PAGE ONE* ---Southwest Summit A Success Over 100 residents of Southwest gathered Jan. 24 to exchange ideas on how the neighborhood could be improved. Shown above are the head table guests. Left to right are Lafayette Barnes, deputy to Mayor Williams; Commander Kim Dine, Councilmember Jack Evans, Rev. George Holmes, Councilmember David Catania, ANC2D Chair Roger Moffatt. (See other stories on this page and photos on pages 4, 5) ---Ft. McNair EA At S. W. Library Because Ft. McNair is a historical district, their energy savings contract had to have an environmental assessment (EA). That EA and finding of no significant impact (NSI) is available to the public at the S. W. Branch Library, K St. S. W. backed up to 3rd St. S. W. ---"Community" In Community Policing Feb. 26 On Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 am to 1 pm the third in a series of open community meetings to discuss safety in Southwest will meet in the Thelma Martin Party Room, 240 M St. S.W. (separate entrance). Three topics discussed at the last meeting were disorderly school children in Waterside Mall, robbery and assaults, and drug trafficking and loitering. All are urged to attend. ---Mail Back Your Census Form Each house will get a census questionnaire in the mail in March. Make sure it is filled in and mailed back by April 1. (No stamp required) You will be visited by a census taker if your questionnaire was not filled in and mailed back. Answer the questions a census taker asks you, so that everyone will be counted. ANSWERS ON THE CENSUS ARE CONFIDENTIAL. No other official or agency will see your answers. Census totals are important. Dollars for schools and health services and social services are given out according to the numbers of people and their ages in your neighborhood. YOU deserve to be counted. ---Assembly Meets Feb. 28 At St. M The monthly meeting of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly will be held at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, 222 M St. S.W., starting at 6 p.m. with a children's project "Appreciating Our Southwest Roots," involving students from Amidon and Bowen Elementary Schools and Jefferson Jr. High. The business meeting, starting at 7:30 p.m. will feature Andrew Altman, D.C. planning director. Nominations will be accepted from the floor for SWNA officers and district representatives for the annual election to be held at Waterside Mall Saturday, March 25. Ms. Thelma Jones, chair of the nominations committee will report a slate of candidates who have agreed to be on the ballot. ---Artists Can Apply To Do 12th St. SW Underpass Artwork Any artist has until March 1 to submit 8 slides of his or her work to compete to be one of 5 semi-finalists in a competition to decorate the underpass tunnel at 12th St. S.W. and Maine Ave. as a Gateway to the Southwest. The D.C. Commission on the Arts has set aside $42,000 to place wall mounted artwork " at the entrances of the underpass or along the walls inside of the tunnels." The announcement for the competition states, "Possible materials include metal, ceramics, painted tiles, cast or carved stone, and glass mosaics." Copies of the application form are at the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 410 8th St. NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, D.C. 20004, near the Archives Metro stop. The phone number is 202-724-5613. Matt Radford is Art in Public Places Program Officer for the commission. ----SW/Waterfront Real Estate Sales Soaring There were 173 recorded sales transactions in Southwest in the 13 months ending January 31, 2000, according to statistics supplied by Bea Paget, real estate professional and long term resident of S.W. (Courtesy of Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.) "It looks as if the real estate upswing will continue this year and next," reported Ms. Paget. "The efforts being made by members of our great Southwest waterfront community with help from city officials is paying off," she said. Ms. Paget can be contacted at 202-554-5317. (Caption) SWNA President Rev. George E. Holmes, left, receives an engraved crystal box from Mayor Anthony Williams as an award for the successful neighborhood summit held in Southwest January 24. ---Letter From The President by Rev. George E. Holmes, Pres. SWNA We did it. God has blessed us. The Southwest Summit was a huge success. And as a result, Southwest residents, we received an award from the Mayor for "taking action in our neighborhood." Moreover, our neighborhood was featured in the Thursday Washington Post in the District Weekly as well as being aired daily on District Cable Channel 16. (Cont'd on p. 2 SW SUMMIT) ---95 S.W. Residents Rank Issues Of Concern At a neighborhood meeting of over 100 S.W. residents, 95 listed their four top concerns from a list of 12. "Eliminate drug dealing" received 58 votes as the top concern of those marking "ballots." "Revitalize Waterside Mall" ranked second, with 54 responses, followed by "Improve the schools" with 46 and "Improve public safety, especially at night and on check cashing days" with 35. Others listed were: "Add or improve rec center space" 33 "Improve the waterfront" 31 "Help the homeless" 23 "Do more public works: add traffic & street lights; fix the streets; etc. 22 "Improve community communication (between income groups)" 20 "Expand after-school programs" 18 "Declare Southwest a designated Arts Center 15 "Beautify the neighborhood 10 The meeting was organized by the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2D and Southwest Community House. The list of suggestions was prepared from comments made by 30 Southwest residents attending Mayor Anthony Williams Neighborhood Action Summit last November. At a January 29 meeting at the University of the District of Columbia, the Mayor awarded the Southwest neighborhood a crystal sculpture as a "Neighborhood Action Awardee" for its successful January 24 meeting. The Mayor's neighborhood action program will continue with the Mayor's budget request to the Council in March, D.C. Planning Office technical assistance in making up neighborhood plans - Apr. - Nov. 2000, and the October start of the new fiscal year. ---www.swdc.org - Your Window To Southwest Washington, D.C. The official website for Southwest D.C. links you to: . Aerial photos of the Waterfront and residential areas . D.C. government offices . Make reservations for Arena Stage tickets, a boat cruise or a hotel . Amidon school's calendar . Metro schedules, Post Office rates . Articles from the Washington Post . Back issues of The Southwester www.swdc.org - Try it on your computer at home, at school, in the office, or in the Southwest Branch Library. It's free. --Inside Community Calendar p 2 Sports P. 3 Summit photos p 4,5 Arena Stage p 6 20 Years Ago in S.W. p. 7 --------------- PAGE TWO* Corrections The Jack Evans S. W. Task Force story on page 8 of the February, 2000, Southwester was written by Mercedes Sandoval-Beene. The next to the last sentence in the page 6 story on Southeastern University in the February, 2000, issue should read: The University would be able to consider permanent use of Mall space "only if our long-term plans for the use of the Mall are consistent with the community's long-term plans." The name of the Channel 9 news anchor appearing with Jefferson Jr. students on p.7 of the February 2000 issue is Gerald Owens. -Bea Paget ad (same as before) -Swester Advertising Rates, deadline should be March 1. -Saini Air Conditioning ad (same as before) -CALENDAR Calendar Feb. 19 Saturday Komen Toastmasters Club 10:15 am Southwest Branch Library, 920 Wesley Place SW Feb. 23 Wednesday Fil-Am Toastmasters Club 6:45 pm Southwest Branch Library, 920 Wesley Place SW Feb. 24 Thursday NARFE DC Chapter 2052 12 noon Southwest Branch Library, 920 Wesley Place SW Feb. 26 Saturday Community Policing Meeting 10 am - 1 pm 240 M. Street SW Feb. 28 Monday Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, 7:30 pm St. Matthews Lutheran Church 222 M St. SW Mar. 2 Thursday Arts/Culture Action Group Meeting 9 am SWNA Mall Office, Waterside Mall I Street side Mar. 4 Saturday Komen Toastmasters Club 10:15 am Southwest Branch Library, 920 Wesley Place SW Mar. 6 Monday Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Board, 7:00 pm Waterside Mall I Street side Mar. 7 Tuesday First District Citizens' Advisory Council Meeting, 7:00 pm DCPD, 415 4th St. SW Mar. 8 Wednesday Fil-Am Toastmasters Club, 6:45pm Southwest Branch Library, 920 Wesley Place SW Mar. 13 Monday Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2D, 7:00 pm Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St., SW Mar. 15 Wednesday AARP SW Waterfront Chapter #4751 12 noon St. Matthews Lutheran Church 222 M St. SW Mar. 16 Thursday Safety Task Force Meeting 7:00 pm SWNA Mall Office, Waterside Mall I Street side Mar. 18 Saturday Komen Toastmasters Club 10:15 am Southwest Branch Library, 920 Wesley Place SW Mar. 22 Wednesday Fil-Am Toastmasters Club 6:45 pm Southwest Branch Library, 920 Wesley Place SW Mar. 23 Thursday NARFE DC Chapter 2052 12 noon Southwest Branch Library, 920 Wesley Place SW Mar. 27 Monday Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, 7:30 pm St. Matthews Lutheran Church 222 M St. SW Apr. 3 Monday Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Board, 7:00 pm Waterside Mall I Street side Apr. 4 Tuesday First District Citizens' Advisory Council Meeting, 7:00 pm, DCPD, 415 4th St. SW Please submit calendar items for the next issue by March 1st to C.W. Hargrave, 554-8284. ---Tracey B. Hooks Runs For New Housing Board Tracey B. Hooks of 3rd St. S.W. hopes to be one of three residents of D.C. public housing who will be elected Sat. Mar. 11 to a new 9 member board that will run the D.C. Housing Authority starting in midsummer. Besides a citywide mailing, Ms. Hooks and her supporters will go door to door in other areas to get voter support. Balloting by public housing residents will be held in each housing complex. -Swester Staff box- remove Gary Hill and his title, Lekeisha, and Kevin, change deadline to March 1. Remove phone number. -Classified Ads - Singleton Cleaning Services ---SW Summit (Cont'd from p. 1) Southwesterners, we're just beginning. There's still a lot of work to be done and a lot of room for suggestions and help to bring us closer as a community. But before this happens I would like to pause and say Thank You. First, thanking God for this opportunity to serve you the community. Also, the co-sponsors in our community: The ANC 2D and the SWCH for their support by resolution and action. In addition, the Southwest Summit executive committee: Gottlieb Simon, Davalene Renshaw, and Gene Solon; Jefferson Jr. High School, Amidon and Anthony Bowen Elementary Schools for their partnership and distribution of flyers; Sydney Bresler of Waterside Mall for the contribution of flyers; Thanking Safeway, Pizza Hut, Domino's and KFC for their contribution of refreshments; Thanks to members of the Mayor's staff - Lafayette Barnes and Joe Goldman. To the Southwest citizens who along with the support of Assistant superintendent Vera White and past principal Willie Lloyd Reeves and Mrs. Butyric 8th grade class for helping distribution of the flyers. Furthermore, the 14 great churches whose pastors helped inform their congregations and especially St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church for hosting the summit. Next, I would like to thank the following city officials for attending: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Council members Jack Evans, Harold Brazil and David Catania, D.C.P.S. Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and Deputy Superintendent Elois Brooks, School board President Robert G. Childs, and our very own First District commander Kim Dine. And most of all YOU for sharing your valuable ideas and insight. I'll look forward to our working together to implement the ideas of the Summit. Please join. As previously stated, there is still a lot of work to be done. This is not a period, just a comma. This is not the end, just the beginning. With God Speed, Rev. George E. Holmes ------------- PAGE THREE* -(Caption) Super Pee Wee basketball team of Club #4 MPB&G with coach Alvin E. Hudgens, Sr.. Front row left to right: Alvin E. Hudgens, Jr., Anthony Calloway, Eric Wanzor, Ronnell Wanzor. Back row left to right: Evan Moffett, Cornell Wanzor, Audley Teemster, Meckever Mack -Le Rivage Ad 5x3.5 Please ad border and graphics Celebrating 15 years On the waterfront LE RIVAGE Offers to the Southwest Residents 2 for 1 entrees (Up to $16.00 valid after 7:30p.m. with ad thru 3/31/00) Enjoy our Panoramic View Romantic atmosphere & savour our fine French Cuisine & specialties 1000 Water St. S.W. 202.488.8111 -New Video Ad in folder ------------ PAGE FOUR* -(Caption) Main speaker at the annual New Year's luncheon of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) was Councilmember Jack Evans. Head table guests, left to right: Charles Reynolds, legislative chair; Wendy Abdul-Rahim, assistant to Mr. Evans; Bernice Oden, secretary; Paul Pumpian, D.C. NARFE Federation president; Gene Buehler, S.W. president; Jackie Lowe, vice president; Robert Zigler, treasurer. S.W. Summit Brings Neighbors Together Breaking down into discussion groups in the St. Matthews Lutheran church, Southwest neighbors had a chance to share ideas about what improvements could be made in the area. A member of each group then took the mike to summarize the discussion.(Each group was photographed twice, from opposite sides). The meeting was a followup to Mayor Anthony Williams' November "Neighborhood Action Summit" and preparation for the January 29 Neighborhood Action Forum. (Captions) Willie Lloyd Reeves said his group ranked improving the schools as first, eliminating drug dealing, second, community communication, third and promoting economic development as fourth.(At far left, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton visited this and other groups). Ahmad Assalaam reported from a group which discussed a single focus, one-stop community center with social service including alternatives to incarceration and alternatives to drugs through training and jobs. Improving schools and putting a high school in Southwest were also favored. Roger Moffat's group's priorities included revitalizing the Waterfront and Mall and improving our schools. Dick Westbrook listed 1) improving Lansburg Park and Bowen playground; 2) safety and police presence; 3) Waterside Mall; 4) Use of the Waterfront, including housing at all price levels in the Buzzard's Point area and 5) mental health support at the Southwest Health Clinic at Delaware and I St. The final group listed homeless, schools and care after schools and weekends, with organized sports, open air drug markets, favoring the police road blocks in the summer which improved the perception of safety, and improving safety for walking to the Mall to take Metro. (Captions for small photos) Ms. Lane at the mike giving her report Mr. Assalaam reporting Mr. Ford reporting Mrs. Weiss reporting Mr. Moffat reporting Mr. Westbrook reporting Ms. Feldman ---------------- PAGE FIVE* (Captions) Claudia Pharis Weiss reported that her group favored declaring Southwest as a designated art center, creation of a major recreational center focusing on children, eliminating the source of drugs, helping the homeless, improving public facilities and helping people manage their relationships in families. Christopher Chism of Carrolsburg Place said his group ranked eliminating drugs, number one, and improving schools and after school programs as number two. He felt that grant money was available. Third was public safety - lighting - and finally a revitalized Mall and Waterfront. Lynda Lane from Capitol Park said her group ranked Waterside Mall as first priority, getting an identity and improving the reputation of Southwest, second, and concern for recreation children as third. Margaret Feldman's group discussed all the same priorities with emphasis on improving the school, which can't do it all alone, and the need to have family services including the health clinic and social services. Their tally showed 1) eliminate drugs,2) improve schools, 3) public safety with better lighting, 4)public works and 5) Waterside Mall. Derek Ford's group favored revitalizing the Mall and waterfront with stores and investment in youth. Community policing, public works including better lighting, and beautification of Southwest, giving it an identity, were also favored. ------------ PAGE SIX* ---DINAH WAS The Dinah Washington Musical Wallace Babington Dinah was the "Queen of the Blues" but much, much more. She was one of the most gifted, talented and unique singers of her era. She was a crossover artist who made inroads into popular music that opened the way for singers who followed her to break out of limited categories constructed by record companies. She was also certainly one of the most colorful, interesting and dramatic singers of her day an aggressive, difficult and temperamental artist who saw the status quo and knew that it had to be changed. It is that status quo that provides playwright Oliver Goldstick with a focus that shows us Dinah challenging the system in "Dinah Was." She is a headliner a star performer but as a black star performer she cannot enter the Las Vegas hotel by the front door, or walk through the lobby; her dressing room is a trailer in the parking lot. In refusing to accept this second rate treatment, she displays the courage, vitality and strength that led ultimately to breaking down such barriers. She describes the hotel as "a plantation with slot machines." Her story is told in flashbacks that reveal a tortured woman vainly trying to maintain a family life and a career, while being exploited and betrayed all along the way. Dinah is played by E. Faye Butler, a singer-actress who develops a portrait of a talented, aggressive and combative woman who is also vulnerable and tender. Her voice and singing style make you think that indeed Dinah is alive and well and on the Kreeger stage. This is no small feat. When I first heard of this play, I thought it was a one-woman show. And it almost is. Ms. Butler dominates the stage with vibrant, stylized, moving renditions of Dinah's best known songs. There is never a dull moment or a lull in the theater as long as she is on stage and she is there almost all the time. Dinah Washington died at only 39. What a loss to our musical heritage. But she left a legacy that is memorable and vibrant. And this show helps keep that heritage alive. (This review is based on a preview performance prior to the official opening. I can't imagine that it could be improved upon with additional previews. It is a show that is captivating, entertaining and moving.) "Dinah Was" by Oliver Goldstick and directed by David Petrarca at the Kreeger Theater through March 26. PS: Arena has announced that the very popular actress Phylicia Rashad will join the cast of the play "Blue" to be performed in the Kreeger April 14 through June 4. Ms. Rashad is remembered for her pervious performances at Arena and for her starring roles on the "Cosby Show" and the CBS sitcom "Cosby". ---E.P.A. - Environmental "Pollution" Agency? On mornings when I take my grandson to school, I notice several large blue and white EPA shuttle buses for taking employees from Waterside Mall to other EPA offices. As shown in this picture, the EPA buses often park and keep their motors running in front of Amidon School. Exhaust fumes from EPA buses are hazardous to the health of the young students and staff at Amidon. Maybe EPA should offer to make restitution to the school and community for this offense. About 500 hours of community service - such as tutoring or blue and white EPA buses taking Amidon students on field trips - might be the right penalty. - by Ahmad Nurriddin ---Food Drive Mar 5 S.W. residents can bring non-perishable food or monetary contributions to St. Augustine's church between 12 noon and 3pm on Sat. Mar. 4 for a food drive organized by Thelma Jones and her son Jamal to benefit the St. Augustine's Sunday morning feeding ministry and the Southwest Community House. (By the way, Ms. Jones has announced her engagement to wed Travis E. Thomas of Chester, PA.) -New Capitol Square Townhouse Ad (available Feb 7) -reprint book store ad (ad.pdf) - will email you the photos so you can reconfigure the ad to 5 long and 3.5 deep. ---------- PAGE SEVEN* ---Church Bkfsts The public is welcome at two regular church breakfasts in March. St. Augustine's Episcopal Church breakfast on Sunday, March 5 at 9:15 am will feature a discussion of the challenge of homelessness and what the community can do. 6th and Maine Ave. S.W. $3. Christ United Methodist Church has its regular monthly all-you-can-eat breakfast on Saturday, March 18 from 9 am to 11. 900 4th St. S .W., parking lot entrance. $5. ---Public Housing Put Under New Control The D.C. Control Board has O. K.'d a Council Act putting public housing in the District of Columbia under a separate board with 5 members appointed by the Mayor, one by organized labor, and three elected by residents of public housing complexes. The new law is subject to a 30 day legislative layover in Congress. Until 1995 D.C. Public Housing was a regular part of the government under teh Mayor. A court order placed the agency under a court receiver with full powers until HUD couuld approve the level of improvements made. HUD approval is imminent and control will change in mid-summer. David Gilmore, who had served as housing chief in San Francisco and Boston under court orders, has run D.C. Housing under teh D.C. court order. -Real Estate Sales in SW see bea_realestatefigures.pdf -Jackson Hewitt Ad (in folder) -TiberIsland Add (same as before) ---- PAGE EIGHT* -New half page SEU ad (sent email to Karen directly) -Half page Jenny's ad (same as before)