Friday, August 31, 2012

Bloomingdale community walk -- Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners
Fournier, Mueller and Youngblood, and
John Salatti
     
Invite you to take part in a
Bloomingdale Community Walk
    
Help Bloomingdale continue to grow into a safer neighborhood!
      
Who: You! ...and your children, dogs, friends, etc…
    
All are welcome to come, regardless of where you live. This is about making a strong presence in the community, showing that Bloomingdale will not tolerate crime in our neighborhood.
     
When: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 7 pm 
       
Where: Northwest corner of 1st and Rhode Island NW
(Meet in front of Windows Café. Dress comfortably and bring a flashlight!)

Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale

World Missions thanks the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market for providing the watermelon, fruit & healthy eating tips for the children

See this message from Dr. JoAnn Perkins of World Missions for Christ Extension Center, located on the northwest corner of 1st & Randolph Place NW in Bloomingdale:
              
Hello everyone, well with week one under our belts and the kids back in school, we are still proclaiming this week, the continuance of proclaiming safe peaceful schools and that our children will be on point by them going to school everyday, arriving to school on time, a good breakfast ensures that they will do well in school ready for learning.
              
This week, I want to take moment to encourage parents and friends to stop by the farmer's market which is located at first and R. Street NW ( right beside Big Bears Cafe!!!!!! purchase fresh vegetables for your family. We again want to say thanks to the market for donating watermellons and fresh fruit to the Back to School Rally kids and their parents. Thanks so much Ibti, and Robin, from the market. . Go by and check them out, I went by the Bloomingdale Farmer's market after church last Sunday, and was very impressed.
                                                                            
In the picture below, standing with me is Commissioner Hugh Youngblood and Robin (from the Farmer's market) sharing tips with the kids about eating right. For your information is information about the market.
                                    
The Bloomingdale Farmers' Market: Now Offering BONUS BUCKS







Your local farmers' market is matching up to $10 in free bonus bucks per week, per benefit to spend on fresh, local fruits and veggies -- for folks using food Stamps, WIC, and/or Senior FMNP Get Fresh vouchers at our market. BONUS BUCKS double your buying power so you can buy twice as much, up to $10 per benefit per week!
         
HOW IT WORKS:
Spend $10 in EBT (food stamps) and $10 in WIC or Senior "Get Fresh" checks, we give you $20 more-- FREE -- in Bonus Bucks to spend at the market.
                                                       
WHEN AND WHERE: The market runs every Sunday, from 9am-1pm through November 18, 2012 at 1st & R, NW.

See you at the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Zach Sherif & Paul Cerruti's Bloomingdale home gets a major feature in Home and Design magazine

Zach Sherif And Paul Cerruti's beautiful Bloomingdale home gets a major 10-page feature in Home and Design magazine - A Must See and a fantastic plug for Bloomingdale! 
               
See this link to the Home and Design article!
 

help solicited in finding tire-slashing vandals

I`m requesting assistance from our neighbors to identify and locate a male and female who I believe live in the neighborhood.
                                                                              
Over the past 5 days these individuals have made threats against my family.
                                                                
During this time our planters have been broken twice and this morning all four of the tires on my SUV were slashed. It would have happened between midnight and 8 am this morning. My car is a Black 2009 Lexus RX350 and was parked in front of 2012 1st Street NW across the street from the Micro Market. 
                                 
The issue is ownership of stray cat.
                                           
He came running into our home on July 3rd. We posted the cat`s picture on the blog   with Scott`s assistance and put signs up in the neighborhood with no response. After a few days we noticed the cat was having problems breathing and took him to the vet. It turned out he had a serious viral infection, worms and under weight. We had him treated and made sure he had all his immunizations, neuter, the works. Our concern is that the cat who we`ve named Oliver has a good home but we can`t seem to come to terms with the individuals who saw the cat in our window and are claiming him as their own but have no vet records or any proof of ownership.
                                                                                                                                                                                   
We have filled several police reports regarding the threats and property damage to include the vandalism this morning. If anyone can help us identify these people it would very much help us work with the police to get some sort of resolution.

even more pics on a slow news week from the 08-25-2012 North Capitol Main Street Biz Promotion event

Posted at Facebook, of course.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Marc Morgan: Capital Bikeshare possibly coming to the Park at LeDroit

See this message from Marc Morgan, President, LeDroit Park Civic Association:
 

    
Good News LeDroit Park Neighbors -
            
Just off a call with DDOT regarding Capital Bikeshare, and LeDroit Park is on the list of possible sites for one of 15 new stations to go in this fall. This is not guaranteed at this point, but we will have more details within the next few months.
            
The location they are looking at is on Elm St. at the Park at LeDroit - it's a location that will allow easy access and will not block the sidewalk, street or entrance to the Park.
                  
I will keep you posted as more information is available.
                
To subscribe to Capital Bikeshare - visit http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/

     
Thank You,
        
Marc Morgan

                       
Marc Morgan
President
, LeDroit Park Civic Association
202-361-4717

North Capitol Main Street Biz Promotion on Saturday, 8-25-2012, a success!

See this message from North Capitol Main Street:
 

North Capitol Main Street
North Capitol Main Street Biz Promo @ Florida Park a Success!
Biz Bingo Promo
Thank you!
We appreciate your support of North Capitol-area businesses. North Capitol Main Street's Business Promo Party at The Florida Avenue Park was a total success.
The party included food by some of our best local restaurants: Bacios Pizza, Revive Catering, Subway, and Uncle Chips Cookies.
Lady Luck gave Anne Henderson a hand, when she won a $15 certificate and there were plenty of trivia winners who swept up $5 certificates. Live Your Dreams Youth Group provided live music. Thanks to everyone that attended and we encourage all to support our local businesses.
___________________________________________________________
Patricia Huffman Biggest Winner!
Pat walked away with the big prize -- a $50 gift certificate to use at any North Capitol-area participating business-- and we learned she's a pretty fierce Go-Go Dancer too!
Brian, Charlene, Glen, Laura, Maryann, Sidney, Kyle
BIZ BINGO PROMO VOLUNTEERS, YOU ROCK!
North Capitol Main Street
PO Box 93013
Washington, D.C., District of Columbia 20090
202-670-1703

Angela Robinson: DC Greenworks seeking board members to promote storm water management

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Angela Robinson:
 


DC Greenworks Seeks Board Members to Promote Storm Water Management

I’m on the Board of Directors for DC Greenworks, an established, funded local NPO that supports projects and provides expertise on low-impact storm water management and urban forestry, including green roofs, rain gardens and rain barrels. I beleive it is important to have qualified Board members who live in areas affected by storm-related flooding such as Bloomingdale. The estimated commitment is 4 hrs/mo, attendance at semi-monthly Board meetings (6:00 to 7:30 pm only), attendance at occassional promotional events and support of fundraising efforts as possible. DC Greenworks is a great organization supported by a motivated staff and Board. Our work can be found on residential, commercial and school house rooftops across the city. You can learn more at www.dcgreenworks.org.
If interested in applying for a seat on our Board, please contact the Executive Director, Peter Ensign, at 202-518-6195 (o) or peter @ dcgreenworks.org.

WPFW-FM program this morning on flooding in Bloomingdale & LeDroit Park

See this tweet from Teri Janine Quinn, President, Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting:

Teri Janine Quinn@TJQ23
Tune in to WPFW-FM around 9:30am today to hear me discuss flooding in the Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park area.
 
 

Prevention of Flooding in Bloomingdale task force first meeting -- today, Tuesday, 08/28/2012


From Teri Janine Quinn, President, Bloomingdale Civic Association:
                          
From: Teri Janine
Date: August 27, 2012 5:18:16 PM EDT
To: Flood List < flood-issues-bdaleledroit-park- @ googlegroups.com >
Subject: Fwd: Task Force: Prevention of Flooding in Bloomingdale
 
Neighbors,
 
As you will see below, I have just been informed that the first Flooding Task Force meeting will be held tomorrow at 3pm in Room 527 in the Wilson Building. The meeting will be open to the public and there will be an opportunity for public comment. Here's a link to the District register entry from Friday, August 24th, which is referenced below: http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Notice/DownLoad.aspx?NoticeID=3186079 .
          
I apologize for the very late notice but as you will see below I, too, was just notified of the meeting. I will certainly address the need to provide the community (and Task Force members) more advanced notice of meetings.
 
Teri Janine
    
Begin forwarded message:
From: Love, Phyllis (EOM)
Date: August 27, 2012 4:43:49 PM EDTTo: Teri Janine
Cc: Love, Phyllis (EOM)
Subject: RE: Task Force: Prevention of Flooding in Bloomingdale
I`m sorry for the confusion about the meeting. I`ll ensure that we communicate more expeditiously. I think there was a mishap with the calendar notifications to the Task Force.
 
Yes, it is open to the public. The public meeting notice was published in the District Register. Tomorrow`s meeting includes a public comment period.
      
Let me know if I can provide further assistance.
 
Thanks.
Phyllis
             
From: Teri Janine [mailto:terijanine @ gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 4:38 PM
To: Love, Phyllis (EOM)
Subject: Re: Task Force: Prevention of Flooding in Bloomingdale
                       
I`ll be there but this the first notice I received of the meeting date. Can you make sure I am on the appropriate distribution list?
      
Will this meeting be open to the public?
      
On Aug 27, 2012, at 4:11 PM, Love, Phyllis (EOM) wrote:
  
Hello. Tomorrow`s meeting of the Mayor`s Task Force on the Prevention of Flooding in the Bloomingdale Area has been moved to Rm. 527. Thanks for your participation.
/

Monday, August 27, 2012

World Missions' Dr. JoAnn Perkins: "Power to the children/youth as we they prepare to go back to school tomorrow. Day one of our 40 day declaration of safe schools and no drama. is the theme, let's all Ward 5 say this every day and say it to our children, after we hug them each day."

Hello everyone and thanks to all of the sponsors and neighbors who donated school supplies and supported our efforts. In total, we gave away 150 vouchers which will help parents purchase uniforms for their kids and over 500 back packs were given away to kids in the Ward 5/ DC community which included kids in foster care children in the community, siblings of youth incarcerated and the DC community. We pause to say a special thanks to all who came and supported our efforts. Thank you DC, for we could not have done it with out you. And thanks to the farmer's market for the watermellon and fruit and the healthy tips, and Commissioner Hugh Youngblood thanks for your support at the rally as well.
                     
Again we say thanks to the Ward 5 Commissioners/sponsors/Friends and Asst. Chief Groomes for hanging out with us, for as seen here expressed on her face, we all had lots of fune, and without words we see that its about the children and crime, and other negativity has no power when we stand together proclaiming block by block, house by house, that we are a community that stands together in our efforts to support the children as we show them that we care, and are supporting them. Go DC, smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                     
And as we now prepare for the next rally which will be our November 17th Thanksgiving rally, we have a lot to be thankful for, and as we all came together this past Sat, the emporession on the face of Asst. Chief Groomes, the kids and their parents tells the story about the strength that we have, when we work together.
     
Now as said at the rally, Monday begins our declared 40 days of peace on behalf of schools opening tomorrow, and as you see a child walking to school, speak to them and keep hope alive that our efforts of supporting the children is truly the wind beneath the knees of us all in the community. Tips, 1.parents make sure that you support your children's school, 2. Make sure that your children go to bed at a reasonable time, eat a good breakfast, and complete assignments on time. Other tips will be coming, Smile.
Peace,
Dr. J.
 
+++

Dr. Perkins has asked to have the complete list of sponsors supplied.  Here is the list:
 

WARD 5 ANC 5C/World Missions EXTENSION Center

Ward 5 Democrats/All Nations Baptist Church

The DHS Chaplains Office-- Just FRIENDS Prison Ministry

                               
And here are some pics!

 








 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

"Bloomingdale floods expose sewer systems strained by development"

Note the comments from DC Water's Alan Heymann and Bloomingdale Civic Association President Teri Janine Quinn:
 

   
By Robert Samuels, Published: August 25
                                 
Jared E. Moffett climbed atop his granite kitchen counter for refuge. Pools of raw sewage were flooding his apartment, gurgling up from his toilet and spreading like ooze.
           

This was not what he had bargained for. Three years ago, Moffett bought a basement apartment near Fifth Street and Florida Avenue NW in the rapidly transforming 20001 Zip code, which includes LeDroit Park and Bloomingdale. Moffett, 30, an administrator at the University of the District of Columbia, was eager to dine at the new restaurants nearby and meet fellow young professionals.
  

But a problem lay underneath. As developers have added connections to the sewer lines to serve basement apartments created in old cellars, a sewer system built in the late 1800s is struggling to handle the unprecedented strain. And longtime residents wonder why city officials never seemed to seriously address the flooding issue until the area gentrified.
        

Over 10 days in July, dirty water flooded dozens of basement apartments on three days, creating a stench. Now when residents talk about the up-and-coming area, the topic is usually what`s emanating from below.
         
 

``This was the only place I could live around here that I could afford, and I invested here,`` said Moffett, who has paid thousands of dollars to cleaners and contractors for repairs. ``But the city didn`t do its part. And now everyone on my block suffers.``
          
 

Renters are walking away from their leases, and some owners are considering selling. At least 16 residents have filed claims with DC Water, asking it to pay for repairs that their insurance companies won`t.
         

They contend that the black gunk is a physical manifestation of the city`s folly, a symptom of unregulated growth.

   

An analysis of census data indicates that the population of this Zip code swelled by 14 percent in the past decade. The city water and sewer agency connected new lines for washing machines, sinks and toilets to 19th-century pipes without much limitation. Before last month, so many floods had never pummeled the area in such a short time.
     
         
``What`s happening is homes are being used in ways they weren`t designed`` for, said Alan Heymann, the agency`s chief of external relations. He added that city agencies need to examine ``whether the infrastructure can handle the new uses of properties.``
       

Facing pressure from residents, Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) announced Tuesday that a newly appointed task force will study the issue and recommend short-term solutions for the soggy neighborhood.
           

Allen Y. Lew, the city administrator, declared that the neighborhood must be treated with ``emergency care.``
       

The old-timers watch this activism with wonder. Overflowing waters have troubled Bloomingdale and parts of LeDroit Park for decades. Residents resigned themselves to stuffing their closets with emergency sandbags and bleach. Until now, the city contended that it could do little until it builds an underground tunnel that can hold excess storm water. The estimated completion date: 2025.
                    

``We`ve complained about this problem for years, but I don`t feel like things were taken as seriously until our demographics started to change,`` said Bernard Banks, sitting on his porch near First and T streets NW. As he spoke, a city truck with Doppler radar cruised through the area to record images of underground pipes.
             

``I`ve never seen those trucks before until now,`` Banks said.
       

In 2000, the 20001 Zip code was 6 percent white. By 2010, that proportion had grown to a third, the most dramatic increase in white population in the city. The new residents first came as young couples and are now coming as young singles settling in basement apartments — spaces never intended for such use.
       

While in other neighborhoods developers built towers that graze the sky, in Bloomingdale they looked underground in an effort to preserve the neighborhood`s residential character.
   

Now, small bulldozers sit outside Victorian-style rowhouses with for-sale signs. And young people with asymmetrical haircuts and hipster glasses seem as common now as the people coming from work in nurses` scrubs.
        

``I saw a white girl walking down this street drunk the other day and clenched my heart,`` lifelong resident Andre Pendleton said as he walked his pit bull, Cupcake, along Rhode Island Avenue. He remembers the days of drugs, gangs and blight, and he likes that now, anyone can walk down the street and feel safe. ``There used to be drug dealers on that corner`` at Rhode Island Avenue and Third Street NW, he said.
     

Newer residents dread the tales of the past. When Moffett moved in, he put up bars on his windows. Around the same time, Pendleton and his longtime neighbors finally felt comfortable taking their bars down.
              

Teri Janine Quinn, president of the Bloomingdale Civic Association, has emphasized goals any neighborhood would want, such as lower crime and cleaner streets. The payoff, she said, includes new late-night taverns and shops that offer gluten-free pizza.
         

``We`re moving toward something great,`` said Quinn, 36, a lawyer who plans to open a wine and cheese shop.
           

The flooding, she said, ``is just a bump in the road. A huge bump. We don`t want to be known as the neighborhood that floods.``
   

But it has long been the neighborhood that floods. People have been complaining about the area`s piping system since the late 1800s.
      

In 2001, the neighborhood endured such a flooding disaster that the Red Cross was dispatched.
 

Five years later, DC Water issued a report indicating that building the tunnel, which would take about 20 years, was the only foolproof solution.

        

As residents wait for the tunnel, DC Water is offering rebates for residents who install devices that block backwater and divert it to the street. Heymann says DC Water is considering whether it can legally limit the number of new developments in the area.
       

Some residents say the $3,000 rebate for work that some plumbers estimate at $10,000 or more isn`t enough. And they worry that any additional regulations will be too late.
     

That might be the case for David Byrd, a personal trainer who moved back in with his parents after he got sick when ankle-high water invaded his apartment. It flooded again before his landlord could make repairs. The fixes still haven`t been made.
                    

``I don`t know if I`ll ever move back,`` said Byrd, 25. ``It`s sad, because I love the neighborhood and I`d love to call it home.``

hats off to Geovani Bonilla and his team for a successful North Capitol Main Street business promotion event

First, a tweet:

Truxton Circle ‏@TruxtonCircle

Good food & beach music at Florida Ave Park to laud & encourage continued biz development in the area. #bloomingdaledc http://twitter.com/TruxtonCircle/status/239481644896120832/photo/1

Now check to the two posts at the Bates Area Civic Association (BACA) blog on the event: 

Posted on August 25, 2012by mrgeovani

 
GreatEvents Thanks to Great Volunteers
Posted on August 26, 2012by mrgeovani

See more pics from the event here:
 




 

power out early this morning on the 2000 block of North Capitol Street NW

See this Sunday, 08/26/2012 7:05 am  message: 

``The power is out on the 2000 block of north cap st nw.``

Saturday, August 25, 2012

since parking is currently a hot topic in Bloomingdale -- see the announcement from DDOT

Subject: DDOT Seeking Public Input on Parking in the District
 
DDOT Seeking Public Input on Parking in the District
All Who Live, Work or Visit in the District Are Encouraged to Participate
 
(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is hosting a series of community conversations, called Parking Think Tanks, to gauge the state of parking and to solicit public input on the future of parking in the District. DDOT envisions that these conversations will contribute to the development of a comprehensive curbside parking management plan.
 
In the ten years since DDOT`s establishment both the District and the role of transportation have changed dramatically. The population has grown; vehicle ownership has declined; transportation options and choices have greatly expanded; and more people are taking advantage of these new options. DDOT is asking for citizen input to develop strategies and recommendations to better balance the parking needs of everyone -employees, residents, and visitors – who competes for a share of the limited curbspace.
 
The goal of parking management in the District is to improve mobility and convenience by:
 
Preserving access to parking in residential areas for residents;
Promoting and facilitating commerce by prioritizing customer and commercial vehicle access in commercial areas; and
Ensuring the safety of all transportation users including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists.
DDOT is seeking comments and recommendations on a number of its current parking programs such as the Residential and Visitor Permit Parking (RPP) programs, Performance Based Parking, parking meters, the management of reserved / restricted spaces (such as commercial loading, car sharing, ADA parking, etc.) and bicycle and scooter parking accommodations. Details about DDOT`s current parking programs are available online at http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/Services/Parking+Services. In addition, DDOT is seeking suggestions for future parking enhancement opportunities
 
Anyone who visits, lives or works in the District is invited to attend a Parking Think Tank and/or to share their input via an online survey. The input received will help shape future parking policies and programs to create a more efficient use of parking resources.
 
The following Parking Think Tanks are scheduled to take place as follows:
 
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
One Judiciary Square (Old Council Chambers)
441 4th Street, NW
 
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Ora Glover Community Room
1800 Good Hope Road, SE
 
The schedule for the additional Parking Think Tanks, the online survey and the information that will be presented at these meetings will be made available online at ddot.dc.gov/ParkingThinkTanks. The same DDOT presentation will be made at each Parking Think Tank.
 
Following the Parking Think Tanks, DDOT will host a public summit to report on the input received from the public; how the input may potentially shape the outcome of comprehensive curbside parking management plan; and the agency`s next steps.
 
Questions and requests for additional information may be directed to Angelo Rao at 202-671-1370 or angelo.rao @ dc.gov.
 
DDOT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its projects, programs, and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, or gender, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or on the basis of disability as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 
If you need special accommodations or language assistance services (translation or interpretation), please contact Angelo Rao at 202-671-1370 or angelo.rao @ dc.gov in advance of the meeting. These services will be provided free of charge.