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Some of the most popular children’s books teach lessons on colors, sharing and numbers. But what if they also offered lessons on more adult topics like strategic thinking and mindfulness? Linda Ryden — a peace teacher at Lafayette…

The daisy is a delightful flower that opens each morning — the origin of its name, derived from an Old English term meaning “day’s eye.” So it’s only appropriate that Gloria Torrento Del Cid is known to everyone around her by a twist on…

Everyone knows Lassie, the heroic collie from novels, movies and TV who repeatedly saves her human from near-death experiences. But in DC, there’s a real-life canine hero, whose companion rescued her from a shelter and trained her to…

Given his joyful nature, it’s hard to believe Imhotep Newsome routinely works 15-hour days between a full-time job and volunteer tasks. Newsome’s job as the language access program manager for the Metropolitan Police Department is all…

With standing ovations and teary eyes, guests at the 18th annual Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Awards Ceremony last week celebrated “everyday heroes” in the DC government, including a fire sergeant and his cadaver dog. Honored…

An Earth warrior lives among us. Nestled near some thick trees in the Kalorama Triangle neighborhood is the home of Rafe Pomerance and his wife, Lenore. “We’ve lived in the same house since 1975,” Rafe said. Forty-four years, three kids…

As the nation grappled repeatedly with the issue of police brutality, 10 teenage girls participating in a Ward 5 after-school program met weekly from 2015 to 2017 to collaborate on a novel, drawing from their own experiences and…

Some voices are unforgettable. For communities spanning from DC to Virginia to Maryland, Shellie Bowers’ voice was one of them. As a baseball coach, sports announcer, broadcast teacher, tutor, mentor and comedian, Bowers was involved in…

“Jambalaya.” The word typically refers to a large pot of Louisiana-style stew. It’s also the term Abimbola George uses to describe the melting pot of educational programs he’s helped introduce since 2014 at Malcolm X Elementary School in…

People look at Zahir Muhammad and automatically assume he plays sports. At 6 feet 3 inches, he towers over most of his peers at DeMatha Catholic High School. But the 16-year old’s sport of choice isn’t basketball or football: it’s chess.…

Principal Rachel Tommelleo has the Midas touch of kindness. It’s her compassion for every student that makes her school in Ward 4’s Brightwood neighborhood a warm, welcoming place for each and every student. “If she had it her way, she…

As Election Day nears, candidates forums scheduled this week and next will give voters a chance to learn more about the views of the six candidates vying for two at-large DC Council seats. On Wednesday evening, the Hill Rag will join…

Marta Pérez-García has seen many of her friends suffer from domestic violence. In many of those cases she didn’t realize they were suffering until it was too late. “I am from Puerto Rico, and there is a big problem with domestic…

Zion Kelly stood in the same spot his twin brother, Zaire, had stood to receive his Right Direction Award one year earlier. One month after winning the award, Zaire Kelly was shot and killed only 300 feet from his home. Zion, who…

Chanel Dickerson has the strong will of an ox. As patrol chief for three of the Metropolitan Police Department’s six districts and in her previous positions with the agency, Dickerson has witnessed any number of heart-wrenching crimes.…

Few people are humbler than Josh Singer. Even with a successful career, numerous adoring fans and a Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Award for outstanding government service, Singer would still rather spend time with plants than talk about…

Local bus riders have something to look forward to: more efficient service along the often-clogged 16th Street NW corridor. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) just released preliminary designs for improving service and…

Lakedia Edwards knows her son is not a criminal. So, when she got a phone call that her 15-year-old son, Jaharee, was being detained for robbery, she couldn’t believe it. “We went to court and the attorney presented his case,” Edwards…

For some DC residents, living in the nation’s capital means listening to an excess of helicopter noise. But recently complaints have grown louder that the noises have increased and are occuring at all hours of the day. To try to address…