east of the river magazine october 2015

East of the River Magazine October 2015 | 3

4 | EastoftheRiverDCNews.com

For further information : Jacqueline Noisette (202) 442-8170 [email protected] Claudia Herrera (202) 442-8055 [email protected] Joy Douglas (202) 442-8690 [email protected]

How to Open a Small Business by Navigating through DCRA’s

Regulatory ProcessDate: Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 amLocation: 1100 4th Street SW

2nd Floor (E-200) Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://goo.gl/5p7OYz

Navigating Government Contracting with DC Procurement

Technical Assistance CenterDate: Thursday, October 15, 2015

Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pmLocation: 1100 4th Street SW

4th Floor (E-4302)Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://goo.gl/O1sRUS

Meet One-on-One with a Lawyer for Free!

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2015Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: 1100 4th Street SW2nd Floor (E-200)

Washington, D.C. 20024To Register: http://goo.gl/zIHVop

Money Smart for Small Business Workshop: Financial Management &

Credit Reporting for Small Businesses Date: Thursday, October 29, 2015

Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pmLocation: 1100 4th Street SW

4th Floor (E-4302) Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://goo.gl/ZiW2eO

DCRA FREE Business Seminars

SmartStart Integrated Licensing and Money Smart for Small Business Program

Date: Monday, October 19, 2015Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Location: 1100 4th Street SW2nd Floor (E-268)

Washington, D.C. 20024To Register: http://goo.gl/lcQXJe

A Comprehensive Guide for Small Business Planning

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2015Time: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Location: 1100 4th Street SW 4th Floor (E-4302)

Washington, D.C. 20024To Register: http://goo.gl/iMTsGF

East of the River Magazine October 2015 |

East of the River Magazine October 2015

ON THE COVER: Youth Art Studio Opens in

Anacostia. Photos: Courtesy of Project Create Story on page 50.

IN EVERy IssuE12What’s on Washington

14East of the River Calendar

56The Classified

58The Crossword

KIDs & FAMILy

54 Construction Academy Gives More Options to Ward 7 High Schoolers by Christina Sturdivant

50 Kids & Family Notebook by Kathleen Donner

REAL EsTATE

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWs

The District Beatby Jonetta Rose Barras

40 The Numbers by Ed Lazere

42 Our River: The Anacostia by Bill Matuszeski

44 Washington Area Community Investment Fund Invests in DC by Phil Hutinet

37 E on DC by E. Ethelbert Miller

32 Bulletin Board

38

FALL ARTs & DINING

22 A New District of Food and Drinkby Annette Nielsen

28 Craig Kraft Opens New Studio in Anacostia by Phil Hutinet

30 Jazz Avenues by Steve Monroe

31 Congress Heights Neighborhood Welcomes New Arts & Culture Center by Phil Hutinet

26 Theater Alliance Risesby Barbara Wells

Peace Fellowship Church by Virginia Avniel Spatz

49 Changing Hands compiled by Don Denton

46

O n l i n e Da i ly, P r i n t e d Mo n t h ly | 8 | E as t o f t h e R i v e r D C Ne ws . c o m

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East of the River Magazine October 2015 |

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EDITORIAL STAFFManaging Editor: Andrew Lightman • [email protected]

CFO & Associate Editor: Maria Carolina Lopez • [email protected] Notes Editor: Susan Braun Johnson • [email protected]

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ARTS, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT Art: Jim Magner • [email protected]

Dining: Emily Clark • [email protected] Celeste McCall • [email protected] Jonathan Bardzik • [email protected]

Literature: Karen Lyon • [email protected]: Mike Canning • [email protected]

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F A G O NGUIDE TO CAPITOL HILL

O n l i n e Da i ly, P r i n t e d Mo n t h ly | 1 | E as t o f t h e R i v e r D C Ne ws . c o m

Demons exorciseD in HirsHHorn’s ‘Black Box: sergio caBallero’

Relating a darkly comic tale of a child’s exorcism, “Black Box: Sergio Caballero” is a 25-minute film that runs continuously when the museum is open, through

Jan. 3. The film blends homespun puppet animation and live action with a deliberately low-budget and slapdash aesthetic. Sergio Caballero’s characters

are agglomerations of food, hair, plant materials, cardboard, plastic, foam rubber, rubber bands, surgical tubing, fabric scraps, clothespins, and googly eyes. The

dialogue is largely in English, but the artist also provides English subtitles, since the voice acting intentionally verges on being incomprehensible.

Taking inspiration from the “black paintings” of Goya in the early 19th century, Caballero engages with the tradition of the grotesque, adapting it to current-day

models. With this film, artist and filmmaker Caballero (b. 1966, lives and works in Barcelona) is making his international museum debut. hirshhorn.si.edut

“Stills from Sergio Caballero’s ‘Ancha es Castilla’ or ‘N’importe quoi’” (2014). Photo: Sergio Caballero

‘Question BriDge: Black males’ at tHe PHilliPs“Question Bridge: Black Males” is a documentary-style video art installation that aims to repre-sent and redefine black male identity in America. Since its inception in 2008 the project has re-corded more than 1,600 questions and responses from black males of all ages and backgrounds that illuminate diversity of thought, character, and identity.

To foster honest expression and healing dialogue, the Question Bridge project allows one par-ticipant to ask a question while looking directly into the camera, and later another participant answers the question in the same way. The question-and-answer approach allows speakers to feel comfortable as they express their feelings on subjects that divide, unite, and puzzle. Artists Chris Johnson, Hank Willis Thomas, Kamal Sinclair, and Bayete Ross Smith have recorded more than 160 men in nine American cities, documenting their exchange of ideas and then shaping that content into an engaging, five-screen video installation. “Question Bridge: Black Males” is on view at the Phillips from Oct. 8 through Jan. 3. phillipscollection.org

Photo: ‘Question Bridge: Black Males’


national arBoretum Full moon HikesTake a brisk hike through moonlit gardens, meadows, and woods. Your guide will share specially chosen points of interest and seasonal highlights. The two-hour walk over hilly and uneven terrain is a brisk hike, not a garden tour, so please prepare accordingly. The group will hike approximately four miles with few stops. No children under 16 or pets, please. The hikes fill up rapidly so move quickly on Nov. 2 when they post the December, January, and February dates. $22. Email registration is required at usna.usda.gov/Education/events.html. It’s worth the effort.

One of Washington’s most notable and unusual landmarks is the National Capitol Columns at the Arboretum. Photo: US National Arboretum

‘oliver!’ at arena Consider yourself invited to the theatrical event of the holiday

season. Charles Dickens’ unforgettable characters burst to life in the Tony Award-winning musical, “Oliver!” Artistic Director Molly Smith

(“Fiddler on the Roof”) blends the chaotic worlds of Victorian London with 2015 London to give a modern edge to the classic story about an

innocent orphan living among double-dealing thieves and conmen. Some songs you’ll know are “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” “

Consider Yourself,” “Where Is Love?,” and the scrumptious “Food, Glorious Food.” arenastage.org

Jake Miller as the title character in “Oliver!” at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater,

Oct. 30 through Jan. 3. Photo: Tony Powell

nigHt oF tHe living ZooPrepare to witness death-defying acts and amazing oddities at the National Zoo’s annual adults-only Halloween event, Night of the Living Zoo. With live music, craft beer, food trucks, a costume contest, performance artists, and glow-in-the-dark lawn games, it’s a wicked night of fun that you won’t want to miss. Night of the Living Zoo is on Friday, Oct. 30 (rain or shine), 6:30-10:00 p.m.

You will have access to the Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, and Reptile Discovery Center. There will be live entertainment, an 8:30 p.m. costume contest, temporary tattoos, $2 carousel rides, and food, beer, and wine for purchase. Must be 21. nationalzoo.si.edu

Photo: FONZ Photo Club


HalloWeenSoul Strolls-Twilight Tours at Congressional Cem-etery. Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24 (rain or shine); 6 PM to 9 PM. Over 65,000 individuals are laid to rest in Con-gressional Cemetery. From Congressman to carpen-ters, suff ragists to bootleggers, each resident has a unique story to tell. Soul Strolls explore these stories through guided tours led by costumed interpreters. $10 to $20. Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. 202-543-0539. congressionalcemetery.org

Haunted Museum Historic Ghost Tour. Oct. 23, 25 and 31; 8 and 9:15 PM. Explore the haunted past of the National Building Museum on this lantern-light tour. Mysteries await. go.nbm.org

Ghost & Graveyard Special Halloween Tour. Oct. 23, 7 to 9 PM. Tours begin at Gadsby’s Tavern Muse-um, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA. 703-519-1749. alexcolonialtours.com

Pumpkins in the Park. Oct. 24, 11 AM to 1 PM. Ca-nal Park, 200 M St. SE. capitolriverfront.org

Del Ray Halloween Parade. Oct. 25, 2 PM. Partic-ipants meet on Mount Vernon Avenue south of Bellefonte Avenue prior to 2 PM. Adults, children and dogs are welcome. visitdelray.com

Drag Queen High Heel Race. Oct. 27, 9 PM. Al-ways fun, always outrageous and always held on the Tuesday before Halloween, this event features elab-

OCTOBERcalendar

Matthew Marcus (Peter) and Aaron Tone (Goss) in SeeNoSun’s “Bug.” Photo: Courtesy of SeeNoSun OnStage

SEENOSUN PRESENTS BUG AT ANACOSTIA ARTS CENTERTh rough Nov 1. Paranoia is contagious. In this tale of love, loss and government conspiracy a lonely bartender haunted by the disappearance of her young son falls for a disturbed drifter. Th e awkward romance takes a dysfunctional turn when their trashy roadside motel room and its occupants become infested with bugs that only they can see. $25. Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-631-6291. seenosunonstage.com

orately costumed drag queens racing down 17th St. NW from R to Church Streets. Large crowds to cheer them. Th e race begins at 9 PM, but the real fun be-gins before the race. An informal block party follows.

Hilloween at Eastern Market. Friday, Oct. 30, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Bring the kids for hayrides, a moon bounce, photo booth, candy treats, games and con-teStreets Th e fun takes place on the 200 and 300 blocks of Seventh St. SE between Pennsylvania and North Carolina Avenues SE.

Dia de los Muertos. Oct. 31 and Nov 1. View sever-al ofrendas (altars), and special programming that includes food demonstrations of traditional foods for the dead around the outdoor fi repit; music and


CALENDAR

dance performances. National Muse-um of the American Indian on the Na-tional Mall. nmai.si.edu

Find a Nearby Pumpkin Patch. pump-kinpatchesandmore.org

sPecial eventsTaste of DC. Oct. 10 and 11. Noon to 7 PM, daily. Taste of DC is a culinary and cultural event that packs four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue with area res-taurants, great drinks, entertainment, and fellow Washingtonians and vis-itors. Event entrance is at Pennsylva-nia Avenue and Seventh St. NW. the-tasteofdc.org

Under the Big Top Gala at the Atlas. Oct. 15, 7 PM. An exhilarating evening of dining, dancing, and performances. Th e Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org

Expo Italiana. Oct. 17, 9 AM to 4 PM. Expo Italiana showcases the best of Italy with the fi nest Italian food and specialties, wine, fashion and culture. Free admission. Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel (Exhibition Hall C), 2660 Woodley Rd. niaf.org/40

Joe’s Movement Emporium 20th Anniversary Block Party. Oct. 17, 2 to 6 PM. Music, vendors, dance, food and more. Outside of Joe’s on Bun-ker Hill Road between 33rd and 34th Streets., Mount Rainier, MD. joes-movement.org

Washington International Horse Show. Oct. 20 to 25. Th is event hosts horses and riders from around the na-tion and the world. Verizon Center. wihs.org

International Gold Cup Races at � e Plains. Oct. 24, 10 AM (gates open). Race day activities include terrier rac-es, shopping, hat contests, tailgate contests, and some of the best steeple-chase racing anywhere. Great Mead-

calendar Call Kira Means 202-400-3508 or [email protected] for more information on advertising.

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about his descendants—the Plummer family and how the family’s diaries became part of the museum’s current exhibition Hand of Freedom: Th e Life and Legacy of the Plummer Family. Anacostia Communi-ty Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu

How the Civil War Changed Washington Exhibition. Th rough Nov. 15. Th is exhibi-tion examines the social and spatial impact of the Civil War on the social mores, size and ethnic composition of Washington, DC. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu

Hand of Freedom: � e Life and Legacy of the Plummer Family. Th rough Dec. 27. Th is exhibit examines the life of the Plum-mer family in 19th Century Prince Georges County. Adam Francis Plummer, enslaved on George Calvert’s Riversdale plantation, kept a diary for over sixty years. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202- 633- 4820. anacostia.si.edu

sPorts, Fitness anD DanceWashington Capitals Ice Hockey. Oct. 10, 13, 15, 17, 28, 30 and Nov. 3. Verizon Cen-ter. capitals.nhl.com

Hot Cider Hustle (5k, 10k and 15k). Oct. 24, 9 AM. Run the DC Hot Cider Hustle and get hot cider and caramel apples at the fi n-ish line. All participants get a fl eece hoodie. RFK Stadium. runwashington.com

Marine Corps Marathon. Oct. 25. Regis-tration closed. Find a course map at mc-mlocator.com/map.

Washington Wizards Basketball. Oct. 31 and Nov. 4. Verizon Center. nba.com/wizards

Adult Yoga. Saturdays, 8:45 to 10 AM. Vin-yasa Yoga is a practice where postures or asanas are connected through the breath for a transformative and balancing eff ect. It builds heat, endurance, fl exibility and strength. $6 for 20020 or 20032 residents. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Zumba. Mondays, 7:15 to 8:15 PM. Ditch the workout, join the party! Latin Dance-Fitness fuses hypnotic rhythms and easy moves. $6 for 20020 or 20032 residents. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Adult African Dance. Wednesdays, 7:30 to 8:30 PM. Taught by Sylvia Soumah, found-er of Coyaba Dance Th eater and teacher at Th e Washington Ballet (SE Campus), Th ese adult classes provide a friendly en-vironment to learn West African dance. $6 for 20020 or 20032 residents. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

ow Event Center, 5089 Old Tavern Rd., Th e Plains, VA. vagoldcup.com

Artomatic 2015. Oct. 30 to Dec. 12. Ar-tomatic returns for its signature free art event to be held this year in Hyattsville, Maryland. 1000 artists and performers throughout the area showcase their tal-ents for a six weeks free exhibition that routinely attracts more than 75,000 vis-itors. 8100 Corporate Drive, Hyattsville, MD. Artomatic.org

“40 Chances-Finding Hope in a Hungry World.” Th rough Jan. 3. Th e Photography of Howard G. Buff ett,” featuring 40 pho-tos documenting the world hunger crisis. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. new-seum.org

arounD tHe neigHBorHooDA Strayhorn Sunday Afternoon. Oct. 11, 1:30 PM. Concert performed by Th e US Army Blues. Free. Th e Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 5073 E. Capitol St. SE. 202-582-4200. atonementepiscopalchurch.org

Violins for Douglass at THEARC. Oct. 11, 3 to 5 PM. Please join FDMHA for a trib-ute to civil rights leader, scholar and violin-ist, Frederick Douglass. Th e event features need-based Scholarship awards, musical petting zoo, special performance by Ebo-ni Strings, special music recognition con-ducted by Ottley Music School, and more. Free. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Frankie Beverly & Maze Tribute Concert at THEARC. Oct. 17, 8 PM. $30. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Film and Discussion. Oct. 21, 2 to 4 PM. A Great Day in Harlem; Nov. 7, 2 to 4 PM. Eye on the 60s. Anacostia Community Mu-seum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. an-acostia.si.edu

Delusions of Grandeur Exhibition. Th rough Oct. 23. Honfl eur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392. hon-fl eurgallery.com

On the Porch at Cedar Hill. Oct. 24, 3:45 PM. Th e program will present readings from Frederick Douglass’s speeches and writings, as well as music from his era. Fred-erick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE. 202-426-5961. nps.gov/frdo

Chromatic Canyon Exhibition. Th rough Oct. 27. An installation of stalagmites, hoodoos, and spires made from individu-ally cut and stacked felt, Elisa Berry Fonse-ca creates a fantastical universe. Anacos-tia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE.

Hand of Freedom Gallery Talk. Oct. 31, 2 to 4 PM. Reverend Jerome Fowler talks

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Yoga @ the Library. Saturdays, 10 to 11 AM. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat. Don’t have one? Yoga mats are available. Classes, taught by a yoga activist, are held on the lower lev-el of the library in the Larger Meeting Room. Free. Benning Neighborhood Li-brary, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning

Yoga “Mortis” at Congressional Cemetery. Every Monday through end of October, 6 to 7 PM, in the chapel. All levels welcome. No reservations are necessary. Props and a limited number of mats are provided. Wear comfort-able clothing. $10 suggested donation. Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. 202-543-0539. congressional-cemetery.org

Public Skating at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Fridays, noon to 2 PM and Sat-urdays 12:45 to 1:45 PM. Public Skate, $5 for adults (over age 13); $4 for se-niors and children (under age 12); $3, skate rental. Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE. 202-584-5007. fdia.org

Free Public Tennis Courts. Fort Davis Community Center, 1400 41st St. SE; Hillcrest Recreation Center, 3100 Den-ver St. SE; Kenilworth; Parkside Recre-ation Center, 4300 Anacostia Ave. NE; Randle Highlands Tennis Courts, 31st Street and Pennsylvania Avenue SE; Anacostia Park, 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE; Bald Eagle Recreation Center, Martin Luther King, Jr Avenue and Joliet Street SW; Congress Heights Recreation Cen-ter, Alabama Avenue and Randle Place SE; Fort Stanton Community Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. All courts are open daily, dawn to dusk. Some are light-ed for extended evening play. Courts are available on a fi rst-come, fi rst-serve basis for one hour intervals; extended use of tennis courts requires a permit. Proper shoes and attire is required. 202-671-0314. dpr.dc.gov

Barry Farm (indoor) Pool. Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30 AM to 8 PM; and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM to 5 PM. Free for DC residents. 1230 Sumner Rd. SE. 202-730-0572. dpr.dc.gov

Deanwood (indoor) Pool. Mondays to Fridays, 6:30 AM to 8 PM; Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM to 5 PM. Free for DC residents. 1350 49th St. NE. 202-671-3078. dpr.dc.gov

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

Tidal Basin 3K Monthly Run. Th ird Wednesday of each month at noon. Th is run is free and informal. West Po-

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tomac Park (meet on Ohio Dr. at West Basin Dr., near the Tourmobile stand). 703-505-3567. dcroad-runners.org

marketsMarket SW “night market”. Oct. 23, 4 to 9 PM. Bills itself as “an evening of arts, food, fl ea & fun, live music.” Market is at Fourth and M Streets SW. mar-ketswdc.com

Ward 8 Farmers’ Market. Saturdays, 9 AM to 2 PM. St. Elizabeth’s Gateway Pavilion, 2730 Martin Luther King Ave. SE. EBT, SNAP, WIC coupons and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers ac-cepted. ward8farmersmarket.com

Arcadia’s Mobile Farmers Market. Wednesdays through Nov. 11, noon to 2 PM. Shop for fresh, local fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy and bread. Arcadia accepts cash, debit, SNAP, WIC and Senior FMNP.

� e Farm Stand. Saturdays through Nov. 14, 3 to 7 PM. Th e stand features fresh produce grown both locally. It accepts WIC, SNAP and Produce Plus. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market. Sundays (rain or shine), year round, 10 AM to 1 PM. 20th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW, 1500 block of 20th Street NW. 202-362-8889. freshfarmmarket.org

Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and impor-tant holidays. Weekdays, 7 AM to 7 PM; Saturdays, 7 AM to 5 PM; Sundays, 9 AM to 5 PM. Flea mar-ket and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM. Eastern Market is Wash-ington’s last continually operated “old world” mar-ket. 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-698-5253. east-ernmarketdc.com

H Street NE Farmer’s Market. Saturdays, through Dec. 19, 9 AM to noon. Located at H and 13th Streets NE. EBT/Food Stamps can be redeemed at the information table. All EBT customers and WIC/Senior coupon customers receive “Double Dollar” coupons to match their EBT dollars or WIC/Senior coupons redeemed up to $10. freshfarmmarket.org

Branch Avenue Pawn Parking Lot Flea Market. Saturdays, year-round (weather permitting). Set up after 10 AM. 3128 Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD

Union Market. Tuesday to Friday, 11 AM to 8 PM; Saturdays and Sundays, 8 AM to 8 PM. Union Mar-ket is an artisanal, curated, year round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 5th St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmarketdc.com

Georgetown Flea Market. Sundays year around (ex-cept in the case of very inclement weather), 8 AM to 4 PM. 1819 35th St. NW. georgetownfl eamarket.com

Maine Avenue Fish Market. Open 365 days a year. 7 AM to 9 PM. 1100 Maine Ave. SW. 202-484-2722.

civic liFeCouncilmember Alexander’s Constituent Servic-es O� ce. Open weekdays, 10 AM to 6 PM. 2524

Penn. Ave. SE. 202-581-1560.

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

Eastland Gardens Civic Association Meeting. Th ird Tuesday, 6:30 to 8 PM at Kenilworth Elementa-ry School Auditorium, 1300 44th St. NE. Contact Ja-vier Barker, [email protected] or 202- 450 -3155.

Anacostia Coordinating Council Meeting. Last Tuesday, noon to 2 PM. Anacostia Museum, 1901 Fort St. SE. For further details, contact Philip Pan-nell, 202- 889- 4900.

Capitol View Civic Association Meeting. Th ird Monday, 6:30 PM. Hughes Memorial United Meth-odist, 25 53rd St. NE. capitolviewcivicassoc.org

Historical Anacostia Block Association. Second Th ursday, 7 to 9 PM. UPO Anacostia Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. For further details, contact Charles Wilson, 202 -834 -0600.

Anacostia High School Improvement Team Meet-ing. Fourth Tuesday. 6 PM. Anacostia High School, 16th and R Streets SE.

Fairlawn Citizens Association. Th ird Tuesday, 7 PM. Ora L. Glover Community Room at the Ana-costia Public Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE.

anc montHlY meetingsANC 7B. Th ird Th ursday, 7 PM. Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church, 3200 S St. SE (Branch Ave and S St. SE). 202-584-3400. [email protected]. [email protected]

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

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

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

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

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

ANC 8B. Th ird Tuesday, 7 PM. Seventh District Po-lice Station Community Center, Alabama and Mc-Gee Streets SE. 202-610-1818. anc8b.org

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

ANC 8D. Fourth Th ursday, 7 PM. Specialty Hospital of Washington, 4601 MLK Jr. Ave. SW. 202-561-0774. Have an item for the East of the River Calendar? Email [email protected]. ◆

VOLUNTEER EVENT AT KENILWORTH PARKOct. 24. 9 AM to noon. Volunteers will help the gardens’ sta� win-terize the plants and grounds or take a last swipe at litter and in-vasives. To RSVP, contact Tina O’Connell at [email protected]. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia

Ave. NE. nps.gov/keaq

Photo: Courtesy of Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens


CALENDAR

East of the River Magazine October 2015 | 2120 | EastoftheRiverDCNews.com

From winning food truck of 2014 to win-ning the Launch Pad competition (with part of the prize being able to set up shop in Union Market), Gabriella Fabres and co-owner, Ali Arellano are able to grow their Venezuelan food business, Areppa Zone. Here with their populare tequenos (cheese sticks with an amazing sauce).

article and photos by Annette Nielsen

he fi rst time I landed in DC, I was moving from New York City – and it was 1990. Outside of liv-ing across the street from Eastern Market and get-

ting to know the great family of vendors there, I was a little dis-couraged at my options for food – both for sourcing and eating out. If you’ve been living in a place like New York, there’s al-ways somewhere you can fi nd an ingredient or satisfy a hankering for dumplings at 1:00 pm in the morning. But today, I know a dif-ferent DC, one that has embraced food passionately.

There’s no question that res-taurants are drivers of economic growth. When my family and I re-turned to the District in 2012 af-ter being gone for over a decade, we were impressed with Capitol Hill’s restaurant lineup, partic-ularly the number of new open-ings along Barrack’s Row. Accord-ing to the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, res-taurant employment in DC is projected to grow about seven per

cent over the next decade. Cur-rently, the metropolitan area has over 11,000 restaurants with ap-proximately 217,000 jobs. The District alone had 2,144 eating and drinking places in 2014, and it’s projected that the 2015 fi gures for District restaurants will realize $2.8 billion in sales and account for 60,000 jobs, 8 percent of DC’s employment.

Over the last several years, the District’s restaurants and chefs have been making nation-al news, Union Market and Ma-ketto debuted, and businesses are expanding their reach open-ing second and third locations.The farmers’ market circuit has grown beyond Fresh Farm loca-tions to include urban farming, community gardens and pop-up style or mobile markets in neigh-borhoods in all eight wards. Cer-tainly, the nation-wide focus on sustainability, artisanal creations and a celebration of the chef as rock star has helped drive the trend here, but it’s clear a vi-brant food culture has been es-tablished in DC.

of Food and Drink


Food TrucksWhile the entry point for a typical brick-and-mortar restaurant can be cost-prohibitive for many, the food truck makes it easy to test a food concept without losing your apron. Arepa Zone, with their au-thentic, home-style Venezuelan fare, highlights arepas, the grilled corn patty that’s opened to make a pocket and stuffed with flavor-ful fillings along with tequenos (cheese sticks served with a killer sauce) and cachapas (sweet corn pancakes from real sweet corn). Since opening in spring of 2014, co-owners Gabriela Febres and Ali Arellano have garnered great acclaim – the Daily Meal named them one of America’s Top 101 Food Trucks and Timeout named them the best DC food truck this year.

Gabriela and Ali share Ven-ezuelan roots and met at a soccer match. They soon found them-selves planning a get together for the soccer community giving them opportunity to prepare some of their Venezuelan favorites. Out of that chance meeting, they realized there were some favorite foods that were missing in DC.

“We couldn’t find arepas in DC at that time,” says Ali, “and as we worked on our recipe, we thought about finding restaurant space.”

Being cautious about making a huge investment in real estate for a restaurant, the two went to Mar-ietta, Georgia late in 2013 to meet the team that would build them a food truck. Their business was a huge success.

But now they’ve decided to test next steps toward a more per-manent space to complement their food truck locations. They entered the Launch Pad at Union Market competition, with part of the prize being a six-month stint at Union Market. An idea grown by Al Gold-berg of food incubator Mess Hall, and advisors such as Chef Pat-rick O’Connell of the Inn at Lit-tle Washington, Ris Lacoste of Ris, Aaron Silverman of Rose’s Luxu-ry and more, the competition was designed to identify and launch a promising culinary concept at Union Market. The professional team provides advice on raising capital, leasing, and valuable net-


Pia Carusone at Republic Restor-atives, DC’s first women-owned dis-tillery, as they ready for an opening on New York Avenue later this year.

Tai Heath, at her space at Mess Hall DC. Heath is decorating custom-designed cookies for a Redskins wives’ fashion event. Tai is a co-owner of the business, 5-12 Dessert Bou-tique, that she started with her mom, Daneen.

Growing each month and expanding their reach, Living Social alums, Alan Clifford and Ian Costello started the meal delivery service, Galley. They’ve moved from their start-up space in Penn Quarter to larger digs in Ivy City. Photo: Nick Heyd

working opportunities with the ability to test out their idea in a fully built-out space in a proven food hub.

It wasn’t just a popularity contest that won Are-pa Zone the Launch Pad prize this year. Wendy Stu-art of Food Works Group, was brought in to look closely at viability and the numbers. She’s an expert at analyzing market demand and is known for her work as a local food systems specialist, a role that may have not even existed a decade ago.

According to Stuart, “The folks at Arepa Zone already have a posi-tive cash flow fromtheir award-winning food truck. Their financials were based in part on these numbers, and were realistic, thorough, and perhaps even conservative projections. Further, they will fund their expansion in large part through their own cash reserves, which is impressive for a start-up with large capital expenses.”

As ArepaZone launched this summer in Union Market, we can look forward to it being part of this hybrid of a community of restaurants and specialty food items.

Spirited WorkOne of the welcome additions to the District’s food and beverage evolu-tion is the presence of small batch distillers. Republic Restoratives is on its way to being the first DC-based, woman-owned distillery. Founded by Pia Carusone and Rachel Gardner, Republic Restoratives will open their space at an Ivy City warehouse at 1369 New York Ave. NE before the end of the year. The two will initially offer vodka, and a variety of rye and bour-bon will follow after the maturation process is complete.

The women grew up together in Saratoga Springs, New York and remained close friends for more than thirty years. Pia moved to DC in 2009 as the chief of staff for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and bought a house in the neighborhood. Rachel, with an MBA, worked in resource management, and also studied in the state of Washington with master distiller, Rusty Figgins, learning the craft of making whiskey. The two have retained Figgins as a consultant for their production methods at Republic Restoratives.

“When we got serious about this project and started looking for a building, it was a challenge identifying the right space.” While they didn’t personally purchase the huge warehouse space, the investor group they assembled wanted to make certain the full 24,000 square feet would be rented. They were able to secure a 17,000 square foot lease for their new neighbor Union Kitchen, the kitchen incubator that already has one lo-cation in NoMA. The distillery will have a first floor tasting room, bar and event space. The 1,000-gallon capacity still, fermenting tank, mash cooker are being readied for installation and trench drains are being built.

With over 80,000 cars passing by their distillery each day on New York Avenue, they’re excited about the opening. “We should wrap construc-tion in November and host our opening par-ty in early December,” says Pia. The duo are enthusiastic about being part of the District’s food and beverage scene, too, “When Rachel and I were coming up with a name for our business, we really wanted to tip our hat to the Capital – this vibrant and interesting place in and of itself.”

Home Cooking, DeliveredFormer Living Social alums, Alan Clifford and Ian Costello, started Galley with a concept of meals-on-the-go. At the end of 2014, they left their jobs and started thinking more about food and how to look beyond traditional take-out with its typically geographic limitation to food delivery service.

Many of the online food delivery service companies require a subscription and ship cus-tomers prepped ingredients so that they can cre-ate the meals themselves, however Galley is dif-ferent in that they send chilled meals that are already prepared by their team of chefs. Wheth-er ordering lunch or dinner, prices for a meal are $14 or less (including delivery, tax and gra-tuity). Customers get a 30-minute delivery win-dow and directions for heating their meal.

Partnering with VSAG restaurant con-sultants (the Founding Farmers team), they moved to Ivy City at 1350 Okie Street and

started lunch production, followed by dinner in the beginning of July of this year. With an app and online access, ordering lunch or din-ner couldn’t be easier.

“We’re making hundreds of meals a day,” says Alan and notes that they have thousands of customers in the District now and recently ex-panded to Baltimore. “Our core audience is in their late 20s or 30s – everyone is focused on the convenience factor – they are looking for a high quality meal and healthful offerings.”

Mess Hall InitiativesAl Goldberg is building a community around food. After spending a number of years in the ca-tering world, he wanted to break out and do his own thing. He knew that many craft producers were finding space in church kitchens or using restaurant space in off hours, but he also knew


Tai Heath, at her space at Mess Hall DC. Heath is decorating custom-designed cookies for a Redskins wives’ fashion event. Tai is a co-owner of the business, 5-12 Dessert Bou-tique, that she started with her mom, Daneen.

started lunch production, followed by dinner in the beginning of July of this year. With an app and online access, ordering lunch or din-ner couldn’t be easier.

“We’re making hundreds of meals a day,” says Alan and notes that they have thousands of customers in the District now and recently ex-panded to Baltimore. “Our core audience is in their late 20s or 30s – everyone is focused on the convenience factor – they are looking for a high quality meal and healthful offerings.”

Mess Hall InitiativesAl Goldberg is building a community around food. After spending a number of years in the ca-tering world, he wanted to break out and do his own thing. He knew that many craft producers were finding space in church kitchens or using restaurant space in off hours, but he also knew

Al Goldberg of Mess Hall envisioned a food community in a welcoming

space. Opened less than a year ago, it is already home to over

30 food start-ups, and has hosted many events from

educational workshops for food entrepreneurs, cooking

classes with demonstration kitchen, to fundraisers

for those in need.

that bringing together a group of people in one space would foster a camaraderie and support system for those launching a culinary concept.

Working through Eagle Bank, a preferred SBA lender, and using his own savings, he found a space at 703 Edgewood Street NE, opening Mess Hall’s doors in October of last year.

Al sees a time when DC follows along with initiatives like he’s seen in Brooklyn – where hotels there might promote hand-crafted food items made in the borough. He also notes that it takes lots of entrepreneurs to make this type of community a reality. “I can see a District ho-tel offering cookies baked by a local producer – there’s a level of pride with restaurants featur-ing DC products.”

Mess Hall has noted DC producers like Bullfrog Bagels making hand-rolled bagels in the authentic tradition, 5-12 Dessert Boutique and Lounge run by mother-daughter duo Daneen and Tai Heath who create specialty baked goods and cookies, and Tory Pratt’s True, syrups and garnishes (tonics and grenadines done in the style of those produced pre-prohibition).

Says Tory who used to work in in-

ternational development, “Most of my business comes out

of this space, it fits a niche you maybe didn’t think was there – I was one of the first 10 in the space, now we have close to 40.”

Recently, Mess Hall applied for and won a Small Business Association Growth Acceler-ator Award – over 600 businesses applied and a little over 10% of applicants won, each receiv-ing $50,000. Earlier this summer Al took the lead on coordinating Launch Pad, collaborat-ing with DC culinary leaders to help a promis-ing food business (see Arepa Zone under Food Trucks above) take logical next steps.

Another part of the focus of community is engaging interns from DC Central Kitchen with the hopes that the entrepreneurs using the Mess Hall space might grow their business and have the potential to provide a job.

Says Al of Mess Hall’s role in the food cul-ture in DC, “What you’ll see is that we’ll con-tinue to try and find new and meaningful ways to have impact in enabling the DC small pro-ducers to create a sustainable food economy.”

Annette Nielsen has been the food editor of the Hill Rag since 2012 and has recently taken a posi-tion with Futuro Media Group in New York; reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @The_Kitchen_Cab. u


Reimagining a Community Pillar

by Barbara Wells

heater Alliance has emphatically found its voice. Last year the company earned seven Helen Hayes Awards; this season it’s won a $10,000 National Theatre Company Grant from American The-atre Wing, bestowed on theaters that have “articulated a distinc-tive mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen the quality, diversity and dyna-mism of American theatre.”

But like all seemingly “overnight” successes, Theater Alliance’s rise is really a testament to decades of sustained support and the tenac-ity of visionary leadership.

From its humble origins as a community theater, by 2002 Theater Al-liance had joined Washington’s fledgling professional companies and tak-en up residence at the new H Street Playhouse amid burgeoning neigh-borhood revitalization. But eventually management changes and a tough economy took their toll, reducing the company’s 2010 season to just one production: a reprise of Black Nativity.

Enter Colin Hovde. In 2011, H Street Playhouse founder and The-ater Alliance board member Adele Robey asked Hovde to apply for the theater director’s job — a position he seemed destined to take.

A self-described child of hippies, Hovde chose a career in theater as a form of social service; a way to build community connections. As a teenager approaching high school graduation, he’d even contemplated joining the

Peace Corps — until his mentor

said he could do more to help people in the theater. At the University of North

Carolina School for the Arts, he realized his mission: producing plays that challenge people to think in a more compassionate way.

“I want our theater to be about your daily life. I want you to walk down the street and feel more connected to the people you see,” Hovde says. “Of course we want theater to be entertaining, but it’s so much more fulfilling when it entertains and asks hard questions that make us think.”

In 2004, when nearly every one of his college classmates made a beeline for New York, Hovde took off for Macau, China, to produce the Worldwide Arts Collective Festival. Strangely enough, that’s where he met Jeremy Skidmore, a kindred spirit who was then Theater Alliance’s artis-tic director. The two North Carolina graduates immediately connected, and Skidmore invited Hovde to become the company’s associate direc-tor the following year.

After his work at Theater Alliance, Hovde spent the next five years as a free-lance director and producer until he received Robey’s momen-tous call to return. He would spend the next year rebuilding the compa-ny’s financial base and navigating its transition from H Street to the new Anacostia Playhouse.

“It was a pivotal moment for Theater Alliance,” he says. “We had to ask ourselves, ‘Why are we here? Why do we need to stay alive? What val-ue do we add to the community?”

In March 2013, Hovde finally found his answers in Word Becomes Flesh, a hip-hop exploration of a father’s right to choose between a com-mitment to his child and abandonment. The heart-breaking piece featured five young men grappling with fatherhood, visibly changing the percep-tions and stirring the emotions of audience members, and Hovde himself.

The play influenced Theater Alliance’s first season as the resident company at Anacostia Playhouse. All three of the season’s plays were root-ed in relatable human experience, but produced in distinct ways that stretched theatrical boundaries: Broke-ology is a classic “kitchen sink” pro-duction, using a realistic set to portray the ordinary struggles of a work-ing class family; White Rabbit, Red Rabbit eschewed scenery and even rehearsal altogether, featuring various actors reading the play for the first time at venues across the city; and The Wonderful World of Dissocia was a sort of naturalistic fever dream that explored mental disease caused by trauma — and received four Helen Hayes Awards.


LEFT TO RIGHT:

Occupied Territories. Photo: C. Stanley Photography.

Word Becomes Flesh.

Night Falls on the Blue Planet. Photo: C. Stan-ley Photography

Peace Corps — until his mentor

said he could do more to help people in the theater. At the University of North

Carolina School for the Arts, he realized his mission: producing plays that challenge people to think in a more compassionate way.

“I want our theater to be about your daily life. I want you to walk down the street and feel more connected to the people you see,” Hovde says. “Of course we want theater to be entertaining, but it’s so much more fulfi lling when it entertains and asks hard questions that make us think.”

In 2004, when nearly every one of his college classmates made a beeline for New York, Hovde took off for Macau, China, to produce the Worldwide Arts Collective Festival. Strangely enough, that’s where he met Jeremy Skidmore, a kindred spirit who was then Theater Alliance’s artis-tic director. The two North Carolina graduates immediately connected, and Skidmore invited Hovde to become the company’s associate direc-tor the following year.

After his work at Theater Alliance, Hovde spent the next fi ve years as a free-lance director and producer until he received Robey’s momen-tous call to return. He would spend the next year rebuilding the compa-ny’s fi nancial base and navigating its transition from H Street to the new Anacostia Playhouse.

“It was a pivotal moment for Theater Alliance,” he says. “We had to ask ourselves, ‘Why are we here? Why do we need to stay alive? What val-ue do we add to the community?”

In March 2013, Hovde fi nally found his answers in Word Becomes Flesh, a hip-hop exploration of a father’s right to choose between a com-mitment to his child and abandonment. The heart-breaking piece featured fi ve young men grappling with fatherhood, visibly changing the percep-tions and stirring the emotions of audience members, and Hovde himself.

The play infl uenced Theater Alliance’s fi rst season as the resident company at Anacostia Playhouse. All three of the season’s plays were root-ed in relatable human experience, but produced in distinct ways that stretched theatrical boundaries: Broke-ology is a classic “kitchen sink” pro-duction, using a realistic set to portray the ordinary struggles of a work-ing class family; White Rabbit, Red Rabbit eschewed scenery and even rehearsal altogether, featuring various actors reading the play for the fi rst time at venues across the city; and The Wonderful World of Dissocia was a sort of naturalistic fever dream that explored mental disease caused by trauma — and received four Helen Hayes Awards.

human challenge that crosses boundaries.”

Theater Alliance nurtures these works by hiring a director, ac-tors, and dramaturg to spend one week with the playwright, talking, trying new things and rewriting, culminating in a public reading followed by further con-versation with the audience. But the re-lationship with the company continues long after the program ends, with play-wrights submitting new drafts or oth-er plays in the works, and Theater Al-liance lending a special understanding of how the writer thinks and speaks. This year’s season opened with a world premiere of a Hothouse play: Kathleen Akerley’s Night Falls on the Blue Plan-et, part of The Women’s Voices Theater Festival that the company describes as “a woman’s complex and unexpected journey to herself.”

Hovde seems most excited about the return of Word Becomes Flesh, the play that redefi ned Theater Alliance’s mission back in 2013. Presented in rep-ertory with For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf, the play is now part of a com-plex conversation at the intersection of race and gender. While the plays’ sto-ries are about black men and women, men and women of all races can re-late to their characters, and people of each gender can learn about the op-posite sex, revealing answers to ques-tions they may not be able to ask for themselves.

“These two pieces are why I do this work,” Hovde says. “What we do saves lives and increases compassion. That’s not an abstract concept. It’s a reality.”

For more information about The-ater Alliance, visit theateralliance.com

Barbara Wells is a writer and editor for Reingold, a social marketing communica-tions fi rm. She and her husband live on Capitol Hill. u

The next season built on the com-pany’s momentum, including a pro-duction of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea, directed by the widely acclaimed Timothy Douglas — a major coup for the company. For Hovde, an even greater milestone was Occupied Terri-tories, a story of the lasting impact of war that deeply affected its audienc-es. Like other Theater Alliance pro-ductions, the play included post-show “talkbacks” for audience members to discuss their reactions.

“We need to be talking about race. We need to be talking about gender in-equality. And theater gives us to the op-portunity to do that face to face with people we may never otherwise speak to about these things,” states Hovde.

Hovde aims to showcase issues that are never fully addressed, in the voices of people who are too rarely heard: veterans grappling with the psy-chological effects of war; gay youths dealing with bullying and rejection; people with disabilities confronting prejudice. And it’s no accident that to-day Theater Alliance features the works of playwrights who are more often peo-ple of color than white; more often fe-male than male.

Some of these playwrights emerge from Hothouse: Theater Alliance’s pro-gram to develop new works by local writers. This year Hothouse received 23 submissions and selected four, based on not only the potential of the work and its phase of development, but also the under-represented perspectives of the playwrights themselves. “These are important stories that we don’t often hear,” Hovde says. “And even though they may not have anything to do with one audience member’s, life they are so specifi c that they capture a universal Free Gift With Ad

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fter two years of grueling construction and regulatory delays, light sculptor Craig Kraft will officially open his new studio on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kraft’s studio will become part of a growing list of art spaces that have opened in

historic Anacostia since 2013. The list includes the Anacostia Playhouse, which relocated from H Street NE, and the Anacostia Arts Center, which transformed the former ARCH Devel-opment Corporation training center into a se-ries of galleries, boutiques, and rehearsal spaces.

Wedged between Honfleur Gallery and the Anacostia Arts Center on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road SE, Kraft’s new space boasts an exhibition area, a large workspace, an of-fice, and second-floor living quarters for the artist. The exterior of the two-story, brick-front storefront façade – an architectural style found throughout DC’s commercial corridors – be-lies the gallery’s spacious and modern interior, which features high ceilings, concrete floors, and a modern wing in the rear portion.

Kraft purchased the space

in late 2013 and had hoped to open the studio to the public in the summer of 2014. However, a series of permitting and construction snags de-layed the project until this fall. Before Kraft trans-formed the space, the building at 1239 Good Hope Road SE sat vacant for years and consti-tuted what realtors and developers would consid-er a “total shell,” complete with collapsing roof and dirt floor.

While many prospective investors, includ-ing a string of potential restaurateurs, found the property’s drawbacks insurmountable, Kraft saw the potential of a blank canvas and an opportuni-ty to create something new. “I bought this aban-doned building and started from a pile of loose bricks from which I have created a modern sculp-ture studio and dynamic living space,” Kraft says.

Kraft is no stranger to moving into neighbor-hoods that many developers and other artists might overlook. He established his original DC studio, which he purchased in 1992, in an old firehouse

in Shaw. Kraft recalls a series of har-rowing experiences in the neighbor-

hood during the 1990s, when the city’s crime waved had reached

its peak. Now Shaw, like many neighborhoods in North-

west Washington, has un-dergone transformative

redevelopment and gentrification, leav-

ing the neighbor-hood for better

or for worse, depending

on whom you ask.

Opens New Studio in Anacostiaarticle and photos by Phil Hutinet

LUMEN8ANACOSTIA 2013 introduced Kraft to what he calls

“Anacostia’s neighborhood renaissance.” During the 2013 neighborhood arts festival run by ARCH Development Corpora-tion, ARCH selected Kraft to create a large temporary public art piece at the entrance of the neighborhood to greet festival goers. “Random Neons for Anacostia” enlivened the former theater at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Good Hope Road, greeting all those who crossed the 11th Street Bridge into the historic east-of-the-river community.

The overall experience convinced Kraft to take the plunge and move east of the river and re-root himself in historic Anacostia. “I love the en-ergy of the area,” Kraft says, “it’s a neighborhood in transition and there is an eager anticipation for arts development in Anacostia.” Kraft also sees Anacostia as a neighborhood endowed with a well-established artist com-munity and a group of well-connected neighbors.

Kraft is known nationally and internationally for his work with neon lighting. A tenured faculty member of the Smithsonian Institution Studio Art Program, he has shown in over 125 exhibitions. Municipalities and arts organizations throughout the region have commissioned him to pro-duce large-scale public art pieces.

Selected public works that readers may recognize include “Falling Man” (1995) in New York City; “Lightweb” (2004) in Silver Spring, Md.; “Cross-roads” (2006) in Rockville, Md.; “Fire and Water” (2007) in Concord, N.C.; “Connective Ascension” (2009) in Loveland, Colo., and most recently “Viva-ce” (2010) in Washington, DC, outside the Shaw public library. “Untitled,” which once rested on the façade of the Arlington Arts Center (AAC), has found a permanent home atop the Anacostia Arts Center – the other AAC lo-cated across the east branch of the Potomac – right next door to Kraft’s studio.

What does Craig Kraft have in store for his new home in Anacostia? Back from a trip to France and Spain, where he privately toured sever-al early human cave drawings, Kraft has set out to create a new series of work inspired by what he calls “man’s universal urge to mark.” His gallery space will also feature work from the “Unintentional Drawing” series, the “Ground Zero” series, and the “Random Neon” series. Kraft plans to host a series of community-centered programs in addition to continuing his ar-tistic practice. “I will be creating both monumental and studio works as well as teaching workshops” he explains.

Craig Kraft Studio is located at 1239 Good Hope Road SE. For more information about the artist, his work, and his new studios space please visit home.craigkraftstudio.com.

Phil Hutinet is the publisher of East City Art, dedicated to DC’s visual arts. For more information visit www.eastcityart.com. u

Craig Kraft outsid

e 1239 Good Hope Road SE.

Neon works.

Inside Craig Kraft’s Studio.


Craig Kraft outsid

e 1239 Good Hope Road SE.

tutto Italiano, tutto il giorno | all Italian, all day

Visit our authentic market for a small taste of Italia. We also offer catering, special events, unique wines, and more. A presto!

303 7th St SE • (202)758-0086 • info@radici-market .com • www.radici-market .com

C O L A Z I O N E P R A N Z O C E N A V I N Ob r e a k f a s t l u n c h d i n n e r w i n e


Anacostia Arts Center Welcomes Akua AllrichLocated on one of our busiest streets, the An-acostia Arts Center on Good Hope Road in Southeast DC nevertheless always provides a cozy escape for those seeking artistic enrich-ment through paintings, drawings, sculpture, and other works. Coming up Oct. 17 for the center’s free Live Saturdays show will be the musical arts of Akua Allrich, one of our more dynamic and entertaining vocalists.

DC native and Howard University gradu-ate Allrich has “musical roots” that “run deep-ly into blues, soul and rhythm and blues, with a clear grounding in jazz and pan-African mu-sic.” She is well known for her tribute programs devoted to Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, and other great African-American women of jazz, and is enjoying acclaim for her CD “Soul Sing-er,” released a few months ago.

The Anacostia Arts Center’s Live Saturdays shows started in September with the goal of in-troducing new artists and audiences to Anacos-tia and “boosting” the artistic life of the neigh-borhood, according to arts center information. The events are free but reservations are recom-mended. Shows begin at 5 p.m.

See www.anacostiaartscenter.com for more information.

InPerson ... CBCF Jazz/Gary BartzThis special report on the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s jazz concert last month, which also featured a scintillating set by Yosvan-ny Terry’s group, comes via the esteemed saxo-phonist/bandleader/composer Rahmat Shaba-zz: “Alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, recipient of

this year’s CBCF Jazz Legacy Award, gave a fan-tastic performance that skirted musical bound-aries. ‘When we play… it is church … John Col-trane, Charlie Parker (etc) … it is church,’ Bartz gently explained before ripping into his seam-less set of interstellar blues and more. A rep-ertoire highlight was the Walter Davis Jr. tune ‘Uranus,’ a beautiful yet technically challeng-ing piece that provided a wonderful platform of creativity for Gary and his band (James King on bass, Paul Bollenbeck on guitar, Greg Bandy on drums, and Larry Willis on piano).”

InReview … Ben Williams’ ‘Coming of Age’Homeboy bassist Ben Williams, who went on to Michigan State and the Juilliard School to further his craft, has produced a noteworthy CD with “Coming of Age” for the Concord Music Group.

The recording has a soulful/R&B feel with hip hop/rap getting its due on “Toy Soldier.” Williams’ bass work stands out throughout with his vintage throbbing and always lyrical driving grooves, and his bandmates are first rate, includ-ing Marcus Strickland, tenor and soprano sax, and Matthew Stevens, with special guests in-cluding trumpeter Christian Scott, vibe guru Stefon Harris, and vocalists W. Ellington Fel-ton and Goapele.

Highpoints include Williams originals “Strength and Beauty,” with Sands and Strick-land trading melodies and riffs; the popping jam “Forecast,” with Davis and Charles pulsatingly pushing the tune through a winding blend of Strickland’s soaring sounds over Sands’ piano rip-ples, and Sands’ dramatic chords and edgy riffs of his own over Williams’ rumbling bass work; and the title tune with its lilting, waltzing opening quickly ripping into a frenetic chase, and Wil-liams, Sands, and Strickland matching each oth-er with vibrant flights of lyricism and charm.

See www.benwilliamsmusic.net.

And a Happy, Happy Birthday! to living legend Pharoah Sanders, 75 years young, Oct. 13, and appearing at Bohemian Caverns Oct. 16-17.

October Highlights: … Shannon Gunn &

Bullettes, Oct. 10, Durant Art Center/Alex-andria … E.J., Marcus Strickland, Oct. 10, Kennedy Center … Matt Lucian & Matt Ma-neri Duo, Oct. 11, Bohemian Caverns … Af-ro-Cuban/Latin Jazz Strayhorn Dance Party, Oct. 12, Thurgood Marshall Center … Carl Grubbs/“An Evening of Artistic Excellence”/Baker Award Winners, Oct. 14, Baltimore Mu-seum of Art … Samara Pinderhughes Ensem-ble/Strayhorn: The Sutherland Hotel Period, Oct. 15, National Portrait Gallery … Larry Brown Quintet, Oct. 16, Westminster Presby-terian Church … Joanne Brackeen, Oct. 16, Kennedy Center … Ron Sutton, Oct. 16-17, Twins Jazz … JAZZForum: Bobby Felder, Oct. 21, University of the District of Columbia Re-cital Hall … Ran Blake, Oct. 23-24, Atlas Per-forming Arts Center … Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown/Listening Party, Reimagined, Oct. 24, Kennedy Center … Rudresh Mahan-thappa “Bird Calls,” Oct. 24-25, Blues Alley … Three Ladies Singing Strayhorn, Oct. 24, Uni-versity of the District of Columbia Recital Hall … Allyn Johnson/Meet the Artist, Oct. 27, Uni-versity of the District of Columbia Recital Hall … Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Jason Mo-ran and The Bandwagon, Oct. 28-30, Kenne-dy Center … Remembering Willis Conover, Oct. 30, Westminster Presbyterian Church … Remembering Ronnie Wells and Ron Ellis-ton, Oct. 30, Montpelier Arts Center/Laurel … Mark Meadows, Oct. 30-31, Twins Jazz …

October Birthdays: Walter Bishop Jr. 4; Jo Jones, Larry Young 7; Pepper Adams 8; Abdul-lah Ibrahim, Kenny Garrett 9; Thelonius Monk 10; Junior Mance, Harry Edison, Art Blakey 11; Mel Rhyne 12; Art Tatum, Ray Brown, Von Freeman, Lee Konitz, Pharoah Sanders, Johnny Lytle 13; Fela Anikulapo-Kuti 15; Roy Hargrove 16; Cozy Cole 17; Wynton Marsalis 18; Jelly Roll Morton 20; Dizzy Gillespie, Don Byas 21; Ernie Watts 23; Jimmy Heath 25; Milton Nas-cimento 26; Zoot Sims 27; Clifford Brown 30; Illinois Jacquet, Booker Irvin 31.

Steve Monroe is a Washington, DC, writer who can be reached at [email protected] and fol-lowed atwww.twitter.com/jazzavenues. u

by Steve Monroe

sharon, akua, pharaoh, ben w CD


n Friday, July 31, the Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center opened its doors for the first time to the community af-ter which it was named. Located at 3200 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, across the street from DC’s landmark Engine

25 fire station, the multilevel, foursquare home-turned-cultural-center lies in the heart of Ward 8.

Phinis Jones, a long-time Ward 8 resi-dent, originally intended to donate the space, which he owns, to exhibit his extensive art col-lection. Upon reflection Jones expanded his vi-sion from showcasing his artwork to creating a neighborhood cultural center and gathering place. Those familiar with the neighborhood will recognize the 3200 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave address as the former headquarters of Cap-itol Services Management Inc., an organization run by Jones.

The center’s opening comes on the heels of a number of other east-of-the-river art-related de-velopments, notably in Ward 8, such as the open-ing of the Anacostia Playhouse and the Anacostia Arts Center in 2013. By late 2016 or early 2017, Curtis-Four Points will open a series of street-lev-el artist’s work/live spaces, further anchoring his-toric Anacostia as an arts destination.

However, amid all of the new develop-ment in historic Anacostia over the past three years, the Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique, a neighborhood mainstay located across from the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, closed its doors permanently on Dec. 31, 2014. Its closure left a powerful vacuum in Ward 8, as the surrounding community lost a favorite meet-ing place, cultural center, and marketplace.

As fate would have it, the opening of the Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center could not have come at a better time. Like the An-acostia Art Gallery and Boutique, it is locat-

ed in a residence, immediately putting visitors at ease. The center has even more spaces to showcase concurrent exhibitions as well as ar-eas dedicated to the sale of local crafts, books, and other items, a format reminiscent of what one would have found at the Anacostia Art Gal-lery and Boutique.

Even the Anacostia Art Gallery and Bou-tique’s curator, Barry Blackman, has landed at the center to collaborate and program a number of upcoming exhibitions. He has begun pop-ulating the center with a variety of objets d’art – as he did at the Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique – which he discovers during his glob-al travels. Blackman sees the Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center as “an empowerment zone” where members of the community can “feel at home.” The center will afford Black-man the opportunity to continue his extensive curatorial work on the African diaspora, ensur-ing that its important cultural influence finds an anchor and a proper voice in the Washing-ton, DC, art world.

Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center’s executive director, Keyonna Jones-Lindsay, has ambitious plans for the space. She plans to es-tablish a series of programs which extend be-yond the visual arts to include the culinary, the literary, and the performing arts. In addition, as part of the center’s offerings, Jones-Lindsay will include wellness courses, money-management classes, and other programming that will bene-fit local residents.

First and foremost, Jones-Lindsay sees the Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center as a gathering place to actively involve the commu-nity in outreach and education. “The center’s goal,” she explains, “is to inspire, educate, and expose the community, especially our youth, to arts, not only in our history but in our own com-

Congress Heights Neighborhood Welcomes New Arts & Culture CenterNew Cultural Center Will Connect Community to the Arts

munity.” Jones-Lindsay adds, “There is an im-mense history of Washington, DC, specifically in Southeast, that will be highlighted.”

And the center is already having an impact on the community. Blackman recalls seeing a young man enter the center during one of the early workshop sessions. “He did not appear to be the kind of person you would normally think would be interested in art.” As it turns out, he was. Now the center provides him with a safe and nurturing place to learn new skills and tech-niques. This experience exemplifies the spirit of what Jones-Lindsay hopes to accomplish with the center’s educational programs.

As far as the art exhibitions are concerned, Jones-Lindsey has already established a rigorous 2015 programming schedule, which last month included a retrospective of Ted Ellis’ work to inaugurate the center’s gallery. In October the center will open a group exhibition, “The Black Doll Show,” featuring renowned lifelong doll artists Betty Baines, Gwendolyn Aqui Brooks, Francine Haskins, Jeri Hubbard, and Paula Whaley. In November Malia Shalaam and Keisha Carroll will present concurrent solo exhibitions. And in December look for a major retrospective by Lois Mailou Jones which will include a number of pieces from private collections.

The Congress Heights Arts & Cultural Center is looking for community involvement and volunteers. To con-tact the center call 202-563.5033.

Phil Hutinet is thepublisher of East City Art, dedicated to DC’s visual arts. For more information visit www.eastcityart.com. u

article and photos by Phil Hutinet

Executive Director Keyonna Jones-Lind-say at the Congress Height Arts & Cul-

ture Center.

The Congress Heights A

rts & Culture Center.


Wesley Clark, The New American Pastime, plywood, oil paint,

resin, acrylic, 52-68 inches, 2015. Photo: StereoVision

Photography

new sPorts arena at st. esMayor Muriel Bowser, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder, Majority Owner and CEO Ted Leonsis, and Events DC President and CEO Greg O’Dell have announced plans to build a state-of-the-art Entertainment and Sports Arena at St. Elizabeth’s East in Ward 8.

The $55 million joint venture will become the future practice facility for the Washington Wizards, home court of the Washington Mys-tics, and a premier entertainment venue in the District. Operated by Events DC, the new com-plex is projected to produce $90 million in new tax revenues over 20 years. The 118,000-square foot, 5,000-seat facility will attract more than 380,000 annual new residents and visitors per year to Congress Heights producing more than 600 construction and 300 permanent jobs.

sheridan station welComes new residentsThe District of Columbia Housing Authority, in partnership with developer William C. Smith & Co., welcomed more than 325 families to their new homes at Sheridan Station. The 14-acre property, formerly Sheridan Terrace public housing, now is home to a new mixed-income community of 327 units, 80 of which are aff ord-able. There are also an additional 247 aff ord-able rentals to serve families with incomes up to $64,000. The fi rst of these were delivered in December 2012. The development also boasts a 5,400-square foot private medical offi ce locat-ed on the fi rst fl oor of the multi-family building.

forum on women of Color and enVironmental JustiCe A continuation of an August community discus-sion, this forum on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2 to 4 p.m.., at Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, will focus on Diversifying the Green Move-ment. Women of color will discuss their place in the fi ght for environmental justice, its impact on female communities; and the importance of self-

How We Lost DC is a visu-al discourse around gentrifi ca-

tion. The artists of Delusions of Grandeur present a range of perspec-

tives engaging the cultural and physical redeveloping of a landscape; and the strug-

gles, both personal and political, taking place in Washington DC and across the urban terrain of the

United States. Members of the Delusions of Grandeur collective are Wesley Clark, Larry Cook, Shaunté Gates,

Jamea Richmond-Edwards, Amber Robles-Gordon, and Stan Squirewell. How We Lost DC is at Honfl eur Gallery, 1241 Good

Hope Rd. SE, through Oct. 31. 202-365-8392. honfl eurgallery.com

how we lost dC: exhibition at

honfleur gallery


neighborhood news / buLLetin board

Department of Energy and Environ-ment (DOEE) have been selected by the International Living Future Insti-tute (ILFI) to participate as part of a Living Building Challenge Affordable Housing Pilot Project. The District is the only city on the East Coast to re-ceive this award.

As part of the project, DHCD and DOEE will turn a formerly vacant site in Deanwood into an equitable, mixed-income, and sustainable development of 10 to 15 townhouses employing cutting edge, environmentally-restorative de-sign. The project will meet the rigorous green building standard certification set by the Living Building Challenge.

Although the District received no direct funding for this project, the tech-nical assistance package provided by ILFI equates to hundreds of hours of documentation review, facilitation, and other technical expertise at no cost. For more information on the Internation-al Living Future Institute, go to living-future.org.

Volunteer at Kenilworth ParKWith the arrival of fall, it is time to be-gin putting the gardens at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, to bed for the winter. On Satur-day, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon, vol-unteers will help the gardens’ staff win-terize the plants and grounds. Please RSVP. Contact Tina O’Connell at [email protected]. friendsofkenilworthgardens.org.

Coloring Club at belleVue libraryThursdays at 4 p.m., parents and care-givers visiting the Children’s Room at the Bellevue Neighborhood Library,

reliance, activism, and resistance. To sign up, call 202-633-4844. For more information, visit anacostia.si.edu.

anaCostia heritage trail oPensOver the centuries, groups ranging from Native American traders to freed-men and freedwomen to the US mil-itary have found a home on this hilly land along the eastern shores of the An-acostia River. Walk the new Anacos-tia Heritage Trail to learn Anacostia’s complicate history while savoring the best views in the District. Meet Fred-erick Douglass and John Wilkes Booth. Witness the transformation of a once-bucolic landscape into a thriving ur-ban neighborhood. Visit culturaltour-ismdc.org/portal/991 to learn more.

helP restore shePherd ParKwayVolunteer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 17, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. Shepherd Parkway’s 205 acres are home to two Civil War forts, two bald eagle nests, and some of the oldest for-ests in DC. Help remove trash and inva-sive species from this important but ne-glected natural area in Ward 8. Meet at the picnic tables near the corner of Mar-tin Luther King and Malcolm X Avenues SE. Gloves, bags, and light refreshments will be provided. Wear boots and work clothes. For more information, contact Nathan Harrington at [email protected] or 301-758-5892; or visit shepherdparkway.blogspot.com.

distriCt grant for sustainable, affordable housingThe Department of Housing and Com-munity Development (DHCD) and the

new sPorts arena at st. esMayor Muriel Bowser, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder, Majority Owner and CEO Ted Leonsis, and Events DC President and CEO Greg O’Dell have announced plans to build a state-of-the-art Entertainment and Sports Arena at St. Elizabeth’s East in Ward 8.

The $55 million joint venture will become the future practice facility for the Washington Wizards, home court of the Washington Mys-tics, and a premier entertainment venue in the District. Operated by Events DC, the new com-plex is projected to produce $90 million in new tax revenues over 20 years. The 118,000-square foot, 5,000-seat facility will attract more than 380,000 annual new residents and visitors per year to Congress Heights producing more than 600 construction and 300 permanent jobs.

sheridan station welComes new residentsThe District of Columbia Housing Authority, in partnership with developer William C. Smith & Co., welcomed more than 325 families to their new homes at Sheridan Station. The 14-acre property, formerly Sheridan Terrace public housing, now is home to a new mixed-income community of 327 units, 80 of which are afford-able. There are also an additional 247 afford-able rentals to serve families with incomes up to $64,000. The first of these were delivered in December 2012. The development also boasts a 5,400-square foot private medical office locat-ed on the first floor of the multi-family building.

forum on women of Color and enVironmental JustiCe A continuation of an August community discus-sion, this forum on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2 to 4 p.m.., at Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, will focus on Diversifying the Green Move-ment. Women of color will discuss their place in the fight for environmental justice, its impact on female communities; and the importance of self-

District Of Columbia Housing Authority

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR

Combined Cooling, Heating And Power System - Langston Terrace

RFP No. - 0038-2015

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY (“DCHA”) solicits proposals from qualified Project Developers interested in the develop-

ment of an on-site Combined Cooling, Heating and Power System (“CCHP”) at the Langston Terrace property located at 2101 G St NE, Washington, DC 20002.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS will be available at the District of Columbia Housing Authority 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 Monday, October 5, 2015, after 4:00 p.m.

SEALED PROPOSALS ARE DUE: no later than Monday, November 23, 2015 @ 2:00 p.m. at the Issuing Office identified above.

Please contact Kimberly Allen, Procurement Manager at 202-535-1212 or [email protected] for additional information.


115 Atlantic St. SW, can relax and color. Coloring pencils, markers and crayons will be available. For more information call 202-243-1185 or visit dclibrary.org/bellevue.

nCPC aPProVes Plans for st. e’s Center building Constructed in 1853 as the first federal mental hospital in the Unit-ed States, the 264,000 square-foot Center Building on St. Eliz-abeth’s West Campus is slated to become the main headquarters for the Department of Homeland Se-curity housing approximately 900 personnel. The 1,000-foot long structure consists of seven build-ings constructed between 1853 and 1884. The General Servic-es Administration (GSA) plans to restore the historic façade, pro-tect as much of the historic fabric as possible, and provide 133,000 square feet of office space. The roof on buildings 1, 2, 6, and 8 will be replicated. Those on the re-maining buildings will be replaced with a sloped concrete roof deck. 1,300 windows will be restored or replaced. The proposed landscape plan will add additional trees, re-install a brick paving skirt, and re-pair historical elements.

At its monthly meeting on Sept. 3, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved GSA’s preliminary site design. In its comments, the Commission recom-mended that GSA include a refi ned landscape plan, a more detailed de-scription of the proposed design for new egress doors and the porte-co-chere, and an update to the Trans-portation Management Plan regard-ing conformance to parking ratios set forth in its final submission. ncpc.gov

new Play reading series at anaCostia PlayhouseEvery Monday in October at 8 p.m., Theater Alliance’s Hothouse Readings will take place at the An-acostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE. They will be followed by an audience discussion with the play-wright, director, and artists. Admis-sion is free. Remaining readings include: Oct. 12, Dane Figueroa Edidi’s Absalom; Oct. 19, Kitty Fel-

Call Laura Vucci 202-400-3510 or [email protected] for more information on advertising.

INTERESTED INADVERTISING WITH US?


Volunteer Program Manager Joanna Fisher at [email protected] or 301-699-6204 ext. 109.

Calling wards 6, 7 and 8 VendorsThe 11th Street Bridge Project is searching for caterers, graphic artists, photographers/videographers, event producers and printers located in Wards 6, 7 and 8. Contact [email protected]. bridgepark.org

dC health linK launChes dC health linK Plan matChThe DC Health Benefit Exchange Au-thority (HBX) has launched the DC Health Link Plan Match on DCHealth-Link.com. This new tool allows DC Health Link customers to compare health plans based on current or future medical needs. It is anonymous and available to all. Simply enter age, health status, and anticipated medical needs. The Plan Match estimates the total out of pocket costs including premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance for each of the 31 health plans current-ly available to individuals. District res-idents may shop for health plans dur-ing HBX’s open enrollment that starts Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 31, 2016.

women, arts and soCial Change ProJeCt launChedWomen, Arts and Social Change (WASC) addresses social and political issues relevant to women, across disci-plines, through provocative program-ming that inspires dialogue and action at The National Museum of Women in the Arts located at 1250 New York Ave. NW. “Righting the Balance—Can there be gender parity in the art world?” on Oct. 18 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. consid-ers the inequality that persists for wom-en artists today. Make a reservation at nmwa.org/events/fresh-talk-righting-balance. The cost is $25 for general admission; and $15 for members, stu-dents, and seniors. nmwa.org.

rare bible exhibited at library of Congress The Library of Congress today re-ceived as a gift from Saint John’s Ab-bey and University an Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible. A work of art with more than 1,130 pages and 160 il-

de’s Western & 96th; and Oct. 26, Chi-nita L. Anderson’s We R Punk Rock. Call 202-290-2328 or visit theateral-liance.com for more information.

east of the riVer eConomiC summit to held

On Nov. 5, the City First Founda-tion convenes a summit, “Equitable Economic Development East of the River.” The day-long event discusses the primary challenges and opportuni-ties impacting East Washington neigh-borhoods. Bringing together the Dis-trict’s key community development stakeholders and thought leaders, par-ticipants will discuss housing, commer-cial corridor revitalization, and small business development. This forum is a place to share industry best practic-es, trends in public policy, and incubate new and innovative ideas. To see the agenda and read more, visit cityfirst-foundation.org.

the 50th anniVersary sPiral ColleCtiVeIn 1963 Hale Woodruff and Romare Bearden organized an alliance of art-ists who met weekly to discuss their work, politics, and civil rights. The group exhibited only once in New York in 1965 before disbanding. On Thurs-day, Oct. 15, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., join An-acostia Community Museum’s Collec-tions Manager Joshua Gorman as he shows selections from the museum’s permanent collection including works by Bearden, Robert Alston, Norman Lewis, Alvin Hollingsworth and oth-er artists--before and after Spiral. The museum is located at 1901 Fort Pl. SE. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu

Volunteer to ColleCt wetland seedsOn Thursday, Oct. 22, 9:30 a.m. to noon; Thursday, Oct. 29, 1 to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 4, 9:30 a.m. to noon; and Thursday, Nov. 12, 1 to 4 p.m., join volunteers at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 601 Annapolis Rd. to help collect wetland plant seeds from the marshes that line the shores of the Anacostia River. The Anacostia Watershed So-ciety will propagate these seeds next spring as part of the the organization’s wetland re-vegetation effort. All nec-essary tools and supplies needed will be provided. Walking some distance in waders through thick mud is required. Register at anacostiaws.org. Contact


luminations that refl ect life in the modern era, the tome measures two feet tall and three feet wide when open. It is the fi rst handwritten and illumi-nated Bible commissioned by a monastery since the invention of the print-ing press. The Bible is displayed on the north side of the Great Hall of the Library’s Thomas Jeff erson Building, 10 First St. SE., through Satur-day, Jan. 2, 2016. loc.gov.

Veterans housing worKshoPHousing Counseling Services, Inc. off ers a Veterans Resource Workshop on Monday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. Information will be available on how to search for aff ordable housing, understanding what landlords are looking for, budgeting, credit repair, and tenant rights and responsibilities. Inter-ested veterans should call 202-667-7006 to reserve a seat or email to HCS at [email protected]. Housing Counseling Services, Inc. is located at 2410 Seventh St. NW, Suite 100. housingetc.org.

helP with seCtion eight housing disCriminationIf a landlord or management company has refused to rent to you because you have a Section Eight Housing Choice Voucher, Housing Counsel-ing Services can help fi le a fair housing complaint. Many DC residents may not know that “Source of Income” is a protected category under DC fair housing law. This means it is illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to a potential tenant because the tenant plans to pay rent using a voucher, a government subsidy, or any other form of non-employment income. If you believe you have been the victim of “Source of Income” discrimina-tion, contact HCS at 202-667-7006 to speak to a fair housing specialist.

three dC-based grouPs to helP PeoPle enroll in health CoVerageThe DC Health Benefi t Exchange Authority Executive Board has ap-proved grants to three DC-based community organizations to serve as Navigator entities. These groups will provide in-person assistance to indi-viduals and families looking to enroll in health insurance coverage through DC Health Link, the District’s online health insurance marketplace. The grantees are: African Methodist Episcopal Church Second District Reli-gious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc. (AME Sec-ond District RED); DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA); and Whit-man-Walker Health (WWH).

the gift: an interaCtiVe healing and reConCiliation exPerienCeBefore there was a television special on father absence, jonetta rose barras had already written “Whatever Happened to Daddy’s Little Girl?” On Tues-day, Oct. 20, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Reeves Center (Second fl oor), Fourth and U Streets NW, she joins Esther Productions Inc, and artists/healers Brittany Nicole Adams, Joy Jones and Tracie Robinson in presenting THE GIFT: An Interactive Arts Healing and Reconciliation Experience. The program features a specialized opening ceremony, creative exercises and a group-af-fi rmation. If you have suff ered a traumatic loss like father absence and have had diffi culty stabilizing your life or developing healthy relationships, then this powerful interactive, therapeutic healing may be for you. For more in-formation call 202-829-0591 or send an email to estherproductions.

identify Persons of interest in murder of CCn Journalist CharniCe milton Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch need help identifying and locating seven vehicles and fourteen people in connection with the murder of 27 year-old, Capital Community News re-porter Charnice Milton. Milton was killed on the 2700 block of Good Hope Rd. SE on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at 9:41 p.m. Please have a look at this video (youtu.be/0xhK6Y274_M) and call the police at 202-727-9099.

Have a story for the Bulletin Board? Email [email protected] u

light sCulPtor Craig Kraft oPens anaCostia studioCraig Kraft, the internationally known light sculptor, has opened his freshly renovated studio space at 1239 Good Hope Rd. SE in Historic Anacostia. No stranger to the neighborhood, Kraft was introduced during the LUMEN8ANACOSTIA arts festival in 2013. That year he unveiled his “Random Neons for Anacostia” installation at the corner of MLK Jr. Avenue SE and Good Hope Road. Three months later he signed an off er to purchase his studio/residence at the opposite end of the block, sandwiched between the Anacostia Arts Center and the Honfl eur Gallery. There he installed a 2006 piece, “Ana-

coiti.” Kraft Studio is. To fi nd out more about Kraft’s work, visit craigkraftstudio.com.

Random Neon; Craig Kraft; neon & steal frame; 14-7-1 feet. Photo: Meredith Lucks

neighborhood news / buLLetin board


When I look around our city, as well as the rest of the world it becomes obvious that we have entered a period of transition and transforma-

tion. Are you going to catch a cab or an Uber? Is that real money in your wallet? When did print from a newspaper make you wash your hands? These are the small windows of change one can call the daily weather report. Global warming is another term for fever. Every day we need to ask ourselves, how sick are we? Illness can result from sitting still too much or never getting out of bed. Sickness can be your tongue having a prob-lem with the language you need to speak.

I’m tired of my tongue speaking in Wards. Washington, DC, is now a place of pulsating neighborhoods. Trying to find the line where your Ward begins or ends is like trying to find the equator on a globe in pre-school. It’s only there because your mother or teacher told you so. When someone mentions Ward 5, I look at my hand. Why is Ward 1, Ward 1? Why can’t Ward 8 be 1? How long must we use an old colonial map to find our way around this city?

The first thing to go when there is a major change or paradigm shift is history. History often introduces herself the morning after seduction. If people keep failing to avoid the mistakes of his-

tory it might have something to do with the sex. How long are we going to be addicted to things that no longer work? Let’s take our rainbow met-ro for an example. Pick a color, Red or Green. It’s 5 p.m. and you’re at Metro Center. It’s a New York, Tokyo, type of rush hour. There are only two tracks running in two directions.

I have no idea why people have returned to the bicycle as the vehicle of the future. Didn’t the Wright Brothers give up their Dayton bike shop for airplanes? What century are we living in? I don’t drive or bike and too often find myself like Walt Whitman caught walking around during a Civil War. This one is between the past and the future. If I know what Pluto finally looks like I should be capable of imagining my destination on the Red Line before dinner.

During these dark days of race matters it ap-pears Go-go is gone. We have failed to bust loose from our memories. We lack the vision of the mu-sician Sun Ra. Why can’t the next stop be Ju-piter? What is the state of things without State-hood? And is a State what we still desire? Do we want to be Ohio or New Hampshire? Or do we simply want to be one city under a groove? I don’t think so.

Everyone has their own playlist. In these times of transition and transformation there is a need for new music and outlooks. Washington,

DC, must become the cultural capital of our na-tion. We are the future, a city of many languag-es, a mosaic of colors blending into brightness.

It’s time to move beyond our circles that too often box us in. Time to think new and be new. It’s either change or die. Even the sufferers are on the move. Our world and city will never be the same. Is this the awakening we’ve be studying in Bible class? People keep saying the city is chang-ing. Well, are you changing with it or are you sim-ply standing in the way? The Pope will be here this month, we need to either seek a blessing or request blueprints for the ark.

E. Ethelbert Miller is a writer and literary activist. His Collected Poems edited by Kirsten Porter will be published next spring by Wil-low Press. In April 2015, Miller was inducted into the Washing-ton DC Hall of Fame. u

Have You SeenMy Edison, My Einstein?

by E. Ethelbert Miller


“Homelessness is funda-mentally about a lack of housing.” This un-equivocal declaration appears in “Home-

ward DC,” the recent report issued by DC’s In-teragency Council on Homelessness (ICH). It is an enthusiastic embrace by Mayor Muriel Bows-er’s administration of the philosophy of “Hous-ing First.”

The city is playing follow-the-leader. The Housing First methodology has been aggres-sively pushed for several years by the US Inter-agency Council on Homelessness (USICH). Not surprisingly, DC Department of Human Services Director Laura Zeilinger, whose agency handles the city’s homeless programs, once headed this organization. This is her second time at bat lead-ing the District’s fight against homelessness. Pri-or to her stint in the federal government Zeilinger held a similar brief under Mayor Adrian M. Fenty.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.Zeilinger tells the District Beat that during

the past several years, which undoubtedly means under Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s administration, the city lost ground. “[It] stopped investing in permanent housing; it stopped investing in hous-ing first.” Now, according to the ICH, the District has the “highest rate of chronic homelessness of other similarly sized cities in America, and fam-ily homelessness increased a staggering 50 per-cent over the past five years,” she states.

The US Department of Housing and Ur-ban Development defines the chronic home-less person as “someone who has a disability, is unsheltered or sheltered, and has been home-less consistently for a year or more, or has had four separate episodes of homelessness within the last three years.” The Bowser administra-tion has pledged to end chronic homelessness for families by 2017.

That’s more than a notion.On any given day, under the flags of all the

states flying just outside historic Union Station, there is an encampment of homeless men and

women. It may be hard to see them from a car or bus; they are hidden in-side the architecture. But there are dozens of them. It’s their anchor home, just as Franklin Park at 15th and K streets NW is for others, and Dupont Circle and the corner of 10th and G streets NW for still more.

The 2015 “Point-in Time” count of the region’s homeless population found there was an overall 2.7 percent decrease between 2014 and 2105. But 63 percent of the 11,623 “literally homeless” individuals were in the District.

is homelessness the Problem?Unemployment, substance abuse, and mental health issues all contribute mightily to individuals and families becoming homeless. So is homeless-ness merely a symptom of an amalgam of social ills and gaps in the health-care system? Or is it the singular problem?

The Bowser administration’s own council found that at least one cause of the increase in homelessness in the District was the “closing of a state psychiatric institution without concomitant creation of community-based housing and services.” A primary cause for family homelessness is poverty, acknowledges Zeilinger. “The characteristics of the homeless are not much different than people who experience extreme poverty.”

Yet no District official has called for a reassessment of the city’s decision to release massive numbers of persons with mental illness from government facilities and institutions. Nor have the city’s leaders floated an aggressive, comprehensive, and cohesive campaign – a local version of President Lyn-don Johnson’s “Great Society,” perhaps – focused on ending poverty. In-stead there is a hodgepodge of programs without a common organizing core. Does Housing First provide the necessary structure?

will “housing first” worK?Ralph da Costa Nunez, head of the Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness, has conducted research around the impact of Housing First. It is important to provide shelter for the homeless, he agrees, with a caveat. “Thus far the data – collected in 12 cities from 2,300 participant families [by HUD] – shows that rapid re-housing does not prevent future episodes of homelessness,” he wrote in September in the Huffington Post.

Other experts have been equally critical of Housing First. Both programs rely on government vouchers or similar subsidies. The rental amount that participating individuals or families are required to pay is based on their in-come. In some instances they pay nothing. “For the majority of homeless families who constantly struggle with multiple manifestations of chronic pov-erty, rapid re-housing will not likely yield success,” Nunez wrote.

Zeilinger differs with that view: “We’ve seen when we use Housing First we can dramatically reduce the number of homeless people.”

Karen Cunningham, executive director of the Capitol Hill Group Min-istries, says she is excited to see the city “putting significant resources into prevention that will really keep people from having to resort to shelter.” Her

organization is one of several the city has tapped to provide those services, which could include working with families to mitigate conflicts that result in homelessness or persuading relatives to take in a family to keep them out of a shelter. “Un-der those circumstances,” says Cunningham, “it is going to be important for it to be clear that [families] don’t have to go into shelter to be con-nected to housing and other services they need.”

The Bowser administration also expects to ramp up the production of affordable housing units. It has placed $100 million in the Hous-ing Production Trust Fund. It also is asking the DC Council to change the current law, to permit the agency to “clarify and provide for a more robust eligibility process.” Further, the mayor wants to have more flexibility on wheth-er to house homeless families in apartments or what amounts to SROs – single rental occupan-cy units – which mimic efficiencies with com-munal bathrooms. “No one has seen the legisla-tion,” says Cunningham. “It hasn’t been vetted with service providers.”

Still there are some concerns. What happens, asks Cunningham, if a family in the “diversion program” has a problem with a relative and can no longer live in a particular place, and it hap-pens on a warm night instead of a hypothermia evening which would give them a right to shelter? “Would the family be denied shelter?”

Cunningham says advocates and providers are talking with Bowser administration officials to ensure there are protections for families seeking emergency relief. They want to ensure that such applicants remain eligible for long-term housing benefits.

deJa Vu all oVer againThat all sounds good. But, truth be told, there is very little difference in the “Homeward DC” plan from the ICH and the 2004 “Homeless No More” proposal issued under Mayor An-thony Williams. The problem looks and feels the same, and one package of solutions echoes the other. Calling his plan a “blueprint for ac-

Ending Homelessness: The Impossible Dream?

the district beatby Jonetta Rose Barras


neighborhood news / the district beat

tion,” Williams pledged to end homelessness in 2014. His administration also promised to construct 6,000 units of affordable housing for low-income residents, increase preventive ser-vices using local and federal resources, and co-ordinate with mainstream organizations to pro-vide social services for the homeless. At the time it issued its report, a version of Housing First had been “initiated in partnership with the DC Housing Authority,” providing “Section Eight” vouchers for adults.

Now Bowser proposes to “develop a more effective crisis response system; increase the supply of affordable and supportive housing; re-move barriers to [existing] affordable and sup-portive housing; increase economic security of households in our system; increase preventive efforts to stabilize households before housing is loss.” She has promised to end chronic home-lessness by 2017, and pledged that by 2020 homelessness in the District will be “a rare, brief and non-recurring experience.”

Despite the merry-go-round aspect of all of this, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, whose Committee of the Whole oversees homeless-

ness, promises to move quickly on Bowser’s package of requested legisla-tive changes. “What the city is trying to do makes sense,” he says, adding that “the executive will need to ensure homeless advocates concur with the proposed changes.”

“There is a quality of life issue,” continues Mendelson, acknowledg-ing that the city likely will never “end” homelessness.” Still, the District’s effort to house the homeless is “the right thing to do.” Dealing with the issue hasn’t been cheap and “it’s not going to be cheap. I don’t know if we’re ever going to get the cost down,” Mendelson adds.

Bowser has set aside $26 million for homeless programs in fiscal year 2016. Combined with the housing trust money, the city could spend more than $126 million on housing the poor and homeless.

Providing shelter is “less expensive than doing nothing. You can’t change their course without housing,” says Zeilinger. “If you don’t provide it, they will continue to suffer. You have to give people a fighting chance.”

what about existing soCial serViCes?It’s not as if the city doesn’t have an existing network it could more effec-tively use to prevent homelessness. Many at-risk families receive a variety of District social services: Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, and low-cost or no-cost health insurance. Monitoring their situa-tions more closely could help the city stay one step ahead of evictions lead-ing to homeless shelters. Moreover, in any given week hundreds of trou-bled families and individuals can be found in the DC Superior Court’s Landlord Tenant Division. In these cases the city could opt to use its own

housing subsidy program to provide vouchers to such families or individuals.

Equally important, the city’s public housing administration has embraced a mixed-income housing renovation strategy. In Ward 8’s infa-mous Barry Farm complex, for example, such plans could jeopardize the living situation of doz-en of families for whom there are no large rental apartment alternatives.

“It’s a really complicated issue. There may be more than one worthy model,” says Cunning-ham, adding that the administration intends “to collect a lot of data to determine what works.” Didn’t the Williams administration, the Fen-ty administration, and the Gray administration also collect data? Yes, admits Cunningham. Yet this time “it feels to me there is genuine commit-ment to address this issue.”

Is that a case of wishful thinking?

jonetta rose barras has reported or commented on District affairs for more than 20 years. She occasionally blogs at www.jonettarose-barras.com. u

From left, Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness Kristy Greenwalt, City Administrator Rashad Young, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Director of DC Department of Human Services Laura Zeilinger and DC Department of Housing and Community Development Director Polly Donaldson meet with members of the District’s

Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) on September 1, 2015. During the meeting, Mayor Bowser announced a set of legislative and administrative measures to improve the Districtís homelessness crisis response system for families and called on residents to sign a pledge to end homelessness. Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah, DC Government


Hard as it is to picture, a growing number of DC families live on less than $2 a day per person, and decisions by Mayor Bowser and the DC Council will help determine whether this problem gets worse over the next year – or better. Re-cent cuts in income assistance to DC’s poor families mean

that 13,000 children are in families with incomes this low, and a pending time limit in DC’s welfare-to-work program could reduce families’ incomes even further starting next year.

The District’s economy is growing but not creating equal opportuni-ties for success. Some 18,000 more DC residents were poor in 2014 than in 2007, before the last recession, with African-Americans being hardest hit. This stubbornly high poverty reflects jobs that have not fully come back since the recession, except for residents with a college degree or be-yond. This means that there is no guarantee that families who lose sup-port will be able to land a decent job.

The District has an opportunity to do better. Mayor Bowser and the DC Council will be making changes over the next year to employment services and the time limit in the city’s welfare-to-work program – TANF. Those changes will determine whether more families get the help and protections they need or, on the flip side, whether more families fall into deep poverty, with severe consequences for family stability and the abili-ty of children to develop healthfully.

the safety net for Children is getting weaKerA new book details the harmful impact of restrictive time limits on fam-ilies facing limited job opportunities. The book, “$2.00 a Day: Liv-ing on Almost Nothing in America,” found that the number of US fam-ilies with extremely low incomes doubled over the past 20 years. The authors conclude that this is what happens “when a government safe-ty net that is built on the assumption of full-time stable employment at a living wage combines with a low-wage labor market that fails to deliv-er on any of the above.”

While time limits on cash assistance have been the norm for almost 20 years, there is growing evidence that they are leaving many vulnerable families without any help. In some states fewer than one in 10 poor fami-lies gets any assistance from their state’s welfare program.

Yet the best job option for workers with limited skills often is a low-wage job with uneven hours that make planning family life and paying for necessities difficult. Many families who lose their cash assistance are there-fore not able to replace that with a job.

dC’s growing number of $2-a-day familiesIn DC the issue of time limits stems from legislation adopted in 2010 and 2011 that reduced cash assistance benefits for families who have re-ceived benefits for more than 60 months from DC’s TANF welfare pro-gram. Those benefits now equal $152 a month for a family of three – about $1.70 per day per person. Under the law, families that reach 60 months will lose all cash assistance in October 2016.

Yet little is known about why so many DC families are not succeeding in the job market, and are instead opting for such a small TANF benefit. Research from other communities suggests that families who stay on cash assistance the longest tend to have problems with mental health or phys-ical limitations, cognitive impairments, or responsibility for family mem-bers with disabilities. These barriers have been identified among DC fam-

Too Many Families in DC Live on $2 a Day. It’s Time to Do Something about Itthe numbers

by Ed Lazere


neighborhood news / the numbers

dents through increasing the minimum wage and requiring employers to give workers advance notice of their week-ly schedules. DC’s minimum wage will rise to $11.50 next year, and an initia-tive may be on the ballot to raise it fur-ther, to $15 an hour by 2020.

But it is not easy fully to address an economy that is benefitting a privileged few and leaving more behind. Many families will struggle to find work that pays enough and offers enough hours. That is why it is important to maintain a strong safety net. Fortunately the Bows-er administration has committed to im-proving employment services and mod-ifying its welfare time limit for families facing hardship.

Those are positive steps, and the details will be important. There is rea-son to believe that policymakers and DC residents will support the idea of a welfare program that helps families gain the skills needed to succeed and protects children from harm. That’s the simple formula for making sure that no one has to live on just $2 a day.

Ed Lazere is executive director of the DC Fiscal Poli-cy Institute (www.dcfpi.org). DCFPI promotes budget and policy solutions to reduce poverty and inequality in the District of Columbia and to increase the opportuni-ty for residents to build a better future. u

ilies as well, though from research that is more than 10 years old.

While little is known about the cir-cumstances of families, a lot is known about their job opportunities, which are pretty bleak.

• One of three DC adults with-out a college degree is either unemployed, working fewer hours than desired, or too dis-couraged to look for work.

• Wages for DC residents with a high school diploma fell $2 an hour in just the last seven years, from $15 to $13 an hour.

• Many residents without ad-vanced education end up in re-tail or food service jobs, which tend to be part-time with un-even hours from week to week. Half of these workers get their schedule less than a week in advance, according to a recent survey in DC. And it is not un-common to get sent home ear-ly – without pay – or to be told to be on call for work but not to be called in.

It is not surprising, then, that pov-erty remains stubbornly high despite signs of a strong economy. About 110,000 DC residents are poor, liv-ing on less than $20,000 for a family of three. In 2007, before the last reces-sion, 92,000 DC residents were poor.

KeePing families safe, giVing them the helP they needThe District has important opportuni-ties to improve the job prospects of its residents. Mayor Bowser has commit-ted to reforming the city’s job training system, and a new federal law requires the city to develop a new workforce de-velopment plan by March 2016. These efforts should focus on preparing resi-dents for jobs in DC industries that are growing, and offer entry-level jobs and career pathways for workers without advanced education, especially in hos-pitality and health services.

In addition to better education and training, the District can improve the quality of jobs for all working resi-


A few months ago I reported on ef-forts by the District government to pursue a voluntary cleanup of the site of the new DC Unit-ed Soccer Stadium on Buzzard

Point. The DC Department of Energy and En-vironment (DOEE) committed itself to carrying out an open process of analysis. In particular it pledged to accept public comments on the Of-fice of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Eco-nomic Development’s (DMPED) Cleanup Ac-tion Plan (CAP) for 90 days this fall.

On Aug. 14 the DOEE gave notice in the DC Register that it had received the CAP from DMPED. This is the part of the Voluntary Cleanup Plan (VCP) that quantifies the risk from toxic pollution and details remediation. The deadline for citizen comments was Sept. 4. Any normal person would have assumed the clock would have begun ticking on the 90-day deadline for the completion of agency review.

The citizen review and comment can be scheduled at any time during the 90-day re-view period, according to DOEE. DC Code §

8-636.01 provides:

• “(a) Prior to the approval of any application or cleanup action plan (CAP), and before the issuance of a Certificate of Comple-tion, DOEE shall provide the public with a 14-day notice to com-ment on the proposed approval or issuance. Public comments re-quired pursuant to this section shall be considered by DOEE in acting upon an application, cleanup action plan (CAP), or the is-suance of a Certificate of Completion.”

• “(b) The notice issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be published in the District of Columbia Register, and shall be mailed to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission in the neigh-borhood where the concerned property is located. The notice may also be published in a newspaper of general circulation.”

The statute does not define what “mailed” means. However, under the act establishing Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (DC Code § 1-309.10(b)–(c)), notice of “proposed District government actions” gen-erally must be in the form of first-class mail. Approval of a CAP is not such an action for the purposes of that law. However, since first-class mail is how ANCs are generally notified by the District, arguably they are entitled to the notice by first-class mail.

It is DOEE policy to provide 21 days of public notice, stated an agen-cy representative. On Aug. 3, DOEE received the CAP from DMPED. DOEE sent all ANC 6D Commissioners a Dropbox link to the document

on Aug. 4. Andy Litsky requested a physical version. The agency provided him with three CDs on Aug. 5. The CAP was not sent via the US Postal Service.

“So, the ANC and one private citizen actu-ally had 30 days to review, not the 14 days re-quired by law,” pointed out a DOEE represen-tative in an email.

dissing the PubliCJoe and Jane Public had to remember to read the August DC Register and submit their comments on the CAP from the beach before Labor Day. DOEE provided no version of the CAP on its website. Residents were required to contact the department and request a copy. DMPED sched-uled no meetings to explain its plan.

Tight timing of the comment period made any meaningful review of the CAP by ANC 6D impossible, since the commission does not hold an August meeting. Commissioners Andy Litsky and Ronda Hamilton submitted individ-ual comments, since there was no opportunity for ANC 6D to vote on a collective position. So much for “great weight.”

After some protest on the part of community residents and environmentalists, a meeting was held on Sept. 21. What had happened? Here is one theory.

DC United, which bears the construc-tion cost of the new stadium, apparently had a change of plans. Rather than take delivery of the stadium in early 2018, some exposition games were scheduled for December 2017. The new plans required cutting a few months out of the proposed construction schedule. To adhere to DC United’s wishes, a decision was made some-where in the Wilson Building to move up the CAP approval to Sept. 30. The public comment period was shortened from 90 to 21 days to ac-commodate this date. Asked whether this theo-ry was correct, officials in DOEE and DMPED remained silent.

an absenCe of CruCial detailIf DOEE’s rush to approval was not bad enough, DMPED’s CAP itself was a complete disappointment. In my opinion it fell well short of activist and citizen expectations in the man-ner in which it dealt with the issues of toxic con-tamination resulting from the long history of in-dustrial activity on Buzzard Point, particularly on the parcels located between R, T, 2nd, and Half streets SW. Moreover DMPED’s CAP con-tained no details on identifying and removing

An Environment Foul at the Soccer Stadium?

our river: the anacostia by Bill Matuszeski


neighborhood news / our river

toxic chemicals in the deep groundwater from the area that includes the site and the land between it and the Anacostia River, 500 feet to the east.

According to the District, there were three reasons for the CAP’s lack of detail. First, the con-struction will not actually reach the deep ground-water, which lies about 20 feet down. The exca-vation will go down seven feet. There is also a layer of clay underneath the land below that depth that will prevent the contaminated water perched above from entering the deep groundwater. Sec-ond, regulations governing a VCP do not require the builder to “chase the contamination off the site,” but merely to defi ne its extent and reme-diate the contaminated soil and perched water at the venue in question. Third, the city plans to dig deep monitoring wells to ensure that the clay layer is not penetrated, which would contaminate the deep ground water.

DOEE’s rush to approve the CAP has compli-cated matters. The CAP proposes to remove an existing toxic surface pond on the site as well as any contaminated soils and perched water. Other groundwater, initially identifi ed in the VCP appli-cation and reported during DC Council hearings as “contaminated,” is now said to be “perched water,” intermittently present over the clay lay-er. While water above the clay will be removed, deep groundwater below the clay layer will be left in place untreated. The submitted CAP called for removal and replacement of 10 feet of soil over the entire site, but DMPED has since revised. Now, about 200 borings will be done on site. The high-ly contaminated soils will be removed, and those less contaminated will be treated in situ. This is a

much more complicated process subject to great risker, in my opinion.

unexPeCted good newsThere is some unexpected good news about the contaminated groundwater on Buzzard Point. Construction is about to begin nearby on the replacement South Capitol Street Bridge. Ac-cording to DOEE Director Tommy Wells, this will require the removal and treatment of deep groundwater throughout the area.

Other issues remain. Air-quality monitoring must be carried out during the six to eight months required to sort and remove the toxic soils.

In sum, the city’s rush to judgment on the VCP signifi cantly undermined public confi dence in what should have been a straightforward envi-ronmental win for its residents. Why the self-in-fl icted wound? The public’s confi dence in the DOEE’s process will be diffi cult to regain. “The rush is pushing the people aside, and I cannot take back confi dence to my community,” states Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Rhonda Hamilton (6D06).

In my opinion, a judicial review of the city’s process to date would bring the entire project to a screaming halt. If this is Mayor Muriel Bowser’s “New Era of Government Accountability,” I fear for the health of Our River.

Bill Matuszeski writes monthly about the Anacostia River. He is the retired director of the Chesapeake Bay Program, DC vice-chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Anacostia River, and a member of the Mayor’s Leadership Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River. u

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Where do small business-es and budding entrepre-neurs go when commercial banks find their propos-als too risky? They go to

the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, referred to more commonly by its acro-nym, WACIF. For over 25 years WACIF, a non-profit 501(c)(3), has provided business coun-selling and capital to hundreds of small local businesses, which in turn have created hun-dreds of jobs and reinvested millions of dollars in local communities.

What Is WaCIF?WACIF works closely with the US Treasury Department as a CDFI, or community development financial institution, and also maintains a part-nership with the US Small Business Administration (SBA). In DC, WACIF works closely with the Department of Housing and Community Develop-ment (DHCD) and the Department of Small and Local Business Develop-ment (DSLBD). “The Washington Area Community Investment Fund has been a steadfast partner of the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD),” says Ana Harvey, director of DSLBD. “WACIF has been instrumental in our efforts to make capital more accessible to DC small businesses and improve their financial literacy.”

The organization applies for and receives grants from federal and state agencies to sustain operations, provide programming, and lend money. In

addition it receives funding and support from banks and private investors.

Tim Flanagan, WACIF’s executive director, and his staff prepare a roadmap to help small businesses that do not fit traditional bank loan underwriting models. Flanagan explains that “at the end of the day we are part of the spectrum. We are filling a niche, and most banks in DC have an active relationship with WACIF and are very generous with their time and resources.” These banks include large national corporations like Capital One and PNC Bank as well as smaller lo-cal institutions such as Industrial Bank and City

Washington Area CommunityInvestment Fund Invests in DCby Phil Hutinet

Tim Flanagan, WACIF’s executive director. Photo: WACIF


neighborhood news

One Bank. “The local community banks in par-ticular,” adds Flanagan, “are committed to seeing community development thrive.”

However, long before qualifying for a tradi-tional bank loan WACIF gives its clients a track record. Unlike a mortgage, which uses proper-ty as collateral, most business loans have little or no collateral for a lender to recoup in the event of default. Smaller businesses therefore of-ten borrow using credit cards or “hard money,” a term describing high-interest private loans. CDFIs like WACIF provide a much needed al-ternative.

Flanagan recalls a client who was paying 28 percent on their line of credit. “Our 10 per-cent line of credit was a huge savings for their business. It allowed them to protect margins, give them breathing room, and pay down other debt. When a small business’s financial health improves they are more likely to hire and to re-invest into the community.”

WACIF may lend up to $300,000, but the average loan is about $80,000. Every year it closes 20-30 loans, and historically fewer than 4 percent of them have defaulted, beating indus-try-proven standards.

In the past five years WACIF has increased the size of its loan portfolio from $1.3 million to $3.2 million, doubling the size in the last three years alone. “This shows demand for these

types of loans,” concludes Flanagan. In addi-tion the interest derived from the augmented loan portfolio will help sustain WACIF’s op-erations. Dawn Leary, a WACIF board mem-ber since 2007, explains that “under Tim Fla-nagan’s leadership, WACIF has expanded its loan portfolio which has made WACIF less de-pendent on grant funding sources, allowing the organization to grow even if certain grants get slashed from government budgets.”

GoInG the extra YardLoans are only part of WACIF’s mission. The organization also provides technical expertise, advice, and education. Jeremy Cullimore, direc-tor of communications and outreach at WACIF, provides startups and existing businesses with “Small Business Technical Assistance Program” workshops. On average WACIF runs two work-shops per month. Classes are held in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 at public libraries and community centers. Topics include basic coursework such as “How to Write to a Business Plan” or “Tax-es & Insurance.”

Another important workshop is “SWOT” (Strength Weaknesses, Opportunity, Training), presenting a methodology that forces business owners to take time out once a year to under-stand threats to their business, examine their business environment, and analyze where they are financially. In another workshop, “Legal Formation,” hosted by the DC Bar, a business owner might ponder whether to become an LLC, for example.

Once a month WACIF hosts “Small Busi-ness Loan Days,” a counseling and technical as-sistance hybrid where prospects can ask bank-ers about small business financing. WACIF also offers one-on-one business counseling

PeoPle are talkInG about WaCIF’s suCCessAt-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman, who recently attended a crowded WACIF workshop on access to credit, remarks: “Some of those in the room had great ideas but little business experience, or student loans and oth-er debt that weighed down their credit score. WACIF makes these aspiring entrepreneurs into growing businesses that generate revenue and jobs for our city by making credit and techni-cal assistance available to those considered too ‘risky’ for traditional lenders but who deserve an opportunity to succeed. And the return on investment has a multiplier effect. Just look at the new energy in commercial corridors such

as Rhode Island Avenue NE!”One such entrepreneur is Kendra Blackett-Dibinga, a Ward 7 resident,

who has been with WACIF for two years. She first approached WACIF with a dream to open up her own Bikram Yoga studio. “Initially I didn’t have my finances in order,” admits Blackett-Dibinga, “and they told me what I had to get done. They helped me ‘right-size’ my expectations advised me about my financials and prepared me for bank financing.” WACIF lent Blackett-Dibinga $70,000 to open her first studio in Riverdale Park, Md. Her enter-prise has been so successful that Blackett-Dibinga is getting ready to open her second Bikram studio in Ivy City, in Northeast DC, just a year later.

Hanif Aljami, owner of New World Development Group, a commercial general contractor located in Ward 7, approached WACIF for assistance at the onset of the recession. As the economy improved, Aljami’s compa-ny was awarded a $1.3 million drywall contract by American University. In construction, contractor payments are generally done in draws which come at the end of stated deliverable periods. Draws create cash-flow prob-lems for small outfits like New World Development. A loan from WACIF allowed Aljami to meet payroll and keep the project on track. WACIF also assisted Aljami during a rough patch during which a large contract did not pay on time. “[WACIF] allowed us to pay just the loan interest until we were repaid. It’s amazing how much they help small businesses in the District,” recalls Aljami.

Community Forklift, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this No-vember, illustrates all the facets of WACIF’s capabilities and the impact that community reinvestment can have not only on the local economy but on the environment. It was founded by the Sustainable Community Ini-tiative (SCI), established as a 501(c)(3). Based in Capitol Hill, SCI seeks to recycle waste and create jobs to provide concrete examples to support environmental advocacy. “When we talk about zero waste, Maryland’s cli-mate action plan, green jobs, or sustainability, SCI can now talk about Community Forklift as an example. When groups talk about job losses due to a closure of an incinerator or a coal mine, SCI can provide proof about creating green jobs to replace them,” says Ruthie Mundell, director of outreach and education at Community Forklift. With WACIF’s help, SCI formed Community Forklift as a for-profit LLC, and provided busi-ness advice and debt consolidation to offset crippling credit card rates. Community Forklift now employs 45 people and keeps thousands of met-ric tons out of area landfills annually by diverting construction waste to a retail warehouse for resale to the public. “WACIF has gone above and be-yond the financial contribution,” explains Mundell. “They have been an emotional support for us. They have held our hand every step of the way.”

Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen has seen the work of WACIF in the community. “WACIF is an important resource for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the District that are looking to grow,” he remarks. It is “helping them access much-needed capital and providing technical fi-nancial assistance. Our small businesses are crucial to building strong neigh-borhoods. WACIF’s support for District entrepreneurs and organizations helps them grow, create jobs, and invest in our communities.”

Tim Flanagan will be leaving the organization sometime in early 2016 as soon as he helps transition a yet-to-be named successor. Board member Dawn Leary explains that “we’re building on a legacy that was started un-der Tim’s Leadership. We are looking for someone to continue Tim’s work.”

For more information about WACIF or to attend a workshop visit www.wacif.org.

Phil Hutinet is the publisher of East City Art, dedicated to DC’s visual arts. For more information visit www.eastcityart.com. u


Peace Fellowship Church, in Ward 7’s Deanwood neighborhood, has a “geographically specific mission,” a new commitment to realize it more fully, and doors open to all who want

to join them. “Peace,” as regulars call it, was founded in 2001 “to develop disciples of Jesus Christ east of the river who love God and love their neighbors.” Originally meeting in members’ homes and other temporary locations, the con-gregation moved to Hunt Place NE five years ago. Peace now barely fits in this space. Under the rel-atively new leadership of Rev. James Ellis III, the church is considering a move to somewhere larg-er as part of an initiative to better meet its mission.

hIstorY and MIssIonPeace Fellowship Church is nondenominational. It was founded by Rev. Dennis R. Edwards, then living in Deanwood, along with several others from a local Mennonite congregation. Peace remains a “Partner in Mission” of Mennonite Church USA, one of three “historic peace churches” (together with Brethren and Friends/Quakers).

That historic association is still present, says Rev. Ellis. The peace testimony means there is no flag on the premises, for example. And the church does tend to attract those from Mennonite colleg-es and peace church traditions. But the congre-

gation encompasses people from many backgrounds. A long-time member notes that some originally joined because “we had

a relationship, through study, with Dennis.” A newer repeat visitor is drawn to a number of communities: “I don’t believe the Spirit, the Love, is any one place.” Participation “ebbs and flows,” says one five-year member. “DC is a transient town, with many young people here for a season.”

“Peace includes people from many different denominations and ways of doing church,” Rev. Ellis explains, noting the range of educational back-grounds and different neighborhoods, in and beyond the city, represented. But the original east-of-the-river-focused mission remains.

WelCoMe Welcome at Peace began at the door and extended throughout worship and fellowship afterward. I was offered the standard “here’s a program” and “there’s the bathroom” at the door, as well as a formal introduction oppor-tunity during the service. There was a thorough visitor’s card suggesting many avenues for connection. I was also approached, once seated, by a num-ber of participants who took time to introduce themselves to a newcomer.

Elder Dakota Pippins invited participation in newly forming weekly

groups: youth and adult Bible study, pre-service prayer, and men’s, women’s, and co-ed gather-ings. “Small groups create context for the lows and highs in life,” she told the congregation. “As you struggle, having that group helps you navigate.”

After-service fellowship included a full meal (vegetarian choices; limited vegan options). Con-versational clumping showed the usual self-segre-gation of young families in one area and unencum-bered adults in another. With the congregational meeting to follow, lunch was somewhat rushed; more leisurely lunches perhaps include broader mixing, but no one was left alone for long.

Electronic engagement is also an option. Ser-mons are posted online, for example, with com-ments encouraged.

WorshIPCongregant Brett Theodos offered the call to worship: a brief scripture lesson with a remind-er to “worship God not ourselves,” followed by singing of “I give You All My Worship.”

A small ensemble of voices and instruments led musical ministry. (The music director, we were told, had been called away on a family emergency.) Large-type lyrics projected at the front of the sanc-tuary were especially helpful to newcomers. Partic-ipation felt encouraged, not forced, and the music was uplifting without overwhelming the congrega-

Peace Fellowship Church moving toward new neighborhood commitments

article by Virginia Avniel Spatz / photos by Fellowship Church

Peace Fellowship Church at the beach.

I visited Peace Fellowship Church on Sept. 13, for the first in a series exploring

worship communities east of the river from the perspective of a participant-observer,

a roving Jew in the pew...


neighborhood news

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Location AddressRiver Terrace Rec Center & Elemantary School 420 34th St , NECVS - East River Park 320 40th St , NESafeway – NE 322 40th St , NE6th District Police Dept - Main 100 42nd St , NEWard Memorial AME 240 42nd St NE Kennilworth Elementary School 1300 44th ST NEUnity East of the River Health Center 123 45th ST NE First Baptist Church of Deanwood 1008 45th St NEDeanwood Public Library 1350 49th ST NEHughes Memorial United Methodist 25 53rd St NECapitol Gateway Senior Apts 201 58th St , NEMarvin Gaye Rec Center 6201 Banks Pl NEWatts Branch Recreation Center 6201 Banks St , NELangston Community Library 2600 Benning Rd , NEAnacostia Neighborhood Library 1800 Good Hope Road SEBenning Branch Library 3935 Benning Rd NEMarshall Heights CDC 3939 Benning Rd , NEKelly Miller Recreation Center 4900 Brooks St , NETabernacle baptist Church 719 Division Ave NERandall Memorial Baptist Church 4417 Douglas St NEEast Capital Church of christ 5026 E Capitol St NESeat Pleasant CARE Pharmacy 350 Eastern Ave , NE7-Eleven 950 Eastern AVE NERiverside Center 5200 Foote St , NEMayfair Mansions 3744 ½ Hayes St NECitibank: East River Park 3917 Minnesota Ave , NEChartered Health Center NE 3924 Minnesota Ave , NEVending Machines – Deanwood Metro 4720 Minnesota Ave , NEThe Minnicks Market 4401 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NELederer Gardens 4800 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NESuburban Market 4600 Sherriff Rd NEPilgrim Rest Baptist Church 4601 Sheriff Road NEDave Brown Liquors 4721 Sheriff Road Northeast Dave Brown Liquor 4721 Sherriff Rd NEA & S Grocery 4748 Sheriff Rd NESt Rose Pentecostal Church 4816 Sherriff Rd NEMalcolm X Rec Center 3200 13th st SESt More Catholic Church 4275 4th St SE Fort Davis Recreation Center 1400 41st St , SEFerebee Hope Recreation Center 3999 8th St , SEEmanuel Baptist Church 2409 Ainger Place SEIHOP Restauarant 1523 Alabama Ave, SEGiant Food Store 1535 Alabama Ave , SESunTrust Bank 1571 Alabama Ave , SEParklands-Turner Community Library 1547 Alabama Ave , SEManor Village Apartments Leasing Office 1717 Alabama Ave , SEGarfield Elementary 2435 Alabama Ave

7th District Station 2455 Alabama Ave , SE6th District Police Dept - Satellite Station 2839 Alabama Ave , SEService Cleaners 2841 Alabama Ave , SESafeway – SE 2845 Alabama Ave SEPizza Hut 2859 Alabama Ave , SEAmerica’s Best Wings 2863 Alabama Ave , SEM&T Bank 2865 Alabama Ave , SEWashington Senior Wellness Center 3001 Alabama Ave , SESt Timothys Episcopal Church 3601 Alabama Ave SEFrancis A Gregory Neighborhood Library 3660 Alabama Ave , SENational Capital Parks--EAST 1900 Anacostia Dr , SEKid smiles 4837 Benning Road SEPimento Grill 4405 Bowen Rd SEEast Washington Heights Baptist Church 2220 Branch Ave ,SESt Johns Baptist Church 5228 Call Place SECapitol View Branch Library 5001 Central Ave , SEMarie Winston Elementary School 3100 Denver St , SESubway 4525 East Capitol StOur Lady Queen of Peace Church 3800 Ely Pl , SEAnacostia Museum for African Amer History 1901 Fort Pl SE - Back DoorSmithsonian Anacostia Marcia Burris 1901 Fort Place SE - Back DoorDC Center for Therapeutic Recreation 3030 G ST SEARCH 1227 Good Hope Rd , SEAnacostia Pizzeria 1243 Good Hope Rd , SESunTrust Bank 1340 Good Hope Rd , SEUnity Health Care Inc 1638 Good Hope Rd , SEBread for the City 1640 Good Hope Rd , SEMarbury Plaza Tenants Assoc 2300 Good Hope Rd , SEDollar Plus Supermarket 1453 Howard Rd , SEAscensions Psychological and Community Services 1526 Howard Rd SEDupont Park SDA Church 3985 Massachusettes Ave SEOrr Elementary School 2200 Minnesota Ave SEHart Recreation Center 601 Mississippi Ave , SESoutheast Tennis and Learning Center 701 Mississippi Ave , SEThe ARC 1901 Mississippi Ave , SENeighborhood Pharmacy 1932 Martin Luther King Jr , SEPNC Bank 2000 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SEBank of America 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SEC Aidan Salon 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SEBig Chair Coffee 2122 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SEAnimal Clinic of Anacostia 2210 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SEMax Robinson Center of Whitman-Walker Clinic 2301 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SEThe United Black Fund 2500 Martin Luther King Ave SEThe Pizza Place 2910 Martin Luther King Ave SEMetropol Educational Services, 3rd Floor 3029 Marin Luther King Jr Ave , SENational Children’s Center - Southeast Campus 3400 Martin Luther King Jr , SEAssumption Catholic Church 3401 Martin Luther King Ave SECongress Heights Senior Wellness Center 3500 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SECongress Heights Health Center 3720 Martin Luther King Jr Ave , SECVS - Skyland 2646 Naylor Rd , SEHarris Teeter 1350 Pennsylvania Ave SEThai Orchid Kitchen 2314 Pennsylvania Ave SESt Francis Xavier Church 2800 Pennsylvania Ave SE

Pennsylvania Ave Baptist Church 3000 Pennsylvania Ave SECVS – Penn Branch 3240 Pennsylvania Ave , SECongress Heights Recreation Center 100 Randle Pl , SEJohnson Memorial Baptist Church 800 Ridge Rd SERidge Recreation Center 800 Ridge Rd , SESavoy Recreation Center 2440 Shannon Pl SEPNC Bank 4100 South Capitol St , SERite Aid 4635 South Capitol St , SEUnited Medical Center 1310 Southern Ave , SEBenning Park Community Center 5100 Southern Ave SEBenning Stoddert Recreation Center 100 Stoddert Pl , SEUnion Temple Baptist Church 1225 W ST SESenior Living at Wayne Place 114 Wayne Place SEWilliam O Lockridge/Bellevue 115 Atlantic St , SWBald Eagle At Fort Greble 100 Joliet St SWCovenant Baptist Church 3845 South Capitol StFaith Presbyterian Church 4161 South Capitol St SWHenson Ridge Town Homes Office 1804 Stanton Terrace, SEThe Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NWCCN office 224 7th ST SE Eastern Market 225 7th St SEYMCA Capitol View 2118 Ridgecrest Court SECW Harris Elementary School 301 53rd Street, SEDC Child & Family Services Agency 200 I Street SE


tional contribution. After opening worship through song, children joined Sunday school.

Sept. 13 launched a new order of worship, with the pastor’s words (see below) earlier in the ser-vice, an attempt to reduce “focus on the sermon as the big bang.”

Prayer requests and praises – most brief, a few meandering – focused primarily on personal and family well-being, a few communal concerns, no national or global issues. Each was shared via pro-jector, fully serving only the keen-sighted in the fi rst few pews, but encouraging all to pray for congre-gational concerns. A vibrant mix of silent and vo-cal prayer was followed by a second set of worship through song, benediction, and passing of the peace.

oPen struGGles“Reaching Ward 7, and Deanwood in particular,” remains a challenge for Peace, Rev. Ellis told me before the service. “Our mission is very specifi c, oriented to east of the river. At the same time, we don’t want anyone to feel unwelcome, if you don’t

live east of the river or know much about it. This is an open struggle.”

The sermon “From Crying to New Commit-ments” declared: “There’s no way to make disci-ples among a highly specifi c geographic region, if our congregation has little to no sustained pres-ence where we want to make disciples.”

In the Hebrew scriptures, Judges 2:1-5, God chastises the Israelites for not fulfi lling their cov-enant. In response the people cry out, so that the place is named “Crying.” Pastor Ellis summarized Peace’s previous eff orts, “in fi ts and starts,” to meet its mission, calling it “a promise to God that we’ve struggled to honor in recent history.” This “very explicit mission,” he argued, requires the church to “commit to being on the ground east of the river ... letting our light shine, as well as letting the light of God present in others shine on us ... Real-life in-teraction with real people who need a real God.” He concluded: “Crying does not always lead to new commitments ... But whatever tears our mod-est congregation has shed, I hope that they lead to – for us – new commitments.”

The congregational meeting focused on “be-ing collectively present in Deanwood.” One strat-egy will be enjoying H.D. Woodson football games “as a means of practicing incarnational ministry.” Possibly “adopting” Woodson was discussed, with additional plans to develop “as more doors in the community open through relationships.”

Everyone is welcome to visit or join Peace Fel-lowship Church, and Peace looks forward to en-gaging more with its nearest neighbors.

Peace Fellowship Church, 4339 Hunt Place NE. 202-525-6930. peace-dc.org.

Sunday service begins at 10 a.m. Fellowship follows. Dress is casual: men, including pastor, wore no coat or tie; a few women wore dresses, many slacks, few hats.

Virginia Avniel Spatz participates in a range of Jewish and other worship communities. She participated in Hartford (Ct.) Seminary’s “Building Abrahamic Partnerships” program and has worked on a number of interfaith and interdenominational projects. She blogs on faith topics at songeveryday.org. u

Peace Fellowship Church, worship through song, Sunday, Sept. 13.

Pastor James Ellis III, with

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

ChAnging hAnds

live east of the river or know much about it. This is an open struggle.”

The sermon “From Crying to New Commit-ments” declared: “There’s no way to make disci-ples among a highly specific geographic region, if our congregation has little to no sustained pres-ence where we want to make disciples.”

In the Hebrew scriptures, Judges 2:1-5, God chastises the Israelites for not fulfilling their cov-enant. In response the people cry out, so that the place is named “Crying.” Pastor Ellis summarized Peace’s previous efforts, “in fits and starts,” to meet its mission, calling it “a promise to God that we’ve struggled to honor in recent history.” This “very explicit mission,” he argued, requires the church to “commit to being on the ground east of the river ... letting our light shine, as well as letting the light of God present in others shine on us ... Real-life in-teraction with real people who need a real God.” He concluded: “Crying does not always lead to new commitments ... But whatever tears our mod-est congregation has shed, I hope that they lead to – for us – new commitments.”

The congregational meeting focused on “be-ing collectively present in Deanwood.” One strat-egy will be enjoying H.D. Woodson football games “as a means of practicing incarnational ministry.” Possibly “adopting” Woodson was discussed, with additional plans to develop “as more doors in the community open through relationships.”

Everyone is welcome to visit or join Peace Fel-lowship Church, and Peace looks forward to en-gaging more with its nearest neighbors.

Peace Fellowship Church, 4339 Hunt Place NE. 202-525-6930. peace-dc.org.

Sunday service begins at 10 a.m. Fellowship follows. Dress is casual: men, including pastor, wore no coat or tie; a few women wore dresses, many slacks, few hats.

Virginia Avniel Spatz participates in a range of Jewish and other worship communities. She participated in Hartford (Ct.) Seminary’s “Building Abrahamic Partnerships” program and has worked on a number of interfaith and interdenominational projects. She blogs on faith topics at songeveryday.org. u

Peace Fellowship Church, worship through song, Sunday, Sept. 13.

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THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY (“DCHA”) solicits proposals from qualified on-site solar electric power (“photovoltaic” or “PV”) project developers (“Offeror(s)”) interested in the development of solar power generation systems (“solar power” or “Systems”) at multiple locations

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through Friday, beginning Monday, October 5, 2015, after 4:00 p.m.

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Please contact Kimberly Allen, Procurement Manager at 202-535-1212 or [email protected] for additional information..

East of the River Magazine May 2015 | 49

notebookby Kathleen Donner

Youth art studIo oPens In anaCostIa

Project Create, an organization that provides accessible arts educa-tion to promote positive development in children, youth and fami-lies, debuted its new Anacostia art studio, 2028 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE, on July 17. The studio features a state-of-the-art projec-tion and sound system, gallery walls and lighting, and fl exible visu-al and media art workshop space. Studio classes are compliment-ed by open studio time, family art workshops, student exhibitions and performances, and arts enrichment fi eld trips. Register for class-es at projectcreatedc.org. All classes are free to the general public.

Photos: Courtesy of Project Create


Kids & FAMiLY / noTebooK

notebookby Kathleen Donner

Youth art studIo oPens In anaCostIa

Project Create, an organization that provides accessible arts educa-tion to promote positive development in children, youth and fami-lies, debuted its new Anacostia art studio, 2028 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE, on July 17. The studio features a state-of-the-art projec-tion and sound system, gallery walls and lighting, and flexible visu-al and media art workshop space. Studio classes are compliment-ed by open studio time, family art workshops, student exhibitions and performances, and arts enrichment field trips. Register for class-es at projectcreatedc.org. All classes are free to the general public.

thinking skills in a safe, fun and compet-itive environment. Children’s librarian Mr. Lawrence will be in charge of in-struction and coordination. Bellevue Library, 115 Atlantic St. SW. 202-243-1185. dclibrary.org/bellevue

kellY MIller hosts Youth PoetrY slaMs Do The Write Thing of DC (DTWT) is sponsoring a series of Youth Open Mic Poetry Slams at DC Housing Au-thority sites primarily in Wards 7 and 8. The theme for the events is Black Lives Matter. The slams will be co-hosted by Kelly Miller Middle School students that are participating in a poetry club established at their school by DTWT and Eric Powell, an alumnus of the DC

FrederICk douGlass house FaMIlY Fun daYOn Sunday, Oct. 18, noon to 4 p.m., bring your family for a fun day of free activities, including house tours and liv-ing history programs. Frederick Doug-lass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE. 202-426-5961. nps.gov/frdo

WednesdaY Chess and CheCkers ClubWednesdays at 4 p.m., students are in-vited to learn to play chess and check-ers. Lessons and play will continue into the evening for all who are interested. All ages and levels are encouraged to join the fun. There will be prizes for chil-dren who participate. Chess and check-ers help students to develop their critical


Youth Poetry Slam Team.Residents will have an opportunity to take

the stage and share their poems, raps and songs dealing with the murders of black youth and men by police offi cers. Featured performers will in-clude current members of the DC Youth Poetry Slam Team, who wrote poems/songs and pro-duced music videos about Black Lives Matter. Open mic poetry slams are noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, Lincoln Heights, 400 50th St. NE; Saturday, Nov. 21, Highland Dwellings, 914 Waller Pl. SE; and Saturday, Dec. 12, Barry Farm, 1230 Sumner Rd. SE. For more information, call 202-518-1084.

tICkets For the nutCraCker at thearC avaIlable noWThis celebrated production has become DC’s perennial holiday favorite. Set in historic George-town with historical fi gures and whimsical touch-es. This sumptuous production showcases the grandeur of The Washington Ballet’s interna-tional roster of dancers and majestic Tchai-kovsky score. Replete with swirling snowfl akes, cherry blossoms and historic characters includ-ing George Washington as the Nutcracker and King George III as the menacing Rat King! Start a new holiday tradition with your loved ones. Per-formances are Saturday Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29: 1 and 5:30 p.m. each day. $30-$50. Get tick-ets at thearcdc.org.

neW MoM suPPort GrouP at thearCThis group is for pregnant women and new mothers, who want to learn new ways to cope with stress, enjoy their babies more and meet oth-er moms. Refreshment and child care provided. Group meets every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

CIvIl War treasure huntOn Sundays, Oct. 18 and Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to noon, families get a personal docent-led tour of the ex-hibition How the Civil War Changed Washing-ton and participate in a self-guided treasure hunt activity. Kids receive a free museum token for fi n-ishing the hunt. Each Tours to Treasure program lasts approximately 90 minutes; recommended for families and children (6 years and up). Call 202-633-4844 to register. Anacostia Communi-ty Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

GIrls ultIMate FrIsbee ClInICsLearn to play Ultimate Frisbee. Girls Ultimate Clinics are on Sundays, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15; 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at West Potomac Park Polo Fields (West Basin Drive SW). To register, email Laura at [email protected]. These Girls Ultimate Movement clinics are free and open to girls in grades 5 to 8. No experience nec-

essary. Each two-hour clinic will introduce the basic skills and concepts of Ultimate Frisbee, one of the fastest-growing team sports in the country. Attend one clinic or all three. Clinics are led by experienced players from the DC area.

aFter sChool volunteers souGhtHigher Achievement is accepting new academic mentors to volunteer one night a week from 6 to 8 p.m. at one of their eight locations throughout the area. For more information, or to apply on-line, visit higherachievement.org/volunteer.

WashInGton InternatIonal horse shoW kIds’ daYOn Sat., Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, kids can participate in more than a dozen hands-on educational and fun activities, including pony rides, the Animal Planet Horseless Horse Show, horseshoe painting, face painting, pony brushing lessons, plus giveaways from Paisley Pony mag-azine and Georgetown Cupcake. Klinger, the fa-mous US Army Caisson Platoon horse, attends as

a special guest to greet the children. And there’s even a pony kissing booth with Mosley, the mini pony. Kids’ Day is a free event held both inside Verizon Center and outside the arena on a city street closed for the occasion. wihs.org

boo at the ZooOn Oct. 23, 24, and 25, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., come for Washington DC’s fa-vorite not-so-spooky Halloween haunt, Boo at the Zoo. With more than 40 treat stations, animal demonstrations, keeper chats, and decorated trails, this frightfully fun evening is a treat for the whole family. New this year will be an entertainment stage with a DJ spinning Halloween favorites, musicians, and jugglers. Also, don’t miss a themed hay maze and scarecrow fi eld. $30. All guests two and older, adults included, must have a ticket. Reserve tick-ets at nationalzoo.si.edu.

GIrl sCout broWnIe daYOn Saturdays, Oct. 24, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to noon; and Jan. 9, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., discover how objects help you learn about your fam-ily story. Tour the DAR Museum’s Period Rooms. Interact with objects from the Museum’s collection. Make a memory box and family tree. Share stories about your family with other Brownies. $10 per child (includes badge and supplies). DAR Museu, 1776 D St. NW. 202-628-1776. dar.org

An adult chaperone must be present with children at all times. Siblings welcome, but a gentle reminder the program is for Brownie participants. If a parent wants a younger sibling to participate in art activities, they ask that you

“saturdaY MornInG at the natIonal”

On Saturdays at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. there are free live performances for children in the National Theatre Helen Hayes Gallery. Tickets are distributed fi rst-come basis half hour prior to performances. One ticket per person in line. The National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. 202-783-3372. Here’s the remaining fall line-up: Oct. 17, Rocknoceros; Oct. 24, Rainbow Puppets: The Really Big Dinosaur Show; Oct. 31, Sleepy Hollow; Nov. 7, Single Carrot; Nov. 14, Barynya; Nov. 21, Tales as Tall as the Sky; Dec. 5, Virginia Ballet Company & School, The Nut-

cracker Selections; Dec. 12, Dickens’s Tale. Read more at thenationaldc.org.

Rocknoceros, rocks the National Theatre with two free shows on Oct. 17. Photo: Nicole Wolf


Kids & FAMiLY / noTebooK

register the sibling. Non-Girl Scouts may register for this program, but they are unable to receive the Girl Scout badge.

Free kIds’ MovIes“The Amazing Wiplala” (ages 10, up), Satur-days, Oct. 24 and Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. in the East Building Auditorium. Nine-year-old Jo-hannes needs a friend. After the recent death of his mother, Johannes struggles to connect with his busy father and older sister. Then one night, the little boy discovers Wiplala, a tiny man with magical powers who lives in the kitchen cup-board. Johannes is thrilled--until one of Wipa-la’s spells accidentally shrinks Johannes and his family down to four inches in height! Wracked by self-doubt, the well-intentioned Wiplala must fig-ure out a way to return everyone to normal. But first, he must learn that there is no greater power than belief in oneself.

“Finn” (ages 10, up), Sundays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 8 at 11:30 a.m. in the East Building Audito-rium. Still mourning the death of his mother, gen-tle nine-year-old Finn also has to struggle with his father’s insistence that he be like all the other boys and play soccer, despite the fact that he has no interest in the sport. When Finn meets a mys-terious old man at an abandoned farm and hears him play the violin, he is entranced by the beau-ty of the music. Determined to learn how to play the instrument, he sneaks away for lessons while his father believes he’s at soccer practice. Find-ing comfort and strength in his music, and the vi-sions of his mother that it evokes, Finn seems to have found his calling—but will his father ever accept his newfound passion?

ChIldren hunt batsOn Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., come as a bat, come as a plant pollinated by a bat, or sim-ply learn about bats. There will be bat-related ac-tivities throughout the Conservatory. Come and learn why bats matter! Free, no registration re-quired. US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. usbg.gov

nso FaMIlY ConCert “a sleePY holloW”All Hallows’ Eve has arrived for Ichabod Crane as Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke leads all the ghoulishly attired orchestra members in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, his riveting re-imagining of Washington Irving’s classic ghost story. For age 5, up. Come early for trick-or-treat-ing and a special Haunted Hall Musical Instru-ment “Petting Zoo,” a project of the Women’s Committee for the NSO. Immediately following the 4 p.m. performance, meet concert artists for a free Kids’ Chat. Concerts are on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2 and 4 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are from $15. kennedy-center.org

halloWeen FaMIlY daYGhosts and goblins and witches, oh my! On Sat., Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., get in the Hal-

loween spirit with spooky craft activities, scav-enger hunts, and live music and performances. Whether in new costume or an old favorite, all are welcome to arrive wearing their Halloween best. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. americanart.si.edu

los día de los Muertos: daY oF the deadThe migration of the monarch butterflies home to Mexico is believed by many communities to be the spirits of their ancestors returning and marks the start of the Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. On Sat., Oct. 31 and Sun., Nov. 1, join the museum in its annual Día de los Muertos pro-gram. This colorful celebration of life includes food demonstrations by the museum’s Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe and a cultural presentation of La Danza de los Tecuanes (Dance of the Jaguars and Dance of the Old Men). Learn how to cre-ate papel picado butterflies, marigolds and sug-ar skulls. nmai.si.edu

Mount vernon’s Fall har-vest FaMIlY daYsOn Oct. 24 and 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mount Ver-non celebrates the autumn season with Fall Har-vest Family Days. The entire family enjoys au-tumn activities including wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, 18th Century dancing demonstrations, a straw bale maze, far-rier demonstrations, apple-roasting, corn husk dolls demonstrations and early-American games and music. Potomac River sightseeing cruises are half-price this weekend only. mountvernon.org

rodGers & haMMersteIn’s CInderellaWith its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a cham-bermaid into a princess, this hilarious and ro-mantic Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella combines the story’s classic elements--glass slip-pers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairy tale set-ting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn’t let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudg-ery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too. At the National Theatre, Nov. 18 to 29. Tickets at thenationaldc.org.

trICk-or-treat at Mount vernonOn Friday, Oct. 30, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; join the costumed cast of interpreters for a special oppor-tunity to trick-or-treat in the historic area. A chil-dren’s costume parade around the Mansion will

begin at 5 p.m. and prizes will be awarded for most fang-tastic “George” and “Martha” costumes. Participate in a scavenger hunt, take a wagon ride, and create a boo-tiful Halloween craft in this unforgettable evening. Participate in a Halloween craft activity in the greenhouse. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and close at 6. mountvernon.org

dIsneY on ICe Disney on Ice is coming to the Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, Va., Oct. 21 to 25. Celebrate the legacy of Disney in this ice skating spectacular as Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse leads a parade of characters including Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and an ensemble of Disney Princess-es. Be dazzled by the magic of Disney’s Frozen with Anna, Elsa and the hi-larious Olaf. Sing along to more than 30 of your favorite Disney songs in-cluding “Leg It Go!,” “You’ve Got A Friend in Me,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Tickets are $20, up. Order tickets by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.

hPv sCreenInG Grant For dC kIds aWardedThe American Cancer Society Human Papillomavirus Vaccinate Adoles-cents against Cancers (HPV VACs) project is being implemented across the nation to increase HPV vaccination rates for adolescents, particularly among boys and girls ages 11 and 12. Annually in the United States 27,000 people are diagnosed with a cancer caused by HPV, according to the CDC. That’s one case every 20 minutes. Additionally, more than 330,000 wom-en undergo treatment for pre-cancers every year in the US. In Washington, DC, Mary’s Center is one of 30 federally qualified health care centers that have received funding to increase HPV vaccination rates through a pilot program of the American Cancer Society fueled by a multi-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For more informa-tion, visit maryscenter.org.

“When she had WInGs”In this world premiere as a part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival, Be-atrix, or “B” as she prefers, is about to turn 10. Her fascination with Amelia Earhart’s disappearance story is equal only to her fears about the impend-ing big 10th birthday. As B struggles to hold onto her own sense of child-hood freedom, she meets a mysterious character who lands in the make-shift wooden cockpit of her backyard tree. B believes that A is actually her her-oine Amelia Earhart, who was never seen again after taking off across the Pacific Ocean. In exchange for B helping A finish her famous last flight, A promises B that she can and will fly!

Best for ages 5, up. On stage through Nov. 1 at Imagination Stage’s An-nette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre in Bethesda. Tickets start at $10, and can be purchased online at imaginationstage.org, at the Imagi-nation Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660.

“ColleGe bound” desIGn, FashIon, MedIa arts, and CulInarY CoursesThe Art Institute of Washington announces its new program, College Bound that allows high school juniors and seniors to experience college-level de-sign, media arts, fashion, and culinary courses at its local campus. The class-es, offered on Saturdays during the school year, are non-credit bearing. A tu-ition and materials fee is required for enrollment in College Bound. Learn more at getcreative.aii.edu/collegebound.

dC bIlInGual PublIC Charter sChoolDC Bilingual Public Charter School, 33 Riggs Rd. NE, has opened. Found-ed in 2004, DC Bilingual serves more than 350 students in grades PreK3 through Fifth. The school implements an academically demanding dual-lan-guage program to foster bilingualism and bi-literacy for all children. dcbi-lingual.org

Have an item for the Kids & Family Notebook? Email [email protected]. u


The fall 2015 school year is open-ing new doors to students at IDEA Public Charter School in Ward 7’s historic Deanwood neighborhood. Since its exis-

tence, IDEA has off ered JROTC courses for students interested in pursuing a military track out of high school. Now students can learn trade skills from the Academy of Construction and Design, a career technical education (CTE) program sponsored by nonprofi t DC Students Construction Trades Foundation.

Ten years ago the academy began off ering courses to students at Cardozo Senior High School in Northwest DC. Focusing on the building industry, Habitat for Humanity be-came a signifi cant program partner. “We helped to build 25 homes,” says the academy’s direc-tor, Shelly Karriem. “To watch a high school student do this with their own hands [is amaz-ing because] they don’t really get to see a lot of things go from idea to fruition.”

After partnering with Habitat for over four years the academy transitioned to building its own homes. Most recently students helped build the exterior of a home in DC’s tiny house community in Northeast’s Stronghold neigh-borhood. “Now that we’re at IDEA we’re talk-ing about towing it over here so students get to fi nish the interior,” says Karriem.

PreParInG For ConstruCtIon Students are recruited for the program from middle schools in Wards 7 and 8. “We expect-ed 70-75 and we ended up with over 100 ninth-graders,” says Karriem.

To get students prepared, ninth graders will take an introductory course in construc-tion, while upperclassman will take level-one construction as well as architecture design. “In the years to come we’ll branch out and do spe-cifi c trades whether it be carpentry, HVAC, or plumbing,” says Karriem. Students will also

Construction Academy Gives More Options to Ward 7 High Schoolers

by Christina Sturdivant

April 2014, students erect walls on the Academy of Construction and Design’s 160 square-foot micro-house project in Northeast Washington.


Kids & FAMiLY

mographics.” And even if they do not purchase homes, they can be empow-ered to control the housing market. “We would much rather our kids get into the [house] flipping business as opposed to it being something hap-pening around them – this gentrifica-tion that they can’t control – when in fact these skills are not that difficult and there is an opportunity for them to be a part of it.”

Past graduates have also been able to take their skills overseas. “I have a young man who came here from war torn Sudan,” says Karriem. “When his father died he was responsible for all nine of his sisters and brothers and so he went back to Sudan. By that time they had split, and he was helping with the infrastructure of the new Sudan.”

Another student is now in Atlan-ta, Ga., and works as a screenwriter, she says. “As long as you are success-ful in your life then what we do here is successful. If you go into construction trades, kudos ... great, but if you don’t and you go off and you make yourself successful I’m ok with it,” she says.

In the end the goal is to offer path-ways. “We have to stop pigeonholing our kids,” says Karriem. “We have to be able to make sure that they are tax-pay-ing, law-abiding citizens who can pro-vide for their families, and this is a way to do it.” u

plan, create, and operate a youth farmers’ market to grow produce on the school’s campus and expand access to healthy food for themselves and Deanwood residents.

The academy’s partner-ship with workforce-prepa-ration organization SkillsU-SA will give students access to enrichment programs that will expose them to work-place skills and resources to help them further prepare for life after high school.

Academically, students can connect their trades skills with traditional aca-demics. “Whether it’s geom-etry and the angles of a roof or science and the life cycle of plants and animals, all of that is related and will help students have a passion for learning,” says Karriem.

the IMPortanCe oF ProvIdInG oPtIons For IDEA’s head of school, Justin Rydstrom, adding the academy to its programming fits into the mission of providing a myriad of options for stu-dents after graduation. “There’s no charter school that I’m aware of oth-er than IDEA that is really trying to prepare students for career as well as college,” says Rydstrom. “College has definitely taken over the charter sector even more so than DC Public Schools, which is hard to imagine. Our focus remains on both.”

Attending college and entering the workforce are not mutually exclusive, Rydstrom adds. “One path is to leave high school, work for a few years, save for college, and then have a little more money,” he says. Or students can start their own electrical company, then go to business school, he continues.

“I have a young lady who graduat-ed [college with little debt] and ended up being a project manager,” says Kar-riem. “She just bought her first house at 23.” Rydstrom notes that “the abil-ity for minority youth who grew up in the city to own property as adults is crucial in combatting changing de-

ContaCt InForMatIon Shelly KarriemAcademy for Construction and Design [email protected]

DC Students Construction Trades [email protected]

Justin RydstromIDEA Public Charter High School1027 45th St. NE, Washington, DC [email protected]

April 2014, students erect walls on the Academy of Construction and Design’s 160 square-foot micro-house project in Northeast Washington.


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Across:1. Artemis’s twin7. More salacious13. Fallacious argumentation20. Expression of respect21. Small dry fruit22. Aggravation23. Poem division24. Julia’s star pupils?26. Brass28. Sorority letters29. Garden tool30. Ends partner31. Nicholas II, for one33. ___ Oop35. Folklore fi end37. Sharon’s charity?41. Start of a refrain46. Jockey Turcotte47. Chinese dynasty48. “Chances ___”49. Head covering worn by Muslim women50. ___ case53. Lowly worker55. Mint family member56. Besets57. Jude’s rulebook in Vegas?59. Man of La Mancha60. Stirred61. Big Apple attraction, with “the”62. Desert-like63. Medicine measure66. Fish hawk69. “Begone!”73. Chinese dynasty74. Old World bird75. Assoc. of nations80. Kevin in Vancouver?84. What’s left86. Sustenance87. Double curve88. Euripides drama89. Scattering90. “That’s nice!”91. Lightning fast Jamaican93. Balderdash94. Skating jumps95. In need of Johnny?100. Computer menu option

102. “Gotcha”103. Heidi’s home104. Black108. ___ Baba109. Mediocre110. Cartoon bear112. Bill-paying time for Doris?116. Swindler120. German city121. Draw near122. Dark green mineral123. Au courant124. Long Island county125. Like some hair

Down:1. Infomercials, e.g.2. Fave3. Fertility clinic stock4. Exotic fruit5. Gecko, e.g.6. Like some history7. Varnish ingredient8. Level9. Bleach10. Snags11. Concludes12. Capitol V.I.P.13. Butt of jokes14. Command15. Islands dish16. Justice Black17. Footnote abbr.18. Runners carry it19. Clutter25. River of Lyon27. Shaping machines31. Flute sound32. Vacation souvenir?34. Golf ball position36. Old anesthetic37. Tightens, at sea38. Masseur’s target39. Starch source40. “Carmina Burana” composer42. Indian melodies43. “Haste makes waste,” e.g.44. Hermit45. Came up49. Aegean vacation locale

Crossword Author: Myles Mellor • www.themecrosswords.com • www.mylesmellorconcepts.com

“Name Game”by Myles Mellor

51. Before now52. Bean ___53. Cause54. Meadow mother55. In excess of57. Journal58. Concert array60. English writer John Barrington64. Behind65. Musical chairs goal66. Mitch Miller’s instrument67. Fall from grace68. Its motto is “Lux et veritas”69. La ___70. Chalice71. Japanese cartoon art72. Indian tongue

74. Diamonds, to hoods76. Fluid container77. Catch78. Straddling79. Poet’s “below”81. Doltish82. Tusked animal83. Turkish honorifi c84. Place for bats?85. Low woman?90. Room at the top91. Colorful fl ower92. Poetic homage95. Mum96. Pitchfork parts97. “Pocket full of ___...”98. Seasoned stew

99. Dependent101. Starts of some pranks104. Old Icelandic literary work105. Fishhook’s end106. ___ and terminer (criminal court)107. Bridge site109. Fizzy drink111. Edible tubers113. Govt. agency114. Understanding115. Bearded beast117. “Cool” amount118. Grazed119. Nancy Drew’s beau

Look for this months answers at labyrinthgameshop.com


Crossword Author: Myles Mellor • www.themecrosswords.com • www.mylesmellorconcepts.com

99. Dependent101. Starts of some pranks104. Old Icelandic literary work105. Fishhook’s end106. ___ and terminer (criminal court)107. Bridge site109. Fizzy drink111. Edible tubers113. Govt. agency114. Understanding115. Bearded beast117. “Cool” amount118. Grazed119. Nancy Drew’s beau

{last shot}Southwest Redux Photo: Andrew Lightman

east of the river magazine october 2015

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