Eastern HS Teacher Honored with the 2007 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education

Reynauld Smith, a social studies and AP American History teacher at Eastern High School, was one of three educators nationwide honored with the 2007 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. According to the Mc-Graw Hill Companies, the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education "annually recognizes outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to enhancing learning in this country and whose accomplishments are making a difference today."

Mr. Smith is being recognized as an innovative educator who took over Eastern's fledgling Model United Nations program in 1999, and introduced the program as part of his AP American History class. Smith has worked with 500 students in his Model UN program and has taken dozens of students to Ecuador, Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. He previously taught in Montgomery County, MD, where he helped start a diversity club for U.S. and international students.

Kingman Island Grand Opening - April 28th

What: Kingman and Heritage Islands Grand Opening

When: Saturday, April 28th, 2007, 10am-2pm

Where: Shuttle service to the island is available. Kingman Island can be accessed from the Stadium Armory Metro on the Blue and Green lines by walking long 21st Street, NE to RFK Stadium Parking Lot 6. Shuttle service from Stadium Armory to the Island will be provided free of charge at 9:25am, 9:35am, and 9:45am. If arriving via car, please park in RFK Stadium Parking Lot 6 and use the lot entrance located off Benning Road. Individuals with disabilities should use the Benning Road entrance of RFK Stadium to access the Island.

To RSVP and for Additional Information: Contact Melissa McKnight, AWC Grants and Partnerships Director at 202.406.4036 or melissa.mcknight@awcdc.com.

About the Event: The Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC) is working with partner organizations, Living Classrooms National Capital Region and the Earth Conservation Corps, to provide public access to the Islands and develop and offer education and service opportunities that will reconnect the community with the Islands and the Anacostia River and promote the importance of restoring and protecting these natural resources. Other project partners include the Student Conservation Association, Anacostia Watershed Society, Washington Parks and People, and Discovery Creek Children’s Museum
of Washington.

About Kingman Island: Kingman Island is a 1-1/2 mile long, 45-acre parcel of land in Ward 7 located in the Anacostia River. The five-acre Heritage Island is located west of Kingman Island. Both islands were created artificially from dredge taken from the Anacostia River in the 1920s. AWC recently awarded grants to the Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) and Living Classrooms National Capital Region(LC-NCR) to assist with the development and management of Kingman and Heritage Islands and the planned Environmental Education Center, which will meet the U.S. Green Building Council's requirements for a platinum rating in its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

A number of public officials and community leaders have been invited to participate in the program portion of the Grand Opening, which will begin at 10am. A variety of educational and recreational activities are planned for adults and children, including island exploration, native animal education, discussions on habitat and the origin of Island and river pollutants, wetlands planting, tree education, a raptor show, art work from local students and face painting.

» Project overview from the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation
» Information on planned renovations from the DC Office of Planning, with a link to the Kingman Island Preferred Master Plan Concept pdf

Walking Town DC Spring 2007 - Saturday & Sunday

Saturday, April 21, 2007 - Sunday, April 22, 2007
Location: Across the City

Join Cultural Tourism DC for more than 60 free walking tours (and a few bike and boat tours) in 18 neighborhoods across Washington, DC. Check the overview schedule, email info@CulturalTourismDC.org or call 202-661-7581 for more information.

What you need to know:
· All tours are free.
· Reservations are not required, with the exception of the bike tours and a few others. Just show up!
· Consider taking Metrobus, Metrorail, or the Circulator. Most tours are readily available via public transportation.
· Tours are held rain or shine.
· Visit the City Guide at washingtonpost.com to check special features and post a review.
· Need more info or tips to plan your day? Click here!

Just a sampling of the tours that may be of interest to folks in NE:

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

Anacostia by Bike: The River and the Ridge
Saturday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Meet at the Harbor Police parking lot at the south end of Water Street, SW
Reservations required: 202-518-0524 or waba@waba.org
This 26-mile ride combines a tour of the Anacostia River Walk Trail with the spine of the Potomac Ridge. See Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, historic Anacostia, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and the Anacostia Community Museum. Participants should expect rough pavement, hills, and traffic, which will be heavy in spots. Helmets are mandatory. Bring water, food, and ID. Led by volunteer Jon Fleming and presented by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

Anacostia by Bike
Saturday 9 am – 12 noon
Meet at the entrance to the Washington Fish and Seafood Market Place, 1100 Maine Avenue, SW
Reservations required: 202-661-7581 or reply@CulturalTourismDC.org
Experience the Anacostia River by bicycle with Emeka Moneme, director of the District Department of Transportation. Ride the route of the future Anacostia River Walk Trail to see Anacostia Park and RFK Stadium. You’ll also learn about the many projects that will soon transform the Anacostia waterfront. Presented by the District Department of Transportation.

Explore Florida Market/Capital City Market
Saturday 9 – 11 am
Meet outside the north entrance of New York Avenue Metro station (exit to Florida Avenue)
The Florida Market is the city’s major wholesale food distribution center. Walkers will visit two Korean restaurants and vendors inside the DC Farmers Market building. The tour will also address development issues, such as increased demand for urban living. Led by Richard Layman and presented by Citizens Planning Coalition, Frozen Tropics weblog, and Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space weblog.

History of Brookland
Saturday 9 – 10:30 am
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE
Learn about the development of Brookland over the last 120 years. Hear about the contributions of famous Brooklanders such as Ralph Bunche and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and discover neighborhood architectural styles. Led by volunteer residents and presented by Brookland Tour Committee.

History of Brookland
Saturday 10:30 am – 12 noon
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE

History of Brookland
Saturday 12 noon – 1:30 pm
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE

African Americans at the Top of the Hill
Saturday 1 – 3 pm
Meet in front of Union Station next to the Freedom Bell
Visit notable African American sites such as the first Washington home of Frederick Douglass, the statue of Mary McLeod Bethune, and the Emancipation Monument. Tour highlights also include the Supreme Court where Justice Thurgood Marshall made landmark decisions and the capital rotunda where Rosa Parks was honored. Led by Noel Paige and presented by Urban Communications (UC) Tours.

History of Brookland
Saturday 1:30 – 3 pm
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE

History of Brookland
Saturday 3 – 4:30 pm
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE

History of Brookland
Saturday 4 – 5 pm
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE

SUNDAY, APRIL 22

Rediscovering Kingman and Heritage Islands
Sunday 10 – 11:30 am
Meet outside Stadium-Armory Metro station (north exit)
Kingman Island and the adjacent Heritage Island, located near RFK Stadium, are envisioned as a publicly accessible, 45-acre natural park that reconnects the neighborhood and all District residents with the natural wonders of the Anacostia River. Join Howard Ways, Anacostia Waterfront Corporation Ward Seven project director, as he tours the area and discusses plans for this space. Presented by the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation.

History of Brookland
Sunday 12 noon – 1:30 pm
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE


Exploring the Hill East Waterfront
Sunday 1 – 2 pm
Meet outside Stadium-Armory Metro station (north entrance)
Hill East Waterfront lies along the shores of the Anacostia River at the southeastern end of Capitol Hill. This community will be transformed into an urban multi-use district, connecting the surrounding neighborhood to the Anacostia Waterfront via tree-lined public streets, recreational trails, and accessible waterfront parklands. Led by Jeff Seltzer, Capital Projects Manager for AWC and presented by the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation.

History of Brookland
Sunday 1:30 – 3 pm
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE

Heard It Through the Grapevine: A Tour of Marvin Gaye Park
Sunday 3 – 5 pm
Meet outside Capitol Heights Metro station
Plans for the restoration of 55-acre Marvin Gaye Park call for a green stream valley with recreational amenities that complement and enhance surrounding communities. The project also includes a rejuvenated streambed, a multi-purpose trail, upgrades to sewer and stormwater management, and improvements to the pedestrian bridges. Led by Washington Parks and People and presented by the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation.

History of Brookland
Sunday 3 – 4:30 pm
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE

History of Brookland
Sunday 4 – 5 pm
Meet inside St. Anthony’s School cafeteria, 3400 12th Street, NE