Gage School

Gage School
Originally uploaded by dc_cowgirl

wasa at the November 19th Bloomingdale Civic Association

WASA will have representatives at the November 19th Bloomingdale Civic Association Meeting to provide updates on

Combined Sewer Overflow activities and Bloomingdale infrastructure improvements.

The Civic Association meets at St. Georges Church, 2nd & U Street, NW
at 7 pm. Please come out for the updates!

For more information, please contact Aleizha Batson in WASA's Office
of Public Affairs at 202-787-2200.



Aleizha Batson

DC Water and Sewer Authority

Office of Public Affairs

5000 Overlook Ave, SW

Washington, DC 20032

(202) 787-2202 office

(202) 787-2210 fax



www.dcwasa.com

on the bloomingdale farmers market

A resident of Bloomingdale has expressed frustration with the cost of produce and impacted parking conditions caused by the Bloomingdale Farmers Market. It was all abuzz on the bloomingdale and eckington email chains.

In Shaw has posted about it, with numerous comments

Does it seem that whenever there is a community concern in denser neighborhoods in DC someone pulls out the "move to the suburbs" line? Every so often its, " move back to iowa" or something like that.

I dont get it. Does our community actually expect people to up and move because they dont like something?

Now, i LOVE the Bloomingdale Farmers Market. In my short 4+ years in the neighborhood, nothing has created such community and been so pleasant. I hope it lasts and grows. I try to promote it on this blog and with my cash.

Still, i dont think a healthy tactic is to attack or say, "Deal with it" to people that have issues. some have suggested that they even sell their car.

I think the best way is to illustrate how beneficial the market is, not how mean the detractors are.

If the person seriously has issue, attacks wont change their minds.
Personal attacks on an individual detractor can however turn that detractor into many.

old paint and rust.

IMG_2530.JPG
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

Big Bear Cafe - Thurs Nov 15 @ 8

CHERLY'S GONE
{a reading series}
PRESENTS BLOOMINGDALE'S OWN HANK LEWIS

Big Bear Cafe - Thurs Nov 15 @ 8 - Hank Lewis, Merrill Feitell, Eric Gamlen, & Maud Casey

Hank Lewis ( In the Arms of Our Elders, I Got Somebody in Staunton) ain't just a tremendous fiction writer and PEN/Faulkner finalist, but also a Bloomingdale resident and former coach of the Bahamas national soccer team, construction worker, and jazz dj, among many, many other things.

Merrill Feitell is the author of Here Beneath Low-Flying Planes, winner of the Iowa Award for Short Fiction. I also have it from an inside source that she drinks Natty-Bo.

Eric Gamlen ( www.myspace.com/theaprildecca) does the singer-songwriter thing. But think less coffeehouse and more roadhouse.

Maud Casey is the author of The Shape of Things to Come , Genealogy & Drastic.

The event is fee and open to all.

Finally, we'll be having an any-thing goes (prose, poetry, music, spoken word etc) open-mic in December. Just want to start making some noise about it now.

Hope to see you there,

Joe (bigbearreadings@gmail.com)

"use it or lose it " laws.

Demolition by Neglect: Use It or Lose It



Empty properties are ghastly eyesores, and attractive only to those intent on crime. All too often an empty property can become a haven for squatters, prostitutes or drug dens. This is a criminal waste - particularly when there is a national shortage of accommodation for people in housing need

groceries

you know, i loves me the whole foods and the trader joes, but what i'd really like to have close by is Grand Mart. Its by far my favorite grocery store in the metro area. And i can actually afford to shop there.

church

IMG_2511.JPG
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

bloomingdale liquors

kris hammond has a post and pictures concerning the wine tasting hosted by north capitol main streets and held at bloomingdale liquors on the 19th.
look here

Broadcast Radio One

i havent mentioned broadcast one except maybe when it was first announced. lots of people have covered this as its a pretty big project, pretty important for shaw development,and not as ugly as it could have been. ( i do actually like modern architecture.. just not a lot of DC's modern architecture)

Its not in bloomingdale, though many of you use the shaw metro.

so, here is some info about it.
ANC2C02 Forum

NCRC
DC MUD
Washington post from a aways back.
for the love of growth

NanBon, appearing live at the bloomingdale farmers market!

NanBon
Sweet breads and desserts

Can I take your order, please???

NanBon’s delectable desserts compliment any meal or moment. Our signature bread pudding is so sweet and light and lovely, it bakes more like a soufflé than any other bread pudding you’ve tasted. Don’t forget our delightful pies that touch that special spot in the tummy that you thought only grandma or that special aunt could touch.

Menu:
Bread Pudding* Lemon Sauce
• Cinnamon raisin 8oz $8
• Apples and caramel 12oz $12
• Chocolate
• Peacans
Small- $7 meduim-$15 Large- $25
*Try our lemon sauce made from our homemade lemon curd as the perfect compliment to any of our bread puddings.

Buttermilk peacan pie: Sweet potato pie:
Large pie $25 Large pie $20
Tartlette $4 Tartlette $3

French apple tart: Rasberry frangipone tart:
8 “tart $10 8” tart $10
tartlette $4 tartlette $4

Brownies:
Individual $3 Dozen $30

HOLIDAY ORDER DISCOUNT!! Receive 10% OFF orders over $50.
Call 202-409-6485 or order online at acwbond@gmail.com.

tour the old sand filtration plant!

i did this a ways back and posted my pictures of the tour HERE







Tours of the McMillan Sand Filtration Site -- Tomorrow, Friday, 10/12/2007

From Clint Jackson, Project Manager, of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED):


The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Vision McMillan Partners will hold two site tour(s) of the McMillan Sand Filtration Site on Fridays, October 12 and 26 at 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to me via email by COB Thursday, October 11 for the tour on the October 12 or Friday, October 19 for the tour on October 26. You will find the announcement attached.

Please note that all tour participants must sign a liability waiver that will be sent electronically to all whom RSVP.

Thanks,
___________________________________________

Clint Jackson
Project Manager
District of Columbia Government
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and
Economic Development (DMPED)
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 317
Washington, D.C. 20004
O: (202) 727-0991
M: (202) 538-1282
E: mcclinton.jackson@dc.gov



GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Clint Jackson
October 5, 2007 mcclinton.jackson @dc.gov


The District and Vision McMillan Partners to host tours of the McMillan Sand Filtration Site

Who: Open to members of the communities surrounding the McMillan Site

When: Friday, October 12, 2007, 4:30 p.m.
RSVP electronically (mcclinton.jackson@dc.gov) by COB Thursday, October, 11, 2007

Friday, October 26, 2007, 4:30 p.m.
RSVP electronically (mcclinton.jackson@dc.gov) by COB Friday, October, 19, 2007

Where: McMillan Sand Filtration Site
Bordered by North Capitol St NW, Channing Street NW,
First Street NW and Michigan Avenue NW
NOTE: The tour will begin at entrance to the site on First Street.
Parking is available along First and Channing Streets.

All attendees must sign liability waivers to participate in the tours. Liability waivers will be sent electronically to all whom RSVP.

###

haircuts.

October Specials at Showtime Barbarshop, 113 Rhode Island Avenue NW

See this message from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:


Take advantage of the specials that Sean Wiggins, the new owner of Showtime barbershop, is running all October long:

WOMEN: Shampoo, Conditioning Treatment, Trim, and Blowout for $30 (by appointment only)

MEN: Haircut for $10; Taper cut for $14 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays only)

Showtime is open Tuesday through Friday 7:00 to 7:00, Saturday from 7:00 to 5:00, and Sunday from 7:00 to 3:00. And for appointments, please call the shop at 232-2971 or Sean's cell at 391-8269.

Let Sean know that you read it on the listserv.

Enjoy!
John

John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
Vice Chair, ANC 5C
(202) 986-2592
"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"

FISH FRY!

FISH FRY!
When: Friday, October 19th & 26th 2007
Time: 11:00 AM until 5:00PM
Where: Mt. Bethel Baptist Church
1st Street & Rhode Island Ave, N.W.
Washington, DC. 20001
Office: (202) 667-4448
Fax : (202) 667-5162

MENU:
· Fish: Whiting Fillet, or Croaker Bone
· Potato Salad or Cole Slaw
· Green Beans
· Cornbread, Wheat or White Bread
· Cakes and Soft Drinks

Dinners: $7.00 including Drink & dessert
Sandwiches: $5.00
Side Orders: $1.75
Soft Drinks: $ .75
Cakes: $1.25

****We will Deliver 10 or more orders****

Contact the Church Secretary (202) 667-4448
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM for orders or information.

Rev. Dr. Bobby L. Livingston, Sr., D. Min., Pastor

historic districts

talk of a neighborhood becoming an historic district always seems so contentious. doesn't it seem like there should be some sort of middle ground between a neighborhood that anything can be built as a matter of right ( based on zoning) and the tight and red taped path of an official historic district?


Doesnt it seem that anything that can cause so much rift in a community should be fixed?

here is a link to the historic preservation office.

events in bloomingdale

Tonight:
TONIGHT = CHERYL'S GONE

{a reading series at Big Bear Café}
Event Starts @ 8:00 pm

Featuring

Buck Downs
{poet; Mississippi born &, 80s onward, Washington raised; recent books include Ladies Love Outlaws, Let it Rip & Recreational Vehicle}

Ethan Edwards
{singer/songwriter/lady's man}

Jade Foster
{poet; published in "Growin Up Girl: Voice From Marginalized Space; terrible driver}

echothrs/John Jones
{gorgeous noise : www.myspace.com/echothrs }

&, of course, beer & wine swapped for donations

Questions? Readers/performers you'd like to see here? Interested in the possibility of an open-mic at Big Bear? Contact Joe @ BigBearReadings@gmail.com

Friday night:
See this message from North Capitol Main Street President Pat Mitchell:

DID YOU KNOW?

Wine tastings are popular because they override the limitations of sampling wine alone, at home. How many wines can you taste on your own (unless you don't mind throwing away nine-tenths of every bottle)? How many wines are you willing to buy on your own? And how much can you learn by tasting wine in isolation — or with a friend whose expertise is no greater than yours?
At wine tastings, you can learn from your fellow tasters, as well as make new friends who share your interest in wine. Most importantly, you can taste wine in the company of some individuals who are more experienced than you, which is a real boon in training your palate.

NCMS invites you to come out to taste great wines and beers, mingle with neighbors and friends and get to know your neighborhood purveyor of Fine Wines and Spirits, Mr. Singh of Bloomingdale Liquors.
North Capitol Main Streets
First-ever Fall Wine Tasting
Bloomingdale Liquors
1st and Rhode Island Avenue NW
Friday, October 19, 2007
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

rain?

MacMillan Res 10-12-07 009
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc

one photo was today, one was a year ago.

Octoberfest at Florida Avenue Park – Tomorrow, Saturday, 10/13/2007

Octoberfest at Florida Avenue Park – Tomorrow, Saturday, 10/13/2007

See this message from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

As part of the District's ongoing efforts to make the park at 1st Street and Florida Avenue NW a welcoming spot to all neighborhood residents and especially young children, Mayor Fenty and his Office of Community Relations and Services, along with Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr., the Fifth District of MPD, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C, the Bates Area Civic Association, the Bloomingdale Civic Association, and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite you to Octoberfest this Saturday, October 13th from 10:00 to 6:00.

The day will include

* fun with the Skate Mobile. DC Library Mobile, and Old Cars Limited;

* music with musical artists the Randolph Kids Trio, the R Street Music Lab, Joyful Noises, Keyboard Player Billy Wrentz, and Emcee Sheila Queen Poole;

* games from bingo to the MPD basketball team;

* health information and service from Unity Health Mobile and the Howard U Dental School;

* food cooked by the DC Fire and EMS BBQ Grill Crew with their fire truck on hand;

and more!

So enjoy a few hours, see the park, have some fun, and build community.

John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
Vice Chair, ANC 5C
(202) 986-2592
jsalatti@earthlink.net
"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"

Opening Reception at 87Florida, “A New Art Space” – Saturday, 10/13/2007

Opening Reception at 87Florida, “A New Art Space” – Saturday, 10/13/2007

You're all cordially invited to the opening reception for Michael Gibbs's latest creative venture, featuring two versions of a handmade book, "Blue Moons, Yellow Cows, Green Tambourines," plus all 31 illustrations framed in custom frames made by NYC sculptor Fara'h Salehi. The book is a portfolio of images inspired by song lyrics.

WHEN: Saturday, October 13, 2007
6:00 - 9:00 pm

WHERE: 87FLORIDA, a new art space
87 Florida Avenue, NW (corner of Florida Ave. and First Street, NW)
Washington DC 20001

For Map/Directions visit http://www.87florida.com /


Show information: http://www.michaelgibbs.com/shows
or http://www.87florida.com/gibbs.html

For those of you who don't know him...

Michael Gibbs is an active member of the Art Director's Club community and also a member of the Illustrators Partnership of America, the Graphic Artists Guild, and the Illustrators Club. He served as a juror in the 42nd Society of Illustrators exhibition, joining 8 other illustrators and designers in judging the advertising illustration category.

Michael's illustrations have received recognition from the Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, Society of Illustrator of Los Angeles, 3x3 Magazine Illustration Annual, Print, American Illustration, Spectrum Annual of Science Fiction/Fantasy Illustration, The Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington, The Art Directors Club of New Jersey, The Illustrators Club of Washington, the IABC, the Addies, and others. He was honored with a Spectrum Gold Medal award in 2004, and multiple Silver Addy awards in 2005 for his posters for the Pittsburgh Opera. He has won a number of "Best of Category" and silver awards from the Illustrators Club of Washington DC.

In addition to the Society of Illustrators gallery in New York, his work has been exhibited in the Society's annual traveling show, and at the University of Maryland, James Madison University, Montgomery College, Northern Virginia College, and in juried group exhibitions at the Sumner School Museum, the Corcoran Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Washington, Billy Shire Fine Arts in Los Angeles, and the Design Center in Washington, DC. In the fall of 2005, his work was included in the Spectrum Best of Spectrum Sci-Fi/Fantasyshow at the Society of Illustrators.

For more information visit http://www.michaelgibbs.com/

Jen Fults
President
Art Directors Club of Metro Washington
--------------------------------------------------------
c: (202) 257.0621
www.adcmw.org

still time

banished? productions has announced a production of their "play machine," Balade Mechanique (ver. 1.0)at Big Bear Cafe from Monday October 8th through Sunday October 13th.


It's part of the city-wide Susan Lori Parks' 365 series. The machine will do 7 of the plays.

admission is whatever you'd like to donate.
7-9 PM at the big bear cafe.



I went on tuesday night to see what this was about. its a fun video/ sculpture contraption that you have to fiddle around with to see whats going on. start over at the video screen and select which "play" you want to watch. its a bit Dada, so just roll with it.

wine tasting in bloomingdale

For Immediate Release
Contact: Pat Mitchell, 202.547.7979
October 8, 2007


North Capitol Main Street, Inc. to Sponsor Wine Tasting Event

Washington DC—On Friday, October 19, 2007, from 6 to 8 pm, North Capitol Main Street, Inc. (NCMS, Inc.) will host its First Annual Fall Wine Tasting at Bloomingdale Liquors, located First Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW. Event details are summarized below.

“The holiday season is fast approaching,” says NCMS, Inc. President Pat Mitchell. “October is a great time of year to discover wines that will go well with holiday feasts, Christmas parties, and other special occasions.”

“We also want to showcase the wide array of wines that Bloomingdale Liquors carries,” says Lonna Hooks, Chair of the NCMS, Inc. Promotions Committee. “Bloomingdale Liquors is ready to meet residents’ wine and spirits needs for the holiday season.”

Who: North Capitol Main Street, Inc.
What: First Annual Fall Wine Tasting
Where: Bloomingdale Liquors, First Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW
When: 6 pm to 8 pm, Friday, October 19, 2007

NCMS, Inc. is a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 2003 with the primary purpose of serving as a catalyst for neighborhood commercial revitalization. Specifically, this volunteer-driven organization was established to revitalize the North Capitol Street area's historically and culturally important neighborhood commercial corridors. NCMS, Inc. follows the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street approach to economic revitalization, which focuses on incremental change and self-help.

North Capitol Main Street, Inc. ▪ P.O. Box 90044 ▪ Washington, DC 20090

tuesday night at big bear.

banished? productions will unveil their so-secret-that-we-only-sent-the-press-release-two-days-ago
BALLADES MECHANIQUES (ver 1.0) story machine at
Big Bear Cafe
(1700 1st St NW - that's 1st & R, near Florida Ave if that helps)
a fabulous place that serves up the fantastic coffee by Counter Culture
OCTOBER 8-14, 2007.
Café hours: M-F, 7a-9p; Sa, 7:30a-6p; Su 9a-5p.
Play a play, or seven, for free. Donations are graciously accepted.


What pray tell is this gadgetry of alleged theatrical association?
Well, best if you came on down to this super-chill cafe and find out for yourself!

We will be having a low-key-post-opening fete at Big Bear Cafe on Tuesday, Oct 9th at 6pm .
The wee rations of champagne's on us, but coffee (and you know you want some!) and such intoxicating beverages as well-made mochas, lattes and mighty leaf teas are available at the cafe! Support us by supporting them too!

Ok, the real answer, if you really need one...

Made entirely of found and salvaged materials, BALLADES MECHANIQUE (ver 1.0) is a Rube Goldberg-inspired machine that fashions an individual sensory experience of the play for the audience member/user. The user selects a story, thus activating the machine and the experience. The plays are primarily performed with the assistance of digital video, which re-imagines the stories with animations and puppets, creating an aural/visual accompanist to Suzan-Lori Parks' rhythmically distinct and intensely succinct writing. Video is also used to instruct the user on how to discover the stories that require the assistance of the viewer, who manipulates hand cranks, buttons, switches and such to dispense the stories. banished? concept is hugely playful and borrows liberally from the Dadaist movement in its interpretation of its seven plays. The aim was to create a way of telling stories – an age-old practice and intrinsic human need – using a method that expressed a complex, multi-layered vision of the human being persevering in an irrevocably technological world.

Hope you can catch it!

"the largest affordable housing project in DC"

metro urban diary has a post about St Martins housing project.
you need to see this one.

Theatre in Bloomingdale.

banished? productions has announced a production of their "play machine," Balade Mechanique (ver. 1.0)at Big Bear Cafe from Monday October 8th through Sunday October 13th.


It's part of the city-wide Susan Lori Parks' 365 series. The machine will do 7 of the plays.

admission is whatever you'd like to donate.
7-9 PM at the big bear cafe.

Post nods to Bloomingdale

Change is Clear

the article is a little spotlight on bloomingdale and mentions the change in neighborhood markets north of rhode island avenue.

it has a nice picture of Windows, as well.

Showtime Barbershop and Salon

From ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

It's SHOWTIME! Showtime Barbershop and Salon, that is.

Last week, I went over to 113 Rhode Island Avenue NW to meet the owner, Sean Wiggins, and welcome him to Bloomingdale. Well, let me tell you the pleasure was all mine. Sean and Showtime are going to be a real asset to Bloomingdale. He hasn't even been here a month and he is already thinking about ways he can help the community, especially the young people. Now, his focus is not surprising since he is a graduate of McKinley Tech, just a hail-mary pass away from Sean's shop. So he and I will be talking in the next few months about what he can do.

But not only is he going to be lending a hand to the neighborhood, Sean is offering the neighborhood several specials for the month of October:

WOMEN: Shampoo, Conditioning Treatment, Trim, and Blowout for $30 (by appointment only)

MEN: Haircut for $10; Taper cut for $14 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays only)

Those are tremendous gifts to the neighborhood. Showtime is open Tuesday through Friday 7:00 to 7:00, Saturday from 7:00 to 5:00, and Sunday from 7:00 to 3:00. And for appointments, please call the shop at 232-2971 or Sean's cell at 391-8269.

So please support this new business, I can assure that I will be in Sean's chair this coming Tuesday.

John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
Vice Chair, ANC 5C
(202) 986-2592
"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"

Grainger

I saw a sign that Grainger will be locating in the vacant building at Florida and 4th NE.

Though not a local brew like Fragers or even Logan Hardware, i have been to the Grainger up in Silver Spring a number of times for my tool and hardware needs. They have a pretty crazy catalogue too, but not as outrageously large as McMaster Carr.

Anyway, its good to have a store close by that i'm sure i'll use.

movie night in bloomingdale

All Nations Baptist Church
2001 North Capitol Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

Youth MInistry presents a
"Free Movie"

Friday, September 28, 2007
6:30 pm

"AKEELAH and the BEE"
A precocious eleven-year-old girl, Akeelah Anderson, from south Los Angeles, is discovered to have a talent for words. In spite of the objections of her mother Wanda, Akeelah enters a spelling contest. Her gift takes her to compete in the National Spelling Bee, the most famous competition of its kind in the world. On the way, she is helped by a forthright, mysterious teacher, Dr. Larabee, and other members of her community.

"REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED! POPCORN!!!"
FRED & VIVIAN DEAN, YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS
Rev. Dr. James Coleman, Pastor
CALL: 202-832-9591

love thy neighborhood

hipchickindc poses the question, "what do you love about bloomingdale?".

look here

washingtonian article about the bloomingdale farmers market

a parenthetical bear

IMG_7456
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

reading series at big bear cafe starts tonight.

reading series at Big Bear starts tonight. 8:00.




CHERYL'S GONE
{a reading series at Big Bear Café}
8:00 PM
Thursday Sept 20
Featuring

Mike Maggio
{author of deMOCKracy, a DC Poet Against the War}

Mike Scalise
{essayist on bad jobs, bad luck, & nyc}

Carolyn Joiner
{poet working with repetition; poet working with repetition; poet...}

Rocky Jones
{singer/songwriter/interior designer}
&, of course, Big Bear will be offering its full menu of food & coffee drinks


big bear cafe
1st and r street nw

Florida Avenue, for All Your Motoring Needs (2)

Florida Avenue, for All Your Motoring Needs (2)
Originally uploaded by Bill on Capitol Hill

windows cafe and market

saw this on a neighborhood email:


Lots of New Items at Windows Market !

What's new at Windows Market at 1st & Rhode Island Avenue NW?

The Abeje's are now carrying these new items:

Medford Farms: Water crackers, stone ground wheat crackers, celery onion snack crackers

Baxter canned soups: Potato & leek soup, fagioli bean & pasta soup, cream of asparagus soup, lobster bisque

De Cecco: Penne rigate, spaghetti, linguini, elbows, rotelle, gemilli, fusilli
Alessi: Aroborio rice, Italian split pea soup, Tuscan white bean soup


Plus: fancy Ritter Sport chocolates, many new cheeses, such as Heluva Good Monterry jack, Richfood New York sharp cheddar, Rosenborg Brie


.... and look forward to announcements about forthcoming wine tasting events at Windows!

photos

a great photoset of neighborhood buildings here

a new eckington blog

http://eckingtondc.blogspot.com/

a book recommendation

a dear friend, community activist, academic, librarian, writer, artist, arts organizer and general all around genius that i know recommended a book on community building to me.

The Great Neighborhood Book
A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Placemaking
Jay Walljasper, Author
New Society Publishers www.newsociety.com
ISBN 978-0-86571-581-3

It listed on this terrific website.
Project for Public Space

the prince is raising the bar

look at all these posts and video and all!

Prince of Petworth, you're kicking some ass on the neighborhood blog scene.
nice job.

thinking about farmers markets

i went down to the Bloomingdale Farmers Market today and now, while i'm enjoying an awesome heirloom tomato, pesto on "flute" sandwich i'm thinking about farmers markets.

When i was a kid we would only go to farmers markets occasionally. We'd make a special trip to the Union Square Farmers Market in New York, or to small roadside stands for seasonal harvests like apples, or corn, and to a few amish markets. But only a handful of times a year.

I was more interested in the adventure than the produce. All i wanted to eat was a tuna salad sandwich and a yoo-hoo. or pizza and soda.

It wasn't until i went to college that i actually met produce farmers, vegetable gardeners and began to care about the origins of the food i ate. It was then that i began making trips on my own to the few farmers markets that i knew of. and even then, it wasn't that often.

After college, i worked and lived on a Community Supported Agriculture farm in Maryland for 6 months. I ate really really well. We also set up at farmers markets and made deliveries of "shares" of each weeks harvest.

I learned to love farmers markets. After i left that farm, i would often go to farmers markets and roadside stands, but not religiously, more of a ... oh what would i like to do today kinda thing. I used to work at the Shakespeare Theatre and would hit up on the thursday afternoon penn quarter market, and i always encourage my wife to go, since she currently works in that hood.

Now, i try to make it every sunday to the bloomingdale farmers market and want to include it in my regular shopping habits. I love the quality of the produce there and feel that its an important thing to support.

While its pretty small and limited, the stuff available at the market is amazing. the heirloom tomatoes i got today were perfect, and i still can't believe bread line is setting up in our hood. they are simply the best bakery in the city, but the hours and the location of their shop was never convenient for me.

I have hopes that the market will grow and take over the entire street, but in the meantime i'll still do my best to make it every sunday.

I'm glad that establishing farmers markets has been a growing trend
here is the most current list of farmers markets in DC that i could find

a bit on eckington

the DC Urban Metro Diary wrote a post about eckington and noma.

read it here.

{a reading series at Big Bear Café}

CHERYL'S GONE
{a reading series at Big Bear Café}
8:00 Thursday Sept 20
Featuring

Mike Maggio
{author of deMOCKracy, a DC Poet Against the War}

Mike Scalise
{essayist on bad jobs, bad luck, & nyc}

Carolyn Joiner
{poet working with repetition; poet working with repetition; poet...}

Rocky Jones
{singer/songwriter/interior designer}
&, of course, Big Bear will be offering its full menu of food & coffee drinks

todd place condos

todd place condo

haitian musician/ community bbq event in bloomingdale.

IMG_0260.JPG
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

i was set up at adams morgan day all day today, so i didnt get to attend this community event. A neighbor sent me the photos to post.

i hope all that made it had a good time, and thanks very much to all those that made it out and said hello over on belmont!


kris hammond has a good post HERE.

In Shaw has a take too.

the bloomingdale ( for now) blog has words and snaps too.

big sunday in bloomingdale

Haitian Choral and Orchestral Symphony, and Free Neighborhood Pig Roast!

Sunday, September 9th, Bloomingdale Farmers' Market


We have raised over $500, and we are almost ready for the BBQ. Special thanks to Councilmen Harry Thomas Jr., and Kwame Brown for their support.... and commissioner John Salatti for helping get the money together. This should be a lot of fun.

On September 9th, Les Petits Chanteurs will be performing at the 10am service at St. George's Episcopal Church, and then around 12 noon the group along with the congregation of St. George's will be coming to the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market for the street side Caribbean symphony...

Come this Saturday and help build the fire pit!
It is supposed to be a beautiful day.


Bloomingdale Farmers' Market
10am-2pm
First and R Streets, NW


message from Martha Cherlot from the Embassy of Haiti:

===========================================================================


A Haitian Choral and Orchestral Symphony, and Free Neighborhood
Pig Roast!


Sunday, September 9th at the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market

Come to the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market Sunday September 9th for a free neighborhood Bar-B-Que!

There will be free-range pork and lamb on the grille, vegetables and fruits in the stands, and a full suckling pig roasting in a fire pit!

There will also be music from a group of 50+ choral and classical musicians from Port Au Prince, Haiti, playing with six violins, two violas, two cellos, a double bass, a flute, and a Haitian tambour drum.

Come and celebrate the Bloomingdale
Farmers' Market!

Come and help us thank everyone who has helped make it a reality..

Sunday, September 9th
First and R Streets, NW
10am-2pm

free yoga

Free Yoga in the Park!


Awaken your body and spirit

Saturday, Sept. 8, 3:00-4:30

in the small park at 1st & R Sts. NW

outside the Big Bear Cafe


Last week's yoga class brought out a number of Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park residents at all levels, bringing down dogs, double pigeons, sun salutations and great energy to the park. This Saturday, Bloomingdale yogi Beth Solomon and guest teacher Sean Zimmermaker of Logan Circle offer a challenging yoga practice that that heals, detoxifies and exhilarates the body. Bring a yoga mat and towel, wear comfortable clothing, and get ready to breathe, stretch, and turn on your inner power!

For more information, email Beth at bsolomon@ctnet.com.

new gallery along florida, ne.

saw this on Mid Atlantic Art News.

Leigh Conner and Jamie Smith have announced the purchase of 1358-1360 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC as the new location for Conner Contemporary Art and *gogo art projects.

The property, a former auto body shop, is a 12,000 sq. ft. complex with two interior levels as well as an enclosed outdoor area for the exhibition of large-scale sculpture, video projections and installations. Conner Contemporary Art and *gogo art projects will occupy the 6500 sq. ft. ground floor space featuring two exhibition areas and a permanent video/sound room. The 4300 sq. ft. second-floor space is currently being developed.

press release from gallery's website

Come to the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market Sunday September 9th for a free neighborhood Bar-B-Que!

A Haitian Orchestral Symphony, and Free Neighborhood Pig Roast!
Sunday, September 9th at the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market

Come to the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market Sunday September 9th for a free neighborhood Bar-B-Que!

There will be free-range pork on the grill, vegetables and fruits in the stands, and a full suckling pig roasting in a fire pit!

There will also be music from a group of 30+ classical musicians from Port Au Prince, Haiti, playing with six violins, two violas, two cellos, a double bass, a flute, and a trio of Haitian tambour drums.

Come and celebrate the Bloomingdale Farmers Market!

Come and help us thank everyone who has helped make it a reality.

Sunday, September 9th
First and R Streets, NW
10am-2pm

the guardian of bloomingdale

the guardian of bloomingdale
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to paint, clean, plant and beautify the Gage-Eckington Elementary School

It's that time of year again! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Time to paint, clean, plant and beautify the Gage-Eckington Elementary School . Please join us in making it a better place for our community's children to learn and play!

Saturday, August 25th
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
3rd and Elm street NW

Some ways we can help:
- Painting the School doors
- Weeding, planting and mulching (Johnsons Flowers has donated annuals and mulch)
- Cleaning up trash and glass
- Sweeping the playground
- Weeding / turning the baseball diamond so it can be used
- Possibly helping to prepare some classrooms

FAMILIES!
There will be a Moon Bounce for the kids, so bring the family.
Dress in work clothes and bring gloves if you have them.

PLEASE RSVP so we have enough materials!
dbryson@mfpdc.com or 202 572 0696

Hope to see you all there

Bloomingdale Farmers Market

Sunday. 10- 2 PM
1st & r street nw.

renegade public art.

seen at the bus stop at florida and noth capitol.

new something?

IMG_8240
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

anyone know whats up with this building on first street?

cops on segways

my wife tells me she saw a segway mounted officer followed by a mountain biking officer in the hood the other day.
i've seen them around the Capitol and in penn quarter, but is this a frequent occurrence in bloomingdale?

creme cafe

a wonderful reader passed on this article:
Express article

TERRELL DANLEY, chef and owner of Creme Cafe, has more than just dinner cookin'. He has a plate full of plans to open a collection of small neighborhood restaurants between U Street and Bloomingdale showcasing good food that's close to his heart, be it down-home breakfast eats or fancy steakhouse fare.

thanks Erin!

two more local blogs

Cityslurp

Eckington, DC's urban oasis.



by the way, if you're reading more than a few blogs, consider using a site like bloglines to make it efficient.


and check out this very helpful post over at Eckington ( way better than Spotsylvania)

Bloomingdale Farmers Market this sunday

The Bloomingdale Farmers Market Is Proud to Welcome
Bread Line Bakery this Sunday August 5th

Voted best baguettes in Dc
Baguettes
Ciabattas
Multi-Grain Loaves
Croissants

Ciabatta loaves

Sunnyside regulars

What will Carlos have for us this week?

Trust Sunnyside to have more great deals on Tomatoes and all thing organic.
If you pick some green tomatoes try this great dish.

Fried Green Tomato Salad with Warm Corn Salsa



Ingredients

TOMATOES:
12 (1/4-inch-thick) slices green tomato (about 2 tomatoes)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
Cooking spray

SALSA:
1 cup finely chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

Preparation

To prepare tomatoes, sprinkle the tomato slices evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Dredge tomato slices in cornmeal.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 tomato slices to pan, and cook 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Coat tops of tomato slices with cooking spray; turn slices over. Cook for 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pan. Repeat procedure with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, remaining 6 tomato slices, and cooking spray.

To prepare salsa, return pan to medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté 3 minutes. Add corn and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Remove from heat; stir in parsley. Serve warm salsa over tomato slices.

Yield

4 servings (serving size: 3 tomato slices and about 1/3 cup salsa)

Nutritional Information

CALORIES 161(29% from fat); FAT 5.2g (sat 0.7g,mono 3.5g,poly 0.8g); PROTEIN 3.5g; CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 22mg; SODIUM 311mg; FIBER 2.7g; IRON 1.1mg; CARBOHYDRATE 27g

Krista Ackerbloom Montgomery & Ann Taylor Pittman , Cooking Light, AUGUST 2005

Jazz up your home with flowers from Dragonfly

Dragonfly Flowers and Handcrafted Vinegars

New Asbury Farm Lamb



try grilled lamb kabobs!



If you are looking for a kabob with a kick, this is it! Lamb is marinaded in a spicy blend of herbs, creating a flavorful lamb kabob.

Serves 8.

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs lamb fillet, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 green peppers

2 pints cherry tomatoes

2 onions

----------------------------------------------------------

For the marinade:

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon turmeric (or more if desired, depending on how spicy you desire)

pich of ground red pepper or cayenne

PREPARATION:

Up to 24 hours prior to grilling, combine marinade ingredients and pour into freezer bag. Place lamb cubes in marinade and refrigerate until ready to grill. Be sure all pieces of lamb are covered with marinade.

Prepare vegetables. Wash and dry veggies. Cur green peppers and onions into 1 inch chunks. Set aside.

Prepare skewers by spraying a light coat of cooking oil to prevent sticking. Place lamb and vegetables on skewers. Grill spicy lamb kebabs for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until desired doneness. Serve with hummus, baba ghannouj, or turkish cacik, a cucumber yogurt sauce for dipping.

Join the hip arts crowd at the BFM next to the Big Bear Cafe along R st nw between First st and Florida ave. Sunday 10am till 2pm

we take WIC and CSF

Thanks for your support your market manager ted mcginn

borf in bloomingdale part II

ALEATORIC: Several local artists fill up two floors with installation art that will overflow off the walls. Emerging bands will be performing to keep up a lively atmosphere.

Who:

ArtCadeMagazine.com, LLC
Marissa Botelho, Curator
Reuben Breslar, Music Coordinator
Local arts students, artists, musicians, and creative writers
Bands 'Pontiak,' 'The Show is the Rainbow,' and 'Black and Tan Fantasy Band'
Civilian Arts Projects
Panache

When:

Wednesday, August 1, 2007
7:45pm – 12am

Where:

Bobby Fisher Memorial Building (aka Borf Building)
1644 North Capitol St, NW,
Washington, D.C., 20002
*3 blocks north west of New York Ave. Metro Station

Music and progressive arts will merge under one roof for this event.

(Donations for the bands are encouraged.)

Barber Shop sign on Florida

Barber Shop sign on Florida
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe

there are 137 photos in the bloomingdale flickr group.
its free to join and add them. share your pictures of the neighborhood!

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

rails

there is some road work being done at he intersection of florida and 1st street nw right now. if you look, you can see the old trolley rails still in the pavement.

buyindie.net

Big Bear on Buyindie.net

Soul Day Spa on Buyindie.net

neither are reviewed yet.

Sunflowers in Bloomingdale

IMG_7589
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

spikey bloomingdale.

Originally uploaded by alive world runners

this photo was recently uploaded to the bloomingdale flickr group by a new member. please consider sharing your photos of bloomingdale by joining.

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

man killed by truck crossing north capitol

A 46-year-old District man who jumped over a railing to cross North Capitol Street was struck by a truck and killed Sunday night, police said.

Washington post story here

screen on the green starts tonight. Annie Hall

Free Outdoor Movies at the National Mall


Bring a blanket to the National Mall between 4th and 7th Streets in Washington DC on a summer night and watch a classic film on a gigantic movie screen. Screen on the Green returns to the Nation’s Capital again this year. The following films will be shown on Monday nights beginning at dusk, around 8:30-9:00 p. m. People start to claim their spots on the lawn as early as 5 p. m.
Screen on the Green Schedule - 2007

July 16 - Annie Hall (1977)

July 23 - The Thing (From Another World) (1951)

Jul 30 - Wait Until Dark (1967)

August 6 - All the Kings Men (1949)

August 13 - Casablanca (1942)

For more information, call (877) 262-5866.

noma, the video. want a vision of the future?

here is a video from the NoMa Bid.

anyone like it?

a fringe festival recommendation

Save the Date for a roadtrip through
BOBRAUSCHENBERGAMERICA!
by Charles L. Mee, directed by Carmen C. Wong
a banished? productions presentation

JULY 19-22, 2007
Thursday & Friday @ 7:30pm
Saturday & Sunday @ 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Playing at Long View Gallery, 1302 9th St NW DC

Tickets on sale today! 4 ways to get your tickets...
Call 866-811-4111
Buy Online @ https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/11211
Visit the Festival Box Office @ 507 7th St NW DC
Cash only admissions 1 hour before show @ Long View Gallery, 1302 9th St NW DC

"tie a string to something, and see where it takes you..."
A trip through a wildly familiar landscape in a play as one of America's greatest painters might have conceived: a Rauschenberg-esque collage of people, places, icons, music and dancing, of love stories and the sheer exhilaration of living in a country where people make up their lives as they go.

Presented as part of the 2007 Capital Fringe Festival
More info? Visit www.banishedproductions.org or e-mail info@banishedproductions.org

video of the robbery at ledroit park market

someone uploaded to youtube a video of the armed robbery of ledroit park market on July 10 at 2:00 pm. see it here.

saturday! moon bounce! skate mobile!

Saturday, July 14, 2007
First & Florida Ave., N.W.
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.


Activities Include:

A Challenge Basketball Match between MPD Officers and Community Youths!

A Moon Bounce, Skate Mobile, and the FEMS SafeHouse for the Children!

Information about Jobs and Health for Adults!

Music, Entertainment and Modest

Refreshments for All!


Sponsors and Supporters:

Mayor's Office of Community Relations & Services;
Fifth District MPD; Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.; Hanover Area Civic Association, Inc.; ANC 5C01;
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency;
Department of Public Works; Department or Health;
Department of Employment Services;
Ebenezer Baptist Church; and TruxtonCircle.Org

See this message from Jim Berry, President, Bates Area Civic Association:

Neighbors,

Below please find below a flyer that is being circulated around the community in connection with the Fun Day that has been planned to take place in the pocket park on First and Florida Avenue, N.W. on this Saturday. This is the second in a series of events that Mayor Fenty's Office of Constituent Services has taken primary responsibility for organizing as a reflection of the Mayor's commitment to help us to address our public safety concerns about the park as well as the larger community. In addition, Ward Five Council Member Thomas and others, including the Fifth District Police, are supporting this project. As a community, we have been asked to (1) attend this function and (2) to donate some hamburgers, rolls, condiments and, possibly, soft drinks for it. If anyone is in a position to make a donation of any kind for this event, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can coordinate the contribution with the resources that are being gathered by our neighbor and Mayor Fenty's Ward Five Constituent Services and Relations Representative, Alice Thompson. As always, if we are going to transform this park into a socially productive place for the enjoyment of residents of all ages, then we need to make frequent and productive use of it. Saturday is an opportunity to do so. Hope to see you there!

Best,

Jim Berry
Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.



Mayor Adrian Fenty
and
Ward Five Council Member Harry (Tommy) Thomas, Jr.

Invite

YOU and YOUR FAMILY

to a

FUN DAY in the Community

a free standing house in LeDroit

IMG_7529
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

for 1.4 million this mansion could be yours......
other photos here:
http://web.mris.com/ipixviewer/viewer.cfm?pkg=10413976043&id=DC6432394


1859 3RD ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20001
ML#: DC6432394 LP: $1,400,000
Status: ACTIVE DOMM/DOMP: 35/35
Adv Sub: LEDROIT PARK
Ownership: Fee Simple Total Tax: $2,059
Date Avail: Ground Rent:
Type: Detached Area:
Style: Victorian Map Coord: XX
BR/FB/HB: 0/0/0 Tot Fin Sqft:
Lot AC/SF: .279 / 12137 HOA/CC Fee: /
Model: Yr Blt: 1900
Lvls/Fpl: 4/2 Vacation Y/N: No
Construction: Brick
Basement: Yes, Full
Parking: Drvwy/Off Str
# Gar/Cpt/Assgn: //
Heat/Cool: None/None/None/None
Water/Swr: Public/Public Sewer
List Date: 04-Jun-2007 Update Date: 28-Jun-2007
Company: Tutt, Taylor and Rankin Sotheby's Inter Realty

Remarks: Fantastic restoration/development opportuity in historic Ledroit park. 12000+ sf of land, historic house, zoned $4, three separate lots. House is complete shell with great potential to be unique historic home. This property is one of the last unrenovated detached McGill houses. Located close to downtown. Four blocks to Metro.

Directions: From R.I Ave, north on 3rd to 1859. Three separate lots totally 12,137 sf. Zoned R4. Near Anna Cooper Circle in Historic Ledroit Park

parker flats at the gage school

parker flats at the gage school
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

http://parkerflats.com/

randolph place bloomingdale, dc

IMG_2338
Originally uploaded by edevere

this was uploaded to the bloomingdale flickr group
shot by edevere.

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

ya think?

The washington post has an article about linking lead exposure to criminal activity.
"Sixty-five to ninety percent or more of the substantial variation in violent crime in all these countries was explained by lead."

big bear on dcist.

link to post

The P spot. unique fitness for women.....

Th P Spot
210 Rhode Island Avenue NW
299.9604

History of the Uline Arena

this looks cool:





NE DC Historical Society Meets This Sunday, July 8, 2007

Come join us this Sunday, July 8, 2007 as we continue to explore the history of our Northeast Washington communities- -past, present, and in years to come. We will have an encore presentation on "H Street" including the "History of the Uline Arena" by Richard Layman, historic preservationist, and more.

Place: Laboratory 1 of The Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Date: Sunday, July 8, 2007
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Admission: Free and Open to All


For those unable to attend this meeting, don't miss our next month's meeting to be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2007. Our meeting will include our ongoing study of the Rhode Island Avenue Corridor. Speakers will include Dr. Jean Pablo, president of the Tenleytown Historical Society, sharing with us how to do an analysis of the historical and architectural significance of the Rhode Island Avenue Corridor; and Bill Rice, community historian, sharing with us interesting facts of relevance to the history of our city. The meeting location will be the headquarters of the Premier Community Development Corporation at 1309 Rhode Island Ave., Suite B, Washington DC 20018 in the Brentwood Shopping Plaza.

the big bear on saturday

See this message from Big Bear's Lana Labermeier:


Thank you so much for your support! Come celebrate one month in business with us this Saturday the 7th! We have a few things planned:

In the morning Jessica -- head pastry chef of Hawthorne -- will come by to chat and maybe reveal the secrets behind the best blueberry muffin in town (or maybe you prefer the sticky buns? or the chocolate croissants? or the raisin scones?).

Then, around 2:30 pm or so in the afternoon, we'll have a complimentary coffee tasting of 5 of Counter Culture's single origins: La Golondrina, from Cauca, Colombia; Dolok Sanggul, Sumatra; Gayo, Aceh, Sumatra; Gitare, Kiambu, Kenya; and Finca nueva Armenia, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Did you know that coffee is like wine? Each region produces a distinctive taste, and we've chosen a few different ones to highlight. Taste them all and decide on your favorite!

We will also debut our Big Bear t-shirts for men, women, children, and dogs. And we will begin selling our delicious house coffee by the pound.

Papa Chapa, back from Barcelona, may be DJ-ing.

Hope to see you here!

-Lana

eckington

IMG_7478
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

you rock anacostia, you wall of fire you.

IMG_7517
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

while my picture doesnt do it justice, the anacostia is a wall of fire from the perspective of a rooftop in eckington on a fourth of july evening.

eckington, you had some nice work, especially you guys that took over harry thomas way....for real. thats was intense. there was stuff flying up from rhode island and third that was pretty heavy too.


edgewood represented well.

i could only see patches of bloomingdale.. but there were some truly stellar rockets being fired.

but anacostia. you never fail.


depsite my distaste for dynamite like explosives in my alley, i do love you DC for your amazing fireworks display.

the eckington hotel

eckington hotel info:



The 218-room hotel is located at 201 Florida Avenue, NE at the intersection of 2nd Street, NE and New York Avenue at the center of the NoMa Corridor in Washington, DC. Retail is located on the ground floor of the building with a restaurant, lounge, swimming pool and meeting rooms located on the second floor.

i hadnt walked over to the metro in months, but i did the other day.
there is now a billboard with a picture of the hotel on the lot.

seems that the ATF outbuilding has retail space on both the florida avenue side and the to-be-re-opened 2nd street NE side. there is info in the window if anyone is interested in opening up something......


i wonder if the 90 buses will be rerouted down 2nd to stop directly in front of the metro entrance. anyone know?

even uptown washingtonians are mentioning bloomingdale.....

a mention of the big bear cafe in Petworth News

and my wife told me this morning that she was talking to a guy from logan circle who was praising the cafe and the farmers market......


i guess you're doing a pretty good job Lana and Stu!

the big bear big bear.

photo by big bear

IMG_7457
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

this is a painting i'm helping to work on. still unfinished.

we were trying to find that combination of making it blend in to the old signage underneath, and making it pop.



i think its coming along well........

Bloomingdale Civic Association Leadership Summit

You are invited to the Bloomingdale Civic Association Leadership Summit by BCA's Leadership Development & Mediation Committee.


"What: Leadership Summit : "Neighborhoods in Transition: Maintaining and Strengthening a Sense of Community"

When: Saturday, June 30, 2007

What time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Sponsored by: The Bloomingdale Civic Association (BCA) Leadership Development & Mediation Committee

Where: The Harry Thomas Sr. Recreation Center , 1743 Lincoln Road, NE, Washington , DC , DC 20001

At this second summit neighbors will strategize about ways to strengthen and maintain a sense of community in our transitioning neighborhoods. The focus will not be on bricks and mortar; other committees and organizations do this work. The Leadership Development & Mediation Committee is most concerned with improving the ways in which those who work on bricks and mortar issues relate to and coordinate with each other and the neighbors they purport to represent.

Dr. Mary Hyde, a Senior Managing Associate at the Association for the Study and Development of Community (ASDC) will address the assembly and neighbors will then break out in small groups and, using the guidance provided by Dr. Hyde, share their concerns and discuss how they might work better together.

Dr. Hyde is a community psychologist with 15 years of research and practice experience with various public interest issues. Among other achievements, Dr. Hyde has conducted research in the areas of sense of community, welfare-reform policy, and juvenile delinquency interventions.

Please add your voice to this important conversation about the nature of our community at the Harry Thomas Recreation Center on June 30th at 10:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided."

Bloomingdale Farmers Market Sunday 10-2!

Please try to make it out and support the farmers market that will be happening from 10AM - 2 PM this Sunday, and every Sunday until November.


First and R NW (next to the Big Bear Cafe)
rain or shine.

From Robin Shuster:


First, THANK-YOU to everyone who was there last week for the first market of the season! That was so much fun! Come back this week to see all the new things we have. Here are some tastes of this weekend's harvest:

First of all, we have a new producer: Brian of Truck Patch is joining us -- and he is bringing the very first tomatoes of the season! His High Tunnel Tomatoes -- not hothouse, not greenhouse, but tomatoes grown in the ground with a protective tunnel above them that allows him to plant his seedlings a few weeks early. Good slicing tomatoes for hamburgers or bagels or sandwiches . (Lana will probably be using them in the Cafe for her bagels.) Zucchini and other yellowneck squash. Genovese Basil for Pesto. Broccoli, radishes, lettuces, arugula, baby spinach, mesclun, lettuce mix, Bright Lights Swiss Chard, chives, sage, lavender, cilantro.

And he has excellent fresh, pastured pork : boneless and bone- in pork chops, sausages, baby back ribs, tenderloins, fresh breakfast links and sage sausage, bacon. Brian is a good cook and can tell you the best way to cook every cut of his pork.

Reid's Orchard is FRUIT SALAD CENTRAL this week. Cherries, of course, but also early PEACHES, red raspberries for the early risers, gooseberries, red currants, and some apricots. Strawberries....and their first real picking of blueberries.

Sunnyside promises to have TWICE as many veggies as they did last week (when Carlos sold out at 11:30.) Be sure to get their really free-range, grass-range eggs from those hens Lana photographed three weeks ago. Look for summer squash, green green cabbage Italian Parsley, collards, carrots, leeks cucumbers, mini and red onions, kale, collards, chard, Kohlrabi, Basil, Elephant and Silver Skin Garlic, lettuces, escarole, broccoli, cider, apple butter, apple sauce, flowers.

DragonFly has those beautiful bouquets of flowers and their very special black currant and wine vinegars from their own wines.

7th Street Gardens will be have early peaches, salads and veg.

Your Market Manager, Ted McGinn, will be ringing the opening bell at 10 am. So, get some coffee at the Big Bear Cafe and come to market!

See you Sunday.

Robin

Summer Solstice.

I 'd like to wish everyone a happy midsummers night.

PCP bust in bloomingdale.

oh junk.
check this out

shaw community day this saturday

Shaw Community Day
11am-3pm; Saturday, June 23, 2007
On the green at New Jersey and O street NW

did someone say moonbounce??????



see the link here

a business i'd like to see move to the neighborhood.

warehouse theatre cafe

not that i want them to leave their current space, but, you know, if they do.



Is this the kind of business you'd like to see move here?

Bloomingdale Farmers Market Pictures.

I just got back from the bloomigdale farmers market and wanted to share some pictures.

North Capitol Street Business District

Charting the Future of the North Capitol Street Business District

Thursday, June 21, 2007, 7pm to 9 pm, at McKinley Tech High School, 151 T Street NE

You spoke out loudly and clearly - Over 200 residents spoke out in the North Capitol Main Street (NCMS) survey

Results are in - Hear what neighbors say are the "key" obstacles to a vibrant business community and learn why:
Neighbors rarely patronize neighborhood businesses
What type of retail and restaurant options are most desired in the community
Talk back to local businesses - Learn what neighborhood businesses say are major challenges to doing business in the community

Learn from small business experts - Michael Shuman is a nationally recognized small business expert ... teaching small businesses how to compete ... helping to create vibrant communities

an interesting thread about customer service

taken from the comment section at frozen tropics:
Customer service is a HUGE problem in DC, not just on the Hill (but I think it's especially bad on the Hill). I've got several friends that have travelled extensively throughout the US and the world. Each one of them tells me that by and large DC has the worst customer service of nearly any city they've spent much time in.




There is a thread over at frozen tropics about the improperly named "Clothing Cafe", which isnt a cafe at all. Whats interesting is the talk of customer service in DC.

I certainly have also noticed the poor service in DC. As a business owner myself, i take great pains to ensure the happiness and satisfaction of my clients. As a former waiter, barista,cook and bus boy i have worked in places that demanded excellent customer service. I never thought it was hard to deliver. Jump over to Baltimore and you get treated excellently, even at crappy places. DC? not so much.

I certainly don't go back to places where i was treated poorly. Except for the Argonaut, cuz only one waitress was bad and i'll just sit at the bar if she's working. everyone else there rocks.


Happily, i've had outstanding service at bloomingdales own Big Bear Cafe.

howard town center

everything is a center, huh?


look here for info about the "center" thats going in at georgia and v street.



"center of the universe"
by Roger Cutler

Bloomingdale Farmers Market this Sunday!

Please try to make it out and support the farmers market that will be happening from 10AM - 2 PM this Sunday, and every Sunday until November.


First and R NW (next to the Big Bear Cafe)
rain or shine.

a note from Robin Shuster, the market organizer:


Reid's Orchards will be bringing fresh raspberries, sweet cherries, strawberries, crisp and juicy apples (from storage), basil and many potted herbs (different kinds of thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, chervil, parsley, cilantro) plus a variety of tomato plants for your sunny gardens. No, it is not too late to plant tomatoes. Catilin will also have lettuce gardens and other container vegetables.

Sunnyside Farms, our certified (Oregon Tilth) organic farm will have beautiful free range eggs from chickens who pranced around large pastures when Lana and I visited them a few weeks ago. Sunnyside will have lots of greens and salads: kale, chard, collards, lettuces, arugula, red and green mustard, baby turnips, baby beets, applesauce, apple butter, cider plus kohlrabi, the alien vegetable

Dragonfly Farms will be bringing a variety of beautiful cut flowers and bouquets and some potted plants plus their very special Black Currant and Varietal Grape vinegars. I visited their farm in Maryland yesterday. They have an 80 acre farm, 70 of which is a beautiful, cool, green forest. Their grapes take up 5 acres and the currants another 3 acres. The flowers are planted in other fields and the vegetables are in rows between the currants. Many of the squash and cucumbers are planted in large Oak barrels.

Baker Lamb: Joan has 12 acres of pasture for her sheep and she treats them very well, indeed!

big bear cafe

big bear cafe
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

i swung by the big bear this morning.
the coffee was pretty damn awesome. all french press style. nice touch.

plus the decemberists were on the speakers.

So many things tomorrow.

1. go get coffee at Big Bear.
2. stop by the Fun Day-Health & Information Fair at First and Florida NW
3. The Crispus Attucks Park Yard Sale

4. or if you want to go exploring in NoVa, come see me at the Ballston Art and Craft Market

if anyone hits these events, please email some pictures to post, or better yet, put them up on the bloomingdale flickr page.

coffee

for your coffee needs

a webste about brookland, our great neighbors to the north east.

Brookland DC

This Saturday in Bloomingdale

Fun Day-Health & Information Fair, Saturday, 6/9/2007 12PM- 4PM

Please be advised that there will be a schedule of significant events taking place at the pocket park on First Street and Florida Avenue, N.W. on Saturday, 6/9/2007.

Specifically, Mayor Fenty's Office of Constituent Relations and Services, the Fifth District Police, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C- SMD 5C01, and the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc., are co-sponsoring an afternoon of fun and educational opportunity.

In addition to a challenge match in basketball between officers from the Fifth District Police and local youngsters, the DC Office of Employment Services will have its mobile van on site to provide information on and referrals to jobs that are now available across the region; the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department will be there to provide information on health and fire safety; Amerigroup has been invited to participate and will organize a series of health screenings that will be made available to those who attend (free of charge); the DC Department of Parks and Recreation will organize a number of fun activities for youths; of course, there will be refreshments; and the special guest for this event will be Ward Five Council Member Harry (Tommy) Thomas, Jr.



also, that really big yard sale.

map of dc with bloomingdale in red.

from the wikipedia entry for bloomingdale.

the petworth geyser

wow. you gotta see this

post focuses on neighborhood blogs

Blogging the Block
It's Local Matters That Matter Most For Community Chroniclers


The DC blogger they interviewed was Jaime Fearer of Stop Blog and Roll. Read it here:

Stop Blog and Roll Interview