CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Howl’O’Ween Canine Costume Contest – Photo Essay

Here are some photos by Peter Rothschild from last Saturday’s annual Halloween event in Lincoln Park.  The event was hosted by Howl To The Chief, 719 8th Street, SE.  

 

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“Words Matter” – a Capitol Hill Art League Juried Art Exhibit, Through December 4

The Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL) sponsors a member only Juried Art Exhibit October 23 – December 4, 2021 at the 
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) at 545 7th Street, SE, Washington, DC. 20003.

CHAL members were asked to interpret “Words Matter. Words have the power and energy to excite, deflate, nourish, enrage and everything in between. This exhibit’s theme is an invitation to explore how “words” inform the artist’s work, deepen it, expand expression, and move a narrative realistically, abstractly, or both. The resulting show features nineteen artists who expressed themselves in a variety of media.”

The show opened with a reception at CHAW from 5:30-7:30 pm on Saturday, October 23, where Juror, Ellen Cornett, discussed the art she selected and present awards.

Twenty-six works are on display in the show. The following artists are featured:

Anne Albright, Nancy Arbuthnot, Kenneth Bachman, Julie Byrne, Sally Canzoneri, Karen Cohen, Martin de Alteriis, Tamora Ilasat, Steve Kunin, JoAnn Laboy, Bennett Lowenthal, Jane Mann, Meera Rao, Nan Raphael, Iryna Smitchkova, Rifat Taher, KarenVan Allen, Rosa Ines Vera and Karen Zens.

The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop continues to host activities in compliance with the District of Columbia’s Coronavirus directives. The “Words Matter” show may be viewed online at: https://www.caphillartleague.org/2021-words-matter/

The Capitol Hill Art League is a visual arts program of The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). For more information about the Art League, visit the website at www.caphillartleague.org

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The Week Ahead…Highlights (Redistricting)…Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Highlights:

• Tuesday – ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee – HPO and BZA Applications for Renovation of SE Library.
• Wednesday – Hearing: Subcommittee on RedistrictingWard 6.
• Friday – Final Hearing: Subcommittee on Redistricting on city-wide redistricting.

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, November 2

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/                 

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• 237 8th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application to construct a new, detached, one-story accessory garage. 
• 1227 E Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application to construct a rear, two-story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar.  (Tentative)
• 403 7th Street, SE. Southeast Library.  Historic Preservation and Zoning Adjustment Application for interior renovation and cellar addition.
• 1208 D Street SE. Historic Preservation Application.  Concept Review for second story addition to existing one-story garage. 

Wednesday, November 3

ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual hearing at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/                   

Among items on the draft agenda:

• School Zone Parking Regulations
• DDOT Vision Zero Revised Process
• B24-0433 – Rightsizing Residential Permit Parking Regulation Amendment Act of 2021–tentative
• B24-0429 Metro For DC Amendment Act of 2021 (Tentative)
• Discussion: What to do about SE Blvd

DC City Council Committee of the Whole Subcommittee on Redistricting will hold a virtual hearing on redistricting Ward 6 at 10:00am. 

To watch, go here:  Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/CMElissaSilverman   

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

To join the meeting, go here:  http://anc6c.org/hot-topics/                

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 622 Eye Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Further-revised application of VBS Community Builders LLC, to convert an existing residential building into a four-unit apartment house and special exception from the 10’ limit on extensions past the rear wall of any adjacent principal residential building.
• 638 East Capitol Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Revised application to construct a three-story rear addition to an existing attached four-story principal dwelling unit.
• 621 A Street, NE – Expedited review application for relief from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story rear deck addition to an existing attached two-story principal dwelling.
• 227-235 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Zoning Adjustment Application of Hillsdale College for special exception relief to construct new penthouses on existing attached mixed-use buildings.
• 103 4th Street. Zoning Adjustment Application – Expedited review application to construct a second-story rear addition to an existing attached two-story principal dwelling

Thursday, November 4

ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00 pm. 

To join the meeting, go here:  http://anc6c.org/hot-topics/   

Agenda not available at press time.

Friday, November 5

DC City Council Committee of the Whole Subcommittee on Redistricting will hold a virtual final city-wide hearing on redistricting at 12:00noon.    

To watch, go here:  Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/CMElissaSilverman

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The Week Ahead…and Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 25

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here: https://bit.ly/3jubHOT

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Listening Session on Redistricting with Samuel Rosen-Amy, Chief of Staff, Councilmember-at-Large Elissa Silverman

Tuesday, October 26

ANC6B Executive Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://bit.ly/3Bb2l0w

Agenda:

• Set the agenda for the November meeting of the full ANC.

Wednesday, October 27

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the Zoom meeting go here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86459262422?pwd=VEhQQzl6SVB1N21oSG9MaE9YeVA3UT09

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Special meeting to consider budget recommendations to DGS November 5, 2021
• Report of the Market Manager
• Financial Report
• Implementation of the Strategic Plan
• Space permits, permit fees and market rules for vending
• Leases
• Tenant’s Council Report
• Eastern Market Main Street Mural project and other news update: Charles McCaffrey

Saturday, October 30

Capitol Hill Restoration Society hosts Our House Expo in Eastern Market North Hall from 10:00 am – 4:00pm.

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Political Discussion Takes Over Capitol Hill Community Crime Meeting

by Larry Janezich

The politics of how to address the city’s ongoing gun violence dominated last Tuesday night’s ANC6B community crime meeting.  Three top city officials – CM Charles Allen, DC Attorney General Karl Racine, and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chris Geldhart – participated in the panel discussion. 

The genesis of the meeting was the occurrence of three mid-October homicides within two weeks on Capitol Hill – two near Watkins School and one at 17th and Independence. 

The only new information about the homicides was the assertion by CM Charles Allen and MPD officials that the two homicides near Watkins were not related.  In addition, Allen said that MPD had very good information and leads and that both were likely to be closed very soon.  With little new information on the homicides, the two and a half hour meeting became a wide ranging discussion on increased policing vs alternatives to addressing crime and gun violence.  More than 20 residents had questions and/or comments for the panel, roughly equally divided between those advocating for more police on the streets and those who said that more police is not the solution.  Some 400 residents participated at some point in the virtual community meeting. Former ANC6B Chair Chander Jayraman moderated the discussion. 

Allen said he supported putting more funding into community based strategies and supported his committee’s and the council’s action in directing MPD funding to programs such as the Violence Interrupters and Family and Survivor Support.  He said, “There is a role for traditional policing but also for other programs.” 

(The FY 2022 budget provides funds for 195 new officers – which is the number MPD Chief Contee said the department could absorb in a budget cycle.  In August of this year, led by Council Chair Phil Mendelsohn and CM Charles Allen, the city council rejected Mayor Bowser’s supplemental budget request for FY 2022 for $11 million to hire an additional 170 new police officers.  The council voted unanimously to cut the funding to $6 million and spend $5 million on violence interruption.  The Mayor’s additional request followed an alarming dinner hour shooting in 14th Street NW’s restaurant district and another shooting outside Nationals Park.)

Racine supported Allen, saying the whole budget process is involved and confusing and lends itself to mischaracterization.  He said a multiplicity of approaches at the same time is necessary.  “I totally understand that the community wants to see more police.  But we need to invest in these programs – not as a replacement but as a complement to the work police do. 

Geldhart endorsed an all-in strategy.  He said additional resources are needed to address poverty, systemic racism, and generational under-investment in communities.  He supported violence interruption and community based policing saying, “It is not either or – not a question of subtracting police and increasing other areas.”  He noted that in 2020 no new officers were hired because there was no budget.  In 2021 the new budget allowed for 200 new officers.  He said, when people are not afraid to use illegal guns they need to be prosecuted, and noted there is a problem with offenders not being papered or waiting to be processed because of backlog in the courts. 

DC Attorney Karl Racine explained that not every case ends up being papered.  He said prosecutors sometimes exercised prosecutorial discretion – choosing not to prosecute because of “infirmity in the process.”  He continued, “Police have a hard job and try to get it right but sometimes there is a Constitutional issue.”  And sometimes three or four people in a car are arrested when an illegal gun is discovered but only one gets charged because there’s not enough evidence to charge all four and sometimes prosecutors are not able to put forward enough evidence to prosecute or to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Top MPD brass did not participate in the meeting, but MPD was represented by Inspector Tasha Bryan and Captain Tatjana Savoy of the 1st District.  Bryant noted that the numbers of MPD are shrinking and that the 200 cadet class for the current year will result in a 20 officer net gain.   (According to MPD, 178 officers had left the force by the beginning of May, 202; 315 left in 2020, and 333 left in 2019.  In May, the current force level was 3,580.)   

The meeting was organized by ANC6B in response to recent violence in the community.  In terms of next steps, Brian Ready, Chair of ANC6B, said he hoped for future meetings which would more specifically address some of the issue raised Tuesday night. 

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Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Features Jazz Artist Amy Bormet – 5:00p – 6:30p

by Larry Janezich

Amy Bormet; Jazz artist, pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and advocate for women in jazz.  Bormet, of the Kennedy Center, Bohemian Caverns, and Mr. Henry’s, tours Europe and South America.  To collaborate with and celebrate women musicians, she founded the Washington Women in Jazz Festival in 2011 and remains as director.  Her Los Angeles-based quintet, AmyAna, co-led with Brazilian drummer Ana Barreiro, released their debut album in 2019, and is touring the east coast tour this month. 

In addition to performances and tours, Bormet  conducts outreach masterclasses and workshops, recently at the Thailand International Jazz Conference and Los Angeles City College. She is a teaching artist, collaborating with the Kennedy Center’s newest programming at the REACH, presenting and performing with her all-women trio “the future of jazz is female” for middle school students.  (REACH is the Kennedy Center’s venue which brings artists and the public together for collaboration, experimentation, and exploration.)  Her recordings are available through Strange Woman Records.

 For more, go here:  http://amykbormet.com/about/

The final Friday Night Live Jazz performance will be next Friday, October 29, and feature Imani Grace-Cooper.  Programming for the series of Friday night jazz performances was coordinated by jazz saxophonist and Executive Director of the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation, Herb Scott.  CM Charles Allen provided $150,000 in the current FY’s budget for continued programming for Eastern Market Metro Plaza.

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Friends of Southeast Library Reach Agreement with DCPL to Continue Monthly Book Sales

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday morning, Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) met with the Richard Reyes-Gavilan, Executive Director of DC Public Libraries, and other library officials regarding the Friend’s need for additional space in plans to renovate SE Library to allow them to continue monthly book sales.  Under the plan for renovation, the space the Friends use to organize book sales was reduced from 175 to 89 square feet and the Friends say they can’t continue book sales with so little.  FOSEL began a campaign to solicit public support, circulating a petition and writing letters to public officials urging endorsement of their appeal just to keep the same amount of space they have now after the renovation. 

At today’s meeting, Reyes-Gavilan acknowledged the contribution the Friends make to the Library and their need for more space.  He revealed new architectural drawings and proposed that with changes to the design, the space allotted to the Friends could be increased to a total of 140 square feet.

After discussing pros and cons, the Friends’ Executive Committee agreed to the proposal.  According to Neal Gregory, President of FOSEL, “The offer was not as much as we want, but enough to allow us to continue doing the monthly sales.”

The book sales attracts thousands of visitors and raises some $20,000 annually.  All of the funds are used to benefit the DC Library system – most are spent for children’s programs at SE Library but funds are also made available to other branch libraries and programs supported by DC Public Libraries. 

FOSEL had collected more than 600 signatures on their petition and CM Charles Allen was reported to be supportive of the Friends’ request. 

The current library is closing at the end of 2022 when construction will begin.  The renovated library is scheduled to reopen in late 2024.

(Full disclosure:  The editor of Capitol Hill Corner is a member of FOSEL.)

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Acting DDOT Director Everett Lott (upper right corner in photo) showed up at ANC6D’s October meeting last week to talk about new policies to eliminate some of the red tape involved in installing traffic safety interventions – like speed bumps and flexi-posts.  The policies, he said, would be implemented over the next six weeks.  Larger projects will be expedited through reforming the review process, with the goal of getting drivers out of their cars and off the road and onto buses.  All this amounts to a “pledge for more traffic equity.”  Lott’s confirmation hearing on his appointment to be Director of DDOT is on October 26. 

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The Week Ahead…Highlights…And Some Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

The Week Ahead…

Highlights:

• Monday – ANC6D, CM Elissa Silverman discusses Redistricting Process
• Monday – ANC6D, MPD 1D Commander McLean at ANC6D
• Tuesday – VIRTUAL Town Hall meeting on public safety – 7:00pm.

Monday, October 18

ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

To join the meeting, go here: https://www.anc6d.org/virtualmeeting/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report – First District MPD (PSA 103, PSA 105 & PSA 106), Commander Mclean, MPD. 

ANC Support for 20th Annual Thanksgiving Trot

Presentations:

• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, KeShawn Harris
• DPR Updates, Christopher Dyer
• DPW Parking Enforcement Protocol & Concerns, Director Christine Davis

Resolution to DPW Regarding Lack of Parking Enforcement & Officer Training

DDOT Update for ANC6D, Andrew DeFrank

Resolution for Meeting Request with DDOT Executive Leadership & TOPPS

Redistricting Process, Councilmember Elissa Silverman

Development, Planning, and Transportation

• 850 South Capitol Street SE, New Residential, Support for Design Review
• 850 South Capitol Street SE, New Residential, Support for Public Space Application
• 1700 Half Street SW, Public Space Application, New Residential & Retail, Lawrence Ferris
• Greenleaf Development, Status of FOIA Request
• Westminster Development
• 801 Maine Avenue SW – Opposition to Map Amendment, Support of PUD

Letter of Resignation from CM Bossi, 6D01 (CM Litsky)

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Review of pending Traffic Safety Assessment requests and 311s.
• Discussion of electric vehicle charging stations for residents with street parking only.
• Discussion of new DDOT Speed Hump procedures and other procedures.
• Discussion and identification of local and collector streets that may be eligible for 20 mph speed limit signs.
• Installation of contraflow bike lane on the 1100 block of F St. NE.

Tuesday, October 19

VIRTUAL Town Hall Public Safety Meeting – 7:00pm.

ANC6B is sponsoring a community public safety meeting to discuss recent increase in crime and gun violence in ANC6B.  City officials tentatively scheduled to participate include:

City officials tentatively scheduled to participate include:

• CM Charles Allen
• A representative from the office of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
• A representative from MPD
• A representative from the Office of Youth Rehabilitation Services
• A representative from the Office of the DC Attorney General

 Register here https://bit.ly/3n6eYoV .  You will receive a confirmation email and a link to the Zoom  meeting.

Wednesday, October 20

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the agenda:

• 327 Tennessee Avenue, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application.   Special exception from The rooftop and upper floor requirements of to construct a third story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit.
• 905 L Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application.  Request for a special exception and area variance from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a rear deck to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit.

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Homicide Saturday Night in Front of Watkins – Bullet Strikes ANC Commissioner’s House

by Larry Janezich

Posted October 17, 2021

A man was fatally wounded on 12^th Street, SE, in front of Watkins School last night.  It was the second homicide near the school in 11 days. 

Emergency personnel responded to a call that came about 9:44pm and found a man who was reportedly shot several times in the torso and suffered cardiac arrest, according to Alan Henney @alanhenney.  He was taken to a hospital where he died.

ANC6B04 Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg lives on the block and reported the incident to her constituents this morning:

“Turns out my house, 1/2 block from 12th/D, was an apparent victim last night.  I awoke from a deep sleep this morning to not only hear about the nearby homicide but to discover that a bullet had gone thru and shattered my front window. MPD has investigated but no bullet found so far.  From neighbors this morning I learned that the homicide resulted from a drive-by shooting involving two cars and actually occurred mid-block rather than at the intersection at 930p.”      

On Wednesday, October 6, a man was killed on Watkins Field following a dispute over a pick-up flag football game.  Police say they expect an arrest within a week or two.  Two days later, on October 7, a man was killed at 17^th and Independence, SE.  Police believe this was a targeted killing, but are uncertain why. 

It’s not known whether last night’s killing was related to the earlier event at Watkins. 

ANC6B Chair Brian Ready has organized a community public safety virtual meeting which will occur on Tuesday, October 19. 

City officials tentatively scheduled to participate include:

• CM Charles Allen
• Christopher Geldart, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
• Ralph McLean, First District Commander, MPD
• Gregg Pemberton, Chairman, DC Police Union
• Kimberly Pinkney, Community Outreach Program Specialist, Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement

 Register here for the meeting  https://bit.ly/3n6eYoV .  You will receive a confirmation email and a link to the Zoom  meeting. 

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Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Features Zach Cutler – Funk/Soul Artist – 5:00p – 6:30p

by Larry Janezich

Zach Cutler profile:  “I am a professional musician based in DC, mostly gigging on acoustic and electric guitars. I play mostly Funk/Soul/R+Bish stuff, but I’m captivated by anything with a groove, from metal to journeyman country. I’m also a devout funkateer and record collector, always out to discover new nibbletts of funk in any medium I can.

People I have worked with include:

Raheem DeVaughn, Melanie Fiona, The Impressions, Alison Carney, W. Ellington Felton, Zo!, Eastern Standard Time, Sy Smith, Kenny Wesley, Tamara Wellons, N’Dambi, Chuck Brown, Yahzarah, Ab, J.Hill, Terrence Cunningham, Green Tea, The Cornel West Theory, N’Digo Rose.”

For more:  https://www.facebook.com/zachcutler

The schedule for the rest of the month includes performances by Amy Bormet, October 22; and Imani Grace-Cooper, October 29.

CM Charles Allen provided $150,000 in the current FY’s budget for continued programming for Eastern Market Metro Plaza.