two reviews of Bloomingdale`s Rustik Tavern

a) From the Washington City Paper Young & Hungry column

Rustik Tavern’s Unusual Take on Neighborhood Grub
Posted by Tim Carman on Nov. 1, 2010 at 12:18 pm
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2010/11/01/rustik-taverns-unusual-take-on-neighborhood-grub/

b) From the MidCityDC November 2010 issue, Bloomingdale Bytes page

Rustik, Finally:Present And Future
By Amanda Abrams
http://www.capitalcommunitynews.com/CCN_Website09/images/papers/DCN/Nov/1110/pdf/38_MCDC_1110-web.pdf

I know, the opening of Bloomingdale`s first sit-down restaurant, Rustik, is practically old news by now; the place first opened its doors in late September. But how can I claim to be a true neighborhood correspondent without mentioning the new establishment? Plus, I was personally curious, so I stopped in on a recent sunny afternoon and chatted with owner Diton Pashaj about how things are going.

Pashaj must`ve taken media lessons from his counterpart Stu Davenport, owner of Big Bear Café, down the street: both are circumsaect and humble to a fault when it comes to talking about their businesses. But Pashaj finally admitted with a smile that things are going well. ``We`re happy,`` he said when I asked if the restaurant is busy. ``I wouldn`t say it`s crowded, but we have business every night.``

Most of the restaurant`s early Glitches have been worked out, and he and chef Seth Brady are starting to brainstorm about moving forward ~ maybe expanding the menu, offering brunch with an Albanian flavor (Pashaj hails from Albania), or hosting special evening events.

For now, though, it`s all up in the air. ``We`ll see what the community wants,`` he said cautiously. I got there around 5 p.m. and things were just getting humming: bartenders were starting to stock the shelves, a couple of cooks were standing by the big wood-fired oven, and manager types were milling around. Of his 15 employees, Pashaj says that 90 percent live in the neighborhood ~ and that includes both him and Brady.

It`s definitely a ``think local`` kind of place. Pashaj is planning on adding a tap for DC Brau, a soon-to-beonline local brewery that`s co-owned by a Bloomingdale resident, and he`s uber-friendly with his neighbors, one of whom breezed in while I was sitting at the bar. ``I love it! I come every chance I get,`` said Karen Cotton, of Rustik. When the kids` learning center she`s developing next door finally opens, she figures the restaurant can serve as a parents` waiting room. If all goes according to plan, though, Rustik won`t be the neighborhood`s only restaurant for long.

Another group of Bloomingdale residents ~ Gareth and Matt Croke, and Colin McDonough ~ are moving forward with plans for Boundary Stone, a restaurant/pub just down the street. They expect the place to open sometime around April, as soon as construction is finished and approvals are in place.

Is Pashaj worried about looming competition? Not at all, he said. ``I can`t wait for Boundary Stone to open. When I`m done working, I want to go drink somewhere that`s not my place.``

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 11/14/2010

Wanting to check out available properties for sale in the area? Inventory is tight but there are a few open houses to check out. Here is a map of the same information, complete with directions. To see information on each of the homes for sale, scroll over the push pins on the map.

2008 Lincoln Road NE shooting death of Gary O. English: DC Superior Court jury finds three men guilty

The Saturday, 11/13/2010 Washington Post reports that three men have been found guilty of the shooting death of a man back in 2008 on the 2000 block of Lincoln Road NE in Eckington.

Three D.C. men guilty of murder, gang affiliation
By Keith L. Alexander
Saturday, November 13, 2010; B01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/12/AR2010111206687.html

Kids: Bloomingdale 4-H Arts & Crafts Club -- Saturday, 11/13/2010

See this message from Chenelyn Barker

Bloomingdale 4-H Arts & Crafts Club -- Saturday, 11/13/2010

Hey, kids!
Check out the Bloomingdale 4-H Arts and Crafts Club

Saturday, November 13th
2 PM to 3 PM

Uniting The Youth
238 W Street, NW

Learn about primary colors and paint a picture!

Contact Chenelyn Barker with any questions.
Chenelynbarker@gmail.com
(202) 446- 8674

seeking referrals regarding: runner for staircase

See this request:

We are looking to buy a runner for our stairs and have it installed; if anyone has recently purchased a runner and can recommend a vendor please post a comment or contact me at fayehammersley@gmail.com .

mugging in alley between S St NW & Randolph Pl NW: gun used

See this message from a Randolph Place NW resident:

Just wanted to let you know and have you spread the word of a mugging of a Bloomingdale resident, that took place in Bloomingdale.

I had a brief chat with him, and below is a recap of your conversation:

He said that it all happened very quickly and left him in a dazed state.

He was coming home on Sunday morning between 12:00am - 12:30am. He entered the alley way from 1st Street, via S street and when he was about to turn left to go up the alley, two guys who were waiting to ambush a passer-by jumped him.

They put a gun to his chest and robbed him of his wallet and cell phone.

They were completely covered from head to toe and he cannot identify them.

They didn`t physically harm him. He called the cops and filed a report.

He`s physically ok but was in a state of shock and is slowly recovering from the incident.

stolen Raleigh bicycle stolen from 1st St NW back yard

See this message from a 1st Street NW household. Note that there is no image of the bicycle here.

I`m sorry to report that an old friend of mine was stolen from our home at 2106 1st Street NW. My Raleigh road bike was in our back yard inside of a 14 foot high locked gate last Saturday night - and gone on Sunday morning. Although the race cycle is probably not worth much money these days, it helped me through several triathlons and a half Ironman over the past 10 years. I had planned on tuning her up again to loan to a friend who is in need of city transportation. Here is a description: Raleigh racer, Bright yellow and black, aerobars for long rides, toe clips, women`s comfort seat.

The bike is too old to still be on the company website, so I`ve attached a photo that looks pretty close. The logo is the same.

If you see it, or have any information please contact me: juliejarvis @ me.com. Thank you!

do the police look into cars and takes notes on clipboards?

See this messsage from a household on the unit block of W Street NW:

Here`s the skinny: the other morning at about 5:30A my husband was leaving for work and saw a plain-clothed man with a clipboard, with a car with MD. tags. the guy was standing in the middle of the road and then in and out of his car. he was looking inside cars and making (or seeming to make) notations on a clip board. he told my husband he was a cop and that a lot of stolen vehicles had been dropped in our neighborhood. my husband believed him. but i think that is just plain odd and that the guy was probably looking for cars to in fact steal! can you solve this marital dispute? :-) do you know if this is a common police practice? i haven`t ever heard of this -- and would think that, at 5:30AM the police would/should send someone in a marked car or at least in uniform?

R Street NW yard sale -- nice stuff -- Sunday, 11/14/2010

R STREET YARD SALE...
Really Nice Stuff!

Dear Bloomies, Eckingtonians and Shaw-ites
I HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF! My intention is not to have as much stuff in 2011 so I'm having an OVERSTOCKED SALE!

Household
Comforters
Towels
Furniture
Lamps
Too much to list
Mens

Athletic Shirts (Medium/Large)
Footwear (very slightly used size 11/12)
Ties (Silk/Designer)
Womens
Suits (8/10)
Blouses
Shoes (9/9.5)
Housewares:
Glasses
Seasonal Dishes
Serve-ware (Silver)
( No junk! Only the best will be offered; the rest will go to Goodwill)

Our Price: 1/2$
Original Price:$$$$


BE SURE TO STOP BY

#12 R STREET

(On your way to or from the Farmer's market)

SUNDAY, November 14, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Save 25% ON ANY ONE (1) ITEM OVER 40 BUCKS!

Offer Expires: Sunday, November 14, 2010 -- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.

bicycle stolen From Windows Café

See this 11/10/2010 message from a Bloomingdale resident:

My Jannis bike was stolen tonight at Windows sometime after 7:00. It was locked on the rack but got it anyway; I`m forwarding a picture, but it also had a Blossom Saddlebag. If anyone sees it, please call, 202. 232 then 1406.

it's now official: Giant coming to 3rd & H Street NE

Not quite Bloomingdale news, but worth reporting.

D.C. economic development
Guy Steuart finally nets his Giant
Washington Business Journal - by Michael Neibauer
Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 10:09am EST.
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/11/guy-steuart-finally-nets-his-giant.html

Giant Food LLC and Steuart Investment Co. have finally sealed the deal to bring a supermarket to Steuart's mixed-use project at 3rd and H streets NE.

The Chevy Chase-based Steuart, led by director Guy Steuart, danced with Giant for months before closing the deal with a long-term anchor lease. The developer had long sought a grocery store to anchor his 286,500-square-foot project on the west end of the busy H Street corridor, what he's now calling 360˚ H Street, but previous talks with Harris Teeter Inc., Yes! Organic Market and Trader Joe's had all fallen through.

The Giant, at 41,200 square feet, will consume most of the space set aside for retail on the site. There will also be a 1,500 retail bay on the east end. Silver Spring-based Torti Gallas and Partners Inc. is the architect.

"We could not be more pleased that Giant has committed to anchor this development," Steuart said in a statement. "Our vision for 360˚ H Street is one of convenient urban living, and with Giant we've partnered with a grocer embracing smart development and top-quality customer service too."

We first reported the potential deal with Giant in April, but both sides declined to publicly acknowledge the discussions. Then, in August, Giant President Robin Michel told a tent full of people that Giant was locked in at 3rd and H, but her communications team quickly backtracked and said the deal was not done.

The Steuart parcels, currently vacant save the occasional pop-up art, is expected to feature the supermarket, 215 rental units and 270 underground parking spaces -- 125 reserved for retail customers, and 145 for residents. The project will be steps from a future streetcar stop, a block from Union Station and across the street from Abdo Development's 480-unit condominium complex.

"This is a great next step in the revitalization of the H Street Corridor," said D.C. Councilman Tommy Wells, D-Ward 6. "I'm excited that Giant has been exploring more urban and transit-oriented store designs and I'm eager to see Steuart and Giant deliver on a vision that embraces the new streetcar and the proximity to Union Station."

Construction is expected to start in the spring. Giant will be open in the first quarter of 2013.

next McMillan community meeting – Saturday, 11/20/2010

See this 11/8/2010 message from Tania Jackson to the attendees of the 2nd McMillan Sand Filtration site community meeting held this past Saturday, 11/06/2010:

Thank you for attending the McMillan neighborhood wide meetings. The next meeting will be Saturday, November 20, 2010 from 9AM to 12PM.

Please take the time to visit ENVISION McMILLAN (http://www.wikiplanning.org /), the
wikiplanning site for the project, which launched on Saturday. To login, you must provide your email address and your zip code. Please email me if you have any trouble logging into the site. The primary function of the site is to capture your input, ideas and feedback. There are places for you to share your photos, examples and ideas; there is a survey up now that we would like you to take. There is also a message board where you can leave questions, comments, concerns and engage in conversation with one another.

There are also bios and quals for the development and design team;, meeting notes and photos; and reports.

Last but not least, the site provides the opportunity for you to invite others to participate. If you have neighbors and friends that should come to the site, please send them invitations so that we can get their feedback, too!

Thanks again,

Tania Jackson

bicycle vandalized outside of Yoga District

From the Eckington list:

Don't vandalize my bicycle, please.

Dear Neighbors,

Last night, after enjoying the evening class in my favorite yoga studio (Yoga District, best in town!), I came out to notice that my bicycle had been vandalized. I had left it locked, like all other evenings, just to find that both front and read drop outs (basically, like a car's axle) had been taken. I had to walk all the way home, pushing my bike while wondering "who would vandalize a bicycle?" .

Truth be told, I love the neighborhood. I am a huge fan of T street with Yoga and Rustik, and Bloomingdale Liquors and Windows Cafe. But what about the cars that speed and stop? What about the groups of men that drink alcohol in plain views? What about the rest of us?

I really want T street to flourish... didn't I read somewhere that a Day Care center is
coming next to Rustik? It makes me wonder if improving lighting or other measures will improve safety and bring more shoppers to the area. And, heck ... more bicyclists like myself.

Other than venting to this email list, I'm not sure what to do. A report to the police would be ridiculous... but, could someone give me a tip on who to contact to report on the ongoing problems? Feel free to extend my concerns to your neighborhood associations.

Namaste,

ileana
1st street
NE

another request for housekeeper referrals

Another request for a housekeeper:

Would you please run again referral for a cleaning person?

trash containers & recycling bins knocked over on the unit block of Florida Avenue NW

See this Sunday evening, 11/7/2010 message from a resident on the unit block of Florida Avenue NW:

I`d like to report that some time this morning (Sunday 11/7), somebody knocked over all the street-facing garbage & recycling bins on the unit block of Florida Ave NW (& perhaps other blocks), resulting in their contents being strewn about the sidewalk, and also knocked over our neighbor`s moped, parked in front with a tarp over it, possibly causing damage. None of us were here to see it, so we have no description of the culprit. Has anyone else experienced this?

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 11/07/2010

Lots of open houses in and around the neighborhood this Sunday. Here is the list and here is the map with directions. Scroll over the push pins on the map to see details of each property.

want to get plugged into the McMillan Sand Filtration site development discussion?

McMillan Sand Filtration Site Community Meeting #2 – Saturday, 11/6/2010

From Tania Jackson:

McMillan Sand Filtration Site Meeting #2: What We Heard- Design Principles & Approach

Join us for a discussion of the elements that will go into the final design plan, based on the feedback the design team got in Meeting #1 and the Salon Sessions at Big Bear. This is Meeting #2 of a three meeting series and will give you a chance to meet and talk to the design team, get a schedule for future meetings, and learn how to share all of your ideas.

Saturday, November 6, 2010
9 AM to 12 NOON
St. Martin`s Church
1908 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Enter on T
Street NW)

The Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
Councilmember Harry ``Tommy`` Thomas, Jr.
Vision McMillan Partners

Questions?
Call: Tania Jackson (202) 355- 8998

ABRA: Dupont Circle bar allowed to operate *without* voluntary agreement

This post is from the Borderstan blog.

Note that ABRA issued a ruling to allow a Dupont Circle bar to operate without a voluntary agreement (V.A.) whatsoever.

ABC Board Approves Termination of Hank’s Voluntary Agreement
Posted on03 November 2010. Tags: ABC Board, ABRA, Hank's Oyster Bar, Jamie Leeds
From Tom Hay
http://www.borderstan.com/11/abc-board-approves-termination-of-hanks-v-a/

The DC Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board has issued a ruling that allows Hank’s Oyster Bar to operate without a voluntary agreement (V.A.). The 4 to 2 vote follows a six-hour hearing on Oct. 13. (See 6-Hour Hearing But No Decision for Hank’s Oyster Bar.)

Borderstan learned of the ABC Board’s ruling today at a Board hearing on another matter related to Hank’s — its request to expand into an adjoining space. You can read the ABC Board ruling (PDF).

The ABRA transcript from the ABC Board hearing on Oct. 13 hearing is available (PDF).
Owner and chef Jamie Leeds signed the V.A. before opening in 2005, with a group of neighbors and the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA). Leeds asked to be released from the V.A., which she could do after five years.

The protesting residents argued that a bad precedent would result if Hank’s were allowed to operate without a V.A. A number of other liquor-serving establishments on 17th St. already operate without one.

...want to read the rest of this Borderstan post? Then click on the link: http://www.borderstan.com/11/abc-board-approves-termination-of-hanks-v-a

Tom Sietsema reviews Rustik in today's Washington Post Food section

Washington Post's Tom Sietsema reviews Rustik!

Welcomed to the neighborhood
Tom Sietsema
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 3, 2010; E3
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/01/AR2010110106760.html

Both business owner Diton Pashaj and chef Seth Brady are referenced.

off-leash dog play area coming soon

Dear Dog Owners and Dog Lovers of Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park and surrounding communities:

The new park at the former site of the Gage-Eckington Elem. School is moving forward and the off-leash dog play area (aka ``dog park``) will be here soon! We need volunteers to help manage and maintain the park (in partnership with the DC department of Parks and Recreation).

If you are interested, please email us at bloomingdale.ledroitdoggroup@gmail.com .

You can also find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-BloomingdaleLeDroit-Park-Dogs/162862887079151
--
Friends of Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park Dogs: bloomingdale.ledroitdoggroup@gmail.com

Comitted to building a sense of community and increasing safety in Bloomingdale & LeDroit Park by establishing and maintaining a dog park at Gage-Eckington.

2010 ANC 5C commissioner election results; a thank-you from Barrie Daneker

straight from the DC BOEE website:
http://www.dcboee.org/election_info/election_results/general_election_results/2010

So for the three ANC 5C single member districts (SMDs) that represent Bloomingdale -- ANC 5C03, ANC 5C04 and ANC 5C07 -- the reported victors in each race are:

5C03 - Hugh Youngblood
5C04 - John Salatti
5C07 - James Fournier


ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C01
Bradley Ashton Thomas 294 66.52%
Kimberly Tignor 138 31.22%
WRITE-IN 10 2.26%
Total 442 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C02
Joyce Robinson-Paul 109 29.62%
Sylvia Pinkney 248 67.39%
WRITE-IN 11 2.99%
Total 368 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C03
W. Hugh Youngblood 415 92.02%
WRITE-IN 36 7.98%
Total 451 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C04
John Salatti 582 96.52%
WRITE-IN 21 3.48%
Total 603 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C05
Denise L. Wright 146 47.71%
Timothy (Tim) Clark 149 48.69%
WRITE-IN 11 3.59%
Total 306 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C06
Darin Allen 179 40.87%
Mary Lois Farmer-Allen 238 54.34%
WRITE-IN 21 4.79%
Total 438 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C07
Barrie Daneker 152 36.19%
James J. Fournier 263 62.62%
WRITE-IN 5 1.19%
Total 420 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C08
J. Jioni Palmer 257 80.06%
WRITE-IN 64 19.94%
Total 321 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C09
Silas Grant Jr. 375 95.42%
WRITE-IN 18 4.58%
Total 393 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C10
NO CANDIDATE FILED 0 0.00%
WRITE-IN 5 100.00%
Total 5 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C11
Ronnie Edwards 174 98.31%
WRITE-IN 3 1.69%
Total 177 100.00%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 5C12
Albrette (Gigi) Ransom 209 55.88%
Derrick O. Holloway 160 42.78%
WRITE-IN 5 1.34%
Total 374 100.00%


A Thank You From Barrie Daneker

From Bloomingdale resident and ANC 5C07 Commissioner Barrie Daneker:

I want to thank all those who supported my re-elect bid for ANC 5C07! Your support over the past 4 years has been warmly felt! I`d like to take this opportunity to Congratulate Mr. Fournier! I extend my best wishes that his leadership, representation and most importantly his vote will speak for the majority of residents of 5C07, while protecting the interests of those in our community who are in the minority.

It`s time to ensure outside special interest groups and their agendas are not pushed forward as Ward 5 develops changes and grows, but rather promote prosperity, progress and putting people first! Congrats again to Mr. Fournier, best wishes!

Barrie Daneker
Commissioner 5C07
Financial Sec. ANC 5C
202- 986- 8781

house break-in attempt on the south side of Thomas St NW

See this 11/03/2010 message from a household on the south side of Thomas Street NW:

We live on the south side of Thomas St. sharing an alley with T. Someone cut the screen on our kitchen window and tried to break in. This window is on our deck, is visible to the alley, and is relatively well-lighted. Please remind people to be vigilant.

We have certainly gotten complacent about leaving exterior lights on and setting our alarm (even though there were two break-ins within the last six-months on Thomas). No more!

male pug found on the unit block of S St NW

See this 11/02/2010 7:00 PM message from a resident on the unit block of S Street NW:

A male pug was found wandering around the unit block of S Street NW. It`s a very friendly dog and looks very healthy so it`s not a stray. Please put the world out.

We left the pug at Mimi`s place in hopes that she`ll know who the dog belongs to.

seeking referrals for a good housecleaning person

See this request from a Thomas Street NW resident:

``I am seeking referrals for a good cleaning woman.``

vote today

If you haven't voted yet in the DC general election, then do so today.

Not sure where to vote?

Go here: http://pollmap.dcgis.dc.gov/pollstat/

UPO to relocating its treatment center at 33 N St NE in NoMa

This 10/28/2010 United Planning Organization (www.UPO.org) press release was posted at the Bates Area Civic Association blog over the weekend. http://batesareacivicassociation.org/2010/10/31/upo-relocates-its-comprehensive-treatment-center . I am cross-posting this UPO press release here.

I am not sure if there are other methadone clinics on the unit block of N Street NE

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
upopublicawareness-301-10a
October 28, 2010
http://upo.org/assets/press_releases/PR-CTC-RELOCATE.pdf

Contact: Dana M. Jones
President and Chief Executive Officer
(202) 238-4695 - Email: djones@upo.org
Andrea Thomas
Vice President Administrative Support & Chief of Staff
(202) 238-4694 – Email: athomas@upo.org
Frances Bowie, Director
UPO Community Health Division
(202) 238-4691 - Email: fbowie@upo.org

UPO RELOCATES ITS COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT CENTER

PR-RELOCATE-CTC WASHINGTON, DC – October 18, 2010 – The United Planning Organization today announced the relocation of its Comprehensive Treatment Center (http://www.upo.org/Service-Centers/SATC) to the grounds of the former DC General Hospital, 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE Washington, DC. The UPO CTC facility is located in Building 13 on the campus.

``We believe our new location is much more conducive to UPO`s ultimate goal of assisting DC residents overcome opioid addictions, while at the same time helping their families better deal with the many problems associated with those addictions,`` observed Frances Bowie, director of UPO`s newly formed Community Health Division.

The Comprehensive Treatment Center provides medically-managed treatment to opiate dependent individuals. CTC is a provider of substance abuse services under a grant from the District of Columbia Department of Health, Addiction Prevention and Recovery Program and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Newly appointed acting center director Brenda Kelly says patients are currently transitioning to the new location for services.

hello from Zee's Restaurant, 600 Florida Avenue NW

See this 10/31/2010 message from Zee of Zee’s Restaurant, 600 Florida Avenue NW, posted at the LeDroit Park list.

Hello from all of us Zee`s. Thanks to Ledroit Park not only for the warm welcome into the neighborhood but for being as excited for us as we are ourselves. We look forward to sharing as much of Trinidad with you as we can.

We are working on our beer and wine license and hope to have it in hand before the holidays. In the meanwhile, check out the updated menu and some great pictures of Zee`s customers on Facebook.

The best part of embarking on this new adventure is that we have all of you as our travelling companions.

Happy Halloween

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 10/31/2010

Open houses for tomorrow can be found here. A map of the same information, complete with directions can be found here. Scroll over the push pins for info on each property.

The house pictured above is located at 65 Adams St NW and will be open from 1-4pm.

Update on Local Crime Issues and MPD Response

This top Email is from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

Many thanks, Commander, for the quick response to this uptick in crimes in this area. Commissioner Davenport is right. Overall, as you know, crime is down and most violent crime is down. The neighborhood has seemed quite a bit safer than just a few years ago, much to my surprise given the tight economy. But incidents like the ones below are very unsettling even in the face of declining crime stats. So we all appreciate your quick action. Of course, we will continue our collaborations with you and the Fifth District, which have contributed to the continued overall improvement in safety in and around Bloomingdale.

--

John T. Salatti

Commissioner, ANC 5C04

(202) 986- 2592

``Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale``

On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 8:18 PM, Greene, Lamar (MPD) dc.gov> wrote:

We assigned about twenty more officers to the area, they are already making progress on the burglaries and robberies, we hope to make arrest soon! We have noticed the patterns and we are focusing on them!

Commander Lamar D. Greene

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

From: stuart davenport gmail.com>

To: Greene, Lamar (MPD); Salatti, John T. (ANC 5C04) gmail.com>

Sent: Thu Oct 28 19:51:48 2010

Subject: Residents beaten on 2nd street.

Commander Greene-

There has been another rash of crime in the neighborhood and it is getting pretty violent.

See these posts below (attack in a home with a kitchen knife, beatings, muggings).

It is rare, but it is very violent. People are getting comfortable with doing this in our neighborhood - where it has seemed pretty safe and quiet for about a year.

Can we get more of a police presence for an amount of time? Do you currently know of these issues and do you already have a plan in place?

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help. We can help get the word out to people if you are looking for anything specific.

-Stuart Davenport

Commissioner 5C-03

202. 549. 6996

1. guests beaten & robbed last night on the 1800 block of 2nd St NW

From a 2nd Street NW resident who was assaulted on this block before:

Last evening around 11pm, my guests, driving in from Baltimore, were just getting of their car, right under the street light opposite my home in the 1800 block of 2nd St NW. A ``person`` walked by them as they were getting out, turned around, hit my female guest in the neck & grabbed her bag, carrying credit cards, jewelry, my house keys etc. Her she fell down, and her husband came to her rescue, and was savagely beaten on the head with something (maybe a bottle) in a paper bag.

Police & ambulance were called - they were taken to the hospital. Tomorrow I will have to get my door locks changed AGAIN !!!! - this is getting very old. He is a Gospel preacher from Michigan, and visits the Churches in this area about every 3 months - very sad.

Update - my guests have now left (were going to stay through weekend) - said that they would think very seriously about visiting me again - At the hospital, they both were given MRI, and he had to have 3 stiches in his head.

2. Home Robbed by Man with a Kitchen Knife

From a 1st and R Street NW resident

House My home at 1st and R, NW was broken into early Friday morning. I have no idea if the thieves were black, white, asian or latino. I do know that they broke in with the use of a large kitchen knife that was left inches from the head of a friend who was sleeping on the couch. There were 5 of us and a dog in the house at the time of the robbery. Nobody woke up and nobody was hurt. Just wanted to give a heads up to all neighbors to keep an eye out for anyone lingering around the neighborhood looking suspicious. Thanks.

3. Man Beaten and Robbed in Bloomingdale

local resident

I was actually robbed Monday, October 25 at night in Bloomingdale by a young black male with a heavy coat. I just wanted to say that I appreciate your honesty in wanting to look out for people who live in the Bloomingdale and the connecting communities of Ledroit Park and Howard University area. After your reading your post I feel comfortable to even admit that it happened. I also would like to say to everyone to please be careful of your surroundings and not let your guard down. And to please report any suspicious activity happening in our community. It`s really important, I wouldn`t anyone to experience being robbed as I did.

At McMillan site, compromise could be beautiful

At McMillan site, compromise could be beautiful

by Malcolm Kenton • October 29, 2010 12:52 pm

While the discussion surrounding the future of the McMillan Sand Filtration Site has been polarized, there is actually plenty for everyone to agree on. A compromise is sure to emerge since few are happy with the site as it sits: unused and inaccessible.

Matt Bell (left) and Dennis Byrd listen to Bloomingdale residents outside Big Bear Cafe (Photo by Malcolm K.)

Unfortunately it took neighbors flatly rejecting the original proposal before planners went back to the drawing board. But the development team Vision McMillan Partners (VMP) has hired landscape architects Warren Byrd and Matt Bell to engage the community in a collaborative design process. This should result in a vision of a place that the neighborhood, the city, and perhaps even the nation, can be proud of.

Of course, there are a handful of people on either extreme. On one end of the spectrum is turning the entire parcel into a park; on the other is the construction of tall, densely packed buildings. But most of the people I spoke to, and who Byrd and Bell have heard from, fall somewhere in between.

Byrd and Bell hosted a series of "design salons," at which their only goal was simply to listen to whoever came to share their ideas. They will formally present the findings from all of the salons to the community on Saturday, November 6th, at St. Martin's Church at North Capitol and T Sts. NW. I attended the last salon of the series, held this past Monday evening at the Big Bear Cafe.

There is broad consensus that a significant chunk of the 25-acre rectangular parcel should be open greenspace. Many felt that a green corridor that welcomes pedestrians and cyclists should be the center of the new "village," recreating the sense of contiguous green that was part of the McMillan Commission's original vision. Most also feel that a mix of housing and retail is also desirable, but simultaneously don't want to see something imposed upon the neighborhood that is out of keeping with the architecture and scale of its surroundings.

August 2010 satellite image of the site (Google Maps).

Bell and Byrd have heard a plethora of creative ideas, from having all the restaurants in the development use food grown on-site, to all sorts of uses for the cylindrical sand bins that sit there as remnants of the water purification plant. Many brought up the idea of daylighting a now-underground creek that flows across the site's southeastern corner and making it a focal point of the new neighborhood.

Using a chunk of the site for solar power generation is another possibility. It is also likely that the project will make use of sustainably-sourced building materials and energy and water-saving design techniques.

VMP is still faced with the substantial task of allaying neighbors' concerns about what the new facilities will bring to the area, primarily car traffic. Many development supporters insist that the project include improved transit service. While a planned Michigan Avenuestreetcar line would connect the site with the Red Line at Brookland, the construction is likely to be finished well before streetcar service begins operation.

In the meantime, VMP could sponsor shuttle service to the Metro (a la the H Street Shuttleto Gallery Place and Minnesota Avenue Metros), and could offer incentives for bicycling, including bike valet service and a Capital Bikeshare station or two. WMATA should also consider increasing the frequency of the 80 and H-series Metrobuses that serve the area. Of course, some additional parking will also be necessary, hopefully in the form of underground decks on the outer edges of the site.

I left the design salon with a high degree of confidence that something great will become of the long-dormant McMillan site. This process shows that an organized neighborhood that is willing to cooperate with developers and the city government can exert a positive influence on the shape of new development. The community's involvement will almost surely be reflected in a place designed to complement and augment both its natural and human-made surroundings.

"It's a site of potential national prominence that deserves a world-class development: something people are drawn to and inspired by," said northern Bloomingdale resident and salon attendee Todd Crosby. "It can have retail and residential, but it should be a place for building community pride and city identity."

Let us seek such a transformation of this unique property, incorporating the historic structures, resurrected creek, and future streetcar station into a model for durable design that effectively blends the public and the private and harmonizes buildings with the landscape.

guests beaten & robbed last night on the 1800 block of 2nd St NW

From a 2nd Street NW resident who was assaulted on this block before:

Last evening around 11pm, my guests, driving in from Baltimore, were just getting of their car, right under the street light opposite my home in the 1800 block of 2nd St NW. A ``person`` walked by them as they were getting out, turned around, hit my female guest in the neck & grabbed her bag, carrying credit cards, jewelry, my house keys etc. Her she fell down, and her husband came to her rescue, and was savagely beaten on the head with something (maybe a bottle) in a paper bag.

Police & ambulance were called - they were taken to the hospital. Tomorrow I will have to get my door locks changed AGAIN !!!! - this is getting very old. He is a Gospel preacher from Michigan, and visits the Churches in this area about every 3 months - very sad.

Update - my guests have now left (were going to stay through weekend) - said that they would think very seriously about visiting me again - At the hospital, they both were given MRI, and he had to have 3 stiches in his head.

don't forget the free college planning seminar from Bloomingdale resident Chuck Donalies

From Bloomingdale resident Chuck Donalies:

Free College Planning Seminar

Place: Mt. Bethel Baptist Church
75 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Date: Friday, October 29
Time: 6:30PM - 7:45PM

Just in time for Halloween, come learn about one of the scariest subjects facing people today: How to save for a child`s college education.

Child care will be provided at the church so that parents can attend.

Presented by Bloomingdale resident and financial planner Chuck Donalies. Special thanks to the kind people at Mt. Bethel for allowing me to hold this event!

seeking a mentor

See this 10/27/2010 message from Bloomingdale resident Rene Wallis:

Neighbors:

I have an 18 year old teen mom living with me. She is between 11th and 12th grade, and is attending Cordozo High School. It would be extremely amazing if someone from the neighborhood was willing to help her understand what it means to be college-ready, visit some colleges, take a college placement test (i.e., is she ready for college level math and English), give us help looking for and applying for scholarship money. This might take 4-6 hours a month, to be done right, maybe twice a month getting together and one ``site visit`` to a university every month or month and a half (Univ of Md, Northern VA Com. College, etc) to experience and consider college life, etc.

The right person is extremely patient, has experience or is willing to learn about working with kids with childhoods with many disruptions, has a FABULOUS sense of humor and will enjoy spending time with a funny, smart and lively young lady. The baby is 10 months old and is also absolutely adorable. The young lady gave me the go ahead to ask for help from this list serve. You can email me at renewallis134@gmail.com.

seeking referrals for a contractor to build a carport

See this request:

We are looking for referrals for a contractor to build a carport. This will be a very straight-forward job, a couple yards of concrete, some 6x6 posts and a roof. We want the job done fast and right, so anyone who has had a good experience with a contractor with this kind of work, let us know in the comments.

thanks to John Salatti & others for helping to clean up Bloomingdale Court

See this 19/27/2010 message from a Bloomingdale Court resident:

John Salatti (not pictured), along with a few residents of Bloomingdale Court NW and the surrounding streets, took part in a ``Clean the Court`` day last Saturday, October 23. We worked for almost 5 hours to pull weeds, remove trash, collect bulk trash items to be picked up by the city, and generally beautify the small alley court of carriage homes.

Thanks to John, Lou, Andy, Beverly, and Lindsey for the hard work!

two suspicious 20-something black males milling around the neighborhood

See this 10/26/2010 message from a Rhode Island Avenue NW resident:

I`ve noticed that there are two early twenty something black males milling about at the intersections of 4th/Florida/3rd/Rhode Island NW. One has mid-back length dreadlocks and the other a close cut skin fade, slender build with a thuggish gait. The one with dreads was the one on a bike and the other (wearing an awful sub-zero winter coat - too hot for yesterday`s weather) was walking either in front or behind. Yesterday, as I was crossing Rhode Island Avenue, headed north on 3th street NW I noticed that they slowed their pace considerably in order for me to walk in front of them. I realized this and immediately shot across the street (it`s the BedStuy Brooklyn in me that sensed that these cats were up to no good). Anyway, they noticed my redirection across the street and turned around to head south on 3rd, back across Rhode Island
Avenue.

I got in my car and called 911 - it was obvious that these folks were looking to do a quick job to someone coming home from the Metro or some other pedestrian on foot. I flagged down a cruiser at R and 5th NW and just as I was talking to the officer, by us they strolled. It`s clear that they are taking the route to the east from Shaw Metro into LeDroit and Bloomingdale.

Be aware of your surroundings and don`t hesitate to call the police should you get a sense that you are being followed or are otherwise in danger.

And, for those who want to know, I too am a black male and have no malice intended by my aforesaid description.

a neighbor wants to know: What's the scoop with the abandoned untenanted 143 Rhode Island Avenue NW apartment building ?

See this general request:

Can you tell me the story, if there is one, on 143 Rhode Island Ave. NW?

It's the big, striking looking apartment building that seems to have been abandoned
for as long as I can remember.

seeking nearby track open for running

See this request from a 1st Street NW resident:

I`m a Bloomingdale resident on the 1800 block of North Capitol, and I am hoping to find a track open for running anywhere in the area. Is there access to the McKinley High School, Dunbar High School or the Howard tracks? Are there certain access points or hours? I walked to McKinley, but couldn`t find how to access the track.

.

Eckington resident Jamie Triplin-Hines: Are we really building bridges?

This message is from Eckington resident Jamie Triplin-Hines:

Dear Community Leaders and Civic Engagers,

Are we really building bridges? When me and my family moved to the Eckington/Edgewood area last year, I was directed to my civic association, list servs, ANC 5C, and other entities. It is very disheartening to see and hear how there are so many people who “want to change their community,” yet, they fight (even physically)
amongst each other.

I find it difficult to see true community efforts—efforts that don’t have one individual person’s or group’s political agenda attached to it. Bigotry, intimidation tactics, cronyism, corruption, lack of professionalism, and so many other issues steal the livelihood and enrichment that ALL of our neighborhoods offer. It really is a shame that we do not utilize all of our individual resources/skills to come together on behalf of the common good.

We all claim we are tired of the “petty politics” at the highest level of district government, but it seems to have trickled down to even the lowest level of public service in our ward. There are some of us out here that truly want to be a part of their communities and make that real change without all of the politics.

I truly hope that with the new year rapidly approaching, we can learn to put aside the pettiness and make better use of our time. I, for one, plan to become more deeply involved with my community—even if I have to begin building these bridges by myself.

I am looking to work with likeminded individuals. Feel free to contact me at anytime.

Kind Regards,

Jamie Triplin-Hines, MPA
www.thinkwritedevelop.com
202- 681- 2278

McMillan Sand Filtration Site Community Meeting #2 – Saturday, 11/6/2010

See this message from Tania Jackson:

McMillan Sand Filtration Site

Meeting #2: What We Heard- Design Principles & Approach

Join us for a discussion of the elements that will go into the final design plan, based on the feedback the design team got in Meeting #1 and the Salon Sessions at Big Bear. This is Meeting #2 of a three meeting series and will give you a chance to meet and talk to the design team, get a schedule for future meetings, and learn how to share all of your ideas.

Saturday, November 6, 2010
9 AM to 12 NOON
St. Martin`s Church
1908 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Enter on T
Street NW)

The Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
Councilmember Harry ``Tommy`` Thomas, Jr.
Vision McMillan Partners

Questions?
Call: Tania Jackson (202) 355- 8998

seeking referrals for blow-in insulation contractors

See this request:

I am looking for recommendations on contractors who do blow-in insulation. I am interested in all thoughts, but would especially like to hear from people who had the work done 2+ years ago and are still satisfied with the quality of the installation.

seeking referrals for housecleaning service

See this request from a neighborhood resident:

I am seeking a recommendation or two for a good home cleaning service (i.e. 2x per month) in the neighborhood.

.

Chuck Donalies: free college planning seminar

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Chuck Donalies:

Free College Planning Seminar

Place: Mt. Bethel Baptist Church
75 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Date: Friday, October 29
Time: 6:30PM - 7:45PM

Just in time for Halloween, come learn about one of the scariest subjects facing people today: How to save for a child`s college education.

Child care will be provided at the church so that parents can attend.

Presented by Bloomingdale resident and financial planner Chuck Donalies. Special thanks to the kind people at Mt. Bethel for allowing me to hold this event!

5D Commander Greene: two adults occupying van on unit blk of Randolph NW arrested for various narcotic violations

I have copied a post to the MPD-5D list at Yahoogroups by Fifth District Commander Lamar Greene:

In reference to the below incident, the Fifth district responded during the week and arrested two adult subjects occupying the vehicle for various narcotic violations!!

I am posting this message from a resident on Randolph Place NW in Bloomingdale in PSA 501:

Residents of Randolph Place, N.W. (unit block) and surrounding streets, please take note: There has been a black Chevy Avalanche truck (newer model, 4 doors, plastic pick-up bed cover), VA tag with two black males (one bearded) sitting in it on Randolph Place, N.W., for the past 4 or more days. They are constantly in the car, and seem to be selling drugs, as people on bikes and on foot stop by their window. They may also be scoping out cars and/or houses, and noting the comings and goings of residents. The two men just sit there and appear to eat, drink, get high, and essentially live in the truck. Please keep an eye out for them, and if you see anything suspicious, report their location and activity to 911, identifying the truck and tag. They keep moving the truck every hour or so to a different portion of the block - and now that the block is being resurfaced by a road crew, they may have moved their activities to a different nearby block during the road work, so everyone look out please.

repaving of Flagler Place & the 100 block of U Street to start Monday; street sweeping suspended

From ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

I have attached a letter that was hand delivered yesterday to all of Flagler Place; the 100 blocks of U, V, W, and Adams Streets; and the 2100 and 2200 blocks of 1st and 2nd Streets NW. However, I am sending the letter to be posted so others in the neighborhood are aware of this project and the impacts it may have. To limit the impact on parking, DC Water and I requested that DPW suspend street sweeping this coming week on all the blocks were the letter was delivered. DPW readily agreed to help out. So people should be able to park anywhere this coming Monday and Tuesday. The goal is to give residents maximum flexibility to park while the streets are being repaved.

Thanks for posting this information.

John
--
John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
(202) 986- 2592
John.Salatti@gmail.com
``Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale``


October 22, 2010

Dear Neighbors:

The final phase of the Flagler-U water line replacement project gets under way next week with the affected blocks being milled and repaved. This work will start this Monday and run through Wednesday with the work day going from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Of course, this schedule is dependent on the weather; I note that the forecast is for a few showers on Monday and scattered thunderstorms on Tuesday. I have asked DC Water and its contractors, if bad weather suspends work, to notify Parking Enforcement that no work is going on that day so that residents can park without fear of tickets.

Each day only a piece of the entire project area will be worked on. The current schedule is as follows:

• Monday: the 2200 block of Flagler and the intersection of Flagler and Adams
• Tuesday: the 2000 and 2100 block of Flagler
• Wednesday: the 100 block of U Street and the intersection of Flagler and U

Of course, parking is our biggest concern. Here is what you need to know about parking.
• On the block(s) that are being worked on any one day, no parking will be available during work hours.
• You can park on the other blocks in the project area without incident.
• After work ends at 5:00, you can park, for the most part, on the block or blocks that were part of that day`s work. Each section should be milled and paved completely in one day.
• To abide by the rule requiring contractors to give residents 72 hours` notice before restricting parking, No Parking signs should appear on the all along Flagler Place and around the intersection of Adams and Flagler today letting you know that parking on that block and around the intersection will be restricted on next week.
• To ease parking problems, DC Water and I have asked DPW to suspend street sweeping operations next week on the 100 blocks of Adams, W, V, and U, and the 2100 and 2200 blocks of 1st, 2nd, and Flagler. DPW agreed. Thus, you can park on either side of all those streets Monday and Tuesday of next week without getting a ticket. If for some reason you get one, please let me know and I`ll get it waived.
• If any one needs to get their vehicle out of the way for those days next week, I have secured 10 off-street parking spaces in the neighborhood in the north part of the work area and 10 in the south part of the work area. If you`d like to have your car parked off the street on the day work is happening on your block, please let me know. Spots are available to people on a first-come, first served basis.

Hopefully, by Wednesday, all this will be over and we`ll have a few quiet months. You all have done a great job of making this project go smoothly and working with the disruptions. I applaud you. Contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Always at your service,
John Salatti,
Commissioner

a claim that 65 Adams was a foreclosure sale: any info available?

From an Adams Street NW resident:

I heard from a neighbor that 65 Adams NW was a foreclosure sale, but there's no
update on the DC property sales database. Just curious if anyone in the know has
any info on the buyer and sales price.

? any info about a fire on the unit block of T Street NW?

See this message from a resident of S Street NW:

There appears to have been a fire on the unit block of T NW, likely #14, right next to the alley close to North Capitol St NW.

Earlier in the week, the alley was blocked off with debris and the house is now boarded up. It looks like it may have also affected #16.

interior staircase baniser replace/repair

See this request from a U Street NW resident:

Bloomingdale resident looking for someone who has had their interior staircase banister replaced or significantly repaired -- for a referral to someone who can remove our metal railing and install a wooden bannister. Email Patrick: pmblais@gmail.com with details and carpenter's contact info. Greatly appreciated.

Please also post your referrals here on the blog.

Come and meet the Landscape Architect for the McMillan Development - this Monday at the Big Bear Cafe!

Landscape Architect, Warren Byrd, will be at the Big Bear Cafe this Monday, October 25th to meet with residents and discuss design ideas one on one.

If you are interested in meeting with the architect responsible for the park space and landscape design in the development of the old McMillan Sand Filtration Site please come and meet with Mr. Byrd in person.

Appointments will be between 6pm and 8pm.

Contact Tania Jackson to schedule and appointment at:

mcmsalon@gmail.com

To learn more about the architect and to see his portfolio of past projects you can see his firm's website here:

http://www.nbwla.com/

There will also be traffic studies, water runoff studies, and other information

available for your review.

We look forward to seeing you.

Location:

Big Bear Cafe

1700 1st Street, NW

Washington, DC

Monday, Oct. 25th

6pm-8pm

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 10/24/2010

Here is the list of open houses scheduled for Sunday and here is the map with essentially the same info. Scroll over the push pins on the map to get details on each home.

and here is a painter referral

A painter referral here from a Thomas Street NW resident:

This young man is truly a very good painter whom I wish to recommend. ``Friendly and reasonably priced professional painter will take any painting jobs, big and small, that need to be handled with care. Will come out for a free estimate. Call Luis Fernando at 240- 505 1747 or email luguizaBal1972@hotmail.com.

here is a plumber referral

See this plumber referral:

I`d like to provide a referral to a GREAT plumber. I found Mike Reid about 3 years ago, and he is the only plumber I'll use. He`s resourceful, honest, prompt, appears with little-to-no notice, and will accommodate my crazy work hours. His number is 202 577 1114. Tell him Margot from 2nd Street NW sent you.

seeking referrals for roofing company

The perpetual referral request here – from a 1st Street NW household:

Do any of you have positive roofer recommendations? We are looking for a good roofing company or roofer for work on the flat roof of our building/home. If you have a recommendation please send to me (Liz) at bloomingdaledc @ hotmail.com.``

And post your referral commments here on the blog as well. Thanks.

seeking referrals for a certified reading specialist

See this request from an Adams Street NW resident:

Looking to hire a certified reading specialist to tutor an 11 year old child. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I live in the Bloomingdale area. Also if anyone has any suggestions of programs that can be purchased to help with reading fluency and spelling please let me know.

a shout-out for Red Toque restaurant at 6th & R I Ave NW

See this message from a Randolph Place NW household:

Just want to give kudos to Red Toque, the Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean restaurant that just opened up in the Shaw Eco Village's former bike shop at 6th and Rhode Island Avenue NW.

The food is very good and very affordable, and owner Seth (Hussain pre-9/11, he told us, a sad commentary on our times) is very gracious and kind.

Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park listing is UT "Deal of the Week"

Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park listing is featured on www.urbanturf.com as this week's "Deal of the Week"!

two Design Salons on the McMillan Sand Filtration site development: 10/18/2010 and 10/25/2010

See this 10/16/2010 message from Tania Jackson:

Thanks to all of the people who came out today for our first McMillan Sand Filtration Site Planning Meeting. We had a great turnout and hope to capitalize on that, and expand attendance.

We`ll be holding Design Salons where interested individuals can meet one on one with the design team. These are the two dates:

o Monday, October 18 6-8PM with Matt Bell, Urban Design Architect -- here is an update from Tania Jackson: tonight's first salon will be held at Big Bear Cafe, 1st & R Street NW in Bloomingdale
o Monday, October 25 6-8PM with Warren Byrd, Landscape Architect


Please call me or email mcmsalon@gmail.com to schedule yourself into these two sessions.

We will be holding two more meetings at St. Martin’s Church:

o Saturday, October 30 9-12 (preliminary design concepts with recap of feedback)
o Saturday, November 20 9-12 (final concept plan)

Please also feel free to email or call me with questions.

Thanks,

Tania
(m) (202) 355-8998

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 10/17/2010

Lots of open houses to visit on a beautiful, crisp Fall day! Here's the list of open houses and here is the map. To see info on the individual listings, scroll over the push pins on the map. I'll be at #3 today (1962 2nd St NW #2...pictured above). Come by and say "hi"!

Another Bloomingdale Property on PoP

I showed this then un-renovated rowhome in 2002. My client thought I was crazy when I told him these houses would eventually sell over $400,000. Check out what it did sell for a few years later.

funding approved for North Capitol Main Street Litter Cleanup Assistance Program through the 2011 fiscal year

See this welcome message from North Capitol Main Street:

FUNDING APPROVED FOR CLEAN AND SAFE PROGRAM THROUGH 2011

North Capitol Main Street is pleased to announce approval of its grant proposal submitted to the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development for continued funding to support the highly popular NCMS Litter Cleanup Assistance Program --through the 2011 fiscal year. In addition to keeping our streets clean - all those beautiful corner pots and hanging planters are the work of the Clean Team and further improvements are in the pipeline for 2011.

Residents, NCMS businesses and business patrons are all pleased with the results achieved by the Clean & Safe team. Catania Bakery owner, Nicole Tramonte, commented that the difference in the streetscape in front of her business is remarkable - "It's never been so clean! Friday and Saturday night were just disasters!!" She said because of the high pedestrian traffic on her block, the trash was so high in the past she couldn't keep up with it alone. She is thrilled with the service.

Tell us how you like the work of the Clean Team and what we could do better. Share your thoughts at www.ncmsinc.org .

North Capitol Main Street is funded by The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development and is an officially recognized DC Main Street Program.

James Fournier responds to 10/15/2010 Washington Blade article

Candidate for ANC 5C07 commissioner in the November 2010 primary election James Fournier asked to have this Email thread posted on the blog:

From: James Fournier
Date: October 16, 2010 10:13:00 AM EDT
Subject: Letter to the editors concerning inaccurate facts in ``Gay incumbents face opposition in ANC races``

Oct 15, 2010 05:46:18 PM, james.fournier wrote:

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

Dear Mr. Chibarro and editorial staff:

The October 14, 2010 electronic edition of the Blade published a piece entitled ``Gay incumbents face opposition in ANC races``.

In the piece, reporter Lou Chibbaro states that:

``In Ward 5, gay incumbent Barrie Daneker, who represents SMD 5C07 in the city`s Bloomingdale neighborhood, is facing a challenge from attorney James Fournier. Fournier states on his campaign website that Daneker didn`t adequately reach out to his constituents over a controversial liquor license application in the district and has not adequately handled a controversial proposal to develop the site of the city`s former water filtration plant near North Capital Street and Michigan Avenue.

Daneker said he has a two-term record of working closely with constituents and soliciting their views on a wide range of issues, including the water filtration site and the liquor license flap. He told members of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club Monday night his outspoken support for the city`s same-sex marriage equality law was controversial in a ward where many residents strongly opposed the law.

Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas Jr., who angered many of his constituents by voting for the marriage bill, endorsed Daneker`s ANC re-election bid. Thomas won the Democratic nomination for his own seat by winning the primary in September by a comfortable margin despite organized opposition led by same-sex marriage opponents.

Daneker said some of that same opposition may be seeking to oust him from office in the ANC race.

Fournier could not be immediately reached.`` (emphasis added).

I have never been contacted by anyone from the Blade for comment on any story - ever.

Second, I wholly support gay marriage, which the Blade would have known had it bothered to contact me. Third, I grew up in Northern California and lived in Berkeley, San Francisco, New York City and Washington, D.C. and probably have more gay friends than straight ones and have been to my several gay unions over the years – another fact that would have been pointed out had the Blade bothered to contact me.

The Blade also would have known this if it had bothered to read the brief biography posted on my website. Mr. Chibarro inaccurately refers to my website, yet manages not to cite it, not to quote it, and fails to even present the website address.

There is not much of a connection between ones sexuality and whether you are a decent ANC Commissioner (or if there is it escapes me). The issues that people actually care about in SMD 5C07 are listed on my website at www.jamesjfournier.com and certainly are not limited to the issues referenced in Mr. Chibbaro`s piece.

The Blade`s piece is inaccurate and poor journalism. Commissioner Daneker`s comments reflect a transparently desperate effort for public sympathy three weeks prior to an election after four years of grandstanding and failing to grasp the fundamentals of what it means to be a good ANC Commissioner.

James Fournier

reminder: "meet the experts" McMillan Sand Filtration site community meeting this morning, 10/16/2010

Here is a reminder message from Tania Jackson about this morning's community meeting on the development of the landmarked McMillan Sand Filtration site.

McMillan Sand Filtration Site
Meeting #1: Meet the Experts

Join for a re-visioning of McMillan Sand Filtration site. Meet and talk with the design team: Matthew Bell of Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects and Warren Byrd of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

This is meeting #1 of a three meeting series.

Saturday, October 16, 2010
10 AM to 12 NOON
St. Martin`s Church
1908 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Enter on T Street NW)

The Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
Councilmember Harry ``Tommy`` Thomas, Jr.
Vision McMillan Partners

Questions? Call: Tania Jackson (202) 355- 8998

WBJ: Grand opening for Rustik in Bloomingdale

From today's Washngton Busines Journal:

Grand opening for Rustik in Bloomingdale
By Missy Frederick, Reporter
Thursday, October 14, 2010, 11:01am EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/10/grand_opening_for_rustik_in_bloomingdale.html]
City officials will be celebrating the arrival of the first sit-down restaurant in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of D.C. Thursday evening, at a grand opening event for Rustik Tavern.

Though the event is tonight, the tavern opened to the public back in late September at 84 T St. NW. I haven`t gotten the chance to go there yet, but have heard enthusiastic things from friends in the neighborhood who have been longing for a place to hang out after hours.

The tavern serves a mix of pizza and small plates, as well as beer and wine. Have you been to Rustik yet? What are your thoughts?

North Capitol Main Street Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) moves forward

See this message from North Capitol Main Street:

STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT MOVES FORWARD

NCMS Storefront Improvement Program continues! We have already reported on the Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) improvements made to the exterior of China Dragon, located next door to Windows Café & Market.

By now, you've noticed the recent improvements to the exterior of Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits - new exterior paint color and the installation of new black awnings. Quite an improvement, yes?

Next up is Jam Doung Style, 1726 North Capitol Street NW, Jamaican & American food carryout. Jam Doung is slated to get spruced up with new paint, awnings and trim. All of the businesses in the SIP program have NCMS branding signs in their front windows, advising patrons of their participation in the SIP program.

In addition, more businesses are inquring about the Storefront Improvement Program with Resident Architect, Roxanne Wallace, NCMS board member and Design Committee Chair. Roxanne's leading the organization in assisting other businesses interested in design assistance. Be on the lookout for more improvement.

SIP business participants will be joining us as we commemorate with a Grand Opening celebration for their newest neighbor, Rustik Tavern, on Thursday October 14, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Grand Opening Event limited to the First 200 RSVPs -- all taken at this point.

North Capitol Main Street is funded by The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development and is an officially recognized DC Main Street Program.

seeking referrals for garden lights replacement

See this request:

Hi Everyone - I am endeavoring to replace my garden lights - I spent over 2 hours today to replace 2, injuring my hand in the process, and they don't work. If anyone can make a recommendation for someone to remove old and install new - there are 7 lights total - I would be most grateful. please e-mail me at elizabethj8560@yahoo.com. Thank you.

seeking offstreet parkng on or near the unit block of Randolph Place NW

See this request:

PARKING: I am looking to purchase a parking spot(s) or garage in south Bloomingdale, preferably on the unit block of Randolph Place, N.W. - ideally in the alley between Randolph and R Streets NW, or close to it. If anyone has a lot (or knows of a property owner with a lot) of which a certain amount is not needed and can be used for parking, please let me know. A covered parking spot(s) or garage would be perfect, but a basic private parking spot will do as well.

Barring all of this, my second-best choice would be renting a spot. Thank you.

Please reply to house@stargard.de .

seeking referrals for companies that clean gas stoves, including disconnecting the stove from the gas line

From a Rhode Island Avenue NW resident:

Does anyone know of a good company that cleans appliances? Meaning, disconnect the stove from the Gas line, take the entire thing apart, clean it, and put it back together.

seeking referrals for a contractor to remove a deck and replace fencing & gate

See this request for referrals for a general contractor:

I'm a Summit Pl NE resident looking for recommendations for a good general contractor. We're hoping to get our back deck taken down, and want to replace the fencing/gate in the front yard. Any ideas?

occupants of truck on unit block of Randolph Place NW selling drugs, etc.

I am posting this message from a resident on Randolph Place NW in Bloomingdale in PSA 501. This message has also been posted to the MPD-5D list at Yahoogroups:

Residents of Randolph Place, N.W. (unit block) and surrounding streets, please take note: There has been a black Chevy Avalanche truck (newer model, 4 doors, plastic pick-up bed cover), VA tag XKT- 9213, with two black males (one bearded) sitting in it on Randolph Place, N.W., for the past 4 or more days. They are constantly in the car, and seem to be selling drugs, as people on bikes and on foot stop by their window. They may also be scoping out cars and/or houses, and noting the comings and goings of residents. The two men just sit there and appear to eat, drink, get high, and essentially live in the truck. Please keep an eye out for them, and if you see anything suspicious, report their location and activity to 911, identifying the truck and tag. They keep moving the truck every hour or so to a different portion of the block - and now that the block is being resurfaced by a road crew, they may have moved their activities to a different nearby block during the road work, so everyone look out please.