Bipeds of Brookland: Rusty Hassan

Rusty Hassan remembers listening to radio as a kid in Greenwich Connecticut. “Back then, Louis Armstrong would also get on top 40 radio.”  He was in the 7th grade and making a model airplane when he listened to a Benny Goodman Concert recorded at Carnegie Hall. “So, it was the first LP that I bought from Woolworths.”

Rusty listened Jazz all through high school, and “I took my collection, small collection then, to DC when I went to college at Georgetown.” There he discovered the Bohemian caverns where he saw John Coltrane and Miles Davis among other great jazz performers.  As a student he took over a radio show on WGTB and has been broadcasting jazz music on the radio and educating DC about the history of Jazz since

Bipeds of Brookland : Maurice Saylor

Some composers are satisfied with just trumpets and violins. Not Maurice Saylor. Instead, this Brookland-based composer champions theremins, bass accordions, toy pianos, washtubs – instruments, in his words, “reviled by society at large and ejected by people of good taste and common sense.”

Born in Neptune, New Jersey, Maurice moved with his family to Washington, D.C. at age 6. A music major at The Catholic University of America, he worked at the university’s music library after graduation, eventually holding every position there.

Two years ago, after 35 years in The Catholic University Music Library and coasting toward retirement, Maurice took a plunge. He chose to dedicate himself full-time to music.

Bipeds of Brookland: Fr. Fred Close


Fr. Fred Close, the pastor of St Anthony Catholic Church, grew up in Washington, DC and worked 25 years for the Justice Department before he was called to explore the priesthood.

Fr. Fred worked for the Foreign Agents Registration Section, where anyone working for foreign clients doing political fundraising or political advertising had to register with the attorney general. “It was a wonderful education into world politics.” He had an injury which led to an adult conversion “which reoriented my life entirely.”  Fr Fred was ordained a priest in 2001 and appreciates the differences of this career. “You have mercy and forgiveness as the connecting point for all the people who fall short of the demands of the law.  It is

Bipeds of Brookland: Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster visited family in DC in 1979 and told her parents she wanted to move here, they replied, ‘You must be crazy!” She was raised in a family of teachers in Charleston, West Virginia. After graduating from West Virginia State University and teaching for ten years, she moved to DC, soon got married and was eventually hired at Francis Scott Key Elementary. She taught fourth grade there until her husband became ill and she retired in 2009. She cared for him for six years until he passed away.

After retirement “I wanted to do something that would help the neighborhood, and be involved.”  She became a volunteer at HSC Pediatric Center.  “I do morning with the group. (SenseAbilities Program) That’s my love,

5810 33rd Pl West Hyattsville, Maryland | $229,000 | Open House Sunday, April 9th, 1-4 PM
YouTube Video Tour
Virtual Tour

Cheerful landscaping welcomes you to this newly renovated two-bedroom, one- bath townhome walking distance to the Metro. Wood floors greet you at the entrance and continue throughout the house. The kitchen is upgraded with tile back splash, durable counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The large living and dining room are ideal for entertaining. Up the gorgeous wood stairs are two large bedrooms with a master bedroom with generous closet space and large 2nd bedroom. The spacious bathroom is updated and bright. The tall lower level makes for an ideal recreation room or joyful playroom plus laundry and abundant

4316 12th Pl NE Washington, DC 20017
Open House Sunday April 9th 1-4 pm
Virtual Tour
You Tube Video Tour

Welcome home to this handsome semi-detached brick 4 bedroom/ 2 ½ bath home. This fully renovated house greets you with wood floors, lots of windows and an arched entry way. Plenty of space to entertain with separate dining room, living room and sun room. Stay warm by the fire when the weather is cool. Dual zoned central air keeps you cool when the temperatures soar. Enjoy cooking in the open kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and new cherry cabinets. Relax and have fun in the generous backyard that is contained by a six foot privacy fence and enhanced with a flagstone patio. This home is complete with a fully finished basement and