(Ed. note: This Out and About post is the first in a series – an occasional photo feature by artist, photographer, and Capitol Hill resident Elizabeth Eby. She finds vignettes while out and about on Capitol Hill.)
In February tiny white blooms with green markings start poking up through snow – snowdrops, the harbingers of spring. Plants propagate from seed and offsets – new bulbs that grow attached to the mother bulb. It’s a slow process, and these new bulbs need a year or two before they bloom. Snowdrops became quite fashionable in the 1800s in England and bulbs sold for thousands of pounds. Recently a British breeder paid several thousand pounds for a rare species (white with large yellow dots) but offspring from that bulb have not yet been on the market. Modern techniques like “chipping” (dividing mature bulbs into as many as 16 pieces) produce reasonably priced bulbs. A similar technique is used to propagate orchids, bringing the price down to fit Trader Joe budgets. Snowdrops can be found in shady spots all over the world. This clump is located on Bay Street, SE.
Here’s a photo of a painting of snowdrops and Virginia bluebells by George Weymouth, a neighbor and good friend of Andrew Weyth. Frolic, as he was known, was a horseman and “bon vivant” (see his New York Times obituary https://nyti.ms/3Ku6hOZ ). Weymouth was one of the founders of the Weyth Museum and the Brandywine Conservancy Trust – a three hour drive from Capitol Hill. The collection includes many of Weyth’s best known works as well as original illustrations of Treasure Island. The museum is very intimate and visitors get to know generations of the Weyth family, personal histories of a few of Andrew’s models and local history starting with the Revolutionary War.
The signage on the former Baskin-Robbins at 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, announces the coming of Mason & Greens, Sustainable Dry Goods | Grocer. The company promises plastic free products that are ethically made and sustainably sourced and claims ownership of the title of DC’s largest vegan shop. Package free goods purchased on line can be delivered to your door with a $25 minimum and $5 delivery fee.
Their offerings, they say, contain no toxic chemicals, synthetic fabric, palm oil or anything else that can damage people or the planet. The product line includes items for the home, kitchen, beauty, kids, and the outdoors, as well as food, snacks, and books.
This will be the company’s second store – there’s a Mason & Greene at 913 King Street in Alexandria.
Donna Scheeder presided over a virtual meeting of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee on February 28, 2021. A meeting of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meeting on September 25, 2019, in North Hall, Eastern Market. The before times. L-R Jerry Sroufe, Monty Edwards, Jonathan Page, Chuck Burger, Donna Scheeder, Susan Oulser, Mike Bowers, Angie Brunson, Anita Jefferson.
R.I.P Donna Scheeder
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 7, 2022
Chuck Burger, Vice Chair of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC), announced today the passing of Capitol Hill community advocate and activist Donna Scheeder.
In an email to regular attendees of EMCAC monthly meetings, Burger said:
“Our friend Donna Scheeder has peacefully passed today at home. Personally, I can only say that I am grateful to have known her. She was irreplaceable as a friend and an advocate for so many in so many ways. She will be missed but greatly remembered.
A celebration will be announced in coming weeks.”
The cause of death was cancer. Scheeder was a private person, and made few concessions to her illness, continuing to chair EMCAC until as recently as its January meeting. The seriousness of her condition wasn’t apparent until the February meeting of EMCAC which was postponed until March 2nd, at which time Burger intimated that she was unable to fulfill her role as chair, and asked for a moment of silent prayer for her.
Scheeder is best known in the community for her service for many years as the Ward 6 Councilmember’s appointee to – and chair of – EMCAC. She was also a founding member of the Hill Center Board of Directors and most recently took an active role in the advisory task force for the redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park and children’s playground.
In her professional life, she was deputy chief information officer for the Congressional Research Service and retired in March of 2015.
According to Wikipedia she was president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) from 2015 to 2017 and served on the governing board of IFLA for 6 years.
Sarah Yerkes heard the call of Bakers Against Racism for an emergency bake sale for Ukraine and responded by organizing friends, neighbors, and Brent school kids for a Sunday bake sale on the 400 block of 7th Street, SE. She told CHC that she likes to bake and her great great grandparents came from Ukraine. The 8 – 10 Brent Schoolers, including her two daughters, solicited customers by engaging passersby with signs. Yerkes alerted the MOTH listserv. At the end of the day on Sunday afternoon, the effort raised $1,819.00. Bakers Against Racism was founded as a social community, connecting bakers across the Globe to fight against racism in all its forms – a collective of people from all walks of life who bake to make the world a better place. See here: https://www.bakersagainstracism.com/Washingtonian reports that Newland, chef Andrew Markett’s new venture in the space formerly occupied by Montmartre, will open near Eastern Market on Tuesday, March 8. The restaurant, at 327 7th Street, SE, seats 42 plus five at a bar described as “intimate.” Capitol Hill Corner reported earlier that the Beuchert’s restaurant team behind Newland will also open Fight Club later this spring in the space formerly occupied by Hank’s on the Hill at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. See Washingtonian, here: https://bit.ly/3hJXL24Bullfrog Bagels near Eastern Market will partner with A Presto! Italian Pop Up. Stephanie Hulbert will bring her Italian pop up A Presto! to Bullfrog Bagels’ second floor at 317 7th Street, SE next Sunday, March 13, according to DCist. In addition to sit down dining, the restaurant will offer takeout and delivery. The restaurant will be open Thursday through Sunday, 5:00pm – 10:00pm. See A Presto! website for the menu: www.aprestoitalianfoods.com See the DCist article here: https://bit.ly/3pJo50JBond Vet will open a full service pet clinic in the 600 block on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, in the space formerly occupied by Sizzling Express. The clinic will offer urgent and preventive care, surgeries, dentals, and virtual visits. Clinics are open 10:00am – 8:00pm, 365 days a year. The company is based in New York and recently announced plans to open four clinics in DC. See here: https://bondvet.com/It seems like a long time ago, but the National Guard was on hand just in case on last Tuesday afternoon, prior to President Biden’s State of the Union message. The 8 foot fence around the Capitol Building had been erected the day before. It was taken down the day after the speech.ICYMI, Gandel’s the liquor store at 211 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, which seemingly had been there forever, closed in January according to the manager at bibija, next door. Asked if he knew why, the manager said, “no customers.”
Presentation: Matthew Graves, US Attorney for the District of Columbia.
1102 8th Street, SE. Taco City DC. Application for Substantial Change in Tavern Liquor License for Sidewalk Café.
119 6th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a rear, two-story addition to an existing, detached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
1307 South Carolina Avenue, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a rear deck addition to an attached, three-story principal dwelling unit.
344 14th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct third story and rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
1500 D Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a second story, rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
321 D Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: Construct a rear three-story addition; add a partial third floor on the existing house and renovate the existing house.
ANC6B Request to Mail Notice of Intent to File a Map Amendment to Rezone 1323 E Street, SE, from PDR-1 to RA-2.
Resolution on Reckless Driving in DC – Resident Member John Ten Hoeve.
Request to DDOT to Implement Resident Only Parking Near the Reopened Safeway.
Walk Without Worry Amendment Act (Bill 24-0566) – Commissioner Horn.
Safe Routes to School Expansion Amendment Act (Bill 24-0565) – Commissioner Horn.
Possible Renaming of Garfield Park to Garfield-Anacostia Park.
Letter to DC Council Regarding Neighborhood Concerns on Increased Carjackings – introduced by Commissioner Samolyk.
Letter Regarding Harris Teeter Lease – introduced by Commissioner Ryder.
103 4th Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept approval to add a second story to an existing one-story rear addition.
634 East Capitol Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept approval to add a two-story addition and roof deck at rear.
931 5th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception relief to add a third-story rear addition and penthouse to an existing attached two-story dwelling.
7 New York Avenue, NE – Demolition to construct a 14-story residential building.
Public hearing on B24-565, Safe Routes to School /Walk without Worry/Safer Intersections/Upgrading.
Tactical Safety Projects legislation.
Bus route changes on Eastern Market/L’Enfant Plaza Circulator.
National Capitol Planning Commission – Streetscape design guidelines, National Mall.
Curbside shifts on the 800 block of 3rd Street, NE. Addition of commercial vehicle loading zone at Giant.
Discussion of new and upgraded bicycle lanes.
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Ward 6 Public Schools Parent Organization hosts virtual Middle School Principal Panel Discussion at 7:30pm.
Principals Greg Dohmann (Jefferson Middle School Academy), Marlene Magrino (Eliot-Hine Middle School), Erik Fraser (Stuart-Hobson Middle School), and Kim Adutwum (Capitol Hill Montessori@Logan) will share their ideas on what makes a good middle school, how their schools help all students reach their highest potential, what extracurricular activities they offer, and more. Denise Forte, the interim CEO of the Education Trust, will be the moderator.
Letter of support for stipulated liquor license for Taqueria Al Lado II, contingent on a Settlement Agreement being reached prior to the ANC’s consideration of the matter.
Resolution to officially name the alley in Square 1009, between C and D Street NE and 12th and 13th Streets, NE, “Overbeck Alley” in honor of Ruth Ann Overbeck, and send the resolution to Councilmember Charles Allen.
1127 G Street, NE. Letter in conditional support of the request for a special exception zoning relief to allow construction of a detached, two-story, garage with second story dwelling unit to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling.
Friday afternoon, following a briefing with security officials and city leaders, CM Charles Allen shared the following points related to the possible convoy of truckers coming into the District this weekend and next week.
The largest of the several convoys is reported to have more than 500 vehicles – a mix of tractor trailers, RVs, and personal vehicles.
Most of the convoy appears to be staging in Hagerstown, MD, this evening and Saturday.
The biggest impact (if any) for the District would be later this weekend and potentially into next week if the convoy or individual drivers attempt to enter the District or instead, drive around the Beltway.
The intention of those in the convoy is unclear, though spokespersons for the larger convoy stated they do not intend to enter DC. But they do not speak for every participant.
The convoy has also attracted numerous extremist groups and individuals along its journey, but leadership of the larger group has at times attempted to distance the association with those individuals.
It’s unclear what targets the convoy might have in mind, but areas of focus will be the White House and US Capitol.
DC law enforcement has staged vehicles and personnel at various entry points to stop vehicles if needed and has built up capacity to tow and remove vehicles if there are parking and blocking strategies employed.
There’s no indication the convoy is focused on residential neighborhoods but any attempt to reach the Capitol or White House might bring them through those neighborhoods.
Law enforcement officials say they will continue watching closely any large vehicles and trucks entering the city well before they get downtown or near the Capitol.
Allen says a big take away from the briefing is that “while the situation is still very fluid, law enforcement is taking a very focused and strategic approach and is advising people to prepare to exercise patience next week if we see any road closures take place.” You can also get updates via Alert DC: https://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc
The Ward 7 Redistricting Task Force met Thursday night. CM Vincent Gray opened the meeting which he then turned over to co-chairs Tamara Blair (ANC7D) and Joel Caston (ANC7F). This map shows the current single member districts most affected by the change of Ward 7’s boundary which redistricting extended to 15th Street on the west side of the river. Note that currently SMD 7D01 has jurisdiction over the RFK campus (Anacostia Park) and SMD 7F07 has jurisdiction over Reservation 13 (Stadium Armory Metro Stop). This map is from Ward 7 Task Force Member Brian Alcorn’s presentation in support of creating a standalone Ward 7 ANC on the west side of the Anacostia River. Redistricting effectively moved the areas with the green dots from Ward 6 into Ward 7.Former ANC6B Commissioner Francis Campbell created a map in support of his and Alcorn’s proposal to create an ANC west of the river with 7 single member districts, including one for the DC Jail. The map would place the RFK campus and Reservation under the jurisdiction of the new standalone Ward 7 ANC 7A.
Hill East Bid for Its Own ANC Gets Chilly Reception from Ward 7 Task Force
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 4, 2022
It would be hard to imagine a better case for creating a new standalone Ward 7 ANC west of the Anacostia River than that presented at last night’s virtual Ward 7 Redistricting Taskforce “listening session.” Brian Alcorn, Ward 7 Taskforce Member and current ANC6A Commissioner – and former ANC6B Commissioner Francis Campbell presented a compelling logical argument supported by facts, figures, history, resident testimony, the presence of natural boundaries and civic and community groups – and a map. The idea was not received with enthusiasm by members of the Task Force.
The proposal would create ANC7A with 8 single member districts including one for the residents of DC Jail. (See above) Supporters argue this new ANC would be better suited to represent residents west of the river and oversee development west of the river because these residents are most affected.
But a well-reasoned argument may not be enough to stand against the realpolitik of redistricting.
If adopted, the proposal would mean that two current Ward 7 ANCs (ANC7D and ANC7F) would give up jurisdiction over the RFK Campus and Reservation 13 respectively. It’s likely no accident that the co-chairs of the Ward 7 Redistricting Taskforce are commissioners from those two ANCs. (In Ward 6, CM Allen decided that no sitting commissioner or anyone who intended to run for the ANC should sit on the Ward 6 Redistricting Committee.)
Former Chair of ANC6B Chander Jayaraman lobbied for a cross boundary Ward 7 ANC west of the river, which would function as a Ward 6 ANC. Under redistricting guidelines, “An ANC may cross a ward boundary, but according to District law, each ANC must, ‘to the greatest extent possible,’ be located within one ward.” The arrangement would require agreement by both councilmembers, however, and though CM Charles Allen supports the idea Councilmember Vincent Gray has shown no interest.
Campbell told Capitol Hill Corner that he has not considered a standalone ANC west of the river that does not include the RFK campus or Reservation 13.
If no new ANC made up of the pieces of ANCs west of the river comes into being, those pieces of ANC6A and ANC6B which recently became part of Ward 7 through redistricting will have to be absorbed into Ward 7’s ANC7D and ANC7F.
In the final analysis, it probably doesn’t matter what the Ward 6 Redistricting Committee recommends – their role is advisory – because the final ANC and single member boundary lines will be drawn by Councilmember Gray. If he has no interest in a cross boundary ANC, it is all but certain he would not sign off on a plan which would surrender the opportunity for existing Ward 7 ANC’s to bring the “great weight” of their opinion to any future development of the RFK Campus and Reservation 13.
The Ward 7 Taskforce is up against an April 1st deadline and has yet to produce a draft map for resident and ANC input. There are two more meetings of the Ward 7 Task Force before then, dates and times to be announced.
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