Washington City Paper: Contents for Apr. 2

The Coldest War
Residents of the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home fought in every American conflict since World War II. Even though they've laid down their arms, they face yet another battle.

Cover Story

Bill Woods lay flat on his back, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.

The former infantry sergeant had survived a few tours—Korea and Vietnam, not to mention a long stint in the Cold War—as well as a busted marriage. After his years in the service, he had operated a dry-cleaning business in his native Cambridge, Mass. He had sold it in the mid-'80s, and, not being the sort to retire, he took to tending bar at a local watering hole near Harvard, the Abbey Lounge. It was the most enjoyable job he'd ever had; his customers ran from working-class regulars to Tip O'Neill dropping by for a glass of white wine.

Walking home from work that day in 1991, Woods felt his leg seize up and couldn't go on. It turned out to be arteriosclerosis, a circulatory disorder that ran in his family. Surgeons cut a vein from his arm and transplanted it into his leg, in a two-operation procedure that temporarily saved his limb but ended his bartending days. Recovery came slowly, his foot turned blue, and doctors feared they might have to amputate. Nearly a year went by.

For the first time in his life, Woods was utterly helpless, and he realized he had to face the cold facts of old age. At 61, he'd already buried his mother and father—and he had no children of his own for support or comfort as he approached that final impasse. More importantly, he didn't want to burden his last living relative, his sister, with such matters. "That was the lowest point of my life," he says. "I was living alone, unable to earn a livelihood, with the possibility of losing my foot, and I was too proud to ask for help."... Continued

Issue of Apr. 2 - 8, 1999

News and Features

The Coldest War
Residents of the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home fought in every American conflict since World War II. Even though they've laid down their arms, they face yet another battle.
Cover Story By Eddie Dean
Cruising for a Cruiser
Call 'em sport brutality vehicles: Used cop cars are the hottest rides on the street
The City By Eddie Dean
Letter Rip
D.C.'s assistant police chief finds a poison pen in his back
The City By Jake Tapper
Skirting the Law
Before women could walk the beat, the Metropolitan Police Department's Women's Bureau dispensed justice via wagging fingers wrapped in velvet gloves.
The City By Amanda Ripley
Rise of the IMBYs
When D.C. inspectors arrived last week at a house full of trash, neighborhood activists were out in force—defending it.
The City By Stephanie Mencimer
Allah Uses Cash
The Mail By Terry Mohammad Tahir
Rugby Rat
The Mail By Will Sloan
$haw $trikes Back
The Mail By Steve Donkin
Parental Guidance Suggested
The Mail By Bronwyn Mayden

Columns

A Flair for the Absurd
Cheap Seats By Dave McKenna
The Domino's Effect
City Desk By Colin BaneLaura LangNefretiti Makenta, Amanda Ripley and Elissa Silverman
THE SCHOOL BOARD'S TRANSITION GAME
Loose Lips By Erik Wemple

Eats

Tofu in Sheep's Clothing
Young & Hungry By Brett Anderson

Movies

When You Least Expect It
Film Review By Joel E. Siegel
If You Knew What Keanu
Film Review By Mark Jenkins
Feckless in Seattle
Film Review By Arion Berger

Music

Always the Lads to Know
Music Review By John Dugan
Songs of the Unsung
Music Review By Joel E. Siegel

Theater

Specialty in Forensics
Theater Review By Trey Graham
Women on the Verge
Theater Review By Bob Mondello

Arts and Events

The Anti-Poet
Dean Blehert empties his cerebrum onto the page and never looks back
Arts By Guy Raz
Respect Your Elders
Artifacts By Nefretiti Makenta
What Can He Say?
Artifacts By Louis Jacobson
Vinyl Notice
Artifacts By Dana Hull
Ecce Homo
Art Review By Glenn Dixon