bloomingdale: June 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

bicycle stolen off front porch last night

See this message from a Bloomingdale household:

*sigh* my bike was stolen last night off my front porch. I had recently purchased it from a neighbor and had not yet gotten a chance to register it/ have it insured, etc. I was also stupid for not locking it up this one time, too. Lessons learned, right? Anyway, it is a bike that is hard to not recognize. It is a Schwinn cruiser in a Mary Kay shade of pink (think of those pink cadillacs they give top sellers of Mary Kay products) and white. It is big and very heavy. I`ve reported it stolen already. if you happen to see it, contact the police first and give me a ring later at 240 followed by 506 then 6777. I`ll probably never see it again....but you never know....

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

missing cat on the unit block of Q Street NW

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

My cat has been missing from my apartment on 41 Q St. NW since Sunday 6/26/2011
afternoon!

Here is my ad on craigslist, which includes some pics of my cat:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/laf/2466167376.html

Monday, June 27, 2011

free Cycle Plus exercise bike

See this message:

A Bloomingdale resident gave me a free Cycle Plus exercise bike in March, but now I am moving to a smaller place temporarily & wanted to see if anyone would like the exercise bike. It is in great condition & is self powered. I am moving this week, so it is free to whomever can come pick it up. It is on wheels, but is still pretty heavy. Please e-mail me as soon as possible if you would like it! kayamicheller@yahoo dot com.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

introducing the North Capitol Main Street Art + Music event blog: http://northcapitolartwalk.wordpress.com/

See this message from Lonna Hooks, Truxton Circle resident and Executive Director, North Capitol Main Street regarding the Saturday, August 6, 2011 NCMS Art + Music Walk event.

Prefer to read the nicely formatted Constant Contact message? Then go here:
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=tp9zhzcab&v=0013fJXCVJ8X4FmWzWybeuRbCfcug3KBBdpzWvmsXS6f6jTY7JCxm-JcAX3O9I6DSTgNJPH5zIstEcsICFitz9y8eA3me2F7hcHQsCw7XQcKX4xzKIMoyOiFhQfymTcGv-kjLuCt7D347QeG-HJ_c5PcA%3D%3D

NCMS - 2011 Art & Music Blog

JOIN OUR BLOG! - STAY INFORMED http://northcapitolartwalk.wordpress.com/

We are working hard to make this year's Music & Art Festival a fabulous event for the entire community.

Join Our Blog!

Get Up-To-Date Information!

MUSIC & ART WALK INFORMATION
2010 Art + Music Walk in Bloomingdale, DC

The North Capitol Main Street Art + Music Walk is back for its third year! Previously known as "First On 1st", this summer's iconic arts and music festival is bigger and better than ever - featuring four areas for live music and cultural performances at the launch event, and at least twenty homes throughout the North Capitol neighborhoods of Eckington, Bloomingdale, and Truxton Circle featuring sculpture and other installations for the entire month of August.

JOIN OUR BLOG TO GET MORE INFORMATION! http://northcapitolartwalk.wordpress.com/

North Capitol Main Street
1703 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, D.C., District of Columbia 20002
202-670-1703
www.ncmsinc.org

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 06/26/2011

Open houses in and around the neighborhood for Sunday can be found here. The list is ordered by price. The same information can be seen in a map format. Scroll over the push pins to see details about each property.

The lovely home pictured above will be open from 1-3pm on Sunday and is located at 1824 North Capitol Street NW. The owners just lowered the price to $449,900., which is a phenomenal deal for a beautifully renovated 3 bedroom plus den, 2.5 bath home with a private deck. It's really worth seeing if you are looking in that price range and want to be in Bloomingdale!

Bloomingdale 1903. Plats!

I found better and more plat images HERE

North Bloomingdale

South Bloomingdale

i added a few more years here

North Capitol Main Street July 2011 board & committee meetings

See this message Lonna Hooks, Truxton Circle resident and North Capitol Main Street Executive Director:

Want to see the nicely formatted Constant Contact message? Then click here: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=tp9zhzcab&v=0013fJXCVJ8X4FmWzWybeuRbCfcug3KBBdp0KO8w6vnByDyP2wjSOdPFn_a0UzrQKXl7JqpiHmJre-wCcrdrlbTL9S4vNEgeswWzw6AezWmp8-BUMS48-5k7ynNBhNnutyhjJ3uGQvZEn0ice34m6LBPg%3D%3D

July Board & Committee Meetings

Economic Recovery (ER) & Design Committee Meeting
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
7:00pm

North Capitol Main Street Board Meeting
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
7:00pm

Promotion & Organization Committee Meeting*
Thursday, July 21, 2011
7:00pm

*(Promo/Org Meeting has changed to the 3rd Thursday in July)

All meetings held at the NCMS Office
1703 North Capitol St, NE
Washington, DC 20001
202-670-1703

Please RSVP HERE (lhooks@ncmsinc.org)if you plan to attend or email Lonna Hooks at lhooks@ncmsinc.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION
North Capitol Main Street
1703 North Capitol St, NE
Washington, DC 20001
202-670-1703
http://www.ncmsinc.org/

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Fab Lab DC

I wanted to share some information about Fab Lab DC.

Fab Lab DC
Give ordinary people the right tools, and they will
design and build the most extraordinary things.
That’s the idea behind Fab Labs, which originated
at MIT by Professor Neil Gershenfeld, who teaches,
How To Make (almost) Anything.
Fab Labs provide access to prototype tools for personal
fabrication, like a personal computer that can output
functional objects instead of images on a screen.
The labs have spread from inner-city Boston to Africa
and Norway, with projects tackling applications in
areas including healthcare, agriculture, housing,
and communications.
FAB LAB is coming soon to DC

You can find more information about Fab Lab DC HERE
I took a tour of their Mobile Fab Lab and got to hear a bit about it and their plans and see some of their equipment.

I was told that their DC location would be on North Capitol, between Florida and New York.

introducing Love and Carrots, a Bloomingdale-based business

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Meredith:

LoveandCarrots.com

Two long term DC residents, Meredith and Saren, have just initiated a home organic gardening company based out of Bloomingdale. Its called Love & Carrots, and their goal is to expand the local food movement into residential backyards, thereby getting more people to experience the benefits of home grown.

They offer custom organic garden design, installation, and maintenance services-- but that only underlies a new, unique and more hands on approach to gardening services that is intended to making home gardening as ``un-overwhelming`` and ``un-intimidating`` as possible. They additionally teach gardening basics to adults and kids, provide services like harvesting if customers are away, and to top it off, they will preserve/can your extra garden produce for healthy eating all winter!

Here`s a website you can check out:

LoveandCarrots.com

You`ll see on the website that they are putting in a pro-bono garden for Cardozo High School to kick things off. Its about time the DC area sees a company like this.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Review of Windows in Washington Post

The Washington Post Going out Guide has a review of Windows Cafe.
Read it Here.

Windows Cafe and Market

101 Rhode Island Avenue NW
202.462.6585

couple seeking 1 BR apartment in Bloomingdale

See this housing request message:

Hello - I am a current resident of Bloomingdale (1st and V st NW) who is searching for a 1 BR apartment that my girlfriend and I can call home starting in August. I have lived in the neighborhood for two years and would love to continue living in the community. A little about us. I am currently completing my thesis for my master program while also working part time on a project at a DC think tank. Katie works in international development and is currently in Uganda for work until July 20. We are a clean, respectful, easy-going couple that likes to be out doing things around town.

the NCMS Art & Music Walk is coming Saturday, August 6 - and we need YOU!

See this message from Lonna Hooks, Executive Director, North Capitol Main Street (and Truxton Circle resident):

Want to see the nicely formatted version of this message? Then click here: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=tp9zhzcab&v=001cVDYB6QxH7yLA6-D26pd-n3bkvJfVOvmbNCDHer4d5mxPynwMFM9GfHu92_NYCdDLZgSWiNH08lQ00srHZvpT5qxsQNICpAMJUt-a_pjkON_yUI72zFKTxWscRSG5UvmPorScNorhWtPSAsfsi2FuQ%3D%3D

2011 NCMS Art + Music Walk

The Art & Music Walk is Coming
Saturday, August 6 - and we need YOU!

Are you an artist that would like to exhibit your outdoor sculpture work or other installation for an entire month?

Are you a homeowner who would be interested in hosting a beautiful work of art in your front yard throughout August.

If so, then we want to hear from you! Email josef@pinklineproject.com to get involved.

Art Walk & Music Festival
For the last 3 years, North Capitol Main Street, Inc. has presented the annual Music + Art Walk to showcase the neighborhoods of Eckington, Truxton Circle, and Bloomingdale, showcasing live music, great art, and fine foods from area restaurants.

This year, we have a goal of including twenty (20) artists and homes to display art, and there will be four stages set up to feature live performances during the kick-off celebration on Saturday, August 6.

North Capitol Main Street
1703 North Capitol St, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-670-1703
www.ncmsinc.org

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

"apparently legal to sell fireworks in temporary stands in residential neighborhoods"

Here is an update on the fireworks stand on 1st Street NW -- from the neighbor who first reported it:

I called Harry Thomas` office and got the whole story.

If the sellers are permitted, it is legal to sell fireworks and apparently legal to sell them in temporary stands, even in residential neighborhoods -- that is why they often are sold by the bodegas or mini marts. According to Leonard in Mr. Thomas` office, selling fireworks is a very long standing tradition in this neighborhood and others. He says every year they get lots of complaints, and many more about the noise -- but unless the firework sellers are selling dynamite-based products, it is perfectly legal if permitted.

Monday, June 20, 2011

"fireworks for sale on 1st Street NW? Is this legal?"

See this message from a 1st Street NW resident:

I`m new to the neighborhood and was surprised to come home and find a little
vendor shack being built to sell fireworks on 1st Street NW.

Really??????

People have jokingly said ``It`s good to be gone over July 4th``. Now I see why--I can`t believe this is legal, but the owner of the Micro Mart says that it is.

Any suggestions of who to reach to in terms of an elected official in city government to voice my concerns?

Honestly, we can`t control the graffiti, street trash, and number of liquor licenses--I`m an urban person--but I`m shocked that we allow street sales of fireworks.

tonight's Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting

See this message from Teri Janine Quinn, President, Bloomingdale Civic Association

Please Join Us for the Bloomingdale Civic Association Meeting
Monday, June 20, 2011 at 7pm at
St. George`s Episcopal Church
(2nd & U Streets, NW)

Agenda Highlights:

Howard University – Update on Changes to the Campus Master Plan

Update on BCA Representation on the McMillan Advisory Group (MAG)

Heritage Trail Request for a Letter of Support

``Get the Rats Out of Here``: Presentation on reducing rats in the neighborhood from Gerard Brown, Program Manager, the Rodent & Vector Control Division, Bureau of Community Hygiene

Discussion about Block Captains and Safety Issues with a representative from the 5th District Police Department

North Capitol Main Street`s Request for a Letter of Support for the Art Walk

Please spread the word to your neighbors…especially those without Internet access. Also, St. George’s is fully handicapped accessible and has a separate room for families and children. We hope to see you Monday night!

The next Bloomingdale Civic Association Meeting will be held Monday July 18, 2011.

John Salatti wants to add some text regarding the meeting being family-friendly:

To ensure that all Bloomingdale meetings are family friendly, we have reserved a room at St. George`s for parents and children. They can use the space as a place to take a break during the meeting, or parents can organize some activities so that most parents can be in the meeting while other parents are watching and playing with the kids.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 06/19/2011

Check out the link here for open houses scheduled in the neighborhood for Sunday. You can see the same information in a map format with directions. To see information on individual listings, scroll over the push pins on the map.

Hugh Youngblood's thoughts from Thursday night's McMillan meeting

See this 6/17/2011 message from ANC 5C03 Commissioner Hugh Youngblood:

Dear Fellow Members of the Community,

Thank you very much to everyone who joined for Thursday night`s Joint SMD Meeting on the McMillan Project. We greatly appreciate the level of energy that you all delivered to the discussion and your explicit calls for community action. I received the clear message that the community is ready to deploy its skills and dedication into an effort equivalent to the Manhattan Project with the mission of taking the power back and developing a plan for the historic McMillan by by the people and for the people.

Another personal takeaway from the dialogue was that you`ve lost faith in the ability of your elected leadership and the DC Government to serve as a neutral broker between the profit-motivated development team and the people who live here. This means that we need to tackle the ``McMillan Manhattan Project`` from a grassroots level, and we certainly have the talent required to get the job done.

I captured extensive notes last night comprising the wide variety of community concerns and construction design input. My office will work with the offices of SMDs 5C04 and 5C07 to produce a consolidated set of minutes and issues, which we will socialize with the community in short order. I`ll paraphrase a few of the highlights of the discussion now:

- We need to start operating like a business and go on the offensive in order to effect change. This means that many members of the community will need to take on this project as a full- or part-time job, likely without pay.

- We need to embrace the historical significance of this magnificent site and honor the role that it played in delivering the essence of life on this planet--clean water--to the DC community in the generation that preceded us. We need to establish a conservancy to serve as our vehicle for historic preservation.

- The time for action is now.

- What can we (the individual members of the community) do Right Now to get started?

I propose that we identify the answer to the question above as follows.

- Take a survey of all the skills and talents within the community members who wish to work on the project and identify the ways in which we would each most love to serve.

- With a basic comprehension of our talent pool, we design an aggressive summertime project to create a community design for the site. We can supplement any gaps in local talent by tapping into the summer internship market and by outsourcing pieces of the work electronically to the global open-source development community.

More to come. Please share your thoughts.

Thank you,

Hugh Youngblood
ANC, SMD 5C03
70 R St NW
240 . 925 . 1079
anc5c03@gmail.com

Friday, June 17, 2011

Saturday alley clean-up for the unit blocks of Adams, Bryant and Channing Streets NW

See this message from ANC 5C07 Commissioner James Fournier regarding Saturday's unit block of Adam`s, Bryant, Channing, N.W. alley cleanup:

The alley clean-up for the unit blocks of Adams, Bryant and Channing Streets N.W. will be from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. tomorrow. In order to allow residents to get stuff to the alley, the truck will start coming down the alley at approximately 11:00 a.m. In addition, the Mu Lambda chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has graciously agreed to allow an overflow dumpster to be placed at the corner of Bryant and First St. N.W. (in the back). If the truck becomes filled or folks want to get rid of larger items in advance of the truck`s arrival, they can wheel their items into that dumpster.

I know everyone knows this, but it bears repeating that the alley clean up is not a dump and roll event. We`ll need residents and volunteers to help get items into the truck or over to the dumpster as well as to spruce up the alleys. Bring dollies, gloves, rakes, pruning shears and yourselves to make this a meaningful event and to meet your neighbors! If anyone has questions you can reach me tomorrow at james.fournier9@verizon.net . I`ll have my iphone with me until 1 p.m.

Commissioner James Fournier
(ANC 5C07)

BACA Flower Power Walk & Reception: Saturday, 06/25/2011

Bates Area Civic Association President Geovani Bonilla has asked me to post the upcoming BACA Flower Power event:

FLOWER POWER 2011 WALK AND RECEPTION, SATURDAY, JUNE 25

Friends and Neighbors,
It is time to enjoy the warmth and wonderful plants, flowers and colors of our Nation’s Capital. We invite you to be a part of our neighborhood garden walk and reception.

During the neighborhood walk, you will see some of the best gardening in our community and experience the different styles and architecture of our homes. You will be invited to neighbor’s front and back yards to see the great garden each home has to offer.

At the end of walk, you will vote on your favorite yards and help select the best in each category. Of course, it is summer, so a reception will follow. The reception will give you the opportunity to meet new neighbors and catch up with old ones.

When: Saturday, June 25, 2011
4pm – 5:30pm Garden Walk
5:30pm – 6:30pm Reception

Where: Walk will originate at the Florida Avenue and First St. Park Wine and Cheese Reception will be held at 1500 First St. NW

Tickets are $10 each. For tickets, you may contact: Geovani Bonilla at 202-255-3312

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Edible Garden Tour

Edible Urban Garden Tour
Friday, July 15th from 3-8PM

GET YOUR GROW ON with DC's first Edible Urban Garden Tour hosted by Loulies.com,
Friday, July 15th from 3-8PM.

Explore city spaces and residential gardens that will open their doors and gates for the public
to see what growing good food in our own backyards, front yards, rooftops, and empty lots is
all about. It’s a chance to ask questions, learn from and hear what inspires some of DC’s best
gardeners.

The tour will start at the beautiful, plant-filled garden shop named Old City Green and stretch
through the revitalized neighborhoods of Shaw, Bloomingdale and Ledroit Park. Plus, see for
yourself and learn more about Common Good City Farm the community garden that Prince
Charles recently toured as part of his inspiring Future of Food visit to DC. A map of tour
locations will be distributed on the day of the event at Old City Green. The tour is self-guided
and will cover several miles so a bike or a car is recommended.

By organizing this tour, we hope to support the "grow your own" movement and create a
community event designed to be a resource for so many local residents interested in finding ways
to grow their own food. For questions, please send an email to Bettina@loulies.com.

Tickets: To purchase tickets for this event, visit www.loulies.com. Tickets are $20 each, with a
portion of the proceeds to support Eat Local First DC.

Loulies.com – real kitchens, real food
###

Suzanne Simon and Bettina Stern post advice and inspiration for cooking in your home kitchen
at Loulies.com. They strongly encourage their readers to eat in-season and locally and they try
to teach people how to shop and what to cook. Visit their site or sign-up with them for upcoming
posts on in-season cooking and eating.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Emery Education Center

See this message received from a Bloomingdale resident:

I am writing this message to alert parents and potential parents who have or are planning to enroll their child or children at Emery Education Center. I am writing this letter only after trying to get this matter resolved through the school and then through the Chancellor's office. On May 19th my 11 year old child informed me that when he exited the stall of the boys bathroom, another male student was standing in the bathroom with his penis exposed and his hands on his gential. The male student asked my son "do you want to suck my gentials (of course he used a more profane term). My son stated that he ran from the bathroom and told the teacher. The teacher told him to sit down. She only reacted when he told her that he was going to tell his mother. I never received a call from the school that this had happened to my child. In addtion, my son was never interviewed by the principal or assistant principal. My son was visibly upset about this incident. I did go over to the school on May 20th to discuss this with the principal and assistant principal. Not much was resolved and really they did not seem to feel that they had done anything wrong by not alerting me to the fact that my son was exposed to a predator. As a result of my talk with them they did at least make a police report. The outcome of this report or any other action taken by the school is unknown to me. When I told princiapl Moore that I would be contacting the Chancellor's office. He stated "do you want the number".

I wrote the Chancellor's office on June 8th, 2011. I finally received a response back from Mr. Wayne Robinson who is the instructional superintendent. He stated that he would talk to the principal but did not offer much more than that. He asked me "what do you want me to do"? When I asked about the intervention and prevention methods that would be put into place to ensure that this would not happen gain, Mr. Wayne Ryan informed me and I quote " I can not gurantee that this will not happen again. I am apalled and upset by this statement. I informed him as well as the principal that there are very young children that attend this school and that this matter needs to be looked into. How do we know that this child has not done this before? Needless to say my son will not be attending Emery for the next school year. I am writing this to let other parents know so that you can make an informed decision and keep your child safe. The fact of the matter is that this kid continues to attends Emery and children continue to go to the bathroom sometimes unattended.

Please do not take this an attempt to bash the school or the principal. I am simply putting out information that I think is important for parents to know. To me this is a very serious incident that was not addressed in an appropriate or timely manner.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

North Capitol Main Street: call for Art Walk participants

See this message from Lonna Hooks, Executive Director, North Capitol Main Street:

The 2011 North Capitol Main Street Art + Music Walk is coming this August -- and we need you! Are you an artist that would like to exhibit your outdoor sculpture work or other installation for an entire month? Are you a homeowner who would be interested in hosting a beautiful work of art in your front yard throughout August? If so, then we want to hear from you!

For going on three years now, North Capitol Main Street, Inc. has presented the annual Music + Art Walk to showcase the neighborhoods of Eckington, Truxton Circle, and Bloomingdale, showcasing live music, great art, and fine foods from area restaurants.

This year, we have a goal of including twenty (20) artists and homes to display art, and there will be four stages set up to feature live performances during the kick-off celebration on Saturday, August 6.

If you`re interested in taking part, please e-mail josef @ pinklineproject.com to get involved -- and we`ll see you at this year`s North Capitol Main Street Art + Music Walk!

Monday, June 13, 2011

joint SMD meeting to discuss the development of the McMillan Sand Filtration site -- Thursday, 06/16/2011

See this 06/11/2011 message:

ANC Commissioners James Fournier, John Salatti and Hugh Youngblood will be holding a joint Singe Member District (SMD) meeting to discuss issues pertaining to McMillan this Thursday, June 16th at All-Nations Baptist Church between 7p -9p. Please the attached flyer and come on by!

Text of the flyer below:

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C
Bloomingdale Single Member Districts
W. Hugh Youngblood (5C03) anc5C03 @ gmail.com (240) 925 then 1079
James J. Fournier (5C07) James.Fournier9 @ verizon.net (202) 518 then 0059
John T. Salatti (5C04) John.Salatti @ gmail.com (202) 986 then 2592

A Conversation with the Community About the McMillan Sand Filtration Site

We are meeting with the residents of Bloomingdale, Stronghold, Franklin Commons, and Park Place and to bring them up to date about what is going on at the McMillan Site and to get your feedback and opinions about how the ANC should address important issues regarding this major development. Because developing McMillan will change our community permanently, we want to make sure we hear your opinions about how this project should proceed. Here are just some of the issues we will discuss:

o amount of development on the site
o traffic & parking
o storm water runoff
o historic preservation
o retail development
o park space
o community benefits packages
o public facilities

The developers and the city will not be making a separate presentation, but they have presented their viewpoints at many private and community meetings. We will, however, have members from the McMillan Advisory Group present to discuss the topics and issues from their vantage point.

Location: All Nations Baptist Church
(Corner of Rhode Island & North Capitol NE)
Date: Thursday, June 16
Time: 7 pm 9 pm

We want to see you there.

And from your blog moderator:

If you did not read the 06/10/2011 Washington Business Journal article on McMillan, here you go:

D.C. changes course at McMillan, will undertake infrastructure work
Premium content from Washington Business Journal - by Michael Neibauer
Date: Friday, June 10, 2011, 6:00am EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/print-edition/2011/06/10/dc-changes-course-at-mcmillan-will.html

Bloomingdale resident and neighborhood electrician Wayne Johnson

In a recent Bloomingdale Email, a Bloomingdale resident provided what might be categorized as an unfavorable review of neighborhood electrician Wayne Johnson. [The unfavorable comment is not posted here.]

First, Wayne Johnson provides this response:

[ 1 ] Typo Correction

In response to Bloomingdale resident seeking an electrician , I went to look at this job two weeks ago. To get an estimate to a client on VSt NW. The scope of the work ,started with installing a line for a dryer which was not a problem to installed. In the mean while, of getting a quote back to the client the scope of the worked change . In which I know and you know and if this client did`t NO. now you know . This job needs permits coming from The Department Of Consumer Regulatory Affairs now located in SW Washington DC. I work very hard trying to take care of Bloomingdale Residents and to protect my repetition. A word to the wise. Over the past couple of years, I have help out numerous Bloomingdale residents who had stop work orders place on their home for doing construction with out permits. Fines range from 2,500. dollars to 5,000.00 dollars. So when you call for my services"The Good Electrician That I Am" . IF I CAN'T DO IT RIGHT THEN I WON'T DO IT AT ALL.
One of the first Oath according to the National Electrical Code (Article 90). Is practical safeguarding of person and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.

Love
Wayne Johnson

And two other neighborhood residents have weighed in:

[ 2 ] From Alexa

I`m not sure how the Bloomingdale Listserve works (like whether messages automatically post or you screen them), but I wanted to let you know that I found the posting below rather cruel. I have no strong feelings either way about Wayne Johnson as an electrician, but I would hope that we could maintain a neighborly tone on this listserve. Direct attacks of individual neighbors seems inappropriate and contrary to the intentions of such a forum.

I`m not sure if there is action to be taken, but I wanted to let you, as moderator, know how this felt as a member of the community.

[ 3 ] From Heather Joy

The anonymous response to Wayne Johnson`s letter is mean-spirited, snarky, and not befitting of a community newsletter whose purpose is, in part, to foster a sense of amicability. I do not know Mr. Johnson nor the homeowner involved in this dispute. However, I do read your listserv emails on a daily basis and I am a committed and concerned member of the Bloomingdale neighborhood. A basic sense of respect and fairness are the cornerstones of any healthy community. The homeowner`s response is rude and smacks of disrespect.

Certainly, Mr. Johnson`s response demonstrates that he does not have a masterful command of written English. However, this limitation should not subject him to becoming fodder for an ostensibly better-educated homeowner. Nor does it give the homeowner the right to attack Mr. Johnson in a public forum. What is worse than the homeowner`s rancor is the his feigned confusion and bemusement. The homeowner attempted to put on as if he is genuinely trying to understand Mr. Johnson`s response, when it is obvious from his tone that all he really wants to do is embarrass Johnson by bringing attention to and mocking his unrefined writing. It`s a low blow either way one cuts it.

Bloomingdale is an attractive community because it is diverse, not just racially, but also experientially, educationally, and professionally. Each of us bring different skills and strengths to this lively and burgeoning neighborhood. Homeowner`s thinly-veiled put downs are insulting, sophomoric, lame, and reek of classism and elitism. If the homeowner wants to find someone with whom to have a war-of-words, he should seek out one of the many lawyers, doctors, and other professionals who make their home in this area. As a seemingly well-educated person, he should be fully aware that contract disputes are typically resolved through legal channels not by posting condescending blog responses. If the homeowner believes Johnson breached his contractual obligation, he seek should seek a legal remedy in a court of law. Let`s leave the listserv as a forum for the exchange of ideas, information, and building an espirit de corps for the lovely LeDroit Park and Bloomingdale neighborhoods.

Sincerely,

Heather Joy, Esq.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 06/12/2011

Inventory in the neighborhood remains low and sales activity high. Lot of open houses in a range of shapes, sizes, and prices to check out. Here is the map of the same information. Scroll over the push pins on the map to see details about each property.

Friday, June 10, 2011

shout out for Brick by Brick Masonry and Stone Restoration

From a 2nd Street NW resident:

Brick by Brick Masonry and Stone Restoration, LLC. did some repair work to my retaining wall. They did excellent work and the company is very reliable. The web site is Brickbybrickrestoration.com. 202-506-2729 - a D. C. firm.

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Ellen Hill at 410 Goodbuddy

410 GOODBUDDY
410 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC

JUNE 10 – JULY 23
OPENING RECEPTION: JUNE 10, 6-9pm

CONTACT: Ellen Hill
ellenhillart@verizon.net
301-881-0175

Washington, DC area artist Ellen Hill presents SUMMER IN THE CITY, a solo exhibition of new work at 410 GOODBUDDY, a new art space in Washington, DC’s FRINJ (Florida/Rhode Island/New Jersey Ave) neighborhood. Hill creates mixed media work by assembling panels and fragments of carved, painted and inked wood to produce richly textured interpretations of her natural environment.

410 GOODBUDDY is located at 410 Florida Avenue, NW. The exhibition runs from June 10—July 23. The opening reception is June 10, 6-9pm.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

update on exorbitantly high DC Water bill

From the Thomas Street NW resident who initially reported the issue:

As follow up to my previous note about the exorbitant water bill, it turns out the my bill of $1,700 is to cover the last 2.5 years. While I was paying for water service and other charges each month during that period, I did not realize that I was not paying for water itself. It appears that I may not be the only person on Thomas St who is suddenly making a large arrears payment. See note from WASA below:

Begin forwarded message:

Good Afternoon:

I have just spoken with our Customer Services Department on your issue, and it appears that Commissioner Salatti is correct in that DC Water in fact installed new water meters on your street approximately 2.5 years ago. These newly installed meters, unfortunately, were not calculating your actual water usage, thus fees were the only thing being assessed during this time. As this is the case, you`d been receiving water without payment for usage of water during this time. While our Customer Services Department is certainly not absolved from its responsibility to properly meter the usage of water by our customers, this payment is nonetheless accurate as it does reflect the non-payment for water service received during this time frame.

In many of these cases, as yours is not alone, our Customer Services Department offers customers an optional payment plan as a method by which to make payments; alternately, customers may elect to appeal a water bill, which is done through the filing of an appeal form with our Customer Services Department. If you choose to file an appeal, please let me know and I will have our Customer Services Department send you the required appeal form.

I do sincerely apologize for this convenience, and please let me know if there is anything else that I can do.

Emanuel D. Briggs Coordinator, Construction Outreach, Public Affairs District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority emanuel.briggs@dcwater.com
5000 Overlook Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20032 (202)
787-2003 (202) 341-7952 (cell) (202) 787-2210 (fax)

Sunday, June 05, 2011

update on Borf building pop-up

A neighbor sent me this pic of the Borf building, 1644 North Capitol Street NW, taken from across the street.

What do you think of the pop-up so far?

Saturday, June 04, 2011

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 06/05/2011

What a gorgeous weekend out check out open houses. Here is the map. Scroll over the push pins on the map to see details about each property.

Friday, June 03, 2011

seeking referrals for a carpet cleaning company

See this request:

I am looking for a carpet cleaning company that can get a really dirty carpet clean. I may have to replace it, but want to give the best shot at cleaning before doing so.

Art Enables seeking artists living/working along the rhode island avenue corridor.

CALL FOR ART

Artists off-Rhode

A community show of selected works by artists living and

working along the Rhode Island Corridor

July 8 through July 31, 2011

Opening reception Friday, July 8, 2011

5 - 7 pm

To be considered:

Submit up to 3 pieces to Art Enables by June 28, 2011.

Art can be dropped off at the studio 9 am to 4 pm weekdays. Jury decision will be announced July 1, 2011.

No fee for participation.

For more information:

Call 202.554.9455 or email

offrhodestudio@art-enables.org

Artists off-Rhode will be the first event open to the public at Off-Rhode Studio @ Art Enables, a new, inclusive arts space where artists connect with each other and with the community

Open to artists from:

Bloomingdale

Eckington

Edgewood

Brentwood

Langdon

Brookland

Woodridge

Mt. Rainier, MD

Brentwood, MD

Artists are welcome to offer work for sale or for viewing only. All works must be framed or otherwise exhibit-ready. Decisions of the jury are final.

Off-Rhode Studio @ Art Enables

2204 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

Washington, DC 20018

www.art-enables.org

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Thomas St NW household receives exorbitant DC Water bill

See this message from a Thomas Street NW resident:

I just got billed for 1,160 days of water service, with an automatic deduction form my bank account of $1,700. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

desperately seeking a mother's helper