Monday, October 30, 2006

Do you want a farmers market in the neighborhood?

Act quickly.



The Bloomingdale Farmers' Market!
coming spring 2007

We need pledges for financial donations and letters of support for a matching grant application due Nov 1st! We realize this is short notice, but any help is greatly appreciated.

The Farmers' Market will be a weekly open-air market every Sunday on R street between 1st and Florida Ave NW. The market will feature produce, meat, and dairy from local organic farmers, all of whom accept WIC and CSFP checks.



Support the Bloomingdale Farmer's Market!
Send an email to:

or



And let us know if you can pledge a donation.
$5 to $500. Please send us an email and pledge anything you can.




An Example of a possible letter of support follows:


my name is______, I have lived in Bloomindale for 5 years, and I am a big supporter of Farmers' Markets. I buy organic food at Whole Foods that I must drive to since it is so far away, and I go to Farmers' Markets in other neighborhoods. In fact, i must leave my neighborhood for most of my grocer needs, organic or not.

Our neighborhood is strongly in need of a local Farmers' Market where people can spend time together, shop for healthy food, and contribute to local business...




or something to that effect....

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Church on N. Cap


Church on N. Cap
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
this is part of the ever growing Bloomingdale Photo Pool.

please join and post some of your own
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/

it's free, ya know.

Church on N. Cap


Church on N. Cap
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
this is part of the ever growing Bloomingdale Photo Pool.

please join and post some of your own
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/

its free, ya know.

Friday, October 27, 2006

truxton circle photo, north capitol and florida avenue

this is facing southest down florida avenue.
from the truxton circle community website

Anyone know when the church was knocked down?

FREE! pumpkin carving

this was passed on to me to share with the community



Dear Bloomingdale Neighbors,

Come to the Halloween Pumpkin Carving Festival this Saturday October 28th



We are having a Halloween/Fall Festival pumpkin and apple carving. Doris Jenkins has been teaching and
demonstrating pumpkin and apple carving for years and she is going to teach her Pumpkin
Turkey, her Jack o Lanterns and her APPLE Bird plus some tabletop decorations for
Thanksgiving. FREE.

and besides the pumpkins, there will be lots of local fruits and vegetables from local farmers, of course: still tomatoes and peppers,
20 varieties of apples, 6 kinds of pears, honey, apple butter, berry syrups, salad mixes,
collards, chards, turnips, daikon, radishes, fingerling and other potatoes, walnuts, 4
kinds of broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts on their stalks, Quaker Valley's butter
crust pies made with their own fruits, Breadline Breads and muffins and cookies and much
more.

Where: Lamont Park
Mount Pleasant St between Lamont and Park, one block West of 16th.
Lamont)
When: Saturday October 28th
9-1
Weather: Rain or Shine or Drizzle (the tents will keep you dry!)


Many thanks,


Robin

crime map

if you read neighborhood blogs you've already seen this, but i thought i'd add it anyway

check it out here
DCMP new crime map.


speaking of neighborhood blogs, dcblogs has them compiled here

Thursday, October 26, 2006

help with planting this saturday

Volunteers Needed for Planting Perennials and Shrubs in Lincoln Road Park on Saturday, October 28, from 10 am to 11:30 am

To compliment the Eckington Civic Association's fall cleanup, which is being held from 9 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, October 28, North Capitol Main Street, Inc. will hold a "mini" planting of shrubs and perennials in the Lincoln Road Park from 10 am to 11:30 am that same day.

Volunteers for the ECA cleanup are meeting at First and R Streets, NE at 9 am. Details for the Lincoln Road Park planting are as follows:

What: Planting of shrubs and perennials
Where: Lincoln Road Park, Lincoln Road & North Capitol Street
When: October 28 from 10 am to 11:30 am
Why: To compliment Eckington Civic Association (ECA) clean up efforts
Who: NCMS, Inc. and other interested volunteers

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Stu Davenport- TONIGHT.

I didn't take a stance on this blog about who i voted for mayor and i I dont really want this blog to take a stand on particular candidates for ANC either.

This is about community rather than taking sides... mainly.

Still, I think Mr. Davenport has some great ideas for the community. It is certainly no secret that i'm a coffee fiend and very excited about the Big Bear Cafe. There are other things the Stu has planned ( and in effect) and TONIGHT is a great opportunity to find out what they are.

So with that in mind, i'd like to encourage everyone to attend a meet-n-greet tonight


Meet and Greet at 1719 1st ST. NW tonight (wednesday) from 6pm to 8pm to learn more about Stu Davenport


Come and learn more about the Farmer's Market comming to 1st and R NW in the spring, the neighborhood wireless program, the Big Bear Cafe, beautification grants, crime issue programs, etc., etc.

He wants to get to know you and hear what you think.
There will be beer and wine and happy people.

Email Stu if you have questions or concerns:
studavenport@gmail.com


1719 First street is between R and Randolph Place NW


Whether or not you vote for Stu, i think you will like the ideas that he has. I'm sure you'll like the guy.

Sadly i cant make it as i'm hoping to get elected to the board of the washington sculptors group and am going to their meeting. SO, someone please send me a recap of the night!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

R Street


R Street
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
from the bloomingdale photo pool
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/pool/

Sunday, October 22, 2006

IMG_1922small


IMG_1922small
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
More pictures have been uploaded to the bloomingdale photo pool

http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/pool/



click here for a slideshow

if yho have a flickr account (which is free) please join the bloomingdale group to share your pictures of our neighborhood.

primer coat


primer coat
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan.
Big bear is getting a new paint job.

I stopped by yesterday having missed the Bloomingdael cleanup and Big bear paint day party.
Stu gave me a quick tour and description of whats a goin-on.
I'm even more excited about what these got have up their sleeves.

there are some freaking beautiful houses for sale in the hood right now

Look here


but lord almighty they are expensive.
that said a 3 story shell with an english basement just sold for 395,000.
that seems to be a damn good deal actually.....

Friday, October 20, 2006

Tomorrow, Saturday the 21st. Cleaning up the hood and eating pizza with the Big Bear

Making Bloomingdale Bloom!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Adopt-A-Block Neighborhood Clean-Up

It only takes a minute to turn [litter on a sidewalk] to a [litter-free sidewalk]

Can't do the block?
Adopt a Spot!

Need Supplies?
From 9:00 am until 11:00 am, get trash bags, rakes and shovels at 1st & Rhode Island Avenue NW (near City Cleaners)

Trash Pick-Up Locations
Put filled trash bags at the northeast corners of 1st St NW at Bryant St NW, Thomas St NW, T St NW or R St NW
by 12:00 pm for DPW pickup.




and a message from the owners of the Big Bear Cafe
Big Bloomingdale Cleanup this Saturday!!
- Trade your Trash at the Big Bear Cafe!!

Since this Saturday is the Big Bloomingdale Cleanup, we are officially making the Big Bear Cafe a trash bag drop location.

Come to 1st and R, NW to the Big Bear Cafe, and we will trade you pizza and drinks for full trash bags! We will all be having a building painting party, so you can grab a paintbrush as well... or just listen to music and smile.

Hope to see you there!

-Stu and Lana
bigbearcafe-dc.com
(check out our website)

Tomorrow, Saturday the 21st. Cleaning up the hood and eating pizza with the Big Bear

Making Bloomingdale Bloom!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Adopt-A-Block Neighborhood Clean-Up

It only takes a minute to turn [litter on a sidewalk] to a [litter-free sidewalk]

Can't do the block?
Adopt a Spot!

Need Supplies?
From 9:00 am until 11:00 am, get trash bags, rakes and shovels at 1st & Rhode Island Avenue NW (near City Cleaners)

Trash Pick-Up Locations
Put filled trash bags at the northeast corners of 1st St NW at Bryant St NW, Thomas St NW, T St NW or R St NW
by 12:00 pm for DPW pickup.




and a message from the owners of the Big Bear Cafe
Big Bloomingdale Cleanup this Saturday!!
- Trade your Trash at the Big Bear Cafe!!

Since this Saturday is the Big Bloomingdale Cleanup, we are officially making the Big Bear Cafe a trash bag drop location.

Come to 1st and R, NW to the Big Bear Cafe, and we will trade you pizza and drinks for full trash bags! We will all be having a building painting party, so you can grab a paintbrush as well... or just listen to music and smile.

Hope to see you there!

-Stu and Lana
bigbearcafe-dc.com
(check out our website)

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Bloomingdale Author

I have before mentioned that Bloomingdale resident and author Natalie Hopkinson has co-authored a book Deconstructing Tyrone. It is now available.

Read the blog here


From Amazon:
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Two smart Black women break the Tyrone code — with affection, with respect, but with no illusions.
Black men as fathers, sons, teachers, lovers, rap stars, professionals, fantasy objects, and cultural constructs — a multifaceted picture of American Black men today.
You know Tyrone. Smooth-talking, irresistible Tyrone — the swagger in his step, the sexy drawl, the poetry and rhythm in his essence — the militant revolutionary of the 1960s evolved into the pimp/thug of the hip-hop era. Tyrone is the Black man seen through the media lens, through stereotype, through the eyes of Black women. He’s "Talk Show Tyrone," all muscle and defiance, “an archetype converted to a hit single.”
In Deconstructing Tyrone, the authors, journalists Natalie Y. Moore and Natalie Hopkinson, examine Black masculinity from a variety of perspectives, looking not for consensus but for insight. With chapters on Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, on the complicated relationship between women and hip-hop, on babydaddies, on gay Black men on and off the down low, on strippers and their fathers, on Black men in the office, at school, and in jail, Deconstructing Tyrone presents a multifaceted picture of American Black men now.


Buy it here

workforce housing

heres an article about housing that aims to diversify.....in this case, drawn the middle class.

The project inverts the traditional notion of housing subsidies because it isn't aimed at low-income buyers.


We're trying to create diversity in the southeast quadrant of the city, to break up pockets of poverty," said Leo Clarke, special projects coordinator at the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, which gave the developers a grant toward the cost of preparing the land for construction. "We're trying to encourage investment in an otherwise blighted area."

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Curves Gym............. wait.... seriously?



Apparently Curves Gym will be opening a location on North Capitol. It's even on their website.



The address ( according to the website) will be:
Washington, DC - Le Droit
1334-1336 N. Capitol St. NW
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 332-2241


ummm.... do you think they really know where they are opening? I'm thinkin they dont know the area at all if they think this is Le Droit........ jus sayin......

they dont even have the right zip code.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

ec-12

seems the building contract hasn't been finished yet.

anyone know a timeframe?

Monday, October 16, 2006

history.

according to a flyer i picked up at an open house this past sunday:

"Bloomingdale was the country estate of George and Emily Beale., members of a prominent military family. In 1834 George Beale deeded land and water right of way to springs on his Bloomingdale estate to the city to be used as a water supply for the Capitol. Both General Ulysses S. Grant and President Abraham Lincoln were visitors to his home. In 1887, the Bloomingdale estate was divided among Emily Beale's heirs and sold to several real estate developers."


also, seems everytime i look at blooomingdale on wikipedia our boundaries change.
by my reckoning, the northern bourdary is michigan avenue. the deeding of the water rights mention above jives with the time period, Smith Spring, and actions mentioned durring the mcmillan field trip i took.

The Washington Aqueduct, built in 1853 replaced the Smith Spring usage with water from the Potomac.

S St NW


S St NW
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc.
recently uploaded to the bloomingdale photo group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/pool/

Sunday, October 15, 2006

ANC 5c meeting

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C monthly meeting
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Harry Thomas Community Center
1743 Lincoln Road NE
7:00 pm

Bloomingdale Civic Association

Bloomingdale Civic Association monthly meeting
Monday, October 16, 2006
St. George's Episcopal Church
2nd & U Street NW
7:00 pm.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Robberies!


here is a PDF map of crime

where are you most likely to get mugged

post article here

The city's robbery core is in the 3rd Police District, which includes the neighborhoods of Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant, Dupont Circle and Logan Circle. It is the city's smallest, densest police district and accounts for almost 30 percent of robberies.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

repairs at dunbar

check this out

train/ bus disconnect, or METRO why you buggin?

so the x3 and the 90 buses no longer stop at the new york avenue metro. they took out the stop.

(i found it rather annoying that people wanted to move the chinatown bus stop across the street from the metro too. it got moved back)

why make the connections more difficult? i don't understand this reasoning.

perhaps you removed the stop so you can pave to road in front of the station and the busses will turn down that and drop us off even closer, right?

Probably its that you make decisions without even riding yourself to work......

artisans of the covenant house


while i have a friend that i would recommend to you if you need hand made furniture, i would like to point out that The Covenant House Artisans, steps away from bloomingdale, offer custom made furniture.

Monday, October 09, 2006

info relating to north capitol.....

this is from the bates area civic association meeting:



Q: With all the attention on First Street, NE, New York Avenue, NE and Florida Avenue, NE, the obvious omission in the presentation thus far is North Capitol Street (especially north of Florida Avenue). How does the plan address this?


A: This point was well taken. Ms. Zingheim and Ms. Crain indicated that Great Streets (an initiative to improve strategically located streets) funding was already allocated in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 for First Street, NE. Funding for North Capitol would be allocated in FY 2008 or 09. Although Great Streets is not as sweeping in scope as a Main Streets project, DCOP would be also working with civic groups and area concerns on a Small Area Plan (SAP) to look specifically at North Capitol Street. The scope of work on the SAP has been finalized. However, the company that will facilitate the SAP session(s) has been let out for competitive bids. As soon as the facilitating company has been approved, the Small Area Plan will be announced. [BACA will keep abreast of the progress of the SAP and will inform the community its service area about the planning process. (Ed.)]

Mr. Berry interjected that it was his understanding that in the long-range design, North Capitol would eventually become a "grand esplanade", eventually leading to the Capitol. This sentiment was echoed by the DCOP Planners, who indicated an overall timeframe for NoMA and it is hoped, North Capitol Street, of about ten to twenty years.

S street.


More S St NW
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc.
recent photo from the bloomingdale pool on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/pool/

view of capitol


view of capitol
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan.
If i had a deck on my roof, this would be from my rooftop deck.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

McMillan, a post from the eckington community board

This was posted last july, and reposted again recently on the eckington yahoo group ( see button at bottom of blog)





Hello Eckingtonians,

I've been reading your posts on McMillan Reservoir, the eastern portion called the old sand filtration site and thought I'd better jump in on this conversation as it is one of my favorite topics.

Application for the historic preservation of McMillan was submitted to the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Review Board in 1990 and McMillan was designated a (an) historic landmark in August 1991. The application was filed by the McMillan Park Committee representing community residents of Bloomingdale and Stronghold neighborhoods and citizens from other wards in DC.

The entire 118 acre site including our 25 acre area bordered by North Capitol and Michigan, Channing and First Street, NW is listed on the DC Historical Preservation Registry and is automatically considered a national landmark as well. Let me be very clear: McMillan already has historic status.

McMillan should not be developed for retail, commercial and housing because it is a very unique feature of Washington, DC.

"The significance of the McMillan Park Reservoir is that (1) it supplied water to the U.S. Capitol, (2) it was the first water treatment plant in Washington, DC that caused the elimination of epidemics of typhoid and reduced incidence of other diseases, (3) its form represented a triumph of the pure water advocates over those who advocated chemical treatment, (4) it is an important contributing element to the McMillan Park system, (5) it is the result of the collaboration of major figures in the City Beautiful movement who later contributed to the aesthetic and architectural development of Washington and (6) the figures who contributed to the McMillan Park planning and sculpture design would carry out the principles of good design through their own projects in public areas for Washington and through membership on the Fine Arts Commission." (Application for Historic Landmark, DC Historic Review Board,1990).

For brevity of the historicity of McMillan, the above paragraph was pulled from the application. However, there is so much more detailed information the residents should know about McMillan before even contemplating tearing it down for a housing subdivision, and retail/commercial development (this kind of development will probably be placed at other sites in the Ward, i.e., Rhode Island Metro, Fort Lincoln, Soldiers Home, etc.)

McMillan has been selected by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission on Fine Arts Memorials and Museums Taskforce to house a museum and/or a national memorial because there is no longer space on the National Mall for the many other memorial projects which are either proposed or been approved by Congress. From over one hundred sites, our McMillan is number 17.

A museum dedicated to water technology, which would also house a cultural arts center, community meeting spaces and enhanced by an area of open green space to host a variety of gardens, McMillan would be a formal garden park with great fountains of spewing water. It would not be just any ole park. Uses of McMillan should be for park, recreation and educational purposes.

McMillan's green space, with the breezes that hover over it, its vista with rich views of the Howard University clock, a picture postcard of the colorful row homes on North Capitol Street, the Monument and the U.S. Capitol dome (especially against the night sky) and the museum and memorial tributes would be a thing of greatness and a wonder of aesthetics for our City. It would not only bring greatness to our city but to our community.

To destroy McMillan for economical purposes would be an awful act of desecration. The proponents of economic development for the site would prove to be ignorant of this unique treasure and would lack an understanding of its total history.

Gwen Southerland

"workforce" housing.


here is a "workforce housing" project on capitol hill.

Eckingtonians might be especially interested in the guidelines in this PDF

the st. martins project is also supposed to be a "workforce housing" complex.

yesterday: arts on the avenue, project 4, and a chat with the ( future honorable) big bears


I went to arts on the avenue, and despite the I HATE DEL REY blog, i really like del rey.
I like the mix of stores and the strolling atmospehre of the avenue ( though to me "the Avenue" is in hampden, which is way colloer that alexandria could ever be...) Still, Del Rey has a strong community feel to it, and its not stagnant. Its gotta be the best neighborhood in NOVA.

Lots of art to see. despite the overcast weather it was a great turnout.

Later in the evening, we went to the opening of a show at Project 4 gallery at the suggestion of a guy we met at a fundraiser for a team that's doing this, which if you like baltimore,beer and kitsch, you should go to. Aparently the building that houses Project 4 used to be a numbers joint, for YEARS. One guy that used to run, put his kids through university with his procedes.

At the gallery we ran ito the owners of the soon-to-be-opened Big Bear Cafe. I had met one of them at the design showcase evening they held, but hadn't met the second half. Both super friendly people.... that i'm sure all yous will meet when they open.

It was great to talk to them about their plans for the store, and other community oriented ideas they have. I'm thinking this place will create quite a buzz ( ha!) and do a hell of a lot of good for our neighborhood. I was quite impressed by the scope of their plans. They make make a big impact on bloomingdale in the next few years.

I also ran into the guy that used to own Bardo's in Arlington. Remember that place? the best local brewed beer in the dc area. i asked him to open a new place along north cap, but he replied with tales of bricks being thrown at friends of his as they bike through blomingdale 15 years ago......

and 10 year olds walking down the street smoking boats. alas our hoods notorious past.

my future studio, art school, gallery, decorative painting services showroom is still on the market


yes, after 258 days on the market 1631 North Capitol ( MLS #DC5508084) has still not sold, though there has been a price reduction.

So that means that for a mere $800,000 ( plus closing costs and taxes) any of you out there could fund my serious art habit!


while the place is a bit raw, i freaking love this building. look at pictures here

it's interesting to note that the Lincoln road side has the more interesting facade, which indicates the "front side" so to speak. The pop out window is gorgeous.

At roughly $200/square foot plus big time renovation costs it seems that this wont be a major addition to the sparse retail/commercial /begging bloomingdalian art studio landscape of bloomingdale/ eckington/ the north capitol corridor anytime soon.


but seriously... if'n you want to patronize the arts, i'm always looking for a sponsor....

Call me, we'll work something out.

Basketball Tournament in Crispus Attucks Park

Basketball Tournament in Crispus Attucks Park – Saturday, 10/14/2006




Old School and Young School Basketball Tournament
The Crispus Attucks Park

When: Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 1:00 pm

Where: Crispus Attucks Park (access thru alley entrances at 1st & U and 1st & V Streets, NW)


OLD SCHOOLERS - Dust off them high top Converse sneakers and tube socks.
Head back to the gym!!

YOUNG SCHOOLERS - Come and learn some moves from old and experienced ballers! Get schooled!

There will be 3 on 3 pick-up games and playoffs for the for ages:
10-14;
15-17; 18-30; 30 and older.

It promises to be lots of fun and good sportsmanship!

Rumor has it that Harry Thomas, Jr. will stop in and show his skills!!


For questions, more information, or to arrange a team in advance call:

Reginald Carthen (202) 215-8006

Reggie Parrish (202) 236-2307


Sign up in advance or on day of event. Also enjoy a potluck/barbecue and other activities.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

some lyrics i was just listening to....

What's wrong with the world mama?
People living like aint got no mamas
I think the whole worlds addicted to the drama
Only attracted to the things that bring you trauma
Overseas yeah we tryin to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin
In the USA the big CIA the Bloodz and the Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And if you hatin you're bound to get irate
Yeah madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
You gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love y'all

People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?


black eyed peas.

bike map


click to enlarge


*note chain reaction is now on north capitol street nw.

mas from dc department of transportation

Friday, October 06, 2006

seaton


110 Seaton Pl NW 036
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc.
here is a recent foto from the bloomingdale photstream......

http://flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/pool/

tour coming through the hood.

cut and pasted from the neighborhood email


Tourists Coming to Bates/Truxton Circle/ Eckington/ Bloomingdale – Saturday, Oct. 14th
See this message from Bloomingdale resident Sara:
As Scott’s email reported earlier - On 14 October the D.C. Preservation League (DCPL) is holding its annual Wardman Row-House Tour.
BUT – did you know it will drive through our neighborhoods to view our famous Wardman homes?
AND the tour makes a stop in Bloomingdale?
Will your street and tree box be presentable for a bus full of sightseers?
Listed below is last year’s tour stops through our area - which is expected to be largely the same this year:
10:00 AM Depart National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW
N. Capitol & Bates St, NW - Philanthropic rowhouse flats
3rd St & Florida Ave, NW - Wardman rowhouse flats
North Capitol St between Florida & Rhode Island avenues,
10:35 - 2006 tour - Stops at 2200 block of 1st Street / Corner of 1st & W NW
The route is not finalized – the bus full of tourists may come up First Street or North Capitol. Please help make our neighborhood shine!
Bloomingdale - keep those tree boxes and streets presentable for:
More Tourists Coming to Bloomingdale:
Sunday October 22: The first-ever Bloomingdale BBQ Bash!
Put on by the Bloomingdale Civic Association – in the Bloomingdale Business District – on First Street between Rhode Island Avenue and S St NW.
To prep for the BBQ Bash:
Saturday October 21: A Neighborhood Clean-Up - hosted by the Bloomingdale Beautification Committee.
9 AM to Noon .
Details for both events coming soon.

Brookland on Saturday!


10th Annual Brookland Day Festival 2006

Saturday October 7, 2006, 11:00 PM - 5:00 PM
12th Street, NE (between Monroe and Otis Streets)
Washington, DC

Washington, DC--Brookland, one of Washington DC's Main Street communities, will hold its 10th annual Brookland Day Festival on Saturday, October 7, 2006. The festival is a community-oriented event for all ages and it always captures and highlights the special small-town-in-town flavor of Brookland.

At 11:00 AM, a parade featuring the Archbishop John Carroll High School Band and the Festival's spoof brigades of neighborhood residents, including phalanxes of dog walkers, lawnmower pushers, and baby stroller pushers, will march from Franklin Street to Michigan Avenue, NE.

Between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM, performance and exhibit pavilions, including nonprofit organizations, businesses, and arts and crafts exhibitors, will be featured in booths along Brookland's commercial district, on 12th Street, between Monroe and Otis Streets, NE.

With Amanda Sweet as its Master of Ceremonies, the main stage on Otis Street will feature performances by The DC National Guard's Capitol Sounds, The Dance Place, The Archie Edwards Band, Benat Baharat, and The High Signs. Performances will start at noon.

The Festival is sponsored by the National Capital Revitalization Corporation, Keller Williams Capital Properties, The Washington Post, Citibank, DC Lottery, and PNC Bank.

The festival is coordinated by the Brookland Community Development Corporation, the parent organization of Historic Brookland Main Street, the commercial district revitalization program working with property owners, business proprietors, residents, and other stakeholders to bring about focused improvements to the commercial district.

For further information on sponsorship opportunities or to participate in any events, contact the Brookland Festival Committee by phone at 202-529-8400, fax at 202-526-0837 or e-mail brooklandcdc@aol.com.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

another take on the mcmillan

chek out this brooklanders blog.
Their photos are pretty damned good.

I do disagree with their take on the place though.
I think "profoundly unsafe" is hyberbole and fear mongering, but whatever... we have gotten so used to "safety" it seems quite sad, and just a bit spoon-fed. I have hiked/traveled a lot and been to some pretty perilous places, in national parks, in caves, on trails, historic sites here and in europe and in the middle east. Mcmillan is, as it stands, much safer than many places tourists frequent. ( have you been to black rock falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway... or Great Falls, even?) The promenade of McMillan is perfectly sufficient to walk safely around. Personally i feel that the "average american tourist" could use a good challenge.

Hell, it's safer inside the gates of mcmillan than outside, holes not withstanding.


Running, frollicking around the "mews" as we've been told happened in days of yore does seem a bit of a stretch. I do agree with the blog post, that the cell lids ( i'd say 1/4") make this far too unlikley.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Any bloomingdale Artists reading this?

please consider doing this

public art project.

Barbecue and Potluck- october 14th. in the secret park.

Summer’s gone and it’s time for the
4th Annual

BARBECUE and POTLUCK

Saturday October 14th, 2006
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
in Crispus Attucks Park
(access thru alley entrances at 1st & U and 1st & V Streets, NW)

Hot dogs,burgers,drinks and lots of fun activities like face painting, sack races, a balloon toss and more.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket!
Contact Lisa (571-228-2777) realnnatural@aol.com to donate your favorite side dish, snack food, or dessert!!

Come and enjoy or participate in our very first neighborhood Youth/Adult basketball challenge (more information on back of this flyer).

Youth players contact: Reginald Carthen @ 202-215-8006
Adult players contact: Reggie Parrish @ 202-236-2307

General QUESTIONS? Contact Lisa at 571-228-2777

(Rain date: Saturday, October 28th.)

yes! organic market 3829 12th Street, NE

I have now a confirmed address.
3829 12th Street, NE




Opening in brookland any week now.

I like yes organic a lot. Its a great urban gorcery with ( generally ) a small footprint that can fit in many places.

While not really a destination shop like Whole Foods or giant, etc... Its a great place and i'll probably go there.

Apparently there were some neighbors who didn't want the store to open, despite the fact that there was a safeway in the same spot years ago.
As i understand it, some residents felt like there would be an increase in noise and traffic. I think thats code for "we dont want no dirty hippies".

heres where i think its going to be.


Can anyone confirm that?