January 2018 Circulation 13,000 FREE PAUL "SOUTH" TAYLOR DESERVES HIS PRAISE Page 2 CIRCULATOR Coming Back to SW? Page 3 Air and Space Museum to Undergo Major Construction OP-ED: he first major construction project years. • $250 million: fundraising goal AMIDON IS THE for the Air and Space Museum will • All 23 galleries and presentation spac- • 1,441: newly displayed artifacts T start this summer. es will be transformed. • 7: years scheduled for completion PLACE TO BE • The museum is raising $250 mil- • 0: days closed for construction The facts: lion through private donations to fund The museum has released artist ren- Page 4 • This is the first major construction the future galleries. derings highlighting the exciting changes project for the building in Southwest • The project also includes the complete to come. These renderings (above) rep- Washington, DC, since its opening 41 re-facing of the exterior stone, replace- resent the first nine galleries scheduled years ago. ment of outdated mechanical systems, for renovation. New galleries will be orga- • Visitors will start seeing changes to the and other improvements supported by nized by theme, helping you find your museum in summer 2018. federal funding. favorite stories and make connections COMMUNITY • The museum will remain open through across eras. the project by dividing the construction By the numbers: All information and images courtesy of CALENDAR into two major phases. • 13,000 – stone slabs replaced the Smithsonian National Air and Space • The project is scheduled to take seven • 23: new galleries or presentation spaces Museum. Page 6 MRS. THURGOOD MARSHALL & HER HUSBAND Page 8 FIND US ONLINE AT THESOUTHWESTER.COM, OR @THESOUTHWESTER @THESOUTHWESTER /THESOUTHWESTERDC Published by the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, Inc. (SWNA) — a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable and educational corporation. Copyright © 2018 Page 2 The Southwester January 2018 < 2.5 inches > A Promise to Give Back; A Promise Fulfilled BY: DENA WALKER ecognition comes in a lot of The Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund forms, mostly in words and was created to help reduce the high number many times by hand in the form of breast cancer cases and high death rates R among our region’s most vulnerable residents. of a card with kind and thoughtful With your help, we can reduce the rate of cases words written within its folds. However, and number of deaths from breast cancer. recognition delivered in the form of a Donations support outreach and education large celebration for all the good works < a person has performed for those in strategies that link low-income, uninsured 6 and underinsured women with information, 7 need is demonstrative of a truly excep- / 8 i screening and diagnostic services. n c tional person. The Southwest commu- h e Gifts may be made by sending check, money s nity is unique, not only for its almost order or credit card authorization to the > small-town feel, like a city within a city, Southwest Renaissance Development Corporation but also for the people who reside here. at the address listed below. One such person resided in Southwest When donating by mail, please make check a few years ago. However, his presence or money order payable to the Southwest in this community is everywhere that Renaissance Development Corporation and matters, so much so that it seems he write The Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund on the memo line. never left. That exceptional person is Southwest’s own Paul ‘Big South’ Tay- Southwest Renaissance lor. Development Corporation On Nov. 19, 2017 at Blind Whino, 400 I Street, SW the Southwest community celebrated ness programs, in fact, he actually goes for several years it did not occur. But Washington, DC 20024 Taylor with a ceremony that included (202) 484-7700 or (202) 251-1639 to their homes and knocks on doors to thanks to his love for this community more than 100 of his closest friends. His [email protected] make sure permission slips are signed and the promise he made to himself, two sisters, along with numerous well DTheC C Southwestancer Con sRenaissanceortium is a 5 0Development1(c)(3) chari taCorporationble organiz aisti oan and the child has the proper equip- attendance at the summer festivities r501egis t(c)(3)ered nonprofitin the Dis tcorporationrict of Colu mservingbia, t hase Stheta tefiduciary of Mary laagentnd wishers, delivered tributes that were so and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Contributions are ment or attire to participate. Whenever continues to grow, and attracted more of The Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund. heartfelt that at times there was not a tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. one sees Taylor in the neighborhood, than 1500 people this past August. dry eye in the room. Both current and everyone knows that he has something In 2010, Taylor was awarded a com- former Southwest residents attended positive to bring, whether it’s to sign up munity grant that initiated the well- this event to honor Taylor because of for a Thanksgiving basket, student book known Groups and Hoops program The his faithful and sincere service to the community. bag distribution, or an invitation to Big that provided workshops on life skills, Accolades for Taylor are so vast that South’s Toy Giveaway, which occurred resume writing, healthy living, and a Southwester this past holiday season. late night basketball tournament. Circulation 13,000 it would occupy so much space in The In Sept. 2014, during the fourth annu- Send submissions and questions to The Southwester to list them all that I would al Dr. McKnight amateur boxing event Southwester by e-mail at editor@thesouthwest- probably be required to pay for an ad. along with the DC Boxing & Wrestling er.com. Submissions for each monthly issue Taylor is so well known to the residents are due on the 15th of the preceding month. that he was unofficially named the Commission, Taylor was recognized for his outstanding commitment to DPR; For advertising information and rates, “Mayor of Southwest.” Taylor is more see www.thesouthwester.com/advertising.pdf than a man offering encouraging words most notably for his dedication and or contact [email protected] to those who reach out to him, he liter- Taylor is so well mentorship to motivate and uplift the youth in Southwest DC. In that same Remittance address for ad payments only is: ally gives back to the communities in known to the month, he was named Employee of the The Southwester which he was reared, which included Year by DPR. The Goodman League P.O. Box 70131 • Washington, DC 20024 Greenleaf Gardens high rise and the residents that he Greenleaf Gardens Extension. Taylor “ honored Taylor with the Community Southwester Staff attended neighborhood schools Syph- was unofficially Assist Award. In 2016, Ward 6 Council- Editor Emeritus: Dale MacIver ax, Amidon-Bowen, Jefferson Junior member Charles Allen recognized him Editor-in-Chief: Shannon Vaughn High, and then Wilson High School in named the “Mayor for his outstanding public service at the Editorial Staff: Julia Cole (Copy & Web); upper Northwest. Community is at the 10th annual Brickie Awards. Taylor’s Maya Renee (Calendar) of Southwest.” most recent award was bestowed upon Donna Purchase (On-line Calendar) forefront of the work he has committed him by the Cafritz Foundation, which Distribution: Perry Klein to do in order to keep the promise he recognizes DC government employees Design & Layout: Electronic Ink made to himself more than years ago. Printer: Chesapeake Printing That promise was to truly give back to that deliver above and beyond the call his community, in action and deeds. of duty. As an employee of the DC Department Since 2007, Taylor has organized the Taylor is highly engaged in the civic of Parks and Recreation (DPR), at the “Summer in Lansburgh Park,” which is matters that affect Southwest residents. The Southwester is published and King Greenleaf Recreation Center he an event designed to bring the entire He is an active member of the Near SE/ distributed by the Southwest is in his element. Taylor’s promise took Southwest community together for SW Community Benefits Coordinating Neighborhood Assembly him one step further when he founded free food, carnival and pony” rides, and Council and the Wards 5 & 6 Youth DC For Southwest Neighborhood Assembly a nonprofit organization, the Southwest music. During this annual event, the Prevention Center. Taylor believes that financial reports, please see http://goo.gl/pQYCd Comm-Unity Forum, which provides generation gap is blurred as people of it is vital to be the conduit for informa- mentoring, educational, and recre- all ages intermingle through historical tion and services that address the social Donate to us: http://www.razoo.com/story/ ational activities for Southwest’s youth. discussions, dance, music, and board and economic issues that are impor- Southwest-Neighborhood-Assembly Parents look to Taylor when seeking games. The event is the highlight of the tant to those who are underserved. For events or activities that aid in positive summer, and many who have attend- those reasons, Paul ‘Big South’ Taylor Copyright © 2018 Southwest Neighborhood ed over the years affectionately call it Assembly, Inc. All rights reserved. citizenship. Taylor goes the extra mile is worthy to be honored, especially by to ensure that children are able to par- Family Day. Taylor was instrumental in those he is so committed to serve. For To contact the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly ticipate in educational and physical fit- revitalizing this annual event because that, we again say, thank you. or The Southwester, call (202) 437-1700. January 2018 The Southwester Page 3 SWBID Awarded DDOT Vision Zero Grant he District Department of Trans- placemaking and public art treatments for portation (DDOT) announced the traffic calming and pedestrian wayfind- T Fiscal Year 2018 Vision Zero Grant ing, SWBID will quickly pilot new coun- winners.