Inside Calendar page 2 Ltr from Editor page 2 Sports page 4 & 5 Schools page 5 Arts & Culture page 6 S.W. Community House Page 8 Page 1 SWNA Box The Waterside Mall Task Force will meet in the SWNA office Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 pm to elect new Co-Chairs. Nominations will be accepted from the floor. Nominees will provide a brief qualifications statement and their vision for the future of the WMTF. The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Meeting (SWNA) will be held on Monday, September 27, 1999, 7:30 p.m., at the King -Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N St. SW. According to SWNA President, there will be three speakers. SOUTHWEST TASK FORCE IS GETTING THINGS DONE FOR RESIDENTS By Jack Evans, Member, D.C. Council (Ward 2) A big and enthusiastic turnout at the August 19 meeting of the Evans Southwest Task Force learned that Arena Stage is remaining in Southwest, that city agencies are cleaning up trash in parks and in vacant lots, and pedestrians will soon have safer access to Metro at Waterside Mall. These actions are all important to the citizens of Southwest, which some city agencies seem to have considered the forgotten quadrant of the District. I formed the Task Force to bring pressing matters to the attention of city agencies, and then work with those agencies – or push them hard – to get their job done. The Task Force is a perfect example of the citizens telling government what to do, instead of the other way around. I have been working particularly hard on two matters: keeping Arena Stage in Southwest and converting Randall School into the Millenium Arts Center. We've succeeded with Arena Stage (see story elsewhere) and are making progress on the Arts Center, as reported below. Our key speaker at the August 19 meeting was Andrew Altman, the new director of the Office of Planning in the city government. Prior to the meeting, I drove around Southwest to acquaint him with the community. He's from Philadelphia and most recently worked on the waterfront renaissance in Oakland, California, and comes extremely highly qualified for the job. He was most impressed with the potential for the waterfront and for integrating activities of the waterfront, Arena Stage, and Waterside Mall. Reports from the Task Force's three community-action subcommittees were most heartening. Richard Westbrook, head of the Public Works Subcommittee, told of leading a second walk-through with officials of the Departments of Public Works (including the new head of DPW) and Parks and Recreation. Herbert Holmes, a board member of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, also joined the group. This walk focused on areas east of Delaware Avenue. "What struck us the hardest was Lansburg Park, behind Bowen School, which is rundown, filled with trash, and dangerous," Dick said. The Recreation Department promised to clean it up, and we'll be watching for results. The vacant lot behind Syphax Gardens is strewn with trash. "We are bringing this problem to the attention of the D.C. Housing Authority," Dick said. "The Evans Task Force is doing a very good job of getting recognition for what's going on down here," Dick said later, but the real reason things are getting done is people like Dick Westbrook. Andrew Kreider reported that his Retail Subcommittee wants safer pedestrian access from the Waterfront-SEU Metro Station directly to the Mall. It's met successfully with Colonial Parking, Metro, Bresler & Reiner, SWNA, and other local representatives. Also, the Subcommittee seeks better directions for people who emerge from the Metro Station and want to reach Arena Stage or the Waterfront. The near loss of Arena Stage made us all realize what an invaluable asset this is to the community. The Arts and Culture Subcommittee is continuing to work with Bill Wooby’s Randall School/Millenium Art Center, Davie reported. He is moving closer to closure with the D.C. School Board for unfettered ownership of the facility. Currently, Wooby is establishing his "Art on the 6th Floor" business there. He has asked for community help to clean up the facility within the next three to four weeks. The Subcommittee will organize this event. Details regarding time and date to be announced. The next Task Force meeting will be held on October 1 at 9:00 a.m. at Arena Stage. All Southwest residents are welcome, especially neighborhood leaders, resident council heads, chairs and boards of housing organizations, and representatives of businesses, churches, and other organizations. D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will join us for that meeting. Please come. ARENA AND THE COMMUNITY by Davelene Renshaw Now that Arena Stage has agreed to stay in Southwest and we have had our moments of celebration, it is time to resume our efforts to work with Arena to help them overcome some of their problems with the community. These are problems of crime, inadequate parking and rehearsal space, expansion of their facility (to include a new venue for productions, more administrative/office space and adequate shop space to build sets, etc.), improvement of the lackluster waterfront and, possibly the most important of all, lack of communication with the Southwest community. Overcoming these problems will require commitment from the police,Jack Evans, the DC government, SWNA and ANC, the waterfront businesses and last, but not least, the community. At a previous meeting, Mr. Stephen Richard, Executive Director, stated, "Arena is eager to build partnerships with the mall and waterfront businesses. We need their support and we need an increase in theatre attendance; right now, it is low. Our main goal is for our new director, Molly Smith, to make Arena the center of the country for development of new plays. Also, we would like to be able to provide our consumers with creature comforts of safety, ample parking and large lobbies that offer early arrivals space to browse and enough rehearsal space to accommodate all our actors. Moreover, we would like to see the waterfront offer restaurants with ambience and food choices that compete with downtown, and additional shops that offer gifts, books, art galleries and coffee houses." Following a commitment to attend community meetings and work with the schools, Mr. Richard's last comment was, "Arena wants to work better with Southwest to achieve our goals." Our response is: Arena we are ready! Visit by Ward 2 Councilmember's Office by Herb Holmes, District 4 Representative Recently, June Hersh from Councilmember Evan’s office and some other members of his staff visited the District 4 Section of SW. Representatives from the D.C. Department of Public Works accompanied them. The visit included sites such as the Southwest Community House, some public housing units, and some areas with vacant buildings which have been abandoned by their owners. It was an opportunity for the citizenry to express their concerns to Councilman Evans. Residents were very appreciative that he took time from his busy schedule to visit the neighborhood. Wds:89 Major Renovation Underway at L'Enfant Plaza by Susan Fischer L'Enfant Plaza, designed by I.M. Pei in the 1960's and envisioned as a critical element of the Southwest Urban Renewal Plan, will greet the new millenium in style. The centerpiece of its new look will be a spectacular forty by forty foot skylight currently being constructed on the above-ground plaza in front of Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. On ground level the skylight will be the focal point of an expansive patio area with benches and tables and a lawn for picnics and concerts, while below ground it will constitute a new and airy roof for the shopping concourse known as La Promenade. In effect, it will bring the outside in to shoppers in the underground mall and bring the inside out to plaza visitors, who will be able to see into the concourse from above. Given his fondness for glass walls, it is probably safe to assume that I.M. Pei would also approve of glass ceilings (in the literal sense, that is!). In any case, according to the senior vice president of Sarakreek Holding N.V., a Holland-based company which purchased L'Enfant Plaza in 1997, "The new skylight and plaza will add prominence to La Promenade as a shopping destination and take L'Enfant Plaza into the new century with appropriate dignity and style." The skylight should be complete in time for Christmas shopping and holiday dining in the more than 50 shops and restaurants of La Promenade--just one metro stop away for residents of the Southwest. Meanwhile, of course, all the shops are open and unaffected by the construction going on above them. Waterfront Beautification by Eric Slaughter First Mate Robert Collins of the dinner ship Odyssey III tends his mini-garden adjacent to the Odyssey Pier. Robert undertook the beautification project on his own. He planned, prepared and planted the coleus/pansy plots on his off-duty time. Robert hopes that others will follow his lead and he plans to plant other plots, which are presently barren along the seawall. He suggests that an "adopt a plot" program would help to motivate others. For more information, call (202) 488-6030. Welcome to Waterfront Station With the opening of Columbia Heights and Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro stations on September 18, passengers on the Green Line will travel without interruption to a major downtown center and Metrorail transfer point—Gallery Place-Chinatown. We welcome you to Waterfront/SEU Station. Caption – pylon in station The opening of two new stations on the Metro Green Line unites two halves of the Green Line into one. The new stations - Georgia Ave.-Petworth at Georgia Ave at New Hampshire Ave NW and Columbia Heights at 14th and Irving St, NW - are Metro's 77th and 78th rail stations. Metro patrons all the way from Greenbelt, MD, can now reach Southwest's Waterfront area in 20 minutes. Other stations with through service to Waterfront for the first time include College Park/U of Md, Prince George's Plaza, West Hyattsville, and Fort Totten. Page 2 A Park in Search of a Name by Margaret Feldman A Southwest resident suggested that we need to name the park at the corner of I Street and 6th Street. He checked with the Park Service and found it really has not been named. He suggested the name of a well- known jazz musician who used to live in SW. Perhaps others have specific names to suggest, or other ideas. How about sending suggestions to the Southwester? Call 554-8560 or email to:thesouthwester@yahoo.com Weiss Suggests Lawsuit Against EPA Southwest residents should seek an injunction to stop EPA from abandoning its West Tower office building, Dr. Marc Weiss, wrote in an Op-Ed piece to The Southwester. Weiss argues that the Federal Government should protect Southwest from the economic effects of EPA’s “base closure.” He also argues that letting EPA occupy most of the D.C. city hall – the Wilson Building – is “outrageous”, and an insult to D.C.’s Home Rule. For lack of space, The Southwester was unable to print the article, but gave it directly to the Board of Directors of SWNA, Inc., for action. Letter from the Editor This is the last time that I will be writing to you all as your editor. After being in this job for eight years, the time has come for new direction. I will be travelling quite a bit and will not be able to continue my editorial-managerial duties. I've really learned a lot and met some great people. Thank you. The group which puts together the Southwester each month will continue as usual and, jointly, will take on the extra duties of manager. If anyone out there has time to join the team, this is one volunteer job which not only promises to be very interesting but has the added benefit of your learning a lot about your community. Please call(202)554-8560 and leave a message. Someone will return your call. Articles may be emailed to: HYPERLINK thesouthwester@yahoo.com or you can drop labeled disks off at ? (want to talk to Sherry first) Carole Early Southwest Community Calendar (September - October 1999) Sept. 23 (Thursday) NARFE DC Chapter 2052, 12:30 pm , Southwest Branch Library Sept. 27 (Monday) Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, 7:30 pm at King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N St., SW Oct. 1 (Friday) Jack Evans Southwest Task Force, 9 am Arena Stage Conference Room, 6th and Maine Ave., SW Oct. 2 (Saturday) Huge Yard Sale, 10 – 2 pm, Westminster Church, 400 I St., SW Oct 2 ( Saturday) Southwest Family Day, noon to 6:00 pm, Lansburg Park, Delaware and L Sts.,SW Oct. 2 (Saturday) NARFE SW Chapter Rummage Sale, ALL DAY Eastern Market, 200 block of 7th St., SE Oct. 2 (Saturday) Komen Toastmasters Club 10:15 am Southwest Branch Library Oct. 4 (Monday) SWNA Board Meeting, 7:00 pm SWNA Office, Waterside Mall (I St. side) Oct. 5 (Tuesday) First District Citizen Advisory Meeting, 7:00 pm, DCPD, 415 4th St., Community Room Oct. 13 (Wednesday) Fil-Am Toastmasters Club, 6:45pm Southwest Branch Library Oct. 13 (Wednesday) Southwest Chamber Players Concert, 7:30 pm St. Augustine’s Church, 6th & M St. SW Oct. 16 (Saturday) Komen Toastmasters Club 10:15 am Southwest Branch Library Oct. 18 (Monday) Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2D, 7:00 pm Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4th and I St., SW Oct. 20 (Wednesday) AARP SW Waterfront Chapter #4751 12 noon St. Matthews Lutheran Church 3rd & M St. SW Oct. 27 (Wednesday) Fil-Am Toastmasters Club, 6:45pm Southwest Branch Library Oct. 28 (Thursday) NARFE DC Chapter 2052 12:30 pm Southwest Branch Library Nov. 1 (Monday) SWNA Board Meeting, 7:00 pm in SWNA office in Waterside Mall (I Street side) Nov. 2 (Tuesday) First District Citizen Advisory Meeting, 7:00 pm, DCPD, 415 4th St., Community Room (Please submit calendar items for the next issue by October 6th to C.W. Hargrave, 554-8284) For advertising information, call John Hartwell at (202) 479-0783 He will be out-of-town between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15 Volunteers Needed to Distribute the Southwester in High Rises The paper is dropped off in the lobbies of the high rises because the management offices of the individual high rises do not allow for door-to-door distribution. Maintaining security is a concern – we can certainly understand that! However, it would be nice if everyone were able to receive a copy of the paper. We need a person from each apartment building to call the SWNA office, (202) 554-8560, and volunteer to take the papers from the lobby to each person's door. Currently the following high rises have made arrangements for internal delivery: Harbour Square, River Park and Riverside. Page 3 Continuation of Evans story from p.1 Page 4 S.W. Youth All-Stars Smother Takoma Park Two S.W. All-Star teams - the 13 to 15 and 16 and up - outplayed teams from the City of Takoma Park, MD, this summer. Players selected from the 11 teams of the S.W. summer league which had been competing since June were pitted against similar all-stars from the City of Takoma Park recreation department. The younger S.W. team had little difficulty winning, after building a 22 point lead by half time. A much closer finish and late dunks by Calvin Howard and Gregory Head helped the older team finish off Takoma Park by 7 points. (caption)two teams of S.W. basketball all-stars defeated teams from Takoma Park, MD. Art. 32 Channel Square Wins First Youth BB Championship Channel Square defeated James Creek-1 to become the champions at Southwest's first annual youth summer basketball tournament, played at King-Greenleaf "Grand Garden" courts at Canal St. & M St. S.W. After losing two of the first three games in the tournament, Channel Square put together four straight wins and controlled the tempo of the championship game. With great 3-point shooting by Alan Clipper, Keith Thompson and James "Deon" Martin, CS proved to be too tough late in the game. With 16 seconds remaining Alan Clipper hit a driving lay-up under the outstretched arms of Calvin Cade. CS coach Derrick Jackson was named coach-of-the-tournament. Tracey Hooks was given a trophy as "Fan of the Year." The Youth Activities Task Force of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) supplied over 100 basketball jerseys for the summer league.)SQUARE'S CHAMPIONS:row, L to R: Maurice Bowling, Jason Cade, Colby Mercey, James "Deon" Martin, Joe Patterson, Gerald Bailey, Marcus Russellrow, L to R: Keith Thompson, Head coach Derrick Jackson, John Thompson, Alan Clipper(caption)Stewart, Southwest graduate of Wilson High, played in this summer's D.C. high school football all-star game. Club #4 Football Season Underway Three teams of teen-age and pre-teen football players living in Southwest are competing with other neighborhoods in D.C. in the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Club league. Most of the older youth have played in the league since age 8. Intense rivalry with other neighborhoods has developed. Page 5 Art. 35 Summer Program at Jefferson Jr. High School Classes on Mon. to Wed., YMCA on Thursday and field trips on Friday. That was the schedule for the S.E.A.S. summer program at Jefferson Jr.High School. The Black Wax Museum with a slave ship, the Baltimore Harbor, and the National Geographic Society were examples of field trips. The computer lab at Jefferson, with virtual reality, was the scene for some of the classwork. Art, music and technology were the emphasis for the classes.(caption)Jr. High students in the "Summer Education, Arts & Sports" program on a field tripflamingoes in the zoo. Art. 46 New Students, New Teachers At Amidon Many new students in all grades have joined Amidon Elementary School and 16 new staff members were added this year. A "Newcomers Club" was organized and will meet regularly. Principal Mrs. B. Nophlin and School Counselor Ms. P. Reinbold greeted them and their parents with cookies and punch on Sep. 3. Other activities planned for the new year at Amidon include performances by students in the Performing Arts Program, monthly birthday celebrations and student government elections in October for grades 4-6.(caption)in Ms. Lee's grade 3 class at Amidon ES who are in the "Newcomers Club" are: Raven Jenkins, Marcellus Watson, Donald Stewart, Bianca Mays, Darnisha Jacobs, Autum Kennedy, with Ms. P. Reinbold, school counselor Tutors Needed at Bowen You are needed to volunteer to work one-on-one with a third grade student at one of D.C.'s targeted assistance schools in Southwest. The Center for Artistry in Teaching has a program called Reading Works! It is an innovative and effective tutoring program. Come help a child improve his or her reading, writing, and communication skills while building a meaningful, positive relationship. Tutor once a week (Tues, Thurs, or Fri.) from 1 p.m-2 p.m. at Bowen Elementary School, 101 M St.,SW. No experience is necessary. We welcome people of all ages and professions. We provide useful training. For more information call Elly at (202) 822-8081. This line doesn’t belong – but I can’t get rid of it. Art. 37 Chavez Below D.C. Average; Math School Above The charter schools in the Waterside Mall have shown mixed results in their annual Stanford -9 test scores. Students at Cesar Chavez charter school scored 51% below basic in reading, compared to 37% for DC public school ninth graders overall. In math 80% of the Chavez 9th graders were below basic, compared with 56% for D.C. 9th graders. The Southwest Washington Math Science Technology charter school - formerly at Ballou - did better than D C school overall. Reading - 34% below at SW, 37% DC overall; Math - 42% below at SW, 56% below for D C schools overall Page 6 Art 2 ARENA STAGE IS NOT MOVING OUT OF SW by Wallace Babington So, Arena Stage will stay with us in Southwest. That was the good news announced in August, assuring us that our "neighborhood theater" will be in place for many years to come. The reasons for even considering the proposed move to Seventh Street NW were primarily a need for additional rehearsal space and expanded shop and costume facilities. The decision to remain here with us means that Arena's energy and resources will be used to undertake rehabilitation of the existing theaters and expansion of the buildings and other facilities. Molly Smith, artistic director, expressed a desire all of us have for the Arena: "My fervent wish is that with this decision we will focus on bringing Arena in all her glory into the new millennium with a spectacular, bold renovation." Other comments give encouragement to the hope that the decision to remain in place will be accompanied by a determination to become an active participant and advocate for the rebuilding of our Southwest neighborhood into the exciting, vital community that we all want. For example, Stephen Richards, Arena's executive director, acknowledges that Arena has been in the Southwest neighborhood for 40 years "…but not of it, and we intend to change that posture, because we are now committed to revitalize not just our facility, but to revitalize the waterfront – the immediate Southwest." And we get even more encouragement from the president of Arena's board of trustees, Steven Bralove: "We want to be a catalyst in Southwest." Sculpture on the Arena Stage lawn You have by now noticed the sculptures that grace the Arena Stage lawn. These are part of a project known as "Portals," the objective of which is to enhance the attractiveness and beauty of public spaces in DC. The project is supported with funds from the DC Commission on the Arts. The three sculptures are titled: "Three in a Complement" by Foon Sham; "Turning Together" by Brent Crothers; and "Arch in Flight II" by Emilie Brezezinski. Arena's first production of the new season, "Hot 'N' Throbbing", is now on stage. This new play is written by Paula Vogel, author of "How I Learned to Drive", and is directed by Molly Smith. Art. 20 SOUTHWEST CHAMBER PLAYERS by David Ehrlich Fall 1999 program (tentative dates, so watch for future articles!) Wednesday, October 13: Joyce Bouvier, soprano; John Kaboff, Tom Blackburn, cello; David Ehrlich, Alfred Clark, piano. Poems by Kate Blackburn; Schumann, Frauenliebe und Leben; Bach, First Cello Suite; Bruch, Kol Nidre; Tschaikowsky, Rococo Variations. Wednesday, November 3: THE RETURN OF CONTRASTS! The brilliant European ensemble whose 1997 appearance at Saint Augustine's was the first of our Southwest concerts. Kati Sebestyén, violin; Erwin Schiffer, viola; Freddy Arteel, clarinet; Dana Protopopescu, piano. Leclair, Trio Sonata; Mozart, Adagio/Rondo; Beethoven quartet, op. 16; Bruch, Romanian Melody; Gystelinck, Japanese Theme; Prokofiev, Overture on Hebrew Themes. All programs begin at 7:30 p.m. For further information,David Ehrlich, 202/484-6354. Milennium Arts Center Update The Millennium Arts Center in the Randall School Building is a reality. They have moved into the building. "Art on the 6th Floor," formerly in the Design Center, will be housed in the newly purchased building at 65 I St., SW. Bill Wooby, the director, has been busily working on the Randall project for many years; it has taken much longer than he expected. The MAC will be a nonprofit place for performances, rehearsals, art studios, a cinema, a restaurant, and a Gallery. Art 34 (caption)Kente cloth in an exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art at Independence Ave. and 10th St. S.W. Geometry Tradition of Africa Shown In Kente Cloth Exhibit Geometric motifs in kente cloth as shown in a current display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art represent part of the ancient legacy of geometric forms in Africa, which reached a zenith in the pyramid structures in Egypt. One group at D.C. Link and Learn in the Waterside Mall is using the exhibition to integrate cultural and historical resources into learning opportunities outside of the classroom. An after school and weekend studies program called "Time and Space" is offered by the S.M.A.R.T. Technology Learning Center (TLC) in the Mall. Their phone is (202)484-7493 or RPA at (202) 488-1304. This Smithsonian's touring exhibition, called "Wrapped in Pride - Ghanaian Kente and African American Indentity" will continue until January 2, 2000. Art. 16 Cavaliers Find Jazz in SW by Carl Greenwood Are you looking for Jazz? The Cavaliers have found it – Friday Night Jazz right here in Southwest D.C. It happens every Friday from 6-9 pm at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I Street, SW (4th & I) and the talent is top notch. The Cavalier Club Board and honorary members are happy to support and meet the members of the Southwest community for great jazz, good food and relaxing fun for the entire family. And admission is $5, children/youth get in free. For more information, call the church at (202) 484-7700 or call Cavalier Vice President, Carl R. Greenwood at (202) 829-7159. Wds:102 Page 7 West Byrd’s ad Page 8 Art. 36 Crime Continues To Drop In Southwest Theft from auto continues to be the most frequent crime in the Southwest area between the U.S. Capitol and the Potomac River. Somewhere in that area of 11,000 residents and tens of thousands of federal employees, nearly twice a day someone's car is broken into. In that 200 square block area a street mugging occurs 2 or 3 times a month. Overall, crime in that SW area has dropped 9% since 1998. Art. 40 Southwest Community House Receives Adult Literacy Grant The Southwest Community House was recently awarded an adult literacy grant reports Peter Jones, the agency's Executive Director. "The Board of Directors, staff and I are ecstatic that Southwest House can now provide this service. This is a golden opportunity to not only help adults to read, write and comprehend English better, but, perhaps for the first time in their lives, some Southwest parents will soon be assisting their children with their homework." Mr. Jones envisions that the program will run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm., "while children are at school. I anticipate that single parents will take advantage of this class more than any other sub-group." Mr. Jones added that an employment component was purposefully included in the agency's proposal. "We wanted to give our students the incentive that if you earn your GED with us we'll help you get a full-time job. In direct response to welfare reform mandates, Southwest Community House is re-gearing its programs to help our clients achieve self-sufficiency." For enrollment information, contact Southwest Community House at 488-7210. Art. 41 Volunteer tutors and mentors are needed for Southwest Community House's adult literacy and after-school tutoring programs. Get involved in your community! Please call Southwest House at 488-7210. Art. 42 1999 Southwest Family Day, Saturday, Oct. 2 Southwest Community House will again sponsor its annual Southwest Family Day, "a celebration of the Southwest community,” states Peter Jones, the agency's Executive Director. "There'll be something for everyone: lots of free food, rides and activities for children, free health screenings by the Southwest Community Health Center, live performances, traditional fun contests, and more. There's going to be bingo and a chess tournament. We're anticipating involvement from the D.C. Police and Fire Departments, the U.S. Army and the Coast Guard. We're even hoping that the 257th National Guard Army Band will accept our invitation to play a little Duke Ellington for us." Informational and display tables will be manned by Southwest Family Investment Centers and other groups. The 1999 Southwest Family Day will be held on Saturday, October 2, 1999 at Lansburg Park, Delaware and L Sts. SW. For further information contact Ms. Roberta Patrick at Southwest House at 488-7210. Art 38 (caption)Brown of the Adult Drug Court of the D.C. Superior Court addressed the First District Advisory Council September meeting. At the meeting Carrollsburg condos donated $400 to the police safety awareness day held September 18.