East of the River Magazine January 2014

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EAST of the RIVER MAGAZINE JANUARY 2014

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News from the Anacostia and Southeast Areas of Washington, DC

Transcript of East of the River Magazine January 2014

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Small Business Brief Advice Legal ClinicMeet One-on-One with a Lawyer for Free!Presented by the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs Sponsored by the DC Bar Pro Bono Program

If you are an existing or an aspiring small business owner, come and meet one-on-one with attorneys at this brief advice clinic. You can get information on business formation, contracts, leases, taxes or any other questions you may have related to small business legal issues. Or, if you do not have specific questions, come and tell the attorneys about your business—they can help you spot legal issues or give you general advice.

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2014Time: 5pm – 7:30 pmLocation: DCRA Small Business Resource Center

1100 4th Street SW, Second Floor Waterfront-SEU Metro Station

Please bring any documents relevant to the issues you wish to discuss. This is a walk-in clinic; however, if you wish to pre-register, call Lauren Paley, Project Coordinator at 202-737-4700, ext. 3357 or visit http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferencePresignup.action?iD=37647

Language translation services are available upon request.

Gasoline and Fuel Pump Octane Measurement Amendment Act of 2012What: Come Learn About DCRA’s Office of Weights and

Measures new Gasoline and Fuel Pump Octane Measurement Amendment Act of 2012. This workshop will educate individuals on automotive fuel to ensure that the octane levels sold to customers is of the quality that is advertised.

When: January 21, 2014

Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am

SBRC’s Money Smart for Small Business Program: Financial Management and Credit Reporting WorkshopWhat: If you want to learn basic financial management

and credit reporting concepts of how to run your own business, this workshop is for you.

Presented By: BB&T Bank

When: January 30, 2014

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

To register go to: https://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com or call 202-442-4538 for assistance.

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National Collegiate Prep PCHS

Accepting 9th and 10th grade students

Call and enroll your child today! 202.832.7737Come tour the campus, meet faculty and administration and learn

about our exciting and competitive programs.

www.nationalprepdc.org4600 Livingston Road SE | Washington, DC 20032

The ONLY IBO World School East of the River

· College Preparatory and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB)

· Study Abroad with Service Learning Projects· 9th, 10th and 11th Grade Honors Classes· World Language Studies· Small Classroom Sizes

National Prep Offers:

Calling all students interested in InternationalBaccalaureate and Advanced Placement classes!

OPEN HOUSES:

Wednesday, January 15

Wednesday February 19

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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ON THE COVER: Octavia Payne, DC Ultimate Star on the Rise. Photo: Micah Tapman. Story on page 28.

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

10 ............East of the River Calendar

16 ............The Bulletin Board

20 ............District Beat • by Andrew Lightman

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

24 ............The Numbers • by Wes Rivers and Jenny Reed

26 ............ Unity Health Care Celebrates 25 Years of Service by Candace Y.A. Montague

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE 28 ............Octavia Payne • by Jonathan Neeley

30 ............In Your Kitchen • by Annette Nielsen

31 ............Jazz Avenues • by Steve Monroe

32 ............ Films Feature Cool ‘Disco’ Dan & Big Chair Chess Club • by John Muller

REAL ESTATE 33 ............Changing Hands • compiled by Don Denton

KIDS & FAMILY 34 ............Kids and Family Notebook • by Kathleen Donner

38 ............Privileged To Do Without • by Stephen Lilienthal

THE CLASSIFIEDS 40 ............The Classifieds

15 ...........Crosswords

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

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

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

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

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

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

SoCiEtY & EvEntSMickey Thompson • [email protected]

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

CommEntarYEthElbErt MillEr • [email protected]

thE NosE • [email protected]

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

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

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

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

we welcome suggestions for stories. Send queries to [email protected]. we are also interested in your views on community issues which are published in the last word. Please limit your comments to 250 words. letters may be edited for space. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send last word submissions to [email protected]. for employment opportunities email [email protected].

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

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

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa ashabranner • [email protected]

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

Look for Next Issue of East of the River onFebruary 8

Online Daily, Printed Monthly | www.eastoftheriverdcnews.com

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NatioNal SkatiNg MoNth opeN houSe at Fort DupoNtThis year to celebrate National Skating Month, Fort Dupont Ice Arena is hosting an open house on Monday, Jan. 20, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day public holiday. Come and skate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There’s free skating lessons from 11 a.m. to noon and a special exhibition at 12:25 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under and seniors. Skate rental is free. If you miss this one, there is another open house on President’s Day, Feb. 17 (same time and program). Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. NE. 202-584-5007. fdia.org

Arica Shepherd, a long-time volunteer of the Fort Dupont skating program is a high school senior. Photo: Brittany Greene

see our website for more events! www.whatsonwashington.com

“let FreeDoM riNg” CoNCert at the keNNeDy CeNterOn Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. Grammy Award winning singer and actress Dionne Warwick joins the Kennedy Center and Georgetown Univer-sity in a musical celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Dur-ing this event Georgetown University will award the 2014 John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award to Lecester Johnson, executive director of D.C.’s Academy of Hope. Free tickets, two per person, will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m. on January 20 in the Hall of Na-tions. The concert is in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. kennedy-center.org

Rev. Nolan Williams conducts the Let Freedom Ring Choir during the 2013 Let Freedom Ring Celebration in the Concert Hall. Photo: Margot Schulman

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the WaShiNgtoN Ballet Jazz/BlueS proJeCtThis mixed repertory program pays homage to American Jazz and Blues music and in-cludes Blue Until June by Trey McIntyre, Bird’s Nest by Val Caniparoli and PRISM, a world premiere by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Set to the soulful songs of Etta James, Blue Until June explores how our ideas of love are influenced by the American songbook. Val Cani-porali’s Bird’s Nest, uses the music of Charlie “Bird” Parker that ushered in the modern Jazz Era and explores the relationships between men and women. PRISM set to Keith Jarrett’s iconic improvisational work, The Köln Concert reflects the different moods and atmospheres of the music like a prism reflects light. PRISM is choreographed to give the audience an improvisational feel as a tribute to the music. Both Blue Until June and Bird’s Nest premiered at The Washington Ballet in 2000. The Washington Ballet Jazz/Blues Project will be performed Sidney Harman Hall, from Jan. 29 through Feb. 2. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122. washingtonballet.org

SteveN F. uDvar-hazy CeNter opeN houSe On Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., celebrate the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum’s tenth anniversary with its first-ever open house. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at historic artifacts, documents, and works of art that are not on public display and see what it takes to collect, preserve, and restore them. Tour the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar and see the Museum’s current projects such as the Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver. Meet curators, conserva-tors, archivists, and other specialists, and learn how the aircraft are hung for display in the Boeing Aviation Hangar. Participate in hands-on activities designed for adults and children. Get some tips for photographing objects in the Museum from a staff photographer. Free but parking is $15. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA

Brooklyn Mack and Sona Kharatian. Photo: Steve Vaccariello.

Courtesy of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Cente

the talleSt tree iN the ForeSt at areNaBursting with poetic storytelling and 14 songs, including “Ol’ Man River,” and “Happy Days Are Here Again,” The Tallest Tree in the Forest combines the talents of award-winning solo-artist Daniel Beaty (Emergence-See!) with acclaimed director, Moisés Kaufman (33 Variations, The Laramie Project). Discover the true story of Paul Robeson, hailed as the ‘best-known black man in the world’ for his incomparable singing and acting, brought low by accusations of disloyalty to America. Beaty brings his signature wit, grit and piercing lyricism to more than 20 characters, asking the question, how does a man remain an artist when his soul cries out to be an activist? On stage, Jan. 10-Feb. 16 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-488-3300. arena-stage.org

Daniel Beaty as Paul Robeson in Tectonic Theater Project’s The Tallest Tree in the Forest, which comes to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater Jan. 10-Feb. 16, 2014. Photo: Don Ipock.

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MLK DAY AND RELATED EVENTSDr. King Comes to Washington Tour. Jan 12, 19, 20 and 26. 3:00-4:00 PM. He shared his dream with the world here, but August 1963 wasn’t his first trip to the city. Come hear about all the marches in Washington. Free. For more information, Susan Philpott at 202-426-6841. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, 1964 Independence Ave. SW. nps.gov/mlkm

“With Their Own Eyes: Photographers Witness the March on Washington” Sym-posium. Jan 13, 1:00-4:00 PM. A Library of Congress symposium will bring together pho-tographers who took pictures at the March on Washington more than 50 years ago. Whittall Pavilion on the ground floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are needed. loc.gov

“A Day Like No Other: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washing-ton”. Through Mar 1. The exhibition consists of 40 iconic black-and-white images that mark what Martin Luther King, Jr., called “the greatest demonstration for freedom in the nation’s history.” The photographs, part of the Library’s Prints and Photographs Di-vision collections, convey the immediacy of being at the march and the excitement of those who were there. A video-screen display in the exhibition features another 75 images. Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Build-ing, 10 First St. SE. loc.gov

Staged Reading of Dr. King’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail”. Jan 14, 6:30 PM. Join in honoring Dr. King with a live staged reading of his beloved, “Letter from the Birmingham” by a diverse group of DC Public Library Staff. This program will also feature a video display

and special musical offering from vocalist Or-lanzo Chapell and pianist Maceo Kemp. Mar-tin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk

Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King at Fort Stanton Recreation Center. Jan 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Join Fort Stanton Recreation Center as it salutes Dr. King with trivia questions and a video presentation. 1812 Erie St. SE. dpr.dc.gov

29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program. Jan 17, 7:00-9:00 PM. Join them for their an-nual program to commemorate the legacy of one of the nation’s most influential leaders. Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History, Constitution Ave. at 10th St. NW.

“I Have a Dream” Tournament at Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. Jan 17, 4:00-

8:00 PM. Southeast Tennis and Learning Cen-ter, 701 Mississippi Ave. SE. dpr.dc.gov

MLK Civil Rights Film Festival. Jan 18-20, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. There will be screenings of the Eyes on the Prize Series and the A&E: Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Man The Dream (Biography. The films, for ages 15-up, are free and open to the pub-lic. Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Visitor Information Center, 1411 W St. SE. To find out more about this and other programs, call the site at 202-426-5961 or visit nps.gov/frdo.

Collective Voices Poetry Extravaganza in Honor of Dr. King. Jan 18, 1:00 PM. Please join them in the Great Hall for this very special event as Collective Voices once again presents their annual literary trib-ute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There will

CALENDAR

Last year’s Frederick Douglass birthday celebration speaker at the historic site. Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service

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be many special guests, including the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers and Washington, DC Poet Laureate, Delores Kendrick. Martin Luther King Jr. Memo-rial Library, 901 G St. NW. 202-727-0321. dclibrary.org/mlk

Transformations-Pathways-to-Work MLK Celebration and Awards Ceremony. Jan 20, 9:00 AM. Training Grounds is a non-profit organization serving young adults ages 18-24 who reside East of the River. Through their Transformations-Pathways-to-Work program, they provide soft skills training to equip and prepare education-ally and economically disadvantaged young people with the skills necessary to attain and maintain living wage careers or begin entrepreneurial pursuits. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Wreath-laying at the MLK Memorial. Jan 20, 8:00 AM. 1964 Independence Ave. SW. The memorial is open all hours, every day. nps.gov/mlkm

Wreath-Laying at the Lincoln Memo-rial. Jan 20, 1:00 PM. The National Park Service will place a wreath at the Lincoln Memorial, on the steps where Dr. King gave his 1963 speech. The recitation of the “I Have a Dream” speech will be presented by students of a Washington, DC school. 202-426-6895. nps.gov/linc

For Light and Liberty-African Americans and Civil War Espionage in Washington and Beyond. Jan 23 and 30, 6:30 PM. Join Hari Jones, Curator of the African Ameri-can Civil War Memorial Freedom Founda-tion and Museum, to discuss the activities of the “Loyal League,” a secret national

Frederick Douglass Birthday Celebration-Frederick Douglass and Play.

Feb 8. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site & His-toric Anacostia will host a community wide birthday party for Fred-erick Douglass on Saturday, Feb. 8. The event will focus on Freder-ick Douglass and fun, looking at how he and other Washingtonians played and had a good time. Events begin at 10 a.m. at the Anacos-tia Playhouse with live music, performances by the winners of the 2013 Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest, and guest speakers. Throughout the day there will be music, games, films, lectures, tours and other performances at the Frederick Douglass National His-toric Site, the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum, The Anacostia Art Center and other locations in historic Anacostia. A complete listing of programs and events can be found at nps.gov/frdo.

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organization made of men and women of Af-rican descent whose extensive efforts helped the Union war effort to end slavery. Jones, a foremost authority on the role of African Americans in the Civil War, will deliver a two-part lecture highlighting the League’s covert operations in Washington and beyond. Free. Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 801 K St. NW. historydc.org Glorious March to Liberty: Civil War to Civil Rights at Francis A. Gregory Library. Jan 27, 11:00 AM. In this interactive program, par-ticipants will learn about the scope of African American involvement in the Civil War and have the opportunity to handle reproduced Civil War items. Francis A. Gregory Neighbor-hood Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary.org/francis

Alexandria’s Watson Reading Room. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Visi-tors should call in advance for holiday hours. Located next door to the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Watson Reading Room is a non-circulating research repository fo-cusing on issues of African-American history and culture. Black History Museum staff and volunteers are available (by appointment) to work with visitors of all ages who are re-searching African-American history. Alexan-dria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA. 703-746-4356. alexandriava.gov/historic

Visit the MLK Memorial. Open to visitors all hours, every day. 1964 Independence Ave. SW. nps.gov/mlkm

NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom Online Exhibition. The NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom exhibition presents a retrospective of the major personalities, events, and achievements that shaped the NAACP’s history during its first 100 years. my-loc.gov/Exhibitions/naacp

Civil Rights at 50 at Newseum. On display through 2015. “Civil Rights at 50,” a three-year changing exhibit, chronicles milestones in the civil rights movement from 1963, 1964 and 1965 through historic front pages, magazines and news images. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave, NE. 888-639-7386. news-eum.org

MLK Day of Service. Find volunteer service opportunities by calling 202-727-7925 or at serve.dc.gov.

SPECIAL EVENTSAlexandria Winter Restaurant Week. Jan 17-26. For 10 days and two weekends, 50 Alexandria restaurants offer a $35 prix-fixe three-course dinner or a $35 dinner for two. Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week showcases the inventiveness of local chefs in neigh-borhoods throughout the city, including Old Town, Del Ray and the West End. At a range of locales, from fine dining establishments to casual neighborhood favorites, guests will savor the flavors of Alexandria’s distinctive collection of eateries. visitalexandriava.com/restaurants/restaurant-week

Inauguration Day Celebration. Jan 20, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM. Learn about U.S. Presi-dential Inaugurations from staff in Federal

Period clothing. Sign and take home a copy of the U.S. Constitution. For more informa-tion, conatct Mike Rose at 202-438-9667. Jefferson Memorial

Washington Auto Show. Jan 22-Feb 2. Wal-ter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW. wanada.org

Maryland Polar Bear Plunge. Jan 25, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Maryland. Sandy Point State Park. plungemd.com

NatsFest. Jan 25, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. The annual fun-filled baseball festival will offer a variety of interactive games and activities, including live batting cages, exclusive Q&A sessions with players and team personnel, skills challenges and much more. Advanced tickets are $20, adults; $10, children 12 and under ($25 and $15, day-of). Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD. nationals.com/2014

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODCommon Ground at Honfleur Gallery. Through Feb 28. Common Ground presents the work that arose from a collaboration between painter Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann and photog-rapher Michael B. Platt. Artist talk is on Sat-urday, Feb 1, 2:45 PM. ; Jadallah’s talk begins at 2 p.m., Mann and Platt’s talk will follow at 2:45 p.m. Both exhibits close February 28, 2014. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392.

Adrift at The Gallery at Vivid Solutions. Through Feb 28. Adrift showcases multiple in-camera exposure landscapes by Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah. Artist talk is on Saturday, Feb 1, 2:00 PM. The Gallery at Vivid Solutions, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-365-8392.

“Question Bridge: Black Males” at THEARC. Jan 11-Feb 16. Framed as an internal conver-sation within a group too often defined exter-nally, Question Bridge uses candid discussion to expose the diversity of thought and identi-ty among black males, challenging monochro-matic views of “blackness.” The wide-ranging conversation touches on family, love, mascu-linity, discrimination, community, education, violence, and the past and future of black men in society. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Gin Game at Anacostia Playhouse. Jan 11-Feb 2. This Pulitzer Prize winning play uses a game of cards as a metaphor for life. As the two characters play gin, they reveal the inti-mate details of their lives and their secrets become weapons. The New York Times called it, “a thoroughly entertaining lesson on the fine art of theatrical finesse. The closest thing the theater offers to a duel at 10 paces.” Ana-costia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Pl. SE (under five minutes from Capitol Hill). 202-290-2328. anacostiaplayhouse.com

TWB Adult African Dance Class at THEARC. Jan 16, 23, 30; Feb 6,13,20 and 27; 11:00 AM-noon. Call The Washington Ballet at 202-274-4533 for pricing information or to purchase class cards. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. thearcdc.org

Movie Night at Deanwood. Jan 17 and 31, 6:00-8:30 PM. For all ages. Deanwood Recre-ation Center, 1350 49th St. NE. dpr.dc.gov

“Question Bridge: Black Males” Roundtable Discussion at THEARC. Jan 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Roundtable discussion with local leaders of the African American community. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

Exploring Your Anacostia Watershed Field Trip. Jan 22, 12:30-3:30 PM. Learn how Groundwork Anacostia River DC assists in the clean-up of the Anacostia River. Experi-ence first hand how the litter trap program affects the restoration of our local river, as well as discover the many ways you fit into the health of the Anacostia River. The pro-gram includes a field trip to the watershed litter trap sites. Free, but space is limited; for reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacos-tia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Bead Workshop at the Anacostia Commu-nity Museum. Jan 23, 10:30 AM-1:30 PM. Join jeweler and entrepreneur Elena Crusoe Aikens in a bead workshop as we celebrate the Ubuhle community of South African women. The workshop covers a brief history of bead art and craft before participants create their own beaded project. All tools and supplies are provided. This program is for middle school students to adult. Free; for information and reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacos-tia.si.edu

The Wynton Triangle at Anacostia Com-munity Museum. Feb 1, 2:00-4:00 PM. His-torian Marvin Jones leads a gallery tour and talks about the history of three communities in eastern North Carolina. A Q&A follows that may shed light on visitors’ own family his-tories. Celebrates Black History Month. Free; space is limited, call 202-633-4844 for infor-mation or to attend. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Frederick Douglass Day with the National Park Service. Feb 8, 1:00 PM. In recognition of the National Park Service’s annual Frederick Douglass Day, museum educator Tony Thomas discusses Douglass’s enthusiasm for baseball and gives a tour of the exhibition Separate and Unequaled: Black Baseball in the District of Columbia. Free; space is limited, call 202-633-4844 for information or to attend. Ana-costia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Knitting and Crocheting at Francis A. Gregory Library. Mondays, 6:30 PM. Come to the weekly knitting/crocheting meeting. Knitting will be the primary focus, but crocheting lessons and support will continued to be provided. All lev-els of experience welcome. Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary.org/francis

SPORTS AND PHYSICAL FITNESSWashington Wizards Basketball. Jan 11, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22 and Feb 1. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-397-SEAT. nba.com/wizards

Washington Capitals Ice Hockey. Jan 12, 14

and 21. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 202-628-3200. capitals.nhl.com

NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo. Jan 11-12, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. More than 200 health care providers, businesses, and non-profit organi-zations will be on site at the Expo. They will provide free assessments, advice and informa-tion, and tests, screenings and services. Also, raffles and giveaways, blood drive, dancing, healthy cooking stage and a Winter Olympics pavilion. Free. Washington Convention Center. nbcwashington.com DC Rollergirls. Jan 18 and Feb 1, 4:00 PM. (Doors open at 3:00 p.m.) Tickets are $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for children 6-11, and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets are available in advance at ticketmaster.com or at the door on bout day. Individuals with a valid military ID can purchase tickets for $10 at the door. Bouts are at DC Armory. dcrollergirls.com

Championship Boxing at DC Armory. Jan 25, 9:00 PM. Hometown hero IBF Junior Welter-weight World Champion Lamont Peterson de-fends his 140-pound crown against Montreal’s unbeaten Dierry Jean as part of a live SHOW-TIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event at the DC Armory. In the co-main event, Middleweight Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo risks his undefeated record against Two-Time World Title Challeng-er Gabriel “King” Rosado. Tickets $25-$250. Tickets available for purchase at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Adult Exercise Group-Aerobics at Capitol View Library. Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:15 PM. Are you looking to get in shape? Loose a few pounds? Need to get rid of some stress? Or maybe you just need some mutual support? This fun, hour-long workout will leave you feeling great, and ready to take on what life throws at you. Free. Capitol View Neighbor-hood Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE. 202-645-0755. dclibrary.org/capitolview

Zumba Gold Class for Seniors at Capitol View Library. Wednesdays, 10:00 AM. Zumba Gold takes the popular Latin-dance inspired workout of Zumba and makes it accessible for seniors, beginners or others needing modifi-cations in their exercise routine (Zumba Gold chair class). The Zumba Gold program creates a party-like atmosphere. It is exhilarating, easy to follow and effective. The one-hour class is led by LaNeta Banks, Licensed Zumba Gold Instructor. For more information, or to reserve your spot, call 202-645-0755. Capitol View Neighborhood Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE. 202-645-0755. dclibrary.org/capitolview

Canal Park Ice Rink. Open Monday-Friday, noon-9:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM. Adult fee is $8; children, seniors (55+) and military fees are $7. Skate rental is $3. On Tuesdays, two can skate for the price of one from 4:00-6:00 PM. The park is at Second and M sts. SE, one block from the Navy Yard Metro (New Jersey Avenue exit). canalparkdc.org

Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Open through mid-Mar (weather permitting). Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM-9:00 PM. $7 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, stu-

CALENDAR

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dents with ID and seniors 50 and over. Skate rental is $3. Seventh St. and Con-stitution Ave. NW. 202-289-3361. nga.gov/ginfo/skating

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

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

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

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

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

Southeast Tennis and Learning Cen-ter Indoor Courts. Open daily; Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sat-urday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (closed Sun-day). Four indoor courts. 701 Mississip-pi Ave. SE. 202-645-6242. dpr.dc.gov

DC’s Rock N Roll Marathon Registra-tion Open. Marathon is Mar 15. run-rocknroll.competitor.com

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

Union Market. Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 AM-8:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM. Union Market is an arti-sanal, curated, year-round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. 1309 Fifth St. NE. 301-652-7400. unionmar-ketdc.com

Eastern Market. Daily except Mondays and important holidays. Weekdays, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM; Saturdays, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM; Sundays, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Flea market and arts and crafts market open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM-

needs you become a therapeutic foster parent. Learn more at our next orientation in Washington, D.C.

Call 202.654.5126

FOUNDATIONS FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY

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CALENDAR

“Fly by Night” Screening at THEARC. Jan 17, 6:30 PM. Join them for a special evening, hosted by Cov-

enant House Washington at the THEARC Theater to view One Com-mon Unity’s new documentary film “Fly By Light”. Recently accepted in to the BolderLife International Film Festival and Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF). Tickets will be available at the door for the price of $10. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

6:00 PM. Eastern Market is Washington’s last continually operated “old world” market. On weekends the market area comes alive with farmers bringing in fresh produce, craft and flower vendors, artists, a flea market and street musicians. 200 block of Seventh St. SE. 202-698-5253. easternmarket-dc.com

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

Dupont Circle Farmers Market. Sundays year round (rain or shine), 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times of London named the market one of the top farmers’ markets in the country 20th St. and Mass. Ave. NW, 1500 block of 20th St. NW (between Mass. Ave. and Q St. in the adja-cent parking lot of PNC Bank). 202-362-8889. freshfarmmarket.org

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

CIVIC LIFEFree Foreclosure Prevention Hotline. 1-855-449-2255. Housing Counseling Services, a DC based HUD approved non-profit, now offers a free hotline for homeowners in danger of fore-closure. If you own a home and are in danger of falling behind on your mortgage or have already fallen behind, you can get free coun-seling and assistance.

DC Hypothermia Hotline. 1-800-535-7252. Please call when you see a homeless per-son who may be impacted by extreme tem-peratures. Families seeking emergency shelter should go to the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center at 33 N St. NE. The shelter operates 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except for holidays and days the Dis-trict government is closed). After 3:30 p.m. and on weekends, during extreme temperature alerts, families should call the Shelter Hotline for transportation to the DC General family shelter or other available family shelter.

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

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

Councilmember Alexander’s Constituent Services Office. Open weekdays, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. 2524 Penn. Ave. SE. 202-581-1560.

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

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

Capitol View Civic Association Meet-ing. Third Monday, 6:30 PM. Hughes Memo-rial United Methodist, 25 53rd St. NE. capi-tolviewcivicassoc.org

Historical Anacostia Block Association. Sec-ond Thursday, 7:00-9:00 PM. UPO-Anacostia Service Center, 1649 Good Hope Rd. SE. For further details, contact Charles Wilson, 202-834-0600.

Anacostia High School School Improvement Team Meeting. Fourth Tuesday. 6:00 PM. Ana-costia High School, 16th and R sts. SE.

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

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

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

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

ANC MONTHLY MEETINGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: Courtesy of OneCommunity.org.

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 15

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

“On the Road Again” by Myles Mellor and Sally York

(Answer at page 41)

Across:1. Suffi x with sea or moon6. Pago Pago’s place11. ___ Aquarids (May meteor shower)14. ___-eyed18. 200 milligrams19. Online publication20. Contents of some banks22. Coatrack parts23. Freddy fl ick27. Expunge28. Greasy29. English county30. Flush32. Conclusion of some games33. Element #1034. Annoyance37. Library section41. Put in stitches45. ___ system46. Aggravate48. Biddy49. Tournament passes51. Mayan language52. Key letter54. Norse goddess of fate56. Benefi ciary57. Cook’s meas.58. Children’s book inspired by 23-Across62. Medium claim63. Alleviate64. Durable wood65. Robust66. Complex unit68. Tie indicator69. Capital on the Red River72. Range rover75. Losing come-out roll in craps76. Launch site77. High degree80. 1947 Williams play87. Beach bird88. Compassion89. ___-en-scène90. Man of La Mancha91. Bonanza fi nd92. United Nations agency acronym93. Hale94. “Hogwash!”96. Gloppy stuff97. Just out100. Prayer book

103. “E” and “u,” e.g.105. Soaks, as fl ax107. “Uh-uh”108. Run off to the chapel110. Buttonwoods114. Elliptical115. Elderly119. “On ___,” “My Fair Lady” tune122. English Channel resort123. “La Scala di ___” (Rossini opera)124. High wave125. Narrow groove126. “Idylls of the King” lady127. Abbr. next to a telephone number128. Clothesline alternative129. “Get ___ of yourself!”

Down:1. Bunch2. Staff3. Husk4. Items on belts5. Biblical verb ending6. Round after the quarters7. Spring bloomer8. Like a bog9. Inseparable10. Relating to the Greek god of the winds11. Scene of a fall12. It’s softer than gypsum13. Soul, in Hinduism14. Track event15. Bad look16. Curved molding17. “Humanum ___ errare”21. Charges24. Contents of some cartridges25. Grandmothers, in the U.K.26. 10 C-notes31. ___ artery32. First American to orbit the Earth34. Maori war dance35. Belittle36. Second-year students, for short38. Paroxysm39. Digital tome40. In ___ (harmonious)42. Brownish43. Pulled down, var.44. Drain47. Work, as dough

50. “Omigod!”53. It was discovered by Native Americans55. Approximately56. Spicy stew57. Gallivant59. Boy toy?60. Sage61. Even if, briefl y67. “A Chorus Line” number68. Not straight69. Goes quickly70. Birch relative71. Affi rmative action72. Cop club73. Alpine river

74. Scatter75. Fiesta fare76. Cuff78. Door part79. Drivel81. Electrodes in a transistor82. Dick83. Losing fi rst throw in Reno game84. Concord85. Prevent86. “Aeneid” fi gure93. Briefl y showed oneself in public95. Convex molding98. Cleared99. Cast101. Again

102. Idolize104. Fortune106. Animal in a roundup109. Cake part110. Unit of loudness111. Dolly ___ of “Hello, Dolly!”112. Anatomical network113. Fraternity letters114. Bacchanal116. Copter’s forerunner117. Axis of ___118. Gone119. Everyday article120. Ring bearer, maybe121. Cable network

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BULLETIN BOARD

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service at Kenilworth Park

Join them on Jan. 18, 9-11 a.m., for MLK Jr’s National Day of Ser-vice and their fi rst event of the year at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Th ey will be inventorying tools, cleaning up the greenhouses, trans-planting native grasses and per-forming other projects as needed. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gar-dens is at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE and the phone number for the park is 202-426-6905. Th e closest Metro station is Deanwood on the orange line. RSVPs recommended. Please contact Tina O’Connell at [email protected].

Honfl eur Gallery’s East of the River Call for Art

Honfl eur Gallery’s 7th annual East of the River call for art will be posted on the gallery website, hon-fl eurgallery.com, in February. Th is year judges will select up to 5 art-ists. Each artist will receive an award of $500. To qualify, artists must live, work or have roots in the East of the

River communities (in wards 7 or 8). Th e deadline is April 30. Exhibit dates are July 11-Aug. 29.

Fly By Light Screening at THEARC Theater

On Friday, Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m., join them for a special evening, hosted by Covenant House Washington at the THEARC Th eater to view One Common Unity’s new documentary fi lm “Fly By Light”. Recently ac-cepted in to the BolderLife Inter-national Film Festival and Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF). Tickets will be available at the door for the price of $10. Call 202-765-3757 for ticket or event information. THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. 202-889-5901. thearcdc.org

A group of teenagers board a bus for West Virginia, leaving the streets of Washington, DC to participate in an ambitious peace education pro-gram. For the fi rst time in their lives Mark, Asha, Martha, and Corey play in mountain streams, sing under the stars, and confront the entrenched abuse, violence and neglect cycles of their past. But as they return to

DC, each young person faces an un-forgiving series of hurdles and road-blocks that challenge their eff orts to build a better life. Th rough breath-taking visuals from street corners to mountaintops, Fly By Light is an intimate exploration of the chaotic, confusing, and emotional journey to rewrite a young person’s future.

MLK Civil Rights Film FestivalTh e Frederick Douglass Na-

tional Historic Site will honor the birthday and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with their annual fi lm festival for the 2014 calendar year. Th ere will be screenings of the Eyes on the Prize Series and the A&E: Martin Luther King, Jr.: Th e Man Th e Dream (Biography.) Each featured fi lm will be shown between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day, Saturday, Jan. 18 through Monday, Jan. 20. Th e mov-ies, for ages 15, up, are free and open to the public. Th e fi lm festival is at the Frederick Douglass Na-tional Historic Site, Visitor Infor-mation Center, 1411 W St. SE. To fi nd out more about this and other

programs, call the site at 202-426-5961 or visit nps.gov/frdo.

Nash Run Trash Trap Cleanup Volunteers Needed

Th e Anacostia Watershed Soci-ety is looking for up to ten volun-teers to help with a cleanup on Jan. 25., noon-3 p.m. Th e area is around the intersection of Anacostia Ave. NE and Douglas St. NE. Th is site is about an 8-minute walk from the Deanwood Metro station on the Orange Line. anacostiaws.org

Th e mission of the Anacostia Watershed Society is to protect and restore the Anacostia River and its watershed communities by cleaning the water, recovering the shores, and honoring the heritage. Th e vision is to make the Anacos-tia River and its tributaries swim-mable and fi shable, in keeping with the Clean Water Act, for the health and enjoyment of everyone in the community. Community involve-ment is critical to achieving this vision and AWS seeks win-win so-lutions through strong partnerships and coalitions, with all parts of the

Anacostia Watershed Society Water Trail Map and Guide for Anacostia River Now Available

Anacostia

Learning to paddle a voyageur canoe on the Anacostia River.

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community, government, and other stakeholders. Core to our work is reaching out to, educating and en-gaging the next generation of deci-sion-makers, our youth.

Verbal Gymnastics at Anacostia Community Museum

On Thursday, Jan. 30, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., poet and play-wright John Johnson hosts an interactive workshop that incor-porates poetry and storytelling. Participants use their observation of community and personal ex-perience to create a unique and original piece, unlocking the poet and wordsmith inherent in all of us. Johnson also shares some of his poetry and tips that highlight the creative spirit of the spoken word. This program is also geared to promote awareness and civic en-gagement in the communities sur-rounding the Anacostia River. This program repeats Sept 10. Free; for information and reservations, call 202-633-4844. Anacostia Com-munity Museum at 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

C.R. Gibbs Lecture Series on African American History and Culture

In celebration of 2014 African American History Month, noted historian C.R. Gibbs will deliver a presentation from his African American History and Culture Lecture Series at three neighbor-hood libraries at 7 p.m., Feb. 3, “Word, Its Origins and Evil Uses” at Capitol View Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE; Feb. 10, “Twelve Years a Slave: Solomon Northup’s Washington” at Parklands-Turner, 1547 Alabama Ave. SE; and Feb. 24, “Fighting For Freedom: Strat-egies for Resistance” at Francis Gregory, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. dclibrary.org

Anacostia Community Museum Needs Volunteers

Dedicated volunteers are need-ed to assist the museum in a variety of research, educational, and collec-tions activities. If interested, con-tact Shelia Parker at 202-633-4823 or [email protected]. The museum is

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 17

The Anacostia Watershed Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cleaning the water, recovering the shoreline, and honoring the heritage of the Anacostia River and its watershed communities, has released the Anacostia Water Trail Map and

Guide. The Anacostia Water Trail Map and Guide, created in partnership with the National Park Service, brings together all of the resources and activities available on the Anacostia River and guides users to access points and features of the trail.The Anacostia Water Trail Map and Guide will inform the public on the resources available to them throughout the Anacostia River. Features of the map and guide include highlighted sites along the river including parks, marshes, marinas, an education center and an aquatic garden; tips for ex-periencing the trail; a timeline detailing 400 years of the Anacostia River’s history, use and restoration; facts about the history and nature of the Ana-costia; and boating safety tips. It is currently available online at anacosti-aws.org/anacostia-water-trail, as well as at Anacostia Watershed Society’s office and National Park Service offices around the Anacostia. They are currently working to have it available in various outdoor retailers as well.

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a c -cessible to people with physical disabilities. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu

Chess Tournament for Adults at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library

Chess tournament is Saturday, Jan. 25, 1 p.m. Chess tournament for adults held on the last Saturday of each month. Th is program is free and open to the public. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning

“Brother Outsider” Screening at the Anacostia Community Museum (save the date)

Th is award-winning documentary follows the career of Bayard Rustin, the openly gay architect of the 1963 March on Washington. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Andrew Young, ac-tress Liv Ullman, and others who knew Rustin provide insightful commentaries. A discussion follows the screening. Screening is on Feb. 27, 11 a.m., at the Anacostia Community Museum at 1901 Fort Pl. SE. Free; space is limited, call 202-633-4844 for information or to attend. anacostia.si.edu

DC Streetcar ConnectionsTh ere are several ways to stay in touch

with DC Streetcar. For 24/7 construction information, call 202-210-3700. To speak with a person, call at 855-413-2954. For employment information or if you have questions about their upcoming job fair, contact Molly at 202-887-4747. You can al-ways e-mail them at [email protected]. For construction-related inquiries, email at [email protected].

Corcoran Presents “Question Bridge: Black Males”

This winter, through Feb. 16, the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design hosts Question Bridge: Black Males, a collaborative, transmedia project that complicates traditional views of identity by exploring the full spectrum of what it means to be “black” and “male” in America. In video-mediated exchanges, over 150 African American men of differ-ent social, economic, political, and genera-tional backgrounds from across America respond to questions posed by one another about issues that unite, divide, and puzzle them. Framed as an internal conversation within a group too often defined externally, Question Bridge uses candid discussion to expose the diversity of thought and iden-tity among black males, challenging mono-chromatic views of “blackness.” The wide-ranging conversation touches on family, love, masculinity, discrimination, commu-nity, education, violence, and the past and future of black men in society.

In addition to the fi ve-channel video installation at the Corcoran, the project in-cludes a single-channel version of the proj-ect at the Corcoran’s Community Gallery at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE, Jan. 11-Feb. 16. A roundtable discussion with local leaders in the African American com-munity will take place at THEARC, Jan. 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Space Available at Anacostia Arts CenterSpace is available at Anacostia Arts Cen-

ter for short or long term creative projects! Located two doors down from Honfl eur Gallery and Th e Gallery at Vivid Solutions. Contact Director Kate Taylor Davis at [email protected] or 202-321-2878. anacosti-aartscenter.com

BULLETIN BOARD

In observance of Black History Month, George Washington’s Mount Vernon highlights the lives and contributions of the slaves who built and operated the plantation home of George and Martha Washington. Th roughout the month, a daily Slave Life at Mount Vernon Tour explores the lives and contributions of the slaves who lived at Mount Vernon. A wreath laying and presentation occurs daily at the slave memorial site through-out the month of February. Black History Month activities are included in admis-sion: adults, $18; senior citizens, $17; chil-dren age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $9; and children under age 5, free. mountvernon.org

Mount Vernon Celebrates Black History Month

Mount Vernon Slave Memorial. Photo: Courtesy of George Washington’s Mount Vernon

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Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Available

Serve DC’s free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program trains citizens to be better prepared to re-spond to emergencies in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can provide critical support to first respond-ers, immediate assistance to victims and can help organize spontaneous volunteers at a di-saster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the community safety. CERT training is free and open to anyone who lives, works or congregates in the District of Columbia. Classes include: Disaster Preparedness; Fire Safety; Medical Operations and First Aid; Search and Rescue; Disaster Psychology; and Terrorism. Register at serve.dc.gov/service/community-emergency-response-team-cert-training.

Annual Black History Month Luncheon Volunteer Opportunities

The luncheon is on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The 2014 theme is Civil Rights in America. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is re-cruiting volunteers for the event. Help as a greeter, host, stage production and raffle support. Contact them at 202-238-5910 or at [email protected].

For Light and LibertyOn Jan. 23 and 30, 6:30 p.m., join Hari Jones,

Curator of the African American Civil War Me-morial Freedom Foundation and Museum, to discuss the activities of the “Loyal League,” a secret national organization made of men and women of African descent whose extensive ef-forts helped the Union war effort to end slav-ery. Jones, a foremost authority on the role of African Americans in the Civil War, will deliver a two-part lecture highlighting the League’s co-vert operations in Washington and beyond. Free. Historical Society of Washington, DC, 801 K St. NW. historydc.org

NeighborGood, DC’s New Volunteer DatabaseAs the District of Columbia Government

agency dedicated to empowering residents to meet community needs through service, Serve DC has developed NeighborGood, a free, on-line DC-specific volunteer opportunity data-base and search engine. NeighborGood connects residents with meaningful DC-based volunteer opportunities and connects community-based

organizations with the city’s cadre of dedicat-ed, experienced volunteers. Visit serve.dc.gov/node/607792.

What makes NeighborGood unique? All volunteer opportunities must be located in the District of Columbia. Individuals and groups looking to volunteer can search by ward or quadrant in addition to traditional search fields like interest area and organizer. Com-munity-based organizations and other groups in need of volunteers can maximize recruit-ment and outreach efforts by submitting their opportunities to NeighborGood. For more in-formation, contact Emily Batchelder at [email protected].

Changes to Park Reservations Process and Fees

Beginning Mar. 1, 2014, the National Park Service will move the reservation process for group picnic areas at Rock Creek Park and Fort Dupont Park to Recreation.gov, a website used by many national parks and thousands of park visi-tors across the country. Since 1949, the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation has managed these reservations under an agree-ment with the NPS. DPR has asked the NPS to assume reservations management.

The fee for group picnic areas has not changed since the early 1990s, and an increase is under consideration. The NPS proposal would bring the fee in line with the price for similar group picnic areas in the Washington Metropolitan Area, and would provide options for full-day and half-day rentals. The proposal is to phase this increase over three years starting in the summer of 2014 with an increase to $25/half day. Additional increases will occur in 2015 at $45/half day, and 2016 at $65/half day. The additional revenue will improve the condition of the picnic areas and the service provided to visitors.

Art Enables Call for Art: Amazing MarvelsThe Off-Rhode Studio at Art Enables is

opening its walls and inviting artists in the Wash-ington, Virginia, Maryland area to participate in Amazing Marvels, a show featuring work in-spired by the circus, sideshows or carnival acts. Off-Rhode is a gallery for self-taught and out-sider artists, however, this call is open to all art-ists working in all mediums and preference will be given to self-taught and outsider artists. Elec-tronic submissions due by Jan. 29, 2014. Email [email protected].

Art Enables is a studio and gallery for emerg-ing artists with developmental disabilities. Their

chance to make art comes through Art Enables. Their reasons for doing it are their own: to have something to do, to make money, to feel impor-tant, to tell the world who they are, to become famous. All those reasons and more. Art Enables is at 2204 Rhode Island Ave. NE. 202-554-9455. art-enables.org

Housing Financial Assistance and Case Management for Veterans

The Supportive Services for Veteran Fami-lies (SSVF) program offers financial assistance and case management to help veterans and their families attain and maintain safe, stable housing. Through SSVF, veterans who are homeless or in danger of homelessness receive short-term assis-tance with rent, utilities, childcare, security depos-its, and other household expenses. The program also provides case management to help veterans resolve the issues that caused their housing crises and to ensure long-term housing stability. SSVF serves veterans in DC, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Arlington. Call Housing Counseling Services at 202-667-7006 for more information about this important resource for veterans.

DC Awarded $25,000 Cities of Service Grant After receiving a record number of applica-

tions, Cities of Service has awarded $25,000 to the District of Columbia to implement a ser-vice initiative designed to address neighborhood beautification and environmental sustainability. The District is one of 23 cities to win a Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund grant, which supports mayors who are implementing “impact volunteering” strategies that tackle pressing local challenges. “The Love Your Block DC initiative is a meaningful complement to the ongoing ef-forts of Sustainable DC and leverages the power and energy of residents to take an active role in making the District the healthiest, greenest, most livable city in the nation over the next 20 years.” said Mayor Gray. “Through Love Your Block DC, 430 trees will be planted, 25 city blocks will be revitalized, and three community gardens will be created along with a number of new local park affinity groups.”

Serve DC, DC’s Office on Volunteerism, is lead coordinator for Love Your Block DC and will work closely with the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City and the District ’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Public Works along with hundreds of volun-teers to achieve the grants measurable goals and outcomes. u

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 19

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When a candidate is con-sidering running for office in the District,

the first order of business is to fig-ure out the magic number of votes needed to win the election. The key element of this political calculus is taking an educated guess at the total number of registered voters likely to show up at the polls. This month The District Beat will walk readers through just such an exer-cise. So, power up your calculators and let’s begin.

The Magic NumberIn August 2013 there were

355,774 registered Democrats in the District of Columbia. Of course not all those registered choose to vote. Good electoral calculus in-volves making an educated guess at predicting voter turnout. Previous elections can provide some guid-ance to the electorate’s behavior.

In the September 2006 Dem-ocratic primary 37.23 percent (106,288) of registered Democrats voted. Adrian M. Fenty received 57.20 percent (60,732) of the votes, Linda Cropp received 30.98 per-cent, and Marie Johns 8.01 percent.

In the 2010 Democratic prima-ry 39.95 percent (134,342) of reg-istered Democrats voted, and 54.27 percent of them (72,648) voted for Vincent C. Gray. Fenty garnered

44.47 percent of the total (59,524).Unlike previous primaries,

which were conducted in Sep-tember, the 2014 Democratic election will take place on April 1. No longer will candidates slog door-to-door in the summer heat. Campaigning will take place in unpredictable winter weather. It is unclear whether the turnouts of early mayoral primaries offer a guide to predicting future voter behavior. To add insult to injury, the primary is being held on April Fools’ Day. Fortunately for political prognosticators, DC held an April Democratic primary election in 2012 that gives some idea of turn-out in a non-mayoral contest: 17 percent of Democrats voted.

Accepting that prior electoral turnouts provide a guide to future behavior, we can take the mean of the percentages of voter turnout in the 2006, 2010, and 2012 pri-maries. This yields a 31.39 percent figure. Applying this to the cur-rent number of registered Demo-cratic voters (355,774) yields a prediction of 111,677 votes in the 2014 primary.

If the mayoral field remains crowded, and the US Justice De-partment fails to issue additional indictments, Gray, following the path charted by Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-At Large), can

win with low as 31.49 percent of the vote. However, many pundits believe that voters, much like herd animals, converge on candidates they think likely to win. If the electorate becomes focused on two challengers, Gray’s victory might require as much as 40 percent of the vote, as it did for Councilmem-ber Vincent Orange (D-At Large) in 2012. Depending on the dynam-ics of the race Gray needs between 34,000 and 44,000 ballots. Unfor-tunately for Gray these votes are unlikely to come from the city’s western, mostly white, wards.

A Wounded MayorIn July 2012 The Washington

Post commissioned Abt SRBI to poll public impressions of Mayor Gray. The pollsters found that 34 percent of all adults had a favorable impression, though perceptions varied strongly by race. While 37 percent of African-Americans ap-proved of Gray’s performance, only 15 percent of whites agreed with this assessment. Surprisingly, 61 percent of the respondents believed the mayor to be untrustworthy. When asked whether Gray should step down owing to the federal in-vestigation, 62 percent of whites agreed joined by 48 percent of Af-rican-American respondents.

Gray’s strong negatives did not

improve with time. A year later a poll conducted by Lake Research Partners for Candidate Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) found only 31 percent of likely voters in the Democratic primary had a favor-able impression of the mayor. This dismal view of Gray’s stewardship was confirmed by a poll of voters conducted by Hart Research As-sociates this past September, which found support for the mayor hov-ering at 35 percent. Of those sur-veyed, 45 percent held a totally un-favorable opinion, an improvement on the previous year.

It is clear from these polls is that there is persistent, wide-spread dissatisfaction with the mayor. Moreover, white residents are significantly more displeased. The situation, somewhat ironical-ly, mirrors that of the summer of 2010, when 56 percent of African-Americans expressed unfavorable views of Fenty in a Washington Post poll. It was the heat from this simmering discontent that lifted the fledgling Gray campaign to victory against a well-funded in-cumbent. Is it a stretch to imag-ine angry white voters propelling one of his opponents to victory in 2014?

Fortunately for Gray, Wards 2 and 3, the city’s predominantly white wards, are home to only

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

The Gray Equation

by Andrew Lightman

Page 21: East of the River Magazine January 2014

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 21

18.66 percent (66,402) of the city’s reg-istered Democrats. Th is gives him an op-portunity to pursue the same path to vic-tory pioneered by Orange and Bonds in their recent primary victories, the “East-ern Strategy.”

Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8 are home to 55.53 percent of registered Democrats. Ward 7, Gray’s home ward, contains the largest number, 51,174 (14.38 percent), followed by wards 5 with 50,806 (14.28 percent) and 8 with 47,286 (13.29 per-cent). Ward 6, their immediate neighbor and home of challenger Councilmember Tommy Wells, contains 49,600 regis-tered Democrats, representing 13.94 per-cent of the city’s total. Given the racial and geographical breakdown of Gray’s negatives, these neighborhoods are the key to his fi nding between 34,000 and 44,000 votes.

Gray’s Base: Wards 7 & 8In September 2006 Ward 7 provided

Gray with 11,314 votes to propel him to the chairmanship of the DC Council. Th is number constituted 19.39 percent of his total citywide take and 82.46 percent of the ward’s vote. Th e Democratic turn-out in Ward 7 was 34.46 percent.

In the September 2010 contest with Fenty, Ward 7 provided Gray with 14,518 votes, roughly 20 percent of his total citywide, and 82.26 percent of those cast in the ward. 36.75 percent of regis-tered Democrats voted in Ward 7.

In the April 2012 Democratic pri-mary, in which Councilmember Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) won reelection, the turnout was 19.07 percent in Ward 7. If we average the percentage of voter turnout in the 2012, 2010, and 2006 pri-maries (30.01 percent) and apply this to the total number of registered Demo-crats in Ward 7 we get 15,337 voters.

If Gray manages to maintain his previous margin of victory, he can ex-pect 12,576 votes. Given the fact that his Ward 7 political machine has been decimated by indictments and defections, and that candidate Muriel Bowser’s (D-Ward 4) brother may garner support in Hillcrest, this is likely an optimistic fi g-ure. Moreover, the total constitutes only 29 percent of the 44,000 needed to en-sure his victory in a crowded fi eld.

Th e situation in Ward 8 is analogous to its neighbor’s. In September 2006 Ward 8 provided Gray with 6,823 votes

to propel him to the chairmanship of the DC Council. Th is constituted 11.70 per-cent of his total votes citywide and 78.90 percent of those cast in the ward. Th e Democratic turnout was 27 percent.

In the September 2010 contest with Fenty, Ward 8 provided Gray with 10,502 votes. This was roughly 14.5 percent of his total citywide and 82.10 percent of those cast in the ward. The polls drew 31.35 percent of registered Democrats in Ward 8. In the April 2012 Democratic primary, in which Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) handily won reelection against a crowded field, the turnout was 15.78 percent.

If we average the percentage of voter turnout in the 2006, 2010, and 2012 pri-maries (24.71 percent) and apply this to the total number of registered Democrats in Ward 8 we get 11,684 voters. If Gray manages to maintain his previous mar-gin of victory in the ward he can expect roughly 9,400 votes – 21 percent of the 44,000 needed to ensure victory in a re-duced fi eld.

Even if Gray’s base performs as ex-pected in wards 7 and 8 he still needs another 22,000 votes elsewhere (50 per-cent of his needed total) to sail to victory. Given his huge negatives among white voters, he will no doubt seek these votes in wards 4 and 5, the battlegrounds of the 2014 election.

Ward 4: Can 2010 Be Repeated?Th e situation in the battleground

wards remains unsettled. Here Gray faces competition from sitting council-members, each of whom possesses a ward political machine. Demographic change wrought by three years of gentrifi cation may have eroded previous strongholds of support. Let us begin with Ward 4.

In September 2010 Gray trounced Fenty, a favorite son, in Ward 4, amass-ing 12,815 votes (58.94 percent). This constituted 17.64 percent of his total citywide. Turnout in the ward was high at 45.10 percent.

In 2014 an incumbent Gray faces Councilmember Bowser, a well-funded favorite daughter. In her fi rst election, in May 2007, Bowser beat out a crowded fi eld with a total of 5,064 votes or 40.30 percent in a low-turnout election. In September 2008 Bowser defended her seat, taking 74.85 percent of the vote

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22 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

(7,132). In April 2012 she won with 64.95 percent of the vote (7,541) against a crowded field. By comparison, Ward 6 Council-member Tommy Wells garnered 12,862 votes. In 2010 Fenty pulled in 8,639 votes, 1,000 more than his successor did in any election.

If we average the percentage of voter turnout in Ward 4 for the September 2006, 2008, 2010, and April 2012 primaries we get 33.13 percent. However, given the ward’s historically high turnout during mayoral contests, a figure of 40 percent is more likely. Ap-plying this to the total number of currently registered Democrats we get 19,321 voters.

For the sake of argument, if Gray takes the same percentage of the electorate as Bowser’s ear-lier opponents he could garner a minimum of 6,700 voters. The amount could be larger depending on the effectiveness of Bowser’s campaign and whether Tommy Wells can attract progressive vot-ers into his camp, as David Gros-so (I-At Large) did. In November 2012 the Brookland independent garnered 10,981 votes in Ward 4 during his contest against for-mer councilmember Michael A. Brown, a favorite son. Either way, this only brings a third or less of the 22,000 additional votes Gray needs outside his eastern base.

Uncertainty in Ward 5While Ward 4 remains very

much in play, the situation next door in Ward 5 is even more un-settled. In his September 2006 race for chair, Gray garnered 9,772 votes, or 17 percent of his total, from Ward 5. Turnout in the ward was 36.76 percent. Orange garnered 1,255 votes, or 7.99 per-cent of the total cast.

In September 2010 Gray trounced Fenty, a favorite son, tak-ing 14,160 votes (74.75 percent). This constituted 19.5 percent of his total citywide. Turnout in the ward was 39.05 percent. Orange, running against then popular Kwame R. Brown for chair, gar-

nered only 42.25 percent of the vote for a total of 7,742 votes.

If we average the percentage of voter turnout in Ward 5 for the 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 primaries we get 27.5 percent. However, given the ward’s histori-cally high turnout during mayoral contests, a figure of 35 percent is more likely. Based on the 50,806 registered Democrats in the ward, 17,782 voters are in play.

In Ward 5 Gray faces Or-ange (D-At Large), a favorite son. He also must contend with Bowser, the neighboring coun-cilmember, who has a strong claim on the ward owing to her father’s long political activism in its northeast corner. Finally, the ward provided Grosso with progressive support from the Brookland and Bloomingdale neighborhoods (5,405 votes). These western sections of the ward, having seen enormous demographic change, are being actively courted by Wells.

There is no easy way to quan-tify what will happen in Ward 5. Bowser is an unknown entity, having never competed there. Orange has had trouble histori-cally holding his own against a powerful African-American in-cumbent from Ward 7. It seems likely that Gray can conserva-tively pull at least 12,000 votes out of the ward.

One Fractured CityWards 4, 5, 7, and 8 contain

247,169 registered Democratic voters. Yet, Gray’s path to vic-tory through an eastern strategy remains uncertain. The analy-sis above suggests the mayor will garner something in the neighborhood of 40,000 votes, possibly more. While this will certainly provide a base for vic-tory in an election waged against multiple opponents, success in a reduced field is much less cer-tain. If one of Gray’s opponents can harness the discontent in the city’s western neighbor-hoods, Gray may be looking for a new job come 2014. u

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 23

For me 2013 was a year of too much cancer. Friends either died from the disease or discovered they had it.

Lumps and bumps in the night. A diff erent type of pain making one suddenly feel old or just old enough to really think about death for the fi rst time. A person you love loses their hair and maybe a breast. It’s December and everyone wants to be a survivor. Can the new year be four seasons of spring?

I keep thinking terrorism starts from within. If only we could stop cancer and all those sleeper cells. What if we could free ourselves from cancer the way we hand over bottled water in the airport terminals? Why can’t we all fl y free? Sad texts and painful phone conversations fi lled 2013. What do you say when a person shares the “c” news with you? No way I can turn away and simply write a poem. Do I blame God for changing a friend’s narrative? How many sunsets do they have left? How many years?

In 2013 we had endless talks about healthcare. Cancer treatment, however, comes with a price tag. If only we could solve the “Big C” the way we shut down our gov-ernment. We continue to experiment with new drugs the way we handle our democ-racy. We take risks. We make mistakes.

But what gives me hope is the ability to dream and to be seduced by my imagination. What gives me hope is memory: the stories already told that I can return to. Poet Lucille Clifton once wrote about the good times and how we should celebrate them. We ac-complish this by remembering – everyday I call a close friend who is fi ghting cancer and I let her know how much I love her. I still believe love is eternal, it’s what endures after everything is lost. It’s love that provides the blueprints to rebuild after disaster. It’s love that unwraps the New Year and presents it-self as a gift. What we cherish can never be

denied by illness or diminish our hope. We embrace life even when it fl ickers, knowing we determine the brightness no matter how short or long.

Gil Scott-Heron once sang about “Win-ter in America.” Did he sense the cancer in the air? Two thousand thirteen was a year of dark clouds, bombs, fl oods, and guns in schools. If politicians were doctors they would be accused of malpractice. History sits in a crowded emergency room holding a number that reads 2014.

While my friends fi ght, to live I’ve start-ed to pay more attention to how wounded I too have become with time. My feet and knees hurt more. My eyes no longer see in the dark or even in the light as well as they did two years ago. At my workplace many of my friends have retired. I was starting to make my own arrangements but I looked ahead to what W.E.B. DuBois once called “dusk of dawn.”

I’m writing more, pushing myself into the extra innings. It’s not about throwing fast balls, it’s about knowing how to fi nally pitch well. Yes, I’m looking forward to a few more springs with optimism. December’s darkness can only descend so far. Two thousand thir-teen will not repeat itself. If 2014 brings the changing same, then our struggle to make this a better world will have to continue. Faith often comes with gray hair. What I’ve learned about winter is that I must avoid slipping or falling during or after a storm.

World events can often turnw a sane person into an acrobat. In 2014 we must land on our feet. I’m afraid there is no longer enough money for nets.

E. Ethelbert Miller is a literary activist. He is the director of the African American Resource Center at Howard University and the board chair of � e Institute for Policy Studies. u

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For District residents in low-wage jobs, making work pay is important. We live in an

expensive city, where $8.25 or even $11.50 per hour doesn’t go very far in paying for housing, transporta-tion, food, and other necessities. That’s why DC gives an incentive to working residents through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which eases taxes for low-income workers. But right now the credit provides very little to a big group of workers: singles without children.

The DC Tax Revision Commis-sion (DCFPI) recognized this gap

and recently endorsed an expanded EITC that increases benefits to low-wage workers without children, a group which is ineligible for many other public benefits. DCFPI en-thusiastically supports this recom-mendation. We hope that Mayor Gray and the DC Council will fund this important tax credit in the up-coming budget.

Making the EITC work for childless households will provide a boost to the pay of these residents, as well as to our local economy, be-cause most of these dollars will go right back into local businesses.

Little Safety Net for SinglesOver one-fourth of DC families

who lived in poverty in 2012 had no children, making them a significant portion of the poorest residents. Yet the District’s safety net and income tax system offers fairly little assis-tance to them. Low-income childless workers are ineligible for cash assis-tance like TANF (Temporary Assis-tance for Needy Families) and can get just $195 a month in food stamps. And the EITC, one of the best tools to lift families above poverty, provides very little benefit to singles.

The fact that singles without kids are largely excluded from assistance means that singles working at a low-wage job get much less to make ends meet than low-wage workers with children. But if properly designed the EITC could lift thousands of single earners out of poverty by in-centivizing work and supplementing the wages of those who need it most.

EITC 101: How the District’s Credit Works

The District offers an EITC that reduces DC income taxes, much like

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Making Work Pay Even More for DC Residents

by Wes Rivers and Jenny Reed

theNUMB3RS3.327.649.10

Page 25: East of the River Magazine January 2014

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 25

the federal EITC that applies to the federal income tax. The credit is refundable, meaning that if a worker’s EITC benefit exceeds the amount of taxes owed, the ex-cess is given as a tax refund. DC’s EITC is equal to 40 percent of the federal credit, making it the second largest state-level EITC among the 21 states that offer an EITC.

Very low-income households receive an EITC equal to a per-centage of their income, so that the credit grows as these house-holds earn more. As income in-creases further, households reach a range of incomes in which they can claim the maximum EITC benefit. Beyond the maximum credit income range the credit slowly phases out.

The District credit, like the federal credit, varies based on the number of children living in the household. Households with no children receive the smallest credit, while households with three or more children receive the most. As Figure 1 illustrates, the District’s credit for child-less adults is small and claimable by only a very limited group of single filers without children. For 2013 a single person with-out children can receive a maxi-mum credit of $195, compared to a single person with one child who can receive a maximum credit of $1,300.

Making Work Pay for Childless Workers

The District’s EITC is effec-tive at providing income tax re-lief for very low-income families with children, but fairly limited in its effect for childless singles. For example, a single parent with one child making the new mini-mum wage of $11.50 per hour and working 30 hours a week can

receive the maximum EITC of $1,300. A childless single with the same amount of income – about $17,250 a year – would not be eligible for any EITC benefit at all and would instead owe DC income taxes of $500.

A recent proposal endorsed by the DC Tax Revision Com-mission would change the DC EITC’s benefit level and income eligibility for childless singles, while still maintaining the ben-efit for families with children at 40 percent of the federal credit. The commission recommended raising the credit to about $500 for a single worker earning be-tween $6,400 and $16,800, which means someone working part-time to almost full-time at minimum wage. The credit would then start to phase out com-pletely at about $23,000. This would significantly increase the number of singles without chil-dren who could claim the credit and provide more relief to child-less workers at the minimum wage. For example, the minimum wage worker who earns $17,250 and owes $500 in taxes currently would have an EITC of $450 and end up owing only $50. That’s a 90 percent reduction in income taxes. Figure 2 shows the pro-posal’s EITC benefits at different level of income.

The tax commission’s EITC proposal would provide tax re-lief to a substantial number of low-wage workers who get little work support from other sourc-es. If the mayor and DC Council adopt the proposal, DC would be the first state to create an EITC for childless adults that goes beyond the federal credit. As with the recent passage of the $11.50 minimum wage, the District would remain a national leader in making work pay for all its residents. u

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Page 26: East of the River Magazine January 2014

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On a quiet corner along Galen Street in Ward 8 there is a Unity Health Care facility next door to Freder-

ick Douglass’ historic home. On Kenilworth Terrace in Ward 7 a state-of-the-art Unity Health Center opened in October. And in the Upper Cardozo area of Ward 1 a Unity Health Medical Home served 20,000 pa-tients in 2008 alone, including immigrants and homeless men, women, and children. Even in the DC Jail on the border of the Anacostia River in Ward 6 there’s a Unity Health Care center that attends to the medi-cal needs of the inmates.

Over the past 25 years Unity Health has become the District’s leading health-care provider. What sets them apart from the rest? How do they maintain a high quality of service for every patient regardless of their ability to pay?

The TransformationUnity Health began as a Health Care

for the Homeless Project in 1985. In the old Pierce Street Homeless Shelter Dr. Janelle Goetcheus and her staff began treating pa-tients who were living on the street and had no primary care providers. Over the next two decades Unity Health expanded from a pro-vider on a mobile outreach van to setting up shop in emergency homeless shelters to es-tablishing health stations in all eight wards of the city. Their patient base expanded be-yond the homeless to embrace at-risk fami-lies, Medicaid and Medicare dependents, the working poor, and immigrants. Vincent Keane, president and CEO, says back then partnerships with local hospitals were cru-cial. “We relied very heavily on our partner hospitals to provide services we couldn’t provide like in-patient care and lab work. Providence [Hospital] arranged admissions to the hospital and procedures. That began our partnership with Providence.”

By 1996 Unity Health was operating on a nearly $4 million budget, receiving cost-based reimbursements for services rendered to Medicare patients, getting discounts for drugs, and recruiting doctors from the Na-tional Health Service Corp to work in their clinics around the city. When DC General closed in 2001 the DC Health Care Alliance was formed to meet the needs of the unin-sured and underinsured. Unity Health Care was one of the providers selected to support the medical needs of the District’s most un-derserved populations. Today they continue to be one of the most sought-after health-care providers in the city.

Ward 7 Council Member Yvette Alexan-der says that Unity Health’s reach into com-munities where providers were once sparse

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Unity Health Care Celebrates 25 Years of ServiceHow Unity Health Continues to Provide High-Quality Care for Patients by Candace Y.A. Montague

Page 27: East of the River Magazine January 2014

helps take care of problems before they begin. “This [health center] has been a long time coming for this community. We can definitely bridge the gap with health disparities for people east of the river with clinics like these around. It’s my hope that people will come not only when they’re sick but also for preventative care. That is the key.”

Upgrading Health Care in the DistrictUnity Health has come a long way from using

homeless shelters to conduct business. Take a look around the city and you will find newly constructed buildings in many locations such as the medical home built in the Parkside community of Ward 7. These facilities offer the latest medical technology including digital dentistry and digital x-rays.

The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped to usher in the electronic era of health care. Paper files are becoming a thing of the past and e-records are becoming the more economic and “greener” choice for recordkeeping. Unity Health has adopted the eClinical Works system for pa-tient files, which gives every provider and specialist that works with a patient a chance to review their medical history. Since Unity Health began using the eClinical Works System it has experienced a 21 percent increase in overall provider productivity and realized $12.2 million in additional revenue.

There is also the Patient Portal, which gives patients secure online access to their medical in-

formation. Patients can review lab results, medi-cal records, and billing and receive reminders for health maintenance checkups. Keane says electron-ic health records satisfy a key element of the ACA and address the needs of the community. “Unity’s mission is to improve the health status of our com-munity. Electronic health records are a very impor-tant tool in addressing this goal.”

The Not-So-Secret to SuccessHow does Unity Health continue to rise and

grow while serving traditionally indigent people? Donations, awards, and partnerships. Unity Health

has been receiving awards since its founding in 1985: millions of dollars from funders such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Verizon Foundation, and the Microsoft Corporation to name a few.

First Lady Michelle Obama used Unity Health’s Upper Cardozo location to announce the Obama administration’s support of the Recovery Act, which in part aimed to invest in community health centers. Unity Health received $2.5 mil-lion in funding, which they used to completely renovate the Upper Cardozo center. DC Primary Care Association dedicated $15 million from the District’s Tobacco Master Settlement agreement to fund the construction of both the Anacostia and Parkside centers.

Unity Health also receives support for hu-man capital through partnerships with Providence Hospital and A.T. Still University in Arizona. Re-cently Providence announced that it will be bring-ing more primary and specialty care physicians to the clinics. This kind of teamwork (not a merger) reduces duplicate testing by sharing eHealth re-cords and allows doctors better to collaborate on how to treat the patient. Amy Freeman, president and CEO of Providence, says that continuing the long-standing partnership with Unity Health will improve health outcomes. “By expanding access to Providence physicians at Unity Health Care we can help patients better manage their diseases, im-prove outcomes, and ease the financial burden on a strained health-care system by reducing avoidable trips to the emergency room.”

Perseverance and continuity are common themes in the Unity Health Care System. Vincent Keane says teamwork within the company and partnering with other health-care providers around the city gives Unity Health its edge. “I’d love to think there was some strategic formula. But we are just fortunate to have had some very creative staff over the years, and we seize opportunities when they arise. Working together as a team is critical to giving the best care to our patients in all eight wards of the city.”

Candace Y.A. Montague is the health reporter for East of the River magazine. u

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 27

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EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

On Sunday, Oct. 20, Octavia Payne and DC Scandal, the region’s top women’s ultimate Frisbee team, won the USA

Ultimate Club Championships in Frisco, Tex. Scandal beat San Francisco Fury, a seven-time defending champion, in the title game – the first time that a team not from Boston, San Francisco, or Seattle has won a women’s championship since 1989. The next morning Payne, an account execu-tive at Edelman Public Relations, flew to Denver for a client training session. Despite being less than a full day removed from winning a national championship, it was just another Monday at work. “Twelve hours [before],” says Payne, “I’m on top of the world. “On the biggest stage of my sport, I made this great achievement. Now I’m just working at some event. Nobody knows why I have scabs all over my arms. They just think I get rough on the weekends.”

Created in New Jersey in the late 60s, ultimate is a lot more than rowdy weekends. Played with a flying disc, the game combines the non-stop movement of soccer, the individual match-ups and technical skill of basketball, and the end zone scoring of football. Opposing teams field seven players at a time, and teams like Scandal compete at grueling tournaments that run from Saturday

morning to Sunday afternoon. The Sports and Fitness Industry Association estimates about five million people in the United States play ultimate – more than lacrosse and rugby combined.

Known as “Opi” to the nickname-loving ul-timate community, Payne is the face of a new wave of players – high school varsity studs and Division 1-caliber athletes – taking up the game. Standing 5’6” with a frame that is slim but strong, powerful but nimble, the Baltimore native fea-tures blazing speed and pinpoint long throws that make her one of the best women’s players in the world. The scabs come from her high-flying lay-outs to save possession or block opponents from scoring. In addition to captaining Scandal, this July, Payne was one of 13 players to represent the United States and win gold at the World Games, a 2,800-athlete competition overseen by the Olympic Committee in Cali, Colombia.

Despite her achievements, the anonymity Payne felt in Denver is commonplace for ultimate players. With very few exceptions ultimate has no college scholarships, sponsorships are marginal, and the only reward for the endless weekend practices, nights on the track, and hours in the weight room that a high-level season demands is personal satisfaction. Payne and the rest of the

National Team fundraised their way to Colom-bia, and Scandal players themselves foot the bill for the cost of a season (which included travelling to seven tournaments).

Still, Payne says there’s no question that it’s all worth it. She had never used a passport before going to Colombia, and that’s not to mention domestic travel to California, Colorado, Boston, North Carolina, and Texas, all done this year alone and all to play or practice ultimate. As the coach of George Washington University’s wom-en’s team, a position she volunteers for, Payne is revered as an expert, which she says has made her more assertive and improved her public speaking ability. And back when she was looking for her first job out of college, her initiative with run-ning Scandal’s Facebook and Twitter accounts prompted a teammate to recommend her to a colleague at Edelman.

Above all Payne values ultimate for the ca-maraderie. While playing for the National Team, Payne formed a particularly close bond with Sar-ah Griffith, a player from Seattle. The duo quickly learned the best ways to encourage each another at practice and enjoy low-key relaxation together between games. The relationship is one in a long line of examples of friendships that started with

Octavia PayneDC Ultimate Star on the Rise by Jonathan Neeley

Photo: Steve Helvin

Photo: Steve Helvin

Page 29: East of the River Magazine January 2014

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 29

a shared love for the game. “Only [Sarah] and I will understand the connection that we made in a matter of six months,” says Payne. “Th ese people, I’ll be friends with for life.”

On top of coaching a college team, Payne frequently helps run local youth clinics and partici-pates in Washington Area Frisbee League games. She points to ul-timate’s low barriers to entry – to play, all you need is a fi eld and a disc – as reason to use the sport for youth development. “It’s very welcoming,” she says, “very acces-sible, very fl exible.” And though she’s only 24, Payne is acclimating to the view that her status as a mi-nority – she’s half black, half Japa-nese, and has a long-term girl-friend – makes her a role model. “I’m a recognizable player by vir-tue of the way I look,” she says, “so I might have an automatic foot in the door. [A friend] asked me to come by his school with my medal and talk to his kids about being healthy and exercising and how it can lead to really good things, which I thought was really cool.”

Before she left for the World Games, Payne’s co-workers made her a poster to wish her good luck. When she came back there was a gold-medal-shaped cupcake wait-

ing on her desk, and after Scandal’s win her offi ce organized a viewing party to re-watch the champion-ship game. “I think inevitably, if you’re as into ultimate as I am, that bleeds through your immedi-ate circle and into the people you interact with everyday,” she says. “My co-workers are happy for me”

Payne says their understanding is aided by ultimate’s recent push toward mainstream relevance. DC is home to two semi-professional teams, the DC Current, part of Major League Ultimate, and the DC Breeze of the American Ulti-mate Disc League, both of which are running unprecedented social media campaigns. Th e Washing-ton Post, City Paper, and DCist have all recently run stories about the sport. In May ESPN began broadcasting major USA Ultimate events, and in September Time magazine ran a feature about ul-timate that included a full-page photo of Payne diving to catch a disc. Most recently, on Dec. 3, the DC City Council passed a ceremonial resolution honoring Scandal’s championship. National exposure and recognition from a government as big as DC’s feels like a pretty big deal for a sport that, throughout its existence, has struggled to achieve even blip sta-tus on pop culture’s radar.

“Time,” says Payne, “is some-thing that at face value doesn’t need a lot of explaining. [Passing] the resolution is similar: the city recognized our achievement. You don’t have to explain much about why that’s noteworthy.” u

Photo: Micah Tapman

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Page 30: East of the River Magazine January 2014

30 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

A native of rural Roper, N.C., near the Outer Banks, Erika Foard first came to DC to study theater at Howard University. Af-

ter stints at Source Theatre and Studio Theatre and some voiceover work, she went back to North Carolina briefly to teach theater to high school stu-dents. Upon returning to the District she worked as the development director for a small theater company and performed with Imagination Stage. Over the years Foard also become a spiritual advi-sor in a faith-based community. It was taking up more and more time, so the acting took a back seat. “My last acting project was a directing job with ac-tor John Amos (“Good Times,” “Roots”) – it was pretty exciting.”

Foard took a full-time advertising position with Science magazine, a job she really loved. During the time she was at that job she met her husband, an entomologist. “We were married dur-ing the summer of 2004 – and the cicadas were surfacing (thought to be one of the biggest cicada swarms ever). I told him I didn’t want any cicadas attending our wedding.”

Downsizing at the magazine cost Foard her po-sition, so she decided to take her severance package and invest in a culinary degree at the Art Institute of Washington. Prior to that time she had no formal culinary training. Foard says the men in the family often took charge of the kitchen, but she had lots of kitchen time with her grandmothers, and she started cooking for her family when she was only nine.

Foard has always believed that if you can read you can cook. Only a few months into school she started picking up culinary jobs. She now works full-time at a noted corporate firm, W. Millar and Company Caterers. Recently she started her own personal chef business, Moment2Moment Cre-ations, LLC. “I truly believe we live in moments. Ideally I want to be of service to make the ‘mo-ment’ wonderfully memorable with a heart memo-ry or imprint for the event.”

Many of Foard’s friends and coworkers have

told her that she is a natural at organizing events. For those in the food business every night is like putting on a theater production or show – it’s cho-reography and timing. Food needs to arrive on time and reading your “audience” or guests is key. Foard staffs events she organizes with people she met while studying culinary arts at the institute. “Throughout my life, people have always told me that I should become an event planner. Now I can pull together organizing and culinary skills and plan an event from start to finish,” she says.

Here is a healthful recipe Foard offers up for the winter months:

Winter Harvest RoastYield: 4 servings Vegetables1 pound butternut squash 1 large yellow onion, peeled and quartered1 pound total petite red, purple, gold,

and white potatoes, cut in half2 bulbs fresh garlic approximately 6 or more petite beets

(depending on how much you like them), peeled and cut in half

1 large shallot 1½ pounds fresh green beans 1 teaspoon fresh thyme salt and pepper to tasteextra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Protein Virtually any protein can be used for this dish.

Pork loin, chicken breast, beef roast, even a meaty fish such as salmon. Tofu, properly drained and dusted with a little corn starch, can be pan fried for this as well. For the beef roast or pork loin use 2-3 pounds. For the fish or chicken filets use 24-32 ounces.

Maple-Chipotle Glaze for Proteins1/3 cup maple syrup 1/3 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon crushed chipotle chili peppers or

powder (crushed red peppers can be substituted)

¼ teaspoon ketchup½ tablespoon minced onionsalt and pepper to taste

Wash all vegetables and drain. Toss vegetables (except the beets and green beans) with a few tablespoons EVOO. Place on shallow baking sheet in the oven at 400 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes. Peel beets and roast them on a separate baking sheet for 45 minutes to an hour. (They take a while.)

Beef or pork roasts: season with salt and pepper or as you wish and bake

EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Erika Foard

by Annette Nielsen

Erika Foard with platter of healthful winter harvest roast, an easy-

to-cook, one-platter dinner that combines rich colors and nutrients

Photo: Annette Nielsen

Erika Foard holding a plated version of winter harvest roast with root vegetables and boneless pork. Photo: Annette Nielsen

Page 31: East of the River Magazine January 2014

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 31

covered at 400 degrees F until internal temp reaches 135 de-grees F (medium rare); let rest for 5 minutes.

Chicken breasts: season with salt and pepper as you wish and bake covered at 350 degrees F until internal tem-perature reaches 165 degrees F.

Salmon: foil wrap fresh salmon and bake at 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes or un-til firm but flaky with a slight fleshy pink color.

Tofu: drain between paper towels, one to two hours. Cov-er in light coating of seasoned cornstarch. Pan sear on both sides in a tablespoon of EVOO.

Any of the protein versions can be garnished with a glaze of maple-chipotle sauce to a quantity of your liking.

When the vegetables have finished roasting, quickly cover them loosely in foil and set aside.

Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water for about 90 seconds. Then quickly sauté in a pat of butter and a table-spoon of EVOO, chopped gar-lic, chopped shallots, salt, and pepper. Put aside.

Once meat/protein has been glazed, place in a serving dish. When beets have finished roast-ing, transfer them along with the other vegetables to a serving dish. For a gorgeous plate sur-round the meats/proteins with a mix of all the roasted vegetables. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy!

To reach Erika Foard email her at [email protected] or call

202-297-6111. u

Another year has blessed us and another year has seen WPFW-FM manage its

way through the headwinds of a very turbulent 2013 – and we still have it pumping out jazz, justice, progressive music, and more.

Thank goodness the station found at least a temporary home in 2013, in downtown DC, after ques-tions swirled around the station a year ago as to its future, regarding a place to broadcast, type and nature of programming, a sustaining finan-cial stream, and equipment issues. We are thankful the station is still with us, though at this moment only streaming online, with some tem-porary technical issues preventing it from airing on regular radio chan-nels in late December. We wish Wil-lard Jenkins, Ellen Carter, Bobby Hill Jr., Tom Cole, Rusty Hassan, Bobby Rocks, and all the folks at WPFW all the best New Year’s wishes and suc-cess in the search for stability.

A special New Year’s wish for our jazz masters like Buck Hill, may they find peace and health – and maybe time for a few more vintage riffs – in 2014. Blessed New Year’s wishes also to Bobby Felder, Nasar Abadey, Michael Thomas, James King, Herman Burney, Arnold Ster-ling, Davey Yarborough, and the rest of you stalwarts. Special best wishes to Paul Carr as he embarks on another Mid-Atlantic Jazz Fes-tival while also playing and educat-ing full-time. Health and wealth to Charlie Fishman as he embarks on another year of the DC Jazz Festival.

Best wishes go out also to our ven-ues: long live Bohemian Caverns, back from a renovation from a freak car accident, and Twins Jazz and HR-57 and Blues Alley and the rest … and the new venues, Chez Billy and Dukem Restaurant; and thanks for coming back to jazz, Loews Madison Hotel. Which brings to mind, here’s a special nod of goodwill toward Chris Grasso for bringing jazz back to the Madison and promoting his crew of fine vocal-ists and musicians everywhere.

And finally a very special birthday month and Happy New Year’s wish to DC homeboy and National Endow-

ment for the Arts Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb, he of the grand legacy of play-ing with Sarah Vaughn, Miles Davis, and all the other stars of the music over the years.

The quintessential drummer, Cobb had his 83rd birthday jam two years ago here at Bohemian Caverns. Last January he played with Randy Weston and Ron Carter at the NEA Jazz Masters program to induct Ed-die Palmieri, Mose Allison, Lou Donaldson, and Lorraine Gordon. This January, on the 19th, Cobb is getting an 85th birthday celebration in New York at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola.

Chez Billy/Herb ScottFinally ducked into Chez Billy to

hear Herb Scott one Staurday night last month, when he was playing with Mark Meadows on keyboards and Allen Jones on drums. The music was smooth and tasty, in that right-now space in the front window of the impressive wood-paneled, high-ceil-inged bar area. The fine dining, and fine diners, went on under soft con-versation as Scott and friends played holiday fare with tunes like “What Child Is This” and “Santa Baby.”

Scott, a DC product who gradu-ated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts and attended Michigan State University, has also been playing at another new spot, the Ulah Bistro on U Street, in their Thursday night jams.

Jazz Night AnniversaryWishing a very Happy New Year

to the folks at Westminster Presby-

terian Church in Southwest, which celebrates its 15th anniversary of Fri-day night jazz for the community on Jan. 17. Scheduled performers include Wade Beach and Ernie Douglas, pia-no, James King and Herman Burney, bass, Percy Smith and Nasar Abadey, drums, and a “host of other friends.”

January Highlights: Steve Ab-shire, Allyn Johnson, Salute to Dick Morgan, Jan. 10, Westminster Pres-byterian Church … Lena Seikaly, Jan. 10, Loews Madison Hotel … Ralph Peterson Sextet, Jan. 10-11, Bohe-mian Caverns … Herb Scott, Jan. 11, 18, Chez Billy … Anthony Pirog, Jan. 16, Atlas Performing Arts Center … Kevin Peter Jones All-Star Band, Jan. 16-17, Blues Alley … Jazz Night 15th Anniversary, Jan. 17, Westminster Presbyterian Church … Elijah Jamal Balbed, Jan. 17, Loews Madison Ho-tel … Benito Gonzalez, Jan. 17-18, Twins Jazz … Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor, Jan. 18, Kennedy Center ... Kenny Rittenhouse Quintet, Jan. 22, Blues Alley … Sharon Clark, Jan. 24, Loews Madison Hotel … Christian Scott Quintet, Jan. 24-25, Bohemian Caverns … Bonnie Harris, Tribute to Gloria Lynne, and Jazz Night at the Movies, Jan. 31, Westminster Presby-terian Church … Lori Williams, Jan. 31, Loews Madison Hotel …

January Birthdays: Frank Wess 4; Kenny Clarke 9; Max Roach 10; Jay McShann 12; Melba Liston, Joe Pass 13; Gene Krupa 15; Cedar Wal-ton 17; Jimmy Cobb 20; J.J. Johnson 22; Gary Burton 23; Antonio Carlos Jobim 25; Bobby Hutcherson 27; Roy Eldridge 30. u

jazzAvenuesby Steve Monroe

Our own vocalist supreme Sharon Clark, who performs at the Loews Madison Hotel Jan. 24, had a great 2013 on a nine-concert tour through Russia and elsewhere, winning raves for perfor-mances in New York. Photo: Sharon Clark

Page 32: East of the River Magazine January 2014

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EAST WASHINGTON LIFE

Films Feature Cool ‘Disco’ Dan & Big Chair Chess Club by John Muller

TOP: A Cool “Disco” Dan tag lives on in the rear of the 2400 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE.

RIGHT: Cool “Disco” Dan, Dan Hogg, at a recent film screening

at the Howard Theatre

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the ubiquitous mark of local Washington graffiti

phantom Cool “Disco” Dan appeared throughout the city, sprawled on the sides of Metro buses, vacant build-ings, and city street signs. His omni-present tag blanketed neighborhoods in all eight wards, but there was an extra meaning in his specialty tags such as “South Beast” and “The 1st Southeast Soldiers.”

“Southeast is where it all started for me,” Dan said as he signed pro-motional posters at a recent screening of the feature documentary film, “The Legend of Cool ‘Disco’ Dan” at the restored Howard Theatre on T Street NW. “I would sign Beast beside my name because beast meant you were the toughest person out there, and, you know, since I was from Southeast and everyone thinks that’s the tough-est part of the city I thought I’m the Beast of Southeast. It let people know where I was from and gave Southeast its respect.”

Dan no longer uses the city as his canvas. His imprint has been buffed over in the last decade, but evidence of his presence still lives in an alleyway in the rear of an abandoned building in the 2400 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE. When shown a photo of the mark, which can be accessed via Talbert Street SE, Dan said the tag is relatively new, created a couple of years ago while scouting scenes for “The Legend of Cool ‘Disco’ Dan.”

After the highly anticipated and successful premiere of the film in February 2012 at the AFI Theatre in Silver Spring, and a subsequent na-tionwide tour, Dan emerged from rel-ative seclusion to greet fans at movie screenings and special programs.

“The Legend of Cool ‘Disco’ Dan” blends exclusive interviews with doz-ens of local and national celebrities – including Chuck Brown, civil rights advocate Walter Fauntroy, Ward 8 City Councilmember and former Mayor Marion Barry, and graffiti writers – with archival footage to of-fer the most comprehensive portrait to date of the city’s underbelly dur-ing this critical period in the nation’s capital. By tracing the development of go-go – DC’s indigenous sound – plus racial tensions, neighborhood “crews,” sensationalist media, crack cocaine, and graffiti the movie cap-tures the spirit of a bygone era as told by those who lived to tell it. For more information on the film visit http://cooldiscodan.com/.

Big Chair Chess Club Near the corner of 43rd Place and

Sheriff Road NE in the Deanwood neighborhood is a house that stands out from the rest: a six-by-eight-foot chess board rests atop the first floor’s awning. Since 2000 the home has been the center of the Big Chair

Chess Club, founded to teach chess to inner-city youth and adults, not only as a board game but also as an application of life skills, such as im-proving one’s concentration and self-discipline. The organization is headed by Eugene Brown, who will be por-trayed by Cuba Gooding Jr. in “Life of a King,” a major motion picture set for nationwide release on Jan. 17.

Brown, a real estate agent, bought the home in 2000 for less than $50,000, according to a 2003 profile in a local newspaper, and got some friends to help fix it up. “I was riding by and it had bushes all around it and I could barely see the ‘For Sale’ sign,” he recalled.

According to press releases for the movie Brown discovered a multi-tude of life lessons through the game of chess during his 18-year incarcera-tion for bank robbery. After his re-lease and reentry into the workforce

Brown founded the Big Chair Chess Club to get kids off the streets and working toward lives they never be-lieved they were capable of. From his daring introductory chess lessons to groups of unruly high school students in detention to the development of the club and the teens’ first local chess competitions, this movie reveals his difficult, inspirational journey and how he changed the lives of a group of teens with no endgame.

The Deanwood Chess House, the only facility of its kind east of the river, has provided youth and adults with lessons on chess and life since open-ing three years ago. It has become a training ground for young players who want to hone their strategies and an alternative to the pull of the streets.

For more information on the Big Chair Chess Club visit www.bigchairchess-club.org. u

Page 33: East of the River Magazine January 2014

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 33

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

CHANGING HANDS

FEE SAMPLE

ANACOSTIA 1322 TALBERT TER SE $106,000 21328 RIDGE PL SE $282,000 31803 16TH ST SE $225,500 31830 T PL SE $270,000 4

CHILLUM 238 MADISON ST NW $360,000 3

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 630 CHESAPEAKE ST SE $215,500 3724 CONGRESS ST SE $225,000 5726 CONGRESS ST SE $234,900 4805 HR DR SE $145,000 3823 YUMA ST SE $225,000 3

DEANWOOD 1006 48TH ST NE $217,000 2244 56TH PL NE $285,000 3253 56TH ST NE $150,000 2316 49TH ST NE $155,000 25016 JAY ST NE $155,000 4511 58TH ST NE $297,000 55509 HUNT PL NE $180,000 27 BURNS ST NE $258,000 3

FORT DUPONT PARK 1639 40TH ST SE $230,000 34010 ALABAMA AVE SE $300,000 44350 F ST SE $189,000 34415 A ST SE $289,990 44622 H ST SE $232,000 3

HILL CREST 10 RANDLE CIR SE $158,400 21400 34TH ST SE $370,500 31511 28TH ST SE $223,000 42115 BRANCH AVE SE $245,000 32502 33RD ST SE $350,000 3

Neighborhood Price BR

3148 WESTOVER DR SE $489,000 53430 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE $495,000 5

HILLANDALE 3920 GEORGETOWN CT NW $1,110,000 4

MARSHALL HEIGHTS 120 53RD ST SE $215,000 34612 BASS PL SE $85,000 35309 D ST SE $294,900 45539 CENTRAL AVE SE $85,000 2

RANDLE HEIGHTS 1526 23RD ST SE $310,000 41718 22ND ST SE $130,000 33124 24TH ST SE $155,000 53463 23RD ST SE $86,100 23465 23RD ST SE $76,100 2

CONDO

CONGRESS HEIGHTS 3221 8TH ST SE #9 $62,000 2717 BRANDYWINE ST SE #204 $45,000 2

DEANWOOD 948 EASTERN AVE NE #1 $47,500 1

FORT DUPONT PARK 3937 S ST SE #107 $47,300 1

HILL CREST 2016 37TH ST SE #102 $59,000 2

RANDLE HEIGHTS 3275 15TH PL SE #201 $72,000 3u

Licensed in DC, MD and VA

Paula L.Ross-HaynesGRI, ABR,SFC,CIN, NOTARY

6725 Suitland Road, Ste 104 • Suitland, Maryland 20746

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Office:301-736-2449

[email protected]

Real Estate Needs

Page 34: East of the River Magazine January 2014

34 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

King Week Project: “Let’s Promote Peace” MuralBetween Jan. 12-18, families can stop by any

neighborhood library to participate in the King Week Project. Your child can personalize a paper peace symbol and sign a peace pledge to be dis-played as a “Let’s Promote Peace” mural in the chil-dren’s room. After the mural is displayed in your neighborhood library, it will be sent to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to become part of a larger peace display for Black History Month! “We must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends by peaceful means.” -Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Especially for ages 4-12. dclibrary.org

DC Parks and Recreation Outdoor Explorer Family Adventures

Outdoor Explorer: Family Adventures is se-ries of outdoor recreation excursions, designed for families to enjoy the great outdoors together. Ex-cursions are one the 2nd Saturday of each month. The next adventure is snow tubing at Ski Round-top Resort on Feb. 8, all day, and leaves from Fort Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. Reg-istration is required at bit.ly/oefa2014.

Black History Month Evening Story Time at Anacostia Library

On Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m., in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, they will have a special story time celebrat-ing African and African-American history and culture. Stories, songs, and a craft for ages 5-9. An-acostia Neighborhood Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd. SE. 202-715-7707. dclibrary.org/anacostia

Schools Skate for Fitness at Fort Dupont Ice ArenaIn partnership with DC Public Schools De-

partment of Health and Physical Education, the Schools Skate for Fitness is a program designed to meet the physical education requirements of the el-ementary, middle and high schools in Washington, DC, and to promote physical fitness and an active lifestyle. The Fort Dupont Ice Arena encourages you to bring the same class or group of students

three or four times for a full ice skating curricu-lum. This curriculum, or repeat instruction, enables those particular children to advance beyond the

very basic first skating lesson and to truly develop recreational ice skating skills. Developing strong skating skills increases the likelihood that these

Kids & Family Notebookby Kathleen Donner

KIDS & FAMILY

Drew Elementary School celebrates winning the DC SCORES Poetry Slam! in its first year of the event! Photo: Courtesy of DC SCORES

The 16th annual DC SCORES Poetry Slam!, the largest youth spoken-word competi-tion in the District, showcased original poetry and songs written by students who participate in the award-winning after-school program. De-cember’s two-night event was held at Cardozo Education Campus on Dec. 4 and H.D. Wood-son Senior High School Dec. 5. On the second night of the Poetry Slam!, students representing 19 elementary and middle schools wowed 500 guests with group and individual performances. Afterward, Executive Director Amy Nakamoto labeled the performances the best she’s ever seen! The poems’ topics covered everything from the very serious (school shutdowns, violence in neighborhoods) to the comical (the sounds

of different dogs barking, the walking gaits of various animals) and illustrated the freedom of expression poetry offers. Elementary school winners were Drew (1st); Arts and Technology Academy (2nd); and Imagine Hope Community Charter - Tolson Campus (3rd). Skky Mabry of Imagine Hope won the individual Shine Award. Middle school winners were KIPP DC: AIM Academy (1st); Kelly Miller (2nd); and Jefferson (3rd). Immanuel Webb of KIPP AIM won the Shine Award.

DC SCORES builds teams through after-school programs for 1,500 low-income DC youth at 47 schools by instilling self-expression, physical fitness, and a sense of community. To learn more, visit DCSCORES.org.

DC SCORES Poetry Slam!

Page 35: East of the River Magazine January 2014

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 35

children will continue to skate and make exercise and physical activity a regular part of their life.

Ice time is available Tues-day-Friday, 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Skaters must be in 2nd-12th grades (kindergarten and first grade by special arrangement only). Visit includes 15 min-ute orientation, 25 minute on-ice lesson, and 20 minute free skate time. Skaters must be dressed properly: long pants, long-sleeved shirt, long socks, and jacket. Permission slips are required for every skater under age 18. There is no charge for DC Public Schools. There is a $120 fee per visit for private schools, charter schools, Vir-ginia and Maryland schools, and community groups. The $120 fee covers 30 children, and skate rental for each child. For groups larger than 30 chil-dren, please add $5 per skater. To schedule a visit, contact Pro-gram Director Leticia Moreno Enos at 202-584-5007, ext.13 or [email protected]

Glorious March to Liberty: Civil War to Civil Rights at Francis A. Gregory Library

On Monday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m., Hari Jones, the African American Civil War Museum’s Curator and Assistant Direc-tor, will present the program “Glorious March to Liberty: Civil War to Civil Rights.” In this interactive program, par-ticipants will learn about the scope of African American involvement in the Civil War and have the opportunity to handle reproduced Civil War items. Program is for ages 5, older. Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. 202-698-6373. dclibrary.org/francisDPR Lifeguarding Classes, Ages 15 and Older

DPR employs certified American Red Cross lifeguards year round in order to serve Dis-

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36 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

KIDS & FAMILY

The White House is having its first-ever White House Student Film Festival: a video contest created just for K-12 students, and whose finalists will have their short films shown at the White House. Finalist videos may also be featured on the White House website, YouTube channel, and social media pages.

Films should address at least one of the fol-lowing themes: (1) how you currently use tech-nology in your classroom or school and (2) the role technology will play in education in the future. Submissions for the White House film festival will be accepted through Jan 29, 2014. Videos must be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo to be submitted. Read details at whitehouse.gov/filmfestival.

White House Student Film Festival Entries Deadline Approaching

President Obama addresses 3D movie goers in White House movie theater.

trict residents and guests at DPR Aquatic Facilities. To maintain this level of service, DPR regularly hosts training sessions to certify those interested in becoming lifeguards. Sessions include condition-ing exercises and complete American Red Cross lifeguard training in three areas: Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED (Cardiopulmonary Resusci-tation/Automated External Defibrillator) for the professional rescuer. Lifeguard training for DC resi-dents is $100 with a $10 registration fee for a total of $110. Visit dpr.dc.gov/node/539492 for details.

Children’s Cinema: Spotlighting The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 4 p.m., see the story of a young school girl in Selma, Ala., who is inspired by Dr. King. On Jan. 16 at 4 p.m., see an animated film showing the adventures of time-traveling students who meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Both are for ages 8-12. Deanwood Neighborhood Library, 1350 49th St. NE. 202-698-1175. dclibrary.org/deanwood

DC Youth Poetry Slam Team

Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m., teens are invited to par-ticipate in weekly poetry and spoken word workshops. The DC Youth Poetry Slam Team will host bi-week-ly workshops on Wednesday after-noons at Dorothy I. Height/Ben-ning Library. The DC Youth Poetry Slam Team uses

poetry to teach and empower teens from the area to speak up about issues of social justice. Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, 3935 Ben-ning Rd. NE. 202-281-2583. dclibrary.org/benning

imagiNATIONS Activity Center at the American Indian Museum

Open every day, the interactive, family-friend-ly imagiNATIONS Activity Center provides visi-tors of all ages with a multitude of unique learn-ing experiences. Native peoples have always used the natural environments around them to meet their needs, and today many of their innovations and inventions are part of daily life for millions worldwide. Visitors to the center can explore some of these ingenious adaptations through a variety of hands-on activities: Weave a giant bas-ket to learn about the various styles of basketry. Explore different modes of transportation like snowshoes and skateboards. Sit inside a full-sized tipi and learn about the buffalo. And stamp your imagiNATIONS passport with real tribal seals as you journey through the center. Even the homes where Native people lived show how they adapted to their environments! Visitors can find out how as they wander through an Amazonian stilt house, see what makes a Pueblo adobe house special, or learn how a Comanche tipi is built.

The craft room offers visitors the opportunity to create art projects and take them home. Their new-est activities include a kayak balancing game and our Native Beats Music Room, where kids can ex-plore music through Native percussion instruments. Don’t forget to test your knowledge of Native his-tory, culture, and customs by participating in a com-petitive quiz show!

They invite you to come and explore! The cen-ter always has something new, hosting a regular schedule of storytellers, artists, and other unique performers and activities. The imagiNATIONS Activity Center is open Monday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. NMAI

on the National Mall at 4th St. and Independence Ave. SW. nmai.si.edu

“I Have a Dream Wall” for Teens at MLK LibraryBetween Jan. 12-19, teens are encouraged to ar-

tistically express themselves and continue the non-violent fight towards equality for all. Come to MLK Library and decorate a “dream cloud” that will state your dream for the future for yourself, your com-munity and/or this country. Your “dream cloud” will be on display on the “I Have A Dream” wall during Black History Month at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library during February.

Chinese New Year Family Day at the American Art Museum

On Saturday, Jan. 25, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., the American Art invites everyone to join them in celebrating the Chinese New Year in the heart of Chinatown. Festivities to bring in the Year of the Horse include traditional dance performances and demonstrations. Learn the art of calligraphy and make red paper lanterns to bring yourself good luck in the New Year! Free admission. American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard, 8th and F sts. NW. 202-633-1000. americanart.si.edu

National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, 2014-2015

Kate DiCamillo, Newbery Medal Award-win-ner and honoree, has been named National Am-bassador for Young People’s Literature by Librar-ian of Congress James H. Billington. DiCamillo will serve in the position during 2014 and 2015, succeeding Walter Dean Myers. She has chosen “Stories Connect Us” for her platform.

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is named by the Librarian of Congress for a two-year term, based on recommendations from a selection committee representing many segments of the book community. The selection criteria include the candidate’s contribution to young people’s literature and the ability to relate to children. The position was created to raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s lit-erature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people. During their tenures, the ambassa-dors appear throughout the country at events with young people, encouraging them to make reading a central part of their lives. loc.gov

In Every Language Love at the SacklerOn Feb. 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 2 p.m., view a digital

slideshow of images of love in Asian art. Use print-ing blocks that say “love” in more than a dozen Asian languages as well as symbols of love to print vivid Valentines to take home. It’s an open house for all ages. The Sackler Gallery is at 1050 Inde-

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 37

pendence Ave. SW. asia.si.edu

Library of Congress to Offer Junior Fellows Summer Internships

Now in its 10th year, the Library’s Junior Fellows Summer Internship Program once again is off ering special 10-week paid fellowships to college students. For a stipend of $3,000, the 2014 class of Junior Fellows will work full-time with Library specialists and curators, May 27-Aug. 1, 2014, to in-ventory, describe and explore collec-tion holdings and to assist with dig-ital-preservation outreach activities throughout the Library. Th e focus of the program is on increasing access to collections and awareness of the Li-brary’s digital-preservation programs by making them better-known and available to Members of Congress, scholars, researchers, students, teach-ers and the general public.

Th e fellows will be exposed to a broad spectrum of library work: copyright deposits, digital preserva-tion, reference, access standards and information management. From 15th-century German woodcuts and Civil War battlefi eld maps to Abraham Lincoln’s life mask and a braille copy of the book “Harry Pot-ter and the Order of the Phoenix” published in 2003, rare and unique treasures were processed by the 2013 Junior Fellows.

Applications will be accepted online only at usajobs.gov, keyword: 357481100, through midnight, Fri-day, Jan. 24, 2014. For more details about the program and information on how to apply, visit loc.gov/hr/jrfel-lows. Questions about the program may be sent to [email protected].

DCPS K-12 Out-of-Boundary Lottery

Th e Out-of-Boundary Lottery is a school choice service off ered by DCPS to allow parents to ap-ply for available seats at a school other than their child’s assigned school(s). To fi nd your child’s as-signed school(s), visit dcatlas.dcgis.dc.gov/schools. Th is lottery is not for children attending their current school as an out-of-boundary stu-dent or for those seeking admission to a selective citywide high school. Th e Out-of-Boundary Lottery ap-

plication period for the 2013-2014 school year begins on Jan. 28 and ends on Feb. 25. Please check dcps.dc.gov one week prior to the open-ing of the lottery for specifi c open-ing and closing times.

Imagination Stage: “Aquarium” at the Atlas

From Jan. 28-Feb. 2, enter a world where giant jellyfi sh fl y through the air, sheep graze in the grass, and lemons create the sun in a “let’s pretend” sky. With gentle mu-sic, beautiful puppets, and imagina-tive props, Jack and Calypso lead children and caregivers to a magi-cal, interactive world. Imagination Stage, an international leader in family theater, is a proud presenter of “serious fun for the very young” in their innovative live performance experiences. $8. Th e Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org

First-Ever Sleepover for Kids in Rotunda at National Archives

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Na-tional Archives and the Founda-tion for the National Archives are partnering to host the fi rst-ever overnight event for children ages 8-12 years old in the home of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Each participant will have the chance to engage with National Archives documents in fun and ex-citing ways: decode Civil War ci-phers, write a letter to the President, learn how to write with a quill pen, play with historic toys and games from their patent collection, and other activities. Th e evening will end with with a selection of Oscar-nom-inated short fi lms in the William G. McGowan Th eater. Th e cost is $125.

After the night sleeping in the Archives Rotunda and Rotunda Galleries, participants will enjoy breakfast, play Archives trivia, and join in an interactive demonstration on how hot chocolate was made in colonial times, using Ameri-can Heritage Chocolate. For more information and to register, visit archivesfoundation.org/sleepover. Questions about the event should be directed to [email protected]. u

APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEARPre-K 3, Pre-K 4, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade

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*You must register to attend, limit of 20 people per session. Call (202) 545-0515 to register.

Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and SchoolsVoted Best Preschool in DC, City Paper Readers Poll 2013!

Page 38: East of the River Magazine January 2014

38 H EASTOFTHERIVERDCNEWS.COM

KIDS & FAMILY

Privileged To Do WithoutAfrican Trip Shows Eastern Students What Is And Isn’t Important In Life by Stephen Lilienthal

Eastern student

Mahni Clarke-

Hellams carries a village child who resides in Guchi.

Mahni Clarke-Hellams, junior at East-ern Senior High School (ESHS), and five classmates spent five days in

July living in a place without television, the in-ternet, electric lights, ovens or stoves, bathrooms, not even running water from a sink. Is it any won-der that some of Mahni’s friends would exclaim, “Africa! Why would you want to go there? You could look at it on TV.”

Yet, Mahni’s and her classmates’ experience as Student Ambassadors (SA) for buildOn, a non-profit concerned with development issues, chal-lenges the conventional American view of how life is to be lived.

From Eastern SHS to Southeast AfricaThe students visited Malawi, a country in

southeast Africa, this July thanks to buildOn, a non-profit dedicated to reducing poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequity in underdeveloped areas. Sky-ler Badenoch, buildOn’s DC representative, em-phasizes that the non-profit’s mission is to have students travel to underdeveloped areas to do their part to diminish the deficits in educational resourc-es. In over two decades, buildOn has built well over 550 schools in countries with high rates of poverty. Eastern’s buildOn chapter helped raise money for the trip while the DC chapter raised a majority of the funds.

Six students were selected to serve as Student Ambassadors (SA) after being recommended by Eastern faculty, completing two essay questions and going through a panel review conducted by DC buildOn Chapter members. Mahni, Naomie Williams, Givon Clair, Davonya Flythe, Alexis Adams, and Ke’Asiah McLaughlin, left in July to visit Guchi, a small Malawian village with an economy based on agriculture. They were accom-panied by their science teacher, Megan Fisk, and

their Dean of Students, Neu-tah Opiotennione.

Arriving in GuchiAs they rode the bus to Guchi,

the students felt apprehensive. Even though Guchi needed a school to serve its residents and those of nearby villages, Mahni found herself wonder-ing, “Are they going to appreciate what we’re doing? Are they going to accept us?” Seeing all the empty homes in Guchi in-creased the uncertainty. However, the SAs unease quickly dissipated upon entering the cen-ter of the village where they were greeted by sing-ing and dancing villagers. Alexis Adams smiles when recalling the warm greeting, “I don’t really dance, but I danced there because it’s respectful to dance” with villagers.

After the reception, the village leaders spoke in a hut, welcoming the SAs.

Mahni and Davonya responded by expressing the wish that both Guchi residents and the SAs would learn from each other.

What They DidESHS’s SAs were soon at work helping the

village construct the school. Receiving help from buildOn requires the signing of a covenant in which villagers promise to maintain the school

and ensure it pro-vides equal access to

males and females. Vil-lagers unable to write their

name provided their fingerprints. After breaking ground, the villagers and

buildOn mixed cement, sifted sand, and laid bricks. Village men worked on construction and the women prepared food and carried water. “It was fun to show them that in the US women do construction work and that we actually are good at it.”

Life Not As We Know ItESHS’s SAs had to confront all kinds of chal-

lenges unthinkable to most Americans. Villagers must walk to obtain water from a well. Travel for most villagers means walking. Guchi has no elec-tricity so the students had to use flashlights.

They had spent days studying Chichewa, the language spoken by Guchi’s residents, but

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EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | JANuARy 2014 H 39

found themselves relying often on non-verbal communication with their families and translators at the worksite. Children in Mahni’s resi-dence spoke some English, allow-ing her to forge bonds with them by the visit’s end. The students taught them freeze tag, Uno, and answered their questions about President Obama and his family.

Mahni ‘s host family was fairly affluent by rural Malawian stan-dards, residing in a hut but also owning a brick house that some SAs used for their stay. Alexis stayed there too, recalling that the family had a TV yet, like all of Gu-chi, no electricity. Showering and cooking meant using water heated by fire. Mahni found using an out-side bathroom difficult particularly in the cold night.

Contrasting Here and There The six students returned to

the States with a stronger under-standing between wants and needs. As Ke’Ashiah wrote in a journal, ”Living with a host family halfway across the world from mine really made me appreciate everything I have at home.”

Interested in health care, Mahni learned that Guchi residents must travel two hours by vehicle or walk four hours to reach the nearest hos-pital. Only children under 5 have regular access to doctors.

Mahni and the SAs were im-

pressed by the interest young Ma-lawians show toward education. Visiting a school on the way to Gu-chi, students were “ready to learn.” When asked questions, hands shot up. Davonya says, “Malawians view education as a privilege.”

When asked about the low standard of living in Malawi, Mahni says, “The striking thing is that Malawians do not carry them-selves as if they need money.” She wrote in her journal that the Guchi residents “seemed to smile despite their circumstances.”

Ke’Asiah now believes that many of her wants “are unimport-ant to living.”

The hard working nature of the villagers and the commitment of Guchi’s parents to see their chil-dren prosper impressed her.

Alexis says what she finds in-spiring is that Malawians are help-ful without expecting things in re-turn. “That’s something you don’t see a lot of in America.”

When asked about how the ex-perience changed her life, Mahni says, “I don’t ask for much any-more.” Her fellow ESHS class-mates now have a changed view of Africa. “When we came back and told our classmates and families everything, they were like, “Wow! I want to go.”

Stephen Lilienthal is a freelance writer. u

Privileged To Do WithoutAfrican Trip Shows Eastern Students What Is And Isn’t Important In Life by Stephen Lilienthal

Page 40: East of the River Magazine January 2014

40 H EaSTOFTHErIVErDCnEWS.COM

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Page 42: East of the River Magazine January 2014

City Councilmember-At-Large David Grosso and Carolina Lopez (CCN)

Trudy and Gary Peterson

Barbara Wells, John Smith, Phil and Genie Huti net

Jamie Bohl, owner of Lavendar Retreat

Dave Kletzkin (CCN) and Jason Yen (CCN)

Kwame Brown, Anwar Saleem (H St. Main Street), Jean-Keith Fagon, David Grosso, Mayoral Candidate Tommy Wells

Melissa Ashabranner (CCN) and Roberta Weiner Mimi Kim and Lee Kyungmin (CCN)

E.V. Downey, Thomas Snow and Ana and Jason Townsend.

Patti e Cinelli, Melissa Ashabranner, Carolina Lopez

Paul and Barbara Savage

Sharon Bosworth (BRMS) and Jim Smailes, Capital Rowing Club

Ward 6 City Council Candidate Darrell Thompson and Jason Miller (JSMG)

Jean-Keith Fagon, CCN and Stan Bissey (John C. Formant)

Damian Fagon, Marco Fagon, Mia Fagon

Nicolas Frank and Dorian Lipscomb owner of Bouti que on the Hill

42 H EaSTOFTHErIVErDCnEWS.COM

Best to all

in 2014 from Capital

Community News!

Ward 6 City Council candidate Charles Allen with wife Jordi Hutchinson and daughter Cora Best Best We celebrated the season with friends, collegues and clients in the beautifully renovated Piano Bar at Banana Cafe.Photos: Nicolas Frank

Page 43: East of the River Magazine January 2014

Barbara Wells, John Smith, Phil and Genie Hutinet

Dave Kletzkin (CCN) and Jason Yen (CCN)

E.V. Downey, Thomas Snow and Ana and Jason Townsend.

Nicolas Frank and Dorian Lipscomb owner of Boutique on the Hill

EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | January 2014 H 43

MIDCITY

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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 3935 Benning Rd NEBenning 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 SEWashington Highlands Neighborhood Library 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

Page 44: East of the River Magazine January 2014