May 2015 Village News Women’s Health Week Kickoff An Afternoon Social Focusing on Good Health By Mary Procter National Women’s Health Week will be observed May 10-16, and to help celebrate, MedStar Washington Hospital Center is hosting women from Capitol Hill Village on May Big Bear Cafe in Bloomingdale, near Washington Hospital Center. 11 for an afternoon social and presentations on women’s health. The event will be from 3:00-6:00 pm Driving—a Village Volunteer Transportation will be provided from Capitol Hill to the MedStar Washington Hospital Center by Uncovers Local Treasures International Limousine Shuttle By Norman Metzger lot, given neither to self-pity nor (courtesy of the hospital). As we “Grover, I’m told that you’re famous. whining, but just meeting whatever enjoy wine and cheese, MedStar But for what?” troubles them head-on. And it experts will fill us in on three doesn’t matter what’s in the way of important topics, and there will be So, with more prompting, Grover doing that, whether serious mobility time for questions and answers. told me. He had the time, since I problems or crummy weather. was driving Grover a fair distance Women’s Cardiology Issues will be for a medical appointment. I had by Almost every drive is a reminder the first topic—something that is then been driving Village members to me that life is to be savored and, beginning to receive a great deal of when needed, pushed. A member for awhile, about once a week. I  continued on page 6 was happy to contribute a bit to who is virtually deaf engages life with determination through the Village and to help some of its Contents members but didn’t expect to gain good novels, observing life in a much from it, other than more nearby park, and more. Another 2 May Monthly Calendar frequent fill-ups and maybe good member with very serious mobility 3 From the Interim Director problems visits her husband twice karma. Wrong! Turns out driving 5 St. Patrick’s Day Visit to the Eastern Shore every week; when I’ve offered to Village members is often a special 5 President's Corner: Growing CHV drive her back home after a visit she and terrific experience. 8 Salon Event: Cutting Edge Thinking for emphatically refuses and insists on Reforming Health Care Delivery First, you have to know that there’s taking a bus or cab, regardless of 9 Travel Club Members Share Resources a filter on my driving: I don’t do the weather. airports, and my driving is heavy 10 Salon Event: Mark Sherman—In the on medical appointments and visits Members are often quite solicitous Front Row of History to assisted living facilities and toward me. One recently gave me a 11 Salon Event: Brunch With A Shakespeare the like with occasional forays to small bag of what looked like black Veteran—A Tale Of Three Mentors supermarkets. That of course means seeds. Its nature was mysterious to 12 Postcard from Puerto Rico, Part 2 my passengers are usually members me, since the label was in Arabic; 14 Musings from Leo Orleans; Passages who have medical issues or their but he assured me a “spectrographic 15 Wearing Your Memories spouses do. They are an indomitable analysis” had been done. He told me 16 Upcoming Events Listing  continued on page 8 Late April and May Events. For more information about any event, or to RSVP for an event, call the CHV office at 202.543.1778 during regular office hours (weekdays, 9 am to 5 pm) or e-mail [email protected]. Check the CHV website for programs that may be added or changed: www.capitolhillvillage.org. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday APRIL 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Petanque, 3 pm, p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Second Wind, 1 pm , p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Balance Class, Caregiver Support Literary Club, Mahjong, 3 pm, p. 22 Walk, View, Eat, 12:30–1:30 pm Group, 6:30 pm 5–7:30 pm Town Hall & Volunteer 10:30 am RSVP by 3 pm for Appreciation, 3 pm Social Bridge, 1 pm Apr. 21 Literary Club RSVP by 3 pm for: Village Opera Apr. 23 Walk, View, Eat; Society, 6-7:30 pm Apr. 23 Opera Society

26 27 28 29 30 MAY 1 2 Salon Event: Petanque, 3 pm, p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Second Wind, 1 pm , p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Hazardous Waste Space Age Mahjong, 3 pm, p. 22 Pickup, starting 9 Lunch, 12 noon RSVP by 3 pm for: am, p. 16 May 2 Hazmat Pickup

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Petanque, 3 pm, p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Second Wind, 1 pm , p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Book Pickup, Salon Event: Salon Event: Former Mahjong, 3 pm, p. 22 Games & Puzzles starting 9 am , p. 16 Navy Pilot Tom DC Mayor Anthony History & Biography Group, 2–4 pm, p. 16 Brethren Volunteer Winkler, 6:30 pm, Williams, 6:30 pm, Book Club, 6–7:30 pm, Opportunity, 10 am p. 17 p. 16 p. 16 – 2:30 pm , p. 17 RSVP by 3 pm for: RSVP by 3 pm for: RSVP by 3 pm for: May 6 History & Bio May 8 Book Pickup; May 11 Vegetarian Book group May 11 Women’s Health Potluck; May 13 Week Kickoff Dinner Party

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Petanque, 3 pm, p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Second Wind, 1 pm , p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 RSVP by 3 pm for: Urban Village Women’s Health Mahjong, 3 pm, p. 22 Social Bridge, 1 pm, May 16 Urban Walkers, 9 am, Village Walkers p. 18 Week Kickoff, 3–6 Dinner Party at Trattoria p. 18 Village Opera pm, , pp. 1 & 17 Alberto, 6:30 pm, p. 18 Cinephiles, 6 pm, Society, 5 pm, Vegetarian Potluck, p. 18 RSVP by 3 pm for p. 18 6 pm, p. 17 May 14 Cinephiles

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Petanque, 3 pm, p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Second Wind, 1 pm, p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Balance Class, Caregiver Support Literary Club, 6 pm, Mahjong, 3 pm, p. 22 Walk, View, Eat, 12:30–1:30 pm, p. 20 Group, 6:30 pm, p. 19 p. 19 Salon Event: DC Water 10:30 am, p. 20 CHV Office Patio RSVP by 3 pm for Director, George Games & Puzzles Beautification, 4 May 19 Literary Club Hawkins, 6:30 pm, p. 20 Group, 2–4 pm, p. 20 pm , p. 20 Sign up deadline RSVP by 3 pm for May 21 Signup by 3 pm for: for June 21 Play: see Walk, View, Eat May 31 play “The page 19 Call”

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Memorial Day Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Second Wind, 1 pm, p. 22 Qigong, 10 am, p. 22 Observed Mahjong, 3 pm, p. 22 Social Bridge, 1 pm, 31 Petanque, 3 pm, p. 22 p. 21 “The Call” + CHV OFFICE CLOSED Cast Discussion, 3 pm, p. 21

2 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News From the Interim Director… Capitol Hill Village To reach us: The More I Learn the Less I Know By Molly Singer 202.543.1778 (M–F, 9 am–5 pm) I was honored to be asked to [email protected] serve as the Interim Executive www.capitolhillvillage.org Director of Capitol Hill Village. I was honored because I knew Capitol Hill Village the Village has a good reputation 725 8th Street SE, 2nd Flr. North Washington, DC 20003 and many activities. After all, it is a relatively small organization Connect with CHV at: with a modest budget and a small staff—the traditional metric of estimating an organization’s impact. However, to sound like To unsubscribe, please send an e-mail Yogi Berra, the more I learn, the less I to [email protected] Molly Singer know. Every day I am learning how To become a member, go to www. much the Village is nothing like I capitolhillvillage.org and click on had imagined it, but so much more to members who are of very humble “Join.” Dues can be paid online in both its depth and breadth. means and live in the same house through PayPal, or call the office at where they were born. 202.543.1778. For example, I thought I knew what a “typical” Capitol Hill What do they share in common? To support the Village, go to www. Well, as they become friends they capitolhillvillage.org and click on Village member was like. I based my assumption on my own can tell you. Sometimes it is a love “Support/Donate.” Capitol Hill Village of history, or bridge, or gardening, is a 501(c)3 charitable institution, friends and neighbors who are or historic walking. Sometimes, and your gift is tax deductible. All vintage citizens—some who are it is memories of victory gardens donations are welcome! engaged in the Village—all of whom should be. Nevertheless, I from WWII. And sometimes it is assumed that there was a typical simply the dedication to living on profile of a member. I was wrong. Capitol Hill, aging with dignity, and CHV members epitomize diversity needing the support of neighbors in terms of their backgrounds, and volunteers to do so. The more I demographics, interests, and learn about our members and their activities. There are some very day-to-day activities, the more I realize how much I don’t know and of the National Capital Area wealthy distinguished members CHV #55474 whose names have appeared in what else there is to learn. headlines of the Washington Post. Likewise, I thought, having Capitol Hill Village Leaders And those members enjoy social experience in community-based Enrique Gomez, President of the Board and educational programs right next Molly Singer, Interim Director  continued on page 4 Tamara Coln, Programs & Services Coordinator Inquiring Minds Want to Know…. Pam Weiss, Office Manager Melissa Zimmerman, Care Coordinator Many friends of Julie Maggioncalda are interested in her next steps. We are proud that Julie has joined So Others Might Eat (SOME), a District- Capitol Hill Village News Team based organization that assists the poor and homeless with food, Editor: Karen Stuck clothing, and health care services. At SOME, Julie is working with older Copy Editors: Susanne Allen, adults and developing a range of service programs. Of course, CHV is Eileen Leahy, Diane Brockett looking to partner with SOME’s fine programs. Web Site: Neal Mann Anyone interested in contacting Julie can send notes to her at CHV, 725 8th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 and we will make sure she gets them.

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 3 Women’s Health Week Kickoff continued from page 1 attention. More women than men This event is for CHV members and Kathleen “Kassie” Savoy, Quality die of heart disease and stroke, their guests. Sign up by 3:00 pm, Project Manager at MedStar but they get less medical attention Wednesday, May 6, by contacting Washington Hospital, is hosting because women’s symptoms of the Village office at 202-543-1778 or the event. If you have any questions cardiovascular trouble are different at [email protected], and about the event, please e-mail her at and less easily diagnosed than inform them if you plan to take the [email protected] or men’s. We will learn what we need shuttle to the MedStar Washington call her at 202-877-0354. You can also to know to be properly cared for. Hospital Center. e-mail CHV organizer Mary Procter The second topic, Women’s The shuttle will pick up Capitol Hill at [email protected]. Urogynecology Health, will help us Village members at 2:15 pm on May understand the post-menopausal 11 at the Ninth St. SE entrance to Signup deadline is 3:00 pm, changes in our bodies and the the Hill Center. Following the event, Wednesday, May 6, by phone kind of medication, exercises, and the shuttle will return the group 202-543-1778 or email at info@ sometimes surgery that will keep to Capitol Hill. Anyone driving capitolhillvillage.org. female bodies functioning best. to MedStar Washington Hospital Let us know if you plan Center should park in the Physicians The third topic will be the latest to take the shuttle to the Office Building Garage, adjacent on how Exercise and Nutrition MedStar Washington to the Physicians Office Building can increase well-being and help Hospital Center. prevent disease and disability. and across from the National Rehabilitation Center.

Interim Director: The More I Learn the Less I Know continued from page 3 programs, and in volunteer ideas and project execution of reason we help each other out is not management, that I could pretty members inspire me in my own calculated through power maps or much assume I knew what the work, family, and friends to get asset charts—we do it because we programs would be. I think (over- on out there and try things—no should. We don’t weigh the pros confident of myself): I’m smart; I’ve excuses. Here I am 25 years into my and cons of helping each other or done this before. Oh, but no … career, thinking I had read all the supporting another organization’s the programs are not built on a books and attended all the seminars work. We do it because we have a model; they are built on and in about risk, project management, deep reservoir of trust. response to the very real needs and and entrepreneurism—when I Likewise with the “big P” part- interests of members. And, they should have been hanging out more nerships with community and are dynamic—some programs are with my neighbors to see their professional partners, we meet seasonal, some depend on shared real application in making these over coffee, share ideas and experiences. Many have rotating concepts work. dreams, and then figure out how membership based on the current Third, I am learning a lesson to support each other. And this requests of members, such as end- about partnerships at the Capitol support is specific, targeted with of-life planning, caretaker support, Hill Village. I consider myself an goals. While it’s based in ideals to grieving partners. What I most expert in partnerships. After all, I reach our goals, these partnerships appreciate is how the programs have a graduate degree in cultural are built on specific outcomes. reflect the members themselves; anthropology—that’s liberal talk they are brave. As I am writing this, I think the for partnerships. I have partnership expression the more I learn the less I I am happy when I hear staff and development (and multi-stakeholder know, is not so much Yogi Berra as it CHV members working together engagement) as part of the overview is Buddha. My lessons at CHV have and saying: This is a crazy idea that on my resume. However, I have been about giving and being in our may not ever work– let’s try it! I am not seen partnerships at work like community more than calculating working with CHV staff to adopt they do at CHV. This is “small and taking. This reminds me . . . that sense of let’s build this idea p” partnerships of the neighbor- when does the CHV meditation out and see what comes of it. The helping-neighbors sort. Where the group meet?

4 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News St. Patrick’s Day Visit to the Eastern Shore Capitol Hill Village Travel Club members headed east on St. Patrick’s Day on a road-trip to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The theme was fishing villages, and Bill Matuszeski, the former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program, made sure the group saw authentic villages and skipjacks as well as sampled the famous 10-layer Smith Island cake. No stops at the more urbane tourist-oriented towns in the area!

The skipjack is the last remaining fishing boat operating under sail. This is because it can dredge for oysters on certain days when motored vessels are prohibited. This one was docked at Dogwood Harbor in Tilghman where the group also watched boats unload the day’s oyster catch. Lunch was at Characters Restaurant located on First stop was the future site of the new Watermen’s Museum on Tilghman Island, a beautifully restored the water next to the draw bridge. example of the classic angle architecture that is common in the area.

The second stop was Rock Hall, about 50 miles north. After a visit to the quaint Waterman’s Museum, the group stopped by the National Wildlife Refuge and then had dinner at the Bay Wolf Restaurant before returning to Washington.

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 5 Driving—a Village Volunteer Uncovers Local Treasures continued from page 1 it was a good balm for all manner of brisket and Brussels things except dying, and was firm sprouts with bacon. that it would improve my squash So, Grover? And his game. I’m waiting. fame? Grover Batts On my drives I’ve become was an archivist— acquainted with places I might not Manuscript otherwise visit. I found the Big Historian—at the Bear Cafe in Bloomingdale ( h t t p :// Library of Congress. www.bigbearcafe-dc.com/) while He archived the searching for a place to have decent papers of Mae coffee as I waited to take a member West. You scoff. So home from the Washington did I until Grover, Hospital Center. (I never wait at a during our car hospital or medical office, having ride, educated me. You never know who you will drive. Grover Batts, learned that promised wait times Mae West, before she created her a frequent rider with Norm, edited the Mae West are always optimistic.) Big Bear Hollywood persona (“Come up and papers as well as those of Alexander Graham Bell not only has good coffee and a see me sometime”), not only starred and other luminaries for the Library of Congress. special vibe to it—different but just in Broadway shows but was also a as welcoming as that of Peregrine, playwright. Her plays as listed by worked on the papers of Wilbur and my local fave—but also really the LOC included “The Ruby Ring” Orville Wright, Shirley Jackson (The good bagels. I’m told they also (1921), “The Hussy” (1922), “Chick” Lottery), and Alexander Graham bake terrific sticky buns but, sadly, (1924), “Sex” (1926), “The Wicked Bell. The Bell papers came to Grover they’re always gone by the time I Age” (1927), “The Drag” (1927), in boxes of jumbled papers covered get there. Tells you something. “The Pleasure Man” (1928), with debris and dust, retrieved from Then there’s DCity Smokehouse “Diamond Lil” (two versions, 1928 the basement of the old National (http://dcitysmokehouse.com/), and 1964), “Frisco Kate” (1930), Geographic Building at 16th and the best barbecue joint in the city. “Catherine Was Great” (1944), M Streets NW. Grover set to work. I only mention this because the “Come on Over, or Embassy Row” Those papers plus others became Smokehouse is conveniently located (1946), and “Sextette” (two versions, the LOC’s Alexander Graham Bell midway between Capitol Hill 1952 and 1961). “Catherine Was papers with some 145,000 items. and Washington Hospital Center, Great”? Hmmm. For Grover, the most memorable offering opportunities not to be Editing Mae West’s papers was moment—I could tell because of missed for my favorite—terrific beef certainly an entry to fame. He also how excited he got telling me about it—was the day he came upon a crumpled piece of paper with some pencil sketches. He wondered about throwing it out. But Grover kept looking at it until he realized what it was. In his telling, he got so excited that he ran the paper up two flights of stairs to his boss. It was Bell’s sketch for the telephone. That’s how Grover became famous. He died in 2014. I still miss him.

P.S.: The Capitol History Project did an interview with Grover Batts, to be found at http://bit.ly/1MAfJAy or search on Google for the Capitol Hill History Driving new places opens opportunity for discoveries. DCity Smokehouse on Florida Avenue, the best Project and Grover Batts. barbecue joint in DC, is conveniently located between Capitol Hill and Washington Hospital Center.

6 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News The President’s Corner Growing Spring Flowers and Capitol Hill Village By Enrique Gomez CHV’s goals and next steps, I am This time of year in Washington inspired by what can result from and especially on Capitol Hill the collective knowledge of CHV inspires me. I think it is the members, the work of the staff and combination of the season of Board, and the environment of renewal and the city and our building a model program. I speak neighborhood at its most beautiful. with members often and so I know I feel dedicated to Washington and you share my excitement about growing number of older members all that it stands for as the center of the potential of CHV and of our who need more services? community. I am happy that the our nation’s government and in its We all know that answer is not inspiration that moved us through role to serve citizens. simple. And we all know that we so many other political and social need to think about addressing it Emerging from my winter issues of our lives continues to today so that Capitol Hill Village is hibernation, I engage more with motivate our work and strengthen ready for its next stage of life. And friends and neighbors, and our sense of community. we all start to “dig in” a little to achieve that, we need everyone’s whether to our gardens or to our Nevertheless, one thing gives me engagement. I invite you to join neighborhood—thinking about pause . . . we need more members me in extending your engagement how we can best serve to make of the community working together with Capitol Hill Village by our community better. For me, a on these important issues. When we serving as a volunteer and/or as a big part of my service comes as a speak, I know you support this work Board member. . . . but we need more community member of the Capitol Hill Village So please call the Village office (202) members at the table serving as Board of Directors. 543-1778 to find out about volunteer volunteers and on the Board of opportunities. This experience has been Directors, bringing wisdom and satisfying in three ways. First, I expertise to bear as we continue to I know you will agree with me that am continually learning about our grow the organization. We laugh the rewards from serving Capitol community and city—learning as we look around and understand Hill Village are far greater than the about its services, members, and that our community is aging. While demands. I hope you will join me programs. I am astounded and this is reassuring, it’s also a practical in deepening your connection to humbled by the depth and breadth matter to deal with. How are we as your community. of services and programs that a community going to respond to a CHV provides and the wonderful people supporting them. Second, News You Can Use… my Board colleagues, the CHV staff members, and volunteers Member Discount for GI Film Festival have become vital members of Capitol Hill Village members can purchase discount tickets for the my community and of life here GI Film Festival, which returns to the area May 18-24. Films will be on the Hill, providing support, shown at the Angelika at Mosaic Theatre, 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Lee humor, and ideas when I most Highway and Gallows Road). need them. Finally, perhaps the most exciting aspect of serving The Festival was started 10 years ago by an Army veteran and her on the CHV Board is being a part husband who wanted to bring attention to military issues through film. of defining and growing this With the support of the Motion Picture Association of America and other terrific organization. I feel like corporate sponsors, they have been able to grow the three-day festival a member of a laboratory team into a week-long event. that is building a new model for More information on the films to be screened and the schedule is on how community organizations, the GIFF15 website at: http://giff15.com. Tickets are available on-line for especially those in service to older individual screenings or a full event pass. The group discount code for citizens, work. When we share CHV members is CAPVINT15. ideas and develop strategies about

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 7 CHV Gala Salon Event Cutting Edge Thinking for Reforming Health Care Delivery

By Sonia Conly planned to incorporate technology Technology is an aid to enriching or remodel and retrofit their older lives and facilitating homes to facilitate independence. independence, but adoption has Cost uncertainty about where been slow. On the other hand, highly to start and lack of interest were advanced technology at the end of factors cited for not incorporating life can interfere with our personal technology in aging plans. choices on how to live our last days; Technology offers the promise to the transformation of health care accomplish physical tasks through for the dying to focus on patient- robots, to stimulate our minds, and centered care is necessary if we are to monitor our homes and selves. to spend our last days in comfort. The aging well technology market Those insights came from Bill is currently estimated at $2 billion Bill Novelli Novelli, leader of Georgetown and expected to reach $20 billion by University’s Global Social Enterprise 2020. GPS trackers, pill reminders, technology. Care recipients Initiative (GSEI), who addressed two alarm systems for accidents, and want independence, social facets of technology of particular robots that assist in bathing are engagement, and enrichment. interest to older persons at a Salon examples of aids that can help keep Care-givers want peace of mind Dinner at the home of Mark and us healthy. that the health and well-being of Michele Adelson. Surveys document the desire of the recipient is being managed. most elders to remain in their Care-givers focus on hygiene, While technology seems to offer food, and health. Adult children the promise of compensating homes. Staying independent and being engaged are keys to quality may think that their parents are for some physical and mental not interested in technology, that challenges, planning for and of life. Loss of physical strength and mental agility are barriers to technology is too hard to use, adopting supportive technology and that the care recipient is in for the elderly has lagged the remaining safely in one’s home and connected with friends, family, and inevitable decline. Often these potential. GSEI and Philips assumptions are not true. (electronics) partnered in a study the community. of older Americans (age 50-80) to Currently, older Americans use Caregivers may be too overwhelmed estimate, in this group, the current technology to fill prescriptions, with the day-to-day work to search use of technology, the interest access government services, and for (and implement) technology in using technology to maintain connect with physicians. When that could improve the recipient’s independence, and the barriers to asked what community features are quality of life. Concerns about adoption of technology. important to aging successfully in privacy, including tracking location, may also be a barrier. Variations in Mr. Novelli described the results of the community, respondents cited high speed internet, nearby grocery culture may make some societies the survey, some tools currently on more willing to accept technological the smart tech aging well market, stores, and access to hospitals and medical centers. Household aids to personal care. Japan with its some of the reasons that sales of older population and tradition of these tools has lagged potential, and technology that older Americans would like to see include stove robotic work is at the forefront in requirements if the technology is to exploring the use of technology in reach its promise. tops and ovens that automatically shut off, a single remote control personal care. While 96 percent of the surveyed managing all devices in the home, To move forward, manufacturers persons said independent living and driverless cars. and designers need to focus on both is important, planning ahead care-givers and care recipients. The to use technology to remain Mr. Novelli reported that dissonance between care-givers current population of near elderly independent is not widespread. is familiar with more technological Only 21 percent of respondents and care recipients perceptions and goals is a barrier to adopting  continued on page 9

8 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News Travel Club Members Share Resources At a recent meeting of the The Washington Post travel CHV Travel Club, ideas for section column entitled “What’s travel resources were shared. the Deal” provides tips on good Some tidbits: deals on air fare, hotels, etc., but you usually have to act fast. Getting ideas Day Trips from DC (Beth Kanter) History books and novels by authors from the area may give Help while traveling you getter information about Point It (by Dieter Graf), a the place you are visiting than picture dictionary and travelers travel guidebooks. language kit; if you’re in a The April 2 Wall Street Journal foreign country where you guides for use Personal Journal section carried don’t speak the language, you off-line while travelling. a story on the best way to find can just point at one of the air fares on-line 1,300 illustrations. WikiVoyage App ($1.99); filled with information from locals. Read pamphlets from travel Google Translate has proven companies or talk to people useful and with its microphone On the Fly app (ITA by Google; at travel shows; even if you function, you can get an oral free) can shop for available don’t plan to use them, you will translation. flights and airfares for any itinerary in the world. get ideas. Triposo App (free); Can download city or country

Cutting Edge Thinking for Reforming Health Care Delivery continued from page 8 devices than their parents were and possible, be in agreement on the well engaged with residents when may, as it ages, more readily adopt patient’s wishes. the manager was absent. aging well technology. C-TAC, with more than 120 Using technology to enhance living Living well in old age also means organizations and funded in part by independently, and reforming transforming the health care system the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, advanced care at the end of life have to patient-centered care at the end seeks to transform advanced care the common theme: Enhance the of life. so that families and patients with individual’s own defined quality of In advanced illness, technology advanced illness can make informed life. Human relationships matter the can either aid or interfere with the choices and receive patient-centered most. Readers wishing to learn more quality of life and preferences of an care consistent with their values in about the collaboration of GSEI and individual. In addition to leading the appropriate setting. Informed Phillips on technology and aging GSEI, Mr. Novelli is co-chairman patient-centered care can control the well in the community will find of the Coalition to Transform costs of ineffective care for advanced more information on line including: Advanced Care, C-TAC. In a before- multiple progressive conditions that http://www.usa.philips. dinner chat, guests shared some of are not responsive to high tech care. com/philips5/shared/assets/ their experiences with advanced That there is no substitute for highly us/Downloadablefile/2014/ care. One, who was a professional in qualified human care-givers was Creating_Connected_Communities_ advanced care management, pointed brought home by the experience of for_Aging_Well_FINAL.pdf out that it is imperative that families one of the diners who had a parent For more on the C-TAC, visit: h t t p :// be involved in the preparation of in a nursing home. While care www.thectac.org/about/plan/ advanced care directives and, if seemed good when the manager was on duty, the staff seemed not

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 9 CHV Gala Salon Event Mark Sherman—In the Front Row of History By Karen Stuck Capitol Hill resident Mark Sherman will have a front row seat when the Supreme Court decides the two biggest cases of its current term— ruling on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and on gay marriage. Sherman has spent the last nine years covering the Supreme Court for the Associated Press, and he shared his experiences at a Capitol Hill Village salon dinner. The current health care case before the court is the second major test for the President’s signature program, and Sherman said that while to produce a ruling that supports Mark Sherman (standing) shared his the right to same sex marriage. experiences from nine years covering the atmospherics this time around were Supreme Court for the AP. calmer, the potential outcome is just Justice Kennedy’s vote will be as serious. important and he will be torn the decisions in which she had an between his stands for “the dignity important part. Sherman declined to predict the of the individual” and his belief in outcome because he doesn’t know the role of the state. While there are worries about where Justice Kennedy or Chief Justices staying on the Court Justice Roberts will come out. He The future of Justice Ruth Ginsburg too long, Sherman said that did posit that perhaps Roberts will was also a topic. Sherman thinks sometimes justices leave too not want to gut a law that he had she may not want to suffer the fate soon, providing Justice Thurgood saved in the first ruling on the ACA. of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Marshall as an example. who, after she stepped down, In the other big case, Sherman watched the Court reverse some of But if Justice Ginsburg were to believes, the Court is almost certain step down now, who would be appointed? Sherman opined that if President Obama were to appoint another woman, the Republican Senate would “take a huge political risk” in opposing her confirmation. Sherman is one of about two dozen reporters with press passes at the Supreme Court. The group is evenly split between those with law degrees and those without. This was the second salon dinner for Sherman as the first date sold out immediately, and he agreed to a second appearance. The dinners were hosted by Sonia Conly, Sandy Lotterman, Scott and Phyllis Slesinger, Peter Engle, and Dina Michels.

10 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News CHV Gala Salon Event Brunch With A Shakespeare Veteran—A Tale Of Three Mentors By Mary Procter After UT, Ted studied in To celebrate his 80th birthday Cambridge, England, on a in November 2014, Ted van Fulbright Scholarship, where Griethuysen performed a solo he learned from older actors reading of Hamlet at the Lansburgh influencing younger actors—a Theater—playing each of the parts. practice that went back to the He told his delighted audience at 18th century. When working one Celia Morris’ Salon Brunch that he summer at Stratford on Avon, had, in his 60-plus years of acting, he saw Sir John Gielgud play performed a dozen different roles in Prospero in The Tempest, “fusing the play, ranging from Hamlet to the a character that was deeply Grave Digger. Prospero, deeply Shakespeare, and deeply Gielgud.” Ted spent more than an hour telling diners the story of his long acting “That’s it!” thought Ted. “We career. It is perhaps best understood are all such stuff as dreams as a tale of his three mentors. are made of.” Gielgud, he said, had mastered the art of playing He learned the craft of acting from tragic and comic parts because his first mentor, B. Iden Payne, at he was so deeply in touch with the University of Texas. Payne saw his own humanity. promise in the handsome youth and Ted van Griethuysen told him, “If you do exactly as I say, It was from his second mentor, if you’ll be putty in my hands, you Eli Siegel, that Ted learned Company. Michael Kahn, he said, can play Hamlet.” By the time Ted that becoming a better human expects all his actors to come with graduated, he had performed in a being made him a better actor. their own concepts of the characters dozen Shakespeare plays. Siegel, a New York City poet and they play. Kahn’s role is as an philosopher, founded a school of “editor” of an actor’s own ideas “aesthetic realism.” He taught his about how to perform their roles so disciples that beauty is making one that the play works as a whole. of opposites, that one has to like the world and get beyond the “me,” and Through his many performances of one has to come to see the world as Shakespeare, Ted came to appreciate the aesthetic making of opposites how much the play is in the poetry into one. itself, not in elaborate settings and costumes. Like all great poetry, the Ted stayed in New York City words through their sound and internalizing Siegel’s philosophy rhythm convey much more than and performing for 17 years. This their literal meaning. concept helped him appreciate the greatness of Shakespeare’s plays. Shakespearean actors must capture both the poetry and the dramatic It was his third mentor, Michael meaning of what they say. Many Kahn, who lured him to directors don’t love Shakespeare Washington to perform in a per se, they love what they can do play at the Folger Shakespeare with Shakespeare and thus miss the Theater. Ted’s high school friend, power of the poetry. To fully grasp Celia Morris, welcomed him both the meaning and the poetry, Celia Morris with a gift photo from Ted of him to Washington, solidifying a Ted van G advised us all to read a in high school and him 50 years later. The multi-decade friendship, and he Shakespeare play before seeing it. inscription reads in part “For Celia A Friend for eventually moved to Washington Fifty Years.” to join the Shakespeare Theater

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 11 Postcard from Puerto Rico, Part 2 Villagers Continue Their Beach House Experience By Bill Sisolak [Editor’s Note: In the April issue, the author sought a winter respite and secured a beachfront condominium in Puerto Rico. He and Vira explored Rincon and environs and celebrated their wedding anniversary. In this second installment, he and four other Villagers continue the adventure.] The southwestern corner of Puerto Rico is known as the “dry side”. It’s not exactly a desert, but cacti dot the landscape. There are stunning vistas of rolling hills and expansive cattle ranches. For a few brief moments, it’s possible to think of yourself in the American West. Vira and I visited several sites in this area on daytrips out of Rincon. Two of the most spectacular are the Cabo Rojo lighthouse and the Guanica Dry Forest. The 19th-century Cabo Rojo lighthouse sits on towering 200-foot limestone cliffs at the southwestern tip of the island. Rental. After an hour of kayaking Top: Bill, Mike Judy and Jack at the Cabo Rojo The top of the lighthouse provides in the bay, we found yet another lighthouse. Above: Bill and Vira rest at the base breathtaking views of the Caribbean great beach bar and restaurant, Los of a 1,000-year-old tree in the Guanica Dry Forest to the south and west. To the north, Remos Restaurant & Beach Club, to the rolling central highlands are rest our tired bones. clearly visible in the distance. whipping up our daily margaritas, The time for our first group of The Guanica Dry Forest, which Vira pina coladas, and rum punches. visitors –Vira and our “non-Village and I have now hiked three times, people” friends – had drawn to a We ventured out on several lies in the hills along the southern close. The timing of people coming daytrips including a visit to one coast about ten miles to the east and going left me with four days by of my favorite spots in the whole of the lighthouse. It covers about myself. They passed quickly filled northwest region, Jobos Beach. 1,000 acres and has been designated with beach time and playing at a Jobos is on the north coast about as a United Nations International nearby public golf course. ten miles east of Rincon. The beach Biosphere Reserve. “Dry forest” is stretches for miles but most people My four days of solitude were a bit of a misnomer. While the area gather at the east end where a broken when the Cannings and receives a relatively sparse 30 inches formidable hunk of ancient lava Womeldorfs arrived. We blended of rain a year, that is enough to creates a peninsula that juts out together well. Ann and Judy create a vibrant, green landscape of into the ocean. The peninsula acts took over cooking duties with trees, shrubs, flowers and cactus. as a natural breakwater from the great culinary skill. Our condo, Boquerón, a classic Caribbean pounding waves and current of the while very nice, did not have a seaside village on a sweeping bay, Atlantic to provide a safe and calm dishwasher so Mike and Jack lies just a few miles north of the area to swim. took over those thankless duties. lighthouse. As we strolled its main I became the group mixologist street, we saw the Boquerón Kayak  continued on page 13

12 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News Villagers Continue Their Beach House Experience continued from page 12 The lava peninsula also provides an awe-inspiring view of the sea and surging surf. Several of us hiked up to the top of the lava to watch waves crash into the horseshoe indentation and shoot up on billows of white foam over 50 feet high. Back at the condo, there was an incident of note this particular week—the “Ramon incident.” One morning Mike Canning was at the condo by himself while we were all out having fun doing something. Being a dutiful guest, Mike began cleaning. He left the front door open to catch the wonderful Caribbean breeze. As he was sweeping the living room floor he turned and stared in amazement at a large iguana that had plopped itself down on the floor just inside the front door. Mike named him Ramon. Mike raised the only weapon he had at hand, the broom. He took the brush end and ever so gently nudged Ramon out the front door expecting him to scurry off. But Ramon stuck his head and most of internal medicine but then decided Top: The group at yet another great beach bar his body into a shrub just outside to move up the body and became a and restaurant, Los Remos Restaurant & Beach the front door. And then he never psychiatrist. Club. Above: Jack and Ann enjoying the sea moved. That’s what iguanas do, breezes on a catamaran. we thought. Play dead when Our final week went by far too threatened. Over the next couple of quickly. This last group of five did days, nothing had changed. We all many of the same things that we bean and ground varieties. And I then realized the inevitable. Ramon had done with earlier guests. But can report they are excellent. was not playing. He had moved on we also took an interesting day trip It was now Saturday night. The to that great iguana place in the sky. back out into the countryside to end of one of the best five-week It was just his time. attend the annual coffee festival in a stretches of my life was nearly at mountain village called Maricao. With expired iguanas, beach bars, hand. Monday morning I would restaurants, and a host of other The coffee festival reminded me be flying out of paradise and back earthly delights in their rear view a bit of a county fair in my home to the world of snow and cold— mirror, it was time for Mike and state of Illinois. Homemade food but also the world of Vira, my Judy to head home. It was sad to see and drink in abundance. I had family, and our beloved Capitol them go. a ceviche washed down with a Hill neighborhood. lemonade and topped off with a The Cannings were replaced with Will we do this again next year? tres leche dessert that was to die friends of the Womeldorfs from Yes, I think so. If you see an email for. I like a good cup of coffee as Cincinnati, Jim Shaw and Jean from me with an invitation to join much as the next guy, so I brought Fredette. Jean is a book editor. Jim us “down island”, you might want to back an assortment of both whole is a doctor. He started his career in seriously consider not saying ‘no’.

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 13 Musings from Leo Orleans Living Beyond Your Dreams This morning I inserted a new bargain), which should outlive cartridge into my razor (do you her. In the first instance, the polish remember razor blades?). And is long gone and in the second would you believe it, this very instance, she informed me that ordinary action stimulated some since I know nothing about philosophical-theological (for want laundry I shouldn’t get involved in of a better word) thoughts? her business.

As it happened, the cartridge was In any case, stimulated by this male life expectancy was in the mid- next to the last one in a package morning’s shaving cartridge 60’s—proven correct by both my that originally contained an I have come to the conclusion father and father-in-law. And no one incredibly large number of these that my concern about products could have predicted the advances things. I remember that when my outliving me may be something of a that the medical profession would wife bought them I made some generational thing. make over the coming decades. uncharacteristically snide remark Although I believe myself to be an Even so, I did smoke and I know about how I would never live long optimist, always seeking the bright that I took more than my share of enough to use them all. And I was side of every eventuality, I never chances during my lifetime. So why serious. Some days, I don’t shave dreamed I would live to be my am I still here? and some days I give my face a age and certainly never imagined quickie with an electric razor so that The most reasonable reason I could that I would see the 21st Century. come up with is that I got married each cartridge lasts at least three For that matter I doubt if any of weeks. I figured it would take years at age 25 and, as we all know and my remaining contemporaries for obvious reasons, married men for me to use up the multi-layered expected to see it either. When you box of cartridges. do live longer than men who never are a teenager in the late 1930’s and married. How silly of me to have This was not an unusual reaction early 1940’s and mature into a near worried about leaving behind to my wife’s purchases. Just let me adulthood during The War, the unused shoe polish, razor blades, give you two bookend examples next century seemed as distant as unopened underwear packages, of what I mean. Perhaps 20 years the moon. It would not have helped super-sized fertilizers for the garden, ago, she bought me a giant can of even had we known (an obvious and all the stuff we buy at COSTCO. brown shoe polish that I was sure joke) that only a few decades later would outlive me; and just the humans would actually walk on And so, once again, I have to thank other day she bought a commercial- that moon and return to earth. After Helen Ruth for marrying me. size container of Tide (a fantastic all, the actuarial tables told us that

Opportunity Legal Services the first Advisory Neighborhood CHV Passages… program and the U.S. Commission Commissioner for the Stanton Park Donald Stocks, a Capitol Hill on Civil Rights. area. He continued to play tennis activist and volunteer, died on Donald was an adjunct professor until recently when his health March 22. A native of Pittsburgh, at Howard University’s Graduate started to fail. He was also a jazz he first worked with the Health School of Social Work and worked enthusiast and an excellent chef. Law Center at the University of for almost 10 years at the DC Office “Passages” notes the passing of Village Pittsburgh, then as an Assistant of Human Rights, serving as Acting members as well as other significant Attorney General for the Director before he retired. After events such as marriages, out-of-area Pennsylvania Health Department retirement, he volunteered for many moves, major awards, etc. If you know of before joining the Office of General years at AARP helping to provide a Member who has experienced a passage, Counsel at the then U.S. Department free legal services to the elderly in please send a brief paragraph to the of Health, Education and Welfare. the District of Columbia. Newsletter editor at karenstuck@comcast. He spent more than 20 years as a net. Please confirm that the member or Donald served as the first president government attorney also working their family/representative agrees with of the Stanton Park Neighborhood at the U.S. Office of Economic publishing the information. Association and was elected as

14 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News Wear Your Memories of Your Loved One... Literally Jan Silver joined the Village last Jan is tall, very slender, fall after her husband, Craig, died. and Diane said, “I can Nearly six years ago, the Silvers try.” She measured had moved into the new apartment Jan, started drawing a building next door to Harris Teeter pattern, suggested she grocery store on Pennsylvania needed to play a little Avenue. The site’s attraction was with the men’s ties, that their daughter Linsey and her and would ask Jan to family live nearby on Capitol Hill. come by again when Jan says her thoughts following more measurements Craig's death included “What can were needed. I do with Craig’s 70 ties?" He was It took weeks more than hardly ever without one. first expected, as the “I can wear his memory,” she seamstress discovered concluded, smiling, as she that men’'s ties are cut envisioned having a skirt made out on the bias (meaning of the ties. Jan contacted a nearby they stretch), and it was tailor who quoted $300. challenging work since none of the collection Jan rethought, called Capitol Hill was made of material Village, and asked if they a member exactly like the others. who might help. Staffer Tamara Top, Jan Silver (left) and seamstress Diane The ties were laid out Coln replied, “Yes, I may have a Brockett pose with the finished skirt. suggestion” and promised to call Jan before being sewn, so patterns and colors didn’t clash with those Below, Jan wearing the skirt, shown with her back. Her next call was to member granddaughters Atalia and Bayl. Diane Brockett, whom she knew immediately next to them. The had free time and a sewing history, sewing began with stitching and arranged for Jan to visit. starting at the ties’ bottoms to create hidden behind, and a hook and eye a uniform (V-V-V-V) finished the project. skirt hemline. The more narrow top portion of the The ties were not of sewn ties, was trimmed as a single equal lengths and piece from the skirt (to achieve the each became skinnier correct skirt length). Part of this toward the top; the piece is being worked into a “purse” new skirt immediately that Jan can use with the skirt. began forming a Meanwhile, Jan made friends with swirling top. (The another CHV member, Sandy latter is obvious if Lotterman – who is acclaimed as a you look at the zipper baker. Sandy invited Jan to bring her in the skirt’s back family for the unveiling, and asked seamline. It swirls and seamstress Diane to bring along a the fabrics at the skirt few other village members for tea top follow along.) and sweets. The lone remaining Friday morning, April 17, a group of tie — set aside because 10 gathered around the Lotterman it is pretty, multi colors tea table for plates full of cakes and — was used as the the viewing. waistband, with elastic

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 15 Upcoming CHV Events for May 2015 Check the CHV website for programs that may be added: www.capitolhillvillage.org as the independent Chief Financial Officer under the Saturday, May 2, Starting at 9:00 am Federal Control Board and from 1999-2007 as Mayor. Your Home Williams is widely credited with leading the comeback Hazardous Waste Pickup of the Nation’s capital. Cost: $100.00 NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Wednesday, April 29 Open to All Hazardous materials and personal papers will be picked up from CHV members’ homes for delivery to Wednesday, May 6, 6:00–7:30 pm the District’s safe disposal site. Personal papers (medical Private Home records or financial files) will be shredded at the drop- off site, viewed by the CHV delivery team to ensure they History and Biography Book Group are destroyed. NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Monday, May 4 Hazardous wastes for pickup include paint, house Japan 1941 cleaners, batteries, televisions, computers and their by Eri Hotta looks at the accessories, video equipment, and other items listed on lead-up to the attack on Pearl Harbor DPW’s website: http://dpw.dc.gov/node/466802. from the Japanese perspective. According to a review in The New Yorker, “Hotta Capitol Hill Village recommends that you remove your illuminates the extraordinary ideological hard drive from computers you are disposing in the pick and military predicament in which Japan up. If you need assistance doing so, call the Village office found itself in the months before the at 202-543-1778 or e-mail [email protected] to attack on Pearl Harbor. . . [She] brings to request a pickup or to arrange for a volunteer to assist life the key figures of a deeply divided with the drive. Japanese leadership. . .” Members Only Members and Social Members

Monday, May 4, 6:30 pm Thursday, May 7, 2:00–4:00 pm Private Home Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Former Mayor Tony Williams Salon Dinner Games and Puzzles Group Two years ago, former Mayor Tony Williams dazzled Join other CHV members and their friends for two hours us with his understanding of cities of brain-stretching, bantering fun. Owner Kathleen and in the 21st century and of DC in her colleagues will introduce you to new games that particular. Now, he has accepted an they like, and teach you to play them. invitation to return to consider the toughest challenges facing the city Open to All in 2015- 2019. Discover what counsel he may have for new mayor Muriel Bowser—who he endorsed—the Friday, May 8, Starting at 9:00 am new City Council, and D.C. citizens. Your Home Currently the Executive Director of the influential Book Pickup Federal City Council, Mayor Williams exerted strong leadership in D.C. for twelve years, from 1995–1999 NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Wednesday, May 6 Books, CD’s, videos or DVD’s are picked up for donation to the Friends of the Southeast Neighborhood Library. Please RSVP to all events, and let the CHV office know If you have extra books, CD’s, videos or DVD’s that you if you need a ride, by calling 202.543.1778 during would like to donate, please call the office to let CHV regular office hours (9 am to 5 pm) or by e-mailing [email protected]  continued on page 17

16 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News CHV Events for May 2015 continued from page 16 Check the CHV website for programs that may be added: www.capitolhillvillage.org

Book Pickup continued Please RSVP to all events, and let the CHV office know know the quantity of items you have and to receive if you need a ride, by calling 202.543.1778 during instructions for the pickup. (Place items in a visible area regular office hours (9 am to 5 pm) or by e-mailing outside your home, labeled so volunteers can identify.) [email protected] Please DO NOT include travel books older than 5 years old, any books in poor condition (old, mold, discolored, Monday, May 11, 3:00-6:00 pm worn or torn), or out-of-date business, economics and technical books. MedStar Washington Hospital Center, 106 Irving St. NW; Physicians Office Building Conference Room Members only. Women’s Health Program Friday, May 8, 10 am–2:30 pm NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Wednesday, May 6 337 North Carolina Ave. SE National Women’s Health Week will be observed May 10-16, and to help celebrate, MedStar Washington Church of the Brethren Volunteer Opportunity Hospital Center is hosting women from Capitol Hill Village for an afternoon social and presentations on Join CHV and other volunteers to assist with cooking, women’s health. As we enjoy wine and cheese, MedStar serving, and cleaning during the lunch service. experts will fill us in on three important topics, and Reservations required. If you would like to participate, there will be time for questions and answers. call the CHV Office or e-mail [email protected]. Please tell the office how long you will be able to assist. Round-trip transportation will be provided from Capitol Hill to MedStar Washington Hospital Center Members, Social Members, Volunteers by International Limousine Shuttle (courtesy of the hospital). The shuttle will pick up CHV members at 2:15 Saturday, May 9, 6:30 pm pm at the Ninth St. SE entrance to the Hill Center. Private Home Please sign up by contacting the Village office at 202-543- 1778 or at [email protected], and inform them if Navy Pilot Tom Winkler Salon Dinner you plan to take the shuttle to the MedStar Washington NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Thursday, May 7 Hospital Center. Kathleen “Kassie” Savoy, Quality Project Manager at MedStar Washington Hospital, is From Capitol Hill to the Wild Blue hosting the event. If you have any questions about the Yonder—hear about life in the event, please e-mail her at Kathleen.B.Savoy@Medstar. Navy, flying with the Blue Angels, net or call her at 202-877-0354. You can also e-mail CHV and growing up on the Hill. Tom organizer Mary Procter at [email protected]. See page 1 Winkler spent his early childhood for more information. living at his grandmother’s house on East Capitol Street, attended Members and Guests Peabody School, and later returned to the area to graduate from Gonzaga College High School. After Monday, May 11, 6:00 pm attending the University of Virginia on a Naval ROTC Private Home scholarship, Tom was selected for aviation and training as a Navy F-18 Hornet pilot. His first deployment came Potluck Dinner with Vegetarian Options just one week after September 11, 2001, and he has NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Friday, May 8. since been deployed four times and has made over 600 Come to a potluck hosted and food contributions landings on aircraft carriers. He also spent two years provided by CHV members. All items are welcome with as part of the Navy’s Blue Angels aerial demonstration some vegetarian choices. Come meet your neighbors and team. Cost: $75.00 enjoy a meal with them. To RSVP, call the CHV office at Open to All  continued on page 18

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 17 CHV Events for May 2015 continued from page 17 Check the CHV website for programs that may be added: www.capitolhillvillage.org

Dinner With Vegetarian Options continued Thursday, May 14, 6-7:30 pm 202-543-1778 or email [email protected]. Please Private Home inform the office of the dish you will bring. (Enough to feed six is sufficient.) Cinephiles Members, Social Members NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Wednesday, May 13 Each month participants in this film discussion group view one or more of the films listed before the scheduled Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 pm meeting. At the meeting we discuss the films already Trattoria Alberto, 506 Eighth St. SE (one step up to viewed and select the next month’s choices. dining room) Participants should call the CHV office to register their CHV Dinner Party attendance, learn of the address, and view one or more of the following films before the meeting: Woman in Note: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Friday, May 8 Gold, About Elly, Cinderella, Effie Gray, or True Story. Trattoria Alberto has Members & Social Members. been serving Italian food on Capitol Hill for over 30 years. After Saturday, May 16, 9:00 am a house salad, your Meet on the Potomac Avenue Metro Station platform entrée choices will be among the following: Urban Walkers Pasta Primavera; Note: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Friday, May 15 Chicken Marsala; Grilled Salmon; or Our walkers will take the Metro to the Capitol Heights Meat Lasagna. The fixed price for the two-course meal, Station and then follow the Marvin Gaye Trail along including taxes and gratuities, will be $30. Dessert and Watts Branch for about 2.5 miles to the Minnesota beverages are not included, but can be ordered and paid Avenue Metro where those looking for a shorter walk for separately. CASH only. can take Metro back to Capitol Hill. Others can continue across the Benning Road Bridge and stop for lunch on This presents a good opportunity to introduce potential the way. Total walking distance back to the Hill is about CHV members to current members. Invite a neighbor to 5.75 miles. join you for this meal. Members and Social Members We request seating for no more than six at a table, to allow for easy conversation. Reservation required. If you reserve but cannot attend, please call the office as there Saturday, May 16, 5:00 pm may be someone on a wait-list to take your place. Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE Members, Social Members, Volunteers, and Guests Opera in the Outfield Thursday, May 14, 1:00 pm The Village Opera Society is foregoing its May meeting so that those who wish can attend the Washington National Opera’s Private Home annual Opera in the Outfield at Nationals Park. You can drink Social Bridge Group beer and eat ballpark food (or bring your own food; but not drinks) and with a few thousand other fans enjoy a simulcast Do you know how to play bridge, or would you like of an English-language production of Rossini’s Cinderella. to learn/relearn? We hope to have fun playing bridge The event takes place regardless of the weather. while trying to reach consensus about how to bid. No Gates open at 5:00, the opera begins at 7:00 and arrival master points involved. Come join us! Please RSVP by sometime in between is recommended. The food lines calling the CHV office at 202-543-1778 or e-mail info@ capitolhillvillage.org.  continued on page 19

18 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News CHV Events for May 2015 continued from page 18 Check the CHV website for programs that may be added: www.capitolhillvillage.org

Opera in the Outfield continued Monday, May 18, 6:30-8:00 pm Southeast Neighborhood Library, 403 Seventh St. SE Caregiver Support Group Capitol Hill Village and Iona Senior Services are partnering to offer a support group for individuals who are care-giving for an older family member or friend with memory loss. The group, led by professionals from Iona, is free and open to all thanks to the generous support of The Residences at Thomas Circle. Interested individuals should contact CHV at 202-543-1778 or info@ capitolhillvillage.org for questions and to sign up. Open to all get long before the opening curtain. There are always Tuesday, May 19, 6:00-7:30 pm plenty of seats; there is no need for tickets. This is a great chance to bring along folks who are curious about opera Private Home but don’t want to shell out big bucks on an unknown Literary Club event. How can you beat free, funny, food, and Rossini? Note: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Monday, May 18. See www.kennedy-center.org/wno/outreach/simulcast/ for full information. If you register with the Kennedy Set in the 19th Century, Andrea Barrett’s many-layered Center, you might win tickets to the Opera Ball. novel, The Voyage of the Narwhal (1998, 394 pp.), is a fascinating look at Victorian-era explorers and the NOTE: The Village Opera Society will not meet June, women they left behind. It has been praised for its July or August. “meticulous” historical and natural detail, and will Open to all  continued on page 20

CHV Theatre Event: Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Note: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Monday, May 18. as in Hamlet—they occupy the center of the stage Join fellow Village members for an afternoon of Tom as we come to understand their world view and Stoppard’s prize-winning play at the Folger Theatre at motivations, not to mention the absurdist comedic 2 pm on Sunday, June 21. lines Stoppard writes for them. You must reserve by calling the Village Office and The play won four TONY awards, including “Best paying $55 for a Village discount ticket by Monday, Play.” The New York Times described it as “very May 18. There are 12 discount tickets available. funny, very brilliant, very chilling.” Plus there are Payment is by check made out to Capitol Hill Village strolling players, pirates on the high seas, and some with “Rosenkranz” noted on the memo line. You can vaudevillian turns as the two men play out their roles mail or hand-deliver your payment to the Village written by two masters of the theatre. Office at 725 Eighth St. SE, Washington, DC 20003. If you have any questions, please e-mail Tom Zaniello Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are famous for their who will be coordinating the day at tzaniello@nku. somewhat buffoony roles in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. edu. Tickets will be delivered to you in advance of the As Hamlet’s school buddies they get caught up in June 21 production. After the play, the group plans the dangerous and tragic business of the play, but in to go to a neighborhood restaurant for dinner and Stoppard’s version—instead of interesting walk-ons discussion of the play. Please join us!

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 19 CHV Events for May 2015 continued from page 19 Check the CHV website for programs that may be added: www.capitolhillvillage.org

Literary Club continued Thursday, May 21, 10:30 am appeal to fans of both fiction and First and E. Capitol St. SE (E. Capitol St. entrance to U.S. non-fiction: the fictional Arctic Capitol grounds) expedition at the center of the novel is searching for a real (and Meet, Walk, View, and Eat famous) Arctic expedition that Note: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Wednesday, May 20 disappeared a decade earlier. Need an impetus Described by reviewers as for going to the “stunning” and “magnificent,” National Gallery it is both an exciting adventure of Art? Gather story, and a complex novel of with other CHV ideas—chock-full of the issues members for a Victorians argued about: women’s walk to the NGA. place, Darwinism, slavery, and racial exploitation. Once there, choose Members and Social Members your own viewing agenda. At 1:00 pm, meet in the Cascade Café for lunch together, then Wednesday, May 20, 6:30 pm walk back up the hill, or resume your own gallery Private Home viewing. (Note: It is not permitted to bring your own food into the Café.) DC Water’s George Hawkins Salon Dinner Members and Social Members NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Tuesday, May 18 Inspiring leadership and an Thursday, May 21, 2:00-4:00 pm Anacostia you could swim in? Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE D.C. top ranked in a string of environmental practices? Games and Puzzles Group Sounds unlikely, but it has come Join other CHV members and their friends for two hours to pass under the leadership of of brain-stretching, bantering fun. Owner Kathleen and George Hawkins--first as the her colleagues will introduce you to new games that head of the D.C. Department of they like, and teach you to play them. the Environment and now as the Open to All head of DC Water. Hawkins, a Harvard-trained lawyer, wears a DC Water uniform to work (and speeches), eats in the cafeteria, and is leading Friday, May 22, 12:30-1:30 pm a 10-year, $2.6 billion plan to nearly eliminate overflows of sewage and storm water into area waterways. Come Southeast Neighborhood Library, 7th and D hear his vision for rivers where your grandchildren, and Streets SE. (Accessible entrance on D St.) maybe you, will be able to swim. Learn how he inspires Balance Class government workers to make DC an exemplary place to live. Cost: $75.00. Join other members in this monthly balance class, which will help you recognize that strength and agility are Open to all the best defenses against falls. Practice skills that will keep you on your feet. The class is taught by a volunteer Please RSVP to all events, and let the CHV office know physical therapist from Physiotherapy Associates. if you need a ride, by calling 202.543.1778 during Reservations required. regular office hours (9 am to 5 pm) or by e-mailing Members, Social Members, Volunteers, and Guests [email protected]  continued on page 21

20 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News CHV Events for May 2015 continued from page 20 Check the CHV website for programs that may be added: www.capitolhillvillage.org

Friday, May 22, 4:00 pm Please RSVP to all events, and let the CHV office know Capitol Hill Village Office if you need a ride, by calling 202.543.1778 during regular office hours (9 am to 5 pm) or by e-mailing CHV Office Patio Beautification Meeting [email protected] The CHV Office has a beautiful and spacious Tanya Barfield and directed by Shirley Serotsky—that patio that could use casts global issues into the heart of an American home. some TLC. Donations When Annie and Peter decide to adopt, they set their of gardening tools and sights on a child from Africa. But, as reality sinks in supplies, small outdoor and reactions from their African-American friends take furniture, plants and hold, it sparks uncertainty that speaks to the couple’s trees or other beautiful very identity. We are fortunate to have an opportunity horticultural additions to join in a post-show discussion of this thought- are welcome. Also, CHV is looking for members and provoking play. volunteers who would like to volunteer to care for the Reserve your seats for The Call by contacting the plants (weekly). We hope to begin this process in May. Village office by phone (202.543.1778) or e-mail (info@ Let's get together to discuss ideas for the space and capitolhillvillage.org). Tickets are $30 each. It is VERY what items or services you would like to contribute IMPORTANT to let the office know when you make (don't bring any donations with you at this time). your reservation if you have need for any special If you would like more information, please contact seating accommodations. There will be an after-theater the CHV Office at 202-543-1778 or email info@ get-together (following the discussion) if there is capitolhillvillage.org. interest among those attending. Please indicate your Open to All, Reservations not required interest when you call. Payment is by check made out to Capitol Hill Village with “The Call” noted on the memo line. You can mail or hand-deliver your payment Thursday, May 28, 1:00 pm to the Village Office at 725 Eighth Street, SE, Unit 4, Private Home Washington, DC 20003. Social Bridge Group Members, Social Members, and Guests Do you know how to play bridge, or would you like to learn/relearn? We hope to have fun playing bridge Tuesday, June 2, 6:00 pm while trying to reach consensus about how to bid. No CHV Office, 725 Eighth St. SE master points involved. Come join us! Please RSVP by calling the CHV office at 202-543-1778 or e-mail info@ New Member and Volunteer Orientation capitolhillvillage.org. NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Monday, June 1 Members and Social Members A welcoming event for new Capitol Hill Village volunteers and new members. Take this opportunity to meet the staff, who will share information regarding Sunday, May 31, 3:00 pm the past, present, and future of Capitol Hill Village, Atlas Performing Arts Center (Springer Theatre), as well as familiarizing those new to the Village with 1333 H St. NE its policies and procedures. This is a very informative session that will give those new to the Village insight The Call plus Cast Discussion into how it operates. NOTE: Signup deadline is 3 pm, Thursday, May 21 Open to All Join the Village Theater Group for a Theatre J production at the Atlas of The Call, a “tack sharp, acutely funny” play—by contemporary playwright

May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News • 21 Continuing Weekly CHV Events NOTE: You do NOT need to RSVP for continuing events, but please confirm events by calling the office at 202.543.1778 or by e-mailing [email protected] Mondays • 3:00 pm Wednesdays • 1:00–3:00 pm Garfield Park, South Carolina Ave. at 2nd Street SE Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, Seventh and G Street SE Petanque Second Wind Join a group of CHV members who meet to raise their voices in song under the direction of a master musician/chorister to learn new music and enjoy the sound of our own voices. The bar for participation is not high, just a love of singing together. While the ability to read music is a plus, it is not required, and there are no auditions. All are welcome—especially men’s voices. For further information, contact Marsha Holliday at 202-544-2629. Members and Social Members

Wednesdays • 3:00–5:00 pm Private home Join a group of Capitol Hill game enthusiasts each Mahjong Monday for a friendly game of Petanque, the French game of boule that is similar to the Italian game of bocce. Paul Cromwell provides instruction for beginners. For further information call Paul at 543- 7530. (See the article on page 12 of the December 2014 News for further information.) Open to All

Tuesdays and Thursdays • 10:00 am Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church 4th Street & Independence Avenue SE Qigong The gentle, powerful Chinese movement exercise known as qigong (pronounced chee gong) is offered Mahjong is a game that originated in China. Similar by CHV member Joni Bell, who has practiced this to the Western card game Rummy, Mahjong is a discipline for 10 years. Her strength and balance have game of skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a improved remarkably, and she credits the activity certain degree of chance. Join a group of members and with helping her as a 30-year patient with multiple volunteers who meet to play together. To sign up for sclerosis. Free for CHV members. this group and learn of the meeting location, call the CHV Office at 202-543-1778. (See the article on page 10 Members and Social Members of the March 2015 News for further information.) Members and Social Members

22 • May 2015 Capitol Hill Village News