Author Archives: Valencia Mohammed

Imagine you’ve been sentenced in the District for offenses that in other jurisdictions would land you in a county jail or state facility. In the District, because there are no such facilities, offenders are sent to federal institutions. If you’re lucky, you might be sent to a prison several hours from D.C. But over 1,200 […]

Long before the D.C. Council decided to decriminalize marijuana (cannabis) possession, there was a lone voice that would not be deterred. It was Adam Eidinger, 40, who’s been working for more than 15 years to legalize the herb. (Stock Photo) When many residents thought it was absurd to attempt to legalize an herb listed on […]

It’s a dog’s world in D.C.! There are doggie daycare centers, overnight hotels, parks, psychics, walkers, specialty clothing shops and natural and organic foods. There’s even a special day when dogs swim at pools for an annual splash. Debbie Gomes, 39, owner of Little Rascals, a doggy daycare in Ward 4, said when she opened […]

It is a game of tug-of-war between those who want autonomy to govern themselves and others who hid behind a 226-year-old doctrine to diminish the thought of self-determination. Four congressmen gave onlookers a taste of the brewing battle on the District of Columbia. Two in favor, one adamantly opposed, and a committee head flexing his […]

Despite warnings by medical experts, hookah or water pipe smoking is increasing across the US. The pace of this socializing tool is increasing so rapidly until the American Lung Association refers to it as the “21st Century biggest tobacco challenge.” It was a picturesque evening on May 3, in Adams Morgan, a community in D.C. […]

City officials openly admit the current design of the medicinal marijuana program is for wealthy. They wrestle with the issue because that it was not the intent of the program. “Until it is covered by insurance, medical marijuana is only for the privileged residents who can afford it. When we even take a look at […]

Two months after losing his seat to a newcomer to D.C. politics, former D.C. Councilman Michael A. Brown has thrown his hat into the ring for a run at a vacant at-large seat on the D.C. Council. In November, Brown lost his seat to attorney David Grosso. He changed his party affiliation back to Democrat […]

Hundreds of people gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church on Jan. 3 to pay tribute to Barbara Lett Simmons, a dedicated political and community activist who died on Dec. 22, 2012 at 85. In an upbeat celebration filled with scripture readings, Simmons was praised as a tireless advocate of public education and political power for her […]

D.C. City Councilman Michael A. Brown (I-At Large) was defeated Nov. 6 by lawyer David Gross. The son of the late Ron Brown, who served as commerce secretary under President Bill Clinton, was seen as a rising star in D.C. politics until questions arose about his personal finances and the disappearance of $115,000 from his […]