The NorThwesT CurreNTWednesday, December 24, 2014 Serving Chevy Chase, Colonial Village, Shepherd Park, Brightwood, Crestwood, Petworth & 16th Street Heights Vol. XLVII, No. 52

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By BRADY HOLTCurrent Staff Writer

As the new year approaches, so too does a host of new development all around Northwest. Some of these projects will begin construction in 2015, with the demo-lition of existing buildings preceding the rise of cranes and walls. Others will be completed, with tenants moving in and neighbors basking in the end of construction noise, park-ing restrictions and other impacts. And in other cases, developers will push for key approvals from various city or federal agencies, and seek the community buy-in that typ-ically smoothes that process. Here’s a sample of sites to watch

around Northwest D.C.:

Adams Morgan■ 2350 16th St.: Developers are proposing a 60-foot-tall, 140-unit residential building on a surface parking lot that now belongs to the

Meridian International nonprofit. The idea remains in its early stages, but in the new year expect neigh-bors, community groups and city panels — the Zoning Commission and Historic Preservation Review Board — to weigh in on the concept and its design.■ 1700 Columbia Road: Construc-tion is wrapping up on the Ontario 17 mixed-use building, which replaced the former Ontario Theatre after a hard-fought preservation bat-tle. Its 80 condominium units should be completed this coming spring.

American University■ 3501 Nebraska Ave.: The univer-sity broke ground on its long-planned

2015: An eventful year for D.C. development

Brian Kapur/The CurrentThe Tenley View project is slated for completion in late 2015.

By KATIE PEARCECurrent Staff Writer

After finally winning a lease for the vacant trolley station beneath Dupont Circle, an arts group is now fundraising to activate the first 23,000 square feet of the space.

The vision has been germinating for years: to redevelop the cavernous “Dupont Underground” into a cut-ting-edge center for the arts, hosting possible performances, exhibitions and other creative endeavors.

But the ambitious project is just now seeing its first real marks of progress, with the nonprofit Arts Coalition for the Dupont Under-ground last week signing a five-year lease with the city for the entire 75,000-square-foot site. Now the coalition has launched a crowdfund-ing campaign to raise $50,000 for prepping one platform and tunnel area, which will serve as a testing ground for the broader concept.

“All of our efforts until now have been toward getting the lease,” said Braulio Agnese, a board member of

the arts coalition. Now, he said, “the immediate concentration is on fund-raising. The faster we can raise funds, the faster we can bring the space up to code and use it.”

The crowfunding campaign (at fundable.com/dupont-underground) had raised about $6,600, or 14 per-cent of its $50,000 goal, by Monday evening.

Agnese said the area in question, which stretches underground beneath Dupont’s main drag on Connecticut Avenue, requires sig-nificant rehabilitation before it even becomes functional. “It has no ame-

Group wins five-year lease for Dupont Underground

Brian Kapur/The CurrentThe Washington National Cathedral hosted its annual Christmas pageant for children Saturday with a re-enactment of the story of Jesus’ birth. The event included visits from animals, angels, shepherds and the three magi.

H O LY N I g H T

■ Arts: Former trolley station to host exhibits, performances

By KAT LUCEROCurrent Staff Writer

When Wilson High School was preparing for its massive renovation a few years back, Pamela Lipscomb-Gardner and her staff discovered stacks of old scrapbooks of newspa-pers and yearbooks inside a pad-locked cabinet.

As the school librarian, she kept them. But she was also in awe of these items from her alma mater’s past that she’d never seen before. Lipscomb-Gardner then started noticing other items that needed to be preserved.

“I started running around the building and collected them,” she said. “Class pictures that were on one wall. Pictures of the Tigers [the school’s mascot] that the art club has painted over the years. All kinds of stuff.”

Three years after the refurbished school building opened in 2011, Wilson now has an online trove of memorabilia called the “Digital Archives Project.” The contents are located on Wilson’s website — wil-sonhs.org — where students, alumni

Wilson archive hosts decades of mementos

By ELIZABETH WIENERCurrent Staff Writer

D.C. zoning officials are ponder-ing a meaty issue dividing citizens in Woodley Park: whether to allow a Nando’s flamed-grilled chicken out-let to open in a former bank building in the neighborhood’s Connecticut Avenue commercial strip. Members of the D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment heard testimony last week on a request by Nando’s for special exceptions from a general

ban on fast-food restaurants in that strip, and also from a limitation on the number of restaurants that can occupy street frontage there. Mem-bers will vote on the case Feb. 10. The debate is arcane but also divisive. At root is a controversial zoning overlay that limits restaurants to 25 percent of street frontage in Woodley Park. There’s a similar overlay in Cleveland Park, and resi-dents of both neighborhoods have been arguing about the provisions’ purpose — as well as how to calcu-late the measurements, and exactly what outlets to include — ever since the overlays were adopted in the

Zoning panel weighing Woodley Nando’s plan■ Restaurant: Community split on commercial overlay

Rendering courtesy of Arts Coalition for the Dupont Underground

Fundraising is underway to bring the group’s vision to fruition in one platform and tunnel area.

See Nando’s/Page 16

See Dupont/Page 5See Development/Page 9

See Wilson/Page 16

georgetown hoops legend looks to guide Wilson girls

— Page 13

Council finalizes financing deal for D.C. United stadium

— Page 3

NEWS SPORTS

Third-grade Shaw teacher named D.C. Teacher of the Year

— Page 5

NEWS

2 Wednesday, december 24, 2014 The currenT

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Thursday, Jan. 1 Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser will host a “Fresh Start” 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. at the Oyster-Adams Bilingual School, 29th and Calvert streets NW. Registration is free; T-shirts are available for $10. Visit murielbowser.com.

Friday, Jan. 2 Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser will attend an Inauguration Interfaith Service at 8 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G St. NW. The mayor’s inauguration and the swearing-in of the attorney general, D.C. Council chairman and D.C. Council members will follow at 9:30 a.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Mayor Bowser’s “DC Proud” Inaugural Ball, also at the convention center, will begin at 7 p.m. Free registration is required for the interfaith service and inaugural ball; visit murielbowser.com.

Saturday, Jan. 3 Mayor Muriel Bowser will host an Inaugural Kids Party at 2 p.m. at the South-east Tennis and Learning Center, 701 Mississippi Ave. SE. Registration is required, and children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian; visit murielbowser.com.

The week ahead

By ELIZABETH WIENERCurrent Staff Writer

Plans for a professional soccer stadium on Buzzard Point, mired in complexity and controversy for months, came together quickly last week — a holiday gift for D.C. United and its fans.

The D.C. Council, at its final meeting of the year, approved a financing and land acquisition pack-age that, despite some doubts about cost, drew unanimous support.

The final plan includes borrow-ing up to $140 million for the Dis-trict’s share of the project. The city will pay for land acquisition, reme-diation of environmental problems there and other infrastructure needs. The soccer team, fresh off a winning season, will pay to build the 20,000-seat stadium in Southwest at an estimated price tag roughly the same as the city’s. It’s now back on track to open for the 2017 season.

Only one major question mark remains. The council in early December removed a controversial property swap from the deal. Instead of trading the Reeves Center munic-ipal building at 14th and U streets NW to the Akridge development firm in return for two acres at the stadium site plus some cash, the District will bargain with Akridge for the Buzzard Point land. And if that fails, the city can use eminent domain to acquire the land at a cost not yet determined.

Council members seemed pleased with the deal, saying it will spur economic development in a neglected part of the city and keep the team in the District. It also incor-porates a “community benefits pack-age” that includes a city liaison to connect area residents with stadium jobs, a new DC Circulator bus route and funding to renovate the Randall Recreation Center. Community leaders are negotiating with D.C. United for additional benefits.

“The package won’t please everybody,” said Ward 6 member Tommy Wells, noting that many

residents would like the team to fund a youth soccer facility at RFK Sta-dium when it decamps to Buzzard Point — a prospect he said is “still possible.” But overall, a new stadi-um “means new jobs in an area that needs jobs, retail in an area that needs retail,” Wells said.

Jack Evans of Ward 2 called the stadium package, in the works for 10 years, “a testimony to persistence.” Remembering the District’s dark days, Evans said that in 1997 — when the fledgling D.C. United and Major League Soccer were in the midst of only their second season — “we were the only major city in America without a single major pro-fessional team. Basketball and hock-ey were playing in Maryland. Foot-ball just left.” Now the soccer team is staying, and there’s even talk of the Washington football team mov-ing back. “The city’s rebounded,” Evans said.

Only outgoing at-large member David Catania voiced strong con-cern. By taking out the Akridge-Reeves swap, the District is forced to borrow the lion’s share of the land acquisition funds, leaving less money for other needs, Catania warned. With a self-imposed cap on new debt, he said several projects could be shorted: construction of new middle schools, redevelopment of the St. Elizabeths East and Walter Reed campuses, and reconstruction of the downtown library. “It’s a mat-ter of priorities,” he said.

But Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser, currently the Ward 4 council mem-ber, rejected that analysis. “It’s true that our infrastructure needs are big, but it’s disingenuous to say if we don’t do the soccer stadium, we can do all these things,” she said. “This is a smart package, an investment, and we preserve the right to rede-velop [the Reeves Center at] 14th and U — on our terms.”

Council budget director Jennifer Budoff said later that there is room within the borrowing cap to fund about $180 million in new projects.

D.C. Council approves final deal for new soccer stadium By gRAHAM VYSE

Current Staff Writer

Declaring the District of Columbia “stronger today than at any moment in our history,” Mayor Vincent Gray delivered a two-hour farewell address to a packed auditorium at Dunbar High School last Wednesday. “Please know it has been the greatest honor of my life to serve for the last four years as your mayor,” Gray said. “We have come so far as a city during that time, made so much progress in so many areas, that it’s hard to say goodbye to what I think is without a doubt the best job in the world.”

Despite the extraordinary length of his speech, Gray didn’t come close to finishing the 17 pages he had prepared to deliver. In fact, the mayor repeat-edly departed from the text, speaking loosely and often with humor as he looked back on his time in office. “You know what? I ain’t coming back to do this again,” he said at one point, drawing laughter from the crowd as he referenced the impending end of his tenure. Near the top of the long list of accomplishments he cited, Gray touted the fact that 44,000 private-sector jobs were created in D.C. during his tenure

Gray cites ‘much progress’ during his tenure

See Stadium/Page 5

See gray/Page 16

4 wedNesday, deCember 24, 2014 The CurreNT

Bowser names Wells, others to top posts Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser named one of her D.C. Council col-leagues and former mayoral oppo-nents, Tommy Wells, head of the Department of Environment last week amid a wave of hiring announcements. Bowser also selected Mount Pleasant resident Polly Donaldson, who runs a housing nonprofit, as director of the city’s Department of Housing and Community Develop-ment. She chose John Falcicchio, who is directing her transition, as her chief of staff; former Pepco executive Beverly Perry as senior adviser; Democratic National Com-mittee national press secretary Michael Czin as communications director; and Marion Barry staffer LaToya Foster as senior communi-cations officer. Ward 6 Council member Wells opted to leave his post after eight years to run for mayor, having spent his time on the council working to create a “livable and walkable city for all,” a Bowser news release notes. His accomplishments include developing the city’s long-term streetcar plan, expanding the DC Circulator bus system and drafting legislation to charge fees for plastic bags that clog waterways. “With Tommy’s experience and enthusiasm, we will create new and innovative policies to make the Dis-trict the most environmentally-friendly city in the nation,” Bowser says in the release. New housing director Donaldson “has more than two decades of experience overseeing and manag-ing affordable housing and home-less service programs,” the release

says. Donaldson is currently execu-tive director at the Transitional Housing Corp., where she has expanded the program to serve 500 homeless families annually — up from 40 when she started. Donald-son also has served as chair of the Mount Pleasant advisory neighbor-hood commission. Chief of staff Falcicchio man-aged Bowser’s first council cam-paign and was a longtime aide to former Mayor Adrian Fenty. Senior adviser Perry retired in 2013 from a position as senior vice president and special adviser to the chairman of Pepco Holdings, and she sits on the mayoral transition board.

D.C. Council approves Palisades alley bill Without debate, the D.C. Coun-cil gave final approval last Wednes-day to a controversial alley closing in the Palisades. Some neighbors were still pro-testing because homeowners John and Patricia Klick had previously fenced in the “paper alley” — a designated easement that isn’t in use as a roadway — at 2427 Chain Bridge Road without city approval. But council members said it was sufficient to levy a fine of roughly $30,000, three times the property taxes the Klicks would have owed if it were their land during the time it was fenced. Prior to a tentative vote Dec. 2, Ward 3 member Mary Cheh called the fine “unprecedented” and noted that the alley closing would other-wise have been approved routinely because the District has no need for the land. Last week, there was no discussion prior to a second and final vote.

But at-large member David Cat-ania and Ward 2 member Jack Evans voted against the closure. Evans said later the bill sets a nega-tive precedent. “They took the alley, made it theirs. They ought to pay the value of the land, not just prop-erty taxes. In Ward 2, if you build an addition without [permits], we make them take it down, and then apply. That’s the way it’s supposed to work,” he said.

Quality-of-life survey seeks local opinions Nearly 5,000 D.C. residents responded to a new survey about quality-of-life issues in the first week of an effort to “give the may-or-elect a true pulse of the people,” according to a news release. The Talking Transition DC sur-vey includes questions on housing needs, police relations, neighbor-hood shopping opportunities and more. Canvassers have spread across the city to get answers, and residents can also respond at talkingtransitiondc.com. A “video soapbox” will display citizen input at 1100 H St. NW, Suite M-100, and the data collected will be used in a mid-January town hall meeting with Mayor Muriel Bowser. DC Vote, DC Working Families, the National Institute for Civil Dis-course and the Urban Institute are working together on the project.

City breaks ground on Ellington project A groundbreaking featuring Mayor Vincent Gray Friday launched the modernization of Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

The project will update the 116-year-old Burleith building by restoring its “historic elegance … while bringing the campus into the 21st century,” according to a news release. The work, to be completed in 2016, will add about 100,000 square feet of space, creating new classrooms, labs, studio theater spaces, digital-art studios, dance studios, practice rooms and art gal-leries. Ward 2 D.C. Council member Jack Evans, Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson and others joined Gray at the 3500 R St. campus.

Bill cuts paperwork for CBE certification The D.C. Council is simplifying the recertification process for small local businesses that employ mostly District residents, according to at-large member Vincent Orange. Orange discussed the changes during the recent Small Business Economic Development Summit III, which he and Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser convened. Called “Certified Business Enterprises,” these small local firms legally get preference when com-peting for city government business. The council has approved legis-lation that will allow the companies to self-recertify, provided they have paid all the taxes they owe, there have been no material changes in their ownership and they’re up to date on their filings with the Department of Consumer and Reg-ulatory Affairs. Past law for recertifying required completing a form that’s almost as complicated as originally enrolling. The changes also extend recertifica-tion’s to last for three years rather than two. Under the legislation, 82 District government agencies are supposed

to make at least 50 percent of their purchases with the listed Certified Business Enterprises. Any excep-tions must be approved by the mayor. Currently, many agencies do not fulfill that obligation, Orange said. Robert Summers, who heads the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development, told attendees his agency also helps cer-tified companies get federal busi-ness and is trying to help them more with foreign business as well.

D.C. park facilities to close for holidays The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation will close all facili-ties — including rec centers, com-munity centers and indoor pools — at 6 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31 and keep them closed Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1. In addition, recreation and com-munity centers operated on altered holiday schedules Dec. 22 and 23 and will do so again Dec. 29, Dec. 30 and Jan. 2 (visit dpr.dc.gov for details). Aquatic centers will main-tain normal hours those days aside from reopening at 9 a.m. Jan. 2. All agency fields will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1. Parks and playgrounds will be open for general use, though gated locations will remain locked. Finally, the agency will offer two Winter Wondercamp sessions dur-ing D.C. Public Schools’ winter break, the first one earlier this week and the second on Dec. 29, Dec. 30 and Jan. 2. Space is still available for the camp, which offers options for 6- to 13-year-olds that extend from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Site details and registration are online.

Local artists to debut new summer festival Writer George Pelecanos, Fort Reno Concerts organizer Amanda MacKaye and restaurateur Paul Ruppert are among the locals plan-ning a new D.C. music, literature and family festival to be held in June. The Our City Festival is an out-growth of the Our City Film Festi-val, which Kendra Rubinfeld launched in 2008. Her PR company, KRPR, is joining with the D.C. Public Library agency to present the new event. Details have yet to be deter-mined, but the festival will aim to celebrate the city through film, music and literature. The advisory committee also includes musician Christylez Bacon, DC Shorts Film Festival founder Jon Gann, Fantom Comics manager Esther Kim and filmmaker/writer/arts organizer Susan Barocas.

Corrections As a matter of policy, The Cur-rent corrects all errors of substance. To report an error, call the manag-ing editor at 202-567-2011.

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Culture

The CurreNT wedNesday, deCember 24, 2014 5

So borrowing some $100 million for the stadium is “not as dire as it sounds,” she said, and new revenue will continue to boost the borrowing limit.

The council also approved a long and complex list of “repro-grammings” to help fund land acquisition for the stadium, with more than $30 million in capital funds coming from projects already completed or that don’t need addi-tional funding now.

Other reprogrammed operating funds could be at least partially replaced by a $2.5 million payment expected from the team, and $15 million expected from a land swap with Pepco of land it owns on Buz-zard Point in return for a parcel in Shaw. “They’re not included in this bill but are expected to come in,” explained Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, an architect of the final deal.

In budget documents, the city’s chief financial officer certified that

the various reprogrammings “will not have an adverse impact” on the city’s financial plan or the budgets of its agencies.

Perhaps most pleased was D.C. United coach Ben Olsen. Olsen, who lives with his family in Shaw, described his hometown as “one of the most soccer-rabid cities in this country. There’s no excuse why Washington, D.C., shouldn’t be one of the best places to play soccer in the country,” he told reporters, add-ing he hopes to still be coaching the team that launched his professional career when the new stadium opens in 2017.

Mayor Vincent Gray, in a state-ment, insisted the original deal he proposed last spring — including the Reeves Center swap — would have been better for the city. But, Gray said, the new stadium “will spur important development along the Anacostia River, catalyze economic activity in a neighborhood that sore-ly needs it, and create jobs for Dis-trict residents.” He’s expected to sign off before the end of the year.

STADIUM: Plan clears councilFrom Page 3

nities for habitation and daily use,” he said, and needs “power, water, lighting, bathrooms, cleanup.”

Once that space is prepped, the arts coali-tion — whose members include artists, design-ers, community leaders and businesspeople, led by local architect Julian Hunt — hopes to experiment with different arts concepts.

“Before we can redevelop the [whole] space, we need to really understand how it works best,” said Agnese, listing installations, dance and theater performances, and pop-up

retail space as possibilities. “The point is to try everything we can. … We’re using this five-year term as a proof of concept to get a handle on the possibilities for the long term.”

Agnese described the crowdfunding cam-paign as an “immediate way to generate cash flow and start building a community around the effort.”

But the group has a long road ahead for the larger goal of activating the full station, which closed to streetcars in 1962 and hosted a short-lived food court in the 1990s. Cost estimates for the permanent build-out of the space have exceeded $35 million, and the arts coalition is

now responsible for $30,000 in annual pay-ments to the city.

Agnese said the group has probably raised about $20,000 total in the years that it’s been working on the project, but can more seriously explore other funding avenues, like grants, now that it has the lease in hand.

Bill McLeod, executive director of the His-toric Dupont Circle Main Streets group, noted that “pacing is so important” for a project of this magnitude. Though the early vision for an underground arts space has generated a lot of excitement, he said, “we’re looking at a very big, expensive long-term project” that must

maintain momentum past fundraising into the construction and contracting phases — ideally snagging an anchor retailer or gallery as the operator. A previous idea had also explored building tiny “pod” hotel units in the site.

McLeod speculated that Dupont Under-ground is unlikely to survive without some city funding, which is so far not available.

“We’ve been told since the beginning we are getting no public money,” Agnese said. “It’s an obstacle, but we hope to be able to make the case to the city. That’s something we’ll be working on within the next five years.”

DUPONT: Coalition aims to jump-start funding efforts for underground arts spaceFrom Page 1

By KAT LUCEROCurrent Staff Writer

On New Year’s Day, Muriel Bowser plans to start her mayoral journey with a run.

Supporters can join the District’s new mayor for the Fresh Start 5K, a non-competitive run and walk. The event begins at 9 a.m. Jan. 1 in front of the Oyster-Adams Bilingual School’s Woodley Park campus at 2801 Calvert St.

The free program kicks off a series of events surrounding the Jan. 2 inauguration of Bowser as D.C.’s seventh mayor.

“We’re certainly interested in the future health of our city. It’s a perfect way to honor the city’s successes,” said transition team spokesperson Joaquin McPeek, referring to D.C.’s 2014 ranking as the healthiest city in the U.S. by the American College of Sports Medicine.

To participate, runners and walk-ers must sign up online at dcproud2015.org. by 5 p.m. Dec. 31.

The 3.1-mile course starts and ends on 29th Street in front of Oys-ter-Adams. The route will first go south, then loop around the residen-tial neighborhoods of Woodley Park, Woodland Normanstone and Cleve-land Park to the finish line.

Although the 5K isn’t timed, its street closures will only last for an hour. Participants who haven’t reached the finish line by 10 a.m. would have to run or walk on the sidewalks to make way for car traf-fic, according to Jason Washington, director of Bowser’s inauguration committee, speaking at the Dec. 15 meeting of the Cleveland Park-Woodley Park advisory neighbor-hood commission.

The neighborhood commission unanimously supported the event’s course, a route already approved by the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

Bowser will be sworn in on Jan. 2 in a ceremony at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Bowser inaugural to include new 5K event in WoodleyBy gRAHAM VYSE

Current Staff Writer

Charisse Robinson, a third-grade teacher at Cleveland Elementary School in Shaw, has been named Teacher of the Year by D.C. Public Schools. Robinson, who has taught at Cleveland for almost seven years, formally received the honor last Wednesday at an emotional school assembly. Cleve-land principal Dawn Feltman joined D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson and other officials to present her with the award. Around 2 p.m., an announcement over the loud-speaker directed students, faculty and staff to the auditorium, which had been decorated with poinset-tias, lights and other trappings of the holiday season. Robinson entered last, wiping away tears as the crowd erupted in applause. She walked up to the stage and embraced Feltman, Henderson and her husband, all of whom were waiting for her. Addressing the audience, Henderson said 1,500 teachers had been deemed highly effective by the school system this year, but “there was one who stood out, head and shoulders above the rest — and she was right here at Cleveland.” Robinson said she was “completely speechless and honored” by the recognition of her work. She added, “There is no way that I could ever accept such an award and not give God glory.”

Feltman told The Current that Robinson suc-ceeds because she operates under the assumption that all children can learn. “She pushes high rigor on the kids, too, because she believes they can do it,” the principal said. In a separate interview, former Cleveland princi-pal Annie Mair said Robinson also finds creative ways to make material exciting for her students. “One morning I went into her classroom and in front of the class she had set up a tent for a lesson,” Mair said. “You know the kids were into that. She brings it alive.” According to D.C. Public Schools, 95 percent of Robinson’s students last year met or exceeded grade-level standards in reading, despite the fact that a quarter of these children began the year sig-nificantly behind. Robinson has achieved this success while also assuming other leadership positions at Cleveland. For example, she has served on the school’s Aca-demic Leadership Team and as a member of the Chancellor’s Teachers’ Cabinet. Robinson will be recognized again at next month’s Standing Ovation for DC Teachers, an annual celebration at the Kennedy Center that hon-ors high-performing educators in the District. In addition, she will receive $5,000 for a trip anywhere in the world to enhance her professional or personal development.

Shaw instructor named Teacher of the Year

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Police Report

6 Wednesday, december 24, 2014 The currenTch

This is a listing of reports taken from Dec. 15 through 21 in local police service areas.

PSA 101

Burglary■ 1000-1099 block, H St.; 2:35 a.m. Dec. 18.

Theft■ 1200-1299 block, I St.; 6:56 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 1200-1299 block, G St.; 9:31 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 1300-1399 block, New York Ave.; 4:50 p.m. Dec. 17.■ 1000-1099 block, F St.; 11:41 a.m. Dec. 18.■ 1200-1299 block, Pennsyl-vania Ave.; 11:18 p.m. Dec. 19.■ 1300-1399 block, K St.; 5:49 a.m. Dec. 20.■ 320-399 block, 7th St.; 9:24 a.m. Dec. 20.■ 500-599 block, 9th St.; 5:10 p.m. Dec. 21.

Theft from auto■ 900-999 block, New York Ave.; 10:33 a.m. Dec. 15.■ 920-999 block, Quincy St.; 3:17 p.m. Dec. 17.

PSA 201

Theft■ 5523-5599 block, Connecti-cut Ave.; 2:20 p.m. Dec. 17.

Theft from auto■ 3200-3299 block, Arcadia Place; 8:07 a.m. Dec. 17.■ 3800-3899 block, Legation St.; 10:24 a.m. Dec. 17.

PSA 202

Motor vehicle theft■ 4227-4299 block, Wisconsin Ave.; 6:43 p.m. Dec. 17.

Theft■ 5254-5299 block, Western Ave.; 2:52 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 4530-4599 block, Wisconsin Ave.; 7:50 p.m. Dec. 17.■ 3900-3999 block, Alton Place; 12:30 p.m. Dec. 18.■ 5300-5399 block, Wisconsin Ave.; 12:15 p.m. Dec. 20.■ 5254-5299 block, Western Ave.; 9:25 p.m. Dec. 20.

Theft from auto■ 3900-3999 block, Upton St.; 9:30 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 41st and Chesapeake streets; 10:43 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 3700-3799 block, Davenport St.; 1:45 p.m. Dec. 20.

PSA 203

Theft■ 4300-4440 block, Connecti-cut Ave.; 5:28 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 5000-5099 block, Connecti-cut Ave.; 9:06 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 3600-3699 block, Newark St.; 7:17 p.m. Dec. 18.

Theft from auto■ 3400-3499 block, Albemarle St.; 3:05 p.m. Dec. 19.

PSA 204

Motor vehicle theft■ 3400-3410 block, Garfield St.; 9:50 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 2301-2499 block, Wisconsin Ave.; 12:05 p.m. Dec. 20.

Theft■ 2500-2503 block, Wisconsin Ave.; 4:04 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 2111-2199 block, Wisconsin Ave.; 10:20 a.m. Dec. 17.■ Wisconsin and Cathedral avenues; 9:31 p.m. Dec. 19.■ 3200-3299 block, 38th St.; 2:57 p.m. Dec. 21.

Theft from auto■ 36th and Calvert streets; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17.■ 3100-3199 block, Haw-thorne St.; 12:40 p.m. Dec. 20.■ 3800-3899 block, Upton St.; 1:55 p.m. Dec. 21.

PSA 207

Robbery■ 2300-2399 block, M St.; 9:16 p.m. Dec. 16.

Motor vehicle theft■ 21st and L streets; 11:29 a.m. Dec. 19.■ 2100-2199 block, L St.; 11:48 p.m. Dec. 19.

Theft■ 1700-1799 block, Pennsylvania Ave.; 6:58 a.m. Dec. 15.■ 2000-2099 block, Pennsyl-vania Ave.; 2:09 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 1600-1699 block, K St.; 2:27 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 600-699 block, 15th St.; 2:31 a.m. Dec. 16.■ 2200-2299 block, M St.; 2:39 a.m. Dec. 16.■ 1100-1129 block, Connecti-cut Ave.; 9:40 a.m. Dec. 16.■ 2400-2499 block, M St.; 2:27 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 1400-1433 block, K St.; 4:20 p.m. Dec. 17.■ 600-699 block, 15th St.; 7:17 p.m. Dec. 17.■ 1000-1099 block, Connecti-cut Ave.; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19.■ 1000-1099 block, Connecti-cut Ave.; 5:23 p.m. Dec. 19.■ 1800-1899 block, L St.; 9:12 p.m. Dec. 19.■ 1800-1899 block, M St.; 3:31 a.m. Dec. 20.■ 2100-2199 block, E St.; 11:01 a.m. Dec. 20.■ 2000-2099 block, Pennsyl-vania Ave.; 11:03 a.m. Dec. 20.■ 2100-2199 block, E St.; 10:37 p.m. Dec. 20.■ 1130-1199 block, Connecti-cut Ave.; 3:26 p.m. Dec. 21.■ 1800-1899 block, K St.; 3:43 p.m. Dec. 21.■ 2000-2099 block,

Pennsylvania Ave.; 3:48 p.m. Dec. 21.

Theft from auto■ 1800-1899 block, M St.; 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 1100-1199 block, 15th St.; 7 a.m. Dec. 18.■ 1130-1199 block, 17th St.; 2:50 a.m. Dec. 20.■ 900-999 block, 16th St.; 3:32 a.m. Dec. 20.■ 1400-1419 block, L St.; 10:14 p.m. Dec. 20.■ 1800-1899 block, L St.; 9:09 p.m. Dec. 21.

PSA 401

Burglary■ 7514-7699 block, Alaska Ave.; 3:15 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 700-799 block, Butternut St.; 5:55 p.m. Dec. 17.

Motor vehicle theft■ 1600-1699 block, Roxanna Road; 8:39 a.m. Dec. 15.

Theft■ 6900-7099 block, Georgia Ave.; 9:30 a.m. Dec. 15.

Theft from auto■ 8129-8148 block, Eastern Ave.; 8:53 a.m. Dec. 15.■ 7800-7899 block, Eastern Ave.; 12:41 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 1800-1899 block, Taylor St.; 10:06 p.m. Dec. 18.■ 1700-1799 block, Taylor St.; 10:06 p.m. Dec. 18.■ 1300-1399 block, Roxanna Road; 12:37 p.m. Dec. 19.■ 1300-1399 block, Roxanna Road; 1:01 p.m. Dec. 19.■ 7100-7199 block, 7th St.; 2:20 p.m. Dec. 19.■ 500-599 block, Dahlia St.; 10:43 a.m. Dec. 20.■ 100-199 block, Carroll St.; 4 p.m. Dec. 20.

PSA 402

Robbery■ 400-499 block, Van Buren St.; 4:11 p.m. Dec. 17.

Assault with a dangerous weapon■ 6500-6599 block, Georgia Ave.; 9:10 p.m. Dec. 19 (with gun).

Theft■ 5714-5799 block, 4th St.; 11 a.m. Dec. 17.■ 5910-5999 block, Georgia Ave.; 11:50 a.m. Dec. 18 (with knife).

Theft from auto■ 6500-6599 block, Piney Branch Road; 4 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 500-599 block, Tuckerman St.; 5:10 p.m. Dec. 15.

PSA 403

Robbery

■ 5100-5199 block, Georgia Ave.; 12:17 a.m. Dec. 21.

Assault with a dangerous weapon■ 5300-5399 block, 4th St.; 6:53 p.m. Dec. 15 (with gun).■ 1300-1399 block, Nicholson St.; 4:25 p.m. Dec. 19 (with knife).

Burglary■ 500-699 block, Jefferson St.; 10:25 p.m. Dec. 16.

Theft■ 400-499 block, Jefferson St.; 6:51 p.m. Dec. 18.

Theft from auto■ 5300-5399 block, 5th St.; 11:55 a.m. Dec. 21.

PSA 404

Robbery■ 963-1099 block, Randolph St.; 5:20 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 4500-4599 block, Georgia Ave.; 10 p.m. Dec. 18.

Theft■ 4100-4199 block, Georgia Ave.; 7:12 p.m. Dec. 17.■ 1700-1799 block, Upshur St.; 11:08 a.m. Dec. 18.■ 1300-1399 block, Farragut St.; 2:14 p.m. Dec. 19.

Theft from auto■ 4000-4099 block, Arkansas Ave.; 1:30 a.m. Dec. 15.■ 4700-4799 block, Colorado Ave.; 12:40 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 4800-4817 block, Georgia Ave.; 5:02 p.m. Dec. 16.■ 3800-3899 block, 13th St.; 7:50 a.m. Dec. 20.

PSA 407

Robbery■ 3800-3899 block, Georgia Ave.; 9:50 a.m. Dec. 20 (with gun).■ 300-311 block, Decatur St.; 5:27 p.m. Dec. 21.

Assault with a dangerous weapon■ 3700-3799 block, New Hampshire Ave.; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18 (with gun).

Burglary■ 1-99 block, Farragut Place; 12:20 p.m. Dec. 16.

Theft■ 900-999 block, Decatur St.; 6 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 5000-5099 block, New Hampshire Ave.; 9 p.m. Dec. 15.■ 800-899 block, Upshur St.; 8:17 p.m. Dec. 19.

Theft from auto■ Georgia Avenue and Quincy Street; 5:50 p.m. Dec. 16.■ Taylor Street and Georgia Avenue; 1:03 p.m. Dec. 17.■ 1400-1499 block, Spring Place; 2:26 a.m. Dec. 20.

psA 201■ chevy chase

psA 202■ Friendship heiGhts tenleytown / au park

psA 204■ massachusetts avenue heiGhts / cleveland parkwoodley park / Glover park / cathedral heiGhts

psA 207■ FoGGy bottom / west end

psA 401■ colonial villaGeshepherd park / takoma

psA 404■ 16th street heiGhtscrestwood

psA 203■ Forest hills / van nesscleveland park

psA 407■ petworth

psA 402■ briGhtwood / manor park

psA 403■ briGhtwood / petworthbriGhtwood park16th street heiGhts

psA 101■ downtown

The CurrenT Wednesday, deCember 24, 2014 7The CurrenT Wednesday, deCember 24, 2014 9

Client: MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORPProduct: GRASTEKJob #: 10272693-1252-F0Print/Export Time: 12-9-2014 5:30 PMPrint Scale: 100%User Name: Congo, Joe (NYC-MEW)Proof #: 7PM: Donna GiardinaInDesign Version: CS6

Document Name: CNY_N14MK017_69D_07.inddDocument Path: ME Production:Volumes:ME Production:Merck_Grastek_Ragwitek:N14MK017:CNY_N14MK017_69D_07.inddFont Family: Trade Gothic (Bold Condensed No. 20; Type 1; OK), Avenir (55 Roman, 35 Light, 65 Medium, 95 Black; Type 1; OK), Rockwell (Regular; OpenType; OK)Ink Name: CMYKLink Name: CNY_05_140605_Merck_Tablet_Grastek_NEWS_V1.tif (CMYK; 1078 ppi; Up to Date; 27.82%), CNY_02_140605_Bottle_TimothyGrass_silo_NEWS_V3.tif (CMYK; 958 ppi; Up to Date; 31.3%), GRASTEK__CMYK_logo.eps (Up to Date; 43.19%), Merck_RT_corner_tab_greenBLEEDext_CMYK.ai (Up to Date; 49.93%)

AD: Kenny EvansCW: NoneCD: NoneAP: --PP: Donna Giardina

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Ad #: N14MK017_69DHeadline: It’s about 18 WeeksVisual: grass in bottleSpace/Color: P4CPublication: Composite -D

Bleed: NoneTrim: 10.25” x 13”Live: NoneGutter: None

T:10.25”

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TO GRASS ALLERGY SEASON*

IT’S ABOUT

Important Safety Information about GRASTEK• GRASTEK can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. Stop taking GRASTEK and get immediate medical treatment right away if you or your child has

any of the following symptoms after taking GRASTEK: trouble breathing; throat tightness or swelling; trouble swallowing or speaking; dizziness or fainting; rapid or weak heartbeat; severe stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, or diarrhea; severe fl ushing or itching of the skin.

• Do not take GRASTEK if you or your child has severe unstable, or uncontrolled asthma; had a severe allergic reaction in the past that included trouble breathing, dizziness or fainting, or rapid or weak heartbeat; had diffi culty with breathing due to swelling of the throat or upper airway after using any sublingual immunotherapy before; has ever been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis or is allergic to any of the inactive ingredients contained in GRASTEK.

• For home use of GRASTEK, your doctor will prescribe epinephrine if you or your child has a severe allergic reaction after taking GRASTEK. Talk to your doctor or read the epinephrine patient information.

• The fi rst dose of GRASTEK must be taken in the doctor’s offi ce. After taking the fi rst dose, you or your child will be watched for at least 30 minutes by a healthcare professional for symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Children should be given each tablet of GRASTEK by an adult.

• You should tell your doctor about any medicines you or your child take.

• Stop GRASTEK and contact your doctor if you or your child has any of the following after taking GRASTEK: Any type of a serious allergic reaction; heartburn, diffi culty swallowing or pain with swallowing, or chest pain that does not go away or worsens; any mouth surgery procedures (such as tooth removal), develop any mouth infections, ulcers or cuts in the mouth or throat.

• The most commonly reported side effects were itching of the mouth, lips, or tongue, swelling under the tongue, or throat irritation. These side effects, by themselves, were not dangerous or life-threatening.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the Brief Summary on the following page for more detailed information.

Copyright © 2014 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in USA. RESP-1132773-0006 11/14

Not actual size

*Date is approximate, depending on your region.

GRASTEK should be started at least 12 weeks before the season. Talk to an allergy specialist now about

whether GRASTEK is right for you.

Made from small amounts of natural Timothy grass pollen, GRASTEK treats the grass allergies that cause eye and nose symptoms. Starting treatment early may give your body time to become less sensitive to grass pollen in preparation for the allergy season. It’s recommended that you start taking GRASTEK at least 12 weeks before the grass pollen season. Make an appointment with an allergy specialist soon. To fi nd a doctor near you, go to grastek.com/thinkspring.

GRASTEK is a prescription medicine used for sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy to treat Timothy and related grass pollen allergies that can cause sneezing, runny or itchy nose, stuffy or congested nose, or itchy and watery eyes. GRASTEK may be prescribed for persons 5 through 65 years of age who are allergic to grass pollen.

GRASTEK is taken for about 12 weeks before grass pollen season and throughout grass pollen season. GRASTEK may also be taken daily for 3 years to provide a sustained effect for a fourth year in which you do not have to take GRASTEK.

GRASTEK is NOT a medication that gives immediate relief for symptoms of grass allergy.

GRASTEK is grass allergy immunotherapy in a tablet.It may help you gradually build tolerance so you become less sensitive to grass pollen.

8 Wednesday, december 24, 2014 The currenT

Client: MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORPProduct: GRASTEKJob #: 10237800-1252-F0Print/Export Time: 12-9-2014 5:54 PMPrint Scale: 100%User Name: Congo, Joe (NYC-MEW)Proof #: 6PM: Donna GiardinaInDesign Version: CS6

Document Name: CNY_N14MK016_68D_06.inddDocument Path: ME Production:Volumes:ME Production:Merck_Grastek_Ragwitek:N14MK016:CNY_N14MK016_68D_06.inddFont Family: Univers (65 Bold, 55 Roman; Type 1; OK), Trade Gothic (Bold Condensed No. 20; Type 1; OK)Ink Name: Cyan, Yellow, BlackLink Name: GRASTEK__K_logo.eps (Up to Date; 48.7%), Merck_CMYK_BLK.ai (Up to Date; 18.64%)

AD: Kenny EvansCW: NoneCD: NoneAP: --PP: Donna Giardina

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Ad #: N14MK016_68DHeadline: Brief SummaryVisual: copySpace/Color: Page B&WPublication: Brief Summary

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Brief Summary

Carefully read the Medication Guide before you or your child start taking GRASTEK and each time you get a refi ll. This Brief Summary does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if there is something you do not understand or you want to learn more about GRASTEK.

What is the most important information I should know about GRASTEK?GRASTEK can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. Stop taking GRASTEK and get medical treatment right away if you or your child has any of the following symptoms after taking GRASTEK: • Trouble breathing • Throat tightness or swelling • Trouble swallowing or speaking • Dizziness or fainting • Rapid or weak heartbeat • Severe stomach cramps or pain,

vomiting, or diarrhea • Severe fl ushing or itching of the skinFor home administration of GRASTEK, your doctor will prescribe auto-injectable epinephrine, a medicine you can inject if you or your child has a severe allergic reaction after taking GRASTEK. Your doctor will train and instruct you on the proper use of auto-injectable epinephrine.Talk to your doctor or read the epinephrine patient information if you have any questions about the use of auto-injectable epinephrine.

What is GRASTEK?GRASTEK is a prescription medicine used for sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy to treat Timothy and related grass pollen allergies that can cause sneezing, runny or itchy nose, stuffy or congested nose, or itchy and watery eyes. GRASTEK may be prescribed for persons 5 through 65 years of age who are allergic to grass pollen.GRASTEK is taken for about 12 weeks before grass pollen season and throughout grass pollen season. GRASTEK may also be taken daily for 3 years to provide a sustained effect for a fourth year in which you do not have to take GRASTEK.GRASTEK is NOT a medication that gives immediate relief for symptoms of grass allergy.

Who should not take GRASTEK?You or your child should not take GRASTEK if: • You or your child has severe, unstable or

uncontrolled asthma • You or your child had a severe allergic

reaction in the past that included any of these symptoms:

o Trouble breathing o Dizziness or fainting o Rapid or weak heartbeat • You or your child has ever had diffi culty with

breathing due to swelling of the throat or upper airway after using any sublingual immunotherapy before.

• You or your child has ever been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis.

• You or your child is allergic to any of the inactive ingredients contained in GRASTEK. The inactive ingredients contained in GRASTEK are: gelatin, mannitol and sodium hydroxide.

What should I tell my doctor before taking GRASTEK?Your doctor may decide that GRASTEK is not the best treatment if: • You or your child has asthma, depending

on how severe it is. • You or your child suffers from lung disease

such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• You or your child suffers from heart disease such as coronary artery disease, an irregular heart rhythm, or you have hypertension that is not well controlled.

• You or your daughter is pregnant, plans to become pregnant during the time you will be taking GRASTEK, or is breast-feeding.

• You or your child is unable or unwilling to administer auto-injectable epinephrine to treat a severe allergic reaction to GRASTEK.

• You or your child is taking certain medicines that enhance the likelihood of a severe reaction, or interfere with the treatment of a severe reaction. These medicines include:

o beta blockers and alpha-blockers (prescribed for high blood pressure) o cardiac glycosides (prescribed for heart failure or problems with heart rhythm) o diuretics (prescribed for heart conditions and high blood pressure) o ergot alkaloids (prescribed for migraine headache) o monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants (prescribed for depression) o thyroid hormone (prescribed for low thyroid activity).You should tell your doctor if you or your child is taking or has recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal supplements. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist each time you get a new supply of GRASTEK. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking GRASTEK.

Are there any reasons to stop taking GRASTEK?Stop GRASTEK and contact your doctor if you or your child has any of the following after taking GRASTEK: • Any type of a serious allergic reaction • Throat tightness that worsens or swelling

of the tongue or throat that causes trouble speaking, breathing or swallowing

• Asthma or any other breathing condition that gets worse

• Dizziness or fainting • Rapid or weak heartbeat • Severe stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, or

diarrhea • Severe fl ushing or itching of the skin • Heartburn, diffi culty swallowing, pain with

swallowing, or chest pain that does not go away or worsens

Also, stop taking GRASTEK following: mouth surgery procedures (such as tooth removal), or if you develop any mouth infections, ulcers or cuts in the mouth or throat.

How should I take GRASTEK?Take GRASTEK exactly as your doctor tells you. GRASTEK is a prescription medicine that is placed under the tongue. • Take the tablet from the blister package after

carefully removing the foil with dry hands. • Place the tablet immediately under the tongue.

Allow it to remain there until completely dissolved. Do not swallow for at least 1 minute.

• Do not take GRASTEK with food or beverage. Food and beverage should not be taken for the following 5 minutes.

• Wash hands after taking the tablet.Take the fi rst tablet of GRASTEK in your doctor’s offi ce. After taking the fi rst tablet, you or your child will be watched for at least 30 minutes for

symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.If you tolerate the fi rst dose of GRASTEK, you or your child will continue GRASTEK therapy at home by taking one tablet every day. Children should be given each tablet of GRASTEK by an adult who will watch for any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.Take GRASTEK as prescribed by your doctor until the end of the treatment course. If you forget to take GRASTEK, do not take a double dose. Take the next dose at your normal scheduled time the next day. If you miss more than one dose of GRASTEK, contact your healthcare provider before restarting.

What are the possible side effects of GRASTEK?In children and adults, the most commonly reported side effects were itching of the mouth, lips, or tongue, swelling under the tongue, or throat irritation. These side effects, by themselves, were not dangerous or life-threatening.GRASTEK can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. Symptoms of allergic reactions to GRASTEK include: • Trouble breathing • Throat tightness or swelling • Trouble swallowing or speaking • Dizziness or fainting • Rapid or weak heartbeat • Severe stomach cramps or pain,

vomiting, or diarrhea • Severe fl ushing or itching of the skinFor additional information on the possible side effects of GRASTEK, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You may report side effects to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about GRASTEK. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about GRASTEK that was written for healthcare professionals. For more information go to www.grastek.com or call toll-free at 1-800-622-4477.

The Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Manufactured for: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, USA

Manufactured by:Catalent Pharma Solutions Limited, Blagrove, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8RU UK

For more detailed information, please read the Prescribing Information.usmg-mk7243-sb-1404r000 Revised: 04/2014---------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2014 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. RESP-1132773-0006 11/14

D-18WKS

The CurreNT wedNesday, deCember 24, 2014 9

East Campus project last year. The development will transform a former surface parking lot into a complex of 590 dormitory beds plus academic/administrative buildings. A hurdle remains, though: Neighbors are complaining that the school is exca-vating a two-level parking garage instead of the one level that was originally approved. The university is continuing excavation, but city zoning authorities are warning that the school is proceeding at its own risk while the issue is under review. Completion is targeted for fall 2016.

Brightwood■ 6900 Georgia Ave.: The Walter Reed Army Medical Center is still years away from redevelopment, but 2015 will likely be an eventful year in determining the future of the 110-acre site. The Zoning Commission will probably determine the allow-able uses for different portions of the property, for which a master plan imagines a mix of residential, com-mercial and public development. Also expect to see the resolution of a battle between the city and the U.S. State Department over how much land each will receive from the for-mer hospital campus; the federal agency is planning a complex of foreign missions for its portion.

Chevy Chase■ 5333 Connecticut Ave.: The apart-ment building constructed by Calvin Cafritz Enterprises is slated to be completed in summer 2015. With the structure now standing at its full height, workers will likely begin installing the exterior walls in late January. The 10-level building will house 261 rental apartment units.■ 3050 Military Road: The Ingleside at Rock Creek retire-ment community is preparing to seek approval for a major overhaul of its cam-pus. The nonprofit intends to replace aging buildings and surface parking lots with upgraded facil-ities and two high-rise independent-living apartment buildings. A Jan. 13 Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing may be the last opportunity for opponents to voice their opposition, as the Chevy Chase advisory neigh-borhood commission has already reached a compromise with Ingle-side. Construction is slated to begin in 2016 and last 30 months.

Dupont Circle■ 15 Dupont Circle: The historic Patterson Mansion and a new addi-tion behind it will likely debut the first “micro units” by the new SB-Urban firm, which is also seeking to roll out a similar concept at two

other Northwest sites. The tiny fur-nished rooms will target affluent newcomers to Washington who value transit and don’t own cars. The project has its necessary zoning and historic preservation approvals, and the developer will likely break ground in the new year.■ 1745-1755 N St.: Formerly known as the “N Street follies,” years of failed efforts to redevelop row hous-es here led only to boarded-up build-ings. But the earliest stages of con-struction have now begun to trans-form the homes into 31 condo units dubbed 1745N Row, and construc-tion on the 38-unit 1745N Flats behind them will likely begin in early 2015.

Foggy Bottom■ 2100 blocks of H and I streets: George Washington University began construction last year on a project to link three existing dormi-tory buildings to create the 898-bed District House, informally known as the “superdorm.” Ongoing construc-tion at the property, which required the closure of a public alley, will continue through summer 2016.■ 22nd and H streets: Construction is nearly complete at the George Washington University Science and Engineering Hall. Only finishing touches to the interior of the building remain before it opens to the public on Jan. 12. Construction of the eight-story building (with six more levels below grade) began in 2011.

Georgetown■ 29th and K streets: Developers are hoping to build about 60 condos and a public park on the site of the West Heating Plant. Next year will con-tinue the battle over how much of the

existing 1948 build-ing the project must retain. Developers and preservationists have brought forth dueling experts to testify about the extent of the struc-ture’s deterioration. The Old George-town Board, the His-toric Preservation Review Board and perhaps the Mayor’s Agent for Historic Preservation will be asked to sort through the details before work can progress.■ 3601 M St.: A project bringing 26 to 28 condos to the

site of the Key Bridge Exxon is inch-ing through the final stages of Old Georgetown Board approval. The developer will likely break ground on the 50-foot building in late 2015, with construction wrapping up 20 to 22 months later.

Kalorama■ Florida Avenue and T Street: Construction began in late 2013 on an 11-story residential building fac-ing the Washington Hilton, and it will continue until the second quarter

of 2016. When the building is com-plete, it will roughly mirror one of the semicircular wings of the 1965 hotel and contain 190 rental apart-ments.

Logan Circle■ 14th and R streets: The former Central Union Mission is being con-verted into a 51-unit building with high-end apartments atop ground-floor retail. The work at the building, dubbed The Mission, is expected to be completed in early 2015.■ 1617 14th St.: Steps away from The Mission is a planned seven-sto-ry mixed-use building dubbed The Corcoran, which will contain 35 residential units and 4,000 square feet of retail. The development will replace a surface parking lot. Con-struction began this past spring and will likely continue through most of 2015.

The Palisades■ 4865 MacArthur Blvd.: It’s not yet clear what will happen, but 2015 should at least bring some clarity regarding the future of the neighbor-hood’s aging Safeway supermarket. A previous redevelopment scheme was shared before the grocery chain’s takeover by Cerberus Capital Investments, but the property was then put up for sale — marketed as prime for redevelopment.

Shaw■ 90 and 91 Blagden Alley: SB-Urban is planning 121 micro apart-ment units in two connected build-ings in the historic alley. As with the firm’s Dupont Circle project, it offers benefits to people who use transit, while tenants will not be allowed to park cars in the neighborhood. But the Board of Zoning Adjustment is skeptical, noting division within the community. Its next hearing on the issue will be Jan. 27.

Tenleytown■ 4600 Wisconsin Ave.: Known col-loquially as Babe’s because the property formerly housed Babe’s Billiards, Tenley View is a 60-unit rental building bringing parking-free development to Upper Northwest. Construction began this past spring and should be complete in late 2015. Only then will its promise of attract-ing tenants without cars be truly put to the test, and skeptics and support-ers alike will watch it closely.

Van Ness■ 4455 Connecticut Ave.: Construc-

tion of the Park Van Ness mixed-use building will continue until early 2016. Replacing the 1930s Van Ness Square shopping center, the project will include 271 apartments and 10,000 square feet of commercial space alongside Rock Creek Park. Construction has been underway at the site since December 2013, and 2015 will bring some of the first masonry work to the project’s east-ern side as exterior framing contin-ues.

West End■ 24th and L streets: A long-in-the-works effort by EastBanc will replace the West End Library with a 10-story dramatically styled building with 164 apartment units (a mix of rental and condo), 7,300 square feet

of retail and a new 21,000-square-foot neighborhood library. Officials held a formal groundbreaking cere-mony for the project this month, but abatement of the site is expected to continue for about another week before the current buildings are razed. Two years of construction will follow.■ 23rd and M streets: The compan-ion project to the library develop-ment, an apartment building with 55 affordable-housing units will join a squash court and a new fire-house on the site of the existing Fire and Emergency Medical Services station. Demolition of the existing firehouse will begin in early 2015, with the new building likely open-ing in December 2016 or January 2017.

DEVELOPMENT: A busy 2015From Page 1

Architectural rendering courtesy of EastBanc Inc.The new building at 24th and L streets will include luxury housing, retail space and a new West End Library.

Brian Kapur/The CurrentConstruction is underway on an apartment project facing the Washington Hilton hotel in Kalorama.

Georgetown projects are study in contrast Your Nov. 5 issue offers a striking contrast between a social-ly responsible project, the Pros-pect Street retail, and another, the Latham “micro” apartments, that places business interests above those of Georgetown residents. Indeed, while the developers of the new Prospect Street retail building will be providing 100 underground parking spaces to replace the existing 84 surface spaces, the project to convert the former Latham Hotel into 330-square-foot studio apartments will convert the existing garage into shared amenity space for ten-ants. The assumption is that there would be no need for parking as few to no tenants will own a car. The project representatives have indicated that tenants would not be permitted to park their cars on the street and that they will sign “something” to that effect. How is this going to be enforced? Tenants will have access to 42 “reserved” off-site parking spaces (half of the

number required by zoning rules) at market-rate prices, which is a privilege many Georgetown resi-dents would like to be able to enjoy. Increasingly, D.C. citizens who pay for the maintenance of the local infrastructure are providing free parking to out-of-area shop-pers, thereby subsidizing retailers and their customers while con-fronting extremely difficult park-ing situations themselves. The Residential Parking Permit does not guarantee on-street parking in a resident’s own block. In many residential areas the search at the end of each workday ends with the achievement of finding a place three or five blocks away. As a possible solution to this severe parking problem, I have proposed to D.C. authorities to allow local residents to rent or purchase curbside parking space in residential areas. The system would obviously not be compul-sory nor applied in commercial

areas; it would just be open to those residents willing to exercise this option. D.C. residents would thus be entitled to “reserved” or “assigned” parking spaces as, apparently, are some car-sharing companies. The proposed system would provide additional revenues to the D.C. government, which could be used, among other things, to improve the parking situation city-wide through expanded public parking benefiting commuters, shoppers and tourists. The existing Residential Park-ing Permit program is based on a defective pricing system. Thus, the supporting rationale of this proposal is the recognition of the “value” of curbside space and therefore the possibility of selling or renting this commodity, on a priority basis, to interested proper-ty owners in D.C. residential areas. The existing program fol-lows this same criteria, but the “price” does not reflect the fact that the “commodity” in question has a variable, not fixed, value depending on how far the avail-able parking space is from the location of the owner’s property.

Cristina S. OrtizGeorgetown

Davis Kennedy/Publisher & EditorChris Kain/Managing Editor

Organizational challenges With newcomers replacing five veteran lawmakers, the next two-year D.C. Council session promises a lot of change. Elissa Silverman, a former Democrat who ran as an independent, will succeed at-large member David Catania. In Ward 1, Brianne Nadeau defeat-ed incumbent Jim Graham; in Ward 6, Charles Allen will take over for his former boss, Tommy Wells. Two other seats will be vacant until a special election in April: the Ward 4 post held by Muriel Bowser, the District’s next mayor, and the Ward 8 post previously held by the late Marion Barry. Chairman Phil Mendelson has described homelessness, affordable hous-ing and education as top priorities for the next term. His proposed committee lineup, which he shared last week and will formally present for a council vote at a Jan. 2 organization meeting, is intended to reflect those priorities. We are glad to see that Chairman Mendelson has maintained a standalone Education Committee. The proposed chair, at-large member David Grosso, was an active member of the committee under Mr. Catania. Otherwise, however, the organization plan calls for consolidation of the existing committees, in line with Chairman Mendelson’s reluctance to have freshman members serve as chairs. We see merit in the idea, but it might overburden some of the veteran legislators. For instance, Ward 3 member Mary Cheh’s portfolio as chair of the Com-mittee on Transportation and the Environment is slated to include oversight of the Department of General Services — a major task. At-large member Anita Bonds will head a new Committee on Housing and Community Development, which will handle matters previously split between two com-mittees. Ward 5’s Kenyan McDuffie will add elections and ethics matters to the traditional responsibilities of the Committee on the Judiciary. Perhaps most expanded is Chairman Mendelson’s portfolio as head of the Committee of the Whole. The added responsibilities include economic development agencies, the Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the offices of the mayor and city administrator, as well as the procurement and personnel departments. Mr. Mendelson has always been known as detail-ori-ented, and these tasks will present a major challenge. We recommend a tweak to the setup — the establishment of subcommit-tees — as a way to spread out the work to more council members and pro-vide freshman legislators with a better chance to learn the ropes. The sub-committees could all fall under the Committee of the Whole, clustered around responsibilities such as procurement, personnel and zoning. Other-wise, we fear that some issues will not receive the attention they merit.

Spend locally The D.C. Council recently passed legislation aimed at increasing the city’s contractual spending with small, local and minority-owned businesses (known as “certified business enterprises”). We applaud the effort. The measure, authored by at-large Council member Vincent Orange, takes several approaches to address the issue. First, it tackles the common problem of many city agencies failing to meet their requirements for hiring small local businesses for contract work. The bill prohibits agencies from spending more than 50 percent of their expendable budget with businesses that aren’t certified unless the mayor has granted the department a waiver. Then it goes further. It says that if an agency wants to obtain a waiver to hire a non-certified business to do work costing over $250,000, the city must first notify all certified business enterprises, allowing them time to respond. The idea is that increasing awareness of opportunities will allow more certi-fied businesses to take advantage. Mr. Orange’s bill also simplifies what’s required for a certified business enterprise to re-up its credentials, and extends the period for which those cre-dentials last from two to three years. The measure allows a business to self-recertify if it has had no material change in its operations, has paid all the taxes it owes and is up to date on its filings with the Department of Consum-er and Regulatory Affairs. This is a major boon considering the arduous application process for re-certification. We hope these changes can make a dent in the city’s current low compli-ance rate with the contracting requirements. Agencies as a whole failed to meet the 50 percent requirement in fiscal years 2011 through 2013, spending only 33 percent. Fiscal year 2014 was on track to miss as well, with only 17 percent spent through the third quarter. Given the benefits of spending government dollars locally, we appreciate any measures that can improve compliance. We hope to see this proposal become law soon.

Currentthe northwest

ch n10 Wednesday, december 24, 2014 The currenT

I read with interest the Dec. 3 article “Trolley trail’s future explored in Palisades” and wish to applaud The Current for publicizing the online

survey (at dctrailsurvey.org) being used by the Pali-sades Citizens Association Trails Committee to gath-er input on saving, improving and maintaining the public linear greenway — the old trolley line — that runs from Georgetown to the Maryland line. There is no foregone conclusion about the sur-face, the length, the width or any other detail of any proposed trail. However, the nominal “Palisades Trail” cannot remain and be maintained in its current state as some would seem to propose: It will continue to erode due to both natural and manmade causes; it will continue to be encroached upon by governmen-tal agencies and private citizens alike; and it will remain unusable in many areas because of invasive bamboo, chest-high grass or mud due to inadequate stormwater management. The trail needs some improvements in order to be maintained, and the process of deciding on those improvements can begin with a commissioned study to examine the possibilities for a connected trail, from one end of Palisades to the other. A study with input from friends and neighbors in the Palisades can provide guidance to any improvement plan. I am, like many of your readers, an advocate for our recre-ation center, the C&O Canal Historic Park and off-road trails in our city, though I am not an abutting property owner to the publicly owned trail. A proposal to the citizens association served as an opportunity for dialogue with respect to how we might improve the connectivity of our neighborhood. Personally, I like the idea of: ■ connecting via a neighborhood trail the far north-western blocks of the Palisades with my friends in or near Foxhall Village to the southeast;■ kids being able to walk or ride to schools and the recreation center off-road consistent with the Nation-al Center for Safe Routes to Schools’ recommenda-tions;■ seniors with less-than-perfect footing being able to

enjoy a stroll near the river, but right in their neigh-borhood;■ moms and dads with strollers not having to negoti-ate mud (or abandoning the trail entirely because of mud); and■ walking (or riding) with my family and neighbors to all of our neighborhood amenities and vendors — off-road and off-sidewalk, without risk to life and limb crossing or walking along Arizona Avenue, Canal Road, MacArthur Boulevard and Reservoir Road, our biggest arterials. Doing something to improve the connectivity and safety by having a well-maintained trail is what this discussion is about. It is a beginning, not an end. Change is difficult sometimes. I am reminded of the Key Elementary construction in 1999-2000 when several able volunteers went door to door to address the concerns adjacent neighbors had with the effort to simply upgrade and modernize our neighborhood school. Likewise, I recall when many homeowners along Potomac Avenue objected to building stairs to the Capital Crescent Trail near Manning Street. Those concerns were allayed and today some neigh-bors who opposed the stairs are some of the strongest advocates for the convenient, safe and reliable access to the Capital Crescent Trail. And I recall an outpour-ing of opposition a few years back to the moderniza-tion of our recreation center grounds and the installa-tion of the artificial turf field. I am fairly certain that a vast majority of Palisadians would object today if someone proposed removing that field! A professional D.C. Department of Transportation study, with input from the Palisades Citizens Associ-ation, its members and all interested residents of the Palisades and Foxhall Village, will guide and articu-late any plan for improvements to the right of way. I see great utility in connecting our neighbor-hood’s subsections to one another. For me it is not about connecting to the Capital Crescent Trail or the C&O Canal; it’s about improving the trolley right of way trail so it is usable and connects all of the Pali-sades — most especially to our recreation center. Planning is important. So let’s continue to explore the idea. Jack Koczela is a Palisades resident and chair of the Mayor’s Recreational Trails Advisory Committee.

Palisades trolley trail needs improvementsVIEWPOINTjack koczEla

Tom Sherwood is on vacation. His column will resume when he returns.

LETTErS TOTHE EDITOr

The currenT Wednesday, december 24, 2014 11

Spotlight on SchoolsAidan Montessori School On Dec. 7, Jeanne Pettenati, the author of a new book about Galileo, came to speak to the elementary students at Aidan Montessori School. Galileo was the first to use a telescope as a scientific instrument. He made his own telescope. When it was first invented it was called a spyglass. Galileo used it to look at the night sky. He loved to do exper-iments. Back then few people did experiments because they thought everything was already known. Gal-ileo thought differently. He did not believe all the theories and, from the time he was young, wanted to experiment and find out for himself. His friend who lived in Venice told him about the spyglass. He also told him about a man who was coming to Venice to try and sell his spyglass. Galileo was very excited but he could not wait. He went to a glass shop and bought many differ-ent shapes of glass to make his own spyglass. Using his telescopes he made many new discoveries. Most nights Galileo studied the moon and its mountains, valleys and craters. He wrote books about his work, as many professors do today. He found out that other planets also had moons. Galileo drew pictures of the moon, of Jupiter and its moons and of constellations. His first book was called “The Starry Messenger.” He also discovered sunspots, the phases of Venus, and that the Milky Way was made up of billions of stars.

— Sydney Wittstock, sixth-grader

Annunciation School Hi, my name is Saron and I am doing a story about our very own Monsignor Antonicelli. The monsi-gnor has three siblings, two broth-ers and one sister. He was born in Jersey City and raised in New Jer-sey. He has many plans for Annun-ciation, and he wants to carry on the community that Monsignor Lockman provided for us. Now here are some facts!

1. Monsignor Antonicelli has been a priest for 21 years.

2. He has been a priest at six schools.

3. He has been to Rome to study to be a priest and he went through four years of college.

4. His hobbies are walking, reading and praying.

5. He said that the children at Annunciation are very vibrant.

6. His full name is Father or Monsignor Charles V. Antonicelli.

— Saron Eiob, fourth-grader

British School of Washington On Aug. 27, the British School of Washington’s old Year 6 students moved into the secondary school. On the first day of school, many Year 7 students were feeling excit-ed but also quite nervous about going to the wrong classrooms and getting detentions. It was strange having so much freedom, having different teachers for each subject,

being able to sit wherever we want-ed at lunchtime and being able to use the vending machine! However those are probably some of the best things about secondary school. We also had to learn how to tie a tie for the first day of secondary school since we have a different school uniform. I remember on the first day, we met in the classroom and were told loads of information about routines, rewards, homework and lots more. Then our form tutor showed us where each classroom was so that we didn’t get lost. We also wrote up the timetable for the day on the whiteboard, which we still do now for fun! Now almost 16 weeks into Year 7, I think we all feel we have been in secondary for ages and have slotted straight in; all of us are fully involved in the life of secondary. We know where all our classrooms are, and we understand all of the routines and love it even more than when we started.

— Ruth Williams,Year 7 San Francisco

(sixth-grader)

Edmund Burke School In the eighth-grade English class, we recently finished reading “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie. This book is about a teen-age boy who grows up on the Spo-kane Indian Reservation and strug-gles to fit into his new school out-side the reservation. During class, we discussed specific characters and their relationships to the main protagonist, major incidents and themes. The class also read articles about stereotypes that people have about American Indians and how these generalizations are offensive. In addition, we wrote essays debat-ing whether the D.C. football team name, the “Redskins,” should be changed. This was especially inter-esting because there were different opinions on this topic. In our history class, we were also reading about American Indian tribes such as the Shawnees, Cher-okees and Seminoles. Studying the same subject in two different class-es from different perspectives is a great interdisciplinary approach to learning. The whole grade went on a field trip to the National Museum of the American Indian, where we learned about the many treaties that Indians signed with the U.S. gov-ernment — most of which were broken. At the museum, we also viewed Indian artifacts, such as jewelry and musical instruments, which were all quite beautiful.— Eva Gondelman, eighth-grader

Holy Trinity School Holy Trinity School students in kindergarten through eighth grade celebrated the Hour of Code during the week of Dec. 8. The Hour of Code is celebrated all over the

world to encourage people to learn more about how to code computers. All kids should learn to code because it opens up a new world for them. Technology is evolving, and understanding how to code teaches people more about how to use it. Mr. McShane, one of our assistant principals, told us that most kids today know a lot more than most grown-ups about tech-nology because we have been using it all our lives. Every age group at Holy Trinity participated in the Hour of Code by completing activities on iPads or computers. The sixth-grade stu-dents coded their own games and posted them on the Holy Trinity School website. If you would like to play them, go to the Academics and Technology tab on htsdc.org. Then click on Samples of Student Work in Technology. The games are funny, and you can actually see the coding when you click on See Inside. Students worked hard on these games and enjoyed writing them. In third grade we went to Mrs. Miller’s tech blog and coded our own Christmas trees and played some fun coding games. We really enjoyed seeing how coding works and realizing how fun it is.

— Ricky Price, Will Pryce and Ivan Roksandic, third-graders

Janney Elementary Today. Right now. An upcoming event that many question day and night. What’s the Decatur House? The Decatur House is a histori-cal place that the fifth-graders put on a play at and take a trip to each year in October or November. About a week and a half prior to the event, each person in every class gets assigned/chooses a part in the play. The play is about the Emancipation Proclamation sign-ing, a major event in history. There is one major role (Abra-ham Lincoln) and one narrator (Frederick Douglass) along with other semi-minor roles. The four classes split up into two available days. Each class puts on the same play, but at different times. For example, the four Abra-ham Lincolns were Eliana Yafet for Mrs. Donnelly’s class, Kevin Harris for Ms. Schwartz’s class, Max Breton for Ms. Lutz’s class and Sydney Leiber for Ms. Fernandez’s class. The meaning of the trip to the Decatur House is to teach the fifth-graders about working together to produce something good and for them to get comfortable with per-forming. Upon arriving at the Decatur House, the two classes split up. One goes into the old part of the Decatur House to immediately start filming, while the other class stays in the “Carriage House” and learns about the Civil War and the Eman-cipation Proclamation. Students also go into a special room and learn about a special person in the

School dispatches

See dispatches/Page 17

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877-635-1699APPOINTMENTS PREFERRED

ANC 1CAdams Morgan

At the commission’s Dec. 3 meeting:■ newly elected commissioners Samantha Hicks, Hector Huezo and Alan Gambrell introduced them-selves, and Ted Guthrie thanked the departing commissioners for their service.■ commissioner Marty Davis announced that an all-day meeting will be held at Mary’s Center, 2333 Belmont Road, on Jan. 24 to let resi-dents share their feelings about Adams Morgan and its future.■ commissioners voted unanimous-ly to waive their settlement agree-ment terms for closing hours at area restaurants on New Year’s Eve, allowing the establishments to stay open until 4 a.m. Two residents com-plained about the noise that would extend even later into the night. Commissioner Ted Guthrie replied that although he typically agrees, New Year’s Eve is a special case.■ commissioners voted unanimous-ly to protest a liquor license applica-tion for Donburi restaurant, 2438 18th St. Commissioner Ted Guthrie said the protest is a procedural step to begin negotiating a settlement agreement, rather than being due to opposition to the restaurant.■ a motion to protest extended liquor sale hours requested by Harris Tee-ter, 1631 Kalorama Road, failed 3-4. The supermarket is asking the Alco-holic Beverage Control Board to amend its settlement agreement with the commission to allow alcohol sales until midnight instead of 10 p.m. Opponents of the change said it is unnecessary and would set a prece-dent that would ultimately allow Safeway to extend its hours as well, which they said could serve 18th Street partiers. Proponents argued that Harris Teeter is a responsible business, that it’s useful to have alco-hol available there later at night, and that liquor stores that don’t sell gro-ceries are already open until mid-night.■ commissioners voted 5-2 to sup-port a Historic Preservation Review Board application for a rear addition and other alterations at 1852 Bilt-more St., contingent upon the prop-erty owner retaining the existing front stairs. The property owner is converting the house into condos and intended to excavate the front yard to create a new entrance, which neighbors opposed. A motion to request a more detailed historic pres-ervation review failed 2-5, and a motion to delay consideration of the application failed 3-4.■ commissioners voted unanimous-ly to raise no objection to an applica-tion for valet parking at Grill From Ipanema, 1858 Columbia Road. However, they chided the valet oper-ator for operating previously without a permit, and said the commission should take a broader look at valet parking in the neighborhood.■ commissioners voted unanimous-ly to endorse changing the zoning of

Lanier Heights row houses from R-5-B to R-4, which would limit their redevelopment potential.■ commissioners voted 3-2 to endorse a plan by the D.C. Depart-ment of General Services to reno-vate Kalorama Park.■ commissioners voted unanimous-ly to oppose linking the Reeves Center to a deal for a Southwest soc-cer stadium. The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Mary’s Center, 2355 Ontario Road NW. For details, call 202-332-2630 or visit anc1c.org.

ANC 3CCleveland ParkWoodley ParkMassachusetts Avenue Heights

The commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the 2nd District Police Headquarters, 3320 Idaho Ave. NW. For details, visit anc3c.org.

ANC 3DSpring ValleyWesley Heights

The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14. The location has not been determined. For details, call 202-363-4130 or visit anc3d.org.

ANC 3ETenleytownAmerican University Park

The commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. The location has not been determined.

For details, visit anc3e.org.

ANC 3FForest Hills

The commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at For-est Hills of DC, 4901 Connecticut Ave. NW. For details, call 202-670-7262 or visit anc3f.us.

ANC 3/4GChevy Chase

The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at the Chevy Chase Community Center, Connecticut Avenue and McKin-ley Street NW. For details, call 202-363-5803 or email chevychaseanc3@verizon.net.

ANC 4AColonial VillageShepherd ParkCrestwood

The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Bright-wood Education Campus, 1300 Nicholson St. NW. For details, call 202-450-6225 or visit anc4a.org.

ANC 4CPetworth/16th Street Heights

The commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, in the lower-level community meet-ing room at the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW. For details, call 202-723-6670 or visit anc4c.org.

12 Wednesday, december 24, 2014 The currenT

In Your Neighborhood

Chevy Chase Citizens Association The holiday season is a good time to be thinking about new and different activities you may want to join in the coming winter months. The Chevy Chase Community Center offers many programs for people of all ages. Registration is open now for a long list of classes whose sessions start the week of Jan. 12. Here are some of the major ones for which a fee is charged: bridge duplicate, qi gong, pottery for all levels and ages, karate, ballet (separate groups for adults and youths 4 and above), gymnastics, drawing and painting, abstract painting with collage, fencing for adults and youths (minimum age 7) and drums (rock band). Free classes include chair yoga, digital photography, cooking for passion, computer basics for adults, and Indian martial arts. Some activities require no registration. For example, the North American Scrabble Players Association group for the D.C. area meets at the center on Tuesday evenings starting at 5:30 p.m. and is open to all. You can register for all D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation winter programs either in person at the community center (located at Connecticut Avenue and McKinley Street NW), or on the park agency’s website at dpr.dc.gov. If you need more information, you can also call the center at 202-282-2204. Please note special hours during the holidays. The Chevy Chase center will close at 6 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, and will be closed on Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. On Dec. 29, Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, the center will close at 8 p.m. For the hours of other D.C. recreation facilities, see the park agency’s website. The Chevy Chase center offers special events periodically. The next one is a Sweet Tea Party for youths, scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. Our association wishes everyone a good holiday season. We’ll be writing in the coming weeks about our own activities planned for early 2015.

— Ted Gest

ch

ANC 1C■ adams morGan

ANC 3D■ sprinG valley / wesley heiGhtspalisades / kent / Foxhall

ANC 3C■ cleveland park / woodley parkmassachusetts avenue heiGhtscathedral heiGhts

ANC 3/4G■ chevy chase

ANC 3E■ american university parkFriendship heiGhts / tenleytown

ANC 3F■ Forest hills / north cleveland park

ANC 4A■ colonial villaGe / crestwoodshepherd park / briGhtwood16th street heiGhts

ANC 4C■ petworth/16th street heiGhts

By BRIAN KAPURCurrent Staff Writer

When it comes to football acco-lades, the spoils usually go to stars on offense — a big-armed quarter-back, a speedy running back or a flashy wide receiver. But that wasn’t the case for the coveted D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. Instead, this year’s honor went to one of the “big uglies” — a term of endearment coaches use for their offensive linemen — who clear the way for those stars to shine. Gonzaga senior Richie Petitbon was named the District’s winner on Dec. 4. Only one other pure offensive lineman, Tristen Hoge of Idaho, won the state award this year. No pure offensive lineman has ever won the national award, though two athletes who played on both the offensive and defensive lines have captured the honor, including last year’s win-ner, Andrew Brown from Virginia. This year’s national winner was quarterback Kyler Murray from Texas. Petitbon, who is also the first blocker to win the prize in D.C., primarily played left tackle for the

Eagles; he was also used sparingly on the defensive line. At the high school level, many linemen are forced to play both ways full time. “To win such a great award is unbelievable,” said Petitbon. “Usu-ally it’s a quarterback, running back or receiver — the guys with the football. I’m really excited to win it as an offensive lineman. … Hope-fully we can start a trend here in D.C. with the offensive linemen [winning it].” For Gonzaga senior quarterback Nick Johns, who relied on Petitbon for protection against oncoming pass rushers, the offensive tackle was the perfect pick. “Richie is a great player — he run blocks, pass blocks, he’s big and athletic,” Johns said. “You can’t ask for much more.” The 6-foot-3-inch, 320-pound Petitbon helped Gonzaga to a 10-3 record and anchored an offense that averaged over 30 points and 330 yards per game. The Gatorade honor also takes into account academics and other extracurricular activities. Petitbon’s credentials include a 3.16 GPA, fun-draising efforts for cancer research and the Special Olympics, and vol-

unteer work with local youth foot-ball and lacrosse programs. In football, Petitbon is a third-generation star — his father and grandfather, with the same first and last names, both played in college and the NFL. But the Gatorade award was a rare family-first foot-ball accomplishment for the Gonza-ga senior. “It’s really cool. During our big Christmas party dinner I’ll have to talk it up a little bit,” said Petitbon, who will play for the top-ranked University of Alabama team next fall. “It’s really cool.” Petitbon’s high school career isn’t quite over. The tackle will travel to the prestigious Under Armour All-America High School Football Game at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Fla., on Jan. 1. He expects to be healthy again after missing his team’s final two games with a knee injury. And Petitbon has already suited up for the Eagles’ basketball squad this season. “The doctor said just a little rest is the key,” he said. “Nothing seri-ous, just a brace. All is good. I’m going to be 100 percent and back to normal. I’m back to the basketball team and getting my footwork down

for the football game.” The Under Armour event is a chance Petitbon relishes — an opportunity earned by only about 100 of the thousands of high-school football players across the country. “In an all-star game like that with

so many great players together, I’m excited to compete and impose my will against such great athletes and football players down there,” he said. “It’s going to be a really awe-some experience, and I’m really excited about it.”

Athletics in northwest wAshington December 24, 2014 ■ Page 13

By BRIAN KAPURCurrent Staff Writer

When Wilson High School began a search for a new girls basketball coach in March, one candidate’s resume glistened with local acco-lades: Nadira Ricks, a 1990 Wilson graduate and Georgetown University Athletic Hall of Famer. Over the summer, the former Tiger and Hoya, who has been working in juvenile jus-tice in Louisiana, got the call to become the team’s new coach, meaning a chance to come back home to the District. So far this season Ricks has guided the Tigers to a 5-2 record. “This is my coaching debut,” she said. “This is something I have always wanted to do and have been very passionate about. With my line of work, I could never fit coaching on the high school level with my regular job. But everything came full circle for me.” While she doesn’t bring much experience from the sidelines, Ricks has plenty of hoops knowledge after her standout playing career at Georgetown. As a basketball star on the hill, Ricks was an All-Big East guard and an all-time defender for the Hoyas. She still holds the school’s single-season steals record with 112, and she held the all-time steals record until 2013 with 321. Ricks also helped Georgetown take the 1994 Big East regular-season crown and make

it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. It is still the school’s only Big East championship in women’s basketball, and it was the team’s first trip to the big dance. Ricks was inducted into the Hoyas’ hall of fame in January. With her playing background and passion for the game, Ricks is a self-described “basket-ball junkie.” “I’ve been a student of the game,” she said. “I was a point guard, so I was like the coach on the floor.” As a coach, she will get to combine her background of working with young people and her love of the game. “It’s a little different coaching,” she said. “As a player you can make a difference, but as a coach you have to motivate the young ladies — see what their strengths and weaknesses are, how they play together, when to sub, when to be tough or not be tough.” Ricks is an ideal fit for Wilson, as athletic director Mitch Gore has made a point of hav-ing coaches also work at the school during the day. He asked previous coach Eric White, who wasn’t part of the faculty, to step down so the school could hire someone full-time; Ricks is now dean of scholars. “I have over 20-something years of work-ing with at-risk youth in therapeutic programs — building healthy relationships,” said Ricks. “Being in the building helps me build those

GU hall of famer takes over Wilson girls hoops program

Blindsided: Gonzaga tackle earns honor

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Photo courtesy of Cory RoysterGonzaga senior offensive tackle Richie Petitbon, left, helped pave the way for the Eagles’ potent offensive attack.

Brian Kapur/The CurrentWilson’s girls basketball team is being led by first-year coach Nadira Ricks, right, this season. Ricks is a graduate of Wilson and Georgetown University. The Tigers’ new coach is also in the Hoyas’ athletics hall of fame. See Wilson/Page 14

14 Wednesday, december 24, 2014 The currenT

Northwest Sports

By BRIAN KAPURCurrent Staff Writer

After last year’s rebuilding effort, the St. Albans boys basketball team comes into this season hoping to turn tough lessons into wins. And while the Bulldogs have just two seniors on their squad, they still believe the championship is in sight. “We still have a pretty young team, but having a year of maturity and growth and a year of varsity together has helped them,” said Bulldogs coach O.J. Johnson. The biggest difference Johnson has noticed in the squad is a certain bravado and poise, which allows their talent to outshine inexperience. “We’re more aggressive,” said Johnson. “Last year’s team was very timid. They had the skill to play, but having that year under their belt got them to be more aggressive. We can just attack the rim and play with more confidence.” For leadership, the Bulldogs will lean on their tri-captains: junior point guard William Howell, senior shooting guard Brandon Galloway and junior small forward George Walker. Howell, who is especially pivotal for guidance in the point guard post, worked to strengthen his leadership skills during summer league play. “I’ve improved on my leadership — leading the guys, being more vocal on the court and trying to make my teammates better,” said Howell. “Of course I’m trying to score and contribute on the offensive end, but also on the defensive end.” Meanwhile, Walker brings grit as he cleans up the boards for rebounds on both offensive and defensive

glass despite often being mis-matched against taller opponents. Walker points to 6-foot-6-inch-tall sophomore forward Charles Snowden as a great partner in the post. “I just play with so much inten-sity,” said Walker. “Teaming with Snowden, I can just clean up inside.” The team will also look to sopho-more guard Spenser Adams, junior forward Areohn Harrison, senior guard Jackson Rumer, junior guard Gerald Smith and junior forward Grant Youngkin as key contributors. One of the Bulldogs’ biggest improvements this year has been finding a way to edge out challeng-ing teams. Galloway pointed to St.

Albans’ 65-62 win over H.D. Wood-son in the Bishop Walker Tourna-ment on Dec. 13 as the type of game the squad would’ve lost last year. “We just learned to close out close games,” said the senior. “Games that were within two or three points down the stretch last year — we would lose them. This year we are doing much better clos-ing close games. We’re boxing out better and not giving up second-chance points.” Howell credits the players’ com-mitment to honing their skills during summer league Amateur Athletic Union events as a key component to the improvement. “This year a lot of the guys have matured and played AAU ball and gotten more experience and confi-dence on the court,” said Howell. “We have a bright future. Over the course of the season we will improve and be where we want to be at the end of the season.” As they build confidence and skills, the Bulldogs have their eyes on the Interscholastic Athletic Con-ference title. “We can be really good,” said Galloway. “I think we have a good chance of getting to the IAC cham-pionship and winning. We just all have to play hard. We’re only as strong as our weakest man — we have to have a strong bench, and everyone has to contribute. With that, we can go as far as we want to go.” The Bulldogs hope to build off their strong start when they travel to compete in Pensacola Catholic High School’s Crusader Christmas Clas-sic in Pensacola, Fla., from Saturday through Tuesday.

St. Albans aims to contend in IAC hoops

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relationships with the players, teachers and administra-tors. So when they are having difficulty, I can be there and they can reach out to me.” Ricks takes over a team that has gone to the D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association championship game for three straight years and is looking to get over the final hump to a crown. “When you’re implementing a new program and a new system, they’re having to adjust to me and my style,” said Ricks. “I’m very passionate. I played the game like that, and I coach like that.” A defensive stud in her heyday, Ricks has worked to put an aggressive approach in place at Wilson. “We’re just trying to develop our style,” said Ricks. “I was a point guard, and defense was my forte — defense wins championships. That’s what I’m trying to instill in them: understanding that when you apply pressure, that keeps the other team on their heels. We have to push the ball and play within ourselves.” The players have been quick to buy into Ricks’ coaching philosophies. “She brings discipline, hard work and dedication,” said junior guard Tytilayo Green. “We can win the league. If we keep fighting the way we are now and keep the pressure up, we can win.” Ricks inherits a team with three returning players and a talented roster. The Tigers will lean on junior point

guard Tu’ziah Hall for on-court leadership. “She’s our nucleus and she keeps us together,” said Ricks. “She’s aggressive and always eager to engage. She’s adjusting to a new role as our floor general.” Meanwhile, the Tigers rely on Green to light up the scoreboard. “She’s our leading scorer,” Ricks said. “She’s a returning starter, and she brings an added dimension because she’s [5-foot-9] but plays like a guard and she’s a hard matchup for other teams. I’m trying to help her improve as a defender. Her game is going to need to be well-rounded as she improves and college scouts look at her.” For energy and a defensive leader, the team is looking to junior forward Angelica Chacon. “She has a lot of potential,” said Ricks. “She just made it into the starting lineup, so her confidence level has increased. I’ve increased some of her roles and as her confidence level rises, her game rises. She’s going to be essential for us going into the season.” The Tigers will compete at the D.C. Armory on Sat-urday at 6 p.m. as part of the National Title IX Classic tournament. “We will peak at midseason when we need to and we will keep instilling certain things,” said Ricks. “We aren’t where we need to be fundamentally. I’m trying to teach the girls the positions that they’re playing. The sky is the limit for this team — if they continue to grow, who knows where it can take us.”

WILSON: Tigers hope new coach can spark title runFrom Page 13

Brian Kapur/The CurrentSt. Albans took third place at the Bishop Walker tournament earlier this month.

A newly listed property in Colonial Village makes a good match for city-dwell-

ers with a penchant for nature,

offering easy access not only to Rock Creek Park but also to sever-al commercial areas. The quiet residence sits along West Beach Drive, a winding road in D.C.’s northernmost tip. It fol-lows a forested tributary trickling down to the main creek and attracts relatively few vehicles despite its quick connection to downtown Silver Spring and Bethesda, as well as easy access via Beach Drive and Rock Creek Parkway into the heart of the Dis-trict. The current owners say road cyclists are common sightings, especially during the weekends and holidays when the National Park Service closes the drive’s southern section for recreational users, who also include hikers con-necting to nearby trails. The 1940s home is set back from the road, allowing room for a lawn and cozy half-circle drive. It

has a traditional Colonial-style facade with a centered portico and multipane windows flanked by black shutters. A side driveway connecting to a rear attached garage runs alongside the house. Recently, a rear addition has doubled the size of the 8132 West Beach Drive home, which is now a total of 4,300 square feet. With four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, the house is offered for $1,174,900. The main entry divides the front into two different rooms. A formal dining room takes up the southern portion, which includes the origi-nal fireplace adorned with a newer white frame. Complementary fea-tures here include a white beamed ceiling (with a classy chandelier) and contemporary yet simple floor-to-ceiling shelving built into the west wall. The white beamed ceilings continue on the other side in the family room. This area opens into to the kitchen, which features an attached roomy eat-in island, views of the backyard and access to the side driveway. Warm wood cabinetry complete with slim built-in wine storage keeps the area timeless, while high-end Miele stainless steel appliances —

including the attached espresso machine and double convection stove — modernize the area. Blue light pendants dangling from a rear slanted ceiling also add a con-temporary touch. The recently built rear addition includes a short hallway flanked with more white built-in shelves, a powder room, a quiet office with an attached bookshelf, and a two-floor atrium that includes the stair-case. The showpiece of the addition is the bright and spacious living room, which has a cottage-inspired vibe. A stone fireplace anchors the space, and the white beamed ceil-ings reappear here. Twin French doors in the room open to the backyard. Designed to

welcome outdoor entertainment, this area features a flagstone patio, a remote-controlled awning system and attractive views of rolling hills and lawns. Back inside and up to the sec-ond floor, a roomy landing sepa-rates the master suite from the three other sleeping quarters. The master offers a brick fireplace, views of the rear yard, a walk-in closet and a brand-new private bath. A sunny walk-in closet with ample customized storage is just off the hall joining to the front bedrooms, which show off scenic views of West Beach Drive. This

section of the home also has a closet with a stacked laundry unit and two bathrooms. Down to the lower level is a tandem garage located below the living room. The basement was recently transformed into a more homey recreation area complete with an adjacent exercise room and the main laundry room. The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath house at 8132 West Beach Drive is offered for $1,174,900. For more information, contact Lee Goldstein of the Lee and Dina Team with Evers & Co. Real Estate at 202-744-8060 or lee@leeanddinateam.com.

A Look at the Market in Northwest Washington December 24, 2014 ■ Page 15

Colonial Village home combines natural setting, city access

Photos courtesy of Evers & Co. Real EstateThis four-bedroom house on West Beach Drive is priced at $1,174,900.

ON THE MARKET kat luCERo

Selling The Area’s Finest Properties

Show StopperChevy Chase. Beautiful architecture, thoughtful design and an incredible kitchen, high end �nishes  5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and super amenities throughout. $1,895,000

Design For LivingAU Park. Light �lled renov. Colonial on quiet street. 3 BRs, 2.5 BAs. TS kit w/granite & SS. Sun rm, hrdwd �rs, frpl. Fin. LL w/rec rm. Deck, large �at yard, shed. Metro nearby. $849,000.

Andrea Saturno-Sanjana   202-696-0701

City CharmCleveland Park Super large 1 BR across from the Zoo & between 2 Metros. Lge kit, sep. dining area. High ceilings, built-ins. Free laundry on every �oor. Shared pkg. Pet friendly. $359,000

Denny Horner  703-629-8455Leyla Phelan  202-415-3845

Design & Style Town of Chevy Chase. Newly renovated 5 BR, 5.5 BA classic. 4 levels of custom design. Kit w/quartz & top of the line appliances. Family rm w/French drs. Built-ins, 4 frpls. Patio. $2,050,000

Melissa Brown  202-469-2662Beverly Nadel 202-236-7313

Marina Krapiva-301-792-5681Eric Murtagh- 301-652-8971

Graceful SpacesKenwood. Updated & remodeled from top to bottom. Large home on quiet cul de sac  backing to Kenwood Club. 6 BRs, 5 BAs. Two separate in-law suites. $1,795,000

Patricia Lore 301-908-1242

Cathedral ViewsCleveland Park. Rare top �r front unit  w/great views. Old world charm in 2004 renov. bldg. High ceilings, hrdwd �rs. Pet friendly! Gated private park in rear w/dog run. Short stroll to shops & restaurants. $310,000

Bren Lizzio. 202-669-4999

16 wedNesday, deCember 24, 2014 The CurreNT

Northwest Real Estate

and that the unemployment rate had fallen 3 percentage points. The mayor also talked about investments his administration made in the growing technology sector, including establishing a tech corridor along Georgia Avenue from Shaw to Petworth. Noting his work with the federal government to redevelop the Walter Reed Army Medical Center site in Ward 4, he said the first construction is expect-ed to begin next year: a new D.C. fire station to replace an outdated structure nearby. On the subject of education, Gray argued that he ensured stabil-ity in the school system by appoint-ing Kaya Henderson to succeed Michelle Rhee as chancellor. “I then worked with my educa-tion team to double down on the most successful elements of educa-tion reform like longer school days and early-childhood education,” the mayor said. In addition, Gray noted that Dis-trict students have made significant gains on standardized tests and that public school enrollment is higher than it has been in 27 years. “We are not yet where we need to be, but we are on the right track,” the mayor said. One of the passages Gray omit-ted from his prepared remarks was a critique of the way his predeces-sor Adrian Fenty governed the city between 2007 and 2011. Under the former mayor, Gray had planned to say, the District’s citizens “had been given a false choice, told they had to choose between progress and inclusion,

between rapid forward movement and stopping to listen to our resi-dents.” Gray also planned to say, “Results are incredibly important — but the way we govern is also important. Talking and listening to people, offering respect, building as much consensus as possible, and then powerfully moving forward

together is the way I have always operated — and it’s the right way to govern.” After Gray’s speech concluded on Wednesday, at-large D.C. Coun-cil member Anita Bonds told The Current that economic develop-ment and sound budgeting are the mayor’s most memorable accom-plishments in her mind. Bonds, who chairs the D.C. Democratic Party, also expressed her belief that the scandal surround-ing a shadow campaign on behalf of Gray’s 2010 mayoral bid won’t ultimately make a difference for most District residents as they con-sider the mayor’s legacy. “He didn’t kill anyone, OK? He didn’t steal anything from any-body,” Bonds said. Asked about the possibility of Gray facing federal indictment at some point in the future, Bonds added, “People are indicted every day. It doesn’t mean that you’re guilty.”

gRAY: Mayor touts achievementsFrom Page 3

1980s. Proponents say the overlays are needed to preserve a diversity of “neighborhood-serving businesses,” like groceries, dry cleaners and shoe repair shops in areas where restaurants can more often afford higher rents, and to prevent those strips from turning into noisy “entertain-ment zones.” Opponents say the free market should reign, and that the restaurant cap creates vacant store-fronts, rather than desirable but elusive outlets like hard-ware stores and bookshops. Nando’s wants to move into a modest storefront at 2631 Connecticut Ave. vacated by Bank of America. Commercial real estate broker Stephen Combs testified that he marketed the space for 18 months after the bank gave notice. No other banks were interested, he said, and pet stores, hair salons and Radio Shack turned it down. There were three “finalists” — 7-Eleven, Sleepy’s mattress store and Nando’s. “This is not about money,” he said. The landlord “thought Nando’s was a better fit” because “it’s very upscale, closes at 11 p.m., and is not a bar.” No one disputed that Nando’s is not really a fast-food outlet — although it’s categorized that way in the city’s zoning code because patrons pay for their food before eating it. “You get a menu, have food delivered to your table, eat off dishes and silverware,” said Burton Heiss, the chain’s managing director. But the issue of the overlay was, as always, in dispute. Carolyn Brown, the zoning attorney for Nando’s, met with opponents prior to the hearing, but was not able to bridge the gap. “We had a fundamental philosophical disagreement” over the 25 restaurant percent cap, she reported. Planning and zoning officials can’t even say what the percentage of restaurants is now. By one measure, Wood-

ley Park is already at 33 percent, but it’s unclear if that is accurate, or how and why the alleged overage occurred. Overlay zones allow additional restaurants by special exception, but some potential tenants are so discouraged by the procedural hurdles that they look elsewhere. “The special exception provides a mechanism where a com-munity can come together,” said Karen Thomas of the D.C. Office of Planning. The 25 percent cap “wasn’t intended to freeze businesses in time,” she said. The Woodley Park Community Association voted 15-6 at its fall meeting to retain the cap. President Peter Brusoe disputed that it has hurt businesses or left store-fronts vacant. “When the application was written, there was only one vacant storefront. Businesses come and go, but this is a very desirable neighborhood. Stability can be maintained without turning to a national chain restau-rant,” he testified. The Woodley Park advisory neighborhood commis-sion voted 4-2 the other way, both for supporting Nan-do’s and for raising the restaurant cap there. Commis-sioner Lee Brian Reba displayed petitions of support from both residents and some local businesses. “All of these are excited about Nando’s and vibrancy it will bring,” he said. “Empty spaces hurt communities and imply our neighborhood can’t support local businesses.” Commissioner Gwendolyn Bole said most restau-rants there now serve conventioneers staying at the two nearby hotels. “A family-centered restaurant would be a wonderful addition,” Bole said, then summed up her view of the commercial strip: “We don’t need a 7-Elev-en. We have a CVS and a locally owned market that will be affected. People shop on Amazon. It’s not realistic that a landlord is going to find a bookstore.” Board chair Lloyd Jordan said members will weigh the decision carefully. “The issue here is the effect on the community of lifting the cap. There’s a lot here for the board to digest,” he said.

NANDO’S: Zoning board hears variance requestFrom Page 1

and the general public can view hundreds of materials that date back to the school’s opening in 1935.

Launched in early November, the archives project serves a broader purpose in showcasing students’ per-spective of history during certain periods. An initiative supported financially by the Humanities Coun-cil of Washington, DC, the project also aims to the highlight the cultural changes that occurred in the city and the rest of the world over this time.

“There are issues discussed in the pages of the school newspapers and yearbooks. It gives you a sense of Washington, D.C., at the time and also student activities at the time,” said Arlene Balkansky, a 30-year librarian at the Library of Congress who now serves as the project’s humanities scholar.

To showcase those historical moments, the committee started with two exhibits: “Girls Athletics” and “Wilson in Wartime.”

For example, before Title IX was enacted four decades ago, the girls swim club had 125 members in 1938 and some female students were com-petitive equestrians in 1965. And there were stark differences of stu-dents’ response to World War II (they raised money to buy a jeep for the U.S. military) and to the Vietnam War (students protested it).

“We’re also dealing with events after integration, the immigrant pop-ulation over time and all sorts of moments,” said Balkansky, the mother of two Wilson graduates now in their 20s.

Balkansky is also part of a seven-person committee — led by Lip-scomb-Gardner — that’s developing the digital archives into a large-scale initiative. Committee members are preparing to apply for another, big-ger grant from the humanities coun-cil. (Earlier this year, the school applied for and received $2,500 from the organization.)

The project is also a schoolwide effort. After the refurbished Wilson building opened, parents came to help scan and catalog materials the librarian had collected. Wilson’s Par-ent Teacher Student Organization also matched the humanities council grant.

More parents, students, staff and even alumni have also been volun-teering to catalog a variety of materi-als that has so far reached over 500 items, according to Elizabeth Leven-son, Wilson’s librarian assistant and a member of the project committee.

And there’s more, given the stacks of decades-old bound copies of The Beacon, the school’s newspa-per, sitting behind the counter at the two-floor library that Levenson showed off.

Balkansky said there are ways to

improve the digitizing process as the project expands. That includes obtaining new technology to increase efficiency, as well as learning how to effectively implement PastPerfect, an online museum-quality archiving software program that they procured from the initial grants so that the image resolution is better.

There’s also a move to preserve the original copies, especially the fragile ones, which requires better storage methods.

Since the launch of the archives project, news has reached Wilson alumni, including Shirley Heishman Joyce from the class of 1959. She sent the library staff a few materials that belonged to her two older sib-lings, including her sister’s 1940 Wilson diploma, a copy of the menu from a “senior dinner” and a copy of The Beacon dated June 14, 1940.

“I know we all had fond remem-brance of Wilson,” Joyce wrote in a note.

WILSON: Online archives createdFrom Page 1

❝We are not yet where we need to be, but we are on the right track.❞

— Mayor Vincent Gray

Courtesy of Wilson High SchoolProject committee members flip through a physical copy of Wilson High School’s new archives.

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The currenT Wednesday, december 24, 2014 17

old part of the Decatur House, which is top secret so you will learn when you go there.

— Louisa-Sophia Filmer, fifth-grader

Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital Our kindergarten class has been interested in the idea of telling and sharing secrets. We thought about “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” and that gave us the idea to make a time capsule for our class. We are burying a box and the box will hold the secrets we want others to see. We want people to open the box a long time from now; they will see the things we were talking about and learning about in our time. To get our time capsule ready, we are working in committees. One committee will work to make a map to lead to our secrets box. We are researching current events and learning about our school’s history; they are events that everybody in the world knows about. We will include them so people in the future will know what was happening when the time capsule was made. The code committee is making a code, so people can open our box … but only when we want them to. One morning, we were playing with mirrors and they reflected on the ceiling so it gave us the idea to use the mirrors to make it harder to read our code. You can’t see the code unless you use a flashlight! One secret inside will be clay sculptures of each of us — so peo-ple will know that these are our secrets. Come back to see what’s inside before we bury it!

— Ayelet Magder, Daniela Margolis, Yarden

Wilkenfeld and all of the other Gan Rimonim kindergartners

Lafayette Elementary Recently, Lafayette Elementa-ry’s fourth- and fifth-graders went on a field trip to the historic Warner Theatre downtown to attend the Washington Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Some Lafayette students were in the production, but in several different casts. I inter-viewed fourth- and fifth-graders for their thoughts on the ballet. Two fifth-graders said that they liked the battle scene the best. “The funniest part was when the Rat King died from a shoe,” said Alec Bachle. Another fifth-grader, Jesse Kenelly, thought the dancing was too long. Fourth-graders Ella Davis, Ellie Sander and Jordan Mongardi agreed that they liked the use of gymnastics and body lan-guage in the ballet. Fourth-graders Leah Braden, Seneca Volynet and Marina Robalino liked the features in the performance that weren’t just dancing; they liked the costumes, special effects and the props. Over-all, Lafayette students enjoyed the field trip. A unique feature about the ballet

is that the artistic director of the ballet, Septime Webber, includes both Washington Ballet profession-al dancers and Washington School of Ballet students in the production. In October, hundreds of Washing-ton School of Ballet students of dif-ferent ages auditioned. If they got into a cast, they rehearsed constant-ly for their performances.

— Lucy Sakura, fifth-grader

Maret School We have reading buddies once a week with Ms. Tomasi-Carr’s first-grade class. As the third-grade bud-dies, we read to our younger bud-dies. It is an awesome way to meet the younger students! We pick out good books beforehand so we don’t spend all day trying to find a good book and ruin the lesson. One of our favorite times is when we go to Mosquito Park. There is a forest and we always try to make a tree branch fort. It is really good for team building! We love saying “heave ho” while we are working. But it’s not all about reading! When we go to Ms. Tomasi-Carr’s class, we get to do fun stuff like making a Venn diagram and play-ing with things the third-grade buddy likes to do, things the first-grade buddy likes to do and the things that we both like to do. I like reading buddies and I think my buddy does too!

— Ellie Wallace, third-grader

Murch Elementary Cookie decorating is very popu-lar in Murch Elementary. It is one of the ways to best celebrate the holidays. “I think that it was a lot of sugar for us, but we knew we could handle it, and we could!” says Ayan Yacob, from Ms. Davis’s third-grade class. Ms. Lieberman’s third-grade class also made some of the fun cookies. “I think that those were the best cookies I ever made!” says Elizabeth Radziwill. Ms. Suri’s third-grade class also found the cookie decorating most entertain-ing. “I thought it was really fair, because everyone got the same amount of cookies to decorate,” says Rachel Kolko — two apiece. Lastly, Mr. Brady’s third-grade class also did cookie decorating. “I’ve never done cookie making before, and I loved it,” says My Danh. This is one way Murch’s third grade celebrated the winter festivities. I hope Current readers have a happy holiday filled with treats, too!

— Hanna Birdsong, third-grader

Our Lady of Victory School My first-grade class was so excited about our school’s play! The play was called “A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol.” We practiced our song “Once Upon A Time” for the show. We had to pick a costume and dress up like characters from fairy tales. I decided to be Little Red Riding Hood. My friends looked great in their costumes. The dress rehearsal was fun, but on the night of the play, I was a lit-

tle nervous to sing in front of all of the OLV parents. We sang with the second-graders. All of the students did a great job! In our first-grade class our teacher Miss O’Boyle asked us to write stories about the holiday. We wrote about how to build a snow-man or how to decorate a Christ-mas tree. I wrote about decorating a tree. I helped decorate my tree at home. It has black and white orna-ments. I make a special ornament each year to add to our tree. It is a beautiful tree! Christmas is my favorite holi-day. We celebrate Jesus’ birth. I like spending time with my family and giving gifts! Happy holidays!

— Paige D., first-grader

Ross Elementary This week, we started off with our annual Fillmore Winter Music Concert. Those students taking musical instruments classes per-formed. We had many field trips going on this week. First, our kindergar-ten, pre-K-4 and first grade saw a play called “The Gift of Nothing.” This was held at the Kennedy Cen-ter. The pre-K and pre-K-4 classes saw a production of “The Snowy Day,” at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The kindergarten class took a trip to the Ripley Center to see “Seasons of Light.” Grades three through five had a field trip to see “The Tiny Tempest,” at the Shake-speare Theatre. Grades four and give took a field trip to the Library of Congress. They had a guided tour, and learned a lot about the building’s history and origins of the collection. We also had a Pajama Day. Every year we have a day or two

where we can wear our home paja-mas to school. The students love this! Our guidance counselor, Mr. Rogers, continues to help us with collecting toiletries for the Coali-tion for the Homeless. So far, so good. Last, we presented our Learning Celebrations in kindergarten through fifth grade. Some of our families came to this event, where we talked about some of our favor-ite things we did in our classes. We wish our readers happy holi-days and a great 2015!

— Ross Elementary School community

School Without Walls High School The School Without Walls high school Community Service Club held its annual shoebox drive for the needy of greater Washington this week. “The Community Ser-vice wanted to do something to give back to the community. It’s something that we did last year. They wanted to do something to contribute to people that don’t have much for the holiday,” said the sponsor of the club, Carolyn Schulz. The goal is to donate more shoeboxes full of necessities to the needy than they did last year, or at least 50 shoeboxes. Ms. Schulz also sponsors the Best Buddies Program at school, a program where somebody with physical and/or mental disabilities can meet somebody to spend time with when they don’t normally have to ability to do so.

— Michael Edgell, ninth-grader

Sheridan School Every year at Sheridan School the second grade collects Hallow-

een candy for the kids and other people who live in Hearts and Homes for Youth group houses. They are kind of like homeless people who have no homes of their own. They aren’t as lucky as we are and don’t get to go trick-or-treating like we do. Before Halloween the second grade put on an assembly and told the whole school about the drive and what to do. A person from Hearts and Homes came to talk to us about the kids who the candy is for. We put out decorated boxes for Sheridan kids to put their extra candy in. After a week of collecting candy we got together with our fifth-grade buddies to make cards. We drew smiley faces and flowers. You could say whatever you want-ed on the card, like “Happy Days,” or “You’re A Star.” Or you could draw something colorful to make them feel glad and included. The cards go in the bags of candy that we are going to send them before the winter holidays to bring them some joy. Then the second grade did all the work of decorating the bags and stuffing them with candy and a card. We want to help to bring cheer to their lives. This year we made about 200 bags. It was really fun. The kids will be pretty happy to see the candy and the decorations on the bags and cards.

— Kendall Peterson and Cooper Schirmeier,

second-graders

Washington International School After my eighth-grade class from Washington International

See dispatches/Page 23

dispatchesFrom Page 11

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Wednesday, Dec. 024

Concerts■ The Beltway Brass Quintet will per-

form original arrangements characterized by 20th-century jazz harmonies and styl-ings. Noon. Free. Millennium Stage, Ken-nedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ The St. Stephen’s Choir, soloists, strings, harp and organ will perform “The Christmas Oratorio” by Saint-Saëns as a prelude to the Christmas Eve Mass. 5:45 p.m. Free. St. Stephen Martyr Church, 2436 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-785-0982.

■ The Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ will present the 17th annual Christmas Eve Jazz Vespers, fea-turing the Davey Yarborough Ensemble with Esther Williams, the Washington Jazz Arts Institute Saxophone Ensemble and guest artist Marcus Johnson. 7 p.m. Free. Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ, 4704 13th St. NW. 202-723-3953.

■ International opera star Alessandra Marc will perform seasonal music and carols at a Christmas Eve concert. 8 p.m. Free; reservations required. Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th St. NW. universalist.org/opera.

Film■ The Washington DC Jewish Commu-

nity Center’s “Chinese Food and a Movie” event will fea-ture Danièle Thompson’s 2013 film “It Happened in Saint-Tropez.” 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. $12.50. Washington DC Jewish Com-munity Center, 1529 16th St. NW. washingtondcjcc.org.

Services■ St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafay-

ette Square, will present the Pageant and Choral Eucharist with choir, at 5 p.m.; and the Festival Choral Eucharist with orches-tra, at 7:30 and 11 p.m. Free. 16th and H streets NW. 202-347-8766.

■ The Choir of the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart will perform a choral prelude, and the Rev. Walter Rossi will lead a children’s Mass with pageant, at 5 p.m.; a choir will offer choral meditations on the Nativity, at 10 p.m.; and Archbish-op Carlo Maria Viganò, the apostolic nun-cio to the United States, will lead the Sol-emn Vigil Mass of Christmas Eve, at 10:30 p.m. Free. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300.

■ The Institute for Spiritual Develop-

ment will host a Christmas Eve Candle-light Service, featuring an interpretation of the traditional Nativity story told as a spiritual journey. 7:30 p.m. Free. Institute for Spiritual Development, 5419 Sherier Place NW. isd-dc.org.

■ Cardinal Donald Wuerl will cele-brate the Solemn Mass of Christmas after the Schola Cantorum and Festival Singers present a musical prelude. 9:15 p.m. Free. Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apos-tle, 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW. 202-347-3215.

■ The Washington National Cathedral will celebrate Christmas Eve with a Festi-val Holy Eucharist service. 10 p.m. Free; passes required. Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues NW. 202-537-6200.

Special events■ The Washington Harbour ice rink

will offer public skating. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. $8 to $10. Washington Harbour, 3000 K St. NW. 202-706-7666. Holiday hours for the upcoming week are Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

■ “ZooLights” will feature environmen-tally friendly light displays, a model train exhibit, two 150-foot-long “snow tubing” tracks, the Conservation Carousel and live entertainment. 5 to 9 p.m. Free admission. National Zoo, 3001 Connecti-cut Ave. NW. 202-633-4470. The event will repeat daily through Jan. 1 (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31).

Thursday, Dec. 025

Concerts■ Washington National Cathedral

organists Christopher Betts and Benjamin Straley will perform a Christmas Day recital with soprano Rosa Lamoreaux (shown). 5:15 p.m. $10 sug-gested donation. Washington National Cathedral, Massa-chusetts and Wisconsin avenues NW. 202-537-6200.

■ The 16th All-Star Christmas Day Jam will feature host/vibraphonist Chuck Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson, trumpet-er Tom Williams, bassist James King and vocalist Delores Williams. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

Services■ The Washington National Cathedral

will celebrate Christmas with a Festival Holy Eucharist service, at 11 a.m.; and soloist Rosa Lamoreaux will perform at the Christmas Day Service of Lessons and Carols, at 4 p.m. Free. Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues NW. 202-537-6200.

■ Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, will lead the Solemn Christmas Day Mass, at noon; and Cardi-nal Theodore McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, will lead the Spanish-language Christmas Day Mass, at 2:30 p.m. Free. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 202-526-8300.

Special event■ The Washington DC Jewish

Community Center will hold its 28th annual Day of Service, featuring events at

dozens of sites throughout the area. Various times. $20 fee; registration required. washingtondcjcc.org/d25.

Friday, Dec. 026

Children’s programs■ The Cleveland Park Library will host

a special “Music and Story Time” program for the first day of Kwanzaa. 10:30 a.m. Free. Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Con-necticut Ave. NW. 202-282-3080.

■ A “Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa!” program for children and families will feature arts, crafts and music, with entertainment by Nabeeh Bilal and his Caribbean puppet Winston from the children’s book “Cal-laloo, a Jazz Folktale.” 10:30 a.m. to noon. Free; reservations required. Ana-costia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. 202-633-4844.

Concerts■ The Richmond-based gospel group

Family of Praise will perform gospel and holiday-related music. 6 p.m. Free. Millen-nium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ The Yeonas Brothers Band will per-form Americana roots music. 7:30 p.m. Free. Gypsy Sally’s Vinyl Lounge, 3401 K St. NW. gypsysallys.com.

■ Guitarist Max Light and his jazz trio will perform. 8 and 10 p.m. $15. Twins

Jazz, 1344 U St. NW. twinsjazz.com. The concert will repeat Saturday at 8 p.m.

■ Splintered Sunlight will perform a Grateful Dead tribute show. 9 p.m. $13 to $15. Gypsy Sally’s, 3401 K St. NW. gypsysallys.com.

Film■ The Georgetown Library’s weekly

film series will feature a selection about new beginnings and second changes. 2:30 p.m. Free. Georgetown Library, 3260 R St. NW. 202-727-0232.

Performance■ The Washington Improv Theater’s

“Seasonal Disorder” will feature holiday-themed improv. 8 p.m. $12 to $30. Source, 1835 14th St. NW. witdc.org. Another performance will take place Sat-urday at 8 p.m. with a different lineup.

Tours■ Horticulturist Bill Johnson will lead a

tour on “Gardener’s Focus: Bones of the Winter Garden.” 11 to 11:30 a.m. Includ-ed in suggested donation of $5 to 15 for museum admission; tickets distributed at 10 a.m. Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. 202-686-5807. The tour will repeat Saturday and Tuesday at 11 a.m.

■ A docent will give a tour of the exhibit “Richard Estes’ Rebellion.” 1:15 to

2:15 p.m. Free. Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G streets NW. 202-633-1000. The tour will repeat Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:15 p.m.

■ A docent will give a tour of the exhibit “The Singing and the Silence: Birds in Contemporary Art.” 3 to 4 p.m. Free. Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G streets NW. 202-633-1000. The tour will repeat Tuesday and Wednes-day at 3 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 027

Children’s programs■ A park ranger will lead a planetari-

um program about the season’s brightest stars, planets and constellations (for ages 5 and older). 1 to 1:45 p.m. Free. Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road NW. 202-895-6070. The program will repeat Sunday at 1 p.m.

■ Children will hear a story about art-ist Red Grooms and then create a special piece of art inspired by his life and accomplishments. 1 to 4 p.m. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streets NW. 202-633-1000. The program will repeat Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

■ A park ranger will lead a planetari-um program about distant galaxies, nebu-las and other deep space objects (for ages 7 and older). 4 to 4:45 p.m. Free.

Events&Entertainment18 Wednesday, december 24, 2014 The currenT

Thursday deCember 25

Wednesday deCember 24

See events/Page 19

Friday deCember 26

Saturday deCember 27

The Keegan Theatre will present its annual holiday show “An Irish Carol” Dec. 26 through 28 at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center’s Goldman Theater. Set in a modern Dublin pub, Matthew Keenan’s play is an

homage to the Dickens classic. “An Irish Carol” follows one evening in the life of David, a wealthy pub owner who has lost touch with his own humanity in the interest of self-protection and material success. But on this Christmas Eve, his life may change forever. Tickets cost $35 to $75, with proceeds going to the Keegan Theatre’s capital campaign. The Washington DC Jew-ish Community Center is located at 1529 16th St. NW. 703-892-0202; keegantheatre.com.■ The Washington ballet will present “The Nutcracker” through Dec. 28 at the Warner Theatre. Set in 1882 Georgetown, Septime Webre’s one-of-a-kind production stars George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker and King George III as the villainous Rat King.

Tickets cost $42 to $114. Warner Theatre is located at 513 13th St. NW. 202-397-7328; washingtonballet.org.■ The D.C. premiere of the Tony Award-winning revival of “Pippin” will continue through Jan. 4 at the National The-atre.

A young prince goes on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but sim-ple life? Or will he risk every-thing for a singular flash of glory? Tickets start at $48. The

National Theatre is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 800-514-3849; thenationaldc.com.■ Pointless Theatre will present “A Very Pointless Holiday Spectacular: The Annual North Pole Talent Show” through Jan. 3 in the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint. On Christmas Eve, with Santa off to deliver presents, the elves and Mrs. Claus throw a huge party and talent show to celebrate their one night off a year. The bawdy, rollicking show-case ranges from nice to naughty.

Tickets cost $18 to $25. The theater is located at 916 G St. NW. pointlesstheatre.com.■ Canada’s acclaimed Old Trout Puppet Workshop will bring “Famous Puppet Death Scenes” to the Woolly mammoth Theatre Company through Jan. 4.

Curated and narrated by puppet Nathaniel Tweak, the show features a collection of 22 grisly snippets from puppet dramas such as “The Ballad of Edward Grue” by Samuel Groanswallow and “The Feverish Heart” by Nordo Frot. Tickets start at $35. The theater is located at 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net.■ Studio 2ndStage will present Irish playwright Mark O’Rowe’s linguistic drama “Terminus” through Jan. 4 in Stage 4 at the Studio Theatre. Through a series of interconnected monologues, O’Rowe takes a dizzying plunge through three characters’ quietest fears and most intimate desires. Tickets cost $30 to $35. The Studio Theatre is located at 1501 14th St. NW. 202-232-3300; studiotheatre.org.■ The Kennedy Center will host a national tour of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through Jan. 4 in the Opera House. The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical chronicles the trials and triumphs of Israel’s favorite son. The production features married Broadway stars and “American Idol” sensa-tions Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young. Tickets cost $25 to $155. 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org.■ Theater Alliance will stage Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity” through Jan. 4 at the Anacostia Playhouse. This retelling of the Christmas story from an Afro-centric perspective is infused with rich gospel, blues, funk, jazz and dance. Tickets cost $10 to $35. The theater is located at 2020 Shannon Place SE. 202-241-2539; theateralliance.com.

On STAge

Keegan Theatre will stage a limited five-show run of “An Irish Carol” through dec. 28.

Keegan stages ‘Irish Carol’

Lucie Arnaz stars in “Pippin” at the National Theatre.

Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road NW. 202-895-6070. The program will repeat Sunday at 4 p.m.

Classes■ The Mount Pleasant Library will

present “Saturday Morning Yoga.” 10 a.m. Free. Mount Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St. NW. 202-671-3122.

■ Yoga Activist will present a class for beginners. 11 a.m. Free. Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW. 202-243-1188.

Concert■ The Cactus Liquors and the Mellish

will perform. 9 p.m. $12 to $15. Gypsy Sally’s, 3401 K St. NW. gypsysallys.com.

Film■ The Mount Pleasant Library will

present Bryan Singer’s 2014 film “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” starring Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence and Halle Berry. 2 p.m. Free. Mount Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St. NW. 202-671-3122.

Performances■ The Anacostia Community

Museum’s “Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa!” celebration will feature a performance by the KanKouran West African Dance Company. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Free; reservations required. Fort Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. 202-633-4844.

■ The Dance Institute of Washington will present “The Spirit of Kwanzaa.” 4 and 7 p.m. $10; free for ages 5 and younger. Dance Institute of Washington, 3400 14th St. NW. 202-371-9656.

■ “Holiday Vaudeville” will feature Cajun cellist Sean Grissom, klezmer quar-tet the Alexandria Kleztet and comedian/variety entertainer Will Shaw. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. The performance will repeat Sunday at 6 p.m.

■ The “Chinese Menu” comedy show will feature an all-star mash-up with improvisers from the District, Baltimore, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. $10. DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. brownpapertickets.com/event/1053996.

Special events■ The Washington Harbour ice skating

rink will hold a weekly “Cartoon Skate” event. 10 a.m. to noon. $9 to $10. Wash-ington Harbour, 3000 K St. NW. 202-706-7666.

■ The Dance Institute of Washington will present community master classes for teens and adults in modern, African, hip-hop and lyrical/street jazz dance. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free; reservations required. Dance Institute of Washington, 3400 14th St. NW. 202-371-9656.

■ The Washington Harbour ice rink will hold a weekly “Rock n Skate” event. 8 to 10 p.m. $9 to $10. Washington Har-bour, 3000 K St. NW. 202-706-7666.

Sporting event■ The Washington Wizards will play

the Boston Celtics. 7 p.m. $25 to $426. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 800-745-3000.

Walk■ Writer Rocco Zappone will present

“Walking Tour as Personal Essay,” a look at downtown Washington filled with his reminiscences and impressions of a life-

time in D.C. 10 a.m. $20. Meet at the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square, 16th and H streets NW. 202-341-5208.

Sunday, Dec. 028

Concerts■ The Ensemble Galilei will perform

music by Marais, O’Carolan and other compos-ers. 6:30 p.m. Free. West Garden Court, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215.

■ Dahlak Restaurant will present its weekly “DC Jazz Jam” session. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free. 1771 U St. NW. 202-527-9522.

■ Jazz vocalist and flutist Alex Ham-burger will perform. 8 and 10 p.m. $10. Twins Jazz, 1344 U St. NW. twinsjazz.com.

Film■ “Athens Today” will feature Thanos

Anastopoulos’ 2012 film “The Daughter.” 4:30 p.m. Free. West Building Lecture Hall, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215.

Monday, Dec. 029

Children’s programs■ A “Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa!” program for

children and families will feature arts and crafts workshops. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Free; reservations required. Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. 202-633-4844.

■ Children will hear a story about art-ist Red Grooms and then create pop-ups like those he made. 1 to 4 p.m. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streets NW. 202-633-1000.

Classes and workshops■ Yoga District instructor Smita Kumar

will lead a weekly class. 12:30 p.m. Free; registration required. West End Interim Library, 2522 Virginia Ave. NW. 202-724-8698.

■ The group Yoga Activist will present a weekly yoga class. 7 p.m. Free. Cleve-land Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-282-3080.

discussion■ National Gallery of Art lecturer Eric

Denker will discuss “Captain Linnaeus Tripe: Photographer of India and Burma, 1852-1860.” Noon. Free. West Building Rotunda, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. The gallery talk will repeat Tuesday at noon.

Film■ The Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library

will host a screening of the 2013 ani-mated film “Frozen.” 6:30 p.m. Free. Watha T. Dan-iel/Shaw Library, 1630 7th St. NW. 202-727-1288.

Performance■ “Zan McLeod’s Celtic Holiday” will

feature traditional Irish music and step-dancing performed by guitarist Zan McLeod, the group Skylark and the Culkin

Irish Dancers. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

Special events■ Tortilla Coast will host a “Paint Nite”

with paint, brushes and canvas provided. 7 to 9 p.m. $45. Tortilla Coast, 1460 P St. NW. paintnite.com.

■ “WWE Presents Monday Night RAW” will feature stars such as John Cena, Seth Rollins, Sheamus and Rusev. 7:30 p.m. $20 to $95. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. 800-745-3000.

Tuesday, Dec. 030

Children’s program■ Children will hear a story about art-

ist Andy Warhol and then create “faux” screen prints. 1 to 4 p.m. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streets NW. 202-633-1000.

Class■ Yoga teacher and therapist Heather

Ferris will lead a yoga class. Noon. Free. Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 7th St. NW. 202-727-1288.

Concerts■ Sweet Heaven Kings, an acclaimed

16-member gospel blues and percussion band from Anacostia, will perform a joyful holiday program. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ A holiday music concert series will feature the Russian folk ensemble Samovar. 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Conservatory Garden Court, U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-8333.

■ Gypsy Sally’s Vinyl Lounge will host its weekly open mic show. 8 p.m. Free. Gypsy Sally’s Vinyl Lounge, 3401 K St. NW. gypsysallys.com.

■ Jazz saxophonist Marty Nau will per-form. 8 and 10 p.m. $10. Twins Jazz, 1344 U St. NW. twinsjazz.com.

discussion■ National Gallery of Art lecturer Bela

Demeter will discuss “Dragons in Art.” 1

p.m. Free. West Building Rotunda, Nation-al Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitu-tion Avenue NW. 202-737-4215.

Performances■ The Washington Improv Theater’s

“Harold Night” will feature performances by Fisticuffs and Knife Club, followed by an improv jam. 9 p.m. By donation. Source, 1835 14th St. NW. witdc.org.

Events&Entertainment The currenT Wednesday, december 24, 2014 19

See events/Page 23

Continued From Page 18

“Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue,” featuring some 100 African and African diaspora works, opened recently at the National museum of African Art. Bringing together the collections of the museum and of

Camille O. and William H. Cosby Jr., the show will continue through early 2016. Located at 950 Independence Ave. SW, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 202-633-4600.■ “Season’s Greenings,” highlighting model trains and 33 lighthouses, opened recently at the U.S. botanic garden, where it will continue through Jan. 4. Located at 100 Maryland Ave. SW, the Botanic Garden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 202-225-8333.

■ The National Portrait gallery has installed a por-trait of Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert created for the final season of his show “The Colbert Report.” The display — located on the sec-ond floor above a water foun-tain and between the bath-rooms — will continue through April 19.

Located at 8th and F streets NW, the gallery is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 202-633-1000.■ The Washington Informer’s “Fifty 50 Lens” photo exhibit opened Monday at the Pepco edison Place gal-lery, where it will continue

through Dec. 30. The display documents D.C. history through the lenses of the newspaper’s photographers over the past 50 years. Located at 702 8th St. NW, the gallery is open Monday

through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. 202-872-3396.■ Hemphill recently opened an exhibit of paintings-in-prog-ress by artist Steven Cushner in the raw commercial space at the corner of 17th and L streets NW and will continue it through Dec. 31. The works may be viewed through the win-dows by passersby at night, since the artist keeps the window shades closed during the day while working on the paintings. 202-234-5601.■ dumbarton Oaks recently began showing a work of sound sculpture by composer Hugh Livingston in its gardens. Titled “The Pool of ‘Bamboo Counterpoint,’” the sculpture consists of 12 organ-like pipes that create a soundscape of re-mixed recordings made in the garden and augmented by newly com-posed material. The work will remain in place throughout the 2014-15 season. Located at 1703 32nd St. NW, the gardens are open daily from 2 to 6 p.m. 202-339-6401.■ “Photo Camp: A Decade of Storytelling,” highlighting images by students who have participated in the 67 National Geo-graphic Photo Camp workshops to date, opened last week at the National geographic museum’s m Street gallery, where it will continue through May free of charge. Located at 1145 17th St. NW, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 202-857-7588.

A look at African diaspora

On exHIbIT

Henry Ossawa Tanner’s painting “The Thankful Poor,” part of the Cosby Collection, is part of an exhibit at the National museum of African Art.

A painting of Stephen Colbert is on display at the National Portrait gallery.

Sunday deCember 28

Monday deCember 29

Tuesday deCember 30

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22 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2014 THE CURRENT WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

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THE CURRENT

■ Busboys and Poets will present an open mic poetry night hosted by Patrick Washington. 9 to 11 p.m. $5. Langston Room, Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW. 202-387-7638.

Special event■ A family day program will offer visi-

tors a chance to view the “Making Their Mark” exhibit and then try their hand at make-and-take projects, hands-on activi-ties, games and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. National Archives Building, Constitu-tion Avenue between 7th and 9th streets NW. 202-357-5000.

Wednesday, Dec. 031

Concerts■ The Brooklyn-based Williamsburg

Salsa Orchestra will perform indie pop tunes. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ A New Year’s Eve concert will fea-ture local musicians Rosa Lamoreaux, J. Reilly Lewis, Ann Colgrove, Judy Dodge, John Hurd and Diane Heath performing “Music From Bach Through the American Songbook.” 6 p.m. $20 donation suggest-ed; $5 for students. St. Columbia’s Epis-copal Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW. 202-363-4119.

■ Twins Jazz will present a New Year’s Eve dinner and concert with jazz pianist Larry Willis and his quartet. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $85. Twins Jazz, 1344 U St. NW. twinsjazz.com.

■ “New Year’s Eve at the Kennedy Center” will feature the Grammy-winning band Ozomatli and members of the National Symphony Orchestra. 8:30 p.m. $55 to $120. Concert Hall, Kennedy Cen-ter. 202-467-4600.

■ “An Americana New Year’s Eve” will feature Yarn, Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line, and South Rail. 8:30 p.m. $45 to $60. Gypsy Sally’s, 3401 K St. NW. gypsysallys.com.

Performance■ The Kennedy Center will host its

New Year’s Eve Grand Foyer Party with the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra and the Craig Gildner Big Band. 10:30 p.m. Free with Dec. 31 evening performance tickets or a Roof Terrace Restaurant receipt from that evening. Grand Foyer, Kennedy Cen-ter. 202-467-4600.

Special events■ “Noon Yards Eve,” a family-friendly

New Year’s Eve festival, will feature moon bounces, games, craft stations, face painting, stilt walkers, magicians, kids’ performers and a balloon drop at noon. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE. theyardsdc.com.

■ A family-friendly party with instructor Pleasance Silicki will ring in the new year by wiggling, jumping and dancing the afternoon way while exploring playful age-appropriate partner poses (for families with children up to 3 years old). 4 to 5 p.m. $30 per family. lil omm yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-248-6304.

■ A family-friendly pizza party with instructor Pleasance Silicki will ring in the new year with postures for the whole fam-ily, including appropriate variations to accommodate everyone (for families with children ages 3 and older). 5:30 to 7 p.m. $50 per family. lil omm yoga, 4708 Wis-consin Ave. NW. 202-248-6304.

■ “Downtown Countdown Washington D.C.” will feature an open bar, dinner buf-fets and performances by comedians, DJs and the bands Third Eye Blind and Delta Rae. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $139 to $225. Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW. downtowncountdown.net.

■ President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home will host “Freedom’s Eve,” celebrating the anniversary of the Eman-cipation Proclamation with a dessert buf-fet, drinks and live music. 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $100; reservations required. President Lincoln’s Cottage, Upshur Street and Rock Creek Church Road NW. 202-829-0436, ext. 31228.

■ ArtJamz will host its third annual New Year’s Eve Glitter Ball, featuring art materials, a canvas, three hours of studio time, hors d’oeuvres and a midnight Champagne toast. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. $65 to $75; $95 to $105 per couple. ArtJamz Dupont Studio, 1728 Connecticut Ave. NW. artjamznyeglitterball.evenbrite.com.

Thursday, Jan. 01

Concert■ The Grandsons will perform a mix of

rockabilly, swing, jazz and honky tonk country. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

Sporting event■ The Washington Capitals will play

the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015

Winter Classic. 1 p.m. $79 to $349. Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. SE. ticketmaster.com.

Friday, Jan. 02

Class■ The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will

hold a drop-in “Working From the Figure” session for artists to work on drawings or paintings in front of a live model. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. $20. Capitol Hill Arts Work-shop, 545 7th St. SE. 202-547-6839.

Concerts■ Six-string electric cellist Wytold, a

Strathmore artist-in-residence, will per-form original compositions accompanied by double bass, violin/viola, flute/sax and world percussion. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ Pianist Larry Willis and his jazz quar-tet will perform. 8 and 10 p.m. $15. Twins Jazz, 1344 U St. NW. twinsjazz.com. The concert will repeat Saturday at 8 p.m.

■ The Dub City Renegades, an eight-piece reggae band, will present a CD release show. 9 p.m. $12 to $15. Gypsy Sally’s, 3401 K St. NW. gypsysallys.com.

discussion■ National Gallery of Art lecturer Eric

Denker will discuss “Degas and Mono-type.” Noon. Free. West Building Rotunda, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. The talk will repeat Jan. 3 and 4 at noon.

Performance■ Beny Blaq will host “Live! From Bus-

boys” open mic and talent showcase. 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5. Langston Room, Bus-boys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW. 202-387-7638.

The Current welcomes submissions for the Events & Entertainment calendar, although space constraints limit the num-ber of items we can include. Items should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event and include a summary of the event and its date, time, location with complete address, and cost to attend (indicate “free” if there is no charge). Also, please list a phone number for pub-lication and a phone number for an editor to reach a contact person. Entries may be sent to calendar@currentnewspapers.com or The Current, P.O. Box 40400, Washington, D.C. 20016-0400.

Events&Entertainment The currenT Wednesday, december 24, 2014 23

Continued From Page 19

School saw a play about a 15-year-old boy with autism, I wrote a critique in the form of a letter to the set designer:Dear Bunny Christie, When most people think of a box, they think of being trapped. They think of being scared, anxious, alone. You made a box feel the total opposite. I was expecting to see a lawn or a house reflecting the opening of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” Instead there was just a huge, luminous box without its front face. At first I thought it was space since the box was black and on a couple of the walls “space” was written. I went on wondering if maybe the box could represent Christopher’s (the main character’s) mind. Everything was very organized with grid lines drawn all around the box and all the props were neatly placed. Just like Christopher’s mind. Eventually I realized that the box didn’t represent just Christopher’s mind but also everything around him. The box could turn into whatever he wanted it to

be: house, school, lawn, police station, train station, et cetera. Not only was it easy for the audience to under-stand what was happening where, but it also made the audience understand Christopher’s willingness to open up rather than feel trapped in his smart, closed mind. I therefore wanted to personally congratulate you on a fantastic set for an amazing show.

— Annarosa Zampaglione, eighth-grader

Washington Latin Public Charter School Over the recent holiday of Thanksgiving, Washing-ton Latin’s League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) collaborated with the Global Service Elec-tive, another school club, in order to create a school-wide food drive for various canned goods. The food drive officially began Nov. 12 and ended on Nov. 21. LULAC and the Global Service Elective found success, collecting well over 100 cans of goods. These goods were taken to Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care on Nov. 21. A few Latin students from the clubs went back to the center that Sunday to help package the food into meals. Mary’s Center then dis-tributed the food that we raised to those in need of it.

— Alex Davis, 10th-grader

dISPATCHeSFrom Page 17

Wednesday deCember 31

Thursday jANUAry 1

Friday jANUAry 2

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A Sign of Old Times

Pop Quiz: The Circles of DC!

DC’s sleek new glass-and-perforated-metal Tenley-Friendship Library building in Tenleytown includes a nod to the past: Its side entrance greets visitors with a lighted sign salvaged from the previous, sixties-era building.

Well, almost anyway. Read more at Read more at tayloragostino.com/blog

Neighbors in the Chevy Chase, DC area have been, well, running around in circles lately over the question of what to call the fountain in Chevy Chase Circle. Some say, “Continue calling it Chevy Chase Fountain and remove the plaque honoring Francis Newlands.” Before you take sides in the debate, see how much you know about DC’s traffic circles! Take the quiz at tayloragostino.com/blog

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With 2014 drawing to a close, we are all spending time reflecting on the connections we’ve made with our friends and neighbors in the area. We love what we do because of the great people in our community – we love what we do because of you. Here’s to you,

your family and your lovely homes! We wish you all the best in 2015!

(Image courtesey of Friends of Chevy Chase Circle)