Hill Rag Magazine – September 2020 by Capital Community News

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September 2020 â&#x2DC;&#x2026; 9

IN THIS ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2020

fa l l

S HOMEand

GARDENS special

42 Under the Hill of Clutter? Dig Yourself Out by Stephanie Cavanaugh

46 63rd CHRS House & Garden Tour: The Tradition Continues– Free & Virtual by Elizabeth Nelson 50 Working with Limited Space: Hill Residents Get Creative as They Prepare to Work Remotely Long-Term by Elizabeth O’Gorek

The Deepening Diital Divide: Lack of Devices, Connectivity and Support Hamper Remote Learning

56 When Garden Pests Come Indoors by RIndy O’Brien

Happy 100th Birthday Frager’s!

62 Roof Care in the 2020 Hurricane Season by Tom Daniel

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

66 Happy 100th Birthday Frager’s!

by Eva Herscowitz

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

70 Dear Garden Problem Lady

by Wendy Blair

72 Changing Hands by Don Denton

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

capitol streets

Capitol Cuisine -Tex/Mex Salvadorian La Plaza

Creating Your Own Optimal Immune System

by Celeste McCall

by Pattie Cinelli

The Deepening Digital Divide: Lack of Devices, Connectivity and Support Hamper Remote Learning by Eva Herscowitz

HillVets House Celebrates One Year Anniversary: Veteran’s Organization Soldiers on in Uncertain Times by Elizabeth O’Gorek

The Numbers: A Failure to Address Childcare Crisis by Alyssa Noth

Our River, The Anacostia: Escaping to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens by Bill Matuszeski

Women of Ward 6: Roberta Flack by Marci Hilt

Bulletin Board by Kathleen Donner

arts and dining 75

Capitol Cuisine by Celeste McCall

At the Movies by Mike Canning

The Wine Girl by Elyse Genderson

Art and The City by Jim Magner

Literary Hill by Karen Lyon

Poetic Hill by Karen Lyon

family life 87

Creating Your Own Optimal Immune System by Pattie Cinelli

The District Vet: Hookworm by Dan Teisch, DVM

Kids & Family Notebook by Kathleen Donner

96 CLASSIFIEDS 102 CROSSWORD

on the cover: Leopard Skin Dress, 1998, Tim Doud Oil on primed Arches paper. Image size: 36x25” / Sheet size: 40x29” From the Tim Doud: Prologue 1996-2016 exhibit at Gallery Neptune & Brown. (March 4 – April 1st, 2017) Prologue is Doud’s first solo gallery exhibition in Washington, DC, to feature his oil and charcoal portraits spanning twenty years. When creating each work, Doud develops an up close and intimate relationship with the sitter while remaining traditional in his practice of drawing and painting directly from life. He allows each subject to reveal a less obvious or hidden extension of his or her personality by giving them the freedom to determine their outfit and makeup. With visual influences of Lucian Freud and Alice Neel, Doud shifts the typical focus of the portrait genre, exploring the psychology of the sitter with questions of identity and self-representation. Tim Doud is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Art at American University with a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His work has been shown both nationally and internationally in over one hundred exhibitions since 1987. Doud was a finalist in the 2013 Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition and again in 2016.

Gallery Neptune & Brown 1530 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 986-1200 Info@Galleryneptunebrown.com • www.galleryneptunebrown.com/Tim-Doud WE’RE OPEN! WED-SAT 12PM-7PM, SUNDAY BY APPOINTMENT.

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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. 12 ★ HILLRAG.COM

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WHAT’S ON W A S H I N G T O N

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 pay-what-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. 14 H HILLRAG.COM

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, small-scale 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 ⅝ x 118 in.; Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Calipsophotography

SMALL THEATRE FOR UNUSUAL TIMES The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s fall programming is a gift to their audiences. They are offering free-of-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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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. John Grisham, master of the legal thriller, will discuss his latest books, “Camino Winds” and “The Guardians.”

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THE DEEPENING DIGITAL DIVIDE

Lack of Devices, Connectivity and Support Hamper Remote Learning

by Eva Herscowitz

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, high-speed 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

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

In addition, District student access to the internet varies widely. According to a report released by All4Ed (all4ed.org), 20,278 children lack high-speed 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 technical 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.

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 Washington 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 A student at Eagle Academy Public Charter School connects one that’s giving away laptops,” Thompson said. to class with an iPad, which the school distributes to all “That’s not true.” students. Photo: Karen Alston

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 preK to third at two campuses. Since 2012, the school has issued an iPad to each student for classroom use September 2020 ★ 21

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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 hightech 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 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, Internet-enabled 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 com-

puter 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 your problem, we’ll give it a try and go from there,” Capozzi said. The DCCHD can be reached by (continued on pg. 29)

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HILLVETS HOUSE CELEBRATES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY Veteran’s Organization Soldiers on in Uncertain Times

elissa Reilly-Diakun remembers her first HillVets event well. She arrived at a gathering hosted by the nonprofit organization and she did not know a single person there. “I couldn’t even recognize (founder) Justin Brown,” she recalls. “I was so shy.” The first person she met was a HillVets alumni who introduced her around and helped ease her into

by Elizabeth O’Gorek Last year, the organization moved to Capitol Hill to get participants closer to congressional offices and celebrated their first anniversary at the HillVets House (127 12th St. SE) this past July. Despite the challenges raised by COVID, they say they are as committed as ever to the Hill community and the veterans who come here to make a difference on their street, in the District and for the nation.

A Seat at the Table

Fewer than two percent of Capitol Hill staffers have military experience, a statistic that HillVets is fighting to change. To that end, said HillVets Director of Programs and Congressional Engagement Jena Doyle, HillVets offers both a fellowship program for veterans interested in working on Capitol Hill and a LEAD program designed to provide additional skills and networking for mid-career veterans. The fellowship program is designed to help veterans get a foot in the door on Capitol Hill. Up to eight fellows live in the HillVets House at once, finding temporary positions with one of the organization’s thirty-five Ranking Member Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN) of the House Veterans’ congressional office “ambassadors.” A stiAffairs Committee is pictured (back, right) at a HillVets event. pend from HillVets helps with basic needs. Courtesy: HillVets More than fifty fellows have completed the program, going on to permanent roles in policy or as conversation with Congressional staff, congresspeoCapitol Hill staff. ple and senators. The HillVets LEAD program is a twelve-week That “wonderful fellow” was only one of the supprogram that trains mid-career veterans and service portive people Reilly-Diakun met when she joined the members in policy, defense, and communications and LEAD program in 2019, after nearly five years with media. Participants are put in “fireteams” of six that the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, the army can continue to motivate each other in their careers. branch concerned with military law. Now, Reilly“These are leaders in our community who are Diakun said, she has made friends through HillVets looking to take their leadership skills to the next levfrom all over the world. “You make these connections el and really gain new skills that will allow them to be that last much longer than the program,” she said. better voices in this community,” Doyle said. HillVets is a non-partisan, non-issue-oriented organization that works to help veterans take a seat at ‘I Grew Personally Through the table when decisions and policy are made affectthe Program’ ing the military community. Founded seven years ago Now a Legislative Assistant in the office of Senator by Navy veteran Justin Brown, HillVets became a nonMaggie Hassan (D-NH), Melissa Reilly-Diakun said profit two years later. the LEAD program really changed her. “I built the 24 H HILLRAG.COM

confidence and the network to be someone who could walk into a situation and handle it with confidence I didn’t have before,” she said. She said one of the reasons she entered the program was because she wanted to “reorient” her mind. “You have a clear path when you’re in the military,” she said, “but when you go into the civilian world, you can go in any direction, which can be pretty overwhelming.” Reilly-Diakun said she knew she was interested in work on Capitol Hill. For her, the best part of the program was the mentoring LEAD protégés received, often at events held at HillVets House, from people like former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel or former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James. Protégés can ask specific questions about how ambassadors came to be in their current roles, or how they made decisions. The list of HillVets ambassadors, who create opportunities for veterans and mentor participants in the LEAD and Fellowship programs, is impressive, including General George Casey, Senator Mark Rounds (R-SD) and Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN), Ranking Member

HillVets House conducts a clean-up of a block of 12th St. three times annually. Courtesy: HillVets

Melissa Reilly-Diakun at her first HillVets event.

of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Paying it Forward The house on Capitol Hill brings together a community of veterans united by their service to their country, their past and present experiences and the house that is their temporary home. When HillVets moved to 12th Street, they immediately “adopted” their block south of Lincoln Park, engaging in outdoor clean-ups three times a year. A coat drive organized by HillVets donated more than 1,000 winter coats to local organizations. The first anniversary of HillVets House on Capitol Hill has prompted both reflection on the past and contemplation of the future. But Doyle said that one thing is clear: community remains key to the work of HillVets. “Everyone is connected through this community and through the fact that they are veterans, but in addition through all the things they now realize they have in common,” she said. “It’s really something special, that we’ve been able to bring together so many people.” Learn more about HillVets by visiting https://www.hillvets.org/. For more on what HillVets has in store: https://youtu.be/ZoRlZEK5ahk u September 2020 H 25

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/ 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 public health costs in reopening. Keeping children and families safe will require smaller class

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by Alyssa Noth 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 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,

fig. 1

fig. 2

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 inperson 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. ◆

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.capitol streets.

/ Our River: The Anacostia /

ESCAPING TO THE KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS by Bill Matuszeski fund-raising – even a photo contest! plant water gardens that reminded him of his naEven getting to the Gardens has its thrilling motive Maine. He protected the areas from Corps of ments. By car, take the Anacostia Freeway to BurEngineers “improvement projects” in the River, roughs Avenue and go west (left if coming from the and with his daughter Helen built a nursery busisouth) through the lights, then bear right (following ness selling the plants. After his death in 1921, the yellow sign to the Gardens) onto Lee St., which Helen continued and expanded the business and becomes 40th St NE before coming to an end at Anbecame a well-known advocate for these kinds of acostia Avenue. Turn right and follow the Avenue to gardens. In the 1930’s, the ponds and the adjathe entrance (maybe a half mile). A possibly quicker cent marches were purchased by the Federal govbut less interesting route would take the Freeway to ernment and added to the Anacostia River Park. Eastern Avenue, then turn back south along the FreeThe Park Service added 32 acres of wetlands in way (stay off it) and right on Quarles to Anacostia Avthe 1990’s, has kept the gardens in good repair enue and left to the entrance on your right. and has restored the tidal marshes. By Metro, take the Orange Line to Deanwood and When you visit, you first spend time walkthe footbridge over the Freeway to join Douglas St., ing the paths connecting the set of water gardens which takes you to Anacostia Avenue near the entrance. of various sizes, then take note of the variety of Or you can take the Anacostia River Trail by bike plants in the ponds – from giant lotuses towering or walking. Right short of the Amtrak and New York overhead to countless water lilies spread along the Pink Lotus Pond at the Aquatic Garden. Photo: Mary Procter Avenue overpasses there is a marked trail that takes water surfaces, and occasional outbursts of color you to the Gardens along a series of ponds filled with from hibiscus and other plants along the edges. n these times of isolation and limits on things to flowering plants. There is a plan to add a bridge to From there you can walk out on the boardwalk over do, we should think about those special places the Arboretum from the River Trail, which means you the tidal marshes if it is open. These marches present where we can get away, places that give us a sense could spend the whole day out there with the trees and their own variety of floating and rooted plants. of freedom, natural beauty and relaxation while birds and flowers on both sides of Our River. And everywhere there is wildlife – 257 species of we can still abide by the rules. One such place birds alone have been identified at the Gardens– inalong our Anacostia that should rank high on your list Bill Matuszeski is a member of the Mayor’s Leadership cluding a range of herons, egrets, eagles, hawks, geese is the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, a National Park Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River, and the retired Diand ducks. There is a wide selection of fish and amService facility located between the River and the Anrector of the Chesapeake Bay Program. He also serves phibians in the ponds and marshes, and turtles, frogs acostia Freeway up near the Maryland line. It is a set on the board of Friends of the National Arboretum and on and mammals are on the land and in the water. All Citizen Advisory Committees for the Chesapeake and the of water-based flower gardens of many sizes, all conAnacostia. u this makes the Garden a magnificent place for snapnected by grassy paths to wander among the tall lotusping photos and even setting up an easel to paint naes and other blooms. There is also a boardwalk that ture in its many forms. takes you out over the largest remaining tidal marsh It is especially nice as a place to take small chilin the DC area. And the entire area is blessed with dren. They can run along the paths, collect the bugs a wide array of bird and animal life in the air, on the and chase all the animals. And since the blossoms are ground and in the water. nearly all high up on large plants or out in the ponds, Exactly how much is open will depend on where they can be seen but not picked. Just be careful of we are in the covid recovery; the boardwalk provides all the channels and low spots in the land separating the greatest constraint on movement and maintaining the ponds. distance, but the rest should not be a problem. Call For those wanting to participate in even more ac202-692-6080 for the current hours, openings and tivities on an ongoing basis, there is the Friends of the limits if you want to know before going. Or check Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (friendsofkenilworthgaron-line. dens.org), a volunteer organization that supports a variThe Gardens have an interesting history. In the ety of programs – volunteer gardening help on-site, edu1880’s, Walter Shaw, a Civil War veteran, purchased Water Lilly Pond with Lotuses at the Edges. Photo: Bill cation and interpretive programming, partnerships and Matuszeski 30 acres of wetlands from his in-laws and began to

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(continued from pg. 23) 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.”

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.capitol streets.

/ Women of Ward 6 /

ROBERTA FLACK by Marci Hilt choir. She graduated Howard at age 19 and began graduate studies in music, but the sudden death of her father forced her to take a job teaching music and English in Farmville, N.C. A few years later, Flack returned to Washington, DC, and taught at Browne Junior High and Rabault Junior High. She also taught private piano lessons out of her home on Euclid St., N.W. Her music career began to take shape on evenings and weekends in DC area night spots. She began singing professionally after being hired to perform at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant (601 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) on Capitol Hill in 1968. The atmosphere in Mr. Henry’s was welcoming and the club turned into a showcase for the young music teacher. Her voice mesmerized locals and word spread. A-list entertainers who were appearing in town would come in late at night to hear her sing. Frequent visitors included Ramsey Lewis. “She told me if I could give her work three nights a week,” said restaurant owner Henry Yaffe, “she would quit teaching.” He did and so she did. She performed five nights a week, three sets per night. To meet Flack’s standards, Yaffe transformed the apartment above the bar into the Roberta Flack Room. “I got the oak paneling from the old Dodge Hotel near Union Station,” Yaffe said. “I put in heavy upholstered chairs, sort of a conservative style from the 50’s and an acoustical system designed especially for Roberta. She was very demanding. She was a perfectionist.” Les McCann, a jazz pianist and vocalist, discovered Flack singing and playing jazz at Mr. Henry’s. “Her voice touched, tapped, trapped and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known,” he said. “I laughed, cried and screamed for more … she alone had the voice.”

eptember’s Woman of Ward 6 is Roberta Flack, a famous singersongwriter, who got her start at Capitol Hill’s Mr. Henry’s Restaurant. She’s most known for her recording of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which actor/director Clint Eastwood featured in the movie “Play Misty for Me.” It became Billboard’s top song of 1972. Other well-known recordings include “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Where is the Love,” and “The Closer I Get to you.” Flack was born in 1937 in Black Mountain, N.C., and raised in Arlington, Va. Growing up, she often accompanied the choir of Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church by playing hymns and spirituals on piano, but she also enjoyed going to the Baptist church down the street to listen to contemporary gospel music, such as that performed by Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke. During her early teens, she so excelled at classical piano that Howard University awarded her a full music scholarship. She entered Howard at 15, making her one of the youngest students ever to enroll there. She eventually changed her major from piano to voice, and became an assistant conductor for the university

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He quickly arranged for an audition for her with Atlantic Records. In November 1968, she recorded 39 song demos in less than 10 hours. Three months later, Atlantic reportedly recorded her debut album “First Take” in only 10 hours. Flack later said these studio sessions were a “very naïve and beautiful approach … I was comfortable with the music because I had worked on all these songs for all the years I had worked at Mr. Henry’s.” Flack is active as humanitarian and mentor. She founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, providing an innovative and inspiring music education program to underserved students free of charge. In 2018, she retired from touring and continues to make special appearances. She received a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. You can read more about Roberta Flack at www.0robertaflack.com. You can watch video of Flack performing here: www.youtube. com/watch?v=ryplcAxFZUo and w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=dpNdMIAnKko The Women of Ward 6 Initiative is a non-partisan recognition of Ward 6’s women. In partnership with the National Woman’s Party, Capitol Hill Restoration Society and the Hill Rag, the Ward 6 Dems initiative will culminate this year, which is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Marci Hilt grew up on a small-scale grain, poultry and dairy farm in Northwest Ohio. She is a retired communications coordinator and press secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. She currently writes and edits EMMCA MATTERS and is treasurer of the Ward 6 Democrats. u

September 2020 H 31

.capitol streets.

BULLETIN BOARD Ward 6 “Slow Street” Lineup The new Slow Streets initiative gives residents more space to social distance while moving around outside. The locations are spread across all eight wards of the District. 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. ddot.dc.gov. The Ward Six Slow Streets are Third Street between E and M Streets, NE; E Street between Fourth and 11th Streets SE/Pennsylvania Avenue SE; G Street between Second and 15h Streets NE/Gales Street NE; Gales Street between 15th and 21st Streets NE (crosses Wards 6 and 7); and 12th Street NE, from East Capitol to K Street NE.

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.

Talk of the Hill with Bill Press: Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report Data collector extraordinaire Cook, founder of the influential Cook Political Report, Zooms with Bill Press to talk inside baseball about upcoming Senate, House, and Statehouse elections…and one other contest you may be thinking about. This prerecorded interview will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 22. $10. hillcenterdc.org.

SW DC “Weather the Storm” (Zoom) Festival The SW DC “Weather the Storm” Disaster Preparedness & Resiliency Building Festival is on 32 H HILLRAG.COM

that, together with several other Task Forces, makes up the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly. They are committed to promoting individual, family and community preparedness and resilience in SW. They accomplish this through organizing emergency preparedness and community resilience literature drives, community exercises, focus groups and children activities. For schedule, details and to sign in, visit eventbrite.com/e/weather-thestorm-emergency-preparedness-resiliencybuilding festival-tickets-117147059007.

Two-Day LGBTQ Symposium with Capitol Hill Village Join Capitol Hill Village for a two-day virtual symposium Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26. Learn from content speakers and peers related to the experiences and voices. Engage with LGBTQ community members across generations. We will explore intersectionality, chosen families, creating and sustaining generational wealth, grief and loss, relationships and more. Register at https://capitolhillvillage.org/programs-advocacy/ pride/ or contact afaust@capitolhillvillage.org if you have questions.

Arena Stage Announces Playwrights’ Arena Season Thursday, Sept. 24, noon to 4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. The festival, organized by SW Strong!, will feature stimulating workshops with nationally recognized experts who discuss COVID -19, food security, financial first aid and climate change. SW Strong! is a SW-based Emergency Preparedness Task Force

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced that the 2020/21 Season of Playwrights’ Arena will be in partnership with Georgetown and Howard Universities. Originally launched in 2013, Playwrights’ Arena has empowered local professional playwrights to fully examine their artistic and dramaturgical practice. Seeking to build upon the pro-

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

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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.

September 2020 ★ 33

gram’s foundation as well as Arena’s continued commitment of supporting American artists, the 2020/21 Season of Playwrights’ Arena has been reimagined to focus on six advanced students or recent alumni playwrights from Georgetown and Howard Universities. Participants will work oneon-one with Arena Stage Dramaturg and Program Facilitator Jocelyn Clarke in a rigorous exploration of their artistry, providing them crucial support and guidance as they prepare for caCongressional Cemetery reers in the field. The Community Yard Sale 2020/21 Season coThe Congressional Cemetery Community Yard Sale is hort includes Veronon Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., along Potomac ica Ray Carr, Rose Avenue and E Streets, SE, in front of the cemetery. A 10’ Dallimore, Fatima Dyx 10’ space can be reserved for $25. Set-up is between fan, Aiyaisha Peoples, 6 and 7:30 a.m. Bring your own tables, chairs, tarps, Jade Scott and Timetc. The sale will be cancelled in the event of inclemmy Sutton. Informaent weather. Read more at congressionalcemetery.org. tion about Playwrights’ Arena can be found electronic equipment includes: deskat arenastage.org/playwrightsarena. top and laptop computers, tablets, E-

Free e-Waste Recycling Events in DC DC residents, small businesses and non-profits can recycle electronics without cost at e-waste recycling 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 ewaste recycling events are held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Covered 34 H HILLRAG.COM

readers, small-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

EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF CAPITOL HILL & BEYOND identity/expression to join together 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 through ongoing input from their attendees. 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.

Subscribe to IN Series’ INvision A subscription to INvision, for as little as $9.99 a month, gives you full access to IN Series’ 2020-2021 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.

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 employees from retaliation for refusing to work or serve customers during high risk situations for COVID-19 transmission.

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ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 6A AMBER GOVE, CHAIR, AMBERANC6A@GMAIL.COM Serving the Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, Rosedale, and H Street communities ANC 6A generally meets the second Thursday of the month, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE.

www.anc6a.org

ALL ARE WELCOME The Next meeting is 2nd Thursday, September 10th, 7:00 p.m. The committee meetings will be held Via WebEx as Time Sensitive items arise. Please check our website to verify if a meeting is scheduled and to obtain the WebEx information for that specific meeting. WebEx call in information will be posted 24 hours prior to the meeting @ https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/. Transportation & Public Space Committee meeting The next meeting 3rd Monday of the month September 21st at 7pm. Please find the WebEx information on the ANC website Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meeting Next meeting 3rd Tuesday of the month, September 22nd at 7pm. Please find the Webex information on the ANC website Economic Development and Zoning Committee meeting Next meeting 3rd Wednesday of the month, September 23th at 7pm. Please find the Webex information on the ANC website. Community Outreach Committee meeting Next meeting 4th Monday of the month, September 28th at 7pm. Please find the Webex information on the ANC website. We appreciate your understanding and until we know that the emergency has subsided but please check our website www.ANC6A.org for additional information and updates. Please note that Instructions for accessing the meeting via WebEx has been posted under Hot Topics at anc6a.org.

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The pandemic has caused people to reassess their living space. Do you need to right-size? The JLC team can help!

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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.

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 202-6677339 or sending an email to chap@ housingetc.org.

Mayor Bowser Issues Order on Masks, Extends Public Health Emergency The Mayor issued Mayor’s Order 2020-079 to extend the state of emergency and public health emergency for Washington, DC through October 9. Under the Mayor’s Order on masks, people must wear a mask when they leave their homes if they are likely to come into 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 maintain-

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Over 95% of our business is past client clients or their referrals who come back to us time and time again. OUR RECENT JULY SALES ACTIVITY:

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2020 HOUSE TOUR GOING VIRTUAL PEEK INTO HOMES YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE! Our free, 3-D, #StayAtHome House Tour will debut on Saturday, September 12 at chrs.org/housegarden-tour-2020/. Can’t wait that long? Visit chrs.org/what-i-love-about-my-house/ to view mini-videos!

WHOSE LAND IS IT ANYWAY? THE PUBLIC SQUARES AND PARKS OF CAPITOL HILL PRESERVATION CAFE Capitol Hill is dotted with public squares, grassy triangles, and parcels of land in every shape and size imaginable. These lands contribute to the human scale of the city, and to the cultural landscape of our neighborhood. How and why did these lots get set aside? What mechanisms exist to preserve them? Architectural conservator, Justine Bello will answer these questions and more, in a virtual presentation, Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 pm. Free. Visit chrs.org/public-squares-parks-preservation-cafe/ for details.

CONNECT WITH US! Visit www.chrs.org Email CapHRS420@gmail.com or call 543-0425 Follow us on @CapHRS @CHRSDC CapitolHillRestorationDC

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Pastry Basics Series: Pâte à Choux and Pie Dough, Sept. 10, 6-7:30 p.m.; Custards and Curds, Sept. 17, 6-7:30 p.m.; Ganache, Meringue and Caramel, Sept. 24, 6-7:30 p.m. Mother Sauce Series: Sauce Espagnole, Sept.14, 6-7 p.m.; Velouté, Sept. 21, 6-7 p.m.; Béchamel, Sept. 28, 6-7 p.m. Introduction to Cooking Series: Wednesdays, Sept. 23Oct.14, 6-7:30 p.m. Details online at www.hillcenterdc.org.

DC’s COVID-19 Hotline District residents who are homebound due to CO VID-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 DC Facilities and Commemorative Expressions Working Group (DC FACES) to On Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 to 5 p.m., stop by the District Pier & Transit Pier to celebrate Wiener 500 Oktoberevaluate named public fest at The Wharf. Read more at wharfdc.com. spaces in Washington, DC and provide recommended actions, including removing, renaming, and/or Heat Emergency contextualizing the building, public Information space, or monument. The internal When the forecast of the temperagovernment working group will reture or heat index in DC is 92 degrees view the legacy of namesakes of Disor higher, DC Government activates trict assets to determine if the india heat emergency and opens cooling vidual, in an individual capacity or centers for residents to seek relief from as part of a group, participated in the heat. If you or someone you know the oppression of African Americans needs transportation to a cooling cenand/or other communities of color, ter, call the shelter hotline at 202-399or contributed to the nation’s histo7093. ry of systemic racism and other bias◆ es. mayor.dc.gov/dcfaces.

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Under the Hill of Clutter? DIG YOURSELF OUT by Stephanie Cavanaugh

have never liked open plan living, much preferring doors, walls, closets, cupboards, basements, attics, garages – particularly now, when there’s nowhere to go, and the biggest thrill of the year, so far, is the reopening of the Safeway. Whoopie! Here’s hoping that with this spiffy new look, the oyster bar, and the popcorn island we don’t lose the homey touch-

es, like the hot dogs for prostate cancer fundraiser, which no one but me seemed to find funny. One good thing about open spaces is that there’s a limit to how much you can amass. There’s simply nowhere to put it. So the options are limited: toss it, don’t buy it in the first place, or stack it in piles and boxes hither and thither like an episode of Hoarders. In this house, we are still in oldplan living with endless places to shove things. And when those places are full, a door or drawer is shut and ZIPPO! Out of sight out of mind. Sort of. The garage is packed to the rafters – trust me, there are rafters under there--with house parts and tools that my husband, Greg, insists he’s going to use to rebuild the back porches, rebuild the basement, repair the bathroom…He’s amassed so much valuable stuff over the years that the overflow is in our neighbor’s garage. I’m not much better. I have purple suede hot pants from 1970 and a t-shirt from Orwashers, the bakery across the street from where I grew up on Manhattan’s upper east side. The phone number has a Butterfield 8 exchange, which hasn’t been used since Liz Taylor made the movie. And cords? I have bags of computer and camera and whatnot cords going back decades. If I throw one out, I’ll need it tomorrow. The leitmotif of my life. Today we’re going through the linen closet. Things are piled on the hall floor. There’s a hatch in the ceiling of the closet that leads to the attic. Let us not go there. Items: Four cans of hairspray, all nearly empty; rollers, hot rollers, permanent wave rollers; little bottles of shampoos, conditioners, and so on from however many hotels and trips. And the shower caps. Will I ever wear a shower cap? Have I ever worn a shower cap? These long, thin plastic things with jaggedy teeth that I just threw in the discard pile? “They’re for cleaning the drain,” I’m told. “That’s how I get your hair out.” And back they go. If we ever get a pile that we can agree needs to go, it will then have to be sorted into recycle and not and so forth. Oy. Meanwhile I drag about waiting to be hit by the plague and thinking of my poor only child Monica having to dig through this sh… stuff. I imagine her weeping and cursing – at least it will take the edge off any sorrow she might have at my/our loss.

So! How to Get Rid of It Until this past week there was a dumpster down the block, where refuse from a 42 ★ HILLRAG.COM

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at Capitol Hill Books across from Eastern Market on C Street. If they’re of any possible value, check inside. If you’ve given up on getting back into size 2 jeans, Clothes Encounters of a Second Kind, across from Eastern Market, has reopened Did you say “clutter?” Photo: Monica Cavanaugh Weddle and will sell them for small apartment house being remodyou, the challenge beeled was being trashed. Many furtive ing not to leave with as much stuff as and not so furtive trips by neighbors, you’ve dropped off. dumping that which needed to be Facebook has a new group. Listdumped, were observed – it certainly ings on Buy Nothing Lincoln Park was the easiest way to get rid of large (which also includes Kingman Park) amounts of trash. range from clothing to deviled egg carFor big trash we do have a city riers to plants to a carton of Forgive Me dump, more fancily known as the Ft. I’m an A-Hole balloons (a carton of Totten Transfer station which sounds them?) – there’s plenty of activity and like a band from the 1940s. The place constant turnover. is worth a trip if only to see what peoThere’s also a Facebook page ple throw out (us being us, we actufor selling whatever, and Craig’s list, ally retrieved a brown leather chair of course. from the pile. It sits handsomely in I’ve never been organized the dining room). Check the departenough to hold a yard sale, besides evment of Public Works website for rules erything I want to put out is covered in and times – there are special days for dust and I really don’t feel like dealing shredding your incriminating papers with it. Happily, yard sales are now and ditching your electronics. Make so fraught that no one’s holding them. sure to bring two forms of ID – they Just put the whatnots out with a don’t just take any old persons trash. sign saying “Free,” and it will be gone. No vehicle – or don’t care to soil Poof. You can furnish an apartment in the leather seats in the Maserati? Check a weekend from what we put out on Yelp under “Dump Trash” and a list of the sidewalks. haulers pops up. Have a martini while Can’t let go? When I was a kid they do the dirty work. we used to have a walk-in closet called Sadly, we no longer have a thrift the Shame to Throw Away closet – shop nearby, but Goodwill has rewhere things of marginal utility held opened. There’s one right off South on for a final breath before heading Dakota Avenue, NE, opposite the to the thrift shop or the trash. These turn-off to Costco. The Salvation days that would be a storage unit. Put Army store in Hyattsville is also open, the tab on automatic payment and let and fairly convenient. the kids deal with it all later. Much, You may have noticed that the Litmuch later. tle Free Library boxes are spilling with Stephanie Cavanaugh writes an occabooks. Step one: Put them out in front sionally helpful gardening column each of your house. Step 2. If there are no Thursday for the news website mylittletakers, cart them off to the free table bird.com. ◆

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63 CHRS House & Garden Tour rd

The Tradition Continues - Free & Virtual by Elizabeth Nelson

The owner of 521 2nd St. SE built this staircase himself

Spacious living at 707 East Capitol St.

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very Mother’s Day weekend, for sixty-two consecutive years, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society has hosted a House and Garden Tour. History moved forward; administrations came and went; decorating styles changed; Capitol Hill became fashionable; but CHRS and the Tour tradition were constants. Plans were completed for a smashing 63rd Tour, and then the pandemic hit and it wasn’t safe for homeowners or guests to have an in-person tour. But “when a door closes a window opens…” Tour organizers hit <pause> on the planned tour and are trying something new –the first-ever #StayAtHome House Tour using 3-D technology for a virtual experience. And this year it’s free! On September 12, scans of nine homes will be posted at CHRS.org, where the public can view them at any hour of the day or night, free from weather-worries. Those who miss the joys of strolling are invited to try the Whimsy of Capitol Hill photo scavenger hunt and the Historic Sites walking tour, both on the website homepage. Those who can’t wait for the virtual tour to go live – or would like to see more homes, including a house boat and a repurposed warehouse – can view the mini-videos at chrs.org/what-i-love-aboutmy-house. Several of these “house selfies” were taken in homes slated for the tour. And now, a preview of the houses: • The first house on the tour is 102 13th St. NE. This was on the tour in 2008 and has grown even lovelier. It’s situated on a corner and features a very

•

unusual floor plan with rooms to both the left and right of the entry hall. The highlight of 630 E St. NE may be the faux finishes on the walls, doors, and even a bathroom ceiling. The overhead light fixture in the kitchen is truly unique, a special commission. The owner has several collections on view, in-

Globe collection at 630 E St. NE

•

cluding globes and cigar boxes. Hand craftsmanship is the hallmark of 521 2nd St. SE, where one of the owners built the central staircase and rear porch, himself. The art and furniture are highly personal, reflecting the owners’ varied interests. Anyone who missed last year’s tour is in luck; 132 13th St. SE with its dramatic staircase and extensive mosaics is in the 2020 lineup. This is fortuitous, because the art is a lot to

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take in. Having it scanned allows for repeat visits. Be sure to look up – the ceiling was not neglected. 511 Seward Sq. SE is a jawdropping Victorian masterpiece. A previous owner opened it for the tour in 1991. The current owners completely redid the kitchen and dug out the basement to create a delightful suite of rooms, but left the vintage wallpaper and fixtures intact. It is gorgeous. The art on display at 1345 F St. NE is of particular interest, including a fantastic collection of watercolors, many done by one of the owners. You won’t want to miss the sumi-e by Fred Harris in the living room. 707 East Capitol St. SE is also home to a wonderful art collection and amazing rugs, many of them purchased from Muzaffer Biber, whose family has run a carpet business for generations at the Grand Ba-

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Welcoming spaces at 102 13th St. NE.

zaar in Istanbul. The owners of 137 D St. SE are relatively new to the Hill. Their home feels refreshing and airy thanks to the carefully chosen color palette, lighting elements and mirrors. Open shelving reveals their collection of transferware. • The furnishings at 24 9th St. NE include many lovely antiques and rugs, but the star of the show is the house itself. The chimney closets are a feature rarely seen and the skylights are glorious. The façade is worthy of an in-person viewing, if you find yourself close by. While it’s true that nothing quite replicates the ambiance of the in-person experience, the virtual tour has the advantage of convenience and allows unlimited visits to each property. Those left “wanting more” can look forward to the 64th annual Mother’s Day House and Garden Tour, May 8 and 9, 2021. •

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR Because Local Experience Matters.

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48 H HILLRAG.COM

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Elizabeth Nelson is the chair of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s (CHRS) House & Garden Tour Committee. For more information on this, other free events, and issues of historic preservation, visit www.chrs.org. u

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Working with Limited Space

Hill Residents Get Creative as They Prepare to Work Remotely Long-Term by Elizabeth O’Gorek

o your colleagues get a virtual tour of your home on a daily basis? Has your kid disrupted your thought process to drop Kleenex on your keyboard or sit in your lap? Does your spouse belly crawl behind you to avoid the laptop camera on the way to the kitchen? As the public health crisis drags on and remote work looks more and more like it will be the new normal into next year, Capitol Hill residents are coming up with creative solutions to find working space. Some are adapting the nooks and crannies of their homes; others are making renovations to suit their changing needs. Still others are adding whatever space is possible to make working

from home a little less work for the family.

“I Can Close the Door at the End of the Day”

Real Estate agent Megan Shapiro said that as more families prioritize workspace in their home buying searches, agents are staging homes to help people see space in innovative ways. Photo: Courtesy Megan Shapiro/Jeanne, Phil & Meg/Compass Realtors

Some Hill residents are making simple changes to capitalize on small spaces, sometimes with something as simple as a piece of wood. Sydney Bopp, her husband Noah and their two-yearold daughter live in a 1000 square-foot house on Walter Street SE. The couple was moving from room-to-room to work, depending on who was on childcare duty, if their toddler was napping, or who had a video meeting. “Our coworkers were getting a full tour of our home every day,” Sydney Bopp said. Noah scoured the internet, looking for solutions. Finally, he found a simple and elegant answer to the problem: he installed a shelf at desk-level in the bedSydney Bopp with her puppy Pericles, or ‘Peri’, at her “cloffice”, room closet. The two culled their wardthe workspace she built into a bedroom closet in her Walter Street robes, stored out-of-season coats, and home. Photo: Noah Bopp 50 H HILLRAG.COM

distributed items between the main floor hall closet and their daughter’s bedroom. Now, Sydney shares foot space with cleaning supplies and a mop, but she said it is worth it. “It’s just changed the entire thing,” she said. “At the end of the day, I just close the closet door, and it’s just like leaving the office.” Hill residents are improvising in any number of ways. Annette Lee described how she converted her dresser into a makeshift desk by laying one of her wedding presents, a particularly long cutting board, across the drawer for the keyboard. Ma-

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ria Hernandez found space at the top of the landing in the upstairs hallway of her Hill East townhouse for a small desk and a chair that must be tucked into her son’s room at night to permit safe passage.

ovate to meet their needs. Many of the clients he has on Capitol Hill are now moving ahead with projects they have had under consideration for years, especially renovations to unfinished or partially finished basements, he said. Those decisions are being influenced “I Actually Think We Need by the pandemic, leading to requests for atan Office” home gyms, playrooms and office spaces. Some are modifying long-planned interior Recently, some residents have been askrenovation to suit their new work situations. ing Sestak about adding auxiliary units, small Hannah Morris and her husband, David, buildings located on the same lot as the prinhave been considering renovations to the main cipal residence, to solve their space concerns. floor of their two-bedroom home since they Sestak refers to these as “wee work” spaces. purchased it three years ago, wanting to open The Floyd family, who live in Southeast, apthe kitchen, dining room and living space. proached Sestak to talk about building one In late August, contractors came in to do in their backyard. an invasive inspection, to examine what was A freelance consultant, A. Floyd usually behind the walls before work began. It was works from a 4’ by 5’ cubicle in a nearby cothen, Hannah said, that she thought to herself, working space. At about 8’ by 8’ or 64 square “I actually think this house needs an office.” feet, the proposed unit would be much larger. Both Hannah and David work for the Sestak estimates it will cost about $21,000 to Robert Sestak of Sestak Remodeling Solutions frames the auxiliary federal government and are spending upbuild. Floyd reckons they will recover some unit in his own backyard in Fairfax, VA. In addition to being a show wards of five hours a day in virtual meetings. of the cost from the rental fees they will no model for what he calls “wee work” space, it will be a classroom for his wife, a teacher, and his two children as they begin remote learnBoth would rather have a more professional longer have to pay. ing. Courtesy: R. Sestak/Sestak Remodeling Solutions background than a bedroom or kitchen. With The Floyds are also parents to two chilfights over office space brewing, they decided dren under two years old, with in-home care have mentioned office space in their criteria as a a different direction was in order. in their three-bedroom townhouse. Dur“nice to have,” Shapiro said. “I want to maintain a personal and professioning the day, noise and activity makes it difficult to “Now, I am working with families and couples al line,” she said. “Our workspace has already enconduct meetings or conversations; at night, when who have prioritized one or often two dedicated oftered our home, but I still have the power to say, they are often making international calls, the voices fice areas in a home, one for each adult working and “This is how much of my home it can be in.” I think could wake the kids, ruining not only the call, but Zooming from home, with an eye towards a space those boundaries set us up for resilience.” the mood of the following day. that will look professional on camera,” she said. The kitchen will still be updated, an imporThe outdoor unit would be a small space, but In response, realtors are staging homes to show tant change as the family cooks more often at home. the couple says that is exactly what they are lookthe ways in which spaces can be utilized for remote But instead of opening the main floor, their contracing for – a little separation between work and home working. “Buyers really need office space, and our tor, Wall to Wall Construction (www.walltowallconlife that allows them to still be part of their chilstaging and photos are the way to make them think of struction.com), is installing a wall to make a dedidren’s daily lives. spaces in innovative new ways,” said Shapiro. cated office space. “Having the flexibility to have some separation It might be tempting to move to the suburbs, With many organizations not planning to return between home and work when we do have to quarwhere the cost per square foot is much lower. Capto the office before the new year, Morris said she had antine, I think, is really--mental-health-wise--benitol Hill homes regularly run upwards of $500 and to prepare for the new normal, not only for themeficial,” Floyd said, “but also helps me be a mom even $600 a square foot. Meanwhile, Shapiro reselves, but for a potential tenant or the next buyer. in the house when I need to be a mom, but also be cently sold a 2,080 square foot, four-bedroom “The reality is, these big open floor plans might a professional when I need to be a professional in home in Rockville for $490,000 (about $236 per not be the future if people are always working from the office.” square foot); she sold a rare 2,422 square foot fourhome,” Morris said. Sestak, who has built a showroom auxiliabedroom on the Hill in August for $1,470,000, ry unit on his own yard in Fairfax County, Virgin($607 a square foot). Thinking of Space in ia, said there are more constraints on such units in Innovative Ways the District than where he lives. “You need to get a “Wee Work” Auxiliary Units Megan Shapiro, of Jeanne, Phil Meg Real Estate permit for any new construction here,” Sestak said, Robert Sestak, Founder of Sestak Remodeling So(www.compass.com/agents/megan-shapiro) said “and there are historical concerns [in the Historlutions (sestakremodeling.com), said that folks like that many buyers are looking for work space as they ic District].” Hannah and David are not alone in deciding to renshop for a new home. “Pre-COVID, buyers might Hill families have had to be creative and sac54 H HILLRAG.COM

rifice time, money and convenience, but they know they are lucky to be able to do so. While they acknowledge the allure of extra space in the suburbs, they say the benefits of Capitol Hill living are priceless.

Community Keeps Families on the Hill Sydney Bopp said she loves her Walter Street home and community. Neighbors along the street have banded together to make the best of what she calls “a crummy situation,” hosting a socially distanced wedding, a street dance party and frequent porch visits. “If we had moved, it would’ve just been the three of us, somewhere else,” Bopp said. “This would be even harder with nobody else around.” As she begins work on her office renovation, Hannah Morris said she knows she is lucky she can work from home and to be in a financial situation that makes renovations possible. “We feel fortunate in this community, especially thinking of our more affected neighbors,” she said, “and there’s a lot we can give to this community that we love so much.” Morris said she and David love the Hill too much to make a move to the suburbs. They could not leave neighbors who have supported one another so much during the pandemic, even doing group grocery runs to reduce stress on the employees on the front lines. “We really love our community and how much we help each other out, how much we support each other,” she said. “While the pandemic might change what living on the Hill looks like, we don’t think it’s going to change that spirit.” u September 2020 H 55

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When

Garden Pests Come Ind rs by RIndy O’Brien

020 has been unusual in so many ways for gardeners. First we had no rain, and now too much rain. It does seem the summer cycle has been an ideal scenario for bugs and pests. All of a sudden, ants, mosquitos, beetles, and other garden bugs are leaving the garden and marching into our homes. So, what can you do to keep the invaders out and still enjoy the last hurrah of summer.

his business in a row house at 4th 20 to 25 broken lids on the cans. In and D Streets. “While our busithe cracks on the lids, or the water accumulated at the bottom of the ness has moved to Hyattsville, a trash can because no lid is used, large number of my clients are on mosquitos can thrive. It is the perthe Hill,” says Al, “and I really feel fect breeding ground because moisat home there.” English basements ture and food are all in one place. and downstairs steps often can be Bird baths and little ponds can also the source of mosquitos, because attract mosquitoes, especially if the there is less foot traffic to disturb When the Buzz is Bad water does not circulate. them; dampness is often present; Al Nelson, owner of Capitol Mosquito Control, And the ground cover and ivy and mosquitos like shadow time, Kamga, owner of FLK says he doesn’t think mosquitos are any worse this early morning and evening. “One Fleurie often favored in our small front garPest Control, hunts the trails year then previous years, but because we are home advantage of our company is we of pests to stop the home dens also attracts mosquitos. It is invasion. He is licensed and due to the Covid pandemic we are now outside in know where to look,” Al says. easy for them to lay eggs down in certified by the Maryland our yards more and noticing them. All the recent Capitol Mosquito Control Department of Agriculture the soil, especially if the space is a rain is also making treating them more challenguses only organic eco-safe prod- every year. little overgrown. Al says the key to ucts. There are success in controlling mosquitoes many extract oils like peppermint, is source control. “If we can prevent the place we know mosquitoes thrive, then we can do a good job rosemary, garlic, and chrysantheeliminating the problem.” mums that are made into organic sprays and used by Capitol MosThe Ants Go Marching Two by Two quitos. Spraying every two weeks is Another pesty complaint by homeowners this sumsuggested to keep the mosquitos at mer is ants inside the house. a tolerable level. ”You can never reFolks who have lived for years in their homes ally get rid of all the mosquitos on your property,” Al says. “But, by diligent maintenance, you can create outdoor spaces that the whole family can enjoy.” Al Nelson, owner of Capitol Mosquito Control in one of his company’s One big tip Al shares is to revans getting ready to tackle some mosquitos. The company was founded on Capitol Hill, and knows where to find the pests. member that mosquitos migrate. If you have sprayed your yard, the mosquitos will relocate next door to your neighing. What’s more, all that rain is filling up pots and bor’s yard. When possible you should try and crevasses with water, creating exactly the kind of make treatment a block effort, to make sure the breeding ground mosquitos like. DC was named this year as the third worst cities for mosquitos, acproblem isn’t just being pushed from one spot to cording to Orkin’s annual survey. Atlanta is numthe next. Al notes that alley ways and trash cans are other big sources of mosquito infestation. ber one. Peppermint and garlic extracts are a good home remedy for In a usual Hill alley, there can be up to 120 Al should know--he has been treating mosquipests, and high quality oils and extracts are available at Yes toes on Capitol Hill since 2013 when he started trash cans or more in a block. Invariably, there are Organic Market on Barrack’s Row. Photo: Rindy O’Brien

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Al Nelson of Capitol Mosquito Control says open trash cans in alleys are one of Capitol Hill’s most likely breeding grounds for mosquitos. Photo: Rindy O’Brien

are suddenly reporting ants in their kitchens, dining rooms, and other living spaces. Fleurie Kamga, owner of FLK Pest Control, has noted an increase in homeowners requesting ant treatment this year. In business since 2006, Fleurie is a pest technician licensed and certified by the state of Maryland. He says in order to be certified he must take a class annually and pass a test. The course work is rigorous and requires serious study. Ants, like many other pests, make a trail when they come into your house from the garden and outdoors. To really get rid of the ants, it requires treatment inside and out. “I have to find the ant trail and treat the source where they are gaining access,” says Fleurie, ”otherwise they will keep coming.” Like mosquitos, the ants are looking for moisture and food. Places like a dog or cat bowl of food and water is where you see them, or on counters where food is left out. “Sometimes we use tracking powder to see how they are gaining access.” Unlike mosquitos where

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Overgrown gardens, especially those with ivy and ground cover, provide ideal breeding spaces for mosquitos. It is important to keep your garden cleaned up if you don’t want a major infestation. Photo: Rindy O’Brien

you can never truly eliminate them, ants, beetles, and other pests can be stopped from entering your indoor space with a little patience and treatment. In both cases, it may take more than one visit of the pest control company to accomplish the task.

Home Remedies Sadly, science says there is not any evidence that citronella plants, commonly known as mosquito plants, actually repeal mosquitoes. Maybe, if you are sitting right next to plant, the smell will deter mosquitos at that moment, but it is not actually a fix. In fact, lemongrass is the plant that produces citronella oil that is used in organic sprays and candles. It is considered to be effective in repealing mosquitoes and is considered a registered pesticide product. Rosemary plants can also help buffer attacking mosquitoes, but as Al Nelson points out, you cannot plant enough of these to beat the numbers of mosquitoes around. If mosquitoes can breed in a water bottle cap, think of all the small places where water can accumulate. Spraying areas with peppermint and garlic oil can help. Ants can also be kept at bay by squeezing a lemon or putting lem-

on peels near where the ants enter. Again, follow the outdoor trail of the ants, and use anything sour and bitter to keep the ants away. Cloves and cinnamon are often believed to be a natural repellent as ants don’t like a strong smell. Treatment using these home remedies often needs repeating two times a day. It is quite possible for you to enjoy your beautiful gardens and outdoor yards. For those fighting ants and mosquitoes, September signals the end of the ant and mosquito battles. As our long summer days wind down, and temperatures start to cool off, these pests also wind down. Whether you use the home remedy route, or hire professionals, Al and Fleurie emphasize the need of homeowners to be persistent and patient in their plan of attack and always be vigilant eliminating standing water and overgrown weeds. Rindy O’Brien recently thwarted an ant attack in Her hill condo, a first in ten years. For ideas or comments, rindyobrien@gmail.com u

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September 2020 H 61

HOMES GARDENS Beware of “Active” 2020 Hurricane Season by Tom Daniel

nd “active” is not good! NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) predicts another possible 15+ named storms during the 2020 hurricane season. This is not an article about the weather per se, but it is an article about how severe weather and heavy rain and wind can affect your roof and home and property. Hurricane Isaias in August caused some significant damage in the DMV area and it’s kind of scary that another dozen or more tropical storms or hurricanes could make landfall in the US this year. Growing up as the son of a Capitol Hill roofing contractor and fishing-fanatic-father, I realized at an early age to pay attention to the weather! Over the last 10 years or so, the DC area has had its fair share of stormy weather including such events as Snowmageddon of 2010, Hurricane Irene in 2011, the Derecho event and Hurricane Sandy in 2012, all of which caused varying degrees of significant damage to homes and property. As a local roofing contractor we have

assisted numerous Capitol Hill homeowners to secure some extraordinary roofing emergencies and assessed and repaired: • Damage to roofs causing leaky and failing ceilings • Flooded windows and basements caused by gutter and downspout damage and failure • Tree branches puncturing roofs • Wall caps and flashing blown off • Broken skylights • Blown off shingles, and more. Officially, according to the National Weather Service, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1-November 30. So, how can Capitol Hill homeowners lean forward and get ahead of the curve? If you wait until the next storm arrives it may already be too late to prevent significant roofing-related damage. And after the storms, roofing contractor phones, texts and emails are flooded (sorry about the word choice!) for days and weeks and it may be difficult to assist you then. So, while I’m trying to be informational and factual (and not trying to “sell”) I would say this; CALL YOUR ROOFING CONTRACTOR NOW to get an inspection of all things that are roof-related because the season doesn’t end for another three months!

Preparing For The Worst

Here are some important actions for your roofing professional to take: • Gutters and downspouts should be cleared of all debris, including leaves, small tree branches, dirt and mud, acorns and other nuts (true!) that fall from trees. This will enable water to flow more effectively to the drain and off the roof. In addition, if gutters and/or spouts are not properly secured (due to aging, etc.) to the fascia or house frame they can also fail and cause significant damage. • Roof flashing and wall caps (parapets) are found on the roof on both the inside and the perimeter of your roof including at vent pipes/stacks, chimneys, skylights and virtually all roof penetrates. High winds and heavy rains can cause flashing to loosen, rip and tear. This aspect can allow water to easily find its way inside your home and damage the ceilings, walls and floors. • Stains and signs of leaks on ceilings and interior walls could be roof leaks. Make sure to have all roof leaks repaired before major storms can cause major damage. • The roof deck itself (the main roof surface) should be checked for any signs of deterioration, tears and holes. Joints should be checked for signs of splits or thin areas or roof membrane and failed caulking or loose metalwork.

To be better prepared for the reality of storm damage what can you do now to protect your home?

Leaves clogging drain. Wall cap blown oﬀ from heavy wind.

Water pooling on roof after heavy storm.

62 ★ HILLRAG.COM

Gutter filled with leaves preventing drainage.

â&#x20AC;˘

All penetrations on the roof (including those from satellite dishes, solar panels, gas lines, heat and AC units, ducts, vent pipes, chimneys and other structures) should be inspected. Any point of possible water or air infiltration needs to be checked and, if necessary, restored to a properly sealed condition. â&#x20AC;˘ Check the condition of your chimneys especially loose mortar which can be a serious source of water damage. Let me share a couple real life examples that our Capitol Hill customers had to deal with. Consider the case of an elderly couple living on A St. SE. They suspected that they might have a slow roof leak because of the yel-

Gutter filled with water after heavy rain.

September 2020 H 63

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low stains on the ceiling in their master bedroom. But there was no visible sign of water. So, they felt it was more of an aggravation than an immediate concern because the stains had not really grown much over time. They were early risers, usually out of bed well before 7:00 a.m. One morning while having their morning coffee and toast in the kitchen they heard a noise from upstairs. Betty made her way to the top floor and to her surprise, and probably horror, she discovered a large chunk of the ceiling had fallen onto their bed and the floor! She immediately realized the roof should have been looked at early on. And let me close with the case of a couple on Constitution Ave. N.E. who were puzzled by the peeling, puffy paint on the ceiling of their kitchen on the FIRST floor. There was no problem of staining or peeling paint on the top floor ceiling so they were really confused. We discovered a damaged metal box on the roof that holds the AC wiring and that box penetrates the roof and water dripped directly to the kitchen ceiling! It was actually a pretty easy fix to a confusing problem. A final word; stay off your roof or be very careful if you are up there! We and other roofing companies usually offer free inspections, so let us do our job for you. Tom Daniel is owner of R. Thomas Daniel Roofing, LLC, and is the third generation of the Daniel family to provide roofing services to Capitol Hill homeowners for nearly 100 years. Tom was born in Capitol Hill, attended Gonzaga College High School on North Capitol St. and supports numerous community organizations. For help with all your roofing needs please contact him at 202-569-1080, 202-544-4430 or tom@rthomasdanielroofing.com. ◆

We welcome the Capitol Hill community to join us for our free virtual Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Services. For information, please visit www.HillHavurah.org.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C P.O. Box 77876 • Washington, D.C. 20013-7787 www.anc6c.org • (202) 547-7168

ANC 6C will meet September 9 by teleconference. Information will be posted on the ANC 6C website.

ANC 6C COMMISSIONERS ANC 6C01 Christine Healey 6C01@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C04 Mark Eckenwiler 6C04@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C02 Karen Wirt 6C02@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C05 Joel Kelty 6C05@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C03 Jay Adelstein 6C03@anc.dc.gov

ANC 6C06 Drew Courtney drewcourtney.anc @gmail.com

ANC usually meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm, 214 Massachusetts Ave, N.E. Please check the ANC 6C website for dates.

ANC 6C COMMITTEES Alcoholic Beverage Licensing First Monday, 7 pm Contact: anc6c.abl.committee@gmail.com Grants Last Thursday, 7 pm Contact: torylord@gmail.com Twitter: @ANC_6C_Grants Environment, Parks, and Events First Tuesday, 7 pm Contact: jgmccann@gmail.com

Transportation and Public Space First Thursday, 7 pm Contact: anc6c.tps@gmail.com Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development First Wednesday, 6:30 pm Contact: 6C04@anc.dc.gov Twitter: @6C_PZE

September 2020 H 65

HOMES GARDENS

Happy 100 Birthday, Frager’s! th

Iconic Capitol Hill Hardware Store Celebrates Community by Elizabeth O’Gorek

Capitol Hill icon is about to celebrate its 100th birthday. Frager’s Hardware (1115 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) will mark their centenary with a monthlong celebration this September, including contests, giveaways and continued efforts to support the community organizations that make Capitol Hill unique. “It takes a special business and community for operations to continue for 100 years and we don’t take that lightly,” said Frager’s Hardware co-owner Gina Schaefer. “We’re really proud of our opportunity to steward Frager’s into its next century.”

Like A Family Coincidentally, Frager’s was founded the year after Washington DC emerged from the Influenza epidemic of 1918. Fitz Frager opened a small hardware store in the southeast unit of the building at 1105 Pennsylvania Ave SE. A year later, he built the store at 1115 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, expanding into neighboring buildings in the 1930s. Fritz Frager passed his business on to his two sons George and Jules, who managed it into their 70s, when they put it up for sale. Two University of Virginia fraternity buddies, Ed Copenhaver and John Weintraub, bought it for $67,500 in 1975. They upgraded the store, bought more surrounding real estate and added a garden center, paint center and rental service.

“We’re like a family,” thenGeneral Manager Nick Kaplanis told Hardware Connection magazine in an article published in the May 2013 issue. “People come here as a gathering place; they come here to talk with each other. We have a very loyal following.” Then on June 5, 2013, tragedy struck. The store caught fire, and the four-alarm blaze destroyed the interior entirely, burning for more than three hours. It could have been the end for the business, but Frager’s refused to quit. a massive fire destroyed Frager’s in 2013, it was rebuilt behind the original “The fire happened on a After façade and is topped by a four-story condominium complex. Photo: Liz O’Gorek Wednesday and we were set up doing business on Sunday at the pad than 800 Frager’s Hardware t-shirts. across from Eastern Market where Store Manager Aisha Bryant said [then] Mayor Vincent Gray helped one thing hasn’t changed since the cut the ribbon,” Weintraub said in days when Kaplanis managed Frag2014. “It was because of the great er’s: it is still a family, for employees staff that we were able to go forward.” and for customers. “Frager’s reminds Less than a year after the fire, the me of the importance of neighborhardware and rental store opened in hood hardware stores,” she said, addthe blue building at 1323 E St. SE, ing that Frager’s feels different from where it would remain until Frager’s other neighborhood hardware stores. could rebuild. “Many residents of Capitol Hill view

Home for the 100th Anniversary

Owners Gina Schaefer and Marc Friedman at the reopening of Frager’s Hardware in August 2019. Photo: Andrew Lightman

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Store Manager Aisha Bryant.

In 2017, Gina Schaefer and Marc Friedman purchased Frager’s Hardware, leading it home to the original site on Pennsylvania Avenue two years later. The couple operate A Few Cool Hardware Stores (AFCHS), 13 stores that are part of the Ace Hardware Cooperative. Now home again, Frager’s Hardware is still going strong: since Schaefer and Friedman took over, they’ve exchanged more than 10,114 Sodastream cartridges (about 1.8 million 12-ounce cans); mixed nearly 30,000 cans of Benjamin Moore paint and sold more

Frager’s as an extension of their family,” she said, “and hold a sense of pride for the institution.” The new 8,500 square foot store has two floors, a boutique garden shop, Foliage by Frager’s, down the street, and a large garden center. But the original exterior walls still stand, and the “Frager’s Hardware” sign was saved to adorn the building.

Frager Rama Photo Contest Longtime residents will remember the annual “Frager Rama” photo contest started in 2003. Customers wore their Frager’s t-shirts in places all over the world and sent their photos in for prizes. Frager’s is reviving contest as part of the 100th

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Anniversary festivities. Submit a photo of yourself wearing your Frager’s t-shirt in an interesting place and you could win a $100 gift certificate, as well as a limited-edition Frager’s Hardware 100th Anniversary t-shirt. All month, you can also win one of 50 prize packages including a cheese package from fellow co-op Cabot Creamery, Frager’s gift card and limited-edition centenary tote bag designed by local DC maker “The Neighborgoods.”.Weekly in-store giveaways will include custom-made products, including Frager’s Hardware tote bags, chocolate-covered Oreos from Capital Candy Jar, chocolate bars, buttons and stickers. Throughout September, Frager’s will showcase neighboring small businesses who have contributed so much to the vibrancy of our Capitol Hill neighborhood. They’ll also continue fundraisers for local nonprofits that have improved the quality of life for our neighbors in need.

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(Continued on pg. 64)

202.425.1614 Licensed & Insured | All Work Managed & Inspected by Owners September 2020 ★ 67

HOMES GARDENS

(Continued from pg. 63)

Frager’s Name Your Neighbor Game Win a Prize with the Frager’s 100th Anniversary Game. In 2003, a Frager’s Hardware employee came up with the idea of the annual “Frager Rama” photo contest. Customers wore their Frager’s t-shirts in places all over the world and sent their photos in for prizes. Can you identify the people in these 2013 photos? Email your answers to Leads@hillrag. com. The person who can identify everyone (or comes the closest) wins a prize package from Frager’s Hardware and the Hill Rag, including face masks, gift certificates and more!

68 H HILLRAG.COM

tures, birthday party decorations, lawn and garden supplies and a full array of rental equipment at the Hello Rental desk downstairs. Schaefer said that the business survives because of the strength of the community it serves. “I’ve always believed that in order for a town, city, or community to be strong, there must be a foundation of business support and a strong “shop local” mentality,” she said. “The vibrancy of Capitol Hill embodies this description. Frager’s next 100 years should be as exciting as the last because of the neighbors we serve.” Learn more about Frager’s Hardware by visiting acehardwaredc.com/pages/fragershardware Learn more about the 100th Anniversary celebrations by visiting www.facebook.com/FragersDC or see celebration details at https://acehardwaredc.com/pages/fragers100th To enter to win Cabot Creamery prize package at https://www.cabotcheese.coop/ fragers-hardware u

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Dear Garden Problem Lady, The top leaves and lower stems of my New England Asters, usually the star of my September garden, are brown and shriveled. I have watered often. Ideas? Not really. They could have been burned by our many weeks of searing sun, or even drowned from recent torrential rains. Asters are so strong, however, they should survive. Make sure they get bone meal and compost in the spring. For winter, should we cut our Autumn Joy Sedum back to the ground, or leave them alone? If left intact in winter should we cut them back in spring? Sedum is very hardy and needs little care. Birds enjoy their seed heads, so why not attend to any cutting back for size until spring? If your sedum is getting too large, it’s easy to dig up and divide them then, to make more plants. Is it a good idea to put spent coffee grounds onto one’s garden? Spent coffee grounds certainly look good – a rich dark brown, the color of good rich earth – and they’re free. Now and then one hears of using them this way – it’s old-fashioned -- and possibly harmless. There have been chemical analyses of coffee grounds – they are vegetable, after all. They contain tiny traces of many metals and chemicals, including small amounts

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of nitrogen. The reasons horticulturists tend not to use them are that they are acidic, (good for azaleas and blueberries but not everything) and also that their caffeine can curtail the growth of some plants, even kill some. Our chartreuse-colored Hostas have invaded into the flowerbed of our superb chartreuse-colored Heucheras. How and when can we best move Hostas? You do not need me to warn you how tricky this will be. April is the best time to do it, but your problem sounds like an emergency. If so, do it in late afternoon. Since both plants are happy (protected from intense sun, with a good deal of shade), best begin by finding a new spot for the Hosta(s). Prepare a planting hole, making it slightly bigger and deeper than the plant(s), and fill it with compost and humusfilled soil. Then among the overrun plants, first gently probe with a fork, to explore the entwined roots. You must go deep to separate each perennial’s roots, shaking them free, one from the other. Leave as many good leaves as you can on rescued plants. Wrap the freed Hosta(s) in wet paper towels. Next, separate and replant the Heucheras, thinning or throwing out overcrowded ones. Then attend to the Hostas. Divide, root prune or discard what you can’t use, and plant into your prepared spot. Keep all transplants watered well. Capitol Hill Garden Club meetings are currently happening – virtually. Meetings are free and open to all at capitolhillgardenclub.org. Feeling beset by gardening problems? Your problem might prove instructive to others, and help them feel superior to you. Send them to the Problem Lady c/o dearproblemlady@gmail. com. Complete anonymity is assured. ◆

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September 2020 ★ 71

HOMES GARDENS

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$795,000

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4 4 3

BARRY FARMS 2649 Bowen Rd SE

$320,000

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5 4 5

BRENTWOOD 2226 16th St NE 2318 18th St NE #2318

$640,000 $515,000

4 4

CAPITOL HILL 529 4th St SE 17 9th St SE 301 11th St SE 131 C St SE 217 A St NE 1317 D St SE 114 11th St SE 224 9th St NE 125 D St SE 1537 D St NE 413 Guethlers Way SE 317 14th St NE 1345 Constitution Ave NE 1020 F St NE 644 F St NE 712 12th St NE 708 F St NE 524 8th St NE 1812 Bay St SE 102 15th St SE 420 5th St NE

$2,300,000 $2,272,500 $2,105,000 $1,875,000 $1,655,000 $1,588,000 $1,550,000 $1,399,000 $1,395,000 $1,376,000 $1,320,000 $1,250,000 $1,200,000 $1,175,000 $1,155,000 $1,150,000 $1,115,000 $1,050,000 $979,500 $950,000 $930,000

6 4 5 6 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 3

CAPITOL HILL EAST 3 Bruce Robey Ct NE 4 Bruce Robey Ct NE 119 15th St SE

$1,099,000 $1,059,000 $1,045,000

4 4 4

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

72 H HILLRAG.COM

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

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

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

5 4 4

DAKOTA CROSSING 3296 Theodore R Hagans Dr NE 3272 Robert Clifton Weaver Way NE

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4 4

DEANWOOD 1005 50th St NE 220 57th Pl NE 5020 Lee St NE 1021 51st St NE 4208 Gault Pl NE 5362 Hayes St NE 1118 51st St NE 4434 Hunt Pl NE

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DUPONT CIRCLE 1739 S St NW 1744 Willard St NW

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4 4

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

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

4 4 4 4 4 4 3

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arts ining d and

CAPITOL CUISINE Article and Photos by Celeste McCall

hroughout Washington’s five-month shutdown, many local restaurants have bitten the dust, including our beloved Montmartre and the venerable Post Pub (downtown). However, others have managed to hang in there. Among them is La Plaza, (629 Pennsylvania Ave. SE.) Owned by Henry Mendoza, originally from El Salvador, the 18-year-old TexMex/Salvadoran mainstay has weathered numerous obstacles. This pandemic is by far the worst. Weary of carryout (and perhaps my cooking),

husband Peter and I settled on La Plaza’s sidewalk patio. Enjoying a summer breeze, we sipped tangy, frosty margaritas and nibbled warm tortilla chips with salsa. Then we ordered fish tacos (tilapia), and shrimp quesadillas, escorted by guacamole, sour cream, rice and refried beans. Meanwhile, Mendoza was hoisting bags of onions, carrots, shortening, beer and other essentials from his truck. Toward the beginning of the pandemic shutdown, I had asked Henry about the future of restaurants. He was not optimistic. “This was not how I en-

Henry Mendoza’s popular Tex/Mex/Salvadorean La Plaza, welcomes guests for (safe) inside and outdoor seating. Photo: Pete McCall

A generous platter of ﬁsh tacos with sides ranks among customer favorites at La Plaza.

visioned the American dream,” he responded. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to reopen; at least not until we get a vaccine. Without a vaccine….it would not be safe.” Recently, we asked Mendoza how he was able to reopen after all. “It’s not been easy,” he said, adding that his government financial assistance was not enough. He has retained all nine employees, and while he shoulders many responsibilities, he’s not paid himself for six months. Henry also goes the extra mile, keeping La Plaza open on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. “Even on holidays, people are looking for food,” Mendoza explained. “This is what I fight for, the American dream.” September 2020 ★ 75

. arts and dining .

guez 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

seating; closed Monday. Call 202-9219592 or visit www.albidc.com.

How Sweet It Is

Captain Cookie has opened at 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE (Seventh and C streets), where Pitango used to be. The sugary newcomer carries homemade cookies (we like the chocolate chip) and made-to-order ice cream sandwiches. For same-day delivery, call 202-9184 or visit www.CaptainCookie.com....Jeni’s Ice Cream, 526 Eighth St. SE, also arrived last month. The local At the recently revamped Emilie’s, an eye-catching Market offers offshoot of the nationwide wines and gourmet foods. chain showcases umpteen flavors (dairy and nonhanced with smoked La Plaza is open daily; call 202dairy). We love the “Deepham and a scattering 546-9512 or visit www.laplazadc.com. est Chocolate” tagged at of summer corn. Emilie’s new executive chef, Hamilton Johnson, concocts a richly $12 a pint. According to delicious duck leg confit. Other options Return to Emilie’s the label, it’s “packed with are roasted BrusSince the arrival of new executive chef to do is re-heat or add a few finishing “fair-trade cocoa and not much else.” sels sprouts, Szechuan chicken tenHamilton Johnson, Peter and I have touches and add ice to the cocktail. You can also order scoops and cones. ders and a Jasmine rice bowl crowned revisited Emilie’s, 1101 PennsylvaMost Neighborhood Nights inOpen daily, visit www.jenis.com. with fried egg and veggies, enhanced nia Ave. SE. Emilie’s interior has been gredients are available at the restauwith a choice of lemon-grass marinattransformed into a gourmet Market, rant’s Pantry (grocery). Diners may Bread Line ed chicken or crispy pork belly. Dinoffering wines, pastas, cooking oils, also order from Slipstream’s regular Nearby at 705 Eighth St. SE, Souk has ner for two came to about $80, which eggs, fresh produce, coffees and othmenu; favorites are avocado toast and launched a line of house-made breads. included a 4 percent “employee weller (mostly) locally sourced victuals. myriad coffee drinks. For exact hours Proprietor Dr. Winnette McIntosh Amness” charge to help with health inSeated on the sidewalk patio, we asked and more information, call early the brose, two-time Food Network Chamsurance. Emilie’s is open daily from about wines-by-the-glass. Our servabove number. Call early; sometimes pion (Cupcake Wars & Chopped), 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (note the early er explained that during the pandemthe kitchen runs out of Neighborhood bakes baguettes, sourdough, hallah closing time), with weekend brunch ic shutdown, Emilie’s has no “funcNight items. and more. She’s also introduced pizza from 10:30 to 4:30 p.m. Call 202-544tioning bar.” Therefore, we purchased crusts for customers to bake at home, 4368 or visit emiliesdc.com. a bottle of Zolo Malbec from the MarLebanese to be topped with Souk’s Hot Honey ket; since we did not finish it, we took Disaster Relief Pepperoni or Caramelized Onion with the remainder home. Peter ordered a Slipstream At Home Local restaurants are responding to the Gorgonzola. Coming soon: gluten-free Chaser Pilsner Lost Rhino beer. Don’t feel like cooking? Each weekbreads and made-to-order sandwiches. horrific August 4 explosion in Beirut, Our shared bowl of yellow tomaend, Slipstream, 81 I St. SE (Navy Souk is closed Sunday. For more inforwhich killed at least 171 people and to/lemongrass gazpacho tasted as good Yard) hosts “Neighborhood Nights at mation visit www.dcsouk.com. displaced 300,000. In the Navy Yard, as it looked, a colorful, exotic blend of Home,” a cross between carryout and a Albi, chef/owner Michael Rafedi’s peach kimchi relish fragrant with Thai meal kit. Here’s what you do: Call 202wood-burning Levantine restaurant, Market Watch basil and drizzled with zippy chili oil. 560-5095 or visit www.slipstreamdc. is creating makshi, a goldbar summer Here’s something tasty and easy for My entrée, a crispy, meaty confit duck com and order an almost-ready, threesquash stuffed with smoked lamb neck, a late summer cookout: Union Meat leg, was artfully poised atop a mélange course meal plus a cocktail. All this is cinnamon and allspice. Proceeds from Company (in Eastern Market) is offerof multi-hued potato hash, scallions only $25 per person. the $28 entrée go to Impact Lebanon. ing house-made bratwursts for $7.89 and English peas, all edged with a ribCreated by Chef Dan Perron, the Located at 1346 Fourth St. SE, Albi per pound. Call 202-547-2626. Eastbon of Thai basil pesto. Peter’s Vietmenu changes weekly. A typical repast: provides (safe) indoor and outdoor ern Market is closed Mondays. u namese-style deviled crab was enhummus with house-made pita, mer76 H HILLRAG.COM

September 2020 H 77

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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).

cordings 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 SerboCroatian engineering genius and inA grounded attack helicopter is examined by Iranian youngsters in the ventor, Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) who, failed aftermath of the 1980 “Desert One” mission; photo courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment. through his adaption of alternating current (AC) to widespread use, helped Kopple has incorporated a wealth of recently unelectrify our world. Here he is incarnated by a grave earthed archival sources, as well as intimate interviews and humorless Ethan Hawkes, shown with a serious with President Jimmy Carter, Vice President Walter ‘stache and perpetually wrinkled brow, peering into a Mondale, newscaster Ted Koppel, former hostages, world only he seems to fathom (the film is rated “PGjournalists, and even Iranian student revolutionaries 13,” runs 96 minutes, and was released on streaming who orchestrated the take-over of the US Embassy in platforms in late August). Tehran (who were filmed in Iran). The plot provides a straightforward inThe film backgrounds the complex planning and ventory of Tesla’s greatest hits in chronologiintelligence-gathering necessary for the secret operacal order—contesting his AC against the DC tion, which presumed landing eight helicopters into of Thomas Edison (Kyle McLachlan), makthe southern Iranian desert (together with support airing deals with George Westinghouse (Jim craft) which were to fly to Tehran and rescue those Gaffigan), designing power plants, lighting held hostage. A disastrous landing—three copters the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, inventing the becoming disabled—led to an aborted “Desert One” Tesla Coil, collaborating with financier J.P and an ignominious defeat. Kopple uses imaginative Morgan (Donnie Keshawarz)—all somberly new animation to actualize an operation that was nevand lovingly shot if not always fully explained. er filmed, while extolling the bold risk-taking and reAt intervals, we have a running narration solve of the enterprise. by Anne Morgan (Eve Hewson), J.P.’s daughPerhaps the most striking element of Kopple’s ter, who describes Tesla’s experiments and film is the never-before-heard live satellite phone re78 H HILLRAG.COM

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 president’s mental health. “UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald

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

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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THE WHITE WINES OF SPAIN by Elyse Genderson

pain’s refreshing and complex whites are ideal for warmer weather, entirely versatile, and food friendly. There are dozens of outstanding bottlings of Spanish whites to love, notably from Rioja, Rueda, and Rías Baixas.

Rioja Rioja is Spain’s most loved wine region, praised for its bold reds. The whites are made mostly from Viura and Tempranillo Blanco grapes. Viura is a somewhat neutral grape, like Chardonnay, it takes on characteristics of the winemaking style like lees aging and batonnage. When grown at low yields and matured in French oak (like Muga Blanco) it can produce bold, concentrated wines that can age and improve for years. Tempranillo Blanco makes wines with racy acidity and delicious flavors of lemon, grapefruit and pineapple.

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2017 Muga Blanco $16.99 Complex aromas and flavors of fennel, lime, and peach with a slight hint of toast. 2017 Lacrimus Rioja Tempranillo Blanco $14.99 Intense aromas of tropical fruits and lime. Full-bodied with a long finish.

Rueda

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Rueda stands out from its famous red wine producing neighbors, Toro to the west and Ribera del Duero to the east, since it produces almost all white wines. Don’t let the low prices fool you, these are high quality and delicious wines!

The region used to produce nutty wines in an oxidative style like Sherry until the 1970s when the acclimated Marqués de Riscal winery in Rioja decided to make wine from the local Verdejo grape and showcase its fruity character. Marqués de Riscal invested in modern winemaking equipment like temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and they followed modern techniques. It was their investment that helped propel the region on a global stage and transform it to what it is today. Rueda’s vineyards are planted at high altitude, creating drastic day to night temperature swings which help Verdejo grapes retain acidity and freshness. The extreme continental climate here is very hot in summer and cold in winter with very little rainfall. Luckily, Verdejo can withstand the droughts. Dry farming is also common. Verdejo produces wines with lovely notes of apple, pear and peach complemented by an appealing note of fennel. 2019 Balnea Verdejo $10.99 Winemaker, Maria Jesus Hernandez, is one of the few female winemakers in Rueda. Maria’s family have farmed vineyards for generations, but she is the first winemaker in the family. Balnea’s vineyards are located on a high altitude plateau. The low fertility limestone and gravel soil and drought-like conditions produce low yields of highly concentrated grapes. Balnea shows flavors of citrus and herbal notes with a creamy and delicate texture. 2017 Calamar Verdejo $14.99 Calamar is a classic expression of Verdejo, aromatic, herbaceous, fresh, and elegant.

Rias Baixas Winemaking in Galicia dates back 2,000 years to the time of Roman rule. The rich tradition of winemaking here and the diverse microclimates allows for the production of fresh, ripe, and complex white wines. Galicia has five major classified wine regions, Rías Baixas on the Atlantic

coast, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras, and Monterrei, which are all much smaller and further inland. Rías Baixas is the largest DO (designation of origin) in Galicia. Directly bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Rías Baixas is Spain’s most westerly DO. It has a maritime climate with warm summers, mild winters, and lots of annual rainfall. 95% of grape production here comes from the Albariño grape. It is considered Spain’s quintessential white wine. Albariño is ideal for the damp climate as it can fight off rot with its thick skins. It also ripens fully in most years due to the warming climate. The sea influence is prominent and the wines display a briny, salty character backed by zippy acidity. The granitic soils in Rías Baixas create wines with complex, stony minerality. The soils are free draining, which is important in this wet climate, and helps to ensure that the roots are not logged in water. The wines show off lovely citrus, green apple, lemon, grapefruit and peach, sometimes with a floral note. They pair wonderfully with the local delicacy, pulpo (octopus).

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2018 Viñabade Albariño $14.99 Fresh, floral, and very fragrant. Notes of nectarine, peach, and lemon zest. The round texture and creamy mouthfeel make this wine a tremendous value. 2018 Raiolas D’Outono Albariño $15.99 Elegant and lush, this wine is another great example of the complexity possible from Albariño. Honeydew melon, apple blossom, and salty flavors. 2018 Granbazan Etiqueta Verde Albariño $19.99 Etiqueta Verde is fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tank and aged on the lees for four months before bottling, giving a round texture. This is a classic Salnés Valley style. It’s dry, floral, with crisp acidity, and elegant salty finish. Elyse Genderson is the Vice President of Schneider’s. Visit her at the historic storefront to discover wines you’ll love. ◆

September 2020 ★ 81

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ARTandtheCITY by Jim Magner

ARTIST PORTRAIT: MARGARET SANGER

everything. She was a pacifist. I volunteered for Vietnam. It upset her, but before she died, she left a painting— “for when he comes back”—the “Rocky Cove.” I still have it. We discovered that you can find much in common if you listen—just listen. For more about Margaret Sanger, see below: “The Play.”

universe. We would take short imaginary excursions to Sabino Canyon near Tucson where we had both painted. I would describe the canyon coming alive in the morning: the sun turning the rock walls crimson, hawks catching an updraft, quail scurrying, cactus wrens getting busy, bobcats drinking from the rushing, singing stream. Margaret could see it all. She would look at me through endless eye-tunnels then close those eyes and let the sights and sounds settle deep in her private place. But that’s the magic of the human mind—the ecclesiastical reaches of creativity. It’s the power to see, really see, beyond the limitations of the physical—to fly among the projections of our imagination. Aurochs come alive on a cave wall. Clouds take on human features. A flat arrangement of lines becomes a landscape that recedes to the horizon. Seeing goes beyond sight. There is a cerebral sense to it all. Art with music, poetry and all creative visions, join in a communal spiritualism—the currents of a universal dream. On her final day, Margaret asked my mother to take her outside to look up at the enchanted Catalina Mountains lit by thundercloud formations that glowed like heavenly lanterns. She watched the trees wave and listened to the birds sing one more time. She closed her eyes and let the sounds and sights settle deep in her private place.

“I was a painter before I was a rebel,” she told me, “but I had to keep Margaret the artist barricaded behind the outer skin of the warrior.” She said the artist had to wait for a long time inside the “banshee” who faced down the law and repelled the attacks. Margaret grew up with art. Her father, Michael Higgins, was a sculptor, “a crazy artist who had to Jim Magner’s Thoughts on Art carve cupids into tombstones to feed us kids.” She Margaret Sanger is sailing on the currents of timetook a few art classes at a Hudson River institute lessness—drifting over regal mountaintops, swoopbut returned to Manhattan to become a nurse. She ing in on roaring rivers, and gasping at the rising witnessed the death of a woman from a self-induced mountains of trash and floating islands of plastics. abortion and her life changed forever. She coined I know this because I am still with her. We began the term “birth control,” pushed the limits and went flying together many years ago when I was a young to jail for advocating contraception. She married lieutenant and she was in her final years in a nursBill Sanger, an artist and architect. ing home. Unlike many famous people who also create art, We discovered each other through art. We talkMargaret’s paintings are unpretentious. Celebs seem ed as we flew through time and the wonders of the to think that fame and fortune require a Francis Bacon style on a Tintoretto scale. Her watercolors are small and straightforward, but not photographic. She brought life to the ordinary and let the paint loose to seep and saturate the paper in a controlled manner. I knew Margaret the artist in her last years in Tucson. My mother was her private nurse. I was in my 20s. She was in her 80s. We were both painters and that brought us together. We talked almost exclusively about art and how it had made us human. I gave her one of my paintings and I picked one of her’s—the “Dancing Trees.” I still have it. We didn’t agree on Margaret Sanger “Rocky Cove” Watercolor on Paper. Photo Jim Magner 82 H HILLRAG.COM

The Play: “Margaret Sanger and the Soldier.” I have written a play about our conversations. I was the soldier. Playwrights Horizons in New York, called it a “…lush, richly imagined exploration of

Margaret Sanger “Dancing Trees” Watercolor on Paper. Photo Jim Magner

the power of art.” Yes, at its core it is about the humanness of creativity. It was scheduled to be performed at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore this coming February but has been postponed until 2022. Margaret Sanger, like many people who take on the world, has been called many terrible things from a weird variety of people her whole life. It continues today. She has been swept up in the raging verbal wars about racism and is the target of accusations even from those who had praised her. They are not true. If you would like to know why, send me an email. She was a tough lady who fought for human dignity and won the right for women to control their own fertility. She was also an artist who saw beauty everywhere.

Galleries “Making New Connections” Capitol Hill Art League Frame of Mine Gallery 545 8th St SE Sept. 8–Oct. 3 The 12 newest members of the Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL) present their work in this

“pop up” exhibit at the Frame of Mind Gallery. “Making New Connections” refers to the new members, but also the inspiration that naturally occurs as part of the creative process. www. caphillartleague.org Hill Center 921 Pennsylvania Ave., SE The annual Regional Juried Exhibition continues through 2020. Although it is closed, a wonderful work from each artist can be seen at: https://www.hillcenterdc.org/artist/2020regional-juried-exhibition. Fran Abrams Foundry Gallery 2118 - 8th Street, N.W. September 2–27, 2020 Fran discovered polymer clay in 2000. It allows her to work in full color and in three dimensions with almost unlimited elasticity and life. “Progressions” is a retrospective of her development from a “silk scarf ” method of draping the clay, to her most recent work. Franabrams.com

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September 2020 ★ 83

. arts and dining .

the LITERARY HILL A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events by Karen Lyon

An Indelible Blot When the next vacancy on the Supreme Court opens up—and fingers crossed it won’t be anytime soon—let’s pray that the confirmation battle won’t be as ugly as the last one. In case you’ve forgotten the details, Ruth Marcus reminds us in “Supreme Ambition: Brett Kavanaugh and the Conservative Takeover.” The fight began with the contentious battle to replace Antonin Scalia after his sudden death in 2016, when Speaker McConnell blocked Obama’s nominee, allowing candidate Trump to appeal to his base by pledging to appoint conservative, pro-life judges to the bench. Marcus contends that the promise of a more conservative court played a large part in the 2016 election, with the subsequent confirmation of Neil Gorsuch a first step toward that goal. Then when Justice Anthony Kennedy retired in 2018, Trump had a chance to establish an even more secure conservative majority on the court. Oddly, one of the names not on the list of potential nominees was Brett Kavanaugh. Having spent much of his career with the Bush administration— and having served with Kenneth Starr on the Clinton investigation—Kavanaugh was considered by many to be too much a part of “the swamp.” But Kennedy himself recommended his former law clerk and, despite some grumbling among conservatives, he was nominated. As Marcus writes, Kavanaugh’s nomination would “irrevocably change [the] lives [of ] the justice whose reputation was forever marred and the shy professor and reluctant witness whose name became a household word.” We all remember those fraught hearings, at which a “terrified” Christine Blasey Ford offered her intensely personal account of a sexual assault, Kavanaugh delivered an unsettlingly truculent and over-the-top defense, and Senators on both sides pontificated. But Marcus fills in some of the things we didn’t see, such as the attempts to discredit Dr. Ford, the FBI’s refusal to interview witnesses or pursue reports of other incidents (which she calls “nothing sort of a dereliction of duty”), and the par84 H HILLRAG.COM

Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus discusses the Brett Kavanaugh hearings and their impact on the Supreme Court and the nation. Photo by Melinda Marcus

all over the country are now making their programming available online. Check out the Washington Post’s virtual literary event calendar (www.washingtonpost. com/entertainment/events/cal) and you’ll find offerings from as far afield as San Francisco, Martha’s Vineyard, Houston, Los Angeles, and Madison, Wisconsin. Many are free, some require tickets or the purchase of a book—which is only fair—and together they present a wonderfully broad and eclectic entrée into today’s literary scene. Many local venues have stepped up to the electronic challenge and are inviting readers to join them for readings, discussions, and book clubs. Here is a sampling, by no means complete, of what’s available around town:

East City Bookshop tisan stand-offs that thwarted the process every step of the way. While it took only 101 days from Kennedy’s retirement to Kavanaugh’s confirmation, Marcus believes the effects of that rancorous confirmation battle, which “plunged the country into yet another anguished, angry national conversation” will continue to resonate. “The Kavanaugh confirmation discredited the White House and the Senate,” she writes, “and his tenure will forever have an asterisk attached—a blot on Kavanaugh and the court that is, to use Christine Blasey Ford’s phrase, indelible.” Ruth Marcus is a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post and deputy editor of the editorial page. Find her on Twitter @RuthMarcus.

A Silver Lining There’s not much to celebrate about being stuck at home during a pandemic. Despite the pleasures of wearing elastic-waist pants and getting to know all the birds in your backyard, it would be hard these days for anyone—even Eric Idle—to sing a convincing chorus of “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” There is one area, though, where you may actually be able to expand your horizons. Freed from space and geographical limitations, bookstores from

ECB maintains an energetic slate of events, including a recent reading by Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri, as well as an expanded selection of book clubs such as Really Reading Romance, Well-Read Black Girl Book Club, Social Justice Book Club, and clubs for middle readers and tweens. www. eastcitybookshop.com/events.

The Folger Shakespeare Library In addition to a virtual book club called “Words, Words, Words” (Julie Schumacher’s “The Shakespeare Requirement” will be discussed on Sept. 3), the Library offers podcasts, streaming talks, and a chat show called “Shakespeare Lightning Round” where guests are quizzed about their favorite—and least favorite—things about the Bard. www.folger.edu/events

The Hill Center The Center has moved its classes and presentations online, including a book club—the pick on Sept. 15 will be “Carville’s Cure” by Pam Fessler with Lynn Neary of NPR—and Talk of the Hill with Bill Press, which will feature Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report on Sept. 22 (viewers may submit questions in advance). Also, don’t miss Paul Rivas, local educator and author

THE POETIC HILL by Karen Lyon

.S. Perkins is a DC author, poet, performing artist, theatrical consultant and entrepreneur who is, she says, “passionate about WORD POWER.” She serves as a Human Communication and Performing Arts/Edutainment Consultant through her firm, the Human Communication Institute, and has formed and directed several Oral Interpretation/Poetry/Prose Arts Performing troupes and programs at various schools and communities throughout the country. She also coordinates the Poetic Voice corner that appears in Southwest Voice: The People’s Paper, for which she invites submissions at psp@hci-global.com. Her poem below speaks to many of us these days as we try to navigate our neighborhoods—and our lives—masked in protective gear. Making I Contact

Hill children’s author Allison McGill is one of many authors whose videos are available at www.literaryhillbookfest.org.

of “This Book Will Not Be on the Test,” who demonstrates how to create an online course on Sept. 2. www.hillcenterdc.org/events

Literary Hill BookFest If you missed our virtual event in May, you can still go online and see a variety of recorded panel discussions, poetry, children’s readings, and videos featuring local authors such as Garrett Peck, E. Ethelbert Miller, Jonathan Bardzik, Louis Bayard, Katy Kelly, and many more. www.literaryhillbookfest.org

Loyalty Bookstores Highlighting “the diverse voices and creatives that make our communities great,” this Petworth bookstore continues to host a full schedule of virtual book clubs, including Agatha Christie + Sherry Club, Antiracist Book Club, and Memoir Book Club, as well as panel discussions and author events. www.loyaltybookstores.com/event

Solid State Books The H Street store hosts a variety of book clubs, including Lit on H Street, SciFi Book Club, and Persistence + Prose: A Feminist Book Club, as well as author talks and story times, all of which you can now join virtually. www.solidstatebooksdc.com/events

Smithsonian Associates The Smithsonian now offers its full range of art, history, cooking, and cultural programs online, including a series of discussions this fall called “Windows on the World: Reading Literature from Many Cultures,” with selections by Arundhati Roy, Julia Alvarez, and Margaret Atwood. www.smithsonianassociates.org

Capitol Hill Books Alas, our beloved Eastern Market bookstore is not currently hosting virtual events, but they are selling books online and they maintain a hilarious Twitter feed that’s not to be missed (@chbooksdc). www.capitolhillbooks-dc.com

DC Noir at the Bar This program of readings by writers who specialize in crime fiction has gone virtual in support of DMV bookstores. Eight to ten authors read at the weekly event and viewers are encouraged to buy books from various local independent bookstores. www.eaymarwrites.com/noirbar

Politics and Prose No listing would be complete without this DC literary hub, which is now streaming its complete line-up of book talks and discussions, including a dual presentation on Sept. 1 by superstar authors Louise Penny and Hilary Rodham Clinton. www.politics-prose.com/events u

There is nothing but my EYES left to see... Covered head to toe in my Medicinal burka... Is this what she feels like? Protected? Guarded? Conspicuous? Only revealing the seeing part of me... So now I only use my I to connect... Eyeing others Eyeing me from a distance...6 feet or more... Searching to know, Are you death approaching my door? Should I run? Should I be scared? As we eye each other Revealing the dread of walking into each other’s space Avoiding the connections of face to face. Listening for a cough ... Dreading a sneeze .... “Cover your mouth, won’t you please! “ Avoiding human contact that could bring me to my knees. But still I walk silently through the lonely streets seeking contact I can greet, with a wave or a nod Some recognition of my BE-ing... because the last thing I want to do, The very last thing I want to do, is return home to isolation Where there is no recognition of who I BE. So, I wander the neighborhood hoping Wanting, Needing, to make I contact. If you would like to have your poem considered for publication, please send it to klyon@literaryhillbookfest.org. (There is no remuneration.) u

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CREATING YOUR OWN OPTIMAL IMMUNE SYSTEM

by Pattie Cinelli

’m a person of an age down. But that does not mean that has been designatthat one is doomed. How do ed a high-risk group for we keep our immune systems contracting COVID. functioning optimally? Yet I don’t feel vulneraWhat is the ble, scared or unsafe. Digging Immune System? deep and listening to my inFrom the dictionary: The ner voice, I have been followimmune system is a diffuse, ing my personal creed of being complex network of interactresponsible for my own health. ing cells, cell products, and It seems to be working. cell-forming tissues that proI’ve chosen to take the tects the body from pathogens holistic approach to wellness. and other foreign substances, I’m not perfect, but most days destroys infected and maligI strive to meditate, think of nant cells, and removes celseveral things in the day to aplular debris: the system inpreciate, take supplements, cludes the thymus, spleen, sleep and eat well and do lymph nodes and lymph tissome kind of exercise. sue, stem cells, white blood I’ve consulted Karin Edcells and antibodies. gett, a nutritional cook and an On the whole, it does a artist, who found her own sucremarkable job of defending cessful path years ago when your body again disease-causshe got tired of being regularing microorganisms. But, acly sick. I’ve also worked with Here are the supplements I take most days: l to r: Front row–zinc, vitamin D, adrenal cording to Harvard Medical chiropractor Henry Jenkins support, liposomal vitamin C and B-12. Back row: is the liquid Omega 3. School, it is difficult to boost whose practice treats both the your immunity. ”It’s a system, mind and the body together. chronic illnesses such as headaches, sinus issues, not a single entity. To function well, it requires balKarin turned her illness into wellness through joint and muscle aches and digestive issues to an ance and harmony. There’s still much that researcha practice of “exercise, eating good food, taking adult whose immune system functions optimally ers don’t know about the intricacies and interconsupplements instead of medicine and, what may took making a commitment to my own well-being. nectedness of the immune response.” be the most important for improving the functionIt was worth the effort.” Many suggested immune-boosting practices ing of my immune system, developing a spiritual For the past six months we have been hearing have been used to help heal for hundreds of years practice.” Her regimen changes as she gets healththat those who are especially vulnerable to contractyet may not be embraced by the traditional westier, as the environment changes and her awareness ing COVID are the elderly, those who have other illern medical establishment. According to Harvard changes. “I began doing yoga which was my ennesses and people who are on medications. Why? Health Publishing, choosing a healthy lifestyle is try into a spiritual practice. From yoga I worked Because those individuals’ immune systems may be the “single best step you can take toward naturally with an array of channels and meditation practiccompromised and unable to fend off the invading keeping your immune system strong and healthy.” es in order to support my overall well-being,” she COVID virus as well as younger or healthier indiWhat does that mean? said. “The transition from an adult who had many viduals. As people age their immune system slows

September 2020 ★ 87

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How to Change from Illness to Wellness “Part of my spiritual journey was that I was under stress the way I lived my life,” explained Karin. By changing what she did and how she approached what she did, she relieved a lot of the stress. Living under constant stress, even low-grade, causes your body to produce cortisol, the stress hormone. Over time, elevated cortisol lowers your resistance to fighting off infection and contributes to poor sleep and higher blood pressure. Karin’s four tips to improve your immune system: 1. “Start a spiritual practice to keep yourself in balance. Basically, anything that gets you out of your head and into your heart. If you are just using your brain and not connecting to your essence, soul /heart then you are limiting your capacity to be your full self.” 2. Use supplements daily. They can be useful for building your immune system. Three supplements I take are: Vitamins A, D, and zinc. I take liposomal vitamin C and lots of it when I feel run down or when I have a virus. A good multi-vitamin can also boost your immune system. (Source Naturals Wellness Formula can be bought on Amazon, at Yes, Whole Foods or MOMs.) 3. Drink a hot liquid daily. “In case I come into contact with the virus the hot tea I drink will help prevent it from getting into my lungs.” 4. Eat well. I’m on a plant-based diet but she said any diet is fine. Try to eat fresh, local food and whole foods, Food is energy. Anything that is highly processed will not be as good for you as food that is locally-grown and fresh.

A Few Lifestyle Tweaks to Boost Your Immune System Last year my right ankle and foot was hurting. The pain was impairing my ability to exercise, work and walk my dogs. I was out of balance and out of sorts. After treatment from Dr. Henry Jenkins at Paradigm Chiropractic and Performance and using a pair of orthotics, my pain disappeared and I felt once again centered. Experiencing pain compromises one’s immune system. “If you can boost your immune fighters you can stay healthy instead of trying to get rid of an illness,” said Dr. Jenkins. “Now is the time to change habits that are not serving us.” Don’t hesitate to use assistance from experts to help. “I focus on misalignments of the spine which directly impact the autonomic nervous system,” Dr. Jenkins explains. “Our thoracic region (mid back) has nerve bundles which directly affect the adrenal glands, the stomach, the spleen and the liver. If I can release the nerve interference then I theoretically can improve function of those areas that are directly related to the immune system.” Because of the pandemic lockdown, he has had time to examine what is important in his life and a renewed appreciation for what makes him healthy and happy. Because he has had less patients he began eating dinner regularly with his family. “It’s become a priority which I will continue. I realize what’s important when I have time to examine and reflect.” Regular chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage, reflexology and energy work can all aid in keeping your immune system in balance. If you are not exercising there’s no better time to start than now. A simple daily walk can give you the vitamin D you need and get your body moving. Getting good sleep is easier said than done, but it’s not impossible. Most experts agree everyone needs between six and eight hours of quality

sleep most nights to fight off infection. Make it a priority. Try different techniques. When my sleeping habits changed and I was waking up around 4 a.m. every morning, I got back on track through trial and error. The change didn’t happen overnight but during the shutdown I could experiment with different methods of staying asleep without having to be concerned about waking at a certain hour to get to work. I also started a regular meditation practice and found any time I am feeling anxious or stressed a few belly breaths (breathing into my gut, holding for a second or two then slowly exhaling) can help lower my anxiety level. It’s a technique that can be used anywhere and at any time.

Attitude is Everything A positive mindset is vital for health and well-being. Research shows that positive thoughts reduce stress and inflammation and increase resilience to infection while negative emotions can make you susceptible to disease. As Karin Edgett says, “Be kind to yourself and be kind to everyone else.” If you want to contact Karin Edgett go to: karinedgett.art. If you want to contact Henry Jenkins go to: paradigmchiropracticdc.com. Pattie Cinelli is a health and fitness professional who has been writing her column for more than 20 years. She has never been a patient in a hospital, never got the flu and never been seriously ill or injured. She focuses on nontraditional ways to stay healthy and get well. Please email her with questions or column suggestions at:fitmiss44@aol.com. u

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. family life .

/ The District Vet /

HOOKWORM

by Dan Teich, DVM

ith the dramatic recent influx of puppies and rescue dogs, we have observed a marked increase in incidences of hookworm, an intestinal parasite. Most people are familiar with roundworms, a spaghetti-like worm common in puppies. While roundworms are undeniably gross, they usually do not lead to severe illness, whereas hookworms can be more insidious and problematic. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see hookworms, well, usually not, as they are a parasite that lives within the small intestine. They are thread-like in appearance, with a prominent hook at one end, albeit they are so small as to be nearly invisible. Hookworm infection, called ancylostomiasis, can be in dogs, cats, and even humans. Several species can infect dogs, but the most common is Ancylostoma caninum. A less common hookworm is Ancylostoma braziliense, which can infect people, too. The first sign of hookworm infection is usually diarrhea. Diarrhea from hookworms can be so severe in young animals that it leads to severe dehydration and even death. The parasite attaches to the intestinal wall with six sharp teeth, feeding on the blood in the intestines. They can suck so much blood as to cause death via severe anemia. Adult worms are about 1-2 centimeters in length and are very thin. They use their hook to stay right where they want to be: attached to the intestine. There they live and mate, producing up to 6000 eggs per day. These eggs are passed out to the environment in the feces. Once in the outside world, they hatch and can become infective within two to nine days, depending upon temperature and humidity. Hookworms are transmitted between animals through several methods. The first is the easiest: an animal eats infective larvae from the environment. the larvae either travel to the intestines or can burrow into the gums, eventually winding up in the lungs. Second, eating infected meat can spread the parasite. Cockroaches can carry hookworms, but ingestion of cockroaches usually does not lead to clinical disease. Still, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let your pet eat roaches. Infective larvae, especially of A. braziliense can penetrate the skin directly, leading to itching of the area. The larvae then migrate to the lungs where they are eventually coughed up and swallowed, repeating the cycle. Last and most common, larvae are spread directly from mother dogs to puppies via milk. This is only seen in A. caninum and explains the high prevalence of the parasite in puppies. Within the intestines, the hookworms secrete enzymes, anticoagulants, and platelet inhibitors, leading to bloody diarrhea and damage of the fine structures of the intestine. This inhibits the ability of the intestines to adequately absorb nutrients, leading to further diarrhea and weight loss. If they deplete one site in the intestine, the hookworms can move elsewhere, creating new damage. For the larvae that enter

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the lungs, they can cause respiratory signs, including coughing. For a parasite, they can be remarkably long-lived up to two years, allowing plenty of damage over time. Many dogs with hookworm will be perfectly normal, not showing any clinical signs. These silent shedders spread the parasite undetected. Diagnosis of hookworm is made through examination of the stool, observing for either eggs or via chemical analysis for proteins excreted by hookworms. Many veterinary hospitals (such as District Vet) use both methods. A positive test indicates the presence of the parasite. Hookworms are amongst the most common intestinal parasite in dogs and cats, with approximately 20% of shelter dogs testing positive. Personal experience has shown this number to be higher in dogs from certain geographic areas. The parasite is not limited to shelter areas; it can be obtained right here on the streets and parks of DC. Treatment of hookworms used to be straightforward: routine heartworm preventives are labeled for use in preventing hookworm infection. But we have observed that many dogs do not respond to solo use of oral preventives. For treatment we usually still use preventives but add on a round or two of another dewormer, such as Panacur. One injectable heartworm preventive is labeled to treat hookworms and we have observed a favorable response when utilizing it for this purpose. ProHeart12 is given as a once-yearly injection, preventing heartworm for 12 months and treating current hookworm infections. Killing off hookworms requires eliminating the adults, but there are juveniles within the intestines which are not killed by onetime treatments. The injectable version kills the adults for a sustained period of time, not just once. This is why we also use Panacur for a long period of time. We highly recommend using either ProHeart12 or once monthly preventives. Puppies should also have at least two fecal examinations performed during their puppy visits and adults should be screened at least every year. Also please pick up your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feces quickly in order to lessen environmental contamination. People can get hookworm, usually via coming into contact with infected soil. Most often the infection is seen in children as they tend to be playing in sandboxes or on the ground. Usually human infections are limited to skin rashes, but if suspected, it is important to contact a human physician. Human cases are most frequently seen in the southeast and Gulf Coast states. Dr. Dan Teich is the Medical Director for District Veterinary Hospital, Eastern Market. He is a Hill resident and can be seen walking to work with Dr. Brian, his golden retriever sidekick. u

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September 2020 ★ 91

. family life .

kids&family

NOTEBOOK by Kathleen Donner

Library for your own creative purposes. Blogs.loc.gov/families/2020/07/welcome-families.

Courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum

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 timed-entry pass and to follow the COVID-19 safety requirements. Due to ongoing construction to repair the Boeing Aviation Hangar roof, some parts of the UdvarHazy 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.

Imagination Stage Launches Fall Online Classes

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 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, sociallydistanced, 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 92 H HILLRAG.COM

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

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 Jeremy Rusnock Photogdesigned for the on- Photo: raphy LLC line 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.

FOLLOWING STRICT COVID-19 STATE’S REGULATIONS We have been successfully open for the last month! Please refer to the website for the COVID-19 policies.

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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 Clinton’s fifth children’s official bookseller, Politics & Prose, Chelsea book, published in April 2019, with a limited number of commemo- is Don’t Let Them Disappear: 12 Enrative book plates signed by authors. dangered Species Across the Globe. 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. 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 94 H HILLRAG.COM

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.

KIDZ Virtual ArtJamz: Dog Days 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 At-Home 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

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CARPET CLEANING WOVEN HISTORY

We wash carpets in the traditional manner – by hand, using no chemicals or machinery. No preheated room for drying. We dry in the sun and the wind. Free pick-up and delivery for Capitol Hill residents. Call 202-543-1705. More info. at wovenhistory.com. Located at 311-315 7th St. SE. Your neighborhood carpet store on Capitol Hill since 1995. Open Tuesday- Sunday from 10 am- 6 pm.

CHIROPRACTIC Living on & serving the Hill since 1986

Dr. David Walls-Kaufman

www.prorepairappliance.com

LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS

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Chiropractor

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

411 East Capitol St., SE

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All are welcome to Dr. Walls-Kaufman's free Saturday morning Tai Chi class at 8 am in Lincoln Park

202-544-6035 Because Optimal Health is Impossible Without Optimal Posture!

CLEANING SERVICES

Professional ofessional Home Cleaning

Keeping your home and family safe and disinfected with a professional clean.

COMPUTER

ANCHOR C O M P U T E R S

On-site Service for Homes & Businesses Since 1994 Troubleshooting, Repairs & Upgrades Virus & Spyware Removal New & Existing Computer Setup

202.399.3090

Call: Or Visit: www.maidpro.com/capitolhill 1405 H Street, NE • 2nd Fl

Network & Wireless Installation Data Recovery, Transfer & Back-up TV & Phone Configuration Webpage Development

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A Cleaning Service, Inc. cares about the environment in which you live

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a clean house, a clean mind. Complete Residential Cleaning, including Laundry & Ironing CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE

703.892.8648

acleaningserviceinc.com satisfaction guaranteed serving DC, MD & VA since 1985 licensed, bonded & insured

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John Himchak Construction Co. Inc. SATISFYING CAPITOL HILL CUSTOMERS FOR OVER 27 YEARS

Basement Excavation Underpinning Foundation Repair Waterproofing Concrete Masonry Tuck pointing Paver & Flagstone Installation Garages Repaired Garages Built New Demolition Additions Renovations UNCOMPROMISED QUALITY REASONABLE RATES WARRANTY ON ALL WORK LICENSED

BONDED

Love Where you live… renovate

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571.437.4696 lgmatluk@hotmail.com

INSURED

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Speak Directly with Owner John Calls Preferred

202.528.2877

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DE-CLUTTER

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Renovations and Remodeling including Plumbing & Electrical

Residential & Commercial Restoration & Historical Preservation Structure Specialists Renovations & Remodeling Kitchens, Baths & Basements Restoration & Repair

Call 202.965.1600 DCRA Lic 9115 • Insured • References

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DOORS & WINDOWS

FITNESS

HANDYMAN

IRONWORK

Replacement Windows & Doors 1880 ON THE OUTSIDE

2020 ON THE INSIDE

HOT YOGA CAPITOL HILL Tone • Stretch • Melt

Serving Capitol Community for over 14 years!

Historic Window & Door Replacement Specialists

alex@windowscraft.com 202.288.6660 www.windowscraft.com LICENSED, INSURED AND BONDED

Maximize your Health! Hot Yoga (26 + 2) -plusHot Pilates HIIT • Warm Flow • Piyo Spa Yoga • Sculpt & Barre Yoga Restorative • Children’s Programs 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Yoga Retreats & more

HOUSE HISTORY

New Student Hot Deal

$39 MORE for an entire month DO of unlimited classes WITH hotyogacapitolhill.com 202-547-1208 YOUR hotyogacapitolhill@gmail.com MARKETING

Do You Know the historY of Your home?

ELECTRICIAN

Your campaign publicized across ALL available platforms.

Let us create a coffee table book on the history of your home.

nmhousedetectives.com

nmhousedetectives@gmail.com

Patios, roof top gardens, townhomes, single family homes Trees & shrubs, formal & informal gardens Custom Masonry, Fencing and Iron work Restoration and Enhancement

Certified Professional Horticulturist | Member of MD Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association

301.642.5182 202.322.2322 (Office) thomaslandscapes.com

ASK CARO

FLOORS

Installation, arbors, retaining walls, walkways, lighting, water features

Derek Thomas / Principal

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202.543.8300 X12

Thomas Landscapes Full-Service Landscape Design & Maintenance

AD SOLUTIONS We believe in strong, targeted ad solutions and offer added value benefits to our advertisers! So what’s INCLUDED?

Redefining Beauty One Client at a Time!

OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN CAPITOL HILL

CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS you saw them in

LANDSCAPING

INTERNET

MOVING & HAULING

BEST RATES IN DC $80 x Two Men- 2 or 3 Hours Minimum • Pickups / Deliveries

Residential Floors Dedicated to Perfection • Sanding and Refinishing • Installation • Repairs • Cleaning & Waxing

CONTINENTAL MOVERS Professional Movers Who Really Care

Owner Operated Since 1982 References – Local & Long Distance Packing Services – Pianos & Big Objects

7 days a week - Free Estimates Reasonable Rates Residential & Commercial

(301) 990-7775 Family owned and operated 3 Generations of Experience

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PET SERVICES

Peach Moving Services When Trust Matters Most Residential, Office & Commercial

RADIO/MEDIA Little Peach in Training

Short Term Notice Moves Local & Up to 300 mile Radius Expert Packing & Unpacking Temporary Storage by the Day Hourly Rates

Michael Pietsch (aka Peach) Capitol Hill Resident

202.368.7492

www.peachmoving.com

ORGANIZING STAY CALM AND GET ORGANIZED!

Navy Yard resident with 19 years experience will provide handson professional organizing assistance in your home or virtually. Free initial consult. Text/call 757-999-2664 www.clutterdr.com

When was the last time your expectations were SURPASSED!

PAINTING

202.543.1914

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ROOFING/GUTTERS

• Professional Craftsmanship

PLUMBING

• Interior & Exterior Painting • Clean, prompt and friendly service with a history of repeat customers

PEST CONTROL

F L K Termite, Pest &

Rodent Control More than just killing bugs, we take care of your home

Painting Division Interior & Exterior Custom Painting Drywall & Plastering

• Babies, children, pets, no worries, customized treatments • Latest environmentally sound methods and products • One time, monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, yearly

Call 202.965.1600

301.273.5740 301.576.3286

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DCRA Lic 9115 • Insured • References

Dial A Plumber, LLC®

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

LICENSED & INSURED

Free Estimates

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Just Say I Need A Plumber®

Licensed Bonded Insured

L U M M E R

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • “50 YEARS EXPERIENCE”

Flat Roof Specialists Modified Bitumen • Skylights • Shingles • Slate • •

Chimney Repairs Roof Coatings • Gutters & Downspouts • Preventive Maintenance • Metal Roofs • •

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Licensed & Insured | All Work Managed & Inspected by Owners

September 2020 ★ 99

WOOD &

ALL TYPES OF ROOFING REPAIRS

WHITACRE

ROOFING CONTRACTORS 30 years on the Hill Slate – Tile – Copper Specializing in all Flat Roof Systems and Leaks FREE ESTIMATES • Work Guaranteed

JEFFREY WOOD cell

301.674.1991

www.wood-whitacre.com

R.W. ROOFING

We offer the most competitive price in town. All Roofing & Rubber Roofs. We do everything: replacements, repairs, maintenance and coatings. See our ad under general contracting. 202-674-0300 or 301-929-0664.

SHOES

Star Roofing Company RELIABLE

Specializing in Residential & Commercial Flat Roof Systems

202-543-6383 All work done by owner • Free Estimates Insured • Licensed • Bonded

FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST

Eastern Market Shoe Repair • Shoes • Boots • Purses • Luggage 645 Penn Ave., SE upstairs M-F 8:30-7 • Sat 9-6

202-543-5632 WELDING

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• Tiles • Chimneys • Gutters • Waterproofing • Roof Certifications

We Do Everything!

BOYD CONSTRUCTION INC. LIC. BONDED. INS

75 years in service

BBB

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202-223-ROOF (7663)

Continental Welding

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CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

202-749-1487

continentalwelding@hotmail.com C O N T I N E N TA LW E L D I N G .C O M

Our website just got a whole lot better! www.hillrag.com

100 ★ HILLRAG.COM

you saw them in

IT'S WHAT WE DO. CAPITOL HILL • SW • H STREET CAPITOL RIVERFRONT • WHARF

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MIDCITY

F A G O N

GUIDE TO CAPITOL HILL

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

September 2020 ★ 101

www.themecrosswords.com • www.mylesmellorconcepts.com

XWORD “Computer Beginnings?” by Myles Mellor Across:

1. Like extreme opposites 6. Nonplussed 11. Online windows, with pop 14. Neat 18. Butterfly 19. Whale show 20. Nautical guy 22. Stat start 23. Relating to the promotion of longevity through diet 25. Certain cookies 27. Two-dimensional extent 28. English queen 29. 0s and Xs 31. Eccentric 32. Bluenose 33. Attack 34. Dickens’ character 35. Young kids 39. Removable locks 42. J.M. Keynes subj. 46. Backslide 47. Night of poetry 48. World’s smallest republic 51. Dixie pronoun 52. Record label abbr. 53. ___ Tweed 54. Letters after Q 55. Robotic thinking? 61. Not healthy 62. Basketball backboard attachment 63. Diner order 64. Driveway type 67. White wine aperitif 68. Lures 72. It once billed itself “The most trusted name in television” 73. End of the year month, for short 74. Gradually narrow 75. Northerly land area named after a Canadian PM

84. Ready follower? 85. Attach, in a way 86. Range units: Abbr. 87. Abound 89. Put down 91. Letter ender 92. “The girl from ____ goes walking” 95. Part of N.A.A.C.P.: Abbr. 96. ___ fly 98. Extended musical composition 99. The Beatles’ ____ in the Life 102. “Shallow ___” (Jack Black film) 103. Barely beat, with “out” 104. Resulted 106. Hydrocarbon 108. Spring time 109. V.I.P.’s opposite 113. Some kind of a nut 115. “The Prince” writer 118. Elongated slit 119. ‘’Gilmore Girls’’ girl 120. Not one of the majors 121. Water balloon sound 122. Saga 123. Work for eds. 124. Chucks 125. Irk

Down:

1. Cotton fabric 2. Actor Sharif 3. Tie up 4. India tourist city 5. Australian jumper 6. Fatuous 7. Beachwear 8. Fully satisfy, desire 9. Longtime record label 10. Bidding locale 11. Letters at Camp Lejeune 12. Sch. groups 13. Cul-de- ___ 14. State ranger 15. Pancake maker

Look for this months answers at labyrinthgameshop.com 16. Contradict 17. Attention getters 21. Connecticut university 24. Reveals 26. Sheila singer, Tommy 30. Post-E.R. place 32. Pizzazz 33. Oktoberfest souvenir 34. Painter Matisse 35. Be nosy 36. Paper quantity 37. Queen of scat 38. Toiletry item 40. One of 150 41. ‘’Duke of ___’’ (1962 doo-wop classic) 43. Sewing group 44. Beginnings 45. “__ a chance!” 47. Issue

49. Soviet fighter 50. Ending for an enzyme 52. “So ___” 53. Next in line? 56. Exclamation of surprise 57. ___ bit 58. Foootball org. 59. Prank 60. Peacock Network 64. Hosts 65. Urchins 66. Fundraising gp. 67. Wail 68. Wilts 69. Prefix with ‘’center’’ or ‘’cycle’’ 70. Moliere’s ‘’L’ecole ___ femmes’’ 71. Website symbol 73. Part of LED

NOW REOPENED Offering In Store Shopping, Contactless Pickup, and Shipping

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labyrinthgameshop.com NEED MORE HELP? Call 202.544.1059 or email team@labyrinthgameshop.com

74. Demolition compounds 76. Metric wts. 77. The Giants’ Manning 78. Like pecan pie 79. Last letters 80. Encourage 81. ___ time 82. Poet’s contraction 83. Moore of “G.I. Jane” 84. Act passed to protect rights of people with disabilities 88. Cold war figure 90. Out 91. Of a hymn 92. Incongruous results 93. Italian food 94. Swallowed up 97. Quaker pronoun 98. Like some wonders 100. Defective firecracker 101. On ____ with (equal to) 104. Tra __ (singing sounds) 105. E.P.A. concern: Abbr. 106. Haughtiness 107. Baseball player for the Giants 108. Screens for bulletin boards? 109. LePew of cartoons 110. Popular fashion magazine 111. One of five Norwegian kings 112. Evening, informally 113. Colo. is on it 114. Soccer fan in the family 116. It makes men mean 117. Insurance company for vision, abbr.

CHANGING COURSE DUE TO COVID? WANT A NEW PLACE FOR THE NEXT PLAGUE?

Licensed in DC & MD

IN B BR OUN EN D T S

TO HILL WITH SUBURBS!

CO NS N TR EW UC TI ON !

Leverage Your Equity! Sell Your Current House & Buy A New One! The New Loans’ Interest Will Increase the Tax Deduction & Give You More ASSETS for Less!

thesmithteam.penfedrealty.com

202.270.6368

Kristine Jones

202.415.4716

Peter Davis

301.332.1634

Office

202.608.1882

705 North Carolina Ave, SE Washington, DC 20003

2 Bruce Robey Ct, NE

LAST ONE! ALL NEW HOME on All New Street! Modern Materials/Timeless Taste! 3 Lvl + Roof Deck! 4BR/3.5ba, Hwd Flrs, Stone & Stainless Island Kitchen, Open LR to Side Patio, Dining Area, HUGE MBR Ste, w/ walk in closet, Mba; LL Big Guest Room and Family Rm. Wired for Internet & Cable, Parking! Full Footprint Roof Deck! $1.049M

521 11th St, SE

Original Facade hides an Extensive New Addition, 4BR/2.5 Home w/ 70’ Exposed Brick wall \, Hwd Flrs, Cove Lighting, Designer Kitchen, Grand Family Rm overlooking Flagstone Patio, LR, Large MBR Ste, with Luxurious Shower/Whirlpool Bath, Penthouse w/ Wet Bar and E&W roof decks, OSP! Across from Fragers New Condos, and Less $ per sq.ft.! $1.75M

30 00 +

SQ .FT .

NOW LEASING

1701 Trinidad Ave, NE

NOW LEASING at 1701 Trinidad Ave NE - Six Brand New Custom Built 2 & 3 Bedroom Units ALL with in-unit laundry! Great location with easy access to Ivy City Hot Spots, Union Market, H Street and Easy Access to Downtown and Suburban MD! Off-street parking available, ask for more details. Call us today!

718 North Carolina Ave, SE

Eastern Market Queen Anne w/ Amazing Proportions & Stunning Capital vews from spacious roof deck! 5BR/4FB/2HB on 4 lvls, 4100+ sq.ft.; Open Gourmet Chef’s Kitchen, Gracious MBR Ste, Top Flr Rec Rm (w/ Murphy Bed) LL: 2BR/1.5BA Inlaw Ste; double porches, deep pvt bkyd, in bounds for Brent! $3M

IN B M OU AU ND RY S

Peter Grimm

1660 EBENEZER CT, SE

Coming Soon! HUGE, All New Home, on 2 levels! 5+ Bedrooms, Oversized Island Kitchen, Stone, Stainless, Marble Tile, 40 dual paned windows, Master BR Ste & Owners Ste, w/ Sep LR/DR/Kit/ Office/laundry! Attached Garage, Patio, Deck. $1.9M

136 13th St, NE

Just a stroll from Lincoln Park, Eastern Market and More! Large 3BR+2.5BA four rooms deep with spacious, open gourmet kitchen and large family room, separate dining room, Skylight, newer windows, CAC, roof, wood burning fireplace, hardwood floors, private brick patio and mature front garden. In-Bounds for Maury! $1M

T TR RIN EA ID SU AD RE

202.498.6794

4B R

Aaron Smith

ST YL E

202.262.6037

LO FT

John Smith

1241 Morse St, NE

COMING SOON - Two (2) buildings with lots of yard and parking, gut renovation with custom high-end finishes, 3BR/2.5BA on 2000+ SF AND an additional Souped Up accessory dwelling. $1.250M

Come See our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheSmithTeam.DC/ for properties, tips, hints, history, jokes, jibes and fun!