Congratulations to Miner Elementary School! NBC 4 story below, click on the link to watch the video.

DC Elementary Glee Club Sings for First Lady
Students meet first lady and Harry Connick Jr.
By PAT LAWSON MUSE
Tue, Feb 23, 2010

Call it a hot gig.

Forty students from Miner Elementary School in northeast Washington got caught up in a heat wave at the White House on Sunday. The school’s principal was notified late Friday that the students were invited to get a behind-the-scenes look at planning for the Governor’s Ball.

Once they arrived, the kids got a triple treat. They got to meet first lady Michelle Obama, who welcomed them, along with Grammy Award-winning singer/composer Harry Connick Jr., who was there to rehearse for a Sunday evening performance at the ball.

Gathered in the East Room, the kids watched Connick and his band play a rendition of “When The Saints Go Marching In.” Then, Connick pulled 10-year-old Derrick Hopkins out of the audience and gave him the microphone.

Hopkins wasn’t familiar with the words to the song, but his strong, smooth voice left quite an impression, as did the whole glee club, which performed a rousing rendition of Martha Reeves’ hit song, “Heat Wave.”

It wasn’t the glee club’s first celebrity gig. Over the years, the students have sung for a diverse audience that’s included gospel singers, the Washington Redskins, officials at the dpartments of state and education, the Attorney General’s office and D.C.’s mayor and city council, to name a few.

But singing at the White House was the club’s highlight.

“I’ve been in Washington all of my life and it was my first time in the White House,” said Martin Ford, who’s been the music teacher at Miner for the past 17 years. “It was very special for me and definitely for my students,” said Ford.

The White House visit was also a learning experience for the students. Connick told them music can get people through disaster and the darkest times. Obama told them that Connick and his band members aren't just performers, but also community leaders who aren't simply playing music and earning money.

"Even if you can sing and dance, the question is:  what do you give back?" Obama asked.

The Nationals and their food service partner Levy Restaurants, are hiring this weekend for various part-time positions for the upcoming baseball season.

They are looking for concessions managers, concession supervisors, cashiers, stand workers, grill cooks , bartenders and servers for their food operations and restaurants at the stadium.  These are ideal jobs for entry level job experience, for seniors and retired persons seeking additional income  and others who would enjoy working at the stadium games and events.  

The recruitment fairs are scheduled on: 

Saturday, February 27, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday, February 28, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Monday, March 1, 3:00pm -7:00pm.

The Job Fair will take place at Nationals Park.  Enter at the Center Field Main Gate Entrance.  Please bring a resume with you. Help with resume preparation and tips on completing the required application, and other assistance will be available during a two hour job preparation sessions to be provided by staff of  the Southwest Family Enhancement Career Center, located at 203 N St. SW on Wednesday and Thursday February 24th and 25th, starting promptly at 2:00 pm on a first come basis.

The first in a series of workshops hosted by the Marine Barracks of Washington, as profiled on our website in January, is scheduled to take place February 24, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Van Ness Elementary School Auditorium located at 1150 5th Street SE, Washington, DC .  These workshops are intended to provide the Marines with local input including neighborhood needs and desires as they prepare coordinated community development plans.

All workshops are all open to the general public and all are invited and encouraged to come.

Free Tax Help
March 1 - April 15
 
Ward 6 Tax-Aide Site - Southwest Library
920 Wesley Place SW
Mondays  2:00 - 8:00 pm 
Tuesday 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Thursday 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

AARP Tax-Aide, an AARP Foundation program and the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service, offers help to low- and middle-income taxpayers with special attention to those who are 60 and older.  Here in the District, 50 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be helping thousands of District residents file their taxes at 17 Tax-Aide locations throughout the city.  AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, certified by the Internal Revenue Service, can assist in filing tax forms and schedules, including the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ.  Sites are located in places such as senior centers, libraries and community centers. In addition, volunteers can visit hospitals and nursing homes for those who are homebound.  Help is available on a walk-in basis or by appointment, depending on the site.  Tax counseling on the Internet is available year round.  To find the Tax-Aide location nearest you, call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669) or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.