DC Federation of Civic Associations held is 77th Annual Awards Celebration last month and recognized local neighborhood leaders. The luncheon also serves as the group’s major fundraiser for its scholarships to area high school students. Civil rights leader and Southwest DC resident, Roger Wilkins, was the keynote speaker. Wilkins’ clarion call was active citizenship is the cornerstone of government. The Federation’s president is Ward 7’s own, Greg Rhett. Rhett is also president of the Eastland Gardens Civic Association. Among the East Washington honorees were: Thelma Jones, “Mayor of Ward 7” and President of Fairlawn Citizens Association, as Outstanding Local President; Felicia and David Rhetland, Sharita Slayton, Victor Vandell, and Lynda and William Bowles civic association mothers and fathers.

Mary Cuthbert, Ward 8 leader, celebrates the “30th anniversary of her 35th birthday.” Well wishers from across the city came out to Players Lounge/Georgene’s to toast (or maybe roast) Cuthbert, whose the ANC commissioner representing ANC 8C03. There was dancing, laughs, and gossip – particularly about the DC tax scandal that had exploded a few days earlier.

William Greene, native Washingtonian and East Washington resident, brought the Capital Wheelchair Basketball Conference tournament to Hillcrest Recreation Center. The conference is one of 22 conferences in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Greene plays for and coaches DC’s Air Capital. Air Capital is the only program in the country with five levels—prep, junior varsity, women, girls and Division 3. Greene went to college in Kansas because only five schools were accessible at that time. As a counselor at Sharpe Health Education Center and advocate for the disabled, Greene has worked to get physically disabled children and youth to participate in Air Capital as a way to enter and re-enter sports and life regardless of a physical capabilities. Despite a hard fought and aggressive game, Air Capital came up just short in the end against Temple University Rolling Owls.

William Greene and Air Capital can be reached at 202-678-2960 or flighttoquality@aol.com.

As if the Anacostia River wasn’t polluted enough, 89 CSX coal cars rolled away from the rail yard and into the river. The portion of tracks where the derailment occurred was reportedly out of service and slated for repair. CSX spokesman Bill Sullivan said that the coal in the cars was from a West Virginia coal plant and the coal had a low amount of sulfur. Interestingly, a dozen CSX cars carrying hazardous materials went off the tracks two weeks after the Anacostia derailment near the Baltimore Ravens' football stadium. Most of the concern at the river is about pollution that could have been stirred up when eighteen rail cars and over 600 tons of coal hit the water. Hamid Karimi, deputy director of the District’s Department of the Environment, describes the sediment as layers and the bottom layers are most toxic. Additionally Karimi noted that the “birds and fish have no jurisdiction.” Consequently, they could carry contaminants within their bodies to other locations in their migratory patterns. At this point there is no indication of penalties to be levied against CSX.

The Anacostia Economic Development Corporation’s annual Sunday brunch recognizes its scholarship recipients from Anacostia and Ballou High Schools. Albert “Butch” Hopkins, president and CEO of AEDC, described the scholarship as the “nexus between giving back and being a part of DC’s business and economic environment.”

Redskins vs. Cowboys … The rivalry continues. The Social and Cultural Committee at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church on Alabama Avenue hosted a ‘Skins/Cowboys viewing party. The room had equal amounts of fans from both teams. The party was one event of the church’s family weekend that included attending the play “The Women of Brewster Place” at Arena Stage. Ruby Quartey-Taylor is the committee chair. Contact Quartey-Taylor at 202-582-7740 for more information on this committee and the church.