of The Hill VOICE This Month 22 Treasures in our Backyard: The Arboretum 24 Inside the Brickworks 26 This Joint is Jumpin' ...Jazz Night in Southwest 28 Adolph Cluss...Adolph Who? 32 The Os vs the Nats: Ballgame Cuisine 36 The Spirit of '76: Where Were You? 38 Take an Easychair Vacation 40 We All Scream for Ice Cream Departments VoiceMail ...........................................3 City Desk ...........................................4 Editorial..............................................5 The Beat............................................9 Business Bits ...................................15 A Closer Look..................................17 Citywide News.................................20 Ask Judith........................................44 Designing for Hearth and Home ......46 BID Talk ...........................................48 Health & Fitness...............................50 Computer Corner ............................53 Exhibits Calendar.............................54 Business Snapshot..........................57 Community Calendar .......................58 Horoscope.......................................60 Classifieds .......................................60 Business Services............................61 Vol. 7 No. 4 July 2005 of The Hill VOICE Voicemail The Voice of the Hill is published and distributed monthly to Capitol Hill residences and business locations. CHRS Responds DC charged me for DC Permit Office: In The focus is on the community and removing two includes contiguous neighborhoods Dear Editor: Desperate Need of Reform the privilege of small walls Yard and from the Capitol to the To the Editor: from Gallaudet University to the Navy Answering Ms. Elkins' letter in the June from my Stadium Armory Complex. Publication VOTH presents the usual difficulties asso-I recently applied for a building permit for and distribution is the last Friday of ciated with responding to a letter rife with the common and relatively minor project home. As frustrating each month. Advertising deadline is misstatements, misrepresentations and of removing two walls from the interior of calculated exclusions. I want to spare my Capitol Hill home. No significant as this ordeal was, the first of the month preceding readers a long history of both the Capitol plumbing, electrical or other work was I felt fortunate: my office is not too far publication. Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) and the away, and my employer is understanding. compounded deceptions associated with involved. Moreover, most of my fellow citizens in Voice of the Hill the alterations to Ms. Elkins' house at Against the advice of both contractors the waiting rooms were obviously having PO Box 15874 20 9th St., NE. However, the board of and friends, who regaled me with horror an even harder time than I was. A few Washington DC 20003-0874 CHRS decided that her letter should not stories of their experiences, I decided to appeared to be utterly distraught. 202-544-0703 Main office be ignored, so I offer this. "do the right thing," as it were, and get a "Outrage" is an overused word, but it's CHRS remains the organization we permit for the work. In the process, I dis-hard to think of a better response when 202-318-7806 Fax have always been, committed to preserv-covered that my friends were not exag-the city government makes it so difficult www.voiceofthehill.com editor@voiceofthehill.com ing the architectural framework unique to gerating. and expensive to follow the rules in an daviskennedy@currentnewspapers.com Capitol Hill and the close community While a couple of employees in the area so obviously important to public "intake" office were helpful and courte-safety. Countless of my acquaintances-- bruce@voiceofthehill.com lifestyle that goes with it. Ms. Elkins has ous, most were indifferent at best, and patti@voiceofthehill.com shown respect for neither. Purporting to on the whole the experience was a baf-upright, law-abiding individuals in all make roof improvements in the original fling and inexplicably time-consuming other ways--have been driven to reno-dave@voiceofthehill.com application for permits, she and her hus-vate and repair their homes in secret. band John Robbins, a high-ranking offi-ordeal, even for someone like myself who For exterior repairs, vulnerable to "stop Staff is familiar with both the DC bureaucracy work" orders and large fines, many have Davis Kennedy, Editor cial of the National Park Service, raised and the basics of general contracting. turned in desperation to expensive, pro- the roof in question and proceeded toScott Shumaker, Managing Editor create an extension to the house that When I first walked into the door, a fessional "permit expediters" in bright T-Bruce Robey, Webmaster approached 100 percent lot occupancy sign directed me to take a number, but shirts, who appear to have mastered the Adele Robey, Design and Production gave no clue where to get it. Eventually, I system and were cheerfully providing free and aroused the neighbors to ask CHRS discovered the unlabeled, toaster-sized advice in the waiting rooms. It was the Andrew Noyes, Assistant Editor to support their objections. DCRA and dispensing machine on a far counter. only such guidance most of us could Dave Francis, News Reporter, the HPRB began the continuing process When I got my various forms, I was able seem to get. Polling Coordinator of trying to make Ms. Elkins and her hus-to get some assistance in filling them The District government should be Patti Shea, News Editor, band accountable for their misdeeds. out, but it was terse, and in a couple of ashamed to have created a lucrative Political Reporter In Ms. Elkins' upside-down world she cases, one employee contradicted Juilo Arguello, Calendar Editor casts herself as the aggrieved and vic-market for such a service. Of course, timized homeowner, when the opposite is another. those customers are typically wealthy, After submitting my application and which brings me to my final point: the Co-Publishers true. Creating the extension to the house waiting an hour and a half, I had to return biggest victims of this dysfunctional sys·threatened to inflict a monstrosity on the to my office. The next day, I was told that tem are my lower-income and often elder- Bruce Robey and Davis Kennedy neighbors. The regulations requiring per-my application had been held up because ly neighbors, who would very much like mits and conforming to HPO standards Distribution were protection, not an invasion of any-(at the suggestion of an employee) I had to remain in our rapidly gentrifying neigh- not filled in my name and address on one borhood but are being systematicallyReady Willing and Able, Gospel one's rights, except Ms. Elkins' perceived of the more minor forms. Despite the fact pushed out by factors exactly like the Rescue Ministries right to do what she pleased, law and that this information was provided clearly expensive, time-consuming ordeal Contributing Writers neighbors' concerns be damned. She is in at least six other places in the adjoin-involved in getting a simple permit to anything but the good steward she ing paperwork, this bad advice cost me a maintain or upgrade one's home. S.J. Ackerman Joshua Gray claims to have ambitions to be. Rachel Adams Jeffrey Howard The histrionic nature of Ms. Elkins' let-day. Facing another long wait, I had to Systemic change takes time, I know. Julio Arguello, Jr. Larry Kaufer ter suggests a preference for emotion return to work. But even minor steps could make a big Rozanne Barry Celeste McCall over an objective examination of the rec-The following day I was told that there difference. Clearer signage, in plain Patty Brosmer Selby McCash ord, which would reflect badly on them. was another holdup; this time because I English, would help. So would a policy of had not listed a specific contractor. I had encouraging city employees to volunteer Judith Capen Michael Meneer In this time of increased interest in previously explained that I was still gath-potentially helpful information, rather Joanne Collings Aileen Moffatt Capitol Hill as a place to live, CHRS has erings and been told to instead put than respond only to direct questions Amy Doolittle Linda Norton worked hard with responsible developers down my best estimate of the cost of the that a novice applicant might not even Dave Francis Patti Shea like Eakin-Youngentaub and JPI to make project. Once I repeated this explanation, know to ask. A couple of employees new construction compatible with the I was told to go to another office, where tasked with helping applicants standing Sara Fritz Fay Singer community; with other community groups my application would finally be pro-Therese Foote Josh Singer on the development of Reservation 13 cessed and granted. around looking confused--we're not hard David Gelles and other major projects; with DCRA to to spot--would be invaluable. If nothing By then, I was learning. Once in that else, even legible forms would be a step bring vacant and nuisance properties office, I waited only half an hour before forward. back to useful life; and always, always inquiring about the status of my applica-I've written Mayor Williams and mem- Memberships with you, our neighbors, to be a channel tion. The answer was priceless: "The bers of the city council urging that they Capitol Hill Association of Merchants of information and advice through meet-only one back there who types," said the devote some attention to reforming the and Professionals ings, guidelines and availability. Our goal woman at the counter, had gone to Art Directors Club of Metropolitan remains yours, to preserve the lifestyle lunch, and it would likely be two hours permit office. If you've had a similar Washington and architectural context that brought us before she returned and got to my file. experience there, do the same. Barracks Row Business Alliance here in the first place. On my fourth visit, I finally got my per-SCOT MONTREYIndependent Free Papers of mit. But my jaw dropped when I saw the America R OBERT L. M. NEVITT fee: $230. That's how much the city of 1212 E Street NE H Street Merchants Association President Capitol Hill Restoration Society Cover: Roderick Turner paints on 11th St., SE. Reach him at 202-562-0491 cityDesk CO VERING THE HILL'S POLITIC AL SCENE AND MORE ANC 6A Protests License Renewal Asks City to Clarify School Rule BY PATTI SHEA ANC 6A said June 9 that it will protest the renewal of a liquor license for the Ha Hu grocery store, 1451 Maryland Ave., NE, because they say the original license wasn't legal to begin with. At issue is the license under the previous owners, whose license the ANC contends should never have been issued because the store is located less than 400 feet from a school; city law states that stores within this distance from educational facilities are forbidden from selling alcohol. "This seems very cut and dry," Commissioner Cody Rice said. "Why does the city put the ANC in this position? This should have been discovered by [Alcohol Beverage Control] board staff." Residents agreed. "There's too many liquor stores in the neighbor·hood already," said one resident who gave his name as Joshua. "They need to start another business that helps the community." The store is located at the Maryland Avenue, Benning Road, and H and 15 Streets intersection, where there are many shuttered buildings. Residents say the store attracts loiterers and con·tributes to the trash problem in the area. The owner was present at the meeting, but was too nervous to speak to the crowd. Commissioner Marc Borbely -- whose single member district includes Ha Hu-- said he had a petition signed by residents opposing a license renewal for the store. The panel sent the matter to its alcohol beverage licensing committee to come up with a recommen·dation. The issue came before the full board instead of the ABL committee because the city's ABC board didn't notify the ANC in enough time to give the matter to the alcohol subcommittee. In the meantime, the ANC wants to know why the original license was granted in the first place. Father's Day Event Okayed Citing problems in recent years, Commissioner Joe Fengler tried to dissuade the panel granting a public use permit to Friends of Sherwood, which was coor·dinating its 23rd Annual Father's Day celebration at the Sherwood Recreational Center. According to Fengler, the event over the past cou·ple years has greatly impacted the Sherwood neigh·borhood, with participants drinking excessively and showering yards with garbage. Fengler said he had a petition from neighbors who live in the area asking the ANC not to support the event. But the event planners said the celebration rallies the community and that there have been no report·ed acts of violence or vandalism. "This gives a chance for residents new and old to come together," organizer Jordan Washington said, adding that it was a few residents trying to destroy "our culture." One resident said there is a "definite distaste in the community" and that there is a clear division among the residents. Another said the ANC should work with the event planners to assure that what happens in the past doesn't happen again. "[You're] just fostering the division of the community" by canceling the event, she said. Commissioner Gladys Mack made a suggestion to cut the event's hours by two hours, instead allowing it to run from noon - 6 p.m., instead of 8 p.m., as it has in the past. Mack also suggested that the organ·izers boost public safety efforts. Fengler said he wasn't against the event, but that "we should have the event in its current form." The commission voted, 3-1-3, with Commissioners Nick Alberti, Cody Rice and Mary Beatty abstaining, to grant the public space use per·mits to Sherwood for the June 19 street party. Commissioners Marc Borbely, Mfon Ibangha and Mack voted in favor of the event, with the restricted hours. More Kid Power The commission unanimously approved a $500 grant to Kid Power-DC for program supplies and materials for its summer camp. The program serves 100 at-risk youths, more than half from ANC 6A's district, and promotes academic, artistic and histor·ical literacy and teaches leadership skills. Commissioner Announcements: Commissioner Gladys Mack announced a communi·ty clean up for the 1500-1900 blocks of Benning Road, NE. It's a combined neighborhood effort with adjacent district ANC 5B11 and the city's public works department. The event occurs from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 16. She also said donations for bottled water for volunteers are also needed. For more information, contact Mack at 202-398-3329. Commissioner Joe Fengler said an amplified noise problem is increasing at the corner of Eighth and H Streets, NE. He is checking with the city to see if any codes have been violated. Fengler also announced that the city lifted parking restrictions along H Street during prime traffic hours. Commissioner Mary Beatty said $900,000 was restored to the city's park budget to help with the construction of Lovejoy Park. Commissioners Gladys Mack, Marc Borbely, Joe Fengler, Mary Beatty, Cody Rice, Nick Alberti and Mfon Ibangha were present. Commissioner Robyn Holden was absent. The next ANC 6A meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, at Miner Elementary, 601 15th St., NE. For more information click on www.anc6a.org DDOT Presentation Leads to ANC 6B Resolution Panel Says 'No' to Mass. Ave. Bridge BY AMY DOOLITTLE The District Department of Transportation present·ed its monthly transportation study update to ANC 6B at the commission's meeting June 14, sparking a heated exchange between Commissioner Ken Jarboe and DDOT spokesman John Detrick regard·ing roads proposed in the Kenilworth Avenue Corridor study. DDOT presented maps detailing the roads and potential traffic impact, including a proposed bridge over the Anacostia River at Massachusetts Avenue and a park road along the Anacostia River. When Jarboe expressed bewilderment at why DDOT is even studying a bridge for Massachusetts Avenue, which, the commissioner said, is prohibit·ed by Reservation 13 documents, Detrick admitted that a bridge there is a bad idea since it would draw such heavy traffic volumes. "I would've preferred t to study these at all," Detrick said. In light of the potential of increased traffic vol·ume and the negative impact on the neighborhood such a bridge could bring, the ANC passed a resolu·tion at the request of Jarboe to strongly oppose the building of such a bridge. The opposition resolution does not rule out the possibility of a pedestrian or bike bridge beginning at Massachusetts Avenue, Jarboe said. Jarboe also requested that DDOT give a presenta·tion to the ANC on the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative master plan, of which the Kenilworth Avenue Corridor Study is part. By seeing the big pic·ture, Jarboe said, the commissioners could under·stand where each piece fit in it. DDOT also gave an update on the 11th Street bridge project for which, they said, ground would be broken in about five years. During the meeting the subject of truck routes through Capitol Hill also was discussed. Detrick said that the Capitol Police and Secret Service were in charge of those routes and that, while DDOT tries to make recommendations to them, they are not required to listen. "I don't know if it's just a power trip or not, but the Capitol Police sit and make decisions," Detrick said. Virginia Park Cleanup Volunteers Needed The DC Building Industry Association (DCBIA) pre·sented a renovation plan for the Virginia Avenue Park, located between Potomac and Virginia Avenues and Ninth Street, SE. They asked that vol·unteers come and help cleanup and plant at the park on Sept. 17. They will need 400 to 500 volun·teers to make the day run smoothly. Projects will include planting and building. Each year the DCBIA works with the city parks department to renovate one city park. The renova·tions are done using private donations and volun·teer work. Included in the new park plan is increased space for the current community garden, the removal of a trailer currently used for boxing classes, the removal of a basketball court and the removal of playground equipment, which the city considers unsafe. Total cost for the project will run at about $250,000. In preparation for the renovation the trailer, playground and basketball courts will be removed in the next two months. Signs informing the community about the project will be posted soon. Interested persons should contact DCBIA at 202-966-8665. Planning, Zoning and ABC Approvals A variance at 1535 A St., SE, and a new rowhouse development in the 1100 block of K Street, SE, were approved unanimously by the commission. A transfer of alcohol license from Zack's Restaurant to Mark Menard, owner of the Pour House, was approved unanimously. Menard will renovate the 613 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, restaurant and will reopen it as the 18th Amendment, which will feature a speak-easy style decor. The ANC approved unanimously a change to Neighborhood Commercial Overlay District limita·tions for eating and drinking establishments on Eighth Street to include uniform procedures for determining street frontage usage by the establish·ments. However, the ANC did recommend that the zoning subcommittee reexamine the wording in procedures regarding measurement versus special exceptions. Commissioners Mary Wright, Julie Olson, Scott Cernich, Ken Jarboe, Will Hill, Sandra Thomas, Sandy Moore of Urban Strategies, a St. Louis firm Antonette Russell and Francis Campbell were pres-working with the city to help the project gain ent. Commissioners Neil Glick and David Sheldon momentum, urged community members to educate were absent. The next ANC 6B meeting will be a spe-themselves about the issue. But some residents said cial session held in July at the Old Naval Hospital, information about meetings and other events to 921 Pennsylvania Ave., SE. The date and time for the publicize the plan were not getting to the commu·meeting have not yet been announced. Check back nity and asked Moore to make more of an effort to with www.voiceofthehill.com for information. spread the word. "We're having a communication problem," ANC 6C Hears Revitalization Plans Moore said, and vowed to work more closely with the ANC to get information into neighborhoods. Deputy Mayor Introduces New Initiative to Panel Commissioners seemed supportive of the plan. "This is something long overdue," Commissioner BY DAVID FRANCIS Daniel Pernell said. "I want you to make it very clear Deputy Mayor of Planning and Development to the mayor of Washington, DC, [that] citizens are Stanley Jackson outlined for ANC 6C June 8 a bold being run out of the community by developers." new initiative aimed at revitalizing troubled com·munities throughout the city. Commissioners were Pennsylvania Avenue Closing Protocol Urged enthusiastic about the plan and urged the city to Commissioner Charlie Docter is working with make sure low-income residents are not pushed out Joann Newhouse of the Pennsylvania Avenue as a result of community rehabilitation. Neighborhood Association to establish protocol for The New Communities Initiative, with its street closings on Pennsylvania Avenue in Northwest One Revitalization Process, aims at creat-Northwest. ing "healthy, mixed income neighborhoods" Docter said the panel needs to review an applica · through investments in neighborhoods without tion to close the street for a festival, concert or other displacing current residents, according to a fact events so that the community can be more aware of sheet distributed by Jackson. travel and other disruptions. The pair are working Jackson was not specific as to what Capitol Hill together to create a protocol that all applicants have neighborhoods are being targeted by the plan, but to go through to make sure all applications through said communities with histories of crime problems neighborhood associations and the ANC. and economic disadvantage are candidates. "We "We think that if we work together, we can get want a city that's truly inclusive of all residents some standards that can be adopted," Newhouse regardless of their income experience," he said. "We said, noting that the ANC cannot reject an applica·wanted to find a way to support the residents who tion. However, it can provide input to improve con-were there through all of the bad times." ditions for residents. Under the new plan, the city is promising that all residents that are forced to leave when rehabilita·tion of a neighborhood begins will be able to return once construction is complete. Jackson said this will ensure longtime residents of a neighborhood are not displaced. The number of units currently in a neighborhood will not change after rehabilitation and the city promises apartments and condominiums below market rent. Jackson also said the initiative will bring new businesses to communities, and that the city is working to make jobs available available to local res·idents as a result. "While we're growing jobs, the jobs are not being targeted to people in the District who meet the minimum requirements," he said. "We have to do a better job of preparing residents for the workplace." Come where love and grace abounds! SUNDAY SCHEDULE Worship 8:30 am & 11:00 am Christian Education 9:45 am Children's Chapel 11:20 am Nursery opens 9:45 am 212 East Capitol Street 202/543-4200 All areas of church accessible by elevator www.reformationdc.org Candy Mitchell, a representative from the mayor's special events task force, attempted to "make clarifications" on the special events permit process by handing out guidelines, but was berated by Commissioner Bill Crews for speaking without the ANC's permission. Crews told Mitchell she was not a member of the committee and was not given permission to speak by a commissioner. He said she was not permitted to speak out of turn simply because she was with the mayor's office. Mitchell returned to her seat, her eyes wide and lips frozen in a half-smile, seemingly in shock from the outburst. In the end, the ANC recommended setting up a task force with neighborhood representatives to explore the issue. It's Electric Carrie Archer, a representative with DC is Electric, urged the commissioner to ready its constituents for the coming shift to a competitive energy market. In February rate caps on electricity in the city were lifted, giving people the option to choose between providers. Increases were most likely seen in bills, although Archer said she has found many residents do not understand the changes. She urged citizens to go to www.dciselectric.com to learn more about energy options and to get tips on how to cut down on electric costs. Penn Avenue Sidewalk Closed John McIntyre of Turner Construction said a crane working on the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, at the north end of the mall will cause the side·walk to be closed for 18 months. ANC commissioners, not happy that they were not informed of the closing when they approved the project, asked McIntyre to inform Com·missioner Charley Docter if any work will be done after 9 p.m. since Docter represents the affected dis·trict. ANC's Generosity Continues The commission, who last month doubled a request by the Capitol Hill Baseball and Softball League, gave $825 to R.H. Terrell School for an awards ban·quet and Tyler House Kids $1,100 for a trip for chil·dren to Six Flags. Roll Call Commissioners Karen Wirt, Anthony Rivera, Daniel Pernell, Mark Dixon, Lena Brown, Charles Docter and Bill Crews were present at the meeting. Commissioner Mike Sherman and Lawrence Thomas did not attend. The next ANC 6C meeting will begin at 7 p.m. July 13 at National Public Radio, 635 Massachusetts Ave., NW. Dave Francis can be contacted at dave@ voiceofthehill.com. DMV Office Move Catches ANC 6D By Surprise Commissioners Blast City Government for Not Consulting the ANC BY DAVID FRANCIS News that a Department of Motor Vehicles license renewal and registration facility is moving into the former United Way building at 95 M St., SW, was greeted angrily by ANC 6D, who blasted the city government for not consulting the commission before making the move. The committee was incensed that without con·sulting the board, the department made a decision that will greatly increase the number of cars in an already congested area. "We were not notified on this project," Commissioner Mary Williams said, adding that she had received an email informing her of the project just days before the meeting. "You should be inquiring of the community what we think should be done," added Commissioner Andrew Litsky. The panel is concerned that because the parking lot in front at the facility, which estimates 560 visi·tors per day, only has 80 spaces, the neighborhood will become clogged with traffic. Commissioners said this will only increase traffic problems resulting from already long lines at the department's vehicle inspection facility around the corner from the new location. But Stan Edwards, associate director of the DMV, said that measures have been taken, including "curb cutting" to give cars more room to get in and out of the parking lot. The "One Done Vision," a new department program that aims to cut down on vis·its to the DMV, should also help alleviate traffic con·cerns, added Deputy Director Lucinda Babers. District Department of Transportation's Chris Delfs said any changes that would affect traffic pat·terns were premature. "The curb cuts might have jumped the gun a little bit," Delfs said. He added that a traffic study had not been done, but that DDOT engineers advised DMV before the site was okayed. The committee was not swayed. "You're adding more congestion and you know it," Commissioner Ahmed Assalaam said. He called for some type of traffic barrier to protect children, as the United Way building sits next door to an ele·mentary school. When Edwards was pressed by commission mem·bers for a reason why the department chose the site, he responded simply, "We didn't see another suit·able site." The new Department office will employ 130 peo·ple, and operations will begin moving there in mid-July. Racial Tensions Highlight Friendship Church Vote A vote to reconsider plans to renovate the Friendship Baptist Church on Delaware Street, SW, prompted an impassioned speech from Commissioner Ahmed Assalaam, who implied white commissioners were ignoring the African-American community by voting for the proposal. At issue is Commissioner Max Skolnik's request to have the ANC members explain their position on psychiatry with a heart on capitol hill JOSEPH TARANTOLO, MD board certified psychiatrist certified group psychotherapist herbalist · Individual and couples psychotherapy · Two hour intensive group therapy · Cancer and chronic illness counseling with customized herbal tonics · Self-exploration without drugs · Help weaning off antideptressant drugs · "Talk back to Prozac" 202/543-5290 Fulton framing services 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 722 I Street, SE 202.544.8408 Washington, DC 230003 lafune@mac.com numerous questions about why the police did not handle the situation better. He said three official and two unofficial events on the same night created the perfect traffic storm. But Commissioner Andy Litsky said the police do not decide what they must patrol and put the responsibility on other city offices. "It's not on you to make that determination" of what to patrol, Litsky said. "It's on the city." "Neighborhood services really dropped the ball on this," he added. "They messed up big time." Litsky asked the police to notify the commission before any other large events. MAC Construction to Begin Next Year Kathryn Kaene, deputy director of the Corcoran Museum, said construction on the Corcoran's new art school at the Millennium Arts Center on I Street SW, will begin sometime next year. Kaene said a purchase and sale agreement for the MAC was signed recently and plans are in the works the church and why they voted the way they did in May, when the panel overturned an early vote that endorsed the project. The property owner wants to install 21 condos on the site adjacent to the sanctu·ary, but renovate the church structure and lease it to a non-profit. The project went before the city zoning commis·sion, its only stop in the city approval process, after the Voice's press deadline, so outcome on the vote was not known. Skolnik's request paved the way for another vote, which would be the third, on the controversial proj·ect. Commissioner Bob Seigel, who was formerly against the renovation of the church, changed his vote without explanation. Commissioner Andy Litsky said he approved of the plan as long as the historic character of the church was kept. None of the commissioners gave any indication that race was a motivating factor behind their decision. Commissioners Seigel, Litsky, Skolnik, Roger Moffatt and David Sobelsohn are white. Assalaam, who is black, said the church, which was built by slaves, needed to be protected as part of DC's African-American heritage. "Everything has just been ridiculous. You're heartless," Assalaam told the commissioners. "You only care about what you see. I think you're being very ridiculous." "I am an African-American, and my ancestors built this and it means something to me," he con·tinued. "You already bulldozed us out as a people" and will continue by destroying the church. "I'm sick of what's going on in this city and this community, and it has to stop. Listen to us about what belongs to us and what affects us," Assalaam said, adding that the commissioners were trying to pretend slavery never happened. Commissioner Mary Williams, who is black, reminded the panel that Skolnik, who is white, voted against the proposal during the May ANC meeting. After Assalaam spoke, the committee took a vote. The measure was failed with a vote of 3 -3-1, with Litsky now abstaining. Lime Gets the OK After months of delay, a voluntary agreement was approved by the ANC that allows the Lime night·club to begin operating. The agreement was delayed since February, as commissioners hammered out details of the agree·ment. Although Commissioner David Sobelsohn had some objection to the agreement, he agreed to allow it to be amended after approval. Assalaam, who has championed the bar, said the del ay was akin to discrimination against the estab·lishment. But Commissioner Andy Litsky, who wanted the agreement unamended, said minor changes should be made to ensure the agreement holds up. "If we're going to do it, we're going to do it right," Litsky said. Panel Wants Action on Street Noise, Ruckuses Commissioners, days after traffic clogged the street around the Southwest Waterfront until 5 a.m., said the city must inform commissioners of events beforehand so that residents can be warned. The backup occurred after the June 11 Mike Tyson fight post-party at H2O. Commissioner Max Skolnik reported streets filled with people and cars with loud noise until dawn. "It's intolerable," Skolnik told a police representa·tive from PSA 103 who gave his name only as Sergeant Harvey. "If this is going to be increasing in frequency, there needs to be a response." Harvey apologized to the commission following to move the school, which offers undergraduate degrees and continuing education classes. The Corcoran purchased the property for $6.2 million after the former owner defaulted on payments to the city. Kaene said zoning and repair processes have to being before work at the site can begin. She did not rule out the possible addition of condominiums on the site to help finance construction of the school. "I think the whole process will take about a year," she said. "By next summer we should know what we're doing and be doing it." She added that Corcoran is open to working with the community to develop arts programs for local students. Roll Call Commissioners Max Skolnik, David Sobelsohn, Mary Williams, Robert Seigel, Roger Moffatt, Andy Litsky and Ahmed Assalaam were all in attendance. The next ANC 6D meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 11, at the Millennium Arts Center, 65 I St., SW. TheBeat Rumsey Aquatic Center Closed for Repairs Again 'Extensive Damage' Found Throughout Local Pool BY AMY DOOLITTLE After $3 million renovations in 2003 and a series of repairs over the winter and spring, the William Rumsey Sr. Aquatic Center at 635 North Carolina St., SE, has been closed for repairs again--just in time for the summer heat. Late in the third week of June, about two weeks after the pool opened for the summer season, staff noticed plaster (that had been applied less than a month before) was falling from the pool wall, said Jackie Stanley, a project specialist with the District Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). "The contractor came out and determined that there is extensive damage throughout the pool with a bad chemical reaction keeping the wall from bonding," she said. Capitol Hill Art & Frame · Expert custom designs · Museum quality materials · Superior frame selection We have silkscreens by Joseph Craig English. 623 Pennsylvania Ave., SE 202 546-2700 10-6 Tues-Sat · Eastern Market Metro The pool is to be closed at least a month while the contractor attempts to find what's causing the prob·lem, then fix it, she said. Fortunately for residents, who have already had to foot the over $3 million price tag for the 2002-03 renovations, the repairs will cost them "not a dime," Stanley said. "It's a problem with the con·struction of the pool so the contractor will fix it at no cost," she said. The fact that the pool--one of only five in the District--must be closed for such a long period of time just as the weather is heating up is irksome to residents. "It's been very frustrating," said Mary Wright, ANC 6B commissioner whose single mem·ber district includes the aquatic center. "The pool is for kids and adults, and now that it's summer, peo·ple are mad." Since the new problems are a construction issue, Wright said, she questions the integrity of the contractor. But DPR stands behind their contractor, say· ing that he says this problem is "highly unusual." "In all fairness to the contractor, he indicated that this problem is very unique to them and that they haven't seen this problem occur in other pools they worked," Stanley said. To address the problems with the pool, Wright said she plans to form an oversight committee with other community members that will, if nothing else, help keep everyone informed. "I'm in the process of try·ing to provide the committee--I Eastern Market 327 7th St., SE · (202) 546-CAKE don't know what else to do," she said. "I think everyone is frustrated." DPR plans to provide a free shuttle bus to resi·dents to help them get to one of the other District pools while Rumsey is closed. A bus schedule will be posted and provided to residents. The pool renovation project has been riddled with problems since its 17-month renovation was started in 2002. The city originally closed the pool to refurbish the 30-year-old old building's electrical, mechanical and alarms systems. However, the park department said during the process it was discovered that the systems had deteriorated extensively and needed total replacement. It was reopened in September 2003. Residents Relieved that Reservation 13 Rumors Put to Sleep City Administrator Bobb: No Bioterror Lab, Crematorium on Site BY DAVE FRANCIS Capitol Hill residents expressed relief following the announcement by City Administrator Robert Bobb that the city has dropped plans for a bioterrorism lab on Reservation 13. "Reservation 13 is not one of the preferred loca·tions for the consolidated labs," Bobb said at a June 15 community meeting at Payne Elementary. The announcement was met by thunderous applause from the sizeable audience. Bobb also dispelled numerous other rumors about what will eventually be houses at the former DC General Hospital site. "I'm not aware of any desire to expand correctional facilities down there," Bobb said, addressing rumors that the city would be expanding on the jail located at the site. Again, his comment was greeted with applause. On rumors of a crematorium at the site, Bobb said to laughter, "That must be in the dark recesses of a mind somewhere in the District government." As for additional homeless services at the site: "There are not plans to consolidate all of the District's homeless services at Reservation 13," Bobb said. More applause. Asked if the city plans to consolidate methadone and drug rehabilitation services at Reservation 13: "No." Yet more applause. As for what will eventual·ly be on Reservation 13, Bobb said Mayor Anthony Williams was committed to plans worked out with the community in the Anacostia Waterfront Master Plan. "It is not the goal or desire of the Williams admin·istration... to deviate from [the community's] vision of Reservation 13," Bobb said, adding mixed income communities and the National Capital Medical TheBeat Center, a 230-bed hospital proposed by the mayor, form the core of plans for Reservation 13. Questioned by community members on the need for a hospital, Bobb defended the city's plan. "We have a bad distribution issue in this area," Bobb said, explaining that research conducted by the city shows a lack of hospital beds on Capitol Hill. "There is a need for this hospital." Some residents told Bobb they were concerned that the hospital would not serve the uninsured. He said that while the hospital will provide some serv·ices for uninsured patients, the medical center "will not be a hospital for only persons that have no med·ical insurance." Some health care organizations have questioned the need for a hospital in the area, saying the neigh·borhoods surrounding the site are better served by additional primary care services. In addition, a report commissioned by the mayor found that cur·rent plans for the hospital do not support long-term growth. Despite questions about the hospital, Hill resi·dents are pleased that Bobb dispelled rumors about unpopular plans for the site. Committee Okays H Street Licenses Clears Way for Full Panel Vote BY PATTI SHEA ANC 6A alcohol beverage licensing subcommittee unanimously okayed four licenses for proposed H Street establishments, paving the way for a full com·mission vote this month. More than 75 residents packed the community room at Sherwood Recreation Center June 21 to lis·ten to entrepreneur Joe Englert descbe his view of his proposed eateries and taverns along the busy thoroughfare. The proposed establishments, located on the 1300 and 1400 block, are: · The Argonaut, CR license · The Beehive, CR license · Rock and Roll Hotel, CT license · The Red and the Black Tavern, CT license The four establishments will open over the next two years. In all, Englert, who owns and operates the Capitol Lounge, plans to have seven restaurants or bars on H Street, including the soon-to-be-opened The Olympic. she said the establishments should be spread around the street. Englert responded by saying he didn't like the term Entertainment District, but said that it make sense to have the restaurants next to the theaters. "People are being incredibly shortchanged on H Street," he said. "There has to be a middle ground." Subcommittee member Tolu Tolu said she has lived in the area for 40 years and that H Street used to be an entertainment destination before the 1968 riots. "This was the neighborhood before," she said. "This was always this type of neighborhood and people need to be reminded of that." Building on Tolu's remarks, another resident said there are different types of dangers now than in the mid-1960s. "We're not saying we want H Street to change," the resident said. "It's just different now." Malcolm Ross, a member of the committee, said the ANC has an opportunity work with a willing property owner. "This area is going to build up real·ly fast," Ross said. "In the future, there's [no way] we're going to have this chance." "[Englert] doesn't have to spend time talking to us, but he is, and we should take advantage of it," said Patti Neil, another committee member. Lyndon Bonaparte, who lives off Linden Place where a burned corpse was found the day before the meeting, said there are bigger issues to worry about in the area instead of a willing restaurant owner trying to improve the neighborhood. "Some of the concerns here are light in comparison to the bigger picture," he said. "I thank you for trying to do some·thing." The committee with draft four voluntary agree·ments for Englert to sign and present them at the July 14 ANC 6A meeting. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Miner Elementary School, 601 15 St. NE. For more information, click on www.anc6a.org. Who Will Let the Dogs Out? Community Working Group Created to Address Leash Issue BY DAVE FRANCIS Representatives from Capitol Hill sports leagues and residents will form a working group to resolve a sim·mering dispute over whether dogs should be allowed off the leash at Kingman Field in Northeast. However, Cloutier believed the bioterror·ism lab was a real possibility, and is happy that it will not be on the Hill. "The bioterror lab, in some shape or form, was apparently a possibility, although most folks really did-n't think Congress would allow anything with a serious biological threat so close to the Capitol," he said. Dave Francis can be reached at dave@ voiceofthehill.com. Site of the future Argonaut at 15th and H St., NE But residents said they were worried about an increase in public drunkenness, trash, crime, and traffic, including the clog·ging of an already precious amount of park·ing spaces. Englert said he is talking with the police department to establish a substation on the block to help monitoring of the area. He also said he has already committed $25,000 a year to an H Street BID to help keep the street clean. As for parking, Englert said he is working with the Atlas Theater to lease out nearby The DC General Site at Reservation 13. "I am very relieved that a bioterrorism lab or cre·matorium won't be coming to our neighborhood. We already have more than our share of social serv·ices," said a resident who gave her name only as Nan. "There are so many better ways to make use of the riverfront. If there's such interest in revitalizing or in this case developing the waterfront area, we need ways to draw people, not scare them away." John Cloutier, who lives close to the site, said he was pleased that rumors about the site were dispelled. He said certain false·hoods were spread to get people involved in planning for the Waterfront, and was glad establish a shuttle that will run from Union Station. Some residents were upset about the heavy con·centration of the establishments on the east end of the street. The restaurants are proposed within the so-called entertainment district of H Street, which includes the Atlas Theater and H Street Playhouse. But some say the moniker is bunk. "The Entertainment District was built up around us, not us around it," resident Laverne Law said. Instead, TheBeat Kingman Field is the site of growing tensions over enforcement of the District's leash laws. The group hopes to come to a compromise on the issue, which one resident said has destroyed the "sense of community" around the park. But Sharon Ambrose, who along with ANC com·missioners and parks department representatives was present at a contentious community meeting June 8 at Miner Elementary, said city law, which requires dogs to be kept on a leash on city property, allows little room for compromise. She said that while she sympathizes with respon·sible residents who wish to exercise dogs off-leash, the safety of people using the park and the cleanli·ness of the grounds is the first priority. "They've worked hard on that park," Ambrose said in an interview with Voice of the Hill following the meet·ing. "They've worked hard to give kids a place to play." Legislation currently in front of DC City Council, championed by Ward 3 representative Kathy Patterson, would require dog runs to be built on city-owned property. But until that legislation is passed, the city is required to enforce the law. Ambrose noted that no hearing has yet to be scheduled on the bill. She said it was unfortunate that there are not more places for dogs to roam free on Capitol Hill, but added that under law dogs can not wander off-leash anywhere in the city, especial·ly a space where children play. "I am not aware of any space where children and dogs share the space," she said. At the community meeting, Maryse Beliveau of the Parks Department said health concerns are a major factor in not allowing dogs to run off-leash. But she did say the city recognized the need for more areas for dogs to play. "I know there's a need for dog runs," Beliveau said, and urged the passage of Patterson's bill. But Fred Roasario, a police officer in PSA 103, said enforcing leash laws are not at the top of the police department's priority list. "As long as the dogs are with their owners, we don't mess with them," Roasrio said, adding that police on the Hill have more pressing criminal matters to deal with. "You do have some officers that have made cita·tions, but we don't have time for that." But he did add, "If we had more time in the day, we'd put an officer in every park," pointing out that technically an off-leash dog is a violation of DC law. Rosario's testimony tipped off harsh exchanges between residents for enforcement of the law and residents against it. Accusations were lobbed back and forth, with some residents claiming off-leash dogs left the park dirty and put children on the park in danger. Those in favor of dogs off-leash, led by an advoca·cy group called Hill Hounds, accused those resi·dents of making threatening comments, calling the parks department to report off-leash dogs, and destroying neighborhood spirit. "That sense of community doesn't seem to be there anymore," one resident said. After numerous terse exchanges, the parks department recommended the working group to try to hammer out a compromise. But Ambrose said there was little room for compromise. "The compromise has to be in the limits of the law," Ambrose said, adding that the law does not allow dogs to run off-leash on city property. Ambrose said the working group, composed of the Capitol Hill Youth Baseball League, Sports on the Hill--both of which use the park--and repre·sentatives on both sides of the issue has yet to meet. TheBeat Bridge Causes Troubled Waters BY AMY DOOLITTLE DC Department of Transportation officials are pro·posing a bridge that would extend west across the Anacostia river to Massachusetts Avenue, bumping into what is now DC General property. The possibility of such a bridge has been dis·cussed before, but was shot down by community members and ANC 6B commissioners who are not interested in turning Massachusetts Avenue into another commuter route. To dissuade DDOT from even looking at the pos·sibility of a bridge, ANC 6B passed a resolution at the commission's June meeting to "strongly oppose" the bridge scheme. But regardless of community disinterest, DDOT continues to study the proposal, this time as part of the Kenilworth Avenue Corridor Study, a trans·portation study that accompanies the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. In the past "there's been various proposals pro·posed and shot down," said Kenan Jarboe, an ANC 6B commissioner who adamantly opposes the bridge idea. "It would turn Massachusetts Avenue into a commuter route--another Pennsylvania Avenue without helping Pennsylvania Avenue." Capitol Hill's only do-it-yourself Frame shop custom framing also available Serving Capitol Hill for 20 years Monday, Friday, Saturday 10-6 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10-9 Sunday 12-6 522 Eighth Street, SE 202.543.3030 www.frame-of-mine.com DDOT insists that the four plans which they pre·sented to the ANC are nothing more than possibili·ties they are studying. "We're looking to study to see if any of these plans make sense," study coordinator Allen Miller said. "It's a process. You look at the spectrum of possi·bilities, take it to the logical extreme, and drop out those that don't work," Miller added. "We're just in the initial stages of looking." "I would've preferred not to study these at all," said John Detrick, a spokesperson with DDOT at the June ANC 6B meeting. "But to answer the questions of those who want those built we had to study it." But Jarboe, who runs a Hill think tank named Athena, wonders why DDOT thinks the bridge is even a possibility. In his view, language included in the Reservation 13--the 60-acre parcel of land located on East Captiol Hill that includes the DC prison and DC General--transfer letter says an extension of Massachusetts Avenue over the river is essentially illegal. The letter reads: "The District hereby...agrees that no improvement shall be constructed that would impede the extension of Massachusetts Avenue southeastward, in line with said Avenue's present orientation and width, extending onto the adjoin·ing Reservation 343, terminating in a cul-de-sac or traffic circle upon the southeastern boundary line of the property ..." But what does that mean? "My read on that is a connector bridge violates the terms of the transfer of jurisdiction." Jarboe said. DDOT disagreed. "Go re-read that--there's noth·ing in that transfer that prohibits an extension," Miller said. Neighborhood Concerns Neighborhood concerns about increased traffic congestion should such a bridge constructed are legitimate, Miller said. "We are concerned with traf·fic problems a possible bridge could bring. But that's part of the problem with urban infrastruc·ture. We don't have enough river crossings," he said. There is one thing that Miller and Jarboe agree on--adding just one more river crossing at Massachusetts Avenue would do little to ease con·gestion. "If we had more crossings we'd have less traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue. But one isn't going to do it; we need more river crossings," Miller said. But to Jarboe, building a bridge onto Massa·chusetts Avenue is not an OK start on the path to less congestion. "When you've been putting options on the table, I get worried," Jarboe told Detrick at a May public meeting. "You are deliber·ately manipulating the process to get the bridge in contrary to the law." No decisions will be made on whether the pro·posed bridge plans will actually be studied as poten·tial projects until the fall, Miller said. "We may see these projects dead by September. We will come out with some potential projects in September, and they will be folded in a one and a half-to-two-year environmental impact study," he said. Church Efforts to Ease Parking Tensions Create New Ones Neighbors Say Noise is Ongoing Problem BY AMY DOOLITTLE In an effort to ease parking tensions between neigh·bors and parishioners at Way of the Cross Church at Ninth and D Streets, SE, church officials have added TheBeat a second Sunday morning service and rented park·ing spaces at a nearby credit union building, church officials said. But neighbors say that the new 9:30 a.m. service time not only does not help parking issues but also highlights another ongoing problem with the church--noise. "I cannot sit in my house and watch TV at a nor·mal volume level when they're in service because their volume is so amplified," said Paul McMahan, a Ninth Street resident, who lives around the corner from the church. "The 9:30 a.m. service makes the noise problem worse, and surprisingly, it doesn't alleviate the parking problem. They still block the fire hydrant and the cross walk. Nothing changes." "It's naturally a quiet neighborhood," said Anne Schwab, who lives across from the church. "But when they are here, you will not be able to hear because they are screaming and yelling." The noise is created, Schwab said, when the church amplifies their already high-energy sermons and music, and is made even worse when they open the windows in the church, she said. "It's not like we object to a little noise--that's neighborly," she said. "But when they get going I can't hear myself think." But church officials say their noise level is "far below" the city-sanctioned decibel levels. "DC has come out and did a decibel check and it was below level," said Richard Simon, church administrator. "And the ordinance--even if we were above level--is for outside noise at 9 p.m. And they tell me that the church is exempt." "I've got some inquiries into DC Department of Regulatory Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General trying to clarify what the noise regulations say about churches, if there are exemptions, and who's in charge, and I haven't gotten any answer to my satisfaction," said Cody Rice, Advisory Neighborhood Council 6A member. "I've had no official answers and none from folks who are in the position to actually do the enforcement." That the church knew about the decibel check ahead of time, McMahan said, makes him suspect that the only reason they passed was because they knew the city was there. "They had sound testing [on June 12] and remarkably they were quiet," he said. "Go figure." "They had sound testing?" Schwab asked. "That doesn't surprise me. They were quieter [June 12] then they have been for weeks. I even said some·thing about it to Merri," a next-door neighbor. 'Attitude Issues' Even beyond the volume issue, are "attitude issues," that both the church feels the neighbors have and the neighbors feel the churchgoers have. "There is a feeling of entitlement from this con·gregation that they are entitled to do anything they want and we have to deal with it whether we like it or not," McMahan said. "We don't have a problem, they have a problem," church member Eddie Harrison said. "It's not noise, it's our religion. I resent the fact that someone called my religious practice noise." "Noise," said Schwab, "is something that disrupts the quality of my life. I don't care if it's religion." "First and foremost is the disrespect that this con·gregation has for us on all levels. It's just disrespect all the way around," said McMahan, who said he's been called derogatory names and sworn at by dis·gruntled church members. "The second issue, which is more frustrating, is the lack of the city get·ting involved and responding to the need of the community, as opposed to placating the problems of the church. If it were a night club the city would be all over them; if it were a drug house the city would be there and we'd have some way to stop it; but because they mask themselves in religion they're untouchable? Please." Rice agreed that the city needs to do something to enforce the noise regulations and parking ere are existing laws protecting public safety and we just want to make sure everyone's in compliance. 1335 NORTH CAROLIN A AVE. NE A correct and complete restoration of a classic in town porch- front. All the original chestnut wood work was removed, restored and replaced to include all doors, transoms, casing. The attention to details doesn't end there. custom kitchen and a BRIGHT breakfast room, Out back deck, garden, patio and parking. Plus a Bonus Full In-Law Suite. PERFECT CONDITION, PERFECT PRICE $778,777 TheBeat It doesn't really matter that it's a church. It's a build·ing that a lot of patrons come to that creates prob·lems for neighbors. "We're just looking for cooperation, but if not cooperation, then enforcement of the existing laws by the DC government," Rice said. The DC Department of Regulatory affairs did not return calls for comment. New and Blue (But They Might Not Fit You) City's New Recycling Bins Being Installed at a Rate of 4,000 Per Week BY JOSH SINGER Space limitations may prevent some Capitol Hill residents from switching to the larger, wheeled recycling bins that most District dwellers are chang·ing to. "Capitol Hill is in that special little group of neighborhoods that has very narrow streets, and presents some difficulty for getting truck and trash together," said Mary Myers, spokeswoman for the DC Department of Public Works (DPW). The new recycling carts, which have already replaced their conventional predecessors in the outer ring of the city, are slated to hit all of the DC areas that can accommodate them by the end of July, and are being installed at the rate of 4,000 per week. DPW personnel made a personal survey of Capitol Hill areas, deeming some of them unfit for the new blue recycling bins because there simply was not enough space to store them outside. The bins have the same size as the old ones but are twice as tall. Increased volume allows the containers to hold more recycling material, and residents can now put all of their recyclables in one bin without sorting paper separately, though some Hill residents will not be able to take advantage of them. According to Myers, the fact that the new bins are the same size as trash carts emphasizes the city's commitment to recycling. "You should be tossing out less trash, and recycling more," she said. Recycling numbers have picked up in areas where conventional bins have been traded for new ones. According to statistics from the DPW's pilot pro·gram, in neighborhoods with the new carts recy·cling participation increased from 17 to 46 percent of residents, and the average amount of material set aside increased from 1.5 pounds per person to six. The majority of Hill residents should be able to use the new bins and are encouraged to do so. If peo·ple in areas that have been approved for using the new bins find that their property is unable to accommodate the switch, they can call the Mayor's Call Center--202-727-1000 to revert to the smaller ones. Myers asked that residents give the change a chance, drawing an analogy to past DPW innova·tion. She said that some people were initially opposed to the switch to trash "supercarts," which are identical to the new recycling bins except for their green color. She said, "Now, though, you would have to pry those supercarts from their fingers." Property Transfer Further Delays Rehabilitation Abandoned Fire, Police Station Still Empty BY DAVE FRANCIS Two long-vacant Capitol Hill properties located at 525 Ninth St., NE, and 1341 Maryland Ave., NE, will be transferred from the Office of Property Management to the National Capitol Revitalization Corporation (NCRC), further delaying a process to rehabilitate the structures. The properties, which were maintained by the city's community development department (DHCD), but technically owned by OPM, were transferred to the NCRC as compensation in a deal with the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation in which the city would transfer property to aid in the revitalization of the Southwest Waterfront. Both properties are located in Northeast. The transfer will likely delay the renovation of the properties. The impacted Advisory Neigh·borhood Commission and residents close to the buildings have been working with the DHCD for nearly two years to issue proposals for companies to develop the properties. ANC 6A Commissioner Joe Fengler said that it is unclear how long the delay will be, as the NCRC is not a government entity but an independent agency. "I don't know where we are," Fengler said when asked about a timeframe. "I am disappointed that the disposition of these two properties has found its way into another bureaucratic delay." The latest delays come over a year after DHCD Director Stanley Jackson promised proposals for these projects would be issued before the end of 2004. When this deadline was missed, additional promises were made by Vanessa Akins of the Office of Planning that the proposals would be issued early this year. But because the properties are under the purview of DHCD, they will have no part in issuing a propos·al, erasing over a year's worth of work. Length of delays caused by the transfers of the properties is not yet known. ANC 6A sent a letter dated June 15 to OPM chief Carol Mitten asking her if the office can issue the proposals despite the transfer. He has yet to receive a response. In the letter, singed by Fengler acting as ANC chairman, the commission attached a long string of documents, dating back to February 2004, outlin·ing committee and community efforts to rehabili·tate the properties. The letters include minutes from the March 2004 meeting in which Jackson promised the proposals would be issued by the end of that year, and an April 2005 letter to the DHCD requesting an update on when the proposals will be issued. The properties have been a point of contention in the community. Residents were split on how the property should be used, but after long debate the ANC recommend·ed that facility have a quasi-residential use. The process for coming to community consensus on the Ninth Street property was less contentious, with res·idential use being approved easily. WHAT DOES IT DO? PSAs: A Strategy for Community Policing Part One of Two BY DAVID GELLES The District has its hands full when it comes to mat·ters requiring police involvement. There are politi·cians to protect, monuments to guard, drugs and crime to combat, and over half a million residents to keep safe. Nearly 4,000 officers strong, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is well equipped to han·dle DC's diverse security requirements. But with the burden of national security weighing down the force, sometimes the District's neighborhoods-- those most fundamental patches of civic fabric--are neglected the policing they need to thrive. Enter the District's 44 Police Service Areas (PSAs). Established eight years ago as part of a major restructuring of the MPD by Chief Charles H. Ramsey, the PSAs were immediately at the forefront of the department's new strategy of community policing Technically PSAs are the smallest subdivision of the city. MPD has seven policing areas, and within are the 44 PSAs. Capitol Hill is entirely in the First District, and is represented by seven PSAs--101 through 107. The PSAs are, in effect, liaisons between the com·munity and the police department. Captain Angel Medina is responsible for oversee·ing PSAs 102 and 104, which cover some of Capitol Hill's roughest areas, including the H Street corridor in Northeast. "At monthly PSA meetings we share information with the community, and the commu·nity shares information with us. They tell us if they've noticed suspicious activity, and we let them know what we've been up to. Not just the bad news, but the good things also, like our summer camps and success stories," Medina said. Niceties aside, PSA meetings are opportunities for the community to let MPD know what's been going wrong in the neighborhood. If a new corner has become a hotspot for drug dealing, or if an alley has been particularly noisy, the department will hear it. "They know we're there to hold them account·able," said Ror Mattioli, citizen coordinator for PSAs 102 and 103 in northern Capitol Hill. Captain Medina agreed. "The PSAs go beyond tra·ditional police work, and [it] requires officers to do more," he said. Restructuring Resources In May 2004 the PSAs were restructured in an effort to streamline bureaucracy and consolidate re·sources. The 44 current PSAs were formed from the previous 83, and captains, lieutenants and officers were reassigned. Initially, there was some resistance to the changes. Some PSAs tripled in size. "Our principle concern when they announced the reorganization was that we'd lose the sense of community," Mattioli said. In some ways, they have. Mattioli said that many PSA 102 residents no longer recognize the police officers in the neighbor·hood, and that it took some time to get acquainted Continued on page 17 www.voiceofthehill.com It STARTED with a vengeance on THURSDAY, JUNE 23, at 11:00 a.m. TheBeat continued from page 17 with the new department officials assigned to each area. On the streets, it was also a rough transition. In the summer months immediately following the restructuring, burglaries and robberies in PSA 102 shot up nearly 300 percent. Local residents collected statistics and attended the PSA meetings every month, pressuring officers to do more. "Apparently they got the message," Mattioli said. "They brought in additional resources, and as a result, in the winter months there was a precipitous drop in burglaries." "We made them aware that we were aware," he said. "Even Chief Ramsey knew of the situation in our PSA." Over a year after the restructuring, Mattioli seems to have signed on. "There's more capable leader·ship," he said. "And they can move their resources more effectively." Policing for Prevention At their best, PSAs are more than the eyes and ears of the city. Ideally, they can also be the brains. Partnership for Problem Solving (PSP) is a struc·tured approach that brings together residents at PSA meetings with MPD and city agencies together to address specific issues. For instance, when the area around Ludlow Taylor School became the scene of several nonfatal shootings and increased drug traffic, there was a good deal of discussion in the community, and a PSP was initiated to address the problems. After a few enthusiastic meetings, Mattioli said residents' enthusiasm waned. "They want change to happen, but they want MPD to do all the work," he said. "For any of this to work, we've got to involve the community." So far, community involvement has amounted to pressuring the police department to address certain issues, and real community policing still seems a long way off. "PSP is the methodology MPD has adopted, but it hasn't worked for our PSA," he said. Staying Connected With thousands of residents in each PSA, the task of keeping residents informed and involved is complex no matter how it's approached. Distributing\pam-phlets and fliers was uneconomical and cumber·some, and the delay between events and communi·ty response made many communications obsolete. As a way to skirt these inefficiencies, the PSAs developed active online communities, where resi·dents share concerns about everything from noise pollution to burglaries and homicides. PSA 102, one of the most active, now has a website and an email network (NELink) that distributes news of recent crimes, messages of concern to resi·dents, and bulletins from police and city officials. Often residents get a response from MPD within a day. Inspector Andrew Solberg is particularly active on the PSA 102 listserv, and has recently fielded queries on everything from purse snatching to video surveillance. For the most part this direct interaction with department is well received, but occasionally, the anonymity of the Internet leaves room for brutal honesty. "I find the response from Inspector Solberg piti·ful," wrote one unsigned resident. "The only police activity he offers...as proof of police involvement is www.voiceofthehill.com merely passive." All opinions are welcome though, so long as they deal with crime or quality of life in the neighbor·hood. John Wirt, who initiated the movement towards an online PSA community, still screens every message. Once he approves a post, it is sent to over 430 residents. "The online community is absolutely critical," Mattioli said. "I don't know how we would work without it." The monthly meetings are still the backbone of the system. PSA 102 meetings typically draw 15 to 30 citizens, and have guest speakers, such as local judges or detectives. "We're working with the PSAs to let the commu·nity know: 'You are not forgotten,'" Medina said. PSA 102, covering most of Capitol Hill, meets from 7 - 8:30 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at the Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets, NE. The website can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PSA102/. A CLOSER LOOK Citywide Call Center Earns High Marks 727-1000 an Effective Number to Call BY AMY DOOLITTLE In a city where things seem to constantly fall apart, and the concept of being satisfied with the govern·ment is all but completely foreign, a shining light of success and efficiency has risen out of Mayor Anthony A. Williams' administration. They call it "The Citywide Call Center." By dial·ing a single phone number--202-727-1000--you can talk to cheerful, helpful people who know what they are doing and will help you find the person you're looking for, help you file a complaint, or at least direct you to a person who can. Please pardon those of us who are cynical as to whether the city can do anything right. At least in this case we have, for the most part, been proven wrong. To our surprise, a request to Voice of the Hill read·ers for stories--good or bad--of the Call Center turned up few criticisms. For the most part, the small number of readers who responded felt that the center has done a very good job and is an enor·mous improvement over the bureaucratic chaos that reigned just a few short years ago. "My experience with the call center has been real·ly positive," said Nancy Vogt, a Southeast resident. "I've had occasion to use it twice recently in the past two months, and I'd say I'd rate it close to perfec·tion." Vogt had called the city to request the removal of several large appliances. The person who answered the phone, she said, was pleasant to talk to, knew what she was doing, helped her file her removal request, and told her the appliances would be removed within a few days. Not only did they pick up the trash, Vogt said, but they did it well before the prescribed hour without leaving debris lying around the street. "I was really surprised, because I thought it would take forever," she said. Her second request involved a certain street light with a broken globe and a shut·off problem. Not only did the city replace the globe in an expedient manner as promised, they also fixed the shut-off problem at the same time. "I was really impressed with everything, because before I purposely never called them because I was afraid something would be messed up," she said. The call center serves several purposes. Through it residents can be connected with any city office, and if they don't know who or what department they need to talk to, the operator will help them with that, too. Service requests are a special feature of the call center. When residents call and file a complaint the operators will register the problem with the correct agency and issue the caller a service tag number, which can then be used to track progress on the issue. Each department tracks how quickly their service requests are filled, comparing them to set turn·around time standards which can run anywhere from a few days to a few years, depending on the department, the nature of the complaint and the all-important funding for the issue at hand. A few of our readers did write in to complain about what appeared to be ignored requests. "I called the city last July [2004]," wrote Lisa Volk, a Northeast resident. "They were in the process of repaving part of the alley behind my house. But they only did part, and the section immediatelhind the homes next to me needed attention. ... The contractor who repaved the alley agreed that this section need[ed] work, but he could only do what he was being paid for." So Volk called in the problem. The city said that they would come back this year to finish the job if they had the money. After following up this spring she found that nothing had been scheduled. Another resident, Phyllis McClure, who lives in Southeast, called the call center in early May to request a new recycling bin. It took four calls for her to find out that the reason her new bin was not being delivered was that new recycling bins on wheels would be distributed across the city at some point this summer (see related story). To help these readers, Voice of the Hill checked up on these two problems, but were unfortunately no more successful than the readers had been in find·ing resolutions. We were told by Janice Quintana, operations manager for the call center, that McClure's recycling bin problem was to be resolved by the end of the summer and that Volk's alley was "on the list for DDOT" and is "more about funding" than time. The call center handles several thousand calls a day, with 5,000-6,000 calls on Monday, their busiest day. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, but they have a forwarding system in place so that calls placed after hours are sent to an emergency management agency. When the center opened in 1999, no other city in the U.S. had a system quite like it. Since then offi·cials from cities across the nation--including Jacksonville, Fla. and Denver, Colo.--have toured the center to see just how the District does it. Even international visitors are interested in the system. And other cities, including Baltimore, New York and Chicago, have already made moves to imple·ment similar systems. Of course, there are always ways to make a good system better, Quintana said. "Eventually calling the non-emergency 311 line will be the same as call·ing 727-1000," she said. "I think most of the people are pleased, and it's already improved over the years." HILL CHURCHES Capitol Hill Presbyterian Has Unique Place in Hill Church History BY AMY DOOLITTLE Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church has a unique place in Hill church history--it is believed to be the only congregation to ever hold worship services in the Capitol Building. Founded in the mid 1860s, the church met in sev·eral different public meeting places on the Hill before the current building's cornerstone was laid by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1869. The church is now home to about 120 members, with a regular attendance of about 100 on Sunday mornings. Pastored by Andrew Walton, the church holds a 10 a.m. worship service on Sundays in the summer and an 11 a.m. service the rest of the year. Despite the small membership, the church is actively involved in many community ministries and local mission work, Walton said. "We pass out brown bag lunches and work with the soup kitchen with Church of the Brethren," he said. The church is also home to the Washington Seminar Center, which hosts about 1,400 over night guests annually in the church building for social justice, interfaith and peacemaking seminars. "This way we help outside the community and expand our outreach and mission," Walton said. The church is located at 201 4th Street, SE, the corner of 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SE. Child care is provided during all services and church activities. Citywide Zoning Administrator No Longer Working for DC BY ELIZABETH WEINER AND JULIE WESTFALL Current Staff Writers Toye Bello, who was appointed city zoning adminis·trator in October to fill a long-vacant position, is no longer working for the city. City officials June 7 refused to say why Bello is not in his post anymore after more than 12 years with the city government. But at the day's regular Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting, rumors about Bello's fate flew. "He's been let go. That's all I know," said one city staffer. Another said the "official line" is that Bello did not meet city residency requirements but dis·missed that as "pretext." "A lot of people didn't like him, and they finally got [Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs director Patrick Canavan] to force him out," someone else speculated. A zoning lawyer, George Keys, lamented the loss of a zoning administrator who had "a strong knowl·edge base" of DC's arcane zoning code. "Toye was very even, very fair," he said. The development community is "dependent on consistency of inter·pretation." Keys said past zoning administrators used to pass down a kind of institutional knowledge to their suc·cessors, including longstanding interpretations of the somewhat ambiguous code. But in recent years, the department brought in outsiders who never really learned the code or how to apply it, he said. "It's a broken ship. I think the job is impossible," he added. The position has been empty for multiple long spans since 2001. The last permanent zoning administrator before Bello, Robert Kelly, resigned in March 2003 after less than a year on the job. The office has also been plagued by erroneous decisions in the last several years that cost builders and the city time and money when the developers -- or neighboring property owners -- went before the Board of Zoning Adjustment and judges to have decisions corrected. Some at the June meeting noted that many appeals are pending before the zoning board, most alleging that the "zoning administrator erred." The firing could further complicate those appeals and the department's attempts to defend issued permits. "Who's going to defend those judgments?" one offi·cial asked. Bello was a staffer in the independent Office of Zoning before he snagged the top job--at which time some DC Council members said they were dis·mayed with his appointment. He had previously worked in the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. A spokesperson for the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs said June 7 that Corey Buffo, previously general counsel at the Department of Motor Vehicles, has been named acting zoning administrator. The spokesperson, Linda Argo, said Buffo "has a background in land-use law, and we were familiar with him from work we had done before." The department will conduct a nationwide search for a permanent replacement, Argo said. When Bello was appointed to the top spot, at-large Council member Phil Mendelson complained that no nationwide search had been done. More than a year ago, the council's Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs raised the salary for the position from $80,000 to $103,000 and recommended that future zoning administra·tors have both land-use and legal training. Bello is not a lawyer. The zoning administrator holds a powerful post in city government--responsible for deciding whether building plans meet height, density and, in some cases, use requirements of the city zoning code. The administrator also decides whether to issue building permits and certificates of occupancy. Fenty Announces Bid for Mayor CURRENT STAFF REPORT Ward 4 Council member Adrian Fenty announced last month that he is running in the 2006 mayoral election, becoming the first to declare his candidacy. Before the announcement, during a two-hour interview with The Current, the second-term Democrat was full of praise for Mayor Anthony Williams' accomplishments in reviving the city. But he was critical of the mayor for "not being represen·tative of Washington's marginalized residents." Williams has said he will announce this summer whether he will seek a third term. Fenty, 34, was elected to the DC Council in 2000 after a bruising battle with veteran Council member Charlene Drew Jarvis. He has served since January as chair of the council's Committee on Human Services. With a strong reputation for constituent service among local advisory neighborhood commission·ers, Fenty was unopposed in 2004 when he ran for re-election in a ward that stretches from Chevy Chase in the west to Lamond Riggs and Manor Park in the east. Prior to his election to the council, Fenty was committee clerk and counselthe council's Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation, chaired at the time by Ward 7 Council member Kevin Chavous. He had interned with then-Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, D-Ohio; then-Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II, D-Mass.; and DC Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. He has served in several community leadership capacities--as president of a civic association, as an advisory neighborhood commissioner and as leg·islative director for the Ward 4 Democrats. Fenty, a District native, grew up in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. He attended Bancroft Elementary School, Deal Junior High School and Wilson High School before attending Mackin Catholic High School for his junior and senior years. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ohio's Oberlin College and a law degree from Howard University. His parents, Phil and Jan Fenty, run an athletic-equipment store, Fleet Feet, in Adams Morgan. Fenty and his wife, Michelle, have twin 5-year-old sons, Mathew and Andrew. The family lives in Crestwood, just east of Rock Creek Park. During the interview, Fenty said Williams was elected to be a "hands-on" mayor but is not. "He has become more disengaged [as his term continues]. You've got to govern full time, the way my parents do at the store," he said. "I like being out in the hustings," Fenty added, contrasting himself with the incumbent. "You've got to like it if you're going to be effective." Fenty acknowledged improvements in the city during Williams' tenure, but he focused on resi·dents he said have not benefited. "There is no doubt but that things have gotten better under Williams. [But] you have to govern for people who are down on their luck," Fenty said. When asked whether such advocacy would mean major increases in government spending for the poor, he said no. "Spending is not the only way to serve poor peo·ple. ... The best way to serve low-income residents is to hold the managers responsible...Yvonne Gilchrist [Williams' director of the Department of Human Services] has no idea what she's doing." Williams' approach, said Fenty, is "trickle-down economics." Except for residential real estate taxes, which he said the city needs to examine, Fenty said he does not think the city's tax structure is that important in attracting higher-income residents, whose taxes bring the city more revenue than they consume in services. "I've never heard anyone say they'd move in or out of the District due to the income tax, "he stated. "The No. 1 thing is to fix the schools and improve community policing." "Williams no longer talks about the schools and doesn't attend education hearings," added Fenty. While the superintendent of schools does not report to the mayor, Fenty said a mayor truly inter·ested in improving the public schools would take the time to meet with the school board and the superintendent and use the bully pulpit to get improvements. When asked about charges that some black teach·ers are being inappropriately forced out of the sys·tem for racial reasons, Fenty answered, "Some peo·ple will try to play the race card. No one cares what the race of their teacher is. [If incompetent teachers are being forced out, parents] are going to say, 'Great, and do it quickly.'" He said the same approach is needed throughout the government. "You've got to get rid of people who are incompetent." Williams has blasted Fenty as not accomplishing much during his council tenure. But Fenty said he's done a lot. At his announcement last week, Fenty said, "I have pushed legislation for affordable housing, redeploying police officers, neighborhood econom·ic development, reforming our juvenile justice sys·tem, improving the standard of care for our home·less." In addition to Williams, others who are consider·ing running include Democratic council members Jack Evans of Ward 2; Vincent Orange of Ward 5; and Chairman Linda Cropp, who is elected at large; independent Council member David Catania (at·large); former DC Democratic State Committee chair A. Scott Bolden; lobbyist Michael Brown; for·mer U.S. Attorney Eric Holder; and former DC Chamber of Commerce president and Verizon exec·utive Marie C. Johns. Continued on page 42 must admit I'm a bit ashamed of myself. I've lived in DC for almost eight years (having moved here from Niagara Falls, NY, to attend college in 1997), and until just recently, I never set foot in what might be one of the city's best "galleries." Don't get me wrong--I've always had a great excuse to avoid the National Arboretum, located in a hilly section of Northeast Washington, perched atop one of the city's highest points, and sprawling over 446 acres. Most of the time I managed to dismiss it as "way over on the other side of the city" from where I live, and though I've often driven past it to go to Annapolis or to beaches in Delaware or Maryland, surely I couldn't be bothered to take a trip solely to look at a bunch of trees in a big park, right? Furthermore, this city's museums and galleries--the familiar National Mall players--are resplendent in treasures that do not require much of a trek for me (though admittedly those treasures are not of the natural sort). Considering I am a fiscal con·servative, I could not imagine why almost $12.5 million of tax money was needed for what I thought amounted to nothing more than a big, federally-subsidized forest (real·ize I'm from what my friends refer to as the "Dark Woods of Upstate," and trees and plants are not hard to come by, let alone recipients of appropriat·ed public funds). And as I'm about to move to Chicago in a few weeks, I almost left DC without having experienced a day at the National Arboretum. Luckily for me, I have an editor who asked me to visit the Arboretum and write a bit about it, thus prod·ding me to expand my horizons and take advantage of the fruits of my hard-earned income. Upon First Entry... The National Arboretum, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was created by an Act of Congress in 1927 to serve not only as a natural exhibition space for innu·merable varieties of vegetation, but also as a federal research and educa·tion facility for botanists and horti·culturalists. Scientists breed and study new varieties of trees, plants, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables and attempt to develop gene strains that resist dis·eases and parasites, without resorting to pesticides and chemicals. And as part of its design, only two miles from the Capitol building, one is able to view the Washington's downtown monuments from certain corners of the Arboretum, making it a veritable "Capitol" experience. As an exhibition site, the Arboretum is a bit confusing. When I entered the grounds, I made my way Treasures of the Arboretum: MORE THAN A PARK BY GREGORY WOLCOTT to the Visitors Center, an administra-that dips towards the ground and myself without the aid of instruction tive building surrounded by a lily lifts its neck back up to reveal some manuals or directions, I dismissed pond full of brightly colored (and foliage. And though not nearly as old this option in the beginning of my some surprisingly large) koi, for as the collection's white pine, the visit. But as I left the bonsai exhibit, I whom fish food is sold so that eager Japanese red pine, about 180 years really felt overwhelmed. All I saw in young children can get closer looks old and donated by the Japanese the distance were meadows and at their speckled, fluorescent flesh. Imperial House, surely rivals the forests and no obvious indication of Behind the Center is a patio punctu-elder's beauty due to its petite which collection warranted the next ated by a juice bar and some tables grandeur and sheer grace. visit. and chairs with a view of the I could have spent the good part of I almost felt like I were about to Arboretum's vast expanse, making it the day only studying the intricacies waste a good portion of my day run-a pretty space to sit and enjoy some of the bonsai exhibits. Indeed, I visit-ning around in circles attempting to refreshments and natural surround-ed the Arboretum during the week-extract meaning out of some cluster ings. end of the World Bonsai Convention, of trees just because I was too o- But that's where the simplicity held downtown each year for bonsai nate to look at the Arboretum's maps ends. Though from the patio one can enthusiasts, trainers and vendors; the and guides and because I was too easily see the grand Corinthian Arboretum, in its role as an official good for some silly magic train ride "Capitol Columns," which served to sponsor, also welcomed many out of through those subsidized woodlands. support the East Portico of the town visitors hoping to delight in its Because I recognize this as one of Capitol building from 1826-1958 and offerings. But as I know that I reach a my personality faults, I decided that now stand proudly upon a hill sur-saturation point when it comes to perhaps the tram tour wasn't such a rounded by golden meadows, or the anything museum-like, despite my bad idea after all. Besides, I had a nearby herb and rose gardens, which enjoyment of such things, I decided deadline to meet. are filled with more varietals of mint, to move on to the next exhibit. I backtracked to the other end of salvias, and roses than I had ever the parking lot where visitors can imagined possible, it's hard deter-A Change of Course purchase tram tickets for 40-minute mine where to go next. From my ini- The Arboretum offers a scenic tram tours running every hour. I bought tial view, the Arboretum looks just ride for a couple of dollars, complete my ticket, hopped on the tram, and like a forest, and the collections don't with narration during the trip. as I waited for the tour to begin I seem very inviting. So it's not so clear Believing as I often do that I am flipped through the literature I had what the best way of tackling it may capable of figuring things out for picked up in the Visitors Center and be. Remarkable Treasures Accordingly I started with an easy part--the Bonsai and Penjing Garden. Through a pathway of slen·der and elegant Japanese cedars and wisteria, visitors enter pagodas hous·ing incredibly impressive collections of bonsai trees. I was stunned when greeted with a simple stone fountain and a miniature Japanese white pine that has been "in training" since 1625. Perfectly pruned and propor·tional, I found myself in awe of such a regal delight. Though that white pine is the old·est bonsai housed in the Arboretum, it is by no means the only remarkable one. I particularly enjoyed the tiny forest of young "Foemina" junipers, complete with rocks and flowering shrubbery and the California The unusual California Juniper draws looks at the Arboretum. juniper, with its long, striated trunk www.voiceofthehill.com Left: This group of Chinese Redwoods were once thought to be extinct. Above: This Japanese White Pine has been "in train·ing" since 1625. learned something reassuring: the good people at the USDA, in their infinite wisdom and consideration, have announced the construction of a "Flowering Tree Walk" to enhance visitors' experiences by connecting major portions of the Arboretum through a series of meandering paths lined with, you guessed it, flowering trees. A Natural Resource Environment As I mentioned earlier, the Capitol Columns, though a very special and unique element of the Arboretum, sit in the middle of meadows and research fields far from the Visitors Center patio. There are woodlands and exhibits surrounding the columns on all sides, and some driv·ing paths apparently useful for arriv·ing to point B from point A, but there is nothing inviting about this layout (though there is something dramatic about the singular view of the columns). The Arboretum lacks extensive and definitive pedestrian paths (apart from mowed grass) that welcome closer inspection and a cohesive experience. In fact it seems more like a collection of disparate exhibits over a large acreage protected from noisy New York Avenue by a fence. However, the Arboretum is first and foremost a natural resource envi·ron, not a sculptured Martha Stewart garden. Hence, the landscape archi·tects and the Arboretum officials have sought a design that aims to preserve the "openness of the space" while also providing accessibility and natural displays. The project entered a new phase just this spring and will www.voiceofthehill.com continue for at least a couple of years. From a purely visitor's point of view, I imagine this is going to be a welcome addition to the Arboretum. In the meantime, my tram ride had just begun. The vehicular tour of the Arboretum starts in the world's largest collection of boxwoods (104 varietals, to be precise). Our guide graciously paused and the recorded narration over the loudspeakers encouraged us to examine the many different shapes and sizes of these shrubs, which despite their bitter·sweet odor have been popular in landscaping since the colonial era. As we progressed in the journey, we passed by empty exhibits of early springtime perennials, such as daf·fodils and tulips, which was an implicit encouragement to return to the Arboretum at various points through the year in order to view its splendor while different items are in season. One of the highest elevations in the city is Mount Hamilton, a natural woodland within the Arboretum whose maintained forest attracts large numbers of owls and butter·flies. But surely this would not com·pare with the incredible azalea gar·den we were about to see, which is the largest and oldest collection of the Arboretum. I am, however, incapable of offer·ing my expert opinion on this matter at this time. Though I've heard it's absolutely magnificent, I was, unfor·tunately, a few weeks too late for this portion of the exhibit. This monu·mental garden, one of the best azalea collections in the world, was work of scientist Benjamin Morrison, who worked diligently to bring everwood azaleas from Asia to the USDA in a breeding program starting in the 1920s that resulted in the planting of thousands of seedlings by the 1940s. The tram ride whisked us by the "Youth Garden," an interactive gar·den for DC area schoolchildren where the youngsters can grow veg·etables for the Capitol Food Bank, thus serving to prune our those local residents into both capable and char·itable gardeners. Close by, I really enjoyed our pause to view what are known as "The Girls." Planted from seedlings in the 1940s, these three impressive and gigantic magnolia trees are the largest in the DC area and have blooms resistant to frost. Due to their age and as a sign that comedy knows no bounds, the recorded tram narra·tive suggests that they'd be better named the "Golden Girls." Living History Like the azalea gardens, the Asian collection is worth a protracted visit. Because DC has a climate similar to large portions of Asia, the Arboretum is able to host many trees and shrubs found halfway around the world. Something is in bloom year-round, and I especially recommend this exhibit's serene landscaped terraces outlined by meandering paths through some very lovely flora. This collection is not far from two very poignant reminders that the Arboretum serves as a paean to living natural history. The first is the exhib·it of the Chinese redwoods, a type of redwood over 200,000 years old and once thought extinct. However, seedlings were found and botanists nurtured them back into their right·ful glory. The second is one of the actual oldest trees in the Arboretum (notwithstanding the aforemen·tioned bonsai)--a splendid willowed oak. This tree, over 200 years old, majestically rises out of the middle of rather ascetically boring research fields by virtue of its gargantuan trunk and innumerable branches full of silvery leaves. As the tram ride concluded, I had to admit that I had enjoyed my expe·rience at the Arboretum and felt compelled to visit again in order to take full advantage of nuances offered by the many exhibits. In fact, it appears that many people do just that. I saw families eating picnics in the meadows, hikers walking their dogs through the woodlands, and nature lovers riding their bikes around the perimeter. So depending upon your mood, you might just want to make destina·tion visits to the Arboretum, as it is a lot to absorb in detail all in one visit. And the very fact that the exhibits change naturally is reason alone to make multiple trips. What's truly wonderful about the Arboretum, however, is not simply that it is such an expansive gallery of nature's finest, but that it's an oasis within an otherwise harried town. Sure, there are green spaces through·out the city, but the Arboretum feels like a different place altogether. Its ability to transform the visitor to another place (and, due to the his·tory of the exhibits, another time) is what makes the Arboretum so unas·sumingly special. Its charms and his·tory sneak up quietly but positively, making time spent there more than just a lovely day at the park. The National Arboretum is located at 3501 New York Avenue, NE. More information is available by phone at 202-245-2726 or on the web at www.usna.usda.gov. Greg Wolcott, a 2001 graduate of the Catholic University of America, lives in the District and works at two-partnered non-profits in Arlington, Va. After eight years of living in this city, he's moving to Chicago to enjoy real winters. About the Brickworks... Remains of Active Brick Kiln at the Arboretum BY RA CHEL AD AMS Nestled against New York Avenue, NE, at the southwestern corner of the U.S. National Arboretum near the on-ramp to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, sits a curious conglomeration of structures: a dilapidated grouping of brick mounds and smokestacks, slightly infiltrated by wild grasses, rising up behind a high iron fence. This is what remains of the United Brick Corporation, established in the late 1890s, which at its heyday pro·duced 130 million bricks per year, and which for nearly a century pro·vided the city with many of its still-standing structures. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the site has been owned by the Arboretum since its decommis·sion in 1972. The United Brick Company was among the most successful of the 90·plus brickyards that peppered Washington's turn-of-the-century landscape. Geologically, its location was ideal--it was situated on the now-exhausted "Anacostia deposit," a clay-rich swath of earth that extended northward to Beltsville, Md. Between 1927 and 1931, the brick·yard underwent its most extensive expansion, and nine igloo-like "bee·hive kilns" were constructed, along with several chimneys, a drying building, and administrative build·ings. In a triangular patch of land bounded by V Street, Hickey Road, and Bladensburg Road, clay was extracted by steam shovel, packed onto mule-drawn carts (later replaced by a small, self-contained train sys·tem), and relayed to the brickyard proper. Complicated Procedure "Brickmaking was a complicated pro·cedure," says Thomas Elias, director of the Arboretum, who has worked diligently to maintain the historic site during his 11-year tenure. The raw clay, he explains, was transport·ed up earthen ramps to the second story of the main factory building, then dumped down onto a "grinding pan" at the ground level, where its impurities were siphoned out. From there, the clay moved to a "pugmill," where it was moistened to gain the appropriate plasticity. Forced through an augur, it was formed into an attenuated, smooth ribbon, known as a "slug," and sliced into individual bricks. Placed onto carts, the not-yet-fired, or "green" bricks were set into one of 38 drying tunnels--housed in a long, low building, still visible today--where they remained for three days, drying at 150-180-degree temperatures. Inside the beehive kilns, site of the final step in the brickmaking process, the temperature became exponen·tially higher: close to 2,000 degrees. "After the drying came the firing," says Elias. "The bricks were taken from the tunnels and hand-stacked in the kilns," the doors of which were then sealed with bricks and mortar, he explains. "Fireboxes," tucked along the kiln's inner walls and accessed through small service holes, were externally loaded with coal and set aflame. Hot gas filtered along the structure's walls, up to its crown and down into a subterranean flue, where it passed though interconnected tunnels dis·tributing heat to other areas of the factory. Within, the kilns glowed an incandescent yellow-red, and out·side, their walls--restrained by strong iron bands--expanded slightly due to the extreme temperature. After baking for three to four days, the newly-formed bricks were removed and distributed to construction sites throughout the city. In Later Years Thus functioned the United Brickyard until January of 1972, when, unable to compete with new, A view of the brickworks automated brickmaking, the site shut down. Six of its World War II-era kilns, as well as several other struc·tures, fell into disrepair and were razed. In 1976, the federal govern·ment purchased the brickyard for $5.5 million, and incorporated it into the Arboretum's 412-acre domain. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Since then, the Arboretum has spearheaded an effort to preserve-- and eventually revamp--the area. "We'd love to see something done with it," says Elias. "But at the moment, financing is the problem. In the meantime, we're just trying to take care of it as best we can." In recent years, the site has been cleared of overgrowth, and the foot·prints of its now-absent kilns have been marked by low, circular walls that outline their original locations. It is not difficult to envision the sort of renovation that could take place here--the kilns' wide, spacious domes, if stabilized and refurbished, could easily hold floral exhibits, and the empty brick circles seem to lend themselves to walk-through gardens or topiaries. The single large building, a simple, peak-roofed structure that housed changing-rooms and break-rooms for the brickyard employees, is also structurally sound, perhaps the future location of a history museum or information center. Elias notes, however, that the area is not currently open to the public, due primarily to safety hazards; the kilns, in specific, are dangerous to enter, their floors dotted with deep holes leading to the interlaced net·work of tunnels below. The drying tunnel building is also crumbling-- recently, a large chunk of its south-facing wall disintegrated and col·lapsed to the ground. The pathways between the build·ings are scattered with wayward bricks and are relatively unkempt. At present, only employees may traverse the site, on their way to the Arbor-etum's large composting zone adja·cent to it. In years past, Elias says, trespassing and vandalism have been problematic, resulting in a height·ened security presence on that part of the property. But the impetus for renovation is still strong, and the Arboretum con·tinues the effort to amass as-yet-insufficient funds. "It's really a won·derful place, and one of the only of its kind remaining in Washington," Elias adds. "We keep hoping to one day operate it as a historic site--to have it made accessible to everyone, and used more efficiently." DC resident Rachel Adams has written a number of historical pieces for the Voice. jazz nightin southwest Preserving, Advancing DC's Jazz Tradition BY SELBY MCCASH fter more than 335 consecutive per·formances and counting, the weekly church-affiliated concerts billed as "Jazz Night in Southwest" have become an established part of the city's music scene. Their success means more than an evening's entertainment or artistic expression to those responsible for the concerts, such as the Rev. Brian Allyn Johnson recently replaced Calvin Jones as director of jazz studies at UDC. Hamilton and ex-pro football play-er/singer Dick Smith. As they see it, the bottom-line purpose is to pre·serve and advance the century-old DC jazz tradition and, in the process, bring their diverse and often-frag-mented community closer together. Established six and a half years ago, "Jazz Night" presents an ever-changing lineup of locally-based musicians, including some of world class stature and many promising up-and-comers. It takes place every Friday throughout the year, from 6 to 9 p.m.. The venue is the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St., SW, across the street from Arand Waterside Mall, just a few blocks below Capitol Hill. The admission is a meager $5, free for children under 16. Accompanying the music is a downstairs buffet serv·ing up such choices as fried whiting, baked chicken, slaw, collards, sweet potato pie, tea and lemonade for as little as $7 for an entrée, side, drink and dessert. Not surprisingly, costs exceed the prices. But organizers aim to keep the concerts affordable for virtually everyone, covering the deficits with fund-raising events, pri·vate contributions, and government grants, including support from the DC Arts Commission. Remarkable Growth Although never widely advertised, the word was spread effectively enough to draw respectable crowds from the beginning. Today, the turnouts are larger than ever, reach·ing a record average of 275 a perform·ance over the past year. Moreover, Jazz Night has expanded in scope, spawning a wide variety of related activities. Sponsored under the "Jazz Night" umbrella are an audio-visual Heritage Archive program documenting DC jazz history; an annual day-long out·door Jazz Preservation Festival in late September; an after-school music instruction program and the youth Renaissance Jazz Ensemble; jazz per·formances at schools and senior cen·ters, and special concerts such as a recent sold-out Lincoln Theater fund raiser starring noted vocalist Gloria Lynne. Now plans are underway to estab·lish a program called "Blue Monday Blues," providing the same weekly outlet for the city's blues artists pro·vided for those in jazz. The target date is sometime by the end of the summer. But Jazz Night remains the feature attraction. Local Luminaries Among those periodically appearing at the church are Keter Betts, who accompanied Ella Fitzgerald for 25 years and still ranks among the world's top jazz bassists; Buck Hill, a former mailman who gained nation·al recognition on tenor sax, playing with luminaries like Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderly, and Sonny Stitt; Connie Simmons, a vocalist with cel·ebrated jazz pianist Art Tatum, still singing at 88; and, when his health has allowed, Butch Warren, bassist on more than 130 jazz recordings, including a number of acclaimed 1950s and 1960s post-bop Blue Note classics. More frequently, appearances are made by younger musicians such as trumpeter Michael Thomas, reed players Antonio Parker, Paul Carr and Zach Graddy, and pianist Vince Evans. Most have day jobs as teach·ers, computer analysts, and a church music director. But they all play pro·fessionally part time, and time will tell if some are destined to have full-time jazz careers. These are random examples. The District harbors many promising young jazz artists, partly as a result of the flow emerging from jazz pro·grams at Howard University, University of the District of Columbia; University of Maryland, and the Washington Jazz Art Institute, founded by sax player and educator Davy Yarborough (also a Westminster regular). Scores of musi·cians, young and older, play Westminster for a minimal fee, citing a variety of reasons: to support the cause of jazz, gain wider recognition, enjoy the fellowship of fellow musi·cians and fans, because it is a place where people truly listen, or all of the above. "You won't hear better jazz if you spend $100 or more at the swankiest www.voiceofthehill.com Local percussionist Nasar Abadey wows the crowd at Jazz Night. "The music is amazing. But even more amazing is the cohesiveness of the people who come there, people of all races and ages and backgrounds, all sharing the music together." club in town," observes Ray Wilson, a the experience "profoundly engag·retired Navy Petty Officer and ing" for many. An art form like jazz, Congressional aide who has attended he says, is "uniquely structured" to the Westminster concerts for the past bring people together, enriching the four years. A noted photographer, he whole community. has documented many of the per-The program's genesis dates back formances with his camera. "The to the 1970's, when a volunteer effort music is amazing. But even more known as "Lettumplay" was formed amazing is the cohesiveness of the to find work for the city's neglected people who come there, people of all jazz musicians. Although races and ages and backgrounds, all "Lettumplay" arranged a series of sharing the music together." jazz memorial services for departed musicians, it had little luck finding A 'Profoundly Engaging' gigs for the living. Things changed Experience when a member of the Westminster That is exactly what Jazz Night is all congregation brought Rev. Hamilton about, says the Rev. Hamilton, who, together with Smith, a former 1960's along with his wife Ruth, has served Washington Redskin halfback and as co-pastor of the church since 1996. "Lettumplay" activist. He believes the convergence of the Their agendas meshed perfectly. Rev. Hamilton, a native of Maine, music and a spirit of bonding make who had experience with jazz ves· pers in previous inner city ministries in Detroit and Philadelphia, wanted to reach out to the church's multi·racial, multi-income-level neighbor-hood--not simply to boost church attendance, but to fulfill what he viewed as his ministry's purpose of healing divisions and shaping a more unified community at-large. Smith, a part time performing singer with a rich, deep voice, who has also been involved with jazz church services, wanted to do more to give the city's avocational musi·cians a chance to be heard, an objec·tive that resonated with Rev. Hamilton. With the minister at the helm, a private nonprofit entity called the Southwest Renaissance Development Buck Hill, "one of DC's really great Corporation was created to manage horn players." Jazz Night. The congregation was generally supportive, and still is. Smith became musical coordinator. On Jan. 22, 1999, the first of the Friday night concerts took place. Although planned as an eight-week experiment, they have continued without interruption ever since-- ensuring that practically everyone has access to a distinctly American art form and can appreciate its enduring legacy. DC's Jazz Roots To be sure, Washington, DC hardly compares with New Orleans, Chicago, Kansas City or New York in the annals of jazz history. But jazz roots go deeper in the capital city than many people realize. This is, after all, the hometown of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, one of America's foremost composers and a towering figure in jazz born in 1899 at 2129 Ward Place, NW. The nucleus of his first band was drawn from musicians then living in DC, includ·ing his longtime drummer Sonny Greer. That was prior to 1920. Jelly Roll Morton, born in 1885, the self-styled "inventor" of jazz, who certainly had a major hand in its development, managed and played at a dingy, failing club at 1211 U St., NW, in the mid-to-late 1930's. These were hard times for the leg·endary pianist, singer, composer and innovative ensemble leader, but also a time when he made a series of solo recordings and interviews at the Library of Congress that remain among the most soulful and historic of jazz documents. This is the city of Dr. Billy Taylor, the top-flight jazz pianist and famed jazz educator and director of the Kennedy Center jazz programs; of guitarist Charlie Byrd, who ran a famous DC jazz club for decades; of Shirley Horn, Claude Hopkins, Charlie Rouse, Leo Parker and Billy Hart, just a few of the native citizens achieving national jazz renown; of the Howard Theater that brought jazz pioneers to DC early in the 20th century, and dozens of places that bring local and national jazz musi·cians today. Jazz Night in Southwest and its spin-off programs are establishing themselves as a part of this history-- a part Rev. Hamilton would like to see spread to neighborhoods all over DC, helping make the city a more harmonious place. "DC is a jazz town," he says. Hill resident Selby McCash's work appears frequently in the Voice. Celebrating Cluss Adolph Cluss is shown during the construction of the National Museum, currently the Smithsonian's Arts & Industries Building. Photo courtesy Goethe-Institut. THE RADIC AL RED BY S.J. A CKERMAN id you know that Eastern Market was designed by a militant communist? Indeed, Adolph Cluss was probably the only person to be chummy with both General Grant and Karl Marx. Aside from his double life, the other surprise is that we've been liv·ing with Cluss (rhymes with loose) without knowing it. After the Civil War, he designed "the New Wash·ington," the "brick city," in his own distinctive style. Beyond specific buildings, Cluss influenced the distinctive Washing·ton streetscapes we enjoy today. We instantly recognize them in movies actually filmed here. Cluss gave DC its signature look. As technical advi·sor to "Boss" Shepherd, (see the May Voice), Cluss innovated our tax-free front yards, our tree boxes, and even our bay windows extending past the literal property line. Upon the centennial of his death, under the auspices of the Goethe Institut, Washington's German cul·tural organization, Cluss is about to explode from obscurity with release of the first book about him, a display of his work, and even a mini·museum in Germany. Conveniently, September's Overbeck Capitol Hill history lecture will feature him. As if to punctuate it all, Calvary Baptist Church in Chinatown recent·ly replicated its intricate Cluss steeple, which had fallen to a hurri·cane in 1913. Suddenly Cluss is every·where. The Bolshevic and the Boss Cluss seized his breakthrough oppor·tunity in 1872, when he became the chief engineer for "Boss" Alexander Shepherd's Board of Public Works, charged with making Washington a modern city. Private commissions, as well as federal contracts, made him wealthy. When he designed three palatial "Shepherd's Row" mansions in the 1700 block of K Street, NW, for a whopping FA THER OF EASTERN $150,000, the Boss bought the cen·tral mansion, while Cluss bought one next door but never moved there-- fortunately, as it turned out. President Grant smiled on Cluss, so the contracts flowed--lucrative jobs involving public buildings, mar·kets, and schools. This work attracted more contracts for houses, churches: even Washington's first apartment building. Alas, the Shepherd government went bankrupt, so Cluss was hauled before a Congressional investigation. He caved in under pressure, implicat·ing his patron Shepherd in fiscal cor·ruption. Grant promptly fired him. Cluss in turn advocated repeal of the home rule the District had enjoyed for just a few months. Cluss likely panicked because he had something to hide. Back in his native Germany, he had been a com·munist revolutionary, an agitator for--and intimate personal friend of--Karl Marx. Born in Heilbronn, Wurrtemberg, in 1825 to a family of upwardly mobile architects and builders, Cluss started on the technical end, build·ing a railroad along the Rhine. In 1848, when Europe exploded in revo·lutions, Cluss led the fight for the Communist League in Mainz, earn·ing Marx's praise as an agent "beyond compare." Cluss fought for a classless society, but police spies preferred a Cluss-less one, tracking his every movement. His family found his zealotry embar·rassing, to boot. When the revolu·tion failed, he prudently sailed for America. Here he prospered, married, ascended the middle class. In 1858 he re-crossed the Atlantic to tell Marx personally why he was leaving the international movement. No doubt he influenced Marx's opinion that upwardly mobile American soci·ety would be the last to buy into communism. MARKET The Cluss Style When Cluss got his first architectural commission in 1864 to design a DC public school, it's clear that he didn't list Marx as a reference on his resume. A "dialectical materialist" would have been unlikely to win commissions for churches or three Catholic schools (where some of his children would be educated), let alone U.S. government buildings. Close to the reigning Republican establishment, he survived Shepherd's fall and built much of the "brick city" that preceded the marble and granite edifices the world thinks of today as Washington. More than 70 Cluss buildings once adorned our streets; only seven remain, two of them in Baltimore and Alexandria. The inauguration of President Garfield in 1881 was a Cluss triumph. Not only did his new Smithsonian building host the inaugural ball, but ephemeral triumphal arches he designed spanned the parade route. Cluss does not fit neatly into any architectural box. Architectural his·torian Tanya Edwards Beauchamp finds the basis in the Rundbogenstil style Cluss knew in Germany, adapt·ing round-arched Romanesque mode to new uses and materials. He looked to Italy for the dignified use of the brick so readily made in Washington, bringing in the mansard roofs and colorful accents of Second Empire Paris. His obvious love of light inspired abundant large windows, preventing a ponderous look. Some of his designs seem a tad busy, very much of the late 19th century. Washington's gift to Cluss was the clay upon which we sit. Brick became his apt medium for making an American city on a human scale, the final element in his style. Answering the sneers of architectural snobs who deemed brick intrinsically ugly, Cluss pointed to the example of Lombardy in Italy, where it had been "raised to a standard of value and dignity." Back in Heilbronn, a new brick-shaped Cluss Cube houses a mini·museum to the long-forgotten native son, overbilling him as "The Man Who Built Washington, DC." Most of Cluss's abundant buildings have been destroyed, some--like the Army Medical Museum at 7th and Independence SW--fairly recently. An eloquent few remain: Calvary Baptist Church (8th and H Streets, NW); Masonic Temple (9th and F, NW); Franklin School (13th and K, NW); Sumner School (17th and M, NW); Alexandria City Hall; Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building; and Eastern Market. Hill Legacy Cluss's enduring gifts to the Hill were his tree boxes, liberalized front yards, and architectural permissiveness, keeping Washington from looking like flat-front Baltimore. These ideas were particularly important here, where building picked up vigorously in the 1870s. Research is ongoing, but Cluss buildings on the Hill later demolished include two Navy Yard buildings, one home, and three schools. The sole survivor is Eastern Market, where a year of Cluss com·memorations all over town and in Germany will kick off in a celebra·tion on July 23, marking the centen·nial of his death. Le Renovation HAND YMAN SER VICE Free Estimates No Job Too Big or Too Small · Plumbing· Painting · Electric· Decks · Carpentry · Fences · Masonry · Patios · Tile 202.359.9971 Want to fix your house, but lack the funds? Call us. Eastren Market, Adolph Cluss' Capitol Hill legacy. Although prosperity may have market honoring its visionary prodi·made him bourgeois, Cluss retained gal son. his youthful idealism in envisioning At this writing, the language of the a livable city on a human scale. We plaque is still tentative. The proposed can say that he realized it at Eastern headline is "A Lively Market for a Market. In October, the mayor of Lively Neighborhood." The copy will Heilbrunn will unveil a plaque at the point out details we may overlook as we shop, which were striking in 1873. The truss-roof configuration allowed for Cluss's beloved natural light as well as ventilation. "Cluss's air vents lining the roof were sealed decades ago, but long-timers recall that they worked and should be reactivated." The many doors provided ready access, while the cellar for cold storage became a model for markets elsewhere. Many market loyalists want to restore the rooftop vents, perversely sealed in the 1970s. The point is that the building we take for granted today was a breakthrough in its time, socially and technologically. We love it because it still works as Cluss intended. Whatever its wording, the plaque will proclaim Eastern Market's heritage and energy. Upcoming Cluss-Mania We're going to have fun toasting Adolf Cluss, starting by looking at Eastern Market as a building that works today as designed, the center of a "civic society." Tours, art exhibits, and hands-on activities for the kids are on the agenda. A video camera hookup with the marlace in Heilbrunn is also planned. Resident artist Michael Berman has rounded up colleagues who have por·trayed the Market, while encouraging school kids to paint their impres·sions. So hitch up your lederhosen and come on down to see the old market with fresh eyes. On Sept. 13, Dr. Joseph Browne, the director of the exhibition who set off Cluss mania, will deliver an Overbeck Capitol Hill History lecture about the architect's activities in this neighborhood. A lecture at the Navy Yard will follow in September. On Oct. 18, the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra will present a concert hon·oring native son Cluss at the Library of Congress. These Hill events are just part of the Cluss celebration. The center·piece is the exhibition on Sept. 15 in his own Sumner School: "Adolph Cluss: From Germany to America. Shaping a Capital City Worthy of a Republic." The Cluss book will issue at the same time. A wine named for Cluss from his ancestral vineyards will be uncorked in November. To keep updated on the still-devel-oping list of activities, look at the exhibition website: www.adolf-cluss.org or the Goethe Institute, www.goethe.dc/cluss. You can sub·scribe to a free electronic Cluss Newsletter. All this to-do seems a lot for a guy we've never really heard of. Yet the diligent work of "Team Cluss" shows that we Washingtonians owe Cluss a great deal. A century later, it's time to acknowledge and appreciate him. Hill resident S.J. Ackerman is a regular contributor to this newspaper. Inspired by Shakespeare? Become a Folger Docent Applications Now Being Accepted for Fall 2005 Fascinated by Elizabethan England? Inspired by Shakespeare since reading Romeo and Juliet in the eighth grade? Never miss a Renaissance festival? Join with others from throughout the metro Washington area that share your fasci·nation with literature and history and volunteer to be a Folger docent. Acting as museum teachers, Folger docents share their love of the Bard and his times with the public and students of all ages. Docents staff the Library's public information desk and offer tours for visitors from around the world. They conduct workshops for student groups, and help plan and run special events like the annual Shakespeare's Birthday Open House and student per·formance festivals. The benefits are many. Retirees speak of the chance to revive interests from their school days and return to their academic roots. Those still active in the workforce think of their docent work as a chance "to take time just for me in pursuit of something I love." Folger docents also enjoy discounted tickets to Folger plays and concerts and opportunities for further learning about Shakespeare, the English Renaissance, and theatrical performance. The Folger docent training program is offered once a year, starting in October and running two mornings a week for two months. Docents are asked to volunteer 50 hours a year for at least two years following the course. For more information and an application, visit the Folger's website at www.folger.edu or call Megan Smith at 202-675-0395. Applications Being Taken for Free Spring-flowering Bulbs Individuals and groups are invited to apply now for free daffodil and crocus bulbs to be planted this fall. The bulbs will be donated by the Capitol Hill Garden Club for planting in pocket parks, tree boxes, curbside private gardens, church and school grounds, and parks and community centers--all on Capitol Hill. Applications are due on Aug. 15, and the bulbs will be distributed in October. For more information or to request an application, interested persons may con·tact Jan Shea at 202-548-0870 or by email sheacom@hotmail.com. Your applica·tion should include your simple plan for the planting. It must be visible from the street. Washington Vs. Baltimore Ballgame Cuisine BY CELESTE MCCALL he baseball wars are heating fans were going wild, stomping their about this. Not only are dining found the crab cake recipe on the up, and we're not talking feet and making the stadium sway. options limited to the rather over-Food Network's web page (see below). about batting averages, home Even better but equally messy was priced items inside (and severely tax-Plus the obligatory burgers (about runs or RBIs. We're talking chorizo. The sausages' $5.75 price tag ing the 44-year-old stadium's single $5), hot dogs (around $3.50) and food. seemed a much better deal than the 1,600 square foot kitchen, which sausages (we prefer the Polish-style), Where would you rather dine-or ho-hum hot dog, which went for $5. might feed an average of 32,000 peo-which were slightly more expensive. snack? RFK Memorial Stadium or at Other food items along the stadi-ple per game), it leaves out patrons The Eutaw Street area opens two Oriole Park at Camden Yards? um concourse were fried chicken ten-with dietary or religious food restric-hours prior to game time, giving During much of our 34-year dry ders with fries ($8.50); pizza by the tions. folks plenty of time to chow down. spell when DC lacked a home team, slice, nachos with radioactive-look-In contrast, the last time we visited Inside the stadium concourse, Peter and I often made the 35-mile ing bright orange cheese dip, soft Camden Yards, we were allowed to numerous vendors offer a similar trek to Camden Yards for O's games. pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, ice bring in foods and non-alcoholic array of victuals and beverages. The We would try to schedule our visits cream, cotton candy, lemonade and beverages, also available outside at Third Base Deli makes sandwiches when the O's were playing my Pepsi products. Caveat: If you want lower prices. Like many people, we and subs--hot or cold. Prices are rea- beloved New York Yankees (the less anything more exotic than a hot dog, usually bring our own sourdough sonable considering the ingredients said about the once-feared Bronx arrive early. A fan attending the pretzels and bottled water from are reportedly fresh. Last year, a cus- Bombers this year the better). opening game against the Arizona home. tomer purchased a roast beef and Nighttime excursions usually Diamondbacks told me that vendors provolone sandwich with chips and included supper, consumed at the had run out of sausages by the third Camden Yards Culinary soda, all for $7.50. Not bad for ball- Yards, and culinary options were inning. Sometimes we yearn for beautiful park grub. more diverse than the fare at RFK, Unfortunately, crab cakes, which Camden Yards and are going there in Here's the recipe for Camden Yards where the Washington Nationals will were sold during the April 3 exhibi-a couple of weeks to see the O's play crab cakes: play until their new stadium is com-tion game against the New York the (gulp) Yankees. In years past, if 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat pleted in 2008. Mets, disappeared from the general we were lucky enough to squeeze 1 pound backfin crabmeat However, this year we are switch-concessions when the regular season into