In Our ‘Hood is a community-sourced exhibition surrounding themes of gentrification and community presented in tandem at Pleasant Plains Workshop and Artspace DC. Join the artists and local art lovers at the opening reception: Friday, May 25 from 7-9pm at Pleasant Plains (and 6-8pm at Artspace DC). You can walk, take the 70 buses, ride Capital Bikeshare, or take a DC Pedicab between the two locations.

The show itself runs from May 25 – June 30, 2012. Learn more here.

Artists: Albus Cavus, DECOY, Chanan Delivuk & Alberto Gaitán, Rachel Dickerson, Tiffany Drayton,  Billy Friebele &  Michael Iacovone, Jamal Hardy, Cannon Hersey, Minda Merinsky, Kendra Rubifield, Jenn Verrier, Helen Warren, Michelle ‘Huggie’ Williams.

To learn more about Green Door and other great organizations working on mental health issues around the District — not just during the month of May — pick up a copy of the spring 2012 issue of the Zine!

*In 1949, Congress declared May “Mental Health Month” to raise awareness and discourse about the prevalence of mental illness in our society. (According to my mother, a just-retired school social worker of 22 years, every month should be mental health month, but perhaps she’s a little biased.)

The sports festival is the one time each year that KEEN is able to invite all of their kids, teens, and young adults from DC, MD, and VA, their families, and volunteers to one spirited and festive event. While KEEN always needs lots of volunteers — you’ll see why below — they especially need them for the annual event. (They also need sponsors, if that’s more to your taste.) More information can be found here.

RSVP to volunteer: contact Beth at programsDC@KEENGreaterDC.org or 301-461-2278.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Beata Okulska at  Exec.Dir@keengreaterdc.org or 301-461-5353.

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Why volunteer with KEEN?
KEEN Greater DC is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides free-of-charge, one-on-one recreational activities to children and young adults with all types of disabilities in ways that allow them to build self esteem and self confidence. Volunteers are the heart of KEEN. They show KEEN’s athletes that they are important to our community. While KEEN’s regular activities take place at different sites throughout the greater Washington, DC, area, the Sports Festival is the one time each year for all KEEN participants to celebrate as a single group. KEEN has a constantly growing waiting list of children wishing to participate. With more volunteer help, KEEN can serve more kids with disabilities.

Come with family and friends, photographs, and your stories to the Southeast Library (403 7th Street, SE)! Your interview may air on WAMU 88.5′s Metro Connection, and all recordings will be archived at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in the Washingtonian Division for years to come.

They will talk with residents about the history, geography, and culture of their communities, and find out what makes them unique. Most interviews will take around 15 minutes. Walk-ins are welcome, but for directions and/or if you would like to reserve a specific time slot, please call the Southeast Library at 202-698-3372. (Open to All)

Attendees will experience a mix of traditional and innovative conference platforms, hands-on breakout sessions, inspiring local/regional/national speakers, and a wide array of networking opportunities designed to grow their business.

Think Local First DC has scheduled group brainstorming/strategy sessions and niche learning sessions where you can discuss your areas of interest and expertise. There will also be an area dedicated solely to networking all day long.

Intrigued? Check out the kickin’ website, designed by Bittersweet Creative and learn more here.

Turns out that the ladies who started Whisked!  – featured in the winter 2011 issue of Bittersweet are celebrating their one-year anniversary in delicious style: by having a gathering at The Black Squirrel (2427 18th Street, NW) next Tuesday in the downstairs bar from 6-9pm. As thanks to their many loyal customers (and others fortunate enough to learn of the event), they’ll be giving out free pie slices while supplies last, so come early and grab some pies, pints, and half-priced appetizers.

You can RSVP on Facebook, or just show up with some friends.

There are 3 volunteer opportunities to help out at the Brainfood Kitchen All Stars Graduation & Chefs’ Challenge

• Wednesday, May 16^th (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) – Pre-graduation Prep Day
• Thursday, May 17^th (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) – Graduation Day Prep
• Thursday, May 17^th (3:30 PM – 7:30 PM) – Graduation and Chefs’ Challenge Assistance

Graduation events will take place at Brainfood’s Chinatown Location at Calvary Baptist Church (733 8th St. NW) in Woodward Hall.

To learn more, or if you are interested in volunteering, please RSVP to Amy at amy@brain-food.org by Wednesday May 9th.

Wouldn’t you know it, there just happens to be an inventive Star Wars-themed exhibit going on right now…. Love it!

As fate would have it, just when Bittersweet‘s spring issue (focused on elder care, children’s care, and mental health) comes to this unique art space, we learned that there are going to be a number of events relating to mental health at The Fridge DC in coming weeks…

Stop by on April 26, from 7:00-10:30pm for a performance art piece entitled “Mind Control: Four Feminist Perspectives through Poetry, Prose, and Performance Art.” The event features Molly Gaundry, Jessica Hirst, Sarah Lawson and Mindy Nettifee and is hosted by the esteemed Natalie E. Illum.