Saturday, April 26, 2008

Emery Elementary School needs your help.

Calling all Community Members Please Join XM Radio Employees, City Year Corps Members and The Staff,Students and Parents of Emery Elementary School a great day of service!

May 3rd 2008 from 8am till 12 noon at Emery 1720 First Street NE




Do you want to make a difference? Then it's time to step up and be counted.

This Years projects include:

-Installing a Green Watering system in all of our garden beds

-Building a garden box for our 3&4 years students outside of their classroom

-Restoring and planting a large Butterfly garden

-Painting a "math counts" mural

-Renewing all our garden beds so students can start planting

-Painting doors and walls inside of Emery

-Planting flowers in tree rings

-Mulching of all garden beds

-Cleaning up outside of the school

Register online www.servathon.org sign up for Emery and there will be info about the after party.

We have the tools but we need you!

There will be a great After Party from 1pm till 4pm with free food and drink

For more Details contact ted mcginn: mcginnfamily @ aol.com or call 202/269-0164.

con artists.

neighbors have been telling stories of a con artists claiming to be from Tulsa. call the police if you come across him.


a message from MPDC,


5D Community,

AS SPRING ARRIVES, MPDC WARNS RESIDENTSTO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CON ARTISTS

While spring means the blooming of the cherry blossoms and other plants, it can also bring out con artists and other criminals seeking to profit from unsuspecting victims. Some of the most common cons and swindles this time of year are bogus home repair offers, fraudulent door-to-door charities, and individuals posing as police officers or bank investigators who claim to be investigating fraudulent tellers or counterfeit schemes. DC residents are urged to be wary of any "something-for- nothing" offers. Always ask for offers in writing, read over all contracts before you sign, and never agree to "cash-only" deals. Do not hesitate to check the credentials of anyone who comes to your door. Ask to see official identification and inspect it carefully. Legitimate organizations - especially real police officers - will not hesitate to comply. And if you have been victimized by a con artist, please call the police and report it. This is the only way that law enforcement can detect patterns and identify and apprehend offenders.

For more information about con games and swindles, click on:

http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,543147,mpdcNav_GID,1548.asp

Information, ideas, or comments?

KAYLIN CASTELLI, in MPDC's Office of Communications, at kaylin.castelli@ dc.gov

Lunch at Ibiza



who knew?

Friday, April 25, 2008

what do you think of this place?

what do you think of THIS place for bloomingdale?

a comment HERE sparked this post.

another thing tomorrow

NoMa BID, Cultural Tourism DC Host

Walking Tour of NoMa, Saturday, April 26

“From the Beatles to XM Radio: The Evolution of NoMa” is the subject of Cultural Tourism DC’s free neighborhood walking tour of the NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood of Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 26 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Led by Elizabeth Price, President of the NoMa Business Improvement District, the tour will meet at the New York Avenue Metro station’s M Street exit.

NoMa -- the up-and-coming neighborhood just north of Union Station -- is home to such landmarks as the Washington Coliseum (now known as the Uline Arena), site of the Beatles’ first US concert in 1967. The New York Avenue Metro station opened in 2004, igniting the pace of development in NoMa. With lead anchors like XM Radio, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and NPR, a new mixed-use neighborhood is taking shape.

The tour will highlight Uline Arena, a former coal yard, the historic C&P Telephone Company Warehouse, St. Aloysius Church and Gonzaga High School, and the former Woodies Warehouse as well as remnants of the old Swampoodle neighborhood, Emily Beale estate, and Tiber Creek. In addition, tour attendees will receive an overview of the latest redevelopment plans for the area.

Four things to do tomorrow

1. Eckington - 100 Years of Capital Traction- a walking tour

Saturday, April 26, 2008

1 pm - 2:30 pm

Meet outside Florida Avenue exit of New York Avenue Metro Station (Red Line), in front of the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) HQ at the corner of N and 2nd Streets, NE. Tour Ends at the Rhode Island Metro Station (Red Line)

Once a tranquil country estate north of Boundary Road, this neighborhood tells the story of Washington's first electric streetcar and maps the expansion of the city along the famous and well worn tracks along the Metropolitan Branch of the B&O Railroad. Visit the former estate of Joseph Gales, Jr., mayor of Washington and publisher of the National Intelligencer and discover neighborhood architectural styles from late Victorian row houses to industrial warehouses.

Led by Brian Kraft and presented by the DC Preservation League (www.dcpreservation.org) and the Eckington Civic Association.

2. 52 O Street NW open Studios
April 26 and 27, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Free Admission

Events Description:

TWENTY-FOUR ARTISTS, in one building, working in a wide range of media and styles open their studios for a rare glimpse into the process behind their art. This free event provides the visitor the opportunity to purchase artwork and meet the artists in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. Occupying 28,000 square feet, over four floors, 52 O Street Studios is one of the largest and oldest buildings dedicated to the practice of Fine Arts in Washington, DC.

52 O Street Studios is located a short walk from Metro's New York Avenue Red Line stop, amidst the burgeoning North Capitol Street corridor. The artists working here are proud of this historic building, its idiosyncrasies, and the myriad of artists who have created here in the past.



3. Health Information Fair & Fun Day -- Tomorrow



You are invited to a Ward 5 Community Event

Please join us for a health information fair and fund day!

Ebenezer Baptist Church
46 Q Street NW
Saturday, April 26, 2008
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Participating organizations include:

Metro Teen Aids
Unity Health Mobile
Howard University Dental School
Mayor Adrian Fenty's Office of Community Relations and Services
American Kidney Fund

Please join us as we promote good health awareness in our community. Free health screenings will be offered.

For additional information, contact Alice Thompson at 202 - 340 - 7038 or Clinton LeSueur at 202 - 340 - 314.

4. LeDroit Park Entrance Gate Planning Meeting for Mini-Greening Grant

The LeDroit Park Civic Association is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a "Mini-Greening Grant" from Washington Parks & People to install landscaping at the new LeDroit Park Iron Gate at the corners of Florida Avenue and 6th & T Streets NW!!

Please join us for our first planning session at the site on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 10:00 AM. We hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact Andrea Feniak at Feniak-Buchanan @ att.net or 202.986.7680.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

whats going on?

these are projects that i've heard about but don't really know the current state of. anyone have any info on:

-joe mamos lot at north cap and florida

- the potential store in the building on the ne corner of first and r

- the car stereo place that was going to go in on the se corner of north cap and r

-hellers bakery that was to go in at first and t

-"the perfect glass" ( or anything?) at first and seaton

- ground floor at 3rd and florida?

- the former pizza place at north cap and florida

i hear luciana cafe is quite good

the comments on this blog and over HERE
have been very positive.

more info here

big important meeting tonight concerning old sand filtration plant.

This development will impact Bloomingdale more than any other.


The Neighborhoods of EYA
Jair Lynch Development Partners

WARD 5 COUNCILMEMBER HARRY "TOMMY" THOMAS, JR., THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & VISION MCMILLAN PARTNERS

Invite you to a

Community Visioning
Session on the
Development of the
McMillan Sand Filtration Site

Tuesday April 22, 2008
6:30 pm to 9 pm
O'Connor Auditorium, Trinity University
125 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20017

toward Howard

THE GOAL OF THIS MEETING IS TO HEAR THE COMMUNITY'S THOUGHTS AND IDEAS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE.

WE ENCOURAGE STRONG ATTENDANCE AND WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!


Discussion Topics will include:

* Existing Condition of the Site

* Potential Uses & Opportunities - Open Space, Historic Preservation, Mixed-Income & Multi-Generational Housing, Community Serving Retail, Job Creating Office Space, Hospitality, and Community, Education, and Cultural Space

* Key Community Issues - Traffic/Smart Growth, Infrastructure, Community Benefits, LSDBE Participation, Job Creation, Sustainable/Green Development, and Other Issues


Light Food and Parking Provided.

For More Information, Contact
Vicky Chambers, Office of CM Thomas, at 202-727-8204
John Basile, EYA, at 301-634-8600


Vision McMillan Partners, the development team for the site, includes:

* EYA
* Jair Lynch Development Partners
* StreetSense
* The Alexander Company
* MacFarlane Partners
* Smoot & Urban Service Systems Corporation


due to a family obligation i can't make the meeting. if anyone goes and can send me pictures or thoughts, please do so.

wheresymycoffee @ gmail.com

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Go visit 52 O street next weekend!

you'll have a great time.


2008 Open Studios - 52 O Street Studios

Where: 52 O Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

When: April 26 and 27, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Free Admission

Events Description:

TWENTY-FOUR ARTISTS, in one building, working in a wide range of media and styles open their studios for a rare glimpse into the process behind their art. This free event provides the visitor the opportunity to purchase artwork and meet the artists in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. Occupying 28,000 square feet, over four floors, 52 O Street Studios is one of the largest and oldest buildings dedicated to the practice of Fine Arts in Washington, DC.

52 O Street Studios is located a short walk from Metro's New York Avenue Red Line stop, amidst the burgeoning North Capitol Street corridor. The artists working here are proud of this historic building, its idiosyncrasies, and the myriad of artists who have created here in the past.

Today, the building is occupied by painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, woodworkers, and video artists who seek to continue and advance the guiding principle behind its opening in 1979, "to create an affordable working space for artists in Washington DC."

This year's artists include:
Stevens Jay Carter Luke Idziak
Brooke Clagett B. Neal Jones
Betsy Damos Micheline Klagsbrun
Chris Edmunds Raye Leith
Adam Eig Greg McLellan
Thom Flynn Brandon Moses
Cianne Fragione Kendall Nordin
H2O n2 Wine Films H2O n2 Wine Films
Andrea Haffner Holly & Ashlee Temple
Peter Harper Lisa Marie Thalhammer
Mike Harris Gabriel Thy
Matt Hollis Ben Tolman

Saturday, April 19, 2008

washington post article about bloomingdale

the washington post has an article about bloomingdale.

old engine company 12 to become 2020 Martini

The city last month finalized the sale of Old Engine Co. 12 at 1626 N. Capitol St. to Brian Brown, managing partner of NC Firehouse LLC, which is led by his company, NextGen Development. Brown purchased the building for $600,000, the value at which the city assessed it, and plans to put another $2.4 million into renovations.

The three-story, 10,000-square-foot space will become home of 2020 Martini at Engine Co. 12, a restaurant concept by Twyla Garrett of Cleveland-based Garrett Entertainment Corp.



hope.

full article here

Washington Business Journal - by Gillian Gaynair Staff Reporter



other highlights include:

-XM radio is in on the deal and will be doing live broadcastings from the location
-Twyla Garrett of Cleveland-based Garrett Entertainment Corp will be the developer
-the will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner
-first floor will serve brick-oven pizzas.
-a small pasta bar and a sushi bar.
-2nd floor will have live music performances
-third floor will have an espresso bar
-a rooftop deck will offer tapas.
-Harry Thomas introduced a bill seeking 10 years of property tax relief for NC Firehouse LLC

here is the website for 2020 Martini in Columbus, Ohio, owned by Twyla Garrett
warning: music starts playing when the page loads.

apparently work has already started on the building.......

here was my first post about the firehouse

the obligatory negativity about the project can be found here.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Olsson's on 7th Street got the boot?


i'm told that Olsson's on 7th street in the landsburg building is closing. Apparenty they are getting kicked out because some business offered to pay twice as much rent.

How about moving to north capitol Olsson's?

Work Day on Saturday, at Crispus Attucks Park

Work Day on Saturday, 4/19/2008, at Crispus Attucks Park

See this 4/17/2008 message from John Corea, President, Crispus Attucks Park:
crispus attucks park

Dear Friends of Crispus Attucks Park,

PARK WORK DAY ON SATURDAY, 4/19/2008, STARTING AT 10AM

Creating the dog-free and dog-friendly zones will require a lot of work, on top of all the work that Mother Nature has already created for us (weeding, mowing, mulching...). Come out to the park on Saturday to pitch in -- it should be a beautiful warm day. For an hour, or all day, whatever you can manage. If you think you can make it, it would be helpful if you e-mailed me at jacorea @ gmail.com so I can get a sense of how many tools etc we need. Thanks!

-John

John Corea, President
Crispus Attucks Development Corporation
63 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001 | 202-550-2631
www.crispusattuckspark.org | info@crispusattuckspark.org

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Introducing, Bloomingdale

Bloomingdale is on my mind. I am especially wondering what can be done to help N. Capital Street. I think we would all love to see improvement: a yoga studio, a bistro, a hardware store.... the question is HOW?

I started asking a lot of questions. Can neighborhood investors gather together to invest (with dollars and/or sense) in helping to improve N. Capital Street? My questions led me to wander around our blocks and introduce myself to some of the business owners, particularly in the block of N. Capital between Quincy and R St:

  • The liquor store on R and N. Capital NE has a constant stream of business. The owner of the liquor store lives above it with his wife. He also owns the building next door which had been for sale a few years ago. He has taken that property off the market because he has decided to develop it into condos...maybe a restaurant. He was very uncertain...and it sort of made me think there may not really be a plan. Perhaps he would be interested in selling?
  • The laundry next-door was vacant and no one was able to give me an answer on its status...it would certainly make a great pizza place. Too bad we can’t talk the owners of Moroni Brothers (on Georgia in Petworth) into opening a second spot....or could we?
  • The Flea Market is owned by a couple and has been for four years. They have a fabulous spot.
  • and then there is the Firehouse. Sigh. What is happening to this lovely building?
  • SAVEMORE has been evicted....would make a fabulous deli/butcher shop.

In addition to wandering the blocks, I also met an investor who has restored/developed several homes and apartment buildings in the area: 20 R Street, NW; 314 V Street, NE to name two. We walked around the neighborhood together and I told him my ideas with the hope that he would say ‘wow...those are fabulous ideas, and I will underwrite them all’.

He did not say that. BUT, he is very interested in the neighborhood. He has a building which he is interested in, and wondered if the neighbors really would like to invest. My sense is that he has the capital to invest on his own...but I think if we, as neighbors, could have a hand in the investment, it might help in the creation of something really unique. What do you think? Are you interested? How are you interested?

What next? Do you know of anyone who might like to walk around the neighborhood with an idea to investing? Do you know anyone at FedEx or XM Radio who could introduce us to the community relations group?

Think about it. I will also keep thinking about it.

divided neighborhood


divided neighborhood
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan
maybe we could cover up the trench and have a nice park with a great view of the capitol.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

another future development post- Old Sand Filtration Plant

old

The Neighborhoods of EYA
Jair Lynch Development Partners

WARD 5 COUNCILMEMBER HARRY "TOMMY" THOMAS, JR., THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & VISION MCMILLAN PARTNERS

Invite you to a

Community Visioning
Session on the
Development of the
McMillan Sand Filtration Site

Tuesday April 22, 2008
6:30 pm to 9 pm
O'Connor Auditorium, Trinity University
125 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20017


THE GOAL OF THIS MEETING IS TO HEAR THE COMMUNITY'S THOUGHTS AND IDEAS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE. WE ENCOURAGE STRONG ATTENDANCE AND WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!


Discussion Topics will include:

* Existing Condition of the Site

* Potential Uses & Opportunities - Open Space, Historic Preservation, Mixed-Income & Multi-Generational Housing, Community Serving Retail, Job Creating Office Space, Hospitality, and Community, Education, and Cultural Space

* Key Community Issues - Traffic/Smart Growth, Infrastructure, Community Benefits, LSDBE Participation, Job Creation, Sustainable/Green Development, and Other Issues


Light Food and Parking Provided.

For More Information, Contact
Vicky Chambers, Office of CM Thomas, at 202-727-8204
John Basile, EYA, at 301-634-8600
the skies over DC

Vision McMillan Partners, the development team for the site, includes:

* EYA
* Jair Lynch Development Partners
* StreetSense
* The Alexander Company
* MacFarlane Partners
* Smoot & Urban Service Systems Corporation