The Art in the Anacostia River

Flowing with the theme of the Anacostia River, the Honfleur Gallery, ARCH Training Center and Vivid Solutions are currently showcasing, "Greetings from Anacostia" a collection of art and images of life in Historic Anacostia.



Local Anacostia celebrities such as BK Adams display curious pieces of driftwood and self representation while other young newbies like James Holliday hang their views of the Anacostia along the hallways of the ARCH Training and Development Center.

The exhibit is a pleasant deviation from the typical abstract art and gives much needed attention to the past, present and future health of the Anacostia River. Honfleur Gallery would fair well by showcasing more diversity in the arts and staging a panel or talk to introduce the artists to the community.

Overall, this is a great chance to catch classic images and hidden gems of Anacostia. Drop by and be sure to check out the colorfully amazing Mami Wata Exhibit by Bruce McNeil on the second floor of the Honfleur on 1241 Good Hope Road SE!

Community Yoga in Africa... Why Not Anacostia?

Superstar Yoga Instructor Baron Baptiste has launched an Africa Yoga Project throughout Nairobi, Kenya targeting street performers, artists and acrobats by training them to be yoga teachers. The program has expanded to Yoga in the Streets and Beads for Change - a program to help Masai women make money off of beading.

If one man can mobilize and teach yoga in the streets of Nairobi, I am sure we can bring the transforming practice of yoga to East of the River!
One DC-based organization, Yoga Activist offers options for yoga teachers to conduct community outreach, but oddly the teaching can't quite reach across the Anacostia River.

So far, I have only found two locations that offer community, free, & not-so-free yoga in Southeast DC:

Spirit Wellness
2300 MLK Avenue SE
Saturdays 12pm

HEAT HAVEN
1429 Good Hope Road SE
Yoga and Pilates with Amber Robles Gordon
Community Sundays 2-3pm

Best Outdoor Public Pool in Southeast??

As the swampy summer turns up the heat in southeast, I have started my quest for the Best Outdoor Pool located East of the River.
My 4 criteria:
- Child to adult ratio
- Attentive life guards
- Cleanliness/ shower room
- Accessibility

So far, I have visited Fort Dupont, Anacostia Park, and Douglass Pool at Stanton Terrace. Fort Dupont leads the pack and meets most of the four criteria falling short of accessibility. But, Anacostia Park comes in at a close second with their new shuttle service for kids from Anacostia High School and Anacostia Pool/Fitness Center.

Shuttle service starts and ends at Anacostia High School, Monday -Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., and on Saturday & Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Service at the Pool/Fitness Center runs Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 12:15 to 8 p.m. The Shuttle makes a complete loop every 30
minutes.

This initiative by DDOT asks parents and neighbors to prevent children from crossing I-295/DC 295 On-Foot. DDOT is temporarily providing the shuttle service while the pedestrian bridge across DC 295, between the high school and fitness center, is
rebuilt.

For more information regarding the shuttle service or the 11th Street
Bridge Project, please contact Public Information Manager Bryon Johnston
at 202-484-2330, ext. 137.