.m. Hemphill Fine Arts 1515 14th St. NW Washington, DC 20005 Olivia Tripp Morrow, “Stretch” (work in progress). Image: Olivia Tripp Morrow
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Free Gift With Ad McCain McMurray, “W55.” Image: Touchstone Gallery
202-234-5601 www.hemphillfinearts.com Sept. 26-Dec. 19 Renée Stout, “Wild World” • Opening reception: Saturday, Sept. 26 | 6:00-8:00 p.m. Touchstone Gallery 901 New York Ave. NW, Washington DC 20001 202-347-2787 | www.touchstonegallery.com Sept. 4-27 Monthly Member Artist Exhibition: “Metropolis” by McCain McMurray; “Quarter Sections” by Janet Wheeler • Opening receptions: Friday, Sept. 11 | 6:008:30 p.m.
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current exhibitions on View
Long View Gallery 1234 9th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-232-4788 | www.longviewgallerydc.com Through Oct. 18 Work by Michelle Peterson-Albandoz Transformer 1404 P St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-483-1102 | www.transformerdc.org “E:12 Social Practice Lab” (featuring four local resident artists) – Margo Elsayd (artist 4 of 4) Through Sept. 12 Phil Hutinet is the publisher of East City Art, dedicated to DC’s visual arts. For more information visit www.eastcityart.com. u
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Neighborhood / E on DC
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E on DC: Who Let the Dogs Out?
T
by E. Ethelbert Miller
he poet Ahmos Zu-Bolton once called Washington the Demon City. Ahmos, who died here in 2005, was from DeRidder, La. Together we edited the anthology “Synergy,” the first collection of DC black poetry, birthed back in 1975. Ahmos put a dent in the literary world in much the same way Jim Rice knocked balls off the Green Monster in Fenway Park. Ahmos was heavily influenced by science fiction and he drove a white van around town as if looking to pick up Sun Ra’s Arkestra. Back in the 1970s one could often hear talk about survival and rumors about how we wouldn’t live beyond 1984. Remember when that year was supposed to be the end of everything? Funny how, in 2015, it looks like Big Brother and his entire Big Family are watching all of us. At times I wonder if we are not quickly moving into being known as Disaster City. Even in the midst of tremendous construction around town there are things that seem to be falling apart. I could begin with the Metro, but why go underground? One Sunday back in July I was at a friend’s house listening to City Councilmember Elissa Silverman give an overview of DC wins and losses. One young man at the meeting raised the issue of the city moving away from the use of fossil fuels. He supported what is now a growing divestment movement against companies that continue to shake hands with the devil. He also mentioned how flooding was going to be a major problem in the future for the DC area. For some reason I continued to eat the chips without the dip. I’m more aware of climate change issues these days. I admire the Pope and Naomi Klein (in that order). Still, I’m lazy and have no survival kit in the basement. I have maybe two flashlights and no extra batteries. Even though I grew up in the 1950s, the “duck and cover” era, I probably be-
came arrogant because no atomic bomb ever fell on the Bronx. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a homework assignment that my teacher didn’t check for spelling. I suspect however there are demons on the march. Yes, planes did fall out of the sky and one hit the Pentagon. The Towers in New York collapsed as if struck by the wings of Rodan. That was yesterday, and tomorrow is going to be a dangerous place to live. Years ago I fell in love with Seattle, the way I now go steady with the Nationals. Yes, I love the Seahawks, and Ichiro crushed my heart when his number was 51. However the July 20 issue of The New Yorker knocked me down like a Bob Gibson fastball. Terror is not something you want to experience or read about. I slowly read “The Really Big One” by Kathryn Schulz. It’s a very scary article about the earthquake that will one day hit our Northwest states. After reading Schulz one will always be sleepless in Seattle. The early warning signals might begin with the barking of dogs. I walk around DC and stare at the many dogs that now reside here. I’m a cat person, but dogs can be cool. Maybe their barking in unison might one day save us. If not we will simply be punished for the way we have lived, and believe our destruction is a result of the sins of our government. When all the animals flee there is always a scapegoat left behind. Our failure to prepare properly for the future will one day introduce us to science fiction. Ahmos was a prophet among poets.
E. Ethelbert Miller is a literary activist. He was inducted into the Washington Hall of Fame in April 2015. Miller’s “Collected Poems,” edited by Kirsten Porter, will be published next spring by Willow Books. u
septe m ber 2015
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Neighborhood / Bulletin board
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Sunday Kind of Love at Busboys and Poets
Sunday Kind of Love Open Mic Poetry features emerging and established poets from the area and around the nation. Each program includes one to two featured poets and an open mic segment. Co-sponsored by Split This Rock, Sunday Kind of Love is 5 to 7 p.m. on the Third Sunday of every month at Busboys and Poets, 14th and V Streets NW. $5 tickets are available online beginning at midnight the day of. If available, door sales will begin 30 minutes prior to the event. Cash only. Limit 4 tickets per person. Guest must have wristband on before entering event. busboysandpoets.com
"Green" O Street, NW Re-opened and Improved
O Street, NW and Third Street, NW (200 block of O Street), a section of O Street that has been closed to traffic since 1977, has been re-opened. This section of road is a “green street” that will capture thousands of gallons of stormwater and help protect area streams and rivers.
Tickets Now on Sale for Washington International Horse Show
Washington International Horse Show tickets are now on sale for its 57th annual event, which will take place Oct. 20 to 25 at Verizon Center. Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious equestrian sporting events in the US. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to DC from all
BULLETIN BOARD
Mount Vernon Pl. NW. Purchase tickets at cbcfinc.org.
Well Beyond HIV Art Exhibition Celebrates People Over 50 Living with HIV
Washington Saxophone Quartet performs Sunday, Sept. 27 in Sculpture Garden during Sunday Brunch.
September Sunday Concerts in the NGA Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art has added three Sunday noontime concerts in its Sculpture Garden in September to complement the Pavilion Café’s Sunday brunch, which is served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. year-round. The concerts which will feature a mixture of New Orleans jazz and blues, bluegrass, folk, and Latin American styles, take place at noon and 1 p.m. in front of the Pavilion Café. nga.gov over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include $125,000 Longines FEI World CupTMJumping Washington, the President's Cup Grand Prix, presented by Events DC, (Saturday night), The Boeing Company Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday) and Kids' Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, DC. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is recognized as a Top 25 Horse Show by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports. wihs.org
Free Community Days at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
The first Sunday of every month, noon to 5 p.m., is a Community Day at NMWA, with free admission. Take this opportunity to explore current exhibitions as well as the museum’s collection. Enjoy a pop-up makerspace during community day on Nov. 1 and Jan. 3. No reservations required. Open to all ages. National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. 202-783-5000. nmwa.org
Congressional Black Caucus Prayer Breakfast
The annual Congressional Black Caucus Prayer Breakfast is on Sept. 19, 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Washington Convention Center, Hall D, 801
The exhibit, curated in collaboration with Walgreens and The Graying of AIDS, focuses on the challenges and triumphs of those aging with HIV through portraits and testimonials. Be inspired to live well, regardless of your age or health status, through viewing these portraits and stories. On exhibition Sept. 10-11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Carnegie Library, Literary Hall, 801 K St. NW. Free. To learn more about the exhibit and campaign, visit WellBeyondHIV.com.
Pope Francis and the New Vatican at National Geographic
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m., National Geographic magazine Editor in Chief Susan Goldberg will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the August 2015 cover story of National Geographic magazine, “Will the Pope Change the Vatican?” National Geographic was given special access to the pope and permission to document Pope Francis' daily life inside the Vatican for the story. Goldberg will moderate a conversation about this remarkable man with writer Robert Draper, photographer Dave Yoder and special guest Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl. A sale and signing of Draper and Yoder’s recently published book, POPE FRANCIS AND THE NEW VATICAN, will follow. $25. National Geographic is at 1600 M St. NW. Tickets are at events.nationalgeographic.com/ speakers/2015/09/16/pope-francisand-vatican-dc.
september 2015
has great illustrations with classic images from the Folger Shakespeare Library. Each chapter includes original recipes for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres that connect Shakespeare’s characters and plotlines to life’s daily predicaments. Individual tickets for Shakespeare, Not Stirred are free. Reservations are requested at folger.edu/talks-screenings-more and will be available in early September. Folger Shakespeare Theater, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. 202-5447077. folger.edu
DPR Community Gardens in Wards 1 and 2
DPR currently has 26 community gardens under its jurisdiction. If you are interested in being placed on the waiting list for a DPR community garden plot, contact the garden organizer listed below or the DPR Community Garden Division at 202-262-2138. Community gardens in Ward 1--Bruce Monroe Garden, 3000 Georgia Ave. NW, 214 plots, BruceMonroeGarden@ gmail.com; Euclid St. Garden/Justice Park, 14th & Euclid Streets NW, 40 plots, euclidstgarden@ gmail.com; and Kalorama Garden, Kalorama & Columbia Rds. NW, 19 plots, kaloramagarden@ gmail.com. Community gardens in Ward 2--West End Garden, 25th & N Streets NW, 20 plots, kevinplattewdc@yahoo.com. dpr.dc.gov
Books & Bars
Join DC Public Library librarians on the third Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m., at Gordon Biersch Brewery, 900 F St. NW, for a modern-day book club. Books & Bars is a book club that promises great food, drinks, a comfortable atmosphere, and great discussion on today’s most intriguing books. Upcoming Book Discussions are Sept. 16, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; Oct. 21, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins; Nov. 18, The Antelope Wife by Louise Erdrich. Socializing and happy hour specials begin at 6:30 p.m., book discussion begins at 7 p.m. For further information, contact Kari Mitchell at kari.mitchell@dc.gov.
Utility Relocation on Massachusetts Avenue for Third Street Tunnel Project
The District Department of Transportation announces changes in the traffic patterns along Massachusetts Ave. and H St. NW, between Second and Fourth Streets. During
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Free Small Business Advice Legal Clinic Chimerica is at Studio Theatre, Sept. 9 to Oct. 18. Background: Tessa Klein, Diana Oh, Julie-Ann Elliott, Jade Wu, Jordan Barbour, Lee Sellars, Jacob Yeh, Kenneth Lee, Kelsey Wang, and Paul Morella. Foreground: Rob Yang and Ron Menzel. Photo: Teddy Wolff
Under 30? Join Studio25
Studio Theatre audience members under the age of 30 are eligible to receive a free membership in Studio25, a program offering $25 tickets to all performances. Additionally members receive notices of special events, happy hours, meet-the-actor receptions, and other social events. Membership is automatic when you purchase your first $25 ticket to any Studio production. To order tickets, visit or call Studio’s Box Office at 202-332-3300 or purchase online by applying the promo code STUDIO25. Participants need to present a valid ID with proof of birthdate the first time picking up tickets, and are subsequently entitled to purchase $25 tickets for the entire season. There is a limit of two discounted tickets per order. Your guest must show ID at the Box Office window and also be under 30. Studio Theatre also offers college and high school students $20 tickets whenever tickets are available. Two tickets may be purchased per order, and a valid student ID must be presented at the Box Office for each student ticket ordered. studiotheatre.org this phase of construction, H Street eastbound traffic, between Third and Fourth will expand to three lanes. Westbound H Street traffic will remain the same and Third Street traffic accessing the I-395 on-ramp will remain the same. Temporary daytime lane closures are expected throughout the construction work zone areas, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work will be scheduled as needed. This is expected to last approximately two months.
Booze and the Bard at the Folger
On Friday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m., at a free
event at the Folger, Authors Caroline Bicks and Michelle Ephraim will be on hand to discuss their book (out next month) Shakespeare, Not Stirred: Cocktails for Your Everyday Dramas. Reception and book-signing will follow. Shakespeare, Not Stirred explores the works of the world’s greatest playwright through equal parts booze and Bard, turning a literary icon into your favorite drinking partner. Bicks and Ephraim serve up cocktails and munchies with shots of Shakespearean wisdom on everything from romance to workplace politics. It also
There is a Spanish Language Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development, 441 Fourth St. NW. DSLBD, the Office on Latino Affairs and the DC Bar Pro Bono Center are working together to offer this free legal clinic. All are welcome but they will have additional Spanish speaking attorneys. This clinic is for aspiring or existing small business owners. Attendees will meet one-on-one with attorneys for brief advice on any legal issues their businesses may be facing. lawhelp.org/dc/ced
“Say This Name” Campaign Honors Homicide Victims
The “Say This Name” Campaign promotes connection and shared humanity among all who care about the District by asking individuals and groups to take the simple step of marking each loss. Weekly emails facilitate this. To participate, visit SayThisName. wordpress.com and subscribe.
Firearm Tip Reward Program
Call 202-727-9099 if you know someone who has a gun or you know where illegal guns are being hidden. You’ll be doing the right thing and helping to take another gun off the street. Your tip is completely anonymous and you will be eligible for a reward of up to
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$2,500. Read more at mayor.dc.gov/ page/firearm-tip-reward-program.
September. Find a pop-up park near you at ddot.dc.gov/page/parking-day.
Set of ‘The Daily Show Donated to the Newseum
Turkey Thicket Aquatic Center Maintenance Closure
The Newseum has acquired the set of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" following Stewart's final appearance as host of the late-night television program on Thursday, Aug. 6. The donation, which will become part of the Newseum's collection for future display, comes as Stewart signs off after 16 years hosting the popular show, which often blurred the lines between news, satire and comedy. Stewart began hosting the show in 1999 and quickly generated a loyal following among a new generation of news consumers who identified with his sharp-witted humor. Quick to poke fun at politicians, newsmakers and authors, Stewart also made the news media a frequent target of his barbs. Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” is a 20-time Emmy winner (including a record 10 consecutive wins for program), with a grand total of 60 Primetime Emmy nominations. The series also is a two-time winner of the prestigious Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. “The Daily Show” also helped launch the careers of such comedy stars as Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and John Oliver. newseum.org
PARK(ing) Day DC 2015
PARK(ing) Day returns to DC on Friday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. During PARK(ing) Day, District residents and businesses will put their creativity on display building pop-up parks in curbside parking spaces. Initially created by the San Francisco design studio Rebar, PARK(ing) Day is an event in which residents and businesses re-think how we use public space by converting metered on-street parking spaces into temporary parks. Since its inception in 2005, the event has spread to cities around the world, taking place on the third Friday of
DPR's indoor, year-round aquatic centers undergo yearly scheduled maintenance to deep clean the pool and facility. Each pool will have a separate closure schedule. Close-by Turkey Thicket Aquatic Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE, will close beginning Monday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. The facility is expected to re-open on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. dpr.dc.gov
Great Streets Grant Applications Sought
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development invites the submission of applications for the FY2016 Great Streets Retail Small Business Reimbursement Grants. Grants of up to $50,000 each will be awarded on a competitive basis to owners of small retail and serviceoriented businesses in 13 Great Streets corridors. Prospective applicants can verify their location eligibility by using the interactive mapping tool at greatstreets.dc.gov. The grant application is now live and available at dmped.dc.gov and greatstreets.dc.gov. Applicants must submit a completed online application via the ZoomGrants system by Mon., Sept. 14, at 6 p.m.
Fall Science and Business Lecture Series at the Library of Congress
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, 11:30 a.m., in the West Dining Room, Lynnae Quick will present “Icy Volcanism in the Outer Solar System.” On Wednesday, Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m., in the Mary Pickford Theater, author James H. Johnston will talk about his book “From Slave Ship to Harvard: Yarrow Mamout and the History of an African American Family.” On Tues., Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m., in Dining Room A, Elizabeth Platz will present “Prostate Cancer: Update.” On Thursday, Oct. 8, 11:30 a.m., in the Mary Pickford Theater, Stephen
Rinehart will discuss “The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).” On Thursday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m., Room 139, Robert Clarke will present “Breast Cancer: Update.” On Tues., Oct. 27, noon, in the Asian Division Alcove, Thomas Jefferson Building, Joanna Lewis, a professor in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, will discuss “Chinese Energy Policy.” On Thursday, Oct. 29, 11:30 a.m., in the Mumford Room, author and polar/maritime historian Glenn M. Stein will talk about his book “Discovering the North-West Passage: The Four-Year Arctic Odyssey of H.M.S. Investigator and the McClure Expedition.” On Thursday, Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m., in the Mary Pickford Theater, Lucy McFadden will present “Dawn: A Journey to the Beginning of the Solar System.” On Tues., Dec. 8, 11:30 a.m., in the Mary Pickford Theater, Dennis Reuter will present “New Horizons: Journey to Pluto and Beyond.” For more information, visit loc. gov/rr/scitech.
2015 Tenant Summit
The Office of the Tenant Advocate will hold the Eighth Annual Tenant and Tenant Association Summit on Saturday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m., at the Kellogg Conference Center on the campus of Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE. This year’s theme is “Tenant Rights Matter.” The summit serves as a forum to bring together tenants, tenant associations, housing attorneys and advocates, policy experts, community leaders, and District officials to discuss matters of concern to the District’s tenant community. The day’s events will include a plenary session as well as workshops covering the status of federal funding for subsidized housing, renters’ rights, rent control, developing a public safety strategy and subsidized housing issues. A legal clinic will provide attendees with an opportunity to meet one-onone with an attorney to discuss their housing issues. Elderly and persons
with disabilities will be able to register their status to qualify for lower rent increases under rent control. Numerous exhibitors will be present to share information. Lunch is provided and parking is free. There will be a shuttle bus to and from the NOMA-Gallaudet U Metro Station on the Red Line. Advanced registration required at ota. dc.gov or call 202-719-6560.
Happy Hour at the Hirshhorn
The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is offering Happy Hour at the Hirshhorn, in collaboration with “SMITHSONIAN at 8, Mondays, through Sept. 14, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Galleries will be open late, so visitors can view exhibitions such as “Shirin Neshat: Facing History” and “At the Hub of Things: New Views of the Collection.” Admission is free, and there is a cash bar, operated by Tortoise and Hare Bar and Grille. Last call to enter the galleries and to order drinks is 8 p.m. hirshhorn.si.edu
DC Confirms Case of West Nile Virus
The District of Columbia Department of Health has confirmed a single human case of West Nile Virus. DOH is asking residents and visitors alike to follow some simple guidelines in order to prevent mosquito bites during the summer months when mosquitoes are most active. Preventative measures to protect against mosquito bites include: (1) Wearing proper protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants, when outdoors in known mosquito activity areas taking extra care during peak mosquito biting hours (dusk to dawn); (2) Applying insect repellents to exposed areas of the body; and (3) Eliminating standing water on private property including pots, trash bins, tires, etc. For more information on preventing mosquito bites and information on the West Nile Virus and its symptoms, visit DOH at doh.dc.gov.
Playscripts: A Play-Reading Book Club
DC Public Library is producing this
se p te mb e r 2015
new book club in partnership with Capital Fringe. Each month, you'll read a play that's currently on stage in the area. On Tues., Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m., at the Logan Fringe Arts Space, 1358 Florida Ave. NE, you'll read Hay Fever by Noel Coward. It's on stage at the Olney Theatre in Olney, MD, from September 2 to 27. The club meets at a different location each month. dclibrary.org
Fringe Extends to Year-Round
The Fringe is now a year-round operation--to engage more and different types of artists and keep the conversation going with their audiences, engaging even more into the independent art scene in DC. Are you interested in presenting your work or have an idea for a fun collaboration for Fringe? In late September, they will engage those interested in producing at the Logan Fringe Arts Space in 2016. Read more at capitalfringe.org.
Pepco Reminds Customers of Available Energy Assistance Program
The National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition has declared August as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Month. Pepco reminds its customers they have numerous options to apply for energy assistance including LIHEAP, which provides critical home heating and cooling assistance to those who qualify. Customers can apply starting Oct. 1 through a network of local agencies. In the District of Columbia, the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) provides service to people who need energy assistance and want to be included in the Residential Aid Discount program. Residents must apply for assistance by calling 311 to schedule an in-person appointment or by completing an online application through the new DOEE web portal at doee.dc.gov/liheap.
Newseum Nights: In Focus
On Friday, Sept. 25, 7 to 10 p.m., enjoy a one-of-a-kind photo experience from Light-Bomber, after-hours access to the Newseum galleries, open beer and wine bar, hors d’oeuvres, a DJ, door prizes and more. Plus, all attendees will receive a $20 credit from Lyft for new users. Get up close and personal with some of the Newseum’s most popular exhibits, including a behind the scenes look at their newly unveiled exhibit “40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World-The Photography of Howard G. Buffett.” Don’t miss the Newseum Nights selfie station and photo booth to create a lasting memory of the evening. $30. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. newseum.org
District DMV Inspection Station Returns to Fall/Winter Hours
The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles Inspection Station, at 1001 Half St. SW, has resumed its fall/winter hours, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. With more than 45 online and mail services available, DC DMV encourages customers to “skip the in-person trip,” and conduct their business online at dmv.dc.gov.
Audition for Jewish Chorale Zemer Chai
Sing with one of the nation's leading Jewish choirs in their banner 40th year. They are auditioning all voices, particularly tenors and basses. Under the direction of Eleanor Epstein, Zemer Chai has performed at The White House, The Library of Congress, Strathmore and concerts throughout the Washington area, as well as New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Jerusalem. They rehearse weekly in Rockville. Schedule an audition at audition@ZemerChai.org. ZemerChai.org Have a tidbit for the Kids & Family Notebook? Email bulletinboard@hillrag. com. u
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crossing the River the district Beat
D
istrict politicians famously promise, primarily through sloganeering, to connect communities. Their delivery often falls short; neighborhoods remain mostly a string of silos. Former Mayor Vincent C. Gray, for example, repeated with passion his “One City” mantra. Instead of being the sealant people wished for, he proved to be more divisive than his predecessor, albeit for different reasons. Muriel Bowser marketed “All Eight Wards” during last year’s mayoral campaign. Once in office, she quickly jettisoned that catchphrase for “We Are DC.” That motto has jockeyed with her “Pathways to the Middle-Class.” It’s as if an ad agency is appended to the Bowser administration churning, at a moment’s notice, glib dicta. What does any of it mean? Is there any signifi-
A young man adds his thoughts to a dream board of suggestions for the development of East of the River at the 2013 Lumen8 Festival in Historic Anacostia. How many of these ideas have been realized in the interim? Photo: Andrew Lightman
by Jonetta Rose Barras
cant and measurable effort to connect all District residents, marshaling collective talents, expertise and resources to tackle seemingly intractable problems? Does anyone believe the whole is only as strong as its parts? Sections of the DC are suffering—none more than communities east of the Anacostia River. Unemployment in Wards 7 and 8 is in double digits. There is a heavy concentration of returning citizens, deteriorating public housing, poor transportation, low levels of home-ownership, under-performing public schools, and inadequate municipal services. Yet there is no mayoral Marshal plan and no citywide rescue squad of ordinary citizens. “Look at the homicides in Ward 8—the lives lost,” says Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D). “As the city is trying to grow, to be successful, we can’t be that when there is a neighborhood in that much trouble. As a city we want to look to areas of need and try to figure out how we can help.” “We’re interconnected whether we like it or not. We’re all in on it,” says Ward 3 DC Councilmember Mary Cheh (D). “Everyone on the east side thinks everyone on the west side has all the advantages,” says Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander (D). West of the river residents should “come over the bridge and see what’s over here,” she continues while noting that “Many people who now live in Ward 4 grew up in Wards 7 and 8.” Ward 8 DC Councilmember LaRuby May blasts the media’s and others’ sudden interest in Ward 8 neighborhoods. “We’ve been dying consistently. We’ve lacked resources consistently,” she says. “The only reason people are paying attention now is because people west of the river are dying.” Truthfully, in a city that is a mere 68.3 square miles, with a population of less than 700,000 residents, a dividing line is mostly illusion. “Sometimes the differences we have in the city are not as great as we think they are,” says Ron Lester, a political consultant who has conducted surveys and polls of District residents for more than 30 years. “We want the same thing people west of the river want: We want safe neighborhoods; we want
jobs. We want a quality education for our children,” says May. DC Deputy Mayor for Economic Opportunity Courtney Snowden says she often tells people that “When you go to the CVS on Connecticut Ave., the young people working there [likely] live east of the river. There is much more interaction than people have historically acknowledged.”
A First step
Despite her revolving anthems, Mayor Bowser’s administration seems to recognize the challenge posed by Washington’s inequities and citizens’ misperceptions of each other. She created Snowden’s position, assigning it a portfolio that includes the Department of Employment Services, the Department of Small and Local Business Development, the Office of African American Affairs, and the Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys. Is a new deputy mayor sufficient to affect a deliverance from enlightened and organized citizens? It may be too soon to tell. Snowden identifies with the problems however. She knows something about the river’s divide, residents’ indifference and government ineffectiveness. A sixth generation Washingtonian, she grew up in Shepherd Park, but moved 10 years ago to Ward 7. “I was blown away at how inadequate the city services were,” she says, admitting that until four months ago she was one of those frustrated Ward 7 and Ward 8 residents sitting in community meetings and wondering “what can’t we just” have programs and services like other wards. Now, she says she’s in a position to help bring real change—except her target clients are residents in under-served communities. “The mayor actually gave me the whole city,” she says correcting the District Beat. “The work of this office is really focused on all eight wards.” But Snowden hasn’t made any overt effort to organize residents outside of underserved communities who could act as an army of surrogates. She admits that she has “a unique role in helping to facilitate that” and “at least rhetorically, people in other wards care deeply about what happens east of the river.”
septe mbe r 2015
Talk is cheap, says May, pointing the finger at council members. “When their actions match their words, then maybe we can believe their words.”
East of the River Matters
There is reason to care about east of the river. “So goes Ward 8, so goes the District of Columbia,” says May. She’s right. Key issues, like education, health care, affordable housing and crime are without boundaries. High unemployment, which in Ward 8 was over 14 percent in June of this year, or low-wage salaries, resulting in mothers and their children being evicted, has translated into family housing crisis. It doesn’t help that the government has allowed public housing to disintegrate or to be downsized; a family with more than two children can have a hard time finding a decent home at a reasonable rent. Substance abusers also land on the streets. Those two groups comprise parts of the city’s homeless populations, many of whom are housed in the old DC General Hospital or in expensive hotels and motels, draining the government coffers. When schools in Wards 7 and 8 underperform, parents race west of the river creating overcrowding in facilities like those in Wards 2, 3 and 6. That dynamic only exacerbates education inequities, as schools in those west-of-the-river-communities are put at the head of the line for modernization. The high volume of students also means more money for specialized quality academic courses and fancy extracurricular activities. And, says Cheh, “People who need money and think crime is the answer, aren’t going to come to the boundary and think ‘Whoa.’” Once quiet northwest neighborhoods are witnessing huge spikes in homicides and robberies: a family murdered in Woodley Park; a person stabbed 40 times on the Metro; an American University student on his way to a party is killed. ”It’s all porous,” adds Cheh. It would be a mistake to conclude, however, that east of the river is a wholly poverty-stricken basket case. It has sturdy pockets of decent and middle class residents. It also has huge, under-exploited amenities, including three Metro stations, quick access via car to downtown DC, national parks, an ice-skating rink, and a youth baseball academy. Those gems aren’t properly marketed. The areas’ socio-economic ills dominate its public façade. “The media highlight all the negatives,” says May. “We are working on a strength-building model, instead of a deficit model.” An organize west-river citizenry, working collab-
oratively with east of the river residents, could help turn that around, creating a win-win for everyone: less government spending on social services, a safer community, and an overall more vibrant city. “Economic development is more than bricks and sticks,” says Stan Jackson, head of the Anacostia Economic Development Corporation. There is no question that residents in Ward 7 and 8 must become more engaged, he continued, but east of the river needs an assist from a citywide coalition “organizing, pushing, and cajoling.”
We Were Together Once
Building citizen bridges across the river and ward boundaries isn’t a foreign concept—although admittedly it isn’t easy. More than a decade ago parents from Ward 3’s Janey Elementary collaborated with those from Anne Beers Elementary in Ward 7 to raise money for their respective institutions. Eugene and Tonya Kinlow, Ward 8 residents, who had their children in Janey, helped facilitate the partnership. “We had to overcome a set of challenges and barriers,” says Eugene Kinlow, adding that some Janey parents questioned the need for the collaboration and wanted to focus more on their individual school. Eventually, parent leaders cut through those divisions. “We developed a group that saw beyond their needs, beyond their community [and] beyond their capacity and limitations.” Alexander thinks that kind of collaboration should be replicated. “That would be phenomenal.” Further, those-west-of-the-river young people who flock to the ice skating rink could develop mentorships with youth who live in the surrounding Ward 7 neighborhoods. But, she adds, that everything starts at home. “Right here in Ward 7, some people don’t venture into our neighborhoods.” Strong communities like that around Anne Beers Elementary School could form partnerships with say the one around Aiton, adds Alexander. Already civic association members in Ward 3 and Ward 7 host annual programs in each other’s community. And, as Cheh made her rounds last month assessing the readiness of schools in her area, she learned that “Principals of different schools in Ward 3 are getting together with those in Wards 7 and 8 to share information. “That’s at a smaller level, but it is happening,” continued Cheh. “Maybe the government could foster more of these collaborations.” There is ground work to do. Allen relays a conversation he had with Snowden about the barrage of calls he received from constituents irate that their
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trash wasn’t collected during the recent winter storm. “She told me they received zero calls from Ward 8,” continued Allen. That means “the skepticism to overcome is palpable.” Further, there are conspiracy theorists, who believe the arrival of even one white face means the immediate and mass removal of black and brown people. “They see it all as the white man’s fault and in their minds black folks on the west side are just as bad,” says Kinlow. That mindset and other social conditions could change, argues Lester, if people were employed. “Once they get in the workforce, pay taxes, they are less likely to be involved in crimes; they have money to spend with local vendors. People want to participate, but they can’t.”
Eastern Wards Can’t Wait
Snowden says her office “has been focused on jumpstarting employment in a meaningful way—including in parts of ward 1, 4, 5, and 6—not just east of the river.” Naturally, she praised her boss for extending the summer jobs program to include residents between the ages of 22 and 24. Snowden anticipates the mayor will meet the council’s success barometer of employing at least one-third of those participants. During her “Vision Tour”, which was a series of community meetings, she may have discovered an important hurdle to an east of the river renaissance. “The harder thing was for [residents] to talk about what they want to see in their communities.” That vision thing could be greatly improved by relations with residents in other wards who, because of government myopia, weren’t sure of what to expect or demand. Now, those neighborhoods have been revitalized. Still, Allen cautions that in collaborating with “east of the river residents, care has to be taken. A lot of loaded things come with it. It almost has to be organic.” East of the river can’t wait, neither can the rest of the city. Snowden says, “In the coming months there will be creative initiatives to engage people across the city.” Hopefully it won’t be yet another slogan, full of rhetorical passion but yielding few measurable outcomes. As Jackson correctly asserts, “We can’t keep doing it the same way and expect results to be miraculously different.” Jonetta Rose Barras is a freelance writer, whose works have appeared in numerous publications including The Washington Post and the Washington Examiner. She frequently blogs at www.jonettarosebarras.com u
Neighborhood / The Numbers
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What We Know About Charter School Finances The Numbers by Soumya Bhat
P
ublic charter schools serve almost half of all public school students in the District. They receive over $600 million in local resources from the DC government each year. So, understanding how charter schools spend these resources is important for both parents choosing a school and policymakers responsible for their financial oversight. We are learning more and more about the health of charter school finances, thanks to an annual report from the Public Charter School Board. Which charter schools ran a deficit? How much did each charter school raise from fund-raising? How much do charter schools spend per pupil? It’s all there in the Financial Audit Review report (FAR). At the same, the FAR could do a lot more to help DC parents and policymakers understand how the city’s charter schools spend money and how financially strong they are. For example, the report tells us how many schools are financially at risk – seven this year – but doesn’t tell us which ones. The DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI) examined recent financial information for DC charter schools from the 2014 FAR report. We highlighted some key revenue and spending trends, and made recommendations for how information on charter school finances could be even more clear and accessible.
Key Financial Trends
The FAR report for the 2013-2014 school year shows wide variation in the financial health of DC’s 60 charter schools known as Local Education Agencies (LEAs): • Seven LEAs were identified as financially low-performing. As noted, the FAR does not identify which schools fall into this category. • 21 LEAs were categorized as financially high performing. • 18 charter LEAs had operating deficits, an 80 percent increase from the previous two
fiscal years. DCFPI’s analysis of the Financial Audit Review (FAR) also reveals wide variation in spending per-pupil and in the philanthropic revenue raised by each charter school LEA. • Per-Pupil Spending Varies from School to School. Charter LEAs spent an average of $14,639 per pupil for school year 2013-14. This spending ranged from less than $10,000 per pupil at four schools to more than $19,000 per pupil at five schools. In most cases, the variation reflects the characteristics of the students – charter schools serving adults receive less per-pupil funding than others, while schools with a substantial number of special education students or English language learners receive more per pupil. • Philanthropic Revenue is a Relatively Small Share of Charter School Finances. DC’s charter school sector brought in an approximate $44 million in philanthropic revenue, including parent fund-raising and foundation grants. However, most DC charter schools still rely primarily on local resources – philanthropic revenue only accounted for 6 percent of the sector’s collective revenue, while funding from the District accounted for 82 percent. • Philanthropic Revenue Varies from School to School. While most schools raised less than $500 per pupil from philanthropic sources, five schools received none at all, and 12 charter school LEAs raised $1,000 or more per pupil. Maya Angelou public charter school raised over $15,000 in additional resources per pupil.
Improving Financial Transparency
While the FAR is a helpful document, more could be done to make it easier for the public to learn about the finances of each charter school
including successful schools and those considered financially at-risk. DCFPI makes the following recommendations: • Detailed Breakout of Personnel and Staffing – The report should include information on the number of executive staff, school leadership positions, certified teaching staff, administrative (certified) staff, and non-certified administrative staff. This would provide a better picture of how money is allocated for personnel expenses. • Restricted Funds – Many charters report
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•
•
having restricted funds, but restricted for what? Facilities, bond financing, or other purposes? As a matter of transparency, the public should know, but currently there is no uniform reporting on the nature of restricted funds. Capital Expenses – Th e FAR reports on each school’s “occupancy expenses,” but that includes a mix of both capital costs – dollars spent to build, own, and maintain long-term assets – and operating expenses like utilities and maintenance. Because charters get one pot of money for operating expenses and another pot for facilities, DCFPI recommends a more careful separation of occupancy into operating costs and capital costs for each charter LEA. Philanthropic Revenue – Th e current information on philanthropic revenue is broad, requiring anyone interested in learning more to contact each individual LEA. DCFPI suggests that the FAR report include additional breakdown
of these funds – such as the share from private foundation grants versus parent fees or PTA fund-raising, and the share of philanthropic revenue that is for multi-year vs. single-year grants. • DC funding Per Student in Special Categories – Each charter school gets an allotment for its at-risk, special education, or English language learners. But the FAR report doesn’t say how those resources are spent on the same students. This could change with the Council requiring each charter LEA to report on how at-risk funds are being spent. • A Financial “Grade” for Each LEA – The FAR lacks a cumulative list of which charter school LEAs are considered high performing or at-risk. While it includes financial report cards for individual LEAs, they present several metrics – some of which are hard for non-accountants to understand -- but not a summative “grade” of the school’s overall financial health. A singular letter grade to represent the overall financial health of a charter would be a smart addition to the financial report cards. • List of Charters and their Financial Status – The FAR does not list which schools are financial high-performing or financial low-performing. It simply states the number that fall into each category. Parents and policymakers deserve to know. To read the full DCFPI report, see here or go to www.dcfpi.org/areas-of-research/ education. Bhat is an education policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org), which conducts research on tax and budget issues that affect low- and moderate-income DC residents. u
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Unique Handcrafted Papier-Mâché Mirrors Made by Artist Tuesday Winslow since 1995
PHOTO- “WHEEL” WORLD MAP
Artistic and Functional Accents for
Kids Rooms Office Foyers Hallways Bathrooms Mayan Inspired Respectful of the Environment Made Locally Artist Signed
202.286.5371
Neighborhood / NEWS
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Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann
Shaw Goes Back to School
As the new school year in DC was about to start, there were a number of initiatives to provide backpacks and supplies to Shaw school kids. On Saturday morning, Aug. 15, the Friends of Kennedy Playground distributed 75 sets of backpacks and school supplies to budding scholars in Shaw. Douglas Development Corporation provided a grant to Shaw Main Streets to acquire 250 backpacks to give to children in the neighborhood. Backpacks were given
Proprietors Ryan Seelbach and Eric Lund, the names behind The Huxley on Dupont Circle, plan to open Takoda in early October.
Convention Center Retail Gets Help
Events DC announced that it has retained the services of Streetsense, a multidisciplinary design and retail strategy firm, to take on the job of leasing the commercial spaces at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. In the years following the opening of the Convention Center in 2003, a number of small
Friends of Kennedy Playground distribute school backpacks. Photo: Alexander Padro
out at Lincoln Westmoreland apartments, Foster House, Jefferson Marketplace, and Heritage at Shaw Station. Backpacks were also given out at a back-toschool event given by DJ NuffSaid at Old City Farm and Guild encouraging HIV testing.
Shaw Vacancies Fill Up
Besides the flock of restaurants and shops moving into new developments in Shaw, such as The Shay and Atlantic Plumbing, previously unheralded spaces are being put to new uses. At 715 Florida Ave. NW, a building that has not seen activity in some time, two new restaurants are moving in. On the first floor a new Vietnamese restaurant, Hoa Tuc, will open. The 74-seat venue will be a sister to a Hoa Tuc restaurant currently operating in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Takoda Restaurant and Rooftop Beer Garden starts on the second floor of the building. Takoda, a Native American word meaning “open to everyone,” will be an all-American neighborhood meeting place. On the roof will be a 120-seat beer garden.
New backpack recipients at Lincoln Westmoreland. Photo: Alexander Padro
businesses occupied its retail spaces along 9th Street. Since then, as businesses left the Convention Center, they were never replaced by new occupants, leaving valuable retail sites vacant in one of the hottest areas of the city. Events DC Board Chair Max Brown says that “we are focused on finding the right retailers to fill the available space to continue the revitalization of Shaw.” Street-
Future home of Hoa Tuc and Takoda restaurants. Photo: Pleasant Mann
sense has had notable success filling commercial space in new Shaw developments including Progression Place and Jefferson Marketplace. Eleven retail spaces totaling 19,000 square feet await new tenants at the Convention Center.
Art All Night Comes Back to Shaw Sept. 26
September 2011 saw the first Art All Night festival in Shaw. By 2014 the late-night festival of art exhibition and performance that started in Shaw expanded to include four additional DC neighborhoods, adding tens of thousands of new participants to the event. At the beginning of 2015 Shaw Main Streets won an Innovation on Main Street Award for coming up with the concept, with the National Main Streets Center encouraging the use of Art All Night as a commercial development tool nationwide. Art All Night returns to Shaw on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7:00 p.m. for another eight hours of free art, music, and fun. This year Art All Night in Shaw will include a “Midway” in the middle of City Market at O, where visitors will be treated to live performances by steppers, drummers, dancers, bubble blowers, and musicians. The Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library will serve as the base of the Shaw festival, providing brochures and maps, as well as offering adult and children’s crafts and games, face painting, and other activities. IStrategy Labs at the Wonder Bread Factory will host a major breakdancing competition. The currently vacant store fronts of the Washington Convention Center will serve as exhibition sites for the work of local photographers, painters, mixed media artists, sculptors, and much more. Dozens of venues, like the historic Carnegie Library, will be locations for interactive art events including the projection of shadows on a five-story wall. And the businesses of Shaw’s buzzed-about food, drink, and dance scene will stay open late, with a number of them sponsoring art installations inside their establishments. Art All Night DC in Shaw is presented by Shaw Main Streets and funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Department of Small and Local Business Development, and DC Main Streets. For more information visit www.artallnightdcshaw.com or pick up a festival brochure at the Shaw library on the night of the event. u
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Bloomingdale Buzz
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by Ellen Boomer
Back to School
Nothing marks the end of summer like the buzz of children filing into school. At Langley STEM Academy, neighborhood children are gearing up for another school year filled with more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. Langley is for students in Pre-K through 5th grade and is the neighborhood school for families from NoMA, Eckington, Bloomingdale and Edgewood. Last year, the enrollment was just under 300 students. Principal Charlotte Spann, who’s starting her third year at Langley, uses her experience working with middle and high school students to inform her job as an elementary school principal. “I view our job as co-parenting, teaching social skills and how to manage emotions,” Spann explained. “There are so many complexities in how to teach a student to read. I’ve seen what the evolution looks like to produce a powerful graduate.” In the time that Spann has been at Langley, she’s shepherded many positive changes at the school. “I’ve been intentional about bringing on talented people with a high standard of excellence who are concerned with the growth of each individual student,” Spann said. “I have to develop the talent and cross-pollinate all of the great things going on across the entire school.” To support that growth, Langley teachers are engaging families with help from the Flamboyan Foundation, which shows parents how to support learning at home and guide their child’s education through college. Another critical component of the Langley experience is their commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). With a
Langley STEM Academy
full-time STEM coordinator, Langley created a vision for a math and science garden to teach lessons through hands-on learning. “I believe in the power of STEM because it teaches inquiry, thinking and innovation.” Spann shared. “My vision is to push us beyond the traditional model of teachers imparting knowledge: How do we give students opportunities to think? We are developing students who are critical thinkers who will be able to be discriminate with information.” Langley will continue to engage with the community by selling herbs from the school’s garden at the Bloomingdale Farmers’ Market, opening their gym to local families, having coffee chats with Spann in families’ homes and working to establish relationships with local businesses. “Every child wants to be successful,” explained Spann. “If we help them understand we care, then they will take any academic risk because they know we will help them.” Visit Langley Elementary School at 101 T Street, NE or call 202-724-4223.
Bloomingdale’s National Treasure
Opened just two and a half years, The Red Hen has proved that high-quality food can be served without an atti-
tude. This restaurant has earned national attention, but their focus remains local. The triumvirate responsible for the restaurant’s success, owners Michael O’Malley, Sebastian Zutant and Michael Friedman, have created a convivial atmosphere that welcomes everyone from families to couples out for a date night. “We’ve got a big, loud bar which is in the middle of the dining room,” Zutant said. “That was im-
The Red Hen owners (from left to right): Michael O’Malley, Sebastian Zutant and Michael Friedman
portant to us because it makes it feel more of a center, like a gathering place. You walk in and it has this rumble of a vibe.” Zutant’s wife, Lauren Winter of Edit Lab at Streetsense, designed The Red Hen and the forthcoming All Purpose in Shaw, scheduled to open this fall. The new venture pairs the owners of The Red Hen with Gareth Croke and Colin McDonough, two of the owners of Boundary Stone.
As sommelier, Zutant changes the wine menu frequently, which features only natural wines that are limited in production. “My moods adjust pretty quickly with the temperature, so when I feel the cool breeze, bring on my Syrahs and Southern Rhones,” Zutant said. The Italian-influenced menu also changes with what’s in season and incorporates herbs from the restaurant’s garden. “As a restaurant, doing the garden instead of the seating was a big deal for us,” Zutant shared. “We’re going to concede this point just because we want to make sure [our neighbors] are comfortable,” “It was important to me to keep my street at peace,” explained Zutant. He and O’Malley both live near the restaurant. “We’ve done a good job of hiring youth in the neighborhood. It was really important to us that we make sure that the neighborhood kids felt that they had a place to learn responsibility,” said Zutant. “It’s a community place where people walk by and see people they know, come in and have a drink.” The Red Hen participates in community events including the Taste of Bloomingdale and Dining Out Bloomingdale, which raises money for the Bloomingdale Scholarship Fund, and they contribute to the beautification of Bloomingdale by giving directly to Bloomingdale Civic Association. “We just do our best to make sure that everyone is happy, full, comfortable, and also our pricing is pretty insane,” Zutant shared. “You can be out of here for $20 and be full and fat and happy.” Visit The Red Hen at 1822 1st St, NW or call 202-525-3021. u
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Mt Vernon Triangle by Ellen Boomer
Holding Fast to His Dreams
this fall to mark the restaurant’s 10th anniversary, including an international poetry slam and a big celebration attended by noted activists and authors including Angela Davis, Alice Walker and Cornel West. “All social change starts with cultural change,” Shallal points out. “It shifts people’s minds and hearts.” Visit Busboys and Poets at 1025 Fifth St. NW, www.busboysandpoets.com, or call 202-789-2227.
This fall, activist and restauranteur Andy Shallal will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Busboys and Poets. With six locations and a seventh in the works, this neighborhood hub has stayed true to the restaurant’s mission of fostering conversation and understanding to help strengthen communities. “Every city has a need for a gathering spot where you have books, conversations, politics, art and culture coming together,” Shallal says. A DC resident, Shallal feels Andy Shallal, owner of Busboys and Poets This September, L’Hommage BisBusboys and Poets combines his tro Francais will bring some French passion for activism with his experience in the hosfinesse to Mount Vernon Triangle. From croissants pitality industry. He’s also an artist who painted the to steak frites to an extensive wine list, this restaurant murals in every Busboys’ location. will offer the feel of a Parisian cafe in the middle of “I’m always looking for opportunities to uplift K Street. communities,” Shallal explains “Not as a gentrifier Restauranteur Hakan Ilhan has already shown going in to break everything and start over again but his commitment to the neighborhood with his first as a way to blend in as much as possible and have a MVT restaurant, Alba Osteria. He’ll open his third soft touch.” neighborhood restaurant, Ottoman Taverna, next to To become part of the existing neighborhood, Alba in March 2016. Busboys and Poets tailors their programming to The 176-seat restaurant will include an 82-seat each community. The MVT location features prooutdoor patio, a boulangerie, two semi-private dingrams on transgender issues to reflect the history ing rooms and a collection of over 200 French wines. of that neighborhood and the tension that existed Designed to be a welcoming, neighborhood between the police and the transgender community. gathering place, L’Hommage will offer prepared “We’re coming from underneath the surface meals and baked goods from the bakery, drinks in and letting the community lift us up,” Shallal says. the lounge and lunch and dinner in the dining room. “It’s important for the business and for the folks Executive Chef Josh Perkins, who’s worked at that live there. I can slowly accommodate the needs several Michelin-starred restaurants, will set up as they arise.” the menu to feature Another key faca mix of neo-classic tor in the restaurant’s dishes and more trasuccess are its employditional dishes. “I will ees. “One of my most change certain items rewarding experiences to stay seasonal while is to have those gathmaintaining the inerings with the staff,” tegrity of the classic Shallal shares. “We foundation,” Perkins want to allow people to explains. be their full selves withPerkins plans to out having to compartoffer items such as mentalize their lives.” moules mariniere usLook for events L’Hommage, the newest restaurant from Hakan Ilhan ing modern techniques
Bonjour, Mount Vernon Triangle!
as well as newer dishes like sweet breads with espellette and aigre doux sauce. Echoing the classical menu, L’Hommage’s interior will feature a marble bar top, brass accents, Mediterranean tile floors and a color palette with warm hues. Visit L’Hommage Bistro Francais at 450 K St. NW or call 202-419-6755.
Community Commitment
Berk Shervin has made his mark on Mount Vernon Triangle without leaving a trace. As Vice-Chairman of the MVT CID and partner, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Wilkes Company, Shervin is committed not only to developing this community but to serving it as well. “Guided by feedback from the Triangle community, we are working with DDOT to address safety concerns for pedestrians and bicyclists, promoting arts and parks, encouraging interesting, locally-owned and operated retailers to locate there and engaging in numerous other initiatives to improve the life of our Triangle residents,” Shervin tells MidCity DC. He’s been with The Wilkes Company for over 30 years and has been involved in key development projects in MVT including The Lyric, The Sonata and Madrigal Lofts. “As property owners in the Triangle for the last three decades, we are deeply invested in the neighborhood and its success,” Shervin says. “In this time, the church leaders, business owners, community leaders and residents have become more than just fellow colleagues with whom we share common goals — they have become friends.” Through the Quadrangle Development Corporation, The Wilkes Company is developing Mount Vernon Place, which is a 2.1 million square foot mixed-used project in MVT. “Given his long commitment to helping MVT grow, no doubt Shervin will continue to serve the community long after his term as a Board member expires. “He leads with a thoughtful manner that encourages collaboration and thinking outside the box,” MVT CID President Claire Schaefer Oleksiak says. “This vision and commitment are particularly noticeable in the terrific, local retailers signed to Lyric and other Wilkes/Quadrangle properties.” Contact the MVT CID at 901 Fourth St. NW or call 202-216-0511. u
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Kids and FaMilY / nOteBOOK
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by Kathleen Donner
stAR (sing, talk and Read) Family Festival at MLK Library
children’s books; live entertainment by Uno, Dos Tres con Andres and drummer Jali-D; safety, health and education resources; door prizes; lunch; photo ops with costumed characters; and special guest appearances from Radio One’s Shorty da Prince and Angie Ange and Ebony McMorris. Learn more at dclibrary.org/starfestival.
This festival showcases all the ways parents can help young children build their vocabularies, fall in love with reading and develop the skills they will need when they start school--often without books. On Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, learn how singing, talking and reading with your baby or young child now will help them later in school. It’s never too early to give your kids a smart start. The festival will feature workshops for parents to support your child’s early learning; activities, Register today for the 5K run/walk and kids dash on Oct. 3 at Freedom crafts and games for children; free
shakespeare theatre’s “Free For All” Information for Families
Plaza. Your support will make a difference for local kids! Photo: Courtesy of Children’s National
This year’s Free For All, through Sept. 13, is a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Sidney Harman
Hall, 610 F St. NW. The Shakespeare Theatre’s intention is for the Free For All to be family-friendly. Guardians should bring children out into the lobby if they are restless. Babes in arms are not allowed in the theatre. They request that children be five years of age or older. Every person entering the theatre must have a ticket. If a child will be sitting on someone’s lap, they still must have a ticket. Read more about how to get tickets at shakespearetheatre.org.
Latinas Leading tomorrow 5K and Kids’ Mile dash
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Latinas Leading Tomorrow’s (LLT) third annual 5K Run/ Walk theme is “Run Like a Leader”. The focus of
Race for every child Kids’ dash
The Race for Every Child supports children and families throughout the Washington area by raising funds for specialized medical care, research into childhood diseases, and important wellness and preventive services at Children’s National Health System. The 100-yard Kids’ Dash is a great way to encourage your child to be active and healthy. Just one block long, the Kids’ Dash route is on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, starting at 12th and finishing at 13th Street. The race is on Saturday, Oct. 3. Pre-race activities begin at 7 a.m.; kids dash at 10:15 a.m. Read more at childrensnational.donordrive.com
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APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR their annual charity event is to bring together community leaders, families, and students to not only help raise awareness of the importance of health and fitness within the Latino community; but to raise funds for LLT’s leadership development programs. Proceeds from the run allow them provide programs free of charge to middle and high school Latinas in DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland. Registration is $55. Kids, ages 5 to 14, are $40 for the Mile Dash. The run is on Sunday, Sept. 13. Strollers and walkers welcome. llt-5krun.com
suit deters the sale of Alcohol to Minors
The Office of the Attorney General was successful in obtaining a $10,000 fine and a 10-day license suspension from the District’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board against Michigan Liquors, on 12th Street NE, near the Catholic University of America, for the sale of alcohol to minors. The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration investigators found four underage patrons purchasing alcoholic beverages at the store during a compliance check on Dec. 11, 2014. Michigan Liquors was found guilty of six counts--four counts of “sale or delivery of alcoholic beverages to...a person under 21 years of age, either for the person’s own use or for the use of any other person .... “; and two counts of not “taking steps reasonably necessary to ascertain whether any person to whom the licensee sells, delivers, or serves an alcoholic beverage is of legal drinking age.”
Harry Potter Movie Marathon at shaw Library
The marathon starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 with the beginning of the story, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The story will continue throughout the day until the
library closes at 5:30 p.m. The marathon will conclude with the end of the story: A viewing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, starting at 1 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character and be entered in a drawing to win a prize. Take a break from the marathon to make your own wand, Golden Snitch, house banner and Time Turner. For more information, contact Kari Mitchell at kari.mitchell@ dc.gov or Janna Tanner at janna.tanner@dc.gov. Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. 202727-1288. dclibrary.org/watha
women in Aviation and space Family day
Throughout the history of aviation and space exploration, women have fought to be on equal terms with their male counterparts. At this family day, Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the National Air and Space Museum, enjoy learning about the significant contributions women have made despite the many challenges they faced. The day will feature presentations by women in the field, hands-on activities, and stories. airandspace.si.edu
Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at MLK Library
On Saturday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. kick-off National Hispanic Heritage Month in the Great Hall with music, dancing, live performances, face-painting and crafts for kids. This event is free and for all ages. Families are welcome! De la 11 a.m. a 4 p.m. venga para celebrar la Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Habrá música, baile, espectáculos en vivo, pintura de la cara, y manualidades para niños. Este evento para la familia es gratis y para todas las edades. ¡Traiga la familia! Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk
Apply for admissions at: www.myschooldc.org or call (202) 888-6336
Pre-K to 3rd grade Building a strong foundation for learning Spaces available for students in K thru 3rd grade. enroll today. Bridges PCS is an expanding elementary school, growing to serve grades Pre-K–5th by 2017-2018. • Before & After Care • Small classroom size and well trained staff • Individual planning for each student • Hands-on and project-based curriculum Free and open to all DC residents. Tuition paid by non-residents.
www.bridgespcs.org 1250 Taylor Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 p: 202.545.0515 Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Voted one of the Best Preschools in DC, City Paper Readers Poll 2013 -2015! For the 2016-2017 school year Bridges PCS will be in our new location:
100 Gallatin St. NE, Washington, DC 20011.
w w w. br i d g e sp c s . org
42 MIdc i tydcnews.coM
Finding A Line: Skateboarding, Music and Media at the Kennedy Center
Photo: Emily Clack Photography
This is a multi-disciplinary, family-friendly festival that celebrates an influential American subculture by highlighting local artists, as well as the creative ties and improvisational elements shared between skateboarding and live music. Enjoy free access to a skate park and a series of free open skate sessions. Open skate sessions are Sept. 4, 10 and 13 at 6 p.m. Performances by young local bands (ranging from rock and punk to indie and jazz) showcasing their music are Sept. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. $22. A waiver is required to skateboard alongside performances. Skateboarding and music takes place on the front plaza. kennedy-center.org
Hispanic Innovators in Aviation and Space Family Day at Air and Space
The Big Build: A Hands-on Family Festival of Tools, Trucks, and Construction
On Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., be a builder for the day at The Big Build festival at the National Building Museum. Amateur builders young and old can discover what it’s like to build a brick wall, carve stone, hammer nails, and much more as they work side-by-side with designers, builders, and artisans demonstrating their skills. Meet plumbers, electricians, ironworkers, landscape architects, woodworkers, and experts in many other fields to learn about their professions and hobbies. The National Building Museum is at 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org
Reserve Tickets Now for Boo at the Zoo
On Oct. 23, 24, and 25, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., come for Washington DC’s favorite not-so-spooky Halloween haunt, Boo at the Zoo. With more than 40 treat stations, animal demonstrations, keeper chats, and decorated trails, this frightfully fun evening is a treat for the whole family. New this year will be an entertainment stage with a DJ spinning Halloween favorites, musicians, and jugglers. Also, don’t miss a themed hay maze and scarecrow field. $30. All guests two years old and older, adults included, must purchase a ticket. Reserve tickets at nationalzoo.si.edu.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., join them as they celebrates the contributions of Latinos to aviation and space exploration. Hear about Latin Americans’ contributions to aviation and space exploration, meet Hispanic scientists and engineers—including a NASA astronaut—and participate in bilingual activities. airandspace.si.edu
“Flowers Stink” Musical at the US Botanic Garden
When you live in a big city, a.k.a. “the concrete jungle,” sometimes it’s hard to appreciate the great outdoors. That’s definitely the case with one middle school girl, who’s struggling with writing a nature-themed poem for school. Giving up, she tweets: “#poetryisstupid #natureisboring #flowersstink.” Suddenly, two zany and loveable plants magically come to life in her room, encouraging her to open her eyes, ears, and mind to the beauty all around her. Pointing to her own family history, the girl’s newfound friends transport her imagination to the flora of a desert, a volcano, and a rain forest to help unleash her creativity. Mixing plenty of singing and dancing with folk, bluegrass, blues, and gospel, this colorful world premiere musical— by the Helen Hayes Award–winning creators of Dizzy Miss Lizzie’s Roadside Revue—shows that if you look closely enough, you can find the best of nature in the most unlikely places. (Approx. 45
minutes). For ages 7, up. “Flowers Stink”, a world premiere Kennedy Center musical co-commissioned with the U.S. Botanic Garden, is free and performed outdoors on Saturdays, Sept. 26 to Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. (Sept. 26, there is also a 1 p.m. performance) at the US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. In case of inclement weather, check usbg.gov for performance updates.
Kids Ride Free Program Expanded
Under the newly expanded program, public school students and public charter school students can ride the bus, DC Circulator, and Metrorail--to and from school, and for school-related activities. Private and parochial school students can register to receive the Metrobus pass. For an average family with two children who ride the metro to school, Kids Ride Free on rail will save them $600 over the course of the school year. For more information, visit kidsridefree.dc.gov or call DC Department of Transportation at 202-673-1740.
Personal Security App for DC College Campuses Launched
Leading DC based sexual assault and advocacy group Men Can Stop Rape has launched a safe and confidential, UASK DC personal security app for all eight universities in the District. The UASK DC App features real-time responsiveness, user friendly functionality, plus critical crisis and reporting resources, specific to each campus. Visit uaskdc.org to download the free app and lean more. Men Can Stop Rape is a national nonprofit based in Washington, DC. They were established in 1997 and seek to mobilize men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially men’s violence against women and girls. They’ve served over 2 million youth and professionals through their award-winning youth development programs for boys/young men and girls/ young women; media messaging that promotes bystander intervention and consent; and training and technical assistance for federal, city, and state government agencies, professionals, and other community stakeholders. mencanstoprape.org
The Cerulean Time Capsule at the Botanic Garden
Meet Benjamin Peale, a botanist who claims to be a time traveler from the year 2041. He needs your help to stop a critical discovery from happening in
se p te mb e r 2015
the U.S. Botanic Garden--one that will bring catastrophe and destruction to the world as we know it! Help him find the mythic “Cerulean Time Capsule” before it’s too late. Be alert. Be vigilant. Time is of the essence if you want to change the course of the space-time continuum in the name of botanical security. Don’t miss this immersive, interactive, and sitespecific theatrical event that whisks small groups all around the Conservatory on a botanical adventure of a lifetime. Your future self is depending on you! Performed Saturdays and Sundays inside the Conservatory at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW, through Oct. 25, at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m. Free on-site registration is available the day of the performance. Time slot availability will be on a first come, first served basis for the day of the event. If you would like to reserve a specific date and time slot in advance, you may do so for $2. Visit reservations.usbg.gov. Due to its small-group nature, this performance can accommodate up to 12 audience members at one time. The play is a fast-moving tour through the Conservatory, but the 4 p.m. show each day will be performed at a slower pace. usbg.gov
Library of Congress Hosts 2015 Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature
Authors Duncan Tonatiuh and Margarita Engle will receive the Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature during a special awards presentation on Friday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. in the Mary Pickford Theater, on the third floor of the Library of Congress James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. SE.
“Arts for Families” at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
On Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m., this dropin program is part of the museum’s weekly Arts for Families series, which invites families to explore art, history, and culture through a hands-on activity. Free; no reservations required. The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st St. NW. 202-994-5200. museum.gwu.edu
Synetic Theater’s Auditions for Teen Romeo and Juliet
Synetic Teen Productions are a physically intensive and artistically challenging training program that results in high quality, professional level productions at Synetic Theater’s Crystal City Theater. Teens work closely with professional directors, fight and movement choreographers, and as part of their mentorship receive special coaching on character and technique from senior Synetic company members. At the end of eight rigorous weeks, the teen ensemble has a fully staged, full-length production, to go along with an experience of a lifetime. Synetic Teens will perform on the same set and stage as the adult company. Many Synetic Teen production alumni go on to star in Synetic main stage productions! Auditions are held by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 5 and 12. Auditions can be scheduled by emailing education@ synetictheater.org.
Remaining Dates for “Kids Run the Bases” at Nat’s Park
Kids ages 4 to 12 can run the bases after select Nationals games. Kids Run the Bases begins immediately following the game, weather permitting. Remaining dates are Sept.
43
44 MIdc i tydcnews.coM
6, 20 and 27. An adult must accompany runners to the field. One adult per child on the field. Starting at first base, kids will be directed to run around the bases as the adults continue along the warning track and meet the runners near home plate. Once the game has ended, it takes the grounds crew approximately 20 minutes to prepare the field. Kids and parents/guardians can begin lining up at the end of the Seventh inning, however fans that would like to stay and watch the entire game will still be able to line up once the game has ended. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. The line forms outside of the park on the sidewalk along First Street washington.nationals.mlb.com
$1 Hot Dogs and Giveaways at Nat’s Park
On Sept. 9 at the 7:05 p.m. game vs. the New York Mets, $1 hot dogs will be available for purchase at all Nats Dogs stands and additional select locations until the start of the 6th inning, while supplies last. On Sept. 5, at the 7:05 game vs the Atlanta Braves, 20,000 Earbuds will be given to first 20,000 fans. On Sept 8, 7:05 p.m. game vs. the New York Mets, 10,000 10-Year Tuesday: 2005 Mini Lineup Card will be given to first 10,000 fans. On Sept. 21, at the 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Baltimore Orioles, 25,000 Calvin Coolidge Bobbleheads will be given to first 25,000 fans. On Sept. 25, at the 7:05 p.m. game vs, the Philadelphia Phillies, 25,000 Zimmermann Bobbleheads will be given to first 25,000 fans. On Sept. 27, at the 1:35 p.m. game vs the Philadelphia Phillies, 25,000 red gloves will be given to the first 25,000 fans. washington.nationals.mlb.com
The Business of Chocolate: From Bean to Drink at the American History Museum
On Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 2 p.m.; 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Performance Plaza, 1 West, through demonstrations of colonial chocolate making, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the role of chocolate in American history and American life. American History Museum is on the National Mall, at 14th St. and Constitution Avenue NW. americanhistory.si.edu
Capitol MISS Foundation Support Group Meetings for Bereaved Parents
The Washington, DC chapter of the MISS Foundation offers monthly support group meetings to
mothers and fathers experiencing the loss of a child to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant/child death. Participants are invited to share, but are also welcome to listen until they are comfortable sharing their stories. Meetings are informal and typically occur the second Tuesday of each month, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Northeast Library in the mezzanine conference room. Northeast Library is at Seventh St. and Maryland Avenue NE. capitolmissfoundation.org
ZooFiesta
ZooFiesta is on Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the National Zoo. Family activities include animal feedings, arts and crafts, musical entertainment, educational activities highlighting conservation research in Central and South America, and authentic gourmet cuisine at a Latin American inspired food bazaar. ZooFiesta is free, so bring the whole familia! nationalzoo.si.edu
Constitution Day Family Activities at the National Archives
Two hundred and twenty-eight years ago, the founding fathers signed the US Constitution creating the United States government that exists today. On Thursday, Sept. 17, 1 to 4 p.m., celebrate with them in the home of this important document by participating in exciting, hands-on activities taking place at the National Archives. Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW. 202-357-5400. archives.gov
President Lincoln’s Cottage Family Day
On Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., you’re invited to the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for the fourth annual President Lincoln’s Cottage’s Family Day. Family members of all ages will enjoy the live entertainment and creative activities inspired by the Lincoln family and their life at the Soldiers’ Home. There will be a Civil War encampment, at petting zoo with pony rides, arts and crafts, picnics on the grounds, live music and cottage tours. The entrance to President Lincoln’s Cottage is through the Eagle Gate, located at the intersection of Rock Creek Church Rd. NW and Upshur St. NW. The street address is approximately 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. lincolncottage.org
Kids Fun Run at Congressional Cemetery
The annual Dead Man’s Run 5k and Kids Fun Run at Congressional Cemetery is on Saturday, Oct. 3,
6 p.m. The untimed kids run, around 2k, is $10 to register. Contact Congressional Cemetery race staff with questions at 202-543-0539. congressionalcemetery.org
Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon
On Sept. 19 to 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., fifty colonial-attired artisans demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares such as baskets, woodcarvings, tin and ironwork, leather-workings, weavings, furniture, and much more. “General Washington” will be on hand overseeing the lively Revolutionary War military drills and 18th-century entertainment including music, fire-eating, sword-swallowing, puppet and magic shows, plus hearty specialty food for sale on site. mountvernon.org
Civil War Artillery Day at Fort Ward
On Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., learn about the life and duties of an artilleryman from reenactors in the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, a unit that was stationed at Fort Ward during the Civil War. Cannon firing demonstrations, equipment display, and camp life. This free program is weather dependent. Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA. alexandriava.gov/FortWard
National Museum of the Marine Corps “Robots” Family Day
This is an event for robot enthusiasts of all ages. On Saturday, Sept. 12, noon to 3 p.m., explore the wonderful world of robotics and maybe even try your hand at operating one of these amazing machines. Free admission and free parking. National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle VA. 703-784-6116. usmcmuseum.org Have a tip for the Kids and Family Notebook? Email it to bulletinboard@hilrag.com u
45
Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.
NEIGHBORHOOD
CLOSE PRICE BR
FEE SIMPLE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1366 TAYLOR ST NW 1034 KENYON ST NW 1016 PARK RD NW 1452 EUCLID ST NW 1317 SPRING RD NW 3666 PARK PL NW 1326 OTIS PL NW 1134 COLUMBIA RD NW 1029 EUCLID ST NW 650 LAMONT ST NW 727 QUEBEC PL NW 1447 PARKWOOD PL NW 2708 SHERMAN AVE NW 3223 GEORGIA AVE NW 763 HOBART PL NW
$978,000 $960,000 $951,100 $920,000 $875,000 $850,000 $822,000 $800,000 $786,000 $761,250 $690,000 $575,000 $550,000 $530,000 $465,000
DUPONT CIRCLE 1616 CORCORAN ST NW
$1,600,555
ECKINGTON 32 R ST NE 1805 2ND ST NW 115 RHODE ISLAND AVE NE 171 UHLAND TER NE 1925 SUMMIT PL NE 156 UHLAND TER NE 130 RHODE ISLAND AVE NE
$830,000 $750,000 $745,000 $650,000 $625,000 $464,100 $585,000
KALORAMA 2131 BANCROFT PL NW 1831 WYOMING AVE NW
$2,125,000 $1,982,000
LOGAN CIRCLE 1715 11TH ST NW
$1,539,000
MOUNT PLEASANT 1706 KENYON ST NW 3113 ADAMS MILL RD NW 3224 18TH ST NW
$1,207,700 $1,200,000 $737,000
5 4 3 4 3 4 4 5 3 2 5 3 3 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 3 6 7 3 4 6 2
PETWORTH 5508 4TH ST NW 4705 9TH NW 5423 4TH ST NW 4122 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW 445 DELAFIELD PL NW 834 MADISON ST NW 5319 1ST ST NW 5302 2ND ST NW 24 GALLATIN ST NW 5410 3RD ST NW 313 VARNUM ST NW 412 DELAFIELD PL NW 805 ALLISON ST NW 820 KENNEDY ST NW 826 DELAFIELD PL NW 4501 5TH ST NW 635 FARRAGUT ST NW 309 WEBSTER ST NW 312 UPSHUR ST NW 610 FARRAGUT ST NW 808 DECATUR ST NW
$679,000 $650,000 $625,000 $617,500 $585,000 $569,900 $560,000 $553,700 $550,000 $545,000 $535,000 $532,500 $525,000 $505,000 $490,000 $475,000 $465,000 $440,000 $435,000 $399,999 $350,000
4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 4
1537 5TH ST NW 718 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW
$850,000 $550,000
3 1
TRINIDAD
2012 KALORAMA RD NW #4 $655,900 1844 COLUMBIA RD NW #203 $299,900 1213 STAPLES ST NE $725,000 5 2032 BELMONT RD NW #132 $195,000 1213 QUEEN ST NE $550,000 8 1776 LYMAN PL NE $490,000 4 LEDROIT PARK 1227 STAPLES ST NE $390,000 3 122 BRYANT ST NW #1 $682,500 1736 L ST NE $350,000 2 2020 FLAGLER PL NW #FL03 $385,000 1843 L ST NE $325,000 2 1929 1ST ST NW #102 $297,990 822 21ST ST NE $315,000 2 117 T ST NW #2 $825,000
CONDO ADAMS MORGAN 2380 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #101 2428 17TH ST NW #GNW 2412 17TH ST NW #102
$555,000 $550,000 $479,900
BLOOMINGDALE 1924 1ST ST NW #2 1924 1ST ST NW #1
$735,000 $678,175
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1207 LAMONT ST NW #2 929 FLORIDA AVE NW #PH 8005 1323 GIRARD ST NW #3 2750 14TH ST NW #603 3420 13TH ST NW #2 1469 HARVARD ST NW #5 1354 EUCLID ST NW #303A 1126 COLUMBIA RD NW #3 3205 GEORGIA AVE NW #407 1422 EUCLID ST NW #3 703 NEWTON PL NW #7 1419 GIRARD ST NW #1 1422 EUCLID ST NW #1 2910 GEORGIA AVE NW #401 3619 14TH ST NW #1 1390 KENYON ST NW #102 1307 CLIFTON ST NW #24 1465 COLUMBIA RD NW #101 3205 GEORGIA AVE NW #205 3500 13TH ST NW #407 4120 14TH ST NW #22 3534 10TH ST NW #120 1106 COLUMBIA RD NW #303 1372 RANDOLPH ST NW #2
$785,000 $739,900 $668,000 $654,900 $649,200 $560,000 $525,000 $501,500 $500,000 $499,995 $499,900 $479,000 $475,000 $466,100 $465,000 $435,000 $425,000 $412,000 $319,900 $315,000 $300,000 $292,500 $274,500 $244,500
DUPONT CIRCLE 2001 16TH ST NW #703 1280 21ST ST NW #801 1811 19TH ST NW #1 2114 N ST NW #15 1 SCOTT CIR NW #804 1806 RIGGS PL NW #1 1625 S ST NW #5 1809 RIGGS PL NW #4 1330 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #407 1926 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW #36 1615 Q ST NW #306
$534,000 $388,000 $378,500 $350,000 $270,000 $668,000 $460,000 $450,000 $430,000 $401,500 $227,000
ECKINGTON 127 QUINCY PL NE #2 39 U ST NE #2 39 U ST NE #1 241 R ST NE #A 12 RHODE ISLAND AVE NE #2
$780,000 $750,100 $620,000 $620,000 $779,900
2 1 2 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 3 3 3 3 3
KALORAMA SHAW 2205 CALIFORNIA ST NW #202 $1,000,000 3 2301 CONNECTICUT AVE NW #3C 2014 KALORAMA RD NW #7 1812 CALVERT ST NW #1
$906,000 $900,000 $780,000
2 2 2
2 1 0 2 1 1 2
LOGAN 1445 CHURCH ST NW #36 1515 15TH ST NW #601 1320 13TH ST NW #22 1201 N ST NW #H 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #517 1125 12TH ST NW #82 1913 12TH ST NW #B 2125 14TH ST NW #614 1400 CHURCH ST NW #203 1209 13TH ST NW #806 1441 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW #911 1245 13TH ST NW #710 1245 13TH ST NW #210 1440 N ST NW #214 1830 11TH ST NW #1
$935,000 $599,999 $585,000 $466,000 $351,100 $280,000 $960,000 $800,000 $715,000 $685,000 $519,000 $379,900 $373,500 $234,000 $670,000
MOUNT PLEASANT 1613 HARVARD ST NW #301 2301 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #T07 2630 ADAMS MILL RD NW #03 2630 ADAMS MILL RD NW #T04
MOUNT VERNON TRIANGLE 460 NEW YORK AVE NW #904 460 NEW YORK AVE NW #205 460 NEW YORK AVE NW #402 400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW #1111
2 1 2 1 0 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 2
$608,500 $490,000 $352,500 $334,900
2 2 1 1
$509,000 $467,000 $437,400 $705,000
1 1 1 2
PETWORTH 700 JEFFERSON ST NW #401 804 TAYLOR ST NW #104 5611 5TH ST NW #3
$300,000 $295,000 $245,000
RLA (SW) 350 G ST SW #N408 355 I ST SW #521 1425 4TH ST SW #A315 355 I ST SW #S426 300 M ST SW #N710
$548,500 $411,000 $275,000 $259,000 $251,000
2 1 1 2 1 1 0 1
SHAW 449 R ST NW #10
$360,000
1
TRINIDAD 1143 SUMMIT ST NE #2 1668 TRINIDAD AVE NE #3 1643 MONTELLO AVE NE #3 1643 MONTELLO AVE NE #2 1643 MONTELLO AVE NE #4 1668 TRINIDAD AVE NE #1
$515,000 $249,900 $248,999 $244,000 $243,000 $239,900
U STREET CORRIDOR 1100 W ST NW #2 1330 BELMONT ST NW #102 2214 11TH ST NW #2 929 FLORIDA AVE NW #2008 2025 13TH ST NW #1 2020 12TH ST NW #304 2030 8TH ST NW #504 2117 10TH ST NW #102 u
$824,000 $817,700 $621,000 $529,000 $495,000 $467,000 $454,900 $515,000
2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 2
real estate / changing hands
se p te mb e r 2015
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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 Bowser, Mayor.