by Lee Armfield Cannon On February 9, Margery Elfin died in hospice care, leaving two children, four grandchildren, and friends and neighbors who miss her dearly. Marge was an intellectual, keen-eyed and prescient. She was a well-loved professor at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. She was a woman of principle, ahead of her time, and […]
A salute to a snow-clearing hero: “It just felt easier to grab a shovel and do something”
The District has been sending out crews with big equipment to clear the heavy and hardened snowcrete from Connecticut Avenue intersections. But neighbor Stefanie Sprow was out there first, armed only with a shovel. Connecticut Avenue and Albemarle Street was the first intersection she dug out. It was January 29th, four days after the region’s […]
In appreciation: Erica Carlsson, formerly of DPR and DOEE, for her environmental stewardship and community-supporting work
We like to periodically express our appreciation for DC and federal government workers who have done so much to make our lives easier and better. They include the Ward 3 mayor’s office liaisons, a former MPD commmander, and the National Park Service crew who quickly clears fallen and unsafe trees from roads and trails. Now, […]
Van Ness centenarian taking part in local January 20th protest marking anniversary of the Trump inauguration
Elly Newman knows a little something about organizing and protesting. She has several decades of experience, starting in the 1940s, when she was an organizer for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. When we met Newman in March 2025, the now 101-year-old Van Ness North co-op resident was getting ready to take part in the […]
January in the Neighborhood: Solo shows for local photographers; Sing to and free the trees; Fort DeRussy hikes
Forest Hills-based photographers have shows opening this month. Today through February, selected photos by Scott Lassman, a “lens-based artist,” are on display at the IA&A at Hillyer Gallery in Dupont Circle. Hillyer is also hosting a conversation with Lassman on January 10th at 1 p.m. One year ago this month, neighbor and wildlife photographer David […]
‘She said yes’: The story of a Bread Furst marriage proposal
While browsing Instagram one day last month, we saw a surprising and thrilling post from Bread Furst: a photo of a man on bended knee, proposing to his soon-to-be fiancée. There was no doubt as to her answer. The caption: “she said yes.” The November 9th proposal was also “a complete surprise” for the bride-to-be, […]
Meet Your Neighbors: ‘People-Centered Architecture’ and pedestrian-centered railroad infrastructure
There is art in architecture. There’s also human psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology. Long-time architect and neighbor Milton Shinberg writes about how they intersect in his new book: People-Centered Architecture: Design, Practice, Education. “‘People-Centered,’” Shinberg says, “means leveraging fresh insights from science about how real people interact with architecture to inform and transform design thinking, making […]
Meet Your Neighbors update: Finding art in the anesthesia experience
We first met local artist Pete Seligman in 2019, picking up trash along Rock Creek. Some of what he found would wind up in his collages and wooden constructions. Seligman, who lives on Veazey Terrace, recently reached out about his latest works and solo art exhibition at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria. The […]
How Forest Hills and Van Ness showed up for the April 5 Hands Off! rally
by Marlene Berlin The Hands Off! DC rally on April 5th was an all-ages affair. As I made my way to the National Mall from the Farragut North Metro station, I noticed several families with children. And as I headed back home, I ran into one of my neighbors. Stephanie had been at the rally […]
“Activism is my answer to despair”: How some Van Ness elders plan to support the April 5 “Hands Off!” rallygoers
We are likely to see many sign-carrying demonstrators on Saturday, April 5th, taking part in the national “Hands Off!” day of action, a nonviolent protest of President Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. government. Most, though not all, will be heading to the National Mall for what promises to be a large […]