Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) recently defeated challenger Kelvin Robinson by a large margin in the September primary. He represents an area of the city that ranges from Eastern Market to Capitol Hill and up to the H Street, NE corridor. Wells has been known for his support of public transportation, including advocating for street cars and tweeting about his riding on the 90 buses.
What does your Sunday routine look like?
On Sunday morning I start with coffee and read the Washington Post and the New York Times (hard copy delivered to my door – old school) I generally do not watch the talk shows unless I finish the papers early and I am bored.
At 11:00 AM I go to Results the Gym in my neighborhood and play full court basketball with whoever is there. I used to go to church but this is now one of my only free times to play regularly and I really need the exercise.
Weather permitting I enjoy sailing on the Anacostia River in the afternoon out of Buzzards Point on Buster – a Flying Scot sailboat I found on Craigslist and purchased with two others.
In the evening we try to go out for dinner on Barracks Row or H Street. Favorite places include Granville Moore, Cava, La Plaza, La Loma, Chesapeake Room and Trattoria Alberto.
Do you have an iPod? If so, what have you been listening to?
I indeed have an iPod and lately, I have been listening to a compilation of favorite songs by artists from my youth – Buffalo Springfield, Rolling Stones, Don Mclean, Janis Joplin, Eddie Rabbit, Elton John, Moody Blues, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Golden Earing, Otis Redding, Grateful Dead etc.
Have you seen any good movies lately (DVD or theater)?
My wife Barbara is a judge for the Helen Hayes Awards so I find myself seeing quite a few plays. My two favorites over the past few years are Romeo and Juliet performed by an all male cast for the Shakespeare Theatre Company and the Bluest Eye performed at the H Street Theater.
How long have you lived in D.C. and why did you move here?
I grew up in a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. While in graduate school at the University of Minnesota, I went into my favorite professor’s office and asked where he would start his career. He said Washington DC. I had never been to DC but I returned home, sold my car for a train ticket, boarded the Southern Crescent and arrived at Union Station in the fall of 1983. Except for a stint on the Mondale presidential campaign, I have been here ever since.
