WI Web Staff
The National Zoo's 14-year-old giant panda, Mei Xiang, has given birth seven years after the zoo's only other cub was born in 2005.
The new cub was born Sunday at 10:46 p.m., and zoo curator Becky Malinsky, who was watching the 24-hour-a-day panda camera feed, heard the newborn's first squeal. It was described as high-pitched and loud.
"I got a call ... a little after 10:45" from a senior curator saying "the behavior watcher just saw a birth," Don Moore, associate director for animal care sciences, said in an interview. "I said, 'Yeah, yeah, it's not April Fool's yet, so I'm going back to bed. ' She said, 'No, no, really. There's been a panda. Congratulations.' "
On Monday, Zoo Director Dennis Kelly, who lives across the street from the zoo, extended congratulations to D.C. residents, as the birth has spawned a wave of "pandamania" across the District.
Mayor Gray Celebrates Anacostia High Modernization Project
Monday, 17 September 2012 14:25 Published in Local
Mayor Vincent C. Gray recently celebrated the final phase of the renaissance of the historic Anacostia High School, which now features state-of-the-art learning technology and community spaces.
Gray was also joined last week by Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry, City Administrator Allen Y. Lew, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Kaya Henderson, and Department of General Services (DGS) Director Brian J. Hanlon in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Ward 8 school.
"The final phase of this modernization project brings together the pride and history of Anacostia High School with 21st century technology to provide students, educators, and this community with a vibrant learning facility," Gray said. "This investment in our students' learning environment reflects the renewed sense of value we're placing on education in the District of Columbia."
Phase II of the $62 million project completes the modernization of the 247,000 square-foot facility, which consists of an original building that was constructed in 1935 and three subsequent additions built in the 1940s, the 1950s and the 1970s. The project also features the modernization of classrooms and the addition of energy-efficient mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems.
"Our design goal for Anacostia High School was to meticulously restore the exterior of the building to maintain its historic appearance, while simultaneously transforming the interior into a modern facility with state-of-the-art technology for students and teachers," said Lew.
A special feature of the new Anacostia High School is the cafeteria renovation that adds both floor space and ceiling height along with new skylights, a decorative stairwell open to the floor above and a mobile by artist Roberto Delgado (made possible through a grant from D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities D.C. Creates Public Art Program).
"It's a great day for Anacostia and DCPS. The final phase of all the tremendous work at Anacostia is an example of what we can do when we work together to help improve the quality of education for our students," said Chancellor Henderson. "This is the type of project that helps us move toward our vision of DCPS as a world-class school system where all students can grow, thrive and succeed."
The technology upgrades include state-of-the-art communications and information-technology systems to enhance the learning environment throughout the school as well as increased natural light, improved acoustics, interactive white boards and computer labs. The high school is completely ADA-accessible, and will be able to accommodate up to 1,200 students.
Atlas Performing Arts Center Wins 'Excellence' Award
Sunday, 16 September 2012 23:16 Published in Arts & Entertainment
The Atlas Performing Arts Center was awarded the 2012 Mayor's Arts Award for Excellence in Service to the Arts on Sept. 13 at the annual ceremony held at the historic Lincoln Theatre.
It was the first Mayor's Arts Award for the performing arts center, which has stood as an artistic anchor in the historic and thriving H Street NE neighborhood since 2006.
"The Atlas looks to strengthen the cultural revitalization of the H Street NE Corridor," said Atlas Executive Director Sam Sweet, in accepting the award. "The Atlas is home to adventurous artists, audiences and ideas. We believe that the arts can bring people together to share these ideas and build a better community."
The honor was also shared with Washington Performing Arts Society. The Mayor's Arts Awards, which are the most prestigious honor given by the District, celebrates individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact and contribution to elevating the cultural and artistic landscape in the nation's capital.
The Atlas presents an extraordinary range of programs and services in arts education and workforce development. Additionally, the Atlas provides a collaborative environment in which artists and arts organizations can thrive and grow artistically and administratively. Combined with its thought-provoking performances and arts events, the Atlas has become the artistic heart of the H Street community.
Atlas Curator Brad Linde and the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra and Atlas Arts Partner Step Afrika were also awarded the Outstanding Emerging Artist Award and the Excellence in an Artistic Discipline Award, respectively.
"It is a great pleasure to congratulate Brad Linde and Step Afrika on their honors as well. Both play an integral role in the success and growth of the Atlas," Sweet said.
Last season, the Atlas added a new series featuring jazz, new music, theatre and dance to its current programming schedule.
This season the Atlas continues to expand its programming with new and contemporary performances that speak directly to the community, featuring Grammy-nominated composer/ jazz pianist Vijay Iyer and poet Mike Ladd, arts activist Marc Bamuthi Joseph and a host of local, national and internationally recognized artists.
Venus Williams to Address City Center Groundbreaking
Friday, 14 September 2012 23:47 Published in Local
Seat Pleasant, MD --Tennis star Venus Williams will be addressing the City Center groundbreaking ceremony with pre-recorded remarks on Sept. 29 at Goodwin Park in Seat Pleasant.
Williams joins a cast of VIPs involved with the event that include such as Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Prince Georges County Executive Rushern Baker.
"This is the first major development project in Seat Pleasant in nearly 30 years, and I am honored Ms. Venus Williams and her company, V*STARR Interiors, were willing to come on board with this historic undertaking, said Mayor Eugene Grant. "The city of Seat Pleasant is combining an urban environment with nature and taking measures to reduce our carbon footprint. . . We hope this will serve as an example to the county, state and nation that by working together municipalities like ours can accomplish great things to leave a better future for our children."
Williams' interior design firm, V*STARR Interiors, has agreed to take on the interior design of the new city hall and community center as part of the City Center project. This $60 million endeavor will be the city's largest undertaking in its history and the largest public/private partnership of a municipality with a population of 10,000 or less.
The groundbreaking is an historic celebration for the community as the City of Seat Pleasant: "A City of Excellence," embarks on "Going Green."
The project will cover 15 acres of what is now known as Goodwin Park in Seat Pleasant and include a LEED-Platinum city hall building, which along with the other buildings, will be positioned with energy efficient solar panels and other renewable energy solutions to reduce the size of the carbon footprint of each of the facilities covering five buildings.
First Lady Michelle Obama to Address CBCF Awards Dinner
Friday, 14 September 2012 17:16 Published in National
Four to Receive Prestigious Awards Recognizing Contributions to America
WASHINGTON – First lady Michelle Obama will deliver the keynote address at the annual Phoenix Awards Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Mrs. Obama is scheduled to address more than 3,000 expected attendees at the evening's event, which marks the first time ever that a first lady has addressed the prestigious gathering.
"We are so pleased that Mrs. Obama will serve as the keynote speaker for the awards dinner," said Elsie L. Scott, president and chief executive officer for CBCF. "As a former CBC Spouse, Mrs. Obama is quite familiar with our mission at the Foundation, and we are certain that her remarks will be both thought provoking, and most importantly, inspire our audience to do their part to prepare the next generation of leaders."
The Phoenix Award symbolizes the immortality of the human spirit and an eternal desire to reach its full potential. Four distinguished individuals will receive the prestigious award:
• U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. will receive The CBCF Chair's Award. The award is presented to an individual whose work and accomplishments stand as a role model for the African-American community and the African Diaspora.
• Writer, director George Lucas will receive The CBC Chair's Award. The award is presented to an individual who exhibits the highest standards of dedication, ability and creativity;
• Representative Corrine Brown of Florida and the first African American Mayor of Charlotte, NC, the Honorable Harvey Gantt will each receive The Harold Washington Award. The award is presented to an individual who has contributed immeasurably to African-American political awareness, empowerment and the advancement of minorities in the electoral process;
Recent past recipients of the award include EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson; athlete, entrepreneur and humanitarian George Edward Foreman Sr.; civil rights activists the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery and Georgia Congressman John Lewis.
D.C. Delegates Continue to Fight
Great to see our delegates to the National Democratic Convention still pushing for D.C. Statehood for citizens of the District of Columbia ["D.C. Delegates Push Agenda despite DNC Snub" September 6, 2012].
As we all know the District is changing, and with the influx of new residents, I have a strange feeling that our fight will soon be won. Congress and the powers that be can no longer use the excuse that the District is a majority one party, which I believe is a code for majority black, and therefore did not deserve to have status as a state because it would add an additional Democratic senator.
Hopefully, our new residents will join the fight for full citizenship and help to put pressure on Congress for Statehood for the District of Columbia no matter what their party affiliation. Hopefully, Statehood is as important to our new residents as it has been to those of us who have been fighting this battle for years.
Kenneth Davis
Washington, D.C.
HIV/AIDS Doesn't Discriminate
That was a great article written by Freddie Allen in your September 6th issue, "Straight Black Men Ignored in AIDS Initiatives." The most dramatic statement to me in the article was the one you highlighted by Dwayne Morrow, "What we don't want 10 years from now, if there is still an HIV/AIDS epidemic, we don't want to find heterosexual Black men facing the same epidemic that White gay men were in the '80s."
If you know anything about the AIDS epidemic, that statement can be so real. I have heard some people say the media is now trying to make AIDS a black disease, or they are inflating the numbers to spread panic in the black community, or they are saying these things to make black churches look bad. All that stuff is just talk, the real issue is that AIDS is a disease, and if you are not informed, educated and careful you can be infected regardless of your gender or race.
Raymond Stevens
Alexandria, Va.
Ambassador to Libya, 3 Others Killed in Attack
Wednesday, 12 September 2012 23:15 Published in International
On the anniversary of 9/11, America found itself questioning yet another horrific tragedy with deaths of Chris Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans.
The four were killed Tuesday – caught in a storm of gunfire and flames -- when a group of armed men stormed the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.
Both President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced the attack as ruthless act of violence.
"This is an attack that should attack the conscious of people of all faiths around the world," Clinton said. "We condemn in the strongest terms, this senseless acts of violence."
Obama vowed that retribution will be sought.
"I can't imagine that Chris Stevens died in Benghazi, because it is a city that he helped to save," said Obama.
While a terrorist group affiliated with Al Qaeda claims responsibility for the well-coordinated attack, U.S. security officials are still trying to determine whether it was deliberately timed with the 11th anniversary of 9/11.
Board Rules that Brown Qualifies for November Ballot
Tuesday, 11 September 2012 18:34 Published in Local
Petition Challenge and Allegation of Wrongdoing Rejected
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Board of Elections has ruled that the Michael A. Brown re-election campaign has qualified for the Nov. 6 ballot. The Board formally rejected the challenge to the campaign's petitions, dismissed any allegation of wrongdoing, and summarily rejected requests to issue subpoenas.
"The Board's decision [on Sept. 10] confirms what my campaign has been saying all along: the petition challenge had no merit and was made by my opponent in bad faith," said Brown. "According to the Board, my opponent challenged hundreds of signatures which after extensive review, were determined to be valid. Knowing that his challenge was bogus and would fail, my opponent intentionally wasted the time and resources of District taxpayers to advance his political ambitions. This gamesmanship and shameless attempt to disenfranchise voters represents the most unethical kind of dirty politics."
In preliminary hearings on Aug. 29 and Sept. 7, the Board's registrar and staff recommended that the petition challenges be dismissed because over 3,000 signatures were deemed valid. At Monday's hearing, the Board upheld the staff's recommendations, granting Michael Brown ballot access and concluding the challenge proceedings.
Groove Phi Groove Fellowship Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Tuesday, 11 September 2012 18:20 Published in Life and Style
Founders and Brothers Worldwide Return to Morgan State University where Vsion Began
BALTIMORE, MD -- In October the city of Baltimore will play host to thousands of its favorite sons as Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship returns home to celebrate 50 years of community service, achievement and brotherhood.
It was Oct. 12, 1962, when 14 men at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) solidified their vision of addressing education, leadership and social and economic issues in the black community, founded Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship. This was the beginning of a thriving movement that continues today, and boasts hundreds of chapters and approximately 40,000 members worldwide.
GPhiG will hold their 50th annual conclave Oct. 10-14 at the Baltimore Marriott Hunt Valley Inn. More than 5,000 members along with family and friends are expected to gather, including the organization's founders. As one of the youngest of the college-based black organizations,13 of its 14 members remain active with the Fellowship.
"This is a historic moment in the annals of our organization, and to celebrate it with our Founders makes it even more historical," said Victor P. Henderson, Groove Phi Groove president. "We are fortunate to be able to honor and interact with our Founders. The strength and commitment of these 14 men are a result of who we are today."
"It's truly overwhelming when you can see the results of your vision from a half a century ago still alive and active in our brothers today," said Barry Hampton, one of the founders and past president of Groove Phi Groove. "This anniversary represents a legacy of 50 years of service and dedication to the community. We're young, but through our many chapters, we have become a major force when it comes to outreach, making a significant difference in the lives of others, and in ourselves."
This year's theme, "Celebrating the Past...While Charting the Future," is in recognition of the Fellowship's 50 years of service to the community, but also to build on the past to create a stronger future. During the 50th anniversary, GLA will sponsor students from various Baltimore high schools to participate in forums, with some students receiving scholarships during a special banquet.
To learn more about Groove Phi Groove visit www.groovephigroove.org.
DC Taxicab Commission New Meter Installations Halted
Saturday, 08 September 2012 01:55 Published in Local
Contract Appeals Board Decision Causes Setback
Last week's decision by the Contract Appeals Board (CAB) to halt the installation of the Taxi Smart Meter System (TSMS) has disrupted the tight schedule and presents the possibility that the innovative system will not be placed in all DC taxis as planned by the presidential inauguration. Although, the DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) is confident that ultimately the CAB will agree that VeriFone was rightfully awarded the contract, Commission Chairman Ron M. Linton expressed some concern.
"The DC area will have a significant number of visitors for the Presidential Inauguration in January," said Linton. "We planned the schedule so that TSMS would be installed in a timely manner in order to better serve passengers at that time."
Due to the CAB ruling, DCTC advises drivers and operators against any further installations. The Commission wants to make sure that it is clearly understood that once a final determination is made by CAB, taxi operators that might proceed with installing an alternative system run the risk of incurring additional expenses for its removal, as well as, exposure to possible technical glitches and scheduling disruptions.
"Although we don?t like the current circumstances, we respect the process," Linton declared. "However, drivers are encouraged to use caution before committing to installing any equipment that could result in unexpected expenses."
Additionally, the recent series of assaults on taxicab drivers in the 5th District highlights another benefit of TSMS. With the capability to accept credit cards, drivers will no longer have the need to carry as much cash. Thus, drivers will be less of a target by removing some of the incentive for a robbery. TSMS also includes a discrete safety device that directly alerts police and medical personnel of an emergency situation.
"TSMS not only makes it more convenient for passengers who prefer to use credit cards, but it also makes it safer for drivers," Linton added. "We hope to be able to re-start the process of installing TSMS as soon as possible so that our taxi industry is able to gain the additional public safety benefits."
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