Midcity DC Magazine – September 2020 by Capital Community News

SEPTEMBER 2020

CONTENTS

NEXT ISSUE: October 7

SEPTEMBER 2020

04 what’s on washinton out and about 08 Insatiable • Celeste McCall

ON THE COVER:

12 At The Movies • Michael Canning

your neighborhood 14 Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann

The DC Fray fall schedule is open. Read about it on page 20. Photo: Courtesy of DC Fray

16 The Numbers • Alyssa Noth 20 Bulletin Board • Kathleen Donner

kids and family 28 The Digital Divide • Eva Herscowitz 30 Notebook • Kathleen Donner

at home 34 Changing Hands • Don Denton

38 classifieds

28 Capital Community News, Inc. Publisher of: Capital Community News, Inc. PO Box 15477, Washington, DC 20003 202.543.8300 www.capitalcommunitynews.com • www.hillrag.com

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Photo: Courtesy of the US Botanic Garden

WITHLOVEDC’S YOGA FROM THE GARDEN

On Saturdays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., through the end of October, join WithLoveDC as they continue the USBG’s weekly community yoga class. Typically offered on-site at the USBG Conservatory or outdoor gardens, the Botanic Garden is supporting an online yoga class to continue the program for community health and well-being. During this class, an instructor from WithLoveDC will guide you through a one-hour meditation and yoga practice. Space is still first-come, first-served; only the first 500 yogis to log in will be able to practice. Find the link at usbg.gov/programs.

MARCH ON WASHINGTON FILM FESTIVAL

Cartoon: Colin Connor

A TOAST TO FOOLISH FRIDAYS

The esteemed company members of Faction of Fools present a 12-week series chock full of dynamic, short, fun videos released every Friday. Foolish Fridays are meant to provide a little Commedia dell’Arte amuse bouche featuring company members, guest stars, and more. The style of Commedia is characterized by its use of masks, improvisation, physical comedy, and recognizable character types—young lovers, wily servants, greedy old men, know-it-all professors, boasting heroes, and the like. New videos are released on YouTube (youtube.com/user/factionoffools) and Facebook (facebook.com/factionoffools) every Friday through Oct. 23. factionoffools.org.

The March on Washington Film Festival is held every year in Washington, DC and serves as a national platform to tell, celebrate, and increase awareness of the untold events and heroes, known and unsung, of the Civil Rights Movement. The Festival uses film screenings as a platform for panel discussions featuring filmmakers, academics, and activists and brings together an audience that is diverse in age, class, and ethnicity. This year’s festival is online from September 20 to 27. There is an all-access pass for $20 (purchase by Aug. 31); a student/ educator pass, $12; and a paywhat-you can pass. marchonwashingtonfilmfestival.org.

SUNSET CINEMA AT THE WHARF

Reserve a cabana for Sunset Cinema at the Wharf on Thursdays, 8 to 10 p.m. (seating from 7:30 p.m.). Groups of two to six must reserve a private cabana at Cantina Bambina in advance. Sept. 3 movie is Crazy Rich Asians; Sept. 10, Dirty Dancing; Sept. 17, Hidden Figures; Sept. 24, Jumanji: The Next Level. Cabana reservations are $10 per person, which includes a serving of popcorn and a Pacifico Beer. Drinks, Grazie Grazie sandwiches, Union Pie and Lupo Marino pizza, and more are all available to purchase. The cabanas have a $20 minimum per person, which includes the $10 reservation fee. All guests must be 21+. wharfdc.com.

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Edgar Degas, Dance Examination, 1880, pastel on paper, Lent by the Denver Art Museum, 1941.6. Photo: akg-images

NGA’S DEGAS AT THE OPERA

An exuberant display of fecund imagination and keen observation, Edgar Degas’s renowned images of the Paris Opéra are among the most sophisticated and visually compelling works he ever created. Celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Opéra’s founding, Degas at the Opéra, on exhibition through Oct. 12, presents approximately 100 of the artist’s best-known and beloved works in a range of media, including paintings, pastels, drawings, prints, and sculpture. Timed passes are required for entry and will be released each Monday at 10 a.m. for the following week. To reserve free, timed passes and for all visitor guidelines, visit nga.gov/reopening.

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON Photo: Teresa Wood

SIXTH & I NEED A DRINK

READ A SHAKESPEARE PLAY AS A GROUP

Gather some friends to read aloud a Shakespeare play. The Folger has done all the work to ﬁgure out who should read which part. You just need to assemble your actors. Folger.edu/character-breakouts-shakespeare-play-reading-groups shows the scene-by-scene breakdown of which actors should play which characters. Most actors (if they are not the leads) will play multiple characters throughout the play, just as they often do in professional theater companies. Some Shakespeare character lists can look intimidatingly long at ﬁrst, but the plays are designed to let actors double up on roles. The full text of each play is available on the link above. folger.edu.

In this virtual happy hour series, notable ﬁgures from DC’s culinary scene share how their businesses have been impacted during a challenging time for the restaurant industry, what creative solutions they’ve found to thrive and what spirits have kept them in good spirits. Four episodes are produced a week and are available indeﬁnitely at facebook.com/sixthandi.

PAPER ROUTES– WOMEN TO WATCH 2020

Through Jan. 18, Paper Routes, the sixth installment of NMWA’s Women to Watch exhibition series, showcases the transformation of this ubiquitous material into complex works of art. Artists use paper not merely as a support for drawings, prints, or photographs, but as a medium itself. Ranging in size from minutely detailed, smallscale works to large, sculptural installations, this exhibition explores artists’ ability to transform paper into a surprising array of shapes and structures. National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW, is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $10; $8 for seniors/students; free for under 18. nmwa.org.

Paola Podestá Martí, VergarPalace Cornice, 2010; Foam core, aquarelle paper, and stainless steel, 82 x 118 in.; Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Calipsophotography

Photo: Historic Congressional Cemetery

SKELETON CREW 5K

The Skeleton Crew 5K on Saturday, Oct. 3, 6 to 8 p.m., is a bare bones race at Congressional Cemetery for dead serious runners who want to stay one step ahead of the ultimate Repo Man. The race starts with a toll of the funeral bell, continues throughout the cemetery and onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening full of spooky music and fun. Runners will be masked. There will be no kids’ fun run this year. Registration is $40. (All this is subject to change if DC regulations change.) Historic Congressional Cemetery is at 1801 E St. SE. congressionalcemetery.org.

NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

During the weekend of Sept. 25 to 27, virtual stages at loc.gov/bookfest will offer on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions, options to personalize your own journey through the festival with particular themes, and book buying possibilities through the festival’s ofﬁcial bookseller, Politics & Prose, with a limited number of commemorative book plates signed by authors. The 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival will also include a new entry point for the ﬁrst time - a national television special on PBS stations. PBS stations will broadcast “The Library of Congress National Book Festival: Celebrating American Ingenuity,” a two-hour program featuring some of the nation’s most renowned authors and literary voices, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 6 to 8 p.m. loc.gov/bookfest.

SMALL THEATRE FOR UNUSUAL TIMES

The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s fall programming is a gift to their audiences. They are offering freeof-charge, brief high-quality shows with small casts while wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and adhering to Alexandria safety regulations. Here’s the lineup: Love Letters, Sept. 11 to 27; Mixed Doubles, Oct. 2 to 18; Belle of Amherst, Nov. 6 to 22. The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s is at 600 Wolf St., Alexandria, VA. Thelittletheatre.com.

Image: Little Theatre of Alexandria

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John Grisham, master of the legal thriller, will discuss his latest books,“Camino Winds” and “The Guardians.”

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OUT AND ABOUT

Insatiable

by Celeste McCall

s this strange, pandemic summer fades into an uncertain fall, DC neighborhoods—especially Mount Vernon Triangle—are gradually reawakening. MVT is hot. Among its restaurant newcomers is Rasa Grill, 485 K St. NW. We’re familiar with the Rasa near Nationals Park, popular for carryout for baseball fans headed to games. The fast-casual Indian eatery is known for its menu of cleverly named “bowls”—including “Open Sesame” (lamb kebabs napped with peanut-sesame sauce) and “Goa your own Way” (a tongue-tingling mélange of spicy beef with ginger/coconut sauce). Or you can design your own bowl. We opted for the latter at the new Rasa Grill, which opened August 1. Here’s the deal: Go inside and point to the ingredients you Rasa Grill is known for its generous bowls of zesty Indian ingredients. Order from the menu or design your own bowl. Photo by Celeste McCall want, starting with your base (rice, noodles, greens), then adding proteins and various spicy Indian food. Mango lassi is a meal in itself. toppings. Rasa sports a colorful interior décor, but Hint: It’s delicious frozen. Lunch for two came to for now, folks are dining on its spacious front patio. $41.25. Rasa Grill is open daily for patio dining, I chose rice noodles tossed with plump turtakeout and delivery. For hours and more informameric/ginger shrimp, spicy charred eggplant, a scattion, call 202-629-4329 or visit www.rasagrill.com. tering of minced cilantro and crispy lentils. Peter Another Mount Vernon newcomer, Rumi’s went for the spicy beef on basmati rice with cocoKitchen, 540 L St. NW, brings exotic Persian nut sauce along with green beans, beets and pickcooking to the area. Named for the famous 13thled onions. A bowl easily feeds two, so we took our century poet, Rumi’s Kitchen offers spinach date leftovers home. Babe (canned) sparkling rose was salad, falafel, assorted kebabs, smoked eggplant slightly fizzy and a refreshing complement to the and much more. Call 202-900-9106 or visit www. rumiskitchen.com. Coming soon—if not already—to Mount Vernon Triangle is Melange, 449 K St. NW. The future endeavor is created by Chef Elias Taddassee, who combines his Ethiopian heritage with his French culinary training. Menu examples include “The National,” inspired by doro wat, a chicken stew spiked with berbere and escorted by two hard boiled eggs. The menu also includes burgers and vegan/vegetarian options. For now, Melange is limited to pick-up and delivery, but will eventually expand to full service dining. For updates visit www. nelangedc.com. And, Toscana Market, by Danile Although Rasa Grill sports a colorful interior, for now, customers must dine al fresco. Catalino, an “authentic market and resPhoto by Celeste McCall

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taurant” offering cooking classes, gourmet vittles and more, is due to arrive at 440 K St. NW.

New on U

Mezze Coin is the new Lebanese kitchen atop the Brixton bar, overseen by chef Casey Bauer and Erik Bruner-Yang. Bauer, only 25, learned Lebanese cooking from her mother and grandmother. She impressed customers with her pita (similar to a pizza crust), hummus, fettoush (traditional Lebanese salad) and kebabs. “Lebanese bar food.” Located at 901 U St. NW, Mezze Coin/The Brixton provides carryout, roof deck and indoor seating daily. Call 202-560-5045.

Slipstream At Home

Don’t feel like cooking? Each weekend, Slipstream, 1333 14th St. NW in Logan Circle, hosts “Neighborhood Nights at Home,” sort of a cross between carryout and a meal kit. Here’s what you do: Call 202-450-2216 or visit www. slipstreamdc.com and order an almost-ready, threecourse meal plus a cocktail. All this is just $25 per person. Created by chef Dan Perron, the Neighborhood Nights menu changes weekly. A typical repast: hummus with house-made pita, merguez meatballs, sweet corn custard and a strawberry cocktail. When customers pick up their meals, they find directions on the back of the menu; all they have to do is reheat or add a few finishing touches and add ice to the cocktail. Most Neighborhood Nights ingredients are available at Slipstream’s Pantry (grocery). Diners may also order from the regular menu; favorites are avocado toast and myriad coffee drinks. For exact hours and more information, call the above number. Call early, sometimes the kitchen runs out of Neighborhood Night items.

How the Other Half Lives

In Ivy City this fall, Brooklyn-based Other Half Brewing Co. plans to unveil its taproom and production facility in the beautifully renovated Hecht Warehouse. Located at 1401 Okie Street NE, the

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Rasa Grill is known for its generous bowls of zesty Indian ingredients. Order from the menu or design your own bowl.

22,000 square-foot project will include a 5,000-square-foot indoor tasting and taproom. A 7,500 square foot outdoor space will accommodate imbibers with a covered pavilion and roof deck. For updates visit www. otherhalfbrewing.com.

Chilling Out

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Here’s something for these last days of summer: In Shaw, Electric CoolAid’s outdoor bar’s 5-foot-tall frozen drink machines churns out cocktails in pink and orange hues. In a former parking lot, you’ll now find 19 properly spaced picnic tables, murals splashed with hot pink, plus cocktails, beers, wines and seltzers. Electric Cool-Aid is the creation of a trio of longtime bartenders and managers. The colorful murals were sponsored by a Pabst Blue Ribbon program funding street art in exchange for advertising space. Besides Good Humor ice cream bars, on certain days, you can order Timber Pizza, hot dogs, donuts and fried chicken. Located at 512 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Electric Cool-Aid is open daily. Call 202-921-9021. Market Watch: While shopping at Ivy City Smokehouse recently, we noticed something new: Alabama White Sauce, a Southern-inspired barbecue sauce. Delicious on chicken, the sauce is a concoction of mayo, gar-

lic, vanilla extract, Dijon mustard, salt and black pepper. An 8-ounce container goes for $4. Located at 1356 Okie St. NE, Ivy City Smokehouse is closed Monday. Call 202-529-3300 or visit www.ivycitysmokehouse.com.

Street Sense

With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, local neighborhoods are getting creative. Some have been establishing “Streateries,” stretching restaurant dining areas into adjacent streets. Latest to climb aboard the expansion idea is the Logan Circle neighborhood. (Shaw has already done this with Blagden Alley.) For example, the Commissary, 1443 P St. NW has set up a half dozen tables on the street. (They call it “PStreetery.) Now, including its patio, Commissary provides more outdoor seating than inside.

Gone

In our Shaw neighborhood, Mason Dixie Biscuit Co., the pop-up and food stall that sold breakfast sandwiches and fried chicken across the city for six years, has permanently closed its restaurant at 1817 Seventh St. NW. The company, which now sells its line of frozen biscuits in grocery stores, cited the “surreal and defeating” impact of the COVID-19 crisis. u

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OUT AND ABOUT

At the Movies

A Military Rescue, A Moody Character Study and Existential Threat by Mike Canning

Desert One

Forty years after it happened, the story of one of the most daring military rescue attempts in US history comes to the screen. The documentary feature “Desert One” recounts the April 24-25, 1980, attempt to rescue 52 US citizens who were taken hostage by Iranian revolutionaries in Tehran in November 1979. The film comes from two-time Academy Award® winner Barbara Kopple (“Harlan County USA” and “American Dream”) who produced and directed the film (the documentary is rated “PG-13,” runs 89 mins., and is available streaming through AFI).

Perhaps the most striking element of Kopple’s film is the never-before-heard live satellite phone recordings of President Carter talking to his generals right as the mission unfolds. These undramatic, “just the facts” exchanges, these breath-taking sequences will have viewers who lived through the raid both chilled and sucking in their breath. The same viewer may be both surprised and touched at the soft and diffident qualities of Carter’s voice, a man quelling an inside storm. The director saw “Desert One” as a patriotic raid, “... a roller coaster ride of a story well worth telling.” Barbara Kopple added: “It is a film about U.S. leadership and gumption, our leaders taking responsibility--even when things go wrong.” She also emphasized the Iranian view: “Hearing their side of the story can make us reflect. This is a story that few remember or even know and it might inspire us now.”

Tesla

A moody character study might be the best way to describe the new bio-pic “Tesla,” covering the life of the SerboA grounded attack helicopter is examined by Iranian youngsters in the failed aftermath of the 1980 “Desert One” mission; photo courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment. Croatian engineering genius and inventor, Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) who, Kopple has incorporated a wealth of recently through his adaption of alternating current (AC) unearthed archival sources, as well as intimate interto widespread use, helped electrify our world. Here views with President Jimmy Carter, Vice President he is incarnated by a grave and humorless Ethan Walter Mondale, newscaster Ted Koppel, former Hawkes, shown with a serious ‘stache and perpetuhostages, journalists, and even Iranian student revoally wrinkled brow, peering into a world only he lutionaries who orchestrated the take-over of the US seems to fathom (the film is rated “PG-13,” runs 96 Embassy in Tehran (who were filmed in Iran). minutes, and was released on streaming platforms The film backgrounds the complex planning in late August). and intelligence-gathering necessary for the secret The plot provides a straightforward inventory operation, which presumed landing eight helicopof Tesla’s greatest hits in chronological order—conters into the southern Iranian desert (together with testing his AC against the DC of Thomas Edison support aircraft) which were to fly to Tehran and (Kyle McLachlan), making deals with George rescue those held hostage. A disastrous landing— Westinghouse ( Jim Gaffigan), designing power three copters becoming disabled—led to an aborted plants, lighting the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, in“Desert One” and an ignominious defeat. Kopple venting the Tesla Coil, collaborating with financier uses imaginative new animation to actualize an opJ.P Morgan (Donnie Keshawarz)—all somberly eration that was never filmed, while extolling the and lovingly shot if not always fully explained. bold risk-taking and resolve of the enterprise. At intervals, we have a running narration by

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Anne Morgan (Eve Hewson), J.P.’s daughter, who describes Tesla’s experiments and experiences and whose presence comes off as an intermittent tease of an emotive relationship with the scientist which never comes off-–he was a stone bachelor. Her narration provides another distancing factor to a film that is already detached. FYI: the Anne character, while real, had no personal connection to Tesla. Neither did actress Sarah Bernhardt (Rebecca Dayan), a Tesla contemporary, who flits through the film as a period marker. Director-writer Michael Almeryda has had a most varied career in both feature and documentary film, including an intriguing contemporary version of “Hamlet (2000),” also with Hawkes. Filming in New York and Brooklyn over 20 days, he has made “Tesla” look sumptuous on a low budget—shooting deep black backgrounds and detailed painted backdrops to construct an effective aesthetic. But, sadly, he just hasn’t found the necessary—uh-“spark”—to make this bio-pic come fully alive.

UNFIT: DC in the Movies

In the last year, as the 2020 presidential election approaches, there has been a mini-deluge of films and television programs about the “existential threat” to our democracy by the Trump Administration, a period so outside our political norms that, for many, our republic has seemed in peril. Some of these efforts were sardonic, some sarcastic, some earnest. Perhaps feeling their tone was becoming somewhat repetitive, a few Trump critics developed a new cinematic attack, this time focused pointedly on the

Ethan Hawke as Nikola Tesla in Michael Almereyda’s “Tesla.” Courtesy of IFC Films; an IFC Films Release.

president’s mental health. “UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump” tries to make the case that he suffers from a psychiatric malady called “malignant narcissism” which makes him unsuited for national office. (The film is not rated, runs 83 minutes).The director of “UNFIT,” Dan Partland, in an introductory note on the film, acknowledges up front that it will be seen as “partisan and preaching to the converted,” but he insists that its goal is to “provide language and a framework for lay people to benefit from the decades of science and research that has studied these behaviors.” One leading voice in the film is Dr. John Gartner, a psychologist and founding member of the “Duty to Warn “ coalition aimed at removing Trump from office because of his mental deficiencies. He is joined by several other psychiatrists, as well as commentators often seen on cable TV, figures like Malcom Nance, Anthony Scaramucci, Bill Kristol, and George Conway, co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, all of whom narrate behind a parade of clips illustrating Trump’s most daffy statements and egregious lies. A ready criticism of the film can be made that none of the experts interviewed have ever had a personal interview with the President, so their interpretations amount to hearsay or mere opinion. The filmmakers, too, acknowledge that lack of personal interaction but argue that there is enough in Trump’s observed behavior to make their psychiatric case. I’m not sure DC viewers will have much to learn from “UNFIT,” but they can be sure to have their political wounds somewhat assuaged but their rage left intact. Hill resident Mike Canning has written on movies for the Hill Rag since 1993 and is a member of the Washington Area Film Critics Association. He is the author of “Hollywood on the Potomac: How the Movies View Washington, DC.” His reviews and writings on film can be found online at www. mikesflix.com. ◆

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NEIGHBORHOOD

Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann

Shaw Still Getting New Businesses

Shaw supports Black Lives Matter. Photo: Pleasant Mann

While the District remains in a Phase II lockdown to address the Coronavirus crisis, Shaw is seeing a steady increase in new businesses and newly reopened ones. Rumi’s Kitchen (640 L Street NW) has finally opened after having its original date delayed. The Persian restaurant, led by chef and owner Ali Mesghali, is a sister to two well-regarded restaurants in Atlanta. Rumi’s Kitchen currently offers takeout and outdoor and indoor dining under the District’s restrictions. Oyster Oyster (1440 Eighth Street NW) at City Market at O has also opened to provide its new menu of vegetarian items. Led by award-winning Chef Robert Rubba, formerly at Hazel in northern Shaw, the restaurant is currently limiting their offerings to fourcourse meals, in biodegradable packaging, available for pickup. 600 T, the basement speakeasy eponymously named for its address, has reopened as an open patio at the rear of the building. The 24-seat establishment is surrounded by wood panels that recreate the feel of ta speakeasy with the addition of a brightly colored mural. District regulations require the cocktails at 600 T be accompanied by food, which is currently

Shaw Equity Project fundraises for Black Lives Matter. Photo: Pleasant Mann

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a menu of popcorn (with berbere spice), beef jerky and savory nuts. All Souls Bar (725 T Street NW ), a favored neighborhood watering hole, has just announced that it was opening its outdoor patio for socially distanced parties. Its offerings had previously been limited to bottled cocktails since the District’s lockdown. Some Shaw restaurants are coming up with popup themes to generate traffic under the current lockdown. The Columbia Room (124 Blagden Alley NW ) has started Your Only Friend, an extension of the Hero sandwiches they started making in the spring. The popup is serving sub sandwiches, bar snacks and bottled cocktails from their famed roster of mixologists. Your Only Friend is serving on the Columbia Room’s garden deck and the Blagden Alley Streetery, as well as taking takeout and delivery orders. All Purpose Shaw (1250 Ninth Street NW ) transforms from a pizzeria to a Jewish deli with its Delikatessen popup, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It offers a full list of traditional delicatessen classics. The Brixton (901 U Street NW ) is also hosting a popup on its roof called Coin Mezze. The menu of inventive Lebanese dishes

by Chef Casey Bauer is available from Thursday through Sunday every week.

The Shop at Shaw Starts Equity Project

The Shop at Shaw (1924 Ninth Street NW ), the popular hair salon located in the Shay, inaugurated a new initiative, the Shaw Equity Project, on August 1. The project is asking neighboring businesses in Shaw to come together as racial equity allies to continue the momentum around the Black Lives Matter movement. Their first effort that Saturday afternoon was to hold a socially distanced block party “to support our historically black neighborhood with visibility and creative energy.” Snazzy Black Lives Matter T-shirts were sold at the event to fund the Whitlow Foundation, which provides micro-scholarships to students enrolled in an arts or culinary school who would not otherwise be able to afford school supplies.

Frank Love Dies, Owned Shaw’s Oldest Barber Shop

Frank Love, proprietor of Gregg’s Barber Shop at 1909 Seventh Street NW, died on August 21. His death marks a milestone in the longest continuously operating barber shop in Shaw and perhaps in the District of Columbia. City directories show that there has been a barbershop in the space since 1910. But the story of Gregg’s Barbershop starts elsewhere in Shaw. William R. Greggs appears as a barber in the District in 1913. After working at two different locations in Shaw, in 1936, Greggs moved to 1909 Seventh Street, where Gregg’s Barber Shop has been ever since. (There is no record of when the barber shop acquired the apostrophe in its name.) Greggs died in 1957, and the building was sold in 1974 after the death of his widow, but the barber shop has continued to operate. After Greggs, the shop was owned by two partners, Jackson and Hill. Frank Love took over the business in 1999. Mr. Love had been cutting hair at Gregg’s Bar-

Frank Love (foreground) at Gregg’s Barber Shop. Photo: Pleasant Mann

ber Shop since 1961. He would tell of times when entertainers appearing at the Howard Theater would come in for a trim. Notables included James Brown’s band (Brown himself stopped by but didn’t get his hair cut) and Pearl Bailey. The five-chair shop, which operated with an antique cash register, remained a vibrant part of the Shaw community. Gregg’s first gained celebrity status after being featured in a 2006 documentary series on DC neighborhoods presented by public television station WETA. Frank Love was interviewed for a segment entitled “The Barbershop,” recounting the changes he had seen in Shaw over the decades observing from his spot on Seventh Street. Mr. Love had also won a number of business citations recognizing his continuous service to the community.

RAMMY Awards, September 20 in Shaw

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW ) along with its partners at Events DC will hold its 38th Annual RAMMY Awards on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in a live broadcast from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Shaw. In a rough year for the hospitality industry, the eagerly anticipated awards program will have an

updated format in line with current safety guidance. “Our industry, and all of us, need things to look forward to and give us some semblance of joy and hope in our lives,” said Kathy E. Hollinger, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. The streamed awards show still hopes to include an intimate, red carpet reception for finalists and sponsors. The media will be able to ask questions of RAMMY winners online. There will also be a prize pack of gift cards awarded in a raffle, entered by dining at three RAMMY nominated restaurants the week before the celebration. Shaw restaurants and team members are well represented in this year’s nominations for the RAMMY Awards. Unconventional Diner is a nominee for the title of Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year, while its chef David Deshaises is up for the Chef of the Year award. Service Bar is nominated for Cocktail Program of the Year, All Purpose Shaw for Casual Brunch of the Year and plant-based Shouk is vying for Favorite Fast Bites of the Year. Shaw has two nominations for the RAMMY Employee of the Year award, Yesenia Neri Diaz of Espita Mezcaleria and Kyare Turner of Right Proper Brewing Company. u

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NEIGHBORHOOD

The Numbers A Failure to Address Childcare Crisis DC Council Underfunds in Wake of COVID-19

hildcare is a critical part of our economy. A parent who can drop their child off in a quality childcare setting has peace of mind that their child is safe and well cared for. Having childcare as an option gives parents an opportunity to earn a living, contribute to their family, and provide for the child. Children who attend childcare programs develop emotional, academic, and social skills that improve their academic readiness. While parents and providers alike understood the importance of quality childcare environments before the pandemic, stories of the losses our children face without it have reinforced just how integral it is to our city and our society. Over the past five months COVID-19 has devastated the District’s already fragile childcare system. The pandemic-induced shutdown forced centers to close across the city, and because childcare centers typically operate on the margins without significant savings, some providers may not be able to reopen. In fact, the District is at risk of permanently losing 6,500 childcare seats, or 20% of the total slots available pre-pandemic, according to the Center for American Progress. Additionally, childcare centers will face steep

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by Alyssa Noth public health costs in reopening. Keeping children and families safe will require smaller class sizes, more staff, higher cleaning costs, and facilities adjustments—leading to an increase in expenses during a time of fluctuating attendance and decreased revenue for centers and providers. Others may struggle to recruit students given mass layoffs of parents forced out of work by the pandemic. Black and Latinx families—who are already bearing the brunt of COVID-19—are at particular risk of losing access to childcare. Even before the pandemic, families of color were less likely to have access to affordable, high-quality care, which is out of reach for many low and moderate-income families. In DC, center-based childcare for infants and toddlers is more expensive than in-state tuition and fees at a public university. Unfortunately, this fiscal year DC lawmakers passed a budget that failed to properly aid the city’s childcare industry. The Council approved $5 million in emergency grant funding in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 supplemental budget that will be made available through the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Additionally, through partial repeal of a tax credit for high-tech companies, DC Council approved $1.4 million in emergency grant funding through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) for FY 2021. The total $6.5 million investment falls short of the minimum $10 million the Under 3 DC coalition estimates is needed to stabilize the industry (Figure 1). Affordable, quality early learning environments are fundamental to the well-being of young children. Access to strong early learning programs can reduce the difference in school readiness between low-income toddlers and their higher-income peers. Children who receive quality care also grow up to earn

fig. 1

fig. 2

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more money as adults. The Child Care Subsidy/Voucher program, administered by OSSE, provides families with vouchers that they can use at licensed providers. However, childcare subsidy payments are not enough to cover the full cost of care and as a result, early childhood educators—predominantly women of color—are vastly underpaid compared to their peers in K-12 education (Figure 2). District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), which serves students ages three and above, recently announced that school will be virtual-only for all grades for at least the first term of the 2020-21 school year. Parents of three, four, and five-year olds may need in-person childcare due to the unfeasibility of digital learning for the youngest students. This means there will be even greater demand for childcare at a time when availability is dwindling without a cohesive plan to support working parents, especially those in essential jobs that are often done by people of color and are least likely to be done from home. As economist Betsy Stevenson wrote, “Childcare is not a personal issue, it’s not a women’s issue; it’s an economic issue.” Childcare is an economic issue because we know that investments in high quality care in a child’s early years can result in increased parental earnings and higher future earnings for children. At a time of unprecedented economic crisis, the DC Council failed to add any funding to the childcare subsidy for the first time in several years. Without significant public investments in childcare, there is no way the District will be able to equitably recover from the crisis. Alyssa Noth is a Policy Analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (www.dcfpi.org). DCFPI promotes budget and policy solutions to reduce poverty and inequality in the District of Columbia and increase opportunities for residents to build a better future. DCFPI is a member of the Under 3 DC Coalition. u

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NEIGHBORHOOD

BULLETIN BOARD lishments. Days and hours of service vary. Check each business’ website for details. Enter Blagden Alley from the west side of the 1200 block of Ninth Street or the south side of the 900 block of N Street, NW. shawmainstreets.org.

MLK Library Reopens

After extensive renovations, the Martin Luther King Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, reopens on Sept. 24. The library now features a spectacular new, vibrant and transparent entryway; sculptured monumental staircase; a large auditorium and conference center; creative spaces for fabrication, music production and art creation; ground level café with patio; double-height reading room; newly designed special collections space; and a roof top terrace. dclibrary.org/mlk.

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Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service

Enjoy the 2020 Fort Dupont Park Summer Concert Series Online

Join the National Park Service on Saturdays through Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m. for the the 2020 Fort Dupont Summer Concert Series. Here’s the lineup: Aug. 22, We Are One X-perience Band and The New Soul Searchers with sounds by DJ Lance Reynolds; Aug. 29, Big Daddy Kane and DJ Kool with sounds by DJ Scientific Beats; Sept. 5, Maysa and Cecily with sounds by DJ Classix; Sept. 12, Kindred and the Family Soul and Aztec Sun with sounds by DJ 2-Tone Jones; Sept. 19, Backyard Band and Black Alley Band with sounds by DJ Lance Reynolds. The free, live-recorded R&B, hip-hop, jazz and go-go concerts will be available online through Sept. 30 at fortdupontparkconcerts.live.

Shaw Neighborhood Library Reopens

Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW, is now open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed daily for cleaning from 2 to 3 p.m.). Customers are able to return materials, check out items, use a limited number of public computers and remote print at the open locations. Masks are required. dclibrary. org/watha.

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Dine Al Fresco in Blagden Alley

Thanks to a special initiative to help restaurants without outdoor space serve customers during the post-COVID-19 recovery period, Blagden Alley’s Columbia Room (columbiaroom.com), The Dabney (thedabney.com), Lost & Found (lostandfound.com) and Tiger fork (tigerforkdc.com) are now able to offer outdoor seating in the alley. A total of 124 seats are available for these four estab-

A subscription to INvision, for as little as $9.99 a month, gives you full access to IN Series’ 20202021 season--more than 20 pieces of groundbreaking work of all kinds--as well as an abundance of exclusive content: A series of monthly recitals by the season’s featured artists; Early and extended access to all content on INvision; Ability to schedule private watch parties in their IN-Circle Lounge and much more. Most of all, your subscription ensures that their central programming can remain free and easily accessible to their neighbors and to the world. Read more at inseries.org.

Wards One and Two “Slow Street” Lineup

The new Slow Streets initiative gives residents more space to social distance while moving around outside. Slow Streets are restricted to local traffic only and the speed limit is set at 15 miles per hour to support neighborhood-based safe social distancing while walking, running, or cycling. Drivers should only use a designated Slow Street if their destination is within two blocks of that street. Residents, emergency vehicles, deliveries and trash collection vehicles still have access. The Ward One Slow Streets are: Sixth Street NW between Lamont Street and Keefer Place NW; Gi-

Do you need mortgage assistance due to the effects of COVID-19? DC MAP (Mortgage Assistance Program) COVID-19 is here to help District homeowners stay in their homes during this pandemic. As businesses in the Washington, D.C. region have had to close or reduce staff, the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) recognizes the need to provide assistance to those impacted by the pandemic. DC MAP COVID-19 provides zero- interest monthly assistance loans up to $5,000 for up to six months for qualified homeowners.

Borrower Qualifications: • Must be borrower’s primary residence and must be located in the District of Columbia • Must have been current as of the March 1st payment (prior to being affected by COVID-19) • Must be able to document income affected due to COVID-19 • Borrower must be the borrower on the home loan, not just a member of the household • Must show proof that the borrower is not eligible for forbearance or other types of relief offered through the servicer and/or Hardest Hit Funds • If borrower is still affected after the CARES Act ends, then relief may be offered at that time (See additional terms)

For a full list of borrower qualifications and loan terms, visit

www.dchfa.org/homeownership

DC MAP COVID-19 financial assistance will be granted on a first come, first served basis until the program allocation has been exhausted. Homeowners seeking assistance through DC MAP COVID-19 should call 1-833-429-0537 to begin the process of applying. Questions regarding DC MAP COVID-19 may also be emailed to DCMAP@dchfa.org.

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SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP TODAY For existing and aspiring District businesses - the Small Business Resource Center is here for you!

WEBINAR: LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CBE)

WEBINAR: FIND THE RIGHT FRANCHISE FOR YOU: A BUSINESS MODEL FOR SUCCESS

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/50491

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WEBINAR: MARSHALL HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIP: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE

WEBINAR: ALL THINGS NON-PROFIT

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 2:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/50716

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WEBINAR: DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, SECURITIES AND BANKING “COFFEE & CAPITAL” AT DCRA

WEBINAR: INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/48242

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 2:00 pm Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/49203

WEBINAR: FRANCHISE YOUR BUSINESS: A PROVEN STRATEGY FOR GROWTH & SUCCESS

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE

Friday, September 25, 2020 10:00 am Register: dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/50968

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YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR

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rard Street between 14th Street and Georgia Avenue NW; Keefer Place between Georgia Avenue and Sixth Street NW; Lamont Street between 13th Street and Park Place NW; 19th Street between Dupont Circle and Biltmore Street NW; plus most of Biltmore and Cliffbourne. The Ward Two Slow Street is S Street between Massachusetts Avenue and New Jersey Avenue NW (also crosses Wards One and Six). ddot. dc.gov.

Rental Assistance for those Impacted by COVID-19

The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) provides up to three months (maximum of $4,250) of rental assistance for eligible DC tenants who have been affected by the public health emergency. For fastest results, schedule an appointment online at octo.quickbase.com/db/ bfpwsjvi2?a=nwr. CHAP appointments also may be requested by calling HCS at 202-667-7339 or sending an email to chap@housingetc.org.

DC-Licensed Insurers to Cover COVID-19 Testing for High-Risk Residents

Mayor Bowser has mandated that all DC-licensed health insurers cover COVID-19 testing with no cost sharing for certain highrisk residents. This requirement, to be administered through the DC Department of Insurance Securities and Banking (DISB), runs through the duration of the public health emergency.

Free eWaste Recycling Events in DC

DC residents, small businesses and non-profits can recycle electronics without cost at e-waste recycling

NEIGHBORHOOD

scale servers, portable digital music players that are battery powered, computer monitors, mice, keyboards, computer speakers, desktop printers, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, DVRs, signal converter boxes, cable and satellite receivers, and gaming consoles used with TVs. A complete list of events and acceptable items can be found at rlgamericas.com/DCecycling.

Trans Support Group: Via Zoom

The Trans Support Group is intended to provide emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join in community and learn from one another. They welcome all who identify under the trans umbrella or are unsure, and seek to continually reinforce their principles of respect, acceptance and protection. Due to COVID-19, the DC Center Trans Support Group meets remotely, via Zoom, twice monthly on the second Tuesday and fourth Friday, from 7 to 9 p.m. For security reasons, they ask that community members send a quick email to supportdesk@thedccenter. org for more information. On Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 to 5 p.m., stop by the District Pier & Transit Pier to celebrate Wiener 500 Oktoberfest at The Wharf. Read more at wharfdc.com. Photo: Courtesy of DC Fray

Signup for Fall DC Fray Leagues

The DC Fray fall schedule is open. Signup for basketball, bocce, cornhole, flag football, kickball, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, ultimate frisbee and yoga at dcfray.com. events throughout 2020. Upcoming events are Sept. 5, Columbia Heights Community Center at 1480 Girard St. NW; Sept. 12, Fort Greble Rec Center at MLK Ave. and Elmira St. SE; Sept. 19, Rose Park Rec Center at 2600 Dumbarton St. NW; Sept. 26, Kalorama

Rec Center at 1875 Columbia Rd. NW; Oct. 10, Takoma Community Center at 300 Van Buren St. NW. All e-waste recycling events are held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Covered electronic equipment includes: desktop and laptop computers, tablets, E-readers, small-

Keeping your Home during the COVID-19 Health Emergency

The non-profit Housing Counseling Services is conducting free webinars every Wednesday at 2 p.m. in September to provide information about available options for people who are having difficulty paying their mortgage, condo fees or property taxes. Registration is required. Register at www.housingetc.org. If you have questions, call the Foreclosure Prevention hotline at 202265-2255.

Take a Potential Usage Survey for the Sylvan Theater

The Trust for the National Mall is seeking input from organizations who hold events in the DC area to better understand the needs, interests, and potential use of a renovated Sylvan Theater on the National Mall grounds. Pre-design efforts reimagine the Sylvan as an amphitheater adjacent to the Washington Monument with tiered lawn seating capacities ranging from 300 to 1,000 in one configuration and upwards or 3,000 to 10,000 when considered in-the-round. The responses received from the survey below will help further refine plans for the Sylvan Theater. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of this historic venue. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and is available at app.keysurvey. com/f/41511205/78be/.

Encore for Older Adults Virtual Choral and Enrichment Programs

Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral organization for adults over 55, begins a fall semester of its virtual Encore University on Sept. 8. The program, conducted over Zoom, will include 15 weeks of enriching classes, choral and rock & roll singing, and the opportunity to participate in a virtual holiday concert. It is open to men and women over 55. No prior music experience is needed. Courses, held Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., include Music Theory and Vocal Technique, ear training with solfege, musicianship, shaped note and more. Music history classes will feature Great Divas, Musical Theater, Romanticism to Modernism, Legendary Songwriting Teams of Broadway, the British Invasion and more. encoreuniversity.org.

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employees from retaliation for refusing to work or serve customers during high risk situations for COVID-19 transmission. DC employers must implement social distancing and worker protection measures in line with current Mayor’s Orders on mask wearing. Mayor’s Orders can be found at dcregs.dc.gov. Additional information for nonprofits and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic is at the DC Bar Pro Bono Center’s Coronavirus Legal Resources section at probono. center/NPSB.

Congressional Cemetery Community Yard Sale

The Congressional Cemetery Community Yard Sale is on Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., along Potomac Avenue and E Streets, SE, in front of the cemetery. A 10’ x 10’ space can be reserved for $25. Set-up is between 6 and 7:30 a.m. Bring your own tables, chairs, tarps, etc. The sale will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Read more at congressionalcemetery.org.

Heat Emergency Information

Mayor Bowser Issues Order on Masks, Extends Public Health Emergency

When the forecast of the temperature or heat index in DC is 92 degrees or higher, District Government, through the Department of Human Services, Homeland Security and the Emergency Management Agency, activates a heat emergency and opens cooling centers for residents to seek relief from the heat. If you or someone you know needs transportation to a cooling center, call the shelter hotline at 202-399-7093.

New DC Rules for Employee Safety During COVID-19

On July 28, the DC Council passed the Protecting Businesses and Workers from COVID-19 Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 which sets forth mandatory workplace safety requirements. It also protects

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Arches Completed Over New Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

The arches on the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge have been completed. Construction will now begin on the new bridge deck, where cars, bikes, and pedestrians will cross the Anacostia River when the new FDMB is completed in late 2021. The new bridge is being constructed approximately 100 feet from the current bridge. The new design includes three above-deck arches that capture the District’s arch history, two piers that will appear to float in the river, and four pedestrian overlooks. The new bridge is part of the South Capitol Street Corridor Project, which includes two phases: (1) replacement of the 70-year-old bridge; and (2) reconstruction of the Suitland Parkway/I-295 interchange. South Capitol Bridge Builders--a joint venture of Archer Western Construction, LLC and Granite Construction Company--is the contractor for Phase I of the project. AECOM is the lead designer and HNTB is assisting DDOT with program and construction management.

Mayor Bowser has issued Mayor’s Order 2020-080 to clarify and extend requirements related to wearing masks indoors and outdoorsa nd to extend the public health emergencythrough October 9. Under the Mayor’s Order on masks, people must wear a mask when they leave their homes if they are likely to have contact with another person for more than a fleeting moment. Common exceptions include: children under the age of three; a person who is in an enclosed office that no one else is allowed to enter; a person who is actively eating or drinking; and a person who is engaged in vigorous outdoor exercise and is maintaining social distance of at least six feet from other people. The full Mayor’s Order on

masks can be found at coronavirus. dc.gov/maskorder.

DC’s COVID-19 Hotline

District residents who are homebound due to COVID-19 can request support from the District for food and other essential items. Call 1-888-349-8323 or visit coronavirus.dc.gov/gethelp.

DC FACES Working Group Formed

Mayor Bowser has announced the creation of the District of Columbia Facilities and Commemorative Expressions Working Group (DC FACES) to evaluate named public spaces in Washington, DC and provide recommended actions, including removing, renaming, and/or contextualizing the building, public space, or monument. The internal government working group will review the legacy of namesakes of District assets to determine if the individual, in an individual capacity or as part of a group, participated in the oppression of African Americans and/ or other communities of color, or contributed to the nation’s history of systemic racism and other biases. mayor.dc.gov/dcfaces.

Circulator Hours Extended

The following Circulator routes now operate weekdays 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.: Union Station to Georgetown; Rosslyn to Dupont Circle; and Woodley Park to Adams Morgan to McPherson Square. Routes still ending at 9 p.m. include the Congress Heights to Union Station route and Eastern Market to L’Enfant Plaza. Service on the National Mall route remains suspended during the public health emergency. dccirculator.com. u

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IT'S WHAT WE DO. SHAW • LOGAN CIRCLE • N o MA COLUMBIA HEIGHTS • MT.VERNON SQ LEDROIT PARK • DUPONT CIRCLE ADAMS MORGAN • BLOOMINGDALE BRENTWOOD • TRUXTON CIRCLE

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KIDS AND FAMILY

The Deepening Digital Divide

Lack of Devices, Connectivity and Support Hamper Remote Learning

s a working parent and candidate for Ward 8 State Board of Education, LaJoy Law (lajoylaw2020.com) is dependent on the Internet. To stay connected in her home, Law has for the last couple of years relied on a hotspot. However, when the pandemic moved both her daughter’s charter school and her job online, the need for a faster, more stable connection became urgent. Law eventually secured affordable, highspeed access from Comcast’s Internet Essentials program (Internetessentials.com). She hopes her story encourages others to reach out for help. “There’re some families where children were going to school on their phones,” Law said. “I know how hard it was to not have internet, because I was trying to figure it out.” With public schools and charter schools opting for online instruction this fall due to COVID-19, the District’s digital divide is deepening across racial, economic and geographic fault lines. According to a new study conducted by the Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed), the National Indian Education Association, the National Urban League and UnidosUS, DC has the second largest gap nationally for high-speed internet access between white students and Black and Latino students. While 27 percent of Black students and 25 percent of Latino students lack home Internet, only five percent of their white peers are similarly disadvantaged. In the District, the need for equitable device distribution, internet access and tech support has never been greater. Despite the difficulties, some schools and advocates have managed to begin to bridge the divide.

The Digital Divide

The District’s digital divide is greatest in Wards 5, 7 and 8, where resident median household income is lowest. These wards are also home to most of the District’s Black residents, many of whom lack broadband internet access, internet-enabled devices and digital literacy resources. According to the Washing-

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by Eva Herscowitz nical issues. For parents of young children, virtual learning often means helping their children navigate not just content, but digital platforms. This became routine for parent Grace Hu, who leads the Digital Equity in DC Education (w6pspo. org) coalition, and her elementary school daughter. “I had to be involved to help her access documents and then upload her schoolwork,” Hu said. “That’s just really hard as a working parent.” Some parents may not have the technical skills to help, or may not be English speakers which can making helping their child very difficult if not impossible.

Schools Doing it Right

Despite the myriad of problems, some schools and community members have successfully bridged the digital divide. They serve as models for others facing technology challenges in the era of virtual learning. Eagle Academy Public Charter School (eagleacademypcs.org) serves children in grades pre-K to third at two campuses. Since 2012, the school has issued an iPad to each student for classroom use loaded with educational software and age appropriate content, Chief Marketing Officer Karen Alston said. Like most schools have since March 2020, Eagle Academy has navigated an uncharted educational landscape. But years spent bridging the digital divide placed the school “ahead of the curve,” Alston said. Eagle has “always been a high-tech school,” said Joe Smith, Eagle Academy’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Over 80 percent of its students were completely set up for online instruction within the first week of the switch to remote learning last spring. This relatively smooth transition was built on a strong technological foundation and extensive device distribution. iPads are effective for both teacher-guided learning and independent exploration, Smith said. Students often come upon news articles or math websites on their own. From home, teachers can assess and

A student at Eagle Academy Public Charter School works with a teacher. Photo: Karen Alston

ton Teachers’ Union (wtulocal6.net), up to a quarter of public school students didn’t have a device or WiFi by the end of the school year. DC Public Schools (DCPS) pledged to provide devices for students who do not have them for the 2020-2021 school year. The District’s current education budget is too small to supply every DCPS student with a device, according to Ward 7 State Board of Education Candidate Eboni-Rose Thompson (ebonirosedc. com). While a student may have access to a device, it may be shared with siblings, she points out. Even if there is access to a device, it may be unsuitable for attending virtual classes or completing homework. “The city is assuming every charter school is one that’s giving away laptops,” Thompson said. “That’s not true.” In addition, District student access to the internet varies widely. According to a report released by All4Ed (all4ed.org), 20,278 children lack highspeed home Internet in DC, and 77 percent of those students were Black. Even if a student has a device and broadband access, they and their parents may run into tech-

A student at Eagle Academy Public Charter School connects to class with an iPad, which the school distributes to all students. Photo: Karen Alston

support students through the same platforms utilized in a classroom environment: Fast ForWord, a reading intervention software; Zearn, a digital and hands-on math tool; and short lessons from Khan Academy, among other programs, Eagle Academy Director of Education Sabrina O’Gilvie said. At Eagle, speech therapists, physical therapists, reading specialists and even art teachers easily shifted their services online. Guaranteed Internet access for parents and students supported the school’s success. For years, Eagle Academy has assisted families in securing in-home hotspots. As the school year approaches, the institution has worked to establish socially distant, Internetenabled spaces for students to complete work. Additionally, five full-time tech support employees ensure the school’s robust tech network runs smoothly. Upon graduation, Eagle gifts every third grader an iPad. “When they go on to fourth grade, they are computer fluent,” Smith said. “They know the programs and where to go to help them grow.” “The children take to technology,” Smith said, “like ducks to water.” Eagle Academy has tackled the problems of the digital divide head on: device provisioning, broadband access, parental and student technical support and curricular integration. Doing so has allowed students to continue

learning amid the unprecedented educational challenges of the pandemic — a feat that has not been universally achieved in other District schools.

Supporting Students and Parents

At a July 27 town hall, DCPS Office of Data Systems & Strategy Chief Colin Taylor promised to offer parents and students tech support through a dedicated call center. The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) is responsible overall for the District’s technology initiatives. According to Chief Lindsey Parker, OCTO (octo.dc.gov) wants to unite organizations “across the public, private and non-profit sectors” working to increase technology access and support. “ “We want to bring these folks together around a singular focus on digital equity to give DC residents a fair shot,” Parker said. OCTO is “currently looking for federal dollars, private grant opportunities, and philanthropic funds,” she added. Anticipating that these efforts might prove inadequate, former OCTO Program Manager John Capozzi decided to create a non-profit, youth-led community help desk. Intended for students, families and senior citizens, DC Community Help Desk (DCCHD) also connects DC youth to employment opportunities. “If you want us to help you, describe (continued on page 37)

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KIDS AND FAMILY

notebook by Kathleen Donner

Courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum

Flights of Fancy Story Time: Mission to Mars

For the last few months, the Air and Space Museum Early Childhood team has been writing and illustrating original stories and reading them as part of their virtual Flights of Fancy story time series. Your little ones will love “Mission to Mars,” which tells the story of three friends as they imagine what it would be like to plan a trip, build a rocket, and travel on a mission to Mars. Watch at airandspace.si.edu/virtual-story-time.Mount Vernon’s Patriot Run Festival

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#ShawTakeout Mount Vernon’s Patriot Run Festival

YOU COULD USE A DRINK RIGHT ABOUT NOW! CONVIVIAL

On Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m., Mount Vernon will host an optional, socially distanced Patriot Run Festival. They invite participants and their families to come by the estate that day to pick up participant t-shirts and medals, enjoy music, Mount Vernon Inn concessions, an opportunity to have your photo taken at the Patriot Run Finish Line, and participate in a live, socially-distanced, yoga class! Participants may enter for free and family/ friends may attend by purchasing discounted tickets at $12 for adults; $7 for kids; free for five and under. To participate, you need to have entered and completed their virtual race by Sept. 12. mountvernon.org.

Welcome to Minerva’s Kaleidoscope

The Library of Congress’s Minerva’s Kaleidoscope is a single source for parents and caregivers to find materials to spark kids’ imaginations and to get updates on programs for families at the Library. The blog is led by a newly formed team, the Informal Learning Office, whose mission is to connect kids, families and teens to the collections and resources of the Library and to inspire you to use the Library for your own creative purposes. Blogs.loc.gov/families/2020/07/welcome-families.

Air and Space’s Udvar Center Reopens

The Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA, is now open from daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visiting the museum requires that each visitor to reserve a free timedentry pass and to follow the COVID-19 safety requirements. Due to ongoing construction to repair

Whether your taste runs toward the classic or creative, Shaw’s bars offer a wide range of tastes, from divey Ivy and Coney to world class Columbia Room, from sudsy Right Proper to frenchy La Jambe. You can’t sit at the bar right now, but you can order your favorites to go or try something new.

TAKE A SIP OR CHUG A PINT. EITHER WAY, IT’LL BE #SHAWSOME!

www.shawmainstreets.org Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor ©2020 Shaw Main Streets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Now Available ONLINE @ in the Whole Foods Section Extra sweet, tender & juicy. You can taste its quality in every bite!

100% ALL NATURAL!

NO added sugar, additives, coloring or preservatives

Available at IN THE FROZEN VEGGIES SECTION

SEPTEM BER 2 0 2 0 3 1

KIDS AND FAMILY

the Boeing Aviation Hangar roof, some parts of the Udvar-Hazy Center will not be available during your visit. Admission is free; parking is $10 (free after 4 p.m.). airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center.

National Zoo Reopens

The National Zoo has reopened. The Smithsonian releases 5,000 daily passes. Visitors may reserve as many as six passes up to 30 days in advance by visiting nationalzoo.si.edu or by calling 800-514-3849. Some walk-up passes may be available in the afternoon. Masks required for ages six, up. New Zoo hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. nationalzoo.si.edu.

Donate Your Old Golf Clubs

Have an old set of golf clubs packed in the corner of your garage? Donating equipment is another way to help support the DC area’s The First Tee. With the 2nd Swing Club Donation Program you can put your old equipment to great use and make a huge impact. The value of your used clubs and equipment is sent to The First Tee DC as a cash donation. The First Tee’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Read more at firstteedc.org.

Photo: Jeremy Rusnock Photography LLC

Imagination Stage Launches Fall Online Classes

Registration has opened for Imagination Stage’s popular theatre and creative arts classes. The Fall 2020 semester moves online with a full selection of creative and interactive experiences. With six and ten-week classes in acting, creative drama, musical theatre, dance, filmmaking, and early childhood, this online fall semester features new classes specifically designed for the online format as well as reimagined family favorites. Classes for ages one through eighteen begin September 21. Families interested in registering can learn more and sign up at imaginationstage.org or by contacting the registrar at registration@ imaginationstage.org.

LOC National Book Festival Children and Teens Author Lineup

During the weekend of Sept. 25 to 27, virtual stages at loc.gov/bookfest will offer on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions, options to personalize your own journey through the festival with particular themes, and book buying possibilities through the festival’s official bookseller, Politics & Prose, with a limited number of commemorative book plates signed by authors. Subscribe to at updates.loc.gov on plans for the festival. Children’s authors are Sophie Blackall, Dan Brown, Veronica Chambers, Chelsea Clinton, Jerry Craft, Jessica Curry, Parker Curry, Angela Dominguez, K.A. Holt, Deborah Hopkinson, Kwame Mbalia, Megan McDonald, Connie Schofield-Morrison, Frank Morrison Peter H. Reynolds, Barb Rosenstock, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Jon Scieszka, Nic Stone, Don Tate, Steven Weinberg, Mo Willems and Kelly Yang. Teen book authors are Becky Albertalli, M.T. Anderson, Tonya Bolden, Mike Curato, Jo Rioux, Lucinda Robb, Rebecca Boggs Roberts, Aisha Saeed, Nic Stone and Sabaa Tahir. loc.gov/bookfest.

KIDZ Virtual ArtJamz: Dog Days

Chelsea Clinton’s fifth children’s book, published in April 2019, is Don’t Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe.

3 2 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

Wednesdays at 3 p.m. through Sept. 29, Unleash Your Inner Artist! at home with a jamming Virtual Guided Paint Class with one of their jamming local artists. Need art materials? Add an ArtJamz AtHome Paint Kit available for pick-up or delivery. After registration, you will be sent a Zoom code and link. Please make sure you have Zoom set-up on your phone, tablet or desktop. artjamz.co. u

SEPTEM BER 2 0 2 0 3 3

REAL ESTATE

changing hands

Changing Hands is a list of most residential sales in the Midcity DC area from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

3 4 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

Neighborhood

Price

ADAMS MORGAN 1720 Seaton St NW

$795,000

$1,190,000 $999,000 $789,000

5 4 5

BLOOMINGDALE 24 Quincy Pl NE 39 Seaton Pl NW 1802 1st St NW

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 1316 Irving St NW 1345 Perry Pl NW 1454 Spring Rd NW 4006 13th St NW 1506 Spring Pl NW 3005 11th St NW 1526 Upshur St NW 3513 10th St NW #1 506 Columbia Rd NW 1318 Upshur St NW 647 Keefer Pl NW 1359 Newton St NW

$1,250,000 $1,210,000 $1,186,000 $1,065,000 $950,000 $950,000 $950,000 $925,000 $875,000 $846,900 $735,000 $725,000

6 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5

$485,000 $400,000 $370,000

5 4 4

$1,865,000 $2,330,000

4 4

$1,030,000 $936,000 $925,000 $900,000 $885,000 $810,000 $550,000

4 4 4 4 4 4 3

$1,490,000 $1,030,000

4 4

$1,000,000 $625,000

4 5

$2,100,000 $1,775,000 $1,350,000

4 4 5

$961,000

$1,299,900

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3405 Wheeler Rd SE 1232 Barnaby Ter SE 3001 7th St SE

DUPONT CIRCLE 1739 S St NW 1744 Willard St NW

ECKINGTON 1831 N Capitol St NE 51 Q St NE 117 R St NW 122 V St NE 115 Rhode Island Ave NE 127 R St NE #1 14 S St NE #304

H STREET CORRIDOR 711 10th St NE 638 Orleans Pl NE

LEDROIT PARK 133 Thomas St NW #133 1/2 1928 6th St NW

LOGAN CIRCLE 1922 11th St NW 1002 N St NW 1303 R St NW

NOMA 810 L St NE

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FIND US AT THESE LOCATIONS! Street Box

First & Bryant, NW

Long View Gallery Box

1234 9th St. NW

Street Box - Bikespace

440 K Street, NW

Union Kitchen

1251 9th Street, NW

A Baked Joint

440 K Street, NW

Lost & Found

1240 9th St. NW

Street Box - Bus Boys & Poets

1025 5th ST NW

Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro

9th & G Street, NW

Safeway

490 L St. NW

Habesha market

1919 9th st

Logan Hardware

1734 14th St NW

Serve U Liquors

1935 9th Street, NW

CVS

2129 14th ST NW

Buttercream Bakeshop

1250 9th Street NW

CVS

3031 14th ST NW

Atlantic Plumbing Apartments

2030 8th St. NW

CVS

1000 U ST NW

Bazarr Spices

2130 8th Street, NW

Safeway

1747 Columbia RD NW

7th Flats - Daniel Sticco

1825 7th St NW

Safeway

1701 Corcoran ST NW

WeWork Wonder Bread

641 S St. NW

Whole Foods

1440 P Street NW

Field to City

1818 2nd St NW

Commissary

1443 P St NW

Meats and Foods

247 Florida Ave NW

CVS

1418 P ST NW

S&S Cleaners

84 Rhode Island Ave NW

CVS

1637 P Street, NW

Flagler Market

2200 Flagler Pl NW

United Bank

1301 U St NW

T & G Grocery

1727 North Capitol St NE

Rite Aid

1306 U Street NW

Kearney’s Grocer

90 O St NW, Washington

Giant at O Street Market

1400 7th St NW

2 M St NE

CCN Office

224 7th ST SE

Flats 130

130 M St NE

Asbury Dwellings

1616 Marion St NW

The Elevation

100 Florida Ave NE

Street Box

First & W, NW

MOM’’s Organic

1501 New York Ave NE

Red Hen Box

1822 1st St NW

Mount Vernon Plaza

930 M St NW

Sunset Spirits

1627 First St. NW

Eleven A Condominium

1111 11th St NW

Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits

1836 First St. NW

M Street Towers

1112 M St NW

Harris Teeter *

1201 First St, NE

King Towers

1220 12th St NW

Cambria Hotel

899 O St. NW

Crescent Towers Condos

1239 Vermont Ave NW

Jefferson Marketplace Box

1550 7th St. NW

Radius Condominiums

1300 N St NW

Bread for the City

1525 7th Street NW

20 20 Lofts

2020 12th St NW

Senior Building

1713 7th St. NW

Lincoln Condominium

2001 12th St NW

Lincoln Westmoreland Apts.

1730 7th Street, NW

The Floridian

929 Florida Ave. NW

NW Settlement House - S St. Entrance 1739 7th St., NW

Rhapsody Condo

2120 Vermont Ave. NW

Right & Proper Brew Box

624 T St. NW

1225 Lofts

1225 13th St NW

CVS

1900 7th ST NW

The Harper

1919 14th St NW

Dunkin Donuts

1739 New Jersey Ave NW

The Louis

1920 14th St NW

Howard University

2225 Georgia Avenue, NW U Street Wine

1351 U St NW

CVS

400 Mass. AVE NW

Passport

11th & U Streets, NW

Marriott Hotel

901 Mass. Ave NW

Walgreens

Boundary Stone Box

116 Rhode Island Ave. NW Studio Theatre Street Box

Grassroots Gourmet, LLC

104 Rhode Island Ave NW

Reeves Center

2000 14th ST NW

T Street Market

80 T St. NW

Reeves Center Street Box

14th & U Street, NW

Foster House Apartments

801 Rhode Island Ave, NW Paul Laurence Dunbar Sr. Apt.

U & 15th Street NW

Trilogy NoMa

151 Q Street, NE

Java House (Deliver on 17th & Q)

1645 Q ST NW

City Market at O

1414 8th St NW

Velvet Lounge

915 U Street, NW

Hodge on 7th

1490 7th St NW

Dodge City

917 U Street, NW

1330 Seven St.

1330 7th St NW

Ben’s Chilli Bowl

1213 U ST NW

Yale Steam Laundry

437 New York Ave NW

City First Bank

1432 U ST NW

Meridian

425 L St NW

Third District MPD

1620 V ST NW

460 NY Ave.

460 New York Avenue NW

Yale West

443 New York Ave NW

K at City Vista

475 K St NW

Gables City Vista

460 L St NW

Capitol One

475 K St NW

Sweet Green

1065 5th St NW

Wells Fargo

490 L St NW

ABC Grocery

1401 6th St NW

Jefferson Market Place

1550 7th St NW

Shaw Mainstreet

875 N Street, NW, Suite 201

Seylou Bakery & Mill

926 N Street, NW

Modern Liquors

1200 9th ST NW

Shaw Metro Street Box - NE Corner 8th & R Streets., NW Shaw Metro Street Box - NE Corner 7th & S Streets., NW Mount Vernon Sq. Metro

7th & M ST NW

Mount Vernon Sq. Metro

9th & M ST NW

3 6 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

1325 14th ST NW 14th & P Street, NW

MIDCITY MIDCITY

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(continued from page 29) your problem, we’ll give it a try and go from there,” Capozzi said. The DCCHD can be reached by calling 202-788-7201 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Email assistance is also available at helpdesk@onrampsdc.org or by completing a web form at https://onramps-dc.org. But with the sheer number of students learning virtually, can all of these efforts provide District students with a bridge to cross the digital divide?

Looking Forward

Thompson, the DC State Board Ward 7 candidate, believes the hurdles to tech equity are largely monetary. “I am really concerned we have a missed opportunity in this budget to address some of those issues,” Thompson said. “Unlike a lot of social ills where it takes a lot of policy and changing hearts and minds, the digital divide can actually be solved with dollars. And we have not yet chosen to make that investment.” For now, parents, even those with more access to devices and tech support, face tough choices. Law, the Ward 8 Education Board candidate, is choosing to continue remote learning for her daughter, who is especially vulnerable to COVID-19. She encourages school districts to “meet families where they are” and pursue creative solutions to support those in a variety of situations. With “grace and compassion,” Law hopes the current challenges will push leaders to work toward closing the digital divide. “It’s time we come up with creative solutions about what we should do,” Law said. “We don’t have to go back to the way things were. We can create a new normal.” Eva Herscowitz is a journalism student at Northwestern University currently interning with the Hill Rag. She writes for Northwestern’s student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern. You can reach her at eva@ hillrag.com ◆

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CHANGING LIVES ONE LAWN AT A TIME

Thomas Landscapes OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN CAPITOL HILL

Redefining Beauty One Client at a Time! • Installation, arbors, retaining walls, walkways, lighting, water features • Patios, roof top gardens, townhomes, single family homes • Trees & shrubs, formal & informal gardens • Custom Masonry, Fencing and Iron work • Restoration and Enhancement

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301.642.5182 | 202.322.2322 (Office) thomaslandscapes.com

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CLASSI AIR CONDITIONING

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Over 20 Years of Experience in Capitol Hill FULL-SERVICE LANDSCAPE DESIGN & MAINTENANCE • Installation, arbors, retaining walls, • walkways, lighting, water features • Patios, roof top gardens, townhomes, single family homes • Trees & shrubs, formal & informal gardens • Custom Masonry, Fencing and Iron work • Restoration and Enhancement

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• Licensed Gas Fitter • Water Heater • Boiler Work • Serving DC • References John • Drain Service • Furness Repair & Replacement

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3 8 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M

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#LoveShaw SHAW IS WHERE DC DINES OUTDOORS! Enjoy Outstanding Food and Drink on Sidewalks, Rooftops, Courtyards, Even Streets and Alleys Thanks to a special initiative to help restaurants without outdoor space serve customers during the post-COVID-19 recovery period, even more Shaw restaurants and bars than ever can now serve you al fresco! Hundreds of seats are available for you to choose from at dozens of establishments, with more adding outdoor space every week. Visit shawmainstreets.org for an up-to-date list. Days and hours of service vary. Check each business’ website for details.

Photo credit: @rogi87

Lulu’s Winegarden

600 T, 600 T Street, NW

The Delegate, 901 L Street, NW

MK Lounge, 1930 9th Street, NW

801, 801 Florida Avenue, NW

The Dirty Goose, 913 U Street, NW

Morris American Bar, 1020 7th Street, NW

All Purpose Shaw, 1250 9th Street, NW

Echo Park/Andy’s Pizza, 2014 9th Street, NW

Nina May, 1337 11th Street, NW

All Souls, 725 T Street, NW

El Rey, 919 U Street, NW

Uproar, 639 Florida Avenue, NW

American Ice Company, 917 V Street, NW

Electric Cool-Aid, 512 Rhode Island Ave., NW

Right Proper Brewpub Shaw, 624 T St., NW

Beau Thai Shaw, 1550 7th Street, NW

Espita Mezcaleria, 1250 9th Street, NW

Rito Loco/El Techo, 606 Florida Avenue, NW

The Brixton, 901 U Street, NW

Gogi Yogi, 1921 8th Street, NW #115

The Roasted Boon, 1018 Rhode Island Ave., NW

Calico, 50 Blagden Alley, NW

The Greek Spot, 2017 11th Street, NW

Service Bar DC, 926-928 U Street, NW

The Capital Burger, 1005 7th Street, NW

Haikan, 805 V Street, NW

Seylou Bakery & Mill, 926 N Street, NW

Chaplin’s, 1501 9th Street, NW

Half Smoke, 621 Florida Avenue, NW

Shaw’s Tavern, 520 Florida Avenue, NW

Charcoal Town, 2019 11th Street, NW

Harlot, 2001 11th Street, NW

Supra Restaurant, 1205 11th Street, NW

Chercher, 1334 9th Street, NW

Kiss Lounge, 637 T Street, NW

TG Cigars, 1118 9th Street, NW

The Columbia Room, 124 Blagden Alley, NW

Jake’s Tavern, 1606 7th Street, NW

Tiger Fork, 922 Blagden Alley, NW

Convivial, 801 O Street, NW

La Jambe, 1550 7th Street, NW

Unconventional Diner, 1207 9th Street, NW

Cortez, 1905 9th Street, NW

Lost & Found, 1240 9th Street, NW

Union Kitchen Grocery, 1251 9th Street, NW

The Dabney, 122 Blagden Alley, NW

Lounge of Three, 1013 U Street, NW

Union Kitchen Grocery, 1924 8th Street, NW

Dacha Beer Garden, 1600 7th Street, NW

Lulu’s Winegarden, 1940 11th Street, NW

Wet Dog Tavern, 2100 Vermont Avenue, NW

DC9, 1940 9th Street, NW

Maxwell Park, 1336 9th Street, NW

Zeppelin, 1544 9th Street, NW

Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor ©2020 Shaw Main Streets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.