Turning Natural Opens in Anacostia!

Sunday was a great day for Ward 8. We celebrated the opening of Turning Natural, a juice bar on MLK Ave. In addition to juices and smoothies, they also serve salads, veggie patties and more.

What made the opening even more special is that the owner, Jerri Evans is actually from Anacostia. She grew up on the 16^th and Good Hope Rd. The business was founded by her mom to help fight breast cancer by promoting a healthier lifestyle.

If you were not able to stop by for the grand opening, please make sure you stop by to support this new business. Trust me; you will be making more than one visit.

Location: 2025 Martin Luther King Jr., Ave SE

Grab and go juices if you are in a hurry

The menu

The menu cont..

Something for everyone!

Stewart Anderson stopped by to say hello!

Octavia Shaw and Son - Fairlawn Residents

Great customer service

Veggie and Spinach Patties

busy day...

Loyal following of customers!

Plenty of seating

The Proctor's stopped by to support a new business in their neighborhood

Open 7 Days a week

Come meet the owner Jerri Evans -- born in Anacostia

Anacostia Heritage Trail Launch!

Did you miss it? This weekend, the long awaited launch of the Anacostia Heritage Trail took place at The Big Chair! After nearly eight years of hard work and consistent dedication by residents the community came together to celebrate the history of the Greater Anacostia Community as we move forward to a positive future for this special neighborhood. I've blogged about of efforts in the past. Here are some pics to share from this weekend.

Photos Credit: Nancy Shia from the Washington Informer

That is me talking about Chuck Brown's Big Chair Performance

Wanda Lockridge was featured on one of the signs from the 1980 King Parade

DDOT Director...hoping they fund the Congress Heights and Ft. Stanton Trails

Eugene Kinlow, Philip Pannell, Arrington Dixon, Me, Art Slater

Teaching our kids the history of the community

The ever-present Ron Moten taking it in

Barry Farms Protesters! I'm sure they will be on the signs 20 years from now.

John Johnson performing his poem

I like that jacket Wanda Lockridge

Philip Pannell hyping the crowd

Former Anacostia residents

Arrington Dixon providing remarks

Sam Ford as MC

Audience Members

Councilmember May addressing the crowd

Audience

Grandpa and Son

Philip and Mayor Bowser

Ward 8 Matters

Ward 8 Matters is a call to action to raise the political and social profile of the Ward 8 Democrats. The "Ward 8 Matters" Slate are individuals who are willing to take on the leadership of the Ward 8 Democrats and engage Ward 8 voters in every aspect of our great Ward. We want the city to feel the impact and voice of Ward 8 and use our political power to ensure we get the resources needed to improve the quality of life in our communities.

So does Ward 8 Matter? Yes it does, and we need YOU to come vote for the "Ward 8 Matters" Slate. Help us take Ward 8 Politics to a new level so it powerfully impacts every resident in Ward 8. I invite you to attend theWard 8 Democrats Convention on Saturday September 19, 2015 and vote for a team of Ward 8 Residents who will work diligently to ensure Ward 8 Matters in all aspects of city politics.

When: Saturday September 19, 2015

Time: 12-2pm (You Can Vote and Leave)

Where: Thurgood Marshall Academy - 2427 MLK Ave SE

Charles Wilson       - President

Barbara Jones        - 1^st Vice President

Leonard Watson     - 2^nd Vice President

Darryl Ross             - Treasurer

Anthony L. Green   - Recording Secretary

Deloris Walker        - Corresponding Secretary

Pizza! Pizza!

Looking for a fresh slice of pizza? Now you can stop on Good Hope Rd at the new Little Caesar's Pizza that opened next to 7-11. I stopped in the other day to welcome the new franchise owner. Pizza's, buffalo wings and cheesy sticks are made in house and are ready for your to pick up. Back in the day you used to order made to order slices, but now you have to buy the whole pizza pie. You can get a pepperoni for under $7...not bad.

Be sure to stop by the ribbon cutting ceremony this Saturday.

WHAT:    Little Caesar’s Grand Opening

WHERE:  Little Caesar’s Pizza, Good Hope Rd., SE

WHEN:     12:00PM – 1:30 PM

The Anacostia Heritage Trail is Here!

Did you notice something different on Good Hope Rd. and MLK Ave? Next time you are driving or walking down the street look a little closer and you will notice the Anacostia Heritage Trail signs have been installed! 

Yup, it took us nearly 10 years, but we finally did it! It was an effort that began with the Anacostia Main Street organization and later picked up by the Historic Anacostia Block Association and the Anacostia Coordinating Council.

The signs look great! There are 20 signs installed that give a detailed history of the neighborhood. We are planning a ribbon cutting ceremony in July. If you are interested in helping join us on Thursday June 4^th at 6:30pm at 1800 MLK Ave for the planning meeting. 

Congratulations to the Greater Anacostia Neighborhoods and all the people who helped with the process! Of course, a special thanks to Cultural Tourism DC for leading the way and staying the course to get this done!

Right outside of the Frederick Douglass Home

Did you know there used to be parades held in Uniontown (aka Historic Anacostia)?

Old Market Square (14th St)

Churches played an important role in the neighborhood

20 signs = about 2 miles long

History of Rose's Row. A row of homes on U St

Perfect placement. This sign at the 11th St bride speaks to
John Booths escape after the assassination of President Lincoln

My favorite sign. Gives you a look into the gateway into the neighborhood

Can't leave out the Big Chair

Ward 8: Best Campaign Yard Sign?

Anyone who has ever run for public office knows once you decide to run, one of the first things to determine are your campaign colors. Many times campaign colors will reflect a candidates personality or just clever campaign strategy.

With 12 people running it looks like all the primary colors have been taken. We can talk all day about who we think will the Ward 8 City Council seat on April 28^th, but for today let’s see who wins for best campaign yard sign. Any thoughts?

Blue

Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity.

Leonard Watson with a Classic Blue & White

Sheila Bunn with a  Blue and Lime Green Combo

Yellow

Yellow is the color of sunshine. It's associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. Yellow produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, stimulates mental activity, and generates muscle energy. Yellow is often associated with food. Bright, pure yellow is an attention getter, which is the reason taxicabs are painted this color. When overused, yellow may have a disturbing effect; it is known that babies cry more in yellow rooms. Yellow is seen before other colors when placed against black; this combination is often used to issue a warning. In heraldry, yellow indicates honor and loyalty. Later the meaning of yellow was connected with cowardice.

Sandra "S.S" Seegars  with a Classic "S.S." Yellow

Jahaur Abraham with a brighter Yellow

Red

Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. It has very high visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights, and fire equipment are usually painted red. In heraldry, red is used to indicate courage. It is a color found in many national flags.

Natalie Williams - Red and White with a bit of Washington NFL Football Team Maroon

Eugene Kinlow with a Red, Black & White combo

Purple

Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic. According to surveys, almost 75 percent of pre-adolescent children prefer purple to all other colors. Purple is a very rare color in nature; some people consider it to be artificial.

LaRuby May and the Grape Purple 

Orange

Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. To the human eye, orange is a very hot color, so it gives the sensation of heat. Nevertheless, orange is not as aggressive as red. Orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect, and stimulates mental activity. It is highly accepted among young people. As a citrus color, orange is associated with healthy food and stimulates appetite. Orange is the color of fall and harvest. In heraldry, orange is symbolic of strength and endurance.

Greta Fuller and Historic Preservation Orange

Green

Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money. Green has great healing power. It is the most restful color for the human eye; it can improve vision. Green suggests stability and endurance. Sometimes green denotes lack of experience; for example, a 'greenhorn' is a novice. In heraldry, green indicates growth and hope. Green, as opposed to red, means safety; it is the color of free passage in road traffic.

 Trayon White and Jolly Rancher Green

 Anthony Muhammad and classic Green & White

 Stuart Anderson with another version of Green & White

Marion "Chris" Barry with Marion Barry Green