of The Hill VOICE This Month 10 The Rise, Fall and Rise of a Neighborhood 14 A New Natatorium Brings New Concerns 26 Deals on Wheels 17 Preparation: Recovery and Resolve 20 Library Lessons 21 Blogging: Hip and Hot 24 Chuck Burger: Taking Chances 26 The Future Is in the Planning 28 Fall Festivals 32 Vegging Out in Fall 36 Eye See You 38 Break Time Kicks 39 Bluegrass Lives 40 Strictly Ballroom Departments VoiceMail............................................3Out of theOut of the Business Bits .....................................4City Desk............................................6DownLoad ..........................................7Ask Judith ........................................42Designing for Hearth and Home.........44Armchair Movie Reviews ....................46Health and Fitness............................48back toback to Barracks Row ...................................50 schoolschool Hill Treasures....................................51Ask the Vet.......................................52Kids' Sports .....................................54Capital Kids......................................55Kids' Calendar ..................................56Community Calendar .........................57Horoscope........................................59Classifieds .......................................59Business Services ............................60Restaurant Review ............................62pool...and Vol. 5 No. 6 September 2003 "WHERE WSHOPS NEW ADDRESS!" Sales ·· · ASHINGTON FOR A Rentals Commercial Leasing Property Management www.johncformant.com Congratulations to Capitol Hill's John C. Formant Senators (a.k.a. Washington Senators) on their 4th League Championship (Girls 13 & Under) & their valiant run in the 2003 World Series, where they defeated the #1 ranked team in ing the National Championship! We're proud of you, girls! John C. Formant Senators in Florida for 2003 World Series Gallaudet--Coming in September Gallaudet -- Coming in mid-September Recently remodeled 3BR/1.5BA on 3 finished levels w/ hwd flrs, large rooms, & a deep back yard (2 separate lots) with a large deck, a garden, & plenty of PARKING! $199,000 Call Todd Bissey at 202-841-SOLD (7653) Shaw--407 O Street, NW 628 Massachusetts Ave., NE Over 1900 sq. ft. of GUTTED space & the zoning allows for the possibility of adding 1000 sq. ft. off the back. Convert to 2 MBR Suites w/ large & bright 1BR in-law suite & PARKING! $445,000 Call Todd Bissey at 202-841-SOLD (7653) One of the top 5 renovations Todd & Stan have seen! Magnificently renovated & sunny 1900 sq. ft. 3BR/2.5BA w/ fp, oak flrs, granite, stainless, & cute back yard! $349,500 Call Todd Bissey at 202-841-SOLD (7653) TODD AND STAN'S AUGUST ACTIVITY 121 10th Street, NE (Selling Agents) Listed @ $649,000 Under Contract 317 10th St., NE #10 (Listing & Selling Agents) Listed @ $249,000 Under Contract 414 Seward Square, SE #305 (Selling Agents) Listed @ $189,500 Under Contract 315 16th Street, NE (Selling Agents) Listed @ $275,000 Under Contract 1310 Congress Street, SE (Listing Agents) Listed @ $269,500 Under Contract 1243 I Street, NE (Selling Agents) Listed @ $339,000 SOLD 219 12th Street, NE #1 (Selling Agents) Listed @ $289,000 SOLD 323 7th Street, SE (Upstairs Office Space) Leased in 2 weeks! BISSEY&BISSEY Residential & Commercial Real Estate Consultants 202-841-SOLD Todd Bissey & Stan Bissey This lovely Victorian sits just steps off of Lincoln Park on one of the most beloved blocks on the Hill! Call Pete Frias at 202-744-8973 Featuring 3 large rooms, 1 smaller room, a partial bsmt, full 419,000 Call Pete Frias at 202-744-8973 Shaw--20 Q Street, NW $429,000 Call Pete Frias at 202-744-8973 Over 1700 sq ft of renovated office space zoned for Commercial or Residential use within 2 blocks of the Potomac Ave. METRO! bath, plenty of storage & a nice fenced-in brick patio. $ 129 Kentucky Avenue, SE 1231 Pennsylvania Ave, SE Investor's delight: 2 large 3BR apartments, central air, stor- age basement, & 2 car PARKING in Red Hot Shaw! SOLD PETE'S AUGUST ACTIVITY 806 Maryland Ave., NE (Listing Agent) SOLD 401 Kentucky Ave., SE (Selling Agent) SOLD 129 Kentucky Ave., SE (Listing & Selling Agent) Under Contract New Renovations--Just Listed: Columbia Heights -- 4124 13th Street, NW: 3BR/3BA $415,000 Columbia Heights -- 3032 Park Place, NW: 3BR/2BA $315,000 Shaw -- 1411 5th Street, NW: 4BR/3.5 BA (Includes In-Law Suite) $449,500 PETE FRIAS, ESQ. Winner of GCAAR's highest honor, the Platinum Award. 202-744-8973 Pete Frias 225 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, S.E. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20003 TEL: 202-544-3900 FAX: 202-546-1771 VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 of The Hill VOICE Voicemail The Voice of the Hill is published find out what we as resiand distributed monthly to Capitol More Uline History Hill residences and business loca tions. The focus is on the commu-To the Editor: nity and includes contiguous neigh-Congratulations on the interesting story Problems in Our Parks dents of the District's neighborhoods can do before this situa- To the Editor: borhoods from Gallaudet University on the history of Uline Arena (Voice of My name is Fred Saddler, and I am tion gets further to the Navy Yard and from the the Hill, August). While recounting local a resident of Capitol Hill (5th & D out of hand. Capitol to the Stadium Armory basketball history, writers often forget to Streets, NE). This morning, while walking Complex.Publication and distribu-mention one of the finest pro teams of my dog in Stanton Park, I came across tion is the last Friday of each all to play here, the Washington Bears, several areas in the park that contained FRED SADDLER month. Advertising deadline is the who claimed the 1943 World Championfirst of the month preceding publi-ship of pro basketball by beating the cation. Oshkosh All-Stars 43-31 at the annual Chicago tournament held in those years. Voice of the Hill The Bears, a black team, played one 120 11th St., SE, Rear year in DC and were principally made up human feces and assorted other human 410 5th Street, NE waste (including empty liquor bottles). A 202-546-8455 closer inspection of the entire park turned up two more such spots in the fenced children's play area. Restoration Society Shares I immediately phoned the U.S. Park Reservation 13 Concerns Washington DC 20003 of members of the renowned New York Police, who, although they later came to 202-544-0703 Main office Renaissance touring team. One member inspect the park, informed me that their NOTE: The following letter was released to 202-547-5133 Fax of the Bears, William "Pop" Gates, is resources are stretched so thin with The Voice of the Hill. now in the Hall of Fame. Other stars Homeland Security duties that they have Andrew Altman were Johnny Isaacs, "Dolly" King and little time to police Stanton, Lincoln, or Director, DC Office of Planning www.voiceofthehill.com Zack Clayton, who later became a any of the city's public parks properly 801 North Capitol St., NE, Suite 4000 editor@voiceofthehill,com famous fight referee. (including many in the highly visible Washington, DC 20002 bruce@voiceofthehill.com A few years back, Gates and other downtown area). In fact, he said, the RE: Proposed Zoning of Reservation 13 patti@voiceofthehill.com surviving members of the Bears told me only time that they really come to the adele@voiceofthehill.com that after winning the 1943 title, they park is when someone complains about were allowed to play a game at Uline, dogs running off-leash, to which I Dear Mr. Altman: Staff which they understood was the first time responded (as even many non-dog own- I am writing you on behalf of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) regard- Scott Shumaker the arena was integrated for a team ers do) that policing grossly abhorrent ing the Office of Planning's proposed Editor sport. I've not had occasion to verify the human behavior was a bit more impor- Bruce Robey story, but I always assumed it was so. zoning of Reservation 13. I want to tant than errant canines and their hanthank you for the opportunity toebMaster It was also great to see the mention dlers (who usually pick up their waste). ment on the proposal and on your staff'sof Earl Lloyd, whom I remember seeing My question is thus: who is going to close work with the community. CHRS Adele Robey Graphic Design and Production with the Syracuse Nationals when I was do something about the deteriorating also acknowledges the hard work and Andrew Noyes, Assistant Editor a youngster. public safety situation in the District's effort that went into the master plan and Various claims have been made about neighborhood parks that fall under U.S. the proposed zoning. As you will see Patti Shea, Political Reporter which were the first integrated teams in Park Police jurisdiction? I have noticed below, we do not totally agree with the Larry Kaufer, Sports Editor pro basketball. The late Lester Harrison, a marked increase in the number of founder of the Rochester Royals (now mainly homeless men drinking and then proposed zoning, but we do believe that our frank remarks will lead to a better Publishers the Sacramento Kings), used to insist bedding down for the night in Stanton proposal.Phoenix Graphics, Inc. that the first black players really were Park. Each morning, at least six or T/A Voice of the Hill Dolly King, who played for the Royals in seven of them are to be found asleep In response to your announcement of a June 19, 2003, public briefing on the 1946, and "Pop" Gates who was with on the park's benches or on the ground. proposed zoning, CHRS established a Community Action Group: the Tri-City Black Hawks (now the Atlanta On one occasion earlier this summer, I working group to review the Hawks) the same year. In 1946, both even saw a man urinating against a tree proposal. The committee is composed teams were members of the old in plain sight of Massachusetts Avenue, of CHRS members with expertise in zon-National Basketball League, one of the Distribution as well as the children from the cluster Contributing Writers leagues that consolidated into the NBA school adjacent to the park! ing and planning; it includes residents of Laurie Aomari Celeste McCall in 1949. the Capitol Hill East area. Gary While I certainly sympathize with their Peterson, an at-large board member and Stephanie Briggs Bill McLeod Since then, the NBA has insisted that plight, a phone call to the nearest shel- newly-appointed chair of the CHRS zon-Judith Capen Gene Miller the first black players (in the NBA) were ter (Mitch Snyder) revealed that they JoAnne Carey Andrew Noyes Chuck Cooper of the Celtics, Lloyd of the indeed have space for these people, and ing committee, agreed to chair the working group. Gary and I attended the June Gene Clapp Ruth Hayes Robbins Capitals and Nate "Sweetwater" of the even now I and my fellow parishioners at meeting and made comments on theVictoria Curtis Julia Robey Knicks, who all joined the league in St. James Episcopal Church make gener- proposal at that time. Now, having com- Mark Gallagher Shirley Serotsky 1951. But there are also claims of other ous provision to aid the Capitol Hill pleted a further review of the proposal, Colin Gustafson Patti Shea isolated instances of integrated teams Group Ministry to find food, clothing, and CHRS submits the following comments: Dug Hanbicki Nicole Spiridakis at basketball's highest levels going back shelter for these unfortunate men. 1. General comments.We believe the Larry Kaufer Padraic Sweeney to 1911 or so. However, they must be made to go to goal of the master plan is to make Beth Lambdin Robert Wander Also, whenever the subject of the the shelter, at least for hygiene rea- Reservation 13 an extension of Capitol Washington Bears comes up, which is sons--a child nearly thrust his hand into Hill. The proposed zoning does not Memberships much too seldom, considering they were a pile of the feces this morning! How reflect that goal. The zoning category R- Washington's first World Champions in long will it be before there is a hepatitis 4 is the overwhelming zoning category Capitol Hill Association of basketball, I ask if there's anyone outbreak or worse--a situation that Merchants and Professionals for residential property on Capitol Hill. around who remembers the team; the would affect far more than just District The proposal has no R-4. Frankly, we are Art Directors Club of Metropolitan team also played under the name Washington Lichtman Bears, after a chain of movies Barracks Row Business Alliance theaters. Sadly, I've yet to encounter Independent Free Papers of anyone here who remembers them. citizens? I have contacted Congresswoman disappointed that there is no R-4 and Norton's office,Chairwoman Cropp's believe that it must be added. 2. Process. As was discussed at the office, my city councilwoman, Mayor June briefing, the zoning determination America Williams' office, my ANC commissioner, is just one step in a multi-step process H Street Merchants Association JIM MYERS DC subcommittee Chair Tom Davis, and to develop the property. The Office of On the cover: Eric and Alex Bergman the Washington Post. Please help us to continued on page 41 www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 BusinessBits Jackie Von Schlegel: Experience and a Love for the Hill Jackie Von Schlegel has been involved in the real estate industry for over three decades. A mortgage banker for 20 years, she made the switch to real estate broker in 1988 and now heads the Von Schlegel Realty Team, a small group of real estate professionals on Capitol Hill. The company has grown to 10 employees from the original two in only five years. Although Jackie and her associates are licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, their business concentration is focused on the Hill. She calls the Hill the most unique and friendly neighborhood in the entire metropolitan area. In a competitive industry Open Daily 11- 6, Sat. 10 - 6, Sun. 12 - 5, Closed Monday 705 North Carolina Ave. S.E On Capitol Hill www.thevillageoncapitolhill.com 202 · 546 · 3040 TTHHEEVVIILLLLAAGGEELAND · SEA · SKY PAINTINGS BYALAN BRALEY SEPT 13,- OCT 30SEPT 13,- OCT 30SECOND SATURDAY they have managed a high degree offers their clients the services of a of success, being named the #1 professional photographer to create Re/MAX real estate team in DC for brochures of properties and a clean2002. ing service to help prepare homes to Since she started in a "hot" be shown. The business employs a market in 1988, Von Schlegel has full time marketing director to seen that market go down and enhance their business, something back up again, and noted that curunique in the area. rent real estate prices on the Hill Von Schlegel is a big supporter of have adjusted to where they children and animal causes, to the should be over the last 10 years. extent that she is sometimes referred Ever increasing amounts of reguto as Aunt Jackie, or the "cat lady." lations and paperwork have made Jackie's advice to aspiring real the practice of home buying and selling a more difficult task, as well. Beyond the traditional services, Von Schlegel estate brokers - try to join a good team with experienced professionals. The Von Schlegel Realty Team is located at 220 Tati Kaupp and Kitty Kaupp Coldwell Banker-Pardoe 546-7000 x 257/247 kkaupp@coldwellmove.com Residential and Commercial Sales In Washington, D.C. and VA Specializing in Capitol Hill www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 7th Street, SE, across from Eastern Market. Aunt Jackie can be reached at 202-547-5088, or visit her website at www.jackiev.com. --BRIAN COOK Bravado Hair Design When Jeeun Kim and Thu Nguyen bought Bravado Hair Design earlier this year, their main aim was to build on the success that the salon's former owners celebrated for 13 years. To meet this objective, the partners-- both new to Capitol Hill--decided to keep the name, maintain the extensive list of services and preserve the bou- tique's trademark warm, welcoming atmosphere. The result has been astounding, Kim says. The salon is fully ooked on weekends. "Everyone seems to know everybody," Kim says of her new neighborhood. "They're all extremely friendly and really supportive of small businesses." Kim, who has 11 years in the salon business under her belt, specializes in manicures, peticures and waxing. Nguyen has a decade of experience in the industry and most recently worked in Dupont Circle and downtown salons. Also on staff is stylist Latoya Johnson, previously with Bubbles in Pentagon City. 522 Eighth Street, SE 202.543.3030 Capitol shop Monday, Friday, Saturday 10-6 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10-9 Sunday 12-6 www.frame-of-mine.com Hill's only do-it-yourself Frame custom framing also available Serving Capitol Hill for 20 years Bravado is open seven days a week and offers 50 percent off haircuts for new clients. Bravado Hair Design Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 655 C St. SE Phone: 202-543-6118 --ANDREW NOYES FourSeventeen A VICTORIAN TOWNHOUSE INN "A Capitol Place to Stay" Deluxe accommodations and breakfast 417 A Street, SE 202 543-1481 News Bits Since the ANCs did not meet in August, there is no City Desk this month. It will return in the October issue. Natatorium Opening Sept. 5 Re-named William H. Rumsey, Sr., Aquatic Center The opening of the William H. Rumsey, Sr., Aquatic Center (formerly Capitol East Natatorium), will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, September 5, at 635 North Carolina Ave., SE. William H. Rumsey Sr., spent more than 40 years as a Washington educator and who was director of the D.C. Recreation Department from 1976 to 1983. Dr. Rumsey started his career in 1939 as a recreation aide in charge of shower maintenance at the old Dunbar High School pool. By the 1960s, he was a high-profile educator who oversaw a night-school diploma program for dropouts. In a press release from the Department of Parks and Recreation, appreciation was expressed to Linda W. Cropp, Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia; Sharon Ambrose, Councilmember, Ward 6; Kevin P. Chavous, Chairman, Committee on Education, Libraries And Recreation ; Capitol Hill Restoration Society; ANC 6B; management of Eastern Market; and patrons of the Aquatic Center for their patience throughout this renovation An honorary committee has been established at continued next page GIL PAINTING CO. Residential · Commercial Interior and Exterior Painting Plastering, Drywall, Wallpaper Removal Power Washing, Carpentry Good References · Low Prices Free Estimates (301) 370-9940 · (301) 445-4385 Licensed. Bonded. Insured 202-544-4366 www.fdgrayton.com www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 the center, with Neil O. Albert, chairperson; and directors emeritus Betty Jo L. Gaines, William B. Johnson, Carol Hill Lowe, Robert P. Newman and F. Alexis H. Roberson. Note: A story on the Natatorium appears in this month's issue. Boys Town Oral Arguments to be Heard DC Court of Appeals Sets Date of Sept. 16 NOTE: The following is taken from a press release. On September 16, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments regarding Boys Town's right to build and operate a residential treatment facility for 40 youth at 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, as a "matter of right." In May 2002, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) ruled that the group home operator could not build its planned facility as a "matter of right." Due to the considerable size of Phase 1 of Boys Town's planned facility--four group homes for 24 youths--the BZA ruled that Boys Town needed to seek a special exception to the zoning rules because the project was one large facility and not four independent, unrelated projects, as Boys Town had presented in its application. Boys Town appealed the BZA decision to the DC Court of Appeals. The Southeast Citizens for Smart Development (SCSD), a volunteer group formed by neighborhood residents to promote economic development in the Capitol Hill East neighborhood, appealed the Zoning Administrator's issuance of building permits for Phase 1 of Boys Town's planned facility. SCSD hired an attorney for this appeal, and the SCSD filed a brief with the District of Columbia September ANC Calendar All four Captiol Hill ANCs come off summer break this month. · ANC 6D: 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8, 400 I Street, SW, Westminster Church · ANC 6B: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9, 821 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Former Navy Hospital building · ANC 6C: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 800 3rd Street, NE, Capital Childrens Museum · ANC 6D: 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, 601 15th Street, NE, Miner Elementary School Court of Appeals supporting the BZA decision. In August 2001, Boys Town sued the SCSD and its leaders, Will Hill and Ellen Opper-Weiner, along with the Mayor, the Ward 6 Councilmember, and other city officials, contending that SCSD's actions and those of city officials amounted to discrimination against the children Boys Town serves. The Center for Individual Rights (CIR) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) represented the SCSD and its leaders in that lawsuit, contending the group and its leaders were merely exercising their first amendment rights to engage in free speech. The lawsuit was recently dismissed. "The community simply wants Boys Town to follow the law and hold a special exception hearing to obtain the variance it needs to build this project," stated SCSD Chair Will Hill, longtime neighborhood resident and ANC Commissioner. "Boys Town tried to circumvent the law by presenting the projects as individual, unrelated component parts, rather than what it really is--one large facility. The BZA saw the project for what it is. We are hopeful that the Court of Appeals will uphold the BZA decision," stated Ellen Opper- Weiner, Vice Chair of the SCSD. City's Chief Historic Preservation AdvocateWill Speak at September CHRS Meeting Residents of Capitol Hill will have the opportunity to meet Lisa Burcham, the new head of the city's Historic Preservation Office (HPO), and hear about new historic preservation programs during the September 24 Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) meeting. The 7:30 p.m. meeting, to be held at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE), will provide a forum for Capitol Hill residents to find out more about what is underway at the HPO--and to start a dialogue about historic preservation in the city and on the Hill. Residents of Capitol Hill, living in the city's largest historic district, have a special interest in the programs and policies of the Historic Preservation Office. Burcham, an enthusiastic advocate for historic preservation, brings a great deal of knowledge about successful historic preservation programs across the country through her work as director of state and local partners and as senior program associate for the National Trust for Historic Preservation here in Washington. After joining the historic preservation office in February, Burcham has been working with the staff to develop "New Directions for DC's Historic Preservation Office in Education, Economics, and Community Engagement." All Capitol Hill residents are invited to attend. There will be a very brief CHRS business session prior to Burcham's presentation to vote on the next year's budget and some proposed by-laws changes. Community Invited to Plan Future of H Street Corridor The District Department of Transportation invites the community to a series of meetings to help plan transportation improvements for the H Street, NE, Corridor. The meetings will be held at the Capital Children's Museum Auditorium, 3rd and H Streets, NE, at the following times: Monday, September 8, 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 9, 2-8 p.m. Saturday, September 13, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The meetings are a key part of DDOT's H Street, NE, Corridor Transportation Study, which runs from North Capitol Street to the intersection of Benning and Bladensburg Roads and Maryland Avenue. Attendees will be asked to comment on proposals currently under consideration, including new crosswalks, light and benches, widened sidewalks opportunities for public art, and improved transit service, and to contribute their own ideas. Architects, engineers, designers and planners will be on hand to answer questions and take suggestions at "learning stations" devoted to transit, parking, streetscape changes and other relevant topics. Short overview presentations, to be given on the hour, will orient attendees to the proceedings. Material from these meetings will be incorporated into the study's recommendations that will be the basis for DDOT's improvements to the H Street Corridor. Members of the H Street NE community, including residents, merchants, property owners and others are encouraged to attend. For more information, interested persons are asked to contact Rachel MacCleery (202) 671-2555 or rachel.maccleery@dc.gov. More information can also be found on the DOT webpage under "H Street Transportation Study," at www.ddot.dc.gov. Festival of the Building Arts Planned Discover the Art and Craft of Building The Festival of the Building Arts will be held at the National Building Museum on Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., rain or shine. This fun-filled event welcomes visitors to discover the skills and secrets employed in the building arts. Visitors can participate in many hands-on activities and explore a construction equipment "petting zoo." Master artisans will demonstrate their trades. This Old House® craftsmen Tom Silva and Richard Trethewey will be on hand to discuss their television show and offer home improvement advice. The National Building Museum is located at 401 F Street NW--(Judiciary Square Metro, Red Line). The event is free; no registration is required. For more information, interested persons may call 202-272-2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Clarification In our series on H Street History, which concluded in last month's edition, Nancy Schwartz was incorrectly identified as the "chief" historian of the Historic American Building Survey. Additionally, she was one of three co-authors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's book, What Style is It? The other authors were the late John Poppeliers and S. Allan Chambers. www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 downLoad ITEMS OF INTEREST FR OM THE VOICE WEBSITE FOR THE LAST MONTH The following stories have appeared during the past month at the Voice of the Hill's website. Log on at www.voiceofthehill.com daily for updated news that affects our community. Save the Date to Celebrate Capitol Hill Business Improvement District Plans Official Launch The Capitol Hill community is cordially invited to join the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID) as the organization celebrates the official launch of BID services at noon on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Eastern Market Metro Plaza, located between 7th and 8th Streets and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Mayor Anthony Williams, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Councilmember Sharon Ambrose and BID Chairman George Didden III have been invited to speak. Invitations will be mailed to all BID members soon. In the meantime, interested persons may contact the BID office at 202-842-3333 with questions. Arts Workshop Director Moving On CHAW's Watson Announces Resignation, Effective Sept. 27 Dr. Jeffery Watson, Director of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop since 1999, has announced his resignation, effective Sept. 27. In accepting his resignation, Board President Laurie Gillman said, "We are grateful for Jeffery's leadership and vision during his time at the Arts Workshop. He has accomplished many strategic goals in a short time Doolittle Guest House A spacious and located bed and 202 546-6622 506 East Capitol Street conveniently breakfast. www.doolittlehouse.com and has taken the Arts Workshop to a new level of professionalism and artistic excellence. He will be missed, but we are excited for him in this new chap- ter of his career." Watson is leaving the Arts Workshop to pursue his musical calling as composer and conductor, and as pianist for QuinTango, a world-touring quintet of musicians whose concerts and educational presen- tations have been enjoyed by thousands from Capitol Hill to Costa Rica. "This was not an easy decision to make," Watson stated. "The Arts Workshop has been a wonderful home for me, and I have had a great opportunity to work with the community at large and the extraor- dinary artists who are the Arts Workshop family. As many artists understand, it is very challenging to maintain an active musical career while holding down a separate full-time job with considerable responsibilities. I am in love with the Arts Workshop and proud of my accomplishments here, but I have been presented with amazing opportuni- ty to focus on playing and composing." Though people on Capitol Hill know Dr. Watson as the Arts Workshop's Director, many are less acquainted with his substantial career as a pianist, conductor, and composer. He holds degrees in piano performance from DePauw University, The Eastman School of Music and The University of Maryland, with additional studies at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies and the Chautauqua Institution. Watson has performed for the Piano 300 concert series at the Smithsonian Institution, the Garth Newel music festival, the Summer Music Series at the Washington National Cathedral, the National Symphony's Prelude Concert series at the Kennedy Center, and for a number of seasons with the Contemporary Music Forum at the Corcoran Gallery. He has also performed as soloist with the Honduran National Symphony, the Kennedy Wright Rowland, LLC Historic Conservation Consultants P reserve the historic character of your neighborhood while earning significant federal income tax benefits.We can assist you in making a charitable contribution of a facade easement on your property, which the IRS has concluded should result in an income tax deduction of 10-15% of the property's appraised value. Phone: (202)543-9477 Email: info@wrightrowland.com Center Opera House Orchestra, and the Kirov and Washington Ballets. Additionally, Watson has composed music for theater productions and for liturgical use, as well as a major choral work, Where Every Voice is Heard, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Arts Workshop and was recently performed by the Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington, DC. Dr. Watson's conducting experience includes work as associate conductor of the Kennedy Center's production of Sunday in the Park with George during the Center's 2002 Sondheim Celebration as well as being assistant conductor of the Capitol Hill Chorale for six years. Watson's time with the Arts Workshop has been marked by considerable growth. He arrived in July of 1999, taking the helm of an organization facing significant debt. In his time at the Arts Workshop, that debt has been eliminated, staffing has been stabilized and programs have expanded. Highlights of his tenure include co-founding the Capitol Hill Youth Chorus, expanding course offerings, building ongoing outreach relationships with the Higher Achievement Program and Kidsafe, Inc., and hiring the first Development Director for the Workshop. By the end of the last fiscal year, the Arts Workshop boasted a clear turnaround in its financial situation and is now working on a new strategic plan to articulate its next set of growth and educational goals. "It has been an incredible experience here," Watson said. "I am especially proud to leave the Arts Workshop in a strong position as an active and thriving arts organization with substantial community support." As for the future of the Arts Workshop, the Board of Directors is working with Dr. Watson and the staff to plan and implement an effective transition. "The Arts Workshop is now a leader in providing arts education, performance and exhibition oppor- THOMAS JENKINS and COMPANY AProfessional Corporation Certified Public Accountants Corporation, Partnership, Trust, Individual Income Tax & Financial Planning 202-547-9004 Washington, DC www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 tunities to the residents of Capitol Hill and the greater Washington, DC, area," said President Laurie Gillman. "We are proud of Jeffery's role in making the Arts Workshop a respected and fiscally responsible organization. We will continue his legacy of success and commitment to building community through the arts." News from the Friends of Southeast Library A memoir writing group is still forming at the library. Margaret Hollister asks those who have already contacted her about this to call her at (202) 544-7763, even if they have already done so; the original list of those interested in joining the group was misplaced. The next book sale is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. An Honor Cart, kept stocked with a selection of donated fiction and non-fiction for sale, remains on permanent display in the library. All income goes to support library activities. The Friends group -- Volunteers are always needed and welcome. Folks may contact Janet McGregor at (202) 547-8897. Library activities -- Some of the new and ongoing activities at the Library are these: · Mystery and non-fiction book clubs, community forums, movies, computer tutorials; · Teens: Cartooning, art expression, creating rap songs and poetry, games, movies; · Children: The Summer Quest reading program for kids 14 and under runs through mid- September. Ongoing programs include story hour, lap time, preschool movies; · All ages: The chess program, sponsored by the U.S. Chess Center, is planned to continue through September on Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Call (202-698-3377) or visit (403 7th Street, SE) the library for further information on the full range of activities and the current schedule, or visit its website www.southeast5.com.It's always a good idea, too, to call ahead when planning to attend a specific activity. Second Saturday Set for Sept. 13 Marday Building Open House Held in Conjunction with Activities Capitol Hill galleries, merchants and restaurants traditionally stay open late on the second Saturday of the month to bring special receptions, sales and events to their patrons. Second Saturday, planned for Sept. 13, is a program of the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals (CHAMPS). For more information, interested persons may call 202-547-7788. In conjunction with Second Saturday, Evolve Property Management, LLC, plans to participate by opening the Marday building, a 27-unit multi-fam- ily apartment building located at 815 Maryland Avenue, NE, to the public, beginning at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited. Drinks and hors e'oeuvres will be served. In August, Evolve completed renovations to the first floor common area hallways of the building, converting the space into a gallery for the Evolve Urban Arts Project. Beginning on Sept. 1, the Marday will feature works by resident artist Dorri Woods (www.DorriWoods.com) for residents and their guests to enjoy. For additional information about Evolve Property Management, LLC and/or Evolve Urban Arts Project, interested persons are asked to visit www.evolveLLC.com. Are You Safe from the Blaster Worm? Take Precautions to Protect Computers BY FAY SINGER A type of computer virus, known as a worm, rapidly circulated around the internet in August. It is known by several names such as W32.Blaster.Worm, Lovsan.worm, Win32.Poza, WORM_MSBLAST and W32/Blaster. Unlike the types of virus which attach to email, this worm attacks computers running Microsoft Windows through TCP port 135. This means it can attack any computers attached to the internet. To safeguard your computers, you need to make certain you have the latest updates for your antivirus software. In some instances, your "live updates" will not notify you of this needed update, and you will need to manually go to the website for your anti-virus software and download the most recent updates. You also need to go to Microsoft.com and install the most recent Microsoft Windows updates. After Windows and your anti-virus software have been updated, manually run your anti-virus software to scan your PC for viruses. More detailed information about this worm is available all the anti-virus websites. Fay C. Singer Small Business Data Solutions www.sbds.biz 202-841-9928 St. Coletta Community Amenities Note from Sharon Raimo, Executive Director, St. Coletta of Greater Washington St. Coletta of Greater Washington will be opening a new facility for children and adults with mental retardation and autism in fall of 2005. We are interested in offering a community amenities package to our neighbors. Qualified community groups will be able to use our facilities at night or on weekends on a first come, first served basis. Spaces open for public use include a full court gymnasium, a 4,000-square foot community room with catering kitchen and a 9,000-square foot "village green." The gym and community room will be available with a charge for cleanup and security. The village green will be available for larger events and at additional cost. Any bona fide community group that carries its own liability insurance will be considered eligible. If your group would be interested, please indicate by filling in the form available on the Voice of the Hill website. First-ever Barracks Row Fest Coming to the Neighborhood Oct. 4 Music, Food and Fun Part of the Celebration Discover Historic Barracks Row at the first ever Barracks Row Fest, to be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 4, along 8th Street, SE, F through G Streets. As the first commercial corridor in Washington, Barracks Row is rich in history, and now as the first recipient of the Main Street USA in the District, holds a promising future. This bustling portion of 8th Street, SE, nestled between Eastern Market off and Pennsylvania Ave to the north and the Navy Yard on M Street to the south, is home to the Marine Barracks of Washington, DC, the oldest post of the Corps. But that's only part of the story. Today this area is also home to a diverse and burgeoning shopping and dining destination. October's Barracks Row Fest marks the completion of the streetscape improvement project--brick sidewalks, new globe street lights and trees--and a new beginning as an entertainment and retail area. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the event, celebrating the completion of months of planning and construction. The guest list includes Mayor Anthony Williams and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton . Live music will be featured throughout the day, ranging from the Marine Corps Band to Mariachi musicians, keeping in tune with the diversity of the neighborhood. Food booths will offer a variety of cuisines as well as chance to taste the local fare. Other activities will include face painting and a "Best Dressed Pet" contest. Art is an essential ingredient to life on Barracks Row. One of the festival highlights will be an exhibit of original pieces created by participants of the Arts Enables program. Their mission is to help adults with developmental disabilities pursue the creation of folk and fine art as a way of achieving self-expression and finding a meaningful role in society. Streetscapes created by Arts Enables participants are being used as the Barracks Row Fest logo and on T-shirts and posters. Rounding out the arts experience will be arts and crafts booths, shops featuring guest artists, and a children's art exhibit. Log on to www.voiceofthehill.com for more information as this special day approaches. DC Water and Sewer (WASA) Launches New Skimmer Boat In an ongoing effort to reduce the impact of general waste and debris on its principal waterways--the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and the Washington Channel--the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) launched a new skimmer boat to remove floatable debris from the water. This new boat will help improve WASA's proactive pollution control efforts by increasing the capacity to collect debris by an addnal 500 tons per year. "The District of Columbia is committed to improving the quality of all of our local waterways, but our focus today is on the Anacostia River--the river most impacted by pollution," said Glenn S. Gerstell, Chairman of the Board, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority. "This new skimmer boat is a welcome addition that will help our mission of serving the public, protecting the environment and in the process, help restore the Anacostia River and transform it into a valued resource for the city." Currently there is one trash skimmer boat in daily operation. The skimmers help to keep Washington's rivers clean by removing trash from all sources (litter, upstream sources, storm water) in addition to combined sewer overflow. The program has removed over 3,000 tons of debris in the past several years. Lesbian & Gay Chorus to Hold Open House Scheduled for Sept. 2 Calling all singers! The Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington, DC will hold an open house for prospective members at St. James Episcopal Church, 222 8th Street, NE, from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2. This season, the 35-voice, non-audition, commu- nity-based chorus will debut Quilt Panels, a 45minute work for symphonic band and chorus that the LGCW commissioned with DC's Different Drummers DCDD. The world premiere of this new www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 work by composer Robert Maggio is Dec. 1 at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland. The upcoming concert season will also include a full-length performance and a celebration of LGCW's 20th anniversary. LGCW's repertoire ranges from classical to popular music and includes songs of gay and lesbian pride and cultural diversity. For more information, interested persons may contact Jill Strachan at 202- 546-1549 or visit www.lgcw.org. Congratulations Robert Sands Winner of the DiamondBack Outlook Mountain Bike Congratulations to Capitol Hill resident Robert Sands, who was selected as the winner of a DiamondBack Outlook mountain bike from Doolittle's, Capitol Hill's pet supply store and grooming salon. Robert was selected as the winner in a drawing held at Doolittle's on July 31. The mountain bike giveaway was part of the Eukanuba Challenge. Robert was thrilled to win the bike, noting that he "rides his bike every day." He also stated that it was the first time he ever won anything. As fate would have it, Robert does feed his dog Eukanuba dog food, which sponsored the bike drawing. Doolittle's owner, Dennis Bourgault, said he was also pleased that the bike went to someone who will actually use it on the Hill, and who is a regular Doolittle's customer. Dog Training Classes Coming to The Hill Doolittle's is pleased to announce a new partnership with Ruff Ruff Doggie Services that will bring dog training classes to Capitol Hill. The group dog training classes will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, (the Saturday after Labor Day), and will continue for 8 weeks. The classes will begin and end at Doolittle's, across from Eastern Market at 224 7th Street, SE. The goal of the classes will be to teach dogs basic obedience: heel, sit, stay, down and come. Between the weekly classes, owners will be responsible for reinforcing the behavior taught in the sessions. The cost will be $130, and participants will receive a 10 percent discount on any training treats or supplies bought at Doolittle's. Dogs must be at least six months old to participate. Space is limited, so persons interested in participating are encouraged to sign up at Doolittle's as soon as possible. Ruff Ruff owner Marzelle Johnson will be conducting the classes. Marzelle has been training dogs for many years, has extensive experience in animal training and behavioral management, uses positive methods and has stacks of personal testimonials. Ruff Ruff's mission is simple: "to provide real life training for dogs and their owners, so that the dog and the owner are able to handle any situation. We will help you and your dog live in bliss." Khan El-Khalili 321 7th Street, SE 202-543-5295 1-800-397-9441 Owners ·· Hand Made Egyptian Gifts & Oils Mohamed & Venetta Khattab Imported from Cairo always bright." --BENJAMIN FRANKLIN JOHN JANKE (202) 857-4385 202-543-1600 ANATOLIA BAZAAR (202) 543-7099 i: 11:00-6:30 ANATOLIA TURKISH CAFE (202) 544-4753 Please your palate and take a journey into the realm of timeless heritage, cuisine and rediscover Anatolian carpets, kilims, glassware and fine dining... Availablefor PrivateParties LOOK! "The used key is Let my thirty years of real estate experience work for you. Real Estate Capitol Hill's Only Vietnamese Restaurant · Lunch and Dinner Parties · Full Bar · Vegetarian Specialties · Pho--Traditional Vietnamese soup · Carry out 11am-10pm Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm Friday and Saturday 1129 Pennsylvania Ave., SE 631 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Tues-FrSat-Sun: 10:00-7:30 Mon: Closed 633 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Mon-Fri: 11:30-2:30, 5:30-10:00 Sat: 5:30-10:00 Sun: Closed 10% off with this ad Dine in only Tell our advertisers you saw them in The Voice SAVE! www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 The Rise and Fall of a Community The Navy Yard Neighborhood--Past, Present, and Future BY COLIN GUSTAFSON T he southern strip of 8th St., SE, is quiet throughout the week. As Eastern Market fills with the chattering voices of Sunday shoppers, this small community fronting the Navy Yard remains mostly silent save for the rhythmic tap of a ham mer two blocks away. And on Monday, as Capitol Hill awak ens to the morning rush, an eerie calm continues to per vade this remote stretch of pavement. Indeed, mention of the Yard-front is likely to prompt head scratches and responses, like, "I haven't been down there a lot," or "Where's that?" even among residents who have lived within a mile of it for decades. Those familiar with the area often describe it in the less-than-flat- tering terms: "dicey;" "wine coun try," as named by one business owner for the prevalence of brown bagged liquor bottles on the street; a "no-man's land," still recovering from the effects of poverty, accord ing to one resident; a "ghost town" to many others. These descriptions, while a bit exaggerated, have a ring of truth about the community's bleak isola tion. An Historic Desert Island Every morning, the Porte Café opens its doors to a largely empty street, which it shares with a used car lot and a convenience store that has been chained shut for almost a year. A block away, a row of abandoned houses with boarded-up windows and graffiti scrolled across the brick facades rise from dense patches of unkempt grass and overgrown weeds. Believe it or not, much of this is historic property. Situated between the Washington Navy Yard and the Marine Barracks, this neighborhood is actually home to a rich past spanning back to the founding of the nation's capital. The abandoned houses, vacant lots, and converted storefronts were once homes for the hundreds of industrial laborers who worked in the Navy Yard's massive ordnance factories over the course of almost two centuries. In the early 1800s, armorers, blacksmiths, carpenters, caulkers, and sail makers traversed the cobblestone paths of what is now M Street. At the turn of the 20th century, the humble-looking Porte Café and the closed convenience store next to it were Martin Schneider's Navy Yard Exchange, a locally famous restaurant serving copious amounts of crab and beer to local marines. Two blocks west, near the site of the Capper-Carrollsburg senior homes, stood the original Eastern Market, which first sold meat exclusively and did not move to 7th Street until 1872. Perhaps the most impressive structure in the neighborhood today, aside from the Navy Yard, itself, is the car barn, one the District's first hubs of public transportation. This building "mimics the medieval castles and fortresses of the Renaissance with angle towers, blind arrow slits, and conical broh roofs," according to one author cited in the Barracks Row historic context report. The car barn, which now houses a charter school, originally served as the Washington & Georgetown Railroad Company Streetcar station, where 19th-century commuters embarked on the 40-minute cable car ride to the Georgetown waterfront. "There really is so much situated between these two lynch pins--the Navy Yard and the Barracks--that is integral to our past," says Gary Peterson, chair of the zoning committee for the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. "But it was left out of the historic neighborhood regrettably because of ill-conceived city planning." For the past several years, Nancy Metzger and other Restoration Society members have tried to rectify this oversight. In 2001, she and Beth Hannold coauthored an exhaustive, 80-page Navy Yard and Barracks Row's history. Then, in January 2002, after working their way through stacks of permit applications, Metzger and colleagues successfully lobbied the ANC and the Historic Preservation Board to annex the Yard-front community into the city's Historic District, now the largest of its kind in the country. Thanks to these efforts, the Yardfront area is now officially part of "old Capitol Hill." This new "Hill" status clearly will not alleviate the area's current problems. But it will give the Restoration Society jurisdiction to protect it from private contractors. Now, no one can buy up the historic property--25 percent of the buildings here are dated prior to 1865--and knock it down in order to build an apartment high-rise or an office building, Peterson explains. This is a relief to Metzger, who has headed the effort to preserve these blocks. "This neighborhood makes the rest of our history so much more www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 pertinent," she says. "Without considering the Navy Yard and what's in front of it, you really don't understand Capitol Hill history." Growth and Decline To understand this history, Metzger says one first must realize that the Yard-front was not always the socioeconomic desert island it has become. Rather, this Southeast "village" was active and self-sufficient--the nucleus of what Metzger calls an "arc of development" emanating northward. The now-thriving, northern part of 8th Street originally emerged as an offshoot of advances already going on in front of the Navy Yard. Like many other communities across the country, this one grew in spurts with the ebb and flow of American military conflict. City designer Pierre L'Enfant (who, interestingly enough, envisioned East Capitol Street as Wash- ington's downtown commercial center) first noncommittally dubbed this land in front of the Anacostia "Exchange Square." But it soon took on far greater significance when Congress ordered the construction of the Navy Yard when faced with the threat of war against France in 1799. Later, in 1814, President Madison had the Yard burned to the ground on the eve of the British invasion. But after the fire, the community quickly pulled itself back together. Initially a shipbuilding facility, the Yard evolved into a large-scale munitions plant and began attracting more and more laborers who took up residence in the surrounding blocks. Throughout the 19th century, the Yard employed tens of thousands more. With this growth and the construction of the Marine Barracks down the street, local commerce boomed. Dry goods stores, dairy and butcher shops, barbers, and clothing retailers began popping up. Restaurants and theaters soon fol- The newly-snnexed historic orridor of 8th and M Streets, SE. lowed, and Barracks Row eventually came to be a "fashionable" part of town, attracting Washingtonians and tourists alike. For a while, it was even a popular night-life spot. As the surrounding blocks took on prominence, so did the Navy Yard, itself. While maintaining its primary function, the Yard also served as a ceremonial outpost, receiving foreign dignitaries from the shores of the Anacostia and drawing major political figures, like Abraham Lincoln who reportedly visited the Yard on the day of his assassination. This community was also home to many famous Washingtonians-- mayors, military leaders, and the city's first physician, Frederick May-- who shacked up in luxurious, two-story brick houses along Virginia Avenue. Another important Washingtonian, Elizabeth Haines, one of DC's first female entrepreneurs, lived three blocks away in the 1200 block of 8th Street, Southeast. Haines worked as a merchandise broker and founded the largest dry goods store in the eastern section of the city in 1866. To accommodate a growing clientele, she eventually K.C. COMPANY Owned and operated by the Cassidy Family since 1931 12100 Baltimore Ave. Suite 1 Beltsville, MD 20705 TIM ALLEN, Sales Leader 301-419-7669 Fax 301-419-2963 Mobile 301-675-9324 Email tallen@kc-pella.com VIEWED TO BE THE BESTTM relocated to the building at the corner of 8th and D that now houses Footlocker. But, this cosmopolitan heyday would not last forever. In the latter half of the 19th century, Virginia Avenue lost many of its wealthy residents to the posh neighborhoods of northwest. The community subsequently regained its blue-collar character, but was now more ethnically diverse. Italian, Irish, Scotch, and German immigrants, as well as black ex-slaves filled the factories of the Navy Yard, which still thrived as an industrial center. Capitol Hill Art & Frame · Expert custom designs · Museum quality materials · Superior frame selection · Same day framing available · Custom framed mirrors 623 Pennsylvania Ave., SE 202 546-2700 10-6 Tues-Sat · Eastern Market Metro www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 With this area, developers are taking some high risks for the immediate future. After the Civil War, a second wave activity waned until 1962, when the of development hit most of the Yard dismantled its arms production neighborhood as hundreds of thou-program and converted to an adminsands of new workers and federal istrative post. Soon thereafter, the employees flooded the city. But this bustling population of laborers population boom quietly spelled the departed, and the Capperbeginning of the end for the Yard-Carrollsburg housing projects went front. As its arc of development grew up to the west, initiating a gradual northward, business activity became deterioration of the area's socioecoconcentrated at the Pennsylvania nomic condition. Avenue end of 8th Street. The construction of the I-395 Meanwhile, this commercial corri-Southeast Freeway during the 1960s dor's very foundation began to stag-and 70s was the final blow to this nate ever so slightly. area, effectively severing it from the In 1929, the Navy Yard area was rest of 8th Street and isolating it the hardest hit of all 8th Street from the commercial activity just neighborhoods by the Great blocks to the north. "The overpass Depression. In the decades that fol-created a big gap," says Peterson, a lowed, its once lively industrial Hill resident for over 33 years. "And that divided what has historically been one continuous human corridor." Peterson continues: "The freeway was an artificial, man-made, physical barrier. But it also became a mental barrier. And now, you just don't think of going south of there for anything anymore." The freeway also unseated Virginia Avenue as one of the area's primary east-west thoroughfares. As a result, much on this major avenue declined along with the rest of the community. Once lined with rows of extravagant homes, a local firehouse, and the area's first black public school, the avenue is now little more than am untended strip of grass dotted with semi-empty lots and storehouses, at many points. Some in the Restoration Society have lobbied the District government to raze this portion of the freeway and replace it with a refurbished Virginia Avenue, but they have been unsuccessful so far. In the mean time, trd-front lingers in the shadow of I-395. Hope for the Future? Nonetheless, many are optimistic about the future. For one, officials say the area is becoming safer. While it still suffers from crime and localized poverty, business owners say they sense improvement. "This place is everchanging," says Jan Camaratta, who has managed a travel agency on M Street for three years. "Right now, you don't feel the fear that you did before. You can put something down on the street and not have to worry about it being gone when you turn your back." Others look forward to the substantial public development slated here. A large, new Marine Barracks facility is currently under construction at the corner of 7th Street and Virginia Avenue. This is also good news for Camaratta who believes these barracks will bring in a large, new clientele. "The marine barracks were a welcome sight to us," she says. "We literally kissed the ground when we saw it." The District government also has big plans. The city will soon establish a Southeast branch of the Department of Transportation on M Street. It is also preparing to implement a Hope-6 project to rebuild the Capper-Carrollsburg neighborhood  MICHELE PIQUET, PH.D. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST CAPITOL HILL 202-544-4480 Handyman on the Hill Brick & Stone Concrete Roof Repairs · (202) 543-0954 Attention! 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Officials expect this influx of new residents and employees to be a powerful impetus for business. "The sheer movement of bodies is going to be astounding," Peterson says. "It's certainly going to bring a hell of a lot more people here very quickly, and that will give everyone a big boost and spur the growth of this place." Still, others are careful not to get too excited, too quickly. The neighborhood may be back on the historic map, but, for many, it is another question whether it will actually rejoin Capitol Hill quite so quickly. Dick Wolf, chair of the City Planning Committee, believes the area will first have to allow business to filter down from the north, where it currently thrives on northern parts of 8th Street. Only then will the Yard-front be able to overcome the barrier posed by the freeway and reconnect with the rest of the corridor and the greater Hill community. And this could take quite some time, Wolf says. "My whole experience in community development on the Hill, which goes back 35 years, is that it is very incremental," he says. "With this area, developers are taking some high risks for the immediate future. But, for this area to rejoin the main street program for the long run--it will just be a matter of time." He adds, "And time is one thing the developers and the people have on their sides." Colin Gustafson, Hill native, is the Voice's summer intern. Nancy Metzger, Elizabeth Hannold and Donna Hanousek contributed to this article with their "Barracks Row 8th Street Survey Historic Context" report. · Full time Staff Doctor On Site · Complete Veterinary Services · Science Diet & Prescription Diet foods · Cat Boarding · Totally New Facility · Morning drop off service · International Health Certificates · Microchip ID 202-544-2500 Julie D. Giles, DVM Susan R. 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Now, on the eve of the natatori- um's grand reopening, during which it will be renamed the William H. Rumsey, Sr., Aquatic Center (see details on page 6), some residents are wondering if the new pool will be anything like it used to be--with poor maintenance, litter and all that went with it. The natatorium is scheduled to reopen on Sept. 5 after months of delays and broken grand reopening promises. Officials at the city's Department of Parks and Recreation say they're not to blame for the delay, but some residents don't agree. The project was originally set with a $1.3 million price tag, but has soared past the $3 million mark, according to park officials. The city closed the pool last year to refurbish the thirty-something- year old building's electrical, mechanical and alarms systems. However, the park department told Voice of the Hill that once the work began, it was discovered that the systems had deteriorated extensively and needed total replacement. Department spokesman Darrick Nicholas said these changes escalated the cost of the project, nearly tripling its original budget. "DPR requested changes to the original scope, and unforeseen utility issues caused both time delays and an increase to the budget," Nicholas said in a statement to the Voice. 'Lack of Communication' The cost of the project isn't what exactly is irking some Hill residents, activists and business owners. Most agree the updates were needed, adding that the city had negligent maintenance habits with the pool over the past two decades. What is griping the residents is the city's handling of the renova- tion--more notably, a "total lack of communication" between the city planners and residents closest to the project. After it shifted plans to replace rather than renovate the pool hall's mechanics, the parks department decided to install heating, ventilation and air conditioning machinery on top of the building. Residents argue that these plans weren't included in the original plans they were shown during public meetings last year, and they felt the city should have notified them--espe- cially those within the line of sight of the massive stainless steel ducts and fans--about its intended changes. Brian Furness, current member and former president of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, agrees. "I think we were misled back in 2002," Furness said. Concerns Over Impacts ss said the new machinery was installed without any studies about possible aesthetic concerns or noise impacts to neighboring homes and businesses. Furness said he requested project documents through the Freedom of Information Act, and those documents show no evidence of these studies. The parks department said all needed studies were conducted and there was no other place to install the ventilation and heating system. The planning department signed off on the permits. "The only aesthetic impact came as a result of having to provide the rooftop unit for the HVAC upgrade," Nicholas said in the statement. "There were no financially feasible alternatives for placing this unit; however, it was absolutely necessary to properly control the environment of the facility. Again, plans and subsequent inspections for this work were approved by [the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs]." Nicholas said public documents do prove the studies took place. Even if the studies were conducted, that doesn't help Catherine Held, who lives across from the natatorium. Held, who purchased her home across from the pool hall in 1972, called the city's handling of the situation "horrible" and said she was never notified of the project changes. "What we have here is very promising," Held said. "The city should have been in touch with the neighbors." Held said the roof-mounted machinery, which is clearly visible from her front door, is an "eyesore" and hopes the city does something to camouflage the machinery. www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 "This is terrible," she said. Mary Wright, ANC 6B commissioner whose single member district includes the natatorium, said there are a lot of bad vibes between the neighbors and city planners. "There has been a lot of stuff not done in good faith," Wright said. Furness said the city was supposed to put up screens to hide the machinery, but didn't know the timetable for doing so, or if one was even set. The answer to that question was not available to the Voice at press time. Along with the "ugly" machinery, Held added that when the natatorium was in operation, its users would leave behind trash and the city neglected to do anything about it. She's anxious to see if a new interior and new pool brings a new respect for the building and the grounds around it. "The natatorium [staff] does nothing to control its users," she said. Future Plans Part of the problem, Held, Furness and Wright say, stems from pool users coming from outside the District. Held said she has seen vans pull up in front of the building with Maryland tags, drop off a half-dozen or so kids, and take off. The unsupervised kids, she added, leave trash lying around that eventually ends up on the stoops of surrounding residents. "It's been a problem to the residents of the 600 block of North Carolina Avenue for a long time," Held added. Well, the parks department is trying to do something about the problem. Fees will be assessed to pool users to help pay for maintenance costs. Different fees will be applied to District and non-District residents and will be determined by age (see sidebar). For instance, non-resident children ages six and under will pay $3, while a resident of the same age will be free. Park officials hope by charging users to use the natatorium will make up for upkeep, costs since much of the reason why the pool was closed was due to its unsanitary and unsafe condition. Held hopes this works. "This District should take better care of what it owns," she said. Patti Shea is the Voice of the Hill's political reporter. She can be reached at patti@voiceofthehill.com. Natatorium Fees Single Admission Resident Non-Resident Children under 6 FREE $3.00 Youth: 6 -17 yrs. $3.00 $4.00 Adults $4.00 $7.00 Source: DC Department of Parks and Recreation Doolittle's -Your #1 Source for Flea, Tick & Mosquito Protection New K9 Advantix Now Available! Also - Frontline & FleaScience Topical Treatments, Carpet Sprays & Foggers, Shampoos & Collars Everything you need to keep your "Best Friend" pest FREE! Doolittle's --The Best for Our Best Friends! (202) 544-8710 -- www.doolittles.com Across from Eastern Market -- 224 Seventh Street, SE, Washington, DC Coming in September! 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The home is wired for sound and security. Much more to see. Listed at $379,777 2737 Devonshire Pl., NW, Unit Nos. 501 and 530 The Woodley Park Towers. Large unit on the top floor, rear of the building, park views from every room. Enjoy watching the huge oak trees suring a summer storm from your private terace. 2033 sq. ft. of open entertaining space. 2 BR, 2 BA, den, butlers pantry with service entrance, secure 24 hours, front desk and guest parking. Listed at $729,777 RE/MAX R ESIDENTIAL R EAL E ST A T E Work with a real estate professional. Get the results you want. WDCAR Platinum Award Winner for 2002 202-262-3848 (O) 202-546-1553 (H) www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 DEALS on WHEELS Your Car is Ready to Die. You Need a New One. You Live on the Hill. What Are Your Options? BY GENE MILLER So the old Plymouth Horizon end up calling a salvage yard some-and Florida, NE--or if you were real- Aunt Bertha gave you is, to put it where and paying them $100 or so ly rolling, Capitol Cadillac at 1260 politely, incontinent. And it sounds to cart the remains away (you may 22nd St., NW, and drive home in like it's going to cough up a piston or avoid this fee if you can drive the car your new car. two whenever you step on the gas. to the salvage yard yourself). Be sure But there aren't any dealers down- Your mechanic tells you Aunt to keep any and all pieces of paper town anymore. The last one even Bertha's baby could go anytime any-having to do with these transac-reasonably close to the Hill was where, and you start thinking about tions, because you may at some Northeast Ford over on West euthanasia. point need to prove that you don't Virginia and Montana Avenues, NE What's the best way? A bullet own or have the car anymore. If your (they finally gave it up in 1991). between the headlights? And then old Horizon ends up back out on the the ramifications sink in: you live on street and abandoned somewhere, Nearest Dealers the Hill; you've got an old, nearly you will still be the last owner of The closest car dealers to the Hill dead car; there aren't any car dealers record. You'll find yourself having these days are clustered together for miles around, and, besides, you too many unwanted conversations down in Marlow Heights and don't have any way to get there. with the police and collection agen- Suitland. There are lots of other deal- Whaddya gonna do? cies about a car you no longer own. ers scattered around the Beltway, If your car really is too old to trade Having all the paperwork from the most of them miles from you or any in, or you just don't want the hassle, transfer shortens such conversations Metro stop. Go to Metro's handy there are charitable organizations considerably. trip-plan online, and you might that will take your car and auction it And now what? Well, you can join find the trip will take you two hours off and you can claim it as a dona-the sweaty pilgrims honoring the (and you'll be walking that last halftion on your income taxes. But Blessed St. Velocipede at the Shrine mile to Sheehy Ford). many of these organizations are tak-of the Broken Sprocket. But what if If you're lucky, you have a kind ing only late model used cars these you want air conditioning? A radio? and generous friend who will ferry days, so don't be surprised if you Pleasant conversation when you you from the Hill to Marlow Heights have to put in some serious phone travel? A back seat? You're going to or Tysons Corner to kick tires and time finding somebody who will need another car. slam doors and agonize over trim take your senile and doddering old Used to be you could just go on color and worry about whether car. over to Ralph Brown Buick at 6th you're getting a good deal. If you In the worst-case scenario, you'll and H, NE, or Eaton Chevrolet at 6th have such a friend, compensate him or her handsomely--say, a lunch or two at Kinkead's or the Colvin Run Tavern?--because watching other people buy cars ranks right down there with cleaning other people's bathrooms. You might also try to see if the dealer you are interested in provides free shuttle service to the nearest Metro station. Many dealerships offer this service to customers who bring their cars in for servicing, so you might be able to snag a ride that way. You can also rent a car for a week or two while you do your car-shop- ping. Flexible, Zippy Options There are several ways to go here. You can try the major car rental companies, some of which have outlets at Union Station, or you can try one of the companies that rents used cars. The closest one of those is Rent- a-Wreck at 1252 Half Street, SE. They'll rent you a compact for $25 a day or $145 a week. Shop carefully, as some of the lesser known companies like Enterprise can offer very good prices for longer-term rentals. There is still another option that is just opening up in the Washington area: you enroll in a car-sharing service like Flexcar or Zipcar. Each of these companies has leased parking spaces around the city where they park cars for their members to use. If you want to use one, you become a member, reserve the car, drive it around and then park it back where you got it so the next person can use it. That's it. No hassles finding parking late at night, no insurance, no gas, no maintenance. Drive it, then forget about it until you need it again. Zipcar has Beetle Belinda parked by Eastern Market, Golf Gerty on Kentucky Avenue, SE, and Golf Ginger at Union Station. Belinda and Ginger currently go for $9.50/hr., while Gertie is a cheaper date at $8.50/hr. Flexcar's cars go for just $8 per hour and have numbers: 3807 is around 6th and Maryland, NE; 3804 is by Eastern Market Metro; 3806 is by Union Station; and 3809 is near 5th and H, NE. Membership in Flexcar or Zipcar requires a major credit card and a good driving record. Either company may be reached online at or or by telephone at their local offices: Flexcar's Washington number is 202- 296-1359 and Zipcar's is 202-737- 4900. So, a novitiate at the Blessed St. Velocipede's still looks attractive? Well, whatever makes your wheels go 'round. Gene Miller is a longtime contributor to The Voice of the Hill. www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 I was in Chicago on Sept. 11, 2001. I'd flown out there that morning and didn't return until the following Saturday. Only later did I understand that I really was coming home to two communities: the one where I live, Arlington, Virginia; and the one where I go to church, Capitol Hill. Arlington is my home; I grew up there and have lived there most of my life. St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill is where I've worshiped for the last ten years. I belong to each community and have wonderful friends in both places. And both were harmed by Sept. 11, each in its particular way. In the months that followed the attacks, like so many other Americans, I gradually came to terms with my fury and my fear and began to adapt to our changed circumstances. As I did so, I began to take note of how my two communities were bearing up. Both had taken some heavy blows. One place eventually began to fill me with a sense of relief, and even pride, as it sorted itself out. The other slowly aroused a sense of frustration and anxiety-- fear, really--as it struggled fitfully with the post-Sept. 11 reality. It's the Hill for which I've been afraid. After Sept. 11, there was no lack of interest or passion among my friends at church in the broader issues that faced our country. War and peace, civil liberties, the crisis in the Middle East--all received a lot of scrutiny. Especially as the immediacy of Sept. 11 and the anthrax attacks faded, such questions seemed to be foremost in whatever discussion we would have. What didn't get much attention, however, was how to prepare--in the sense of "emergency prepared- ness"--for what might happen next, or for some other emergency that might befall the community. I've been particularly shaken by com- www.voiceofthehill.com Becoming Prepared Recovery from Terror, Resolve for the Future BY PA DRAIC SWEENEY ments such as, "I can't bring myself alone--not by any means--but they to do anything," or "We're so close led the way. For all the horror and to the Capitol," or "It's not some-sorrow of that day, it is remarkable thing we can control." and gratifying that my rather under- The good news is that there are stated hometown today has living folks hard at work on the Hill prepar-heroes of its own--especially our ing not only their own families, but first responders. their neighborhoods as well. I'm The Hill, it seems in hindsight, going to try to tell something of had an experience that was less their stories. To set the stage, deadly, but in some ways more harthough, I'd like to talk a bit first rowing. about my other community-- Arlington. Dealing With the 'What Ifs' Rather than a direct hit, Sept. 11 for A Community Responds the Hill was a near miss. No injured I've always suspected that when peo-to rescue, no fires to extinguish, no ple who don't live there think of reconstruction to anticipate. The "Arlington," the next word that plane that went down in comes to mind is "cemetery;" a Pennsylvania and subsequent specuquiet, leafy park devoted to monu-lation about the terrorists' intenments, icons and the departed. To be tions left everything to the imaginasure, Arlington has them in great tion. And unlike the Pentagon, the abundance: the Iwo Jima Memorial; Capitol has no glacis of parking lots, the Pentagon, of course; and not highways and open space between it least, our nation's honored dead. and the neighboring community. By comparison, Arlington the The "what ifs" are awful to contemcommunity is altogether livelier and plate. more low-profile. Increasingly cos-And then there was anthrax. mopolitan and polyglot, as well as The Hart Building closed, the developing a growing business cen-Capitol daycare center turned into a ter, Arlington is also sober-sided and vaccination clinic, and the bitter process-oriented. We value highly tragedy of nearby Brentwood inspirour tradition of good government ing more grim "what ifs." and display a certain inclination Through the fall of 2001 and into towards wonkery. Maybe it's our the following year, Arlington carried abundance of lawyers and civil ser-on in fairly characteristic fashion. By vants, but we're proud--even smug October 2001, the Arlington Civic at times--about the meetings, task Federation--the real grassroots of forces, and prodigious talk with local politics--was peppering the which we pursue our community county government with questions life. ranging from the basic and sensible Sept. 11 was a direct hit on that to the truly geeky. Talking, planning, communityve been talking, grant writing, talking some worse, of course, but what did hap-more, in public and in private, gradpen was more than bad enough, ually Arlington's citizens and comleaving nothing to the imagination. munity leaders came around to a And Arlington responded. From our clearer picture of how we'll care for firefighters and police to a wide array each other the next time disaster of community groups and individ-strikes. ual citizens, Arlington and its people While Arlington bustled purposestepped up to fight the fires, rescue fully (and I bustled along, as a Red the injured and care for others. Not Cross disaster volunteer), I tried to understand what was happening with my church community. Like religious congregations all over America, St. Mark's initial response to Sept. 11 was a service held the next day. Church was packed the following Sunday; prayers were offered for those who suffered, and the sermon examined the events of the previous week. Most of all, we cared for each other in a moment of terrible fear and pain. As Sept. passed into October, though, and anthrax began to cast its own pall over the Hill, the subject of terrorism faded gradually--never totally absent, but less and less acknowledged. Members of the congregation did talk and argue about the war on terrorism, military operations in Afghanistan, and other national issues. We even quarreled over returning the American and Episcopal Church flags to the sanctuary, which we finally did after a decades-long absence. Taking Practical Steps Something we didn't do, however, was to take any practical steps to prepare for future emergencies. Finally, several of us realized that we really needed to discuss Sept. 11 and its aftermath and figure out how to respond. We met six months to the day after the attacks, and talked about our various reactions and emotions. By the time we finished, we'd settled on two broad areas of activity: efforts to understand better the nature of the conflict that had led to the attacks, and emergency preparedness. Explorations of the "big picture"-- especially a lecture on the Middle East and an inter-faith service with other Hill congregations--generated considerable interest. Not surprisingly; it's quite natural to want to draw closer spiritually and emotionally to one's neighbors in times of trouble. And it would be quite out of charac VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 "There's a good deal of feeling that it's not in our control," says Alison Feighan; that disasters are "not something you can necessarily react to or prepare for." ter for St. Mark's people not to intel-Alison Feighan; that disasters are ment of Mental Health, thinks some lectualize the conflict, explore the "not something you can necessarily of this reluctance to due to the fact global implications and so on. react to or prepare for." that "there hasn't been a whole lot Emergency preparedness was "I just feel like there's nothing you of attention paid to anthrax" and quite different. The energy, simply can do," said David Deutsch of East the lingering, unseen influence that put, wasn't there. For my part, I was Capitol Street; "I don't fear the great experience had on the community. willing to work on emergency pre-big emergencies, it's the little every-Glenn notes that "bio-terrorism is paredness at St. Mark's, but not as a day ones," like a child drowning at such a different experience" from leader--if a major disaster strikes, my the swimming pool, that concern Sept. 11, that coming to terms with place will be in Arlington, both as a him. Another Hill acquaintance the former will probably take some resident and a Red Cross volunteer. reports that some of his neighbors time. And I believed that someone who believe "we're so close to the lived in the District, preferably on Capitol" that there's nothing they Just Doing Itthe Hill, and had a more direct stake can really do to prepare. Two Hill residents who've come to in any plans we made, would be It's this fatalism, most of all, that terms with the post-Sept. 11/post- more suitable. leads me to fear for my friends on anthrax reality and are doing some- We muddled on with a project the Hill. In any emergency short of thing about it are Norman Burr and that no one opposed, but for which the Apocalypse, there will be those Sig Cohen. "You're never concerned there was very little enthusiasm, who are injured, possibly homeless, about anything," Norm says, "until either. More than a year after we certainly frightened, who will need it hits home." began, we have a work plan the care of others--starting with Significantly, it hit home for Norm approved by our parish council, and their friends and neighbors. I know in an unavoidable fashion on Sept. a member of the church staff is the Hill too well to doubt its gen-11 at the Pentagon, where he was a stockpiling supplies of water in the erosity. But preparation can make a civilian employee. "Nobody had a parish office, but that's about it. big difference. plan," he relates, and when the My Hill friends have various Glenn Parkinson, a Hill resident attack came, "everybody was runexplanations for the apparent lack of who coordinated the June 28 "Inter-ning, but nobody knew what they energy. "There's a good deal of feel-Generational Dialogue on Home-were doing. That's scary." ing that it's not in our control," says land Security" for the DC Depart-Building on their previous Neighborhood Watch experience, Norm and Sig--both longtime residents of the 100 block of Tennessee Avenue, NE-- "decided to get the block together." Beginning in the spring of 2002, Sig and Norm met with their neighbors on both sides of the street. They got to know each other better, exchanged contact information and identified health care professionals living on their block. Everyone was urged to store extra food and prepare "go bags" in case they needed to evacuate the neighborhood. Spare basements, propane stoves, and other resources were also identified. The Tennessee Avenue group has made its plans on the assumption that in a major emergency, evacuation will not be possible for some time. "Every street out of here is going to be a parking lot," Sig contends. So having families lay in stocks of food and water and other supplies, along with identifying extra space and those professional health care skills, are priorities. Another key objective, according to Norm, is ensuring that the frail and elderly have someone to look out for them in an emergency. Getting organized, they say, was not a big deal. "It took a couple of weeks to get things together," Sig says. "People on the Hill like their privacy," Norm observes, so phone numbers and email addresses remain confidential. The two, who are both semi-retired, worked at it and found that people reacted very well to the idea of being better prepared. So far, the "Tennessee Avenue group" is not tied into DC Government programs, such as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training now getting underway for District residents. While they're interested, Sig and Norm stress the importance of local people taking responsibility for themselves and their neighbors--"it www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 all goes back to being concerned with one another," Norm says. Guiding the Way Greg Smith, of the 900 block of East Capitol Street, has taken a slightly different approach. Greg began with his concerns for his own family--his wife Missy and their young daughter. After Sept. 11, he went to the websites of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Citizen Corps and DC Emergency Management Agency (EMA). He and his wife made plans, prepared a "go kit," and stockpiled water and other essentials. Greg then decided to take things further. Believing that few people would wade through the dense information then posted on the websites, he decided "to boil them down to their essentials." The result was an eight-page "Unofficial Capitol Hill Anti-Terrorism Guidebook." "Five minutes, and you robably get through it," he says. Greg distributed the Guidebook to his neighbors and at church. Greg is pretty modest about his work; he humorously compares himself to "Jimmy Stewart blowing his whistle," as an air-raid warden in It's A Wonderful Life, and suspects that "there are some folks that probably think it's much ado about nothing." Sig Cohen, who distributed the guidebook to his neighbors on Tennessee Avenue, thinks otherwise; his advice to Hill residents who want to be better prepared: "Get a copy of the 'Guidebook' and get to work." until first responders arrive. In DC, 620 residents will receive CERT training, which is being conducted by the George Washington University. For more information, visit the DC Commission on National and Community Service website, at www.cncs.dc.gov, or call (202) 727-7925. Despite these resources, one thing the people I spoke with almost never seemed to mention--beyond the websites--was their local government. Several were sobered by official advice--standard advice not unique to the Hill or DC--that fire and other emergency services might take as long as 72 hours to reach them in a major emergency. Many of the 35 to 40 people at the Inter- Generational Dialogue in June-- especially younger people and African Americans--expressed considerable suspicion of the federal government and post-Sept. 11 security measures. This is something the Hill's elected representatives might wish to ponder. In the meantime, Sig Cohen advises his neighbors, "You don't need the government; it's like the Nike ad: Just do it!" Padraic (Pat) Sweeney is a graduate of Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia, where he lives today. He is also a Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer and a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill. Mr. Sweeney works for a U.S. Government agency in downtown Washington. Your Neighborhood Furniture Source for Leasing or Buying Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Come Visit 709 12th Street, SE our Huge on Capitol Hill Free off-street parking Showroom! Convenient to Eastern Over 20,000 Market Metro square feet of furniture, carpets, paintings, lamps and accessories 202.547.3030 www.antiqueleasing.com Antique& Contemporary LEASING AND SALES 709 12th Street, SE · Washington, DC (Interested folks may email Greg for a copy, at Greg.Smith@sablaw.com). Basic Next Steps For those who want to dig more deeply, there are various resources. If you have internet access, the "Ready.gov" website is a great place to start. Operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this site explains three basic steps to prepare yourself and your family: "Make a Kit," "Make a Plan" and "Be Informed." These steps are explained in very accessible language, with more detailed information available at the click of a mouse. The same information, organized somewhat differently--but localized for the District--is available in printed form from the DC EMA, at 202- 673-2101, ext. 1137. Ask for "A Family Preparedness Guide." DC-specific information can be obtained on-line at http://dc.gov/citizen/preparedness/ index.shtm. Interested DC residents may also want to look into CERT training. This program trains citizens in basic disaster survival and rescue skills that would enable them, in the event of a major emergency, to care for themselves and their neighbors www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 I'm of a fearsome mind to throw my arms around every living librarian who crosses my path, on behalf of the souls they never knew they saved. --AUTHOR BARBARA KINGSOLVER Growing up, my friends and I trekked down to the library every Saturday morning, always choosing one new Nancy Drew mystery, one book about animals (we wanted to be vets), and often one more that snagged our attention on the way to check-out. When my own kids were young, we spent many hours in the children's room, enjoying story hour, socializing, and choosing picture books for the quiet moments in the week ahead. Like many others, though, I strayed. For several years I browsed bookstores instead of libraries, buying books to read, then letting them pile up on shelves like so many outgrown toys. Post-divorce downsizing made me realize how many books I had accumulated that I no longer needed, so I sold them, donated them and kept a few special ones. Instead of buying more, I decided to revisit the local library, remembering the cozy atmosphere and the free books. After an hour's worth of reading dust jackets with my shoulder propped up against the wall, and checking out the librarians' choices I left, with an armful of free books and a renewed passion for this organization. I wondered though, do others follow the same path? Do they leave like I did, or has there been a steady stream of steadfast library goers whose passion for the institution never waned? And I wondered, what about the backbone of the library visitors, the students, pouring over card catalogues trying to locate research sources: does research get done anymore in libraries now that information can be so easily downloaded on personal computers? How do they entice back the patrons like myself who left for a cup of coffee and a quick read, but now years later are back, older, wiser and ready to take full advantage of the library's free books and programs? I turned for answers to the branch managers at our two Capitol Hill libraries, Northeast and Southeast. Sherry Vollin, branch manager at the Southeast Library crackled with energy as we spoke. Interruptions were frequent but revealing; this library was hopping on a hot, lazy, mid-August evening. The chess teacher arrived first, followed by the after work crowd who filtered in while librarian Tracy Meyer's teen art group departed. According to Vollin, the library has evolved into a community center, still offering plenty of books and other reading material but also activ-on the various topics live nearby and ities and discussions to pique the lend their expertise to the discusinterests of every age group. sion, as well as suggesting new topic At 6,000 square feet, it is the city's ideas. smallest branch library, but Vollin I asked Vollin if there is a program makes sure every square inch is used, that she holds nearest and dearest to much as it has been since its open-her heart about what a library ing in December 1922. should be. "Partnering with the local I used to go to the library all the schools," she said. "We go into the time when I was kid. As a teenager, I schools and do a presentation about got a book on how to write jokes at our BLEND (Bridging Libraries in the library, and that, in turn, Education and Neighborhood launched my comedy career. Development) program. It is --COMEDIAN DREW CAREY designed to reach out to young children, show them the joy of reading, and also to work with the teachers The hush-hush restrictions are letting them know what we offer, looser now. Boisterous children and how our resources can complegather in their area for story time, ment their curriculum." and teenagers slouch near the fire-Vollin insists that her circulation place for the rap and poetry forum staff gets mentioned, as well, pointor to participate in "Holla Back," a ing out that in such a small library citywide program designed to everyone pitches in. Their areas of encourage teenagers to read and expertise are well-known to regular write. visitors. Need a mystery? Ask Tracy. Displayed along the walls above Afro-American history? Check in the stacks are the art pieces that with Kerry or Sally. It is a team effort. these students created in their cartooning class when they weren't "You knew I'd wanna read it. ... busy getting homework help. You're a book tease." Community forums covering timely topics such as "Do We Need --JESS, GILMORE GIRLS EPISODE Baseball in DC?" are offered twice a ON THE WB NETWORK month, and all neighborhood folks Patricia Sullivan is the branch manare invited. Frequently the experts ager arcorner at the Lessons from Capitol Hill Libraries BY RUTH HAYES R OBBINS Southeast Branch Northeast Branch Northeast branch library, a two-story Georgian Revival style brick building; the first public library built in DC entirely with public funds. Opened in 1932, it has over the years undergone renovations both architectural and program wise. Now under Sullivan's creative care it continues to be an active community resource for all ages. Many of the programs offered are similar to ones at Southeast, children's story hour, chess and afternoon crafts, homework help and other programs designed to entice teenagers back. Recently Sullivan started a new program about Anime, stories based on Japanese graphic novels, apparently the latest rage among the young adult crowd. It impressed upon me how librarians need to continually update their own knowledge in order to stay in touch with the interests of such a diverse group of people that frequent the stacks. Those who declared librarians obsolete when the Internet rage first appeared are now red-faced. We need them more than ever. The Internet is full of 'stuff' but its value and readability is often questionable. 'Stuff' doesn't give you a competitive edge; high-quality related information does. --PATRICIA SCHR OEDER, ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PUBLISHERS PRESIDENT I queried Sullivan about computers and their place in the library. She shared with me that they have nine computers instead of the usual four, thanks to the outstanding Friends of the Library group (who recently donated extra copies of the new Harry Potter book and more of the graphic novels the teens prefer as well). She mentioned that the computers are continually in use and very popular, but that the book circulation has not dropped off as a result. And she hastened to add that most people now recognize that Internetbased research is often insufficient when delving into a study topic. Sullivan related that teachers frequently require students to use other sources, bringing them to the librarians who are happy to help. "Libraries have a lot to offer the community," Sullivan said. "We welcome and encourage and try to offer something to please everyone." Poetry and jazz nights, book clubs and games, movies and art, it is all here. Libraries are very much alive and kicking on Capitol Hill. I am going to grab my library card and saunter over to check out the latest mysteries. Tracy, can you recommend a good one? This is Ruth Hayes Robbins' first contribution to The Voice of The Hill. www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 Climb Aboard the Blogging Bandwagon Hill Residents Join the Latest Online Revolution BY ANDREW NOYES In a city where unabashed, opinion-process of updating his online offer-$1.00 for partners for each day that you ated pundits are a dime a dozen, yet ings became as easy as writing an e-dress "kasual." Kasual? [Huh?] very few make a living of it, a sexy mail. Deliberate stupid spelling is my #3 subculture is seeping through CrookDimwit, Pusateri's "sandbox pet peeve (right after parking spot Washington's politically-charged to play around in," offers daily takes hawks and smokers who flick cigarette neighborhoods--and the Capitol on life and the world around him butts on sidewalks). I'm not talking Hill community is at the core of this along with useless trivia and experi-about people who can't spell. I'm talkuprising. ments in Flash technology. Much to ing about the national plague of inten- An online community of increas-the chagrin of web-based dog watch-tionally misspelled words. Stupid ingly prodigious proportions is ers, however, the Abbiecam is absent spelling is a national epidemic. springing up--a community where from the current site. Want some Krispy Kreme donuts and everyone has a soapbox on which to After being urged by readers to some Kool Aid? Let's fill up the car at stand and one person's punditry is as add a "comments" option to his blog Kwik Trip, then go to Rite Aid to pick up equally opportunistic as the next. to facilitate feedback from visitors, some some Krazy Glue, a pack of Kool This neighborhood--housed Pusateri says CrookDimwit "went cigarettes, and a Quik-Lok... After that, inside the warm glow of one's com-from being a one-way soapbox for we can pick up the children at Kidz puter monitor--is a network of often my various thoughts and ideas to a Korner (not to be mistaken for the interconnected authors whose fre-bustling community of readers." Kuddle Kids Korner). quently updated rants, raves and "I've been stunned how many Perhaps the worst offender of this commentary are arranged chrono-people want to chime in and com-inexplicable trend of deliberate moron logically--like a website's "What's ment on what I've posted. Some peo-spelling was a commercial printer I New" page or a personal, but very ple I know personally, some I've occasionally work with in Florida: Kwik public, diary. never met. My posts typically get a Kopy. Their name includes three, The content and purpose of these couple dozen comments and my site arguably four, deliberate misspellings in "weblogs," or "blogs," varies great-now gets over 100 visitors a only eight letters. Quite an achieve- ly--from web links and narrative to day...This still amazes me." ment. Was "Quick Copy" really such an news about companies, people and Unlike some Washington blogs, unthinkable name? places. A few present photographs, Pusateri's site doesn't provide a com-Cabbie confessions and other poetry, mini-essays and even fiction. munity service, or address a defined thoughts...One of the little pleasures of It seems as though nothing is off goal or mission. city life is meeting interesting cabbies. limits in the blogosphere, so sit back "Frankly, the whole thing feels As I rode across town Sunday morning, and relax as some of Capitol Hill's kind of narcissistic and self-indul-my taxi driver had a lot to say about the most innovative and entertaining gent to me," he scoffs. But the free-merits of a good leather couch, why a web-based authors are revealed. lance writer says blogging is an ideal swimming pool with lots of young "mental exercise" and he executes ladies around it is essential, and how Matt Pusateri: much of his writing while commut-you have to be over 60 to appreciate CrookDimwit.com ing on the Metro. baseball. His plans for the rest of the Blogging, Pusateri says, gives fel-weekend? "I'm going to eat a lot of ice www.crookdimwit.com low Capitol Hill residents "a sense of cream and sleep in my 'good chair.'" For Capitol Hill resident Matt shared community experiences." "I The cabbies I've had have been a fas- Pusateri, his foray into blogging know a lot of DC bloggers, and many cinating array of characters: the radical began four years ago, when he creat-of us share the same loves and hates Muslim from Saudi Arabia with dreams ed a site chock full of movie reviews, about Washington. A lot of us are of stardom as a standup comic, the fempolitical rants and the "Abbiecam"-- close in age and are dealing with inist granny with strong opinions about a live web camera that showed visi-similar issues: trying to figure out the Redskins defensive woes, the former tors what his dog, Abbie, was doing career, life, relationships, adult-cop who "missed the action," the strugduring the day while he was at work. hood." gling father with four kids at home, a The voyeuristic Abbiecam was a Curious about Pusateri's posts? former football player who saw his life's huge hit and attracted scores of visi-Take a peek inside CrookDimwit: dreams end when he tore up his knee in tors. college, the guy who swore he'd been "People found my dog much more Just say NO to stupid spelling! I got taken by aliens in Vietnam, the cabbie interesting than anything I had to an e-mail at work the other day at work who said he gets "invited in" [by] say," he muses. that included the following: female passengers a few times a month, The Los Angeles native says the REMINDER: we have an existing "kasu-and the 70-year old former boxerite was a pain to maintain, but al for your day" policy in our office. If told me about the time he got knocked when Blogger was launched, posting you elect to dress "kasual," that cost out by Rocky Marciano. was made more automatic and the will be $.50 for staff and associates and www.voiceofthehill.com Kate Villano: Cyanotic Copy http://www.betakate.blogspot.com/ Originally, Capitol Hill dweller and data analyst Kate Villano began blogging for her friends--compiling anecdotes and telling stories about her daily routine--and in a short time became a regular contributor to the DC blog landscape. "For me, it's an exercise in writing," she says."It's hard to do writing at home and not be published--you wonder what the point is a lot of times. But when you're published in any way, even if nobody's reading it, it feels like you're writing to an audience and that's a lot easier." She says she can "bitch and moan" in her posts, yet when she's able to fine tune her rants and add a splash of humor and creativity, it's less like bellyaching and more like entertainment. Villano finds blogging cathartic and tries to blog daily to keep web surfers coming back for more. "I think that if you want people to read it, you can't get away with anything less," she says of her frequent updates. "People stop reading and they forget." According to Villano, "there's nothing much about current events that hasn't been said," so she typically refrains from regurgitating news on her blog. She sticks with more personal subject matter--fami- ly matters, trips to amusement parks and general musings on life. Take a gander at some excerpts from Cyanotic Copy. Chunky McChunkster on a Roller Coaster...I spent the day at King's Dominion on Sunday. What I love about theme parks is that they're supported entirely by teenagers and white trash families. They were so many fat chicks in bikinis there that [I] felt svelte. I sat down on a bench, and my thighs said, "Hey Kate, we're too bony. Hand us another piece of fried chicken." I tried to protest, but my mouth was full of $6 funnel cake. This should be posted at the entrance VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 of all Six Flags parks: Skinny girls in bikinis and unbuttoned shorts look sexy (trashy, but sexy). Fat girls in bikinis and unbuttoned shorts look like their gut has escaped. I'm all for being comfortable with your body, but there comes a point when you should think about covering [it] up. I sweated...all day in jeans, but at least my thighs weren't clapping. They were just ogling the cotton candy. Kate's plan for a happy existence (part I) 1. Don't e-mail or call anyone back -- it just encourages them. In fact, don't answer your phone at all. 2. When you do see your friends, complain about how you never hang out. 3. Research every new idea you have neurotically, but give up if any participation requires leaving the apartment. 4. Spend ridiculous amounts of money on shoes too uncomfortable to wear. 5. Eat only one food item (asparagus, cereal, cheese, V-8) obsessively until you are sick for days. (This works for almost any food.) Why I've been away... My grandfa- ther's funeral was this week. Death is very odd. I'm sorry, Grandma. I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry, Uncle Tommy. But I'm not sorry for my second cousin Maureen; she is sorry for me. And so are my parents' coworkers and friends. My condolences. Are you OK? How are you? You press your lips together and pull the corners of your mouth tight, in a nonsmile smile. I'm good. I'm fine. I'm hanging in there. I'm OK. My sister and I are sorry together. We cry and laugh and talk about how we'll never have sex because Grandpa's watching now. Everyone is very tired and busy, busy. You make work for yourself. The grass needs cutting. Vacuum the living room again. When was the last time you bleached the bottom of the garbage cans? Wild mood swings and naps whenever you can get them. I'm sorry, Grandpa. I'm sorry we NEED A GOOD ELECTRICIAN? Call Charlie! · Remodeling · Old and New Work · Quality Work · Low Prices 202-397-2273 Fax 202-397-2127 Lic. DC EM900042 argued about politics. I'm sorry you never got to visit D.C. I'm sorry we never got to see a Yankee game together. Please give Grandma the strength to get through this so she can be with us through all of the things you won't. Maureen Thorson: DC Metro Blog Map & Reenhead.com www.reenhead.com Maureen Thorson, proprietor of Reenhead.com, had been blogging for about eight months when, in June of 2001, she noticed that the Daypop Top 40--a list of the top 40 links being posted by various blogs and other websites--was featuring at least two online maps where web surfers could locate city blogs by subway station. Novel idea, she mused-- DC should have something similar. And the DC Metro Blog Map was born. During its short but pervasive tenure, the interactive site has been featured in the Washington Post and Slate.com, and bloggers residing near almost all of Metrorail's stations have clamored to have their tiny corner of the World Wide Web added to the map. "There seems to be a good response in that there are a lot of people joining the map, and there have been several surges in the number of people applying to be on it in response to A-list blogs running posts on it," she said. Thorson receives 10 to 20 requests a week from bloggers requesting to be listed on the site. A one-woman vetting process ensues to ensure that each prospective blogger's rants are appropriate and belong in her network. The former Capitol Hill resident and law student is unsure of exactly how many blogs are currently listed on her map but in April, the count numbered 250, and many more have been added since. "A lot of people seem to have regional blog pride. They like knowing there are other DC bloggers out there," Thorson says. "As for services to the community, it's a great way to find like-minded bloggers in your area to make friends with. I suppose if you're a Capitol Hiller who wants to meet other bloggers in your area, the map gives you a convenient way to find them." So what does this domain diva report that Washingtonians blog about? Thorson's response: "everything [and] nothing"--everything from political blogs to "Seinfeldian dither blogs." Thorson's personal blog, however, includes an amalgam of this and that. She infuses her own commentary into reports captured from all corners of the web. Here's an excerpt... "You look like you could use 337 recipes for pickles. You can pickle just about anything, you know. Bologna, rosebuds. You can even make candied pickle sticks. I made two quarts of bread-and-butter pickles yesterday, and hope that I can find more pickling cucumbers at the farmer's market tomorrow. However, be forewarned! Pickling can make you very, very edgy, due to the frightening amounts of boiling water involved. Do not pickle barefoot." Mr. Ashcroft begins his charm offensive while Congress and Justice toy with expanding ye olde Patriot Act to --guess what?-- the war on drugs. Cause, you know, it's not like we're already a little psycho on that front. Remember, smoking a joint inspires terrorism! Let's arrest everyone with Rasta hats! Or, hey, it's Tuesday, let's declare everyone named Dave a threat to human civilization! By the way, Mr. Ashcroft's new educational site on the Patriot Act begins with the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Which is, as Mark puts it, seriously f 'd up. HUD is proposing a homeless person tracking base. So we can learn their migratory habits? So you can know if the guy in your town who thinks a unicorn is following him is the same unicorn guy who was in Toronto in May? Let's just put bar codes on their heads! That wouldn't be creepy or anything. Michael Schlesinger: DC Metro Action www.dcmetroaction.com Longtime political activist Michael Schlesinger has been reaching out to citizens and urging them to take action on a range of hot-button community issues for years. Butgrassroots organizing campaign to new heights last year when he started the DC Metro Action blog, a citywide resource for local activism and participation on a collection of socially just issues. "I noticed the growth of the blogging craze and discovered how easy the format is to use. I played around with a few different concepts but found myself mostly reporting on local political news and events," the Capitol Hill resident purports. "As my contacts with local organizations grew, I saw there was a need for a single listing of the enormous progressive activity in the Washington, DC area. DC Metro Action was born to provide that service." Since his site launched, Schlesinger's readership has soared. He garnered 500 hits in February, 800 in April and surpassed the 1,000 mark in July. "DC Metro Action gives folks a single place to read about the variety of work being done locally in Washington by progressive organizations," he says. "Along with an 'Action of the Day,' my blog links to non-profit job banks, local neighborhood and cultural groups, and the DC blogging community." Schlesinger's view is that blogging is a form of micro-publishing--a way to reach a niche audience. In a community as close knit as Capitol Hill, Annual Arts Ball & Auction Frederick Douglass Museum For more information or to purchase tickets, call 202-547-6839 SAVE THE DATE Capitol Hill Arts Workshop's SATURDAY OCTOBER 4, 2003 www.chaw.org Experience i/ /igh Mass . . DC 20002 129 t all this Sunday at St.James' 7:40 am Matins 8 am Low Mass 10 am HCALL 202 546 1746 OR VISIT WWW.SAINTJAMESCHURCH.ORG 222 EIGHTH STREET NE WASHINGT ON www.voiceofthehill.com VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 he says, there is ample potential for readers to make neighborhood blogs successful. "Big publishers may rack up hundreds of thousands of hits daily, but local bloggers are happy with far less," he says. "If I reach even one person a week and give them a sense of social justice, spur them on to attend an action, or educate them about a critical local issue, then I am doing what I set out to do." Any kind of activism is a good thing, Schlesinger says, and DC bloggers are "part of a revolution in the way people network and communicate. It's the future." John Mitchell: Beaverhausen Blog http://www.beaverhausenblog.com The sky's the limit on the uniquelynamed Beaverhausen Blog--a bicoastal discourse on culture, politics and sex that launched in May 2002. North Lincoln Park resident John Mitchell and his California-based coauthor Ben Bartos spent many hours exchanging e-mails chock full of news blurbs and commentary on current events. Then, a thought occurred to Mitchell: "You know, if we're putting all this effort into chatting amongst ourselves, why don't we try this new thing called blogging and see if any other people would be interested in it?" The good news is that online audiences were interested, and their site is thriving. Reader comments have been supportive and quite interesting, Mitchell says. "It's like we put out some fly paper to see what sticks." Mitchell, a corporate lawyer and self-proclaimed "political science type," and Bartos, a Sacramento policy analyst who his friend says is "very into pop culture," provide a unique combination of viewpoints on their blog. Both men work high pressure jobs and look to the blog for fun and relaxation. Sometimes they will post several times daily and on occasion will go a few days without adding something new. "My philosophy is blog rather than don't blog," Mitchell says. "Put something up there and it engages you in the happenings of the day and it keeps people reading it." Excerpts from Beaverhausen Blog... From the Rose Garden... Bushie this morning responded to a question about gay marriage by saying: "I am mindful that we're all sinners and I caution those who may try to take a speck out of the neighbor's eye when they got a log in their own. I think it is important for our society to respect each individual, to welcome those with good hearts." www.voiceofthehill.com Regardless of the underlying intent of his statement, the criticisms are sure to arise about the President equating being gay with sinning. Love the sinner, hate the sin, but be sure to remind the American people that it is a sin. As John posted yesterday, no wonder gays are facing a backlash. Fruitcake Fracas - The best part about all the newsprint being wasted on the meltdown in the House Ways & Means committee this past week is that the antichrist himself, Rep. Tom Delay, called the anti-gay slurs being slung by Petey Stark (D-Cal.) "incredibly offensive." Guess he should know. A Different Sort of Quota - The WaPo unveils a front-page exposé that shows U.Va. is discriminatory against -- horrors! -- Northern Virginians. As the wealthiest part of the state, NoVa's better schools churn out hundreds of qualified candidates for the number two public university in the country -- so much so that all the spots would quickly be taken if the admissions folk didn't take kindly to those of us from "the sticks." Or so the premise goes, although college officials dispute it. I always wondered how my classmate Tater knew so many people at U.Va. from back home in the lil' Appalachian town of Abingdon. Andrew Noyes is assistant editor of The Voice of the Hill. A self-professed media junkie, he finds Washington's numerous blogs a refreshing addition to the all-too-familiar Fourth Estate. Basics of Blogging Inspired by stories of Capitol Hill bloggers? Eager to start documenting your thoughts and feelings or politics and prose on the World Wide Web? Here's a quick lesson in the basics of blogging to get you started. · Blogger is rapidly becoming one of the most popular free blog hosting siteson the web. The site also offers some of the most user-friendly tools and applications as well. · Visit w and create a new account including your username, first and last name, email address and password. Remember to write down your username and password for future reference! · Under the heading "Your Blogs" on the right side of the screen, click "Create a New Blog." · Come up with an imaginative title and description for your blog and enter thetext in the boxes indicated. Here, you can choose to make your blog public or private. If you opt for a public blog, it will be available through Blogger's network. · Choose to host the blog at Blogspot,a free ad-supported hosting service, or to FTP it to your own server. If you're a beginner, the first option is recommended. · Create a catchy address for your blog. It will take the form of http://____.blogspot.com so be creative and make up a URL that is short, easy to spell and easy to remember. · Choose a template for your site from a variety of colorful and eye-catching designs. This can be updated or replaced with a new template at any point. · Voila, there you have it--your very own space on the World Wide Web where you can speak freely about current events, local happenings or reflect on issues in your own life. Tips & Tricks Now that you've begun your blog, here are a few guidelines from the experts that will help you utilize your site to its fullest potential. · Post early, post often. There is no bigger blogging blunder than neglecting your site and posting sporadically or infrequently. Once web surfers see your site, the likelihood of return visits is directly proportionate to the frequency of updates. This means the more you blog, the more regular readers you will receive. · Get listed. If you want to increase you readership, there are several websites that will publicize your blog. The DC Metro Blog Map is one such site featuring local blogs categorized by Metro station www.reenhead.com/map/metroblogmap. html. Another site is DC Bloggers, www.dcbloggers.com which allows you to add your website via online form. MetroBlogs is a third site that operates a "web ring," or online network, of city blogs, http://www.metroblogs.com. --Andrew Noyes SECURITYE LITTLE JOE BONFIGLIO NOTE: This month, the Voice continues its regular feature, "100 Words from the Hill," with the topic of "security." Look for more assignments in future editions. Take a Minute Security is a very strong word. It is very important to me and the United States. Although I love America, more security is needed. Look at our people in Iraq dying every day. That's not fair. It's time for us to start fighting for them, and we should start now. Just take a minute. Think of the people that received calls saying that their rela- tives got killed or hurt in the war. I know that they are crushed. People get hurt in wars, but maybe if Americans had a little more security and love, those people would not have died. Age 12 E Street, NE Under the Covers I really want to sum up security with a happy image, say: my mom tucking me into my childhood bed again, with dramatic reading of "Carrot Nose," and one too many covers for a kid who radiates heat like a kerosene stove. This evening, security has slumped to Jersey Barriers protecting our city's most celebrated landmarks and endangered Starbucks. I will continue to define security through reinforced concrete until I again have faith in the leadership of our country that ought to radiate mercy and measure. Security is under the covers. Maryland Avenue, NE 100 Words from The Hill VOICE of the Hill / September 2003 Risky Business Chuck Burger Has Found Success by Not Playing it Safe BY SHIRLEY SER OTSKY C huck Burger is a true school was an appropriate place for Renaissance man--perhaps the self-proclaimed peacenik, named one of the last of his kind. for the revered former Secretary In a day and age when young peo-General of the United Nations who ple are encouraged to "specialize" in had died tragically in the pursuit of order to make their resumes more peace only a decade before. appealing in a desperate job market, The move to Columbia Maryland it is rare to find someone who has marked Chuck's first journey to the followed their bliss down as many DC area, a region he would eventualvaried career paths as Chuck has. ly call home. In 1975 he migrated to It's even more exceptional to find George Washington University, someone with a credible degree in where he received his degree in "Revolutionary Politics." "Hey!" International Politics. Chuck explains with a chuckle, "It During that time Chuck lived in was the '70s--that was a very mar-Northwest. "When we came down to ketable skill to have!" Washington, we lived in Adams Chuck has been a small business Morgan when it was--well, it was owner. Chuck has worked in the not what it is now." He speaks of the Gourmet foods industry. Chuck has extreme racial diversity of the neighsold coffee. Chuck has run political borhood, before it became the social campaigns. Chuck has been trailed mecca for herds of nomadic twentyby the KGB (but if I told you that somethings seeking cheap pizza and story I would have to shoot you, so domestic beer that it is now. "I lived I'll leave that up to him). Chuck has with a Swede--and he thought, 'so dined with dignitaries. this is America!'" he recalls with a Chuck has been instrumental in laugh. Chuck remembers DC in the making Capitol Hill the vital neigh-'70s as a much more intriguing place borhood it is today. Chuck works than it is now. "We would go out in with the Alcohol Control Board. Georgetown--and back then there Chuck sells real estate. And that's were all these rumors--a kind of only the tip of the iceberg. mystique." Born and raised in Pittsburgh, But mystique and all, Washington Chuck made his first of many risky could not contain Chuck once he life choices when he decided to finished his degree. Discouraged by attend college at Kent State the story of a brilliant teacher he University in Ohio after the Kent had at GWU who had published State shootings had happened. He three books and earned a doctorate wanted to be in the thick of things. in his early twenties, and then strug- "I was a big non-violence freak back gled for years just to get a job at a then," he recalls. "So I served as a Midwestern University, Chuck set peaceful protester there--we would his sights on more exotic locales. He stand between the rioters and the moved to Sweden (have you noticed police." the strong Swedish theme to this story?). "I was going to teach at Following the Bliss Stockholm University," he says, But while Kent State was at the time "because there, they would appreci a hot spot of national politics, ate my degree!" Chuck discovered it wasn't a very "Plus," Chuck admits sheepishly, good school. So after a year in Ohio, "I w