East of the River Magazine November 2013

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Maurice Hines, in Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Lifeat Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | November 2013 H 3

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | November 2013 | CAPITALCommUNITYNeWS.Com

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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 08 ............What’s on Washington

12 ............East of the River Calendar

20 ............The Bulletin Board

24 ............District Beat • by Martin Austermuhle

26 ............The Numbers • by Wes Rivers

28 ............ Shutdown Pushes Mental Health Services to Edge • by Jonathan Neeley

29 ............ E on DC • by E. Ethelbert Miller

30 ............ Pavilion Opens on East Campus of St. Elizabeths by John Muller

32 ............ Ward 8 Barber Named NABBA President by Charnice A. Milton

36 ............Student Rights Alliance • by Virginia Avniel Spatz

38 ............ Central Union Mission • by Charnice A. Milton

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE 42 ............In Your Kitchen • by Annette Nielsen

44 ............Mama’s BBQ, Blues & Pizza Relocates • by John Muller

45 ............Jazz Avenues • by Steve Monroe

REAL ESTATE 40 ............Changing Hands • compiled by Don Denton

46 ............ L’Enfant Trust Begins Restoration of Historic Anacostia Homes • by John Muller

KIDS & FAMILY 48 ............Kids & Family Notebook • by Kathleen Donner

THE CLASSIFIEDS 52 ............The Classifieds

COMMENTARY 54 ...........The Nose • by Anonymous

Maurice Hines, with John and Leo Manzari, in Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater Nov 15-Dec 29. Photo: Tony Powell. Story on page 12.

ON THE COVER:

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Editorial StaffManaging Editor: Andrew Lightman • [email protected] & assoCiatE Editor: Maria Carolina Lopez • [email protected] notEs Editor: Susan Braun Johnson • [email protected] & FaMily notEbooK Editor: Kathleen Donner • [email protected]

artS, dining & EntErtainmEnt art: Jim Magner • [email protected]: Emily Clark • [email protected] Celeste McCall • [email protected] thE City: Joylyn Hopkins • [email protected]: Karen Lyon • [email protected]: Mike Canning • [email protected]: Jean-Keith Fagon • [email protected] Stephen Monroe • [email protected] thErapy: Scott Fazzini • [email protected]: Barbara Wells • [email protected] WinE guys: Jon Genderson • [email protected]

CalEndar & BullEtin BoardCalEndar Editor: Kathleen Donner • [email protected], [email protected]

gEnEral aSSignmEnt Maggie Hall • [email protected] Austermuhle • [email protected] Baccinelli • [email protected] Bernard • [email protected] Deutsch • [email protected] Phipps-Evans • [email protected] Jones • [email protected] Lilienthal - [email protected] Milton • [email protected] H. Muller • [email protected] Ollstein • [email protected] Rich • [email protected] Schoell • [email protected] Avniel Spatz • [email protected] G. Stevens • [email protected] J. Waldron • [email protected] Weiner • [email protected] Wright • [email protected] Zatkowski • [email protected] Mann • [email protected] Markey • [email protected] Boomer • [email protected] Burger • [email protected] Neeley • [email protected]

BEautY, HEaltH & fitnESSPatricia Cinelli • [email protected] Bresnick Hauss, LCSW • www.quietwaterscenter.com [email protected] Terrell • [email protected] Y.A. Montague • [email protected] Hunt • [email protected]

KidS & familYKathleen Donner • [email protected] Johnson • [email protected]

SoCiEtY & EvEntSMickey Thompson • [email protected]

HomES & gardEnSRindy O’Brien • [email protected] Thomas • [email protected] Capen • [email protected]: Mark Johnson • [email protected] Plume • [email protected]

CommEntarYEthElbErt MillEr • [email protected]

thE NosE • [email protected]

ProduCtion/graPHiC/wEB dESignart dirECtor: Jason Yen • [email protected] Designer: Kyungmin Lee • [email protected] MastEr: Andrew Lightman • [email protected]

advErtiSing & SalESaCCount ExECutivE: Kira Means, 202.543.8300 X16 • [email protected] ExECutivE: Jennifer Zatkowski, 202.543.8300 X20 • [email protected] advErtising: Maria Carolina Lopez, 202.543.8300 X12 • [email protected]

diStriButiondistribution ManagEr: Andrew Lightmandistributors: MediaPoint, LLCdistribution inForMation: [email protected]

dEadlinES & ContaCtSadvErtising: [email protected] ads: 15th of each monthClassiFiEd ads: 10th of each monthEditorial: 15th of each month; [email protected] board & CalEndar: 15th of each month; [email protected], [email protected]

we welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. for employment opportunities email [email protected].

Hill Rag • Mid City dC • East Of tHE RivER • fagOn COMMunity guidEs

Capital Community news, inc.224 7th Street, SE, Suite 300, washington, dC 20003202.543.8300capitalcommunitynews.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa ashabranner • [email protected]

Publisher: Jean-Keith Fagon • [email protected] © 2013 by Capital Community news. all rights reserved.

Look for Next Issue of East of the River onDecember 14

Online Daily, Printed Monthly | www.eastoftheriverdcnews.com



EMULSION: First Annual East City ArtRegional Juried ShowAn emulsion combines two seemingly incompatible ingredients to produce a third yet en-tirely new substance. In this spirit, East City Art’s EMULSION seeks to combine the cultur-ally different yet geographically close regions of Washington and Baltimore and to combine a wide array of art forms and mediums from two-dimensional work to performance based pieces. East City Art envisions EMULSION as an annual event that will exhibit the brightest talent from the Mid-Atlantic region. They expect EMULSION to grow over time to include more entries, an increase in prize money and visibility beyond the Mid-Atlantic to the na-tional and international level. You’re invited to the opening reception on Saturday Nov. 9, 7-10 p.m. The exhibition runs through Jan 18, 2014. EMULSION is at the Gallery O on H, 1354 H St. NE. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday. noon-6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. or by appointment. eastcityart.com

a month-by-month guide to events

See Our Website

for More Events!

WhatsOnWashington.com

The Washington Ballet “The Nutcracker” at THEARC The Nutcracker tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker as a gift at a Christ-mas Eve party in her family’s 1882 Georgetown man-sion. Later that evening she encounters a battle of Rev-olutionary War soldiers led by the Nutcracker (George Washington) battling the frightful King Rat (King George III). After winning the battle, the Nutcracker, now a handsome prince, leads Clara on an exhilarating and wondrous journey with the Snow Queen and King, Sugar Plum Fairy, cherry blossoms, Anacostia Indians, a frontiersman, cardinals and more. Performances are on Nov 30 and Dec 1, 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM. $30-$45. $15 discounted tickets available for residents of Ward 7 and 8. Call 202-889-8150 for more information. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

nutcracker Snow Scene. Photo: Paul Zambrana

Selin Balci “Contamination ii” microbial growth on Board - 70x100. Photo: Courtesy of the artist


Thanksgiving Day Trot for HungerYou’re invited to trot, run, walk, stroll or just watch the runners at the 12th Annual Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger. Proceeds from the 5K benefits So Others May Eat by providing much-needed food, clothing and healthcare for the people they serve. The trot is on Thanksgiving Day at Freedom Plaza (corner of 13th Street, NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). The Kids’ One Mile Fun Run is at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K run/walk starts at 9 a.m. So Others Might Eat has served Washington, DC for over 40 years, working to feed and clothe DC’s homeless and poor; treat ill, homeless people at their medical, dental and mental health programs; train people for jobs; and house home-less families and single adults. some.org

Old Town’s Scottish Christmas Walk ParadeOn Dec 7, starting at 11 a.m. (rain or shine), more than 120 Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, joined by pipe and drum bands from around the region as well as terriers and hounds of every description, Scottish dancers, re-enactment groups, Scottie dog groups, dignitaries and, of course, Santa Claus during the Campagna Center’s annu-al Scottish Christmas Walk. The parade begins at the intersection of Wilkes Street and South St. Asaph Street, then heads north on South St. Asaph Street to Queen Street. It turns right on Queen Street to North Fairfax Street, then right on North Fairfax Street. The parade will then turn right on King Street, and pass the review-ing stand at Market Square to the ending point at the intersection of King and Pitt Streets. Parking, always tricky, is best avoided. Take Metro to King Street and a Dash bus to the parade route. visitalexandriava.com

Fuego Flamenco IX (flamenco festival)at GALA Hispanic TheatreStunning! Sensual! Sizzling! GALA’s acclaimed flamenco festival Fuego Flamenco IX is an exploration of traditional flamenco, its breadth and diversity through contemporary expressions. This year’s attractions in-clude the world premiere of Uno Más Uno created by Edwin Aparicio and Aleksey Kulikov for D.C.’s Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company, and the United States premiere of Templanza, performed by the sensual duo José Jurado and Isabel Rodríguez from Madrid. In addition, the festival will include Flamenco en Familia, free interactive demonstrations of various aspects of flamenco for children and families. New this year is a special screening of the documentary Sobre las Olas-A History of Flamenco in the US. November 8-17. Gala Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW. 202-234-7174. galatheatre.org

flamenco aparicio dance Company, presenting “uno mas uno.” Photo: lonnie tague

10,000 “trotters” gathered at freedom Plaza on thanksgiv-ing morning of last year. Photo: derek Parks

Courtesy of Campagna Center



VETERANS HONOREDLibrary of Congress to Display Copy of Gettysburg Address. Veterans Day Week-end-Nov 19. The Nicolay copy, presumed to be the first draft of the Gettysburg Ad-dress, will be displayed in the Great Hall on the first floor of the Jefferson Building from Veteran’s Day weekend, Friday, Nov 8, through Tuesday, Nov 19, which is the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s delivery of the speech at the dedication of a national cemetery at the Gettysburg battlefield (Nov. 19, 1863). The Great Hall display and Civil War exhibition are free and open to the pub-lic Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. loc.gov

Service and Sacrifice at National Cathedral. Nov 9, 1:30 PM; Nov 10, 1:30 PM, Nov 11, 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. In this one-hour tour, examine iconography in Cathedral sculpture, stained glass, and needlework that pays tribute to many significant events in our nation’s history and honors those who have served and sacrificed for their country. The tour also chronicles members of the military who were instrumental in the planning and

creation of the Cathedral. Reservations are required; space is limited. The tour meets at the west-end docent station, nave level, just inside the main doors. $10. Washington National Cathedral, intersection of Wisconsin and Massachusetts aves. NW. 202-537-6200. cathedral.org

Veterans Day 10K & Tidal Basin Walk. Nov 10, 8:00 AM. Honor America’s veterans with a run through West & East Potomac Parks along the Potomac River. Fast, flat course. T-shirts, refreshments, random prizes. Gen-erous awards structure: 10 deep overall & 3 deep in 5-year age groups; top masters male & female. 301-840-2042. runwashington.com/veterans10k

Veterans Day Wreath Laying at Arlington. Nov 11, 11:00 AM. President Obama will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington. The public is invited to watch this ceremony and to listen to the speech that follows. There is standing room at the wreath laying and seating in the adjacent amphitheater for the speech. Get there ear-ly. The better the weather, the earlier you should arrive. Security will be tight so leave

umbrellas and backbacks at home. Parking and the ride to the ceremony site are free. arlingtoncemetery.mil

Library of Congress Main Reading Room Open House. Nov 11, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Twice each year, the Library of Congress opens its magnificent Main Reading Room for a spe-cial public open house. The fall open house has been rescheduled and will take place on the federal Veterans Day holiday, Monday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Library of Con-gress, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov

Women Veterans ROCK! Rally at THEARC. Nov 11, noon-3:30 PM. The Women Veterans ROCK! Rally and Veterans Day Celebration is specially created to celebrate all women veterans, active duty, National Guard, re-serve service women and military families. This Veterans Day Rally honors their sacri-fice, celebrates their service, and connects all women veterans to resources, services and other community-based networks. This event is free and open to the public. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Marine Corps Worship Service. Nov 10, 3:30 PM. A brass and percussion ensemble from “The President’s Own” will perform a prelude for the service. The worship service itself will begin at 4:00 PM. Washington National Ca-thedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-537-6200. cathedral.org

Veterans Day Observance at The Wall. Nov 11, 1:00 PM. Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 202-393-0090. vvmf.org

Wreath Laying at World War II Memorial. Nov 11, 9:00 AM. 17th St. between Constitu-tion and Independence aves. NW. 202-619-7222. wwiimemorial.com

Free Newseum Admission for Veterans. The Newseum offers free admission to members of the military and their families on Veterans Day weekend. Active and retired members of the military and up to three family members are invited to visit the Newseum as the coun-try pauses to recognize their service. Service members should present military IDs or an-other form of military-service credentials, or wear their uniforms. No IDs will be required for family members. newseum.org.

Maurice Hines is Tappin Thru Life at Arena. Nov 15-Dec 29. Broadway legend Maurice Hines tells the story of his life in show biz through song and dance with the help of his

cohorts from Sophisticated Ladies, the unforgettable Manzari Brothers. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-488-3300. arena-stage.org

CALENDAR

Maurice Hines, with John and Leo Manzari, in Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life at Are-na Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater Nov 15-Dec 29. Photo: Tony Powell

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | NOVEMbER 2013 H 13

THANKSGIVINGMontgomery County Thanksgiving Parade. Nov 23, 10:00 AM. 50 foot balloons, floats and marching bands. Downtown Silver Spring on Georgia Av-enue from Sligo to Silver Plaza. silver-springdowntown.com

Potomac Valley Track Club Cranberry Crawl 5K & 10K. Nov 23, 8:30 AM. $20. East Potomac Park Golf Course, 972 Ohio Dr. SW. 301-292-1441. pvtc.org

Annual Safeway Feast of Sharing. Nov 27, 11:00 AM-2:30 PM. The pro-gram will offer a complete sit down Thanksgiving meal, opportunities to explore the possibility of gain-ful employment; health screenings; and also information on achiev-ing and maintaining good health. Please help get the information out to seniors, churches, senior housing residences and especially to indi-viduals and families in need. Free. No reservations required. Washing-ton Convention Center.

The Arlington Turkey Trot. Nov 28, 8:00 AM. The race’s mission is to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy a fun, healthy Thanksgiving activity together, and to raise support for three local char-ities: Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless (AACH), Doorways for Women & Families, and Arlington Food Assistance Center. ccapca.org/turkeytrot

Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Mile. Nov 28, 9:00 AM. The annual Thanks-giving Day Alexandria Turkey Trot is taking place in the Del Ray area of Alexandria with some exciting new additions. With a starting line change, this year’s race will be metro accessible, the start line is 2 blocks from the Braddock Metro Station. The DC Road Runners Club sponsors the event and proceeds will benefit the the A.L.I.V.E foundation. alexandria-turkeytrot.com

Washington National Cathedral Thanksgiving Service. Nov 28, 10:00 AM. Cathedral at the intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin aves. NW. 202-537-6200. cathedral.org

National Shrine Thanksgiving Mass. Nov 28, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM and noon. National Shrine of the Immaculate Con-ception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300. nationalshrine.com

Bilingual Thanksgiving Mass at St Matthews. Nov 28, 10:00 AM. Join them in celebrating a bilin-gual (English and Spanish) Mass on Thanksgiving Day. Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW. 202-347-3215. st-matthewscathedral.org


Faith Presbyterian Church Thanks-giving Service. Nov 28, 10:00 AM. This is a joint worship service of Faith Presbyterian Church (Rev. Ber-nice Parker-Jones), Higher Ground Prayer Ministries (Apostle Angeloyd Fenrick), Living Word Church (Rev. Eugene Shepherd), S.E. Tabernacle Baptist Church (Rev. Daryl Flood) and Regeneration House of Praise (Rev. Cheryl Gaines). Services will be held at Faith Presbyterian, 4161 So. Capitol St. SW. 202-562-2035.

Union Temple Thanksgiving Ser-vice. Nov 28, 10:30 AM. All are welcome. 1225 W St. SE. 202-678-8822. uniontemple.com

National Mall Museums Open Thanksgiving Day. US Holocaust Memorial Museum is open. The Na-tional Zoo is open. The national monuments are all available for viewing but Washington Monu-ment is closed. All Smithsonian museums are open. Newseum, National Archives, US Capitol Visi-tors Center and Corcoran Gallery of Art are closed.

Visit Our Pardoned National Thanksgiving Turkey. Immediately following President Obama’s “par-don” of the National Thanksgiving Turkey, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens welcomes the turkey with a ceremo-ny featuring a trumpet fanfare and proclamation read by Washington’s farm manager, “James Anderson.” The turkey is on display through early Jan. After the holiday sea-son, the turkey will live at Mount Vernon’s nationally-recognized live-stock facility. mountvernon.org

EARLY CHRISTMAS“Holiday Mail for Heroes” Mail-box. Through Dec 6. Americans can create and send cards to service members, veterans and their fami-lies who will receive cards across the country and around the world. The Red Cross invites the public to send messages of thanks and holi-day cheer by mailing them to: Holi-day Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456. redcross.org/holiday

A Christmas Carol at Ford’s. Nov 21-Jan 1. (no performance Thanks-giving Day). Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transfor-mation and redemption. Originally conceived by Michael Baron, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens’s Yuletide classic. $35-$75. 202-347-4833. fordstheatre.org

Old Town Alexandria Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Nov 23,

7:00-9:00 PM, (rain or shine). En-joy musical entertainment, caroling with a community sing along, and greetings from the Mayor and Santa Claus. Historic Market Square in Old Town, 301 King St., Alexandria, VA

“Season’s Greenings” at the US Botanic Garden. Opens Thanks-giving Day, Nov 28 through Jan 1, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. The US Botanic Garden invites you to remember that the best things in life are free--the fragrance of a freshly cut fi r tree, the magic of holiday lights and sumptuous decorations, and the delight of a child discovering the make-believe world of model trains. Free. 100 Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-8333. usbg.gov

Downtown DC Holiday Market. Nov 29-Dec 23, noon-8:00 PM. The an-nual Downtown DC Holiday Market offers seasonal outdoor shopping with a festive atmosphere. It fea-tures nearly 180 rotating exhibitors and artisans with approximately 50 each week, offering distinctive gifts for sale including fi ne art, crafts, jewelry, clothing, accessories, pot-tery, photography, clothing and specialty foods. Centered at Eighth and F sts. NW. downtownholiday-market.com

National Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting. Nov 29, 5:00-7:00 PM. Waterfront Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland. The waterfront commu-nity will kick off the holiday season by lighting up the sky with fi reworks and a 65ft Christmas tree decorated with 20,000 lights. Sip some hot chocolate and enjoy story-telling, an ornament-making workshop and holiday music.

The Garden of Lights (Winter Garden Walk) at Brookside Gar-dens. Nov 29-Jan 5 (except Dec 24-25 and Jan 1-2), 5:30-9:00 PM, weekdays; 5:30-10:00 PM, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday. 940,000 twinkling colorful lights shaped in imaginative displays throughout the gardens. $20-$25 per car. It’s a walk-through, however. Brookside Gardens Wheaton Regional Park, 1800 Glenallan Ave.,Wheaton, MD. montgomeryparks.org/brookside

Zoolights. Nov 29-Jan 1, 5:00-9:00 PM nightly except Dec 24, 25 and 31. Don’t miss your chance to me-ander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment. Free. National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. nationalzoo.si.edu

Christmas at Mount Vernon. Nov 29-Jan 6, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. Holi-day visitors will enjoy themed dec-orations, chocolate-making dem-onstrations, 18th century dancing, plus a rare opportunity to tour the

third fl oor of the Mansion. George Washington’s Estate & Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial High-way. $17/adult, $8/child, 5 and under free. 703-780-2000. mount-vernon.org

Mount Vernon by Candlelight. Nov 29-Dec 22 (Saturdays and Sundays), 5:00-8:00 PM. Join “Mrs. Washing-ton” as she hosts an enchanting evening of candlelight tours, fi re-side caroling, and festive treats. Timed tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for children 11 and under. George Washington’s Estate & Gar-dens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. 703-780-2000. mountver-non.org

A Commedia Christmas Carol at Gallaudet University. Nov 29-Dec 22. A Commedia Christmas Carol, presented by Faction of Fools The-atre Company, is a modern retelling of the Dickens holiday classic with masks, acrobatics, humbug, and holiday cheer. $25. Elstad Audito-rium, 800 Florida Ave. NE. faction-offools.org

Union Station Christmas Tree Lighting. Dec 3, 6:00 PM. The tree is a gift to the people of Washing-ton, DC and is a symbol of friend-ship between the United States and Norway. Join the Norwegian Embassy and DC as the 8,000 lights on Washington’s offi cial holiday tree are lit and enjoy live musical performances. unionstationdc.com

US Capitol Christmas Tree Light-ing. Dec 4, 5:00 PM. The public is invited to attend the lighting cer-emony on the Capitol west lawn. No tickets required. Visit the tree through Dec 26. capitolchristmas-tree.com

Daughters of the American Revo-lution (family-friendly) Christ-mas Open House. Dec 4, 5:30-8:00 PM. Live holiday music, tour 31 pe-riod rooms, cider, hot chocolate and cookies, Santa (bring a camera). DAR Memorial Continental Hall, 17th and D sts. NW. 202-572-0563. dar.org

National (White House) Christ-mas Tree Lighting. Dec 5, 5:00 PM (probably). Watch our web-site, capitalcommunitynews.com, for date confi rmation and ticket lottery dates and details. There is no stand-by line but you can visit the tree anytime thereafter. thenationaltree.org

Christmas Concert at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Con-ception. Dec 6, 7:30 PM (but get there earlier). The National Shrine invites you to their Annual Christ-mas Concert for Charity featuring the voices and sounds of the Catho-lic University of America Choir and

CALENDAR

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Orchestra. Free will offering. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300. nationalshrine.com

Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and Concert. Dec 7, parade 11:00 AM-1:00 PM; massed band con-cert 1:00-1:30 PM. Parade route Begins at the corner of Wilkes and South Saint Asaph sts. in Old Town and ends at King and Royal sts. Concert at King and Royal sts. in front of City Hall at Market Square. Alexandria, VA. scottishchrist-maswalk.com

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Dec 7, 4:00 PM. Alexandria’s harbor lights up when more than 50 illuminated boats cruise the Potomac River at the historic waterfront. Alexandria’s His-toric Waterfront at the foot of Camer-on St., Alexandria, VA. 703-838-5005. visitalexandriava.com

Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long. Dec 7, 4:00 PM. “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and mem-bers of local choirs and vocal groups perform. wolftrap.org

National Museum of the American Indian Native Art Market. Dec 7-8, 10:00 AM-5:30 PM. The NMAI Art Mar-ket offers one-of-a-kind, handmade, traditional and contemporary items directly from the artisans. More than 35 Native artists from North and South America will participate in this annual weekend market featuring a wide se-lection of items for purchase including handmade jewelry, beadwork, pottery, prints and sculpture. Free. Fourth St. and Independence Ave. SW. 202-633-1000. nmai.si.edu

Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms in Maryland, Virginia and West Vir-ginia. Visit pickyourownchristmastree.org for farms and directions. Then fol-low the prompts.

HANUKKAHNational Hanukkah Menorah Light-ing Ceremony. Nov 27, 4:00 PM. Festivities at the lighting ceremony include musical performances and hot latkes and donuts. This year’s cel-ebration will feature the US Air Force Band. The menorah will be lit each night of Hanukkah. The Ellipse, near the White House (at the NW end, near Constitution Ave.).

Hanukkah Lights Reading with NPR’s Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz. Dec 2, 7:00-9:00 PM. Free. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-549-4172. hillcenterdc.org

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODBig Chair Breakfast Bunch. Saturday, Nov 9 and Dec 14, 10:00 AM-noon.


Big Chair Coffee n’ Grill (upstairs). All are welcome to attend and discuss what’s hap-pening East of the River. 2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. 202-525-4287.

Winter Recap-Honfl eur Gallery Collec-tion. Nov 9-Dec 20. Since opening in Janu-ary 2007, Honfl eur Gallery has produced more than 50 exhibitions, presenting the work of local, national and international artists. This winter, the gallery will show-case a mix of its collection including work by Cyril Anguelidis, Stephan LaPlanche, John K. Lawson, Arie Mandelbaum, Kather-ine Tzu-Lan Mann, Delphine Perlstein, Ben Skinner, and Gustavo Diaz Sosa. Honfl eur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392. honfl eurgallery.com

RAW Files Worn Magazine. Nov 9-Dec 20. To celebrate FotoWeekDC 2013, Worn Cre-ative is putting its RAW Files on display at The Gallery at Vivid Solutions. On the heels of Worn Magazine’s sixth issue, the show will feature the most stand out images from the past fi ve issues of Worn Magazine, a sneak preview of images from the upcoming Issue 6 “The Raw Issue” before its offi cial release, behind the scenes video showing the magazine printing process, and a selec-tion of unpublished images from past edi-torial shoots. Worn Magazine’s RAW Issue will be released in November, following the exhibition at The Gallery at Vivid Solutions. The Gallery at Vivid Solutions, (upstairs) 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392. vividsolutionsgallery.com

Origins of the Afro Comb Project. Nov 12, 10:30 AM-noon. Dr. Sally-Ann Ashton, curator at the Fitzwilliam Museum of the University of Cambridge, UK, discusses her recently curated exhibition, Origins of the Afro Comb: 6,000 Years of Culture, Politics, and Identity, and shows artifacts from the exhibition. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the Afro Comb online project to create archives of shared stories relating to using the Afro comb. Free, but reserva-tions required; call 202-633-4844. Anacos-tia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Bead Workshop. Dec 10, 10:30 AM-1:30 PM. Join jeweler and entrepreneur Elena Crusoe Aikens in a bead workshop as we celebrate the Ubuhle community of South African women. The workshop covers a brief his-tory of bead art and craft before participants create their own beaded project. All tools and supplies are provided. For middle school students to adults. Free; for information and reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. ana-costia.si.edu

Art of Designing. Dec 11, 10:30 AM-noon. Leading this workshop is designer Januwa Moja, who has dedicated herself for the past 40 years to celebrating the African diaspora through the creation of wearable art. Moja, a Baltimore native who now lives in Washing-ton, D.C., refers to her designs as “regalia.” Free; for information, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Film: Courting Justice. Dec 12, 10:30

AM-12:30 PM. Courting Justice looks at the challenges seven South African women judges face as they serve in New Democracy appointments. It is a story that unveils the previously all-male institution and the sac-rifi ces women judges make to achieve the South African constitution’s human rights promises. The fi lm’s creator and executive producer, Ruth Cowan, introduces the fi lm and hosts a discussion. Free; for informa-tion, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Commu-nity Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

SPORTS AND PHYSICAL FITNESSWashington Capitals Ice Hockey. Nov 12, 17, 20, 22, 27 and 29; Dec 3 and 7. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-628-3200. capi-tals.nhl.com

Washington Wizards Basketball. Nov 16, 19, 23, 26 and 30; Dec 2 and 6. Verizon Cen-ter, 601 F St. NW. 202-397-SEAT. nba.com/wizards

DC Rollergirls. Nov 23, 4:00 PM. (Doors open at 3:00 p.m.) Tickets are $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for children 6-11, and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets are available in advance at ticketmaster.com or at the door on bout day. Individuals with a valid military ID can purchase tickets for $10 at the door. Bouts are at DC Armory. dcrollergirls.com

Free Yoga Classes at Anacostia Neighbor-hood Library. Every Thursday, 7:00-8:00 PM. Yoga is a great way to relax, unwind and get grounded. Even if you’ve never done yoga before-this class is for you. Open to people of all abilities, ages and body types. All you need to bring is yourself, comfortable cloth-ing and an open mind. Judgment free zone: having a great time is encouraged! Register in person at Anacostia Neighborhood Library or call 202-715-7707. 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. dclibrary.org/anacostia

Free Yoga Classes for Adults at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library. Every Saturday, 9:30 AM. This program is free and open to the public.

Deanwood (indoor) Pool. Mon-Fri 6:30 AM-8:00 PM; Sat-Sun, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Free for DC residents. 1350 49th St. NE. 202-671-3078. dpr.dc.gov

Ferebee Hope (indoor) Pool. Open week-days, 10:00-6:00 PM. Closed weekends. Free for DC residents. 3999 Eighth St. SE. 202-645-3916. dpr.dc.gov

Canal Park Ice Rink. Won’t open until Dec this year due to a ruptured pipe in the rink’s pump room. canalparkdc.org

Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Open min-Nov through mid-Mar (weather permitting). Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Friday-Satur-day, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM-9:00 PM. $7 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, students with ID and seniors 50 and over. Skate rental is $3. Seventh St. and

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CALENDAR


Constitution Ave. NW. 202-289-3361. nga.gov/ginfo/skating

Public Skate at Fort Dupont Ice Are-na. Fridays, noon-1:50 PM and Satur-days 11:45 AM-12:45 PM. Children (12 and under) and seniors are $4, adults (13 and older) are $5. Skate rental is $3. For more information, call 202-584-5007. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. NE. fdia.org

Washington Harbour Ice Skat-ing. Open mid-Nov through mid-Mar (weather permitting). Monday-Thurs-day, noon-9:00 PM; Friday, noon-10:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM. At 11,800 square feet, the new Washington Har-bour Ice Rink is DC’s largest outdoor ice skating venue, and is also larger than New York City’s Rockefeller Center rink. Adults, $10; children/seniors/military, $8. Skate rental is $5. 3050 K St. NW. thewashingtonharbour.com

Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating. Open mid-Nov through mid-Mar, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM. $7-$8. $3 for skate rental. 1201 South Joyce St. Arling-ton, VA. 703-418-6666. pentagon-rowskating.com

MARKETS AND SALESThread at Union Market. Nov 29-Dec 1. Thread is Union Market’s fashion event-a retail salon located in Dock 5, Union Market’s second-floor event space-featuring more than 30 local and national unique and independent brands from around the country. 1309 Fifth St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmar-ketdc.com

Ward 8 Farmers Market. Open Satur-days through Thanksgiving, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. ward8farmersmarket.com

H Street FreshFarm Market. Saturdays through Dec 21, 9:00 AM-noon. H St. and 13th St. NE. Vendors are Atwater’s; Blueberry Hill; Cedarbrook Farm; Dol-cezza Gelato; Full Cellar Farm; Garden Path Farm; Gordy’s Pickle Jar; Keswick Creamery at Carrock Farm, LLC; Quaker Valley Orchards; Red Apron Butchery; Richfield Farm. freshfarmmarkets.org

Fresh Tuesdays at Eastern Market. Ev-ery Tuesday, 3:00-7:00 PM. Tuesday af-ternoon farmers’ line of fresh produce. Eastern Market, 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarket-dc.com

Union Market. Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 AM-8:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM. The newly-opened Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year-round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 Fifth St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com

Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays,

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CALENDAR7:00 AM-7:00 PM; Saturdays, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM; Sundays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. On weekends the market area comes alive with farmers bringing in fresh produce, craft and fl ower vendors, artists, a fl ea market and street musicians. 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmar-ket-dc.com

Anacostia Big Chair Flea Market. Saturdays, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. The market features a di-verse mix of art, crafts, imports, antiques, collectibles and furniture every Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The market will also feature local specialty food items such as fruits and veg-etables, fl owers, preserves, prepared foods and beverages. 2215 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. bigchairmarket.com

Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. The Wall Street Journal and The Finan-cial Times of London named the market one of the top farmers’ markets in the country. During the peak season, there are more than 30 farmers offering fruits and veg-etables, meat, poultry, fish, cheeses, fruit pies, breads, fresh pasta, cut flowers, pot-ted plants, soaps and herbal products. 20th St. and Mass. Ave NW, 1500 block of 20th St. NW (between Mass. Ave. and Q St. in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank). 202-362-8889. freshfarmmarket.org

Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (except in the case of very inclem-ent weather), 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM. The crowd is as diverse as the items for sale! Antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, rugs, pottery, chi-na, jewelry, silver, stained glass, books and photographs are an example of the available items. 1819 35th St. NW. 202-775-3532. or georgetownfl eamarket.com

CIVIC LIFEGrosso Near You (informal) Meeting. Third Thursday, 8:00-9:30 AM, Big Chair Coffee and Grill, 2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. The meetings will provide the opportunity for con-stituents to bring ideas and issues directly to Councilmember Grosso as part of an effort to make the DC Council more accessible.

Congresswoman Norton’s SE District Of-fice. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. 2041 MLK Ave. SE, #238. 202-678-8900. norton.house.gov

Councilmember Alexander’s Constituent Ser-vices Offi ce. Open weekdays, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. 2524 Penn. Ave. SE. 202-581-1560.

Councilmember Barry’s Constituent Services Offi ce. Open weekdays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. 2100 MLK Ave, SE, #307. 202-698-2185.

Anacostia Coordinating Council Meeting. Last Tuesday, noon-2:00 PM. Anacostia Mu-seum, 1901 Fort St. SE. For further details, contact Philip Pannell, 202-889-4900.

Capitol View Civic Association Meeting. Third Monday, 6:30 PM. Hughes Memorial United Methodist, 25 53rd St. NE. capitolviewcivicas-soc.org

Historical Anacostia Block Association. Sec-ond Thursday, 7:00-9:00 PM. UPO-Anacostia Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. For further details, contact Charles Wilson, 202-834-0600.Anacostia High School School Improvement Team Meeting. Fourth Tuesday. 6:00 PM. Ana-costia High School, 16th and R sts. SE.Deanwood Citizens Association General Body Meeting. Fourth Monday, except Aug. and Dec., 6:30 PM. 1350 49th St. NE.

Deanwood Citizens Association General Body Meeting. Fourth Monday, except Aug. and Dec., 6:30 PM. 1350 49th St. NE.

Eastland Gardens Civic Association Meet-ing. Third Tuesday. 6:30-8:30 PM. Kenilworth Elementary School (auditorium), 1300 44th St. NE. Greg Rhett [email protected] or 202-388-1532.

Fairlawn Citizens Association. Third Tues-day, 7:00 PM. Ora L. Glover Community Room at the Anacostia Public Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE.

ANC MONTHLY MEETINGSANC 7B. Third Thursday, 7:00 PM. Ryland Ep-worth United Methodist Church, 3200 S St. SE (Branch Ave and S St. SE). 202-584-3400. [email protected]. anc7b.us

ANC 7C. Second Thursday, 7:00 PM. Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5109 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE. 202-398-5100. [email protected]

ANC 7D. Second Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Sixth Dis-trict Police Station, 100 42nd St. NE. 202-398-5258. [email protected]

ANC 7E. Second Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 PM. Jones Memorial Church, 4625 G St. SE. 202-582-6360. [email protected]

ANC 7F. Third Tuesday, 6:30 PM. Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, 200 Stoddert Place, SE

ANC 8A. First Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Anacostia UPO Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-889-6600. anc8adc.org

ANC 8B. Third Tuesday, 7:00 PM. Seventh Dis-trict Police Station Community Center, Alabama and McGee Sts. SE. 202-610-1818. anc8b.org

ANC 8C. First Wednesday, 7:00 PM. 2907 MLK Jr Ave. SE. 202-388-2244.

ANC 8D. Fourth Thursday, 7:00 PM. Specialty Hospital of Washington, 4601 MLK Jr. Ave. SW. 202 561-0774

ANC 8E. First Monday, 7:00 PM. 3400 Wheeler Rd. SE, Eagle Academy 202-561-6616. [email protected] ◆

Maurice Hines, with John and Leo Manzari, in Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater Nov 15-Dec 29. Photo: Tony Powell

Nassim Solemanpour’s White Rabbit, Red Rabbit.

Dec 2, 8 and 16, 7:00 PM. Theater Alliance continues its 11th season with this original play from Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour which distills the experience of an en-tire generation while also serving as a deep exploration of isolation, censorship, communication, manipulation, and the awesome power of spontaneity. All performances are name your own price. Just arrive up to an hour before the curtain time, and you can decide how much you pay for the perfor-mance. If you would like to pre-reserve your seat you can do that by paying a $15 reservation fee that is non-refundable. Visit theateralliance.com or by calling 202-241-2539. Per-formances at Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE.



BULLETIN BOARD

Bluegrass Music Meets Modern Dance at the Anacostia Arts Center

Blue Mountain Express is the debut eve-ning-length choreographic venture for DC-based dancers Eleni Grove and Matina Phillips. It will be presented at the beautiful, new Ana-costia Arts Center on Nov 9, 8 p.m. and Nov 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, and are available at bluemountainex-press.bpt.me. Anacostia Arts Center is at 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE. anacostiaartscenter.com

Blue Mountain Express is where contem-porary dance and bluegrass music collide. Four people board a train. Where they are going-only they know. During their journey, their personal stories are revealed and become interwoven. Th ey discover similarities with one another and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make them in-dividuals. Join us for the ride. Who knows what you’ll learn about yourself along the way.

Photo: Jacob Rodriguez-Noble

Randall Neighbor Day 2013On Saturday, Nov 30, as part of Randall

Neighbor Day 2013, anyone who can prove he or she lives in zip codes 20024 or 20003 can visit, for free, the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Corcoran admission usually costs $10. On Saturdays, the museum opens from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW. 202-639-1700. corcoran.org

Urban Waterways Panel DiscussionOn Nov 19, 7-9 p.m., join us for a panel dis-

cussion focusing on issues and concerns associat-ed with the Anacostia River, our urban waterway, as well as on waterways in other urban centers. Free; for information, call 202-633-4844. Ana-costia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

District Gallery of Decorative Arts Opens on Nanny Helen Burroughs Ave. NE

Th e District Gallery of Decorative Arts opened on Nov 5. It is a venue committed to providing lo-cal artists a free space to display and market their creative works. Th e gallery will feature a variety of creative expressions from noted artists includ-ing new contemporary impressionism of Deirdra Linewater, custom jewelry by Mark Th ompson, Joe Revas’ urban photography as well as an exhibi-tion from the Turkish Policy Group “It all started with a tree.” Th e District Gallery of Decorative Arts is at 4912 Nanny Helen Burroughs Ave. NE.

Wells Introduces Capitol Riverside Sports Park Plan for RFK

Councilmember Tommy Wells has introduced the Sense of the Council Capitol Riverside Youth Sports Park Resolution of 2013 to reclaim the parking lots at Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Memo-rial Stadium. Th is resolution, which was co-intro-duced by Councilmember David Grosso, would direct the District to explore the conversion of the parking lots at RFK Stadium to playing fi elds, a youth sports complex, and green space.

In 2006 the National Capitol Planning Com-mission completed and approved planning studies that determined the site should be used for parks and recreational activities, and to serve as a gate-way to the District from the east. Conversion of this space would not interfere with the possible re-use of the RFK Stadium site as a professional sta-dium in the future. At the suggestion of the D.C. Offi ce of Planning, the design provides for pas-sive grass parking for big events, similarly to event parking at Carter Barron Amphitheatre. Th e prop-erty where the parking lots are located is currently owned by the federal government. It is leased to the Government of the District of Columbia for uses restricted to parks and recreational activities.

Separate and Unequaled:Black Baseball in the District of Columbia

On Nov 14, 6:30-9 p.m., explore the history of Negro Leagues baseball during an evening with Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City. Kendrick discuss-es the achievements, signifi cance, and demise of the Negro Leagues in this informative and enter-taining presentation for sports enthusiasts, histori-ans, former players, and their families, and anyone interested in baseball. Free, but reservations re-quired; call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Ken Downing’s Holiday Shop at Neiman Marcus Benefi ts THEARC

Leave it to the Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus to fi nd 37 fabulous gifts that no holiday list should be without. In the spirit of giving, 10% of the proceeds from Th e Ken Downing Gift Collection will benefi t the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC)--dedicated to supporting arts education. Neiman Marcus of Mazza Gallerie is at 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Th e holiday shop is open Nov 20-Dec 25. Th e holiday shop opening celebration is Wednesday, Nov 20, 6-8 p.m.

Verbal Gymnastics at Anacostia Community Museum

On Friday, Dec 13, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., poet and playwright John Johnson hosts an in-teractive workshop that incorporates poetry and

storytelling. Participants use their observation of community and personal experience to create a unique and original piece, unlocking the poet and wordsmith inherent in all of us. Johnson also shares some of his poetry and tips that highlight the creative spirit of the spoken word. Th is pro-gram is also geared to promote awareness and civic engagement in the communities surrounding the Anacostia River. Th is program repeats Sept 10. Free; for information and reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum at 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

National Make A Difference Day On Oct 26, more than 300 volunteers came

together in the Kenilworth-Parkside neighbor-hood to participate in a day of community ser-


vice coordinated by City Year Washington, DC and DC Promise Neighborhood Ini-tiative (DCPNI). Volunteers beautified DCPNI’s parent academy and out-of-school time youth center located at the site of the former Kenilworth Elementary School. Make A Difference Day is the largest national day of community ser-vice. Service projects included painting, landscaping, cleaning and organization.

DCPNI is one of 57 Prom-ise Neighborhoods across the United States selected by the Department of Education to develop a cradle to career pipe-line for children to ensure that they obtain a quality education, graduate from college or a vo-cational school and grow up to have successful careers and communities.

City Year partners with schools and teachers to place trained young adults in schools where they are needed most to provide individual support to students who need extra care and attention. Working with teachers, City Year corps mem-bers use research-based tools and techniques to help students who are struggling, so more kids stay in school and on track to graduate.

New St. Elizabeths East Gateway Pavilion Welcomes Public

The ribbon was cut on Oct 23, signaling the first time members of the public have been welcomed onto the his-toric St. Elizabeths East Cam-pus. The Gateway Pavilion is an innovative, flexible and aesthetically unique structure designed to serve a wide range of interim uses, including food vendors, pop-up retail, commu-nity events and other uses that will stimulate economic devel-opment in Ward 8 and provide amenities to the community and to visitors and workers who frequent the area. The structure will allow residents, visitors and employees at the new federal


and what vegetables will last through winter. Learn about the importance of soil care and preparing your garden for winter. Th e workshop ends with a vegetable distribution to participants in celebration of the end of the cur-rent growing season and the begin-ning of the winter holiday season. Local farmers from various farmer’s markets will also be on hand to dis-cuss which winter seasonal vegetables are available to shoppers. All materi-als will be provided. Free, but reser-vations required; call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Become an Exhibitor at the Anacostia Big Chair Flea Market

Situated in the large parking lot at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Ave. and Pleasant St. SE, the market features a diverse mix of art, crafts, imports, antiques, collectibles and furniture every Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Th e market also fea-tures local specialty food items such as fruits and vegetables, fl owers, pre-serves, prepared foods and beverages. Neighborhood organizations are of-fered free space as the community enjoys this new neighborhood gath-ering place.

Th e market accepts all types of arts, crafts and collectible products. Additionally, fresh produce, pre-served and dried goods, prepared foods and beverages, plants and fl ow-ers, breads, diary and meats are also welcome. 10’x10’, 10’X20’, and larger spaces are available. Vendors supply their own tent, tables and other dis-play items. Tents should be weighted. No electricity is available on site. Read more at bigchairmarket.com.

BULLETIN BOARD

Mayor GrayKicks off Tree-Planting Season

On Oct 18, Mayor Gray and offi cials from the District Depart-ment of Transportation Urban Forestry Administration kicked off the District’s tree-planting season by planting trees in the 2600 Block of Birney Pl. SE. As part of this year’s tree-planting campaign, UFA will plant 7,500 trees throughout the District. Th e District’s annual tree-planting campaign is aimed at expanding the tree canopy and establishing the District as one of the world’s preeminent green cities. Th rough late spring, DDOT’s UFA will fi ll as many street-planting spaces as possible, across the District’s eight wards, with sizable, diverse and safe trees. Planting locations are identifi ed largely by requests received from residents. For more information about DDOT’s UFA tree-planting initiatives and ser-vices, visit ddot.dc.gov/trees.

District Establishes New Stormwater Fee Discount Program

DDOE has launched the Riv-erSmart Rewards program, which provides District property own-ers and tenants who install systems that retain storm water runoff , with discounts of up to 55% on its storm water fee. Th e fi nancial incentive is to encourage installation and main-tenance of storm water retention best management practices (BMPs) that prevent pollution from entering the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and their tributaries. Eligible BMPs include green roofs, bioretention, rainwater harvesting, and permeable pavement. Discounts are calculated based on the total volume of storm-water that a BMP, or combination of BMPs, retains on site.

For application forms and more information on RiverSmart Rewards, visit ddoe.dc.gov/riversmartrewards. Th e fi nal Stormwater Fee Discount Program rule and Response to Com-ments document is available at green.dc.gov/page/notice-final-rulemak-ing-establish-stormwater-fee-dis-count-program.

DC’s New Online Database for Volunteer Opportunities

Serve DC is proud to present NeighborGood, a new tool to help residents engage in meaningful ser-vice and connect with the causes and organizations they care about. NeighborGood is a free, online DC-specifi c volunteer opportunity database and search engine. Neigh-borGood connects residents with meaningful DC-based volunteer op-portunities and connects communi-ty-based organizations with the city’s cadre of dedicated, experienced vol-unteers. For more information, visit bit.ly/welcometoneighborgood.

DMV Moving to Central Issuance Process

Beginning Nov 26, 2013, the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles is moving to a central issuance process. DC DMV will no longer issue driver licenses and iden-tifi cation cards over the counter. Cus-tomers will receive a temporary paper license or identifi cation card valid for 45 days, and the new driver license or

identifi cation card will be mailed to customers. Th e agency will not mail to P.O. boxes. With the new issuance process, DC DMV is also changing the design of the driver license and identifi cation card. Th e credentials have diff erent features that are de-signed to reduce fraud. Th ey include, but are not limited to: two photos on the front and one on the back, signa-ture on front and back, veteran identi-fi er, and organ donor symbol.

Details about the new process and new credentials are available in DC DMV’s brochure. It is available online as well as in DC DMV’s ser-vice centers. Th e agency will also mail the brochure to customers in their driver license and identifi cation card renewal notices.

Weekly Residential Street Sweep-ing Ended - Leaf Collection Begun

Weekly residential street cleaning ended for the season on Oct 31. “No Parking/Street Cleaning” restrictions are lifted and motorists may park on posted, alternate-side, daytime sweeping routes without moving their cars on street-cleaning days. All other parking restrictions will remain in eff ect. Residential street sweeping will resume Monday, March 3, 2014, weather permitting.

Overnight sweeping along the District’s major roadways, e.g., Penn-sylvania, Georgia, Constitution, and Independence Avenues, will continue all winter, as weather permits. Motor-ists should obey the street sweeping signs posted along these streets.

By suspending the street sweep-ing program, DPW personnel can focus on leaf collection, which runs through Jan. 11, as well as the up-coming snow removal season. Leaves will be removed from neighborhood tree-boxes at least twice. Loose leaves raked into the tree-boxes or bagged leaves placed there will be collected and composted. During the last two weeks of leaf collection season (Dec 29-Jan 11), DPW will collect holi-day trees and other greenery from residents whose trash is collected by DPW. Th e trees and greenery should be placed where their trash is col-lected. Please remove all ornaments and lights and do not put the tree(s) in a bag. Th e 2013-2014 leaf collec-tion season brochure will be mailed to residents. ◆

offi ces on the St. Elizabeths West Campus the opportunity to experi-ence the historic St. Elizabeths East Campus before its Phase I redevel-opment into a full mixed-use site is complete.

Harvesting a Winter Vegetable Garden at Anacostia Community Museum

On Nov 23, 2-4 p.m., come meet Fox 5’s Derek Th omas, the Garden Guy, and learn about popu-lar vegetables suited for fall planting

DC tree planting season begins. Photo: Lateef Mangum


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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

In early November, aspirants for public offi ce in D.C. will pick up nominating petitions from the

D.C. Board of Elections, startinga process that will end with theApril primary and November gen-eral election. Candidates will vie for mayor; D.C. Council chair; for an At-Large seat; for seats representing wards 1, 3, 5, and 6; for delegate to Congress and for two spots on the shadow delegation.

One seat, though, won’t be up for grabs—D.C. attorney general. In ear-

ly October the D.C. Council passed a bill delaying the fi rst-ever election of the city’s top law enforcement offi cial by four years; if all goes as planned, D.C. residents will elect an attorney general, who is now appointed by the mayor, in 2018, instead of 2014 as was originally envisioned.

Referendum ReversedTh e move wasn’t merely some

technical tinkering, though, but rather a direct aff ront to the will

of District residents. In 2010 some 90,000 voters—75 percent of all those casting ballots—chose to ap-prove an amendment to the Home Rule Charter making the position elected rather than appointed. Ad-vocates of the change—and candi-dates for the offi ce—readied them-selves for the historic fi rst election in 2014.

Last July, though, that plan un-raveled. Amidst debate over the au-thority and structure of the newly elected offi ce, Councilmember (and now mayoral contender) Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) introduced legislation delaying the vote by four years. (He was joined by fellow mayoral candi-date Muriel Bowser, while Tommy Wells voted against.) According to Evans, and enough of his col-leagues, D.C. simply wasn’t ready to elect an attorney general. In Octo-ber that bill passed, and was quickly signed by Mayor Vincent Gray.

Don’t let anyone tell you that D.C. politics isn’t richly imbued with irony. In a city that regularly fi ghts for its own voting represen-tation in Congress, local elected of-fi cials put off the heavy lifting of helping determine what an elected attorney general’s offi ce would look like and instead punted the elec-tion four years down the road. Th e city’s voters may have spoken, they reasoned, but we speak louder. We may trust D.C. residents with the right to vote, but we don’t have to trust them with the result those votes produce.

Even the current attorney gen-eral, Irv Nathan, could see through his own concerns over the structure and the authority of the offi ce his elected successor would fi ll, to rec-ognize that while the Council was legally entitled to delay the election, it probably wouldn’t look very good.

“Th e District’s voters by a sub-stantial margin supported the Char-ter amendment creating an elected Attorney General and did so with the justifi able expectation of voting for one in 2014 who would take of-fi ce in January 2015 concurrent with the next Mayoral term,” he wrote in a letter to Evans and the Coun-cil. “In my view, their expectation should be respected and fulfi lled.”

Well, it’s looking like it won’t be. And it’s not the fi rst time, either. In 1994, a majority of D.C. residents voted to limit Council members to two consecutive terms in offi ce. In 2001, though, Evans and a majority of his colleagues decided that they didn’t want to have to abandon the perks of political power, so they sim-ply passed a bill undoing the voters’ will. Had the results of the referen-dum been respected, well, many of our current Council members would be in another line of work.

Th is isn’t to say that an elected attorney general or term limits are the best policy. Th ey may not be. But that’s an issue to be decided during a campaign and at the ballot box. It’s simply sour grapes to lose an election and then work the legisla-tive process to undo it. It’s true that

Your Vote Doesn’t CountDC City Council delays fi rst-ever election of DC Attorney General

by Martin Austermuhle



the Council didn’t do away with an elected attorney general alto-gether, but given October’s vote, what’s to stop them? That’s not a healthy assumption to have in a city that has enshrined the right of residents to use initiative and referenda to decide on important policy issues.

The matter isn’t totally settled yet, though. Shortly after the Council voted on the bill delay-ing the election, attorney (and former At-Large contender) Paul Zukerberg filed a lawsuit trying to stop the Council from stopping the 2014 election. “If the Council can cancel the election for Attor-ney General, they can cancel the election for mayor, or their own election, and we will be left with nothing but tyranny,” said Zuker-berg in a statement. His case will be heard on Nov. 7.

Should Zukerberg prevail, D.C. will be in the uncomfortable position of having to rush an elec-tion it originally had three years to prepare for. Walter Smith, the ex-ecutive director of D.C. Appleseed and one of the main proponents of the attorney general’s election, says it can be done. Given the potentially short time frame that would result with all the delays, he has proposed pushing the election to November 2014 and running it as a special election, meaning that any candidate from any party could run. Come 2018 the election would be run the way every other one is: with a primary and then a general election.

Whichever way it pans out, the Council has royally screwed D.C. voters: either they won’t get an election they originally voted for, or they’ll get one that will have to be improvised at the last minute because of the Council’s unneces-sary intervention.

Primary PosturingThe attorney general elec-

tion isn’t the only place that

the Council has been inserting itself. In recent months vari-ous Council members have at-tempted to change the date of the 2014 primary from April 1 to something later, likely in the second week of June.

According to proponents of the idea, an April primary forces candidates to gather signatures to get on the ballot in the dead of winter—and during the holi-days, to boot—and allows for extra-long lame duck periods for incumbents who lose. But crit-ics rightfully point out that while changing the date may eventually be a good idea, it’s much less so this close to the next primary. To them, any such move smacks of changing the rules of the game as the game is taking place.

Is April too early for a pri-mary? Yes. Should it be changed? Well, that’s complicated. The April date came about after D.C. was forced to abandon its traditional September primary due to a fed-eral law strengthening protections for absentee voters. Lawmakers chose April because they wanted the local primary to coincide with the presidential primary; that way, they reasoned, turnout would be highest. Of course, presidential elections only happen every four years, leaving D.C. with an awk-wardly early primary during off-year elections.

Should the Council want to change it, they need to let the 2014 cycle run its course and quickly call a series of public hear-ings to debate the issue. Our leg-islators delay discussions on far too many important issues—see “Election, D.C. attorney gener-al”—and this is an opportunity for them to jump ahead and let a pos-sible change be widely discussed and intelligently implemented.

Martin Austermuhle is a freelance writer living in Columbia Heights. u


NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

The District is different from many other parts of the country in significant ways. We don’t have a voting member in the

House or two senators. Our local laws have to be approved by Congress—a fact highlighted recently by the federal government shutdown. But another difference that has gotten little at-tention since October 1 is that DC’s health care exchange — www.dchealthlink.com — is work-ing quite well.

The success of DC Health Link is demonstrat-ed by the fact that more than 12,000 residents and 400 small businesses have created online accounts and started shopping for affordable health plans in the first three weeks with relatively few problems. By contrast, the federal health insurance exchange has experienced a series of high profile “glitches” and temporary service delays, fueling criticism of all aspects of health reform efforts. However, the District-run DC Health Link has experienced relatively few technology setbacks since its roll out at the beginning of last month.

For more than a year, the District worked dili-gently to create a competitive marketplace and robust IT system within DC Health Link, and a broad network of brokers and community organizations that can provide assistance to resi-dents new to insurance. As a result, the city’s imple-mentation of the Affordable Care Act provides a model for other states and the federal government.

DC’s Online Marketplace:Open for Business and Residents

Under Obamacare, DC had the option to cre-ate its own health exchange. DC Health Link came online on-time, and residents have been able to pur-chase health coverage that will start January 1, 2014. By clicking on www.dchealthlink.com, residents can compare plans based on services, size of doctor networks, and cost with relative ease. They can also apply for subsidies that make health insurance more

affordable or find organizations that are certified to provide assistance.

Unlike the federal exchange, DC Health Link was also up and running for small businesses on October 1. Small business owners can choose to shop or find a broker to help them through the options. DC Health Link also lessens the administrative burden for small businesses – in a few steps, a business owner can register an ac-count, set contribution levels for employees, se-lect a plan, and make a first payment. Business owners also have the opportunity to offer their employees multiple plans through the portal and not face additional expenses or administrative red tape.

There were a few glitches, but they have been relatively minor issues. The biggest kink is that shoppers cannot automatically learn if they qualify for credits and subsidies to help pay for a health plan. Officials at DC Health Link expect to re-solve this by early November, and they emphasize that eligibility can still be determined with a short wait-time. Still, this does not delay coverage and has not deterred more than 300 people from com-pleting the purchase of their plan. A second issue was that, initially, the system coded all individual applicants as tobacco users. This glitch was quickly fixed and did not affect the application process or the health plan prices and options available to shoppers.

Like any start-up, there will be technological issues and hiccups. So far, DC Health Link offi-cials have proven the ability to get their designers and IT contractors to address bugs and glitches in a timely manner. And although the main market-place is online, exchange officials communicate daily with a network of community assisters to identify problems and stumbling blocks.

Better Quality, Lower PricesDC Health Link has not only made plans ac-

cessible through a well-functioning system, it has

improved the quality and affordability of what is offered in the market. A common critique of health reform is the inability to grandfather most existing health plans, i.e., “The President said I can keep my plan that I have had for several years, but now my insurer isn’t offering it.”

While not everyone will be able to keep the plan that they had last year, the plans offered on DC Health Link will guarantee consumer protections and coverage of certain services that may not be available in many residents’ current plans. Most important, the benefits will be com-prehensive and include preventive services and requirements on the number of doctors available in a plan’s network.

The District has also taken steps to create bet-ter access to mental health services. As we bet-ter understand the linkages between untreated mental health issues and violence, the District has created standards for health plans that allow residents to seek mental health and substance abuse services without day or visitation limits. The District is the only known state to cover mental health services so comprehensively.

Then there’s the cherry on top: these higher quality benefits also come with more competitive prices. DC Health Link’s transparency and choice have added a level of competition among health plans that has not existed before. Residents can make real apples-to-apples comparisons when plans are side-by-side. Already, three insurers have dropped prices since submitting plans in the summer, evidence that competition is putting downward pressure on premiums.

DC Health Link’s HelpersDC Health Link offers residents choic-

es they have never had before – but greater choice can bring confusion about the differ-ences between plans and the optimal plan for a particular person or business. So DC Health Link has created a network of 150 assisters

theNUMB3RS3.327.649.10

Obamacare in DCWorking Well To Keep Us Well

by Wes Rivers


placed at 32 community or-ganizations who are doing exactly that—assisting with those sometimes difficult choices — as well as helping consumers determine if they are eligible for Medicaid or for subsidies that help with out-of-pocket costs.

For small businesses, DC Health Link tapped the expe-rience and knowledge of the District’s broker community, forming partnerships with broker associations and in-corporating their services into the site. DC Health Link also partnered with DC Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to perform outreach to hard-to-reach employers and minority-owned businesses.

The cornerstone principle of the Affordable Health Car Act is ensuring that all Ameri-cans have access to health care. The District makes this principle a reality by creating a reliable, sophisticated online marketplace, promoting com-petition and quality among health plans, and providing as-sistance to all who need it. DC has been a leader in making health care accessible to resi-dents, and DC Health Link continues to make DC a model for states around the country in this area.

Wes Rivers is a policy analyst at DC Fiscal Policy Institute. u


On October 9th, eight days after the start of the federal government shutdown, the

Latin American Youth Center re-duced its services to essential opera-tions only. The Columbia Heights non-profit, which provides mental health services, job support, and substance abuse counseling to some of DC’s most vulnerable residents, relies on federal and local govern-ment funding for its $13 million yearly budget. With Congressional Republicans refusing to pass a na-tional budget for the 2014 fiscal year and the District unable to spend its own money because its budget must be appropriated by Congress, LAYC furloughed a total of 80 employ-ees—including all senior staff and the Center’s mental health counsel-or— and was unable to make payroll on the 15th.

“It was extraordinarily stressful,” said LAYC president and CEO Lori Kaplan. “[It is] most important to us that kids know that we’re going to be there for them. We’ve built that trust over 45 years and nothing like this had ever happened.”

Fortunately, LAYC was able to re-open its doors on October 15th thanks to a Capital One grant of $250,000. The bank is a long-stand-ing corporate sponsor of LAYC. The shutdown ended two days later, and LAYC turned out to be the only one of the District’s 34 mental health providers that had to furlough. But had the shutdown lasted much lon-ger, many of DC’s most essential safety nets might have disappeared.

A Bullet DodgedAccording to Shannon Hall, ex-

ecutive director at DC Behavioral Health Association, there are about 28,000 mental health patients in the District, the collective care of which costs about $285,000 per day and is covered largely by Medicaid. Like all other US states and territories, the District receives Medicaid funding by paying all care costs upfront and then being reimbursed by the Fed. But DC would have had to make those initial payments without local spending authority, and with Medic-aid costs in the District adding up to nearly $90 million in the shutdown’s first week alone, covering the costs by leaning on its $140 contingency fund was unrealistic. Mental health providers were left to rely on cash re-serves and lines of credit to stay open.

“We don’t have a huge reserve,” said Pathways to Housing execu-tive director Christy Respress. Path-ways works with DC residents who are both homeless and dealing with mental health issues, and over 50% of its mental health budget comes from Medicaid. “Had [the shutdown] gone on another month we were not in a position to continue paying all of our salaries.”

Pharmacies would also have run the risk of being unable to provide es-sential medications had the govern-ment not re-opened. Robert Keisling, a psychiatrist at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, stressed that pa-tients suffering from common men-tal health afflictions like depression, bi-polar, and schizophrenia become

extremely vulnerable when they go off of their regular drugs. “Most peo-ple we see have been off their meds for a few weeks, which is why they’re psychotic or becoming suicidal. If a bunch of folks go off their meds, we’re going to see a big influx into emergency rooms.”

Keisling went on to note that halted medication cycles could lead to an increase in involuntary psychi-atric admissions known as FD-12s. Issued to people who are deemed to pose an imminent danger to them-selves or others, FD-12s can be made by any of the Department of Behav-ioral Health’s 150 certified agents as well any District police officer or licensed physician or clinical psy-chologist. The DBH reports that its Comprehensive Psychiatric Emer-gency Program had 2,259 FD-12 in-cidents in 2012. “All the time, people go off their meds and wind up get-ting involved with the criminal jus-tice system because during their psy-chotic episode they violated the law,” said Keisling. “[Discontinued access to medications] would be a disaster.”

A Long-Standing ChallengeHall stressed that mental health

providers in the District have long faced difficult financial realities. To il-lustrate, she noted that when a patient in DC goes in for a routine primary health consultation, a doctor is paid $154; psychiatrists are paid only $45 for equivalent mental health visits.

“This is one along a long line of times when we’re not getting paid like we should,” said Yavar Moghi-

mi, a psychiatrist at Whitman-Walker Health who connected the budget freeze to last spring’s col-lapse of Medicaid claims proces-sor D.C. Chartered Health. In that case, the Health Care Finance re-imbursed mental health providers only after hospitals and primary care providers were covered. Dur-ing the shutdown, providers also bore an increased burden because the DHCF had scheduled in 2014 payment for services rendered dur-ing the last few months of 2013.

Beyond health services, providers like Pathways to Housing were with-out funding from institutions like the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which meant the pos-sibility of missed November rent payments for housing assistance.

“It was a horrible feeling,” said Respress. “We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality servic-es to people whose lives are already chaotic and unpredictable. To not provide that safety net was incred-ibly unsettling.”

“Many of our staff are living pay-check to paycheck,” she continued. “For them it was incredibly unset-tling as well. We didn’t know day to day, and that was the most uncertain part: not knowing the end.”

LAYC’s Kaplan reported that while furloughed, a number of her employees continued to report to work as volunteers, and Respress said that a number of Pathways to Hous-ing staff had prepared to do the same. It was a sentiment shared across the mental health sector. “We have an

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Mental Services In DC On The EdgePushed to the Brink During Shutdown

by Jonathan Neeley


ethical obligation to continue to provide services,” said Karen Ostlie, director for behavioral health services at Catholic Charities, one of the city’s larg-est providers. “Whenever they pass the budget, we can bill for the services, but we’re not get-ting paid,” she said a few days into the shutdown.

“We came far too close to comfort,” said Hall of the shut-down. “The basic things that government is supposed to do, it would have been unable to do,” said Hall. “The populations we work with for housing and basic services were in jeopardy.”

A Need for Home RulePerhaps most frustrating

is that during the shutdown, the money that mental health providers rely on simply idled in the bank. Midway through the shutdown, Turnage said that his department was ready to make payments as soon as it received authorization.

“The District raises nine billion dollars in a fiscal year and we can’t spend a dime un-til Congress tells us we can,” said Turnage. “Anyone with a sense of governance should understand how difficult it is for a jurisdiction as sophisti-cated as DC to manage a city without the authority to spend its money.”

When Congress finally passed the 2014 budget, it in-cluded a provision giving DC budget autonomy through September of next year. But if a shutdown were to happen in 2015 or funding were to be cut for any other reason, the city’s mental health providers would once again be pushed to the brink. It’s a scary thought for a sector that is already chal-lenged by perpetually thin fi-nancial margins. u

Too many of us are missing. Across the country people will celebrate Thanksgiv-

ing this month without their loved ones sitting around the table. Their absence will not be the result of ill-ness or old age, but instead it will be the result of gun violence in our society. How much have things changed over the years? I’ve never fired a rifle or hand gun in my life. I’ll be 63 this month.

Meanwhile, no office building, no school, no neighborhood or city is out of bounds or can be defined as sacred grounds like Eden or Never Never Land. Bullets have no man-ners. They never knock first. They come through windows and walls. Bullets are always hungry. They never seem to be satisfied. They love young flesh and eat children. Bullets are not vegetarians.

How do we go on about our lives without remembering each day those who have been taken from us? After the tragedy at the Navy Yard, I listened to a worker being inter-viewed as he was returning to the facility. It was only two days after the horror and the guy spoke like a military man trying to overlook the civilian casualties. It was another work day and there was work to be done. “This is what the dead would want us to do,” was the guy’s last re-mark. We must go on living our nor-

mal lives; maybe this is what I find so upsetting. What is normal these days? How numb have we become to shootings?

Should we all place an empty plate on our tables this month? A plate in anticipation of more violent deaths? Should we bow our heads in silent prayer? There are too many of us missing. I wonder if at times God turns his back on us? Does he get tired of our excuses and stories? What if God had a vote? Would this change anything?

I want to be thankful and give thanks this month. Sometimes I need to practice a little mindfulness. Every life is precious. Each breath taken is a reminder of how fragile

things are or how unpredict-able logic can be and every day our shadows tip around chaos. We rise and go to work – thankful that we are blessed to return home without incident or accident. But there is so much crying lately that the way home has been flooded and I fear our humanity might now be homeless.

I think I finally understand why my mother was always thanking the Lord under her breath. She often called on him to give her strength – to find a way out of no way. My

mother never explained her faith to me. I really only saw her on her knees when she was clean-

ing the house. Yet this woman who was a housewife and seamstress un-derstood the thin fabric of life. She understood how quickly all could be lost or simply stolen or taken. My mother never had a kind word for the devil. These days when I look around there is much to do. We can blame the devil or we can blame ourselves. Which is easier?

This month I will say a short prayer at Thanksgiving for all those who remain believers in love, believ-ing in their fellow human being. A prayer for those who show kind-ness to strangers and do not forget the poor. I will say a prayer for every heart wounded by gun violence and wounded by hatred. Someone please tell me how to fix the levee before the next home is destroyed. There are a few cracks in American society --hairline fractures and small bullet holes. Yet each day is one of hope and transformation. Each day is a day of healing and forgiveness. Nothing can grow out of our bitterness and sadness. Anger must become a lonely weed. Dear God, please tell me the tears falling are simply rain.

E. Ethelbert Miller is a literary activ-ist. He is the author of two memoirs and several collections of poems. Mr. Miller is the director of the African American Resource Center at Howard Univer-sity. www.eethelbertmiller.com u

Dear Godby E. Ethelbert Miller


As Mayor Vincent Gray ar-rived at the ribbon cutting of the 400-foot long St. Eliza-

beths Pavilion, christened Gateway DC last month, a cluster of city of-ficials and bureaucrats, architects,

members of the press corps and community residents greet-ed him as he worked his way through the crowd. Only one person was conspicuously wear-ing a tiara; ANC 8C 03 Mary Cuthbert, who was also holding a placard proclaiming the Pavil-ion “Cuthbert’s Castle.”

“This is a great day for Con-gress Heights,” Cuthbert, Chair-man of ANC 8C, said. “It’s been twelve years in getting the St. Elizabeths East Campus zoned and it’s been 60 years since any-thing new has been built here.” With the new structure, Cuthbert and city

officials are optimistic that the adja-cent faded stretch of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue will be revitalized as thousands of federal employees begin settling into the new headquarters of the United States Coast Guard.

Also, in coming years the West Cam-pus of Saint Elizabeths will begin to

house employees of the Department of Homeland Security. To access the Pavilion, a tunnel beneath MLK Jr. Avenue has been opened that will link the East and West campuses ev-ery day from 10 am to 2 pm. During Mayor Gray’s remarks he endorsed a possible expansion of the Congress

H e i g h t s Metro sta-tion, which c u r r e n t l y has a single exit with less than a half-dozen faregates.

“ W e had some-thing to prove with this project and I sure hoped we

proved it to everybody,” said Cath-erine Buell, a resident of Historic

Anacostia and Executive Director of St. Elizabeths East within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development. “We had 29 days of rain this summer and we still met a 90-day construction schedule.”

After acknowledging various partnerships between and within city agencies that collaborated to com-plete the Pavilion and establish its many amenities, such as a free Wi-Fi hotspot provided by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Buell said, “Most importantly we have had the support of an amazing community, a community who advocates for us, who supports us and challenges us. This would not be possible without the Ward 8 community.”

With banners hanging on street lights of the East Campus proclaim-ing “Future of Technology,” resi-dents like Cuthbert are optimistic the neighborhood will see change for the better. “We’re getting some quality new development,” Cuthbert

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Pavilion Opens on East Campus of St. Elizabeths

by John Muller

A host of city and federal officials help Mayor Gray cut the ribbon on Gateway DC last month.

A view from the rooftop of the Pavilion looking down Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue towards the West Campus of Saint Elizabeths.

Side profile of the 400-foot long Pavilion with the historic 'Reading Tree' preserved.


said. “It’s important we begin to get retail to come back after 30 or 40 years. We want a di-versity of stores, quality stores, no dollar store.”

Features of the PavilionConstructed in a matter

of months, the Pavilion off ers features that have the poten-tial to make it a destination for residents the city’s “East End,” a term regularly used by city of-fi cials during the ribbon cutting ceremonies and communities in Maryland, just over Southern Avenue.

Th e ground level off ers more than 16,000 square feet of open air market space of custom wooden fl exible ki-osk seating and vending space complimented by an enclosed, climate-controlled space of more than 3,000 square feet. Just yards from the planned market space is a curb-side de-sign planned to accommodate mobile vendors such as food trucks.

Th e roof-top amphithe-ater, which provides panoramic views of the East and West campuses, covers more than 20,000 square feet and has ca-pacity for concerts, festivals and other gatherings of more than one thousand people, according to materials distributed by the city.

A Sunday Food Market (SFM), a pop-up food market, is planned to occur on the fi rst Sunday of each month through March; December 1, 2013, Jan-uary 5, 2014, February 2, 2014 and March 2, 2014. Th e SFM is planned to feature up to fi ve stalls of local food vendors providing samples and dining options. Vending stalls will be rented to qualifi ed businesses for a rate of $1.00 per mar-ket. According to information available online, 200 guests are anticipated to attend each Sun-day pop-up.

Vendor information and appli-cations can be accessed online at www.gatewaydc.com u

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For Derek Davis barbering is not just a profession,

it is a family tradition. “My grandfather, my father, my brother, my nephew, my aunt, my daughter, and my fian-cée are all barbers,” he explained. In fact the National Association of Barber Boards of Amer-ica (NABBA) inducted his father, the late Wil-lie Roscoe Davis, into the Barber Hall of Fame in 2009. Four years later Derek would be elected as NABBA’s president, an honor that he con-sidered the culmination of a lifelong journey.

Davis’ Career“I never thought I was going to be a barber,”

Davis remarked. When he was 12, Davis worked as a shop kid, helping barbers like his father by sweep-ing floors. After graduating from Anacostia High School he attended the University of Maryland and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in three years. Degree in hand, Davis “sent out a hundred resumes. I got letters from every company I applied to: under-qualified, over-qualified, or not enough experience.” However, Davis did have something that secured his career. “In high school my father thought enough about my future to send me to barbering school,” he explained. “So when I graduated from high school I had a high school diploma and a barbering license.”

“I thank God today for this trade,” said Da-vis. “I was able to send my daughter to college, I have my own home and all those material things

that most people would want to have. And I’m my own boss,” he laughed. Today he is following in his father’s footsteps as co-owner, with his brother Marsten, of Davis Barber and Beauty Services. He has also trained others, as the only certified special education and cosmetology teacher in the Dis-trict’s public school system for 26 years.

DC Board of Barber and CosmetologyAnother way Davis emulates his father is as

an appointed member of DC’s Board of Barber and Cosmetology, serving as chair since 2009. The board is responsible for regulating standards and practices for all barbers, hair dressers, body artists, and cosmetologists. This includes issuing licenses as well as establishing and enforcing ethics and health codes. The board usually has 14 members: three barbers, three cosmetologists, three specialty

cosmetologists, three body artists, and two consumer members. However, there are currently seven mem-bers, which poses a problem as the board needs a quorum, or minimum, of eight members to vote. “We got a lot of stuff on the table and we can’t move legally without a quorum,” Davis explained.

Despite this set-back Clifford Cooks, program manager for the Office of Pro-fessional Licensing, has no doubt of Da-vis’ leadership abil-ity. “He always makes sure that the board

reaches certain goals,” he said. “There hasn’t been any challenge he wasn’t able to accomplish.” In September Cooks attended the NABBA fall con-ference in Oklahoma City, Okla., and witnessed Davis’ induction as president. “The speech that he gave was fantastic,” he said. “He’ll do a fantastic job. There’s no doubt.”

NABBAFounded in 1926, NABBA is a national orga-

nization dedicated to serving state boards, officers, administrators, and other related industry mem-bers. According to NABBA’s website the orga-nization has “over 110 active members that work to maintain the barber professional standards and policies of the barber and hair care industry.”

Davis, who has been a member of NABBA for almost eight years, had to go through a lengthy pro-

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Ward 8 Barber Named NABBA Presidentby Charnice A. Milton

Derek Davis, Ward 8 barber, was elected president of NABBA.



cess to become president. First, delegates nominate then vote for their candidates for vice-president. NABBA’s executive board has fi ve vice-presidents, each serving each successive offi ce until he or she becomes president.

Ambassador for the Barbering Community

While being the head of a national organization is an honor, Davis continues to give back to the Ward 8 commu-nity. Not only does he work as a Pretrial Services Agency facilitator and take an active role in his Advisory Neighbor-hood Commission, he does his best work as an ambassador for the barbering community. As a small business owner and head of a local and national legisla-tive body, Davis works toward showing that barbering is a profi table and viable profes-sion. “As you can see, my bar-bers are working,” he pointed out. “Th at’s what I’ve been try-ing to get the mayor and ev-eryone in this city to realize.” He argues that while transient and part-time jobs are good for a limited time, training in a skill like barbering can help secure a steady career.

“Th is particular trade – barber, cosmetology ... braid-ing ... natural hair people – has been a part of our community for years,” Davis said. “Th e jobs aren’t going anywhere. We’re going to be here.” Th e same can be said for Davis; even as the head of a national organization, he and his fami-ly’s shop will continue to serve Ward 8. “We’ve been through drug wars, gangs, good and bad, but we’re still here,” de-clared Davis. “We can’t run from this community.”

Davis Barber and Beauty Ser-vices is located at 4646 Livings-ton Road SE, Washington, DC 20032. Call 202-563-5270 for more information and to make appointments. uFree Gift With Ad

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Student Doe had already missed 25 days of school, serving a 45-day suspension,

when Courey Mascagni, part of the new Student Rights Alliance (SRA), entered the case. Mas-cagni, a special education attorney, arranged a hearing. The hearing immediately determined that DC Public Schools (DCPS) had is-sued too severe a suspension and ruled the student eligible to return to school. The judge’s final report declared Doe entirely innocent of charges. Time to drop the case and move on, right?

Not so fast, says Mascagni. What about the 26 days of school the high-schooler had already missed? How could Doe ever catch up? And what about the larger issues involved? The attor-ney launched a due process com-plaint against DCPS, arguing that Doe had been denied a “free and appropriate public education.” Awards in the case provided for attorney fees and “compensatory education” in the form of vouch-ers to supply tutoring and other support compensating for the stu-dent’s missed school days.

DCPS regularly issues harsh-er than necessary punishments, according to a recent study, and due process is often ignored. This general pattern must be changed, insists SRA. Facing cases like Doe’s is one way to ed-ucate DCPS about the law, Mas-cagni argues, and enough such cases will prompt a reevaluation

of the system. “That’s when the dialogue can begin.” As of press time DCPS had no comment.

“Push Out” and InequalityEarlier this year the Every

Student Every Day Coalition prepared “District Discipline,” a report that led to establish-ment of SRA. The report notes a correlation between pushing students out of school and “de-creased academic performance, dropping out, substance abuse, and criminal activity.” It also highlights inequalities in this downward spiral, often called the “school to prison pipeline.”

DCPS suspended 11,000 of its 46,000 students in 2011-12. But students in some areas of town were far more likely to be suspended. A middle school in Ward 3 suspended 7 percent of students, for example, while middle-schools in other parts of town suspended between 25 and 72 percent of students.

In Wards 7 and 8, where over 40 percent of children live in pover-ty, DCPS suspended 35 percent of students during 2011-12. In Wards 2 and 3, where child poverty rates were 8.5 and 1.9 percent, respec-tively, DCPS suspended students at rates of 7 and 9 percent. Through-out the country, the coalition’s re-search shows, administrators dis-proportionately exclude students with disabilities, students who are homeless or in foster care, students of color, and students in poverty.

In DCPS special education

students are three times more like-ly to be suspended than their gen-eral-education peers. In addition “the extra set of procedural safe-guards” for such students are often overlooked, says Geno Donney, deputy director of Took-Crowell Institute for At-Risk Youth at the University of the District of Co-lumbia’s law school.

Alternative Discipline StrategiesMascagni met Student Koe 35

days after a “suspension warning” was issued. Koe had been in a fight with another student and led from school in handcuffs. The fight de-manded disciplinary action, Mas-cagni reports. However, an alter-native to suspension – assignment to an anger management program, for example – would have im-proved outcomes for all. Instead, the attorney explains, the student, out of school and without a sup-port system for weeks, “picked up charges while in a shelter situa-tion.” Mascagni is still fighting for compensatory education for Koe.

Koe’s suspension was never formalized. Instead the student was told to enroll elsewhere. De facto expulsions like this are com-mon, according to SRA, and more frequent for students with special education needs.

SRA advocates use legal edu-cation and, where necessary, litiga-tion to protect students like Doe and Koe. But they also hope their work will prepare the way for a di-alogue with DCPS and eventually

other LEAs in DC and beyond about the educational disasters of suspension and about alternatives to “push out.”

“Help Yourself”Donney, Mascagni, and oth-

ers are working with the American Civil Liberties Union of the Na-tional Capital Area (ACLU-NCA) on a multi-pronged approach to DCPS’s discipline issues. Lawyers and law students assist students and families on specific cases. In addition an interactive and de-tailed “Help Yourself ” action kit is available on SRA’s website.

SRA hopes to train communi-ty members, including high school students, especially in schools flagged with high suspension rates. Once familiar with “Help Yourself ” strategies, they can help students protect their own rights, calling in legal assistance as nec-essary. “Right now, nothing much happens,” says Mascagni, in the face of harsh, sometimes illegally imposed suspensions. “If every student is printing out a form from our website and asking for an appeal, administrators may think twice about suspensions.”

(Student names and schools were changed or withheld for ju-venile privacy reasons.)

Virginia Spatz is the feature reporter for We Act Radio’s Education Town Hall, WeActEd.wordpress.com. The Oct. 24 edition included an inter-view with SRA’s Geno Donney. u

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Student Rights Alliance Addressing School “Push Out,” Creating Alternatives

by Virginia Avniel Spatz


Education Committee Initiatives

Th e DC Council’s Educa-tion Committee has introduced several legislative initiatives re-lating to SRA concerns.

Th e Attendance Account-ability Act was enacted earlier this year. It requires the State Superintendent to issue a re-port on suspensions and expul-sions in all LEAs and suggest alternatives. Th is will help in-form future action in this area, says committee director Bren-dan Williams-Kief. In addition the Parent and Student Em-powerment Act would establish a new advocate’s offi ce and a newly funded ombudsman.

“Both offi ces would exist outside DCPS and the char-ters, fi re-walled, outside of the to-and-fro between agencies,” says Williams-Kief. Indepen-dent offi ces, “dedicated to be-ing very informed and up to speed,” will provide a stable system of recourse not cur-rently available. Th is will better address a range of issues in-cluding special education and suspension/expulsion.

“Th e committee has heard a lot about the challenges of being a special education stu-dent and a special education parent,” the committee direc-tor adds. “Th ere are many is-sues at play in the movement to try to get students into least restrictive environments, and even the most well-informed and well-resourced parents face challenges.” At press time the committee was hosting a Special Education Roundtable. Williams-Kief concludes, “We look forward to meeting with the Student Rights Alliance.”

Facing suspension? Leave a message at 202-670-1486. A trained Student Rights Al-liance member will respond. Learn more at www.Studen-tRightsAlliance.org. u

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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

A few blocks away from Union Station is the historic Gales School. Built in 1881, the

building’s condition deteriorated due to vandalism and extreme weather conditions. Recently, the building has been under renovation, thanks to Central Union Mission. This month, the non-profit plans to reopen the building as its new central homeless shelter after closing their R Street location. Central’s executive director, David Treadwill, said that the move will fulfill a major goal: “...to turn one of the city’s eyesores into a sight for sore eyes.”

Central Union MissionCentral’s current transition is not

the first for the faith-based non-prof-it. Founded in 1884 by a coalition of area churches, Central Union Mis-sion originally began in a room at 909 Pennsylvania Avenue to serve home-less Civil War veterans. When Cen-tral’s opened its first shelter in 1891, it not only gave homeless men a place for the night, but also provided sup-portive services such as literacy and job skills training with spiritual ser-vices to combat issues like substance abuse and anger.

After eminent domain forced the organization out of its original loca-tion in the 1970’s, Central moved to its recent location: 1350 R Street. To-day, Central has seven locations in the metropolitan area, with programs that benefit men, women, children, fami-lies, and the Hispanic community.

The New Shelter While the 34,000 square-foot

building will have traditional housing

spaces and residential suites for those who work night shifts, the shelter will have two day rooms, giving residents a place to stay during the day. The site will also house medical, dental, and legal offices, as well as a classroom, meeting rooms and staff offices.

While the shelter will open this month, the official opening ceremony will be in January. This would allow time for the staff and residents to get used to the new space and to add more programs as needed. For now, some have been relocated to Gospel Rescue Ministries (810 5th Street) or Central’s administrative office (2600 12th Street).

Working at CentralWhile local groups and church-

es volunteer at Central every night, staff members, like Pastor James Lewis, keep the organization run-ning. “I wasn’t searching for a job,” he said. “I was called to serve here.” As a student at the Howard Uni-

versity School of Divinity, Lewis was “...praying and waiting for an assignment from God.” While Lewis planned to work at a local church, he felt God calling him to work at Central. “The rest is his-tory,” he said, “and I have been here for 13 years now.”

As the senior director of ministry, Lewis acts as a senior administrator,

overseeing daily programming. “I’m really excited for this move,” he said. “To see this building come, to know we’ll have this permanent housing, it’s really exciting.” After selling the 14th Street location, Central has been running their programs from Gospel Rescue Ministries. Despite working in a smaller place, he is proud of the work he and Central is doing. “God

Central Union Mission A New Location, Same Important Work

by Charnice A. Milton

A look into Central Union Mission’s housing space. David Treadwill, Central Union Mission’s executive director, hopes that this space will be open in time for Veteran’s Day. Photo: Charnice A. Milton

Pastor James Lewis of Central Union Mission at the Gales School entrance in

October. Photo: Charnice A. Milton


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAHOUSING AUTHORITY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)Bid Package No. 4

Renovation of Scattered Sites located at 1452 Euclid Street, N.W, and

1312 Irving Street, N.W., Washington, DC RFP No. - DCHE 2013-6

THE DC HOUSING ENTERPRISES (“DCHE”) is seeking to solicit proposals from qualified contractors to provide construction services for substantial rehabilitation of scattered site row house dwellings located at 1452 Euclid Street, N.W. and 1312 Irving Street, N.W., Washington, DC.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS will be available at the DC Housing Enterprises Procurement Office, 1133 North Capitol Street, N.E., Suite 300, Office of Administrative Services, Washington, D.C. 20002-7599 (Issuing Office); between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Tuesday, October 15, 2013.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE – upon completion of the selection process a pre-construction conference with be scheduled with the successful offeror.

SEALED BIDS ARE DUE: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 @ 11:00 a.m. at the Issuing Office identified above.

Please contact Lolita Washington, Contract Specialist at 202-535-1212 for additional information.


rescued me,” said Lewis. “Now, He wants me to help rescue others.”

Time to Move“Sitting comfortably in 1998, in

my new offi ce at 14th and R, I looked out and saw a changing neighbor-hood,” Treadwell reminisced. Th ere were two issues with the 14th Street location. First, the building, original-ly a car dealership in the 1920’s, was completely outmoded for the demands of needed service and activities today, and was extremely costly to maintain. Second, ongoing revitalization eff orts in the 14th Street Corridor had at-tracted affl uent residents and forced poor and needy neighbors to other ar-eas in the city.

“I had two goals: fi nding a state-of-the-art facility and a new location,” said Treadwill. Th e organization success-fully campaigned to receive the Gales School, which the DC government had set aside as a potential homeless shelter, as its new location. Th e move means a return to “the heart of the city,” in a better location and a more welcoming neighborhood.

How to HelpTreadwill hopes that work on the

Gales School will be fi nished before his target date, November 11 (or Vet-eran’s Day). However, Central needs to raise more funds to pay for the building. “We’ve already raised up to $12 million,” Treadwill explained. “Th e total cost in $15 million, so we have $3 million to go.” Central has many opportunities to give. Th rough its Campaign for Compassion, the organization gives potential donors an opportunity to make named gifts, ranging from small items like bricks and fl oor tiles, to rooms like the chapel or offi ces. Also, the campaign will give donors a chance to buy furniture and other furnishings. Finally, Central will accept donations through its website (missiondc.org/partner) or mail (P.O. Box 96763 Washington, DC 20090-6763).

To learn more about Central Union Mis-sion, call 202-745-7118 or visit mis-siondc.org. u

This CFC season consider giving back to a veteran who

has given so much to us.

We have been a place of transition for hundreds of chronically

homeless veterans.

Providing veterans with a new home and a new beginning.

Proudly celebrating 11 years of service.

For more information on how you can assist, please call

202.561.VETS (8387)

THEY SERVED OUR COUNTRY TO PROTECT US. LET’S SUPPORT THEM!

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1221 Taylor Street, NWWashington, DC 20011202-464-9200

Green Door helps men and women with mental illness achieve the highest level of personal success and independence in our community.

Green Door Values: •Respect,DignityandEmpathy •Collaboration •FocusonIndividualStrengths •QualityServices •WelcomingandSafeEnvironment

CHANGING HANDS Changing hands is a list of most residential sales in the District of Columbia from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIs, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker offi ce on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

Neighborhood Close Price BR

FEE SIMPLE

ANACOSTIA 2670 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE $299,900 41649 U ST SE $195,000 71328 V ST SE $176,000 41633 W ST SE $150,000 3

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 446 OAKWOOD ST SE $217,000 4162 UPSAL ST SE $200,000 34213 WHEELER RD SE $130,000 33829 1ST ST SE $96,500 3

DEANWOOD 421 60TH ST NE $375,000 55737 BLAINE ST NE $200,000 3223 46TH PL NE $200,000 45108 HAYES ST NE $193,000 25732 SOUTHERN AVE SE $179,000 34917 FITCH PL NE $150,000 35076 JAY ST NE $135,000 21021 51 ST NE $110,499 4809 48TH PL NE $101,000 35065 SHERIFF RD NE $80,000 24631 30TH ST NW $1,179,000 5

FORT DUPONT PARK 3209 E ST SE $259,000 33915 C ST SE $215,000 34335 E ST SE $130,000 2

HILL CREST 2910 W ST SE $440,000 33381 DENVER ST SE $399,990 32328 36TH ST SE $300,001 41613 27TH ST SE $196,000 3

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 5040 B SE $320,000 45305 D ST SE $289,900 45111 ASTOR PL SE $196,000 3859 51ST ST SE $194,000 45038 DRAKE PL SE $122,000 4192 54TH ST SE $106,000 2

RANDLE HEIGHTS 2217 NAYLOR RD SE $375,000 42205 HARTFORD ST SE $225,000 31510 TUBMAN RD SE $245,000 4

CONDO

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 450 CONDON TER SE #T-1 $600,000 2120 DANBURY ST SW #120E $37,000 1

DEANWOOD 200 43RD RD NE #B3 $78,000 2

HILL CREST 3930 SOUTHERN AVE SE #A $100,000 22111 SUITLAND TER SE #201 $53,000 1

HILL EAST 321 18TH ST SE #6 $394,900 2245 15TH ST SE #205 $358,900 1

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 4950 CALL PL SE #E-2 $165,000 25 46TH ST SE #6 $75,000 2

RANDLE HEIGHTS 3509 21ST ST SE $230,000 31907 GOOD HOPE RD SE #201 $41,500 13031 BUENA VISTA TER SE #4 $25,000 3

COOP

HILL CREST 27042710 31ST ST SE #A-638 $70,000 2u

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Growing up in Washington, DC, with a family of cooks, Twyla Alston says she likes to create all sorts of things, not

only food. Her dining room shows her creative flair, from heartfelt sayings on the wall to beau-tiful fabric strips draped from a modern-style crystal chandelier.

Alston and her husband Clarence moved to Anacostia almost 10 years ago. For nearly a decade Alston has worked as an IT manage-ment professional, now enjoying the time be-tween contracts to prepare her son for a tran-sition to preschool. In a cheery, sun-dappled kitchen that looks out onto her garden she makes multitasking look easy – talking about her family, how she wants to transition her garden to one with four-season growing, de-scribing the recipes she’ll prepare, and check-ing in with her two young children, Janay and Trey, ages six and two.

Alston says that when she was in elemen-tary school her grandmother always seemed to want her help in the kitchen. “My father had a few things he would make, too – and when he brought out the air popper for popcorn, it made an event. I always had fun cooking with my dad, whatever it was.” She recalls that her mom’s bis-cuits were legendary. “Her cornbread and corn muffins were really delicious. However I haven’t been able to get them exactly right, the way she prepared them. My love for her cornbread and quest to recreate it has sort of fueled my passion to taste and make delightful food.”

Alston’s sister, Kim, studied culinary arts at Burdick Vocational School and used to invite her to taste gourmet dishes from restaurants where she worked. As she learned new skills, she’d share them.

As a young adult, Alston also worked at area restaurants. “I had waitressing jobs at places like

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Twyla Alston

by Annette Nielsen

Twyla Alston and family in their Anacostia home. Clarence, Janay, and Trey are at the table with everything good. Photo: Annette Nielson

cooking to the next level. I learned about eating good food and serving good food.”

Alston has adopted a vegan diet but says, “I try to stay away from the extremes – while I like eating live food, it’s important overall that it’s good food – I try to juxtapose the ridiculous with the sensible and maintain a balance in all that we eat.”

She began a ministry at Metropolitan Bap-tist, but she now serves as an associate minister at the East Friendship Baptist church where her husband is also a deacon. It was at a fel-lowship supper that she first tasted a dish called corn soufflé. “There was a really long line for this particular dish and it was served with a pico de gallo. While it is egg based, it’s not puffy like a traditional soufflé. It’s really an easy dish to make and always seems to come out perfectly.”

Alston’s children like to help her in the kitchen. She instructs daughter Janay how to scoop and level dry ingredients, letting her know that three teaspoons is equivalent to a tablespoon. Janay’s younger brother, Trey, is thrilled to be up on a stool where he can turn on the standing mixer (with careful handholding by his mom) and pour in the corn.

As the meal is served, it’s a feast – simi-lar to one you’d have at Thanksgiving with braised chicken, the corn soufflé, and a vibrant kale salad. Like other dishes in Alston’s rep-ertoire, the kale salad is modeled after a ver-sion she enjoyed at a restaurant. For a seasonal riff on the pumpkin pie she baked a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, using pumpkin purée. She serves the meal on the dining room table, decorated with seasonal linens, pumpkins, and gourds, while Trey recites the blessing.

Alston adds, “I am a foodie because I like to eat and I love that cooking is elemental. If you bring together the right ingredients, you get

Heart and Soul Café, Cheesecake Factory, and Ho-gate’s. I really learned so much about different palates like Creole, Southwestern, French, Asian, and Italian, what sort of spices should be used or what edible gar-nishes should accompany a dish – it took my interest in


something amazing. It’s a myth that manufacturers do something magi-cal that consumers can’t achieve. Before I began this culinary journey I thought that the best cakes, pan-cakes, hot chocolate, sausage, etc. came from mixes or the store. As I learned that nothing all natural in the grocery store is beyond my reach, I felt empowered.” She’s passionate about bringing wholesome, fresh, and affordable meals to her family. “I see my kitchen as a place from which to hug and heal my family.”

Corn Soufflé• Yield: 10-12 servings• 28 ounces frozen yellow corn

kernels, thawed• 6 ounces (1½ sticks) butter,

melted• 1/3 cup sugar• 10 ounces heavy whipping

cream• 5 eggs• 1 tablespoon baking powder• 5 tablespoons flour• ½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.Add melted butter to a large

bowl. Blend in sugar (about 4 min-utes at medium-high speed, if using a standing mixer).

Gradually stir in cream. Con-tinue stirring and add beaten eggs. Whisk together flour and baking

powder in a separate bowl; add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir well.

Add thawed corn. Pour mixture into a 3-quart baking dish and bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown with crisp edges. The soufflé should be sizzling and bub-bly. Increase the surface area to get more crisped parts by using a larger, 9 x 12-inch pan.

Best served right away; good warmed over.

Option: Pico de gallo (fresh salsa).

Pumpkin Cheesecake• Yield: 8-10 servings• Prep time: 15 minutes• Inactive prep time: 4½ hours• Cook time: 1 hour• Crust:• 20 graham crackers, crumbled

(two whole packs from a box)• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon• 1 stick plus 1 tablespoon of

melted, salted butter

Filling:• 3 (8-ounce) packages cream

cheese, at room temperature• 15 ounces fresh puréed pump-

kin* (see note below)• 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk• ¼ cup sour cream• 1½ cups sugar• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground

nutmeg• 1/8 teaspoon ground clove• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

(optional)• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract• 16 whole pecans (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.For crust and water bath: To

crumble the graham crackers and mix crust you can hand crumble or place crackers in a food processor and pulse 20 times. In a medium bowl combine crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat and up the side of the pan, about 1/3 the way up the 9-inch spring-form pan. Oil the pan above the crumb crust with cooking spray.

Prepare the pan for the water

bath. To keep water from seeping into the pan use aluminum foil to cover the bottom of the spring-form pan at least 2 inches up the side. Lay the foil flat and then center the pan in the middle. Use your hands to contour the foil by pressing the foil against the pan from the bottom up.

Place the prepared pan in the center of an empty shallow pan (use a roasting pan or cookie sheet). Fill the shallow pan with an inch of wa-ter, taking care to keep water from entering the foil covering.

For filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin purée, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar, and spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined.

Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place the cheesecake with water bath into the oven for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and open the door for 1 minute and then close for 30 minutes. The cheesecake will be slightly browned with minimal jiggle (do not fork). Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrig-erate for 4 hours. Arrange pecans on top for garnish.

Note: If you’d like to prepare your own pumpkin purée, Twyla Alston offers an easy way to enjoy the seasonal bounty of pumpkin – to use now or freeze for later use.

Pumpkin purée• 4-5 Pie Pumpkins (15 ounces

is needed for the cheesecake) or one medium or large pumpkin of another variety

• shallow baking sheet• cooking spray or non-stick foil• container with tightly fitting lid

(bowl or blender pitcher with lid)

• food processor or blender• paper towels

Clean the Pumpkin. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the top from the pumpkin and discard. For smaller pumpkins, cut into quarters. For medium to large pumpkins, cut into eight pieces. Using a spoon scrape the inside to remove the seeds and pulp. Reserve the seeds for roasting if desired.

Bake. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line a sheet with non-stick foil. Place the pumpkin pieces skin-side up on the sheet and bake for 45 minutes or until the skin softens and separates from the flesh and the flesh is soft (like a well-cooked potato). When forking the flesh the texture will not be fibrous and dense but smooth and flexible. Remove the pumpkin from the oven and, once it is cool enough to touch, peel the skin from the flesh.

Drain. Purée in a food pro-cessor (in batches if needed) until smooth. To remove excess water open the container (bowl or pitcher with lid), place the cloth in the bowl with the sheet draped over the edg-es. Place the pumpkin on the sheet and raise it so it is suspended like a hammock with space for the wa-ter that will drain (2 inches or so). Hold the hammock by hand until you can replace the lid to keep the pumpkin suspended. You can use a glass bowl or blender pitcher to do this, and place it in the refrigerator for 2 hours to drain. Be sure to use sturdy, full-sized paper towels (not perforated).

Separate 15 ounces for the cheesecake. Pumpkin purée can be refrigerated for up to one week or frozen for up to three months. u

Twyla Alston in her cheerful kitchen guides daughter Janay in the preparation of a corn

soufflé. Photo: Annette Nielson

Twyla Alston assists son Trey in learning how to mix and stir ingredients into a corn souf-flé. Photo: Annette Nielson


Melvin Holloway, a long-time resident of Anacostia, stands on the corner of the

triangle lot at the junction of Mar-tin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Pleasant Street and Maple View Place and points to a sign. “See; March 27, 1961,” Holloway says singling out a date on the side of the neon sign’s shell, “that’s about when the Mile Long opened. It closed, probably, in the late ‘70’s but their memory is still strong.”

According to Holloway, Mile Long, “was the spot to come to at night, the spot to come to when it opened up early in the morning, and anytime in between. You could smell the fried onions they’d put on the steak sandwiches blocks away.”

Th e reverence that still exists in the hearts and stomachs of long-time Anacostians for the Mile Long, decades after its closing, may be re-placed soon by Mama’s BBQ, Blues & Pizza, which opened in early 2012 as Mama’s Kitchen at 1208 Maple View Place, the former spot of the Mile Long. It has recently re-located to 2028 Martin Luther King Jr. Av-

enue, in the former location of the Fireside Restaurant.

On a recent Saturday afternoon the interior of Mama’s was populated by the local postman, neighborhood children, and a group of young men watching a college football game on one of the two fl at screen televisions. With a slightly larger seating area than the previous location, there are two booths lining each wall with a total of eight tables and eight chairs.

While speaking with co-owner Musa Ulusan, 49, who runs the res-taurant with his wife, many people in the neighborhood referred to him as “Pops” and “Papa” and patted him on the back in a show of respect. “We are part of the community,” Ulusan said. “My wife and I share some of the same problems and have been through hard times. We are sensitive to the community and thankful for their support.”

In 1992 Ulusan founded Th e Original Italian Pie in New Orleans. Within a decade Ulusan had a doz-en restaurants in New Orleans and franchisees throughout the South

from Tallahassee, Florida to Jackson, Mississippi. “At one time I had 2,000 employees,” Ulusan says, “then Hur-ricane Katrina hit and we were wiped out” After a couple of unsuccess-ful real estate investments, Ulusan moved to the Washington area look-ing to make a fresh start.

“I was looking everywhere in DC for where would be a good location to open,” Ulusan says. “Anacostia seemed like a good place, because I knew what the future was going to be and the budget was right.” In their previous location Ulusan says he was on a month-to-month lease; in their current location at the corner of MLK Jr. Avenue and V Street, Mama’s has signed a ten-year lease which will help establish the brand in the neigh-borhood for the foreseeable future.

While single slices of cheese pizza are the preferred choice of An-dre Williams, 20, a music producer and loyal customer of Mama’s since their opening on Maple View Place, the menu consists of sub sandwiches, salads, lasagna, ribs, speciality pizzas, plates served with a roll, coleslaw and

baked beans, and “heavenly cakes” of lemon, strawberry and red velvet.

“If it’s not a carry-out or Chinese Food, these places are few and far be-tween this side of town,” says Duane Sneed, 29, who patronizes Mama’s twice a week while visiting family in the neighborhood.

With a growing number of posi-tive reviews of Mama’s on Internet-based food websites and word of mouth continuing to spread east of the river, Ulusan hopes he may be able to start a chain of Mama’s. De-cades from now, residents of Anacos-tia could be reminiscing about the early days of Mama’s in the same way the Mile Long is still remembered.

In other local eatery news, after years of management turnover and questionable service the Big Chair Cafe Bar & Grill has closed. Mean-while, as previously reported in East of the River, Uniontown Bar & Grill has re-opened under new ownership.

Mama’s BBQ, Blues & Pizza is open 7 days a week, 11am - 11pm, and deliv-ers. Phone: (202) 678-6262. u

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Mama’s BBQ, Blues & Pizza Relocatesby John Muller

Relocating down the street, Mama’s BBQ, Blues & Pizza opened in September at 2028 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE.

Melvin Holloway stands in front of the former Mile Long, a popular neighborhood eatery in

the 1960s and 1970s. The space was most recently Mama’s Kitchen.

Giving thanks for Bobby Felder November is our traditional month for giving

thanks, and we in the music world have the oppor-tunity to give mucho thanks for the life and work of Robert “Bobby” Felder, not just once but twice this month.

I had the opportunity to dance to the jamming sounds of the Bobby Felder band way back in the day, and later Felder personally helped me. First, when this Jazz Avenues column was just starting 10 years ago, he sat for a generous, informative in-terview on his life and times and then, just a couple of years ago, gave me insight for a story on Davey Yarborough.

Yarborough, of course, a renowned musician and educator in his own right, is only one of the many young people Felder touched in his career as an inspiring musician, bandleader, and educa-tor. So catch him at the JazzAlive Forum on Nov. 13 at the University of the District of Columbia’s Recital Hall, Bldg 46-West, where he will share his “background and experiences as a performer, ar-ranger and music educator that include 23 years as Director of Instrumental Music at the University of the District of Columbia where he played a key role in the establishment of the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives.” Then you can hear Felder in action, live, with his big band on Nov. 29 at Westminster Pres-byterian Church.

Other highlights this month include Sharon Clark on Nov. 15 and Lena Seikaly on Nov. 22 at the Loews Madison Hotel downtown, with that elegant venue again hosting live jazz. See chris-grassomusic.com for more information. And pia-nist Fred Hersch and guitarist Julian Lage are at Blues Alley, Nov. 22, following the release of their duo CD, “Free Flying,” an impressive, melodic, and innovative collection of originals and standards.

In Person … Willard Jenkins

Speaking of the JazzAlive Forum series at the University of the District of Columbia – and many thanks again to Dr. Judith Korey and her staff there – Willard Jenkins, our inimitable radio program-mer, scholar, journalist, and producer held forth last month at the university with W.A. “Bill” Brower as moderator. Jenkins entertained and informed a nice crowd with a review of his life and times in the

forefront of advocating, reporting, and promoting our music.

During his talk Jenkins spoke of his “optimism” about the future of WPFW radio, in the midst of its recent tribulations. “I’m one who is always an optimist … the fact that we have survived to this date shows reason” for optimism, said Jenkins, who does a 10:00 p.m. Wednesday show for the station. He also said he favors a change in how the station is supported, preferring reaching out for under-writing by small businesses and not just relying on listener donations. “I think the listener-only sup-port model is broken,” said Jenkins.

In Person ... Kristine Key

Songstress Kristine Key sparkled when the Collector’s Edition appeared at Westminster Pres-byterian Church one Friday last month, with Key performing several tunes from her debut recording, “Nice ... as Can Be.”

DeAndrey Howard on trumpet and Lyle Link blowing a hot tenor sax led the band on “Laura” and other tunes before Key appeared in her bright red dress and delivered some fine romantic phras-ing on “Don’t Go to Strangers,” “Got the World on a String,” and other tunes. She highlighted her set with an especially heartfelt “I Remember You,” as well as a down-home “No More Blues,” drawing applause, shouts, and smiles from the large crowd.

Coda for Butch WarrenTime to hang your tears for Butch Warren out to dryCause he’d not want us to cry too longHe’d say just play Dexter’s record with his saxSinging hard and with Butch grooving his bassAnd hang your tears out to dryCause mourning time has its placeBut the groove is king foreverSo hang those tears out to dryAnd play those Dexter and Butch bluesOne more time.

November Highlights: Claudio Roditi, Nov. 12, Blues Alley ... Sean Jones, Nov. 13, Blues Alley ... JazzAlive Forum, Bobby Felder, Nov. 13, Univer-sity of the District of Columbia Recital Hall, Bldg 46 West ... Sharon Clark, Nov. 15, Loews Madison Hotel ... Ron Carter, Nov. 15-16, Bohemian Cav-erns ... Nasar Abadey Quartet/Sankofa Celebra-tion, Nov. 16, Washington Court Hotel ... UDC Small Jazz Ensembles, Nov. 19, University of the District of Columbia Recital Hall ... Fred Hersch & Julian Lage, Nov. 22, Blues Alley ... Greater U Street Jazz Collective, Nov. 22, Westminster Pres-byterian Church ... Lena Seikaly, Nov. 22, Loews Madison Hotel ... Kenneth Whalum III, Nov. 22-23, Bohemian Caverns ... Bobby Felder Big Band, Nov. 29, Westminster Presbyterian Church ... Tim Whalen Septet, Nov. 29-30, Twins Jazz ...

November Birthdays: Lou Donaldson 1; Phil Woods 2; Arturo Sandoval 6; Hubert Laws 10; Ernestine Anderson 11; Sam Jones 12; Hampton Hayes, Idris Muhammad 13; W.C. Handy 16; Don Cherry 18; Coleman Hawkins 21; Teddy Wilson 24; Paul Desmond, Nat Ad-derley 25; Randy Brecker 27; Gato Barbieri 28; Billy Strayhorn 29. u


jazzAvenuesby Steve Monroe

Percussion maestro Nasar Abadey is to appear with his quartet at the Washington Court Hotel on Nov. 16.


If all goes according to plan two vacant and blighted homes in Historic Anacostia – 2010 14th St. SE and 1347 Maple View

Place SE – will be fully restored and placed on the market within the next nine to twelve months by the L’Enfant Trust, an organiza-tion founded in 1978 to preserve the historic streetscapes of Washington. Although the Dupont Circle-based organization is a new-comer to the neighborhood, it has moved with a professionalism and quickness previ-ously unseen, according to neighbors and community leaders.

In March the Trust received a $50,000 grant from the 1772 Foundation to launch DC’s fi rst historic preservation revolving fund. By this fall the Trust had worked with numer-ous neighborhood leaders and a host of city agencies including the Offi ce of Planning’s Historic Preservation Offi ce and the Depart-ment of Consumer and Regulatory Aff airs to gather background on the two properties and establish relationships. Th e Trust does not anticipate a hearing before the Historic Pres-ervation Review Board because no signifi cant alterations to the exterior of the properties are being proposed.

“Th is is the shortest amount of time that I’ve seen anyone go after a property and get it,” says Greta Fuller, a 12-year resident of Maple View Place SE and ANC 8A 06. “Th ey went after properties that nobody else would touch because of existing tax liens and other long-standing complications.”

Unlike property speculators, who have dabbled in the Anacostia market in recent years, the Trust immediately cut the over-grown trees and vegetation as soon as it ac-quired the historic homes, and fenced in the lots to keep out squatters known to roam the

neighborhood. “What’s most important to me and my neighbors,” Fuller told East of the River, “is that they have kept their word. Th eir presence is good for everyone in the Historic District because these properties are being re-stored, which will remove the blight and in-crease our property values.”

Sara Hayden, the Trust’s director of real estate development, says, “We are really at the beginning of learning about the neigh-borhood heritage, and speaking with neigh-bors who share their knowledge is a huge resource for us.”

Revolving Fund Program Over the past decade cross-town commer-

cial and residential markets along 7th Street NW, 14th Street NW, U Street NW, H Street NE, and 8th Street SE have seen a revitaliza-tion that has largely evaded neighborhoods in East and South Washington. While notable public works projects have touched Historic Anacostia and the surrounding neighbor-hood, such as a new library, bridge, and head-quarters of the Department of Housing and Community Development at the corner of Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, private capital has been slow to ar-rive. In the coming years market forces will likely begin to invest in Anacostia, but mean-while the L’Enfant Trust is fi lling a preser-vation gap that has been unable to halt the deterioration and demolition of dozens of the neighborhood’s distressed 19th- and 20th-century properties.

“Th ere is no profi t incentive to restore these two properties, which are on the verge of demolition by neglect,” says Hayden. “And a homeowner who relies on traditional

REAL ESTATE

L’Enfant Trust Begins Restoration ofHistoric Anacostia Homes by John Muller

1347 Maple View Place SE was built by Henry A. Griswold, a friend of Frederick Douglass, and will be restored by the L’Enfant Trust.

2010 14th St. SE, built in 1912, was recently acquired by the L’Enfant Trust.


financing – mortgage and con-struction loan – would be unable to get financing on a distressed property like 1347 Maple View. So the Trust is using its own re-sources and is actively fundrais-ing to finance the acquisition and construction costs for these prop-erties.” Proceeds from the sale of the properties would recycle back into the revolving fund.

2010 14th Street SEThree years ago newlyweds Mr.

and Mrs. Dewey Sampson pur-chased 2006 14th St. SE as their first home. Unknown to the young couple a squatter was living next door in 2010 14th St. without wor-ries – ownership of the property had been mired in the court system for years. Sampson regularly called police about men who would drink and loiter in front of the vacant home, and asked the city to board up the rear entrance. Despite his efforts the squatters would regu-larly return with no end in sight.

Earlier this this year the Sampsons attended a community meeting where members of the L’Enfant Trust offered introduc-tions and stated their interest in acquiring and rehabilitating vacant and blighted residential proper-ties in the neighborhood. “After the meeting I reached out to Sara over email, telling her about 2010 14th Street,” Sampson says. “From then on we’ve kept open the lines of communication.”

The two-story, cottage-style wood frame house, built in 1912, has now seen its last squatter. The Trust acquired the property in ear-ly September and then boarded up the openings and secured the pe-rimeter with a fence. The restora-tion effort will include the original front porch, which has crumbled.

“We are excited that we are going to have actual neighbors, not just a vacant house,” Sampson says.

1347 Maple View Place SE Near the top of Maple View

Place SE, a street laid out nearly 150 years ago, is a vacant, two-story, Queen-Anne style house that over the past five years has been slowly succumbing to demolition by ne-glect. Not any more. The L’Enfant Trust acquired the property in late August with plans to fully restore the wood frame house, which fea-tures a cross-gable roof with an exaggerated overhanging eave that creates a covered front porch, the original, reeded drop siding, most of the original decorative window dressings and front bay window, and louvered ventilator.

In addition to distinctive fea-tures, the house has a history reaching back to a time when Frederick Douglass regularly walked the neighborhood. Ac-cording to maps and building records the house was built be-tween 1887 and 1894 by Henry A. Griswold, a prominent real estate investor and president of the lo-cal streetcar line. The tract of land was known as “Griswold’s Addi-tion” before being subdivided in 1879 for residential development. Letters and real estate documents show that Douglass and Griswold were friends and business associ-ates for nearly two decades.

As the L’Enfant Trust restores these two historic properties it is resurrecting a spirit of collabora-tive neighborhood investment that Griswold and Douglass epito-mized more than a century ago.

For more information on the L’Enfant Trust visit www.lenfant.org. u


Kids & Family Notebookby Kathleen Donner

KIDS & FAMILY

Forward, 54th! Family Performance at the National Gallery of Art

A dramatic interpretation honoring the rich stories behind the people and events remembered in Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Shaw Memorial. Th e performances complement the exhibition” Tell It with Pride: Th e 54th Massachusetts Regiment” and Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Shaw Memorial, about the fi rst African American unit to fi ght for the North in the Civil War. Th is is a great edu-cational program for children and their families. To complement the exhibition, the Gallery has produced the play “Forward, 54th!”, which high-lights several characters from the Civil War era, including the “drummer boy” Alex H. Johnson (who was 16 years old when he joined the 54th Regiment); William H. Carney (the fi rst African American to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor—Denzel Washington portrayed Carney in the movie Glory); Susie King Taylor (an Af-rican American nurse and author); and Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (the 25-year-old colonel that led the 54th Regiment into battle). For ages 8, up. Performances on Nov 16 and Dec 7 at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; and Nov 17 at noon and 1:30 p.m. in the West Building, East Garden Court. Lasts 30 minutes. nga.gov

Ward 7 (virtual) Book DriveJoin Octo Consulting Group, Oliva Consult-

ing, Project 7 Refocus and the Ward 7 Education Council for the largest book drive in Ward 7 his-tory. Th eir goal is to deliver over 20,000 books and guarantee a new book for every elementary school student in Ward 7. Th ey’ve targeted Ward 7 because its elementary school literacy rate is the lowest in the District at under 50%. Th is year, they’re partnering with First Book, a national organization based in Washington, DC that has distributed over 100 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities across the country. First Book is a nonprofi t social enter-prise organization that provides access to brand new books to schools and programs which oth-erwise would not have such access.

Your online donation will allow them to choose from best-selling children’s authors and culturally relevant titles so that elementary school

children in Ward 7 may have exactly the books they need at home to best encourage them to be-come lifelong readers. Every $10 you donate al-lows them to buy four new books for children in need, though any amount is appreciated. All do-nations are fully deductible and First Book will provide a receipt for tax purposes. For questions on donating via First Book, call 866-READ-NOW or email help@fi rstbook.org.

Young Artists Showcase at Fort Dupont Ice Arena

Th e Young Artists Showcase is a choreogra-phy contest for skaters from around the globe. Created by Grassroots to Champions founder and Olympic Coach, Audrey Weisiger, the com-petition has choreography challenges that take place on-line by video submission. Skaters com-pete in two divisions: Grassroots Ages 13-20 and Champions Ages 21-30. Fans vote for their favorites until the two fi nalists from each divi-sion with the most points meet on the ice at the live grand fi nale on Dec 1 at FDIA. Celebrity judges and special guests for the live event will include skating champions Michael Weiss, Jo Jo Starbuck, Ryan Bradley, and Kimmie Meissner. Internet celebrity Michael Buckley will be the master of ceremonies. Th is competition is being hosted at FDIA in support of Kids On Ice pro-gramming. Suggested donation, $20. Fort Du-pont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. NE. 202-584-5007. fdia.org

Family-Friendly Holiday Tree Trimming at THERARC

On Monday, Dec 2 from 6-8 p.m., join them for their annual tree trimming holiday party. Th ere will be plenty of holiday activities, performances, pictures for children with Santa, and holiday treats. Free and open to the public. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Children’s Movies at Deanwood LibraryOn Fridays, Nov 15 and 22; and Dec 6 and

13, 10:30 a.m., kids ages 3-7 can watch movies based on children’s books. Some of the titles are

Wheels on the Bus, Where the Wild Th ings Are, Pocket for Corduroy and Noisy Nora. Dead-wood Library, 1350 49th St. NE. 202-698-1175. dclibrary.org/deanwood

Kwanzaa Celebrations at the Anacostia Community Museum (save the dates)

On Th ursday, Dec 26, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Kwanzaa Kwanzaa! with Maria Broom. Al-though nationally known as an actress for her

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Image: Courtesy of Arena Stage

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” Family Fun PackBroadway and Arena Stage favorite Kenny

Leon (every tongue confess) returns to direct Malcolm-Jamal Warner (in his Arena Stage de-but) in a new adaptation of the beloved fi lm Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. A progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter, fresh from an overseas romance, brings her African-American fi ancé home to meet them. Personal beliefs clash with the mores of the late 60’s in this warm and witty exploration of family and culture and knowing which of them has the greater hold on our hearts.

Bring the whole family to Arena Stage, Nov 29-Jan 5. The Family Fun Pack is four seats for only $125. Must include a minimum of two patrons between ages 5 and 17 per Fun Pack; cannot be combined with any other of-fer or applied to previously purchased tickets; limit two Fun Packs per household. All stan-dard fees apply. Must be purchased by phone or in person. 202-488-3300. arenastage.org


“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” Family Fun PackBroadway and Arena Stage favorite Kenny

Leon (every tongue confess) returns to direct Malcolm-Jamal Warner (in his Arena Stage de-but) in a new adaptation of the beloved film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. A progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter, fresh from an overseas romance, brings her African-American fiancé home to meet them. Personal beliefs clash with the mores of the late 60’s in this warm and witty exploration of family and culture and knowing which of them has the greater hold on our hearts.

Bring the whole family to Arena Stage, Nov 29-Jan 5. The Family Fun Pack is four seats for only $125. Must include a minimum of two patrons between ages 5 and 17 per Fun Pack; cannot be combined with any other of-fer or applied to previously purchased tickets; limit two Fun Packs per household. All stan-dard fees apply. Must be purchased by phone or in person. 202-488-3300. arenastage.org


roles in HBO’s Th e Wire and Th e Corner, Maria Broom is also a sto-ryteller and dancer with over 40 years of performing and teaching in the U.S. and across the globe. Join them as “Miss Maria . . . the Story Dancer” off ers a non-traditional, en-tertaining, and interactive introduc-tion to the celebration of Kwanzaa. With call-and-response singing, stories, and dancing, she brings alive the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba to families of all cultures. On Friday, Dec 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon, the Kwanzaa with Coyaba Dance Th eater. Coyaba Dance Th eater is a contemporary West African dance and drumming company consisting of 10 versatile dancers, drummers, and singers. On Saturday, Dec 28, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Kwanzaa Arts and Crafts. Join artists Deidre Bell and Tamara Th omas as they activate the creative imagination in this work-shop for families. All materials are provided. All programs are free, but space is limited; for reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Commu-nity Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

National Family Volunteer Day at Kenilworth Park

On Nov 16, 9-11 a.m., bring your family and participate in Na-tional Family Service Day. It’s a great

tradition to show your children the value of service and show gratitude for nature’s beauty. Projects will likely include separating and pot-ting grasses, planting spring bulbs, raking leaves, and picking up trash. Th ere is no set age limit but parent supervision required for those 16 and younger. RSVP recommended. Please contact Tina O’Connell at [email protected]. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905. nps.gov/keaq

Free Parenting ClassesTh ere are free parenting classes

at East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Minnesota Ave. NE. For more information and to regis-ter, email [email protected] or call 202-397-7300, ext. 230.

Frederick Douglass Annual Oratorical Contest Deadline Th e application deadline for the 2013 Frederick Douglass Oratori-cal Contest is Nov 11 at 4 p.m. Th e goal of the contest is for students to experience the same transformative power of language that Frederick Douglass did as a young man. Th e contest is open to all students in grades 1-12 and is hosted in early December. Students memorize and present a portion of a Douglass

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ALL PARENTS (including non-members) OF THE DISTRICT ARE WELCOME

Organized by MoTH (Moms on the Hill)

First-Ever Ultimate Megafort. Photo: Courtesy of National Building Museum

First-Ever Ultimate Megafort! at National Building MuseumOn Saturday, Nov 16, 2-4 p.m., build the Ultimate Megafort in the Great Hall. Learn about basic fort structures and then put your skills to the test. Bring boxes of any size or shape, or use ones provided. Registration fee includes a kit of Makedo connectors to continue the fun at home. $25 per child. National

Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org



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speech from a stage at his home of Cedar Hill. Frederick Douglass Na-tional Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE. (corner of 15th and W). 202-426-5961. nps.gov/frdo

Community Leaders are Readers at Anacostia Library

On Saturday, Dec 7, 10:30 a.m.-noon, children and their families listen to and discuss stories read by community leaders and participate in an arts activity with visual artist Tamara Th omas. Th is program is for ages early childhood to 8 years old with parents. Anacostia Neighbor-hood Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. Free; reservations required, call 202-633-4844.

Performing Arts Group’s Dynamic Gospel Explosion

Th e Northeast Performing Arts Group’s 2013 Dynamic Gospel Ex-plosion is a fundraiser at the Doro-thy I. Height Community Academy Public Charter School’s at 1400 First St. NW (adjacent to Dunbar Senior High School), on Saturday, Nov 16, 6-8 p.m. Proceeds will be used to augment funding for NEP-AG’s year-round performing arts and academic-related programs for at-risk District youth, with an em-phasis on wards east of the river. nepag.org

Purple Puck Ice Hockey Tournament (save the date)

Th e fi rst Gonzaga National Capital Hockey Tournament, known as the Purple Puck, was con-tested in December 1993. Father Bernard J. Dooley, S.J., Gonzaga’s president at the time, described the Purple Puck as “...both the fi rst Gonzaga sponsored hockey tourna-ment and the fi rst hockey tourna-ment for high school teams in the Washington, DC, area.” Nine teams competed in the fi rst Purple Puck and the tournament has become a much anticipated part of Gonzaga’s season since. Th e 2013 tournament is Dec 26-31 at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. In additional to Gonzaga, 2013 confi rmed teams are Th e Hun School (Princeton, NJ); St. Joseph’s

Prep(Philadelphia, PA); Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA); Bul-lis (Potomac, MD); DeMatha H.S. (Hyattsville, MD); and St. Albans School (Washington, DC).

Covenant House Sleep OutTh is November, business leaders

across North America will spend one night on the streets to raise awareness for the plight of home-less youth. Here in Washington many will sleep out in solidarity and strive to raise $150,000.00 to make a diff erence for DC’s kids. Th e sleep out is Nov 21, 7 p.m.-7 a.m. at 2001 Mississippi Ave. SE. Contact Alexis Lindsay Phone at 202-610-9602 or [email protected] to register.

DC to Revise Student Assign-ment Policies and DCPS School Boundaries

Th ;ere is citywide process to revise student-assignment poli-cies, including DC Public Schools school boundaries and feeder pat-terns. Th e goal of this process is to develop school choice and assign-ment policies that will result in clarity, predictability and continuity for families across the District. Th e District has not undertaken a com-prehensive review of its student-as-signment policies, including school attendance boundaries and feeder patterns, in over three decades. As part of this process, the DME has established a DC Advisory Com-mittee on Student Assignment, which will incorporate public dis-cussion, research, and analysis to provide fair-minded, thoughtful, and informed recommendations in May 2014. Th e fi nal plan will be re-leased in September 2014. Chang-es will begin to take eff ect for the 2015-16 school year. However, in an eff ort to ensure a smooth transition for families, “grandfathering” provi-sions will be included to buff er the immediate impact on many current students and their families.

Critical to the success of this Opportunities to provide input will include focus groups, online forum and surveys, and small-group meet-ings with parent s and stakeholders. dme.dc.gov u

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The antics of the District’s political class have provid-ed ample grist over the years for this poor scribbler’s musings, keeping him in whiskey, coffee and inexpen-

sive small cigars. Soon mayoral gladiators will troop down to the DC Board of Elections to pick up their petitions marking their first major rite of passage on the treacherous odyssey to April’s quadrennial contest.

Shortly, campaign signs will spout on lamp posts. Armies of volunteers in the spirit of Mormon missionaries will fan out to knock on doorbells. Robotic voices will interrupt din-ner conversations with pitches for their favorite son or daugh-ter. In the waning days of winter, advertisements will fill the airwaves. The smell of the autumn leaves in DC, Dear Read-ers, is the odor of politics.

Even if offered all the tea in China, The Nose, would never step in the shoes of the victims of his erstwhile column.

If nominated, Dear Readers, The Nose will decline. If elected, he will refuse to serve.

Why can’t our pols make up their minds so easily?First comes the ‘exploratory’ committee, a thinly veiled

method of raising uncountable dough. Then, a ‘listening tour’ in intimate social settings packed with supporters, a form of group therapy. Finally, the politician gets up on his or her hind legs in front of some prominent District monument and tries to explain to a crowd their motivations for running for higher office.

Observing our mayor involved in this painful process most recently, The Nose has a few questions.

Is running for office really the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest?

Is love-bombing a necessary fuel to political ambition?Does anyone ever beg one of these intrepid political ex-

plorers not to run?It is hard, when watching this painful process, not to have

sympathy for its protagonists. So, here is a re-penned version of The Policeman’s Song from the Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance that expresses the trials and tribulations of our mayoral candidates:

THE NOSE

When a politician is not engaged in his employmentOr maturing plans to runHis capacity for innocent enjoymentIs just as great as any honest manHis feelings he with difficulty smothersWhen electoral duties are to be doneTaking one consideration with anotherA politician’s lot is not a happy oneWhen an enterprising prosecutor is not indictingOr a constituent is not asking for something easier said than doneHe loves to hear the little Rock Creek a-gurglingAnd eat a chili dog from Ben’s on the runAfter shaking down contributors on his birthdayHe loves to lie a-basking in the sunTaking one consideration with anotherA politician’s lot is not a happy oneWhen his treasurer cannot verify the origins of campaign donationsHe nobly bids all money orders farewellWhen the staff member to the clink wentHe denies all knowledge and refuses to tell When a favorite non-profit scams the city for millionsHe expresses outrage along with everyoneTaking one consideration with anotherA politician’s lot is not a happy one

When electoral duties are to be done, a politician’s lot is not a happy one.Have a comment for The Nose, email [email protected]. u

A Politician’s Lot Is Not A Happy One by Anonymous

Documents

East of the River Magazine November 2013