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A brewing relationship

WASHINGTON — In a college environment, caffeine, especially in such drinks as coffee, is what makes the world run. In the U.S., around 54 percent of Americans older than 18 drink coffee every day, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. And in 2013, a study of University of New Hampshire students found that 40 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds drink coffee every day. This is true at American University (AU) as well, a school that has a number places to get coffee on-campus, including a student-run coffee shop and a nationwide chain.

At AU, one of the most well-known places to get coffee is the Davenport Coffee Lounge. In 1957, the School of International Service (SIS), along with room for a chapel, was founded. After the Kay Spiritual Center was built, the chapel became more of a community hangout. In the 1980s, the hangout was turned into a coffee lounge by the SIS student government, a space for students to talk and collaborate as well as drink coffee. In 2010, the lounge moved to where it is today, in the entrance to the new SIS building, adding more space for students, staff and faculty to sit inside and outside.

“We still consider the main objective for the space for students to get together and hang out. In that way, we differ from every other coffee area on campus,” Manager Rebecca Regan said.

The aim of the Davenport — or the “Dav” as it is known — is to “create a forum that enhances cross-cultural communication and forges bridges of understanding across communities in a friendly, harmonious, and nurturing environment.” It accomplishes this goal by having a series of projects helping the community.

“We don’t see ourselves as just a vendo. We see each other as a student organization that helps the community,” Regan said.

This year, those projects included the Charity Drink Campaign, where proceeds from a special drink were donated to a good cause each month, and the Stamp Cards, where each time customers brought their own mugs, they received a stamp, eventually leading to a free drink. The lounge is also a partner of the TapIt program for clean water and believes in composting and water as a free resource — in other words, no water bottles.

The Davenport is also a place for AU students to work, as well as hang out. There are 35 students on staff, all with different ideas, charities and organizations they believe in or support.

“The Dav seemed like a really cool and chill place, especially in terms of the atmosphere and how it was integrated in American University’s campus,” rising junior Leah Dunn, who works at the lounge, said.

Though the Davenport is older, the place one immediately thinks of in terms of coffee is, of course, Starbucks, which opened on campus in January. It can be found in the entrance or tunnel to AU and is easily accessed from both the dorms and the shuttle stop nearby.

“I love the idea of a local coffee shop, but the Dav only takes cash or Eaglebucks, which I never have. It’s just easier to go to Starbucks,” AU graduate student Shayna Muller said.

Starbucks is open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. It is currently running a campaign for youth education (whenever an Oprah Chai Latte is bought, a donation is made). Starbucks also has a rewards program with three different levels, allowing dedicated customers to receive such benefits as free refills and birthday gifts.

Though many would expect the relationship between the local Davenport and the nationwide Starbucks chain to be tenuous, it is, in fact, rather friendly. Those working in the lounge agree that though they were nervous when Starbucks opened on campus, they knew that because the Davenport was older, people knew the name and the brand.

“I was pretty nervous when [the Starbucks] came to campus. And to tell the truth, I haven’t actually been in the store. But this one time [the Davenport] ran out of ice and so we walked over to the Starbucks and got some from them. Our relationship is pretty cordial,” Regan said.

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Croissants in the Capital

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The poster for the event

WASHINGTON — Set a little outside the famous Embassy Row, in a secluded neighborhood, the Embassy of France hosted its annual Fête de la Musique, a celebration of music that takes place on June 21, also known as the Summer Solstice, in cities all around the world. This year, the festival praised a mix of French culture, including both food and music, and American silent film.

The Fête de la Musique was created in 1982 by the French Minister of Culture at the time, Jack Lang. It was exported around the world in 1985, otherwise known as the European Year of Music. It is now celebrated in five continents, in countries including Germany, Chile, Japan and the United States.

This year, though the gates officially opened at 7 p.m., the line grew much earlier in the day. Everybody had to have their bags checked and show their reservation ticket, though admission was free. Those older than 21 were required to show their ID in order to receive a wrist band allowing them to drink. Food was a cash-only affair, with each item on the menu requiring a certain number of tickets, each a dollar. There were around six different food stations, each making and selling either food or drinks.

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The gates to the Embassy of France. Photo by Xandie Kuenning

The live entertainment was found outside the embassy with seating both in front of a large screen and on the steep grassy hills surrounding. The program began with an opening act by French musician David Lewin on guitar. This was followed by a ciné-concert featuring the 1924 American silent film “Sherlock Jr.,” a slapstick comedy starring Buster Keaton. The film was accompanied by Magnetix, French garage rockers who composed an original score for this event. Their music, in particular the drums, was more felt than heard. After the film ended, the band played another live set, which included their EP compositions.

Along with French music, classic French and American food was on hand. The menu included everything from hamburgers to beignets. Also found were classic French wines and sparkling water. Food could be eaten both outside around a gold abstract statue and pool, or on the previously mentioned seats and hills. It could also be taken inside the embassy, where there was a small seating area of comfortable couches to settle into and art to be viewed. This area was closed off from the rest of the building.

With the combination of French and American culture, this year’s Fête de la Musique was able to draw a diverse crowd from French nationals to American University students.

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Tourism: the capital of Washington

Henry Robertson

WASHINGTON — As the capital of the United States, this city is known for its tourism. The industry affects both the city’s economy as well as the everyday lives of residents. Though there are varying views on tourism, most tend to be positive.

“I’m glad to have people coming here to visit the national capital of our country,” Richard Beatty, who has a family legacy in Georgetown, said. “[But] I don’t like them crowding out our things.”

The District welcomed a record 18.5 million visitors in 2012, according to washington.org. Since then, visitation has been continually rising and is predicted to do so through 2016. Because of the number of visitors, tourism has just become a part of life for most residents.

Alex King
Alex King, a senior at American University, says you get used to tourists in a city such as Washington. Photo by Xandie Kuenning

“Everyone gets used to [tourism],” Alex King, a senior at American University originally from Michigan, said.

Locals who commute definitely feel the influx and have tips to deal with it. Those include not going to attractions, such as the monuments, on a daily basis, unless family and friends are in town, as Henry Robertson, a sophomore at American University, does.

Shani Lee
American University senior Shani Lee says tourism is good. Photo by Xandie Kuenning

“I think [tourism is] good as long as it doesn’t hurt the city,” AU senior Shani Lee said.

Many think that the reason why the number of tourists is high is because of the renowned attractions such as the the National Mall, with about 55 percent of the visitors coming for leisure, according to Jeanette Tejeda de Gomez, public affairs specialist of AAA Atlantic. The most popular attractions in the city are the White House, Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Special events are also a big draw. This year alone, there will be 17 large events attracting visitors from all over. Tourism in D.C. creates $6.7 billion and supports 75,300 jobs annually.

“Tourism is critical to D.C.” Tejeda de Gomez said.

 

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Roses, vines and growing minds

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A leaflet grows in a hanging pot. Photo by Xandie Kuenning

WASHINGTON — Behind the National Cathedral, in the center of the urban political jungle that is Washington D.C., lies a 4-acre haven for those looking to escape the hectic city through gardening. The Newark Street Community Garden is the largest community garden in the D.C. area and has been growing in plot size and popularity since Anne Chase founded it in 1974 to support National Food Day. Filled with 200 plots and with 190 members, the garden offers a variety of programs and opportunities for people of all ages.
“We have tried to create an environment where the neighborhood is welcomed into it,” former president Susan Akman said.
During the 30th anniversary of the garden, around 2004, Akman created a children’s program for little ones under the age of 4. It began just for people living in the nearby McLean apartments but has since expanded to include all residents in the District. The program now has an email list with more than 90 recipients. There is an average attendance of 25-35 children, each with a supervising adult. The program begins with a 5-10 minute story that leads into the planting and later harvest of that season’s vegetable. Akman always tries to plant new things each year, in order to display a variety for the children.
“When my children were little, I tried to plant something different every year to try to expose them to many types of plants,” she said.

child at the park
Alison Rodriguez, 2, eats goldfish on the slide while her mother watches. Photo by Xandie Kuenning she said.

This year, the older children planned the program as Akman was too busy to organize it alone. Akman asked several of the regular juvenile gardeners if they would be able to help coordinate the activities for the younger children.
“”[The older children] could reminisce about their time here,” Akman said.
Along with the children’s garden, the community garden also has a playground. Children and adult caregivers from all over the area have found their way to the jungle gym which has a garden theme. One family from Florida found their way to this park during a walk.
“This place looked really cool and the flowers were really pretty,” said Eden MacClave, 12.
Both she and her mother found the area a welcoming environment in comparison to their home in Florida.
“People are super super nice. Where I’m from people are too busy and too important to talk. Everyone is smiling here. The human element is so friendly,” said Maria Teresa Kline.
Whether you come from Florida or are a native of the District, the Newark Street Community Garden draws even the youngest of patrons in with its bold foliage and friendly playground.