Each year on this day, I offer thanks to some of those who make life around here just a bit better. In a time of division and war, it's gratifying to know that there are still people who charge ahead, doing what they feel they simply must do. Thanks to:
David Williams and a legion of preservationists, anti-sprawl groups and neighbors who have fought to protect Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg from being surrounded by huge developments that would destroy views of this historic estate. They've gotten the Army Corps of Engineers to take a stand on the side of preservationists, but the developer is still banging at the door.
Gerard Huet, whose Desserts by Gerard in an Oxon Hill shopping strip is a hidden gem, a source of exquisite pastries, tortes, scones and French cakes. The bakery is a rarity in Prince George's County, which still lacks the good sit-down restaurants and other amenities that come automatically to other places with a similar income and education level.
Gary "Coach G" Weinstein, founder of the Takoma Park-Silver Spring Babe Ruth League; Mason Clark, founder of the Woodridge Warriors Youth Organization in Northeast; Rick Kowalick, president of Virginians for Baseball; and a raft of other grass-roots organizers who have devoted years of their lives to pushing for the national pastime's return to this area. The fat cats will haul in the profits and the politicians get the limelight, but the real energy behind our winning back a team came from coaches, activists and parents who knew what bringing the sport home could mean for generations of kids of every stripe.
Mike Flugennock, a Washington artist whose comic strips, street posters and Web site (www.sinkers.org) prick the powerful and blast the bombastic, railing against both George Bush and John Kerry and anyone who stands in the way of truth, justice and D.C. voting rights.
The Rev. Amy Butler and Calvary Baptist Church, a city landmark in Chinatown that's adapting to the new downtown not by fleeing to the suburbs or clinging to the past, but by reaching out to Washington's new condo dwellers and teaming up with bars and restaurants on Seventh Street NW to help poor families in the area.
Montgomery County Board of Elections President Nancy Dacek and legions of volunteer poll workers across the region who stood tall against the suspicions of partisan political professionals and the conspiracy theories of overheated activists to defend our right to vote and assure a smooth Election Day.
Martin Trimble, Mark Fraley, Alisa Glassman and the clergy who work with the Washington Interfaith Network and Action in Montgomery, local community groups that have built the righteous indignation of ordinary church members into a powerful political force that commands the attention of Mayor Tony Williams, County Executive Doug Duncan and other top area politicians.
Constance Zimmer and Mimi Newcastle, who run the Dumbarton Concerts series in Georgetown, which not only brings adventuresome chamber music groups to town for concerts in an intimate, acoustically rich setting, but also reaches out to kids who have little access to the arts. Dumbarton's Inner City-Inner Child program enriches children in low-income neighborhoods with free books and literacy workshops.
Karl Jones, Amy Mulry and Boaz Green, organizers of Guerilla Queer Bar DC, an inventive experiment in breaking down social barriers. Gay barhoppers spend the evening at a straight bar somewhere in the area and then invite heterosexuals to a gay bar, changing what's played on local jukeboxes and talking past the categories that keep us apart.
Randall Kremer and the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe, for maintaining this country's homegrown classical music in an unexpected venue. The cafe presents superb jazz artists Fridays from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Museum of Natural History.
Donnie McKethan, whose elegant voice and stately manner transport listeners to his WPFW radio program ("Jazz and More," Thursdays at 7 p.m. on 89.3 FM) back to the '50s and '60s, to a time when Sinatra was tops and Dizzy Gillespie was the definition of hip.
And to all those who make this a good and fascinating place, and to those who spend time with this column, thank you, too.
