* one * neighbor's comment on 126 Bryant St NW

Let me post this comment from a Bloomingdale resident -- with reservation:

The residents of 126 Bryant St NW have been a major problem for the other residents of that block.

There was recently a drug bust there, which resulted in arrests.

ARREST# : 101111617
DT-TM: 22-MAR-11 - 1825
LOCATION: 126 BRYANT STREET NORTHWEST - PSA: 501
OFFENDER: FRANCIS, G
SEX: M
OFFENSE: UCSA PWID MARIJUANA
TYPE: UNDETERMINED
OFFICER: JAMES

I suggest that the person who suffered an attack by the two pit bulls that live at 126 Bryant, pursue having the police bring down the hammer on these people. Call the council members office for help and ask your ANC for help.

If you decide to file a suit to recover expenses, these charges will help bolster your case in court.

Go after the homeowner also. They have assets, the house being one of them.

Good Luck.

raccoon encountered on deck ... what to do?

See this message from a W Street NW resident:

UNEXPECTED VISITOR ON DECK - MR. RACCOON
I live in the 100 block of W ST NW, the unexpected visitor Tuesday night was a Fat * !..raccoon. The unfamiliar bark emanating from Valentino let me know something was amiss, as I stepped out the door, there he was perched on the railing atop the steps. His big raccoon eyes staring back at me, he didn`t budge, I scooped up Valentino and went back into the house as he began to position himself on the post directly under the 2nd floor. Thinking a poke from the broom would shoo him away, I hightailed it back into the house after he growled, calling my husband for advice. By this time he climbed to the upstairs deck but then I lost him.

What to do? We don`t have any exterior holes that lead into the house and I think we would have heard him walking around but we are concerned about pockets of spaces under the deck. Checked but didn`t see any signs of setting up house, or heaven forbid, a family. He must be roaming the neighborhood, same as the albino possum that I see from time to time, so neighbors be aware.

Next steps, call animal control? Exterminator? Set a trap? Please don`t say the latter...trying to make light of seeing a raccoon on my deck in the city, I`ve seen them in the country, even the burbs, but DC. An earthquake, a hurricane, now a raccoon....can locusts be far-behind?

Natalie Hopkinson: "Stop picking on the Black Middle Class"

You are invited to read this article from Bloomingdale resident Natalie Hopkinson posted at TheRoot.com:

Stop Picking on the Black Middle Class
By: Natalie Hopkinson
Posted: August 30, 2011 at 12:56 AM
http://www.theroot.com/views/stop-picking-black-middle-class?wpisrc=root_lightbox

Full Yum, 1501 North Capitol St NE, seeking Class A liquor license - what do YOU think?

This message was posted at the Bates Area Civic Asssociation blog:
http://batesareacivicassociation.org/2011/08/29/full-yum-liquor-store/ .

Full Yum Liquor Store?
Posted on August 29, 2011 by Mike

In case anyone missed the bright red posting in front, it looks like Full Yum wants to become the 3rd liquor store between Florida and New York on North Capitol.

From the ABRA website:

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE REGULATION ADMINISTRATION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Posting Date: August 26, 2011
Petition Date: October 11, 2011
Hearing Date: October 24, 2011
License No.: ABRA-087622
Licensee: Full Yum Carryout Corporation
Trade Name: Full Yum Carryout
License Class: Retail Class ``A`` Liquor Store
Address: 1501 N. Capitol Street NE
Contact: Emanuel N. Mpras, Esquire 703-642-9042

WARD 5 ANC 5C SMD5C02

Notice is hereby given that this applicant has applied for a license under the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and that the objectors are entitled to be heard before the granting of such on the hearing date at 10:00 am, 2000 14th Street, N.W., 400 South, Washington, DC 20009. All petitions and/or requests to appear before the Board must be filed on or before the petition date.

NATURE OF OPERATION
A full service Liquor Store

HOURS OF OPERATION
Sunday – Saturday 6 am – 5 am

HOURS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES/SERVICE/CONSUMPTION
Sunday – Closed Monday through Saturday 9 am – 10 pm

What do you think ?

next Bloomingdale safety walk -- Wednesday, 09/07/2011

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: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Northwest corner of 1st and Rhode Island NW
(Meet in front of Windows Café. Dress comfortably!)

update to ``Dog Attack of Sunday, 8/28/2011``

Here is a follow-up to my email of last night (8/28/2011) concerning the attack by two (2) pitbulls from 126 Bryant Street, NW:

The point in mentioning the breed of the dogs was simply to give a heads-up to other residents, especially those with pets of their own. The primary attacking dog was black with some random white spots. The second pitbull was an almost equal mix of brown and white. He was party to the attack and is responsible for some wounds.

I want to reiterate something for all to understand. This was not simply a matter of the primary black pitbull biting one of the dogs I was walking repeatedly. This black pitbull clamped on with the full force of his canine teeth and WOULD NOT let go. He wanted to break the neck of and kill the dog I was walking. My only recourse, as I had 2 dog
leashes in my left hand, was to smash the black pitbull in the head with my right arm repeatedly to try to save the life of the smaller dog in my care.

Afterwards, I called the police and filed a report. Further charges are being pursued against the owner of these animals and a case is pending. I also spoke with someone at DC Animal Control today. I was told that the Department of Health makes decisions on whether animals can remain in a particular home. I plan to reach out to this department tomorrow (Tue, 8/30/2011) to find out what can be done to ensure both of these pitbulls are removed permanently from 126 Bryant Street, NW. I am an animal lover myself, having grown up with dogs. But after what happened on Sunday, I am leaning toward having these animals put down rather than risk the chance of them savagely attacking any other pets or persons.

I took off work today to see a doctor about my own injuries and to be with the healing dog. He has 11 or 12 staples as a result of the savage nature of the attack. It breaks my heart to think that if the timing had been different, perhaps none of this would have happened. He has always been a dynamic and energetic dog. Right now, he is afraid to walk beyond my friend`s house and won`t even step on the grass. Fortunately, my friend has a little bit of a backyard in which he can wander. But it took several tries before he was comfortable stepping on the grass out there.

One of my fingers was punctured from both sides. My doctor said it is infected and may get worse. I noticed another bite on my left knee after cleaning off the remaining blood. I am now on a 10-day antibiotic treatment. My right arm, directly above the wrist, suffered a broken blood vessel under the skin as a result of my efforts to stop
the attack by the black pitbull. I am a member of a competitive sports club that practices daily at 5:30 a.m. I will not be able to take part for a minimum of one to two weeks due to the swelling and bruising on my arm.

My doctor said that the chance of rabies is remote, but that I could undergo treatment if I so choose. Unfortunately, my insurance will not cover the expense, which would be upwards of $1,000.00. For now I am holding off until the outcome of the 10-day quarantine initiated for all the animals involved. I foresee a future small claims court case against the owners/residents at 126 Bryant Street, NW. And with costs mounting fast, I am hoping that my doctor is right about the chances of me getting rabies.

I appreciate all the positive feedback and suggestions on the part of so many of my neighbors here in Bloomingdale. I will keep our community up-to-date with my efforts. I liked the idea of one blogger, Sarah, who asked ``Do we need to mobilize some voices to get them to act?``; them being DC Animal Control and/or the DC Department of Health. I am hoping that my efforts and those of the owner of the dogs I was caring for will be enough for now. I do appreciate the offer and, if the situation should change, may request assistance from Sarah and others in the greater Bloomingdale area.

Thank you to everyone!!!

Bryant St NW pitbull attack; pitbulls not registered as required by DC law

See this Sunday, 08-28-2011 message from a Bloomingdale resident:

I was walking a friend`s dogs down Bryant Street, NW around noon when two (2) pitbulls coming out of # 126 attacked one of my friend`s two (2) dogs. I tried to beat the attacking pitbull off of my friend`s dog to no avail. Finally someone from that home brought a broomstick out and pressed it up against the pitbull`s neck. My friend`s dog was seriously injured and bleeding everywhere. I contacted the police and animal control.

The scary thing is that when Animal Control came they found that neither pitbull was licensed or registered as required by DC law. I was also bitten on a finger and my leg. To my shock and dismay, they did not immediately remove both animals from the premises. I spent the rest of the day at the Friendship Animal Hospital getting care for the injured dog. He had multiple puncture wounds and is lucky to be alive. I never got a chance to have my bites examined and will have to do so tomorrow. I now also will have to undertake a rabies treatment as the pitbull`s owner did not know when (or if) the animals had last been vaccinated for rabies.

Please let people in the neighborhood know that there are dangerous animals residing at 126 Bryant Street, NW. I heard from a couple people that these pitbulls have been seen on the loose in the neighborhood before. I don`t want what happened to my friend`s dog and myself today to happen to anyone else. I am going to do what I can to have DC Animal Control remove both pets from this residence as they are a safety risk to myself and others.

Bloomingdale basement flooding: toilet overflowing

From a household on the unit block of S Street NW:

We did have minor flooding in our basement during the storm. It was due to a toilet overflowing, and we're assuming that was because storm water overflowed into the waste-water lines.

Did anyone else have similar issues?

Bloomingdale Farmers` Market CLOSED today, Sunday, 08-28-2011

See this message from Robin Shuster, Bloomingdale Farmers` Market Market Manager:

From: Robin Shuster
Sent: Sat, August 27, 2011 7:26:02 PM
Subject: BFM is CLOSED this Sunday

BFM will be CLOSED this Sunday. The District told us (and other permit holders) to close because of Irene.

We will be back next week! Enjoy Sunday.

-- Robin Shuster
Markets & More
14& U Farmers Market
Bloomingdale Farmers Market
202 234 0559
202 536 5571

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 08/28/2011

Despite the impending hurricane warnings, as of 1:22pm on Saturday, several brave real estate agents still have open houses scheduled for Sunday. Knowing how motivated DC buyers can be, I'm going to go ahead and post the map. Stay safe out there!

Shaw's Tavern closing tonight: "‘We could not survive without a liquor license."

Washington City Paper reports that Shaw`s Tavern is closing tonight.

Shaw`s Tavern, R.I.P. `We Could Not Survive Without A Liquor License.`
Posted by Chris Shott on Aug. 27, 2011 at 8:00 am
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2011/08/27/shaws-tavern-r-i-p-we-could-not-survive-without-a-liquor-license/

From the restaurant's the restaurant`s Facebook`s page late Friday night:

Shaw`s Tavern is closing its doors from Saturday 27th of August.

We could not survive without a liquor license. We will re-open when we are allowed to serve alcohol.

To all of our 936 plus loyal fans and 30 dedicated employees, we thank you for your amazing support and understanding.

looking for sandbags? try RFK Stadium

From: ``Twine, Kevin (DPW)``
Sent: Fri, August 26, 2011 6:50:02 PM
Subject: Sandbag Distribution Moved To RFK Stadium, Lot 7

Sandbag Distribution Moved To RFK Stadium, Lot 7

The DC Department of Public Works said today that the demand for sandbags by District residents exceeded its on-hand supply of about 7,000 bags. As a result, DPW discontinued distributing bags at 5 pm (Friday). DPW will receive a shipment of about 2,700 bags by Saturday morning that will be available for pick up by District residents starting at noon, Saturday, August 27, on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents, with DC identification, may pick up sandbags (up to five per household) at RFK Stadium, Lot 7. Distribution will continue until the supply is exhausted. The sandbags weigh between 40 lbs. and 50 lbs. and residents will need to load them into their vehicles.

Kevin B. Twine
Staff Assistant
Department of Public Works
Office of the Director
2000 14th St., NW
6th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
kevin.twine@dc.gov
(202) 671-2593
(202) 673-6833

DPW To distribute sandbags

DPW To Distribute Sandbags

In preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Irene, the Department of Public Works announced that District residents may pick up sandbags (up to five per household) at its New Jersey Avenue and K Street, SE site (entrance on New Jersey at I Street, SE). Sandbag distribution will begin on Friday, August 26, at 12 Noon and run until Midnight, and will continue on Saturday, August 27, from 8 am – Midnight.

Each sandbag weighs between 40 lbs. and 50 lbs. and residents will need to load them into their vehicles, although some assistance may be available. DPW will have employees and signage directing residents to the site entrance.

Kevin B. Twine
Staff Assistant
Department of Public Works
Office of the Director
2000 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Ph: 202-671-2593
Fx: 202-671-0642
kevin.twine@dc.gov
www.dpw.dc.gov

John Salatti: sandbags and the cleaning of catch basins

See this message from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

Hi, Everyone,

To be prepared for possible strong storms this weekend, Emily Roderer and I have been working together to ensure that Bloomingdale in general and the Thomas-T Street NW low areas specifically are ready. She contacted DPW yesterday about whether sandbags will be made available in advance and I contacted DC Water about having the catch basins in Bloomingdale inspected and cleaned this week.

Emily was told that no decision had been made as of yesterday about sandbags, but she is staying tuned about that. DC Water has been very responsive and sent a truck into Bloomingdale yesterday to start looking at catch basins, and I will be meeting with the crew supervisor today to find out how things are going and which basins may have needed extra cleaning.

If you know of a drain that seem particularly prone to not draining well, please let me know, and I`ll double check with DC Water.

So we are moving ahead to do whatever we can before Hurricane Irene arrives this weekend. Please take care, stay safe, check in with neighbors, especially those who are seniors who may have trouble getting around and those who are not connected to the Internet. Let me know if you are aware of any specific problems or needs any one has.

Have a great day,
John

reident seeking guidance on noise-blocking windows

From a Quincy Place NW resident:

Hello! I`m wondering if anyone in the neighborhood has installed windows that block out noise? I`m having a hard time sleeping thanks to unreasonably loud HVAC units located outside my bedroom window. The property manager refuses to do anything about it.

As I plead with him to be a kind neighbor and move his HVAC units, I`m starting to research options for getting a noise-resistant window with double-pane glass or vinyl frames... or perhaps placing a second window behind or inside my existing window.

The information I`ve found so far is pretty confusing. Does anyone have recommendations for what to do or which company to work with? Thank you.

missing cat

From a resident of 1st Street NW in Bloomingdale:

My cat Astro is missing. He was last seen late Wednesday night. He's fat, fluffy, and blond. Please see the following photos:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ks6iulZFdx1qzn65fo1_500.jpg
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ksvchoAdoW1qzs2vno1_500.jpg

Astro is a beloved friend and any help you can offer would be deeply appreciated. I'm willing to offer a reward. I can be contacted at 410 then 259 then 9115 or Jason.mogavero@gmail.com.

anyone missing a "Glacier Point"?

An object with the brand-name of Glacier Point has just appeared in the backyard of a Bloomingdale neighborhood property.

If you can describe this object, perhaps it is yours ....?

And then perhaps this Glacier Point object can be returned to its owner ...?

Matt Rumsey suggests "Ward 5 needs more, smaller ANC`s"

Matt Rumsey has a suggestion for revising ANC 5C's ANC single member districts.

Ward 5 needs more, smaller ANC`s
by Matt Rumsey • August 23, 2011 1:30 pm
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11650/ward-5-needs-more-smaller-ancs

He has supplied some maps of his suggested changes.

What do YOU think?

"My gutters need to be cleared and/or replaced."

See this message from a resident on the unit block of R Street NW:

My gutters need to be cleared and/or replaced.

Any recommendations from the neighborhood ?

Stephen Cummings - local photographer

Come and See:

a photography exhibit on the current life work of BK Adams

photographs by local photographer Stephen M. Cummings

Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

1901 Fort Place, SE

August 22nd - November27th

10am-5pm

Washington Post feature 2/2010:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/02/22/GA2010022203974.html?sid=ST2010022204888