*PAGE ONE* --Smithsonian's Folklife Festival 2000 Comes To SW Southwest is one of the D.C. neighborhoods that will be featured in the two week Folklife Festival put on each year by the Smithsonian Institution. Focus on Southwest will include these events: . Friday Night Jazz in S.W. on Friday, June 30 at 400 I (Eye) St. S.W. . History of SW - Exhibit in Waterside Mall . Stained-glass craftsmanship - in a tent on the National Mall . Story-telling - the History of S.W. This year is the 200 anniversary of the City founding as the Federal Capital. DC will be the first city ever featured as part of the Festival Since the District of Columbia is also a city of neighborhoods, the Festival organizers want both outside visitors and DC residents to get out and see some of the neighborhoods they ordinarily do not visit. Southwest is honored to be one of these. The regular Friday Night Jazz Concert at Westminster Church, 400 I (Eye) St. S.W. will be offered as a free concert on June 30 beginning at 6pm. Also featured will be the widely acclaimed Fish or Chicken-Fry at reasonable prices. A photo exhibit entitled "SW: THEN AND NOW", is being prepared for opening Friday, June 30, in the Waterside Mall, 401 M St. S.W. A history committee has been working for several months to get this ready for the enjoyment of SW residents and visitors arriving by Metro. In addition to these events in Southwest, several Southwest residents will be participating in tents on the National Mall as part of the Festival. Rev. Brian Hamilton will demonstrate his skills as a stained glass artist. On July 1st and July 3rd several SW residents will be the story tellers in the traditional tents on the Mall . They will talk about the history of SW as it is recorded and as they have lived it. Some longtime residents will be telling how it was to live here before desegregation and before Urban Renewal. (captions) S.W. stained glass artist Rev. Brian Hamilton at work on a lampshade. Jazz musicians like these will perform June 30 at 400 I (Eye) St. S.W. Starting June 30 a S.W. history exhibit in Waterside Mall, 401 M St. S.W. will include photos by Joseph Owen Curtis. --Rec. Dept. Promises More Programs, Staff Southwest residents had a chance to hear good news from the Department of Recreation's #2 man, Deputy Director Neil Albert at a meeting at King-Greenleaf Center May 23. Mr. Albert listened carefully to citizen suggestions for more staff and more programs and agreed to bring both. Although there are only two staff members at Randall Rec. and two at KGL, KGL expects three additional summer workers as well as the "Arts and Smarts Program" which will operate at King-Greenleaf this summer. In the future the Dept. of Recreation had planned $4.4 million in renovation to the Randall Center, including enclosing the swimming pool to allow for year-around operation. But more community input will be needed before final decisions are made, including what to do with Lansburg Park. Other recreation center staff in attendance included Dr. Serita Kelsey, Sandrea Woolfolk, Cornelius Haynes and KGL Staff Mrs. Carolyn Beals and Bernard Robinson. --photos --(Captions for Rec. Dept. story)) At the head table for discussion of recreational needs in Southwest were: (left to right) Rick Bardach, chair of the SWNA Youth Activites Task Force, and Recreation Dept. officials Sandra Woolfolk, Serita Kelsey and Cornelius "Connie" Hayes. Coordination between the D.C. Housing Authority, which owns the King-Greenleaf Recreation Center, and the Dept. of Rec. was discussed by DCHA Regional Administrator Cordell Olive, left, and Neil Albert, D.C. Rec. Deputy Director. Both pledged to work together. --School Election June 27 - For The Mayor's Plan, Or Against? The only thing on the ballot in D.C. on Tues. June 27 is the charter amendment to give the Mayor 4 appointments to the Board of Education, with 4 to be elected by the public and a chair to be elected. Appointment by the mayor would bring "accountability, leadership and change," according to a June 8 press release from the Mayor's office. Southwest (together with the rest of Ward 2) would no longer elect its own member of the Board of Education but would share one with Ward 1 in Northwest D.C. Some "Vote Against" forces see the Mayor's plan as a power grab to control hundreds of millions of dollars of school system property, with vacant buildings and open lots to be sold off. Originally the Mayor had asked to appoint all members of the Board. Town Hall Meeting On School Board Referendum June 26 Representatives from several viewpoints will speak and answer questions at a town hall meeting at St. Matthews Church 222 M St S.W. at 7 pm Monday June 26. We need your opinion. Inside Community Calendar p 2 Sun Wall in SW p 3 Ft. McNair Overshadowed p 4 Waterfront Planning p 5 Arena Stage p 6 Schools P 7 Blessing of the Fleet p 8 ----------------------------------- *PAGE TWO* -Bea Paget ad -two want ads -Visit Southwest D.C.'s Website box -Southwester Staff: remove Sherry Klein, add Maurice Boyd -- change deadline to July 5th. -photo --Queen Collins Gives Back To The Community One of Southwest D.C.'s greatest volunteers is Queen Collins, always giving her time and energy to help the staff at the Southwest Community House. In addition, her monthly bus tours to Dover Downs, Midway or even Atlantic City are a service to residents and friends in Southwest, especially seniors. She brings people together, taking on tasks and being successful. (caption) Queen Collins --Metro Passes At Safeway Six kinds of Metro fare cards/passes are for sale at the customer service desk at Safeway at 401 M SW. (Buy in advance and don't miss your train). The popular $5 One Day Pass is good for unlimited travel any weekday after 9:30am for the day you buy it and all day if bought on Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday. --Southwest Community Calendar June 20, 22 Tues, Thurs Youth Basketball League -3 games 6 pm-9pm King-Greenleaf Court, Canal St. & M St. SW June 26 Mon Town Meeting on School Election 7 pm St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 222 M St. S.W. June 27 Tues School Charter Amendment Election 7am - 7pm At all polling places in D.C. June 27, 29 Tues, Thurs Youth Basketball League - 3 games 6pm-9pm King-Greenleaf Court, Canal St. & M St. SW June 30 Fri. Jazz in SW - Smithsonian Folklife Festival 6pm-9pm Westminster Church 400 I(Eye) St. SW July 4 Tues Independence Day Celebration All day Activities from the Capitol lawn to the Washington Monument July 6 Thurs. Youth basketball League 6on-9pm King-Greenleaf Court, Canal St. & M St SW July 10 Mon. ANC 2D meeting 7 pm Westminster Church, 400 I (Eye) St. S.W. July 11, 13 Tues, Thurs Youth Basketball League 6pm-9pm King-Greenleaf Court, Canal St. & M St. SW July 18 Tues Playoffs begin - Youth Basketball League 6pm King-Greenleaf Court, Canal St. & M St SW Please submit calendar items for the next issue by Wed. July 5 to C.W. Hargrave 554-8284. Mall Task Force Meets With Officials The SWNA Task Force on Waterside Mall and the Waterfront will meet in July and August with management officials of the Waterside Mall to follow up on issues raised by the Southwest community. We will also meet with officials of the D.C. Office of Planing in June for information on the Southwest portion of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. These meetings are open to SW residents. Please call Nancy O'Brien 202-484-1630 if you woould like to atttend. Reports of these meetings will be available at the SWNA office. --Zanzibar piano photo (caption) First Anniversary music at Zanzibar --Zanzibar On The Waterfront's First Anniversary Zanzibar on the Waterfront celebrated its first anniversary with special music and events. The combination restaurant and night club completed a full year in May as the newest attraction on the S. W. waterfront. Ann Pharr, New Youth Coordinator The Youth Activities Task Force of the SW Neighborhood Assembly has contracted with Ann Pharr to coordinate new youth programs in Southwest. Using a grant from the World Bank, Ms. Pharr will help organizations design and start up new youth programs for Southwest youth. --Merchant's Corner Community Dollar is a new dollar store near M St. S.W. on So. Capitol St. -photo of dollar store -Singh air conditioning ad ------------------------------ *PAGE THREE* ---Architects Design Solar Energy Wall In S.W. $20,000 will go to the winning design for a solar energy system covering a huge blank wall on the south side of the Department of Energy's Forrestal headquarters building located between Independence Ave. and the railroad tracks at 10th St. S.W. The south side of a building gets far more sunlight than the north side. Besides getting a design for later installation on the 32,000 square foot blank concrete wall, the Department of Energy wants "to demonstrate how the beauty and grandeur of public buildings in Washington can go hand-in-hand with environmental sensitivity." Photographs of the building and architectural drawings are on the Web site, www.doe-sunwall.org Deadline for registration is July 1, 2000. Submissions are due at the American Institute of Architects August 1, 2000. Jury sessions will be August 25-26, with award presentation in October 2000. (Caption) From Independence Ave. looking south the Forrestal Building can be seen to be two buildings. The one farthest from Independence Ave. has the blank south wall ideal for a solar energy installation. The south wall of the Forrestal Building as seen from 10th St. S.W., with the U. S. Capitol Building in the distance at the far right.. ---Amidon Paintings At Air and Space Museum Two large paintings hanging in the hallway at the Air and Space Museum were painted by Amidon Elementary School students. Picturing moons and stars and space ships, the paintings are by students of Ms. Beverly Carpenter and Ms. Brenda Freeman. (Caption) Paintings by Amidon Elementary School students. (Photos by Rodney Horns). -4 photos -Washington Video ad (new - in folder) - LeRivage ad from May 2000 issue - changed to be good through July 31 excluding July 4 and July 14. Susan suggested changing clip art to boats or something summery. ---------------------- *PAGE FOUR* 12-Story Apartments, 10-Story Office Building To Overshadow Ft. McNair OFFICE/HOUSING COMPLEX The East wall of historic Ft. McNair may have new neighbors looking down from 110 feet in the air. The D.C. Zoning Commission has been asked to renew a permit that expired in March that would allow construction of a massive two million square feet residential and commercial complex on 2nd St. S.W. between Q and S. Streets, part of the Buzzard Point peninsula. Permission was originally given to Riverside Associates for the project in 1991 but has expired before and been renewed by the Zoning Commission. At a recent meeting of the Southwest Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2D) commissioner Richard Westbrook argued against the project, saying that the new Anacostia Waterfront Initiative should be given a chance to consider the proper development of the entire area. He was outvoted by other ANC members. Developer's Description The apartments will be in four wings with separate lobbies "oriented away from the Fort for security purposes." There would be a minimum of 500 condominium and rental units – possibly more than 700 – from efficiencies to 2 bedrooms. The office buildings would have 4 separate lobbies. Below grade parking garages would be 2 or 3 levels with 1642 spaces for commercial use and 508 for residential tenants. Construction would be in up to 4 phases depending on market conditions. Developers are working with others on a shuttle bus system feeding to the Green line Waterfront and Navy Yard Metro stations. National Capital Planning Commission Objected Although in 1990 the developers made several changes in response to objections by the Army and the federal NCPC, the final letter from NCPC still quoted the policy of the Comprehensive Plan: "The distinguishing qualities or character of Historic Landscapes should be protected and enhanced." This policy "is ill-served by the project as currently designed," said NCPC; "…the issue of height impact on the historic quality of Ft. McNair remains." "Appropriate development guidelines" for the site should be more like those for the National Defense University Library building immediately south on 2nd St., said the NCPC. "After a lengthy review process, the Commission approved the design for the National Defense University Library building at a height limited to 79 feet" reported the NCPC. As shown above the three-story homes on Ft. McNair will be overshadowed by a residential/ commercial complex planned for private property on the east side of the Fort. This drawing from The Southwester in 1988 shows the original Riverside Associates proposal with 130 ft. buildings. The maximum height has since been reduced to 110 ft. The dotted line is at 90 ft. The developers have agreed to let the Army, the U.S. Secret Service and the D.C. Metropolitan Police onto the roofs of the new buildings to make a sweep before any scheduled visit to the Fort by the President of the United States. A two block long from Q St. to S St. - ten story office building near Ft. McNair is being planned. This drawing shows the east side along 2nd St. facing away from Ft. McNair. The back of the 110 ft. building would be more than 500 feet from the Fort. Apartment buildings between the office building and the Fort would be terraced. The 4th floor, facing the fort, would be 50 feet from the Fort. Other floors would slope away, until the 12th floor apartments would be over 400 feet from the Fort. History of Fort McNair The history and architecture of Ft. McNair was described by the NCPC: "Designated a military post in 1791 by Pierre L'Enfant and originally established strictly for the defense of the Federal City, Ft. McNair has also served as the site of the Penitentiary where the Lincoln assassination conspirators were tried and executed and the general hospital where Walter Reed's research led to control of malaria. "In 1903, as a direct outgrowth of the McMillan Commission plan, the fort was redesigned by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White into a Beaux Arts campus-like setting for the new Army War College. This magnificent master plan centers on its enormous parade ground, which is symmetrically framed by relatively modest buildings on the north, east and west, while the imposing War College Building, the focal point of th entire composition, occupies the dominant position at the south end of the post." (caption) ANC Commissioner Richard Westbrook moved to oppose the building proposed to be built alongside Ft. McNair, but other ANC members did not support him. He is shown above at the right, with white hair, at an earlier ANC meeting. ------------------- *PAGE FIVE* ---"Washington Is A Waterfront City" Planning Starts For Anacostia River/Southwest Waterfront Area Three days of maps and issue workshops and plenary sessions kept 200 neighbors, government officials and experts in urban planning busy in May thinking about the future of the land and the people between the Anacostia River and the Southeast part of the SW/SE Freeway. In Mid-July a similar open meeting will bring planning experts together with anyone interested in Buzzard Point, where the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers join in Southwest and in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. A separate gathering is being scheduled for the neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River. At the May workshop, held in Van Ness Elementary School at 5th and M St. S.E., Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton reported that the U. S. House of Representatives had just passed her bill for joint public and private development of the 55 acres of federal land on the south side of M St. S.E. next to the Navy Yard. When this bill passes the Senate and becomes law "private development will bring revenue to the government and ...productive use to benefit not only residents and the city but the government itself," she said. "We should regard the challenge before us as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an unprecedented federal and local collaboration to benefit each other," the Congresswoman said. "There will only be winners here if we go to work in the spirit of mutuality." In his remarks Mayor Anthony Williams stated that the gathering represented a partnership "to reclaim our nation's waterfront and revitalize this long-neglected part of our city." Andrew Altman, Director, Office Planing for D. C., remarked: "We're the nation's capital. And we are a waterfront city." The final policy goals coming out of the Southeast meeting included a commitment to mixed income housing, a variety of uses for different sections of the area, a green belt for public use along the Anacostia River, and the maintenance of vistas and pleasing sight lines. (Captions) Some of the participants at the Near SE Anacostia Waterfront workshops at Van Ness Elementary School. Participants met in small groups to discuss different issues and reported back to the full meeting. Southwest businessman Bob Siegel is at left. Professional planners were seated at a head table and took turns reporting back from the small groups. Sixth Ward Council Member Sharon Ambrose, left, answered questions raised by John Smith, right. Seated in the lower right is D.C. Planning Director Andrew Altman. --Youth Basketball At K-Greenleaf Underway Starting at 6 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 20 through July will be lively competition among 10 Southwest youth basketball teams, playing outdoors at King-Greenleaf, Canal St. off M St. S.W.. Most evenings will see six teams taking the court in 3 games, with playoffs starting July 18.. Sponsor this year is the Southwest Community House. Winning their first games are: 203N,Channel Square, and James Creek -1. As The Southwester went to press there was no word when the adult league will start. --Photo Eye of the Beholder (caption) Joseph Owen Curtis, a Southwest resident, is shown with part of an extensive display of his photographs of Southwest from the 1930s and 1940s now at the Washingtoniana Room of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Library at 9th and G St. N.W. He spoke at the library at a recent showing of the film "Southwest Remembered" produced by Delores Smith. --Tiberisland ad ------------------ *PAGE SIX* --Arena Gala Sep.8 For 50th Anniv. "The Great White Hope," the Pulitzer Prize winning play which in 1967 had its world premier at Arena Stage starring James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander, will be presented again on the theater's 50th anniversary from August 25 to October 15, 2000. An opening night gala September 8 will include a sit down dinner for 600 in tents on the lawn. The 2000-2001 season will include a revival in December and January of "K-2", the two-man play of mountain climbers marooned on a wall of ice as performed at Arena Stage in 1982. (caption) The cover for the Fox video of the 1970 film adaptation of The Great White Hope with James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander, the stars who brought it from Arena Stage to Broadway in 1968. --ALL MY SONS Wallace Babington "To All My Sons because of the frank and uncompromising presentation of a timely and important theme, because of the honesty of the writing and the cumulative power of the scenes and because it reveals a genuine instinct for the theatre in an intelligent and thoughtful new playwright." That is the citation that accompanied the 1947 presentation of the New York Drama Critics Circle prize for All My Sons by Arthur Miller. Those few words sum up the power of this very American drama about the responsibility that we all have for each other. Miller dramatizes the tragic dilemma of a father who sells faulty cylinder heads for combat planes during the Second World War and shifts the blame to his innocent business partner. That action is the catalyst for the complex domestic drama concerned with the conflicts that arise within the family and the pressure of guilt, responsibility, truth, illusion and idealism. Arthur Miller writes with power, urgency and strength. He creates characters that are at once believable and real. Arena Stage has given us a strong and compelling revival of this play. Molly Smith directs with a sure hand and the consummate skill that she brings to every production. It is cast with splendid actors who bring to the characters a sense of urgency and credibility. M. Emmet Walsh portrays the father with strength, compassion and humor. This is the character actor so well know to us in hundreds of movies and television shows, but seldom seen on stage; it is a special treat to watch him bring this disturbed and disturbing character to life. And it is also a pleasure to watch Rhea Seehorn mature and grow on Arena's stage; her talents and skills match her beauty in every way. The production has so much going for it: a strong well-crafted play, expert direction, exceptional acting. Yet it is an unsatisfying and disappointing evening of theater. Why? Because it is over produced. Arena production teams can't seem to resist using the many gadgets and mechanical wonders that are available – and there are many. So the stage floor is bounded by rows of flowerbeds; that border requires the actors to step awkwardly over the flowers as they move about the stage. It is a requirement that looks clumsy and is distracting. The worst possible situation is the actor who is required to walk with crutches and yet maneuver the barrier flowerbeds; cruel and unusual punishment for any actor. And of course the stage has to open up at one point to reveal an abyss, the meaning of which the audience tries to fathom while trying simultaneously to follow the dialog and understand the plot development. Arthur Miller is an acknowledged master playwright. He doesn't need gimmicks and tricks to convey his message or make his words come to life. All My Sons could easily be performed on a bare stage and still come across as a powerful American tragedy. (This review is based on a preview performance) "All My Sons" at Arena Stage in the Fichandler through June 25. (Caption) M. Emmett Walsh as the industrialist war profiteer in the Arena Stage production Arthur Miller's "All My Sons." --Annie Thomas In Japan For 3 Wks. Southwest resident Annie H. Thomas left June 18 for three weeks in Japan under the Fulbright Memorial Fund program. Along with 200 other primary and secondary school teachers, Ms. Thomas arrived in Tokyo and will be visiting schools throughout Japan and having a homestay with a Japanese family. Ms. Thomas, library-media specialist at H. D. Cooke Elementary School on 17th St. N.W. says she will use her new experience to strengthen the school's world history and geography program. The program is sponsored by the Government of Japan. For information on similar trips in October and November, 2000, call the Institute of International Education in D.C. 1-888-527-2636. (Caption) Annie H. Thomas --Todd Williams Showing In Georgetown Southwest artist Todd Williams has an exhibition at Parish Gallery in Georgetown June 16-July 18. A reception on June 16 introduced Washington art collectors to his "On the Wall" constructions, which include relief and flat constructions. Parish Gallery, at 1054 31st St. N.W., is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 pm and other hours by appointment. Phone 202-944-2310. --Your Feet Need Care In Summer Dr. Vesta D. McDowell, podiatrist with offices at 300 M St. S.W. has sent a note about care of your feet in the summer time, for readers of The Southwester. Fungus is the main problem, she says - peeling skin, itching areas between the toes. Plenty of soap and water to remove dirt and residue, and maybe even powder between the toes. Infection and cuts and splinters may require a visit to a foot specialist - like Dr. McDowell. (Caption) Artist Todd Williams resides at Carrollsburg Square in S.W. D.C. --Iris Ralston ad from June 2000 issue --Washington Cable ad ------------------- *PAGE SEVEN* SCHOOLS -photos (captions) Amidon Principal Nophlin shows off star pupils at the award assembly. A room full of Amidon students, teachers and parents cheers during the assembly. The World Bank presented childrens books to Bowen School library. Left to right are Librarian Retta Cross and World Bank representatives Jennifer Abner and Thelma Jones. A few of the Bowen Elementary School students who celebrated the end of the school year. -new ad emailed to Karen for Capitol Square ---------------------- *PAGE EIGHT* --Blessing of Fleet Opens Sailing Season In D.C. The Potomac River sailing season was officially opened by a blessing of the fleet and parade of 120 boats along the Southwest waterfront. (Captions) As boats parade past the floating dock they are blessed by Cdr. James Fisher, Navy Chaplain with his hand raised. Others seated are: (left to right) Navy Chaplain Van Dickens, Rev. George E. Holmes, president of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, who joined the two chaplains in blessing the fleet, and Virginia Williams, representing her son Mayor Anthony Williams.. With some of the members of the Jefferson Jr. High choir who sang at the waterfront ceremony are Virginia Williams and Rev. George Holmes. (Photos by Richard Westbrook) -Cybertech ad from June 2000 issue -Jenny's ad from June 2000 issue