of The Hill VOICE This Month 14 Au Revoir, 2003 Get ready, Capitol Hill...it's 18 308 Hits 100 20 The Positives of Preservation b-a-a-a-ck (winter, 22 Ode to the X Bus 24 Lunch and Language that is). 25 Stay Well! 27 Hill Dems Gearing Up 28 Our Own Arts & Entertainment District 29 Snow: A Real Love/ Hate Relationship 30 Hine Marches On 32 Spinning the Tunes 33 Making a Difference 36 Voice of the Ring 37 Lord of the Dance 40 Mangling Syntax, Italian Style Departments VoiceMail......................................3 City Desk......................................4 DownLoad ....................................8 Business Bits .............................11 Capital Kids................................15 Amazing Spaces .........................41 Performing Arts Roundup.............42 Ask Judith ..................................44 Designing for Hearth and Home...46 Armchair Movie Reviews ..............48 Health and Fitness......................50 Ask the Vet.................................52 Barracks Row .............................54 School News...............................55 Kids' Calendar ............................56 Community Calendar ...................57 Horoscope..................................59 Classifieds .................................59 Business Services ......................60 Restaurant Review ......................62 Vol. 5 No. 10 January 2004 Just keeps getting better at the PET-Friendly Hawthorne! This is the largest & one of the brightest 1BR apts in the bldg. It boasts a rarely found separate dining room, walk-in closet, HWFs, wool carpet in BR, fireplace, W/D, CAC, Built-in Bookcases, mod kit w/ window, roof deck w/ monument views, extra storage, & LOW FEE ($147.32).$249,900 Call Todd Bissey at 202-841-7653 This beautiful 1BR terrace level condo in the sought-after Justice Court Condominium is just steps from the Senate Offices! It features a wood-burning fireplace, great closet space, an updated kitchen with a dishwasher, a washer/dryer, your own PRIVATE PATIO, & an OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE! $234,000 Call Pete Frias at 202-744-8973 Immediate equity at this price! Magnificently RENOVAT·ED & sunny 1900 sq. ft. 3BR/2.5BA w/ fp, oak flrs, beau·tiful finishes, granite, stainless, cute back yard, & more! $334,500 Call Todd Bissey at 202-841-7653 Darling terrace level efficiency w/ GREAT LIGHT, updated kitchen, closets galore, & a lovely bath! Right behind Union Station, the METRO, & the new SEC complex, this 400 sq. ft. condo would be the perfect in town residence or income producing rental! $99,000 Call Pete Frias at 202-744-8973 Inviting brick Victorian Bay front of MONSTROUS proportion! Renovated & light-filled w/ 3 good sized BRs & a laundry room w/ a full sized washer & dryer) upstairs, plus 2 full BA, great enter·taining space on the 1st fl. w/ a huge LR, sep. DR, a nicely updat·ed kitchen w/ a sep. breakfast room, a 1/2 bath, & a charming brick patio. Tenants pay gas, elec. & water. Avail. Jan. 10, 2004. $2,000 +Utilities Call Todd Bissey at 202-841-7653 TODD AND STAN'S DECEMBER ACTIVITY 121 10th Street, SE (Selling Agents) 1310 Congress Street, SE (Listing Agents) 1205 G Street, NE (Selling Agents) 317 10th Street, NE #7 (Listing Agents) 1243 G Street, NE (Selling Agents) 234 Maryland Ave., NE #4 (Selling Agents) 3017 Warder Street, NW (Selling Agents) Listed @ $449,000 Under Contract Listed @ $269,500 Under Contract Listed @ $349,900 SOLD Listed @ $249,900 SOLD Listed @ $393,500 SOLD Listed @ $234,000 SOLD Listed @ $319,900 SOLD Best of the best! HUGE Wardman-style row on the premier block in 16th Street Heights! Renovated from the front walk all the way up to the finished walk-up attic/den & all the way back to the 2-car garage. Filled with the personal touches everyone's after--such as coffered ceilings in the living room & dining room, crown moulding, pillars, top-of-the-line appliances, hwd floors throughout, finished basement, & 3BR/ 3.5BA. $679,500 Call Pete Frias at 202-744-8973 PETE'S DECEMBER ACTIVITY 637 3rd Street, NE #B-1 (Listing & Selling Agent) Under Contract 1210 H Street, NE (Selling Agent) Under Contract 1246 Duncan Place, NE (Listing & Selling Agent) SOLD 1534 E Street, SE (Listing Agent) SOLD 300 M Street, SW (Selling Agent) SOLD 234 Maryland Ave., NE #4 (Listing Agent) SOLD 225 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, S.E. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20003 TEL: 202-544-3900 FAX: 202-546-1771 of The Hill VOICE Voicemail The Voice of the Hill is published and The latest case involves SE netherworld as an excellent distributed monthly to Capitol Hill Calling All Readers: crack pipe. residences and business locations. Let your voice be heard in the pages of Market at Independence and At the Dec. 16The focus is on the community and The Voice of the Hill. Has a recent article 15th, whose new owner said includes contiguous neighborhoods in this paper inspired or intrigued you? at the Dec. 16 PSA 109 East PSA meeting, from Gallaudet University to the Do you have neighborhood news and meeting that he has a supply of Hammi Munir, son Navy Yard and from the Capitol to views that the community simply must the novelty glass tubes and plans to of owner, Mr. the Stadium Armory Complex. know about? Write a letter to the editor continue selling them at least until he Muhammad Munir, asked why he Publication and distribution is the today. sells out. last Friday of each month. Letters should be emailed to For those who do not know, SE should stop selling the Advertising deadline is the first of editor@voiceofthehill.com and must Market is at a corner that has long been novelty item when other stores along the the month preceding publication. include your full name, daytime phone most known for heroin sales. The nee-troubled 15th Street business corridor number, email address and street dle-exchange van stops by at 15th and C are allegedly selling them. It wasn't clear which ones, but maybe Voice of the Voice of the Hill address. Letters may be edited for every Thursday morning. NOTE NEW ADDRESS! space and clarity. It also must be reiterated that sales Hill readers can help fill in the blanks. of these glass tubes have so far been Are these glass tubes with flowers for PO Box 15874 Washington DC 20003-0874 Start by Voting 202-544-0703 Main office 202-318-7806 Fax To the Editor: It was 30 years ago today that Richard determined to be legal in DC - or so I'm sale everywhere? told - because they are a cute novelty The owner of SE Market also com·item that kids like (how about that plained that he had not seen me in his logic?). store. And I haven't been there, because I and many of my neighbors, however, generally speaking, I don't knowingly www.voiceofthehill.com Nixon signed into law the Home Rule believe that sales of crack pipes on cor-patronize Capitol Hill businesses thateditor@voiceofthehill.com Act. We've come a long way, but still ners where crack is also sold and other sell crack pipes. bruce@voiceofthehill.com have so very far to go. I'm interested in drugs are regularly consumed sets the patti@voiceofthehill.com hearing any thoughts on Home Rule adele@voiceofthehill.com past, present or future. I realize that others might choose a wrong tone for a neighborhood trying to different approach to the problem, hop-right itself from years of violence and ing that if they ask for and buy enough julia@voiceofthehill.com I hope that next year we are enjoying social ruin associated with drugs. fois gras, brie or whatever, maybe the the fruits of budget autonomy which has The new owner of SE Market also community can wean store owners off Staff passed the Senate, a vote in the House, says his family has had great success the need to sell items associated with Scott Shumaker, Editor the Davis Bill, and perhaps even our own with a store on 13th Street, NW, and crack use. Bruce Robey, WebMaster District Attorney, the Catania Bill, and if their store was a factor in turning the we're lucky a judge might rule that a Adele Robey, Graphic Design and commuter tax is our right. Maybe we'll That may be a fine idea. All I'm doing corner away from being a center for drug hereis publicizing the situation and giv·sales and use. ing people a chance to consider whatev- Production see our public school test scores go up But that was in Northwest. er path they might wish to take. Andrew Noyes, Assistant Editor and crime go down, and maybe, just Some who read this item will probably Patti Shea, Political Reporter maybe, we'll see a winter where our fault us "complainers" for questioning Larry Kaufer, Sports Editor most vulnerable won't die alone in the the sale of a novelty item that's legal, JIM MYERS Julia Robey, Production Coordinator streets. just because it is known in the street This year though, I plan to celebrate Home Rule by voting in our first in the Publishers nation primary on January 13th and Phoenix Graphics, Inc. encouraging evryone I know to do the T/A Voice of the Hill same. Voice Welcomes New Contributors HAPPY HOME RULE!! This past year, The Voice of the Hill welcomed an impressive number of new con-Community Action Group: tributing writers and columnists. Their added perspectives, hard work and dedi-Distribution MARK SEGRAVES cation have helped make this newspaper a true asset to the community it serves. Contributing Writers Since 2003, we have added the following writers to our already stellar list of Julio Arguello, Jr. Jeff Marootian Crack Pipes as Novelty contributors: Laurie Aomari Meredith Moise Items? Stephanie Briggs Linda Norton Stephen Ackerman Beth Lambdin Judith Capen Andrew Noyes To The Editor: Julio Arguello, Jr. Timur Loynab Jeff Marootian JoAnne Carey Julia Robey I don't know if crack pipes are for sale Laurie Aomari Meredith Moise at Eastern Market, or if stores on the Alex Broz Ursula Gross Shirley Serotsky new Eighth Street corridor feature them. Joseph Campbell Andrew Noyes Ruth Hayes Robbins Dug Hanbicki Patti Shea But we can't seem to get rid of them Gene Clapp Beth Lambdin Erica Stanley along 15th Street, SE. Victoria Curtis Patti Shea Nicole SpiridakisValerie Mark Lippe Nicole Spiridakis Crack pipes are legally sold in DC as Mary Farrell Timur Loynab Padraic Sweeney a novelty item--a small glass tube Nick Germanotta Erica Stanley Padraic Sweeney Celeste McCall Lisa Tate about five inches long that has a little Bill McLeod Robert Wander flower or other item in it. Earlier this year, we found the pipes on sale at the Memberships notorious New Dragon, at 15th and C, Capitol Hill Association of Merchants across from Payne School. School chil· and Professionals dren pointed out the "flower" novelty to Kara Gerlach Ursula Gross Lisa Tate Coleman Hinnant Robert Wander Thanks to all these folks for making The Voice of the Hill one of the best "reads" around. Art Directors Club of Metropolitan adults, and the New Dragon was per-Washington suaded, we believe, not to sell them. Barracks Row Business Alliance Independent Free Papers of America H Street Merchants Association Nick Alberti and Glady Mack were in attendance. Commissioner Colleen Harris was absent. The next ANC 6A meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE. 6B Condemns City Exec Over Boys Town Panel Asks DC Regulatory Chief to Resign David Clark, head of the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, needed a Father Flanagan on Tuesday, Dec. 9, after ANC 6B called for his removal from office over how the director has handled the controversial Boys Town project. The panel voted unanimously with very little comment to oust the director, stating he "under-mined the Capitol Hill community's efforts to require Boys Town to follow the law." A resolution drafted by the council says Clark knowingly "ignored the Capitol Hill community, which told Boys Town and the city that it had serious concerns about the proposed development and the Boys Town tactics." The ANC also alleges Clark undercut DC estab·lishments and laws, and ignored the master plan for the area to appease the company planning to install a 24-bed home for troubled boys on the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Clark had sided with the residents over their con·cerns and objections with the project, but later reversed his stance. Messages left by Voice of the Hill for Clark weren't returned. However, DCRA spokesman Peter Lavallee said he hadn't seen the resolution, but added the city would have its day in court to defend its actions. At issue is the city issuing permits for the home without going through the standard planning and zoning process most projects are subjected to. The DCRA cleared the way for the Nebraska-based Girls and Boys Town to install the home in East Capitol Hill with little to none public involvement. Reasoning behind this was that the company had originally said handicapped boys would be living on the premises; therefore, due to federal disabili·ties fairness laws the normal stringent application and planning process is somewhat relaxed. Residents and activists packed the meeting to sound off about the project. Ellen Opper-Weiner, neighbor to the proposed home and member of the Southeast Citizens for Smart Development, said the legal counsel has been obtained to block the city's actions. "We've been stonewalled completely," Opper-Weiner said. "The basis of this decision was not out·lined." Councilwoman Sharon Ambrose doesn't see it that way and hopes to squelch any misinformation circulating, she told the Voice. "Clark was doing what the Corporation Counsel [the mayor's legal department] and Department of Justice told him to do," Ambrose said. "Firing Dave Clark won't resolve anything." It hasn't been made 100 percent clear if handi·capped kids will be assigned to Boys Town. But the commission and some audience members were skeptical. "The purpose of the fair housing act is equal pro-tection, not special treatment," Opper-Weiner said. Ambrose said she was going to send a letter to all involved with the project mapping out the city's decision. "I'm still hopeful we will be able to find a way to resolve this," she said. Plans for Old Naval Hospital Disclosed Two groups hoping to renovate the Old Naval Hospital showed the commission their plans to update the 137-year old building. The Santa Barbara-based Art of Living wants to install a meditation and relaxation center in the building, located on the 900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, dedicated to eliminating stress for its participants and promising an overall better quality of life. A representative said the organization has a his·tory of restoring historic buildings and that they Tell our advertisers you saw their ads in The Voice of the Hill reach out into the community. The building would be open for community use, they said. They anticipate the restoration project lasting less than three years, and it would be fully-funded by the group. Meanwhile, the Old Naval Hospital Foundation also submitted its plans to restore the building into a community center and new home for the Southeast Library. Called "The Hill Center," the four-story building would be 50 percent dedicated to a library, with the remainder to meeting and community use. The group, funded by the Old Naval Hospital Foundation, estimated it would cost $8.8 million to renovate the structure, with $4.5 million they hope to be supplied by the federal government, and $2 million by the city. The remainder would be pro·vided by private donations. There will be a public meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Old Naval Hospital to discuss the proposals. To find out more about both groups, go to www. artofliving.org or www.hillcenter.org Treasurer's Report Commission Treasurer Keith Smith submitted the fourth quarter financial report for ANC 6B. According to the statement, the group has $26,774.75 in its checking account. Commissioners Mary Wright, Julie Olson, Scott Cernich, Kenan Jarboe, Wilbert Hill, Daryl Snowden, Neil Glick, Keith Smith and Francis Campbell were present. Commissioner David Sheldon was absent. The next ANC 6B meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave., SE. Suitors for Wax Museum Site Woo Council ANC 6C Too Overwhelmed to Make a Decision, Calls for Spe cial Meeting Three suitors fell upon the Dec. 10 ANC 6C meeting to win an endorsement from the advisory panel to construct a new residential and retail complex on the site of the old wax museum in Northwest. Supplying fine eats and drinks for all in atten·dance, the three companies--Paradigm, Akridge and Lowe--tried to sway the panel to give them the OK to move ahead with their respective projects. All want to construct mixed-use, multi-family housing and retail space on the 400 block of K Street, NW. However, the council decided 4-2 there was too much information to be processed to make a deci·sion and have called for a special meeting in January to select a company. Each company was only given 12 minutes to present its project to the commission. They had given an extended version to the panel's planning committee a week before. That committee couldn't make a decision over which project deserved the panel's approval. Each company brought artist renditions of their completed projects, as well as executives from com·mitted stores and shops to the more than 60,000 square feet of retail space. Representatives from Paradigm showed its plans for Central Market Commons, which calls for a total of 576 condos and apartments, 143 of those set aside for low-income residents. Paradigm has part·nered with Harris Teeter grocers and the H Street Community Development Corporation. Its propos·al includes 13-story and 10-story buildings on top of sub-basement level parking structure. Nearly 11,000 of the 60,800 square-feet set aside for retail space would be for local storefronts, with the remaining 50,000 reserved for 2-story Harris Teeter market. This proposal can be viewed at www.paradigm cos.com Similar to the Market Commons project is Mount Vernon Park, proposed by Akridge, which has part·nered with the DC-based Manna Community Development Corporation, the North Capitol Neighborhood Development group and Fresh Grocer market. Backed by the Mount Vernon Park Partners, Akridge wants to install 574 mixed-use, mixed-income units, 129 of those going to low-income res·idents. It proposes 63,000 square feet for retail use among the 10- and 13-story buildings. MVP said it will train and employ some 120 peo·ple for construction work as a part of the project. The proposal can be viewed at www.mountvernon park.com The final proposal before the commission was from Lowe, which wants to install 623 mixed-use housing units, with 127 of those going to low-income residents. Lowe has commitments from Safeway, Results Gym and a slew of locally-owned stores to lease its 104,000 square feet of retail space. After nearly two hours of presentations, audience participation and council comments, a decision wasn't close to being made. The ANC doesn't have final say over which company gets to build. It mere·ly serves as an advisory board to the planning and city councils, and its recommendation carries sig·nificant weight. The special meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Bible Way Church, 1100 New Jersey Ave., NW. Each company will have 30 minutes to present their projects and answer ques·tions from the community. Representatives from the city's National Capital Revitalization Corporation at the meeting said it wants to submit a recommendation for a builder by mid-to-end January. LT Returns! Commissioner Lawrence Thomas returned to the ANC 6C meetings--albeit wheelchair bound--after suffering from a severe illness. The audience cheered and clapped when Thomas began to speak at the start of the meeting. Thomas has been a sta·ple among the ANCs for nearly three decades. Commissioners Lawrence Thomas, Mark Dixon, Daniel Pernell, Robert Hall, Bob Morris Karen Wirt and Charley Docter were present. Commissioners Bill Crews and April Hall were absent. The next regularly scheduled ANC 6C meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Children's Museum, 800 3rd Street, NE. Patti Shea can be reached at patti@voiceofthehill. com. She is the Voice's political reporter. ANC 6D Convenes at the Millennium Arts Center Commission Discusses Liquor Licenses, Arts Center BY JULIO ARGÜELLO JR. At the Dec. 8 meeting of ANC 6D, Sal Nassa spoke on behalf of the Odyssey (Spirit) Boat Line to inform the Commissioners about his intent to apply for a liquor license. Commissioner Andy Litsky said that the Spirit ships have been very good neighbors thus far. Some commissioners, however, expressed concern about bus traffic and how the streets would be reconfig·ured in the area in the foreseeable future, agreeing they would have to address it at a future date. A hearing date for La Cage Aux Folles' liquor license is scheduled for January 7. Commissioners mentioned they were going to send out a letter of protest based on lack of notification by La Cage. Commissioners want a clearer understanding why they were not informed within a 30-day period. Also at issue is the fact that Commissioner Robert Siegel is the building landlord but isn't the person or persons who holds the liquor license. Commissioners Ahmed Assalam, Charles Hargrave, and Mary C. Williams voted in favor of sending a protest letter, while Commissioners Andy Litsky and Roger Moffatt opposed the motion. The motion was past and a protest letter was sent Dec. 9. Millennium Arts Center Issue The Millennium Arts Center is applying to use its present facility/building as an arts center. Under the current lease agreement, Bill Wooby, the Director of the Millennium Arts Center, was sup·posed to have secured a zoning use variance. One of the primary concerns was whether zoning included the use of the facility for "community activities." Commissioner Mary Williams said that under the lease agreement, the Millennium Arts Center could use its facility for community activities. The com·missioners unanimously agreed to draft a follow-up letter for the next meeting on Jan 12. Commissioners' Concerns Commissioner Williams stated that the ANC should start to be less reactive and not just be responsive to policy. Williams said that the ANC should instead be more proactive and more produc·tive. One of the ways Williams said the commission could begin to show the community how produc·tive it is is by tapping into the money in the ANC savings account and funneling it back into the community. Williams also addressed the recent violent crimes in the neighborhood, most recently the homicide that occurred in early December, at 1300 Half Street, SE. A 25-year old man was shot multiple times in the head. No word yet on the cause for the shooting, but the commissioners expressed concern over the ongoing lack of media coverage in Southwest DC. The commissioners also questioned why no one from the Metropolitan Police Department was in attendance. A discussion ensued over the lack of police pres·ence at ANC 6D meetings and the overall consensus was that the Metropolitan Police Department should make a better effort to attend every meeting. Commissioner Ahmed Assalam said that the city should be investing more money on educational programs to help the District's youth. Audience Member Questions Arena Stage's Grant for $5 Million A member of the audience questioned why the city gave Arena Stage a $5 million grant, with an addi·tional $20 million expected. Commissioners shared her concerns regarding this latest round of arts funding, with the most recent being last week's $20 million to the Shakespeare Theatre. Their con·cern is that funding for other crucial city services will be affected. The Washington Post reported on Dec. 7 that Arena Stage's "$5 million was made pos·sible in part by last summer's federal grants to states; the remaining $20 million probably will come from the tax growth of nearby properties." Treasurer's Report Commissioner Chairman Ahmed Assalam reported on behalf of Treasurer Robert Siegel, who was not present for the meeting. Assalam said that the total www.voiceofthehill.com in the savings account came to $5,064.83, and the total in the checking account came to $21,443.54. The total amount in the ANC 6D treasury is $26,508.37. Commissioners Ahmed Assalam, Charles Hargrave, Andy Litsky,oger Moffatt, and Mary Williams were present. Commissioners Ed Johnson and Robert Siegel were absent. The next ANC 6D meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, at the Millennium Arts Center, 65 I Street, SW. Julio Argüello Jr. is a freelance editor/writer. He is one of the Voice's monthly columnists. THOMAS JENKINS and COMPANY AProfessional Corporation Certified Public Accountants Corporation, Partnership, Trust, Individual Income Tax & Financial Planning 202-547-9004 Washington, DC downLoad ITEMS OF INTEREST FR OM THE VOICE WEBSITE FOR THE LAST MONTH Community Public Meeting Featuring and community use and access to the building, including a café, community meeting space, and the Bidders for the Old Naval Hospital community organization offices, as well as space for Set for Jan. 12 at the Hospital historical documentation of the building and the The Friends of the Old Naval Hospital have invited community. the two bidders who responded to the Request for The purpose of the public meeting will be for the Proposal to describe their proposals for the use and bidders to describe their concepts and restoration restoration of the Old Naval Hospital at 921 plans to the community and to answer questions Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, at a meeting in the Old and accept comments from the community. It will Naval Hospital Jan. 12. also provide the community with a forum to com- The two bidders are the Old Naval Hospital ment on the proposals as presented by the bidders. Foundation and the Art of Living. Both have pre-Each bidder will be given up to 20 minutes to pres·sented some preliminary plans in previous public ent their plans, and then the floor will be opened to meetings. The Art of Living has shown innovative questions and comment architectural floor plans done by Capitol Hill archi-The meeting will also provide the bidders (and tect David Bell, and the Foundation has as its cen-the community) with a last opportunity for signifi·tral concept, moving an expanded Southeast cant community input, since their best and final Library into the building. bids will be due on a date after this meeting. Both groups have indicated significant public The Request for Proposals format required the bidders to submit a proposal by Dec. 1 in order to be considered a bona fide bidder. The DC Office of Property Management will manage the evaluation of the proposals through several steps utilizing an evaluation committee. These steps include a bid·ders' question and answer session, best and final bids from the bidders, and a final evaluation step by the committee, after which the evaluation commit·tee will deliver a recommendation to the Mayor, who will make the final decision. The community meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Old Naval Hospital. Catalyst Theater to perform Orwell's 1984 Catalyst Theater Company continues its season with a world-premiere adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel 1984 by company member Christopher Gallu, who also directs. 1984 opens on Jan. 22 and runs through Feb. 28 at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, where CTC is in residence. Orwell's haunting vision of a totalitarian future has never seemed more compelling, nor more rele·vant, than today. The Guardian (U.K) Unlimited recently noted that "[W]ith a war being threatened in the name of liberation and democracy, [now] seems an apt time to stage George Orwell's dystopi·an novel about the corruption of language." Winston Smith (CTC artistic director Scott Fortier) is a citizen of Oceania, a country ruled by "the Party" and its omnipresent figurehead, Big Brother. A clerical worker at the Ministry of Truth, Winston harbors doubts about the Party and longs to break free of its choking control. An illicit affair with like-minded Julia (Synetic Theater company member Irina Koval) at last spurs Winston to act. The pair reaches out to O'Brien (local stage great Ralph Cosham), whom they believe to be a rebel mole within the Inner Party. Instead, O'Brien proves to be a double agent, and he delivers the doomed lovers into the psychological torture chambers of the Thought Police. The cast also features CTC members Christopher Janson, Dan Via and Ellen Young. The top-notch design team includes Scenic and Video Designer Michael Daddarino and 2002 Helen Hayes Award Sound Design winner Mark K. Anduss. Catalyst vet·erans Michele Reisch, David C. Ghatan and Suzen Mason will design costumes, lights and properties, respectively. Company member Jesse Terrill will compose original music and co-produce with CTC member September Marie Fortier. Helen Hayes Award nominee Susan Lynskey is the dramaturg for this production. 1984 runs Jan. 22 - Feb. 28, Wednesday - Satur·days at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays. There is no matinee on Jan. 24. For tickets, interested per·sons may call 1-800-494-TIXS or order them online at www.catalysttheater.com. Prices: Wednesday, Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees $20 each; $10 for students and seniors Friday and Saturday evenings $25 each; $15 for students and seniors. Located just two blocks south of the Eastern Market Metro on the Orange/Blue Line, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is at 545 7th Street, SE. Visit St. Peter's School at Open House January 29 St. Peter's Interparish School will hold an open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. The Capitol Hill school (grades pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade) is located at 422 Third Street, SE. Prospective families and students will receive guided tours of the historic school. During the tour, visitors will visit classrooms and meet with current school faculty and parents. St. Peter's School prides itself on an outstanding academic curriculum and an experienced faculty as well as quality before and after school programs. For more information, inter·ested persons may call 202-546-1618. The African American Heritage Trail Featuring 98 Sites throughout DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams, Cultural Tourism DC, and the DC Historic Preservation Office marked the launch of the African American Heritage Trail, Washington, DC, last month. The free guide fea·tures 98 notable historic sites arranged in 15 neigh·borhood walking and driving trails. The leaflet will be distributed in the downstairs lobby of 1250 H Street, NW, at the DC Historic Preservation Office (801 N. Capitol Street, NE, # 3000) and at heritage sites and tourist information centers. The African American Heritage Trail guide encourages both residents and visitors to appreciate the Washington's rich African American history - its important moments as well as its intellectual, political, and cultural leaders. The guide includes well-known buildings such as the Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. Trail-fol-lowers will also discover off-the-beaten-track sites, such as the Logan Circle residence of Sweet Daddy Grace and the offices of the first successful black trade union, the International Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. The Metropolitan A.M.E. Episcopal Church, which hosted Frederick Douglass' funeral in 1895, is included in the guide, as well. Persons of note in the project are project histori·an, Dr. Marya Annette McQuirter; owners and operators of historic sites; and historic re-enactors representing Nannie Helen Burroughs and Benjamin Banneker, as well as Cultural Tourism DC's and the Historic Preservation Office's direc·tors. The African American Heritage Trail, Washington, DC, is a project of Cultural Tourism DC funded by: District of Columbia, Anthony A. Williams, Mayor; Office of Planning, Historic Preservation Office; Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; DC Department of Transportation; and National Park Service. Birthday of Woman's Party Founder To Be Marked at Sewall-Belmont House Historic Hill House Planning Celebration for Alice Paul The Circle at Sewall-Belmont is set to celebrate the birthday of Alice Paul, the legendary suffragist and founder of the historic National Woman's Party. Youth Chorus Presents 'Winter Winds' January 25 Brighten up January with The Capitol Hill Youth Chorus as it perfor ms "Winter Winds" on January 25. The multicultural concert selections include music by Victoria El Sabo, Laryissa Kuzmenko, and Carolyn Jennings. The junior and senior groups each perform; the entire chorus joins together for sev·eral numbers, as well. Portions of the Vivaldi "Gloria" are part of the seniors' performance. The ener·getic and talented group of youngsters performs under the direction of Regina Carlow and with accom·panist Dana Carr. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. at Christ Church Washington Parish, 620 G Street, SE. Concert admission is $5 for adults. The chorus is now accepting new members for the spring season. For advance tickets and information about membership, interested persons may visit www.chaw.org or call 202-547-6839. Complete with cake and champagne, the party Sewall-Belmont selected the Nina Allender will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 29, at Cartoons--one of the most unique parts of the the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, 144 Sewall-Belmont House and Museum's collection of Constitution Avenue, NE. Tickets are free for cur-women's history and suffrage artifacts - as the focus rent members and $15 at the door for non-mem-for their fundraising efforts. Nina Allender's draw·bers. New members are invited to join at the door ings and political cartoons appeared each week in for $45 and receive free admission to the party. The Suffragist and Equal Rights, the newspapers of The young professionals group of the Sewall-the National Woman's Party. Allender was one of Belmont House and Museum is committed to pre-the most influential political artists of the era, cap-serving the rich history of the Sewall-Belmont turing the spirited struggle for women's rights as it House by hosting dynamic events and informative happened and celebrating when women won the programs that attract young DC professionals look-right to vote in 1920. ing for more than just the average happy hour. The "I'm delighted to have this spirited new group events offer a distinctive new social outlet and spot-supporting the Sewall-Belmont House. It's inspiring light historic preservation and the critical role to see the next generation energized and interested women have played in our nation's history. in this important piece of America's past that sym- In June 2003, the members of the Circle at bolizes women's vast influence on our nation's cul- BusinessBits BY URSULA GR OSS David Mahoney: It's All in the Details David Mahoney can talk about paint in the same way college basketball players can discuss the recent NBA draft: with far too much detail, yet with an obvious zest for the subject. "If you ever look at Consumer Reports..." he begins, proceeding to rattle off attributes, rankings, makers, performance and even parent companies of paints like Pittsburgh Paints, Pratt and Labor, American Heritage and Valspar. Who knew the world of paint was as complicated as professional sports? Despite these many details--or, perhaps because of them--Mahoney loves what he does. His busi·ness, The David Mahoney Painting Company, spe·cializes in interior and exterior painting, roof coat·ings and other painting-related work. Complementing his established services, Mahoney has recently formed Painters Today, a branch of his business that will cater to customers who need rela·tively simple painting done within in a few days and can't wait several weeks for an appointment. Solving a simple problem, such as the need for fast, quality painting, is characteristic of Mahoney's approach to business. Another example of his clever thinking is his practice of taking a digital picture of the homeown-er's roof at each phase of the roof-coating process. "People don't really want to climb onto their roof too often," he points out, and he uses a digital cam·era to remedy the average homeowner's two fears of heights and contractor heists--photographic evi·dence documents the work being performed over·head. Mahoney's honesty extends beyond his digital camera; it is the ever-present approach to his busi·ness. "A lot of people will say 'We'll treat your prop·erty as if it were our own,' but I want the job done Capitol Hill Art & Frame · Expert custom designs · Museum quality materials · Superior frame selection · Same day framing available · Custom framed mirrors 623 Pennsylvania Ave., SE 202 546-2700 10-6 Tues-Sat · Eastern Market Metro K.C. COMPANY Owned and operated by the Cassidy Family since 1931 12100 Baltimore Ave. Suite 1 Beltsville, MD 20705 TIM ALLEN, Sales Leader 301-419-7669 Fax 301-419-2963 Mobile 301-675-9324 Email tallen@kc-pella.com VIEWED TO BE THE BESTTM 'Anu' Approach to the Day Spa Expect to feel pampered and luxurious at Anu Day Spa, but don't feel self-indulgent. "Day spas are not just for pampering and relaxation. It's really an issue of wellness, well-being, stress management, and learning how to take care of yourself," says April Coleman, owner of Anu. Coleman learned to incorporate both the pam·pering aspect and the medical element of spa treat·ments after working in a spa and also with a plastic surgeon. Inspired by her mentor, who opened her own day spa and trained Coleman immediately after she completed school, Coleman began her own business so she could offer specialized services in a setting that is both inviting and comfortable. In this way, Anu is a meld of her various experience and diverse knowledge. Coleman, however, represents only a portion of the skills offered at Anu; her staff is diverse in both ethnicity and in abilities. While most clients are interested in either Offering Swedish or deep tissue massages, Anu has a range of specialty massages like hot stone or pregnancy treatments. Because of her staff's depth and breadth of knowledge, Coleman recommends calling to inquire if one of her massage therapists practices the specific treatment of interest. She points out that "our massage is message therapy, not just massage," and she also stresses the exten·sive training required to become a therapist. Anatomy, chemistry, physiology are all required subjects, and a knowledge of the different product ingredients and their effect on skin is also manda·tory. Just as no one medicine cures every ill, no one treatment is meant for every customer at Anu. A variety of facials--clinical and holistic--is offered, as well as microderm abrasion and low-grade chem- Residential · Commercial Interior and Exterior Painting Plastering, Drywall, Wallpaper Removal Power Washing, Carpentry Good References · Low Prices Free Estimates (301) 370-9940 · (301) 445-4385 Licensed. Bonded. Insured ical peels. With these more advanced techniques, the client receives both the training and expertise mandated by the treatment, as well as the care and pampering included in a spa visit. In addition to the many treatments, Coleman strives to meet her clients' serious skin care needs by carrying three different and exclusive product lines. "Everyone who has oily skin will not walk out the door with the same product just because they all have the same skin type," she says, "and skin really needs to be taken care of, not just have a pro·cedure done to it." Anu's high ceilings, tall windows, warm colors and relaxing atmosphere all contribute to its appeal. Combining the traditional day spa ele·ments of manicures, facials and massages (among other services) with a medical approach, Anu fills the need for such a spa on Capitol Hill. Coleman's methodology is best explained when she says, "over time, I found that there were certain things I really believed in." Combining what elements she knew to be most effective in her treatments, she cre·ated Anu, a new way to think about day spas. Anu Day Spa is located at 617 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite 2, and can be reached by calling 202-544-8268. Marty's: Agreeable to All Asking for "Marty" at the new restaurant of the same name will get you nowhere, unless you want to speak to a 13-year old boy. "About four years ago, I told my nephew, who is ity to the Marine Barracks and the Navy Yard--this area has the best of everything," Doyle has obvious enthusiasm for his chosen l. While he looked at real estate from M Street to Eastern Market in his search for the perfect venue, the final choice enabled him to be appeal to both the mili·tary and the families in the area. The interior of Marty's was designed to be agree·able to said clientele: spacious and well lit, it has an open feeling and an airy atmosphere that is both friendly to a child and agreeable to an adult. When asked about the best part of Marty's from an owner's perspective, Doyle immediately cites the great mix of people in the area. He can drop some names when asked--certain senators and their families have already been by for dinner--but, for the most part, Doyle wants Marty's to be a relaxed, low-key establishment. "I'm trying hard not to become a place to be seen or to see people. Marty's is basically a restaurant for ordinary people who are hungry." Marty's is located at 527 8th St., SE, and can be reached at 202-546-4952. Ursula Gross is a freelance writer who lives on the Hill. 2003 Roundup Times Don't Stop Changin' on Capitol Hill BY CELESTE MCCALL his past year brought myriad expressed an interest in occupying meeting Jan. 2. Four days later, the changes to our Capitol Hill the red brick Civil War structure. newly formed ANC 6C also met and community--most of them Meetings and endless discussions are elected Rob Hall as chairman. About good, some questionable, being held, but so far the space 20 hardy residents, including School and others downright frus-remains empty. Board member Tommy Wells, shiv·trating. ered in the meeting space at Terrell The Voice of the Hill shifted its January Junior High School. With several offices from the Lincoln Park neigh-The year got off to a hopeful start as windows broken, the room was so borhood to Linden Place, NE, near Mayor Anthony Williams (D), Council cold that attendees remained bun-the H Street Playhouse. Until renova-Member Sharon Ambrose (D) and dled up with coats and hats. Not sur·tions at Linden Place are completed, other council members took oaths of prisingly, the group agreed to shift the paper is maintaining production office Jan. 2. At a ceremony at the future gatherings to the Capitol facilities in Berkeley Springs, West Warner Theater, the officials Children's Museum. Virginia. revealed plans for the city's future. The 600 block of Pennsylvania Eighth Street (Barracks Row) is The mayor's speech outlined priori-Avenue, SE, continued to improve. experiencing an exciting rebirth as ties for his second term, which Residents and neighboring business-upscale restaurants, boutiques and include improving education, es were still cheering the departure other businesses spring up along the expanding opportunities and of McDonald's (however, that space once troubled corridor. Capitol Hill's increasing public safety. Cheering on remains boarded up and vacant). On popular Second Saturday seems to be Williams was his mother, Virginia, Jan. 5, in spite of cold and snow, shifting to Barracks Row, as residents and DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Anatolia Café owners Dilek and and visitors stroll along Eighth Norton. Yilidrim Mit unveiled Anatolia Bazaar Street, visiting shops and galleries. Fire swept through the Capitol next door to their restaurant. The The battle over Boys Town dragged Hill home of Sen. Debbie Stabenow former storefront has been trans-on in 2003, with hearings, suits and (D-MI) Jan. 7. In the freshman sena-formed into a spacious gallery filled countersuits. In September, the tor's 150-year-old frame townhouse with lush Turkish rugs, gleaming copper, sparkling jewelry and exqui-Nebraska-based organization execut-on Ninth Street, SE, the blaze spread ed a sneak attack by claiming would-from the kitchen to the rest of the site, one-of-a-kind artwork. be residents of still unoccupied house. No one was at home at the And it was back to the battlefield dwellings are "handicapped," thus time, but quick action by neighbors for representatives of Southeast creating the possibility of a discrimi-prevented more serious damage. Citizens for Smart Development, ANC nation suit. In response, the city On Jan. 18, tens of thousands of 6B and Boys Town. On Jan. 21, the granted permission for the organiza-demonstrators protesting the United groups met before the Board of tion to occupy the townhouses at States' planned invasion of Iraq Zoning Adjustment for a second Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th braved 20-degree temperatures to round of appeals. However, the hear- Street, SE. march through Capitol Hill. The day ing was postponed for a week when board members considered a motion Hill residents were pleased to see began with a rally the Capitol, but cheerful, helpful "ambassadors" instead of taking the customary by Boys Town attorneys to dismiss tidying up major streets and assisting route around the Washington the appeal on the grounds of timeli·visitors. The royal blue-clad repre-Monument, the protestors walked ness. sentatives are the result of the along Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, On Jan. 22, the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID), down Eighth Street, finishing up at Restoration Society nominated the a cooperative effort between the city the Navy Yard. Smart businesses and Old Naval Hospital for the National and local businesses. spearheaded by sidewalk vendors were on hand to Trust of Historic Preservation's list of CHAMPS. provide marchers with warm hats, "11 most endangered historic places The Old Naval Hospital at 921 gloves and hot drinks. for 2003." The CHRS believes that Pennsylvania Ave., SE, continued to Advisory Neighborhood such designation will send a message deteriorate as several groups Commission 6A held the year's first and help raise funds to save the crumbling red brick structure. Most properties named to previous endan·gered lists reportedly benefit greatly. February On Presidents weekend, the East Coast was slammed with one of the biggest snowstorms in years. On February 16 and 17, almost two feet of the white stuff paralyzed the city, as the government and many busi·nesses were shut down. However, Capitol Hill corner stores and the few restaurants and bars remaining open did a booming business. Neighbors pulled together, pushing cars out of snowdrifts and shoveling each other's walkways. Capitol Hill acquired another Latino restaurant, and this one is a real gem. On February 6, just before the big snowfall, Salvadoran-born "Henry" Mendoza unveiled La Plaza at 629 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Many hill residents remembered Henry from his stints at La Lomita, La Lomita Dos and Las Placitas. The DC Office of Property Management announced plans to rent out the Old Naval Hospital, but the question remains: Who will occupy the property? Several groups expressed interest, and OPM estimat·ed that restoration to the dilapidated structure--owned by the federal gov-ernment--will cost $3 to $6 million. The historic hospital was also the focus of the Feb. 12 Capitol Hill Restoration Society meeting. Representing the Old Naval Hospital Foundation was Nicky Cymrot, and speaking in behalf of St. Mary's College of Maryland was Provost Larry Vote. Aimee Occhetti of the DC Office of Property Management rep·resented the city. The ONHF wants to move the presently-cramped Southeast Library to the hospital site; the college wants to house 25 to 35 students there for a "Semester in Washington" and the city is looking for a long-term lessee willing to shell out $10 million to bring the proper·ty up to code. The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) has also expressed interest in the site. On Feb. 11, The Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals (CHAMPS), members and guests braved the cold to attend the annual CHAMPS winter gather·ing at the Hyatt Regency's Capitol View Restaurant. Guest of honor was Mayor Anthony Williams, who dis·cussed the possibility of major league baseball coming to Washington. He also revealed plans to attract 100,000 new residents to the District. The snow finally melted, and Ward 6 ANCs made good showings at oversight hearings Feb. 21. Council Member David Catania (R), chairman of the council's government services committee, held a ies of hearings www.voiceofthehill.com on the city's ANCs. As scheduled, members from Wards 6 and 8 testi·fied. As a result of the hearings, Ward 6 now stretches from the Anacostia River on the east to Ninth Street NW (west), thus encompassing portions of both quadrants. The ward's southern boundary is the Potomac River, and the northern boundary is roughly Florida Avenue NE. Council member Catania, a for·mer ANC commission himself, stressed his interest in expanding ANC capacity. March Residents from the neighborhood surrounding RFK Stadium were relieved to learn that the Grand Prix Washington DC had been cancelled for the year. According to a state·ment released by spokesperson Bobby Goldwater: "The DC Sports and Entertainment Commission is deeply disappointed in the combina·tion of circumstances that has result·ed in the cancellation of this year's Grand Prix. The event promoter, National Grand Prix Holdings, has repeatedly failed to meet commit·ments and obligations over the last several months...." Although the event reportedly earned $12 million for the city in direct spending, the weekend races brought sharp criticism. Neighbors complained about the constant noise and claimed they had not been informed beforehand of the Commission's plans. Once again, visitors can explore the U.S. Capitol, at least part of it. The United States Capitol Historical Society announced plans to resume regularly scheduled public tours of the Capitol Building exterior. The tours, suspended after 9/11, are again offered Monday mornings at 10 a.m. at a cost of $10. Group tours are also available other times by reservations. April On April 1, the monthly meeting of the ANC 6A evolved into a three-hour marathon. Commissioner Charles Docter brandished a com·memorative tin, which had been presented at the opening of the new DC Convention Center. On a more serious note, Cynthia Sims, Community Liaison Officer for the ABC Board, fielded questions regard·ing soon-to-be-implemented stricter liquor laws. Future development of H Street, NE, will be the focus of joint meet·ings with ANC 6A and neighboring ANC 6B and 6C. The idea will be to formulate a unified plan for future development of the corridor. The move is a bold step; rarely have ANCs held joint meetings, and not in recent memory has any group taken the lead on developing a strategic plan before the DC Office of Planning issued a draft. Saturday drivers might have to keep a supply of quarters on hand if the ANC 6B and Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee have their way. The two groups have recommended that parking meters along Seventh Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and North Carolina Avenues be activated on Saturdays. The idea was to open up more parking spaces-previously monopolized by market venders-- for residents. May The ornate Old Reading Room at the Folger Shakespeare Library was the setting May 14 for the 2003 Capitol Hill Community Achievement Awards. School Board member Tommy Wells, Voice of the Hill publisher Bruce Robey and Becky and Alan Dye were honored at the ceremony, which marked the Awards' 20th year. It was also the first time the event was held in the building's Reading Room instead of the Great Hall. Emcee was Steve Cymrot, and the event attract·ed neighborhood notables including past honorees, DC Council Members Sharon Ambrose, Harold Brazil, Vincent Orange, Jack Evans and Phil Mendelson, and Senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.). The Eastern High School Choir provided lively entertainment. The Hill was looking better as Capitol Hill Business Improvement District's Clean Team began weeding and pruning tree boxes in prepara·tion for fresh mulch. The nine-mem-ber BID team started on Pennsyl·vania Avenue, SE and worked their way throughout the Hill. Team members are part of the Ready, Willing & Able program that employs homeless former felons and drug addicts, helping them become pro·ductive citizens by giving them job training, social support services and paid employment experience. June More than 200 members turned out for the annual meeting June 11 of The Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals (CHAMPS). Besides electing officers (new president is Bill Rouchell), awards were handed out. Copping the Libby Sangster Capitol Hill Business of the Year was Sizzling Express, the popular Pennsylvania Avenue restaurant. Judy Wood of Art Works received the President's Award, and the new Community Outreach Award went to Officer Rita Hunt of 1-D. The Hill will soon get two more learning establishments. At the ANC 6B meeting, Manda Kelly of Two Rivers Public Charter School announced plans for two new char·ter schools, slated to open sometime Your Neighborhood Furniture Source for Leasing or Buying Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Come Visit 709 12th Street, SE our Huge on Capitol Hill Free off-street parking Showroom! Convenient to Eastern Over 20,000 Market Metro square feet of furniture, carpets, paintings, lamps and accessories 202.547.3030 www.antiqueleasing.com Antique& Contemporary LEASING AND SALES 709 12th Street, SE · Washington, DC next year. One school will serve pre·kindergarten through third-grade students, and the other will cater to 3 to 5-year-olds. A sad note: On June 13, long time Hill resident Bob Herrema died. A successful and well-respected local developer, Bob was featured in "Legacy of a Trailblazer," which appeared in the June issue of Voice of the Hill. At least five antique fire boxes face a bright future, as proposals submit·ted by the community have been approved by the review panel of the citywide Art on Call project. Approximately 20 other area call boxes already been assigned, and artists are now working on other pro·posals. Many other call boxes need to be "adopted" by a block, artist or organization. H Street NE might have to wait awhile for more improvements. After ANCs 6A and 6C held a joint meet·ing June 25 to present zoning recom·mendations on revitalizing the corri·dor, the plans were submitted to the DC Office of Planning. The package then goes to the Office of Zoning, followed by (naturally) yet more hearings and red tape (yawn). Stay tuned. Good news for bike riders tired of dodging traffic: The DC Department of Transportation announced plans to install bicycle lanes on C Street, NE, spanning from Sixth through 15th streets and 14th streets between Maryland Avenue, NE, and Potomac Avenue, SE. July It was red white and blue as the Capitol Hill Cluster School sponsored a Fourth of July parade down Eighth Street, SE, to the Marine Barracks. Barracks Row businesses helped out, as Hoopla and Capitol Hill Bikes pro·vided balloons and bubbles, and the Capitol Hill Cookie Monsters bake sale raised more than $1,000 for Share Our Strength. That evening, thousands of people braved long lines and tight security to attend the annual. Independence Day concert on the Capitol lawn. This year's event featured Dolly Parton and other celebrities. The grand finale was a spectacular fireworks display. The DC Office of Property Management announced a tentative settlement with Market Five Gallery Inc., thus resolving a long-standing dispute between the North Hall and adjacent Eastern Market. According to Aimee Occhetti of OPM: "Market Five will become a regular rent-pay-ing sub-tenant of the market, coop·erating with city, market manager, and other vendors in fulfilling the community's vision for this historic public market." August As usual, the city's pace slowed down in August, as folks headed to the beach and other vacation desti·nations. However, GLBT Arts Consortium teamed up with CHAW to present The Mikado the first two weekends of August. The popular Gilbert and Sullivan operetta was directed by Scott Barker, Jill Strachan with choreography by Alvin Mayes. In other theater news, The Theater Alliance performed Painted Alice at the H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE. Voice of the Hill named Andrew Noyes as the new assistant editor. A native of West Virginia, Noyes brings five years of hard-news experience to his new endeavor. September September 5 marked the long-await-ed reopening of the former Capitol East Natatorium, now renamed the William H. Rumsey Sr. Aquatic Center. Still located at Seventh and North Carolina Ave. SE, the renovat·ed pool is clean, bright and cheery, in contrast with its dreary predeces·sor. The refurbished facility now charges a small entrance fee. Curves, a workout spa designed especially for women, opened on Barracks Row the first week of September. The unique business is the creation of Elvi Moore, former general director of the Washington Ballet. It was ironic that on the second anniversary of the most hate-filled crime in American history, a visitor would preach peace and love right here on Capitol Hill. On Sept. 11, his Holiness the 14 Dalai Lama addressed a crowd of more than 500 in the auditorium of the National Graduate University, 14th and D Streets, SE. Most audience members were from the Washington area's Mongolian community. The Dalai Lama spoke in his native Tibetan, and the only translation, unfortu·nately, was in Mongolian. But Buddhist friends later provided the general gist of the speech: he praised the local Mongolians for maintain·ing their cultural identity, told them to adhere to their beliefs but to pro·vide more than lip service. He then led the group in prayers and mantras. The Dalai Lama speech was also interspersed with humor, and it did not require an interpreter to see how much this man is revered. Residents battened down the hatches Sept. 18 as Hurricane Isabel blew through Capitol Hill, downing trees and causing general havoc. However most--not all--of our region was fortunate as we did not lose power and damage was minimal. Dr. Jeffery Watson, director of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop since 1999, announced his resignation, effective Sept. 27. Watson was leav·ing CHAW to pursue his musical career as composer and conductor and as pianist for QuinTango, a world touring quintet. The ongoing Boys Town brawl took an unexpected turn Sept. 18 as the Nebraska-based organization played its last card: Neighbors were out·raged when David Clark, Director of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, agreed to issue a certificate of occupancy to Boys Town. This action would allow Boys Town to operate a large group facili·ty at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. For years, a group of concerned neighbors, Southeast Citizens for Smart Development had been trying to prevent Boys Town for opening this group home. A sudden switch in the definition lists Boys Town residents as "handi·capped" instead of "delinquents" or "troubled." The letter was sent while citizens opposing the campus await·ed a D.C. Court of Appeals decision that could deny the charity neces·sary permits. That decision is still pending. "Why the city chose to intervene at this time needs explain·ing," said SCSD leader Ellen Opper-Weiner. "It was a discretionary deci·sion which warrants investigation. The legal process is not complete. Opper-Weiner and fellow activist Will Hill are assessing legal options while seeking support from local leaders. Stay tuned. October October 1 brought big changes, as Phoenix Graphics, The Voice of the Hill (and the Robeys) moved from 11th Street, SE, off Lincoln Park to Linden Court, NE, a half block from the H Street Playhouse. While reno·vation of the new digs is being com·pleted, production work for the Voice is handled from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Meanwhile, Editor Scott Shumaker and Assistant Editor Andrew Noyes remain in DC. Barracks Row renovation contin·ued, as merchants and neighbors held its Barracks Row Fest. October 4. Festivities began with the 11 a.m. dedication of the YuMe Tree, a 28- by 14-foot glass and tile mosaic gracing the north wall of the CVS Pharmacy at 12th and E Streets SE. The mural was created by more than 1,000 school children, under the direction of sculptor Kris Swanson and local art teachers. Then people paraded to the Barracks Row street fair, where they strolled around, munching sausages and other victuals provided by local eateries. The fair marked the completion of the streetscape-- brick sidewalks, new globe street lights and trees--and a new begin·ning for Eighth Street as a vibrant entertainment and retail area. Several shops and restaurants joined the ever-expanding Barracks Row business brigade: Plaid, an upscale women's cloth·ing store, opened at 715 Eighth Street SE. Up the street, Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill arrived at 419 Eighth, SE. On a recommendation from its planning committee, ANC 6B voted unanimously Oct. 9 to oppose the city's plan to install St. Coletta School, a "special needs" school at Independence Avenue and 18th Street, SE, until the school's adminis·trators agree to make neighborhood improvements. St. Coletta's attorneys said they were "shocked" by the decision. On Oct. 23, Friends of the Old Naval Hospital received a $3,000 grant for historical research from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC. After two off-years, Halloween returned to Capitol Hill. Two years ago, after 9/11, few folks were in the mood to celebrate, and last year's sniper attacks kept people indoors even though most of the shootings occurred in the suburbs. This year's Halloween-in contrast--featured hay rides, pony rides, face painting and apple bobbing along Seventh Street, SE. Houses were decorated and prizes awarded. Kids and grownups donned costumes and roamed the streets, trick-or-treating, visiting pubs and attending private parties. November More from Barracks Row: Marty's Family Restaurant and Bar arrived at 527 Eighth St., SE. Don't be misled by the name; the newcomer features a long, sweeping bar, 10 TVs and late night drink specials. The entire restaurant is smoke-free. Mayor Anthony Williams appoint·ed local real estate agent Chuck Burger as new chairman of the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. Other re-appointments were Vera Abbott and Audrey Thompson, who were confirmed and sworn in with Burger. ANC 6B nixed a special exception request by Victorian House, a bed and breakfast at 417 A Street SE to expand from two rooms to six. The vote was 7-1-1. Nearby residents had complained about the planned expansion, claiming it would become a "mini-hotel" with a harm·ful impact on the neighborhood." The Washington Senators are favored to win the 2004 World Series in Orlando Florida. No, not THOSE long-gone Senators; the team in question is Capitol Hill's fast-pitch softball team, composed of girls ages 12 and 13. The youthful Senators are a division of the Capitol Hill Baseball and Softball League and are based at Tyler Field, 10th and I Streets, SE. December Washington's first measurable snow·fall December 5 did not prevent sev·eral hardy souls--including Mayor Anthony Williams--from attending tree planting ceremonies along Barracks Row. The Casey Tree Endowment Fund, DC Department of Transportation, and Trees for Capitol Hill added 75 "Princeton" American elms along Washington's oldest commercial corridor. Previous trees, many of which were diseased, had been removed, leaving the street with a barren look. The Casey Tree Endowment donated the new, dis-ease-resistant trees and agreed to maintain them for two years. Anatolia, the popular Turkish restaurant at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, has changed hands. The new restaurant, called Meyhane, opened Dec. 2 and specializes in tapas and other Mediterranean fare. Finn MacCool's Cork Public House debuted Dec. 5 at the old Sheridan's location, 713 8th St., SE. The propri·etor is Capitol Hill resident Paul Woodhull. The newcomer--with tasty pub fare and live Irish music--prom-ises to be a lively addition to Barracks Row. Winter Revelry, the annual holiday house tour sponsored by the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) got a boost from actor James Earl Jones December 10. The renowned actor-known for his rich, deep voice--read to youngsters from The Snowy Day at one of the houses on tour. Jones' appearance was spon·sored, not surprisingly by Verizon, as part of the phone company's literacy program. And once again, a stately Christmas tree glowed on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Thanks to Voice regular and Hill resi·dent Celeste McCall for encapsulatinar for us again in this year's January edition. Happy Birthday, Dear 308 A Hill House Marks 100th Birthday With History and Hope for the Future BY SCOTT SHUMAKER t needn't be said that a house is mine when certain features were 1952 (when the house was pur-(they lived there until 1972). Roger much more than four walls added and renovations took place. chased by Mrs. Battaille Railey of was co-founder of the law firm Cole, and a roof. Every house on the Montgomery, Ala., who lived there Zylstra and Raywid. The Zylstras fin-Hill--indeed, every house, A House's History with her sister, E. Buckner Blackerby, ished the house's basement during anywhere--is a collection of Nearly 150 years ago, in 1854, the for 10 years). that time and began renting it out. memories and histories. property at 308 A Street, NE, was Mrs. Railey's tenure in the house In 1972, the house was sold to Paul For Donna McLean and Marcus owned by U.S. Circuit Court Judge was an interesting one. "We heard and Joanne Perrot, where they lived Peacock, who, along with their twin with their four children. During William Cranch, who was the cousin she was a realtor, and ran a shop daughters, have been residents of and biographer of John Quincy there," Marcus says. "Roberta their tenure, the Perrots renovated 308 A Street, NE, since 1997, the Adams. Cranch, who died in 1855, McCain [who, along with husband the porches, kitchen and at least one house they call home has a history swore in Presidents John Tyler and Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., bathroom. After their children had worth celebrating. And celebrate Millard Fillmore. Commander of Amphibious Forces, grown, the Perrots moved to they did, with a special 100th birth-In 1858, a house was built, or Atlantic, lived at 308 A Street, NE, Richmond, Va., and rented out the day party for the house, held Nov. expanded, on the property. In the from 1962 to 1964] was a good friend house. 15. 1870s, Eliza J. Lake lived in a wood-of hers. Mrs. Railey was one of those "Joanne was involved with the Intrigued by the prospect of frame house on the property (she people involved with everything. Capitol Hill Restoration Society and uncovering not just the timeline of died in 1876 and is buried at She drove a huge, black Cadillac that had done previous research on the the house, but also the stories of Congressional Cemetery). In 1884, was apparently so big it got stuck in house, sharing our interest," Donna those who lived there in the past, 308 A Street, NE, was converted into alleys." When Mrs. Railey decided to says. Several years ago, the Perrots, Marcus and Donna set about on a a parsonage by the nearby Waugh move back to Alabama, Roberta now in Florida, asked if they could research project. "As we did the Methodist Church. Rev. R.N. Baer McCain drove her there, and recalls see 308 A Street, NE, on their visit to research, we wanted to see if we lived there during that time. that neighbors welcomed Mrs. Railey DC. They brought their children and could connect with these people," And in 1903, the Waugh Church back by decorating the house she enjoyed the visit. One of the Perrot Donna relates. And by reaching out rebuilt the parsonage in brick--the had lived in with her husband. children had saved a small chip of William and Mary Ellen Brain pur-marble that had come off the fire- to the previous owners and tenants, current structure--for about $5,000. Marcus and Donna could also deter-On November 15 of that year, Rev. chased the house in 1965, living place. She brought it with her when G.E. Maydwell moved there until 1968. During that time, she visited the house again! in. The house was used they did some structural work to the "It's amazing the attachment that as a parsonage for nearly home, removing the servant's stair-people have to their homes," Donna 50 years. case in the back of the house and smiles. Before delving into installing a bathroom on the second the house's history, "We floor. A Labor of Love had no idea how the Mrs. Brain, who currently lives in Donna and Marcus, eager to begin church used the house Potomac, Md., was among the guests researching 308 A Street, NE, waited over that time," Marcus at 308 A Street, NE's 100 birthday says. "Joanne Perrot [for-party last month. "The size, layout mer owners] said the and convenience to the Library of parsonage was used Congress" were some of the reasons quite a bit for church she and her family enjoyed living functions. They even there. "We had four children at the had weddings in the time we moved in--ages 14, 12, 10 front parlor." Joanne and 8--and we all loved it." She related that up through recalls hosting many friends in the until their twin daughters were a bit older to commence their sleuthing. "We went to the Washingtoniana Room [at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Library], and Donna spent time at the Recorder of Deeds office," Marcus recalls. "Using the internet, we were able to track down the Brains." the 1980s, couples who spacious house during their tenure. Capitol Hill is filled with homes had been married in Mrs. Brain hadn't returned to 308 A such as 308 A Street, NE, which have that parlor would stop Street, NE, until this past summer, a rich history and many stories to by from time to time, and was "very pleased" when she tell. Donna and Marcus have some some to even renew saw the house again. She brought helpful tips for homeowners who their vows on that very her children and grandchildren with wish to do some digging on their spot! her for that visit, many of whom own. Marcus and Donna were in attendance at the birthday "I definitely recommend visiting also talked to a member celebration. the Recorder of Deeds office," says of the church, who was After the Brains moved out, Roger Donna. "But get there early." Law Current and former residents were on hand to christened in 1926, who and Shirley Marie Zylstra bought 308 assistants, doing research on proper-celebrate. remembers all the rev-A Street, NE, and moved in with ty transfers, often flood the office. erends from 1930 to their two children, Charles and Kara "If you can get there early, you can Marcus Peacock cuts the cake. ask people there for help. It really gets busy." "When I started to call people, it was amazing how excited they got about it," Marcus says of contacting previous owners. "You shouldn't be shy to call these people. It's like a skein of yarn that you keep follow·ing." "Old phone books at the library are also a big help," Donna adds. "You can look up who owned the house, and, if the phone book is pre·1960s, it also lists what occupations people had." Other helpful hints include exploring the internet as well as visit to the new DC City Museum, which The Brains purchased 308 A Street, NE, during the low market period. Initially, they intended to "chop up" the house for rentals, but with the troubled market at that time, the family decided to leave the structure as it was and live in the house them·selves. "The house was saved, if you will, by the dip," Marcus says. In addition to former residents, a number of neighbors dropped by to wish 308 A Street, NE, a happy 100th birthday--some even bearing birth·day cards. Among those neighbors were Philip Bush and Jim Fairchild (Fairchild has lived on the block for 40 years). Mr. Bush, who lives at 16 3rd Street, NE, moved to the neighbor·hood in the late 1950s. "I'm the longest resident on the block," he states, "but I'm not the oldest!" Bush remarked on the changes his neighborhood has seen through the years. "People are very concerned with improving their properties," he states. "And we're getting some young people here now, which is also a good thing." Donna believes that sense of neighborliness and continuity is what brings people back to the places they've called home. "Anyplace that you've lived before, you'd like to take your kids to see," she says. "You want to know what's happening in that house." And quite a bit has happened-- and will likely happen for genera·tions to come--at 308 A Street, NE. has a helpful collection of city records. At the celebration, Donna and Marcus displayed several poster boards of old er clippings, postcards, photos, as well as a time·line of the house. Its presence enhanced the milestone that 308 A Street, NE, was marking. Allan Needell, who rented the basement apartment in the house from 1977 to 1978, was on hand at the birthday gathering. He cites the convenience of the location (he was in a fellowship at the Smithsonian at the time). "I could walk to work, and at that time, the Air and Space Museum was just a year old," Allan recalled. He remembers church music on Sunday mornings,and leisurely walks through the neigh·borhood. Allan lives on F Street, NE, current·ly. "After I lived here, I left for a few years, and then came back." He felt a real draw to this Capitol Hill neigh·borhood. Marcus and Donna agree that through their research, they learned quite a bit about the Hill itself. "People used the riots as milestones in their brains," Marcus says. Additionally, studying the patterns of real estate prices--when the mar·ket dipped very low and when it began its surging rise--was addition·ally intriguing. Scott Shumaker is the Voice of the Hill's editor. Historic Preservation: Gaining Stature Local Efforts Honored with Mayor's Awards BY TIMUR LOYNAB he city's historic The Hill: Positive Cause said. "They add immeasurably to the preservation move-value of the city and the charm of and Effect ment--long dis-Burcham offers Capitol Hill as an the city and the economy of the city." missed by critics as example of the positive cause-and-a speed bump in the effect relationship between historic road to economic preservation and neighborhood revi-Ambrose Honored progress--recently talization. Ambrose received the Chairman's gained some stature "The evidence is someplace like Award for Public Policy, one of two with the first annual Mayor's Awards Capitol Hill where no one can say special awards that were chosen not for Excellence in Historic block by block, property by proper-through a general nominating Preservation. ty, the historic rehabilitation of process, but by the leadership of the The Nov. 7 awards ceremony, those properties has not contributed Historic Preservation Office. which brought together community to the economic revitalization of Ambrose is credited with helping to leaders, architects and preservation-that neighborhood," Burcham said. overhaul the city's preservation pro· ists, not only commemorated the "All you have to do is look at the gram--moving it away from a com·25th anniversary of the passage of property tax assessments in some pletely regulatory approach and get-the DC Preservation Law, but also respects to understand that a rehab ting it out into the community with sent a clear message to the city's property has greater value than a a more planning-based focus. She political and business elite about the vacant and abandoned property." put her political support behind the economic value of historic preserva-With approximately 8,000 historic program's move from the tion. buildings, Capitol Hill is the largest Department of Consumer and "Historic preservation is a neigh-historic district in the city and one Regulatory Affairs to the Office of borhood revitalization and econom-of the largest in the nation. It is also Planning. ic development tool," said Lisa home to three stalwarts of the "While all of our council members Burcham, who, eight months into preservation movement--Council-in their own ways support preserva·her tenure as the head of the city's member Sharon Ambrose, the tion and revitalization of historic Historic Preservation Office, has Capitol Hill Restoration Society and areas in their neighborhoods, she already transformed the sleepy The Ruth Ann Overbeck Capitol Hill [Ambrose] gets it immediately," agency into a vigorous steward of History Project--each a recipient of Burcham said. "She was not some-the city's 26 neighborhood historic a Mayor's Award for contributions in body who had to be convinced and districts and launched an aggressive the areas of public policy, preserva-brought over to why preservation is education and outreach program tion leadership and heritage educa-economic development and why it's aimed at building a stronger base for tion respectively. all about neighborhood revitaliza·preservation support. "Time and Ambrose, who spearheaded the tion." again in studies done throughout effort to revitalize Eastern Market What Ambrose gets is that a city the country it's been demonstrated and Barracks Row and advocated for that's trying to attract residents can't that historic districts stabilize prop-the adaptive reuse of former public afford to demolish properties that erty values and that is completely in school buildings for new housing, can be rehabilitated. the face of gentrification, completely said the recognition "is very impor-"The mayor's idea of bringing in the face of those who say a his-tant." 100,000 residents into the city is an toric designation will actually lower "I live on Capitol Hill and I have exceptional one, and now we need the value of your property," she valued the Hill and what it has to have places for these people to added. "Neither of those has ever meant to my family and what live," Burcham said. "We need to demonstrated true." Capitol Hill and the other historic take a look at those 2,900 vacant primarily row houses in the city and figure out what we can do as a preservation agency with our part·ners in housing to get properties that are vacant and abandoned in historic districts rehabbed back onto the market." But that's easier said than done. "Historic preservation/restoration is always uphill," said Rob Nevitt, President of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. "If you say 'win some, lose some,' then the ones you lose are not recoverable. You always feel as though you're not always completely successful because of the times historic buildings do get altered or disappear and you can't turn that back. It's a lonely busi·ness." Restoration Society: Honored for Leadership It's a lonely and sometimes con·tentious business even for an organi·zation as formidable as The Capitol Hill Restoration Society, another of the Mayor's special honorees and recipient of the award for preserva·tion leadership. "When you're protecting historic buildings, it means there are people who are unhappy because they can't do whatever they want with them," Nevitt said. Opponents of preservation are plentiful. They range from individ·ual homeowners who may feel their personal plans are more important than the standards that apply to his·toric districts, to developers who want to squeeze the most out of a property in defiance of either zoning or historic district regulations, to a usually sympathetic councilmember who may think a structure is such an impediment to economic develop·ment that it's beyond redemption and tries to challenge its "landmark" status. Shotgun House: Tug of War Continues In an ironic twist of events, the latter scenario is currently playing out over a property known as the Capitol Hill Shotgun House. It's so-named because the rooms of the small house fall one behind the other with no hallway separating them so one could theoretically shoot a gun through the entire structure. The tug-of-war over the historic designation of the shotgun house pits two longtime allies--the Capitol Hill Restoration Society and Councilmember Ambrose--on opposite ends of the historic preser·vation divide. Ambrose said she opposed the "landmarking" of the shotgun house, which sits on 1229 E St., SE, because "unless it's demolished it's all but impossible for anyone to develop the districts mean to this city," Ambrose housing units that we have that are property that surrounds it." "It's also a property that has now become a serious public nuisance to the neighbors on that particular block, particularly to the neighbor next door, because it's rat infested, vagrants use it, and kids play in it," Ambrose said. But Nevitt said the shotgun house is neither rat-infested nor irremedia·ble. He maintains that engineers have inspected the house and declared it structurally sound. While it's easy to dismiss the shot·gun house ugly, little run·down house," under the terms by which the historic district is created, "the house is protected," Nevitt said. "All it requires is bringing the available legal measures to bear on the owner of the property to fix it up," he added. But Ambrose said the city has already tried and exhausted that route. "That particular owner is not someone who responds to fines and threats," she said. "He is someone who owns a lot of property and he is notorious for demolition by neglect." Nevitt has a bottom line of his own. "The shotgun house is protected by the laws and regulations that are inherent to our being a historic dis·trict," Nevitt said. "Those laws and regulations really serve an important purpose. Now if you want to start making exceptions, where do you stop?" Ambrose acknowledges that the shotgun house is a unique structure. "It may be one of two such houses left in the city," she said. "And because of its uniqueness it repre·sents an architectural piece of histo·ry that the Restoration Society feels very strongly should be preserved." Their difference of opinion on the shotgun house aside, Ambrose and the Capitol Hill Restoration Society have had a long and amicable work·ing relationship rooted in mutual respect. "Were it not for the efforts of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society over the past 35 to 40 years, we would have had houses razed all over the place. And we would have a much more dense neighborhood--an entirely different looking neighbor·hood, one that would totally lack the charm of the neighborhood we know as Capitol Hill," Ambrose said. Engaged in the Public Process The organization, which is nearly 50 years old and 1,000 members strong, is deeply engaged in the public process. Its membership serves as advisors to the city's historic preser·vation staff, testifies at committee hearings, ensures that city-wide zon·ing regulations are applied consis·tently, provides workshops and newsletters for its own constituents, and organizes activities like the annual spring house tour, which raises money for Capitol Hill project grants. "We aren't stonewalls to progress," Nevitt said. "And we aren't people riding a hobby horse. We truly feel that we are preserving something more than just some dry academic standard that we adhere to. We're preserving an atmosphere and an ambience that everybody values and wouldn't want changed." Burcham, who specifically chose to honor The Capitol Hill Restoration Society with an award for preservation leadership, said the volunteer-run organization has been an extremely successful steward for the historic properties in Capitol Hill. The organization has helped the neighborhood retain its charac·ter and those efforts, in turn, have attracted new residents to the area and buoyed the tax base. "I don't think people appreciate the volume of work that comes out of a historic district like Capitol Hill," Burcham said. That kind of success takes a lot of work particular·ly in an organization that any where else in the country -the volume of work they do--would indicate they would have professional full-time staff and yet this group does it on a completely voluntary basis." Overbeck Project: Preserving Memories While the Capitol Hill Restoration Society is dedicated to preserving the built environment, The Ruth Ann Overbeck Capitol Hill History Project, the Mayor's honoree for excellence in heritage education, is devoted to preserving memories. "But not just to preserve them to put them away some place, it's pre·serving so that people can see them and learn from them and make con·nections," said John Franzén, the project's chairman. Like the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, it's an all-volunteer pro-gram--albeit a much smaller opera·tion with only about 80 volunteers-- that documents Capitol Hill's past by collecting oral histories on cur·rent and former residents. "We have the good fortune of being able to live in a neighborhood where the evidence of our past is all around us in a very visible way. And I think that leads people to wonder about the people who built all this and the people who lived here 50, 60, 100 years ago," Franzén said. In its second year, the project-- inspired by and named after the late Capitol Hill historian and preserva·tionist, Ruth Ann Overbeck--has already collected more than 70 inter·views with individuals from all walks of life whose stories span the decades and provide rare and personal glimpses into the everyday lives of the neighborhood's citizens. It's the kind of history lesson that one can't necessarily find in a text-book--life stories like the one shared by Carol Mills Harris. Capitol Hill was Harris' home from 1933-1944. She spent her childhood and early teen years here with her divorced mother and four siblings. During World War II, Harris, who was only 14 years old, worked as a Junior Air Raid Warden and a typist for the War Department. She was responsible for typing the death notifications that went to the families of soldiers killed in the war. Harris' story, one of many that have added to Capitol Hill's rich social and cultural fabric, is featured on the Overbeck project's website along with some 20 other interviews that have been transcribed by a small army of volunteers. In addition to the oral history project, the program boasts a cele·brated lecture series. Franzén, who attended the Nov. 7 awards ceremony and was impressed by the turnout (about 230 attendees, well-exceeding the organizers' expectations), summed up the evening this way: "It was a very encouraging thing just to see the turnout for this event. It does suggest that there is a new and higher level of awareness in the city about the need for historic preservation and historic educa·tion." Local freelance writer Timur Loynab is a regular contributor to this newspaper. just riding along AN ODE TO THE H STREET BUS BY VALERIE MARK LIPPE "Wheelchair coming out, baby," the It's a rough morning on the X-2. The woman bus driver cautions a group day is overcast, somewhat humid. The bus is too anxious to board. crowded and tempers are running a bit high. A man The mood on the bus is as unpre·holding a small child has threatened violence against sev-dictable as the weather. Sometimes it is silent. Not the vacant silence of eral riders who brushed the little girl as they passed. A the morning commuter, but a grim, mother barks commands at her fidgety young children with edgy, suspicious kind of silence. The the efficiency of an army drill sergeant. "Sit down and be quiet--I silence of a people pushed too far by said NOW!" the difficulty of life. And for a minute there is a sense that, this The newcomer to the X-2 may street, the bus has a reputation. time, they will not rebound. find it a bit grittier than other bus Many people, black or white, will But, just as quickly, the mood can rides in the city. There is no banner not ride the H Street bus. Others change. "Hey girl," two women call across the side proudly proclaiming claim to ride the bus with a swagger-out, suddenly recognizing a friend in that "This Bus is Running on Clean ing nonchalance, the way a vet a black skull cap and baggy jogging Natural Gas," no mechanical voice might say, "Sure, I spent some time suit nodding off to sleep several seats letting passengers know when their in 'Nam." in front of them. They chat with the stop is approaching. The bus is a It's a street seeking opportunity. A enthusiasm of schoolgirls, but the rehab, a bus that was once new and man in sleek leather pants and a talk is different. "I'm coming up on is now just trying to survive. knee length black overcoat puffs on my probation," she confides to Some of the District's most down a cigar. "Are you single?" he asks a them. "They dropped that charge and out ride the X-2. Worn and woman passing by. "No," she replies. and I'm going to be alright." "Yeah ragged, they look like they have seen "You're beautiful," he calls out after girl, we'll see you soon," they call to some hard miles. A forty-ish looking, her. She does not respond. He folds her affectionately as she alights from gaunt man in overalls with vacant lf smoked cigar neatly into a the bus. blue eyes, skin deeply etched by long cloth handkerchief and boards the But more often, the bus is noisy exposure to the sun, and stringy, bus. The moment is not right, but it and uninhibited. "Hey Don-na," a light brown hair partially covered by will come. young woman slides open the bus a red bandana, stares too long at a Waiting for the bus is an exercise window and yells excitedly to her tall dark-skinned young woman in patience. Despite the elaborate friend on the street. The bus has a whose shirt on one side has slipped schedule posted at the stop, the bus neighborhood kind of feel to it. past her shoulder. A thin, middle-arrives when it will, causing com-Many riders know each other, or, if aged woman in baggy trousers and muters to gaze up the street with the not each other, at least each other's black galoshes sits huddled in a seat anticipation of a sea captain's wife relatives or neighbors, or perhaps, clutching a soft drink. Her hands scanning the horizon for some sign just the circumstances of each and feet are crossed, her head bent of her husband's safe return. And other's lives. "What's up, butter-over as if in prayer. She has the pow-when the bus does come, usually it is cup?" A tall, athletic man making erful smell of someone who spends packed to the jowls. A multitude his way to a seat playfully directs this her days and nights on the streets. A steps forward to board, and some-question to a gaunt old man, wear-man in dirty blue jeans and a how the laws of physics are defied. ing sunglasses and wrapped in a tan stained, tan jacket leans forward, Bodies move through bodies. raincoat. His reply is inaudible. His compulsively stroking his gray voice is thick with the phlegm of a beard, chewing on something that Snippets of Life heavy smoker. will not be swallowed. His face is As the exchange takes place, little As the bus moves, the back of the sweet, rather youthful. His sunken snippets of conversation fill the air, bus waves back and forth like a fish tail. It is almost another room back eyes gaze about him with the inno-"I threw his ass down the stairs," a there. "Back door," they yell out to cence and curiosity of a child. woman describes her newest rela- The X-2 starts at Minnesota tionship. "'Scuze me, 'scuze me, the bus driver who seems, at times, Avenue and runs westbound along damn it's hot, 'scuze me, honey," a to have forgotten them. It is often a Benning Road, but most of its jour-large woman finds her way through bit louder back there--a daunting ney is along H Street. And like the the crowd. Occasionally it's trickier. place for most riders, who clog the aisle at the front of the bus rather than seek a seat in the rear. But some board the bus and head straight for the back as one might head for a favorite spot in a crowded bar. "Hey, how you doing, man?" Two men greet each other with a warm handshake. "How old are you?" an ample-sized woman in her late twenties seductively calls out to a shy youth seated on the other side of the aisle. "None of your business." "'Cause you fine," she coos, undaunted. The back of the bus also attracts the misfits and those who just want to be left alone. A young woman is laughing hysterically to herself, enjoying a joke that makes sense only in her world. "The white minority has to know. . ." one older man suddenly proclaims in a loud voice to an audience that largely ignores him. He trails off and then continues to himself in a more inti·mate tone, "Sure it hurt like hell, but it ain't mine to deal with." Young and Old, Saints and Sinners The bus is a study in contrasts but, like the street on which it runs, the contrasts become clear slowly, the way objects in a darkened room become visible as one's eyes adjusts to the light. Amidst the youths in black skull caps and baggy urban wear, young girls in tight jeans and African braids and elaborately pol·ished fingernails, sit elderly ladies dressed, neat as a pin, with earrings, gloves, hat, and matching handbag. A dignified older man, sporting a tan fedora with a broad black band and a raincoat over his gray suit, sleeps as the bus rolls along. They evoke an earlier era, when men wore hats and women dressed up just to take a bus ride into town, when H Street was a bustling corridor. They sit side by side, these two different worlds, the way the gray stone, neoclassical Riggs Bank building and the red brick Douglas Memorial Methodist Church sit quietly amidst Style Mania and the bright orange roof of Super Nails. The very young and the very old ride the H Street bus. An infant sleeps contentedly, harnessed to the front of his young mother, oblivious to the noise. Spanking fresh school children with book packs slung over their small shoulders chatter excited·ly. An aged woman with a slight palsy gazes ahead. Her dark, leathery skin, stretched over her gaunt face, is engraved with deep wrinkles. Hers is the patient gaze of a woman who has been riding the bus for a long time, whose hopes and dreams are no longer for this life, but for the life to come. Saints and sinners ride the bus. "Praise the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised," a young woman energet- www.voiceofthehill.com With top ratings for service and security, shouldn't we be your bank, too? ince 1889, The National Capital Bank has been an institution customers depend upon for safe and sound decision making and impeccable service. That's one reason why BauerFinancial Inc. has awarded us their 5 Star rating for Exceptional Performance for 13 continuous years. Add our recent A+ rating from Weiss Ratings, Inc. for being the safest bank in the District of Columbia, then ask yourself why you're not banking with us. 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The bus moves at a good clip as it passes the bright red letters of Autozone, the cake frosting pink storefront sign of Fashion One, the canary yellow awning of Money Mart. "Cash 'til Pay Day," the sign promises. The colors along the eastern half of H Street are not like the intention·ally riotous colors of Chinatown, further ahead. Instead, the colors pop out here and there amidst the decaying buildings as if to proclaim that life still exists on this street beleaguered by poverty and vio·lence. And inside the bus, the colors, too, are life affirming--a woman with a bright orange scarf holding her hair back smooth and a match·ing bright orange skirt fitting, per·haps too tightly, around her large frame; a young woman in a fire truck red shirt, multicolored braids streaming off her head like a water fountain; and nearby, another with pink highlights running through the bands of her hair and matching pink eye glitter. The bus crawls slowly over Hopscotch Bridge. Sometimes it feels like the bus will not make it, as it strains and groans its way over the hump. The next stop is in front of the hunter green awning of Au Bon Pain at the corner of North Capitol Street. North Capitol Street is the great divide, not just of east from west. It is here that the crowded bus often clears out and the general noise level decreases. More of the riders that enter here have somewhere to go and someone who will care if they are not there on time. For others, it is time to leave, as if the world beyond this point has no place for them. A woman heads toward the exit, then turns and calls out to her friend. "See you tomorrow or see you in Paradise." Valerie Mark Lippe, a regular rider of the H Street bus, lives on G Street, NE, and is a government tax lawyer by trade. This is Valerie's first effort at writing for publication. f you stroll around the Library of Congress' original Jefferson Building, scanning the key· stones of the second-story win· dows, you will detect 33 male faces depicting "The Races of Man." These "Ethnological Heads" (as conceived by 1891 scholar·ship) depicted the world's "civilized" as well as "savage and barbarous peo·ples," evoking the universality of learning pursued library inside. Today the Library's concept of worldwide culture is less literally "set in stone," emphasizing the window rather than its heavy framework. Librarian James Billington, himself a Russian scholar, hails his institution as a "temple of pluralism," enjoying fluency in threescore languages. Nowhere is this character more vital than in the "language tables" enlivening at lunchtime. Speakers and students of various languages simply gather regularly at midday to mingle and converse in their chosen tongues. In most cases, Hill residents who are not Library of Congress employees are welcomed to a seat at the table. Language Choices Choices range from Spanish, French and German to Hungarian, Swahili, and Japanese. Back when the groups mostly gathered in the sixth floor Madison Building cafeteria, passers·by overhearing familiar sounds would sometimes join the tables spontaneously. Now, the tables are a little more structured. Each works in its own way, at its own venue--often a conference room open to brown-bag dining. Each table coordinator sets its tone. Most officially operate under the auspices of the Library of Congress Professional Association (LCPA), except for Eastern tongues, the tables for which are operated under the Asian Association. Finally, each language table evolves over time. For instance, the twice-monthly Portuguese table emerged as a con·versational group in the early 1990s. It later operated for several years as a more formally instructional group, with homework and lesson plans. With participation falling off, in 2002, Carlos Olave recast the table as a conversational group requiring some fluency. To benefit and enjoy themselves, participants should have at least intermediate knowledge of Portuguese, with at least two to four semesters of study, if not a native background in the language. One would expect participants to come from the Library's Hispanic Division, but the talent is spread throughout the institution. For instance, two Brazilian regulars work in Portuguese documents for the Law Library. With a background from Columbia, Olave developed his Lunchand Languages Language Tables at the Library of Congress Provide a Place to Communicate BY STEPHEN A CKERMAN fluency in the language of adjoining German, elementary Greek, Brazil. "We're here to improve speak-Ukrainian, Romanian, Scandinavian, ing skills," he notes, with the added and Swahili. A call is out for a coordi·benefits of cultural appreciation and nator to lead a Polish table. friendships. An astute coordinator is critical to Herminia Smith coordinates the a successful table. Some years ago, a Tagalog table, which meets former Catholic seminarian estab-Thursdays, with more emphasis on lished a lively conversational table informal instruction. A Filipina mar-that proved that--despite the ried to an American, she notes that absence of any native speakers-- some participants want to keep their Latin was anything but a dead lan-speaking skills sharp when they guage. Alas, currently that table speak English in their daily lives. delenda est, though some of the par-American-born children of ticipants, now retired, still gather Philippine parents, for instance, elsewhere. One veteran has gone on wish to develop the tongue Mom to teach Latin to a senior citizens' and Pop had used intermittently at group. home. Even for native speakers, language Originsis a "use it or lose it" proposition. The tables originated in 1988. Peter The lunches nourish speaking skills. Vankevich of the Copyright Division At present, tables offering some decided to refresh his language skills degree of instruction regularly oper-to prepare for planned travels by ate in Arabic (beginning and lunching with colleagues adept in advanced), Armenian, Tagalog, and French and Spanish. The genesis was Turkish. Chinese, French, reminiscent of the way conversa-Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, tional groups spontaneously form in Portuguese, and Spanish tables hold college cafeterias. Vankevich offered conversational sessions, usually a proposal called "Languages at meeting from noon to 1 p.m., as Lunch?" to the LCPA, and his idea does ASL (American Sign Language). Some gather weekly on a specified day, others biweekly or monthly. There's a beginning Hebrew instruc·took on a life of its own. In recent years, tables have flourished in more than 20 languages at a given time. Americans constantly form associ·tional group, as well as an ad-hoc ations dedicated to every interest, as conversational one. Other tables de Tocqueville noted 170 years ago, which are active but don't operate so it is no surprise that the table con-on set days include Amharic, cept took off and lasted. They also outgrow their original purposes. Since languages are intertwined with cultures, the tables quickly went beyond vocabulary and grammar. A thriving example is the Ukrainian table, launched over a decade ago by Natalka Gawdiak of the Law Library. Once a linguistic practice table, the group no longer sits on set days, but it has evolved into a vital cultural network, with wires to the Ukrainian embassy, local congregations and professional associations. Coordinator Jurij Dobczansky of the Social Sciences Cataloguing Division sees the pur·pose as "building bridges." The group conducts some activities in Ukrainian, with others in English, attracting diverse participants. Dobczansky recalls presentations by Peace Corps volunteers returned from Ukraine, which resulted in con·nections with exchange students here. Historic, scholarly, and current events sessions have featured both U.S. and Ukrainian experts on such topics as the literature, politics, and the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. A fascinating session in 2000 detailed the recovery in Kyiv of over 5,000 items of music by the Bach family, missing since World War II, most not seen or performed for four centuries. The Russian and Polish tables have cooperated in other events of mutual interest. Not all activities are learned. The members are keyed into a local Ukrainian network promoting activi·ties like traditional Christmas parties for children. Participants keep cur·rent and in touch with the broader community through a biweekly email bulletin. The table opens a window on films, concerts, readings, bazaars and exhibits of interest. Sometimes visitors from around the country and even Canada drop in on their events. Typically of the language tables, this one opens a window on all things Ukrainian. Every autumn, all the language tables come together for an interna·tional buffet, where participants sample world cuisine from lavishly-decorated cultural serving tables. The language tables have come a long way from Yankevich's informal lunch groups 15 years ago. He plant·ed the seed of a thriving cultural resource in our front yard. A Hill res·ident, he has lately been thinking about ways to open the riches of the language tables to the neighbor·hood. For now, if you want to inquire about a language table, current schedules and contacts appear in The Gazette, the Library of Congress' free newsletter distributed at the entrances. This is Hill resident Stephen Ackerman's second contribution to The Voice of the Hill. www.voiceofthehill.com who may have flu," advises before, during, and after food prepa-Gerberding. "All of us should prac-ration. Keep raw meats and ready-to-tice good respiratory etiquette, eat foods separate. Cook foods to which means to cover our mouth or proper temperatures. Refrigerate nose when we sneeze or cough an foods promptly at a temperature to practice good hand hygiene, below 40 degrees Farenheit." For which means to clean hands before more information, Grotto suggests and after having contact with respi-visiting www.homefoodsafety.org. ratory secretions so that there's less chance of passing any of the influen- Get a Boost from Garlic and za or influenza-like viruses from per-Glucansson to person." She continues, "We can expect Beyond safe food, Grotto tells more ongoing shortages of the vaccine. about protecting good health. "We're going to have to really focus "There is research suggesting that on the other steps that we can take garlic enhances natural killer cell to help contain this outbreak." activity, thus boosting the immune "In addition to getting vaccinated, system. Research seems to indicate the single most important step peo-that the best results are when fresh ple can take to help prevent getting garlic is chopped and left out for 10·the flu is to wash their hands," says 15 minutes before it is used in cook-Dr. Linda Lambert, Influenza ing or added to foods. There is Program Officer with the National debate about whether cooked garlic Institute of Allergy and Infectious is more beneficial than raw garlic." Diseases. Hand-washing is especially Grotto says that as little as a clove of important after interacting with garlic per day is sufficient to have children, according to Lambert, benefits. "Garlic supplements may since children are very susceptible to be beneficial but the best type is still flu and are the primary spreaders of under discussion. The way to be sure the virus in the community. you're getting garlic's benefits is to eat fresh garlic." Grotto continues, "Some foods-- Handle Food Safely such as mushrooms, oats, and Sometimes what seems like the flu yeast--contain a group of com-isn't the flu. "Be aware that a flu shot pounds called glucans that can also will not protect you against food poi-help your immune system. While soning," says Dave Grotto, RD, LD. there are medicinal mushrooms, Grotto is a spokesperson for the other types such as oyster and American Dietetic Association and is Portobello mushrooms, and even the Director of Nutrition Education the lowly button mushrooms, are at the Block Center for Integrative beneficial. Try oatmeal or ready-to-Cancer Care, just outside of Chicago. eat oat cereals for more glucans. "There are four simple things you Nutritional yeast--not baker's can do to avoid food poisoning," yeast--is the yeast that has been adds Grotto. "Wash your hands studied the most for health. Sometimes it is used as a flavoring in food. It's also available in natural foods stores and you can sprinkle it on food." How significant are these contri·butions? "They don't replace sleep·ing, stress care, good medicine, and good sanitation," observes Grotto. "Nutrition is only one factor in stay·ing healthy." Little Nutrients With Big Benefits Many people swear by extra vitamins and minerals. "Vitamin C is impor·tant for a healthy immune system," says Leslie Bonci, RD, MPH. Also a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, she is the Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "To boost the immune sys·tem, the recommendation is about 200 milligrams of vitamin C per day. This is not a mega dose. Multi-vitamin/multimineral supplements average about 90 milligrams per dose. If you take one and then increase fruits and vegetables in your diet, you'll get enough vitamin C." She continues, "Even very mild deficiencies of B6 and Folic Acid can weaken the immune system. If you are not going to eat whole grains or fortified foods, you can take a multi-vitamin/multimineral supplement. I prefer this type of supplement because it provides more than just the B vitamins. It provides other nutrients that are critical for other reasons." Bonci comments on the amount of vitamin E necessary to support a healthy immune system. "We may need about 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E each day. Multivitamin/multimineral supple·ments usually contain about 30 international units of vitamin E. Vitamin E in foods is associated with the fat in the food so if you're dra·matically restricting your fat intake you may also reduce the strength of your immune system," cautions Bonci. "Good sources of vitamin E include almonds and other nuts and wheat germ. One ounce of nuts or sunflower seeds contains about 40 IU of vitamin E." "Another reason to take a multivit-amin/multimineral supplement is that some minerals--particularly zinc, copper, iron, and selenium-- also help support a healthy immune system," adds Bonci. "The multivita-min/multimineral supplement is safe and the minerals are provided in a helpful amount." Everyday Foods, Everyday Actions Although research continues for par·ticular health promoting compo·nents of food, Grotto emphasizes "In addition to getting vaccinated, the single most important step people can take to help prevent getting the flu is to wash their hands." from someone else's glass or a bite from someone else's fork, and don't share your cosmetics); washing your dishes and eating utensils thorough·ly with soap and hot water; chang·ing your sheets, pillowcases, and towels often; cleaning your home and clothing well; and getting enough sleep. Laurie Lindsay Aomari, RD, LD, is a contributing writer for The Voice of the Hill. As a registered and licensed dietitian, Laurie helps people aim for good health, no matter what their size, and to enjoy their eating more. She spe·cializes in food and nutrition communi·cations, particularly presentations and writing. She is the author of Making the Breast of It: A Cancer Survivor Talks About Reconstructing Her Life with Resilience, Resolve, and a Robust Sense of Humor. See www.LaurieAomari.com for more information. Preventing Flu Vaccination: The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall. In the absence of vaccine, however, there are other ways to pro·tect against flu. Antiviral Medications: Three antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir) are approved and commercially available for use in pre·venting flu. All of these medications are prescription drugs, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used for preventing the flu. Other Habits for Good Health The following steps may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like flu: · Avoid close contact Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. · Stay home when you are sick If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. · Cover your mouth and nose Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. · Clean your hands Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. · Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is con·taminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ww.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm that the new information doesn't take the place of older well-known, well-researched guidance. "We still need the critical essentials," argues Grotto. "Have nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, concentrat·ing on a variety of colors. Consume whole grain products. Eat a variety of protein sources including fish, lean meats, and plant-based protein (such as soybeans and other legumes). Limit fats and emphasize healthier varieties of fat such as omega three fats from walnuts, flax, and deep, northern fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines." For a more tailored, individual program, Grotto says to seek a registered dieti·tian. "Checking www.eatright.org is one way to find a registered dietitian in the Washington metro area." While not new or exotic, other sensible actions anyone can take to preserve good health during the winter include using only your own personal items (e.g., don't take a sip hink it's too earl start Howard Dean rights for the District in both the contemplating the 2004 Supporters of Howard Dean, the for-House and the Senate, has recently presidential election? Think mer Vermont governor recently received endorsement from nine again. Many DC residents-- endorsed by past vice president and councilmembers--Jim Graham and in particular those who 2000 Democratic presidential hope-(Ward 1), Jack Evans (Ward 2), Kathy live within shouting dis-ful Al Gore, have turned out in full Patterson (Ward 3), Adrian Fenty tance of the Capitol build-force for the outspoken candidate. (Ward 4), Vincent Orange (Ward 5), ing--are already busily working for "There are over 2,000 registered Sharon Ambrose (Ward 6), Kevin various Democrats in preparation for with us in DC, and 350 to 400 signed Chavous (Ward 7), Sandy Allen the upcoming primaries. up from Capitol Hill," said Charles (Ward 8) and Harold Brazil (member-From toiling as unpaid volunteers Allen, Ward 6 coordinator for DC For at-large). on grassroots campaigns, to working Dean. Volunteers with the group have their way up to salaried positions at Allen, who estimates he works 20 created a brochure promoting the national campaign headquarters, plus hours a week for Dean in addi-Dean campaign, and can often be Hill residents have devoted many tion to his day job, said he is respon-found handing out the self-pub-hours to better their chosen candi-sible for 'field activities' and reach-lished literature at Metro stations date's chances for national selection ing out to the all-volunteer field rep-during rush hour. "We are very in the upcoming primary, and even-resentatives working on the cam-active in terms of getting out there," tual presidential, elections. paign. "I'm working on the cam-Nelson said. The current field of candidates paign three nights a week and every Allen added the group hosts Ward ranges from U.S. congressmen to a Saturday," Allen said. 6 for Dean meetings, which are pub-former general and a former gover-The Dean campaign also, since lic and open to the community. A nor. The state of New Hampshire will September, has had a table at Eastern recent meeting had about 80 atten·host the first primary election Jan. Market on the weekends and relies dees, he said. "Everyone comes in 27; the presidential election will be on monthly 'meet-ups' to organize with different skills and all bring it held in November. volunteers. The group is currently to bear with the group," he said. focused on 'getting out the vote,' One deaf volunteer advocated for Wesley Clark calls to register Democrats to vote, interpreters at events and formed For Wesley Clark, the retired U.S. canvassing and phone bank parties, Deaf Americans For Dean, Allen said. Army General now seeking the Dem-Allen said. The DC for Dean website is ocratic nomination, the grassroots DC For Dean group is a non-profit www.dcfordean.com. "You don't have Washington DC for Clark campaign organization that does not receive to ask permission to do something, involves about 15-20 Hill residents, funding from the national Howard you can just go ahead," Allen said. according to Howard Park, DC Grass-Dean campaign. Shawn Nelson, part roots Campaign Director for Clark. of the communications team for DC John Kerry "More would like to get involved for Dean, explained that the Over at the John Kerry camp, things but have to work" at their day jobs, Washington-based group is separate are a little different from the Park said. There is no paid field staff from Dean for America, based in District's Clark and Dean campaigns. in this campaign, and most of the Vermont. "We are not affiliated with The DC office is the campaign's publicity is done through tabling at the Vermont campaign but we are national headquarters. Volunteers Eastern Market--when the weather recognized by the Dean camp," work along with paid staffers hoping is good. Nelson said. to elect the Senator from Volunteers are also planning to Nelson said many of the volun-Massachusetts to the White House. travel to New Hampshire to further teers with the campaign are profes-Volunteer Coordinator Chad campaign for Clark over the Martin sionals who devote their spare time Lennox--a Hill resident --began vol-Luther King weekend this month. and energy to promoting Dean in unteering with Kerry in February of The group has established a website Washington. Some campaigners this year, and was eventually hired to at www.DC4Clark.com, and those have been recruited from DC to work a paid position. interesting in volunteering with the in Burlington, Vermont, Iowa and "I would estimate that there are campaign should contact Park at New Hampshire. about 60 to 70 volunteers from hpark4@aol.com. Dean, who supports full voting Washington in general," Lennox BY NICOLE SPIRID AKIS Hill Democrats Pitch in on Presidential Campaigns said. "About half of those are Hill residents." Most, like Lennox, are working long hours on the Hill. Kerry volunteers have had a table at Eastern Market, Lennox said, but 'not as much as the Dean and Clark people.' Because the DC headquarters ·located at 519 C Street, NE - are also the national headquarters of the campaign, Lennox said volunteers don't do much field work, although it "depends on the needs of the day and what the national office needs," Lennox said. Volunteers may find themselves calling constituents as part of phone banks, doing mailings, and working on the database. Recently, DC volun·teers went to Delaware to collect sig·natures to get Kerry on the ballot. Those interested in working on the Kerry campaign can stop by the office, or check out the campaign's website at www.johnkerry.com. Jan Eichorn, president of the Ward 6 Democrats, said via email that both the Clark campaign and the DC for Dean group -- described as "very active" -- had contacted the Ward 6 Democrats, but no other supporters had as of yet. John Edwards' ntational campaign headquarters are in Raleigh, NC. He does not have a DC office. Joe Lieberman's campaign is based out of Arlington. Editor's Note: This story contains infor·mation on a sampling of DC-based presidential campaigns and is not intended to present the complete picture. Nicole Spiridakis is a frequent contribu·tor for Voice of the Hill. The Hill's Arts District Atlas, Playhouse Show the Hill is Alive with the Arts BY JULIA R OBEY As the renovation of 8th Street nears Beginnings of An Arts restaurant. French's Restaurant oper·completion, attention is being District ated until the end of 2001, and was turned to another redevelopment In June 2002, the H Street Playhouse then sold to Adele and Bruce Robey. project in nearby--the H Street, NE, opened at 1365 H Street, NE. This With the help of countless volun·corridor. historic building, built in 1928 by teers, the Robeys renovated the For several decades, H Street, NE, William Oshinsky, was leased to space to house a 150-seat black-box was a thriving commercial district. It businesses or was vacant until 1959. theater and a small gallery to exhibit was home to a variety of schools, According to the 1928 Business work by local artists. The Theater stores, restaurants, movie theaters, Directory, the building was original-Alliance, resident company at the H churches of various denominations, ly occupied by Sam's Garage and Street Playhouse, produces several and a synagogue. Spanning 15 blocks Moller Motors, though there is no non-mainstream shows each season from Florida Avenue to Union evidence that the building was cus-meant to appeal to a diverse con-Station, this vibrant area met virtual-tom built for their intended use. stituency. Having just closed Winter ly all of greater Capitol Hill's shop-Automotive companies made up the Tales, their ninth production in the space, Theater Alliance has been ping needs. The economic decline of majority of renters until 1943, when the early 1960s took its toll on the the Plymouth Theater (created as a quite a success playing to several commercial industry and one by one, neighborhood theater for African-sold-out audiences. All of this just businesses on H Street began to shut Americans) opened its doors. proves that iuild it, they really will come. down. This once-booming area was Morris Hallett was the architect When the Theater Alliance is not further blighted in 1968, when civil for this adaptive reuse that took the riots broke out on H Street and many former Plymouth car salesroom and performing, the H Street Playhouse is rented out to local theater compa·storefront businesses were burned, converted it into a 400-seat movie looted, and destroyed. For the last 30 theater. The Plymouth Theater nies. There are performances, open years, the corridor has remained stag-closed in 1952, and the space to the public, on approximately 250 nant, and many structures still bear remained vacant until 1955. For the out of 365 days of the year. Past ten-the scars of civil uprising. next several years, it would be home ants have included African Continuum Theatre Company, Now, in 2004, the tables are turn-to King Furniture, Jet Arena Roller Capital Renaissance Theatre, ing for this long-neglected commu-Rink, and Clements Printing. John Essential Theatre Company, Phoenix nity. New businesses are beginning French, former Vice President with to move into vacant properties, and McDonald's Corporation, purchased Theatre Company, Project Y, Str8n·with the opening of two theaters in the property from Clements Printing Up Productions, Purchased one block, the city has designated in 1984 and completed a renovation Experiences Don't Count Theatre the 1300 block of H Street, NE, an to open French's, a southern Soul Company, and Silicon Dance Project official Arts and Entertainment Food restaurant. Many celebrities District--a sign that people are start-and noteworthy individuals from Atlas Joins the Scene ing to pay attention. around the country visited the With this palpable evidence that the arts really do inspire healthy eco·nomic development, another nearby project has begun. Just a few doors down the street from the H Street Playhouse sits the historic Atlas Theater Complex. Purchased in June 2002 by the Atlas Performing Arts Center, a non-profit organization, and vacant since 1976, this DC land·mark is now under renovation, with support from private donors, foun·dations, and a federal Main Street grant. With funding in place, and the floor plans designed, the Atlas Theater is on its way to becoming a hub for cultural development. With two professional theaters, two lab theaters, and three dance studios, the complex is being designed to present theater, dance, music, and film, and to provide pro·fessional instruction in stagecraft as well as performing arts. The lower level of the building will include a production shop, offices and confer·ence rooms, a full suite of dressing rooms, offices for anchor tenants and visiting companies. The reno·vated Atlas will preserve the original Art Moderne façade and marquee designed by Baltimore architect John J. Zink in 1938 for Fred Kogod and Max Burka, founders of K-B Theatres. Like the H Street Playhouse, much of the space in the Atlas Complex will be rentable to outside compa·nies, and will include full box office support, and use of state of the art lighting and sound equipment. Space will be available when it is not being used by the Atlas' two resi·dents, ACTCo and Joy of Motion. Plans are right on schedule, with design and engineering and interior demolition in progress. The major renovation is slated to begin in January and will be completed in December 2004. In the meantime, the Atlas is already at work in Near Northeast, with off-site programs that are building its future audiences and establishing its roots in the com·munity. A seniors' chorus at Capitol Hill Towers and Delta Towers is in full swing, under the direction of Ray Killian of the Levine School of Music, an Atlas Partner. Just around the corner from the complex, Joy of Motion, sponsored by the Atlas, has introduced second and third graders to tap and jazz dance in after-school classes. Begun in April, these classes are branded "a huge hit" by Miner Elementary School Principal Angela Tilghman, who looks forward to expanding Atlas programming in the fall. To learn more about the H Street Playhouse, log on to www.hstreet playhouse.com. For information about the Atlas Performing Arts Complex, visit www.atlasarts.org. Julia Robey is a frequent Voice of the Hill contributor. www.voiceofthehill.com of dealing with snow from the con-charged." sumer perspective, is all about com-Myers also recommends that peo·mon sense and patience," explains ple invest in a five-pound bag of Myers, clearly a very patient woman kitty litter, whether or not you have Winter in DC: A Land of 'Snow Schizophrenia' BY SHIRLEY SER OTSKY Several nights ago, my cab driver from snow schizophrenia--do we asked me when I thought it would shut down the city and stay in when begin. "When what will begin?" I five inches fall (as they would in asked, unwilling to indulge in pre-Dallas), or do we go on as if nothing cipitation hysteria. has happened (emulating, say, "The snow! The snow!" he said, Detroit)? his eyes shining and his voice rising, I turned to the experts for answers. tremulous with nerves and excite-"We are not a 'snow city,'" explains ment. My cabby was from a country Mary Myers, public information somewhere south of Texas. I am Officer for the DC Department of from Upstate New York. The night sky, visible from my back seat win·dow, appeared calm and clear. "What makes you think it is going to snow?" I asked him. "Well, everyone Public Works. "Snow removal is not our main business here, as it is in Pittsburgh or other snow cities - but still, it does demand our attention." And some years demand more is talking about it!" he avowed. attention than others. Last year was "Well, maybe everyone is wrong," I my second winter here, and I wit-countered. nessed how the city can, literally, be The next morning, there were shut down by heavier than usual three inches of snow on the ground. precipitation. "Snowfall is And sure enough, people all over our inevitable, it happens every year, fair city were altering their well-laid and it is different every year," Mary Sunday plans. It had happened after explains, a calm and cool-headedall. The snow had come. response to my mention of last year's As a born and bred Yankee, I won't "President's Day Storm" (you know hesitate to admit it--transplanted it's a storm when we name it). Northeasterners can be an obnox-"Changes [in how we handle the ious bunch. We complain about the snow] are incremental as we contin·lack of good delis and pizza. We get annoyed when people walk too slow·ly. But our worst offense is our self-righteousness about snowfall. "You want to see snow?" I have been known to crow to whoever will listen ue to learn." Mary's partner in crime is Bill Rice, Communications Director at the Department of Transportation. He points me towards the "Snow Brochure," accessible through the (and to those who won't)..."Go to website for the District Department Upstate New York, then you'll see of Transportation (http://ddot.dc.gov/ snow!" services/snow/snow_brochure.shtm). But we are not in Upstate New His three main requests are: "Be York. We are in Virginia. Nearly. And patient; help out your neighbors here, as in most parts south of the (especially those that are elderly or Mason-Dixon, snow is an event. physically challenged); and please - They say if you can't beat 'em, join don't park in the snow routes, or 'em. So I am learning to talk snow. we'll have to charge you $250 or tow It seems to me we that we have a you somewhere else!" number of factors working against Many DC residents learned that us. We are an urban center, so we final one the hard way last year. The have our fair share of narrow streets brochure elaborates on Bill's advi· and precarious inclines. And yet, sories, and provides a clear and col-unlike Manhattan, we are a city that orful presentation of the do's and relies heavily on automobiles. While don't's of handling a winter storm. It public transportation can endure a even provides visual aides - photo snowstorm (usually), it can not images of a plowed and unplowed endure a population impatient city street. The idea being - one you drivers. can drive on (plowed), the other you should stay off (unplowed). 'We Are Not a Snow City' I know that many of you reading Furthermore, DC is a city of trans-this article are probably wondering, plants. Some DC residents hail from "Isn't this all pretty obvious? Of parts of the country where an inch course you don't try to drive on an of snow would cause hysteria, while unplowed street." You'd be surprised. others of us grew up believing that if we did not have three feet of white Common-Sense Tips stuff covering our front lawns, then "Dealing with snow, or the success it was not truly winter. So we suffer www.voiceofthehill.com herself. "Don't try to pass the snow plow, and if you don't want your car to be snowed in, try to secure off street parking ahead of time. Or, if you usually park on a snow emer·gency route, be scouting out for parking before it actually snows!" Myers reminds me that "So much of this all depends on the severity of the storm." This seems an important point for all of us to remember. Three inches requires a different code of behavior than a foot and three inches. "Removing snow is like washing the dishes. If you have a couple of people over for dinner, just one or two people, then you only have a few dishes to wash, and it takes a relatively short time to wash those dishes. But with a party of 10 or 12, it is going to take significantly longer to wash all the dried bits of food off those dishes! It is the same with snow." Got that? A woman who speaks in meta·phors is a woman after my own heart. And she makes sense. Most of her advice comes down to three main Points: Politeness, Preparation, and Patience. Politeness: "Be a good neighbor. Shovel your snow correctly - not into the streets, or it will just end up back in your driveway (and everyone else's) when the plow comes around." "Shovel snow into the tree box (that area between the curb and the sidewalk, where trees are usually planted), or shovel it into your yard." And, to reiterate Bill's point, help out elderly or physically challenged neighbors who may have trouble clearing the snow on their property. Preparation: Stock up on the items you know you will need if a winter storm does shut down the city. "If you knew that you were going to break your foot, and had to get everything you would need for several days beforehand, what would you, or rather your fami·ly, need? What food, water, and other niceties, would you want for those several days?" "[In addition], most people don't realize that if you have a car, you have a power [source]. You can buy a Universal adapter anywhere - Walmart, or a hardware store, and plug in appliances to your car lighter. With that you can charge a computer, or run a TV, or send the kids out to charge their Gameboys to keep them happy!" (Myers mentions one by brand name, Power-to-Go). "[If it is predicted to snow], every battery you own should be fully a cat. "It will melt the ice and pro·vide traction for cars and feet, or else purchase those ice melting pellets." Incidentally, it is a DC law that prop·erty owners clear all snow and ice from sidewalks and steps on their property within the first eight hours of daylight following snow or freez·ing rain. And again, if you are used to park·ing on the street, and especially on a street that is designated a snow route, find somewhere (an off-street lot or garage) to park before the snow starts. "When snow is predicted, I leave my car in our parking lot (at work), and I trudge through the snow and take the Metro or a bus home," Myers says. Patience: "Stay off the streets; don't drive; relax; stay home; or else use the Metro. Give the snow plows some time to do their work!" Perhaps the Snow Brochure makes this point best with their emphatic request: "The more snow and ice there is and the colder the weather, the longer it takes to clear our streets. So please be patient, especially during and after a major snowstorm." Dan Tangherlini, director of DDOT, adds: "One of our newer capabilities is that we are getting smaller plows that are able to go down the narrower streets through·out the city. As a Hill resident, this is of particular concern for those trav·eling on streets like Acker Street, NE (located between 6th and 7th, and E and F, NE), and Burke Street, SE (located near the Congressional Cemetery)." There is a silver lining to every winter storm cloud. A heavy snow gives us a much-needed excuse to sleep late. It provides us the chance to spend quality time with friends and neighbors--throwing snowballs, sipping cocoa (if you have thought ahead of time and stocked up on it, that is) and catching up on conver·sation after a busy year. Not to men·tion that the Capitol Hill neighbor·hood, dripping with centuries-old trees and charming Victorians, looks positively magical when frosted with a layer of snow. So if we get hit with winter weath·er this year, relax, and take advan·tage of that time to stroll the neigh·borhood. 'Cause even this Northeasterner can admit it - when snow covers the ground, it is the one and only time to walk as slowly as you wish. Hill resident Shirley Serotsky is one of this newspaper's frequent contributors. At 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, most jun·ior high students can be found scur·rying down the hallways to catch their bus or chatting with friends outside on the schoolyard. Students in Hine Junior High's band program, however, are drumming away, with trumpets and clarinets ringing out remnants of "Silent Night." The sounds coming from the Capitol area public school room are some·what cacophonic--that is until band director Ed Anderson takes his seat as conductor of this youthful band. "When I sit down, you know what time it is," Anderson says. "Be quiet, young people." An outsider may see the day-to-day task a teacher has in controlling adolescents as daunting, but add in brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, and most would think such a job is impossible. Anderson has been taking on the challenge since 1985, when he started Hine's band program with a mere six stu·dents. Since that time, the program has grown to include some 115 band students. With Anderson's quick demon·stration of a rhythm on a drum and a count to three, the sounds of "Frosty the Snowman," can be heard at Hine. Breaking down the holiday classical tune section by section, and adding in some hums and counts, the students are making music. Reminders of how to read the bass clef are muttered by a student in the tuba section, "All Cows Eat Grass, right, so that note is a C?" And the importance of playing an F sharp as opposed to an F natural is stressed by Anderson. "We have a hard enough time with intonation, but if you're playing the wrong notes, we're really gonna have problems," he says. Don't be fooled by Anderson's tough discipline, though; he has a 3,000-minute cell phone plan avail·able at his students' disposal as wit·nessed when a drummer says, "I need to call my mom." Anderson hands the phone over. A Rocky Road The Hine Junior High band gives 25·30 performances each year in area parades, concerts, competitions and other community events. In addi·tion, there is an annual trip to Florida, where the band performs at Walt Disney World. While the students seem to be learning how to read music and play their instruments with ease, Anderson is fortunate to even have enough instruments for the 50 or so students at a normal rehearsal. In 1992, an arsonist burned down the band room, destroying the school's instruments and uniforms. However, Anderson recalls how the communi·ty rallied to help him then, and he is hoping they will do so again. "We sat out on 8th Street and had a bake sale that raised $15,000, which was a good start," he says. "People got word of what had hap·pened to us, and we ended up raising $70,000 total for uniforms and instruments." Much of which came from the publicity given to the band by President Bill Clinton, whose inau·gural committee chose the Hine band to represent the theme of hope and perform at the 1992 inaugural parade. With current DC school budget cutbacks, the band is once again struggling to survive. While surrounding schools in Virginia and Maryland require stu·dents to purchase or rent instru·ments, the DC schools provide them to students in the band, enabling students who otherwise would not be able to participate to play. "Our instruments are in disarray; we don't have enough for all the stu·dents," Anderson says "The average life of an instrument is about four years, but passed down from child to child, it could be four days." Hine has not had new instruments in five years, and with budget crunches, Anderson is looking to the community for support. "The money isn't there," he said. "If we're gonna get it, we're gonna get it through fundraisers and the com·munity." The band is looking for used instruments people may have to give the school, which would be a tax deductible donation. Raising Funds, Lifting Spirits Currently the students and parents are selling pizzas to help out with the upcoming trip to Florida. The Band Boosters, made up of parents, are also holding a raffle and selling tickets to a dance to support the band, which Anderson finds extremely helpful. "I'm in love with the parents," they make everything run," he says. "If you don't have parental support, you have noth·ing." While parental support is a start, community support is needed at Hine in order to continue to make the positive impact that even the youngsters seem to be aware of that being in the band provides. "Band is fun and educational, and it can get you far in the future," Karen Ball, an eighth grade clarinet player says. "Band is a drug-free after school activity--it helps kids stay off drugs." The students in the band program at Hine do seem to realize the plethora of benefits such an activity provides. "I think you can learn to play an instrument and learn disci·pline," Tanika Palmer, eighth grade clarinet player says. "Discipline can help you with everything in the future." Saxophonist Nathaniel Raspberry agrees, "I think it's a good extracurricular activity," the eighth grader states. "You can learn a lot of things you never knew, but it does take discipline." Anderson is the one who instills such discipline in his band students, who finds the most rewarding part of his job seeing his students show love for an instrument and being proud of what they are doing. "I tell them to stick with it and play their instrument through high school, and audition for college bands-- there is scholarship money out there," he says. "When kids come back and tell me what they are doing now, that's the real joy." Such great support from a teacher is what caused Anderson himself to have an interest in being a band director. "My biggest influence was Mr. Robert Gill, my high school band director," Anderson says. "Teachers make all other professions possible." Anderson showed an early interest in music, percussion in par·ticular, as he beat on trash cans at an early age. Anderson's musical background began as a drummer in the famous Cardoza High School marching band, where he got to play back-up for Marvin Gaye when the singer vis·ited his school. He went on to major in music at the University of Maryland, and has taught band since 1976. The band program at Hine Junior High seems to be doing its job of keeping dreams alive and breeding young musicians. As eighth grader Jimia Harris believes, "Playing an instrument can get you into college. One day, you could even be a con·ductor." With the support of the commu·nity, the band will hopefully contin·ue marching on. Hill resident Erica Stanley is a new con·tributor for Voice of the Hill. www.voiceofthehill.com Bo Eddy: DJ Rhyme and Reason BY MEREDITH MOISE lthough you may not rec-a forgotten past to others. Be pre·ognize Bo Eddy's name, pared to break out the Izod shirts you probably have heard and your fuzzy Kangol. him play. The Capitol Hill This DJ sticks with old school hip-DJ has played a number of hop and 80s flavor. He favors tunes bars, weddings and parties that reflect hip-hop's primal energy in the area since the mid-1990s. and the light-heartedness of 80s. If Although music has been his life-you go on to his website, you will long companion, Eddy officially find that Bo Eddy is not a "simple" began spinning records in 1996 at DJ as his moniker would have you popular Capitol Hill watering hole, believe. This music man enjoys Hawk and Dove. As a replacement everything from Biz Markie to Cyndi for a fired DJ, Eddy thought he Lauper. If you are a fan of the 80s, would be a one night stand-in. you will see the connection of these However, that one night morphed seemingly diverse artists. Although into a two year gig and a full-blown Biz Markie is a musical pioneer who profession. introduced humor to hip-hop and That event was a launching pad Cyndi Lauper is one of the founders for play dates around DC and of "girl power" in 80s musical Virginia. He has a website (http:// mythology, they share the promise musiclibrary.homeip.net/) featuring of new music on the horizon. They the music he spins, which is close to were young and fresh, advancing heart. You'll be taken aback by the new identities in music. retro photos and the wallpaper of It is no mystery why Bo Eddy is Garbage Pail Kids. mesmerized by this period of music His site allows you to remember history. He loves the music of the when you heard Toni Basil's 80s, old school hip-hop and its alter-"Mickey" for the first time. A visit to native companions, because it was the site will be a retrospective of refreshing, powerful and most of all, childhood for some and a blast from fun. He is fed from the reaction of the crowd as they revisit the Reagan era through his turntables As he plays each record, you are drawn back to shell top Addidas and jelly sandals. You may even catch a glimpse of a Yuppie or two. Voice of the Hill caught up with him recently to discuss his tune-filled past and his career at a musical crossroads. Voice of the Hill (VOTH): Who is Bo Eddy? Bo Eddy (BE): I do weddings, par·ties, and bars. I am semi-retired now. VOTH: Why? BE: Life catches up to you. I'm get·ting more into production. VOTH: How long have you been a professional DJ? BE: As far as music goes, it's been a lifelong companion, an entity as far as I am concerned. VOTH: What type of production have you done? We heard you sold like eight million albums. BE: Not quite [laughter]. I do remixes but no CDs of my own yet. No serious production yet. I've done production for Los Hermanos Rodriguez, a local group. I play old school hip-hop and 80s music pri·marily. VOTH: Why do you play old school [hip-hop] and 80s tunes? BE: It's got that primal kinda force. The music has a life of its own before the lyrics. People don't listen [to lyrics] as much as they did. There's no market for message music. In the 80s, some producers were not trying to make money from their sound. The message was impor·tant. I also like the lightheartedness of 80s music. VOTH: Who is your favorite artist and why? BE: This may sound odd since I play hip-hop, but one of my favorite artists is The Smiths. It's alternative. Morrissey [lead singer of The Smiths] has a frog sounding voice. Their music touched me the most. The music has a naked message. The message was exposed. It brought me the closeness I was lacking in my life at the time. VOTH: We've talked about your favorite. What about the most influ·ential artist in your career? Who made you say 'I've got to be a DJ?' BE: Artists like Herbie Hancock, the Sugar Hill Gang. I wouldn't say LL Cool J because he wasn't an inno·vator. VOTH: Speaking of innovators, what about Eric B. and Rakim? BE: Rakim was a great lyricist. Whenever I play one of their records, people always get up. Rakim does for lyrics what painters do with their brushes. VOTH: What is the ideal place for you to spin records? BE: Most ideal place for me would be a small auditorium filled with people I've known throughout my life and other music lovers. The best place to spin would be a friend's party. I know people will talk to me and be honest about the music I'm playing. I love to interact with the crowd. VOTH: Where are you most popu·lar? BE: Most people don't know me by name but they know me by the music. I try to break format by play·ing stuff on the edge. I can't just play the play list. There is too much to play that's not on the play list. VOTH: What do your upcoming projects look like? BE: I'm going into production right now and looking to open up a music store on Capitol Hill. No mat·ter what, there will always be a dirty underbelly on the Hill, but a new face is coming in. I am trying to merge the two. VOTH: Will it be something like Liberace meets Jay-Z? BE: Sure, why not? There is room for it all. Meredith Moise is a new contributor for Voice of the Hill. 'One of the Least of These' Hill Resident Eileen Blumenthal's Work Makes a Difference in the Lives of Young People in Honduras BY PA DRAIC SWEENEY Yudis starts tenth grade at the begin-Yudis and her family lived deep in Americans, these young people will knew, she had earned a Ph.D. in ning of the next school year. Middle the Honduran countryside. Small be exceptionally well-prepared to child development at the University school has gone well for her, and she farmers, they lost their homes and make a start in life in a country of Michigan. Eventually, she became gets very good grades. English is one their livelihood as a result of the where only one-third of the popula-associate director of a center for child of her favorite subjects, and she likes hurricane. It's been a rough transi-tion completes elementary school. development studies at Michigan. to write. Yudis looks forward to tion, from the simple country life to learning more about computers. a crowded urban neighborhood. The Taking Action Taking Initiative--Around Ambitious, her goal is to become a men mostly work as poorly-paid Eileen Blumenthal, who's lived on the World journalist. longshoremen on the docks of Capitol Hill since the early 1980s, In the 1980s, living and working on Yudis (YOU-dis) doesn't go to Puerto Cortes. The traditional skills established her foundation--Action Capitol Hill, divorced and with her school around here, though. She they lived by as farmers are no use in for Community Transformation, or children grown, Eileen decided once lives with her family in a small colo-supporting their families. For many, ACT--after spending time in again to apply her education and nia, or settlement, outside of Puerto literacy doesn't extend far beyond Honduras in the late 1990s. She first experience in an international set-Cortes, on the north coast of writing their own names. went to Honduras in 1997, with her ting. From 1989 to 1991, she was a Honduras. She's also the first in her Since 2000, however, Yudis and granddaughter Sarah and other Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal-- family to attend school past the other children from her neighbor-youth and adults from St. Mark's where she celebrated her sixtieth sixth grade. Yudis and 18 other hood have attended colegio (middle Episcopal Church. What she saw birthday. Eileen taught English and young people are able to continue school) or vocational school. Those there--and the suffering that fol-science to 5th and 6th graders and her education through the generosi-who complete colegio will go on to lowed Hurricane Mitch--inspired conducted teacher training, within ty and determination of longtime high school. Regardless of which her to go back in 1999, as Hondurans sight of the high peaks of the Hill resident Eileen Blumenthal and path they take to graduation, all of were struggling to rebuild their lives Himalayas. a foundation she established to pro-them will have valuable skills that after a huge upheaval. "That really changed my life," she mote education in their small will lead to better lives for them-Eileen isn't a novice at humanitar-says. In a setting that encouraged Central American country. selves and their families. While this ian work. She first traveled abroad self-starters, "if you ever feel the ini- Before Hurricane Mitch in 1998, may seem commonplace to shortly after the Second World War, tiative to do something, you don't while a student at have to take 'no' for an answer." Pomona College. Eileen next went to Romania, With a group of shortly after the fall of communism. other American She worked in an orphanage with students, she trav-HIV-positive children, on behalf of a eled by troop ship major international Christian chari-to Italy, where she ty. Eileen ran the nursery school at worked in a relief the orphanage and again taught camp operated by other teachers. She also recruited the World Council volunteers from local churches to of Churches. spend time with the children. Later, while liv-It was not an assignment for the ing with her hus-faint of heart. "On a day-to-day band and children basis, you were working with kids in Geneva, she and having fun, seeing progress," learned French but "at any given moment, a few and studied under were in the infirmary, dying. It was the French child awful to contemplate." psychologist Jean At Colonia Episcopal, Yudis' Piaget. Having church-built community in resettled with her Honduras, Eileen began by helping family to Ann out at the local pre-school and sup-Arbor, Michigan, porting the teacher. As she read sto-Eileen relates, "I ries to the children and helped them thought I'd take a with their arithmetic, she found the course or two..." parents would often listen in. As The next thing she time went on and they got to know Story time in Colonia Episcopal village being built after hurricane. her. "I became a member of the com- Eileen Blumenthal in Honduras munity; I showed up every day." Eileen also brought in other for·mer Peace Corps volunteers to help her assess the needs of the commu·nity and develop activities to address them. One was a young man from New Jersey, John Quinn, who answered an ad Eileen put in the paper. John had already spent a great deal of time in developing countries and spoke fluent Spanish. More than that, "he had a real connection" with the local people. Throughout 2000, Eileen and John and a few others worked on various projects at Colonia Episcopal. Eileen helped at the school; John and some of the local men built an emergency potable water system; they and the others introduced a small-enterprise loan program. They left toward the end of the year, following a dispute with the local church authorities, who found them a little too independent for comfort. They left with "a defi·nite sense of accomplishment," Eileen says, but also with the feeling that they had come home with work yet to be done. "I came home and I went to din·ner," Eileen says, looking back, "went to plays, spent time with my grandchildren." Then, early in 2001, John emailed her to tell her about how easy it was to set up a non-prof-it corporation and ask what she thought about setting up an NGO? By June, they had established ACT, recruited a board of directors, and done some initial fund-raising. The new organization would focus on youth development: vocational, entrepreneurial, and recreational activities, including an AIDS preven·tion component. In July, he left for Puerto Cortes to open an office and begin scouting for projects. And in August, John was mur·dered. Two young men, reputedly gang members and involved with drugs, shot him to death following what appeared to be a petty dispute. Eileen believes that John may have been a victim of gang violence, since he always encouraged young people to stay away from gangs and drugs. Carrying On It's a measure Eileen's character that she--and their foundation--carried on after John's death. "His mother and his family wanted to set up a memorial fund in his memory," Eileen relates, and this was the ori·gin of the scholarship that now enables Yudis and the other young people from Colonia Episcopal to go to school. "One of the aims of the school funds was not only to support kids, but to encourage staying in school" as a value, both for parents and chil·dren. John and Eileen hoped that "over time, a core of educated young people would help the community develop both economically and socially." "It's going [well]; every child who's ever graduated at Episcopal is currently in some pro·gram: junior high, auto mechanics, sewing." Faithful to their goal of establishing education as a commu·nity value, ACT will soon begin to wean Colonia Episcopal off outside support for education. Already, the scholarship students have organized their own committee to raise funds to support their old grade school, and the parents have worked togeth·er to paint the school building. Looking back on a rich and event·ful life, Eileen can be a bit reticent about motivations. Certainly, faith and the Christian Gospel's call to serve the poor play a role. "God sent me John," Eileen believes, and that enabled them to make a difference in the lives of young people like Yudis. Beyond that, she prefers to recom·mend a little reading: the 25th chap·ter of St. Matthew, where it is writ·ten, "The King will answer them, 'Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'" Padraic (Pat) Sweeney is a resident of Arlington, Va., who works for a U.S. government agency in downtown Wash·ington. His writing last appeared in The Voice of the Hill's September edition. TO OUR PAST AND FUTURE CLIENTS... HAPPY NEWYEAR! from the VON SCHLEGEL REALTY TEAM 202-547-5088 or visit us at www.jackiev.com At a young age, Jones was inclined out in life, Jones picked up the nick-to believe that he had a special gift. name "discombobulating," a word FIGHTING HARD: At age 2, Jones developed double that frequently came from the pneumonia, which stunted his mouth of the late Howard Cossell. growth and prevented him from Henry "Discombobulating" Jones playing sports and participating in has become a legend in the ring. other forms of physical activity. This By day, he directs crowds of hun-barrier would soon enough become dreds to steer clear of drugs and take catapult. He later realized that he responsibility for their lives and by ANNOUNCER HENRY JONES need not look any further than his night he dazzles thousands with his own larynx for his gift. After dab-enthusiasm for boxing and with his bling with stand-up comedy and authentic humor and mellifluous yet other such forums, Jones found his bold inflection. niche. So who is Henry Jones? A case- He had always loved boxing and worker or a ring announcer? For since a young age had looked up to now, he's both. many great fighters. Perhaps he ini-According to Jones and his BY JEFF MAR OOTIAN tially overlooked those often sweat-coworkers, the lines have become laden tuxedo-wrapped fellows who somewhat blurred. were announcing the boxing leg-This doesn't seem to bother any- Even though Henry Jones is not a two of his five siblings to violence ends, but he later identified his role one. He is able to use his celebrity native Washingtonian, city dwellers and tragedy. in life as one of them. Jones was for-status to gain credibility with youth VOICE HEARD of all types know him by name and His mother's subsequent mental tunate enough to get connected and his fans love that this macho consider him a fixture in the com-illness caused Jones and his siblings with world-renowned announcer, looking, tough talking ring munity. The 47-year old is a local to spend time in foster care and Michael Buffer, famous for coining announcer has a sensitive side. hero and to many, a national icon. uprooted his young life even and patenting the phrase, "let's get Speaking of fans, who would have Jones has been a counselor and further. Problems have consistently ready to rumble." With Buffer as his thought that a boxing ring social worker for the District govern-arisen in his life that many may have friend and mentor, Jones would announcer could accrue such a loyal ment for 21 years, and presently thought to be insurmountable. But eventually become a hit. following throughout the works in the Teen Parent Assessment Henry Jones was and is a fighter, and His first major fight was at the old country? Wherever he goes, and at Program of the Department of although many have been able to DC Convention Center in 1992 on times even to Jones' surprise, people Human Services. In this capacity, he turn their lives around, very few the former USA Tuesday Nite Fites. of all ages, races, and backgrounds serves as a caseworker, motivational come out swinging as hard as Jones. The headliner that evening was 1988 seem to know him. He says that he speaker and mentor. Jones attributes After a rather tumultuous child-Olympic Gold Medalist Andrew receives mail from boxing fans that his passion for serving young people hood, Jones went on to attend Shaw Maynard. In spite of his reservations see his "act" from all over the world. to his own troubled start in life. His University in North Carolina, where and anxieties about entertaining Jones realizes how unique his ring story of having endured and over-he began to get his life on track. He such a large crowd, Jones in a way status is, and uses it as a natural come an onslaught of personal later would receive a master's degree also earned gold that night. springboard for other social adversity as a child and even in social work from the University of Since his debut, Jones has causes. He recently networked with through his early adult life is sadly Maryland and would pursue a course announced hundreds of fights and DC Boxing Commissison Chairman not unique. Jones, who was raised in that allowed him to empower those has been written about in multiple Dr. Arnold W. McKnight and togeth· a low-income section of Rochester, who he saw heading down a similar publications. He has also been a fea-er they were able to get DC Mayor NY, lost his father at age three and rocky path. tured guest on a variety of sports "Tuff" Tony Williams (as Jones has That path, for Jones, involved sub-shows on networks such as HBO, dubbed him), to be the guest ring stance abuse, among other forms of ESPN and ESPN 2. Jones is arguably announcer for the historic first fight educate the District's youth for the future, through teaching them the importance of personal responsibili ·ty. Jones isn't your run of the mill caseworker. When he speaks, people listen. His physical stature and com ·manding presence necessitate noth·ing less. Since the beginning of his Above: Jones with Mayor Williams. tenure with the DC government, Below: Jones counsels a young DC Henry Jones has made it his mission resident. to use his own voice to improve peo-ple's lives. He makes sure he is heard loud and clear, and the young people he interacts with are well aware of that. Most would think that turning one's life around to become a deeply committed and suc·cessful caseworker and motivational speaker is enough proof of determina·tion. Apparently, Jones didn't. card event at the new DC American ring announcer in boxing Convention Center. today and perhaps ever. Jones says that Mayor William's He has traveled the entire country ring debut is a symbolic gesture -- with his "act," which often involves "he is the District of Columbia improvisational humor interspersed leader fighting the good fight...one within his no-frills fight announc-future...one city." ing. Jones is a regular hobnobber As if having two professions isn't with many of the boxing greats and enough, Jones is also both a father is known internationally for his abil-and an author. His recently pub·ity to appeal to a crowd. lished autobiography titled, It's More Even after making the occasional than a Notion, chronicles his life as a blunder (Jones recalls the time when ring announcer, caseworker, father, he was in Tacoma, Wash. and greet-husband and more. His mentor, ed the crowd as if he was in Takoma, Michael Buffer, gives the Md.). Jones was able to atone for his foreword. According to Jones, "Pro obvious Freudian beltway slip boxing is just used as the metaphor despite the boos which cascaded for how very closely our lives parallel down from the 5,000 fans in atten-that of the fight game. After all, isn't dance. He remarked, "You ever feel life itself one big series of confronta·like you just want to get away?" tions against something?" referring to the well-known com-The title he s reflects his atti·mercial where a rap singer addresses tude that anyone really can attain a crowd thinking he is in Detroit but their dreams through hard work and is really not. The Tacoma crowd devotion. Like the title of his book, loved Jones for using this quick wit, Jones is living proof that this cliché and following a collective guffaw, really is more than a notion. they gave him roaring applause. Consistent with his dreams of Jeff Marootian is a freelance writer who being the one doing the knocking lives on the Hill. self-destruction. He now works to the most prominent African- "I was the interpreter because I had managed to pick up English quickly," he explained. "I was bilin·gual, and because I was living in a poor community, when people were in the emergency room, welfare department, or clinic and were unable to communicate, they would take me along so I could interpret." His other "job" was as chaperone for young Spanish girls on dates at the local Mexican movie house. While keeping an eye on their youthful suitors, Torres was exposed to the music and dance of the film industry. "They used to send me to the Mexican movies. You see, if you were going to the movies with your boyfriend, they would say 'take him along.' I guess I was the chaperone. They used to put me in the first row and I would just get lost in the movies. I loved film and got to know all the Mexican movie stars and songs." Torres' memories of those early days of music and dance originally were not in the studios, but on the streets. "I grew up dancing and singing because we all did mambo, salsa, meringue. That's what we lived for as young teenagers. We danced in the streets; I mean literally in the streets. Anytime you heard music, if you and I were passing by and we liked the beat, we would start dancing right there. And people would gather around. It was second nature. Old people, fat people, young people, white people, black people." As a teen Torres began intermin·gling with Harlem's African-American community. It was during this time that he found his way to the Apollo Theater and Small's Paradise. He experienced the teach·ings of Malcolm X who spoke on the street corners of Harlem. "When I was about 15 or 16, I started mixing with the African American community. We were all living there together, but somehow I started identifying with that group. We all used to go to the Apollo, and that's where I saw Pearl Bailey, Eartha Kitt and Jackie Wilson. rowing up in New Jersey, New York City was always calling. It was the Big Apple, the place where dreams were made and broken. I was in high school when the city called out to my best friend, Diana Wiegers, and me. Our regular bus trips to New York City would eventually read like a who's who of the theater in the 1970s--the Manhattan Project's Alice in Wonderland written and directed by André Gregory; Hair and its tryst with nudity; and the Riverside Dance programs, where we saw the New York Negro Ballet. After graduating from high www.voiceofthehill.com school, I was hooked. Broadway was filled with what could only be described as a boom in black musical theater--Dream Girls, Ain't Misbehavin', Guys and Dolls --I don't think I missed seeing one of them. By 1974 I was the assistant costumer for The Great MacDaddy with the Negro Ensemble Company. It was here that I saw the incomparable choreography Diane McIntyre; worked with Cleavon Little, who had just successfully completed his film Blazing Saddles; and marveled at the work of Hattie Winston, who cur·rently stars on the TV hit Becker. What I didn't know at the time was that I was continually crossing paths with one particular up-and-coming dancer, Andy Torres. I wouldn't realize our connection until almost 20 years later while working as costume designer for the Theater Alliance's production of Do Lord Remember Me. What I knew at the time was that his name was familiar, and that there was that "New York connection." It wasn't until I sat down with Torres that I experienced a flood of nostalgia in our lives as a part of African American theatrical history. Torres was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. By the age of seven his family moved to Spanish Harlem in New York City. Because he quickly mas·tered English, he took on the role of interpreter. Andy, (front, kneeling) shares the stage with Robert Guillaume (at his left) in a 1976 all-black production of Guys and Dolls. "Then one day I told a girlfriend This was the beginning of a life that I was interested in dancing. She that Torres might never have imag·was with an African dance group ined as that young boy in Spanish and asked me to come along. It was a Harlem. But this is not just the story class with Asadata Dafora, a famous of his rise to success; it is about what dancer. As a matter of fact, I've been Torres understands when it comes to interviewed by students from the power of fate. For him, even the Temple University working on their darkest times were filled with the dissertation on Dafora. Anyway, this miracles of those individuals whose was my first introduction to dance, paths crossed his. and I quickly picked it up. His is the story that reminds each "Esther Rolle, of "Good Times" of us, during these uncertain times, fame, was the dance captain, along that if we are willing to surrender, to with her sister who was also in the see each movement as a move in the company. I was with them for quite right direction, no matter how a while learning Afro-Cuban and small, that success is yours. It was at Haitian. At this point I realized that I this point, early in his dance career, was actually studying dance! Not that fate took hold. only that, I started getting scholar·ships with Katherine Dunham, Torres Discovers the Martha Graham and June Taylor. I Power of Dance just went crazy taking dance all the Torres' understanding of what it time! meant to be a dancer - the various "I also took tap. What I remember dance classes, commitment and during that period was having to put belief in one's abilities - was driven my tap shoes in a brown paper bag, by the guidance of one man, because nobody in the neighbor-Bernard Johnson. hood knew I was taking dance class-"I met Bernard Johnson, who es. It wasn't cool." became my mentor," Torres the cancer diagnosis frightening, maddening, confusing but also a time for self-reflection and enhancement of personal development individual, couples and group psychotherapy for those with cancer joseph tarantolo, md board certified psychiatrist certified group therapist 202/543-5290 Eastern Market 327 7th St., SE · (202) 546-CAKE explained, "when I was babysitting for him and his wife. They were both famous ballet dancers with the New York Negro Ballet, the first black classical dance company. "Bernard asked me what I wanted to do. I said that I saw people on tel·evision and I knew I could dance like they did. I said that I also wanted to dance on Broadway; that all I want·ed to do was dance. He then told me that I should go to Ballet Russe to study because with any audition the first combination they gave you was a ballet combination." Johnson explained to him that ballet was a "form of elimination. You didn't have to be good, but if you knew ballet you had a chance. So, I kept going to class because it was good for my feet, back, etc. I was like a fish to water. I also started tak·ing classes with Martha Graham." Then somewhere in the middle of all of this, in 1961, Torres enlisted in the army for two years. Things were getting "hairy in his neighborhood," he explained. He had quit school at 16 and he didn't have a job or profes·sion. "I wasn't going to be a delivery boy for the rest of my life," he decid·ed. He didn't know what to do, so enlistment seemed to be the solu·tion. "It was great," he reminisced. "I was stationed in Fort Dix in New Jersey, where I got my infantry train·ing, then went to Fort Benning, Ga., and later I was assigned to a unit in Fort Lewis, Washington, where I had the luck to see Europe, particularly Germany. When I returned to New York I went back to my dance stud·ies. I decided to give myself a year,and if it didn't work I would learn bookkeeping and get a desk job." Torres studied with Sevilla Ford at her school of African American dance. Ford focused on Dunham technique, and her husband, Buddy Phillips, taught tap dance. Both blacks and whites congregated there, including Bob Fosse, James Dean, and Eartha Kitt. Torres shared his tale of the dynamic Kitt. "I remember seeing Eartha Kitt from the dance studio windows, her limousine pulling up and a woman in a mink coat getting out. She would come to class, take off her coat -she was dressed in her tights - she'd take the class, then put on her mink coat, and back out she went!" All of his study would get Torres' first dancing job in Miami Beach, Fla., with a nightclub act. Afterwards landed his next gig in California and fate would intervene. Sammy Davis was in town performing at the Hollywood Palace, and, upon his arrival, demanded that there be black dancers in his show. Torres was contacted and ended up as one of the dancers with the legendary song and dance man. That experience would lead to work on the Greek tragedy, "The Flies," at Los Angeles' Inner City Cultural Center where Gregory Peck was the artist director. Prior to his Los Angeles trip, Torres had been studying with June Taylor, during which time he'd met a woman who had a school in Amsterdam. She managed to find him in California and asked him to come to Europe and teach classes. This experience would be an eye opening experience for Torres for it would be the first time experiencing African Americans as ballet dancers. The National Ballet in Amsterdam featured dance greats like Raven Wilkenson, a black ballet dancer who had been unable to get work in the U.S., and Sylvester Campbell who was their lead dancer. "It was great to go to the ballet and see African Americans perform. Sylvester Campbell, who was origi·nally from DC, had the lead in their production of Swan Lake. Sylvester originally went to Amsterdam with a production of West Side Story and stayed to become the star of the company." Torres taught in Amsterdam for one year and returned to Boston to work with Talley Beatty, formerly a dancer with Katherine Dunham, who had formed a company with Elma Lewis. After a short stint, he returned home to NYC and audi·tioned for his first play, Indians. Although it had a short run, Torres was able to get his Equity card that opened up the doors for him to per·form in the Broadway and touring company of Purlie. Afterwards he joined the cast of Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, where he remained for two years. "Through the GI bill, I discovered I could go to the American Music and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), which was run by Richard Burton's father. I was able to go to school dur·ing the day and perform in Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope at night. I had been dancing for a while, but now I was able to explore singing and act·ing, which included working on my diction because I realized I had an accent." He would later perform in The Wiz, Guys & Dolls, Your Arms Too Short to Box With God, and the tour·ing company of Bubblin' Brown Sugar with Cab Calloway. He learned from his mentor, Bernard Johnson, to be flexible when it came to his craft if he wanted to make a living in this field. Johnson opened doors to Torres, leading to work on The Ed Sullivan Show and work with famed choreographer, Peter Gennaro, which included the Fifth Dimension TV special and Miss America pag·eant. Finding a Home on the Hill Unexpected life changes would lead Torres to Columbus, Ohio, and a new path. A friend, who Torres had mentored, was living there and per·forming with BalletMet. He invited him to come and stay for a while so Torres could sort through his life. "I was trying to get jobs doing things where I didn't have to think or be a dancer," Torres remembered. "But show business was always behind my behind. My friend told the company about me and I started teaching jazz. During that time, they said that Liz Lerman was coming to town to do a big ballet and I said, 'Who is Liz Lerman?' She audi·tioned me and used me in her ballet, which was great, because I got to act, sing and dance. Afterwards she asked, 'What do you think about coming to Washington, DC?' and I said I'd never thought about it. "What was happening at that time was I had had knee surgery, and that was one of the things that was slow·ing me down. There were suddenly a lot of things I could no longer do; particularly technical things like jumps. She said that she had an intergenerational dance company, which I had never heard of, but I was www.voiceofthehill.com "I've learned another way of approaching dance other than just musically. It's learning to balance the intellectual and the dance as well." intrigued. So, one day she called me being on the stage. Dancing is more "Theater is growing in Wash-and asked me to join the company. intellectualized now. So much is bro-ington, DC, and it's getting better. She helped me find a place in DC ken down and written down. But Working at Ticket Place I realized and all I can say is, "I love Liz.' I that's how it is in many fields. that we have more people going to danced with her for six years. She "What else is interesting to me is the theater than ever. And we're allowed me to use all my talents." the fact that there are no all-black making theater affordable. Currently In 1997 Torres auditioned with musical casts on Broadway. But what the Kirov is here, and through us, Jose Carrasquillo at Studio Theater you do have are more black dancers you can get tickets for half price. for a play called Clean, a story about interspersed in almost every play "Theater is accessible in DC, but a Puerto Rican family and a drag that's being produced. At least that's unlike NYC where people can jump queen (played by Torres) who falls in what's happening in New York...but on the subway, here there are a num·love with a woman. Torres would now I'm in a different place." ber of people who won't ride Metro perform in other Carrasquillo pro-Torres felt that dance in DC was so they choose cars, so they need ductions including at the Kennedy going through a metamorphosis. He parking. There is also that fear factor Center's Theater Lab children pro-admires the work of the choreogra-in DC. When I went to Howard to see duction of the Magic Rainforest, pher Mike Malone at Howard Black Nativity the theater wasn't about protecting the rainforest, and University, but is concerned with the packed, Mike Malone said that peo-La Quimbamba, a part of the In-fact that many of his dancers end up ple didn't want to come to that area Series at the Corcoran Gallery. going to New York and not audition-of the city. In New York, people He would eventually run into an ing for local companies like Liz would go anywhere to see profession-old friend, James Foster, and re-Lerman's. al theater. But in DC, I must admit ignite that relationship after audi-"Young dancers need to learn how that I have noticed that people are tioning for Ain't Misbehavin' at the to do all forms of dance in order to coming out of their comfort zone." Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. Torres survive in this industry," he Torres discussed the H Street corri·and Foster had worked together in explained. "To tell you the truth, I'd dor as the newest DC theatrical New York at Theatre Works USA on rather be on stage than waiting venue. Even though some people Play to Win, a musical about Jackie tables. In order to dance you need to don't like the neighborhood, he said, Robinson with lyrics by Foster. They expand. Since working with Liz I they like the shows that are going on would reunite on stage in a number have a different outlook. I've learned over there, so they are attending the of Theater Alliance productions. another way of approaching dance performances. First in One Mo'Time, as choreogra-other than just musically. It's learn-"The neighborhood is changing, pher, and as an actor in Foster's ing to balance the intellectual and and it's going to be hot with all the direction of Do Lord Remember Me. the dance as well. events there. CHAW's Catalyst "All my experiences have been like "Most dancers and actors who are Theater has many people talking this," Torres explained. "There have trained here will choose to go to about the great work that's being been difficult times, but nothing New York or California, but many done there." compared to the joy in my life." will eventually return to perform The last show that Torres did was here in DC. The fact is it's not as easy with a former Liz Lerman dancer. He What Now? to go to New York as it once was. It's had read the story of Sally Hem-Torres, who recently completed work an expensive city to live in. But what mings and thought it would work on South Pacific at Arena Stage, it does have that no other city does well as a ballet. talked with me about the state of are limitless dance company oppor-"First I thought it was a love story dance today. He noted that there was tunities, commercials, and off and because it said that Jefferson had some wonderful dance happening in off off Broadway. If you're interested been taken her to Europe...although the US. In the almost every major in the film and television industry that's a different story. Giselle city there was a black dance compa-then you head to LA. These two Mason took the idea and, with her ny, although he wasn't sure how cities are like the employment company Mason/Rymes, she created they, or any other dance company agency of the arts." A Declaration of Independence. It for that matter, were able to finance Despite the fact that so many ended up being a great ballet piece. I their dancers. As far as he was con-actors and dancers feel a need to fol-played the role of Madison cerned, when it came to dancers' low their dreams to other cities, Hemmings, her son. He talks about salaries, not much had changed. Torres feels that there is a lot of work what it's like to be in the Big House Most dancers inevitably have to right here in DC. with his father, Thomas Jefferson." work on the side. "There's the Source, Shakespeare Torres is looking forward to the "The good news is that there's Company, Arena, and others, along next project. I'm sure it's just around work out there," he said, "and more with new, up and coming opera-the corner because that's just how and more colleges now offer dance tions. Gala, an all-Spanish company, things work out in his life. There's degrees. What's interesting about has a great acting ensemble and always something right around the corner. college educated dancers is that they direction. There is also Signature in end up teaching and miss out on Shirlington, Va. There are also a performing. There is a certain number of innovative theaters-- Stephanie Briggs' work appears often in amount of learning that comes from Axis, Cherry Red Productions, The Voice of the Hill. Second Stage. Studiare Italiano The Highs and Lows of Learning a New Language BY BARBARA WELLS ur Italian vacation is With Bob and Tommy in tow, we not until May, but by took front-row seats for our first September Paula and I Thursday-night class, bright-eyed had nearly exhausted and eager as first-graders starting all methods of obsess-school. I beamed at Dehlia--as she ing on the trip. We'd rented a house called the roll, her presence alone for our group of eight, found a hotel conjuring Italy. Her thick accent for our first night's stay, researched makes English lyrical and Italian a the sights of Umbria and Tuscany, series of endlessly, impossibly rolled and pored through every chat-room Rs. Her casual clothing reveals a exchange among fellow obsessive fashion sense Americans cannot travelers on the Fodor's web page. I'd even approximate, from her silk even purchased frequent flyer tick-blouses to her leather boots. A smear ets. At last we faced the final fron-of black liner across her eyelids tier: the language. evokes Sophia Loren. We are trans- Until now, my husband Tommy ported by her vivid descriptions of and I have attempted foreign com-regional Italian foods that cannot be munication only in France, where he found in DC. uses a mix of gestures and broken I leaned forward in hopes that by Spanish as I dazzle him with my virtue of blind enthusiasm my mind high-school French, eking out rough could soak up the words like a translations for "ham sandwich" and sponge. But as fellow classmates-- "the bill, please." With our fellow many of Italian lineage with an travelers, we've rented houses in apparent genetic predisposition to small French villages, where our perfect accents--instantly memo-rudimentary language skills mark us rized and rattled off the days of the as either clumsy or arrogant inter-week, I struggled to even read the lopers. words from a sign Dehlia held before Despite her wealth of vocabulary, me in a painfully obvious concession Paula's pronunciations are uniquely to my ineptitude. and stubbornly mangled. Bob man-Someone once said learning a new ages a sort of businessman's French, language after age 20 is a losing bat-serviceable but devoid of color or tle; she knew what she was talking expression. Barth speaks as needed about. In case I had any doubts with the aid of a phrase book, and about my diminished brain capacity, Mary communicates best with her Italian class has confirmed that I smile. Our English friend Jenny retain about 2 percent of what little I regards foreign languages with a typ-manage to temporarily learn. ically British disdain, learning just I picture my brain as a table laden enough to order wine and find the with dishes; I may add dishes only at loo. Her husband Richard is the lone the cost of shoving others over the exception; he spoke French as a child edge. Therefore, I must carefully in Switzerland and flaunts his skill weigh the value of each word before by engaging locals in lengthy chats. committing it to memory - a chal- Flush with the prospect of a more lenge in and of itself for a language intimate Italian experience, Paula with nine ways to say "the." If I and I launched a quest for words mumble, can I get by with just one? that led to Casa Italiana, an oasis of And do I really need to know how to Mediterranean culture that offers a say "anthropology?" 12-week introductory course. By contrast, my capacity for petty Although just a block from the jealousy and mean-spirited competi-National Building Museum, this tion, hewn throughout my high enclave remains rarely-noticed, school years, remains fully intact. despite its distinctly Italian architec-This became apparent first within tural features, such as faux Roman my foursome, as we all reverted to statues and elaborate columns. the habits of 16-year-olds. Paula Inside, faded photos of famous studies feverishly, typing her assign-Italian sights cover its walls, and a ments at work, conjugating her verbs snack bar dispenses cappuccino and at night, and listening to her Italian a $5 plate of spaghetti with wine. tapes all weekend. Yet--although she has memorized the maps of three countries and can tell you where she had dinner on the third night of her 1999 vacation in Provence--she stumbles through an Italian sentence of four words. Maybe her table is full too. Bob studies not at all, but every word uttered in class registers in his brain, as if it is recorded, catalogued, and filed for ready use the instant Dehlia calls his name. Tommy does-n't study either, but to less enviable results. He squirms in his chair, panic-stricken and petrified Dehlia will call on him and unleash com·plete humiliation. Indeed, she does embarrass him, usually when he cheats - relying on my faulty home·work to find the answers. When he simply resorts to vigorous hand ges·tures, excessive vocal expression, and a bit of humor, he wins sympathetic approval from the entire class. For my part, I yearn to be a star pupil but lack the requisite disci·pline and talent. I try to study (often on the Metro en route to class) and doggedly complete all assignments, only to find a blank mental slate when Dehlia asks even the simplest question. Worse, I am subject to fits of giggling at inappropriate times in response to the antics of Tommy, as if he were the object of my schoolgirl crush. I would avoid him if I could, but for economy we must share outextbook. He hogs the book, begs me to translate simple words as Dehlia speaks, and otherwise dis·tracts me from my mission. I find comfort only in my friends' limitations and the visible and audi·ble slipping of the rest of the class. At first I critiqued my classmates based on poor social skills or a weak sense of camaraderie. I faulted one young woman for refusing to smile, and judged her harshly when, alone with Paula and me one evening before class, she refused to join in as we argued over a verb. I bristled as anoth·er student barked answers when Dehlia tried to coax responses from a slower student (okay, it was me) - an adult version of those kids at school who moan "OH! OH! OH!" with their arms thrust high in the air, as if they can't live unless everyone knows they are smarter than the rest of us. At my most catty, I scoffed at one class-mate's pseudo-Euro pointy shoes and fishnet stockings, scorning her efforts to embrace her Italian roots without benefit of our beloved professoressa's subtle sense of style. But now their weaknesses are more pronounced--literally. The hotshot second-generation Italians mangle syntax with the rest of us, and each week the class shrinks as nervous students evade the rigors of dialogue with Dehlia. With the exception of the smattering of South Americans and Europeans - outed one by one as they answer questions in charmingly accented and other·wise flawless Italian--they keep their heads down as Dehlia's incompre·hensible inquiries fly, hoping to avoid her gaze. With palpable shame, we surreptitiously scrawl the answers to the homework assign·ments we neglected to finish and look up the words we forgot to learn. After class, my group visits Italian restaurants to test our language skills, hoping that a little immersion can compensate for poor study habits. Our first stop was AV's, but we failed to engage the waiters with our almost offensively meager vocabulary - their bored expressions confirmed they had better things to do than wait for us to cough up orders in Italian. We also learned that despite the late hour, after an anxious evening of sweating out a tortured search for words, we need more than a glass of Chianti. Seeking better food, we moved on to Il Radicchio, only to discover neither the wine nor the waiters were Italian, and Spanish pronunciations of menu items heightened our chronic confusion. On to Bistro Italiano, where the food was delightful but the waiter spoke no Romance language at all. We finally struck gold at Trattoria Alberto. Our Italian host patiently coaches us as we try out new words, inquire about his homeland, and fat·ten ourselves on rich pasta laden with zesty sauce. Tucked below street-level, gazing at photos of Italy where windows might be, after a few glasses of vino we imagine ourselves in a Tuscan pensione, where a kindly innkeeper deciphers our requests and offers suggestions for touring. But for now we plod along in a verbal fog, fantasizing that one day we will discover the language has inexplicably clicked. Like Eliza Doolittle, eyes wide in wonder, we will blurt perfect italiano. Casa Italiana Language School offers a full range of courses in Italian grammar and conversation, arts, and culture taught by native Italian speakers. For information, see their web page at www.casaitalianaschool.org or call Ms. Olga Mancuso, director, at 202-638-1452. www.voiceofthehill.com Restoring an Historic Hill Bungalow Hill Residents Recreate Sense of 'Home' The next phase was tackling the tiny kitchen. "It was very nonfunctional," Huseman says. "At one place if you opened up one of the cabinet doors, you'd hit the ceiling fan and the dishwasher could not open the entire way without hitting the refrig·erator." Storage space was also a pre·mium so the couple vanquished the old cabinets shuffled the floor plan. It was impossible to find pre-built shelving units to fit the space, so Lard took matters into his own hands and built a set of intricately ornamented cherry wood cabinets himself. "It was definitely a big undertaking for us," Lard, an ama·teur woodworker, says admiring his work. "It's kind of a good feeling to know that you did that." They also unearthed an original unfinished brick wall, exposed wooden ceiling rafters and laid rugged slate squares as flooring--a unique and chic alternative to the tacky old linoleum. After two jam-packed months, their dream kitchen was born. One of the most important lessons learned: "Measure. Measure, meas·ure and measure again," Huseman says. Two personal touches adorn their cozy living room--an Eastern Market artist's painting of the house featur·ing a frame fashioned from old kitchen floorboards and a curio cabi·net showcasing antique National Capitol Brewing Co. bottles found in the crawlspace beneath their home. Upstairs, in the library, the crafty homeowners exposed more brick around an old chimneystack and laid hardwood floors. Their proudest accomplishment, however, is the master bedroom where maximizing the minimal space available was the name of the game. Previous owners had added closets to the small room but the space was so narrow that if clothes were hung properly on hangers, the doors would not close. As a stopgap meas- Above left: The original "nonfunctional" kitchen. Left: The new kitchen with custom cabinets built by the owners. Huseman and Lard have done all of the work themselves transforming their 6th Street home. ure, they unhinged the closet doors and hung curtains. The renovation bug eventually bit and the decided to create their own cedar lined clos·ets from scratch. The project was more complicated than originally anticipated and ended up taking six weeks or more. "Projects are sometimes not as sim·ple as they first might appear to be," Lard said."We thought we'd just take out existing closet, prep the wall and put some stand alone closets there from Ikea." Soothing hues run throughout the house. Earth tones and dark colors abound. Camel, deep red and vibrant gold enhance the wall space in each room. "After living in apartments for years, we wanted to have no white walls--that was our goal," Huseman said. The next big project for Huseman and Lard is the spare bedroom. While it has been painted and a sec·tion wall features their trademark exposed brick, the rest of the room awaits. The theme, they imagine, will be consistent with the other bedroo--warm, wooden and relaxed. When that bedroom is finished, the entire house will have been refur·bished. "You get to the point where you have to stop it once you get comfort·able with it," Lard said. "We've taken off basically the last eight to nine months to just live in the house. That's the ultimate goal...we'll be here a while." Huseman adds: "The Hill is a great place to live so eventu·ally you have to get out and enjoy the neighborhood as well." Andrew Noyes is assistant editor for Voice of the Hill. His first 'Amazing Spaces' feature appeared in November's issue. market, the former owner painted the outside trim a nice salmon color but the inside had not been redone since a major remodeling job in the 1960s when most of the historic 1872 house's "character" was extri·cated and replaced with signs of the times; masonite doors, gaudy linoleum and parquet wood floors were among its most heinous attrib·utes. "We've tried to reinstall some of the character and keep it in touch with the arts and crafts style-- the mission style that we like," Huseman says. When they moved in, the house was blanketed in white paint--white walls, white ceilings and rows of tall, white built-in book·cases. Over the course of a year, the duo stripped the house of its interior detail and started from scratch. Lard, a tax attorney for Nextel by day, built natural wood bookcases, refur·bished the staircase and constructed plant stands and side tables to match. They tore up the parquet and laid a beautiful tradi·tional wood floor. BY ANDREW NOYES This is the second in a series of sto·ries about Capitol Hill homeowners who have transformed their living spaces from dull to delightful. It took a touch of imagination and a heap of woodworking prowess for seman and Todd Lard to beautify their 6th St SE home. The couple acquired the house "for a steal" three years ago because it was "really ugly, inside and out," Huseman, an attorney for the Bureau of Consumer Protection, quips. "It seems like we've done everything--new floors, trim, a new kitchen, paint. We did all the work ourselves, too, and are proud of the result." Prior to putting the house on the PerformingArts Roundup BY JULIO ARGÜELLO JR he DC performing arts scene has a lot to offer theatergoers in 2004! For starters, the Catalyst Theater Company continues its season with a world-pre-miere adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel 1984 by company member Christopher Gallu, who also directs. Later this month, the Folger Theatre debuts Melissa Arctic, Craig Wright's new play based on Shakespeare's late romance The Winter's Tale. Experience the joy and excitement that is the music of George Gershwin in Folger's Theatre production of George Gershwin Alone. The Kennedy Center begins its four-month-long Festival of France featuring Les Braises, which is a deft theatrical adaptation by Claude Rich and Sophie Cauchi of the 1942 novel, Embers by Hungarian novelist, Sandor Marai. The Source Theatre Company continues to play innovative new works like the Interrogation Room and the Silent Heroes. A blast from the past sweeps into DC at the Warner Theatre with its production of Fame The Musical, which chronicles the four-year odyssey--from audition to graduation--of a group of talented and dedicated students at New York City's High School of the Performing Arts. Also at the Warner is STOMP. Finally, best selling author E. Lynn Harris brings his highly successful best-selling novel to the stage Not A Day Goes By. ARENA STAGE who also directs. 1984 opens on seniors. To order tickets online, go January 22 and runs through to: www.catalysttheater. com or to Camelot February 28 at the Capitol Hill Arts order by phone call 800- 494-8497. Jan 1-4 Workshop. Fifty years after its initial Don't miss the last four perform-publication, 1984 continues to grip THE FOLGER THEATRE ances of Camelot at Arena Stage! readers' imaginations and shed criti-Tickets range from $43.00 - $54.00. cal light on contemporary politics. Melissa Arctic You can order tickets online at: Winston Smith (CTC artistic director Jan 23-31 www.arenastage.org or call the sales Scott Fortier) is a citizen of Oceania, Romance and joy are resurrected office at (202) 488-3300. a country ruled by "the Party" and from grief through the redemptive its omnipresent figurehead, Big power of art in Melissa Arctic, Craig Crowns Brother. A clerical worker at the Wright's new play based on Shakes-Jan 1-31 Ministry of Truth, Winston harbors peare's late romance The Winter's Tale. In mythical small towns of You can still catch Crowns playing in doubts about the Party and longs to the Kreeger Theater. Tickets range break free of its choking control. An Minnesota, the lives of Leonard from $43.00 - $54.00. To order tick-illicit affair with like-minded Julia Matsen (Leontes), his wife Mina (Hermione), and their childhood ets online, go to: www.arenastage.org (Synetic Theater company member or call the sales office at 202- 488-Irina Koval) at last spurs Winston to friend Paul (Polixenes) are forever 3300. act. The pair reaches out to O'Brien changed by jealousy and self-doubt. (local stage great Ralph Cosham), Tickets range from $25-$48. To CATALYST THEATRE whom they believe to be a rebel order tickets online, go to: www. mole within the Inner Party. Instead, folger.edu or call the box office at COMPANY O'Brien proves to be a double agent, 202-544-7077. and he delivers the doomed lovers Jan 22-31 into the psychological torture cham- Catalyst Theater Company (CTC) bers of the Thought Police. FORD'S THEATRE continues its season with a world-1984 makes its debut at the George Gershwin Alone premiere adaptation of George Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. Tickets Orwell's classic novel 1984 by com-range from $20 - $25. Discount tick-January 6-25 pany member Christopher Gallu, et prices available to students and Experience the joy and excitement that is the music of George Gersh· win. Hershey Felder embodies the spirit and talent of the legendary composer and pianist. Through songs, letters, conversations and more, George Gershwin Alone leads you through the fascinating rhythms of Gershwin's music and tragically short life. Limited engage·ment -- three weeks only! Tickets range from $30 - $45. To order tickets online, go to: www. tickets.com or call the box office at 202-347-4833. THE KENNEDY CENTER Les Braises Jan 9-11 Les Braises is a deft theatrical adapta·tion by Claude Rich and Sophie Cauchi of the 1942 novel, Embers by Hungarian novelist, Sandor Marai. Didier Long sensitively directs this play, recounting the meeting of two elderly men, once the greatest of friends, after a 41-year separation. With exquisite skill, actors Claude Rich and Bernard Verley fight a duel of words and silences, of accusa·tions, as the General tries to unravel the mystery surrounding the sudden departure of his friend, Conrad, all those years ago. It is a brilliant and engrossing tapestry of friendship, betrayal and smoldering passion. Novelist Marai's achievement is to explore the residues of hatred that clogs so many lives. Les Braises debuts in the Terrace Theatre at the Kennedy Center. Tickets are $38. To order tickets online, go to: www.kennedy-center.org or call the ticket sales office at 202-467-4600. The Taming of the Shrew January1-4 Don't miss the final four perform·ances of The Taming of the Shrew in the Eisenhower Theatre at the Kennedy Center. Tickets range from $25 - $75. To order tickets online, go to: www.kennedy-center.org or call the ticket sales office at 202-467-4600. SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY Interrogation Room Jan 7-31 The sharp blow of manipulation cuts through the long-standing partner·ship of two detectives investigating the grisly murder of a young girl. Truth becomes clay in the hands of the men accused of her murder. As the battle for truth against memory boils to the surface, the accusations hurled against the suspects sets off the once quiet community outside and presses heavily upon the police as they set off to find the truth. The Interrogation Room is play by Jon Elston. Silent Heroes Jan 7-31 A fiery plane crash. Ominous mid·night phone calls. Six wives of Marine pilots come together to wait to discover whose husband is never coming home. The tension and sus·pense of this evening uncover reveal·ing secrets of adultery, domestic abuse, racial threats, and political protest. Set in November 1975, the conflicts of the Vietnam War still spark rage and betrayal. Moments of humor, hope and compassion are born in the face of the facts. By the end of the night one of the six women will be a widow. Silent Heroes is a play by Linda Escalera Baggs. Tickets for both shows are $20 and seating is general admission. To pur·chase tickets online go to: www.sourcetheatre.com. STUDIO THEATRE The York Realist January 1- 11 Don't' miss the final two weeks of The York Realist in the Mead Theatre at the Source Theatre! To order tick·ets online, go to: www.studiotheatre. org or call the Box Office at 202-332-3300. WARNER THEATRE Fame The Musical January 2-4 Fame The Musical chronicles the 4·year odyssey - from audition to grad·uation - of a group of talented and dedicated students at New York City's High School of the Performing Arts. Driven by the compulsion for fame, these deeply rendered charac·ters from diverse backgrounds expe·rience common triumphs and tragedies along their journey toward immortality. Tickets range from $26.50 to $64. To order tickets online go to: www.ticketmaster.com or call (202) 432-SEAT. STOMP Center. Tickets range from $24 - $48. laborative effort of local playwrights, January 6-18 To order tickets online, go to: directors, actors, and designers. STOMP is explosive, provocative, www.kennedy-center.org or call the Performances are scheduled for the sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique ticket sales office at 202-467-4600. H Street Playhouse in January 2004and appeals to audiences of all ages. Tickets are $15. To order tickets The international percussion sensa-H STREET PLAYHOUSE online go to: www.madcapplayers.com tion has garnered an armful of or call 800-494-TIXS. awards and rave reviews, and has The Winter Festival of New Works appeared on numerous national tele-January 22 - 31 Madcap Players presents The Winter Julio Argüello Jr. is a freelance vision shows. The eight-member Festival of New Works. This is a series editor/writer. He writes the Performing troupe uses everything but conven-of staged 10-minute plays is the col-Arts Roundup in The Voice each tional percussion instruments -month. matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hub-caps--to fill the stage with magnifi·cent rhythms. As USA Today says, "STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places." STOMP. See what all the noise is about! Tickets range from $29.50 to $44.50. To order tickets online go to: www.ticketmaster.com or call (202) 432-SEAT. Not A Day Goes By It's Resolution Time January 20-25 New York Times best selling author E. Lynn Harris brings his highly suc· and we're here to help! cessful best-selling novel to the stage. The renowned storyteller will Surely you've vowed to read more in 2004! deftly bring his most controversial characters to life. Not A Day Goes By Will half price on fiction help? tells the story of what happens when, lies, deceit, and betrayal meet fear, lust and greed. An extravagant During January all fiction wedding has been planned for what looks to be the 'perfect' couple but (except the really good stuff up front) is just before the marriage ceremony, the dreadful past and the deceitful 50% off. present jeopardize the ideal couple's future. Tickets range from $29.50 to Surely you've vowed to cull your book collection. $44.50. To order tickets online go to: www.ticketmaster.com or call (202) We're actively buying high quality used books and some not so. 432-SEAT. WOOLLY MAMMOTH THEATRE COMPANY Open Daily 10-6 Cooking With Elvis 417 East Capitol Street, SE January 2-11 202-543-4342 You can still enjoy Cooking With Elvis in the Film Theatre at the Kennedy Paul Cymrot riverby@erols.com Steve Cymrot For the framing and preservation of fine art and documents Hours: Monday and Tuesday, Noon-6 pm Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am-6 pm or by appointment 516 1/2 C Street, NE 202.544.8408 on Stanton Park ffs@pobox.com THIGPENHALL &ASSOCIATES SMALL BUSINESS BOOKKEEPING PERSONAL PROPERTY APPRAISAL Bobby Thigpen 202.546.7734 Preparing for Winter: Avoid Salt! BY JUDITH C APEN In Washington one never knows if there will actu·ally be a winter with snow, ice, and sleet, or if we will just get the comedy act of weather warnings and panic among the commuters. · Weather Service: "Possibility of snow..." · News: "Roads clogged at 1:30 p.m. after Federal Government announced early dis·missal. Tempers fraying. Supermarket shelves bare of toilet paper, milk, and bread." However, since we already got some snow, let's get prepared now for some potential serious winter weather. First, go to Frager's before even the slight·est hint of a big storm and get a snow shovel to replace the one that disappeared last season. Buy a bag of salt substitute. Look for a bag that says some·thing like "won't harm brick, concrete or plants...." And get a new red plastic sled to replace the one that disappeared who knows when. All these things are easy to get now and may be unavailable after our 1½ or two feet of snow. When you shovel: don't pile against either your house walls or your neighbor's house walls. Make your piles on pervious surfaces: part of the brick walk, tree boxes, front yards. Then, when the snow melts it will recharge ground water rather than just adding to the treatment load at Blue Plaines. Shovel first, then sprinkle the salt substitute. Remember, even if more benign than salt, it is a chemical that you may not want concentrated on the street trees or your own front yard. Thanks to Jill Lawrence, mayor of the 400 block of 10th Street, SE, for mentioning this to me last February as she was busily shifting snow piles after our winter of '03 sixth-worst-storm-of-the-last-100-years... A Feng Shui Dilemma Dear Judith: I've looked at two condos. One costs a lot more, is smaller, but is absolutely perfect according to my Feng Shui adviser. The other one, bigger and less expensive and actually closer to the Metro, is the worst for Feng Shui forces. What should I do? CONFUSED Dear Confused: I know absolutely nothing about Feng Shui except what I learned from the Washington Post and an evening spent years ago with a cousin-in-law who invited us, two architects, over ostensibly for advice about changes to her new apartment, but then pro·ceeded to lay out all her plans in excruciating detail, every tiny decision buttressed by Feng Shui. So why should that keep me from expounding? I understand that our row houses are all wrong: we walk in to face the stairs; we line up front door and back door allowing entry forces to whoosh right through, in then out before you've arrived; a lot of our master bedrooms are in the front; some of our bathrooms are in the front allowing all the good house forces to flush right out. I have to confess that the stairs issue is one of my own personal peeves, so I'm on the same page with Feng Shui on that one. When we pretty much gut·ted the gut job the owner previous to us did to our house, we were able to turn the stairs so the last three steps arrive in the living room instead of at the front door. I always design new row houses or advise those designing new ones to re-orient the stairs. It seems to me, on practical grounds, that when people, strangers, family, the fire depart·ment, whoever, walk into your house you don't necessarily want to convey the invitation to come right on upstairs. Several of the historic Capitol Hill row house types do a fine job of avoiding this problem with center hall arrangements. The problem is, of course, what to do with our hundred-plus year old row houses with these stairs? I think gutting them all is a very bad idea. I can hardly credit our stairs with the fact that development and status have lagged on the Hill from 1791. After all, there are houses that do this all over the city. On the Feng Shui principle about not lining up front and rear doors, I, and two millennia of west·ern design and planning, are in complete disagree·ment. Lining up the front and rear doors of a house enhances ventilation and creates a visual axis. That axis allows the dwelling to take over the site around it like when a city principal arterials shape its sub·urban growth. Louis XIV, The Sun King, was doing that at Versailles when he and his designers ran the main axis of the garden right through the middle of the palace and his bedroom. The message was not missed by any 19th century French person: Louis, the monarch directly sanctioned by God, was sec·ond only to the Almighty. That axis through his bedroom, shaped by his orders, extended out over miles of landscape carefully calculated to appear to extend infinitely: a very concrete demonstration of Louis' power and wealth. Just two monarchs later the French people had stopped being willing to pay the bills for such demonstrations, so maybe it was a bad idea. But I hardly think that the fall of the French monarchy, or the Roman Empire for that matter, can be attrib·uted to a love of axes. More recently, over the last three centuries, American houses from the modest to the grand have had opposing entrances. Many Colonial era plantation houses had two elevations of equal importance, the river entrance and the vehicular entrance with opposing doors. One of my favorite "reads" and traveling com·panions, Sir Banister Fletcher and his A History of Architecture on the Comparative Metho, observes in his very British way "...Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism...produced conceptions of the universe and beliefs about the future closely allied with superstition, astrology, and necromancy that have controlled ...the design of buildings. A pseudo-sci-ence, 'fe,' evolved, ...based on a belief that forces exist in every locality which act on all types of buildings, towns..." Now, just because Sir Banister uses words like necromancy and pseudo-science, doesn't mean he's right...he also covers three thousand years of Chinese architecture in just 14 pages in contrast to the English Renaissance with 19 pages, not to men·tion Italian, French, German, Belgian, Dutch, and Spanish Renaissance with 190 pages between them. One might suspect him of a little Eurocentrism... Personally, I think we have here a case of two dif·ferent basic philosophies, one Eastern and one Western. Take your pick. One group is bringing us global warming through consumption of fossil fuels; the other is helping us along toward global warming with vastly increasing populations who want toasters and microwaves. I think we all search for meaning and order-making systems for our lives. For me, it is the version of design with which I was first indoctrinated in architecture school. Paraphrasing musicologist Peter Schickele when he quotes Duke Ellington on music ("If it sounds good, Looking at Art in a New Light BY LIND A NORTON t's great to wander the streets of Capitol Hill on a winter's evening. Though my husband would tell you that I love to be able to peer into the windows to see what paint colors have been used, I love it for another reason, as well. The light which streams from windows at night creates the fantasy landscape that, for me, defines living in the city. Here amid our busy, often stressful lives, the glow of light from our homes lends an atmosphere of quiet contentment to the scene. January evenings are a bit on the chilly side for you to wander the streets, especially if you don't have a dog that must be walked. Instead, you may choose to achieve visual "light in the darkness" with the art that you display inside. Whether you prefer sculpture, paintings, prints, maps, graphics, hand crafted pieces of furniture, or a mixture of all of these, the art you display is a celebration of your tastes that can give you joy or make you think just by looking at it. Clients often ask me if they should decorate around the art which they own or if they should choose a color scheme and then find art to "go with" it. My answer is generally, "neither." Yes, you should include art in your home, but it should be there because you love living with it, not because it "goes with the sofa." A well-displayed work of art can thrill, delight, stimulate or calm you each time that you enter a room. A good personal collection can serve to evoke a wide variety of feelings. You probably won't want to wake up each morn·ing to the type of painting that you would hang in your entrance hall. For that reason, it's wonderful to select a wide visual and textural variety of things to enjoy, and to shuffle them around occasionally. Pieces to be hung on a wall might include paint·ings, photographs, bas relief sculpture architectural artifacts, textiles (woven soft sculpture, rugs, vin·tage clothing, hats or even a collection of hand·bags), prints of all kinds, maps, or posters, whether they be original or good reproductions. For serious art collectors, the art IS the thing. It is the most important thing in the room, and every·thing else serves to provide the proper setting for optimum enjoyment of the art. We can't all afford museum quality pieces, even if that's what we love. Assuming, for the sake of dis·cussion, that you have, or would like to begin a per·sonal collection, where do you start? First of all, don't be in a rush. The exceptionally enjoyable thing about buying art is frequenting gal·leries, auctions and sales. The most difficult thing is not buying everything that you love. This is where some advance planning comes in handy. If you want to live with the art that you purchase, you'll need to figure out the size of the blank spaces where your pieces can be properly displayed. If the piece that you want to buy is too large for the space that you had in mind, perhaps it can be used somewhere else in your home, or in your office. The office setting should never be overlooked as a great venue for art. The furnishings and decoration are generally less cluttered than those at home. There are numerous walls in common areas, as well as individual offices that can be used as display space. Art is a great way to add personality or to convey atmosphere to guests and clients. In addition to the selection of art, it is very important that it be properly hung or secured and illuminated. Most works of art will represent a sig·nificant expenditure of your time, if you are an artist, or money, if you are a collector. Improper lighting can cause that investment to rapidly dete·riorate. Inexpensive picture lights are available in every home furnishings shop, but your art is defi·nitely better off without them. The incandescent or halogen bulbs create "hot spots" where the bulb is closest to the piece and produce heat and light which will eventually do severe damage to the sur·face of the piece and accelerate the aging process. The report of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America: "Museum and Art Gallery Lighting: A Recommended Practice," states: "The key to prolonged life of artworks is the stabi·lization of temperature and humidity, and mini·mizing the exposure to radiant light or energy." Because a close-up light produces heat and UV rays, damage includes fading, yellowing, and cracking of the varnish layer due to uneven expansion of the surface of oil paintings. In addition, the chemical composition of watercolor pigments is particularly susceptible to unfiltered UV rays. Fading and deteri·oration affect not only pigment but textiles, writing inks and papers, animal skins and wool, just to name a few. For these reasons, lighting of all art work should be carefully calculated and the time of exposure to both natural and artificial light limited. The paint·ing that you hang away from the sun's rays in the summer may get direct rays in the winter when the sun's angle lowers and the leaves are off of the trees. Most of us have witnessed the way that sunlight can destroy fabric used in draperies. The effect on artwork is no less pronounced. Probably the most popular method of lighting two-dimensional artwork is with a "picture light." Aside from the problems that I have mentioned, there is the more practical dilemma posed by the place·ment of outlets and dealing with unsightly cords. Battery powered units are available but not very practical because a set of fresh batteries will barely last through an evening dinner party and will grow progressively dimmer as the evening progresses. You are better off using an electric light and using the cord cover which is generally available with the purchase of the light. If you are mounting a permanent installation (for instance, over a mantle or bed where you will always want to have some artwork hanging), it would be worth the cost to have an outlet installed on the wall so that it is behind the art. Other good places for outlets are on the top surface of the man·tle and on the wall adjacent to the fireplace. When these outlets are wired to a dimmer switch, you have control over the amount of light as it relates to the natural lighting conditions in the room at any time. Not all art is two-dimensional. In sculpture, tex·tiles and glass, the play of light over the surface is a part of the overall design. The texture of pottery or the translucence of a beautiful piece of glass is lost if it is merely put on a shelf. Frosted or clear glass shelves can be lit from above, below or the side to let light wash over the surface of the objects in a way that enhances the design of the piece. Pedestals are available which contain an "uplight." These are wonderful for showing glass or sculpture that you want to light from below. Pin spotlights, which are recessed in the ceiling, cast an isolated beam of light on sculpture, pot·tery or even a table decoration. Several pin spots can be used in stead of a chandelier in the dining room. The furniture placement becomes more flexible, because the can be re-positioned without having to worry about having it cen·tered or about tall people hitting their heads on a hanging fixture. There are a wide variety of recessed fixtures which are available with louvers and filters designed to "wash" a wall with light or to spot·light areas of walls or furnishings. These are won·derful for many purposes, but do not mistake this type of fixture for something which will neces·sarily be kind to your art. High wattage incandes·cent spots and floods create a great deal of heat, and the wrong types of halogens are even hotter. Be sure to consult a lighting expert at a reputable lighting dealer before you decide. He or she will be able to show you the many options and help you to determine which type of lighting is best suited to your needs. Linda Norton is an interior decorator and regular contributor to the Voice of the Hill. A specialist in color selection and coordination, she can be reached at 202-544-2924 or at norton@olg.com. Thanks for the Memories BY BETH LAMBDIN n 2003, theatre marquees everywhere shone a little less brightly when legendary actors Charles Bronson, Art Carney, Hume Cronyn, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Hope, Donald O'Connor, Gregory Peck and directors Elia Kazan and John Schlesinger passed from the earth. Lucky for us, their movies will live on to entertain us for years to come. The reviews that follow and the per·formances highlighted at the end of this article pay tribute to these bright lights. The Road to Rio (1947, Unrated) This was the fifth film in the popular Road series that ran from 1940-1962 pairing Bob Hope with Bing Crosby. Hope is wise-cracking Hot Lips Barton and Crosby is smooth-talking ladies man, Scat Sweeney, musicians who accidentally set a traveling carnival on fire and need to skip town in a hurry. They stow away on a cruise ship bound for Rio de Janeiro. The boys soon become smitten with Lucia (Dorothy Lamour), but her erratic behavior puzzles them. We soon learn that Lucia's evil aunt (Gale Sondergaard) is hypnotizing her as part of a twisted plan to get her hitched to a man she doesn't love. For the rest of the film, the boys do their best to foil this diabolical scheme. As expected, the plot is ridiculous and hardly the reason to watch the film. Instead, watch how Hope and Crosby effortlessly play off each other; Crosby pokes fun at Hope's ski jump nose and Hope at Crosby's prominent ears. Hope's physical comedy is laugh-out-loud funny as are the antics of the Wiere Brothers, an odd little trio of language-challenged musicians hired to help out the boys. An added bonus is Bing teaming up with the Andrews Sisters to sing, "You Don't Have to Know the Language." Thanks for the memories, Bob and Bing. Gentleman's Agreement (1948, Unrated) This film was a risky proposition when it was made in 1947. WWII had just ended, the House Un-American Activities Committee was pursuing the Communists among us and most of the major stu·dios heads didn't want to touch the taboo subject of anti-semitism. But producer Darryl Zanuck did and hired successful Broadway Director Elia Kazan (who ultimately "named names" and was subject to con·troversy for the rest of his life) to direct this film. This film, the top money maker for 1948, opened the doors for the socially-conscious dramas that fol·lowed and won multiple Oscars including one for Kazan, Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress, Celeste Holm. Gregory Peck plays Schuyler Green a.k.a. Phil Green, who goes undercover for six months to write a magazine exposé about anti-semitism. Some of what he encounters is blatant; a posh resort is restricted to Gentiles, certain upscale neighborhoods follow a "gentleman's agreement" and won't rent or sell property to Jews. But, the film also portrays the more subtle forms of prejudice and how they are perpetuated when "good" people witness intolerable acts, but choose to remain silent and do nothing. The publisher's niece, Kathy (Dorothy McQuire), with whom Green quickly falls in love, harbors this more subtle brand of bigotry. Celeste Holm livens things up as Anne Dettrey, the magazine's fashion correspondent, who has eyes for Phil and sees better than he what Kathy is really like. The story is slow to get going and corny to boot, but appreciate it in the context of the times for its message of tolerance. The principled Peck would later evolve into the epitome of decency, Atticus Finch, in To Kill a Mockingbird, 14 years later. Singin' in the Rain (1952, Rated G) For anyone who thinks they don't like musicals, please watch this one, labeled by some as the "best musical of all time." While film stars Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds are tremendously appealing, my favorite actor in the film is Donald O'Connor for his comedic antics and the amazing way he moves (and sometimes contorts) his Gumby-like body. O'Connor is Kelly's sidekick, the piano-play-ing Cosmo Brown. The film humorously recreates the time when silent films were fading from the scene and the talkies were becoming all the rage. Kelly is Don Lockwood, a past vaudeville hoofer and current movie idol, who is part of the fabulously popular silent film duo, Lockwood and Lamont. Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) is lovely to look at, but her voice makes you long for the soothing sounds of a barnyard cat fight. Unfortunately, Lina can be a bit dim and she doesn't recognize the problem with her voice. Are they doomed to the silent film grave·yard? Not if they can find a way to surreptitiously dub her voice. Kathy Selden (a radiant 19-year-old Debbie Reynolds), an aspiring actress with a lovely voice, may just be able to save the day. Part love story, part musical, part satire--complete crowd-pleasing winner. Kelly's "Singin' in the Rain" is a perennial favorite and deservedly so, but what would, "Fit as a Fiddle," "Moses Supposes," "Make 'Em Laugh" and "Good Morning" be without the unique genius of Donald O'Connor? Midnight Cowboy (1969, Rated R) When I first saw this movie, I found it confusing and depressing. On a recent viewing, I still found parts of it confusing (what exactly did happen to Joe Buck in Texas and what did Grandmother do to him?) and it's still a downer, but there is much to admire in this film. But, first some background. This film was Rated X when released in 1969 and is the only X-rated movie (the rating has since been downgraded to an appropriate R) to win the Best Picture Oscar. The film also won an Oscar for John Schlesinger as Best Director. We first meet Joe Buck (Jon Voight), a dishwash·er, as he leaves small-town Texas for New York City with a cow-hide suitcase, transistor radio and huge wad of chewing gum. His dream is to be a hustler-- the stud of Park Avenue. However, his first encoun·ters with both women and men are pathetic. Soon, he is destitute and forced to partner with Enrico "Ratso" Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman). Ratso is a self-described "cripple" who stumbles along the mean streets of New York bumming and conning to sur·vive. Ratso sees himself as Buck's manager, but Buck is suspicious of Ratso; in the past everyone has always wanted something from him. But, under the most squalid conditions, a truly affecting friend·ship is born. While this is a difficult film to view in its unflinching depiction of the darker side of humanity, it is worth watching for Hoffman's bril·liance in portraying both Ratso's repulsiveness and heartbreaking vulnerability, Voight's ability to con·vey optimism and naiveté even when corruption and decadence surround him and finally, for Nilsson's haunting rendition of "Everyone's Talkin'." Other Highlighted Performances: Charles Bronson, "Death Wish" series Art Carney, Harry and Tonto, The Late Show Hume Cronyn, Cocoon Katharine Hepburn, The Philadelphia Story, The African Queen Elia Kazan, A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront John Schlesinger, Sunday, Bloody Sunday Hill resident Beth Lambdin welcomes your comments about her reviews and films in general and can be reached at beth@bethlambdin.com. News from the Friends of Southeast Library BY R OZANNE M. BARR Y, FRIENDS OF SOUTHEAST LIBRAR Y A book sale will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This sale was originally scheduled for Dec. 6 but due to the library's unexpected closing that day due to lack of heat, the sale was cancelled. Many apologies to those who came that day only to find the doors closed. The Jan. 24 sale will feature the same elements described for that earlier one: thousands of books in all genres and subject areas, a number of first editions, unusual items and sets. A particularly extensive collection of children's books and records are on hand as well. Also available, as usual, are records, audio and video tapes and CDs. The Friends Group Volunteers are always needed and welcome. Contact Janet McGregor at (202) 547-8897. Library activities Some of the ongoing activities at the library are: · Mystery and non-fiction book clubs, movies and computer tutorials. · Teens: Cartooning. Other ongoing activities for teens are planned but not certain at this time: creat·ing rap songs and poetry, games, and movies. Call or check the library for updated information. · Children: WinterQuest, a reading contest for children 14 and under, began in December and will continue through February. Continuing programs include story hour, lap time, preschool movies and chess. A children's party is being planned for Thursday, Jan. 15, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.; check the Library for details. · Students: A tutor is available after school on Tuesdays to help students with their homework. Call (202-698-3377) or visit (403 7th Street, SE) the library for further information on the full range of activities and the current schedule. It's always a good idea, too, to call ahead when planning to attend a specific activity. A warm welcome to the new Branch Manager Candace Townsend who began her service at Southeast Library on Dec. 16. Watch all college sports and pro football on our satellite package PLUS Cable on 14 TVs Special welcome to Green Bay Packers and University of Wisconsin fans Identify your alma mater and receive Budweiser happy hour prices while your team is playing. 329 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE CAPITOL HILL 202-543-3300 FAX 202-543-9038 Thanks for a Great 2003... We Wish You and Yours A Happy and Prosperous New year Answering the Call BY DUG HAMBICKI ublic safety is a concept that all too many of us on the Hill are familiar with. From the permanently stationed Capitol Police on every corner to jersey barriers to large concrete flowerpots--we are reminded on a daily basis that public safety is a huge issue in DC. What we may not be constantly thinking of though, are the men and women who watch our backs 24-7: law enforcement officers and firefighters. But, while these public safety personnel are making sure that we stay safe, who is watching over them? A National Epidemic with No Boundaries With all the media coverage recently, it is no secret that obesity is now a national epidemic. Thirty per·cent of the U.S. population is considered obese and 65 percent are overweight. Less than 25 percent get the recommended 30 minutes a day of even moder·ate activity. Now, consider someone who is largely sedentary and overweight who is called to go from zero activity to 110%. The result is muscular injury, skeletal injury, or worst of all, heart failure. This is the situation characterizing a large portion of our nation's men and women who, at a moment's notice, must go into high gear. Cardiovascular Disease: the Silent Killer When someone becomes a police officer or fire·fighter, they go into that field with the full knowl·edge that their lives will be at risk. They accept that risk for the higher responsibility and duty to pro·tect the nation's citizens. But, what an incredible waste of goodwill it is when the killer is not a phys·ical enemy like a criminal, a fire, or a crumbling building. Instead, the killer is lurking silently bid·ing his time. Cardiovascular disease, otherwise known as heart disease, is indiscriminate--even going after our heroes. Let's take a look at the American Heart Association's risk factors for heart disease and com·pare them to the health of many police officers and firefighters: smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity and over·weight, and diabetes mellitus. OK, check, check, check, check, check, and check. Here are some scary statistics: · According to the Journal of Clinical Hypertension, heart attack is the third leading cause of on-duty death for firefighters at 43 percent, 41 percent of firefighters have high blood pressure, 35 percent are obese, 10 percent smoke, and 23 per·cent have high cholesterol. · According to the Journal of Police Science and Administration, heart disease is the greatest cause of early retirement for police officers. · According to the NC Justice Academy, 50 per·cent of all U.S. police officers will die of heart dis·ease within five years of retirement and police offi·cers are 21 times more likely to die of heart disease than from being attacked by another person. Stress also plays a major role in heart disease. Stress can cause many of the risk factors stated above. All front-line personnel are victims of high levels of stress both within and because of the nature of their professions. Add to these statistics the reality of the job. The Cooper Institute, one of the leading research organ·izations focusing on health and fitness, developed a series of tests and norms for law enforcement offi·cers. Basically, police officers must be healthy in the areas of aerobics, anaerobics, muscular strength, muscular endurance, muscular power, flexibility, and body fat percentage. So, we have two sets of realities. On the one hand are the actual physical needs that the job entails. On the other is the actual state of physical health of the professionals. When these two realities collide, the result is personnel who work beyond their physical ability in order to fulfill their call to duty. Taking Control When someone passes the physical exam to become a police officer or firefighter, he/she must be in top physical condition. Once the exam is passed, little is done to ensure the continued good health of public safety personnel. Money is often the barrier to creating such programs for these gov·ernment employees, but the costs involved with early retirement and sickness greatly outweighs the cost of taking preventative measures. So, until pro·grams are provided for front-line personnel, their health is in their own hands. Resources Firefighters and police officers have the support of the following health clubs on the Hill: · Results the Gym Capitol Hill: reduced member·ship fee of $55/month; discounted small group per·sonal training package for 911 Fitness Challenge competitors (see insert). · Gold's Gym Capitol Hill: reduced membership fee of $29-39/month; free body fat measurements to 911 Fitness Challenge competitors. Do Something If you are a front-line emergency responder (or you know someone who is), take some steps starting today. Join a gym, start a regular exercise program, meet with a nutritionist to figure out an eating plan that fits your lifestyle, participate in the 911 Fitness Challenge to jump start your new lifestyle...do something, but don't treat it as a New Year's resolu·tion. Don't use it as an excuse to just lose weight or become gorgeous. This is a life resolution and the purpose should be just that, to save your life. Dug Y. Hanbicki, CSCS, is a personal trainer, group fit·ness instructor, freelance writer, USATF certified coach, and a volunteer trainer for the 911 Fitness Challenge 2004. She welcomes your questions and comments at TrainerDug@earthlink.net. 911 Fitness Challenge 911 Fitness is a Miami-based company started and run by Jim Sayih, a Miami Police Department Sergeant. The company is hired to create and train fitness programs for police officers and fire·fighters. Five years ago, Sgt. Sayih started the 911 Fitness Challenge as a local competition to inspire and motivate local firefighters and police officers to get in shape. Today, the competition is national, in 28 cities, and all emergency respon·ders are eligible (fifighters, police, paramedics, nurses, military, etc). The general format of the competition is teams of three to five attempt to lose the most percent·age of body fat within a 12-week period. In the past, teams have been all male, all female, or mixed gender. Every participant gets a T-shirt, fit·ness journal, and there will be a fitness seminar at every participating location. The $49 registra·tion fee is donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children, a national hospital system that provides free orthopedic and burn care for children. One winning team from each of the four regions of the country will win $5000 and the national winning team wins $20,000. This is definitely not a body building competi·tion. For example, if someone who is already in shape drops their body fat from 10 to 8 percent, he will be beaten by someone who drops from 50 percent to 45 percent body fat. Body fat percent·age is dropped by losing fat and/or gaining mus·cle. The body fat percentages lost by each team member are averaged together for a team score. Sgt. Sayih says that the team format of the competition appeals to police officers, firefight·ers, and the military because they "know the importance of the team concept--it keeps every·one accountable for one mission." In starting the company and the competition, Sgt. Sayih hopes to "make a difference in a few people's lives, improve their quality of life, and maybe save their lives." For DC, initial measurements will take place on January 17. The deadline to pre-register was on December 29, but late registrations will be accepted. For more information, contact 911 Fitness at 305-297-5328 or 911Fitness.com. Dental Options for Your Pet HOURS OF OPERATION Monday-Friday 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 1 PM Doctor's Hours by appointment, Early Drop Off Service Available, Preventive and Geriatric Health Care, Medical, Surgical, Dental Care Facilities, in House Laboratory and Radiology, Emergencies/Walk-Ins, Hill's Prescription Diets, Bathing 520 8th Street, SE · 202-546-1972 · Fax 202-546-8930 BY JOANNE C AREY, D VM Tooth Troubles Dear Dr. Carey: Midnite has a cavity. The vet said the tooth has to come out but didn't say how soon to do it. She said because of Midnite's heart murmur (grade 3 out of 5 is how she describes it) and age (10 years old), it is slightly risky to put him under. She ran some very expensive "geriatric cat" blood work and determined that it's okay to do the surgery. I don't want to wait too long, but I also am afraid of put·ting him under. He's still very energetic and does-n't seem to like the term "geriatric cat" but I'm still worried. Do you have any suggestions for me? KRISTIN Dear Kristin: As long as your veterinarian considers Midnite to be an acceptable surgical candidate, she will use anes·thesia appropriate for his heart condition and age. It may be more detrimental than you think to keep a bad tooth in the mouth. Infected teeth can pre·dispose pets to heart valve infections (vegetative endocarditis) and kidney disease, if left unchecked. Veterinary dental specialists are trained to han·dle complicated, non-routine cases. They can take X-Rays of the jawbone to determine the extent of the cavity and have equipment necessary for drilling, pulling, and filling--just like human den·tists. Ask your veterinarian if she feels that Midnite's case warrants this kind of care. You will have to dig deeper into your pockets for a specialist, however. If it's needed, it's worth it. If strapped for money, ask about CareCredit, a service that may be available right in the office. The company helps to defray the cost of veterinary bills and makes it easier to choose a more expensive treatment plan that takes care of the problem effi·ciently. Finding a Friend for Tilley Dear Dr. Carey: My wife and I want to get a play companion for Tilley, our sweet natured 4-year-old labradoodle who weighs about 52 pounds. Tilley is playful, gets along well with other dogs, and is not aggressive. Though I am partial to cats, my wife is allergic to cat dander. We have a big enclosed backyard. What kind of companion might you recommend? Adult? Puppy? Another labradoodle? A poodle? Rescued greyhound? Is there a cat that is hypoallergenic? CHRIS Dear Chris: The best companion for Tilley is one that gets along well in your current household. Another labradoo·dle or young dog smaller or similar in weight to your four-year-old, should be acceptable. You have to do a temperament test first to see if the newcom·er fits in. If going for a cat, make sure that Tilley is nice to cats and that the cat isn't terrified around dogs. Cornish Rex cats seem to be less allergenic than other cats. Believe it or not, dogs from animal shelters make good companions in households with existing pets. Make sure to get enough infor·mation on the new pet and ask for a trial period to see if everybody accepts each other. Keep me posted on your potentially growing fam·ily! Surgery Scare Dear Dr. Carey: My veterinarian has recommended exploratory surgery for my cat with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to get a biopsy of his intestines. I'm terrified of him undergoing surgery because of stories I've heard about the dangers of anesthesia and how risky surgery can be. I've had nightmares over this --seeing him split open, his intestines chopped up, and his guts lying all over the table. What do you recommend? SLEEPLESS Dear Sleepless: The surgery to which your veterinarian refers (exploratory laparotomy) is necessary to get confir·mative information on the IBD. The incision is In your post-holiday cleanup, remember to donate your old towels, blankets, sweaters, fur pieces, and such to your local shelters, rescue groups, and veterinary clinics. made in the middle of the abdomen, above and below the navel. The intestines will be carefully (and gently) examined as well as other organs -- spleen, liver, stomach, pancreas, and bladder. Small samples will be taken from several places in the intestines for biopsies. If there is an obvious area of disease, that part will most likely be removed and biopsied, too. While there is always a risk with anesthesia, you have to weigh the benefits of the surgery against not having complete answers to your cat's condi·tion, and therefore perhaps not ideal treatment. Any experienced surgeon will perform blood work prior to the procedure to make sure your cat is a good surgical candidate. Discuss your concerns with your veterinarian and ask to him/her to explain the procedure to you. Your cat's guts will not be spilling off the table onto the floor as you envision! A Neighborly Dilemma Dear Dr. Carey: I am a vet tech, and a neighbor of mine asked me to stop by and look at the family's 22-year-old cat. I was shocked at the condition of the cat and torn apart not knowing how to help. The cat was merely skin and bones, walking in circles, and urinating on herself. I thought to myself that the most humane thing to do was to have the cat put to sleep, but rec·ommended to my friend that the cat be seen by a veterinarian for evaluation. My neighbor's spouse was against the idea, but I don't know why. What else could I have said or done to alleviate the suffer·ing of that cat? SHOCKED AND TORN Dear Shocked and Torn: You can tell your neighbor that, in your experience, the symptoms their cat is experiencing warrants a checkup by a veterinarian immediately. Sometimes people feel a trip to a veterinarian will be too stress·ful for their ill cat. If that is the case, you can rec·ommend they call upon one of their local housecall veterinarians. As a technician, you are not qualified to diagnose a condition, but you can give your opinion to peo·ple. You can tell your neighbors that the symptoms their cat exhibits can be indicative of dehydration which could be due to several causes, but that a diagnosis must be made by a veterinarian. A 22-year old cat, exhibiting the symptoms you describe, most likely is entering the final stages of life, mean·ing the vital organs are shutting down and the cat will soon die. The choice is that of the owners -- to let their cat die slowly at home or to enl the serv·ices of a veterinarian to develop a hospice program with supportive treatment or to set a date for euthanasia. Thank you for your question and concern. This is a difficult and sad situation for anyone involved. Free Roamers Dear Dr. Carey: One of my neighbors has free-roaming cats and one insists upon having her kittens under my porch. I'm feeding them, but what else should I do? ANONYMOUS Dear Anonymous: First, ascertain from your neighbor whether or not he assumes responsibility for the cat. If he does and will not take the cat from your premises, you have recourse to call the humane society for pick-up. If your neighbor does not want the cat, you may declare the cat to be a stray or a "give-up" and try to capture or trap her in order to take her to a clinic to be spayed. You can win the confidence of the mother cat by feeding very palatable food and allowing her to get accustomed to your presence. If she is too feral for you to get your hands on her, get a "Sherman" Live Trap from the humane society, place some tasty food deep into the cage, and wait for her to enter it. After capture, she can be brought to your veterinar·ian, sedated while in the cage, taken out, and spayed. Many times, queens will be very tame and grateful to have a nice warm home after a life on the street with repeated pregnancies. If possible, capture the young kittens so that they can be socialized before they turn feral. They need to be confined to a large cage and exposed to sounds, people, and movement in order to acquaint them with the "human" world. The Trouble with Traveling Dear Dr. Carey: Cleo, my 18-year-old cat, requires subcutaneous flu·ids every other day for an indefinite period of time. Not only does my job require me to travel, I really don't like sticking needles into Cleo. What can I do? ANONYMOUS Dear Anonymous: As a housecall veterinarian, I have seen over the years that many of my clients do not want to stick needles into their pets. You are not alone. First, ask your attending veterinarian if Cleo can board at the clinic. That way, you can be sure that the medications are given and that she is moni·tored closely. If that is not possible, consider board·ing her with a reputable boarding kennel associated with a veterinary facility that can administer med·ications. You should also find out whether your clinic provides housecalls or has referrals for house-calls. There are great cat sitting services that have qualified people who know how to give fluids. Make sure to keep close tabs on Cleo's progress if she stays home with a sitter coming in daily. Many older cats decline when owners are away. They may not eat as well and can lose weight or become dehydrated. It is sometimes difficult for sit·ters and other people to be fine-tuned to an elderly or sick cat's behaviors and habits. Make sure that Cleo's appetite is closely moni·tored and that the home routine is adhered to as much as possible. In a boarding or home situation, make sure that caregivers have your email address and emergency phone numbers, your veterinari· American Elms for 8th Street, SE BY BILL MCLEOD AND THE C ASEY TREES ENDO WMENT onstruction is finally finished on Barracks Row, and only little details are left to tend to. Now that the streets and sidewalks are new, the stage is set for the play - promot·ing the street, restoring the historic buildings, help·ing the current businesses do business better, and attracting new ones. Seven new businesses have opened up in the last few months, and we now have 22 restaurants in all price ranges, bringing the total number of businesses on 8th Street to a whopping 141! Who knew we had so many restaurants, retail establishments, services, nonprofits, and offices? On Dec. 6, over 70 volunteers came out to plant trees and dedicate them in the middle of a snow·storm. Mayor Anthony Williams spoke eloquently about the benefits of American Elms and the revi·talization of Barracks Row. The trees planted on Barracks Row were donated by the Casey Trees Endowment Fund and are part of the long-anticipated rebound of the native American Elm. Remembered as the vase-shaped tree that lined so many U.S. streets, the American Elm is unmatched in its beauty and form as well as its adaptability to urban conditions. It tolerates pol·lution, road salt, compacted soils, and extreme wet and dry conditions. The American Elm's graceful branching habit (shape) creates an arched canopy that harks back to a time when 8th Street was a bustling commercial corridor. The trees began to fail across America's main streets, when Dutch Elm Disease arrived in the United States back in the 1930s; logs infected with the fungus that causes the disease were shipped from France to Cleveland, Ohio. The disease then spread throughout the country by the elm bark beetle, decimat·ing 90 percent of the American Elms over the past 70 years. Though many varieties and hybrids have been tested and grown to replace the native American Elm, no other tree has filled its role as the perfect street tree. Casey Trees has planted Princeton American Elms else·where in the District, beginning an effort this autumn to restore streets designated for American Elms in all Wards across the District. The Princeton Amer·ican Elm was also recently select·ed by the National Park Service to be planted in the redesign of the area in front of the White House. The Princeton American Elm is a native tree highly resistant to Dutch Elm Disease, which will grow faster and to a larger size than the Chinese Elm - the tree originally specified in the plans for Barracks Row. The Princeton American Elm will achieve a larger, more dramatic shade canopy, con·tributing to the traditional character of a historic neighborhood. Though the original specifications called for 4" diameter Chinese Elms, Casey Trees provided small·er, 2-3" caliper Princeton American Elms, which will overcome the shock of transplanting more quickly and will take less time to reach full size because less of the original root system is lost upon transplanting. The trees strike a healthy balance between immediate effect and durability, a quick establishment period, and long-term survivability and maturation. In the end, the Princeton American Elm will grow more quickly to a larger size and form a beautiful canopy over 8th Street - like a cathedral ceiling. In research testing at the USDA National Arboretum in the mid 1990s, several selected vari·eties and chance seedlings of American Elm were inoculated with severe doses of the most aggressive strain of Dutch Elm Disease. Of all the trees tested, three varieties were found to have exceptional tol·erance of the fungus and the ability to recover from the unnatural heavy dosages. Of those varieties, only one had originally been selected for superior ornamental features - the Princeton American Elm. The Princeton American Elm's disease resistance turned out to be an astonishing bonus overlooked for several decades supported by the fact that those very streets planted with Princeton American Elms in 1932 have a 95 percent survival rate from all causes today. No other variety comes anywhere close to this success rate. Chinese Elms have been a valuable addition to the landscape tree palette. Most of the newer and patented introductions were selected as possible substitutes for the decimated American Elm, as was the case with most shade tree introduc· tions of the latter half of the 20th century. These trees are not nearly as cold hardy as American Elms, and Washington, DC is consid·ered within the northernmost location of their cli·mate range. Their mature size is roughly one-half to two-thirds that of an American Elm. In the case of the Bosque elm, it appears to be a superior Chinese Elm selection with a natural strong central leader (trunk) and good tolerance to hotter, drier condi·tions, but does seem to need a well-drained site to thrive. As with many new tree introductions, cer·tain disease and pest problems may not become evi·dent until the tree has aged. Problems such as these have occurred in other somewhat older Chinese Elm selections as the y have matured. It is important to remember that all species of trees have disease and pest issues, since they are living things, and fac·tors governing street-tree selection should be care·fully considered based on site specific environmen·tal conditions and requirements. I love trees--all trees, so don't get me wrong. As a former volunteer for the National Park Service, I planted and maintained 110 trees in Meridian Hill Park for a number of years. Chinese Ems are beauti·ful trees and are strikingly visible around DC--espe-cially in winter when their interesting, pealing barks glows the color of cinnamon. I'm so enthusi·astic about Washington's oldest commercial corri·dor being replanted with American Elms. I may never live see a 100-year old canopy over Barracks Row, but I can catch a glimpse of what Barracks Row will look like in the future at the Elm groves on the National Mall and the few remaining old elms on New Hampshire Avenue and R Street, NW. Planting a tree today is an investment for the future, and planting American Elms is a reinvest·ment in our heritage. Bill McLeod os th Executive Director of Main Street Barracks Row. Final Public School Open House Set for January 5 BY LISA M. TATE n open house for the Capitol Hill Cluster School will be held on Jan. 15 for parents exploring neighborhood public school options. This final open house of the 2003-'04 school year is scheduled in order for parents to have a chance to visit the school and meet with parents and teachers prior to the out of bounds registration period for District of Columbia Public Schools, which begins on Jan. 28. Residents of Capitol Hill may be required to register for CHCS depending on one's exact address. Interested parents and even "parents in waiting" are invited to visit any of the three Cluster campus·es between 9 a.m. and noon on Jan. 15. Tours, which include a presentation by the principal and Q&A discussion, begin at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at both Peabody and Watkins campuses. This sched·ule allows parents to visit both schools in a single morning. Parents may visit Stuart-Hobson at any time between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on January 15th. Following are frequently asked questions about CHCS: What exactly is "the Cluster"? The Cluster School is unique public school concept comprising three campuses on Capitol Hill - Peabody (pre-K and K) at 425 C Street, NE; Watkins Elementary (grades 1-4) at 420 12th Street, SE; and Stuart-Hobson Middle School (grades 5-8) at 410 E Street, NE. With a single principal, PTA, and school administration, the Cluster provides a seamless educational experience for children pre-K through middle school. Why was the Cluster created? CHCS was created 25 years ago by a pioneering group of parents new to Capitol Hill and parent·hood, along with a forward thinking principal, Viola Jackson. Faced with the prospect of moving off the Hill or driving their children across town for good schools, these parents decided instead to invest in their local public school. Pooling their resources, they focused on sending all of their chil·dren to one struggling school with an eye toward making that school the best it could be. How many children attend CHCS? Today, a little more than 800 children are receiving an education on the three campuses of the Cluster School, and there are approximately 120 slots each year for children entering pre-K. Many of teachers Below: Learning with a buddy is more fun. Immediate right: After building gingerbread houses, first grade students ponder: dave or eat now? Far right: Even in winter, students use the CHCS Watkins garden for learning. continued on page 61 Kids' Calendar COMPILED BY C ALEND AR FELLA Friday, January 2 · Taming of the Shrew -- Ballet Austin offers a lively adaptation of Shakespeare's delightfully witty tale of improbable love. 7:30 p.m. All ages, tickets $10 - $14. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, 202-467-4600. (Additional performances on January 3 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and January 4 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.). Saturday, January 3 · Digital Painting -- Young artists are invited to use computers to broaden the scope of traditional painting. 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Ages 3 and up. Capital Children's Museum. 800 Third Street NE, 202-675-4120. · Daruma Dolls -- Make an Indian daruma doll of your very own to bring good luck and special wishes in the New Year. 12 noon - 3 p.m. Capital Children's Museum. (Program repeats on January 4). Friday, January 9 · WCCM-TV: Special Effects -- Discover the visual tricks that make space ships fly and people shrink, as we learn the secrets behind special effects. 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Ages 5 - 15. Space islimited, so sign up at the front desk on the day of the activity. Capital Children's Museum. (Program repeats on January 13, January 19, January 23, and January 30). Saturday, January 10 · Bravo Brass -- As part of the National Symphony Orchestra's Kinderkonzerts series, the NSO's Brass Principals Quintet entertains and educates with a varied program that highlights the unmistakable sound and rich history of brass music. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. All ages, tickets $14. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. · Cartoon Characters -- Learn animation basics and design your own cartoon character in the CCM Animation Lab. 11 a.m. - 11:45, 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m., 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Space is limited, so sign up at the front desk on the day of the activity. (Program repeats on January 17.). · Fukuwarai -- Enjoy playing fukuwarai -- the Japanese version of "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" -- then make your own game to take home. 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Capital Children's Museum. (Program repeats on January 11, January 17, and January 18). · Lotteria -- Come play lotteria, the Mexican version of bingo! 12 noon - 3 p.m. Capital Children's Museum. (Program repeats on January 11). · Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream -- Use liquid nitrogen to freeze your own ice cream, then enjoy the tasty results. 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Ages 2 and up. CapitalChildren's Museum. Sunday, January 11 · Scienterrific Sunday: Crystal Patterns -- Investigate the crystal patterns found in salt, sugar, and various minerals with a magnifying glass, and then create your own sparkling artwork. 12 noon - 3 p.m. Ages 3 and up. Capital Children's Museum. · Rowhouse Design --Mark the opening of the musuem's new "Rowhouse Redux" exhibition, which cel· ebrates the city's historic row houses, by building and decorating a rowhouse façade of your own. 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. All ages,$5 per façade. National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, 202-272-2448. Tuesday, January 13 · Wee Wonders: A Bird! A Plane! -- Explore the won·ders of science with a hands-on session of experi·ments, games, and art. 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon. Ages 2 ·5, $11 materials fee with advance registration required. (Program repeats on January 20). Thursday, January 15 · WCCM-TV: Weather or Not -- Write a weather report based upon your own Mouse Pad Computer Lab meteor·ological research. 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Ages 5 - 15. Space is limited,so sign up at the front desk on the day of the activity. Capital Children's Museum. (Program repeats on January 22). Friday, January 16 · People of the Land -- Native North American per·formers celebrate the spirit of the land in a moving and mesmerizing program that combines the dress, dances, music, songs, and stories of the Blackfoot, Cree, Lakota, Mohawk, and Ojibway nations. 7 p.m. Ages 5 and up, tickets $14. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (Additional performances on January 17 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and January 18 at 1 p.m). Saturday, January 17 · Kidspy: Spy Magic -- Take part in the fun and mys·tery as secret agent-magician James Wand demon·strates slight of hand, misdirection, and the fine art of disappearing. 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Ages 8 and up, tickets $11 with 1 adult for every 2 children. Advance registration required. International Spy Museum, 800 F Street NW, 202-EYE-SPYU. · Bolero -- Make your own version of bolero, a fp and ball game. 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Capital Children's Museum. (Program repeats on January 18, January 24, and January 25). Sunday, January 18 · Flying in the Great Hall-- Study the concepts of air·plane flight as the DC Maxecuters fly their rubber band-driven models in the Building Museum's Great Hall. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. National Building Museum. · Airplane Mobiles -- Create and decorate a simple airplane mobile in this craft workshop. 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. All ages,$3 per mobile. National Building Museum. Monday, January 19 · Create a Face -- Celebrate variety, harmony, and community by creating a face to add to CCM's Diversity Wall. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Capital Children's Museum. · African Stories in the Americas -- "Story Man" Baba Jamal Koram dazzles and charms with a unique story spinning style that combines West African folktales, proverbs, riddles, songs, chants, and spirit drumming. His current offering was specially designed for the week of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday! 7:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up, tickets $14. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (Additional performances on January 23 at 7:30 p.m., January 24 at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and January 25 at 1:30 p.m). Friday, January 23 · City Vision -- DC public middle school students pres·ent their projects for updating and improving the Anacostia, LeDroit Park, and Petworth neighborhoods as part of this ongoing architectural design program. 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Call 202-272-2448,x3556 or email slemmon@nbm.org before January 21 to attend. National Building Museum. · Gruffalo -- Clever, crafty Mouse comes up against the very creepy creature he has conjured in this fanci·ful, song-filled adaptation of the popular children's pic·ture book. 7:30 p.m. Ages 4 and up, tickets $14. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (Additional per·formances on January 24 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and on January 25 at 1 p.m.). Saturday, January 24 · Animated Valentine -- Create and videotape an ani·mated valentine for your family and friends in the CCM Animation Lab. 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. All ages, $15 registration fee for up to 10 people per 1 hour session, with advance registration required. Capitol Children's Museum (Program repeats on January 31). Sunday, January 25 · Scienterrific Sunday: Spooky, Cool Dry Ice -- Come and see what kind of scientific tricks you can do with "dry ice," a solidified form of carbon dioxide that quickly changes to a gas as it heats up. 12 noon - 3 p.m. Ages 2 and up. Capital Children's Museum. Friday, January 30 · Arabian Nights -- The amazing musicians of Tales & Scales transform themselves and their instruments into characters from Arabian Nights in this interpretive retelling of one of literature's most beloved works. 7 p.m. Ages 5 and up,tickets $14. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (Additional performances on January 31 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and February 1 at 1 p.m). Saturday, January 31 · Spinning Winter Tales -- Step into a fantastic world of disguises, animated statues, and magical bears as you encounter Shakespeare's enchanted The Winter's Tale in this family-oriented storytelling workshop. 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Ages 8 - 14,tickets $10. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, 202-544-4600. · Masonary Sculptures -- Learn how artisans use brick, concrete, stone, and terrazzo to build structures by visiting the "Masonry Variations" exhibit, then create your own tile artwork. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. All ages, $5 per sculpture. National Building Museum. · Setsubun -- Learn about Setsubun, the Japanese celebration marking the end of winter. Then make a commemorative oni mask of your very own. 12 p.m. -3p.m. Capitol Children's Museum. Are you planning an event that kids would love? Send info to editor@voiceofthehill.com. COMPILED BY JULIA R OBEY January 2 Jazz up your new year with Arch Thompson and Friends at Ellington's on Eighth, 424-A 8th St., SE. For information, call 202-546-8308 January 3 FAMILY WORKSHOP: Make your very own Daruma Doll for your spe·cial new year's wishes from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Capital Children's Museum, 800 3rd St., NE. This program is free with admission. Admission is $7; $5 for seniors 55 and over; and free for mem·bers and children 2. Learn more at www.ccm.org. January 4 PHOTO SAFARI: The Corcoran's Beyond the Frame sculpture exhibition is a photographer's dream. These life-size rep·resentations of famous Impressionist paintings cry out to have their pic·tures taken and to have you pose friends and fam·ily among the figures. Participate in this exclu·sive photo safari with E. David Luria, director of the Washington Photo Safari, who provides hands-on instruction on the best camera angles, composi·tion, and informal portrai·ture, and how to photo·graph works of art in a museum without flash or tripod. Any skill level is invited; any camera will do, from disposable to dig·ital. Space is limited to 20 persons; early registration is recommended. This program starts at 10 a.m. at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Admission is $50 for members and $55 for non-members. Visit www.corcoran.org to for more information or to purchase tickets. January 5 PRINTMAKING & BOOK ARTS WORKSHOP: The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop presents a special 4-week workshop, led by Alexandra Huttinger, that offers an exciting introduc·tion to printmaking and book arts. Through dis·cussion and demonstra·tion, students will learn how to effectively plan and www.voiceofthehill.com Community calendar create a unique book illus-gram is suitable for chil-ture, she will sign copies experience firsthand the trated with the student's dren ages 5-15. Space is of her book New story of women's heroism own relief and/or mono-limited; sign up at the front Moroccan Style: The Ar t by seeing pictures, books, type prints. desk the day of the activi-of Sensual Living and newspapers from the Recommended for stu-ty. (Clarkson Potter). The lec-time period. The program dents who have some ture is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. is from 9:45 a.m. to 12 printmaking experience. January 10 and admission is $10 for noon and takes place on The workshop is from ART OPENING: The museum members and the third Saturday of each 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. and con-Capitol Hill Art League students and $15 for non-month at the Sewall·tinues each Monday invites you to the opening members. Registration is Belmont House and through February 2. reception and gallery talk required. Museum, 144 Constitution Tuition is $88 and there is for its January show, The Ave., NE. There is a $5 a $10 fee for materials. Shape of Things, from 5 January 14 fee per child and refresh-For more information, visit to 7 p.m. in the gallery at WESTERN FILM: Films ments are provided. www.chaw.org.To register, the Capitol Hill Arts on the Hill presents Texas Adults are welcome to call 202-547-6839. Workshop. Guest judge (1941), starring a young attend with their child. Call Lisa Scheer will give a William Holden and an 202-546-1210 ext. 11 to gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. equally young Glenn Ford reserve a space. Learn January 7 This exhibit will be on dis-as Confederate veterans more about the museum ADVENTURE FILM: play through January 31, wandering through the online at www.sewall Films on the Hill presents 2004. For more informa-Texas prairies after the belmont.org. False Faces (1919), an tion, call 202-547-6839 or war. They wind up in cat-early Lon Chaney film in visit www.chaw.org/ tle-rustling and rivalry for CONSTRUCTION TOUR: which he's not the star, league.htm. Claire Trevor. An amazing Washington's Studio but he's certainly the vil-prizefight and a cattle Theater has begun an lain! A reformed crook is FILM: Famed for sensu-stampede are two high-$11 million expansion into working as a U.S. spy in ous forms and technical lights. The film starts at 7 two adjoining buildings WWI, pitted against a innovations, Catalan p.m. at the Capitol Hill along the re-emerging German master spy in a architect Antoni Gaudí's Arts Workshop, 545 7th 14th Street corridor. Bill fight to the finish involving best known works include St., SE. Admission is $5, Bonstra, AIA, ofoats and submarines. the iconic El Temple de La and is payable at the door. Architects PC, will lead a The adventure begins at 7 Sagrada Família. In his For more information, call tour from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Capitol Hill new film Gaudí: The Spirit 202-547-6839 or visit p.m. at the Studio Theater, Arts Workshop, 545 7th of Barcelona, filmmaker www.filmsonthehill. com. on the corner of 14th and St., SE. Admission is $5, Luis Buñuel explores the T Streets, NW. Be one of and is payable at the door. architect's life and work January 15 the first people to lay eyes For more information, call and uncovers the strange MEETING: A public peet-on the new space, which 202-547-6839 or visit and miraculous spirit of ing of the EMCAC will be will include two new the-www.filmsonthehill. com. his architecture. You can held at 8 p.m. at the atres, a glassed atrium, see this special film for Rumsey Aquatic Center, an entrance lobby, a box DESIGN LECTURE: The free at 1 p.m. at the on North Carolina Avenue, office, and classroom National Building Museum National Building SE next to Eastern space. This special tour is presents its Spotlight on Museum. Registration is Market. only to National Building Design lecture, featuring not required. Museum members and Boston-based Machado January 16 the fee is $14. Appropriate and Silvetti Associates, a January 11 WESTERN FILM: Films clothing is required. firm known for projects FAMILY PROGRAM: on the Hill presents Prepaid registration is that are distinctive for both Rowhouses define the Arizona (1940), featuring required and must be their conceptual clarity character of many neigh-popular star Jean Arthur received by January 12. and visual intensity. borhoods in Washington, as a hellcat who bests Founding principal D.C. Take the whole family bad guys at every turn. January 18 Rodolfo Machado will dis-to the National Building William Holden, in only his FAMILY PROGRAM: cuss his firm's work, Museum from 12:30 to 4 fourth film and first west-Learn about model air-including the renovation p.m. to build and decorate ern, catches her eye as planes as members of the and addition to the Getty your very own rowhouse he travels through Arizona DC Maxecuters fly their Villa in Malibu, California, façade using a variety of to California. Meticulous rubber band-powered, and the Silver Spring Civic craft materials. This pro-period work, lots of action, free-flight model airplanes Building and Veterans gram complements the majestic scenery and in a series of launches in Plaza in Silver Spring, exhibition Rowhouse beautiful photography the National Building Maryland. Following the Redux. The fee is $5 per make this an enjoyable Museum's Great Hall. This lecture, Machado will sign façade and the program is western. The film starts at event is from 11 a.m. to 4 copies of his books. The appropriate for all ages. 7 p.m. at the Capitol Hill p.m. and is free to the lecture is from 6:30 to 8 Registration is not Arts Workshop, 545 7th public. Registration is not p.m. and the fee is $12 for required. St., SE. Admission is $5, required. museum members; $17 and is payable at the door. for nonmembers; and $10 January 12 For more information, call January 20 for students. Prepaid reg-MOROCCAN ARCHITEC-202-547-6839 or visit EARLY CHILDHOOD: istration is required. TURE LECTURE: The www.filmsonthehill. com. Take the kids to the National Building Museum Capital Children's presents author Susan January 17 Museum to explore the January 9 Sully who will discuss the SPECIAL: Discover how magic of science with KID TV: The Capital Moroccan style, a blend-women won the right to hands-on games, experi-Children's Museum pres-ing of indigenous North vote by becoming a ments, art projects, and ents WCCM-TV: Special African, Middle Eastern, Sewall-Belmont House more through a special Effects from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and European architectur-and Museum Young program, Wee Wonders: A and 3 to 3:45 p.m. al languages, and show Suffragist. Learn how Bird! A Plane! This activi-Discover simple tricks that how it continues to reflect women won the right to ty, suitable for kids ages make space ships fly and the unique history of its vote, make your own 2-5, is from 10:30 a.m. to people shrink! This pro-region. Following the lec-protest banners, and 12 noon and there is an open to the public from 10 are $15 and are available January 23 entry for details. a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday by calling 800-494-TIXS, details. through Saturday, and will online at www.madcap January 29 be on display through May players.com, or at the box January 26 THEATER: The MadCap 23 at the Folger office 30 minutes prior to DANCE: The Corcoran Players present Winter Shakespeare Library, on each performance. There Gallery of Art presents a Carnival of New Works at East Capitol Street is ample street parking Spectacular Evening of 2 p.m at the H Street between 2nd and 3rd after 6:30 p.m. For venue Spanish Dance, featuring Playhouse. Refer to Streets, SE. information, log on to Ziva's Spanish Dance January 23 entry for www.hstreetplayhouse. Ensemble. Ziva is consid-details. January 23 com. ered, by critics and the THEATER PREVIEW: public alike, to be the THEATER: Catalyst Romance and joy are res-January 24 most elegant and spectac-Theater Company pres·urrected from grief THEATER OPENING: A ular interpreter of Spanish ents George Orwell's through the redemptive visionary classic comes to dance in this area. The 1984 at 8 p.m. at the power of art in the world the stage in Catalyst strength and unity of her Capitol Hill Arts premiere of Melissa Theater Company's ensemble form the back-Workshop. Refer to Arctic, Craig Wright's new brand-new adaptation of bone of the show, and her January 24 entry for play inspired by George Orwell's 1984. exciting troupe adorned in details. Shakespeare's late With party-line doubles-authentic vibrantly colored romance, The Winter's peak flooding the air-costumes exudes capti-January 30 Tale. In mythical small waves and civil liberties vating energy. Ziva, with THEATER: The MadCap towns of Minnesota, the eroding in the name of outstanding dancer, Jorge Players present Winter$11 fee for materials. January 22 lives of Leonard Matsen national security, Orwell's Navarro, present new Carnival of New Works atAdvance registration is THEATER PREVIEW: (Leontes), his wife Mina haunting novel has never choreographies, coupling 8 p.m at the H Street required. Call 202-675-Don't miss the MadCap (Hermione), and their seemed timelier. Company modern music with tradi-Playhouse. Refer to 4120 for details or to reg-Players' third annual childhood friend Paul member Christopher Gallu tional flamenco dance, the January 23 entry for ister. Winter Carnival of New (Polixenes) are forever directs his own world-pre- essence of today's fla-details. Works. This series of January 21 staged 10-minute plays is changed by jealousy and miere adaptation, starring menco theater. The per-self-doubt. This preview Washington favorite Ralph formance is punctuated by THEATER: CatalystART LECTURE: The a collaborative effort of performance is at 8 p.m. Cosham and Catalyst's live accompaniment of Theater Company pres-Corcoran Gallery of Art local playwrights, direc-at the Folger Shakespeare artistic director Scott guitarists Guillermo ents George Orwell's presents Striking tors, actors, and design-Fortier. The cast also Christie and Torcuato 1984 at 8 p.m. at the Encounters with Ir ving ers. Admission to the pre- Theater, on East Capitol Street between 2nd and includes company mem-Zamora. The show starts Capitol Hill Arts Sandler at 7 p.m. Irving view is on a pay-what-3rd Streets, SE. Preview bers Christopher Janson, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $16 Workshop. Refer to Sandler has been a vital you-can basis and tickets tickets range from $25-33 Dan Via and Ellen Young, for members and $20 for January 24 entry for presence in the center of will only be available at and there are additional plus Synetic Theatre's non-members and are details. the New York art world the theater box office after previews at 8 p.m. on Irina Koval. The show available online at from Abstract 7 p.m. For more inform a-January 24, and at 7:30 begins at 7:30 p.m. at the www.corcoran.org. January 31 Impressionism to the tion, visit www.madcap p.m. on January 25, 27, Capitol Hill Arts ANIMATED VALEN-present day. He has been players.com or email info and 28. Regular perform-Workshop, 545 7th St., SE January 27 TINES: Create an animat·friend or acquaintance of @madcapplayers.com. ances begin January 29 and runs through LECTURE: Architectural ed valentine on videotape virtually every important and continue through February 28, 2004. settings have always been for your special someone American artist of the EXHIBITION OPENING: February 29 on Tuesday Admission is $20 for backdrops for the film in the Capital Children's post-war period. From his The Folger Shakespeare (except February 3), Thursday evenings and director's tale, but often Museum's Animation Lab. striking encounters with Library presents Word Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday matinees and these backdrops move This activity, suitable for de Kooning, Rothko, and Image: The Trevelyon and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.; $25 for Friday and upstage and become a all ages, takes place every Reinhardt, Newman, and Miscellany of 1608. Friday & Saturday Saturday evenings. For supporting actor, the prin- hour, on the hour, begin- David Smith, to his partici-Thomas Trevelyon's elabo- evenings at 8 p.m.; pation in the heated criti-rately-illustrated miscel-Saturday and Sunday tickets, log on to www. cipal protagonist, or the ning at 11 a.m. and end-catalysttheater.com or call main story. In this lecture, ing at 4 p.m. There is a cal warfare between lany is essentially a histo-matinees at 2 p.m.Tickets 800-494-TIXS. Stanley Ira Hallet, profes-$15 registration fee for up Harold Rosenberg and ry of England and the are $30-38 for Tuesday, sor, architect and docu-to 10 people (membership Clement Greenberg, there world since the beginning Wednesday, Thursday, is no one else whose per-of time. Covering an and Sunday evenings; sonal chronicle is also the astonishing range of sub-$35-43 for weekend mati·living memory of the NY jects, the display includes nees; and $40-48 for THEATER: The MadCap mentary filmmaker--with discount available) per Players present Winter four movies as exam-hour session and advance Carnival of New Works at ples--compares film registration is required. 8 p.m at the H Street space and architectural Call 202-675-4120 for art world. Sandler pres-a picture calendar with the Friday and Saturday ents a captivating and occupations of each evenings. Visit www.fol-vivid tale uniquely inter-month, a gazetteer, Old ger.edu for more informa·twining critical judgements Testament history, tion. Playhouse. Refer to space, film frame and information or to register. January 23 entry for architectural frame, the details. architecture of settings THEATER: The MadCap versus the architecture of Players present Winter and personal experience. proverbs and epigrams, His book, A Sweeper-Up portraits of the kings and January 25 the set, the movement of Carnival of New Works at THEATER OPENING: YOUTH CONCERT: The the frame and the archi-8 p.m at the H Street After Ar tists (Thames and queens of England and The MadCap Players Capitol Hill Youth Chorus tecture of the shot. The Playhouse. Refer to Hudson, 11/03) will be Scotland, well-known his- present the third annual presents their winter con-lecture begins at 7 p.m. January 23 entry for available for signing. torical figures, allegorical Winter Carnival of New cert, Winter Winds. The Admission is $12 for details. Tickets are $12 for figures, Ptolemy's descrip-Works, a series of staged time and location are still members and $16 for Corcoran members and tions of the sixes of the 10-minute written, per-TBD, but you can get non-members. Tickets are THEATER: Catalyst $16 for non-members. planets, alphabets in dif- formed, designed, and more information online at available at www.corco- Theater Company pres- Tickets are available ferent styles of handwrit-directed by local artists. www.chaw.org/chyc.htm or ran.org. ents George Orwell's online at www.corcoran. ing, and patterns and The show starts at 8 p.m. by calling the Capitol Hill 1984 at 8 p.m. at the org. designs for the applied at the H Street Playhouse, Arts Workshop at 202-January 28 Capitol Hill Arts arts. The exhibition is 1365 H St., NE. Tickets 547-6839. THEATER: Catalyst Workshop. Refer to Theater Company pres-January 24 entry for THEATER: The MadCap ents George Orwell's details. Players present Winter 1984 at 8 p.m. at the Log on and join in! Carnival of New Works at Capitol Hill Arts Send your organization's 8 p.m at the H Street Workshop. Refer to events to editor@voice www.voiceofthehill.com Playhouse. Refer to January 24 entry for ofthehill.com. STARRY DAYS Eastern Standard Time Edition Your Astrological Guide to the Pursuit of Happiness BY JEFFREY HO WARD © All rights reserved This calendar works regardless of your birthday! There's more to astrology than sun signs. Astrologers look at all the planets, and the planets are moving into new signs and relationships. The movement of the planets signals possibilities. Virtual doorways open and close. Experiment: Observe what happens when you allow yourself to step into the magic of a moment aligned with the stars. STARRY DAYS is written for each time zone to help us find the shifting tides of opportunity. Using this calendar can help us all in our pursuit of happiness. May you be happy. Thursday, January 1 Tuesday, January 13 Saturday, January 24 As this year begins, look into Affirm, and practice, the gold-Both work, and religion, con-earth tones, contemplate en rule. tain inspiration today. four-legged creatures, and be Sunday, January 25 a bulwark for stability even in Wednesday, January 14 the midst of shifting tides. As you prepare for bed, con-Take a moment, now and template the existence of a again, to contemplate the Friday, January 2 supreme being. enormous increase in the At 20 after 2 p.m., begin to population of the world since prepare for a new project. Thursday, January 15 the beginning of the Industrial Review your plans for this Revolution. Saturday, January 3 year at 9:33 a.m. Jupiter turns retrograde just before 7 p.m. Review your Friday, January 16 Monday, January 26 plans for this year. Complete all the projects you Make plans to visit a sports can by the end of the day. museum. Sunday, January 4 Go small in a big way. Saturday, January 17 Tuesday, January 27 Plans made in the morning, Prayer before sleep is always Monday, January 5 bring success after lunch. a plus (like chewing our food). Early morning dreams can bring a lesson regarding Sunday, January 18 Wednesday, January 28 strength. Just before bedtime, ask your-Make a lunch for yourself you self: "How do I feel?" can bring to work today. Tuesday, January 6 Mercury turns direct at quar-Monday, January 19 Thursday, January 29 ter to 9 a.m. Seek fun! Seek After lunch your face may be Faith is the mover of moun·pleasure. long. Change your energy by tains. imagining how your Wednesday, January 7 work situation would improve Friday, January 30 The Moon is full at 10:40 if your co-workers were the Gather your best friends at 8 a.m. Pursue personal growth. Three Stooges. p.m. Observe what happens over the next 30 Thursday, January 8 Tuesday, January 20 minutes. Put some color into your Focused energy gains lunch. Use pieces of food. desires. Saturday, January 31 After dinner, express yourself. Friday, January 9 Wednesday, January 21 Talk, write, change clothes, This afternoon, communica-This morning, review your change your hairstyle, sing, tions that repeat deserve your plans for dealing with the dance, make lists. Go out. attention. unexpected. Wait until tomor· row to implement any Ajai has changed his byline Saturday, January 10 changes. to Jeffrey Howard. It has Begin your new year's diet at 9:37 p.m. Observe the Thursday, January 22 been nine years since Jeffrey lived in a yoga ashram, where effects tomorrow. Set aside time this afternoon he was known as Ajai. A new to think about your future. Sunday, January 11 year brings change. Reconnect with your new Friday, January 23 year's resolutions. Still in touch with your new Jeffrey Howard can be year's resolutions? Take reached at mayyoubehappy Monday, January 12 stock. How are you @aol.com Organized desk drawers maxi-doing? mize efficiency. Books Help Wanted For Rent Historic cemetery on Hill Wanted to purchase seeks 10hr/wk groundskeep- Quality used books. Single vol-er: overseeing landscape Storage/Garage Space umes or entire library! Call work, the preparation and Available. Steve at Riverby Books, 202-restoration of gravesites, trim-Secure, 24 hour easy access. 544-1925 ming trees and shrubs, over-Capitol Hill, 1 block from seeing volunteer crews, and metro. 10x20 garages. light maintenance. Must have $125/month. 202-543-3370Books Bought and Sold. a preservation ethic and or mberman@his.comWe want what you can give, adhere to the highest ethical we pay what we can afford. standards. Description at Capitol Hill Books. Capitol www.congressionalcemetery. Hill's used bookstore across org. Email resume: Health Services the street from Eastern congressionalcemetery@att.ne Market. 657 C Street, SE, t. by June 16th Call (202) Jungian Analysis 202-544-1621 543-0539 Consultations available on Capitol Hill. Alan Friend, Employment Help wanted--Able to M.Div., Dipl.Psy. Member IAAP, APA. 410-625-8193 grow. Assistant Manager -- Fragers Hardware needs a Retail multi-tasker for cashiering, Outgoing, friendly, hard-working counter person, stocking, and Volunteering individual want for busy pet computer work. Good employ-boutique. Retail experience ment history a must. Full or Volunteers required, pet experience pre-part time. Apply in person to ferred. Contact Dennis at Nick, Steve, Edwin or John. Historic Congressional Doolittle's, 202-544-8710 1115 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Cemetery, founded in 1807, is the burial site of Americans who played significant roles in Help Wanted Services the nation's history. The Cemetery is developing public Build Your Own Business Custom Stained Glass programming and educational Ever consider a lucrative busi-STAINED GLASS - custom initiatives. Volunteers are ness in real estate sales? designed, hand cut and pro-needed to assist with Come learn how agents are fessionally installed. genealogical research, tours, earning incomes of $65,000-Specializing in transoms, win-and visitor services. For job $600,000. Learn what is dows and even pet portraits! descriptions and an applica· involved in getting started and Recapture the beauty of tion, call (202) building your business. Learn stained glass in your home or 543-0539. how soon you can start. Learn give that special gift of color. why some brokerage firms are For an appt in your home con-better for beginners than oth-tact Sallie @ "Bent Light" -Volunteers Needed ers. 1 hour, FREE career semi-703-660-6565 MURALS PROJECT: Need vol·nars are held most Tuesdays unteer coordinator/participant at 1p.m. You must register to refurbishing thirteen MONDRI-attend. 202-393-8271x155. Cleaning Service AN murals, Sixth Street, SE, Larry.Kamins@Prudential Residential and commercial freeway underpass. Would Carruthers.com. cleaning. Reasonable rates, work with master muralist Prudential Carruthers REAL-references available. Carpet Bryon Peck (supervising city TORS, Capitol Hill office. cleaning, move in, move out, youth volunteers) and project construction cleanup. originator Warren Robbins, Help Wanted Licensed, bonded and insured Founder Museum of African Cleaning person wanted part-Call Rosemary Clean-4U, 202-Art. robbinscenter@ yahoo. time for retail and grooming 320-0805 or 202-518-9449 com; fax (202-544-9352). shop. Contact: Dennis @ Doolittle's 202-544-8710; Fax Volunteer Opportunity 202-544-9712. The Kreeger Museum is seek·ing docents to assist in giving Help Wanted tours to school groups from Dog Groomer--Full time pro- throughout the District who fessional dog groomer wanted are visiting the galleries. for upscale Capitol Hill salon. Training will cover the collec-Experience required. Starting tion as well as tour tech-bonus. Contact: Dennis @ Vacation Rentals niques for working with chil-Doolittle's 202-544-8710; Fax dren and will begin on May 202-544-9712. Beach Vacation/Golf 27. To learn more or to Reserve for this season or a request an application, fall golf outing. Cherry Grove please call 202-337-3050 or Section, No. Myrtle Beach, visit our website, South Carolina. 3BR 2BA www.kreegermuseum.org home, 1 block from beach with dock and channel at back door. Over 100 golf courses nearby, and more mini-golf than you can play. Rent the Robeys' beach cot-tage....call 202-546-7410 for rates or www.voiceofthehill/ cricket.htm To place a classified: Log on to www.voiceofthehill.com, go the newspaper drop down button, and click on "Classifieds." Then follow the directions for placing an ad. Classifieds are posted online and in the next printed edition of The Voice. The cost is $25 payable by credit card through the website. You may also fax your ad to 202-318-7806. For info, call 202-544-0703.For display advertising, call Bruce Robey at 202-544-0703 or 202-841-9080. Accounting Marina Martin, MBA Innovative and versatile range of services for small busi·ness and non-profits 547-9536 Thomas Jenkins and Company Certified Public Accountants Tax & Financial Planning Corporation/Partnership 547-9004 See our ad on page 7 Air Conditioning & Heating John W. Fulcher 510 13th, SE, 544-8156 Service, replacements, instal·lations Antiques Phoenix Gallery 325 7th St., SE 547-7070 Antique and Contemporary Leasing, 709 12th St., SE 547-3030 See our ad on page 15 Attorneys Rick Halberstein & Karen Byrne 705 D St., SE 543-1110 Arts Center Capitol Hill Arts Workshop 545 7th St., SE 547-6839 See our ad on page 30 & 43 Association CHAMPS 621 PA Ave., SE 547-7788 Bank National Capital Bank 316 PA Ave.,SE 546-8000 wwwnationalcapitalbank.com See our ad on page 23 Bed and Breakfast Doolittle Guest House 504 E. Capitol Street, SE 546-6622 See our ad on page 5 Maison Orleans 414 5th Street, SE, 544-3694 maisonorln@aol.com Bicycles Capitol Hill Bikes 709 8th St.,SE 544-4234 Books Capitol Hill Books 657 C Street, SE, 544-1621 Good Used Books Bought & Sold. Liber Antiquus, Early Imprinted Books 19 D St, SE 546-2413 Riverby Books 419 E. Capitol St., SE 547-3228 See our ad on page 43 Catering Classic Affairs classicaffairscatering.com 504 Constitution Ave NE 202-543-4462 Chimney Cleaning Winston's Chimney Service Washington DC (301)571-8546 Church Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church Worship Sunday 11am, Sunday School 9:45am wwwcapitolhillpreschurch.org 201 4th St, SE 547-8676 See our ad on page 13 Christ Church + Washington Parish 620 G St., SE 547-9300 See our ad on page 26 Lutheran Church of the Reformation 212 E. Capitol St., SE, 543-4200 www.reformationdc.org See our ad on page 10 St. James' Episcopal Church 222 8th St., SE, 546-1746 www.saintjameschurch.org See our ad on page 7 St. Peter's Church 2nd & C Street, SE 547-1430 See our ad on page 58 Clothing & Gifts Art & Soul 225 PA Ave., SE 548-0105 See our ad on page 7 The Village 705 N. Carolina Ave., SE 546-3040 See our ad on page 4 Computer Consultant Better Computer Solutions 623 N. Carolina Ave., SE 546-8084 Dog walking services Zoolatry, Inc 202-547-WALK www.zoolatry.com Mid-Day Dog walking Service Insured - Bonded Drug Store Grubbs Care Pharmacy 326 E Capitol Street SE 543-4400 See our ad on page 23 Electric Repairs Bob Willett / K&W Electric 301-283-4004 Service work small jobs Flea Market The Flea Market at Eastern Market. Sundays, Eastern Market and Hine Junior High School. 175 Exhibitors. easternmarket.net 703/534-7612 Funeral Services Pinckney-Spangler Funeral Home 524 8th St. NE, 544-7720 A full service funeral home. Traditional burial or cremation services. Burial or cremation can be accompanied by a viewing and/or funeral or memorial service. Garden and Landscape Art Garden Design 546-6920, artgarden@ starpower.net Specializing in urban gardens with an emphasis on function·al and non-functional art ele·ments. See our ad on pageCheryl Corson Design 301-627-1847 See our ad on page 7 District Cityscapes, Inc 202-544-4886 See our ad on page 38 Frager's Garden Center 1115 Penna Ave., SE, 543-6157 Gingko Gardens 911 11th St., SE 543-5172 See our ad on page 31 Ornamental Garden 544-7831 Graphic and Web Design 312 Studio - Capitol Hill based graphics company, we specialize in: Web Site design, Illustration, logo design, portfolio design, CD presentation and collateral design. www.312studio.com; tel.: (202) 547.3456; cell: (202) 412.8322 See our ad on page 47 Hardware Fragers Hardware 1115 Pennsylvania Ave., SE 543-6157 See our ad on page 34 Health & Fitness Results the Gym 3rd & G Sts, SE, 234-5678 See our ad on page 51 Home Furnishings Antique & Contemporary Leasing & Sales 709 12th Street, SE 547-3030 See our ad on page 15 Home Repair Handyman on the Hill Washington DC 206-7185 See our ad on page 43 Hotel Capitol Hill Suites 200 C St., SE 543-6000 Income Tax Services Jackson Hewitt Tax Service 8th St., SE 554-8840 Internet DC Access 118 Kentucky Ave, SE 546-5898 www.dcaccess.net -- a local ISP See our ad on page 5 Insurance Marilyn Riehl, CLU, ChFC State Farm Insurtance Home, Auto, Life, Financial Services 301-951-0355 Landscaping Cheryl Corson Design Washington, DC 202-547-8579 cheryl@cherylcorson.com Massage Therapy Capitol Hill Massage Associates Swedish, Deep Tissue, Seated Massage 202.746.4834 www.speedbumps.org/ massage Healing Hands Therapies Massage, acupuncture 202-543-6365 www.HealingHands Therapies.com Healthy MotionsTM Massage Therapy on Capitol Hill. Swedish, Deep Tissue modalities. 202/246/4738. www.healthymotions.com Mason Michaliga Masonry 321 C Street, SE 544-4484 Mortgage Lenders Apex Home Loans 301-474-7100 Jeffrey A. Love, Loan Officer Federal Funding Mortgage Corp 202-210-7106 jlove@ffmcorp.com Movers Great Scott Moving, Inc. 202-546-8190 www.greatscottmoving.com Oracle Solutions Casetech, Inc. Elizabeth Jenkins 611 Penna. Ave, SE 543·4499, www.casetech.com Office Supplies Capitol Hill Innervision Art and Office Supplies 701 8th St., SE 544-4664 Painting David Mahoney Painting Co. 544-9577 See our ad page 17 Pet Supplies Doolittle's Pet Supply Chateau Animaux 224 7th St., SE 544-8710 See our ad on page 16 Photography Kitty and Tati Kaupp Schools Motophoto Residential and Commercial Capitol Hill Day School 666 PA Ave., SE 547-2100 Pardoe Coldwelll Banker 109 S. Carolina Ave., SE See our ad on page 34 546-7000 547-2244 See our ad on page 4 Picture Framing Capitol Hill Art & Frame 623 Penna. Ave., SE 546-270011 See our pad page 11 Randall Hagner John Janke 546-9057 See our ad page 5 Edmund Burke School 2955 Upton St., NW 362-8882 St Peter's School 422 3rd St., SE 544-1618 Fulton Framing Framing and Preservation 544-8408 See our ad on page 42 Frame of Mine Do-It-Yourself and Custom Framing 522 8th St., SE 543-3030 See our ad on page 12 Newman Gallery and Custom Frames Sherlocke Homes Panchita Bello 708 G Street, SE 202-543-0954 We take the mystery out of real estate. Call first for appointment www.sherlockehomes.com See our ad on page 12 Real Estate Settlement Congressional Title 650 PA Ave., SE 544-0800 Spiritual Advisors Corrin Bennett Private Consultations 543-5825 Theater Folger Shakespeare Theatre and Library 201 East Capitol Street, SE 544-7077 See our ad on page 19 511 11th St., SE 544-7577 See our ad on page 49 Plumbing Grayton Plumbing See our ad on page 49 Eastern Market Title 210 7th St., SE 546-3100 See our ad on page 10 Theater Alliance H Street Playhouse 1365 H Street, NE 202-396-2125 www.theateralliance.com 544-4366 See our ad on page 7 Recycling Services Shakespeare Theatre A Variety of Recycling Education Real Estate Valerie M. Blake Prudential Carruthers Realtors Services, LLC. 1717 K St, NW, Suite 613 202-508-3397 Commercial Division 547-5688 Therapy Joseph Tarantolo, MD 5025 Wisconsin Ave, NW 202-362-1348, x111, Restaurants Individual, couples and group psychotherapy www.DCHomeQuest.com Two Quail 543-5290 320 Massachusetts Ave. NE See our ad on page 38 Thom Burns 543-8030 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Michelle Piquet 109 8th St. NE 547-5805 Banana Café Individual, couple and group 400 8th St., SE 543-5906 psychotherapy Larry Chartienitz See our ad on page 47 544-4480 Pardoe Real Estate See our ad page 10 605 PA Ave., SE Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream 546-7000 ext. 228 202-255-3731 327 7th St., SE 546-CAKE See our coupon on page 38 Vacation/Travel Consultants Tom Faison REMAX Real Estate 220 7th St., SE 255-5554 Café Berlin 322 Mass. Ave., NE 543-7656 Jan Cammarata Judiciary Express Travel 7th & Penn, SE, 547-3007 German American Cuisine John C. Formant Veterinarians Sales and Rentals Todd Bissey 202-841-SOLD Peter Frias 202-744-8973 225 PA Ave., SE 544-3900 Hawk 'n' Dove 329 PA Ave., SE 543-3300 See our ad on page 49 Capitol Hill Veterinary Clinic 520 8th St., SE 546-1972 See our ad on page 52 www.johncformant.com See our ad page 2 Hugh Kelly Marty's Family Restaurant 527 8th St., SE 202-546-4952 See our ad on page 47 JoAnne Carey, DVM Veterinary House Calls and Hospice Service 301-625-0723 202-588-2224 Pardoe Real Estate 605 PA Ave., SE 546-7000 Starfish 539 8th E 546-5006 See our ad on page 45 Union Veterinary 609 2nd St., NE 544-2500 See our ad on the back cover See our ad page 53 The von Schlegel Realty Team REMAX Real Estate 220 7th St., 547-5600 See our ad on page 35 Roofing Star Roofing 1159 4th St., NE 543-6383 See our ad page 16 Workshops Writer's Way Workshops Make time for you! 547-3506 www.dcwritersway.org Phyllis Jane Young Pardoe Real Estate 605 PA Ave., SE 546-7000 See ad page 63 Salons Bravado 655 C Street, SE 543-6118 See our ad on page 4 Yoga Studio Capitol Hill Yoga 221 5th St NE, 202-544-0011 John Parker Pardoe Real Estate Randolph Cree 325 7th St., SE 547-1014 See our ad on page 50 605 PA Ave., SE 546-7000 See our ad on page 21 Corrin Bennett 543-5825 Kristof Realty Group/Pam Social Services Private Yoga instruction, Kristof REMAX Capital Realtors 202-588-2021, Capitol Hill Group Ministry 421 Seward Sq., SE 544·0385 group classes St. Marks Yoga Center www.kristofgroup.com 3rd & A St., SE 546-4964 www.edow.org/stmarks Prudential Carruthers capitolhill/arts/yoga.html 216 7th Street, SE 393-1111 www.prudentialcarruthers.com See our ad on page 19 Cluster School, continued from page 55 live on the Hill and send, or have sent, their own children to the Cluster. Principal Jennifer Smith has led the school for the last five years during a peri·od of particular expansion and success. The CHCS student body reflects the neighborhood and the diversity of Washington, DC. Approximately 80% of CHCS children are African American; 20% are Caucasian, Hispanic or Asian. Forty percent students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. What kind of academic programs does CHCS offer? That's a short question with a long answer. There are many different programs offered throughout CHCS. However, there are common themes and require·ments across the Cluster. All academic instruction at the three Cluster cam·puses follows the interactive learning model in the classroom. Students bene·fit from specially trained teachers that inspire learning in the computer labs, art and music studios, science laboratories and libraries that are located at each campus. Students also enjoy art, science, math and literature through hands-on learning experiences in the gardens maintained on each campus. These gardens are four-season outdoor laboratories. Finally, all CHCS students use the neighborhood and city as a springboard to learning, making frequent expeditions to the surrounding museums and historical sites. There are also special learning environments that include Montessori for grades pre-school - 4th at the Watkins campus and the Italian Reggio-Emilia program at the School-Within-A-School at Peabody (pre-K and K). One hears a lot about problems in the DC public schools. What's different about the Cluster? And how can a parent be sure that their child will get the academics and social learning they need? The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes. First, CHCS standardized test scores are some of the best scores in the city for schools with similar popula·tions. Graduates of the Cluster have gone on to excellent public and private high schools throughout the city and region. And the trend of excellent edu·cation for Cluster School alums doesn't end at high school. Recent CHCS alums can be found at top-tier colleges and universities across the country, including Yale, Wesleyan, Wake Forest, Harvard, St. Mary's College, Syracuse University and the University of Michigan, just to name a few. The DC 2004 Teacher of the Year honor has just been awarded to Sandy Jenkins, Stuart-Hobson's 8th grade science teacher. Last, but not least, CHCS is successful due to wide support from individuals and business on Capitol Hill. This year alone, CHCS was awarded more than $18,000 in grants from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation Does the Cluster encourage parent involvement? Walk down the hall at any of the three Cluster campuses on any day, and you will see parents volunteering in class rooms, helping out in the library, going on field trips, planting in the gardens, teaching students to build an arbore-tum.....you name it. Whether spending time on the playground or volunteer·ing in the classroom, parents are encouraged to take part in their child's edu·cation and to spend time helping to make both CHCS and the Capitol Hill community a better place to live. The Cluster's committed parents work tire·lessly to make the Capitol Hill neighborhood a better place to live and raise children, and last year raised more than $150,000 to support Cluster School programs. The CHCS PTA was recently recognized for its leadership with an award from the National PTA. I'm not a parent, but would like to support my neighborhood public school. How can I? The CHCS PTA organizes many community events, including the annual Capitol Hill Classic 10K, the Renovator's House Tour and, new this year, the Capitol Hill Fourth of July Parade. There is always a need for volunteers and sponsors. There is also an opportunity for adults with special interests or tal·ents to contribute to students' learning through classroom presentations (e.g. on careers, safety, health) or volunteering for special interest school clubs (e.g. chess, science, weather) or providing arts or cultural performances. How can I find out more about CHCS? For more information on school open houses or to set up an individual appointment to visit the campuses at a different time, interested persons may contact Kristen Hartke at 202-543-0805. For more information on volunteer·ing or sponsorship, contact Libby Clarke at 202-543-0766. For general infor·mation, contact CHCS PTA President, Gary Carleton, at 202-543-4367or visit www.chcspta.org. Lisa M. Tate has two children who have attended CHCS since pre-K. They are now in first and third grades at the Watkins Elementary campus. Something to 'Thai-ed' You Over BY R OBERT WANDER Talay Thai 406 First Street, SE 202-546-5100 ention Thai food to anyone, and you're likely to conjure up images of interest·ing dishes, served with flair and sea·soned with enough spice to make the experience one to remember. However, the experience at the long-standing Talay Thai, located on First Street, SE, probably won't be one that lingers, begging a return visit. Ambience can be everything. And Talay Thai's ambience doesn't exactly scream "Asian cuisine." The one-room dining area, paneled in dark wood, is only distinguished by a few pieces of Asian art and photos of Thai landscapes. Of course, all diners learn that appearances can be deceiving. When it's time to order at Talay Thai, setting the stage with appetizers can be a daunting task--there are a lot of choices here. One of these is the traditional chicken satay-- grilled strips of chicken on skewers served with a peanut sauce for dipping. Unfortunately, the peanut sauce at Talay Thai was neither very "peanutty" nor slightly spicy as good sauces are - it was rather bland, actually (and in this case, the sauce makes the dish). The shrimp roll (stuffed with ground chicken and a little spice, then deep-fried) was far more interesting and tasty--and the sauce was just right. Another appetizer with a non-traditional name--crabmeat sausages (consisting of little fried purses of bean curd stuffed with crabmeat and chicken) could have used a bit more crabmeat fla·vor to distinguish itself, but it landed on the better end of the starter spectrum. The "odd bird" of the appetizer bunch was the stuffed (with crabmeat) chicken wing. Its taste was unique (but not in a particularly good or bad way). It looked like a lumpy mallet, and was just about as appealing in the taste department. Even though it's a starter that appears on menus of all cuisines, the fried calamari at Talay Thai is unusual. The batter, although generously applied, is rather light and not too greasy. These ample morsels melt away quickly after tasted--which is slightly odd, rendering the dish without a distinct calamari flavor and without its trademark chewy texture. Not for the meek of heart or palate is the Larb Gai, or spicy chicken--a mound of ground minced chicken cooked with spices, chili, herbs and lime juice. Talay Thai's Larb will clear your sinuses and leave your mouth a bit singed. A lighter hand with the chili powder would take this dish down to more enjoyable level. Talay Thai also offers a small selection of soups. The traditional lemon grass soup, or Tom Yum, was a nice-sized bowl of broth with good sized chunks of vegetables, but it lacked the distinct lemon grass flavor (notice a trend here?). Much more satisfying was the mushroom soup. Hints of spices and a fair amount of cilantro came together for a tasty bowl that wasn't too filling. All this, and I haven't even touched the entrees! After the onslaught of appetizers came the main courses. As is often typical when perusing Asian restaurant menus, the diner must choose from over 40 selections in six categories. One of the better choices sampled was the chick·en eggplant. Listed as hot and spicy but really in a manageable "heat" range, this dish had copious and equal amounts of tender stir fried chicken and eggplant pieces. The eggplant was done to an almost perfect consistency, and all was served in a peppery black bean sauce flavored with chili, garlic and sweet basil. The pork in garlic sauce was also a good dish, the meat plentiful and juicy. It's a safe choice when you want something with a little kick but not too spicy. Pad Thai, probably the single most famous Thai dish, had all what you would expect in the dish, but Talay Thai's version was uninspired. We sampled it with shrimp, which were plump and not over·cooked, and the accompanying noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, egg and peanut sauce were all present and accounted for. But the sum of the parts seemed to lack something, and although it was an acceptable dish, it was far from the best of what we tried elsewhere. Another traditional Thai noodle dish is Pad See-Ew. Sampled with beef, the portion was well worth the price, but it was dry and a little overcooked. The strips of beef were tough, and the flat rice noodles seemed to have been cooked a bit too long, soaking up too much of the sweet brown sauce The saving graces on Talay Thai's up-and-down menu are the surprisingly delicious desserts here. The homemade coconut custard was warm, rich and smooth. Forks were clanking as we fought for the last bite of this marvelous treat. A close second was the sticky rice with mango--a small mound of white rice stuck together in a paste of coconut cream and sugar, surrounded by big wedges of mango. Service at Talay Thai was efficient and modestly friendly on one visit. On another visit we had "serv·ice by committee," with no fewer than five staff waiting on us at one or point or another during the meal. It's an efficient method, but it wasn't very personal and made it an average dining experience. So what's the bottom line at Talay Thai? The chef could be more generous ices and flavors across the spectrum of the menu. Average dishes could be improved greatly by a little more spice here and pinch of other flavors there (along with a more watchful eye on the timer). If you want reasonably-priced, adequate Thai cui·sine (with a few stellar standouts) close to home, Talay Thai is your place. But if it's exciting and innovative dishes you're after, you'd probably be wise to look elsewhere. WANDER'S RATINGS Food Quality · Service · Value · Atmosphere · · = Unacceptable, objectionable · = Below average, fair · = Average to good, palatable · = Very good, recommended · = Exceptional, extraordinary Tid Bits Hours of Operation: Lunch from 11:30am to 3:00pm (Monday - Saturday) Dinner from 4:30pm to 10:00pm (Sunday - Thursday) 4:30 pm to 10:30pm (Friday & Saturday) Prices: Starters: $2.95 - $5.95 Main courses: $7.95 - $10.95 Robert Wander reviews restaurants each month in The Voice of the Hill. www.voiceofthehill.com · EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY On Capitol Hill, nearly every postage stamp sized piece of land has been devel·oped. Nearly every abandoned public building has been converted. In the last year or two alone, seven significant sites have been developed and nearly absorbed. · The "hospital" site at 7th and Mass. Ave was a blighted parking lot with one tired old abandoned townhouse. Holliday Corporation constructed 18 town·houses on the site and sold and settled them all at prices ranging from $600,000 to $900,000. · Winter Properties has developed the old Lovejoy School at 13th and D Streets, NE into 54 condominium units. All but 10 are sold and settlements began in the first week of December at prices from $233,000 to $600,000. Latest Sales: $400 Per Square Foot. · Eakin/Youngentob bought the Bryan School at 13th and Independence Avenue, SE and, after selling the old school building to Jim Abdo, build 25 townhouses and have all but 6 of them under contract for prices ranging from the high $500's to the mid $900's. · Abdo construction converted the old school property into 20 luxury condo homes and all but one are under contract for prices ranging from the mid $300,000's to $1.2 million. Ellen Wilson was the recipient of a HOPE VI grant and after developing the bulk of the property into a limited equity coop, the remaining 13 fee simple homes were sold and settled for prices between $300,000 and $500,000. Latest Sales: $400 Per Square Foot. ment marching up North Capitol and out New York Avenue, this area was and is ripe for development. In a few short years, the city and several developers have made M Street an inviting promenade. The process is underway to make South Capitol Street a "grand" entryway to the Capitol. With this public attention and with the pending development of the Southeast Federal Center and other contiguous waterfront sites, Capitol Hill will be firmly anchored at the river's edge. Significant assemblages have been made in the area between M Street and the freeway and over the next decade we will see hotels, commercial buildings and condos sprouting like flowers in the spring. As roof top condos with some of the most mag·nificent views in the city begin to pepper the landscape, the blight of old will be but a memory. Eight hundred square foot condos developed along this M Street Corridor should sell in a range of $400 to $425 per square foot. A thriving Washington DC residential marketplace. easy access to METRO, light rail, the Navy Yard and Southeast Federal Center, the Capitol, downtown, the river and airport, will make this one of "THE" places to live and work in Washington DC. Don Denton, Managing Broker Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Capitol Hill Office 605 Pa. Ave., SE Washington DC 20003