The cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin are expected to reach peak bloom this weekend, but officials discourage people from visiting this year given concerns about crowds contributing to the spread of the new coronavirus. (Photo by Jennifer Anne Mitchell)

The DC Lineup for this weekend: community care and connection

By Jennifer Anne Mitchell On Mar 20, 2020 Last updated Apr 24, 2020

Given the impact of the novel coronavirus on the DC community, this edition of our Lineup focuses on self-care and ways to help others over the next few days. Virtual opportunities to connect with local projects like the Cherry Blossom Watch and MuralsDC are other options for this weekend, March 20 to 22.

The weather will be cloudy or partly cloudy throughout the weekend. Temperatures should range from 38 to 80 degrees, according to the forecast.

1. Health: Whitman-Walker Health is offering phone evaluations for people experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and providing tips for managing coughs and preventing the spread of viruses. It is also temporarily suspending programs like youth services at Eastern Market; external events and testing with the community health team; its PrEP clinic; walk-in HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing; and the Gay Men’s Health & Wellness Sexual Health Clinic. Essential HIV and PrEP services are moving to phone appointments.

2. Community Service: Facing an increased demand for community support services, Martha’s Table has expanded its food preparation work and is looking for volunteers to help with behind-the-scenes tasks like grocery bagging, meal prep, cooking and packing. This work takes place at the Maycroft Apartments, 1474 Columbia Road NW, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily. Additional opportunities for grocery bagging are scheduled during the week at The Commons at Stanton Square, 2375 Elvans Road SE, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Available shifts are listed on their volunteer hub. Donations are also welcome online.

3. Community Service: The Capital Area Food Bank is in need of “food rescue drivers” who are able to use their personal vehicles to collect food donations from select stores and deliver them to food pantries throughout DC and Maryland. The group’s volunteer calendar lists other ways to help out in the District, like emergency volunteer grocery packing shifts. In accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, volunteers will be split into groups of 20 people and separated in different areas in the warehouse, 4900 Puerto Rico Ave. NE.

4. Community Service: N Street Village is a local organization that helps low-income women as well as women who are experiencing homelessness in the District. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, they are seeking donations of cleaning supplies, with specific items mentioned in a wish list on Amazon. All volunteer opportunities are currently suspended, and programming is operating on a smaller scale.

5. Community Service: Black Lives Matter DC has organized an East Of The River Mutual Aid Fund and is collecting donations on GoFundMe. The fundraiser was launched on Monday and as of Friday morning is approaching its updated goal of $25,000 to help DC residents in wards 7 and 8, but donations are still being accepted. The inadequate number of health care facilities and grocery stores in these areas makes residents especially vulnerable during this time, notes Black Lives Matter DC.

6. Community Service: In Ward 1, the platform Neighbors Caring for Neighbors invites low-risk residents are help out those facing a greater likelihood of illness. (Note that there is a separate form for those in Mount Pleasant.) Tasks include promoting this initiative, running errands and helping neighbors over the phone with things like understanding government assistance and using a grocery delivery website.

James Bullough’s 2014 mural “Tin-Can Telephone” at 3609 13th St. NW was created as part of the city’s MuralsDC program. (Photo courtesy of MuralsDC)

7. Arts: Professional mural artists and teams of artists have until 4 p.m. on Friday, April 17, to apply to design, create and install aerosol murals through the city’s MuralsDC program. The assignment includes teaching local youth art to cultivate community awareness. Awards will range from $10,000 to $25,000, according to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ application documents. The commission and the DC Department of Public Works are conducting the search. MuralsDC has developed 89 murals throughout the District in an effort to deter illegal graffiti by promoting public art.

8. Food & Drink: Having closed all of his restaurants in New York and DC due to the coronavirus pandemic, chef José Andrés is transforming some of them into “community kitchens” where food is available for takeout — including for those who cannot pay. A small number of volunteers are on site from noon to 5 p.m. daily to distribute food. The community kitchens in the District include America Eats Tavern, 3139 M St. NW; Jaleo, 480 7th St. NW; Oyamel, 401 7th St. NW; and Zaytinya, 701 9th St. NW. Andres’ Pepe food truck will also operate with updates on its whereabouts on Twitter, and Beefsteak will take orders online for delivery.

9. Recreation: Get some fresh air at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. The park at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE is still open, as the group Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens noted in a tweet that included advice to follow public health precautions (like social distancing by avoiding crowds and maintaining 6 feet of distance from other people). The park’s website notes that it is “the only national park devoted to cultivated water-loving plants.” It is approximately 700 acres and includes 45 ponds, an elevated boardwalk, and access to the nearly 20-mile Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.

10. Recreation: The National Park Service predicts that the cherry blossoms will be at or near peak bloom this weekend, culminating sometime between March 21 and 24. (On March 16, they reached stage five of the six stages, “puffy white.”) However, during this time of social distancing, health officials recommend avoiding areas like the Tidal Basin since crowds are typical throughout cherry blossom season. So photographer David Coleman of Cherry Blossom Watch is posting images of the flowers as they open; you can take part in this DC tradition virtually by visiting his website and Instagram feed. The images so far capture the unique sight of empty walkways, benches and parks as the public adheres to advisories. … The Trust for the National Mall, the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the National Park Service also launched a Bloom Cam on Thursday so viewers can watch the trees transform in real time. The live streaming camera was donated by EarthCam. The trust is also raising funds to maintain the trees through the Endow a Cherry Tree Campaign, where donors can sponsor a tree for $1,000 or give in smaller amounts. Those who contribute will be listed on the campaign’s website.