Southwester Headline News: June 1999

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June 1999 Southwester Newspaper

Big Brothers and Sisters of the National Capital Area

The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) will be held on Monday, May 24 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, at 7:30 p.m. The program will be "Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the National Capital Area". Speakers: Ms. Alicia Carter, Publicity Coordinator; Ms. Tasha Berry; and Mr. Clifford Lee, SW resident who was awarded the Big Brother of the Year Award for Washington, DC. There will be a short question and answer period following the speakers. The next meeting will be June 28 at a new location. It will be at DC Link and Learn (in the Waterside Mall) from 6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Top of Page

Washington, DC Big Brother of the Year

Clifford Lee of Southwest Washington has been a big brother for about ten years. He recently received an award at the 10th Annual Service to Youth Awards Dinner of the Big Brother/Big Sisters of the National Capital Area for the Big Brother of the Year, Washington, DC. He and his "little brother" (who isn't little) have been together for the past 5-1/2 years. They bowl, horseback ride, take out-of-town trips, study, go to the MCI & Marvin Center, and go to local meetings once a month. Some people say "I'm too busy to be a big brother or big sister -- I have a full-time job". So does Mr. Lee. His specialty is Labor and International Law, but he is still able to find the time. If you would like to find out more about this program, call the National Capital Area Office of Big Brothers/Big Sisters at 301-585-5692. Congratulations Clifford Lee -- we are proud of you. Top of Page

Jack Evans/SW Task Force
By Davie Renshaw

A new task force! Yes, a new task force. A task force which allows our city councilmember, Jack Evans, to focus on the problems faced by Southwest and to act as a mediator between the community and the bureaucracy of city politics.

There are three sub-committees within the organization: 1) The Retail Subcommittee, focusing on improvements to Waterside Mall and the development of retail business both in the Mall & surrounding areas of SW. If you would like to work on this subcommittee, contact Andrew Kreider (202-260-9192, work); 2) "Department of Public Works", headed by Dick Westbrook, which concentrates on the needs for improvements to the infrastructure in SW (i.e. potholes, lights, etc.). Call 202-554-1448 if you are interested; 3) last, but not least is Culture & The Arts. Davie Renshaw heads this subcommittee. Her number is 202-488-1926. The emphasis is on the development and continuation of cultural activities in SW (Randall School, the new Art Center, and the Arena Stage).

If you are interested in coming to Jack Evans/Task Force Meetings, the next one will be June 23 (Wednesday) at Southeastern University, 6th and I Streets at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome! Top of Page

SWNA Scholarship Fund - 25 Years of Giving to the Community
By Maurice Cook

The cost of a college education is one of the largest single expenditures most families will ever face, and its a daunting expense for many. With college tuition costs high and constantly rising, many low- and midle-income families find college expenses a real budget breaker. However, the SWNA Scholarship Fund and the generosity of our neighbors has helped an entire generation of Southwest students meet college costs.
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Gottlieb Simon and Al Hudgens to be Honored at SWCH Fundraiser

The Southwest Community House is holding its sixth annual reception with dinner and music on Thursday, June 24, 1999 at the Fort Lesley McNair Officers Club from 6-9. The honorees are Mr. Gottlieb Simon and Mr. Alvin Hudgens for their invaluable service to the Southwest Community in the fields of Public Service and Humanity. Mr. Simon is the Executive Director of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2-D and Executive Director of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6-B. Mr. Alvin Hudgens is the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Club #4. Both honorees are tireless workers and defenders of the underprivileged of the Southwest community.

This year, the Southwest Community House celebrates its 98th Anniversary. For nine decades, Southwest Community House has reached out to meet the needs of the poor in the neighborhoods of the Nation's Capital. They have provided vital programs -- for children, adolescents, the unemployed, families in crisis, and the elderly -- for all who struggle to become self-sufficient, contributing members of our community. They are especially proud of "Dollar for Scholars" -- just one of many youth programs -- which rewards the community's school age children for scholastic achievement.

To attend the reception please send a check ($35 for a single ticket; $79 for two tickets, payable to Southwest Community House). If you can't attend but want to make a contribution, please do so. The mailing address is 156 Q Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Top of Page

Southwest Vehicle Inspection Center Reopens

The vehicle inspection center at 1001 Half Street, SW reopened on Saturday, April 24th after several months of major renovation. The new, expanded testing station has eight lanes, double the capacity of the old station, and it has more modern equipment for detecting excessive pollution. The testing center is open Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All motor vehicle emissions inspections and safety inspections in the District are now being conducted at the Half Street facility. The city has closed the Northeast Inspection Station on West Virginia Avenue, NE and transferred its staff to the Southwest facility. Top of Page

POST Award to Bowen School's Elizabeth Primas

The Washington Post has honored Bowen Elementary School teacher Dr. Elizabeth Primas as Washington, DC's outstanding teacher for 1999.

Dr. Primas, at Bowen since 1993, received her Doctor of Education from George Washington University. The award cited her duties at Bowen, in addition to teaching, in these words:

"She is a change facilitator and coordinator of the 'Success for All' Reading Program, responsible for the testing, evaluation and placement of over 400 students in various reading groups, and serves as a resource to her colleagues, assisting in the daily operations of Anthony Bowen Elementary and conducting professional development sessions."

The annual award is given to one teacher in the DC Public School system, selected by the school system, one teacher in a private school, and one in each of the 18 public school sytems in the VA/MD Metropolitan area. Top of Page