Deborah Simmons

SIMMONS: All hail the reborn Howard Theatre

If, as the adage goes, changes blow in the wind, then with a few snips, lots of smiles and the applause from well-wishers, endless opportunities will abound for the historic Howard Theatre on Monday with a ribbon-cutting that starts a week of celebrations. Published April 8, 2012

SIMMONS: Bill Cosby weighs in on Trayvon Martin case

"The gun." Those two simple words flowed easily from the mouth of social commentator Bill Cosby during an exclusive interview Friday regarding the Trayvon Martin case, arguably the most high-profile, citizen-on-citizen U.S. slaying facing the Obama administration. Published April 7, 2012

SIMMONS: Sheriffs tell watch patrols how to do it

It seems that whether you stand your ground on the right or the left of the Trayvon Martin slaying, the court of public opinion continues to spawn a rush to judgment, such as Congress going to the extreme by considering tighter gun laws and clamping down on neighborhood watch groups. Published April 4, 2012

SIMMONS: Gray spending plan could use a splash of color

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. That about sums up the Gray administration's message as the budget season gets under way. Published March 25, 2012

SIMMONS: Curtain about to rise at Howard

Ask the District's mayor about his memories of the Howard Theatre, and his shoulders relax as the usual full-time at-attention stance eases "his honor" into native son Vince Gray. Published March 21, 2012

SIMMONS: Santorum has a ‘PR’ problem on statehood

A D.C. lawmaker and staunch statehood supporter has some choice words for former Sen. Rick Santorum, the socially conservative Republican whose name does not appear on next month's Republican presidential primary ballot in the District. Published March 18, 2012

SIMMONS: Anti-bullying panel is the wrong approach to the problem

The chancellor of D.C. Public Schools announced Friday that she has pulled together an Anti-Bullying Advisory Committee and that it will hold its first monthly meeting on March 21. Published March 16, 2012

SIMMONS: D.C. can’t afford ‘yes man’ as CFO

Instead of patting himself on the back for doing what needed to be done — spending less money — D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray is treating CFO Natwar M. Gandhi like a political hack. Published March 14, 2012

SIMMONS: Teachers get their fill as classes empty

A recent report from the Department of Education told us nothing new: black youths are more likely to be suspended, kicked out of school or arrested than white youths, and all three occurrences are more pronounced in urban systems. But, who carries a the heavier burden for reform — our youth, or the schools? Published March 11, 2012

SIMMONS: Mr. Mayor, use best play for Redskins

It's time for Mayor Vincent C. Gray to go all-in with efforts to lure the Redskins back to Washington. Published March 7, 2012

SIMMONS: D.C. Council interns shine hopeful light on city youth

Eighteen years ago, when it had become clear that D.C. Public Schools was well on its way toward failing another generation of children, members of the 2012 class were but a vague gleam in their parents' eyes. Published March 4, 2012

SIMMONS: Chavous gives voters something to chew on

D.C. Council candidate Kevin B. Chavous made some interesting comments Tuesday morning on his way to another day of campaigning. Published February 29, 2012

SIMMONS: Have faith, maybe Gray will yet meet with religious advisers

Are you bearing witness to the social revolution? The Bible-thumping and the Koran-burning? Published February 26, 2012

SIMMONS: Closing all city schools is the only remedy

This column reflects major attitude today, and if you don't want to read it, go ahead and flip the page. Or, if you're on the Internet, scroll elsewhere on The Washington Times site. Published February 22, 2012

SIMMONS: Obama won’t ‘vouch’ for D.C. students

Shame on President Obama for turning underprivileged children into pawns — again — and during an election year, no less, as he stands on the cusp of history — again. Published February 19, 2012

SIMMONS: A brief look at the ‘real’ Whitney Houston

Whether you liked her music, hated the fact that America's first black "girl next door" married bad-boy Bobby Brown or remain one of few people old enough to get an AARP card and can sincerely say "Whitney who?" there's no getting around the truth: The lime-lighted life of Whitney Elizabeth Houston has many teachable moments. Published February 18, 2012

SIMMONS: Catania outburst, Barry anger the product of deep-seated antipathy

Do not for one second expect Marion Barry and David A. Catania to kiss and make up after their un-Hallmark-like spat on Valentine's Day. Published February 15, 2012

SIMMONS: Day lets loose inner Newt

In an interview on Saturday, Tim Day, the only Republican vying to replace Harry Thomas Jr. on the D.C. Council, won't go on the record and delve into mayoral recall territory or talk trash about the two dozen other contenders vying for the Ward 5 council seat. Published February 12, 2012

SIMMONS: HIV/AIDS and illiteracy are a deadly duo

As we try to straighten the tangled web we have weaved around the HIV/AIDS crisis, the nation's capital is gearing up for a very special confab this summer, the 2012 International AIDS Conference, just as a cultural battle brews anew in America. Published February 8, 2012

SIMMONS: New regulation eyes accounts of charter teachers

If you thought the battle over public-sector-pay packages was settled in statehouses in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere think again, because you ain't seen nothin' yet. Published February 5, 2012