Search WWW Search swdc.org

Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, Inc. Annual Report  2005 - 2006

SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSEMBLY

Statement of Operations

History Task Force Annual Report

In the past year, the History Task Force (HTF) has accomplished the following projects:

             The dedication of the new Southwest Heritage Trail, on January 15th, 2005, was the culmination of a five-year History Task Force project.  The new trail, “From River Farms to Urban Towers,” is the fourth in a citywide system of historic walking trails.  Beginning near the Waterfront Metro Elevator at 4th and M Streets SW, the trail consists of 17 poster-sized illustrated signs with historic stories and images.  The two-hour, self-guided tour is detailed in the walking trail handbooks which are available at the SW Library or by emailing the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Office at thesouthwester@yahoo.com.  The SW History Task Force continues to work with Cultural Tourism DC on the Southwest Heritage Trail and other goals and projects.

            The SW History Task Force received several grants from the Monument Mitigation Grant Fund made possible by Monument Realty and sponsored by the DC Preservation League in partnership with the DC Historic Preservation Office:

            •  Funds were received for the 4th and G Street SW “pocket parks” considered to be designed by the late Dan Kiley, “the grand master” of landscaping.”  The 4th and G Street project is being done with Green Space for DC and the DC Parks and Recreation Department as well as the National Park Service

            • A grant was provided to move the photographic display of Southwest history, “SW Then and Now,” from the Waterfront Mall to a web-based presentation.  The HTF recognizes the yeoman work that Gary Young and others on the HTF have done in collecting and coordinating these pictures, which was part of the 2000 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival featuring DC.  The Task Force has taken archival photographs of the Waterside exhibit to document and facilitate the project.

            • HTF supported and wrote letters for Vanessa Ruffin’s work on the historic Sanitary Housing near South Capitol and M Streets that date to the early 1900s (Please see her articles in The Southwester); for Bell Clement’s work on the public housing in SW during the urban renewal period; and, the Westminster Presbyterian Church’s videotaping project of DC oral histories about SW.

            • Also part of the Monument Realty funds was the support of “DC Modern Inventory Issues Impact: An In-Depth Look at Washington’s Mid-Century Architecture,” a conference sponsored by the DC Preservation League in partnership with the DC Historic Preservation Office.  The conference was held January 13-14, 2006 and many of our SW buildings, which were done in the early 60’s, were a component of the focus and center of discussion at the conference.  This included Tiber Island, Carrollsburg, River Park, Channel Square, Harbour Square, Capitol Park, Waterside Towers, Arena Stage, Town Square, Edgewater, Town Center, and Riverside which are all residential complexes in SW that were done “now” by well known architects, landscape architects, and/or architectural firms.  Several of the HTF members and SW residents were in attendance.  Our Mid-Century buildings and others in the District are finally being looked at and recognized by the architectural historian community.

             The HTF supported and provided testimony for the successful DC Land Marking of the old Friendship Baptist Church at 1st and H Streets SW to the DC Historic Preservation Review Board as an important historic African American church in SW and the District.  The HTF also testified and supported the successful DC zoning variance to allow the sanctuary of the church to “not” be used as residential but appropriate office or meeting space to keep the interior space intact.

            The HTF supported the National Park Service, Historic American Building Survey (HABS) written report done by a Yale doctoral summer intern on the urban renewal area under RLA.  The report is still in draft format and awaiting a final review and pictures for HABS.  Keith Melder, noted historian and SW resident, Richard Westbrook, and Margaret Feldman were instrumental in providing feedback and information for consideration.

            The HTF supported and promoted the University of Maryland’s graduate course project on “The History of Old Southwest” that covers Buzzard Point neighborhood, James Creek and Syphax Gardens, and other areas not included in the RLA.  The DC Preservation League supported this student project, and the findings, with recommendations, were presented to the community by the students at the Syphax School community room in January.  The HTF has provided, with assistance of the DCPL, a hard copy and electronic copy of the report for the community and district residents at the SW Library.  A copy is also available online at the DCPL Website at www.dcpreservation.org 

            The HTF has worked with Casey Trees Foundation for the recognition of the Zelkova serrata tree located on G and 6th Place SW that is rumored to be over 200 years old and saved from destruction by Lady Bird Johnson.  This is a beautiful, magnificent tree that is unique in its size and history as a DC tree.

Ongoing History Task Force projects:

            The History Task Force is working with Dr. Richard Longstreth (George Washington University) and his graduate preservation class on documenting the RLA area and buildings in SW.  This project is in support of the work done in 2004.

            Beryl Rice, past SWNA President, has taken on a special Southwest history project to document the utilization of water transportation by SW churches to provided recreational outings to such destinations as Marshall Hall on the Potomac River.  (See exhibit in Waterfront Mall on Louis Jefferson who made this transportation possible.)

            The HTF is working with the SW Library to house and maintain documents and video projects on the history of SW.  Diane Henry, new SW Library Librarian, has gotten a new VCR copy of “SW Remembered” videotape and the HTF is hoping to purchase two copies of the WETA aired program on DVD from Lamont Productions for use by SW residents.  This also includes the photo collection taken by long time SW resident Joseph Curtis.

            The HTF nominated Benjamin Banneker Park, Banneker Circle at the Southwest L’Enfant Promenade, as one of the most endangered sites in the District and was selected as part of the DC Preservation League’s 2004 “Most Endangered” sites.  The memorial was designed by Dan Kiley, one of America’s most recognized landscape architects.  Benjamin Banneker is considered “America’s First Black Man of Science” and is recognized for his survey and design of the nation’s capital and his role in producing the L’Enfant Plan.  The HTF will continue to work with the Washington Interdependence Council, which administers the memorial.

            A priority for the HTF is the “SW Call Box” project.  The HTF is trying to secure funding for this important project and participated in the opening of similar projects in Dupont Circle and Mount Pleasant this past year.  The project is a coalition of historic and business organizations locally and district wide to document the SW community.  Lida Churchville has worked on this project as have others, and we are hopeful that we can get several, if not all, of the call boxes funded this year. 

            The HTF is working on installing photographs in our SW Library on historic and important places in SW, focusing on the youth in our community and including some of the Waterfront Mall display.  In the meantime “SW Then and Now” is still on display in the Waterfront Mall and continues to draw viewers or take a weekend stroll on the SW Heritage Trail. 

In honor of our teachers: 

            Margaret Feldman, Chair of the History Task Force, retired from her Southwest community activities and moved to a retirement home in Ithaca, New York, where Margaret had taught at Ithaca College, and raised a family.  The Task Force with the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly presented to Margaret a framed picture of her beloved Washington home, River Park Mutual Homes.  But now, Margaret is living among her family and friends in Ithaca, and she is sorely missed by her SW family and friends in Washington, DC, including members of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Board and the History Task Force.  Margaret’s energy, intelligence, and compassion had and continue to have, a great effect on us all.  Thank you, Margaret, for all your guidance.

            The History Task Force has lost a valued friend and member with the unexpected death of James Banks.  Jim was the director of the family relocation and housing relocation for the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA) and moved over 25,000 families and 1,300 businesses humanely and professionally.  He was a SW resident and stayed involved in community building in the city where he was born and lived.  The HTF presented to Peggy Banks, Jim’s widow, a framed photograph of him escorting Eleanor Roosevelt, the President’s wife, on a tour of SW at the Community Health Clinic, which is still located at Delaware Avenue and I Street SW.

            We can be very proud of so many people in our community.

Ron McBee and Lida Churchville, HTF Co-Chairs

===================================================

SWNA Scholarship Committee Annual Report

This is the 30^th year of the SWNA Scholarship program.  Over the past three decades, the community-supported fund has helped more than 200 neighborhood youth achieve their educational goals by providing grants for college.  These grants of financial support help to defray the cost of tuition, purchase the ever-increasing textbooks, provide for small necessities, or pay for a trip home when a student is feeling homesick.

            In school year 2004-2005, generous Southwest residents contributed $6,899 for the scholarship fund.  The all-volunteer Southwest Neighborhood Scholarship Task Force assisted (8) neighborhood youth achieve their educational goals by providing $7,000 in grants.  Individual student awards ranged from $500 to $1,000. Of these funds, the River Park Friends contributed $1,000, which provided a scholarship for senior nursing major, Eugenia Norde.  Phil’s Fund gave D.C. Council support for Citizen Service and Ward 6 Committee for Citizen’s Services.  Additionally, the scholarship program will receive a portion of the proceeds ($1,500) from the SWNA Antiques and Collectibles Show for the 2006 budget.  The staff of the SW Library donated a beautiful basket of books and educational activity materials that was auctioned at the Antiques and Collectibles Show to benefit the scholarship program.

The Students –

            Any student who lives in “near Southwest” D.C. (zip code 20024) and has been accepted to an accredited college or post-secondary institution is eligible to be considered for a grant.  A personal interview, scholastic achievement, financial need and community service are considered when making the awards. 

             Because of the varied housing and income levels of southwest, our scholarship recipients come from public housing, subsidized housing (Section 8), and middle-income residences.

Scholarship recipients for year 2005:

Courtney E. Dobbins          Hampton University

Danielle M. Flythe               Syracuse University

Melony Hawkins                 University of Maryland

Sydney Henriques-Payne     University of Pittsburgh

Makai Kellogg                     Trinity College

Wayne Mack                       McDaniel College

Eugenia Norde                    North Carolina A & T

Keith Thompson                  North Carolina State

Dontria Brawner                  Penn State (Westminster Church gave award)

===================================================  

Annual Report for The Southwester

Of the hundreds of stories in The Southwester in 2005, here is a list just of those reporting on activities of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly during the year.

January 2005 – S.W. Gets Heritage Trail (p. 1), (SWNA History Task Force)

Margaret Feldman Honored (p. 2)  (by National Council on Family Relations)

SWNA Youth Task Force Active in 2004 (p. 5),  SWNA Seeks Candidates for Board (p. 6)

February 2005 – SWNA Looking For Candidates (p. 1)

SWNA Meeting Mon. Jan. 24 (p. 1),  Help ! Space Needed  (p. 2) (by SWNA when WM closes)

Andre Wilkinson Bowling Champ (p. 4) (SWNA’s YATF activity)

Kids Skate, Sightsee Over Holidays (p. 4) (SWNA’s YATF activity)

King-Greenleaf Recreation Center Opens Soon (p. 5) (Promoted by SWNA’S YATF)

The February SWNA General Meeting (p. 8)

March 2005 – SWNA Candidates (p. 1, cont’d  p. 4)

March Election (p. 1),  SWNA General Meeting Feb. 28 (p. 1)

Former SW Scholarship Recipient (p. 2), (SWNA Scholarship Fund),

25 Years Ago in SW (p. 6)  (SWNA speaker)

Syphax Village Opening/ Closing (p. 8) (speakers include Westbrook, Klein)

The History of Syphax School (p. 9) (SWNA charette in 1996 sparked housing dev.)

SW Heritage Trail draws the curious stroller (p. 9) (Kick-off ceremony co-hosted by SWNA)

April 2005 – SWNA Meets Mon. Mar. 21 (p. 1)

In Memoriam: Ed Sylvester, 1963 SWNA president (p. 2)

Arena Stage Trained 60 Jeff Students   (p. 3) (SWNA’s YATF helped with Voices of Now)

SWNA Ballot for Sat. Mar. 19 at Mall (p. 4),  SWNA Supports Housing Bills (p. 5)

Should SWNA Seek Baseball Parking Plan? (p. 5)

Photo of new KGL Rec Center (p. 5)  (SWNA’s YATF promoted)

SW College Scholarships (p. 10) (story on SWNA Scholarship Fund recipients)

May 2005 – Waterfront Mall Shuts Down Shops (p. 1, photo p. 7) (SWNA objected)

SWNA Mon. Apr. 25 (p. 1),  Neighborhood Officers Elected (p. 3)

Safe Sitter Training in May & June (p. 7) (SWNA’s YATF funded)

June 2005 – Dr. Dorothy Height Wows SWNA Meeting (p. 1, cont’d p. 11)

ANC Withholds Support For Old Church Plan (p. 1) (SWNA supports plan)

SWNA  Update on Construction (p. 1),  Photo  of St. Matthew’s Pastor (p. 1) (from earlier SWNA meeting)

SW Heritage Trail in Spring (p. 1) (cosponsored by SWNA)

Benjamin Sands, 30 years later (p. 8) (first SWNA scholarship recipient)

SWNA Charitable Purposes (p. 8) (Articles of Incorporation)

Groups Network at River Park (p. 9) (speakers: SWNA Scholarship Fund, The Southwester)

Rec. Dept. Holds Meeting at KGL Center (p. 12) (SWNA’s YATF representatives spoke

Name Rec. Center for Leon B. Fields (p. 12) (co-founder of SWNA)

July 2005 – River Trail, Circulator at SWNA June 27 (p. 1)

Club #4 Award Banquet (p. 7) (SWNA’s YATF was honored)

August 2005 – Youth Summer BB Underway (p. 1) (SWNA’s YATF financed referees, trophies)

$100,000 in History Grants to SW Groups (p. 3) (two for SWNA History TF)

A Garden Begins at the Rec. Center (p. 3) (arranged by SWNA’s YATF)

SWNA on Ballpark (p. 3) (Statement to Zoning Commission)

Bring Your Collectibles, Antiques For Appraisal (p. 3) (SWNA fundraiser in fall)

SW Youth Learn Sailing with photos            (p. 6) (SWNA’s YATF arranged)

Grand Opening For New Rec Center (p. 7) (SWNA’s YATF promoted)

September 2005 – A Tribute to Margaret Feldman (p. 1, cont’d p. 5)

Margaret Feldman’s Farewell Celebration (p. 1) (gifts to go to SWNA’s YATF)

Corcoran Buying Millennium Art Center (p. 3)

Photo of speaker at SWNA meeting

NPS Plans “First Class” Trail Along Anacostia (p. 3)

Development Meeting Postponed (p. 4) (promised to SWNA)

Summer Basketball Champs (p. 5) (co-financed by SWNA’s YATF)

SW Youth Sailing (p. 8)

Photo of SWNA president thanking AWI for grant

Attending City of Peace At Arena Stage (p. 8) (SWNA’s YATF bought tickets)

SW Scholarship Chairperson Barbara Murray (p. 9)

Don’t’ Miss the SWNA’s Antiques and Collectibles Show (p. 10)

October 2005 – Bid Oct. 1 On Gift Certificates (p. 1)

SWNA Public Meeting Sept. 26 (p. 1),  Let Weschler’s Assess Your Antiques (p. 1)

Oxon Hill Wins Summer BB (p. 8) (SWNA’s YATF co-funded)

Dupont Circle Call Box Unveiling – SW Too? (p. 9),  SWNA is working on a plan

D.C. Falcons Win 13-15 Div. Summer BB (p. 9) (SWNA’s YATF co-funded)

Farewell to Grande Dame Margaret Feldman (p. 10)

November 2005 – Schools and Nutrition SWNA Topic (p. 1)

Views against a New Group On Community Benefits (p. 5) (by SWNA Past Pres. Naomi Monk)

Thelma Jones Retires from World Bank (p. 8) (former President of SWNA)

SWNA Benefit a Success (p. 10)

December 2005 – SWNA Meets Mon. Nov. 28 (p. 1)

Jazz Music from Students at Coolidge High (p. 7) (at SWNA meeting)

Authors of one or more articles in The Southwester with bylines in 2005 (in chronological order Jan. – Dec. of first article’s appearance) – Hugh Muir, Jean Macdonald, Lida Churchville, Dale MacIver, Carole Early, Maurice Boyd, Mark Clark, Thelma Jones, Beryl Carter Rice, Joyce Bouvier, Louise Taylor, Alvin Hudgens, Ron McBee, Margaret Drummond, Robert Marshall, Lt. Charnette Robinson, Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert, Barbara Ehrlich, Gerry Elliott, Rev. Ruth Hamilton, Naomi Monk, Lane Davis-Coury and David Ehrlich.

It is hoped that these and many others will contribute articles to future Southwesters.

Southwester Finances in 2005

The SWNA treasurer reports the following income and expenses for The Southwester in 2005:

Opening Balance  Jan 1, 2005 $1,067.74

Income (advertisers)--- $29,021.50

Expenses (mostly printer and service bureau)--- $27,999.10

Closing balance Dec. 31, 2005----- $2,087.45

===================================================

SWNA Southwest DC Web Project (www.swdc.org)

The mission of the Southwest D.C. Web-site (www.swdc.org) is to provide information for residents of Southwest and to introduce people not living in Southwest to the many things our community has to offer.

The Web-site is organized into sections on: About SWDC, Residents, Businesses, Attractions and Community Leaders.  The site has many useful links to our local government representatives, to theatres and other attractions, and to the many museums in the area.  You’ll also find past issues of The Southwester dating back to 1999.  It is easy to search the site or past Southwesters by name or topic, using Google, which has a search box on each page.

Since the end of September 2003 when the Web-site was completely redesigned, the home page has received nearly 60,000 visits, over half in the past year alone.  We are grateful to Eda Robinson of InterComp 2000 for her excellent pro bono work in redesigning the Web-site, and to another volunteer for maintaining it.

Perry Klein

 Youth Activities Task Force Annual Report

The long awaited completion of the new King Greenleaf Center in March has opened up many more opportunities for the SW community, both adult and youth.  The Mayor came to the opening ceremony in April and YATF was represented by its chair.  Mr. Marcus Ellis was named as director of the new Center, continuing the outstanding work he has begun at the old Center.

Tae Kwon Do weekly classes were held throughout the year, with two classes a week during the summer camp season.  East Coast Development Corp. (Portals) gave a generous grant for these classes, as well as for the Safe Sitter program.  Several groups of youth took part in a D.C. Sails program, introducing them to the skills of sailing.  A garden was started near the Center entrance, sponsored by the National Cathedral Greenhouse and the YATF.

YATF has been able to expand its activities at the Center with the addition of help of two groups of girls.  Sisters With Voices was started by two volunteers, Valerie McCambry and April Hines and is for girls 13-17 years old.  Just Us Girls, headed by a King Greenleaf staff member, Stephanie Chu, is for girls 6-12 years old.  The older group is planning a college-oriented trip with help from YATF; the younger group will be involved in our Safe Sitter program.

The Boys and Girls Club #4, located at Bowen Elementary School, also took part in the sailing program.  Alvin Hudgens, Club director, accepts all the youth who want to play football, basketball and/or baseball but needs help to meet constantly rising costs.  YATF continues to contribute funds for uniforms and registration for these youth.

 Arena Stage’s Ashley Forman, Coordinator for Education and Community Services, held four week long workshops for 60 Jefferson Jr. High students.  Thirteen of them were selected to perform in Voices of Now, for which YATF provided seniors to be interviewed by the young actors.  YATF has sponsored several theater parties for SW youth to see Arena performances.

 Dale MacIver and Resial Shannon headed a bowling group, sponsored by YATF, and a ceremony was held at a YATF meeting for the highest scorers, with trophies awarded for the high scores.

YATF invited other SW youth programs to speak, including Living Classrooms, Wave, and D.C. Sails.  We sponsored a Christmas party at King Greenleaf, and a Thanksgiving dinner at the old Center.

Randall Recreation Center was closed and Zakiya Brown, Director, was assigned elsewhere.  They are missed.

Members of YATF:  Jean Macdonald, Chair, Rick Bardach, Stephanie Chu, Mike Dobson, Marcus Ellis, Ashley Forman, Rhonda Hamilton, April Hines, Herbert Holmes, Alvin Hudgins, Thelma Jones, Valerie McCambry, Lenora Moragne, Beryl Rice, Oscar Taylor, Delmar Weathers, Niles White, Eve Wilkins

Anacostia Waterfront Corporation Grant

The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) received a competitive grant from the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation for nearly $5,000.  SWNA with the Youth Activities Task Force and our partners provided 22 youth members, age 7-13, from SE/SW a week long summer training program on sailing through “Kids Set Sail,” a sailing program by the non-profit National Maritime Heritage Foundation.  Due to the isolation of the site and being on the water, the program provided breakfast and lunches each day as well as refreshments.  Safeway, Inc. and the SW Safeway were instrumental in making this happen each day.

These positions were provided to deserving youth, who either through leadership, scholarship, or other services, had distinguished themselves to our two primary partners, the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Club House # 4 located at the Anthony Bowen Elementary School at 101 M Street SW and the DC Parks and Recreation King Greenleaf Recreation Center located at 201 N Street SW.  All too often children in trouble or at risk are rewarded with athletic tickets or other activities without any consideration that this is an opportunity for acknowledgement and support, to help build resiliency.  Those who are doing excellent are forgotten.  At times these individuals resort to improper or illegal behavior to be recognized and/or rewarded.  Herb Holmes from the Cavalier Athletic/Benevolent Club that works with the youth in the SE/SW community, who is also SWNA District Representative and Youth Activities Task Force member, helped to develop the criteria and strategy for selecting the youth that participated in the summer program.

The first week, July 5 to July 8, was provided by The King Greenleaf Recreation Center and they had ten participants.  The Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Club House # 4 located at the Anthony Bowen Elementary School provided twelve kids for the second session.  The second session was held August 1-5, 2005.  The kids were onsite each day by 9:30 AM and the program was from 10 to 4 each day.  Great appreciation is given to Alvin Hudgens, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Club House # 4, and Marcus Ellis, Director of the King Greenleaf Recreation Center, and their staffs, as well as the kids, for their participation.

The course included the basics of safety afloat, sailing handling, proper boat control, and teamwork with fellow crew members.  The staff at the National Maritime Heritage Foundation was excellent and we appreciate their working with SWNA to make this grant happen and the work they did with our youth.  Also we provided instruction on the basics of ecology and conservation, targeting activities that are going on to improve the Anacostia River environment.  Great appreciation is given to the Earth Conservation Corp, Glenn O’Gilvie, President and CEO, his staff, and their students in providing this training on the Anacostia River.

This entire report in PDF format     2004-2005 Report