There are 345 ANC seats across the city and 54 of them have no candidate listed on the ballot. Three of those seats are in Capitol Hill’s ANC6B.
ANC6B resident Brian Gorman announced yesterday that he will run a write in campaign for one of those seats – the seat being vacated by Commissioner Frank D’Andrea who decided not to seek reelection. In September, ANC6B Commissioner and current Chair Edward Ryder reconsidered his decision to retire and launched a write in campaign for his otherwise-to-be vacant seat. If the remaining seat is filled by a so for undeclared write in candidate (who must register as a write in candidate within 7 days AFTER the election), the Board of Elections will declare the seat vacant, requiring a special election next year.
In a statement, Gorman said:
“I decided to run as a write-in candidate for ANC6B04 commissioner after learning that we didn’t have a candidate on the ballot. I’m a big believer in public service and I want to make sure that our neighborhood is well represented on the ANC. I’ve lived in Ward 6 since 2008, and my wife and I are raising three kids here, so we obviously are deeply invested in ensuring this is a great place to live.
There are a lot of things that I’d like to drive forward as ANC Commissioner. I’ve worked in small companies and I want to do what I can to support a vibrant small businesses community on Barracks Row that benefits the neighborhood. We’ve all probably noticed warmer temperatures, and I believe we have to keep expanding our tree canopy to help mitigate the effects of this change. Thankfully violent crime in the city has been dropping, but there are still plenty of safety concerns, and I plan to partner with Charles Allen and MPD to sustain progress on this front. And with DDOT’s help, we can keep improving vehicular and pedestrian safety in our lovely walkable community.
Ultimately, though, I believe my main job as commissioner would be to represent my neighbors and be a strong voice for them. As such, I intend to be a good listener, ask questions, and be responsive to neighbors’ needs. It would be a privilege to serve our community.”
Ballot drop boxes are open across the city. The ballot box closest to SE Capitol Hill is near the north entrance to Eastern Market. Early voting and Sherwood Rec Center starts Monday, October 28.
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The Stuart and Mimi Rose’s collection of books and manuscripts is housed in the renovated Folger Library. Being in the presence of so many greats works and celebrations of creativity and accomplishment evokes a feeling of awe.
Entering the west end of the exhibit you find the first gallery.
In one of the first cases: J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
“The collection includes gallery proofs, the first printed versions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Each contains written annotations by Tolkien’s editors, along with some corrections made by Tolkien himself.”
Advance Press Copy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” Speech
“This advance press copy of one of the most important speeches in U.S. history is extraordinary not for what is included, but for what is missing from it. At the 1963 March on Washington, as Dr. King neared the end of his prepared speech, his close friend, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, shouted to him: “Tell the about the dream, Martin.” He then set aside his text and began ‘So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.’ Dr. King went on extemporaneously, inspiring his audience then with words so energizing and memorable that they continue to affect audiences in the same way today.”
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
“Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice (originally titled First Impressions) between 1796 and August 1797. She was not yet 21. It was published in late January 1813 in a small edition of approximately 1500 copies. This book is one of those 1500 copies.”
Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows
“The Wind in the Willows is a beloved children’s classic, but it is one of the hardest books to collect. Because most of the earliest copies were heavily read, their dust jackets have been discarded or destroyed long ago. This book – telling the story of Mole, Ratty, and Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad after he becomes obsessed with motorcars – is in beautiful condition and looks as it would have when it was first published in 1908.”
Egyptian Book of the Dead
This book was designed to be placed in the grave of a woman named Ta-er-pet at Akhmim, a city in Upper Egypt on the east bank of the Nile, in the first century BC, to accompany her on her journey to the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians’view of the afterlife was of a world very like their own. They produced elaborate prayers, hymns, and magical spells to assist the dead in their transition to a good afterlife.”
Apollo 11 Flight Plan Flown to the Moon
“This single printed sheet has traveled to the Moon and back in the Apollo 11 mission that first landed human beings on the Moon. It contains detailed flight annotations by astronauts Neil Armstrong in blue ink and by Buzz Aldrin in a black marker.”
Monday: Deputy Mayor for Justice & Public Safety Lindsay Appiah, DC Council At-Large CM Christina Henderson, and Ward 1 CM Brianne Nadeau appear separately before ANC6B Public Safety Committee.
Saturday: Used paint drop off at The Armory.
Monday, October 21
ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Discussion of a new Class C restaurant license with sidewalk café, alcohol carry out and delivery endorsements at Alero H Street at 1301 H Street NE.
Discussion of a new Class C tavern license with sidewalk café, entertainment, and cover charge endorsement at DC Capitol Square Bar and Grill at H Street at 1401 H Street NE.
Discussion of a substantial change to the Class C Tavern license from an interior capacity of 66 to 198 at Dirty Water, 816 H Street NE.
Discussion about rescheduling November and December 2024 ABC meetings (currently scheduled for November 26th and December 24th).
Thursday, October 24
ANC6C Grants Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Wednesday, October 23
Hill Center Event 7:00 – 8:00pm.
Talk of the Hill with Bill Press Featuring Celebrated Spy Novelist Daniel Silva
“Silva has been called his generation’s finest writer of international intrigue and one of the greatest American spy novelists ever. Compelling, passionate, haunting, brilliant: these are the words that have been used to describe the work of award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva.”
Kennicott will discuss his book, Counterpoint: A Memoir of Bach and Mourning, and Midgette will discuss her forthcoming book, Escapement.
But tickets are still available for session two on:
Tuesday, December 10 – 7:00 – 8:00pm
Our City. Our Music. Our Writers., Featuring Daniel Boomhower and Carol Oja
“The December 10 session of this series presents two outstanding speakers who will discuss their path-breaking scholarship on the performance history of classical music in Washington, DC. Daniel Boomhower, Research Director at Dumbarton Oaks, will outline Musical Capital: Sound and Power in Washington, D.C., the forthcoming book he co-edited, and describe the seminal role played”…
Global Sounds on the Hill: LOBOKO Live: Congolese Dance Music. Loboko’s unique style draws on classic Congolese soukous, rumba, and contemporary seben delivered in a punchy small band format.
Stone Room Concerts Upcycled Celtic Folk Trio House of Hamill. Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, they put on a show.
CM Charles Allen hosted a virtual panal discussion on enforcement against illegal cannabis shops on Thursday night.
Here’s Why those Gifting Shops Haven’t Been Closed Yet
by Larry Janezich
Posted October 19, 2024
Last Thursday night CM Charles Allen hosted a virtual panel discussion of enforcement measures against illegal cannabis shops featuring representatives from the seven city agencies involved.
There are over 100 unlicensed cannabis shops in DC and 12 legal ones. One of the legal ones is in Ward 6; several unlicensed shops in the Ward have applied for medical licenses and continue to operate as gifting shops during the application process. Ten unlicensed shops have been closed by the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA); all involved undercover purchases from shops that were selling cannabis for cash – some were marketing other illegal substances and one was found with an unregistered firearm on the premises.
It’s noteworthy that all of the closures so far have been shops selling cannabis for cash. ABCA Director Fred Moosally said that in order to close an establishment it has to pose an imminent danger to the health and safety of the public. Otherwise you have to have cease and desist order* in effect or an unregistered firearm or act of violence or selling a schedule one substance. In DC cannabis is not a schedule 1 substance. Moosally said that under the law you can’t just close them down for selling cannabis, adding that legislation now before the mayor will make it easier to close places.
The 90 minute panel discussion included participants from the seven agencies which comprise the team collaborating to address the illegal cannabis market: ABCA, MPD, OAG, DC Health, USAO, DOB, and DLCP.
As the lead agency, Director Moosally got most of the questions during the discussion. Representatives of other agencies chimed in to explain the role their agencies play in the effort.
Allen expressed the frustration he and Ward 6 residents feel that ABCA has not moved faster to close down illegal operations and he repeatedly asked agency representatives why this is.
Moosley, said that so far this year ABCA has issued over 84 warnings, over 26 cease and desist orders. Three of the ten closures have been in Ward 6, and that one of the most recent was on Thursday – Capitol Budz at 607 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
He says he understands the frustration about why ABCA is not moving faster on enforcement but that the agency only has one inspector. ABCA is in the process of hiring two more. He said that recently, ABCA’s authority had been increased, allowing them to increase enforcement and closures. And that while closure sounds simple, some of the issues which slow the process include testing, drafting notices, holding hearings, and lack of storage for seized product. Further, with over 100 unlicensed shops, ABCA is under pressure from ANCS and community groups and is going through the list of all the places people are complaining about. “We’re catching up … enforcement action will continue to pick up.” he said.
On a related matter, near the end of the discussion, Moosally mentioned an opinion issued by OAG indicating that the definition of cannabis includes CBD, and that means CBD is illegal in DC. He did not say there are any plans to address enforcement regarding the sale of CBD which can be sold through legal licensed cannabis shops but not in the illegal unlicensed market place.
*Here’s a compilation of information from forum participants explaining the process for shutting down an illegal cannabis store.
ABCA sends a warning. (New legislation will allow ABCA to skip the warning and proceed directly to:)
Issuing of a cease and desist order to business owner. In addition, the landlord is notified. (Moosally says landlords are anxious to cooperate because they are subject to a $10,000 fine for allowing the illegal operation. Landlords have worked with ABCA to start an eviction process and terminate leases.)
After receiving a cease and desist order, businesses may work collaboratively with ABCA to shut down or move or close. Or the business owner can request a hearing before ABCA. The business can continue to operate during the hearing process. The hearing takes place within 15 days.
If ABCA sustains the cease and desist order at the hearing, ABCA will move within approximately 15 days to close the shop.
But. If the closure order is sustained the business owner can appeal the decision to the DC court system. Again, the business can continue to operate during the appeal process. (This appears to be the reason Safe House at 335 H Street, NE, is still operating months after receiving a cease and desist order.)
If the business owner does not request a hearing, ABCA tries to close the shop within 30 days.
For businesses that won’t work with ABCA, the agency conducts undercover buys – but “not necessarily gifting operations” – according to Moosally.
The purchased product is field tested make sure it’s THC. Sometimes the product is adulterated with Schedule 1 substances.
DC Health considers issuing its own separate cease and desist order regarding selling edible products or issuing an order for summary closure for other health violations.
With evidence of illegal sales, ABCA requests a summary closure notice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
OAG drafts a summary closure notice and ABCA enlists the help of MPD to schedule a closure and padlocking. OAG turns around a closure request in three days after reviewing the evidence for legal sufficiency to ensure the charges can stick.
If the closure is effected, product is seized from the location.
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Update on renovation of Rumsey Aquatic Center – ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe announced at last week’s ANC6B meeting that the Department of General Services has selected IStudios (Architectural & Design) and WKM/Hess (General Contractors) to modernize the Rumsey Aquatic Center. DGS says that the first community meeting, led by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), will occur this fall and will allow the community to meet the Design/Builder and discuss the modernization process and next steps in delivering a “world-class facility.” The dates of community meetings will be posted on this blog and on other media outlets.
ANC6B05 Commissioner Kasie Durkit resigned Saturday, October 12 – Last Tuesday night ANC6B Commissioner Kasie Durket announced that she would be stepping down from the commission on October 12 because she is moving out of her SMD. She expressed thanks to the commission, neighbors, CM Charles Allen’s office and staff, the mayor’s office and local reporters. She listed projects and events she had been involved in during her term as commissioner, including the Southeast Library Interim Services, community safety walks with MPD, community clean ups and working with Guerilla Gardeners, the 10th Street alleyway restoration project, Motts Market Art Walks ad community meetings. She singled out Commissioner Jerry Sroufe for thanks saying he had encouraged her to run: “I think this is public service of the highest order – and it has been such an honor to work you all. I’m sad to say goodbye, but excited for the next chapter.” Durkit had previously announced that she would not seek reelection. At present, there is no candidate for the open seat, although it could be filled by a write-in candidate or by special election after the seat is declared vacant by the DC Board of Elections.
ANC6C01 Commissioner Christy Kwan steps down at the end of the month – At Wednesday night’s ANC6C meeting, Commissioner Christy Kwan announced that this was her last ANC meeting and that she was stepping down as commissioner at the end of the month. She cited family emergencies as the reason for her resignation and thanked everyone. Kwan had previously announced that she would not seek reelection. At present, there is no candidate for the open seat, although it could be filled by a write-in candidate or by special election after the seat is declared vacant by the DC Board of Elections.
Ballot Drop Box at Eastern Market.
Ballot Drop Boxes are Open – Ballot Drop Boxes for filing mail in ballots opened on Friday, October 11. The three Capitol Hill Ballot Boxes are located at Eastern Market, Northeast Library and Payne Elementary School. Here’s a link to a map with the locations of Mail Ballot Drop Boxes, Early Voting Centers, and Election Day Voting Centers: https://dcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=763576faa0b1470ca0559c377cf3b497
Some key dates to keep in mind:
Friday, October 11 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 5: Mail ballot drop boxes are open across the city.
Monday, October 28 – Sunday, November 3: Early Voting. You can now go to any Early Voting Center District-wide. The Ward 6 EVCs are Walker-Jones MS, King-Greenleaf Recreation Center, Sherwood Recreation Center. Rosedale Recreation Center and Arthur Capper Community Center.
Tuesday, Nov. 5: Election Day. The polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you can go to any Vote Center in the District, including nine in Ward 6. Mail ballots can be put in Drop Boxes until 8:00pm.
Pennsylvania Avenue SE AT&T outlet hit by vandals. Saturday night, vandals smashed four of the plate glass window at the AT&T outlet in 700 Penn. The windows had double panes and only the outer safety glass windows were broken. This follows a similar attack on the windows of Georgetown Opticians in the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, in early September.
Saturday afternoon, the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation presented HillFest – six hours of jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza. Among those featured were Oya Palmer Hut, Potomac Garden Drummers, Bobby Felder & the Capital All Stars Big Band, the Capitol Hill Jazz orchestra, Eric Byrd Trio, Herb Scott Quartet, and the JOGO Project. The event was sponsored by the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. Above is a capture of the Capitol Hill Jazz Orchestra – it’s heavy of the brass: four saxophones, four trombones, and two trumpets.
Saxophonist and vocalist Herb Scott (second from left) founded the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation in 2017. For more on Scott, go here: https://herbscottmusic.com/bio
Zoom Panel discussion on Illegal Cannabis Shops in Ward 6 7:00pm- 8:30pm.
CM Charles Allen hosts a panel discussion of DC’s new enforcement measures against illegal cannais shops featuring representatives from the city agencies involved.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Ongoing: – now through October 25th.
Capitol Hill Montessori School Launches First Ever On Line Auction
“We currently have donations from more than 100 local businesses and CHML families, and more items are being added daily. Bidding is open on gift cards for a variety of restaurants, fitness classes, photography sessions, sports and theater tickets, apparel, camps, music lessons, and more. Exciting offerings include dinner for two at a Michelin starred restaurant, a weekend in the Shenandoah, an educational tour with Anacostia Riverkeeper, sleepaway camp, and private soccer sessions. Bidders can also score gift cards for local casual dining great for families.
The auction runs through CHML’s Fall Festival on October 25th, where things will really heat up with a *live auction* for some seriously amazing prizes—think suite box tickets for Capitals games, a chance to see Cyndi Lauper, and *just in time for Christmas*… Mariah Carey tickets! We will also be hosting a silent auction featuring incredible classroom-wide projects that our students will be working on between now and the Fall Festival.”
Library of Congress Free Concert Series 8 p.m.: Eddie Palmieri
Latin jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri, a multi-Grammy winner renowned for his innovative blend of jazz and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The evening opens with a short documentary film, “Eddie Palmieri: A Revolution on Harlem River Drive,” that demonstrates how he masterfully fused Latin music with soul, funk and jazz to create a sound that was both politically charged and undeniably danceable. There will be no pre-concert talk for this event. Reserve tickets here. https://www.loc.gov/item/event-413923/eddie-palmieri/2024-10-18 /
Sunday, October 20
Hill Center American Roots Concert Series: Kyshona – 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Quicksilver Productions Foundation is thrilled to present Kyshona Armstrong as part of the free, outdoor American Roots Music Series.
“Kyshona Armstrong has been called upon to represent for soul and gospel in roots, rock and folk lineups and to bring singer-songwriter sensibilities to R&B bills. But wherever she plants her feet, she does so with righteous conviction and a strong sense of her own voice.”-NPR Music
Shows are held RAIN or SHINE! All attempts will be made to have the show outdoors, even in case of rain.
Butterworth’s, at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, is a cafe, a restaurant and a bar. It will begin its soft opening on Wednesday, October 16 and its grand opening is scheduled for the end of the month. CHC stopped by Friday afternoon just as a video crew was packing up after a series of interviews with journalists for the MAX television series, United States of Scandal with Jake Tapper. A crew member said,, “We liked the aesthetics.” Butterworth’s will be open Wednesday to Sunday.
As you enter…
To your left…
And to your right…
Moving deeper in …
The bar …
And the dining area with tables for two and tables for four … (View shows tables disarranged to accommodate video crew)
The view on your way out…
The menu is still being worked on and not available. Here’s the drink menu.
ANC6B’s Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce met last Monday night. Above center (L-R): Brian Ready, Executive Director of Barracks Row MainStreet; Taskforce Chair ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe, and Throne Lab’s Senior Operations Manager Terryl Monroe. Monrone presented an update on the Throne public restrooms, one of which resides on Eastern Market Metro Plaza. That Throne has serviced 2900 users since it’s installation in mid-June. 1900 of those visits were unique. Most users – 93% – accessed the restroom via the text option: the user texts “Throne” to the number on the unit, then responds with the code provided. The Public Restroom Pilot is managed by DPW which has funded the pilot program for six Thrones through September 2025. The Thrones are open from 7am until 10pm and currently average three cleanings per day. For more info, go here: https://www.thronelabs.co/
Here’s a series of photos from Sunday’s Literary HillFest in Eastern Market’s North Hall. Volunteers at setting up tables by 9:00am.
Doors opened at 11:00am. A photo from circa 11:15 features HillFest volunteer Abby Yochelson with Wally Mlyniec.
A 2:20pm panel discussion “From the Page to the Screen,” moderated by (R-L) Sean O’Brien (The White House Clubhouse Series) included three authors whose works have become screen plays: Louis Bayard (The Pale Blue Eye, The Wildes), James Grady (Six Days of the Condor, The Smoke In Our Eyes). and Susan Coll (Acceptance, Real Life and Other Fictions).
Here’s a close up.
At 3:00pm HillFest volunteers Robert Pohl and Liz Cohen announced the end of the event and the beginning of the poetry reading at Tunnicliffs across the street.
Tunnicliffs’ Patio was the venue for a live mic poetry reading. Cliff Bernier led off with reading from his latest book, Ocean Suite. For more on Bernier, go here: https://www.facebook.com/cliffber/
The Week Ahead…
Monday, October 7
ANC6D holds an Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
Please contact the office at 6d@anc.dc.gov if you wish to have a link to view the Admin meeting.
Agenda:
To discuss the agenda for the October meeting of ANC6D.
Tuesday, October 8
ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the meeting virtually, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out
Presentations:
Chris Weiss, DC Environmental Network, Bottle Bill Presentation
Belinda Perry, Office of Campaign Finance General Counsel Presentation
Selah Goodson Bell, Energy Justice Program, Center for Biological Diversity
ANC 6B Resolution on DC Utility Shutoff Ban
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
High Demand, 511 11th Street SE; New Medical Cannabis Retailer; Status hearing October 2, 2024.
Saint Georges, 301 7th Street SE, new Retailer Class “B” Beer & Wine Store.
Saint Georges, 301 7th Street SE, new Retailer Class “C” license.
Transportation Committee Report
Near Collision on 1st and Independence Ave SE
Speeding on 600 block of G Street SE
Follow-up on NOIs at 11th and D and 11th and G St. SE
Planning & Zoning Committee (09/30/2024*)
816 G Street, SE Project. Zoning Adjustment Application. To construct two-story rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
510 8th Street, SE Project. Historic Preservation Application. To construct a rear addition and add a third story to an existing, attached row house.
Text & Map Amendments to Create Navy Yard East (NYE) Zone [N/A] Project: Text amendments to the Zoning Regulations that would establish a Navy Yard-East Zone on land that is currently un-zoned as “Federal”. The recommendation would be to set-down (or not set-down) the matter before the Zoning Commission for a public hearing.
Reports:
Public Safety Committee
Southeast Library Task Force
Public Parks and Recreation Spaces Task Force
Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC)
Fred Moosally, Director, Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA)
Consent Agenda
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting urgent action along the corridor and then clarify their plans for traffic calming along 11th Street NE between Florida Avenue NE and East Capitol Street.
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue NE and 14th Street NE, requesting repainting of the bike lane on 14th Street NE between E Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE, and requesting restoration of a raised crosswalk at 14th and E Streets NE.
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue NE and E Street NE. Economic Development and Zoning.
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter of support to the BZA for Special Exceptions from the roof top and upper floor element requirements in order to construct a third story with roof deck and a three-story with cellar rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone at 910 12th Street, NE.
Standing Committee Reports:
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis (ABC)
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council Chair Mendelson and Mayor Bowser requesting the following actions:
(1) The City Council adopt and the Mayor sign legislation making public input on medical cannabis licenses equivalent to the input allowed for liquor licenses, specifically allowing adjacent property owners and a group of five to protest medical cannabis licenses, as provided for in in Title 25 of D.C. Official Code and Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
(2) The City Council adopt and the Mayor sign legislation providing for moratoriums on new medical cannabis licenses equivalent to the provisions for liquor licenses contained in Title 25 of D.C. Official Code and Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
(3) The City Council adopt and the Mayor sign legislation providing for fines for landlords who allow for and eviction of tenants who engage in serious violations of liquor and cannabis law and regulation and, certificates of occupancy and basic business licenses in furtherance of operating any business that violates liquor and cannabis law.
(4) The City Council adopt and the Mayor sign legislation requiring temporary or permanent closure of establishments who fail to remediate serious violations of liquor and cannabis licenses or health, safety, or other licenses and permits required in furtherance of operating a business that engages in the commerce of liquor or cannabis or illegal substances. Further, that such action should be taken immediately if the Chief of Police deems public safety and immediate and serious risk, including but not limited to violent acts or the recovery of firearms.
Recommendation: ANC 6A will automatically send a letter of protest of alcoholic beverage license and medical cannabis applications and renewals unless the Commission is able to meet and consider such an application before the published protest deadline. In that case, the protest will be due to the effect of the establishment on peace, order and quiet, including the noise and litter provisions, pursuant to the allowable appropriateness standards set forth in DC Municipal Regulations.
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT requesting conversion of the 1400 block of G Street NE to a one-way westbound.
New Business
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Appiah, the City Council and relevant Council committees recognizing the serious and life-threatening failures of the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and requesting measures to include, but not limited to: monthly (at minimum) reporting to a public meeting of the Council or its designated committee, and an attestation to the accuracy by the OUC Director. Such reporting would include performance against key national 911 performance metrics, as well as against staffing metrics and adverse event reporting and analyses. The letter would also request that the Council review the need for an external monitor or advisor to oversee the operations and performance of the OUC.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Tuesday, October 8
East City Bookshop welcomes George O’Connor to discuss his middle grade graphic novel, Asgardians: Thor. Hybrid event. 7:00pm. Free.
645 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast ##100
Event lasts 1 hour
Note on Format: This hybrid event will have both an in-person component with limited seating as well as a virtual broadcast via Zoom Webinar.
Hill Center Event: Freedom Was in Sight! with Historian Kate Masur
Wednesday Oct 9
East City Bookshop offsite event: Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital. 7:00pm. Free.
Revisiting Reconstruction in DC: Freedom Was in Sight! Historian Kate Masur Discusses her New Book in Conversation with Maya Davis.
The Friends of the Southeast Library (FOSEL) together with the Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL) will hold a joint book sale this Saturday, October 12. The sale will be at the Northeast Library at 7th & Maryland Avenues NE.
The sale begins when the library opens at 10:00 am. The sale is on the lower level of the library.
Entrance to the sale is through the library (and down the stairs or elevator). Volunteers are welcome to help set up the book sale on Friday, October 11, at 1:00pm.
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Peter MacPherson – Community Activist – April 12, 1961 – September 13, 2024
RIP Peter MacPherson
by Suzanne Wells
Posted October 3, 2024
Peter MacPherson, a long-time Capitol Hill resident, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024. The cause of death was colon cancer.
MacPherson is remembered by family and friends as someone who was most fulfilled when he was fighting for a cause he cared about deeply. His fights, some might call them epic battles, went on for years, and he was relentless and effective in holding accountable government officials responsible for fixing problems.
MacPherson is best remembered for his advocacy of school libraries. When MacPherson began getting involved in the issue, school librarian positions were in jeopardy of being cut, and few funds were budgeted to replenish library collections. After countless testimonies before the City Council and DC Public Schools (DCPS), and even holding bake sales in front of the Wilson building and DCPS offices to shame government officials into providing funds, a DCPS School Libraries Task Force was established. This Task Force recommended many of the things MacPherson had advocated for, and today thousands of students at DCPS are the direct beneficiaries of his work.
MacPherson also put a spotlight on school modernization inequities and, through tireless advocacy with others, brought about major repairs to Stuart-Hobson Middle School after serious flaws were found with its renovation. Before he began his advocacy, no city leader was willing to undertake additional work on the building, but eventually over $50 million was budgeted to fix many of the problems he identified.
Congressional Cemetery was also a passion of MacPherson. He served on the board of the cemetery as a representative of Christ Church. He enjoyed photography and took thousands of photos at the cemetery. At one point, he put on a show of his photographs, and donated the money raised to the cemetery. Victor Romero, a decades-long member of the dog walkers group, remembered Peter fondly. “Peter was indeed among the most friendly K9 Corps members. Our walks and talks were always filled with lively exchanges about national politics and local life in Hill East DC. A conversation with Peter would invariably cheer me up.”
Born on April 12, 1961, at Columbia Women’s Hospital in DC, MacPherson grew up in Arlington, VA. He attended the Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1992, he married his wife Rebecca, and they moved to Capitol Hill in 1996.
He was a health policy freelance journalist, and for a time worked for the Congressional Quarterly. Shortly after his daughter Evelyn was born, he became a stay-at-home dad.
Peter and Rebecca moved to Chicago in 2018 for Rebecca’s work as a Regional Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration. Peter continued to do his DC advocacy work from Chicago.
Many people remember him as being a great friend who would often call and visit. Someone once said Peter was often a better friend to others than they were to him. Jackie Sink, one of his many friends, said “I remember walking out my front door one morning and finding Peter weeding my garden. When I asked him what he was doing, he said he knew I didn’t have time, so he thought he would help.”
Peter was known for always helping his 200 block of Kentucky neighbors. Gregory Cavanaugh, one of Peter’s neighbors, also remembered his self-effacing humor. Gregory recalled Peter saying “Remember Greg, I want to be like you someday when I grow up.”
Peter is survived by his wife, Rebecca, daughter Evelyn, and son-in-law Sean Lynch.
A funeral will be held at Christ Church, 620 G Street, SE, on Monday, October 7, at 11 am with internment to follow at Congressional Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held later that day at the Hill Center from 6 – 10 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to An Open Book Foundation.
Maggie Hall ran the Literary Hill BookFest from 2010 until 2016. Pictured above are (left) Karen Lyon, former columnist for the Hill Rag’s “The Literary Hill,” and Maggie Hall in 2011. Photo: Maggie Hall.
How the Literary Hill BookFest Got Started
by Larry Janezich
Posted October 3, 2024
The 13th Annual Literary Hill BookFest will happen on Sunday, October 6 in North Hall, Eastern Market, from 11:00am until 3:00pm.
CHC reached out for comment to Maggie Hall, on how the Literary Hill BookFest got started.
Hall said, “I came up with the idea of a book festival in 2010, shortly after my first book – Mish-Mash Dictionary of Marmite – was published. When I was drumming up PR for the book I wondered how getting into a book festival worked. Suddenly it hit me: there were plenty of writers on The Hill – we should have our own.
After drawing up a basic plan – with the main point being that all featured writers should live on The Hill – I knew I needed help to make the idea work.
I realized that Karen Lyon, then the author of the Hill Rag’s monthly column “The Literary Hill,” was an obvious choice. I approached Karen and invited her to come on board. The two of us had a get together at my home and before long the BookFest – thanks to a wonderful, enthusiastic group of volunteers – was a reality.
I get a great kick out of seeing – in fact am delighted – that the BookFest is an established force and a pivotal part of Capitol Hill’s strong cultural life.
As for my book? The initial response from writers/authors on The Hill was so great I gave up my space at the BookFest to accommodate last minute requests to be included. In 2014, I managed to hold onto a table and discovered how successful the BookFest can be for an individual writer: I sold (despite its very Brit-centric subject) 27 books!”
This year’s celebration of books and authors will feature more than 40 authors, poets, booksellers, publishers, literacy groups, including acclaimed national bestselling novelist Louis Bayard, author of The Pale Blue Eye. Other featured authors include former White House speech writer and comedian Sean O’Brien; nationally recognized anti-bias and antiracist author and educator Liz Kleinrock; award-winning author and Smithsonian Curator of Political History Jon Grinspan; National Book Award finalist and former editor-in-chief of the Washington Post’s Book World section Marie Arana; beloved author, trailblazer and Smithsonian Ambassador Christine Platt; acclaimed novelist, former investigative journalist and film and TV writer James Grady, whose novel Six Days of the Condor was famously adapted into the Robert Redford film Three Days of the Condor, and many more.
The BookFest is completely free and open to the public, with a popular poetry open mic immediately following the main event, where established and aspiring poets will entertain an enthusiastic crowd. For more, go here: www.literaryhillbookfest.org
The honorary street naming commemorating the Eastern High School Blue and White Marching Machine was held on Tuesday afternoon in the triangle park at 13th and A Streets, NE. Here, the Marching Machine arrives at the park. Earlier in the day they had received an invitation from the Ambassador to Great Britain to participate in the London New Year’s Parade.
Ward 6 CM Charles Allen and Sheila Bunn, COS, Office of Ward 7 CM Vincent Gray, present the sign commemorating the naming of the street to James Perry, Director, EHS Band. Last April the city council passed a resolution naming of A Street from 13th through 17th Street “Blue and White Marching Machine Way,” commemorating the practice zone for the Eastern High Blue and White Marching Band.
In remarks to the crowd, CM Allen said although the city council gets to pass this is it was actually the leadership of the ANCS that help really spurred this – Commissioner Brian Alcorn (ANC7D) and Commissioner Amber Gove (ANC6A) … when the opportunity came up to what renaming could look like …. I was able to reach out to CM Gray and … we were so proud to put our names on this legislation and move that forward to honor what you represent – to what those before you represented and what those who come after you are going to do.
Here’s the scene at 17th and A Streets, NE, prior to the scheduled unveiling of the Blue and White Marching Way sign. Stakeholders posed for a photo, including, (left to right), Alma Cadelaria, Deputy Secretary of the District of Columbia; Commissioner Brian Alcorn, ANC7D; Sheila Bunn, COS, Office of Ward 7 CM Vincent Gray; Eboni-Rose Thompson, Ward 7 representative on the State Board of Education; Commissioner Amber Gove, Chair, ANC6A; Jemes Perry, Director, EHS Band; and Steven Miller, Principal, Eastern High School.
New signage across from Eastern Market at the former Radici announces the coming of Boulangerie Saint George. The last estimate on an opening date was sometime in December.
ICYMI Another Hill 7-11 Closes –this one at 15th and Independence, SE. 7-11’s last Capitol Hill outlet will close. The 15th Street store will join the Pennsylvania Avenue store and close on Monday, October 7th. Employees at the store said they had “no idea” why the store was closing.
Wednesday night’s meeting of the EMCAC after the election of Susan Oursler to fill a vacant seat on the committee. From left, Brian Pate, Robyn-Hinson Jones, Monte Edwards, Chair Chuck Burger, ANC Commissioner Jerry Sroufe, Steve Hagedorn, Susan Oursler, Sam Pastore.
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee met to elect a new community representative to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of long-time board member Tom Kuchenburg. There were four candidates; Robert Clark, Erin Monju, Kirsten Oldenburg, and Susan Oursler. The committee voted by secret ballot and Chair Chuck Burger announced that Susan Oursler had been elected. Oursler had formerly served for eight years on the committee as a representative of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society.
Mezeh Mediterranean Grill has installed a new sign at the space formerly occupied by Roland’s convenience store at 333 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The long-anticipated opening (since June 2023) is not imminent as shown by the photo below, but there’s hope.
Mezeh specializes in fresh food and natural flavors, made from scratch in-house daily with 100% olive oil halal protein, no hormones, no preservatives, and or additives. The restaurant targets young health conscious professionals, 21 – 45. The most popular menu item is “create your own bowl” with some 65 toppings that fits any diet – vegetarian, vegan, Keto, gluten free, etc.
Here’s a photo inside from last Friday by Maggie Hall.
“Mezeh” is the company’s twist of a host of similar Eastern Mediterranean words all of which mean some variation of taste, flavor, nibble or small plate.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, September 30
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting* at 7:00pm.
*Note: This meeting date has been adjusted to avoid conflicts with holidays, religious days, or other events.
Join Information: This meeting will be held virtually. https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
633 E Street SE Rear. Zoning adjustment application. To construct two-story rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
510 8th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Project: To construct a rear addition and add a third story to an existing, attached row house.
Zoning Application. Text & Map Amendments to Create Navy Yard East (NYE) Zone. Project: Text amendments to the Zoning Regulations that would establish a Navy Yard-East Zone on land that is currently un-zoned as “Federal”. The recommendation would be to set-down (or not set-down) the matter before the Zoning Commission for a public hearing.
ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in-person meeting at 7:00pm
The meeting will be held on the second floor of the 700 Penn building – enter lobby adjacent to Trader Joe’s.
Among items on the draft agenda:
Presentation:
Representatives of Throne Labs will address issues of usage and servicing of the Throne restroom on Eastern Market Metro Plaza and share their experiences at other locations to provide a comparison and to highlight potential issues for the community (e.g., there are two units in the Navy Yard).
Brian Ready, Director, Barracks Row MainStreet, will comment about impact observed by restaurateurs on Eight Street following the installation of the Throne.
A representative from Community Connections to discuss usage by their clients.
Discussion: Progress report on the creation of a Park Manager for the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park.
Tuesday, October 1
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Join Information: This meeting will be held virtually. https://anc6b.org/
Agenda: TBA
ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting* at 6:30pm. (Tuesday meeting (instead of Wednesday) to accommodate Rosh Hashanah.)
502 Constitution Ave. NE. Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception, from the lot occupancy requirements and a special exception, from the rear-addition restrictions to construct a two-story plus basement rear addition to an existing attached three-story-with basement principal dwelling unit.
401 6th Street NE. Historic Preservation Application for concept approval for partial rooftop addition and roof deck.
16 3rd Street NE. Historic Preservation Application for concept approval to remove existing 1-story and 2-story rear additions; construct new 3-story addition and new full basement at addition and under existing main house block; renovate interior of existing main house block; and replace existing windows and front door.
622 I (Eye) Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application for a variance from the street frontage requirements to combine two existing lots into a single lot for purposes of converting an existing row dwelling into a 3-unit residential structure.
Thursday, October 3
ANC6C Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Where: North Hall, Eastern Market, 225 7th St. SE.
When: Sunday, October 6, 2024, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Poetry: Open mic at Tunnicliff’s Tavern at 3:00 pm.
This year’s celebration of books and authors will feature more than 40 authors, poets, booksellers, publishers, literacy groups, including national bestselling novelist Louis Bayard, author of The Pale Blue Eye. Other featured authors include former White House speech writer and comedian Sean O’Brien; nationally recognized anti-bias and antiracist author and educator Liz Kleinrock; award-winning author and Smithsonian Curator of Political History Jon Grinspan; National Book Award finalist and former editor-in-chief of the Washington Post’s Book World section Marie Arana; author, trailblazer and Smithsonian Ambassador Christine Platt; novelist, former investigative journalist and film and TV writer James Grady, whose novel Six Days of the Condor was famously adapted into the Robert Redford film Three Days of the Condor, and many more.
The BookFest is completely free and open to the public, with a popular poetry open mic immediately following the main event, where established and aspiring poets will entertain an enthusiastic crowd. For more, go here: www.literaryhillbookfest.org
Sunday, October 6
Hill Center Free Event – 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Free. In-person American Roots Concert Series: Leon Timbo.
Some write music as a creative release. Others feel compelled to perform. For country-soul singer-songwriter Leon Timbo, music is used as a form of growth and healing. Growing up the son of two pastors in Jacksonville, FL, music was integrated into his life from the very start, as a way to communicate spiritual experience. At sixteen, Timbo began singing and by age twenty, he began playing the guitar and performing in a serious way, inspired by artists Bill Withers, James Taylor and Tim Miner. Timbo’s country sound incorporates equal measures of vintage soul, gospel, folk, R&B and even modern blues making for a unique experience that some have described as ‘transparent soul.’
Ongoing: – now through October 25th.
Capitol Hill Montessori School Launches First Ever On Line Auction
“We currently have donations from more than 100 local businesses and CHML families, and more items are being added daily. Bidding is open on gift cards for a variety of restaurants, fitness classes, photography sessions, sports and theater tickets, apparel, camps, music lessons, and more. Exciting offerings include dinner for two at a Michelin starred restaurant, a weekend in the Shenandoah, an educational tour with Anacostia Riverkeeper, sleepaway camp, and private soccer sessions. Bidders can also score gift cards for local casual dining great for families.
The auction runs through CHML’s Fall Festival on October 25th, where things will really heat up with a *live auction* for some seriously amazing prizes—think suite box tickets for Capitals games, a chance to see Cyndi Lauper, and *just in time for Christmas*… Mariah Carey tickets! We will also be hosting a silent auction featuring incredible classroom-wide projects that our students will be working on between now and the Fall Festival.”
CM Charles Allen addressed ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee last Monday night.
911 Dysfunction – CM Allen Faults Agency and Executive
By Larry Janezich
Posted September 26, 2024
(According to a story posted by ABC affiliate Channel 7 News, last Friday morning, nine DC news organizations boycotted a briefing held by the Office of Unified Command (911 Call Center) to protest the agency’s lack of transparency and the refusal of agency officials to speak on the record. Later that day, a reporter went to a press event for Mayor Bowser during which she refused to answer questions regarding her response to the boycott earlier that day. https://bit.ly/47OhmaD )
Last Monday, ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee, chaired by Commissioner Frank Avery, invited Ward 6 CM Charles Allen to talk about the troubled Office of Unified Command – the 911 Call Center. (The following transcript has been edited for brevity.)
In his presentation, Allen said, “Not a week probably goes by that I don’t hear from somebody in our community that is talking about a horrible experience they’ve had with 911…. It’s dangerous….
I think what you’ve got is a systemic crisis that’s happening at the agency backed by an institutional failure at the executive branch of accepting responsibility and being willing to overhaul this agency. I don’t think it’s going to be fixed with a single piece of legislation or a single director but I do believe you need to have both as a part of the solution. I think it’s going to take years to dig out of where that agency is right now. But it’s not go to happen until the Executive Branch acknowledges that there’s a problem and is willing to do something about it.
I think from the Council’s standpoint it’s going to take focused oversight… and I think were at the stage where were probably going to have to have an independent monitor that is going to be able to put a different set of eyes and actions on it. I think what we’ve seen is that the executive seems to try to minimize public knowledge of internal agency dysfunction.
We need to combine (oversight) with higher budget priorities and budget investments.
Another thing is the union that represents the workforce is not as large as the union that represents police and fire in terms of their voice being able to get out there. So they sometimes lack the power other unions have.
We’ve also had a turnover in our public safety cluster leadership which creates a sense of destabilization – no one’s hung on to that position for more than about a year or two at the most.
All of that I think has created the storm were seeing right here.
I want to be clear that we’ve got some really good people at UOC – they’re really dedicated folks – call takers and dispatchers – that are working really hard but are starved for the resources they need…..
We’ve got staffing levels not where they need to be. We’re seeing over-use of leave, callouts, and burnouts – those thing start to accumulate. There’s a lack of parity in salary and incentives with other folks in law enforcement and safety and I think we’ve got an agency and an executive that is unwilling to acknowledge and think about what is correct action….They’re afraid of corrective action on the work force, again, because they are so short staffed that if they take corrective actions they’ll have less worker force available….
The agency has to focus on how we recover from bad mismanagement that has taken place that put it where it is in the first place. And I think they need an executive branch that is actually going to support them and be able to move them forward.
We had the DC auditor take a deep and comprehensive dive into the OUC … they laid out an entire framework on how to improve – those have yet to be followed up on.
We need all the ANCs focused on talking to city leaders and pushing on this. So please don’t let up. Make sure you testify – keep sending those letters – highlight what you heard from your constituents.”
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 