Wednesday, December 30, 2009

want a tree planted in your yard? it's just $50

Did you know that you can have a tree planted in your yard for only $50? The $50 includes all costs.

Check out the info on the RiverSmart Homes program from the DDOE website.


RiverSmart Homes
ddoe.dc.gov/riversmarthomes

Stormwater Pollution and the District of Columbia

Stormwater is simply rainwater that, rather than remaining on the land where it falls, flows off of the site. Rainwater becomes stormwater when rain falls on impervious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, roads, sidewalks and even lawns. As stormwater moves from our yards to our streams it picks up pollutants such as oil and grease from our roadways and driveways, nutrients from fertilizers on our lawns, and bacteria from pet waste and other animal excrement. Once in the stream, the fast-moving surges of water associated with storms cause erosion and destroys habitat for fish and other wildlife.

Thankfully, new development and large renovations of properties in the City are now required to install items that reduce stormwater pollution. Unfortunately, most of the District was developed before modern methods for controlling and treating stormwater were developed. If your home was built before the 1980s (and chances are it was!), you probably do not have any stormwater controls installed on your property, but there are steps that you can take to reduce stormwater pollution and beautify your yard. RiverSmart Homes can help you.


Learn more about RiverSmart Homes:

Program Overview (
http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,499719.asp)
Frequently Asked Questions (
http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,499005.asp)
Application Form (
http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,499236.asp)
Success Stories (
http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,Q,499068,PM,1.asp)


The FAQ section provides the info on the $50 tree-planting program.

If you ARE interested in this program, then you should consider submitting your application now, since the DDOE FAQ indicates that "it could be up to 3-5 months before you are contacted by DDOE, because of the high volume of interest in this program."

And a note to residents of Bloomingdale condos in buildings that were once apartment buildings -- that is, large buildings -- "large property complexes such as apartments, condos, and offices are currently not eligible for the RiverSmart Homes program."

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Rosemarie Onwukwe: Andre Gore's "Need People You Trust" feed the homeless program

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Rosemarie Onwukwe:


The Power of One….
By
Rosemarie Onwukwe
Freelance Writer


November 15th 2009

I had been thinking about ways to give back recently and don’t get me wrong. It’s not because things are necessarily going well for me, because it really hasn’t, in fact my struggle will be another story at another time. I have always found that when I’m feeling sorry for myself the best way to tackle that demon is to do something for other people, it helps you see how good you have it.

I happened to make Andre’ Gore’s acquaintance just a few months ago, in fact we had never met, just corresponded via email and on the phone but when he sent me an email about coming out and helping volunteer to serve a meal to the homeless I was intrigued. I thought about my previous activities and didn’t recall working in a soup kitchen or feeding a homeless group but I had always wanted to. Besides my daughter, Nnenna a high school junior needed some volunteer hours. I chatted with a friend Jennifer and we made it happen. We were signed on to feed the homeless.

Gore considers himself as a simple man…but one that has had a dream for many years. Growing up in Washington, DC’s streets, Gore described himself as an ‘at risk’ child. He was exposed to the many dangers living in the city and one day promised himself that he would give back to the community where he lived and struggled.

Well that day finally came, and then some. Gore’s non profit group “Need People You Trust” or N-PUT had their 2nd feed the homeless program in Washington, D.C. on the 7th of November 2009 in a small CVS parking lot on the corner of 7th Street, NW and Florida Avenue.

Gore had a simple of idea. He wanted to provide hot meals for the homeless in Washington, D.C. a few meals during the year, and especially during the colder months. So Gore went to anyone he could find who could cook a good meal…from church members, restaurants, bakers, friends and family he rallied around and as a result had a delicious menu of: macaroni and cheese, seafood rice, stuffed salmon and crab meat, corn on the cob, green beans, chicken salad, fried chicken, baked beans, turkey, spaghetti/meat balls, stuffing, candied yams, cranberry sauce, potato salad, rolls, deserts, bottled water, sodas, bottled juice and a assortment of cakes and snacks.

Gore sounded the trumpet for family, friends and acquaintances and they all showed up. About 31 volunteers ranging from age 9 to 79 came to offer help and support to a just cause and outfitted with long sleeved t-shirts with EAT ALL U TAKE on them they did just that. Some volunteers had remarks like this.”It feels good to come out and show support with time rather than give a donation and never see the results,” and other’s said “It’s nice to have African Americans involved in helping our own and able to give back to our community. However the volunteer program is open to EVERYONE.

November 7th 2009 was a beautiful day a perfect recipe for Gore..with temperatures in the low 70’s bright and sunny. The volunteers came armed with tables, table clothes, heating pans to keep the food warm, and began setting up the pans and trays. By the time the volunteers starting loading up the food with trays..the homeless people had begun to line up at the bus stop. Instructions given were this: people that were not homeless were welcome to line up for the food, but the homeless people would be served first. This was a pleasant twist imagine that. The homeless would be served first for a change. They began to smile and nod in line as the announcement went on over and over again.

The line’s wrapped half way down the block at times, but everyone was fed and the number count of homeless reached 264 people. As the homeless people lined up to get their food they were greeted warmly with smiles and each homeless person said how much they appreciated our being there. The busy line kept everyone moving and the volunteers took out empty trays as food was finished and replaced it with more. I saw many men ranging from age 16 to 70, but also some women and a sadly a few children. I was too busy working my trays though to spend too much time ‘looking’ I had a job to do.


N-PUT’S mission statement is: “to build a structured program for youth and adults in the community that will bring forth change.”

In 2 ½ hours I had to round up my crew of 3 to leave for another meeting, my arms and shoulders ached but it was a good feeling. Yes anyone can write a check or donate money, but to be actually working in the midst of other people handing out food to grateful people with a smile making them feel special and loved… now that was priceless. And now I am ready to sign up again…for the next feed the homeless…time to stop focusing on my problems and help someone else out who has nothing, it just helps make me feel grateful to God for what I have.

Extra Note:
EAT ALL U TAKE feed the homeless program had another session on Saturday December 7th 2009 from 1 p.m. at the small parking lot by CVS on the corner of 7th Street, NW and Florida Avenue.


Next events:
JOIN US IN THE STOP THE VIOLENCE MARCH N-PUT YOUTH MENTORING ORGANIZATION A 501 (c) (3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION STOP THE VIOLENCE NOW, WE CAN’T TAKE “NO” MORE COME ONE, COME ALL, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
WHEN: SATURDAY JANUARY 9, 2010
WHERE: 500 INDIANA AVE, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20001
(IN FRONT OF DC SUPERIOR COURT)
The march will start from DC Superior Court to 7th & Florida Ave, NW and back to the court, where it will end (about 2 ½ 3 miles). Wear comfortable shoes
TIME: 11: 30 am for briefing - March: Begins at 12: 00 Sharp
OUR GOAL IS TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE METROPOLITAN AREA AT LARGE AND ASSIST IN THE DECREASE OF VIOLENCE. NO MATTER WHERE IT'S PERPETRATED. MANY VIOLENT INCIDENTS ARE THE CAUSE OF OUR ECONOMY DOWNFALL. WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MEMBERS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY TO VOLUNTEER ALONG WITH ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ALL COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE. WE ARE LOSING OUR COMMUNITY TO PRESSURE BROUGHT ON BY THE ECONOMY. UNRESOLVED ANGER BREEDS

Next EAT ALL U TAKE feed the homeless program will on February 6th 2010.


For more information please contact Andre’ Gore at
NPUTIN@aol.com or call (202) 489-1733.
Tax deductible donations are warmly received by: N-PUT, 122 Seaton Place, NW Washington, D.C. 20001. Tax Exempt ID: 52-2290844.

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 12/27/2009

At the moment, it looks like one Open House showing up for the last weekend of 2009.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Chuck Donalies, winner of the North Capitol Main Street 4th Annual Winter Blues & Silent Auction contest

Read this message from Garry Clark, Executive Director, North Capitol Main Street, Inc.

Congratulations, Charles Donalies . . . Winner

North Capitol Main Street’s 4th Annual Winter Blues & Silent Auction Contest

Charles Donalies

The Winner of 2 Reskins/Dallas Tickets

Thank you for your support,
North Capitol Main Street, Inc.

Garry Clark
1703 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, D.C., 20002

Thursday, December 24, 2009

special Redskins tickets offer from North Capitol Main Street

See this 12/24/2009 message from North Capitol Main Street, Inc. Board Chair Pat Mitchell:

Redskins Fans?
NCMS Winter Blues & Silent Auction is back!


Did you know you can purchase your ticket(s) online today to NCMS' 4th Annual Winter Blues & Silent Auction and be automatically entered to win 2 tickets to the Redskins/Dallas Game, this Sun, December 27th ($128 value) ?

Odds are really, really, really good... it could be you!

Click here to order your tickets online:
http://ncmsinc.org/winterblues/ticketform.html .

Save 20% when you buy 2+ tickets

DRAWING HELD ON CHRISTMAS DAY, DEC 25TH. WINNER ANNOUNCED AT
WWW.NCMSINC.ORG.

Offer Expires: December 25, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

suspicious man at Flagler & V St NW

See this 12/23/2009 message from a resident of Flagler Place NW:
Just wanted you to know that I noticed a suspicious man standing on the west side of Flagler, on the corner of V, this morning. He was just standing there and watching me as I left for work this morning. The way he was staring just struck me as odd. So, I waited a bit in my car before pulling off. But, before I did I stepped out of the car and asked if he needed some help (he was a fair distance away, so I could have made a
quick get away). He said that he was just waiting for someone. I circled back around the block in my car and he was still standing there several minutes later. I guess if he were up to no good, he would have gone away since it was clear he was "noticed". Who knows and I am not sure that this made any difference in the scheme of anything. Hopefully, he was really just waiting on a ride or someone and I just looked like a super paranoid person. I'll take that title if it plays a part in the our neighborhood watch.

Monday, December 21, 2009

seeking an eviction attorney or service

A resident of 1st Street NW has this request:
Looking for a great eviction attorney and/or service. Can someone provide a referral?

snow removal in Bloomingdale & LeDroit Park

See this comment from a Flagler Place NW resident:

It is imperative that we send the mayor letters indicating our displeasure in the way the snow removal in our neighborhood was handled this weekend. For an entire week or more, the City knew of the coming snow storm and to me, failed to prepare. Today, I watched as my neighbors took about 4 hours to dig out their car and then attempt to drive down Flagler; only to get stuck in the snow. It took them another 45 minutes to clear the snow from under the car and get it moving. I joined them in a ride to the supermarket and through a few other neighborhoods. Not surprising, the side streets of DuPont and Georgetown were cleared! This is unacceptable. We in Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park pay taxes too!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

North Capitol Main Street Winter Blues & Silent Auction is back!

See this announcement from Garry Clark, Executire Director, North Capitol Main Street, Inc.

Having trouble viewing this email? Here is the link:
http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001iv6lNzjdvpOmTBCrATdGom3PhzIQxEYgFmIlK3ldulRvRFO5R9RVWBq7l2eyN7wO5mxQzSwD2D5BUJObIY0RhuYKSUuhXdQlWdpAbbwzFfY%3D


North Capitol Main Street
--Save The Date--
Saturday, February 27, 2010
7pm to 10pm
The Winter Blues Party
and Silent Auction is Back!


Join friends and neighbors in closing out the cold month of February in style!

The Winter-Blues Party and Silent Auction activities include:

Live Jazz Band
Wine & Hors D'Oeuvres
Fabulous Auction Items
Great Door Prizes


Location:
Courtyard Marriot Hotel
Next to the New York Avenue Metrostation 1325 2nd Street Northeast
Washington, District of Columbia 20002


Purchase your tickets online by December 24th and be automatically entered to win 2 tickets to the Redskins/Dallas Game, Sunday, Dec 27th! ($128 value, winner announced 12/25/09)

$30 (At the door, single)
$25 (Online Price, single)
$40 (Online price for 2)

http://www.ncmsinc.org/winterblues/ticketform.html

Event Sponsors

District of Columbia Main Streets
DC Department of Small & Local Business Development

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Open Houses?

There are a couple of Open Houses scheduled for the 20th, but not sure if they will happen with the snow. Just in case, though, here is what is scheduled.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

NanBon is taking order for bread pudding, brownies, buttermilk pecan pies and dee-licious sweet potato pies

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Aisha Bond:


NanBon is happy to take orders for bread pudding, brownies, buttermilk pecan pies and sweet potato pies! We are excited to features festive packaging for gift orders that include a box of brownies or a box of a dozen tartlets and more. Feel free to review desserts, prices and place orders threw the website at www.nanbon.com or call 202- 409- 6485.

And as always, have a happy holiday season.

Aisha Bond

Sunday, December 13, 2009

at Rene Albacete's home: Christmas cocktails with Aurora Bath & Friends

See this brief event announcement passed along by Bloomingdale residente Rene Albacete:

You are cordially invited to join us for
CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS
with Aurora Bath & Friends

Friday, December 18th
from 6:30 to 9:30 pm
at the home of René
Albacete
77 S Street, NW
(Near First & Rhode Island Ave. NW)
202- 423- 7607

SIP WHILE YOU SHOP
featuring the work of
our super-talented artsy friends:

• Handcrafted Aromatherapy
Soaps & Candles, Scarves, Headbands & Eclectic, In-Vogue Jewelry from Aurora Bath & Jewels
• Photographer Extraordinaire! Prints and Photo Tote Bags by Valerie Brown
• Whimsically Classic Animal Paintings and Landscapes by Dan Kessler
• Hip Fun Obama T-shirts by John Klaja
• Unique Handcrafted Jewelry by Janette Rodrigues

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

drug supply demand management

From a resident on the unit block of W Street NW:

I see lots of email traffic about arresting drug dealers…interrupting drug supply…. and I’m fine with that, but we need to understand that drugs is like any other market, as long as demand exists there will always be someone there to respond to that demand. Once demand for drugs is curbed in our community, then the drug dealers will no longer find the place interesting for business and they’ll move on. Once the hassle of doing business in Bloomingdale exceeds the profit, they won’t care about sticking around…it’s an opportunity cost …they could be making more money elsewhere.

I think that demand inside our neighborhood is probably waning among the general population. I may be wrong, but I think there is lower demand for drugs (at least the hard core drugs) than in the past. But two sources of demand remain…one is traffic that is coming in from outside our community via North Capitol-- the users from the burbs who make quick trips into the city’s open air markets to make rapid purchases from their cars and then use North Capitol to make a quick exit. The other is the nearby Universities (Catholic, Howard, Trinity)….there will always be some low level of demand rom young people at these Universities who live in our areas that will continue to fuel the drug trade here. We need to figure out what to do about two significant sources of demand…as well as addressing the local demand among our general population. As long as there is money to be made and market to be had, there will remain drug dealers in our centrally located community to service that market. That’s just the simple economics of it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And let’s review what the rules are for posting comments:

1) Identify yourself. A full name would be best, but at least include a first name.

2) Identify your neighborhood.

3) Totally anonymous posts will not be allowed and be deleted, regardless of the content of the comment.

BOTH name and neighborhood name are required! Thanks for honoring the rules

Monday, December 07, 2009

stray cat around the unit block of R St NW

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Nathaniel James:

There is a large gray and white male cat who ranges in the alley between 1st & North Capitol and R and Randolph NW who has been getting pretty familiar with me for the last few months. I believe he is pretty young (not a kitten, but not older than 3 years) and apparently in good health. If he's a stray, he's quite friendly, and I think others on the block are feeding him.

Last night, he ran into my house and didn't want to go back out for a while until I lured him out with food. As the cold weather settles in, I am beginning to consider fostering or adoption.

A couple of questions:

1) Is anyone familiar with this particular cat and its story? Does he belong to anyone? Is he getting regular shelter?

2) In general, does anyone know how the alley cats in the neighborhood fare over winter? Has anyone placed outdoor shelters for them, etc? Do the local groups (like Metro Ferals
http://www.metroferals.org /) know about them?

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 12/06/2009

Inventory remains low but there are a few new listings to check out (to see entire list of active listings in the area, join the Bloomingdale listserv).

Here's what is open on Sunday.

maybe Bloomingdale could become "Swampoodle North" ...?

See this message passed along by a resident of S Street NW.

I make no claim to historic authenticity or accuracy.

The working-class Irish neighborhood called Swampoodle extended along North Capitol from the area of Union Station up to about L Street and was named from the marshy land around Tiber creek. It evoked strong feelings, as the poetry below witnesses. I'll keep an eye open for poetry about your neighborhood, though I assume that the general character of Swampoodle was also found near 1st and S NW.


National Republican, Nov. 7, 1881
“SWEET SWAMPOODLE.”
How sweet it is at eventide,
When closed is all our daily strife,
To wander forth and closely view
The ragged edge of city life.

To leave the city’s grateful shade,
Long rows of mansions, grand and fine,
The clean-swept streets, the grassy lawns
And grope amid Swampoodle’s swine.

Near where the tawny Tiber rolled,
Amid the valley once so fair,
Now slimy pools pollute the spot,
And gabbling geese are gathered there.

The lop-eared, lean and lowing kine
Drag lazily their limbs along,
While bare-legged boys and girls loud shout
And swell the sweet Swampoodler’s song.

The slop-man and the spavined horse
Hold revel through the live-long day,
While leaping lovingly about
The fragrant goat is seen at play.

The weird and wanton Thomas-cat
Doth murder sleep with cries most foul;
While playful purps evade the tax
And join the midnight Bacchnal’s howl.

Such scenes as these suggest a change,
Some sense of moral wrong to bring;
Else few, I fear, will ever hear
The fluttering of an angel’s wing.
– Andy Gleason

Friday, December 04, 2009

help with clogged gutters

From a resident of S Street NW and a household on 1st Street NW between O and P Street NW:

Our gutter above our front door seems to be clogged. Do you have any recommendations of someone we could hire to clean it out? I'd even be happy to do it myself if someone had a ladder long enough to get to the top of the second story.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Stanley Mayes: UPO to close its methadone clinic

I attended this evening's joint LeDroit Park/Bloomingdale crime meeting held at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

There was one newsy announcement made that I will pass along here.

One of the meeting attendees was Stanley Mayes, who currently serves as the chair of the Third District (3D) CAC.

He is also chairman of the board of the United Planning Organization (www.upo.org.).

Stanley mentioned that UPO would be closing its methadone clinic -- which I believe is on the unit block of N Street NE.

No other information was provided.