We often write about short-term volunteer opportunities, such as native species restoration events in Rock Creek Park with Rock Creek Conservancy. Van Ness Main Street often seeks volunteers to assist […]
June in the Neighborhood: West African dance workshop, Create by the Creek, outdoor movie nights
A sampling of activities around the neighborhood in June: Learn about West African dance. Assane Konte, the Senegal-born co-founder of KanKouran West African Dance Company, will be at Peirce Mill […]
Main Street updates: Van Ness community celebration and movie nights, Chevy Chase First Fridays, and the Cleveland Park Uptown Shuffle
Van Ness Main Street’s theme for 2023 is “Celebrating Community.” On April 29th, the small business support nonprofit hosted a kickoff party of sorts with the same theme. The event […]
May in the Neighborhood: Take embassy tours, restore a natural “oasis,” plant and enjoy the May flowers
Take a world tour without leaving the neighborhood: If you’ve ever wanted to see what’s inside the many embassies in and near Van Ness and Embassy Row (Massachusetts Avenue), now’s […]
Chevy Chase’s American City Diner: A brief history, what’s next, and one family’s fond memories
by Marlene Berlin In 1988, Jeffrey Gildenhorn opened a 1940s-style diner at Connecticut Avenue and Morrison Street. For 30 years, the retro American City Diner served up regular diner fare: […]
June at Peirce Mill: West African dance, artist-led “Create by the Creek” workshops
by Angela Kramer The Friends of Peirce Mill and Rock Creek Park have put together a full calendar of free events for the 2023 milling season. Our new summer dance […]
April in the Neighborhood: Forest bathing, stargazing, and a community celebration
Some of the cultural and community happenings around the neighborhood in April. Commune with nature, and lend it a hand Have you heard of forest bathing? First promoted 40 years […]
How the “uninformed” purchase of a harpsichord launched a successful concert series
by Carolyn Winter Did you know that Northwest DC is home to a flourishing harpsichord concert scene? A scene that draws star-studded names of the harpsichord world: Jean Rondeau, Justin […]
Artist updates: Annette Polan’s “Covid Mandala;” New Aviva Kempner documentaries focus on Native mascots and her own family
From Annette Polan (previously profiled here): On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic. On March 31st, 2020, I pasted an image of a paradoxically beautiful painting of […]
In memory: Bill Sittig, a community streets, parks and streams activist
by Marlene Berlin William J. Sittig, a longtime and active member of the Van Ness/Forest Hills community, died on February 10th. He was 80 years old. I knew him as […]