Washington City Paper: Contents for Mar. 26

Kindreds
The Kinlows play politics the old-fashioned way—very hard and very well

Cover Story

Folks in the community room of the Washington Highlands Library have spent the last hour voting for the Ward 8 representative to the D.C. Democratic State Committee. The room is a huge, drab square, with rows of metal chairs—rejects from some government warehouse—holding the center. An equally decrepit set of black-top tables hug the rear and front doors. A steady stream of the usual suspects—activists, political junkies, hangers-on—joins a sprinkle of ordinary citizens who would never think of taking a pass on their civic responsibility. While some people quickly leave after dropping their pink ballots in a yellow box, others linger, talking about politics and the people who play it.

Around 7 o'clock on this January night, Arthur Jackson—one of two candidates vying to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Newt Smith—stands before the crowd, looking uncomfortable and decidedly unpolitical. He says he's been involved in local affairs for more than 20 years; he was part of the Fighting 54th, which in 1994 helped register large numbers of once-disaffected residents in Ward 8, catapulting Marion Barry back to the office of mayor. But tonight, there is no hint of any fighter in Jackson. He reads—in a monotone and without making eye contact—a desultory list of his qualifications.... Continued

Issue of Mar. 26 - Apr. 1, 1999

News and Features

Kindreds
The Kinlows play politics the old-fashioned way—very hard and very well
Cover Story By Jonetta Rose Barras
Keeping the Faith
Amid rumors that a landfill project could evict him from his shack, Bicycle Man plays it cool
The City By Amanda Ripley
Blue Light Special on the Three R's
Welcome to the D.C. Charter School Fair, where parents are customers and educators are always, always selling.
The City By Elissa Silverman
Flirting With Disaster
When Chester Walker hit on Officer Kim Metivier, it was a firing offense
The City By Jason Cherkis
Questionnaire: Elizabeth Crowell
The City By Laura Lang
Duck and Cover Your Ass
We've been hit exactly once in 50 years, but D.C.'s Tornado Preparedness Day will make sure we're ready next time
The City By Sean Daly
Pregnancy Test
The Mail By William Alex Fraser
Past Tense
The Mail By Anonymous
He's at It Again
The Mail By Lawrence Swiader
Animal Instinct
The Mail By Susan Rich
Proust Goosed
The Mail By Martell Swain
Scoldfinger
The Mail By John Barry
Sebadoh, Sebaduh
The Mail By Chad Clark
What About Roach Motels?
The Mail By Bill Leonard
Virginia Is for Movers
The Mail By Robert G. Ortwine

Columns

Fallen Catholics
Cheap Seats By Dave McKenna
Reservoir Pups
Demimonde By Arion Berger
Healing Thyself
City Desk By Laura Lang and Elissa Silverman
THE SPORTS COMMISSION'S CAN OF CORN
Loose Lips By Erik Wemple
The Never-Ending Story
Paper Trail By David Carr

Eats

Raising the Bar
Young & Hungry By Brett Anderson

Movies

Watching the Defectives
Film Review By Mark Jenkins
Dead on Revival
Film Review By Arion Berger

Music

Wouldn't Be What It Was
Music Review By Arion Berger
Handle "Yo" Business
Ill Con Productions' TaekOne and Dirty Hands are making names for themselves—and money—in the D.C. hiphop scene
Acts Locally By Neil Drumming
Time Won't Let Him
Music Review By Brett Anderson