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Elzabeth Nelson
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Eastern Market’s beautifully reclaimed North Hall set the stage for Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells’ Third Annual Livable Walkable Awards (“Brickies”) last month. Since the festive happening was also Wells’ yearly holiday party, fir trees were festooned with lights, and the Annie Sidley Band provided lively music.
“Across our neighborhoods, we’re working together to build great places to live,” said Wells, who presented the awards and emceed the event. “But creating a livable, walkable vision doesn’t happen without neighbors, small businesses, civic groups and public servants who work day-in and day-out to create stronger communities.” He emphasized that Ward 6 is the only DC ward to reach into every [city] quadrant. He also recognized his staff members, DC government employees, Hill business leaders, Eastern Market merchants and other leaders including ANC commissioners and former councilmember Betty Ann Kane. Wells practices what he preaches, often riding his bike to work and to various functions around town.
Each Livable Walkable award, by the way, is a bronze plaque attached to an ordinary brick, hence the nickname, “Brickies.”).
The Envelope, Please
Neighbor Award: Elizabeth Nelson, who has spent two decades working to improve her North Lincoln Park neighborhood, mainly by heading up Trees for Capitol Hill, writing the Hill Buzz, a neighborhood newsletter and being a super-volunteer at Maury Elementary. “Countless times we’ve seen her hauling water jugs to area parks in the summer to make sure young trees survive and thrive,” Wells recalled, adding that Nelson also volunteers for the Capitol Hill Restoration Society.
*Community Organization Award: Moms on the Hill, a 2,900-member organization formed to make it easier for young parents to remain on Capitol Hill by “pushing to improve neighborhood schools, supporting strategies to slow traffic on our streets...and embracing public parks and green space.” As several moms accepted the award, rambunctious youngsters scampered around the hall.
*Business Award: The Channel Inn, Washington’s only waterfront hotel. Located at 650 Water St. SW, the Channel Inn has helped spur development in that “forgotten” quadrant by “keeping its doors open, and creating community space where residents can gather.” The hotel’s restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (plus a very nice Sunday brunch), while providing space for public and private events. Accepting the award on behalf of his business and employees was Channel Inn owner Manny Fernandez.
*Public Service Award: Barry Margeson, Department of Real Estate Services and interim Eastern Market manager. “Shortly after the fire, Barry had the unenviable position of serving as the District’s go-to guy,” Wells said. Margeson worked with merchants, vendors, neighbors and officials “to find compromise and common ground” in streetscape construction, daily maintenance and helping displaced merchants and vendors.
*Honorary Award: Miles Groves, resident leader who helped established the Downtown Neighborhood Association in nearby Penn Quarter. “Miles played a pivotal role in turning an area that turned off its lights at 6 p.m. into a vibrant community with retail, restaurants and nightlife,” said Wells. (Groves was unable to attend the awards ceremony, but the councilmember planned to present him with his award at a future Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting.)
Wonderful food was donated by numerous Hill enterprises: Among the many munchies were mini burgers with green salad (Matchbox), succulent ribs (Harry’s Saloon and Harriet’s Family Restaurant downtown in the Hotel Harrington), mini Reuben sandwiches (Hawk ‘n’ Dove ), baklava (Cava), and succulent morsels of grilled marinated flatiron steak, compliments of Union Meat Company (Eastern Market). Blue Iris Florist provided lovely seasonal greens and red berry displays.
As party attendees converged on the food stations, almost everyone was in the holiday spirit. “We won the Business Award last year,” said John Weinstraub, co-owner of Fragaer’s Hardware. “We’re happy to be back here again and we want to honor the next person.”
“This is a great event,” declared ANC commissioner Ken Jarboe. “It’s turning into a Capitol Hill tradition.” Said Ann Goodwin, who lives with husband Terry on Ninth Street, SE: “This is the second event I’ve attended an event this week here in the North Hall. It’s exciting to see what they’ve done with this space.” Musician Nan Raphael, who lives on Kentucky Ave. SE agreed: “It’s great to have gatherings like this to bring our community together.”
Thanks to the Following Sponsors
Argonaut
Blueboy Document Imaging
Capitol Hill Tandoor Grill
Cava
Department of Parks and Recreation
Department of Real Estate Services
Dr. Granville Moore’s
Eastern Market Merchants:
Bowers Fancy Dairy Products
Blue Iris Florist
Eastern Market Lunch
Market Poultry
Paik Produce
Union Meat Company
Harriet’s Family Restaurant
Hawk ‘n’ Dove
Hill Rag
Matchbox
Pennsylvania Ave. Tree Farm
Platinum Catering and Café
SOVA Espresso & Wine Bar
Taylor’s Gourmet Deli
Tunnicliff’s Tavern
Verizon
Voice of the Hill |
