Tenleytown – Teen Observer Archive

June 26, 2019June 26, 2019

Acceptance of LGBTQ people declining among those aged 18 to 34: GLAAD

Acceptance of LGBTQ people in the United States is on the decline among people aged 18 to 34, according to a 2019 GLAAD report.

That means many young people who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender or gender non-binary are dealing with the consequences of that homophobia. Many also face racism.

“GLAAD announced the findings of its fifth annual Accelerating Acceptance Index, a national survey among U.S. adults conducted on GLAAD’s behalf by The Harris Poll,” according to GLAAD’s website.

“Importantly, however, this year’s Index found the number of young Americans ages 18-34 who are comfortable across all seven scenarios dropped from 53% to 45%, the second consecutive year that this age group has shown a drop,” GLAAD’s

A person protests against the Westboro Baptist Church. (Photo by andendquote courtesy of Creative Commons)

website says.

Fear is born of ignorance, ignorance is born from lack of education, and discrimination is born from fear, according to citizens of Washington, D.C. interviewed this month in the Tenleytown neighborhood and on American University’s campus.

“I think the cause of discrimination is fear and lack of understanding that leads to unnecessary hatred,” said Brianna Fowler, who was interviewed about discrimination at a Starbucks in the Tenleytown neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C.

Many factors tie into causing discrimination, and fear and lack of education seem to be the largest ones, especially regarding homophobia and racism because LGBTQ and race are both things that can be blatantly seen. Discrimination is psychological—when you don’t understand something, you often develop fear, and then act on that fear through fight, flight, or freeze, according to “Exploring Your Mind.”

That resonated with Megan Eigsti, who sat reading at a cafe in Tenleytown.

“Discrimination is caused by fear of people who are different and fear of losing your place in the social system,” Eigsti said. “It’s a misplaced fear.”

Homophobia and xenophobia are both anxiety disorders, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

However, there are actions that can be taken to improve, to help to stop and prevent discrimination, according to those interviewed.

“Discrimination comes from ignorance,” said Marley Brookes, who was on American University’s campus. “If people understood others and put themselves in their shoes, it would go a long way.”

Some D.C. citizens say that discrimination is on the rise, while others say that it’s steadily getting better. Something many of them agree about is that it absolutely can and needs to stop as much as possible.

“If I had the power to do anything, I would make sure to not discriminate,” said Gabby Bennet, 14. “And I would educate them so that they could no longer be ignorant.”

June 25, 2018June 27, 2018

Bike share views mixed as Metro renovations go on

Washington, D.C residents and workers reacted to bike shares and other mass transportation options this month as the WMATA’s billion-dollar repair and renovation work continues.

Derrick Jefferson, 45, originally from California and works as a librarian at American University, has lived in the district for 5 years. He says that he is a “big advocate for public transportation,” and he likes the different types of transportation options in the district, although he feels it could be better implemented.

Lailah Johnson, 18, from Washington D.C., believes that the dock-less bikes are efficient because “you don’t have to walk to a dock station, which may not be close to where you live, to get a bike.”

She says that the dock-less bikes are “cool” because you can just locate the closest one through an app. She never felt like they were in the way. She likes the fact that “you don’t ever have to buy it, you can just rent it for not as much money.”

Without the bikes or the metro she wont have a way to get around.

A woman takes the Metro at the Tenleytown station on Monday, June 25. Photo by Nia Cain.

Madison Childs, 17, from Washington, D.C., thinks that the dock-less bikes are “a waste of money,” she says they are good for the environment but she wouldn’t recommend them to a friend.

She doesn’t think the bikes are in the way and said they are a “cleaner way of transportation and a great way to get exercise, which is needed in America.” She prefers walking.

Liliana King, 22, recently graduated from American University and says she relies on the Metro. If her train line was closed she wouldn’t really know how to get around.

Reginald Dickens, 17, believes that the dock-less bikes are a good alternative for people if their Metro line was shut down due to repairs.

But he personally thinks that the bikes are inconvenient because, “If the bikes are not in your neighborhood you’re out of luck.”

July 14, 2017

U.S. student debt tops $1.4 trillion

WASHINGTON, D.C.–American University students and Northwest District of Columbia residents said Wednesday that student loan debt which is above $1.4 trillion in the United States today is a serious issue facing those seeking higher education in America.

Nelson Jacobson discusses his experience with student loans. By Vicky Tan

“Interest rates are rising and I’m scared that I’ll still be paying of loans when I’m 35,” said Leila Ackerman, 18, who will start at American University this Fall.

Ackerman worries about expenses beyond just tuition and housing. She said the hidden costs are also going to add up. Not only is tuition becoming more and more expensive, but new students must be able to afford food, textbooks and other necessities to living away from home.

“I’m one of the lucky ones, I can’t even imagine what having loans breathing down your back would feel like,” said Janice Barlow, 20, an American University student. “You really can’t do anything. Every thing you do, anywhere you go, you have to be thinking about money.”

According to the Student Loan Debt Report, national student loan debt collectively currently totals $1.41 trillion.

According to the report, around 70 percent of college students in the United States now owe some soft of debt for education. However, even with almost a whole generation drowning in student loan debt, there is no guarantee of employment after they graduate.

There was a general consensus among both residents and students that government is not doing enough to help financially struggling students. With interest rates slowly rising, the nation has not made education as high a priority as others, they said.

“Government should try to make education more affordable, everyone should have the opportunity to go to get a better education if they want to. Money should not be a limiting factor,” Ackerman said.

July 7, 2016

Despite urban area, AU students and staff feel safe

Emergency blue light towers stand throughout American University Northwest Washington, D.C. campus and offer an extra l

An American University staffer walks by an emergency tower on campus. Photo credit Jordyn Fields.

ayer of safety and protection, but many interviewed on campus this month said they feel completely safe.

“I think on certain campuses safety is an issue but not here,” said 20-year-old Cristina Tejada, sitting at the campus Starbucks. “I feel safe on AU’s campus.”

Almost a dozen students and staff this week said crime is not one of their major concerns at American University. But nationwide, in 2014, 50,000 criminal offenses took place on college campuses, according to the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Crimes at American University’s campus have ranged from bike theft and burglary to alcohol violations and aggravated assault, according to the Public Safety website.

Incoming college first-year students at American are given tips and guidelines about staying safe in college. Tips include using the “buddy system,” getting home early, and knowing where those blue emergency towers are.

“It’s better to start with the individual because there’s such a good campus security presence,” said Denise Paolella, who works at American.

Campus police patrol cars circle campus.The school also offers a self defense class.

“I didn’t have a lot of concerns about campus safety,” said 42-year-old Joy Adams, who now works on campus. While she was a college student in Texas she said, “I was mindful of my environment by making sure I didn’t walk in dark place on my own.”

July 7, 2015July 9, 2015

AU students and faculty react to campus safety measures

By Emily Boyle — Discover the World of Communication student Naima Fonrose from Laurel, Maryland observes a blue phone emergency system on campus. Photo by Emily Boyle

American University students, staff and summer program attendees expressed both confidence and apprehension about campus safety in interviews this month.

Cassidy Luciano, a rising junior at AU, said she felt comfortable on campus with the various safety measures implemented. Though Luciano has never seen the blue “emergency” towers around campus in use, she has felt comfortable knowing they are present.

Luciano lives off campus but lived in Anderson Hall during her freshman year. While she liked having someone to check IDs at the front desk, Luciano said “sometimes I think they were a little relaxed,” attributing the laxness in the security to being in a “big city.”

Megan Piccirillo, a rising senior at AU, had no complaints about security on campus. Piccirillo noted she consistently finds public safety officers present, front desk monitors in dorms checking IDs and new technology frequently being introduced to the University.

Samantha Dumas, 19, a student at AU, has generally felt safe during her time on campus. Despite this, Dumas said that occasionally, “people are doing unsafe things behind closed doors.” Dumas did feel that resident advisers are “on top” of keeping dorms safe.

Michael Allen, an AU police officer for eight years, thinks public safety at AU has improved over the years, with many new technologies around the campus being implemented to maximize security measures. He pointed out a shelf of pamphlets that read “Personal Safety Apps.”

One of the key safety apps listed was the “Rave Guardian App.” According to Allen, the app connects students with AU police, allows tip texting and sets a safety timer for students traveling between locations on campus.

Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Regina Curran believes that AU’s public safety is improving drastically.

Curran said 14 new security officers were hired on campus. Curran said there will be a “greater presence” of officers all around AU, hopefully ensuring all students and faculty feel safe around the clock.

Curran additionally explained the function of the blue phones on campus, which “automatically call the dispatcher” and find immediate help for students in emergencies.

July 4, 2015July 7, 2015

Because People are People- Tenleytown Edition

“I would say that my main passion is creating music and playing music.”

Ellen Rice, 26

While waiting for the bus in Tenleytown, a young woman wearing bright pink pants and listening to music shared her passions in her life as a twenty-something.

Ellen Rice plays cello in an indie rock band and guitar in a flamenco group.

“I would say that my main passion is creating music and playing music.”

Rice likes to stay as involved in as many different music group as possible because she believes all kinds of music are important.

“The people is real cool.”

Joseph Brown, 45

A retired chef sat outside Starbucks as he shared what he believed about the valuable things in life.

Joseph Brown worked at restaurants such as TDR at American University and the World Bank.

His arm of influence extended beyond the kitchen as he served as a counselor for sexually abused children.

Now that he has retired, he spends his time getting to know other people and helping to support them through tougher times.

“Most of my friends are from different countries.”

He believes, “The people is real cool.”

“I hope that it does really well so that I can move back to the US to take care of my family here.”

Richard Jackson, 51

The communications director at a new, startup business in China was on his way back to his parents’ house for a visit because his job has him living in China full time.

Richard Jackson, 51, is a part of a business that is working on developing a virtual life robot that people can talk to and walk next to in their homes.

“I hope that it does really well so that I can eventually move back to the US to take care of my family here.”

“I want to keep my options open.”

Ben Adomaitis, 12 (not pictured)

While waiting in a local pizza shop, a pre-teen explained his goals for his future career.

“Well, I’m not sure right now because there are so many options,” Ben Adomaitis said.

He later mentioned that he enjoys playing on the local little league team and the school team for baseball.

He wanted to be sure to mention that he enjoyed school, too.

Math and reading are his favorite classes.

“But,” he said, “I want to keep my options open.”

“I’m in an internship doing the sound for some theater plays.”

Rebeca Lindenfeld, 21

While she is attending college, this young woman is pursuing her dreams.

Rebeca Lindenfeld was waiting for the bus when she opened up about her dreams for her future.

“My goal in life is to work at a recording studio.”

She hurried onto the bus after a few phrases, off to her next destination.

June 24, 2015

Extending roots into the community

200 gardens are located on 4 acres of land. Photo by Angela Frank.

Bright flowers illuminate the garden. Photo by Danielle Nahabedian.

Susan Akman proudly displays one of the gardens. Photo by Ashley Gallagher.

Organization is evident in Elwood Gautier's display. Photo by Danielle Nahabedian.

A giant flower soars above children at play. Photo by Danielle Nahabedian.

Marguerite Pridgen shows off her garden. Photo by Ashley Gallagher.

One of the many gardens in bloom. Photo by Danielle Nahabedian.

WASHINGTON — The Newark Street Community Garden is tucked between Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues: two of the District’s busiest roads. Just north of the garden is the National Cathedral. “We’re fortunate that they haven’t put high rises here; we were worried,” Susan Akman, a longtime gardener, said. The garden, celebrating its 40^th anniversary, features 200 plots of land tended by 190 different gardeners. It is the largest of 26 community gardens in the District. Each plot has its own assortment of flowers and vegetables, telling the stories of its caretakers.

Whether sprawled out or carefully organized, each plot reflects the personality and diversity of the gardener. Louisiana native Elwood Gautier meticulously arranges his produce into square spaces and donates it to a local food bank, Miriam’s Kitchen. Many others also make seasonal donations, and gardeners host a day in which they donate produce to SOME (So Others Might Eat).

Longtime gardener Akman is always looking for new ideas for her garden, and she works behind the scenes, constantly trying to beautify the entire four-acre park. She has been experimenting with “companion planting,” such as planting cucumbers alongside plants that smell like cucumbers to keep pests away and to attract pollinators. Her garden is filled with radishes, tomatoes, beans, carrots, lettuce, chard and garlic. She also works with young aspiring gardeners, usually ages 2 to 4, and teaches little ones the basics.

While she enjoys her work with the young children in the park, she also cherishes time alone when the garden is quiet. Akman finds solace in gardening, especially early in the morning when only the church bells toll. “I love to come at about 5:30 in the morning,” she said.

Another avid gardener is Marguerite Pridgen, a garden association board member . She has tended a plot for four years after being on the waiting list for more than a year. She describes herself as an ”urban farmer” because she primarily plants crops. “I like to have control of my food supply,” she says. She enjoys growing organic food and shares it with her mother. Her biggest tip for other gardeners is to employ the use of raised beds because they help avoid weeds.

Pridgen is in charge of enforcing the garden’s rules. For instance, gardeners are not allowed to grow invasive plants, grow plants too close to the fence, or neglect their gardens. All of these rules were implemented to ensure that the people tending the gardens actually want to be there. This is especially important considering that there is a two-year waiting list for aspiring gardeners. When a member is not complying with the rules, she reports them to the board. “People need to stay on top of them,” she said. Recently, issues have arisen because of infractions that are not written directly in the rules, but need to be addressed. A couple has put a grill in their garden, which has been a point of contention for the board. “We try not to update the rules,” she said. She hates to enforce the rules, but “It’s a lot of common sense things.”

Despite issues, the garden community is finding ways to stretch its roots throughout the neighborhood. The garden caters to everyone, with a playground, dog park and picnic area. “We are a community. We help each other. Everyone pitches in to help,” Akman said.

June 18, 2015June 18, 2015

Steak ’n Egg: an amiable atmosphere

Clauton Kum talks about his experience at the diner. Photo by Meagan Pruitt

WASHINGTON — Osman and Joe’s Steak ’n Egg Kitchen, a 24-hour staple of the Tenleytown neighborhood, is where Clauton Kum has spent the last three years learning to cook.

“It’s fun to have a staff that works with you,” Kum said. “We goof around with each other all the time, making jokes. It makes the night go faster.”

The 24-hour restaurant features outdoor seating, which looks out on Wisconsin Avenue, and is surrounded with a white picket fence. Eight white tables that can seat about 50 people fill this patio, and if this and the 12 seats at the counter inside aren’t enough, employees make more, said Kum.

The rising sophomore at the University of Maryland came to the United States in 2005 from Cameroon seeking a better education. Osman Barrie and Joe Vamboi, the store’s owners, who befriended Kum’s family, gave him the opportunity to work for their business when he was a sophomore in high school in Silver Spring, Maryland. Through the job, he learned how to cook, working on weekends during the school year and now more hours in the summer months .

Steak 'n Eggs exterior — The patio outside of the diner provides shaded seating. Photo by Meagan Pruitt

Staffers often juggle more than one task— cooking, working the cash register, waiting tables. And Kum’s favorite part of the work is interacting with customers, especially with local college students who frequently come after a night on the town.

“This is the place at the late hour when you’re trying to sober up,” he said. The college crowd energizes the place, adding an entertaining atmosphere filled with spontaneous rap performances and comedic conversations, he added.

The counter, reminiscent of a classic diner, is just inches away from the kitchen, where the staff labors over hot grills. Kum and his fellow staff members work fast; on a recent weekday morning there was a steady stream of people both coming and going.

Kum and other employees are always chatting with customers, laughing with them and trying to make them feel comfortable.

Customers at Steak 'n Eggs — The diner fills up in the morning for breakfast. Photo by Meagan Pruitt

At 10:30 a.m. on a recent weekday, the Jost family, visiting from Indianapolis, arrived after reading a review on Yelp, and ordered biscuits and country fried steak with gravy. Chris Jost described his meal as “great,” while his wife, Candace, said her French toast was “delicious” and daughter Elizabeth pronounced her funnel cakes “the bomb.”

Kum served their table, then dashed back to the kitchen to keep cooking. One of his favorite dishes — and a customer favorite — is the Tennessee Scramble, which features ham, bacon and sausage, and is served with biscuits and gravy. He said, “the omelettes are a little of a struggle,” but in his time behind the counter, he has now mastered the egg-and-cheese sandwich and pancakes.

June 18, 2015June 18, 2015

Washington Framers’ Workroom: a 34-year legacy

Washington Framers' Workroom has six employees with Master Picture Framer certificates. Photo by Emma Goetz

The store also offers a do-it-yourself framing service, seen here is the station that patrons can use to frame their own pictures. Photo by Emma Goetz

Art hangs on the walls all around the store, much of it made by some of the store's eight employees. Photo by Emma Goetz

The interior of Washington Framers' Workroom, one of five framing stores in the Tenleytown area. Photo by Nadav Pais-Greenapple

Gana Browning, one of the founding members and now the sole proprietor of Washington Framers' Workroom. Photo by Nadav Pais-Greenapple

Washington Framers' Workroom has many different varieties of frame. Intricately detailed wood and metal frames are displayed throughout the store. Photo by Nadav Pais-Greenapple

Customers can also choose between three different types of glass to showcase their art. Photo by Nadav Pais-Greenapple

Washington Framers' Workroom keeps over 250 kinds of molding in stock. Photo by Nadav Pais-Greenapple

In the back of the store, small samples of each variety of molding help the employees craft each frame. Photo by Nadav Pais-Greenapple

WASHINGTON– She has met Jane Fonda, worked on commission from the White House and has been entrusted with the care and safety of priceless works of art by famous artists such as Marc Chagall and Rembrandt. Who is she? Not a celebrity, but instead the friendly owner of Washington Framers’ Workroom, a mainstay of the Tenleytown community for more than 30 years.

Gana Browning has been working at the shop since its opening in July 1981. Browning said three friends from Philadelphia, who owned and operated framing stores there, approached another one of her close friends, who recently left a job in the Carter administration, about starting a framing store in the Washington area. The interior design and construction was all done by Thomas Morris, who continues to work, and as the original owners and friends retired or passed away, Browning became the sole proprietor.

Browning said that since the Tenleytown-AU Metro station opened in 1984, development in the neighborhood has been slow but steady. Although interest in building high-rises and large construction projects exists, the neighborhood association has made a strong effort to slow development.

But through all this change, Browning says that “the community has supported us.” Although four other framing stores have since opened in Tenleytown, the competition is friendly. “We support each other,” said Browning.

One special service that Washington Framer’s Workroom provides is a do-it-yourself framing service. “Customers feel like they can accomplish something,” said Browning. With a wide variety of materials for the customers to use, from the Wizard computerized mat cutter that cuts a multitude of shapes to the 250 moldings of wood and metal, the possibilities are endless.

wwlTENLEY — Map by Laris Karklis, reprinted with permission

With a staff of eight, we have a “much bigger staff than most frame shops,” Browning said. Each employee has the ability to do every responsibility, from operating the cash register to working with the Wizard and the touch-up counter.

The frame shop itself evokes a familiar feeling of home, with the walls covered in personal art, and wicker chairs in the front with houseplants as accents. Personal wall art is displayed up and down the walls of the frame shop. “Almost every single one of [our employees] are artists,” says Browning.

There are six certified Master Picture Framers within the business, which makes them the only frame shop on the East Coast with this specialized training, she said. She herself is a former master, but had to cut back because of arthritis.

Throughout the years, Browning said that she has framed unusual items. A customer came in with “a bun from the head of somebody’s mother and we made a shadowbox,” a display box for items too large to put in a traditional picture frame, Browning recalled. “Nobody wanted to touch it.” Other oddities include Turkish daggers and a gun in a shadowbox on display in the shop.

And the famous customers? Browning smiled and began vividly describing what Jane Fonda looked like the day she walked into their small store: 4-inch heels, skinny jeans, perfect hair. “Her daughter, Vanessa Vadim, went to American University,” said Browning.

The shop frequently has customers of political significance, as well as visitors in newscasting professions, including James G. Watt and Arch Campbell.

Despite these famous customers, most of Browning’s business comes from the community. “We’ve had two or three generations of repeat customers,” Browning said. With the store’s 34th anniversary coming up next month, Washington Framers’ Workroom is poised to be a staple of the neighborhood for years to come.