Photo Essay: Dedication of Hill Center’s New Gathering Space
By Larry Janezich
Posted October 2, 2025
Wednesday night, The Hill Center dedicated and celebrated the opening of its new community space – seating in the round for the Center’s outdoor activities and public gatherings. The space is named in honor of Hill Center visionary John Franzén. Franzén, who died in 2020, was one of the Center’s founding board members and a former president of the Old Naval Hospital Foundation which created Hill Center.
Some two hundred community members participated in the event. Radio host, author and podcaster Bill Press was the master of ceremonies and recounted Franzén’s efforts leading Congress gifting the former Old Naval Hospital to the District and the sites subsequent transformation into the Hill Center which opened in 2011.
Mayor Bowser had planned to attend, but the closing of the federal government disrupted her schedule. Press introduced the speakers which included Jennifer Cartland, President of the Hill Center Board of Directors; Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen; Nate Franzén, a nephew of Johnathon who represented the family; and Mary Early, sculptor and juror of the six sculptures featured in the opening of the new sculpture garden.
In his remarks, Allen paid tribute to Franzen’s vision of community: “This is a space where you’ll run into friends whenever you come here…a place where the community can all come together. John saw value in creating this space…he talked about the power of community and wanted to be part of making that community. We are now a part of that effort and will carry it forward.”
Following the dedication of the space, Mary Early, sculptor and juror spoke to the dedication of the newly established Hill Center Outdoor sculpture garden and announced the Best of Show: “X and Why” by Luc Fiedler.
Here are the six pieces inaugurating the new garden display. The garden will feature a rotating exhibit featuring primarily local artists. The current exhibition will continue through March of 2026.
Left to right: Searching, by Nicholas Femia; Split Decision, by Todd Smitn; Repose, by Mimi Frank and Breon Gilleran. Roots in Black and White, by Dalya Luttwak; Acorn, by Kirk Seese; and Best of Show, X and Why, by Luc Fieller.
Herb Scott, founder of the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation, and his band provided entertainment for the reception before and following the dedication.
Comments Off on Photo Essay: Dedication of Hill Center’s New Gathering Space
Rumsey Update – Pool Repairs Slated for November. Ward Six CM Charles Allen announced Saturday that DPR and DGS will replace the faulty boiler which is why the pool’s water has been unheated. The work will start in October and is scheduled for completion in November. Regarding the longer term plans for demolition and reconstruction of Rumsey, Allen said that the project is behind schedule and that it’s likely work won’t start before next summer.
Barracks Row Starbucks closes – A letter on the door of the coffee shop addressed to “our amazing customers” announced the closing of the Barracks Row Starbucks yesterday, September 27. The store is one of the chain’s ten DC shops which closed as part of a nationwide $1 billion restructuring plan.
Here’s a photo of some of the outlet’s last customers circa 10:30am on Saturday.
For Sale – The National Association for Home Care & Hospice Building opposite Eastern Market is up for sale. The building went on the market about a month ago with a listing price of $10 million. The 25,000 square foot building was built in 1995. The sale will not affect the MedStar Urgent Care Center which is in the middle of a 20 year lease.
The demolition of RFK Stadium started in early 2025 and is scheduled for completion in fall of 2026. Currently, it resembles the skeleton of a beached whale. Here’s a link to the DC RFK Demolition website which has a link to the live demolition camera atop DC Armory. https://eventsdc.com/venue/rfk-stadium/rfk-demolition-updates The photos are from Wednesday, September 24.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, September 29
ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
Physical Location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 2nd Floor (Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Agenda: TBA
Tuesday, September 30
ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the agenda:
Continuation of consideration of items on the agenda from the last full ANC6B meeting, including:
Update from the ANC6B Standing-Rules Working Group
ANC6B Community-Grants Working Group
Discussion of amendments to the By-Laws to make them conform with current practice regarding committee vice-chairs & standing rules.
Proposed discussion to the offer, made by the director of the DC National Guard, to assign the DC Guard to help with DC “beautification.”
In addition, the Executive Committee will set the agenda for the next full ANC6B meeting on October 14.
ANC6C Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
NEW DATE: THE MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 30 WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3.
605 Constitution Avenue, NE. Revised Historic Preservation Application to construct a third-floor addition to an existing one-story row dwelling with two-story addition.
304-308 K Street, NE. Revised Zoning Adjustment for special exceptions and an area variance.
Office of Planning omnibus proposed amendments to the zoning regulations (ZC 25-12).
Wednesday, October 1
Dedication and reception for the John Franzen Terrace and the opening of the Hill Center Sculpture exhibit. 5:30pm at Hill Center. Mayor Bowser is scheduled to attend.
(See below under Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About for additional info.)
Friday, October 3
ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You To Know About:
Monday, September 29
FreeDC Event
DC Community Lobby Day
9:00 AM 4:00 PM
DC needs the Senate to end the occupation, block the 13+ bills attacking DC, and reject the 20+ budget riders that would freeze our funds. Community members are invited to join us on September 29 for a Community Lobby Day to meet with Congressional staff and call on them to side with DC.
Before becoming a full-time author, Lynne Olson worked as a journalist for ten years, first with the Associated Press as a national feature writer in New York, a foreign correspondent in AP’s Moscow bureau, and a political reporter in Washington.
Tuesday, September 30
Hill Center Event
Our City. Our Music. Our Writers. Dwandalyn R. Reece, Ph.D. and John Troutman, Ph.D., two outstanding Smithsonian Museum curators will present and discuss their books to increase our understanding of the influence of American music.
September 18 – October 12. 8:00pm (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) 2:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays).
New Adaptation of Frankenstein to be Staged at Historic Chapel at Congressional Cemetery
Location: Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, SE.
Mary Shelley’s Monsters. The author of the infamous novel faces her creations and comes to understand the lasting impact of her radical and horrific story in this new retelling of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Directed by Alex Levy, Artistic and Managing Director at 1st Stage in Tysons, VA, and featuring Katrina Clark as Mary Shelley; Jon Beal as the Creature; and JC Payne as Victor Frankenstein
Reminder: CHAW Reception Tonight: In Focus: Photographs from CHAW’s Darkroom Community
Now open and running through Friday, October 24, 2025, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) invites you to consider the role of analog photography and its storytelling power in a digital age.
Opening reception, this Saturday, September 27th, from 5:30 – 7pm. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop Gallery, 545 7th Street SE.
Comments Off on Reminder: CHAW Reception Tonight: In Focus: Photographs from CHAW’s Darkroom Community
Memorial Fund for Eastern Market Farmer Dan Donahue
by Larry Janezich
Posted September 27, 2025
Dan Donahue’s engaging presence on the Farmer’s Line at Eastern Market on weekends stretched for 34 years. Dan passed last year and his friends at the Market have launched a GoFundMe to raise $10,000 to inter Dan’s ashes in Congressional Cemetery. As a decorated veteran, Dan could have been buried in Arlington Cemetery, according to his long-time friend Chris Girardot of Ravenhook Bake House. But Dan was not interested in that, Girardot said; “Dan loved Capitol Hill, and Congressional Cemetery is the place where Dan should be.”
A celebration of life for Dan will be held on Monday, October 13 at 11:00am at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, 412 Seward Square, SE. Dan had been a regular contributor of food the church’s meal center.
Girardot says that Dan had not worked at the Market in the year before his death, as debts mounted; “Dan was a mentor to me, and it matters to me what happens to him. Everything he did was to make his food and his stand better and to leave people happy.”
His survivors include his sister, Patricia, several nieces and nephews, and his former wife, Susan Donahue of Maryland.
Comments Off on Memorial Fund for Eastern Market Farmer Dan Donahue
ANC6B has a bone to pick with Ambar on Barracks Row. The restaurant’s alcohol beverage license is up for renewal and ANC6B is protesting the renewal because, they say, Ambar is in violation of the agreement under which they promised to store trash indoors. Ambar had made signed an agreement to that effect in return for ANC support for their adding a second story to the rear of the restaurant – a pledge it seems, they never had any intention of honoring.
Here’s the current situation: a dumpster and a trash compacter. On Wednesday, the city’s alcohol licensing board hears the case and the outcome will indicate both how seriously the board takes restaurants’ signed operating agreements negotiated with ANCs as well as how much “great weight” the agency actually gives opinions ANC as required by law. The ANC has taken this protest seriously and both sides have lawyered up; negotiations on a settlement were taking place over the past week. See below for info on how to virtually join Wednesday’s meeting. (Update: hearing has been postponed as negotiations continue. )
Update on Barracks Row Popeye’s – Last week, the front door of the Popeye’s on Barracks Row sported a Stop Work Order regarding the installation of their air conditioning units. That issue looks to have been resolved and new building permits have been posted. Work has continued on the buildout with substantial progress. No word yet on opening, though. The Popeye’s restaurant previously at that location under another owner closed in November 2021. Meanwhile, at Taco Bell – Popeye’s next door neighbor – it appears that not much visible progress has happened beyond interior demolition.
The ANC6B Southeast Library Taskforce chaired by Commissioner David Sobelsohn met on Monday, September 15, and heard a construction update from Jaspreet Pahwa, Director, Capital Planning and Construction – DC Library. Construction is on schedule after an unexpected delay caused by having to relocate Washington Gas pipelines which pushed back the expected early 2026 reopening by three months. Here’s the current view of the construction on the South Carolina side of the library.
And here’s the view on the D Street side.
The Hill Center – Here’s a photo from last Sunday’s American Roots Concert Series at Hill Center. This one featured the Pine Leaf Boys who drew a large crowd for the free concert. The NYT described them as “…the link that connects the young and the old generations,” and “the best new, energetic and fun Cajun band in a very long time.”
Over in front of the Hill Center, Gathering Terrace – the John Franzén Terrace – drew several members of the over-flow crowd for the Pine Leaf Boys. The space will be dedicated at a two hour event on October 1, beginning at 5:30pm. Mayor Bowser is scheduled to attend and the program will include a military honor guard presenting the colors. Here’s a link to register for the event: http://bit.ly/3IAUHX9
Friday Night Live – And last Friday Night Live at Eastern Market Metro Plaza featured “Spanglish Latin American Band.” This coming Friday, the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation’s Herb Scott Band will close out the season – September 26 at 5:00pm.
The Week Ahead….
None of the local political or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner are meeting this week.
There are some items of interest, however:
The Week Ahead…
Wednesday, September 24
(POSTPONED) Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, 1:30pm.
Case concerning ANC6B protest of Ambar’s application to renew liquor license.
Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation‘s Herb Scott Band closes the Friday Night Live concert season.
Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About:
Folger Theater
Tuesday, September 23 – Sunday, October 26
Julius X –A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.
Tickets starting at $20
“This bold new play takes Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Julius Caesar and reworks it through the lens of the American Civil Rights Movement, focusing on the story of Civil Rights leader Malcolm X and drawing parallels between ancient Rome and 1960s Harlem.”
Location: Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, 421 Seward Square SE
“Join acclaimed pianist Steve Baddour on Saturday, September 27, for an afternoon of music, stories, and conversation at the United Methodist Church Capitol Hill. The performance, starting at 3:00pm, will feature a rich program of European Impressionistic music, Latin American classical pieces, a medley of love songs from the’50s and’60s, and a recently composed work based on a Palestinian folk song.”
On Fridays October 17, 24 and 31 and Saturdays, October 18, 21 and November 1
Soul Strolls 2025: Grave Robbing and Resurrection
“Congressional Cemetery revisits the history of the cemetery in twilight and darkness, immersed in vignettes of the lives of interred residents via our guided lantern tours.
Unearth the dark tales of the cemetery’s residents, offering a window into a disturbing chapter of D.C.’s history. Come and enjoy the captivating ambiance of an evening in the cemetery with live music, thematic cocktails, and witness history come alive as our skilled actors breathe life into these stories right where they rest.”
Support goes to helping keep Historic Congressional Cemetery a community sanctuary, place of remembrance, and historic landmark.”
September 18 – October 12. 8:00pm (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) 2:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays).
New Adaptation of Frankenstein to be Staged at Historic Chapel at Congressional Cemetery
Location: Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, SE.
Mary Shelley’s Monsters. The author of the infamous novel faces her creations and comes to understand the lasting impact of her radical and horrific story in this new retelling of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Directed by Alex Levy, Artistic and Managing Director at 1st Stage in Tysons, VA, and featuring Katrina Clark as Mary Shelley; Jon Beal as the Creature; and JC Payne as Victor Frankenstein
Post 46 of the American Legion is hosting a Bourbon Tasting Fundraiser on Saturday, September 20, (3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) at Valor Brewpub, (723 8th Street, SE, Barracks Row).
The proceeds go to pay for turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner for the residents of Access Housing (https://www.accesshousingdc.org/ )
For tickets for the tasting and the raffle of a premium bottle of bourbon go here:
ANC6A Transportation Committee with DDOT’s Chris Berg, center.
Monday night, ANC6A’s Transportation Committee, chaired by resident commissioner Patrick Bloomstein, received an update on DDOT’s Strategic Bike Plan. The report came from DDOT’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Specialist, Chris Berg.
The Strategic Bikeways Plan will establish priorities for development of the city’s bikeways. The plan will update the moveDC bicycle priority network, following up on projects completed since 2021, to identify gaps and missing connections and reflect community needs. The effort will entail identifying key corridors and neighborhood bikeways and Berg stressed the call from bikers for protected bike lanes.
(Last week, ANC6B voted unanimously to write a letter to DDOT supporting Hill Family Biking’s proposal from Sam Moghtaderi and Christopher Forinash to encourage the city to put a protected 2-way bike lane on 11th Street, SE, from Lincoln Park to M Street, SE.)
As shown in the timeline above, the project is in the Public Meetings stage. Delivery of a final Strategic Bike Plan is scheduled for April – July 2026. That will be followed by decisions on the details of a five year work plan for Fiscal Year 2026 – Fiscal Year 2030.
DDOT will have a table at the H Street Festival next Saturday, September 20, to interact with bikers and answer questions. A proposed Ward 6 public workshop on the Strategic Plan has been scheduled for December 4 at a location TBA.
A Japanese Lantern Park outdoor installation at Eastern Market Metro Plaza for Art All Night on Friday night.
The night’s program started in early evening with a performance by Samurai Sword Soul – a samurai theater company – with a drama portraying the struggle between good and evil. Samurai Sword Soul is a samurai theater company, founded by Yoshi Amao in 2003. Their mission is to spread the Bushi-Do, The Way of the Samurai, and to introduce authentic Japanese sword stage fighting to people who are not familiar with it.
They regard the Samurai Virtues: Rectitude (義 gi), Courage (勇yū), Benevolence (仁 jin), Respect (礼 rei), Honesty (誠 makoto), Honor (名誉 meiyo), and Loyalty (忠義 chūgi) as the code of conduct that is still relevant in our time. For more, go here: https://www.samuraiswordsoul.com/
The Taiko Drummers of Japan performed and led volunteers from the audience in a demonstration of Taiko drumming.
Sunday was the second day of the Capitol Hill Art Walk, sponsored by the Capitol Hill Art League. Here’s the stop at 10th and East Capitol – one of the 70 locations on Capitol Hill where artists showed their art. Photo credit: Deb Hernandez
Here’s an update from last week – progress on the floor installation at St. Georges Boulangerie at 7th and C Streets, SE, across from Eastern Market. Photo credit: Maggie Hall.
The Week Ahead….
Monday, September 15
ANC6D will hold an IN PERSON meeting at 7:00pm.
Location: 203 N Street, SW.
Among items on the draft agenda:
Public Safety Report
Consent Agenda – TBA
Youth Initiative Discretionary Fund
SMD Updates
Chair’s Report
ANC6A Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
12th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception to construct a penthouse with roof deck to existing dwelling unit. The proposed project would remove a turret to allow for the remodeling of the residential property.
628 15th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a new, detached, two-story accessory building unit which would accommodate a 2 bedroom secondary dwelling at the rear of the property.
916 D Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception from requirement and allow 66:%lot occupancy to add a front porch to an existing single family dwelling.
New Business
1231 F Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a second story accessory dwelling unit to an existing, detached, accessory garage, in the rear of an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit.
1207 H Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Time Exception to raze an existing structure, and to construct a new, detached, six-story with below-grade parking and penthouse, dwelling unit, mixed-use building.
1332 Corbin Place, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a third story and a three-story with basement rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit..
307 15th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a two-story with basement rear addition, and a garage with second story accessory dwelling unit, to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling.
ANC7D Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About:
Friday Night Live at Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
Friday, September 19 – 5:00 to 6:30pm.
Spanglish Latin American Band – continues celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. 5:00pm – 6:30pm.
Spanglish delivers a dynamic blend of Latin genres—including salsa, samba, and bachata—infused with the heart of American jazz, R&B, and pop. Led by vocalist and founder Elle Jay, Spanglish is a musical reflection of lived identity and cross-cultural experience.
New Adaptation of Frankenstein to be Staged at Historic Chapel at Congressional Cemetery September 18 – October 12. 8:00pm (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) 2:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays). Location: Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, SE.
Mary Shelley’s Monsters. The author of the infamous novel faces her creations and comes to understand the lasting impact of her radical and horrific story in this new retelling of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Directed by Alex Levy, Artistic and Managing Director at 1st Stage in Tysons, VA, and featuring Katrina Clark as Mary Shelley; Jon Beal as the Creature; and JC Payne as Victor Frankenstein
General Alexander Macomb Reinterment Ceremony, Saturday, September 20. 11:00am – 1:00pm.
A ceremony and commemoration honoring the life and service of Major General Alexander Macomb, Commanding General of the United States Army from 1828 to 1841. Presented in partnership with representatives of the United States Armed Forces, this event will also commemorate the 250th anniversaries of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
Friday afternoon, Friends of NE and SE Libraries set up for tomorrow’s booksale at NE Library.
NE Library Book Sale Saturday, September 13
The Friends of the Southeast Library (FOSEL) together with the Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL) will hold a joint book sale this Saturday, September 13. The sale will be at the Northeast Library at 7th & Maryland Avenues NE.
The sale begins when the library opens at 10:00 am. We begin to pack up around 2:45 pm and are done by 3:00 pm. The sale is on the lower level of the library. Entrance to the sale is through the library (and down the stairs or elevator).
In general, we have mostly used books of all types, including children’s books, fiction, best sellers, non-fiction, cookbooks mysteries, science, science fiction, romance, religion, history, biography, self-help, classics, travel, etc.
Proceeds benefit local libraries, especially the Southeast Library, the Northeast Library, and the DC Library.
Got the ability to recirculate this message on other lists? That would be much appreciated.
Ward 6 Free DC organizers and Ward 6 co-leaders Anjali and Allegra
Ward Six FreeDC Pushes for Community Involvement
by Larry Janezich
Tuesday night some 200 residents turned out for the Ward 6 FreeDC September meeting in Reformation Lutheran Church a block from the Capitol Grounds on East Capitol Street. The purpose of the meeting was to update current and prospective FreeDC members on DC home rule and the occupation of DC by federal law enforcement agents and the National Guard.
The focus of the group has continued to evolve in response to changing circumstances. Initially their goal was to encourage Congress to restore DC’s authority to spend its own revenue by correcting an oversight which dropped that authority from a law which continued spending for agencies whose appropriation bills had not yet been passed. Since then, the Mayor found ways to work around most of that lack of authority.
While that was under discussion, there was a movement in Congress to repeal several DC council-passed laws, including laws on police reform, juvenile justice, and local residents’ voting rights. (Those bills and another 11 bills restricting DC Home Rule passed the House Committee on Oversight and Government on Wednesday afternoon.)
In addition, administration declared a 30 day emergency and moved to takeover DC MPD. Separately, federal agents including ICE and the National Guard were deployed to DC’s streets. The emergency action by which the President took over MPD expired Wednesday night and Congress has no plans to renew that authority. The deployment of federal law enforcement agents including ICE could continue and the National Guard presence in DC could last at least through November given the administration’s extension of the Guard’s activation through December.
In response to these many developments, Free DC has expanded and organized several of its efforts around resistance to authoritarianism. The Congress Working Group has been relentless in personal outreach to lobby members of Congress. (Their other working groups include accessibility, arts and culture, communications, DC local government, popular education, safety, and tabling.)
FreeDC is working to reach a critical number of residents who are willing to participate in “non-cooperation,” an idea based on what is known as the “3.5% rule’ in political theory. Research shows that campaigns which engage at least 3.5% of the population in a sustained, nonviolent protest can be successful. The figure specifically refers to nonviolent resistance because the theory goes, nonviolent movements are more likely to attract and sustain large-scale participation and support. For DC, that number is 24,500 residents, or 3,100 per ward.
FreeDC is providing non-cooperation training sessions. Attendees must attend a FreeDC Orientation session prior to registering. See Events on FreeDC at https://freedcproject.org/events
There is a Ward Six Orientation Meeting on Sunday, October 5, at 1:00pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I Street, SW. Register here: https://bit.ly/3IbChvZ
Since mid-January, when the group’s email list stood at 3,000, it has grown to more than 30,000 today. Sign up for the email list here https://freedcproject.org/ to learn more about upcoming events, actions, and ways to get involved. (The email list does not necessarily reflect the number of those engaging in non-cooperation.)
The presentation included emphasis of FreeDC’s Tenets: Prioritize joy, take up space, i.e., be seen and heard, and organize.
Free DC’s Code of Conduct includes: Respect everyone, refrain from hate speech, provide constructive feedback, and encourage participation.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 