■ St. Albans races to itsfirst-ever StotesburyCup. Page 11.■ Sidwell baseballbeats Maret but falls infinals. Page 11.

■ Gray fills emergencymedical, transportationposts. Page 4.■ Critics of income-taxhike cite migrationthreat. Page 3.

NEWS SPORTS■ Our Lady of Victoryprincipal wins dual honors. Page 13.■ Arboretum technicianfocuses on biodiversity.Page 13 .

PASSAGES INDEXCalendar/20Classifieds/29District Digest/4Exhibits/22In Your Neighborhood/18Opinion/8Passages/13

Police Report/6Real Estate/17School Dispatches/14Service Directory/24Sports/11Theater/22Week Ahead/3

By ELIZABETH WIENERCurrent Staff Writer

A tiny nonprofit founded twodecades ago to serve the healthneeds of Hispanic immigrants inAdams Morgan has mushroomedinto a multifacility clinic offeringmedical and dental care as well aseducational and social services tothousands of District residents. Thelatest addition to Mary’s Center is inWard 4, a block north of thePetworth Metro station.

Founder Maria Gomez, along with several hundredof Mary’s Center clients and supporters, celebrated theopening of the center at 3912 Georgia Ave. last week.

The group’s largest facility yet, the28,000-square-foot clinic occupiesthe ground floor of an affordable-apartment complex called“3TreeFlats.”

The clinic itself has 20 medicalexam rooms, four fully equippeddental rooms, meeting rooms, akitchen and space for classes andcounseling. A wordy sign on thefront door sums up the offerings:“Welcome to Mary’s Center.Medical, Dental, Social andEducational Services, Mental

Health, Home Visiting and WIC.”From the beginning, Gomez told the crowd, the phi-

By BRADY HOLTCurrent Staff Writer

American University furtherscaled back plans for redevelopingits Nebraska Avenue parking lot siteand offered to subject its student andfaculty and staff numbers to a cap inlast-minute changes to its campusplan filed Friday with the ZoningCommission.

The university is now seekingthe commission’s approval for five

four- to six-story dormitories hold-ing a total of 590 students on the“East Campus” parking lot site,instead of six dorms holding 770students; two other proposed resi-dence halls elsewhere on campuswill accommodate the students whowould have occupied the sixth EastCampus dorm.

Officials also agreed to cap itsstudent enrollment at 13,600 includ-ing its Washington College of Lawstudents, and its faculty and staff at2,900; proposed a larger bufferbetween the East Campus dormsand the neighboring Westover Place

Clinic shows off new Georgia Avenue space

City eyes temporary fixfor Broad Branch Road

See Campus/Page 16

AU scales down dormsfor Nebraska Ave. site

By JESSICA GOULDCurrent Staff Writer

Some stakeholders are express-ing dismay at D.C. Public Schools’decision to eliminate hundreds ofpositions through a process calledexcessing.

“I can’t imagine calling theseteachers ‘excess’ when they are fun-damental to the program,” saidAnna Veigle, a parent of a senior atDuke Ellington School of the Arts inBurleith, where, she said, about 13teachers have lost their jobs.

“I was really shocked becausethe quality of teachers is so high,”she said. “I don’t know what theoverall budget problems are, but Ireally feel it would be cutting intothe bone to lose that many teach-ers.”

Earlier this month, D.C. PublicSchools posted a note on its websitestating that 745 staff members,including 384 members of theWashington Teachers’ Union, hadbeen excessed. Principals made thedecisions with input from schoolcommunities, after getting theirbudget numbers from the centraladministration.

According to the website, thatnumber may increase over the next

Excessing ofD.C. teachersbrings outcry

See Teachers/Page 16

Bill Petros/The CurrentThe Petworth farmers market kicked off its second year ofoperation Friday. The market will be open every Friday from 4to 8 p.m. through Sept. 30.

P E T W O R T H G R E E N S

By BRADY HOLTCurrent Staff Writer

The D.C. Department ofTransportation hopes to reopenBroad Branch Road temporarily inas soon as two weeks, erecting aone-lane bridge over a section ofroadway that collapsed last month,officials announced yesterday.

The department found in itsinventory a disassembled temporarybridge structure that officials believecould work on Broad Branch Road,a vital link across Rock Creek Park,spokesperson John Lisle said.

The 70-foot-long, 13-foot-widebridge will be assembled and testedoff-site before it is installed onBroad Branch. “We are making surethey have all the components andmaking sure it works properly, andthen we’ll deploy it,” Lisle said.“That’s going to take a couple ofweeks, but if everything works theway we think it will, we’ll deployit.”

The department shut down a

half-mile of Broad Branch Roadbetween Brandywine Street andRidge Road last month in April aftera culvert carrying Soapstone Creekunder the roadway collapsed, leav-ing holes in the street and stretchesof asphalt that have nothing belowthem to hold them up.

At the time, Ward 3 D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh and Ward 4Council member Muriel Bowserimplored transportation officials tofind a way to keep the road open.

“I said, only half-jokingly, that ifwe were at war and the military hadto go from there to there, we wouldfind a way to build some sort of tem-

■ Campus plan: Changesalso include enrollment cap

Bill Petros/Current File PhotoA large culvert beneath the roadcollapsed last month.

Matt Petros/The CurrentCouncil members David Cataniaand Muriel Bowser cut the ribbon.

See Clinic/Page 5 See Bridge/Page 16

■ Transportation: Bridgewould restore cross-park route

THE NORTHWEST CURRENTWednesday, May 25, 2011 Serving Chevy Chase, Colonial Village, Shepherd Park, Brightwood, Crestwood, Petworth & 16th Street Heights Vol. XLIV, No. 21

2 Wednesday, May 25, 2011 The CurrenT

PUBLICATION

RUN DATE

AD SIZE

MERCH

120941

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

ROUND 3

PREPRESS DUE

OK TO CIRC

OK TO RELEASE*ALL SIGNATURES REQUIRED

BEFORE TRANSMISSION

BUYERS APPROVAL

WOMEN’S

CREATIvE DIR. IVETTE x 7686

xxx 0000

xxx 0000

SR. ART DIRECTOR

SR. ART DIRECTOR xxxxxx 000

JR. ART DIRECTOR April x 7709

00/00/00

WSP

05.26

TAB

BIg SALE

00/00/00

00/00/00

COPY DIRECTOR

COPY DIRECTOR xxxxxx 0000

STWD

COPYWRITERPENNY X 7685

PROOFREADERPeter Cherches x7704

PRODUCTION Robin Narasimhan x7691Demetrius x7663

ThursDAY–monDAY, open A BloomingDAle’s AccounT AnD TAke An exTrA 15% off AlmosT AnY purchAse You mAke ThAT DAY.††

Sale ends May 30, 2011. *Certain designer and brand exclusions apply; see sales associate for details. Excludes Women’s Designer and New View Designer Collections, Women’s leased departments and Women’s Swim. **Excludes Designer Fine Jewelry, Fine Watches and estate jewelry. †Lowest prices of the season end May 30, 2011. Lowest price refers to the summer retail season, May 1–July 31, 2011. reg./orig. prices reflect offering prices. savings may not be based on actual sales. intermediate markdowns may have been taken. Savings off regular, original and already-reduced prices. Some items may be included in sales already in progress or in future sales. No adjustments to prior purchases. Quantities may be limited; not all styles in all stores; colors vary by store. No home items or luggage at Soho, Beverly Center, Santa Monica and North Michigan Avenue. No home items except for luggage at Bridgewater. Furniture and mattresses not at Short Hills. Furniture, mattresses and rugs not at Soho, Bridgewater Commons, Lenox Square, North Michigan Avenue and Mall of America. Furniture and rugs not at Walt Whitman or our California stores; mattresses now available at Century City, Newport Fashion Island, Sherman Oaks and South Coast Plaza. No furniture in Old Orchard. Furniture and mattresses must be delivered from our central warehouse; delivery fees apply. An edited home selection available at Chevy Chase. No fashion at Oakbrook Center, Medinah Temple or Las Vegas. Prices, savings and selection may differ on bloomingdales.com. Rugs not available online. Not valid at Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Stores. ††15% off new account

discount offer ends May 30, 2011, subject to credit approval. Exclusions and limitations apply; see Insider pamphlet at a register or ask a sales associate for complete details. Maximum savings on furniture is $250.00; mattresses is $100.00.

For Hertake an extra 30%–40% off* aLMoSt aLL PerManentLY reDUCeD woMen’S faShionS, intiMateS, faShion jeweLrY & hanDbagSFor a total savings of 40%–75% off original prices.

Save 30%* on a SeLeCtion of MUSt-have DeSigner hanDbagS Find the latest styles from your favorite American and European designers at savings off regular and original prices.

Save 30%–40%* on a SeLeCtion of ShoeS & SanDaLS Get summer ready with styles from your favorite names at savings off regular and original prices.

Save 50% on a SeLeCtion of fine jeweLrY** Savings off regular prices on a selection of gold, diamond, semi-precious and cultured pearl jewelry.

For HimSave 30%–40%* on a great SeLeCtion of Men’S SPring DeSigner SPortSwear, SUitS, SPortCoatS, troUSerS, DreSS ShirtS, tieS & ShoeSClassic and contemporary styles from American and European designers. Savings off regular and original prices.

take an extra 40%–50% off* aLMoSt aLL PerManentLY reDUCeD Men’S faShionSFor a total savings of 45%–65% off original prices.

For HomeLoweSt PriCeS of the SeaSon: take an extra 20% off aLMoSt aLL fUrnitUre anD oUr entire CoLLeCtion of MattreSSeSFor a total savings of 40%–60% off regular and original prices—last 5 days!†

Save 75% on aLL one-of-a-kinD hanDMaDe rUgSSave big on Oriental and Persian rugs, including closeouts and clearance, at savings off original prices.

Save 20%–40% on beD & bath CoLLeCtionSA great selection of luxury bedding, exclusive sheet sets, bath towels, comforters, pillows, throws and more.

Save 20%–65% on kitChen & Dining eSSentiaLSA selection of expert kitchen electrics, cookware and cutlery, plus last five days to save on all Villeroy & Boch dinnerware.

Save 25%–55% on a SeLeCtion of LUggageGreat savings on select styles from Victorinox, Hartmann and Delsey—perfect for your summer getaway!

Savings off regular, original and already-reduced prices for home items.

bloomingdales.com

Don’t MiSS oUt on Major SavingS! thUrSDaY–MonDaY

pleAse VisiT BloomingDAles.com or cAll sTores for hours. Chevy Chase, 5300 western avenue, Maryland, 240-744-3700 • whIte Fl Int Mall, kens Ington, 301-984-4600 tysons Corner Center, MClean, 703-556-4600

Saturday, May 28th thru Saturday, June 18th

20% Off All In-StoreMerchandise

50-70 % Off Clearance

C E L E B R A T I N G 2 5 Y E A R S I N B U S I N E S S

CE

LE

BR

AT

IN

G

25

Y

EA

RS

I

N

BU

SI

NE

SS C

EL

EB

RA

TI

NG

2

5

YE

AR

S

IN

B

US

IN

ES

S

C E L E B R A T I N G 2 5 Y E A R S I N B U S I N E S S

Foxhall Square Mall(202) 364-6118

Schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable staff to bring you kitchen & bath back to life!

Your Dream Kitchen

202.333.2363

THE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 3

Wednesday, May 25The D.C. Department of

Transportation will hold a publicmeeting to discuss expansion ofthe Capital Bikeshare programthroughout the District. The meet-ing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. inRoom 1107 at One JudiciarySquare, 441 4th St. NW. Fordetails, visit ddot.dc.gov/capital-bikeshare.■ The Georgetown BusinessImprovement District and theCitizens Association of Georgetownwill hold a rat abatement meeting.Discussion will focus on two areas— the 3100 block of N Street andthe 3200 block of O Street — butwill include information applicablethroughout the neighborhood. Themeeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. atthe Letelier Theater, 3251Prospect St. NW.

Thursday, May 26The D.C. Historic Preservation

Review Board will hold its monthlymeeting at 1 p.m. in Room 220South, One Judiciary Square, 4414th St. NW. ■ The D.C. Council Subcommitteeon Redistricting will vote on a pro-posed redistricting map at 1 p.m.in Room 123, John A. WilsonBuilding, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave.NW.■ The Kalorama CitizensAssociation will hold its monthlymeeting, which will feature discus-sion of growth, density, how to planfor Adams Morgan’s future, andhow historic preservation fits inwith development. Speakers willinclude D.C. Office of Planningdirector Harriet Tregoning and D.C.state historic preservation officerDavid Maloney. The meeting willbegin at 7 p.m. at Good WillBaptist Church, 1862 KaloramaRoad NW.

The week ahead

By KATIE PEARCE Current Staff Writer

Ward 4 D.C. Council member Muriel Bowser’sarguments against the income tax hikes in the mayor’sproposed budget didn’t sway her constituents in theTakoma/Brightwood advisory neighborhood commis-sion this week.

After hearing from Bowser as well as a representa-tive of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, the commissionvoted Monday to support Mayor Vincent Gray’s sug-gested tax rate rise from 8.5 percent to 8.9 percent forincomes above $200,000.

For a resident making $300,000, commissionerFaith Wheeler calculated, the change would amount toabout $400 a year.

Bowser told commissioners and residents sheobjects to the proposal because it does not mean thecity will see increased services, as some mistakenlybelieve.

In fact, Mayor Gray’s proposed fiscal year 2012budget introduces “pretty significant cuts” while alsoraising taxes, said Bowser, who opposes the pairing ofthose conditions. “If we’re raising taxes, we want to seeyour services go up,” she said.

She later elaborated on her viewpoint: “Put me inthe category of person of — if I need to come to you formore money, I will, but it will be a last resort.”

Ed Lazere, director of the DC Fiscal Policy

Institute, said his organization supports Gray’s propos-al as a “reasonable way” to help fill the city’s budgetshortfall.

“It’s true what Council member Bowser said — thateven with the tax increases, there are spending cuts,”Lazere said, but he emphasized that without thatincreased revenue in the budget, “there would havebeen further cuts.”

Lazere said his group commissioned a poll thatfound that 85 percent of residents supported the taxmeasure.

But Bowser took issue with the language of thatpoll. “Generally speaking, I think the poll set up thequestion, ‘Do you want to help poor people?’” shesummarized. “Everyone wants to help poor people.”

She emphasized that the neighborhood commis-sion’s draft resolution on the issue — which referred topolice, public works, firefighters and charter schools— mistakenly suggested that tax increases would helpease cuts to those areas. “My point is that the tax pro-posal increases taxes, but you’re not getting any moreof those things,” she said.

After Bowser had left the room, the commissionvoted 7-0, with commissioners Doug Smith and BrendaSpeaks abstaining, to support Gray’s tax proposal.

Commissioners modified their draft resolution tosuggest that revenue from increased taxes “go directlyto those human services being cut” and that the increaseexpire after four years.

Bowser opposes, ANC supports tax hikeCH

Thinking of changing careers? Like the flexibility and earning potential of real estate sales? Confused by brokers’ claims

that all sound the same?

Only one broker can be #1 in producing Top First Year Licensees: Ricki Gerger, of Long & Foster’s Friendship Heights Office.

More agents who have achieved Top First Year Licensee honors have been from Ricki’s office than from any other office in the Metropolitan area. If you have a record of success in your past endeavors, can make a full-time commitment to our business, and have a strong work ethic, call me.

Ricki Gerger

202-364-5200 301-652-2777Ricki Gerger, CRBBranch Manager

LONG & FOSTER

4 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

Police investigateAdams Morgan attack

Third District Police detectivesare seeking information about anaggravated assault that took placein Adams Morgan this month,according to a release from theMetropolitan Police Department.

At about 2 a.m. on May 9, amale victim got involved in a ver-bal argument with two other menon the 2300 block of 18th St. NW,according to police. The victim wasthen violently assaulted with abaseball bat, the release states.

The first suspect is described asa black male around 6 feet tall, in

his 30s, with shoulder-length dread-locks; the second is described as ablack male between 5 feet and 5feet 5 inches, around 29 or 30, witha skinny build and hair in loosecorn rows. Both suspects fled thescene in a 2000 green Honda Civicwith a cracked windshield, accord-ing to the release.

The victim of the assault suf-fered severe head injuries andremains in a local hospital, therelease says.

Police are encouraging anyonewith knowledge of the case or sus-pects’ identity to call 202-727-9099or 888-919-2746. Anonymousinformation can be submitted bycalling 866-411-TIPS or texting50411.

Gray fills emergency,transportation posts

Mayor Vincent Gray has nomi-nated Terry Bellamy, the interimdirector of the D.C. Department ofTransportation since January, to bepermanent director of the agency.

Bellamy has worked at the D.C.Transportation Department since2008 and was instrumental insecuring $123 million in federalAmerican Recovery andReinvestment Act funds for proj-

ects in the District, according to arelease from Gray’s office. Bellamypreviously worked on transporta-tion issues in Greensboro, N.C.,and served for eight years asbureau chief of transportation, engi-neering and operations forArlington’s transportation agency.

The new appointee wrote on hisagency’s blog last week that hewants to continue to expand thecity’s bicycle infrastructure andtrail network, and to “continue tolaunch more initiatives includingLED streetlights and green alleysthat create green jobs; and continueto plan and construct the DCStreetcar system.”

Gray also nominated DavidMiramontes as medical director forthe D.C. Fire and EmergencyMedical Services Department.

Miramontes would be joiningthe District from Toledo, Ohio,where he is now director of emer-gency medical services at St.Vincent Mercy Medical Center. Hehas worked at St. Vincent as anattending physician and core facul-ty member since 1999, and hasserved as director of numerous firedepartments and agencies in Ohio,according to the release.

Both nominees are subject toD.C. Council confirmation.

CorrectionDue to an editing error, an item

in the May 18 issue on theShepherd Park Citizens Associationmisstated the position to be held byRosemary Reed Miller, DwayneRevis and Gina Carvana, who werechosen as delegates to the D.C.Federation of Civic Associations.The association’s three delegates tothe D.C. Federation of CitizensAssociation are Rafael Sa’adeh,Noreen Conway and YvonneMcIntyre.

The Current regrets the error.As a matter of policy, The

Current corrects all errors of sub-stance. To report an error, pleasecall the managing editor at 202-244-7223.

District Digest

THE CURRENTDelivered weekly to homes and

businesses in Northwest Washington

Publisher & Editor Davis KennedyManaging Editor Chris KainAssistant Managing Editor Beth CopeAssociate Editor Koko WittenburgAdvertising Director Gary SochaAccount Executive Shani MaddenAccount Executive Richa MarwahAccount Executive George SteinbrakerAccount Executive Mary Kay Williams

Advertising StandardsAdvertising published in The Current Newspapers is

accepted on the premise that the merchandise and serv-ices as offered are accurately described and are avail-able to customers at the advertised price. Advertisingthat does not conform to these standards, or that isdeceptive or misleading, is never knowingly accepted. Ifany Current Newspapers reader encounters non-compli-ance with these standards, we ask that you inform us.

All advertising and editorial matter is fully protectedand may not be reproduced in any manner without per-mission from the publisher.

Subscription by mail — $52 per year

Telephone: 202-244-7223E-mail Address

newsdesk@currentnewspapers.comStreet Address

5185 MacArthur Blvd. NW, Suite 102Mailing Address

Post Office Box 40400Washington, D.C. 20016-0400

“One Of The Largest Carwashes in America”

DELIVERY ORDISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS?

please notify us at circulation@currentnewspapers.com or call 202-244-7223

THE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 5

losophy of Mary’s Center has beenthe same: “offering health care, edu-cation and social services to a cul-turally diverse community.” Whenfamilies come in for medical atten-tion, they can also be connectedwith other services – inside and out-side the center — that help with par-enting, literacy, housing and jobs.

Gomez said she envisions thenew facility as “a community center— a small oasis in the ever-chang-ing community that Ward 4 is.” But,like the other clinics, it will servewhoever walks in the door, regard-less of ability to pay.

One longtime patient told herstory. Jacqueline Lessington, 53,said she was first referred to Mary’sCenter when she was recentlydivorced after suffering domesticviolence, “just diagnosed with mul-tiple sclerosis, and homeless, livingin a car.

“I desperately needed help,”Lessington said. “The moment Iwent through the door, I felt wel-come. They literally saved my life,connected me with resources, phys-ical and mental.

“My life is not perfect,” she said,“but I’ve learned to speak up formyself, ask for resources. They giveyou moral support, loving support.”

To others, Gomez is an inspira-tional figure. “Long before health-care reform, and before we couldquote statistics [on the number ofinsured and uninsured in theDistrict], we had pioneers, peoplewho created health care because thesystem was failing,” said SharonBaskerville, director of the D.C.Primary Care Association, whichgave $11.6 million to help fund con-struction of the new clinic.

From a basement operation thatopened on Columbia Road in 1988,

Mary’s Center first expanded to2333 Ontario Road NW in 1994,later opening clinics at 508Kennedy St. NW and then at 8709Flower Ave. in Silver Spring.

The various facilities now servemore than 18,000 people a yearfrom more than 40 countries, andthe new clinic will increase thatcapacity, according to Mary’sCenter brochures. A staff of morethan 220 represents 31 countries,speaking 28 languages, and thebudget has grown from $250,000 to

$19.8 million a year. Staffers like toboast that first lady MichelleObama’s first visit to a communityagency in Washington was to theclinic on Ontario Road.

But they are even prouder of theoutcomes for their clients. Mary’sCenter notes, for example, thatthrough strong prenatal care, 93 per-cent of “our babies” have healthybirth weights; and through anaggressive vaccination program, 97percent of “our children” receive allimmunizations required by age 2.With adolescent and parenting pro-grams, most teen clients avoid preg-nancy and graduate from highschool, brochures say, and 88 per-cent of parents attend parent-teacherconferences for their children.

In 2005, Mary’s Center was cer-tified as a Federally QualifiedHealth Center, a status awarded tocommunity-based organizationsthat provide comprehensive primaryand preventive care, in part to helpthe poor and uninsured stay out ofmore expensive hospital emergency

rooms. The designation allows thecenter to receive a variety of cashgrants from both the federal andDistrict government, offer reducedprices on drugs and vaccines, andget free malpractice coverage cour-tesy of Uncle Sam.

Along the way, Mary’s Centerhas picked up some big-name pri-vate donors, like the Bill & MelindaGates Foundation and DonovanMcNabb, the Redskins quarterbackwho was on hand last week to tourthe new Ward 4 facility.

“When this was brought to myattention, we were ready to jumpright on in, willing to do whatever ittook,” McNabb told the crowd.

Politicians were also out in force.Mayor Vincent Gray said his

relationship with Mary’s Centergoes back many years, to when heworked in social service agenciesand ran the D.C. Department ofHuman Services. He called theopening of the latest clinic“absolutely extraordinary — theembodiment of an integrated facili-ty. So many people need thispanoply of services.”

Ward 4 D.C. Council memberMuriel Bowser remembered whenthe Georgia Avenue site was a“blighted, boarded-up property …[with] nobody working here,nobody living here. It didn’t add $1of tax revenue.” She noted that ittook three mayors, in partnershipwith Jair Lynch, developer of thehousing complex, to navigate thefinancing, construction and commu-nity-relations hurdles before thecomplex opened.

At-large Council member DavidCatania, who chairs the council’sHealth Committee, said the newclinic is part of the city’s effort toexpand access to and quality ofhealth care. “While many parts ofthe country are closing clinics andshrinking access, here we’reexpanding access and capacity.”

CLINICFrom Page 1

❝The moment I wentthrough the door, I feltwelcome. They literallysaved my life … .❞

— Jacqueline Lessington

CH

Affordable Health Insurance

Plans for individuals, families, small businesses and the self-employed

Call for a FREE quote!

William J. McNamara202-333-8325

Since 1993We offer 25+ plans. We will help you pick the plan that works best for you.

Police Report

6 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENTCH

This is a listing of reports takenfrom May 15 through 21 by theMetropolitan Police Departmentin local police service areas.

PSA 201

Theft ($250 plus)■ 5400 block, ConnecticutAve.; parking lot; 12:30 p.m.May 15.Theft from auto ($250 plus)■ 6200 block, 32nd St.; street;8 p.m. May 19.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 5200 block, Chevy ChaseParkway; street; 8:15 p.m. May20.

PSA 202

Robbery (force and violence)■ 4200 block, Wisconsin Ave.;parking lot; 4:30 p.m. May 16.■ 5200 block, Wisconsin Ave.;unspecified premises; 8:53p.m. May 17.Burglary■ 3600 block, Upton St.; resi-dence; noon May 20.Theft (below $250)■ Harrison Street andWisconsin Avenue; unspecifiedpremises; 10 a.m. May 16.■ 5200 block, Western Ave.;store; 2:30 p.m. May 16.■ 4100 block, Military Road;unspecified premises; 3 p.m.May 16.■ 4300 block, Jenifer St.;store; 5 p.m. May 17.■ 5300 block, Wisconsin Ave.;store; 6 p.m. May 17.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 4100 block, Livingston St.;street; 5:20 p.m. May 21.

PSA 203

Robbery (attempt)■ 4300 block, ConnecticutAve.; transit station; 6:05 p.m.May 17.

PSA 204

Burglary■ 3800 block, Fulton St.; resi-dence; 11:30 p.m. May 20.■ 4200 block, MassachusettsAve.; residence; 7 p.m. May15.■ 2700 block, Calvert St.; resi-dence; 8:30 a.m. May 20.■ 2800 block, 28th St.; resi-dence; 8:40 a.m. May 20.Theft (below $250)■ 2600 block, Woodley Road;hotel; 9:46 p.m. May 15.■ 2400 block, Wisconsin Ave.;restaurant; 12:15 p.m. May21.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 3100 block, 38th St.; resi-dence; 9:30 p.m. May 16.■ 2700 block, Macomb St.;street; 7 p.m. May 17.■ 2900 block, Cleveland Ave.;

street; 8:30 a.m. May 18.■ 3100 block, 36th St.; street;6:15 p.m. May 18.

PSA 207

Burglary■ 600 block, 21st St.; resi-dence; 6:30 p.m. May 17.Theft (below $250)■ 2400 block, PennsylvaniaAve.; tavern; 11:30 p.m. May17.■ 2100 block, PennsylvaniaAve.; medical facility; noon May20.■ 900 block, New HampshireAve.; store; 5:10 p.m. May 20.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 2300 block, N St.; street;9:10 p.m. May 17.■ 900 block, 25th St.; hotel;6:15 a.m. May 20.

PSA 303

Assault with a dangerousweapon■ 2400 block, 18th St.; side-walk; 1:25 a.m. May 20.Burglary■ 1800 block, Vernon St.; resi-dence; 8:45 a.m. May 18.■ 1800 block, Vernon St.; resi-dence; 9 a.m. May 18.Stolen auto■ 2500 block, CliffbournePlace; unspecified premises; 4p.m. May 16.Theft ($250 plus)■ 1800 block, Biltmore St.;unspecified premises; 7 p.m.May 15.■ 1700 block, Lanier Place;residence; 7:30 p.m. May 15.■ 2400 block, 16th St.; resi-dence; 1 p.m. May 17.Theft from auto ($250 plus)■ 1800 block, Columbia Road;parking lot; 7:45 p.m. May 19.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 1900 block, Kalorama Road;street; 5 p.m. May 16.■ 1900 block, Kalorama Road;street; 8 p.m. May 16.

PSA 307

Robbery (fear)■ 1200 block, 10th St.; resi-dence; 2:30 a.m. May 21.Robbery (pocketbook snatch)■ 1200 block, 12th St.; side-walk; 5:20 p.m. May 19.Assault with a dangerousweapon■ 1400 block, 12th St.; resi-dence; 6:48 a.m. May 18.Burglary■ 900 block, Rhode Island Ave.;residence; 2:30 p.m. May 19.Stolen auto■ 1300 block, Corcoran St.;street; 7:15 p.m. May 18.Theft ($250 plus)■ 1300 block, Vermont Ave.;residence; 9:45 p.m. May 17.Theft (below $250)■ 1300 block, 15th St.;unspecified premises; 11:25a.m. May 16.■ 1100 block, 13th St.; restau-rant; noon May 16.

■ 1100 block, Vermont Ave.;drugstore; 3:59 p.m. May 16.■ 1400 block, Rhode IslandAve.; store; 11 p.m. May 18.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 1400 block, Rhode IslandAve.; street; 10:20 a.m. May17.■ 1500 block, 15th St.; street;6:45 p.m. May 20.

PSA 401

Theft (below $250)■ 100 block, Carroll St.; drug-store; 9:45 a.m. May 20.■ 300 block, Carroll St.; hotel;8 p.m. May 20.Theft (attempt)■ 7800 block, 14th St.; school;3:15 p.m. May 18.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 8200 block, West BeachTerrace; street; 10 p.m. May18.■ 6800 block, 5th St.; street;12:15 a.m. May 21.

PSA 402

Robbery (carjacking)■ 5300 block, North CapitolSt.; parking lot; 12:50 a.m.May 21.Robbery (gun)■ Blair Road and KennedyStreet NE; street; 4:20 a.m.May 18.Robbery (force and violence)■ 300 block, Rittenhouse St.NE; sidewalk; 4:20 p.m. May20.■ 300 block, Van Buren St.;sidewalk; 5:05 p.m. May 20.Assault with a dangerousweapon■ 500 block, Nicholson St. NE;unspecified premises; 2:10p.m. May 16.■ Unit block, Longfellow St.;residence; 10:40 p.m. May 16.■ 500 block, Oglethorpe St.;residence; 1:11 a.m. May 17.■ 2nd Street and North DakotaAvenue; sidewalk; 1 p.m. May19.Burglary■ 100 block, Kennedy St. NE;residence; noon May 16.Stolen auto■ 1000 block, Quackenbos St.;street; 7 p.m. May 16.■ 6500 block, 8th St.; street;8:30 a.m. May 17.■ 6200 block, Chillum Place;unspecified premises; 8 a.m.May 19.Theft (below $250)■ 300 block, Van Buren St.;park area; 6 p.m. May 19.Theft from auto ($250 plus)■ 200 block, Nicholson St. NE;street; 5 p.m. May 16.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 200 block, Kennedy St.;street; 10 a.m. May 16.■ 6300 block, 5th St.; parkinglot; 12:35 p.m. May 16.■ 6300 block, Georgia Ave.;gas station; 4:32 p.m. May 18.■ 1500 block, Van Buren St.;street; 10 p.m. May 18.

PSA 403

Robbery (armed)■ 100 block, Farragut St.;street; 11 a.m. May 17.Burglary■ 400 block, Kennedy St.; res-idence; 6 a.m. May 16.Theft ($250 plus)■ 300 block, Missouri Ave.;residence; 1:07 a.m. May 21.Theft (below $250)■ 5700 block, 13th St.; resi-dence; 2 p.m. May 15.■ 400 block, Decatur St.; resi-dence; 11 p.m. May 15.■ 5200 block, Georgia Ave.;liquor store; 10 a.m. May 18.■ 400 block, Jefferson St.;residence; 6:30 a.m. May 19.■ 5200 block, Georgia Ave.;store; 10:15 a.m. May 20.■ 5400 block, 13th St.; resi-dence; 6 p.m. May 20.Theft from auto (below $250)■ 100 block, Hamilton St.;street; 7:10 p.m. May 15.Theft (below $250)■ 900 block, Hamilton St.;residence; 2:55 p.m. May 16.Theft from auto (attempt)■ 700 block, Longfellow St.;parking lot; 7 p.m. May 18.

PSA 404

Robbery (assault)■ 1200 block, Randolph St.;residence; 8:15 p.m. May 18.Assault with a dangerousweapon (knife)■ 4100 block, 9th St.; alley;6:32 p.m. May 17.Burglary■ 4400 block, Georgia Ave.;residence; 3 a.m. May 18.■ 4300 block, 8th St.;unspecified premises; 5:18p.m. May 19.■ 400 block, Decatur St.; resi-dence; 4 p.m. May 16.■ 3700 block, 14th St.;restaurant; 3:33 a.m. May 17.■ 4300 block, 18th St.; resi-dence; 8:55 a.m. May 17.■ 1700 block, Taylor St.; resi-dence; noon May 18.Stolen auto■ 4000 block, 16th St.;unspecified premises; 9:15p.m. May 16.Theft (below $250)■ Georgia and NewHampshire avenues; side-walk; 9:30 p.m. May 17.■ 4600 block, 8th St.; resi-dence; 10:30 a.m. May 19.■ 1300 block, Upshur St.;school; 5:03 p.m. May 19.Theft from auto ($250 plus)■ 16th and Allison streets;street; 7:30 p.m. May 15.■ 1600 block, Allison St.;street; 12:01 a.m. May 16.Theft from auto (below$250)■ 900 block, Randolph St.;street; 6 p.m. May 15.■ 1300 block, Shepherd St.;street; 8 p.m. May 17.■ 4000 block, 13th St.;street; 11 a.m. May 21.

PSA 201■ CHEVY CHASE

PSA 202■ FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTSTENLEYTOWN/ AU PARK

PSA 204■ MASSACHUSETTS AVENUEHEIGHTS/ CLEVELAND PARKWOODLEY PARK / GLOVERPARK / CATHEDRAL HEIGHTS

PSA 203■ FOREST HILLS / VAN NESS

PSA 207■ FOGGY BOTTOM / WEST END

PSA 303■ ADAMS MORGAN

PSA 307■ LOGAN CIRCLE

PSA 401■ COLONIAL VILLAGESHEPHERD PARK / TAKOMA

PSA 402■ BRIGHTWOOD / MANOR PARKLAMOND RIGGS

PSA 403■ BRIGHTWOOD PARK16TH STREET HEIGHTS

PSA 404■ CRESTWOOD / PETWORTH16TH STREET HEIGHTS

The CurrenT Wednesday, May 25, 2011 7

THE METHODIST HOME OF DC ANNOUNCESFOREST SIDE ASSISTED LIVING IS OPEN!

The Washington Metropolitan lifestyle that The Methodist Home is known for continues with

Forest Side an Assisted Living community providing:

Three meals per day * full housekeeping * full laundry * all utilities * full social, fitness and spiritual programs * and

basic assistance with Activities of Daily Living.

Please call for more information and to schedule a visit

(202) 966-7623

Take a virtual tour of Forest Side at:

WWW.METHODISTHOMEOFDC.ORG

GRAND OPENING

CELEBRATION

Please Join Us

Tuesday, May 174-6 p.m.

R.S.V.P.(202)-696-1923

Forest Side, a 33 apartment Alzheimer’s and dementia Assisted Living,

offers programming based on the Six Components of Wellness:

1. Physical 2. Emotional 3. Mental 4. Social 5. Spiritual 6. Environment

All in a beautifully appointment community with four distinct neighborhoods where residents and staff will gather together in comfortably-sized groups for socialization, programs, dining and support.

Type to enter text

NOW

OPEN!

Phone:202-966-7623

or visit us online at:methodisthomeofdc.org

Davis Kennedy/Publisher & EditorChris Kain/Managing Editor

No more litterbugs Come next month, police officers in the 4th District will begin

issuing tickets for littering. Offenders will be subject to $75 fines.It’s the result of a welcome pilot program that, if successful, is

poised to spread throughout the District by the end of the year. Look at the sidewalks and gutters on all too many District streets

and you’ll quickly recognize the need for a crackdown on litter.There may be fewer plastic bags these days, but cans, bottles, candywrappers, cigarette butts, broken glass and other debris are all toocommon.

It’s obviously an aesthetic issue, but the environmental implica-tions are far-reaching as well. Much of the trash ends up in areawaterways, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

As it turns out, implementation of an effective anti-littering law issurprisingly complex, given the difficulty in making sure scofflawspay up and don’t just toss tickets they receive onto the ground. Toaddress the problem of offenders simply refusing to say who theyare, the city’s law now requires people stopped for littering to pro-vide police with their name and address — just as they would ifstopped for jaywalking.

City officials say they chose the 4th District, which covers thebulk of Ward 4 and part of Ward 5, for the initial effort because lit-tering complaints are so common there. Enforcement is beginning injust one section of the city to give officials time to test out new tick-eting forms and a new adjudication process by the Office ofAdministrative Hearings.

It’s unfortunate that D.C. agencies have taken so long to imple-ment a law adopted by the D.C. Council back in 2008, but we areglad to see progress at last. At this point, it’s prudent to begin with apilot project, though we would hate to see citywide implementationdelayed beyond year’s end.

Friends indeedGiven the District’s budget woes, it’s worth considering any palat-

able ways to raise a few dollars without increasing taxes or fees.Legislation introduced this spring by Ward 4 D.C. Council memberMuriel Bowser seems to offer just such an opportunity.

The bill would allow “friends” groups of city parks to holdfundraisers on public property. In particular, 28 organizations out-lined in the legislation would be able to raise money at the propertyor properties they work with.

The president of the Friends of 16th Street Heights Parks notedthat her group’s sole purpose is to raise funds for park improve-ments. It seems foolish to hamstring the organizations’ ability toraise private funds to spruce up city parks and recreation facilities.

In recent years, the District has invested a lot of capital dollars innew facilities across the city. But there was a time — during thecity’s last budget crisis — when the fundraising prowess of friendsgroups provided just about the only hope for beautifying our cityparks. Even now, the “friends” groups contribute mightily to thequality of life in their neighborhoods — by galvanizing support forcity investment, by providing an untold amount of sweat equity, andby raising private funds. The products of all three are on display atfacilities across the city.

As Council member Bowser points out, it’s essential to make surethat the city knows how the money raised is being spent. The pro-posed legislation proposes regular audits of the friends groups’finances — a good idea whether the fundraising takes place on cityproperty or not. City rules should also dictate that all money raised atany event on government property goes to the stated purpose, not tocovering overhead or paying an employee.

Ms. Bowser chairs the committee that oversees the parks depart-ment, so it seems likely that the bill will move forward. We hope thefull D.C. Council will approve the measure expeditiously.

CURRENTTHE NORTHWEST

City should removepotential hazards

While I am sympathetic to thedesire to preserve Washington’swonderful tree canopy, we mayhave invited unintended conse-quences for ourselves by tryingto save the largest and thereforeoldest trees (those with a trunkdiameter of 55 inches or greater).

These are precisely the onesmost likely to succumb to dis-

ease and/or be toppled bystorms. Every serious thunder-storm or snowstorm in our cityfells a number of large, old treeson cars, houses and other proper-ty, severing power lines, closingstreets and costing individual cit-izens (and their insurance com-panies) thousands of dollarsapiece to repair the damage.

I remember one storm lastsummer when I counted ninecars completely totaled withinBurleith, Glover Park, FoxhallVillage and American UniversityPark. Rather than trying to haltthe removal of the largest and

oldest trees, the D.C. govern-ment needs to embark on a seri-ous and substantial effort toidentify the ones most likely tocome down and take them downbefore they fall on their own,with attending damage to proper-ty and lives.

The tree canopy overMacArthur Boulevard is stun-ning — and also exceedinglyhazardous, with numerous oldtrees on their last (and diseased)roots. Let’s cut them downbefore they fall down!

David PassageThe Palisades

LETTERS TOTHE EDITOR

First, here’s a little of the past.“You are an inspiration for all of us,” said at-large

D.C. Council member David Catania. “Toleranceand respect … your spirit affects all of us.”

“We all stand on the foundation you built,” saidWard 3 Council member Mary Cheh.

Catania and Cheh were among a few dozen peo-ple who turned out on Saturday to say happy birth-day — and thanks — to86-year-old FrankKameny, a pioneeringactivist for the rights ofgay and lesbianAmericans.

Kameny was pushy,he was insistent and he was virtually alone when hebegan demonstrating for equal rights in the 1950s —yes, the ’50s.

“The one thing I want to be remembered for,” hesaid in his still-strong voice, is the coining in 1968of the phrase “gay is good.” Because back then, hesaid, the discrimination, the fear and the shame were“pretty dreadful.”

Kameny talked when no one was listening, andhe can still talk up a storm today.

“I’ll have you out of here by dawn,” he joked,using one of his signature lines.

You can do an Internet search on Kameny’s pio-neering history, but you can also listen to JeffMarootian, a city transportation official nearly one-third his age.

“I’ve followed Frank’s life since I was in highschool,” Marootian said during the gathering at TeakWood restaurant on 14th Street NW. A graduate ofGeorge Washington University and a veteran of gayactivism himself, Marootian said that he was “hon-ored to be so close to those who paved the way forme.”

One little taste of how much things havechanged: On Sunday as the Notebook rode our bikeon the National Mall, we came across the StonewallKickball League. We’ve never understood the fun ofkicking — or catching — that oversized rubber ball,but Stonewall is named for the gay bar in New YorkCity where the patrons rioted against police harass-ment.

Far indeed.■ Here and now. Here’s a little of the present.

Mayor Vincent Gray is spending the first part ofthe week in Las Vegas. He’s at the big shoppingconvention that became a staple for city officialsbeginning with then-Mayor Anthony Williams.

“Having a productive series of meetings withmajor retailers,” Gray wrote on Twitter Mondayafternoon. “You’ll be excited about some of thecompanies considering DC locations!”

Washington Post reporter Jonathan O’Connelltweeted that Gray had a minimum of 25 meetingsset up for the three days. O’Connell also tweetedthat the city’s exhibit on the vast convention floorwas getting a lot of positive attention.

Having a vigorous presence at the annual con-vention, one of the most important retail shoppinggatherings in the world, has helped put the District

on the map with major retailers. And so far, therehaven’t been any scandal stories about lavishexpense accounts or misconduct in Las Vegas.That’s a pretty good record in itself for city officials.■ The future is now. The D.C. Council is about toapprove redistricting for the city’s eight electionwards. The ward boundary changes will take effectfor the 2012 elections.

Council membersJack Evans, Michael A.Brown and PhilMendelson have beenworking on a prelimi-nary plan. It’s not amajor makeover, but

part of Ward 6 on Capitol Hill is expected to beceded to Ward 7 to make the populations of eachward roughly equal.

The three council members are scheduled to holda markup session on the proposed plan Thursday at1 p.m. in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building.David Meadows, Brown’s spokesperson, said theproposal should be up by midweek on the councilwebsite, dccouncil.us.

At one point, there had been talk that NearSouthwest (where the Notebook lives) mightbecome part of Ward 8 even though there’s no directconnection across the Anacostia River.

When it looked like it might happen, we toldWard 8 Council member Marion Barry that wewould definitely run against him in the next election.

“I can’t wait,” Barry said. “I can’t wait.” Andthen we both laughed out loud at that idea (which isnot going to happen).■ Bike to work? Nearly 11,000 people officiallysigned up for Bike to Work Day last Friday. But thebig news was Mayor Gray’s ringing endorsement ofbike lanes and biking at the 8:30 a.m. rally onFreedom Plaza. One enthusiastic bike rider saidGray sounded like Mayor Adrian Fenty. That’s highpraise coming from a bike person.■ A final stop. Ten-year Metro spokesperson LisaFarbstein is headed to a new job. She’ll be joiningthe Transportation Security Administration, focusingon the airports and railway security in New York andNew Jersey.

The Notebook wants to take a moment to saybest wishes to Farbstein, who often tried to cutthrough the clutter of government bureaucracy torespond to reporters. She’ll remain based in theWashington area, but it sounds like she’ll be on thetrains and planes a lot to do her job.

Farbstein is a former reporter for the FrederickNews-Post, worked for Hood College in Frederickbefore it went co-ed, and also worked for theArlington school system.

She joined Metro in the summer of 2001, beforeall the worry about security.

“It’s been an incredibly exciting place to work,”she told us on Monday. “I have a great deal of faithin this Metro system.”

Her last day will be June 3.Tom Sherwood, a Southwest resident, is a politi-

cal reporter for News 4.

The past, present and future …

TOM SHERWOOD’SNOTEBOOK

N CH8 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

THE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 9

Tax hikes would be amistake for District

Contrary to what is suggestedby letters to the editor from DavidF. Power and Jesse Lovell [“Taxincrease enjoys strong local sup-port” and “Wealthy should helpbalance D.C. budget,” May 18],D.C. income taxes are among thehighest in the nation. According tothe Tax Foundation, a nonpartisanresearch group located in D.C., theabsolute level of D.C. taxes isexceeded only by that of NewYork, New Jersey and Connecticutand in any case remains well aboveVirginia and Maryland. Only if theissue is D.C.’s tax burden relativeto per-capita income are D.C. taxeslower than those of Maryland (butstill higher than Virginia’s).

The DC Fiscal Policy Institute,cited by Mr. Power, is hardly unbi-ased. It has pushed for higher taxesin D.C. to pay for more social pro-grams for lower income groups.

The D.C. government’s top pri-ority should be to end waste, fraud,mismanagement, cronyism andnepotism within its ranks. In thiscontext, it is inexcusable that theD.C. government continues to fail,through sheer incompetence, totake full advantage of federal pro-grams that bring funds to D.C.

It would be a mistake to raisetaxes and fees of any kind. D.C. isalready one of the most heavilytaxed jurisdictions in the nation.D.C. should have a tax regime thatencourages location in the District,thereby expanding the city’s taxbase and generating more incomeand employment and thus tax rev-enue. D.C. should lower its corpo-rate tax rates so that businesses,particularly large corporations, donot almost automatically locate inthe suburbs.

Allan WendtGeorgetown

Wilson teachers alsodeserve recognition

Congratulations to The Currentfor running such a prominent storyabout Wilson High School’s newDREAM Act scholarship and theadmirable efforts of Wilson seniorElena DiRosa, whose work on thestudent newspaper led to the schol-arship’s creation and success[“College still just a Dream forsome Wilson students,” May 18].

Ms. DiRosa is a remarkableyoung woman and is sure to go onto do wonderful things at Princetonand beyond. But what was just asremarkable was the role of the fac-ulty sponsor of the student newspa-per. The best teachers know how toinspire their students. PrincipalPete Cahall is lucky to have Joe

Riener on the faculty at WilsonHigh School, as are the many stu-dents whose lives he has touched.

Tom IsraelMount Pleasant

Pharmacy’s closing is cause for concern

Our Giant Pharmacy atWisconsin Avenue and NewarkStreet died May 12. Its passing wasunexpected, noted only by a small,typed sign on the entry door.

Earlier in the week, the frontdisplay windows, covered withprofessional signage saying“Welcome to Your NeighborhoodDrugstore,” failed to mention thatthe store would be closing.

Pharmaceutical customersreceived no letters or emails advis-ing us about our unexpired pre-scriptions. A local CVS sign told usto let pharmacists there know if wewant them to call and get our medscrips. A call to the district Giantmanager informed me that our pre-scriptions had been sold to theWalgreens chain and that we couldfind the most convenient store andbe served there.

I thought that the patient privacylaw, the Health InsurancePortability and Accountability Act,protected my medical information.I did not know that it could be soldwithout consent or notice.

How many customers will cometo the locked door of the defunctpharmacy and be unable to refill aneeded prescription? The wait forthe new Giant neighborhood serv-ice could be long, with constructionexpected to take about two years.

Francis W. RodgersMcLean Gardens

Some Tenleytownresidents back plan

In response to Anthony Byrneand Wesley Egan’s letter to the edi-tor regarding AmericanUniversity’s plans for the TenleyCampus [“Neighbors oppose plan,not university,” May 11], I wouldlike to point out that some of uswho own homes in the area (welive a block from the site) see theproposed renovations and newbuildings for the law school as apositive, welcome development.

It’s not true that “no propertyowner anywhere near the TenleyCampus” supports the plan. Somehomeowners like myself arepleased that the law school will berelocated here and unfortunatelyare being drowned out by a vocalminority of homeowners who livenear the site and bought knowingthat it is part of the university.

There are clear advantages tohaving the school close toMetrorail. In addition, we believethe plans will improve traffic byencouraging use of mass transit andby slowing commuters on 42nd

and 43rd streets, which will make itsafer for the many pedestrians,especially the children who attendlocal elementary schools. There isplenty of short-term street parkingin the area, and increased conges-tion can actually calm traffic.

The university has also demon-strated a willingness to police park-ing violations and has done well inresponding to any problems withstudents living in the area. Theschool also has a reputation forimproving and maintaining itsgrounds with extensive landscap-ing, which will surely improve thethe current aging facilities on 42ndand Yuma streets.

It is likely that additional stu-dents and faculty will attract moredining and retail operations onWisconsin Avenue. Our area has areputation for objecting to anythingprogressive in terms of develop-ment, and as a result we’ve endedup with a largely boring, uninspiredretail strip that needs updating.

A law school can also serve as avital center of learning for the com-munity and typically attracts someof the most interesting and sociallyminded faculty and students. Bybeing closer to the heart ofTenleytown, the school can betterengage with its neighbors and canprovide a valuable source of educa-tion to others outside of the school.

I hope that community memberskeep an open mind regarding theplans for the law school and thatuniversity officials reach out tothose who express concerns so thatcompromises can be reached.Knee-jerk reactions and legalisticarguments by a minority of resi-dents serve only to hinder positivechanges that can result from theuniversity’s continued investmentin modernizing its facilities andcontributing to the community.

Neil MeyerTenleytown/American

University Park

Police should avoidmorality enforcement

Regarding the assignment ofprostitution duties to each policedistrict to cut down on officersbeing assigned this duty [“Policeshift prostitution duties to each dis-trict,” May 18], I’d say the less taxmoney used for morality lawenforcement the better. When Iarrived in D.C. a few decades ago,the police routinely entrapped andarrested gays. What a waste.

At any time, but particularlynow when resources are scarce, thepolice should go after only thosewho force others to engage in theirlifestyle, straight or gay. If there’sno force or fraud, let’s takeAmerica as a free society seriously,and leave people alone.

Dennis SobinDirector, Safe Streets

Arts Foundation

LETTERS TOTHE EDITOR

LETTERS TO THE EDITORThe Current publishes letters representing all points of view. Because of space limitations, submissions should be no morethan 400 words and are subject to editing. Letters intended for publication should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, TheCurrent, Post Office Box 40400, Washington, D.C. 20016-0400. You may send e-mail to letters@currentnewspapers.com.

10 Wednesday, May 25, 2011 The CurrenT

JOIN THE DC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN RECOGNIZING THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS

OF OUR CITY’S SMALL BUSINESSES

“Small businesses are the heart of astrong economic revival employingmore than half of the country’s privatework force and creating three out ofevery four jobs. Our inaugural eventwill honor the success and achieve-ments of small businesses who havedemonstrated their commitment tothe District of Columbia’s businesscommunity.”

Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.National Museum of Women in the Arts

1250 New York Avenue, NW • Washington, DC  20005

Barbara B. Lang President and CEO,

DC Chamber of Commerce

Event Sponsor

506 9th Street, NW | Washington, DC 20004

Only 40 exhibit booths available for this expo event

SIGN UP TODAY!To secure tickets and exhibit space visit:

www.dcchamber.org

By BORIS TSALYUKCurrent Staff Writer

Teams in different leagues don’t often face each othertwice in one season, so when St. John’s upset St. Albans 5-4 in March, it was unlikely the Bulldogs would have achance for revenge.

But Saturday’s D.C. Lacrosse Classic ended up match-ing the two teams in the opening contest, and St. Albans, ofthe Interstate Athletic Conference, made a statement with a13-2 victory over its Washington Catholic AthleticConference opponent.

“That was probably our best game of the year,” said vet-eran coach Malcolm Lester.

Later in the day, Gonzaga — the WCAC champion —beat crosstown rival St. Albans 9-6 in the main event. KyleBruun scored three goals and David Planning added a pairas each player donned the Eagles uniform for the last time.

Georgetown Day School, Sidwell and Wilson also tookpart in the action. The Mighty Hoppers beat the Tigers 14-1, with Matt Jackson named player of the game. Sidwellcruised past Eleanor Roosevelt 6-2 as Ben Glassman andCurtis Oberg scored two goals apiece and Chris Borgesmade 15 saves.

Wilson, which in 2010 became the first D.C. publicschool to offer a boys lacrosse program, was participating inthe classic for the second time. Although the Tigers droppedboth of their contests, losing to Georgetown Day andEleanor Roosevelt, Lester said the event would benefit theteam’s program in the long run.

“Maybe they’ve haven’t played as long, maybe theydon’t have the same resources or go to [lacrosse] camps, butit’s nice for them to have an opportunity,” said Lester, whohelped organize the D.C. Classic in its first year in 2009.“It’s not IAC lacrosse, but the kids are doing some goodthings and they are well-coached.”

Coaches are hoping the event will turn into a two-brack-et tournament in the future, but for now they’re pleased justto have people take notice of the area’s talent. “I think it’san opportunity to just showcase the D.C. teams,” saidLester.

Breakout Lacrosse, a lacrosse training company, organ-ized and sponsored the classic.

ATHLETICS IN NORTHWEST WASHINGTON May 25, 2011 ■ Page 11

Matt Petros/The CurrentThe Wilson Tigers introduced the first boys’ publicschool lacrosse program in D.C. last season.

By BORIS TSALYUKCurrent Staff Writer

Despite coming up a few sec-onds short of a gold medal at theprestigious Stotesbury Cup inPhiladelphia last year, the St.Albans crew team was pleasedwith its showing. This season,though, anything short of a first-place finish would’ve been a dis-appointment for a team that knewit could win if it turned in its besteffort.

Fortunately for the Bulldogs,the “what ifs” weren’t necessarythis year: They navigated past twoof the fastest crews in the nation tocapture the gold medal in the mainevent on the Schuylkill RiverSaturday.

The first varsity eight boatcrossed the finish line in 4 min-utes, 7.63 seconds to knock offnational powers St. Andrews and

St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia)and give St. Albans the firstStotesbury Cup win in its history.

On calm waters, the race was aperfect storm for the Bulldogs.They jumped out fast, pulled awayhalfway through and held on towin by a considerable margin.

About 600 meters in, St.Albans used a power stroke —five consecutive full-force strokes— to gain the separation it needed.The team had planned to use thatmove, co-captain Allister Aaronsaid after the race, but had to findthe right moment for it. “It wasjust a huge mental thing. It was aresponsive move; we didn’t have a[set] time for it,” he said, adding,“It worked perfectly.”

The power stroke left the com-petition a safe distance behind andeven with 300 meters left to go,Aaron knew the trophy wouldbelong to St. Albans. “I realized

there was no way they were goingto catch us. We knew it was over,”he said.

Coach Ted Haley, in his 19thyear at St. Albans, said the teamrealized the magnitude of its vic-tory as soon as the race was over.“To break through at this level isjust a huge rush — a huge emo-tional rush for everyone,” he said.

Haley later acknowledged thatthe Bulldogs went into Stotesburyexpecting a victory. “We knewthis was our shot.”

But earlier this season, it washard to imagine the team wouldhave much of a chance at winningthe nation’s oldest regatta. BothSt. Andrew’s and St. Joe’s beat St.Albans handily in April; it wasn’tuntil Haley made changes to histop boat that the crew found itsstroke.

St. Albans strikes gold at Stotesbury

Matt Petros/The CurrentSt. Albans first varsity eight controlled the waters Saturday, outlastingtop crews from around the country and winning the prestigiousStotesbury Cup regatta for the first time in the school’s history. See Stotesbury/Page 12

D.C. Classic showcases lacrosse talent

N CH G

By MIKE DEFABO andBORIS TSALYUK Current Staff Writers

In 2011, Sidwell’s baseballteam had its best season inyears: The Quakers bouncedback from a fourth-place fin-ish a year ago to go 9-3 inleague play and beatNorthwest D.C. rival Maret toreach the Mid-AtlanticAthletic Conference tourna-ment championship game.

Sidwell topped Maret 4-1in the semifinals last Tuesdaybehind one of Chase

Plebani’s best outings of theseason. He threw six inningswithout giving up an earnedrun, and surrendered only twohits while striking out six bat-ters and walking four. NickFernandez drove in two runsfor the Quakers, who grabbeda 2-0 lead in the first inningand never looked back. Thelone run Maret managedcame off a fifth-inning error.

The Frogs had earned ashare of the conference ban-ner — their 10th in 13 years— because they split the reg-ular-season title with FlintHill. “Our varsity has

Quakers can’t fightoff Huskies for title

Courtesy of Josh JohnsonMark Ossolinski and his Sidwell teammates had a strong season, but they couldn’t find a way to get past Flint Hill.

See Quakers/Page 12

GetWell Rehabilitation, LLCorthopedic | neurological | aquatic

1:1 PHYSICAL and AQUATIC THERAPYFull Hour S Therapy

Conveniently located inside the Tenley Sport&Health.

4000 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #P2 Washington, DC

CURRENT NEWSPAPERS

SPORTSPHOTOSFrom Previous

Photos are available fromwww.mattpetros.zenfolio.com

GEORGETOWN VISITATIONSUMMER CAMPS1524 35th Street NW, DC

TenniStar®

DIRECTED by MITCH HENKIN

One-week sessions start June 13th.

Register at or call 301-530-5472.

FantasticFacilities

withAll-Star

Coaches

Your Source for Healthful Foods,Supplements and

Body Care ProductsAt Affordable Prices for Over 30 Years!

MARKET

Capitol Hill658 Penn Ave SE

Brookland3809 12th Street NE

Adams MorganColumbia Road NW

Fair Lawn2323 Penn Ave SE

Union Row14th Street NW

Petworth4100 Georgia Ave NW

Cleveland Park3425 Connecticut Avenue NW

202-363-1559

Or visit one of our other conveniently located stores.

yesorganicmarket.com

Shop, Learn… Be Healthy!

12 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

Northwest Sports

“I’m proud to say we made theright moves. Sometimes you haveto make some hard choices, and Ithink we made all the right hardchoices,” said Haley. “I’m justproud of them. People might havewished this or that, but they han-dled everything in a professionalway. Nobody ever got too down ortoo up.”

This year’s top boat featuredfive returnees from 2010 and threeadditions that Aaron said made allthe difference. Spencer Barks, a 6-foot-8-inch star basketball playerfor the Bulldogs who will continuehis hoops career at the University

of Maryland next year, broughtstrength and power, and 6-foot-4-inch, 190-pound Woody Atwoodalso added muscle. Meanwhile,Joe O’Shea gave the Bulldogsanother composed, technicallysound rower.

Aaron said the main qualitythis year’s team possessed was itscompetitive drive. At trials Friday,St. Albans finished a disappoint-ing third, but the team stepped upand won its semifinal Saturdaybefore dominating the final race.“We’re racers; we need peoplenext to us,” Aaron said. “That’swhen we do our best work.”

The Bulldogs have one moreimportant race coming up: thenational championships inCamden, N.J., this weekend.

Aaron, a Yale University commit,said it’s important they finish theseason on top. St. Albans “has stillnever won a national race, so it’sstill something we have to do. Andwe’re going to be confident goinginto the race,” he said.

Win or lose at nationals, thevictory at Stotesbury is one theBulldogs can savor. “Once wecrossed the finish line, I was look-ing around like, ‘There’s no waythis just happened.’ I was justoverwhelmed with so much emo-tion,” Barks said. “… To sayyou’re one of the best in the coun-try at something — regardless ofwhat it is — it’s a phenomenalfeeling.”

“I have a gold medal fromStotesbury. Not many people can

STOTESBURYFrom Page 11

N CH G

successfully hung another championship banner inthe new gym for 2011,” said Maret coach AntoineWilliams.

But the Quakers’ semifinal win meant that theywould be the ones playing for the MAC’s top prize.

In the finals on Thursday, though, Sidwell againcouldn’t tame the Huskies, falling to them for thethird time this season and settling for runner-up in thetournament.

Flint Hill got the best of Sidwell starter MarkOssolinski in the bottom of the second inning. Withtwo outs and nobody on, James Abrahamsen waitedon a curveball and took the pitch to left field for a sin-gle. Leadoff hitter David Belt was then hit by a pitchbefore Calvin Baxter singled home a run. First base-man Mike Palma followed with his second double ofthe game to score Belt and Baxter, and Bazzaronedropped a single into right field to score Palma andgive the Huskies an early 5-0 lead.

The Quakers had a chance to do some damage oftheir own in the third as they loaded the bases withjust one out. But Sam Stevens lined out to center, andNick Roman was caught leaning too off far the bag at

second. The centerfielder then threw to the base tocomplete the inning-ending double play.

“That was huge just because we had the basesloaded and the right guys were coming up at theplate,” said Sidwell head coach John Simon. “Littlemistakes on the base path can kill you.”

Sidwell scored an unearned run in the sixth, butFlint Hill came right back in the bottom half, battingaround and scoring three more runs to make it 9-1and put the game virtually out of reach.

Before the Quakers’ last turn at the plate, though,coach Simon told them, “Let’s go down fighting,”and the team responded by showing some life at theplate. First, Brett Perrinn walked and Chase Plebanisingled him home. After a pair of strikeouts, FinnStern walked, and Sam Stevens doubled home bothrunners to make the score 9-4.

But with a man on, Nick Fernandez lost an eight-pitch battle at the plate, flying out to right to end theballgame. “They [the Sidwell players] said we don’twant to go 1-2-3,” said coach Simon. “We had theright guys coming up, and just unfortunately flyedout deep.”

Simon said he was proud of his guys’ effort thisseason, even though they came up a little short. “Theguys had a goal to get here, we just didn’t win the bigone,” he said.

QUAKERSFrom Page 11

Kolbe hits 1,000 strikeouts for careerGeorgetown Visitation pitcher Katie Kolbe found

out last week that she struck out over 1,000 battersin her four-year career.

Kolbe thought she needed one more strong out-ing to secure the mark, and when the City Title gamefor softball was called off on Saturday because ofscheduling conflicts, it was feared she wouldn’thave the opportunity.

Fortunately for Kolbe, a re-count of her strikeouttotal for the season showed she sent down 208 bat-ters, putting her at 1,005 for her career.

Kolbe credited her tutelage for the achievement.“From the first pitching lessons, I have had supercoaches and that made it possible,” she said.

Wilson wins, advances to title game The Wilson Tigers baseball team will try for yet

another D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Associationtitle on June 5 at Nationals Park after knocking offSchool Without Walls on Tuesday.

Walls pitcher Kareem Sallay threw a no-hitter onMonday against H.D. Woodson as the Penguinsadvanced to the semifinals, but Wilson proved tootough the following day.

The Tigers will face off against Cardozo —

which beat Bell Multicultural on Tuesday — in anearly game at the fourth annual Congressional BankBaseball Classic for the DCIAA crown. The winnerwill take on the private school champion for the CityTitle in the day’s main event.

St. Albans is the three-time defending city cham-pion.

Sports Desk

Matt Petros/The CurrentAt the Congressional Bank Classic, Ben Whitenerwill look to finally push Wilson to a City Title.

The People and Places of Northwest Washington May 25, 2011 ■ Page 13

This is the eighth in a series of articlesabout locals and their occupations.

By AMANDA ABRAMSCurrent Correspondent

Wander through the U.S. NationalArboretum with MichaelRayburn and it’s obvious: The

place is so much more than just azaleas. Rayburn is one of the site’s custodians —

technically known as Agricultural ScienceResearch Technicians, or ASRTs — taskedwith maintaining its collections year-round.He’s a pro-plant type who studied horticul-ture in college and loves nothing more thanspending his days wordlessly tending togreen organisms of all sizes.

But he’s also a mountain boy who grewup roaming the hills of east Tennessee andtalking to his grandparents about their land,which means he sees the arboretum’s plantsin a slightly unusual light.

Take the big clump of soft green weedslying along one path. “Oh, that’s jewel-

weed,” he said, plucking one plant andcrushing the stem. “It’s a traditional remedyfor poison ivy; the juice relieves the itch-ing.”

He pointed to another weedy-lookingplant nearby and explained that it’s colloqui-ally known as doll’s eye; its roots were usedby Cherokee Indians to ease women’s men-strual cramps and birthing pains. But theplant is poisonous if you use too much.

And then there’s the sourwood tree,native to the southeastern United States. Itsoblong leaves taste acidic when chewed,and, according to Rayburn, the honey madefrom its blossoms is revered for its flavor.

Rayburn is in charge of maintaining FernValley, the arboretum’s native plants collec-tion. It’s one of the site’s least-showy sec-tions: Compared to the Asian collection orthose white, pink and fuchsia beautieswhose potential demise recently drew amajor outcry, the native area looks down-right dull. It’s basically just a forest and afield, right?

Wrong. And that’s why seeing the placethrough Rayburn’s eyes is so useful. The7.5-acre section might look like mostlywoods with a path running through it, but itactually represents several different ecosys-

tems, including the coastal plain, Piedmont,southern highlands, northern forest, easternmeadow and prairie. The zones melt intoeach other, so it’s hard to tell when one endsand another begins, but each contains a widevariety of plants common to its ecosystem.The coastal bigleaf magnolia with its fra-grant white flowers, for instance, wouldnever be found in the D.C. area otherwise;the same is true of the pawpaw tree, whosenatural habitat is the southern highlands.

The variety represented there highlightsthe arboretum’s main function: not to bepretty, per se, but to act as an archive forplants, particularly those that are rare, usefulor valuable.

“One of our big goals is to increase bio-diversity here,” said Rayburn. He and hiseight fellow ASRTs — as well as the eightcurators, or horticulturists, who are in chargeof the arboretum’s various sections — fre-quently go on collecting expeditions, seek-ing out new plants that the place might belacking and bringing them back.

By JULIA FISHERCurrent Correspondent

Sheila Martinez, principal ofOur Lady of Victory Schoolin the Palisades, didn’t

know she was the Archdiocese ofWashington’s DistinguishedPrincipal of theYear untilsuperintendentDeacon BertL’Hommejumped out ofhiding during amorning prayermeeting.

“I was verysurprised to seehim,” Martinezsaid, “but Iknew it had tobe good newsbecause he washolding flow-ers.”

The arch-diocese, whichcontains 98 schools, issues theaward to one principal each year.Martinez called it a “great honor”to be chosen by a panel of princi-pals.

Archdiocese communicationsmanager Brie Hall said Martinezbuilds a “strong and engagingcommunity” with a “familyatmosphere” and actively partici-pates in the archdiocese’s associa-tion of elementary school princi-

pals.Just a week before the surprise

announcement, Martinez hadpulled in another award: She wasthe only principal of a privateschool in the area to win TheWashington Post’s DistinguishedEducational Leadership Award.

For thathonor, viceprincipal KatieSague hadorganized theeffort to puttogether anominationpacket forMartinez.

“We’rethrilled thatshe’s here andbeing acknowl-edged by theoutside and theinside,” Saguesaid of the twoawards.“There’s a

happy pop it just gives us goingalong.”

Martinez said she knew herfaculty “was up to something”when they asked for her résumé,but she didn’t know about theaward until The Post called inMarch. She heard nothing of itagain until publication of theawards in April; in the interim, shehad begun to think the call hadjust been a hoax.

“I wish I hadn’t won them bothin the same year,” Martinez saidof the two honors. “It gets a littleoverwhelming to have so muchrecognition within one month.”

But she views the awards asreflecting her “community, notreally necessarily me,” she said.“You can only lead if others fol-low.”

Martinez, who was born inEngland, grew up attendingCatholic schools in a suburb ofLondon. She always wanted to bea teacher, she said.

She taught religion at a highschool and psychology and coun-

seling at a university in Englandbefore marrying an American andjoining him in the D.C. area in1999. Before becoming principalof Our Lady of Victory in 2004,she was the vice principal of St.Andrew the Apostle School inSilver Spring, where she still lives.

“I love being a principal,”Martinez said. “I like being theleader. I prefer to be the decisionmaker rather than the imple-menter.”

Our Lady of Victory has alsodrawn national recognition recent-ly: It won a Blue Ribbon award,given to the top 10 percent of

schools in the nation, in 2007.Parents say the praise is due large-ly to Martinez’s efforts.

The principal has focused par-ticularly on giving students oppor-tunities to do community service,fostering the performing arts,improving facilities and integrat-ing technology into classrooms.The school is newly equippedwith SMART Boards, laptops andonline textbooks.

Martinez also introduced a cur-riculum in which teachers focuseach lesson on a specific skill orpiece of knowledge. Instead of

For Our Lady of Victoryprincipal, dual honors

Photos Courtesy of James KegleyOur Lady of Victory School principal Sheila Martinez visits classrooms daily and knows each student well.

Technician’s work at arboretum means braving sun, weeds and solitude

See Arboretum/Page 19

See Principal/Page 19

Bill Petros/The CurrentMichael Rayburn takes care of collectionsat the U.S. National Arboretum.

isabella&ferdinand

Annunciation CatholicSchool

On May 12, we had our biannu-al Afterschool Arts Showcase.

First, we had an amazing per-formance from the School of RockClub. The members performed foursongs, including a song written andperformed by two eighth-graders.

Then, the Step Club performedan exciting dance that incorporatedrhythm and beats.

Last, we had a comedic per-formance from the Drama Club.The play was “Goldilocks on Trial”by Ed Monk. It was the story ofGoldilocks’ court appearance forbreaking and entering.

— Danielle Allen, sixth-grader;Ingrid Fekete, seventh-grader;

and Emma Thompson, eighth-grader

Beauvoir SchoolIn third grade, we had a great

time at the Panthers’ play, “Joust,”and we can’t wait until we see Mr.MacIntyre and Ms. Brunson’s play.Also, we studied Italy and studentsprepared for Museum Night. We

were studying for our nonfictionbooks. We learned about thingssuch as gladiators, the Colosseumand the emperors.

In third grade we have beenreading a lot of books about Italy.For our Global Studies research,every day we worked on our topic,writing, editing, drawing, cuttingand so on. We were preparing ourbooks for a long time. Then wemade projects such as a replica ofMount Vesuvius, the Colosseum, aRoman shield and an arch. Wemade them out of clay, cardboardand markers.

Second grade studied Irelandand first grade studied France.Museum Night was on March 11,and we had great attendance. Theevening was so much fun. We hadexotic food, a fabulous museumtour and good music.

— Constantine Tsibouris, third-grader

British School of Washington

Last week was sports week atthe British School of Washington.It is one of the most exciting weeksof the school year.

It started on Tuesday for theupper school, but for me it began

on Wednesday at the DukeEllington Field. I had entered thetriple jump, discus, long jump andhouse captain tug of war. Triplejump was great — it was a hop-skip-jump, and I went really far.Then I moved onto discus; I was alittle scared in case I dropped it onmy toe! Long jump was brilliant. Izoomed through the air and landedin the sandy pit. Finally was the tugof war. We pulled and pulled butunfortunately did not win.

On Friday, we arrived atAmerican University. The pointswere announced from all of thefield days, and I discovered thatChesapeake House had won fieldday and was in the lead. My firstevent was the 400-meter race. I feltas if I would never stop. I put in asprint at the end and finished third.After lots of other races involvingthe rest of the school, it was timefor the relay. We went to our start-ing places. I was the third runner. Iwatched the baton be passed to No.2, and then in a blink of an eye itwas passed to me. I charged on,passed the baton to No. 4 andwatched the end of the race.

At the end of the event, I lis-tened as Mr. Harding, the headteacher, announced the scores.

Shenandoah House was fourth.People cheered. Chesapeake Housewas third. More cheers. Then therewas tension between the tworemaining houses. Potomac Housecame in second and PatuxentHouse came in first. Screams andshouts of joy exploded around thefield, and Patuxent House complet-ed a victory lap.

I didn’t mind that we didn’t win,because it was so much fun.

— Stella Raes, Year 5 York(fourth-grader and JuniorPotomac House Captain)

Deal Middle SchoolDeal’s got talent! Forget

“American Idol.” Forget “Glee.”You should have come to Deal’sArts Night last week. Lately, Dealstudents have been showing off. AtArts Night the band, choir and gleeclub performed. Also, Deal stu-dents have performed plays such as“Beauty and the Beast” and“Schoolhouse Rocks,” the seventh-grade musical.

Last Wednesday, 26 sixth-graders from Team Manila traveledto the Singapore Embassy, theirpartner in the Embassy AdoptionProgram. This program allows anembassy in D.C. to partner with aschool. Then they visit each otherto learn and teach about theembassy’s country. Our final trip tothe embassy included dances,speeches, a PowerPoint aboutSingapore and some amazing food!

Sixth-graders also had theopportunity recently to travel to theState Department for a ModelUnited Nations simulation. Eachschool sent about 30 students andrepresented five countries. The del-egates for each country were sentto different rooms to debate currentinternational issues. We learnedthat making decisions and draftingresolutions are not easy.

There’s been a lot of physicalaction at Deal, including a softballchampionship. The girls softballteam competed last week in the

city championship. The highlight ofall the action was the “Let’s Move”flash mob, which took place a fewweeks ago. Kids in gym/healthclasses and other interested stu-dents participated. First ladyMichelle Obama gave the school asurprise visit. The kids learned adance choreographed by Beyoncé.A team of reporters and 93.9WKYS radio personality AngieAnge also came to Deal to coverthe event. Later, newscasters onchannels 4, 5 and 7 reported aboutthe flash mob. Deal studentsenjoyed the excitement of that day!

— Samuel Brodsky, Emma Buzbee, Jacob Riegel

and Krista Ross, sixth-graders

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

On May 17, the Literary Mediaand Communications Departmentheld another “R Street on H Street”performance at the H StreetPlayhouse. The event was hostedby 12th-grader Marcus AntonioBlanco and 10th-grader Isis Cooperand featured 11th-graders SarahPhillips and Malik Hodge. Therewere performances by groupscalled The Dreamers and ING.Special guest and Duke Ellingtonalumna Alantra Lewis performedone of her pieces. Overall, theevent was lively, entertaining andenergetic. This R Street on H Streetperformance was sponsored bySprinkles Cupcakes and Wisey’s.

This was an interesting week forour dancers at Duke Ellington aswell. May 17 was the start of theDance Department’s spring con-cert. So far, they have had threematinee shows, and various middleand elementary schools have cometo see the show. Famous companyPhiladanco director Joan MyersBrown came to watch the show onMay 19. Among the featured actswere “Sanctuary,” a solo performedby 12th-grade dance studentSherman Wood; “To Mike WithLove”; and “Le Corsaire,” choreo-graphed by Marius Petipa andrestaged by Sandra Fortune-Green,a longtime member of the DanceDepartment faculty.

— Bridget Dease, 10th-grader

Edmund Burke SchoolAs I reach the doorstep of high

school, I think about what theEdmund Burke Middle School hasgiven me — a place in which to becomfortable, an ability to not beafraid of trying something new,great values, a love of learning anda love of English.

At Burke we accept everyonefor who they are. You can be any-one you want to be at Burke, andyou can do anything and not beafraid of failing. Sports coachesdon’t care whether you’ve playedbefore, but rather care aboutwhether you’ve tried your hardestat practice.

The teachers at Burke care, notjust inside the classroom, but alsooutside. They will stop in the hall

14 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

Spotlight on Schools

School DISPATCHES

See Dispatches/Page 15

Luxurious suites in Georgetown with the added security of a thoughtful, caring staff. The Georgetown features fine dining, interesting neighbors, social and cultural activities and chauffeured transportation.

Our residents appreciate personal assistance to manage medications and activities of daily living. At The Georgetown, you can plan on an affordable daily rate and no costly entrance fees.

Plan to join us for lunch, and meet our residents and staff. Call to schedule your tour today!

The Georgetown Retirement Residence offers...

The Georgetown2512 Q Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007

www.thegeorgetown.com

202-338-6111A Medallion Community — ASSISTED LIVING FOR INDEPENDENT PEOPLE

COME JOIN US...

meetSM

let us tackle your home repair and maintenance list.go to schedulefred.com or call 301-560-fred (3733).

Case Design/Remodeling introduces fred-a fresh new look for the home repair service

you’ve come to love.

plumbing I trim work I cabinets I carpentry I tile work I exterior wood repairs I drywall repair I painting I electrical work

SM

our craftsmen are drug tested and background checked, with a minimum of 10 years experience all backed by a two-year warranty.

SM

just to see how you are doing; theyencourage you to stretch yourself.

Knowing they really care aboutnot only my education, but alsoabout me, has given me a love oflearning, in particular a love ofEnglish. I wasn’t that thrilled aboutwriting before I came to Burke. Iliked reading, but writing wasn’tmy favorite task. Now I look for-ward to writing essays and writingand reading poetry. Burke educatesso that every possible subject iscovered, from math to the arts. AsChicago journalist Sydney J. Harrissaid, “The primary purpose of aliberal education is to make one’smind a pleasant place in which tospend one’s leisure.” This is pre-cisely what Burke has done.— Pippa Dobbyn, eighth-grader

Georgetown Day SchoolHaving moved on from the

Rube Goldberg projects, sixth-graders are learning in scienceabout ecosystems. They havelearned about the nitrogen and car-bon cycles. Students are seeinghow these cycles work by splittinginto groups and creating their ownecosystems. Each “ecosystem” is alarge container filled with water,fish, tadpoles, elodea and snails.Every day, sixth-graders test thewater to see the amounts of ammo-nia, nitrate and nitrite.

Students record the ecosysteminformation for each day on thecomputer and on paper. They alsopost on a blog stating generalobservations about things that theynotice (such as the elodea losing itsleaves) and then hypothesize as towhy they think these things arehappening (for example, the elodeais losing its leaves because of alack of sunlight).

All of the sixth-graders have

access to the blogs of other classes.It is interesting to see the differ-ences and similarities. The sixth-grade science teacher, MichaelDesautels, makes comments oneach group’s blog. He often willremark on whether he thinks ourassumptions are correct, and hewill sometimes ask us to includemore detail or ask questions aboutcertain things. The blog definitelyserves as a helpful learning tool.

— Samantha Shapiro, sixth-grader

Holy Trinity SchoolFourth-graders have been writ-

ing poetry and putting their workon display boards to show parents,teachers and other students. Wehave worked on this for two weeks.

“It has been a great experiencefor all of us,” said fourth-graderLuke Egge.

Our teachers Mrs. Skonberg,Mrs. Gannon and Mrs. Comer havepushed us to write the best poetrywe can. We tried to put all of ourpoems on our display boards butthey would not fit because we hadwritten too many!

“Some of us started to panic,but we all finished in time,” saidfourth-grader Matt Yan.

On May 19, we had a PoetryFest where people could come inand write comments about ourpoetry.

— Charlie Furlong and William Tober, fourth-graders

Hyde-Addison ElementaryThe two pre-k classes went to

“Got Rhythm?” at the KennedyCenter. What was the best part ormost memorable moment aboutour trip to the Kennedy Center?

“I loved to do the instruments. Ilike to play the trumpet. And Iliked the sound they were playingon the instruments. I liked the col-ors, too!” said Dalton.

“Playing the violin on the floor

when we first got there,” said Ned.“When the man ate some paper

and a lot of paper came down,”Alexandre said.

“Playing music on a violin andsome shakers and watching theshow,” Banyan said.

“I liked when the man who wasplaying the drum lost his drum-sticks. And the man who was play-ing the fiddle played it real fast,”

Jordan said.“Pretty much the music and the

big violin and the little violin,”Elizabeth said.

“I liked when they played theviolin and the song they played,”Margaret said.

“Making the music. The musicthey played in the amphitheaterwhen we were pretending to makea heartbeat,” Willa said.

“When I got to play the musicon the drum, violin and maracas,”Renee said.

“Watching that long show,”Sage said.

“Playing the tambourine, theviolin, and the little frog with thebumps on its back that had a littlestick to rub it,” Sanaa said.

“Listening to the songs and try-

THE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 15

DISPATCHESFrom Page 14

See Dispatches/Page 28

Let Cestari Guide You Home…

#1 Agent Company-Wide#1 Agent in Chevy Chase202-253-8757 cell202-966-1400 officeKimberly.Cestari@LongandFoster.com

NEW

LISTING!

2756 Woodley Pl NW$1,015,000

UC after the 1st Open!

7000 Wyndale St NW$949,000

5242 Nebraska Ave NW$649,0002 Offers!

UNDER

CONTRACT!UNDER

CONTRACT!

2939 McKinley St NW$600,0002 Offers!

3026 Porter St NW #201

Urban living with modern conveniences!  Charming one bedroom, one bath corner unit in fantastic location.  Sun-filled living room with renovated table space kitchen with beautiful granite counters.  Great storage.  Walk to all that Cleveland Park has to offer—restaurants, shops, cinema and METRO! $307,000

Open Sunday 1-4.

1616 Portal Dr NW $799,900

3160 Upland Terrace NW $810,0005 Offers!

SOLD!SOLD!

SOLD!

UNDER

CONTRACT!

16 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

Northwest Real Estate

town-house community; and madeother modifications to its campusplan. The university presented theoutline of its revisions to the com-munity last week.

Neighborhood groups had vehe-mently objected to the 10-year cam-pus plan the university submitted tothe Zoning Commission in March,saying the proposed growth wouldbe too extreme for their mostly resi-dential community.

“What we wanted to do wasmake a few changes to reflect whatwe’ve been hearing to work on aplan that better meets everyone’sneeds,” the university’s DavidTaylor said in an interview.

Several residents said thechanges do not go far enough. “Thechanges are a step in the right direc-tion, albeit a tiny step, when a moregiant step would seem more appro-priate,” Tom Smith, chair of theSpring Valley/Wesley Heightsneighborhood commission, wrote inan email.

Last month, Smith drafted andhis commission passed a series ofresolutions opposing parts of thecampus plan. The commissionrequested an enrollment cap of10,600 — or 12,370 including lawstudents if they move as planned tothe university’s Tenley Campus —and less-dense housing on the EastCampus and on other sites.

Taylor and Jorge Abud, the uni-versity’s assistant vice president forfacilities development, said the con-cessions would not block the schoolfrom achieving its overarchinggoals. But the officials said they stillprefer the original version they sub-

mitted two months ago.For instance, Abud said, housing

fewer students on the East Campuswill make it harder to foster a senseof community among student resi-dents. Taylor added that officialsopposed the cap because they don’tconsider a head count to be a usefulindicator of neighborhood impact.

“This plan is not ideal for us, sowe have to sort through those trade-offs and find kind of that right bal-ance between what we were tryingto accomplish and accommodatingsome of the requests from the com-munity,” Abud said.

Wesley Heights resident MikeMazzuchi said the density of theproposed development and the sizeof the proposed cap are still toogreat, and that the East Campusdorms — even when shielded by athicker tree buffer — will be tooclose to the Westover Place homes.He also questioned the university’sability to protect student pedestrianscrossing Nebraska Avenue and itsdecision to provide minimal recre-ation space on the East Campus.

Spring Valley resident ChuckHamilton further objected to twoproposed six-story dormitories thatwere not scaled back — North Hallon Massachusetts Avenue and SouthHall on a hill overlookingRockwood Parkway — saying thatthey were too tall.

The campus-plan revisionsincluded few new details about thelaw school’s move. “The only ‘plan’that the neighborhood [has] seen for[that campus] is a rough outline ofthe buildings AU hopes to build,”Greg Ferenbach of the TenleyCampus Neighbors Associationwrote in an email.

The Zoning Commission hear-ings are slated to begin June 9.

CAMPUSFrom Page 1

few weeks as some schools are slat-ed for reconstitution, as required bythe federal No Child Left BehindAct.

“Excessing is necessary whenschools make changes to their pro-grams, when budgets decline, orwhen schools are closed, restruc-tured, or reconstituted,” the websitesays.

But, officials underscored,excessing refers to the eliminationof a person’s position, not his or heremployment. And staff memberswho have been excessed are able toapply for other jobs within theschool system.

The school system is postingavailable jobs on its website andheld a transfer fair May 11.

Still, some parents said the cutswill deeply impact the programs attheir schools. Terry Lynch, vicepresident of the School WithoutWalls Home and SchoolAssociation, said a $320,000 pro-posed budget cut and 10 percentenrollment increase has led to theexcessing of a handful of staff mem-

bers, including one counselor and“at least three” teachers.

“The impact of cuts means thatthere [won’t] be a public highschool that offers the level of educa-tion available at private schools,”Lynch said of the award-winningmagnet.

But Washington Teachers’Unionpresident Nathan Saunders said heworries about discrimination in theexcessing process. “It appears thatsome members are being retaliatedagainst by certain administrators forbeing vocal, or being unionactivists, veteran teachers, women,or on the higher end of the salaryrange,” he said.

He said many of the excessedteachers fit several of those cate-gories at once, such as female, vet-eran teachers at the higher end of thesalary range.

Saunders said he also doubts thatbudget constraints forced the cuts.“The DCPS budget has been used toarrive at conclusions that the DCPSpeople want it to arrive at.”

He said he’s scrutinizing eachcase individually and will considerpursuing legal action. “I don’t thinkyou’ll find anyone in this town whosays I won’t take them to court.”

TEACHERSFrom Page 1

porary bridge and move traffic,”Cheh said in an interview lastmonth.

The one-lane bridge, if it passesthe department’s off-site tests, willbe in place from mid-June until theroad closes again for permanentrepairs, Lisle said. Those repairs arescheduled to begin in late July andlast about a month, he said.

For the period with the tempo-rary bridge, the agency will re-stripethe road and post signs warningabout the one-lane setup. “You haveto take turns. That’s what we have todo: Make sure people know how touse it, so it’s safe,” Lisle said.

BRIDGEFrom Page 1

N CH

SELLING THE AREA’S FINEST PROPERTIES

CHEVY CHASE4400 JENIFER STREET NW

202-364-1700Licensed in DC, MD & VA

DUPONT1509 22ND STREET NW

202-464-8400

Chevy Chase residents arerightly proud of the well-kept Colonials that line

many streets in the neighborhood.

But for home buyers who want atwist on the area’s traditional aes-thetic, a new-to-the-market SpanishColonial brings warm, mission-look architecture to a classic layout.

Sunny stucco and a green tileroof create a bright backdrop forpops of white trim on the two-storyhome, and the home’s affinity forcolor continues inside.

A red dining room is a standard,but this roomy space — which getsloads of light from several win-dows — seems particularly suitedto a spicy version of that hue.

On the other side of the widecenter hall, a duck-egg blue withgray undertones cools down theliving room, a spot grounded by awood-burning fireplace. Two doorsopen from here into a sunroom,creating a circular flow that’s idealfor entertaining.

Moldings in this 1927 home arepredictably substantial, but RealtorElizabeth Russell pointed out the

additions that owners have made tothe woodwork here.

Custom bookcases in the livingroom offer open and closed spotsto house books and more, since thebuilt-ins are wired for sound. At theend of the ground floor’s centerhall waits more bespoke storage inthe form of a butler’s pantry. Andradiator covers have been addedthroughout the home to add a dis-tinctive note — and a useful sur-face for books, plants and more.

The kitchen continues this prop-erty’s color story: Sunny — thoughnot too bright — yellow wallsshow off a paint treatment thatechoes the home’s exterior. Whitecabinetry and black granite coun-tertops round out a classic colorcombo, and a serious Thermadorrange and hood show that thiskitchen is about more than looks.

A roomy eat-in bay in thekitchen is part of an addition to thehome that also includes a powderroom on this level.

The build-out also saw the addi-tion of a mudroom, which will beuseful for the gardeners who arelikely to be drawn to this home. Aprofessionally landscaped rear yardincludes a slate patio, lawn andmature perennials.

On the second level, past a

landing bright with sun through aPalladian window, four bedroomsand a full hall bath wait. The mas-ter bedroom has an en-suite,black-and-white bath with a show-er.

Three of the four bedrooms areroomy, and all have ample naturallight; the master also features stairsto an attic with a cedar closet. Thesmaller fourth bedroom connects tothe master through the bath andcould easily be used as a nursery,home office or luxurious dressingroom.

A bottom level adds amenities

both practical and fanciful to thehome’s list. An unfinished storageand systems area includes a door tothe back yard. A space that can beused as a bedroom or a mediaroom and bath are also found here.

A less essential — but more fun— spot is the wine storage room.

Chevy Chase is a desirableneighborhood for its quiet streets,among other reasons, and GarrisonStreet is one of the quietest. Itspans only one block at this point,

and therefore serves only local traf-fic, said Russell. The home is alsoabout one mile from two Metrorailstations and much closer to theshops and restaurants alongConnecticut Avenue.

This four-bedroom, 3.5-bathhome at 3831 Garrison St. isoffered for $1,295,000. For moreinformation, contact ElizabethRussell of Long & Foster RealEstate Inc. at 202-966-2598 or eliz-abeth.russell@longandfoster.com.

A Look at the Market in Northwest Washington May 25, 2011 ■ Page 17

Spanish style offers colorful twist on tradition

Photos Courtesy of Long & Foster Real Estate Inc.This Chevy Chase house, located a few blocks westof Connecticut Avenue, is priced at $1,295,000.

ON THE MARKET CAROL BUCKLEY

Place your trust in the largest private lender in the Washington Metro Area.

202.256.7777 / www.GreggBusch.com

Renovation Loans

Bridge Financing

Refinance and lower your monthly payments

Low Closing Costs

Free Pre-approvals

Come see The WESTCHESTER in BLOOM Three different spacious Two bed-rooms/Two bathrooms w/ Dens From $580,000

THE WESTCHESTER

RECENTLY REDUCED 247 B Renovated One bedroom/One bathroom

with Glover Park views $310,000

New listings coming in JUNE !Call Kathleen Battista at Cathedral Realty

For details and showings

Kathleen Lynch Battista Direct: 202 320-8700Office: 202 338-4800 kbattista@cathedralrealtyllc.com On Site Office

4000 Cathedral Avenue NW Washington, DC

ANC 3ETenleytownAmerican University Park

The commission will meet at7:30 p.m. June 9 at St. Mary’sArmenian Apostolic Church,42nd and Fessenden streetsNW.

For details, visit anc3e.org.

ANC 3/4GChevy Chase

At the commission’s May 9meeting:■ commissioners unanimously sup-ported a Board of ZoningAdjustment application by BlessedSacrament School for a specialexception to continue using a play-ing field at 3637 Patterson St. Theapproval must be renewed everythree years. In their resolution, com-missioners encouraged the Board ofZoning Adjustment to continue theapproval for more than three years.■ commissioners voted 6-1, withCarolyn Cook opposing, to providea grant of $1,000 to the ChevyChase Dog Park Group to contributetoward construction of a fence, con-tingent upon similar support fromAdvisory NeighborhoodCommission 3E, in which the parkis located.

“This park is not actually in theborders of our ANC, but we live lit-erally right up against it,” said com-mission chair Gary Thompson.

Cook said she was “not sold onthe merit of this grant as benefitingour community in these toughtimes.”■ commissioners voted unanimous-ly to have chair Gary Thompsonrepresent the commission at a hear-ing on proposed changes to bus andrail service, including elimination ofthe E6 bus route.

Thompson said there was“almost no public advertisement ofthat idea” and called the proposal“outrageous, because so manymembers of our community reallyrely on this bus.”

He said his testimony wouldfocus on both process and sub-stance. “This issue just kind ofsnuck up on everybody and we’vebeen chasing it. … We received sev-eral substantial pieces of misinfor-mation along the way.”■ commissioners discussed possiblechanges to ward and commissionboundaries based on recent censusdata. Chair Gary Thompson said hewould like to see the commission’sboundaries stay as they are. Butcommissioner Carolyn Cook saidsome of her constituents, who weremoved from Ward 3 to Ward 4 in thelast redistricting, would like to beswitched back so they could havemore of a say about ConnecticutAvenue, which is where they “spendtheir time.”

The commission will meet at7:30 p.m. June 13 at the ChevyChase Community Center,Connecticut Avenue andMcKinley Street NW.

For details, call 202-363-5803 or

send an email to chevy-chaseanc3@verizon.net.

ANC 4AColonial VillageShepherd Park

The commission will meet at7:15 p.m. June 7 at FortStevens Recreation Center,13th and Van Buren streets NW.

For details, call 202-291-9341.

ANC 4CPetworth/16th Street HeightsCrestwood

The commission will meet at6:30 p.m. June 14 at RooseveltHigh School, 4301 13th St. NW.

For details, call 202-723-6670 orvisit anc4c.org.

Northwest Real Estate

18 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENTCH

Chevy Chase Citizens AssociationAt our annual public safety meeting earlier this month,

Metropolitan Police Department Detective Sgt. Morani Hines andDetective Tim Palchak discussed combating Internet crimes againstchildren. They explained that online predators will spend months“grooming” children before enticing them to meet in person. In par-ticular, predators seek to obtain information that will help them locatechildren, such as names, ages, birthdays, phone numbers, schedulesand schools. The detectives recommended that any photographs orvideos posted on the Internet never show backgrounds that revealidentifying information, sexually provocative poses or inappropriateor illegal activity. They also recommended that children’s computeruse be limited to common areas in the house.

Police Service Area 201 Lt. Antonio Charland reported that therehave been fewer crimes so far this year than last year, especially interms of burglaries and thefts from automobiles. Charland remindedresidents to contact 911 to report any suspicious activity. He alsoadvised residents not to leave bicycles or other valuable items unse-cured outside the home, as criminals canvass the area to steal suchitems. Adventino Dasilva, acting police chief of Chevy ChaseVillage, Md., noted the importance of cross-jurisdiction cooperationwith Lt. Charland, including providing lookouts to each other forindividuals suspected of criminal activity in Maryland and theDistrict of Columbia.

Samantha Nolan, our Neighborhood Watch director, providedcrime prevention tips for deterring thefts of iPhones and other smartphones, such as not texting while sitting next to the doors on theMetro and wearing just one ear bud while walking around, so that thewearer can be better aware of his or her surroundings.

Finally, we honored the late Roy Gordon, former police chief ofChevy Chase Village, in appreciation for his “years of generous anddedicated service to all of the Greater Chevy Chase Community,effectively combating crime, promoting crime prevention, and foster-ing police community relations.”

We also recognized our 230-plus block captains for the criticalrole that they play in distributing public safety information to resi-dents in our Neighborhood Watch program. Special thanks are due tolocal businesses Arucola Osteria Italiana, Child’s Play and SalonFamilia, which contributed gift certificates to a raffle for block cap-tains at the meeting.

— Jonathan Lawlor

Shepherd Park Citizens AssociationSeven incredible gardens in Shepherd Park, Colonial Village and

North Portal Estates were featured in the association’s seventh annu-al garden tour on Sunday. From a compact city setting to palatialestates, each garden displayed amazing creativity, beauty and ele-gance. Features included Peruvian stone walls and a blue stone pool;ponds with cascading waterfalls and meandering flagstone walk-ways; hillside terraced gardens with serpentine stone walls; andJapanese maple, crape myrtle and weeping willow trees; wisteria,rambling pink primroses, Nepeta (catmint), hostas, ferns and a multi-tude of other spectacular plantings.

The association extends its appreciation to all garden hosts fortheir hospitality in sharing their extraordinary gardens. A specialthanks to garden tour coordinator Gloria Owens and committee mem-bers Cynthia and Sam Prather, Jeff Ross, Beth Allaben, Ed Savwoirand Cheryl Hamlin, as well as all the volunteers who assisted to makethis a tremendous success. All proceeds will be used to preserve andenhance public green spaces within the association’s three communi-ties and the neighboring business district.

The Juanita E. Thornton/Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library,7420 Georgia Ave. NW, will hold a Job Seekers Drop-in Clinic onJune 4 and 18, from noon to 2 p.m. The clinics will provide hands-onsupport for basic online job-searching activities such as creating anemail account, establishing a Monster.com account, creating and sav-ing a sample job search, starting a résumé and preparing an online jobapplication. For appointments, call Marilyn Smith at 202-541-6100.

— Bonnie Randolph

ANC 3E■ AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARKFRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS/TENLEYTOWN

ANC 4A■ COLONIAL VILLAGE/CRESTWOODSHEPHERD PARK/BRIGHTWOOD

ANC 3/4G■ CHEVY CHASE

ANC 4C■ PETWORTH/16TH STREET HEIGHTSCRESTWOOD

REGISTER! NEW CAREER IN REAL ESTATE!

We seek Community Service Oriented, Business Focused, Independent-Minded & Entrepreneurial Spirited individuals to

join our energetic sales team. Attend our complimentary Real Estate Career Seminar night to learn

more about what a career in real estate can offer you. Our “100 days to Greatness” personal coaching program can get

your CAREER off to the right start.

Call Brenda Small, Manager at 202-362-3400

THE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 19

Northwest Real Estate

having general goals over the course of theyear, “they’re constantly checking for mas-tery,” she said. It’s more fun for the kids,too — more games, more group work —and it meets students’ needs more precisely,she said.

Martinez’s favorite parts of her job are thestudents’ arrival in the morning and “thesound of recess,” which consists mostly ofscreaming — happy screaming, she empha-sized. She often goes to watch recess, where

she talks to solitary students and occasionallypicks up a jump rope or plays basketball,though she said the latter is not her strongsuit.

Catholic schools, Martinez said, are“interested in not just what you’re learning,but who you’re becoming.” Because theytake certain religious premises as the base ofall they do, a philosophy about treating eachother well pervades Our Lady of Victory,where about 85 percent of the 200-odd stu-dents are Catholic.

“They believe they can do anything,”Martinez said of her students. “They reallybelieve they can be the president, and that’s a

great attitude to have about life.”Kate Treanor, mother of a first-grader and

the chair of the school’s board, said Martinezknows each student personally and is at thefront door to greet them by name every day.

Martinez said she tries to visit classroomsat least once every day.

Dan Kerns, a parent of four Our Lady ofVictory students over the past 10 years andthe headmaster of Georgetown VisitationPreparatory School, said Martinez “can giveyou a pretty comprehensive rundown oneach student in the school. She treats eachchild as her own.”

“The school has always had a certain cul-ture and chemistry,” said Kerns. “She’senhanced that. She’s influenced it in a verypersonal way.”

Martinez is also an active member of theparish, as are many of her students. “I’d liketo stay here, if they’ll allow me, until Iretire,” she said.

PRINCIPALFrom Page 13

But, as Rayburn put it, “Weaspire to the natural look.” Thatmeans it’s not necessarily obviousto visitors that the landscape isclosely managed. “You have kidswho’ll go running into the woodsbecause it looks so natural,”explained Rayburn.

In part, arboretum officialschose the “natural look” as a spe-cific aesthetic, but it’s also theresult of a small staff who can onlydo so much in the course of aneight-hour day, even though theywork throughout the winter.Rayburn said he spends 60 to 70percent of his time weeding, butit’s still not enough. So his mainobjective is to get rid of non-nativeinvasives, plants like Asian elms,English ivy and Japanese honey-suckle that have no place in awholly American garden.

During the rest of his time,Rayburn maintains the collection— taking down dead trees, pruning

or putting in new plants — andhelps his co-workers on large proj-ects that might include setting upirrigation systems or building stonewalls. He also leads five-milemoonlight hikes during the fullmoon.

“It’s a good job,” said Rayburn,a Hyattsville resident who workedfor a tree-care company beforecoming here two years ago.“Horticulture doesn’t pay much,but if you love it, it’s very reward-ing.”

It’s not ideal for everyone.“We have a joke that peoplealways say, ‘It must be nice to beoutside all the time,’ but on thosedays when it’s hot or humid, orfreezing cold or rainy, we missit,” explained Rayburn, addingthat he’s never actually held anindoor job.

It’s also tough on the body.Rayburn and his colleagues drivelittle two-seater Cushman trucksaround the grounds, but most ofthe work — and a lot of the haul-ing — has to be done by hand,which means shoulders, knees and

lower backs tend to take a beating.And then there’s the whole

being alone thing. The secludedarboretum gets about 500,000 visi-tors a year — compared to theNational Mall’s 25 million — sovisitors are few and far between.But Rayburn said he doesn’t mind,even though he might spend awhole day in silence. “That’s howI like it,” he said. “A lot of us areextroverts, but we don’t need con-stant human connection.”

Plus, there are tons of non-human visitors: deer, fox, pos-sums, goldfinches, woodpeckers,and lots of butterflies and frogs.They’re native to the area:Despite Rayburn and his col-leagues’ best efforts to transformsections of the arboretum intocompletely different ecosystems,it is, ultimately, part of the south-eastern region, with its correspon-ding acidic soil and high humidi-ty. Just like Rayburn’s strongAppalachian accent — whichbegins to slip out over time —it’s a reminder that one’s naturalstate can never be fully repressed.

ARBORETUMFrom Page 13

❝They really believe theycan be the president, andthat’s a great attitude … .❞

— Principal Sheila Martinez

4530 Wisconsin Avenue, NW202-244-7326

www.middlecmusic.com

ROCK BAND CAMP 2011!

THREE ONE WEEK SESSIONS BEGINNING

MONDAY JULY 11First Session July 11-15

Second Session July 18-22Third Session July 25-29

Sign up for any or all sessions. Camp runs from 10:00 -2:00 Daily with a performance

every Friday at 6:00pm

MON-THUR 10 am - 8 pm FRI & SAT 10 am - 6 pm

SUN 12 - 5 pm

Wednesday, May 25

Concert■ Guitarist/singer Ben Wiley Payton will

perform Delta-style blues. 6 p.m. Free.Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

Discussions and lectures■ Rupert Scofield will discuss his book

“The Social Entrepreneur’s Handbook: Howto Start, Build and Run a Business ThatImproves the World.” 5:30 p.m. Free; reser-vations required. Room 500, Bernstein-OffitBuilding, Johns Hopkins University Schoolof Advanced International Studies, 1717Massachusetts Ave. NW. jhan27@jhu.edu.

■ Christopher McKnight Nichols will dis-cuss his book “Promise and Peril: Americaat the Dawn of a Global Age.” 6 p.m. Free.National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streetsNW. 202-633-1000.

■ Hannah Nordhaus will discuss herbook “The Beekeeper’s Lament: How OneMan and Half a Billion Honey Bees HelpFeed America.” 7 p.m. Free. Politics andProse, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-1919.

■ Cookbook author Joan Nathan willdiscuss “JewishHoliday Traditions andCooking in America.” Abook signing will follow.7 p.m. Free. McGowanTheater, NationalArchives Building,Pennsylvania Avenuebetween 7th and 9th streets NW. 202-357-5000.

Films■ “NoMa Summer Screen” will present

Steven Spielberg’s 1989 film “IndianaJones and the Last Crusade.” 7 p.m. Free.L Street between 2nd and 3rd streets NE.nomasummerscreen.com.

■ The Reel Israel DC series will featureReshef Levy’s 2008 film “Lost Islands.” 8p.m. $11; $9 for students; $8.25 for sen-iors; $8 for ages 12 and younger. AvalonTheatre, 5612 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-966-6000.

Performance■ The Voices of Now Festival will fea-

ture youth ensembles performing originalplays. 7:30 p.m. Free; reservationsrequired. Kogod Cradle, Arena Stage, 11016th St. SW. 202-488-3300. The festival willcontinue with performances at 7:30 p.m.Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m.Sunday.

Thursday, May 26

Concert■ Strathmore artists-in-residence

Maureen Andary and Sara Curtin, membersof the singing duo The Sweater Set, willperform. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage,Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

Discussions and lectures■ Robert Lawrence, director of the

Center for a Livable Future at the JohnsHopkins Bloomberg School of PublicHealth, will discuss “Walking the Talk: WhySeek LEED Certification for the Center for aLivable Future?” 12:30 p.m. Free; reserva-tions required. National Building Museum,401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448.

■ A gallery talk will focus on “OnceUpon a Picture: Lawrence as Storyteller,”about Jacob Lawrence’s use of patternsand bold colors to tell the story of the great20th-century exodus of African-Americansfrom the rural South to the urban North. 6and 7 p.m. Donation suggested. PhillipsCollection, 1600 21st St. NW. 202-387-2151.

■ Artist Gyöngy Laky — whose grids,vessels and language sculptures exploreform, arrangement, dimensionality, materi-al, texture and pattern — will discuss herconcepts and methods. 6 p.m. $25; reser-vations required. Textile Museum, 2320 SSt. NW. 202-667-0441, ext. 64.

■ Irene Levin Berman will discuss herbook “‘We Are Going to Pick Potatoes’:Norway and the Holocaust, the UntoldStory.” 6:30 p.m. $28; reservationsrequired. Woman’s National DemocraticClub, 1526 New Hampshire Ave. NW. 202-232-7363.

■ Artist, author and photographer HarryGamboa Jr. will discuss his conceptualworks and their relationship to urbanChicano culture. 7 p.m. Free. SmithsonianAmerican Art Museum, 8th and F streetsNW. 202-633-1000.

Films■ The Palisades Neighborhood Library

will show Stanley Kramer’s 1960 film“Inherit the Wind,” starring Spencer Tracy,Fredric March and Gene Kelly. 4 p.m. Free.Palisades Neighborhood Library, 4901 VSt. NW. 202-282-3139.

■ Asia Society Washington will presentDaniel Gordon’s 2003 documentary “A

State of Mind,” about life in North Korea. Adiscussion will follow. 6 to 8 p.m. $20;reservations required. Cinnabar Room, AsiaSociety Washington, 1526 New HampshireAve. NW. 202-833-2742.

■ The International Spy Museum willpresent Thomas Cappelen Malling’s 2010film “Norwegian Ninja,” followed by a talkby the director. 6:30 p.m. $20.International Spy Museum, 800 F St. NW.202-393-7798.

Performance■ Gene Markowski, an artist and poet,

and Sharon Shafer, a singer and compos-er, will present “The Artist Speaks:Creative Conduit,” featuring poetry, draw-ings, songs and conversation. 4 p.m.Free. Studio Gallery, 2108 R St. NW.studiogallerydc.com.

Sporting event■ The Washington Mystics will play the

Chicago Sky in a preseason matchup.11:30 a.m. $5 to $75. Verizon Center, 601F St. NW. 202-397-7328.

Tour■ Rosarian and U.S. Botanic Garden

volunteer Sharon Hanes will lead a tour ofthe Margaret Hagedorn Rose Garden. 5:30to 6:30 p.m. Free. National Garden LawnTerrace, U.S. Botanic Garden, 100Maryland Ave. SW. 202-225-1116.

Friday, May 27

Concerts■ Henk de Vries of the Netherlands will

present an organ recital. 12:15 p.m. Free.National City Christian Church, 5 ThomasCircle NW. 202-797-0103.

■ Members of the Kennedy CenterOpera House Orchestra will perform worksby Strauss and Brahms. 6 p.m. Free.Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ The Embassy Series will presentsoprano RosaLamoreaux (shown),clarinetist RichardSpece and pianistElizabeth Hill perform-ing works by Dvorák,Spohr, Cooke, Mozartand Janácek. 7:30 p.m.$75. Embassy of the Czech Republic, 3900Spring of Freedom St. NW. 202-625-2361.

Discussions and lectures■ National Gallery of Art lecturer Carol

Christensen will discuss “Gauguin:Mythmaking Through Painting Technique.”11 a.m. Free. East Building InformationDesk, National Gallery of Art, 4th Streetand Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215.

■ National Gallery of Art lecturer DavidGariff will discuss Auguste Rodin’s 1909bust of Gustav Mahler. 1 p.m. Free. WestBuilding Rotunda, National Gallery of Art,6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.202-737-4215.

Performances■ The Downtown Players will present

“Beyond the Blues: A Performance Pieceon the Issue of Gay Bullying,” featuringsong, dance, poetry and special readings.7 p.m. $10 donation suggested.Bloombars, 3222 11th St. NW. dcsownentertainmentgroup.com. The per-formance will repeat June 3 at 7 p.m.

■ The Potter’s House will present anopen-mike night with special guest ChrisBargmann. 7 to 10:30 p.m. $15 to $50donation suggested. The Potter’s House,

1658 Columbia Road NW. pottershouse-dc.og.

Sporting event■ The Washington Nationals will play

the San Diego Padres. 7:05 p.m. $5 to$350. Nationals Park, 1500 South CapitolSt. SE. 888-632-6287. The series will con-tinue Saturday at 1:05 p.m. and Sunday at1:35 p.m.

Saturday, May 28

Concerts■ The rock band Fourmanchu will per-

form. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free. U.S.Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.202-737-2300.

■ The Friday Morning Music ClubFoundation will present the final round ofits Washington International Competition forPiano. 2 p.m. Free; tickets required.Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center. 202-333-2075.

■ The Brooklyn-based Beach Fossils willperform. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage,Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

Discussions and lectures■ Dr. Sheila Overton, author of “Before

It’s Too Late: WhatParents Need to KnowAbout Teen Pregnancyand STD Prevention,”will discuss teen sexualhealth. 1 p.m. Free.Juanita E.Thornton/ShepherdPark Neighborhood Library, 7420 GeorgiaAve. NW. 202-541-6100.

■ Matthew Algeo will discuss his book“The President Is a Sick Man: Wherein theSupposedly Virtuous Grover ClevelandSurvives a Secret Surgery at Sea andVilifies the Courageous NewspapermanWho Dared Expose the Truth.” 6 p.m. Free.Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave.NW. 202-364-1919.

Film■ The National Gallery of Art’s screen-

ing of award winners from the InternationalFestival of Films on Art will feature “TwiceUpon a Garden,” “Expansive Grounds” and“Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight.”2:30 p.m. Free. East Building Auditorium,National Gallery of Art, 4th Street andConstitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215.

Performances■ The D.C. Commission on Arts and the

Humanities will present “Body,” a new per-

formance by interdisciplinary artist ChajanadenHarder. 2 p.m. Free. Corcoran Gallery ofArt, 500 17th St. NW. 202-639-1770.

■ The Inkwell will present a develop-mental reading of Rebecca Bossen’s “BlueStraggler,” about a love that blossomsquickly and ends in tragedy. 8 p.m. Free.Classroom, Wooly Mammoth TheatreCompany, 641 D St. NW.reservations@inkwelltheatre.org.

Special events■ The Memorial Day Weekend

Battleground National CemeteryRededication and OpenHouse will feature thereopening of the his-toric Lodge House, aremembrance of the 41Union soldiers buried atthe cemetery and aranger presentationabout the Battle of Fort Stevens. Openhouse from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; programat 3 p.m. Free. Battleground NationalCemetery, 6625 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-895-6070.

■ Alliance Française de Washington willpresent “DC Microfiction,” featuring read-ings of five short stories (in English) atsites throughout the Anacostia neighbor-hood. 2 p.m. Free. Meet at Martin LutherKing Jr. Avenue and V Street SE.francedc.org. The event will continue withreadings (in French) in the U Street Corridoron Sunday starting at 5 p.m.; meet at theAfrican American Civil War Memorial, 1200U St. NW.

Walks and tours■ A park ranger will lead ages 9 and

older on a two-mile “Rock Creek ParkWildlife Awards Hike.” 11 a.m. to 12:30p.m. Free. Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200Glover Road NW. 202-895-6070.

■ A Textile Museum docent will lead atour of the current exhibitions. 1:30 p.m.Free. Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW. 202-667-0441, ext. 64. The tour will repeatSunday at 1:30 p.m.

Workshop■ The DC Anime Club will host a work-

shop on how to draw manga, create cos-tumes, edit video and more (for ages 13and older). 2 to 5 p.m. Free. Room A-5,Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library,901 G St. NW. dcanimeclub.org.

Sunday, May 29

Concerts■ The National Memorial Day Choral

Festival 2011 will feature the Memorial DayFestival Chorus and the U.S. ArmyOrchestra performing American music byJohn Williams, Robert Russell Bennet,Mack Wilberg, Howard Hanson and others.2 p.m. Free; tickets required. Concert Hall,Kennedy Center. 800-395-2036.

■ Clarinetist Elena Maria Liberatore andpianist Mary-Victoria Voutsas will performworks by Mozart, Weber, Stravinsky, Bach,Liszt and Kabalevsky as part of the “MusicWith the Angels” concert series. 3:30 p.m.Free. Church of the Holy City, 1611 16thSt. NW. ChurchoftheHolyCityDC.org.

■ Mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann will per-form. 4 p.m. $20. Phillips Collection, 160021st St. NW. 202-387-2151.

■ Rodney Long of Philadelphia will per-form an organ recital. 5:15 p.m. Free.Washington National Cathedral,Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenuesNW. 202-537-6200.

■ The D.C.-based band Medications will

Events&Entertainment20 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

Thursday MAY 26

Wednesday MAY 25

Friday, MAY 27■ Concert: The “Jazz in the Garden”series will feature Origem performingBrazilian jazz. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free.Sculpture Garden, National Gallery ofArt, 7th Street and ConstitutionAvenue NW. 202-737-4215.

See Events/Page 21

Saturday MAY 28Friday MAY 27

Sunday MAY 29

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

■ The National Memorial Day Concertwill feature the National SymphonyOrchestra and performers Gary Sinise, JoeMantegna, Kris Allen, B.B. King, DanielRodriguez and Yolanda Adams, among oth-ers. 8 p.m. Free. West Lawn, U.S. Capitol.202-467-4600.

Films■ The National Gallery of Art’s screen-

ing of award winners from the InternationalFestival of Films on Art will feature “TheNew Rijksmuseum.” 2 p.m. Free. EastBuilding Auditorium, National Gallery of Art,4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.202-737-4215.

■ “A Season of Rohmer,” featuringfilms by the French director Eric Rohmer,will feature the 2007 film “Astrée andCeladon.” 5 p.m. Free. East BuildingAuditorium, National Gallery of Art, 4thStreet and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215.

■ “Focus-In! Cinema for a ConsciousCommunity” will feature Aaron Rose’s2008 film “Beautiful Losers,” about aloose-knit group of outsiders who foundcommon ground at a little New York Citystorefront gallery. 8 to 10 p.m. Free. CullenRoom, Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th St.NW. 202-387-7638.

Tour■ “Defenders of Washington” will offer

a chance to walk the earthworks of FortStevens and experience the lives of themen who defended the nation’s capital in1864. 2 p.m. Free. Fort Stevens, 1000Quackenbos St. NW. 202-895-6070.

Monday, May 30

Concerts■ The

Revivalists, aNew Orleans-based indierock band, willperform. 6 p.m.Free.Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ Musicians Brendan Perry and RobinGuthrie will perform atmospheric rock. 8p.m. $10. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue,600 I St. NW. 877-435-9849.

Film■ The National Gallery of Art’s screen-

ing of award winners from the InternationalFestival of Films on Art will feature “BorisVian, the Jazz Life,” “Archipels Nitrate” and“Symphonie Montréal.” 2 p.m. Free. EastBuilding Auditorium, National Gallery of Art,4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.202-737-4215.

Special events■ Café Saint-Ex will host its third annual

Memorial Day Chili Cook-Off, featuring livemusic, children’s activities and chili tast-ings. A portion of the proceeds will benefitGarrison Elementary School. 11 a.m. to 5p.m. Free admission. T Street between14th and 15th streets NW. saint-ex.com.

■ The National Park Service, the IllinoisState Society of Washington, D.C., and theLogan Circle Community Association willhold a wreath-laying ceremony in honor ofJohn A. Logan, the founder of MemorialDay. 12:30 p.m. Free. Logan Circle, PStreet and Rhode Island Avenue NW. 202-673-2402.

■ The National Memorial Day Parade,sponsored by the American VeteransCenter, will feature veterans, active-duty mil-itary personnel, marching bands, floats,flags and special guests Joe Mantegna,Gary Sinise and Pat Sajak. 2 p.m. Free.Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to17th Street NW. 703-302-1012, ext. 227.

Sporting event■ The Washington Nationals will play

the Philadelphia Phillies. 1:05 p.m. $5 to$350. Nationals Park, 1500 South CapitolSt. SE. 888-632-6287. The series will con-tinue Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. and Wednesdayat 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday, May 31

Concerts■ Upbeat Unlimited, an ensemble of 10-

to 14-year-old singers and dancers atRockville’s Musical Theater Center, andSingular Sensations, a pre-professionalgroup of high school students at the samecenter, will perform Broadway song-and-dance numbers. 6 p.m. Free. MillenniumStage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

■ Musician Alexander Ebert will per-form. 8 p.m. $25. Sixth & I HistoricSynagogue, 600 I St. NW. 800-745-3000.

Discussions and lectures■ The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

will present pianists Samuel Oram andShou Ping Liu playing and discussing“Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 in Dminor.” 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Free.Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen ArtsCenter, American University, 4400Massachusetts Ave. NW. 202-895-4860.

■ Artist Peter Waddell will discuss thepaintings in the exhibit “An Artist Visits theWhite House Past.” 1:30 p.m. Free. WhiteHouse Visitor Center, 1450 PennsylvaniaAve. NW. 202-737-8292. The talk willrepeat weekly through July 26.

■ The D.C. Preservation League willpresent a talk by Dumbarton House muse-um curator S. Scott Scholz about how thestaff goes about interpreting the lives of itsearly residents. 6 to 8 p.m. $25; reserva-tions required. Dumbarton House, 2715 QSt. NW. dcpreservation.org.

■ Tayari Jones willdiscuss her novel“Silver Sparrow,” aboutthe two families of abigamist. 7 p.m. Free.Politics and Prose,5015 Connecticut Ave.NW. 202-364-1919.

Films■ The second in a series of screenings

based on “AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Movies”list will feature No. 94 — QuentinTarantino’s 1994 film “Pulp Fiction.” 6 p.m.Free. Georgetown Neighborhood Library,3260 R St. NW. 202-727-0232.

■ The Washington Psychotronic FilmSociety will screen Jackie Kong’s 1984 film“Night Patrol.” 8 p.m. Free; donations sug-gested. The Passenger, 1021 7th St. NW.202-462-3356.

Wednesday, June 1

Concerts■ J. Reilly Lewis, music director of the

Cathedral Choral Society and theWashington Bach Consort, will performworks by Bach, Franck and Dupré. 12:10p.m. Free. St. John’s Church, LafayetteSquare, 1525 H St. NW. 202-347-8766.

■ The weekly Harbour Nights concertseries will feature singer/songwriter David

Andrew Smith. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free.Plaza, The Washington Harbour, 3050 K St.NW. 202-295-5007.

■ The Golden Triangle BusinessImprovement District will present a concertby the D.C.-based reggae band Jah Works.5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Farragut SquarePark, Connecticut Avenue and K Street NW.goldentriangle.com.

■ As part of the DC Jazz Festival, theBerklee World Jazz Octet will perform. 6p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, KennedyCenter. 202-467-4600.

■ The U.S. Marine Band will performworks by Sousa, Barnes and Listzt. 8 p.m.Free. West Terrace, U.S. Capitol. 202-433-4011.

Discussions and lectures■ The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

will present Temple Sinai rabbi emeritusFred Reiner discussing “The Shapira Affair:A 19th-Century Dead Sea Scroll Scandal.”10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Free. AbramsonFamily Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center,American University, 4400 MassachusettsAve. NW. 202-895-4860.

■ Marc Leepson will discuss his book“Lafayette: Lessons in Leadership From theIdealist General.” Noon. Free. WashingtonRoom, National Archives Building,Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9thstreets NW. 202-357-5000.

■ National Gallery of Art lecturer DavidGariff will discuss “Provocations of theBody: The Art of Egon Schiele.” 2 p.m.Free. West Building Lecture Hall, NationalGallery of Art, 6th Street and ConstitutionAvenue NW. 202-737-4215.

■ Michael J. Pfeifer will discuss hisbook “The Roots of Rough Justice: Originsof American Lynching.” 6 p.m. Free.National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streetsNW. 202-633-1000.

■ David Gray, director of New America

Foundation’s Workforce and FamilyProgram, and Ann-Zofie Duvander, associ-ate professor of sociology and demographyat Stockholm University, will discuss“Parenting — Putting the Pieces Together,”about family roles in the United States andSweden. 6 to 8 p.m. Free; reservationsrequired. House of Sweden, 2900 K St.NW. rsvp-hos@foreign.ministry.se.

■ Juan E. Mendez, U.N. special rappor-teur on torture, and other panelists will dis-cuss “Accountability Today — PreventingTorture Tomorrow.” 6 to 8:30 p.m. Free.Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212East Capitol St. NE. 202-547-1920.

■ Linda Stout willdiscuss her book“Collective Visioning:How Groups Can WorkTogether for a Just andSustainable Future.”6:30 to 8 p.m.Langston Room,Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW.202-387-7638.

■ Justin Cronin will discuss his novel“The Passage.” 7 p.m. Free. Politics andProse, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-1919.

■ Smithsonian horticulturist JanetDraper will discuss the Mary LivingstonRipley Garden, a serpentine series ofraised beds, intimate seating areas andantique planters. 7 p.m. Free. Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library, 4450Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-727-1488.

Events&EntertainmentTHE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 21

Wednesday, JUNE 1■ Discussion: The Hay-Adams AuthorSeries will host a three-course lunch-eon with two-time Pulitzer Prize win-ner David McCullough, who will dis-cuss his book “The Greater Journey:Americans in Paris.” Noon. $85. Topof the Hay, Hay-Adams Hotel, 16thand H streets NW. hayadams.com.

Continued From Page 20

Monday MAY 30

Tuesday MAY 31

Wednesday JUNE 1

202-244-7400 (TRS 711)

4201 Butterworth Place, NW Washington, D.C.

www.friendshipterrace.com

Memorial Day Picnic

Free event!

Events&Entertainment22 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

By MARK LONGAKERCurrent Correspondent

Canaletto captured the gloriesof Venetian architecture,canals and abundant festi-

vals in light-filled spacious paint-ings he sold primarily to Englishtourists. It is little wonder that moreof his so-called “view paintings”— known as vedute — wound upin English collections than in thoseof any other country.

Little wonder, also, that anEnglish scholar and art dealerwould have curated an exhibitionabout such paintings titled “Venice:Canaletto and His Rivals,” whichran at London’s National Gallerybefore coming to our own NationalGallery of Art, where it will closeSunday.

Curator Charles Beddington,speaking at the Washington open-ing, said the exhibition “bringstogether one of the finest groups of18th-century Venetian view paint-ings ever assembled,” including 21vedute by Canaletto and 34 by hismost-important rivals.

Among the finest of theseexquisitely detailed paintings isCanaletto’s “The Entrance to theGrand Canal, Looking West, WithSanta Maria della Salute” (about1729).

This magnificent view ofVenice’s main thoroughfare, crowd-

ed with gondolas where it funnelsin from the Bacino di San Marco,exemplifies what might be calledCanaletto’s “tourist” style. It fea-tures a must-see landmark, the dou-ble-domed Santa Maria dellaSalute, Venice’s preeminentBaroque church. It presents a pleas-ingly tranquil sunlit scene filledwith colorful detail. And it showsrealistic people captured sponta-neously amid their daily activities,as though in a snapshot.

The era of the vedute endedwhen Napoleon’s forces stormedacross Europe at the close of the18th century, capturing the millen-

nium-old Venetian Republic andhalting the tourism that had sus-tained the view painters for 100years. But their legacy continued inEngland, inspiring a flourishinglandscape movement the followingcentury led by artists like JohnConstable and J.M.W. Turner.

“Venice: Canaletto and HisRivals” will close Sunday in theEast Building of the NationalGallery of Art. Located at 4thStreet and Constitution AvenueNW, the museum is open Mondaythrough Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6p.m. 202-737-4215; nga.gov.

Venetian glory seen in ‘Canaletto’ exhibit

Canaletto’s “The Entrance to the Grand Canal, Looking West, WithSanta Maria della Salute,” about 1729, oil on canvas

“Race to the End of the Earth,” featuringphotographs, paintings and artifacts thattell the story of the epic 1911 race

between Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen andBritish explorer Robert Scott to be the first person toreach the South Pole, will open today at the National

Geographic Museum. The exhibit will continuethrough Aug. 21.

Located at 1145 17th St. NW, the museum is opendaily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $8 for

adults; $6 for seniors, stu-dents and military per-sonnel; $4 for ages 5through 12; and free forages 4 and younger. 202-857-7588.■ “From Color to Form,”presenting paintings byVirginia artists DavidCarlson and SuzannaFields, will open today atthe Heurich Gallery andcontinue through Sept. 7.

An opening receptionand artist’s talk will takeplace today from 5:30 to7 p.m.

Located at 505 9th St. NW, the gallery is openMonday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. andSaturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 202-223-1626.■ “A Life in Color,” featuring paintings by 95-year-oldAlexandria musician-turned-painter Sidney Foster, willopen tomorrow with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at

Geoffrey Diner Gallery and continue through June 25.The artist will give a talk June 2 from 5 to 7 p.m.Located at 1730 21st St. NW, the gallery is open

Thursday through Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. 202-483-5005.■ “NASA Art: 50 Years of Exploration,” spotlighting72 artworks commissioned by NASA to document theU.S. space program over the last 50 years, will openSaturday at the National Air and Space Museumand continue through Oct. 9.

Located at 6th Street and Independence AvenueSW, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30p.m. 202-633-1000.■ “Green Genes: Mapping the Plant World,” an exhibitthat illustrates how genetic mapping is bringing newinsights to plant taxonomy, will open Saturday at theU.S. Botanic Garden and continue through Oct. 10.

Located at 100 Maryland Ave. SW, the BotanicGarden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 202-225-8333.

Museum looks at early Antarctica exploration

On EXHIBIT

This photograph of Robert Scott in his quarters ispart of a National Geographic Museum exhibit.

B allet Nacional deCuba will return to theKennedy Center for the

first time since 2001, present-

ing two programs — “TheMagic of Dance” and “DonQuixote” — May 31 throughJune 5.

“The Magic of Dance” fea-tures ballet highlights from“Giselle,” “The SleepingBeauty,” “Swan Lake,” “TheNutcracker,” “Coppélia,” “DonQuixote” and “GottschalkSymphony.”

The other program featuresthe company’s idiosyncratic,passionate version of “DonQuixote.”

Performance times for “TheMagic of Dance” are 7:30 p.m.Tuesday and Wednesday; per-formance times for “DonQuixote” are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdaythrough Saturday and 1:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday. Ticketscost $25 to $99. 202-467-4600;kennedy-center.org.■ Washington National Operawill close “Don Pasquale” May

27 and “Iphigénie en Tauride”May 28 at the Kennedy Center.

Performance times for“Iphigénie en Tauride” areWednesday at 7:30 p.m. andSaturday at 7 p.m.; perform-ance times for “Don Pasquale”are Thursday and Friday at7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to$300. 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org.■ Folger Theatre has extendedEdmond Rostand’s “Cyrano”through June 12.

Performance times generallyare 7:30 p.m. Tuesday throughThursday; 8 p.m. Friday andSaturday; 2 p.m. Saturday andSunday; and 7 p.m. Sunday.Tickets cost $39 to $60. FolgerShakespeare Library is locatedat 201 East Capitol St. SE. 202-544-7077; folger.edu.

The Kennedy Center will hostBallet Nacional de Cuba May31 through June 5.

Cuban balletto visit D.C.

On STAGE

Sidney Foster’s work ison display at GeoffreyDiner Gallery.

The CurrenT Wednesday, May 25, 2011 23

GCNE126673.indd 1 5/20/11 5:19 PM

THE CURRENT Service Directory % 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850

THE CURRENT NEWSPAPERSService Directory Department

5185 MacArthur Blvd. N.W., Suite 102, Washington, D.C. 20016

Categories listed in this issue

The Current Service Directory is a unique way for local businessesto reach Northwest Washington customers effectively. No matterhow small or large your business, if you are in business to provideservice, The Current Service Directory will work for you.

AD ACCEPTANCE POLICYThe Current Newspapers reserves the right to reject any advertising or advertising copy at any time for any reason.

In any event, the advertiser assumes liability for the content of all advertising copy printed and agrees to hold theCurrent Newspapers harmless from all claims arising from printed material made against any Current Newspaper.

The Current Newspapers shall not be liable for any damages or loss that might occur from errors or omissions inany advertisement in excess of the amount charged for the advertisement. In the event of non-publication of any ador copy, no liability shall exist on the part of the Current Newspaper except that no charge shall be made for the a

For information about the licensing of any particular business in Washington, D.C., please call the DistrictDepartment of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs at (202) 442-4311. The department's website iswww.dcra.dc.gov.

Home ImprovementHome ServicesIron WorkKitchens & BathsLandscapingLawn CareLocksmith

Masonry

Painting

Pest Control

Plumbing

Roofing

Tree Services

Windows

Windows & Doors

Air ConditioningCabinet WorkCarpet CleaningChimney ServicesCleaning ServicesElectrical ServicesFloor ServicesHandymanHauling

Carpentry

Capital Chimney Exterior & Interior

Restoration Specialist ROOFING • STONE • BRICK

CONCRETE • STUCCO

WATERPROOFING • WET BASEMENTS

ADDITIONS • KITCHENSLic./ Ins • 30 years experience

202-391-1766301-588-1739

Electrical Services

Handyman

It’s “AlwaysSomething”

X Carpentry X Drywall Repairs X Caulking X Light Electrical & Plumbing

X Deck Repairs X Storm Doors X Ceiling Fans X General Repairs

X Some Assembly Required

703-217 6697 / 703 217 9116 Licensed Chris Stancil Insured

Always Something Inc.

Handyman Services

X No Job Too SmallX Very ReliableTo Do List

It’s “AlwaysSomething”202-363-0502Licensed, Bonded, Insured - Serving N.W. DCGovernment secured background clearance

Kitchens/Bathrooms/Basement/AtticRemodeling, Tiling,

Grouting, Caulking, Plastering,Painting, Drywall, Deck

Building and Preservation,Special Project Requests.

Lead Paint Certifiedwww.creightonshomeimprovements.com

Creighton’s

CABINET WORK

CLEANING SERVICES

FLOORING

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Paint • Carpentry • Drywall Electric • Plumbing • Kitchen Remodeling

Bathroom Renovations Basement Finishing • Home Maintenance

Tile & Flooring Installation

JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL REFERENCES PROVIDED

GREAT SERVICE GUARANTEED

No

HANDYMAN

EUROPEAN HOME IMPROVEMENT PARTNERSX Additions, decks, custom cabinets, carpentry, remodelingX Bathrooms, kitchens, finished basements, porches/ sun roomsX Marble, ceramic and tile, hardwood and pergo floorsX Exterior and interior painting

301-674-3909 X 301-916-6086

Free estimates and design • Licensed/Bonded/Insured • Excellent references availableOver 25 years of experience • All major credit cards accepted • 20% off with this ad

Thomas Designs and Construction, Inc.Quality Renovations and Improvements

• Interior Renovations • Additions• Kitchens / Baths • Decks• Porches / Sunrooms • Garages• Finished Basements • In-Law Suites

703-752-1614Licenses in DC, MD and VA. www.thomas-designs.com

Foley HomesTHE KEY TO YOUR REMODELING NEEDS

General Contractor • Handyman ServicesDesign/Build • New Construction • Remodeling

Licensed • Bonded • Insured(CELL) 202-281-6767 • (OFFICE) 703-248-0808

foley.homes@comcast.net

F

THE CURRENTTHE CURRENT

24 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

Marathon General Contractors• Kitchen & Bath Remodeling• Additions, Decks, Patios• Painting and Wall Covering• Finished Basements• Carpentry & Tiles

Lic/Bonded/Ins301-814-8855 / 301-260-7549

Call 301-947-6811 or 301-908-1807 For FREE Estimate30 years Experience — Licensed & Insured — MD Tree Expert #385

APPALOOSA CONTRACTORSDrainage Problems • Timber • Walls • Flagstone • Walkways • • Patios • Fencing

Landscape Design & Installation • Tree Service

— With The Boss Always On The Job —

B rookville

L andscape

S upply Silver Spring Maryland

301-448-0624Commercial and ResidentialLeaf Mulch and Compost

with "Zoo-Doo"Bulk & Bag Mulch

Shredded Hardwood & PineTopsoil • Landscape Debris &

Dirt Accepted8913 Brookville Road

Delivery Available • BLSupply@verizon.net

THE CURRENT Service Directory % 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850

HOME IMPROVEMENT

KITCHENS & BATHS

IRON WORK

LANDSCAPING

LANDSCAPING

LAWN & LANDSCAPINGComplete Yard Maintenance

Call José Carbajal 301-417-0753301-370-7008

TenleytownLawn & Landscape &

Quality MasonryMaintenance Agreements • Core Aeration & Over Seeding • Grading

Sod • Driveways • Retaining Walls • Stone & Brick WorkSnow Removal

Fully Insured • Year-Round Service

www.Tenleytownlawn.com or mail: tenleytown@comcast.net

202- 362-3383

Handyman

K.J.ElsaesserPainterCarpenterHandyman

25 years experience

Owner operatedAvailable 7days a week301-418-0030

No job too small, references available

RAMOSCONSTRUCTION

• Weatherizing• Carpentry & painting• Roofing • Plumbing

Call Victor at 301-996-5541

Hauling

ANGELÕS TREES ANDTRASH REMOVAL

BRUSH• BRANCHES • YARD DEBRIS

ALL FURNITURE • APPLIANCES

BASEMENT/GARAGE CLEANING

WWW.ANGELTREESLANDSCAPING-HAULING.COMANGELTREESLANDSCAPING HAULING

ANGELÕS TREES ANDANGELÕS TREES AND

H: 703-582-3709 • Cell: 703-863-1086Leaf and Snow Removal

Say You Saw it in

THE CURRENT

MORE LANDSCAPING ADS ONTHE NEXT PAGE

WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM THE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 25

DC’s #1 resource for repair and restoration No job too small

Also: Bobcat Work • Hot Tubs/Pools • Excavation Demo/ Hauling • Residential/Commercial

•Stone/BrickFlagstone

Retaining Walls Repointing•ConcreteDrivewaysSidewalks

Exposed Aggregate•Leaky Basements

Sump PumpsWater proofi ng

$200 off Custom Patio Design & Installation

CALL PETER 202-468-8600

C U S T O M M A S O N R Ys i n c e 1 9 8 5

L i c . • B o n d e d • I n s u r e d703-827-5000

FLAGSTONE/BRICK/CONCRETE/PATIOS/RETAINING WALLSSIDEWALKS/DRIVEWAYS/ WATERPROOFING

P. MULLINS CONCRETE

All Types of ConcreteDriveways • Sidewalks • Floors / SlabsWheelchair Ramps • Retaining Walls

Step Repair/ New Steps • Brickpointing

Paul Mullins202-270-8973

Free Es t imates • Fu l ly Insured

Stone and Brick, New and Repair, Walks, Walls, Patios, Fireplaces, housefronts, hauling and bobcat work. Historic Restoration SpecialistRJ, Cooley 301-540-3127Licensed & Insured Free Estimates

Briggs Painting & Guttering, Inc.

301-509-4659licensed • bonded • insured

• Owner supervised • Interior / exterior• Power washing

• Wallpaper removal • Plaster • Drywall • Carpentry

INBUSINESSSINCE1973

John A. Maroulis Painting Company301-649-1097

Serving Your Neighborhood Since 1979

• Interior & Exterior • Plastering • DrywallQUALITY isn’t our goal,it’s our STANDARD!10% OFF WITH THIS AD!LIC.# 23799 / Bonded / Insured

THE CURRENT Service Directory % 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850

MASONRY PAINTING

PAINTING

TENLEYTOWN PAINTINGTENLEYTOWN PAINTING“We grew up in your neighborhood –

ask your neighbors about us.”

Interior/Exterior PaintingPower Washing • Deck Cleaning

Gutter Cleaning • General Carpentry202.244.2325Bonded • Insured • Since 1980

PEST CONTROL

• Ants• Termites • Stink Bugs

• Bees• Rodents

Residential &Commercial202-396-8929

Servicing the Washington Area for over 25 years.

Locksmith

Painting

Plumbing

DC’s Plumber’s License #707

202-251-1479

Dial A Plumber, LLC®

Just Say: I Need A Plumber ®

• Insurance Repair & Replacement• Licensed Gas Filter• Water Heater• Boiler Work• Serving DC• References• Drain Services• Licensed & Bonded

Roofing

Landscaping

THE CURRENT THE CURRENT

26 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

Free Estimates

Bill’s Handyman Serviceroofing, gutters, painting

and waterproofingCommercial & Residential

Senior & Government DiscountsLicensed & Insured25 Years Experience

202-629-0292 1-800-257-9434

SpringGutter

CleaningSpecials

10% off with

this ad

“Stopping Leaks-Our Specialty”Flat Roofs • Roof Coating • SLate Repairs

Shingle Repairs • Insurance Work • Gutters & DownspotsSkylights • Chimney Repairs • Metal Roofing

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FOR OVER 50 YEARS

301-277-5667 • 202-363-5577ckmcconkey@verizon.net

C.K. McConkey& Sons, Inc.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

HOOVER ROOFING, LLC.Licensed/Bonded/Insured

Member of the BBB Leak Detection Specialist

All Types of Roof /Repairs & Replacement Masonary Restoration

Historical Exterior Restoration Speak Directly with the Owner - Don

Office #- 301-441-2712 • Cell #- 301-440-4850 FIND US ON THE WEB @ HOOVERROOFINGVA.COM

35ye

ars

Expe

rienc

e

Family ROOFING

Over 50 years Experience • Featured on HGTV

202-276-5004www.FamilyRoofingLLC.com • Serving DC & Surrounding Areas • Member NRCA

FreeEstimatesEmergency ServiceCompetitive Low Costs

Experts in:Slate and Flat RoofsGutters Roof CoatingsShingles and CopperMember BBBLic. Bonded Insured

We Take Pride in Our Quality Work!

Family

THE CURRENT Service Directory % 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850

PLUMBING

ROOFING

ROOFING

SPECIALIZING IN ASPHALT ROOF COATING

202-637-8808

“Stopping Leaks is Our Specialty”

Licensed, Insured & Bonded • DC LIC. NO 5038

NO JOB TOO SMALL!!

Family Owned & Operated 30 Years Experience!

WE DO IT ALL

RUBBER ROOFSFLAT ROOFSSLATE ROOFSMETAL ROOFSSHINGLE ROOFING

WATER PROOFINGLEAK REPAIRSGUTTER REPAIRSCHIMNEY REPAIRSROOF COATING

MORE ROOFING ADS

ON THE NEXT PAGE

Tree Services

If you believe

in your business,

and want to build it. . .

ADVERTISE IN

THE CURRENT

NEWSPAPERS

202-244-7223

CALL TODAY

VISIT US ONLINE AT

WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

E-MAIL:

CLASSIFIED@CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

WWW.CURRENTNEWSPAPERS.COM THE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 27

Tree Removal is Our #1 SpecialtyFirewood • Crane Service Available

Licensed Tree Expert / Member National Arbor Day Foundation• References • Fast Service • Insured • Serving NW DC Since 1986

Charlie Seek 301-585-9612

WINDOW WASHERS, ETC...Celebrating 15 years

RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTSSERVING UPPER N.W. 202-337-0351

Residential Specialists Windows • Gutters • Power Washing

DC • MD • VA

IWCAFREE ESTIMATES Fully Bonded & Insured

Member, International Window Cleaning Association • In the heart of the Palisades since 1993

In the heart of the Palisades since 1993

Renew Restoration, Inc.Historic Window & Door Restoration

� � 301-855-1913 � �Energy Efficient Windows

Replication, Weather-StrippingGlass, Painting, Storm Windows

See Our historic resume at: www.renewrestoration.com

Service DirectoryROOFING

TREE SERVICES

WINDOWS

WINDOWS & DOORS

For information about the licensing of any particular

business in Washington, D.C., please call the District

Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs at

(202) 442-4311. Their website is www.dcra.dc.gov.

28 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

ing the drums, violin, a tambourineand maracas — that’s it,” saidJames.

— Pre-kindergartners

Janney ElementaryA book launch party at an ele-

mentary school? That’s what hap-pened on April 29, with the officialrelease of the Janney communitycookbook, “Let’s Eat In.” Those inattendance loved tasting foodsmade from some of the recipes inthe book. All the students we inter-viewed love the look of the cook-book and would like their parentsto make some of the recipes. Afavorite at the launch party wasfourth-grade teacher Dr. Langford’sOrange Marshmallow Ice Cream(available at cookwithjanney.org,where you can order your owncopy of the book).

The parent volunteer editors,Kate Laguarda and Ann Prince,think the book turned out wellbecause so many people con-tributed and because there is a hugemix of foods in the cookbook.Students, parents, teachers and peo-ple within the community helpedput the cookbook together.

— Lily Martin and Georgia Rankin, second-graders

Key ElementaryToday the fifth-grade classes are

going on a field trip to Rock CreekPark. In science we are studyinginvasive species. These are speciesthat invade natural environments.They are not native to those envi-ronments, so they are harmful tothe natural habitat.

We are going to remove inva-sive species in Rock Creek Parktoday. We will pull them off theground and from around trees.These invasive species are ruiningthe park and the environment. MissJohnson, our science teacher, isleading the trip.

— Georgia Woscoboinik andJoey Massaro, fifth-graders

Kingsbury Day SchoolHydraulic fracturing, or

hydraulic fracking, is a controver-sial issue. What is hydraulic frack-ing? According to sourcewatch.org,it is a drilling process used toobtain natural gas. This practice ofdrilling for gas is occurring in theUnited States because the demandfor energy has risen and foreign oilis expensive. During this frackingprocess, water and chemicals areinjected into rock at high pressuresto break the rock and release thegas below. Once the fracking iscomplete, the drinkable water usedduring the process is released backinto the water source. Whilehydraulic fracking provides moneyfor landowners, creates new jobsand encourages economic growth,it may also lead to negative healthand environmental effects.

This is the material we arelearning in our 12th-grade environ-mental science class. Our school is

creating a group presentation onthis subject to inform residents inthe D.C. area and our neighboringstates in the Chesapeake Baywatershed. We have a partnershipwith React to Film, a nonprofit thatuses documentary films to engage.

Drinking water contaminatedwith chemicals from hydraulicfracking can lead to negative healtheffects, including kidney and liverdamage, irritation of lung tissue, adecrease in blood pressure, dizzi-ness and vomiting. Fracking canalso have an effect on the environ-ment such as air pollution anddecreased water levels. The chemi-cals can also impact animals.— Aiman Iapalucci, 12th-grader

Lowell SchoolThe first-ever sixth-grade trip to

New York occurred on May 11through 13.

The first place we went was thehistoric Apollo Theater. We learnedall about the Apollo, and then gotan amazing opportunity: to performon the Apollo stage. The majorityof the sixth-graders took thisopportunity and showed off piecesfrom our musical, “Amrita’s Tree.”

After a relaxing tour of CentralPark and a pizza dinner on thepatio behind the hostel, we headedout to Amateur Night at the Apollo.We got there as the DJ was playingmusic and the audience was danc-ing. After the fun start came thereal Amateur Night, where peoplewere encouraged to boo if they didnot like an act.

The next morning everyoneawoke excited for the day. Westarted off at the TenementMuseum, where we learned aboutthe lives of immigrants. Next weheaded to the famous Katz’s Delifor some delicious New Yorkfavorites. After we were all full, weproceeded to the High Line forsome down time at this unusualpark on an old railroad track.

We then headed to the UnitedNations for a tour and then to aChinese restaurant and the MOCA(Museum of Chinese in America)in Chinatown. Later we walked toLittle Italy for some gelato.

When we woke up, we left forLiberty Island and Ellis Island,where we did a scavenger hunt.

— Zoe Ades, sixth-grader

Mann ElementaryWe have an amazing festival

every year just before summer. It’scalled the Summer Bash. We haveactivities such as obstacle courses,moon bounce, teacher dunking,wax hand making and much, muchmore! This event is open to all.However, you do have to pay foradmission.

Our school musical, “BenjaminFranklin: An American Icon,” wasa success! It was sold out soonafter tickets went on sale.

— Catherina Bley and C.Nyusha Lin, fifth-graders

Maret SchoolCalling all mythology lovers!

The fourth-graders are bringing outtheir inner actors and actresses

through their Greek mythologyplay. Every year, the fourth gradecreates a play with music at the endof the year. This year, the musicalis based on Homer’s “Iliad,” thestory of Greek and Trojan heroesfighting in the Trojan War.

Audiences will take a journeyback to 1500 B.C. and, guided byHomer, will witness the epic 10-year battle over a woman. You willmeet heroes such as Odysseus,Hector and Achilles, powerfulkings such as Menelaus andAgamemnon, and of course thecowardly Paris and the beautiful(yet unfaithful) Helen of Troy.Obviously, no myth would be com-plete without the 12 Olympians andtheir egos, clashes and attitudestoward mortals.

For the past few weeks, all 36students have worked diligently tocreate, memorize and practice thefull production. As part of thepreparation, the fourth-gradersmade a life-size sculpture ofOdysseus in art class out of fram-ing, plaster and paint.

“It has been a pleasure workingwith my peers as a final adventurebefore middle school,” said NiaraMondie-Sapp, who plays one of thecharacters.

— Mr. Nisbet’s fourth-graders

National PresbyterianThe sixth-graders took a trip to

Ingleside at Rock Creek, a retire-ment home in D.C. The studentsgot there with chaperones and theircars. Each student interviewed aresident of the retirement home.

Sixth-grader Bonnie McKelviesaid they asked questions like,“Where were you when PresidentKennedy was shot?” The residentstalked about their feelings whensome historical events happened.Students also asked the residents ifthey knew anyone who fought informer wars and which schoolsthey went to during their child-hood.

The sixth-graders took turnsgoing. First was Mr. Green’s group,then Mrs. Lewin’s group. Afterinterviewing the residents, the stu-dents wrote biographies about thepeople.

The sixth-grade class has beendoing this project for about 10years!

— Sofia Fretes, fifth-grader

Parkmont SchoolIn my reading group, we recent-

ly read a Washington Post articletitled “Mothers of young black mentry to protect sons from becomingstatistics.” I enjoyed reading thisarticle. I am not saying that I wassmiling when I read it; I simplymean that it caught my attention,and I was into it from the start. Itfeels good to know that there areother African-American mothersout there, like my mother, who careabout their child.

One story that I really enjoyedreading was the story of a grand-mother, Lia Gillus, who lost herson to violence and was raising her14-year-old grandson. Because she

DISPATCHESFrom Page 15

See Dispatches/Page 30

THE CURRENT Classified Ads % 202/244-7223 (FAX) 202/363-9850 E-mail: Classified@Currentnewspapers.com

WWWWWW..CCUURRRREENNTTNNEEWWSSPPAAPPEERRSS..CCOOMM THE CURRENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 29

Newspaper Carrier Needed (car required)Earnings on most routes $50-$70

The Current has openings for Home Delivered newspaper delivery routes to serve on Wednesday

(daylight hours), rain or shine. Dependability is essential.

Call Distributor Jim Saunders301-564-9313

Help Wanted

Accounting

ROBERT BEATSON, IIAttorney/Accountant

Former IRS AttorneyAdmitted to DC, MD, VA & NY Bars

All Types of Federal, State, Local & Foreign TaxesIndividual, Business, Trusts, Estates

IRS & State Tax Audit MattersAmended ReturAmended RAmended R ns, Late Returetur eturns, Late Rns, Late R ns, Betur ack TaxTT esaxax

Business Law, Business Formation & Finance Contracts, Civil Litigation, Mediation

Trusts, Estates, Wills, Probate, Real Estate

Announcements

EARLY CLASSIFIEDDEADLINE

The Current Newspapers will have an early deadline for the issue of June 1, 2011. The deadline for classified ads will be Fri-day, May 27 at 5 p.m. You can e-mail your ads to:classified@currentnewspapers.com

or place them online at www.currentnewspapers.com

anytime before the deadline. We are sorry for

any inconvenience this may cause.

The Current Newspapers

Tryout for competitive and fun travel soccer league!

U9-U13 teams, incl. a girls U11! Team spirit and higher level of play with prof. coaches. Great group of families local travel. DC area incl. No. VA and MD. Tryouts: June 4 at Watkins Rec Center on Cap. Hill (alt. dates offered). Sign up/ com-plete info. at www.capitalfc.org

Antiq. & Collectibles

Furniture Restoration• Refinishing • Repairs • Painting• Chair Caning & Any Woven Seating• Picture Hanging & Frame Restoration• Experienced w/ Reasonable Rates

Ray 301-589-2658 Takoma Park, MD

Seat Weaving – All types Cane * Rush * Danish * Wicker

Repairs * ReglueReferences

email: chairsandseats@aol.com

CHAIR CANING

STEVE YOUNG • 202-966-8810

Child Care AvailableFRENCH NATIVE lady is looking to keep an infant FT in her home in Georgetown/ Glov. Park. CPR cert, 10 yrs exp. excel. ref’s. Please call 202-333-5307.

Cleaning ServicesENJOY A Clean house with Yolanda’s general housekeeping service. Avail-able Monday through Friday. 240-997-4520 or 301-942-7306

Cleaning ServicesI CLEAN houses in NW DC. Honest, reliable, hardworking. Please call 202-689-4429 & leave a message.

MGL CLEANING SERVICE Experienced Husband & Wife Team

Licensed Bonded, Insured

Good References, Free EstimatesOur customers recommend us

Mario & Estella: 703-798-4143

Commercial Space-Rent/Sale

One or two offices in traditional Georgetown townhouse.

Charming interior and beautiful landscaping.

Call Kris or Nicole at (202) 965-3652.

Computers

(

Computer problems solved,control pop-ups & spam,upgrades, tune-up, DSL /Cable modem, network,wireless, virus recovery etc.Friendly service, home or business. Best rates.

Call Michael for estimate:202-486-3145

www.computeroo.net

New Computer? iPod?Digital Camera?

NW DC resident with adult training back-ground will teach you to use the Internet, e-mail, Windows, Microsoft Word, nu-merous other programs, or other elec-tronic devices. Help with purchase and setup available. Mac experience. Call Brett Geranen at (202) 486-6189. ComputerTutorDC@gmail.com

Nationally Certified Expert Can make your Windows PC run no-ticeably faster and more reliably. Ad-ditionally, hardware and software up-grades available at no markup. Fixed $125 fee. Your satisfaction guaran-teed. Scott at 202-296-0405.

Domestic AvailableHOUSEKEEPER/ COOK available, FT M-F. References and experience. Call 202-422-5644, leave message.

Furniture

Handyman

Handy Hank ServicesSERVICES:

• Carpentry • Painting Int/Ext• Gutters/Downspouts

• Drywall/Plaster Repairs • Light Rehab – Tile Installation

• Flooring – Wood/Tile

Established 1990Excellent Local References

Call Today 202-675-6317

Hauling/Trash Removal

202-635-7860

Bulk Trash Pick Up

• Sofas as low as $15.00• Appliances as low as $25.00• Yards, basement & attic clean-up• Monthly contracts available

VeryLow Prices

MMiikkee’’ss HHaauulliinngg SSeerrvviicceeJunk Removal

Commercial and ResidentialServing NW DC Since 1987

240-876-8763

Help Wanted

CARRIERS WANTEDFor Northwest Current in Palisades neighborhood. Ideal for 10-11 yr old with committed family.

Contact Current office at: 202-244-7223

PT Dog Walker needed11 a.m.-3 p.m., M-F. Must have ex-perience working with animals and love dogs, have own vehicle and pass background check. apply online at www.zoolatry.com

Sunny Offices for RentSmall office suite overlooking Con-necticut Avenue, near Dupont Cir-cle. Two rooms, approximately 500 square feet, with lots of windows. Perfect for small organization or non-profit. Available immed. $1500 per month includes utilities. Parking available for $200 addl.

Call: Anne-Marie (202)232-2995.

Housing for Rent (Apts)

AU / Cathedral AreaIdaho Terrace Apts – 3040 Idaho Ave, NWSSttuuddiiooss $$995500--$$11,,110000 •• 11BBRR.. $$11339955

All utilities included. Sec. Dep. $250Controlled entry system.Metro bus at front door.

Reserved parking.Office Hours: M-F, 9-5

202-363-6600Vista Management Co.

Housing for Rent(hs/th)BEAUTIFUL 4 Bedroom, 3 bathroom house for Rent in Palisades/Kent neighborhood. Light filled, walk to Key Elementary school & MacArthur Blvd. Available July 1st. Three year lease. Pets OK. Non-smokers only. Call 202 294 0239.

Instruction

Cooking ClassesGlover Park/ Burleith

Simple, delicious, everydayvegetarian cooking.

Eat dinner first, then learn howto make it!

Contact Juliette @healthylivinginc@earthlink.net

www.healthylivinginc.org

Max Murphey ~ Math TutorIn your home or via webcam14 years tutoring experience

‘01 St. Albans; ’05 Columbia Univ.Math teacher at St. Albans for 4 yrs

Currently in Ph.D. programReferences available

301-996-1715 mfm2002@gmail.com

Middle School Liberal Arts Tutoring (MSLAT)

Current middle school teacher offers instruction in:

•History•Latin•English grammar•Writing: Composition, Research•Keyboarding; Mac and PC skills•Planning, Organization, Study Skills• Free Pre-assessmentAndy Pitzer:202-262-5676; pitzerac@verizon.netQualifications avail. upon request

SPANISH INSTRUCTIONAll ages and levels: Students, busi-ness and travel. Professor, native of

Spain, 20 + years teaching in DC: St. Alban’s, GW, GU

Belen Fernandez202-316-0202

belen.fp@verizon.net

Misc. For SaleTOTAL GYM as seen on the Info com-mercial with Chuck Norris, almost new for $250. Email: Debbie@DCLiving.com.

Moving/Hauling

CONTINENTAL MOVERSFree 10 boxes

Local-Long Distance • Great Ref’s301-984-5908 • 202 438-1489

www.continentalmovers.net

Personal Services

Around Tuit, LLC Professional Organizing

Organizing your closets, basement, attic, garage, playroom, kitchen, home office, and more!

202-489-3660 www.getaroundtuitnow.com

TUIT

Cheryl’s Organizing Concepts+RPH 6PDOO %XVLQHVV 2UJDQL]LQJ�

3DSHUZRUN 0DQDJHPHQW+HOS ZLWK KRPH RUJDQL]LQJ SDSHUZRUN PDQDJHPHQW

([SHULHQFHG � 5HIHUHQFHV � 0HPEHU 1$32%RQHGHG ,QVXUHG � $OO ZRUN FRQILGHQWLDO

10% off 1st appointment when you mention this ad!ZZZ�FKHU\OVRUJDQL]LQJ�FRP _ ������������

PetsADOPT CATS! Rescued locally. Cute, sweet, playful. Spayed/neutered. 202-746-9682 or rockcreekcats@ya-hoo.com

ADOPT “FRITZI” 8mo Gr/Wh poly-dactyl, cutie WITH big bro “Snookie.” that play, groom and snuggle with each other. Others. 202-244-0556

Cat Care Services Providing loving, attentive care for your cat(s) while you are away by doing more than just cleaning the box & filling the bowl.• Over 15 years experience.• Am/pm & weekend visits• Short term & long term. Will also take care of other small in-door pets, water plants & bring in mail. References available upon re-quest. Great rates! Located in The Palisades.

catcaresvcs@yahoo.comcall 703-868-3038

Dog BoardingSusan Mcconnell’s Loving Pet Care.

• Mid-day Walks • Home visits • Personal Attention

202-966-3061

THE CURRENTTHE CURRENT

THE CURRENTTHE CURRENTTHE CURRENT

Petsitting Services, Inc.JULE’S

[202] 277-2566PO Box 25058Washington, DC 20027jule@julespetsitting.comwww.julespetsitting.com

Setting the Standard for Excellence in Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Since 1991

• Mid Day Dog Walks• Kitty Visits• In-Home Overnight

Pet Sitting and otherPet Care Services

• Insured and Bonded

Classified AdsPets

Pets

Position WantedCOLLEGE JUNIOR SEEKS PART TIME WORK Computer savvy, strong academics, Eagle Scout. Willing to travel with family on vacations, serve as family assistant/tutor/coach with children over 8 years. Available through June 17 and August 1-25. Washington,DC. Security clearance and passport. Salary negotiable.Contact glconnell09@gmail.com

Pressure Washing

Powerwashing • Neighborhood college student • Decks and Patios • References• Free Estimates

Call 202-329-6006

Professional Services

General office/clerical assistance After hours (5:30-8:30). Ideally suited for the busy executive work-ing from home. Able to assist with filing, organizing documents, Ac-counts Payable, organization. etc.Reasonable Rates • Palisades AreaPlease call Ann at 202.352.1235.

Senior CareCAREGIVER/COMPANION with dec-ades of experience is available. Reli-able and honest. Excellent reference. Laverne 301-996-1385.

Upholstery

VacationsLEWES BEACH, Delaware. 3 bed, 2 bath duplex unit for rent.One block from the Bay. Close to town and Hen-lopen State Park. Bikes and kayaks in-cluded.$1,260/week.email cohnbee@aol.com.

OCEAN CITY 2BR/2BA Condo, 39th & Ocean, fully equipped, sleeps 8, fami-lies only, no pets. Call 703-356-0541 for availability.

SANIBEL ISLAND - Waterfront cot-tage, 2 BR, 2 BA, fully furnished. Near beach, canoes and bikes. 202-965-4381

Windows

Ace Window Cleaning Window Cleaning, Lic., Bonded, Ins. 25 years exp., working owners assure quality. many local references.

301-300-0196

Yard/Moving/Bazaar

BETHESDA, HUGE YARD SALE

Sat 5/28,9-3. French Protestant Church at the

Church’s manse. 6200 Massachusetts Ave.

HUGE YEARD sale: Sat., May 28, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.. 2618 North Hampton St., NW, 20015.

MULTI-FAMILY YARD sale, Saturday, May 28. 5224 42nd Street NW

CALL TODAYTO PLACEYOUR ADIN THE

NEXT ISSUE!202.244.7223

30 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 THE CURRENT

does not want to lose him to vio-lence, she is very protective of him,driving him everywhere, not lettinghim ride Metro and trying not toleave him home alone.

One thing I do not necessarilyagree with, though, is the fact thatMs. Gillus will not let her grandsondo anything. I see where she iscoming from when she does that— it’s because she does not wantto lose her grandson like she losther son. However, I feel she needsto let her grandson live his ownlife. He has to take advantage of allthe opportunities given to him andshouldn’t be stuck in the house allday. I know I would be mad if thatwas my life because I would feellike I was missing out on a lot.

Nevertheless, I sincerely under-stand where all the mothers andgrandmothers mentioned in thearticle are coming from.

— Desmond Douglas, 12th-grader

St. Albans SchoolEach year, St. Albans School

takes a day off from academics tocelebrate spring with a field daycompetition. The lower school isdivided evenly into a blue team anda white team. All family memberswho have attended St. Albansthroughout the generations areplaced on the same team. The daycombines traditional track and fieldevents such as the long jump andhurdles with competitive gamessuch as the tug of war and sackraces. Even parents get involved byjoining their sons for a three-leggedrace, which often leaves a trail offallen competitors.

This tradition allows studentsfrom all grades to unite as oneteam. While people are fiercelycompetitive, the day is primarilyabout camaraderie, which is cele-brated with a group picnic in theamphitheater at the conclusion.

This year’s event marked the101st annual field day. The blueteam won, although the white teamleads in the overall series, 66-45.

In addition to being a fun event,Field Day helps reinforce our feel-ing of connection to the century-oldcommunity.

— Jack Irion, Form II (eighth-grader)

St. Ann’s AcademyOn May 11, we took a field trip

to the Bowie Baysox game.Students in kindergarten througheighth grade went on the trip toBowie, Md. We went to the gamebecause it was Education inBaseball Day at the stadium, butwe also went to have fun. Myfavorite part was the home run!

I did a lot of things at the game.I went to the arcade. I went to thestore and bought a large tub of pop-corn. I ate blueberry ice cream andwatched the game. Everyone had agreat time at the baseball game!

— Ephraim Michael, fourth-grader

St. John’s College High School

We have less than a week ofschool left. Final exams will takeplace May 23 through 26. Promwill be held May 27.

On May 14, the St. John’s varsi-ty baseball team won theWashington Catholic AthleticConference by defeating DeMatha10-3 at the University ofMaryland’s Shipley Field.

This was a great cause for cele-bration at St. John’s. The principalwas so impressed and happy withthe team’s success that the wholeschool was given the day off onFriday.

— Emmett Cochetti, ninth-grader

School Without WallsThis past week was very kind to

School Without Walls’ teams. The girls softball team won the

semifinals May 17 against rivalWilson. The team went on to win,17-14, against Anacostia onThursday at Watkins Field. Withthat last win, School Without Wallsis the D.C. Interscholastic AthleticAssociation softball champion.

The boys baseball team is mov-ing up, too. It also grabbed a winlast week, against H.D. Woodson inthe baseball quarterfinals.

Lacrosse did just as well. Thegirls and boys teams played back-to-back games last Thursdayagainst Wilson. The girls won 8-0.

The boys won in a shutout aswell. Wilson used to be the onlyD.C. public school with lacrosseteams, playing against privateschools.

Now, in our first year compet-ing, Walls beat Wilson decisively.Needless to say, School WithoutWalls was very proud, and not veryquiet about it.

Last Wednesday was also a bigday for academic reasons. Seniorspresented their senior projects,which are required to graduate.Generally, a panel with at least oneteacher and at least one outsideexpert judges the PowerPoint pre-sentations.

Juniors attended to preparethemselves for next year. The lowerclasses got to go to the Newseumin the afternoon, for free, duringthe presentations.

— Lillian Audette, 12th-grader

Shepherd ElementaryDuring spring break, parents

and staff members volunteered toconstruct our new salad bar. Mysister and I also helped put ittogether.

On May 9, second- and fourth-graders were the first to taste thesalad. They seemed to enjoy thelettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucum-bers, shredded cheese and peachesat lunch.

Fellow Mustangs, I encourageyou to try yummy salad from ournew salad bar.

Please make sure you take onlywhat you will eat to avoid waste.Bon appétit!

— Sophia-Rose Herisse, third-grader

Sheridan SchoolOn May 16 and 17, the first-

graders went to Sheridan’sMountain Campus, a camp locatedin Luray, Va., in the ShenandoahMountains. We slept in tents withother students (tent buddies) andate in the dining hall.

Science there was really fun. Wewent on a hike in the woods tolook for critters and insects. Wefound really cool things underrocks, logs and leaves like sala-manders, caterpillars and moths.We also did an “unnatural hike.”We looked for objects that don’tbelong in the woods, like a stuffedmonkey or a toy truck.

It rained hard and fast both daysat Mountain Campus. It was funplaying in the rain and was loud onour tents. We had a campfire tokeep us warm during the rain. Wemade s’mores and sang!

The staff members at MountainCampus are really nice. Theirnames are Morgan, Sandy, Heather,Jon, Maddy, Spencer and Steve.They taught us cool things! Someof the staff members have friendly,playful dogs.

One of the best parts of our tripwas spending time with our par-ents. We paired up with our parentsto do all of the activities. We had alot of fun working with them. Itwas a great trip!

— First-graders

Washington Latin PublicCharter School

This past week WashingtonLatin held its second annualScience Night. We had a greatturnout of more than 100 people.The high school students andteachers held a wonderful barbecuewith hamburgers, hot dogs, que-sadillas, brownies, carrots andmore. For $5, you received a wholemeal.

Inside, the classrooms were setup as different stations — rockets,polymers, DNA, et cetera — all ledby students. There were hands-onactivities that engaged sciencelovers of all ages.

On the second floor, sixth-gradescience teacher Ms. Dobler wasshowcasing dry ice, which manypeople bravely gave a quick touch.Another room had multiple testsyou could conduct on your senses.These included a feeling test and areflex test. Additionally, you couldtrick your brain with a couple ofoptical illusions. Downstairs, apolymers room showed differenttypes of “gak,” including mixturesof cornstarch and water as well asglue and borax.

The night finished with anawards presentation. These awardswent to winners of contests andseveral “guess the number of … ”games. These winners were award-ed either candy or a science book.A raffle drawing resulted in fourlucky people taking home museumtickets, cupcakes or books. Overall,the night was a great success due tothe hard work of our science teach-ers, especially department head Ms.Hannon.

— Ellie Leape, sixth-grader

DISPATCHESFrom Page 28

The CurrenT Wednesday, May 25, 2011 31

®

®

www.mcenearney.com

202.552.5600

M c E n E a r n E yassociatEs, inc. rEaltors®

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE AS A McENEARNEY ASSOCIATES AGENT!Take Your Business to the Next Level…Expert Marketing...Professional Staff Support…Modern Space.

Contact: Julia Kriss @ 202.552.5610 or jkriss@mcenearney.com for more information

~ Established 1980 ~

Silver Spring, MD $425,000

Surprising Spaces!Wonderfully renovated Cape offers granite & stainless kitchen, renovated baths, separate dining room/4th bedroom, finished LL, beautiful rear yard & patio.

Andy Hill 301.646.3900Sue Hill 202.262.4961

CHevy CHASe, MD $1,525,000

The HamletRenovated and expanded Cape in The Hamlet, featuring five bedrooms, large kitchen/family room on coveted “Kerry Circle” – must see!

CApiTol Hill, DC $547,500great location

Located on quiet one block street, this lovely home is close to Lincoln Park, Eastern Market, the Metro, and up & coming H Street corridor. Light-filled, open floor plan includes table space kitchen, 2 large bedrooms, family room, and 2 full baths.

KAlorAMA, DC $1,485,000

one of DC’s Finest Addresses!Rarely available at the St. Nicholas, this elegant traditional 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath is totally renovated and features the best of the best in 2025 SF. Includes garage parking.

poToMAC, MD $1,075,000

Fantastic river Falls HomePrime location with 5 minute walk to swim/tennis club. 5 bedrooms, lovely kitchen and family room, plus garage. Large lot with over 16,500 sq ft of outdoor living.

logAn, DC $539,000

Susan leavitt 703.855.2267www.susanleavitt.com

HiSToriC SHAw, DC $649,900

Frank Snodgrass 202.257.0978www.franksnodgrass.com

price reduced!Great value for this spa-cious, 2000+ sq ft, Queen Anne style, end row house with 3 finished lev-els & parking. Walk to Metro plus Washington Convention Center, Smithsonian museums, & K Street corridor restau-rants.

ColuMbiA HeigHTS, DC $349,900

Dolly Tucker 202.552.5652www.dollyandkirsten.com

Just listed!Spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo. Renovated in 2004, open living area with gas fireplace, dining area, and chef’s granite & stainless kitchen. Washer & dyer. Near 2 Metros.

DuponT, DC $339,000

Totally renovated/updatedFabulous 1 bedroom! 667 SF, gourmet kitchen w/ stainless appliances & granite. Wood floors throughout. Large bedroom w/ almost 10’ ceiling and 2 walk-in closets.

Fabulous Find!Luxury living at the pet-friendly Midtown on Mass! 1200 SF, 2 bedroom, 2 bath sunny open living. Hardwoods, built-ins, and a Chef’s kitchen w/granite & stainless.

Ann worley 703.593.3215www.aworley.com

Ann worley 703.593.3215www.aworley.com

Dolly Tucker 202.552.5652www.dollyandkirsten.com

Katherine Martin 202.494.7373gilda Herndon 301.807.7884

Alyssa Crilley 301.325.0079www.alyssacrilley.com

32 Wednesday, May 25, 2011 The CurrenT

#1 in Experience & Experience Matters

w w w . Ta y l o r A g o s t i n o . c o m202.362.0300

New

LISTING

3704 INGOMAR STREET NW

Stylish townhouse near Metro and shops

$825,000

3416 PATTERSON STREET NW

Sparkling Tudor in unbeatable location

$759,000

3612 NEWARK STREET NW

Walkable Cleveland Park living at a Good Price

$999,000

New

LISTING

6515 UTAH AVENUE NW

Owned by one family for 58 years!$899,000

6141 33RD STREET NW

Great proportions, stylish and ready!

$1,199,000

650 F STREET NE

Complete Renovationwith 2-car garage

$949,000

New

LISTING

3051 IDAHO AVENUE NW $414

Super affordable efficiency apartment

$192,000

2938 LEGATION STREET NW

Space, style and a great value too

$739,000

2123 CALIFORNIA STREET NW #C2

2 bedroom dreams at a best address

$670,000

Great Opportunities In a Variety of Wonderful Neighborhoods