Washington Tennis & Education Foundation Opens New Campus in Ward 7

Since July 2011, Jay Gulati has owned the boutique commercial lending and real estate development firm WestEnd Development, based out of Potomac, Maryland. Heavily involved in the community, Jay Gulati spends his spare time helping several charitable organizations, one of which includes the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF).

As a premiere organization dedicated to underserved children in the Washington, DC, area, the WTEF seeks to improve the lives of these children by offering athletic and academic opportunities. Founded in 1955, the nonprofit organization keeps children off the streets when they are not in school and offers productive activities. These activities encourage confidence, teach discipline, and encourage an overall healthy lifestyle.

In November 2012, the WTEF opened an East Capitol Campus in the heart of Ward 7 catering to students in northeast and southeast DC. The $10.2 million center offers children offers free tennis lessons, equipment, and court time. Off the court, children receive one-on-one academic tutoring. Coaches award points for good behavior obtained in the classroom or on the court, while they lose points for bad behavior. At the end of the school year, children who obtain enough points may qualify for a trip to a tennis tournament sponsored by the American Tennis Association.

Two Healthy, Vegetable-Focused Dishes from Spain

Jay Gulati is a well-established Potomac, Maryland, entrepreneur who leads WestEnd Development as owner. Jay Gulati has a passion for food and travel and has visited countries such as Italy and Spain. The latter country offers a diversity of distinct cuisines, with gazpacho a unifying dish found in nearly every region.

Traditional gazpacho in Andalucía combines ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, garlic, olive oil, and other fresh ingredients on hand. Blended until smooth and served chilled, gazpacho is the perfect antidote to the summer heat. Regional variations abound, with Córdoba offering a thick version called salmorejo that incorporates a topping of Ibérico ham.

Another vegetable-laden Spanish dish, pisto, is most common in the towns of La Mancha. This version of the French ratatouille involves frying tomatoes, onions, garlic, and zucchini slowly in olive oil. Some prefer to eat the dish in combination with hearty proteins such as chorizo and fried eggs.