peeing in the Bloomingdale Court alley & surrounding alley areas

From a Bloomingdale resident:

Almost every day I see people going to the bathroom (#1) along Bloomingdale Court and surrounding alley areas. Today I confronted a man, about 6'5", 250 lbs, black, glasses, who had pulled his car over to take a wizz on my neighbor's back fence.

He seemed to think there was nothing wrong with his actions, and tried to grab my phone when I took this picture of his car's license plate. As he drove away I flagged down a police car and they went speeding after him (go MPD!), but it's likely that he got away.

If anyone sees this car in Bloomingdale, I suggest they call 911 and report him, and I hope others are taking actions against this disgusting behavior and defending our neighborhood.

roofer referral: Daniel Parks Roofing

From a 1st Street NW resident:

Finally found a roofer who was very efficient, timely and it was not terribly expensive to have my roof replaced.

I searched long and hard for a roofer and finally settled on Daniel Parks Roofing and Gutters (a family business). I specifically appreciated that the contract did not include all the different layers of fees (haul away, boards replaced, more than 2 layers of old roofing....) that others had. Those fee always made me feel that I should expect the unexpected and that it may not be budgeted.

I was very happy with the work, it was done exactly as we discussed, no surprises. When I called I spoke with one of the Parks, not "let me get your info and someone will call you back". They were all very informative (I spoke with the father and 2 sons), responded to questions as asked and could provide all of the detail needed. I was most impressed with Tom's explanation of the roof and skylight that I had and what was missing and or had not been done properly in the past. Tom took before, during and after pictures, that showed me pride in their work, nothing to hide.

So if you are in need of a roofer, you might consider giving Daniel Parks Roofing and Gutters a call (202-489-1728), one of them will answer.

seeking referrals for someone who stretches and frames canvas

See this message from a Randolph Place NW resident:

I have a piece of art, (72`` x 48`` canvas) that I want stretched and framed. Is there anyone is the neighborhood that offers this service?

Park at LeDroit mis-use

This message is from the Bloomingdale Kids list at Yahoogroups. I thought that the issue raised was broad enough to post here on the neighborhood blog. The message submittor's name and Email address have been removed.

Park at Ledroit, miss-use
Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:37 pm (PDT)

OK,

So-we got this beautiful park we can all enjoy. There`s a designated area for toddlers, another one for older kids, there`s a dog park, etc.

I took my 12 month old today to the park to enjoy the swing. To my surprise, as we were packing to leave, a young woman comes in the toddlers area with her boxer dog, unleashed. The dogs runs over the rock climbing area up and down, and he sniffs the 2 rocking creatures (horses?). I brought to ladie`s attention that there`s a dog designated area/park area right behind. She answered that she`s aware of it, but it`s muddy after the rain, so she doesn`t want her animal to get dirty. Here, at the playground, she can let her run unleashed and get rid of some energy; since there`s padded flooring, the dog will stay clean. ``You wouldn`t want your animal to get dirty, wouldn`t you?`` she asked.

Excuse me? What I`m sure I don`t want, is my baby to play and crawl where dogs urinate. I am not going to be too picky and mention animal hair and allergies, though....

Don`t get me wrong-I love animals, and we always had a dog in the house (until we got pregnant) This is the ONLY outdoor space I thought it was dog urine free.

How do others feel about this?

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 08/21/2011

There are open house all over the neighborhood on Sunday. You can find the list here and the map with directions here.

DC MUD profiles 2429 1st St NW, on the market for $724,999

The Bloomingdale house at the corner of 1st & Channing Street NW -- 2429 1st Street NW -- is on the market for $724,999.

DC MUD is profiling it today:

Your Next Place
Posted by Sheila on 8/20/2011 07:58:00 AM
http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/07/your-next-place_27.html

neighbor seeking small jobs carpenter/contractor

See this message from a U Street NW resident:

Does anyone know a carpenter or contractor in the neighborhood who does small jobs?

I need two custom wooden doors (to replace those that were original in 1909) installed and painted for my basement access.

Also, I need a stationary half screen for one window. Contractors I have contacted will not take a job this small and Home Depot is a do-it-yourself resource and I am not handy.

Recommendations and suggestions appreciated.

Bloomingdale Civic Assn hosting a House Tour on Sat, 10-15-2011: Care to showcase your home? Contact Cleopatra Jones or Felicia Davis

Dear Bloomingdale Neighbor:

On Saturday, October 15, 2011, the Bloomingdale Civic Association (BCA) will host a House Tour from Noon until 4:00pm. This event celebrates the charm and diversity of the uniquely designed and decorated homes of Bloomingdale. The BCA Home Recruiting Committee extends an invitation to homeowners to showcase their home in the 2011 House Tour.

Please contact the Home Recruiting Committee, Cleopatra Jones (cjcommishcjones @ yahoo.com), Felicia Davis (fndavis66 @ yahoo.com) with questions and to sign up.

pre-fab construction on 1800 blk of 3rd St NW

From a U Street NW resident:

Have you seen the new pre-fab construction happening on the 1800 block of 3rd St, NW (between the free standing house that had been on the market recently and the church behind it?

is Bloomingdale "more than Big Bear"?

A neighbor passed along this link:

http://socialstudiesdc.com/2011/08/dc-stereotype-map/

You will see that the Bloomingdale area is stereotyped with the label "more than just big bear."

What do YOU think ?

Update: Lydia DePillis over at the Housing Complex column at the Washington City Paper has posted a brief blurb on this new DC neighborhood map:

Pick Your Stereotype!
Posted by Lydia DePillis on Aug. 17, 2011 at 1:26 pm
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/08/17/pick-your-stereotype/

LivingSocial`s D.C.-centric blog, SocialStudiesDC, has put together a map of District stereotypes:

Reprinted with permission from the LivingSocial people.

You might say it`s ignorant and myopic. Of course, that`s the point.

And hey, Big Bear Cafe, you`ve made yourself into even more of a stereotype than you realize!

For a more nuanced read on the District`s social geography, take a gander at our neighborhood guide (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/neighborhoods/ ) from 2008. It`s a little outdated—most people don`t think of Rock Creek Park in terms of Gary Condit anymore, for example—but largely still holds true.

donate backpacks filled with school supplies: World Missions Extension Center Back-to-School Rally -- Saturday, 08/20/2011

See this message from Dr. JoAnn Perkins of the World Missions for Christ Extension Center:

The Extension Center
Christmas Toy Giveaway / Community Health / Scholarships / Back to School / Thanksgiving Baskets / Job Readiness / Summer Camp / Book Club

From the Desk of Dr. J:

Dear Friends and Partners:

Since our April Walk-a-Thon and awarding in June, 8 senior high school students Scholarships to go to college, we need your HELP again, as we work on the following 2 projects:

Project I: Obtain Back Packs & School Uniform Vouchers for Children returning back to school on August 22nd.

As we prepare for the August 20th Back to School Rally our goal is to obtain Backpacks filled with school supplies and uniforms for children returning back to school on August 22nd. The rally will start at 10:00am. and will be held at the Harry Thomas Community Service Center located at 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE, Washington, DC 20001. We ask that our FRIENDS consider making a tax deductible donation which will help purchase school supplies and uniforms for a child in need. Please click here for our Back to School Rally Flier.

Project II: Identify Mentors and volunteers to partner with us as we work with our Positive Alternatives Mentoring/ Job Readiness/Employment/Community Service Program.

[image not included here]
Above center is Dr Perkins standing next to Commissioner Mary Lois Farmer and some of the staff who worked this summer with the 100 youth in our Positive Alternatives Pants Off the Ground Job Readiness/Employment Program which includes: youth learning how to dress for success; working on Entreprenuership skills needed for starting a business, writing resumes, interviewing local business owners as a means of ascertaining what is involved in starting a business, visiting colleges as a part of the College Readiness Course and participating in the Literacy Book club using the Steven Covey 7 Habits of Effective Teen book for group engagement were among the many experiences had by participants in our summer program.

Project II: involves our staff, friends and volunteers working/partnering with schools and youth as a part of our Fall Positive Alternatives Mentoring/Community Service Program.

[image not included here]
Dr Perkins (in the middle) along with some of the staff above worked very diligently this summer helping youth learn various skills related Job Readiness and Employment. Youth worked at the Bladensburg Senior Citizen's Home, learned how to write resumes, and interviewed local business owners about their career aspirations.

Mission Statement:
As a community based organization, it is our mission to provide educational training services that positively impact lives of children, youth and adults living in inner-city neighborhoods.

To Accomplish our mission,
The EXTENSION Center annually sponsors 7 Special Event Outreach Rallies and through our Positive Alternative Skill Building Mentoring/Vocational Training Programs we tutor children and youth and provide Job Readiness Skill Development/ Scholarships/ Workshops for youth and adults.

On the Horizon....
On Saturday, August 20th we will sponsor our Back to School Rally which will be held at the Harry Thomas Community Service Center located at 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. at 10:00am. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to help a child needing back packs filled with school supplies and vouchers for uniforms be ready to return back to school ready to learn.

In September, our Year Round Positive Alternatives In School Mentoring Program begins

Our Fall Parent United Program starts which will include partnering with local schools churches and the community to host parent group activities that support parents in raising their children.

Florida Avenue Park groundbreaking

A Bloomingdale parent took this photo at the Florida Avenue Park groundbreaking event.

Nice to see the Mayor, the Councilmember .... and a very young resident helping break the ground for the new park!

seeking referrals for window companies, contractors

See this request: from a resident of R Street NW:

The window and French door facing/leading to my deck need to be replaced. I elcome any window company and/or contractor recommendations from Bloomingdale residents.

TapIt. free water station at Windows.

Maybe this is old news, but I just learned about Tap It.

From their website

About Some people say its easy to go bottle-less: grab a glass from the kitchen cabinet and fill it from the tap. But what about when you’re away from your home or office? We’ve taken hundreds of local cafes and bound them together into a network that lets those who want water find those willing to provide it. TapIt water bottle refilling network was founded in 2008 to give New Yorkers free access to clean sustainable water on the go. Café owners sign up as ‘partners’ to provide tap water to those who carry a reusable bottle. Partner locations are easy to find using our search and mapping features (PC or Smartphone) or by downloading ‘TapIt Water’ from the iPhone App store. For those with limited access to technology, printable city maps can be downloaded and stickers can be found on café windows. But the TapIt network is not just about going bottle-less; less bottles, less recycling, less water privatization and extraction, it’s about understanding why those things are a problem and finding new and sustainable 21st century solutions. Our small team is committed to making the TapIt network a reality across the U.S. and the world. But we need you, people who believe in our mission and are willing to use the TapIt network; people who believe in new and innovative solutions to our most pressing problems and businesses willing to make 21st century business decisions that increase foot traffic and sales while supporting their community’s sustainability goals. We’re working hard to give you a genuine alternative to bottle water and sugary beverages when you’re on the go, so that you can stay healthy, save money and live a happy and sustainable life. Think your city is ready to start a local water movement? We want to work with you!  Windows Cafe is a Tap It site

JF Cook School news: YouthBuild seeks new partner now that LAYC got booted

Bates area resident Caryn posted an entry at the Bates Area Civic Association (BACA) blog regarding the development of the JF Cook School on the unit block of P Street NW.

You can read her BACA post here: http://batesareacivicassociation.org/2011/08/14/jf-cook-school-building-update/

Caryn: ``If I`m reading this right, it looks like Youth Build is starting over in its plan to develop the Cook School WITHOUT LAYC and the housing component of the project.``

That`s correct. Youth Build is going forward with its plans to use the 1st floor of the JF Cook School for its public charter school. However, the plans to use the 2nd & 3rd floors of the school for Section 8 housing for the Latin American Youth Council (LAYC) ~ which many in the surrounding community opposed, while others supported ~- are now dead.

So no LAYC Section 8 housing at the JF Cook School.

Youth Build Public Charter School has issued a Request for Information for a development partner and tenant. YouthBuild's Request for Information, sent around by ANC 5C01 Commissioner Bradley Thomas, has been posted at the BACA blog: http://dcbaca.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/cook-school-partner-request-for-information-8-12-11.pdf.

You can click on the link above to read the RFI document if you like.

Washington City Paper Housing Complex columnist Lydia DePillis has a post already this morning on this news:

With Latin American Youth Center Booted from J.F. Cook School, Youthbuild Seeks New Partner
Posted by Lydia DePillis on Aug. 15, 2011 at 8:01 am
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/08/15/with-latin-american-youth-center-booted-from-j-f-cook-school-youthbuild-seeks-new-partner/

Let's see where this goes from here.

Tuesday night: Bloomingdale public safety walk, 7 pm

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Jennifer McCann:

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners John Salatti, Hugh Youngblood, and James Fournier Invite you to take part in a Bloomingdale Public Safety Walk

Help Bloomingdale continue to grow into a safer neighborhood!

Who: You! ...and your children, dogs, friends, etc.

All are welcome to come, regardless of where you live. This is about making a strong presence in the community, showing that Bloomingdale will not tolerate crime in our neighborhood.

When: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.

Where: Northwest corner of 1st and Rhode Island NW (Meet in front of Windows Café. Dress comfortably!)

DC Scoop: free ice cream event at Union Market on Saturday, 08-20-2011

Tania Jackson wants to advise the communities around Union Market at 6th & Florida Avenue NE about the Saturday, August 20, 2011 ``DC Scoop: Free Community Event Featuring the District’s Best Ice Cream and Frozen Treats for Foodies, Families and All Of D.C.’s Ice Cream Lovers.``

Tania advises that DC Scoop is a ``free ice cream event with a ton of different chefs and stores from all over the city offering free scoops of their ice cream to attendees.``

Tania also advises that she is eager to encourage community participation in the event.

I note that one of the many frozen treat providers is Dolcezza Gelato, which is one of the vendors at the Bloomingdale Farmers’ Market on Sundays.

So pencil in this event on your social calendar for Saturday, August 20th from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 08/14/2011

Looking for open houses in the neighborhood this week? Here you go. The same information can be seen in a map format with directions. To see details about the listings on the map, scroll over the push pins.

bike theft attempt on Flagler Pl NW

See this Friday, 08/12/2011 message from a Flagler Place NW resident:

Just thought I`d pass along that someone tried to steal my bike today in broad daylight while it was locked to my front railing. I live on the south end of Flagler Place NW. I was home and heard some noise for about 10 minutes out front but thought nothing of it (there is a lot going on in front of our home, typically), then found my bike lock torn apart and apparently whacked-at by a blunt object. They didn`t manage to get the bike, though (insert Kryptonite brand plug here).

Just want to encourage people to be on the lookout for petty thieves since apparently they`re not even deterred by the sun and daytime passers-by. I`d also ask folks to consider intervening and/or calling the cops since, unfortunately, not everyone is on the up and up in our little slice of paradise.

Saturday Night Opening at 410 GooDBuddY