Dear Friends,

This week during the final DC Council session prior to the summer recess, one of the ceremonial resolutions that I presented recognized a local folk artist whose illustrations will be exhibited at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 2015. Mingering Mike (the artist) was born and raised in the District of Columbia and currently resides in the District’s Eastend (Southeast, DC). His celebrated art highlights DC’s music culture steeped in history and focuses on depicting scenes and mottos from everyday life.

As Mingering Mike prepares to exhibit at the Smithsonian, I want his accomplishments to be recognized by DC residents as yet another positive effect in our great hometown.

In his acceptance of the award, Mingering Mike summed up why I wanted to highlight and honor his work when he simply said, “We do need art and music in our lives, so please contribute as much as you can to art and music.”

Several days ago, I joined my Council colleagues in appropriating an additional $4.5 million dollars in Arts and Humanities grants from our FY 2013 budget surplus and look forward to continuing such support. All of us must encourage youth of all ages to continue to include art, music, dance and expression in their lives.

I invite you to view the works of Mingering Mike and other local artists in an exhibition titled, Artist-Citizen, Washington DC currently featured at the Hemphill fine arts gallery.

Also, plan to attend the 8th Annual Capital Fringe Fest. This multi-creative alternative arts festival, which began July 11 and runs until July 28, features 738 performances at 18 venues. The Capital Fringe Fest has generated $1.4 million dollars for 866 artists, of which 55% are DC residents!          More information is included in this update.

Warm regards,

Anita

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS CIVILI-TEA Councilmember Bonds supports the members of the High Tea Society, who recently held their Fourth Annual Awards Event.  The High Tea Society, founded by Judge Mary Terrell (ret.), is a non-profit organization comprised to promote positive behavior among young women. Their volunteers contribute, encourage, and recognize that girls are too precious to be cast aside and ignored. With positive encouragement and support, the society offers young women a greater chance to succeed in all endeavors. At the event, “Ambassadors of Civility” were recognized  for consistently exhibiting positive behavior and for making positive impacts in their neighborhoods.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY CELEBRATION Councilmember Bonds joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray, advocates, and allies in celebrating the Supreme Court of the United States rulings that struck down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club was a co-sponsor of the rally at Freedom Plaza which had more than 200 people in attendance. Councilmember Bonds, a longtime supporter of LGBT rights, called the decision, “a great step forward for all Americans.”

JULY 4 PALISADES PARADE Councilmember Bonds and guests joined in celebrating the Nation’s Independence by marching in the District of Columbia’s 47th Annual Palisades Parade, sponsored by the Palisades Citizens’ Association. This year’s heat did not dampen the spirits of participants or politicians who enjoyed the District’s most revered hometown parade and celebration on Whitehaven Parkway in Ward 3.

DELTA SIGMA THETA CENTENIAL Councilmember Bonds joined elected officials at the official unveiling of Delta Sigma Theta Way, in front of the organization’s National Headquarters at 1704 New Hampshire Ave, N.W. The street naming recognized the nation’s second oldest African American Sorority, which was founded at Howard University in 1913, and coincided with their 51st Annual Conference currently being held at the Washington Convention Center.

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

During the July 10, 2013 Committee of the Whole and Legislative Meeting, Councilmember Anita Bonds voted in support of the following legislation. This next Legislative meeting of the Council will convene on September 17, 2013.

Bill 20-62 “Large Retailer Accountability Act of 2013”

The bill will require large retailers (75,000 square feet or more) located in the District of Columbia, whose parent company’s gross revenues total $1 billion or more, to pay their employees that earn less than $50,000 a year a living wage, currently established at $12.50 per hour.

B20-0095 “Smoking Restriction Amendment Act of 2013”

Recognizing that second-hand smoke continues to be a health hazard, the bill will prohibit smoking within 25 feet of a playground or play area located on a public or private educational facility or on 19 a District of Columbia Parks and Recreation Center.

B20-0061 “Non-Driver’s Identification Card/Driver’s License Amendment Act of 2013”

In the spirit of public safety, the bill will prohibit the DMV from requiring a social security number from an applicant who does not have a social security number. The bill would allow an estimated 20,000 undocumented residents to obtain a driver’s license or non-driver’s identification card.

Bill 20-118 “Marriage Officiant Amendment Act of 2013”

The bill is intended to authorize a civil celebrant, a temporary officiant, the Mayor, and the marrying couple themselves, to solemnize the marriage.

B20-0140 “Bicycle Safety Amendment Act of 2013”

The amendment requires an individual using a DMV operator’s permit to demonstrate knowledge of safely rules pertaining to sharing roadways with pedestrians and bicyclists, allows bicyclists to use pedestrian traffic control devices to cross an intersection, and establishes driving record points and civil fines for failure to yield the right-of-way to a bicycle.

Bill 20-142 “JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act of 2013”              

The bill would amend the Vital Records Act of 1981 to remove the surgical requirement; require an administrative process through the Vital Records Registrar rather than a judicial process through Superior Court; require the provision of a new rather than an amended birth certificate when a gender designation is changed.

B20-0409, “Simple Possession of Small Quantities of Marijuana Decriminalization Act of 2013”

The bill will amend the District of Columbia Uniform Controlled Substances Act and related provisions to make the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana a civil offense subject to a $100.00 fine.  

Councilmember Anita Bonds Honors Peregrine Espresso, Voted Americas Best Coffee House-Eastern Region On Wednesday, July 10, Councilmember Anita Bonds, a strong supporter of small and local businesses, presided over a ceremonial presentation to honor small and local business Peregrine Espresso, owner Ryan Jensen, and staff members. Peregrine Espresso is an award winning coffee house located on Capitol Hill and in the NOMA community that recently opened a third location in the District’s renovated Union Market. Their world-class coffee and customer service has garnered praise and accolades from the competitive coffee market and renowned publications. In March 2013, Peregrine Espresso won the coveted first place award for America’s Best Coffee House in the Eastern Region. Similarly, owner Ryan Jensen, employees Jeremy Sterner and Lindsey Kiser have been honored with first place awards for several prominent Barista competitions. “Peregrine Espresso Is a wonderful example of entrepreneur spirit that should be celebrated and emulated,” stated Councilmember Bonds. Adding, “Their innovative business model of utilizing wind power and other green practices such as; composting and purchasing sustainable coffee, highlight their commitment to the environment and the health of the residents of the District.”                                       ### Photo- Councilmember Bonds and colleagues present the Ceremonial Resolution to Barista Lindsey Kiser.

UPCOMING EVENTS

HEMPHILL fine arts opened Artist-Citizen, Washington DC in June 2013. The exhibition will remain on view through July 27, 2013.

There are persistent romantic notions that the artist is a tortured soul, standing apart from social conventions and ordinary concerns. Popular media frequently depicts the artist as possessed by reckless freedom and lacking accountability. These generalizations are narrow and misguided. The contemporary artist is just as likely to be a good citizen as anyone else.

The works included in the exhibition point to or are made for situations concerning the Washington DC community—the place in which these artists live and work. The show suits a traditional gallery setting, but its intentions are more than decorative. As the work in the show bridges the distance between the artist and the community, it encourages the creative exchange between artist and viewer. There is a common theme of shared responsibility for our environment and its social promise.

Artist-Citizen, Washington DC features artists Colby Caldwell, Larry Cook, Max Hirshfeld, James Huckenpahler, Franz Jantzen, free[space]collective, Mingering Mike, Anne Rowland, Julie Wolfe, and Workingman Collective. Artwork in various media includes large-scale photography, intimate portraiture, works on paper, video documentation, crowd-sourced photography and video installations, and mixed-media sculpture.

HEMPHILL will host a number of special events in conjunction with the exhibition. To be scheduled are James Huckenpahler’s tour through a contrary visual history of the District in his presentation of Welcome to Chocolate City, and a screening of Colby Waller’s recent documentary Fishing the Anacostia, which addresses the troublesome fishing habits of DC residents in the polluted Anacostia River. The free[space]collective is currently accepting photo submissions for the installation DC Photo Grid and video submissions for the DC Crowd-Sourced Video Project. Both works will be exhibited in the gallery during the run of Artist-Citizen, Washington DC and will accept user-submitted photos and videos of public spaces in the city throughout the course of the exhibition. Visit www.dcphotogrid.com for more information.

GALLERY HOURS: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00am–5:00pm, and by appointment.

CONTACT: Shira Kraft

HEMPHILL Fine Arts- 1515 14th Street NW

Washington, DC 20005

202.234.5601

shira@hemphillfinearts.com

www.hemphillfinearts.com

Capital Fringe Festival 2013, July 11th to July 28th 18 Days 130 Shows 738 Performances 18 Venues 8 Bar Taps 8th Summer Festival Eighteen days of creative and uninhibited performances. Dominant themes in the eighth annual Festival include: updated use of classic texts and performances styles, local politics, race, religion, less traditional dance and physical performance, historical biopics and technically innovative shows involving use of mobile phones and audio systems. In addition, much merriment and revelry is to be had at the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar at Fort Fringe, where visitors and fanatics alike can enjoy even more live local music than ever before, food, drinks and pulled BBQ pork, and catch the latest buzz about all of the Fringe performances.  For more Information or to register online visit – FRINGE

"Day of Hope and Love" at the DC General Family Shelter.

Saturday, July 13, 2013 - 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM

The day is designed to increase awareness of poverty in the District of Columbia and the individuals who are directly impacted by it.  "Day of Hope and Love" will provide 400 homeless children and their families residing on the campus of DC General a day of food, fun, and fellowship.  

Please let us know if you are interested in being a partner/sponsor by contacting Sonya Cooper-Turner, Board Chair, YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, Capital View Branch on (301) 346-4926 or Sandi Washington, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, ANC 5A  on (202) 841-7513. 

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