Saturday, December 30, 2006

smoke no more

bar smokers,
you have two nights left.

Post article here

seaton and 1st.

i JUST noticed work being done inside the building on the nw corner of first and seaton. a perfect glass?

note rehab work.. but build out work, .. so it seemed anyway.

commerical buildings for sale in the area.

500 florida avenue- 340,000 MLS#: DC6267275
from the MLS....

200 rhode island avenue ( the tina market) - 500,000 MLS#: DC6213385
PRICE REDUCED!!! Investor / Developer special. This is a convenience store currently, with R-4 (!)Zoning. Res-Row Dwl,Cnv, Apt. Large double corner lot. Located in key thoroughfare at the intersection of Rhode Island Ave and 2nd Street NW.Seller will deliver property vacant if desired. Sellers will consider ALL offers!!


1426 north capitol 389,000 MLS#: DC6113548
this one has a great description "Great location near Capitol Hill and new Florida Ave Metro Station. Building is a shell and needs everything but in a great area with lots of potential. Six units next to each other are under contract in 1300 block, a sign of development and improvement on the way. Near new Federal building going up by Metro and much more developments. Buy this and go for rest of the block before it is too late!"

52 Quincy Place ( the madison building ) 975,000 MLS#: DC6255583
Over 4000 sf of totally renovated, air conditioned, retail, office space off of Florida Ave. NW. Building is located on Florida & Quincy Pl. Rent is estimated at $30 sf. CAP rate over 10%. One of a kind Investment. The compound includes two huge retail spaces and a live in suite apartment, occupying the entire first floor of the building including the court yard.



615 Florida Avenue
900,000 MLS#: DC6226325
Commercial property- two unit building great for offices, shop, retail, restaurant. Total rooms 6 and 4 bathrooms. Zoned c2a which means this building can be used for residential or commercial purposes. Parking is available at the back. Hardwood floors, open floor plan, beautifully renovated. Seller accepts or rejects any or all offers.

1410 North Capitol 530,000 MLS#: DC6117155
This is a GREAT opportunity for development in the heart of the city. There are plans available for development of the potenials efficiency and one bedroom units upstairs. Downstairs could be a commercial venture. Building has new roof and new fence.



and still on the market
1631 north capitol 800,000 MLS#: DC5502363 which i've mentioned before

neighborhood real estate group in post

Sonya Abney, founder of neighborhood realtors firm Cosmopolitan Properties spotlighted in post
article here

yellow line extension

the yellow line extension has finally happened.
loke HERE


While i never metro north of u street, and rarely ever go to Columbia Heights, this seems like an awesome improvement to the system and will aid in bolstering the soon to explode neighborhood. Now, i have waxed poetic in my admiration for whats happenging on H NE,and while i am betting i will always like h street more, Columbia Heights is going to be super hot. Super hot in a nationally accepted hot kind of way. the new Dance Institutes building is hot. the amount of chain establishments many will find hot. the new ( gigantic in proportion)buildings/ condos. the new (ish) giant is great and one of the best designed grocery stores in the city... second to the whole foods on p street... and dean & deluca.... The tivoli is hot. its going to be its own city. and now you can take one train form there to national airport.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Grocery Store From Amélie

now here's a urban grocery store!

"Wave of the future"

1. I absolutely LOVE the expression "wave of the future".

2. I believe in lightrail, monorail, efficient mass transit, community minded mass transit, and fluid interconnected inner city neighborhoods.

3. I value Pedestrian life greater than i value a city system dedicated to cars. I believe that it benefits the body and mind, as well as fostering retail, arts, and local economies.

3. I love trolleys.

here is a quote from an article about lightrail on h street NE.

"Light rail is the wave of the future if you care about the environment," Washington's delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, said. Ms. Norton, 69, said she expects fellow Democrats, who take control of Congress in January, to boost funding for such projects across America."

full article here

here is a link to more information about the future of trolleys in dc.
though, as seems typical in this city, the page hasnt been updated in a long time and what started as a big bang with momentum has not been transparent since. the last listed publication was 2005. what IS happening?

"Wave of the future"

1. I absolutely LOVE the expression "wave of the future".

2. I believe in lightrail, monorail, efficient mass transit, community minded mass transit, and fluid interconnected inner city neighborhoods.

3. I value Pedestrian life greater than i value a city system dedicated to cars. I believe that it benefits the body and mind, as well as fostering retail, arts, and local economies.

3. I love trolleys.

here is a quote from an article about lightrail on h street NE.

"Light rail is the wave of the future if you care about the environment," Washington's delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, said. Ms. Norton, 69, said she expects fellow Democrats, who take control of Congress in January, to boost funding for such projects across America."

full article here

here is a link to more information about the future of trolleys in dc.
though, as seems typical in this city, the page hasnt been updated in a long time and what started as a big bang with momentum has not been transparent since. the last listed publication was 2005. what IS happening?

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

homeless shelter in penn quarter

i spend a lot of time in penn quarter/chinatown/ gallery place/ whatever the hell you call it. I have good friends that live there/ used to work there/ love kanlayas/ and more recently chinatown garden/ jaleo is there/ portrait gallery/ you get the idea.

also i read gallery place living. im intrigued by the post and the comments about a new homeless shelter/ services place that may be happening there.
read this

Seems the church at 10th and g sold their air rights to PN hoffman do they can finance an upgrade.


very interesting really.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Monday, December 25, 2006

north capitol arts- "swampoodle arts" anyone?

I've included a post about north capitol in my christmas wish list for a better art scene in DC HERE

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Welcoming back the Sun

I hope you have put the short days behind and look forward to the promise of longer, brighter days.
Merry Christmas to you all, and best wishes for any of the holidays you might be celebrating. May you complete the year with happiness, fulfillment and hope.



Peace.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

but on the greener side

did you know there was a green roof organization in shaw? i didn't until today.

look here

more new town.

the post has an article about it.

"
When asked whether he planned to be involved with the project as a private citizen, he said: "I don't have any idea. I will be offering my legal, tax and accounting services for everybody." Orange is a lawyer and certified public accountant.
"



corruption at its best.

the article has a photo.. you know.... to show the desolate blighted area devoid of activity.

here

also:
New Town will consist of 570,000 square feet of wholesale distribution space, 185,000 square feet of retail space and 141,000 square feet of restaurant and merchandising space. The project will also include a YMCA building with a fitness center, day care center, swimming pool, indoor basketball courts, a bowling alley, movie theaters and an ice-skating rink.

The project may also include a health clinic and a library, D.C. officials say.


uh... bowling?

Monday, December 18, 2006

big bear...

i noticed that the building is all primed now, and the windows are in, and the steel covering the windows has been removed.
i hear there may be a coffee shop there in the future.....

Saturday, December 16, 2006

goings on in NoMa

Major projects in NoMa expected to start construction next year in time for 2009 delivery:

Constitution Square (100 M Street NE):
Stonebridge Associates will develop 600 residential units with a 55,000-square-foot supermarket on the 1st floor and a 350,000-square-foot office building. Harris Teeter is expected to take some retail space.

Capitol Plaza (1200 1st Street NE):
Stephen A. Goldberg is close to completing a 291,000-square-foot office building. Archstone-Smith will build 500 residential units next year.

Eckington Hotel (201 Florida Avenue NE):
A partnership of Trammel Crow, CSG Urban Partners and others will start on a 11-story building with a 30,000 square feet of retail and 196 hotel rooms.

First Place (52 and 60 L Street NE):
Tishman Speyer will build a 350,000-square-foot office building. Camden Properties is expected to develop the neighboring 350,000-square-foot residential component.

Washington Gateway (Intersection of New York and Florida Avenues NE):
MRP Realty is expected to start on portions of its 800,000-square-foot mixed-use project.

101 K Street NE:
J Street Development wants to start on a 90,000-square-foot office condominium.

sidamo coffee shop on h ne


IMG_4235
Originally uploaded by inked78.
here is the inside of a new coffee shop on h ne. i'll defintely check it out.
i'm still very found of h street and how much creative energy is happening there. I have been comparing h street to my hopes of north capitol and bloomingdale since i started this blog.

Hopefully soon the big bear will open in bloomingdale. and the firehouse... and The Scenic Artisans Creative Arts and Design Center ( if i find an investor) ( anyone?). and, of course, trader joe's.
and oh.. my brother-in- law's 24 hour menaeesh place. zaatar ou zait?


photo taken by inked78. click on it to see more of her photos of the h street area.

sidamo coffee on h street ne


IMG_4235
Originally uploaded by inked78.
here is the inside of a new coffee shop on h ne. i'll defintely check it out.
i'm still very found of h street and how much creative energy is happening there. I have been comparing h street to my hopes of north capitol and bloomingdale since i started this blog.

Hopefully soon the big bear will open in bloomingdale. and the firehouse... and The Scenic Artisans Creative Arts and Design Center ( if i find an investor) ( anyone?). and, of course, trader joe's.
and oh.. my brother-in- law's 24 hour menaeesh place. zaatar ou zait?


photo taken by inked78. click on it to see more of her photos of the h street area.

New Town vision of the florida avenue markets. wow.

this picture was swiped from richard laymans flickr stream. click on it to see more of the proposed redevelopment.

What do you think of the designs?
what do you think will really happen?

Do you support the use of eminent domain to make this project happen?

Monday, December 11, 2006

neighborhoody things

1. i know im late in getting this news out, but windows cafe was twice robbed recently, and during a third attempted robbery a thief was caught.

2. Please check out NanBon a catering service by a bloomingdale resident Aisha Bond:
http://www.nanbon.com/
... maybe a storefront in the hood someday? the cake love empire seems to be doing well.....

3. no word back from heller's.

4. personally i think that MLK library should be turned into the national center for the visual arts a la the yerba buena in san francisco. ( i know its not in the hood... but it's a damn good idea)
http://www.ybca.org/


5 it seems that all people that care about dc and the people that live here oppose the new town development. jus sayin.


6. Whats happening with the old Junque Store, anyway?



7. U.S. MARINE CORPS www.toysfortots.org

TOYS FOR TOTS
COMMUNITY DROP-OFF CENTER

COSMOPOLITAN PROPERTIES Real Estate Brokerage
414 Florida Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 387-0777
(Located at the corner of Florida and Rhode Island Avenues, NW)

8. Effective 12/01/2006, it is against the law to pass a metro bus stopped at the bus-stop near a corner and to make a right turn. You must wait behind the bus until it moves, if you need to make a right turn. MPD will issue warning tickets for one month, after that the ticket will cost $100.

9. Street sweeper parking restrictions are now lifted. please help keep your curb clean, as the city wont be cleaning our streets for the next few months.

10 Eckingtonians have been planting tulips along north capitol again this year.

1. Crispus Attucks Park has receivable a large grant to help with projects going on there.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

random stuff.

1. last night there was a truck. tent ( and radio station dj) set up at giant accepting non perishables for the capitol area food bank.
it is my understanding that city funding has not met up with the needs of food services to the poor. please help.

2. The new town. why in hell is this happening? the capitol city market is thriving bustling and hoppin. even the flea market has picked up tremendously. please mr orange, just be the lame duck u oughta be and go fishing. your shortsightedness with the brightwood project disqualifies you from being a part of urban development.

3. Might XM merge with Sirius? is that good for eckington?

4. I that there is a major developemt happening to the north of us at Riggs and South Dakota. the tiger market area, if you know it. its a LOT of land.

5. A wine bar , "the perfect glass" at first and seaton?

6. Is hellers still going to open a place in the green ember?

7. Stu mentioned that the proposed farmers market is moving along. he does need help though.

8. Proposed DC Comprehensive Plan Specifically “recognizes Soldiers' Home and McMillan Reservoir as important open space serving the north central part of the city”

9. please leave your front stoop light on.

10 december's slammed busy for me so i prolly cant make your christmas parties. sorry.

11 chevy chas wants to be a historic district. InShaw calls for just calling the whole city historic and be done with it already.

12 DCPD made a big arrest of a sexual predator in the hood recently. i hadnt really followed the news but it sounds like the police did a bang up job.

what else has been happening?

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Thursday, November 30, 2006

wf in ch

a resident of columbia heights told me that whole foods would be opening up there.

limited access.

i've had limited access to all available "internets" out there. i'm switching to mac, and getting new wifi junk.
soon.... soon... i'll be back.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

yes!

yes organic in brookland ought to be open now. Anyone been yet?
I drove past there on tuesday night and it looked like a bustle of activity. looks bright and welcoming.

3809 12th street. you can't miss it.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

one stop shopping?

i dunno, maybe someday. Here is a site that aspires to bring you all the info you want about neighborhoos around the city, country.. someday the world.

check it out:
http://outside.in/Washington

here is a list of the dc neighborhoods its got going:
Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Marshall Heights, River Terrace, Kingman Park, Fort Davis Park, Twining, Lincoln Heights, Greenway, Grant Park, Mayfair, Colonial Village, Shepherd Park, Brightwood, Lamond Riggs, Manor Park, North Michigan Park, Queens Chapel, Pleasant Hills, Brightwood Park, Crestwood, Fort Totten, Park View, Petworth, Arboretum, Ivy City, Trinidad, Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle, Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Navy Yard, Lincoln Park, Columbia Heights, Pleasant Plains, Mount Pleasant, Le Droit Park, Barnaby Woods, Hawthorne, Friendship Heights, Chevy Chase, Fairfax Village, Fairlawn, Naylor Gardens, Penn Branch, Randle Highlands, Barry Farm, Garfield Heights, Knox Hill, Woodland, Congress Heights, Douglass, Hillcrest, Shaw, Logan Circle, Howard University, Mount Vernon Square, Chinatown DC, barney circle, Sheridan Kalorama, Adams Morgan, ReedCooke, Dupont Circle, Woodley Park, Glover Park, Cleveland Park, North Cleveland Park, Forest Hills, The Palisades, Penn Quarter, West End, Foggy Bottom, American University Park, McLean Gardens, Spring Valley, Tenleytown, Cathedral Heights, Wesley Heights, Georgetown, Washington Highland

neighborhood blogs

i've update my list on the right side.
if you have a dc hood oriented blog,let me know.
or if you think there should be something linked to from here, comment and leave the url.

Monday, November 13, 2006

mention of the area near the new york ave metro



here is a litlle mention of the capitol city market and uline stadium.

crash on florida avenue- 2 people dead.

update- here is a new post article.

2nd victim has died and the driver, allegedly driving 80mph at time of impact has been charged with negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.
****************************************************************





there was a bad crash on florida last night, road is still closed around the 500 block

read here


and here
even more here
and in the post here
and on InShaw here

here is a large picture taken this morning by In Shaw you can see that the house is being torn down.

one person has died as a result of this drunken driver caused crash.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

truxton circle

here is a small article about truxton circle written last year by bloomingdale resident and north capitol main street person Vicky Leonard-Chambers

Friday, November 10, 2006

remember talk of the Fairfield Project?

the big residential/ retail project next to FEDex?


yeah, well, apparently it's dead.

I read that it concerns CSX not actually selling the land. Anyone know anything?

bloomingdale on trulia.

happened upon this real estate site

apparently this neighborhood is HOT!

a few bloomingdale artists events this weekend

On Sunday i will be having an open studio party from 1-5. the details are here
There will also be a number of other artists in the warehouses surrounding mine that will be open as well. My studio will be open from 1-5.


Also on sunday, neighbors Andrea Haffner and Rob Bradfield are part of a number of artists having an event at the Joesephine Butler Center on 15th street, next to Malcolm X park. This event will run from 11-5.


And tonight, there will be an opening reception for an exhibit of Don Burns at the Touchstone Gallery on 7th steert NW. This will be from 6-8:30.

uline stadium

Practically hidden just on the other side of the new york avenue metro, the Uline Stadium sits rather obscured and runs the risk of being torn down.

I for one am very happy about much of the growth that has been happening in DC. I am glad to see so many shells being gutted and decent establishments opening in places that were still devastated by the riots over 30 years ago. DC still has a long way to go to catch up to where it ought to be, but i like some of the directions we've been heading.

I am glad to see 8th street SE blossom the way it has, 14th street is amazing and will continue to be the most happening strip in the city for quite some time. U street is flourishing. 7th street NW, despite being so chain heavy, is hopping. Richard Layman points out the number of exits and entrances here

But infill is one thing, condo conversion is one thing, large scale development is quite another. Personally i love the human scale of the dc i know. I dont know k street or the farAgut area, i dont know federal dc. I know LaLomitas on Penn SE that now has a gigantic structure being built across the street that i fear will be the downfall of my favorite margarita sipping spot in the city.

I see the new buildings on Mass avenue that are devoid of a pleasant personality. i see large scale suburban design in our urban landscape.

I see the new convention center that has isolated itself from surrounding business.

then theres the baseball stadium. not that that's a fiasco or anything.

And closest to home is the New Town development proposed for the farmers market.

What does all of this have to do with uline? Its about development. Its no secret that the area around the new york metro is HOT HOT HOT with the potential of gigantic economic growth. There is a lot of un and underdeveloped land there. Uline site in this area and the threat of its destruction for residential/ mixed use bothers me a bit. As does the very sad state of affairs for the Wholesale market area. The area that our rep Mr Orange calls "blighted". Blighted? has he been there? it may not be pretty, but its busy busy busy.

anyway, look here about the uline.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

around the neighborhood anc elections

ANC 5C01: Anita Bonds,

ANC 5C02: Kris Hammond defeated Cleopatra Jones.

ANC 5C03: Stuart Davenport defeated Andrew Pollard and write-in candidate Njeri Santana.

ANC 5C04: John Salatti defeated Robert Brannum.

ANC 5C05: No one ran for this seat.

ANC 5C06: Mary Lois Farmer-Allen defeated Michael Henderson and Stephanie White

ANC 5C07: Barrie Daneker,
ANC 5C08: Marshall Phillips Sr.

ANC 5C09: Silas H. Grant, who ran unopposed, won this seat.

ANC 5C10: No one ran for this seat.

ANC 5C11: No one ran for this seat.

ANC 5C12: Derrick Holloway won this seat. He ran unopposed.


ANC 1B01 Myla Moss defeated Lawrence Guyot in LeDroit Park

ANC 2C02 Kevin Chapple defeated Leroy Thorpe in

vote

though some like Ann Coulter think that too many people vote and there should be a poll tax i feel the opposite.

Please go vote. whoever you are.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

87 Florida sign


87 Florida sign
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
there is an opening tonight at 87 florida.

7-9.


this phot is from the bloomingdale photo set on flickr
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/

Whole Foods.

I saw this link on the truxton circle community website.
It lists the criteria whole foods needs to set up shop somewhere.


If you have a retail location you think would make a good site for Whole Foods Market, Inc., please review the following guidelines carefully for consideration:

* 200,000 people or more in a 20 minute drive time
* 40,000–75,000 Square Feet
* Large number of college-educated residents
* Abundant parking available for our exclusive use
* Stand alone preferred, would consider complementary
* Easy access from roadways, lighted intersection
* Excellent visibility, directly off of the street
* Must be located in a high traffic area (foot and/or vehicle)





Anyone else think that NoMa is perfect? jus sayin.

Curves on north capitol.

Curves: On North Capitol Street NW -- For ladies who would like to get a 30 minute circuit work-out in the neighborhood, be advised that a new Curves has opened at 1334 North Capitol Street, N.W. The facility is attempting to recruit new members; therefore, the first 100 persons to join will receive a discount rate.

At this point, their hours of operation are from 9:00 a.m. until Noon and from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. According to owner Karla Saunders, the hours of operation will eventually expand to Saturday hours as they gain a full complement of members.

To enroll into a fitness program at the facility and/or to learn more about their operations, you may call (202) 332-2241. You may also communicate with them by email at curvesledroit@gmail.com


Also Owner and neighborhood resident Karla Saunders will be at the Bates Area Civic Association meeting:

Monday, November 6, 2006
Mount Sinai Baptist Church
3rd and Q Streets, N.W.
Rooms 1 and 2
7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Friday, November 03, 2006

along north capitol


IMG_1334
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan.
this building used to be a very nice orange.
i read somewhere (Kris Hammonds blog maybe?) that the steel you see in the picture will be enclosed with glass.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

windows


windows
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan.

Art by neighbors and art in the neighborhood.

2 things.

1. Last night was the kickoff celebration for the Wilson Building Collection. Two Bloomingdalians ( at least) are in the collection. Myself, and Artist/ jewlery maker Andrea Haffner.

My two pieces are on the wall opposite Vincent Orange's office!

The collection is permanent and can be seen whenever city hall is open. Please go check it out.




2. There will be an opening at 87Florida this saturday. November 4th from 7-9 pm.
'Shared Skin'- Paint & Sculpture by Ceci Cole McInturff, Antoinette Wysocki, and Melissa Glasser Bruzera
87Florida (Music starts when you enter the page.)

Monday, October 30, 2006

Do you want a farmers market in the neighborhood?

Act quickly.



The Bloomingdale Farmers' Market!
coming spring 2007

We need pledges for financial donations and letters of support for a matching grant application due Nov 1st! We realize this is short notice, but any help is greatly appreciated.

The Farmers' Market will be a weekly open-air market every Sunday on R street between 1st and Florida Ave NW. The market will feature produce, meat, and dairy from local organic farmers, all of whom accept WIC and CSFP checks.



Support the Bloomingdale Farmer's Market!
Send an email to:

or



And let us know if you can pledge a donation.
$5 to $500. Please send us an email and pledge anything you can.




An Example of a possible letter of support follows:


my name is______, I have lived in Bloomindale for 5 years, and I am a big supporter of Farmers' Markets. I buy organic food at Whole Foods that I must drive to since it is so far away, and I go to Farmers' Markets in other neighborhoods. In fact, i must leave my neighborhood for most of my grocer needs, organic or not.

Our neighborhood is strongly in need of a local Farmers' Market where people can spend time together, shop for healthy food, and contribute to local business...




or something to that effect....

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Church on N. Cap


Church on N. Cap
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
this is part of the ever growing Bloomingdale Photo Pool.

please join and post some of your own
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/

it's free, ya know.

Church on N. Cap


Church on N. Cap
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
this is part of the ever growing Bloomingdale Photo Pool.

please join and post some of your own
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/

its free, ya know.

Friday, October 27, 2006

truxton circle photo, north capitol and florida avenue

this is facing southest down florida avenue.
from the truxton circle community website

Anyone know when the church was knocked down?

FREE! pumpkin carving

this was passed on to me to share with the community



Dear Bloomingdale Neighbors,

Come to the Halloween Pumpkin Carving Festival this Saturday October 28th



We are having a Halloween/Fall Festival pumpkin and apple carving. Doris Jenkins has been teaching and
demonstrating pumpkin and apple carving for years and she is going to teach her Pumpkin
Turkey, her Jack o Lanterns and her APPLE Bird plus some tabletop decorations for
Thanksgiving. FREE.

and besides the pumpkins, there will be lots of local fruits and vegetables from local farmers, of course: still tomatoes and peppers,
20 varieties of apples, 6 kinds of pears, honey, apple butter, berry syrups, salad mixes,
collards, chards, turnips, daikon, radishes, fingerling and other potatoes, walnuts, 4
kinds of broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts on their stalks, Quaker Valley's butter
crust pies made with their own fruits, Breadline Breads and muffins and cookies and much
more.

Where: Lamont Park
Mount Pleasant St between Lamont and Park, one block West of 16th.
Lamont)
When: Saturday October 28th
9-1
Weather: Rain or Shine or Drizzle (the tents will keep you dry!)


Many thanks,


Robin

crime map

if you read neighborhood blogs you've already seen this, but i thought i'd add it anyway

check it out here
DCMP new crime map.


speaking of neighborhood blogs, dcblogs has them compiled here

Thursday, October 26, 2006

help with planting this saturday

Volunteers Needed for Planting Perennials and Shrubs in Lincoln Road Park on Saturday, October 28, from 10 am to 11:30 am

To compliment the Eckington Civic Association's fall cleanup, which is being held from 9 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, October 28, North Capitol Main Street, Inc. will hold a "mini" planting of shrubs and perennials in the Lincoln Road Park from 10 am to 11:30 am that same day.

Volunteers for the ECA cleanup are meeting at First and R Streets, NE at 9 am. Details for the Lincoln Road Park planting are as follows:

What: Planting of shrubs and perennials
Where: Lincoln Road Park, Lincoln Road & North Capitol Street
When: October 28 from 10 am to 11:30 am
Why: To compliment Eckington Civic Association (ECA) clean up efforts
Who: NCMS, Inc. and other interested volunteers

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Stu Davenport- TONIGHT.

I didn't take a stance on this blog about who i voted for mayor and i I dont really want this blog to take a stand on particular candidates for ANC either.

This is about community rather than taking sides... mainly.

Still, I think Mr. Davenport has some great ideas for the community. It is certainly no secret that i'm a coffee fiend and very excited about the Big Bear Cafe. There are other things the Stu has planned ( and in effect) and TONIGHT is a great opportunity to find out what they are.

So with that in mind, i'd like to encourage everyone to attend a meet-n-greet tonight


Meet and Greet at 1719 1st ST. NW tonight (wednesday) from 6pm to 8pm to learn more about Stu Davenport


Come and learn more about the Farmer's Market comming to 1st and R NW in the spring, the neighborhood wireless program, the Big Bear Cafe, beautification grants, crime issue programs, etc., etc.

He wants to get to know you and hear what you think.
There will be beer and wine and happy people.

Email Stu if you have questions or concerns:
studavenport@gmail.com


1719 First street is between R and Randolph Place NW


Whether or not you vote for Stu, i think you will like the ideas that he has. I'm sure you'll like the guy.

Sadly i cant make it as i'm hoping to get elected to the board of the washington sculptors group and am going to their meeting. SO, someone please send me a recap of the night!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

R Street


R Street
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
from the bloomingdale photo pool
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/pool/

Sunday, October 22, 2006

IMG_1922small


IMG_1922small
Originally uploaded by Big Bear Cafe.
More pictures have been uploaded to the bloomingdale photo pool

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



click here for a slideshow

if yho have a flickr account (which is free) please join the bloomingdale group to share your pictures of our neighborhood.

primer coat


primer coat
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan.
Big bear is getting a new paint job.

I stopped by yesterday having missed the Bloomingdael cleanup and Big bear paint day party.
Stu gave me a quick tour and description of whats a goin-on.
I'm even more excited about what these got have up their sleeves.

there are some freaking beautiful houses for sale in the hood right now

Look here


but lord almighty they are expensive.
that said a 3 story shell with an english basement just sold for 395,000.
that seems to be a damn good deal actually.....

Friday, October 20, 2006

Tomorrow, Saturday the 21st. Cleaning up the hood and eating pizza with the Big Bear

Making Bloomingdale Bloom!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Adopt-A-Block Neighborhood Clean-Up

It only takes a minute to turn [litter on a sidewalk] to a [litter-free sidewalk]

Can't do the block?
Adopt a Spot!

Need Supplies?
From 9:00 am until 11:00 am, get trash bags, rakes and shovels at 1st & Rhode Island Avenue NW (near City Cleaners)

Trash Pick-Up Locations
Put filled trash bags at the northeast corners of 1st St NW at Bryant St NW, Thomas St NW, T St NW or R St NW
by 12:00 pm for DPW pickup.




and a message from the owners of the Big Bear Cafe
Big Bloomingdale Cleanup this Saturday!!
- Trade your Trash at the Big Bear Cafe!!

Since this Saturday is the Big Bloomingdale Cleanup, we are officially making the Big Bear Cafe a trash bag drop location.

Come to 1st and R, NW to the Big Bear Cafe, and we will trade you pizza and drinks for full trash bags! We will all be having a building painting party, so you can grab a paintbrush as well... or just listen to music and smile.

Hope to see you there!

-Stu and Lana
bigbearcafe-dc.com
(check out our website)

Tomorrow, Saturday the 21st. Cleaning up the hood and eating pizza with the Big Bear

Making Bloomingdale Bloom!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Adopt-A-Block Neighborhood Clean-Up

It only takes a minute to turn [litter on a sidewalk] to a [litter-free sidewalk]

Can't do the block?
Adopt a Spot!

Need Supplies?
From 9:00 am until 11:00 am, get trash bags, rakes and shovels at 1st & Rhode Island Avenue NW (near City Cleaners)

Trash Pick-Up Locations
Put filled trash bags at the northeast corners of 1st St NW at Bryant St NW, Thomas St NW, T St NW or R St NW
by 12:00 pm for DPW pickup.




and a message from the owners of the Big Bear Cafe
Big Bloomingdale Cleanup this Saturday!!
- Trade your Trash at the Big Bear Cafe!!

Since this Saturday is the Big Bloomingdale Cleanup, we are officially making the Big Bear Cafe a trash bag drop location.

Come to 1st and R, NW to the Big Bear Cafe, and we will trade you pizza and drinks for full trash bags! We will all be having a building painting party, so you can grab a paintbrush as well... or just listen to music and smile.

Hope to see you there!

-Stu and Lana
bigbearcafe-dc.com
(check out our website)

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Bloomingdale Author

I have before mentioned that Bloomingdale resident and author Natalie Hopkinson has co-authored a book Deconstructing Tyrone. It is now available.

Read the blog here


From Amazon:
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Two smart Black women break the Tyrone code — with affection, with respect, but with no illusions.
Black men as fathers, sons, teachers, lovers, rap stars, professionals, fantasy objects, and cultural constructs — a multifaceted picture of American Black men today.
You know Tyrone. Smooth-talking, irresistible Tyrone — the swagger in his step, the sexy drawl, the poetry and rhythm in his essence — the militant revolutionary of the 1960s evolved into the pimp/thug of the hip-hop era. Tyrone is the Black man seen through the media lens, through stereotype, through the eyes of Black women. He’s "Talk Show Tyrone," all muscle and defiance, “an archetype converted to a hit single.”
In Deconstructing Tyrone, the authors, journalists Natalie Y. Moore and Natalie Hopkinson, examine Black masculinity from a variety of perspectives, looking not for consensus but for insight. With chapters on Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, on the complicated relationship between women and hip-hop, on babydaddies, on gay Black men on and off the down low, on strippers and their fathers, on Black men in the office, at school, and in jail, Deconstructing Tyrone presents a multifaceted picture of American Black men now.


Buy it here

workforce housing

heres an article about housing that aims to diversify.....in this case, drawn the middle class.

The project inverts the traditional notion of housing subsidies because it isn't aimed at low-income buyers.


We're trying to create diversity in the southeast quadrant of the city, to break up pockets of poverty," said Leo Clarke, special projects coordinator at the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, which gave the developers a grant toward the cost of preparing the land for construction. "We're trying to encourage investment in an otherwise blighted area."

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Curves Gym............. wait.... seriously?



Apparently Curves Gym will be opening a location on North Capitol. It's even on their website.



The address ( according to the website) will be:
Washington, DC - Le Droit
1334-1336 N. Capitol St. NW
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 332-2241


ummm.... do you think they really know where they are opening? I'm thinkin they dont know the area at all if they think this is Le Droit........ jus sayin......

they dont even have the right zip code.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

ec-12

seems the building contract hasn't been finished yet.

anyone know a timeframe?

Monday, October 16, 2006

history.

according to a flyer i picked up at an open house this past sunday:

"Bloomingdale was the country estate of George and Emily Beale., members of a prominent military family. In 1834 George Beale deeded land and water right of way to springs on his Bloomingdale estate to the city to be used as a water supply for the Capitol. Both General Ulysses S. Grant and President Abraham Lincoln were visitors to his home. In 1887, the Bloomingdale estate was divided among Emily Beale's heirs and sold to several real estate developers."


also, seems everytime i look at blooomingdale on wikipedia our boundaries change.
by my reckoning, the northern bourdary is michigan avenue. the deeding of the water rights mention above jives with the time period, Smith Spring, and actions mentioned durring the mcmillan field trip i took.

The Washington Aqueduct, built in 1853 replaced the Smith Spring usage with water from the Potomac.

S St NW


S St NW
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc.
recently uploaded to the bloomingdale photo group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/pool/

Sunday, October 15, 2006

ANC 5c meeting

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C monthly meeting
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Harry Thomas Community Center
1743 Lincoln Road NE
7:00 pm

Bloomingdale Civic Association

Bloomingdale Civic Association monthly meeting
Monday, October 16, 2006
St. George's Episcopal Church
2nd & U Street NW
7:00 pm.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Robberies!


here is a PDF map of crime

where are you most likely to get mugged

post article here

The city's robbery core is in the 3rd Police District, which includes the neighborhoods of Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant, Dupont Circle and Logan Circle. It is the city's smallest, densest police district and accounts for almost 30 percent of robberies.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

repairs at dunbar

check this out

train/ bus disconnect, or METRO why you buggin?

so the x3 and the 90 buses no longer stop at the new york avenue metro. they took out the stop.

(i found it rather annoying that people wanted to move the chinatown bus stop across the street from the metro too. it got moved back)

why make the connections more difficult? i don't understand this reasoning.

perhaps you removed the stop so you can pave to road in front of the station and the busses will turn down that and drop us off even closer, right?

Probably its that you make decisions without even riding yourself to work......

artisans of the covenant house


while i have a friend that i would recommend to you if you need hand made furniture, i would like to point out that The Covenant House Artisans, steps away from bloomingdale, offer custom made furniture.

Monday, October 09, 2006

info relating to north capitol.....

this is from the bates area civic association meeting:



Q: With all the attention on First Street, NE, New York Avenue, NE and Florida Avenue, NE, the obvious omission in the presentation thus far is North Capitol Street (especially north of Florida Avenue). How does the plan address this?


A: This point was well taken. Ms. Zingheim and Ms. Crain indicated that Great Streets (an initiative to improve strategically located streets) funding was already allocated in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 for First Street, NE. Funding for North Capitol would be allocated in FY 2008 or 09. Although Great Streets is not as sweeping in scope as a Main Streets project, DCOP would be also working with civic groups and area concerns on a Small Area Plan (SAP) to look specifically at North Capitol Street. The scope of work on the SAP has been finalized. However, the company that will facilitate the SAP session(s) has been let out for competitive bids. As soon as the facilitating company has been approved, the Small Area Plan will be announced. [BACA will keep abreast of the progress of the SAP and will inform the community its service area about the planning process. (Ed.)]

Mr. Berry interjected that it was his understanding that in the long-range design, North Capitol would eventually become a "grand esplanade", eventually leading to the Capitol. This sentiment was echoed by the DCOP Planners, who indicated an overall timeframe for NoMA and it is hoped, North Capitol Street, of about ten to twenty years.

S street.


More S St NW
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc.
recent photo from the bloomingdale pool on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bloomingdale/pool/

view of capitol


view of capitol
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan.
If i had a deck on my roof, this would be from my rooftop deck.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

McMillan, a post from the eckington community board

This was posted last july, and reposted again recently on the eckington yahoo group ( see button at bottom of blog)





Hello Eckingtonians,

I've been reading your posts on McMillan Reservoir, the eastern portion called the old sand filtration site and thought I'd better jump in on this conversation as it is one of my favorite topics.

Application for the historic preservation of McMillan was submitted to the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Review Board in 1990 and McMillan was designated a (an) historic landmark in August 1991. The application was filed by the McMillan Park Committee representing community residents of Bloomingdale and Stronghold neighborhoods and citizens from other wards in DC.

The entire 118 acre site including our 25 acre area bordered by North Capitol and Michigan, Channing and First Street, NW is listed on the DC Historical Preservation Registry and is automatically considered a national landmark as well. Let me be very clear: McMillan already has historic status.

McMillan should not be developed for retail, commercial and housing because it is a very unique feature of Washington, DC.

"The significance of the McMillan Park Reservoir is that (1) it supplied water to the U.S. Capitol, (2) it was the first water treatment plant in Washington, DC that caused the elimination of epidemics of typhoid and reduced incidence of other diseases, (3) its form represented a triumph of the pure water advocates over those who advocated chemical treatment, (4) it is an important contributing element to the McMillan Park system, (5) it is the result of the collaboration of major figures in the City Beautiful movement who later contributed to the aesthetic and architectural development of Washington and (6) the figures who contributed to the McMillan Park planning and sculpture design would carry out the principles of good design through their own projects in public areas for Washington and through membership on the Fine Arts Commission." (Application for Historic Landmark, DC Historic Review Board,1990).

For brevity of the historicity of McMillan, the above paragraph was pulled from the application. However, there is so much more detailed information the residents should know about McMillan before even contemplating tearing it down for a housing subdivision, and retail/commercial development (this kind of development will probably be placed at other sites in the Ward, i.e., Rhode Island Metro, Fort Lincoln, Soldiers Home, etc.)

McMillan has been selected by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission on Fine Arts Memorials and Museums Taskforce to house a museum and/or a national memorial because there is no longer space on the National Mall for the many other memorial projects which are either proposed or been approved by Congress. From over one hundred sites, our McMillan is number 17.

A museum dedicated to water technology, which would also house a cultural arts center, community meeting spaces and enhanced by an area of open green space to host a variety of gardens, McMillan would be a formal garden park with great fountains of spewing water. It would not be just any ole park. Uses of McMillan should be for park, recreation and educational purposes.

McMillan's green space, with the breezes that hover over it, its vista with rich views of the Howard University clock, a picture postcard of the colorful row homes on North Capitol Street, the Monument and the U.S. Capitol dome (especially against the night sky) and the museum and memorial tributes would be a thing of greatness and a wonder of aesthetics for our City. It would not only bring greatness to our city but to our community.

To destroy McMillan for economical purposes would be an awful act of desecration. The proponents of economic development for the site would prove to be ignorant of this unique treasure and would lack an understanding of its total history.

Gwen Southerland

"workforce" housing.


here is a "workforce housing" project on capitol hill.

Eckingtonians might be especially interested in the guidelines in this PDF

the st. martins project is also supposed to be a "workforce housing" complex.

yesterday: arts on the avenue, project 4, and a chat with the ( future honorable) big bears


I went to arts on the avenue, and despite the I HATE DEL REY blog, i really like del rey.
I like the mix of stores and the strolling atmospehre of the avenue ( though to me "the Avenue" is in hampden, which is way colloer that alexandria could ever be...) Still, Del Rey has a strong community feel to it, and its not stagnant. Its gotta be the best neighborhood in NOVA.

Lots of art to see. despite the overcast weather it was a great turnout.

Later in the evening, we went to the opening of a show at Project 4 gallery at the suggestion of a guy we met at a fundraiser for a team that's doing this, which if you like baltimore,beer and kitsch, you should go to. Aparently the building that houses Project 4 used to be a numbers joint, for YEARS. One guy that used to run, put his kids through university with his procedes.

At the gallery we ran ito the owners of the soon-to-be-opened Big Bear Cafe. I had met one of them at the design showcase evening they held, but hadn't met the second half. Both super friendly people.... that i'm sure all yous will meet when they open.

It was great to talk to them about their plans for the store, and other community oriented ideas they have. I'm thinking this place will create quite a buzz ( ha!) and do a hell of a lot of good for our neighborhood. I was quite impressed by the scope of their plans. They make make a big impact on bloomingdale in the next few years.

I also ran into the guy that used to own Bardo's in Arlington. Remember that place? the best local brewed beer in the dc area. i asked him to open a new place along north cap, but he replied with tales of bricks being thrown at friends of his as they bike through blomingdale 15 years ago......

and 10 year olds walking down the street smoking boats. alas our hoods notorious past.

my future studio, art school, gallery, decorative painting services showroom is still on the market


yes, after 258 days on the market 1631 North Capitol ( MLS #DC5508084) has still not sold, though there has been a price reduction.

So that means that for a mere $800,000 ( plus closing costs and taxes) any of you out there could fund my serious art habit!


while the place is a bit raw, i freaking love this building. look at pictures here

it's interesting to note that the Lincoln road side has the more interesting facade, which indicates the "front side" so to speak. The pop out window is gorgeous.

At roughly $200/square foot plus big time renovation costs it seems that this wont be a major addition to the sparse retail/commercial /begging bloomingdalian art studio landscape of bloomingdale/ eckington/ the north capitol corridor anytime soon.


but seriously... if'n you want to patronize the arts, i'm always looking for a sponsor....

Call me, we'll work something out.

Basketball Tournament in Crispus Attucks Park

Basketball Tournament in Crispus Attucks Park – Saturday, 10/14/2006




Old School and Young School Basketball Tournament
The Crispus Attucks Park

When: Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 1:00 pm

Where: Crispus Attucks Park (access thru alley entrances at 1st & U and 1st & V Streets, NW)


OLD SCHOOLERS - Dust off them high top Converse sneakers and tube socks.
Head back to the gym!!

YOUNG SCHOOLERS - Come and learn some moves from old and experienced ballers! Get schooled!

There will be 3 on 3 pick-up games and playoffs for the for ages:
10-14;
15-17; 18-30; 30 and older.

It promises to be lots of fun and good sportsmanship!

Rumor has it that Harry Thomas, Jr. will stop in and show his skills!!


For questions, more information, or to arrange a team in advance call:

Reginald Carthen (202) 215-8006

Reggie Parrish (202) 236-2307


Sign up in advance or on day of event. Also enjoy a potluck/barbecue and other activities.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

some lyrics i was just listening to....

What's wrong with the world mama?
People living like aint got no mamas
I think the whole worlds addicted to the drama
Only attracted to the things that bring you trauma
Overseas yeah we tryin to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin
In the USA the big CIA the Bloodz and the Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And if you hatin you're bound to get irate
Yeah madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
You gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love y'all

People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?


black eyed peas.

bike map


click to enlarge


*note chain reaction is now on north capitol street nw.

mas from dc department of transportation

Friday, October 06, 2006

seaton


110 Seaton Pl NW 036
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc.
here is a recent foto from the bloomingdale photstream......

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

tour coming through the hood.

cut and pasted from the neighborhood email


Tourists Coming to Bates/Truxton Circle/ Eckington/ Bloomingdale – Saturday, Oct. 14th
See this message from Bloomingdale resident Sara:
As Scott’s email reported earlier - On 14 October the D.C. Preservation League (DCPL) is holding its annual Wardman Row-House Tour.
BUT – did you know it will drive through our neighborhoods to view our famous Wardman homes?
AND the tour makes a stop in Bloomingdale?
Will your street and tree box be presentable for a bus full of sightseers?
Listed below is last year’s tour stops through our area - which is expected to be largely the same this year:
10:00 AM Depart National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW
N. Capitol & Bates St, NW - Philanthropic rowhouse flats
3rd St & Florida Ave, NW - Wardman rowhouse flats
North Capitol St between Florida & Rhode Island avenues,
10:35 - 2006 tour - Stops at 2200 block of 1st Street / Corner of 1st & W NW
The route is not finalized – the bus full of tourists may come up First Street or North Capitol. Please help make our neighborhood shine!
Bloomingdale - keep those tree boxes and streets presentable for:
More Tourists Coming to Bloomingdale:
Sunday October 22: The first-ever Bloomingdale BBQ Bash!
Put on by the Bloomingdale Civic Association – in the Bloomingdale Business District – on First Street between Rhode Island Avenue and S St NW.
To prep for the BBQ Bash:
Saturday October 21: A Neighborhood Clean-Up - hosted by the Bloomingdale Beautification Committee.
9 AM to Noon .
Details for both events coming soon.

Brookland on Saturday!


10th Annual Brookland Day Festival 2006

Saturday October 7, 2006, 11:00 PM - 5:00 PM
12th Street, NE (between Monroe and Otis Streets)
Washington, DC

Washington, DC--Brookland, one of Washington DC's Main Street communities, will hold its 10th annual Brookland Day Festival on Saturday, October 7, 2006. The festival is a community-oriented event for all ages and it always captures and highlights the special small-town-in-town flavor of Brookland.

At 11:00 AM, a parade featuring the Archbishop John Carroll High School Band and the Festival's spoof brigades of neighborhood residents, including phalanxes of dog walkers, lawnmower pushers, and baby stroller pushers, will march from Franklin Street to Michigan Avenue, NE.

Between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM, performance and exhibit pavilions, including nonprofit organizations, businesses, and arts and crafts exhibitors, will be featured in booths along Brookland's commercial district, on 12th Street, between Monroe and Otis Streets, NE.

With Amanda Sweet as its Master of Ceremonies, the main stage on Otis Street will feature performances by The DC National Guard's Capitol Sounds, The Dance Place, The Archie Edwards Band, Benat Baharat, and The High Signs. Performances will start at noon.

The Festival is sponsored by the National Capital Revitalization Corporation, Keller Williams Capital Properties, The Washington Post, Citibank, DC Lottery, and PNC Bank.

The festival is coordinated by the Brookland Community Development Corporation, the parent organization of Historic Brookland Main Street, the commercial district revitalization program working with property owners, business proprietors, residents, and other stakeholders to bring about focused improvements to the commercial district.

For further information on sponsorship opportunities or to participate in any events, contact the Brookland Festival Committee by phone at 202-529-8400, fax at 202-526-0837 or e-mail brooklandcdc@aol.com.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

another take on the mcmillan

chek out this brooklanders blog.
Their photos are pretty damned good.

I do disagree with their take on the place though.
I think "profoundly unsafe" is hyberbole and fear mongering, but whatever... we have gotten so used to "safety" it seems quite sad, and just a bit spoon-fed. I have hiked/traveled a lot and been to some pretty perilous places, in national parks, in caves, on trails, historic sites here and in europe and in the middle east. Mcmillan is, as it stands, much safer than many places tourists frequent. ( have you been to black rock falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway... or Great Falls, even?) The promenade of McMillan is perfectly sufficient to walk safely around. Personally i feel that the "average american tourist" could use a good challenge.

Hell, it's safer inside the gates of mcmillan than outside, holes not withstanding.


Running, frollicking around the "mews" as we've been told happened in days of yore does seem a bit of a stretch. I do agree with the blog post, that the cell lids ( i'd say 1/4") make this far too unlikley.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Any bloomingdale Artists reading this?

please consider doing this

public art project.

Barbecue and Potluck- october 14th. in the secret park.

Summer’s gone and it’s time for the
4th Annual

BARBECUE and POTLUCK

Saturday October 14th, 2006
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
in Crispus Attucks Park
(access thru alley entrances at 1st & U and 1st & V Streets, NW)

Hot dogs,burgers,drinks and lots of fun activities like face painting, sack races, a balloon toss and more.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket!
Contact Lisa (571-228-2777) realnnatural@aol.com to donate your favorite side dish, snack food, or dessert!!

Come and enjoy or participate in our very first neighborhood Youth/Adult basketball challenge (more information on back of this flyer).

Youth players contact: Reginald Carthen @ 202-215-8006
Adult players contact: Reggie Parrish @ 202-236-2307

General QUESTIONS? Contact Lisa at 571-228-2777

(Rain date: Saturday, October 28th.)

yes! organic market 3829 12th Street, NE

I have now a confirmed address.
3829 12th Street, NE




Opening in brookland any week now.

I like yes organic a lot. Its a great urban gorcery with ( generally ) a small footprint that can fit in many places.

While not really a destination shop like Whole Foods or giant, etc... Its a great place and i'll probably go there.

Apparently there were some neighbors who didn't want the store to open, despite the fact that there was a safeway in the same spot years ago.
As i understand it, some residents felt like there would be an increase in noise and traffic. I think thats code for "we dont want no dirty hippies".

heres where i think its going to be.


Can anyone confirm that?

Saturday, September 30, 2006

AJ wright.

I stopped by this morning as i was picking up some stuff at Giant. Ever been to the TJ Max up in friendship heights? AJ's a bit nicer and seemed less expensive.

Still, it is somewhat depressing the see the growth of this strip mall. Someday it will be a wasteland.

Envisioning the hood, thinking a-blog.

What would you like to see come to bloomingdale?
Where would you like to see it?
What are they types of business that you think are an asset to neighborhoods in DC?

-I would like to see a farmers market, perhaps in Crispus Attucks Park.

-I would like to see a nice bar that occasionally has live music. Maybe along north capitol.

-I would like to see a small grocer in the lot at north cap and florida.


-I would like to see more representation of local art in the neighborhood, perhaps as public art, perhaps as a gallery or other art space.

-I'd like to see some of our liquor stores evolve into shops that can accomodate the wants of all residents. For me, that would be a better selection of micro-brews and no bullet proof glass.

-I'd like to see frager's hardware open up a store in our area.

-A bookstore would be nice.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Dear Wonkette

Dear Wonkette,

How is it that my little blog about my little neighborhood got on your radar?
Thanks for linking here. Seriously, that's pretty terrific. I've gotten about a zillion hits.... Maybe there is someone that dreams of opening that perfect little restaurant in the middle of dc amongst your readers!


thanks again,

The Begging Bloomingdalian.
(see... that could be a good name for a place!)

Bloomingdale Photostream


i have updated some pictures on the bloomingdale photo stream. Please join the group to share your photos of our neighborhood. Joining Flickr is FREE

McMillan Sand Filtration Plant.


I took the tour of the sand filtration plant this morning and have some pictures of it.

HERE is the slideshow


HERE is the page of individual photos

empty #2


Here is another building that i'm suprised is sitting empty. Its across the street from the other empty building.

Hellers bakery is going in on the other end of the block. There is foot traffic, and tons of car traffic here. Have i convinced you restauranteurs yet?




Englert? Buehler? anyone?




I'll give you a good deal on some faux finishing!

empty



I'm actually very suprised that this place hasn't been turned into a restaurant of some sort. Seems perfect. It has the possibility of sidewalk seating. Neighbors will flock to it. A diner anyone? La Loma 5?

Big news in Eckington

Fairfield Residential will construct three large buildings ranging in height from 11 stories, stepping down to 9 and 7 stories as it approaches Eckington Place NE. There will also be townhouses on the portion of the site that borders the Wholesale Flower Market. There will be 625 to 675 units, which will be a mixture of condominium and rental units. The final condo/apartment mix will be dependent on market conditions as the units come on line. There will be 750 - 800 underground parking spaces. 8% of the square footage, or 65-70 units interspersed throughout the building will be affordable workforce housing, affordable to households earning less than 80% of area median income.

Q Street NE will be extending through the middle of the site and dedicated to the city as part of the Office of Planning's goal to rebuild the L'Enfant grid, when possible. There will be a lighted walkway connecting Q Street NE to the Metropolitan Branch Trail vis a vis a dedicated easement through a Pepco-owned site. That connection to the Branch Trail will allow residents to walk directly to the metro station without having to cross New York and Florida Avenues at street level.

There will be 15,000 square feet of neighborhood-serving retail space with preference being given to restaurant/deli use. That will be located at the corner of Eckington Place NE and Harry Thomas Way NE, providing a good retail location to serve FedEx, ATF, XM, and the community, as they come and go from the metro.

Bloomingdale Center

Thursday, September 28, 2006

event at crispus attucks park

MOBILIZING DC YOUTH TO…

STEP UP!

B-READY

MOBILIZING DC YOUTH TO…

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Games ~ Prize Giveaways ~ Refreshments

Yayah’s Inc.

Crispus Attucks Park
Between 1st Steet to North Capitol and U
to V Street NW

11:00am – 3:00 p.m.
Call (202) 291-5538

Sponsored by
The D.C. Department of Health
Addiction Prevention & Recovery Administration
Office of Prevention & Youth Services
and Neighborhood Youth Organizations

Attendance at and/or participation in any Blitz Event grants consent to use photo, audio or video images of all attendees.

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



This Bloomingdale-based event is part of the city-wide youth drug prevention Blitz that's taking place on September 30th. Organizations all over DC will be sponsoring youth gatherings at parks and other facilities in every ward that day. The focus of the Blitz is for the youth to have some fun while also getting some positive messages about drug prevention. The target audience is youth ranging from 8 to 16, but ALL are welcome!

Yayah's is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving DC's youth. According to its Web site, "Yayah's, Inc.'s primary focus is on giving at-risk District of Columbia youths what they require to adapt to, acquire, and appreciate a healthy, productive lifestyle. We actively reach toward those who have fallen off the path and work to prevent others from doing the same. We've incorporated unique beneficial components into our programming. Yayah's, Inc. is more than another average group home. Our mission, vision, and methods are significantly different." Much of Yayah's funding comes from DC's Addiction Prevention Recovery Agency. For more on the organization, go to www.yayahs.org

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Units of affordable housing in DC by ward

according to a post on the eckington yahoo group

Units
Citywide

9,657

Ward 8 (Anacostia, Congress Heights)

4,520

Ward 7 (Capitol View, Benning Heights)

2,266

Ward 1 (Crestwood, Mount Pleasant)

1,231

Ward 5 (Eckington, Brookland)

1,145

Ward 4 (Manor Park, Barnaby Woods)

139

Ward 2 (Georgetown, Dupont Circle)

136

Ward 6 (Capitol Hill)

97

Ward 3 (Wesley Heights, Tenleytown)

0

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

still arguing in Eckington.


Here is a post by ANC candidate Kris Hammond concering the St. Martins vs. The Eckington Community affordable housing conflict.

-Kris talks with Neal Drobenare and he makes a lot of promises about the project.
-Apparently the Edgewood Civic Association speaks for Eckington, since its "official".
-The application for historical status for the convent building got circumvented with a deal and concession by St. Martins.
-The number of units has slightly decressed.
-Its still messy and disruptive for our community.

Sunday, September 24, 2006