Sunday, June 30, 2013

Bloomingdale Wine and Spirits: now open on Sundays from 12 pm - 9 pm



Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits is now open on Sundays from 12 - 9pm and is also now offering delivery service - check out our website for more details.  www.bloomingdalewineandspirits.com

Want us to carry a particular wine or liquor?  Just let us know!  We aim to accommodate the Bloomingdale, Ledroit Park, Shaw and Eckington communities anyway we can!

And watch out for our new sleek interior upgrades and the introduction of many new fantastic products to come!!!
     
Proudly serving our community since 2001


Located at 1836 First St. NW - at the corner of Rhode Island and First Sts.  Tel: 2025889443

Here is the Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloomingdale-Wine-and-Spirits/124530114261407

And a Twitter account: @BloomingdaleL

in desperate need: Bloomingdale Civic Association needs volunteers for the Autumn 2013 House Tour (and other projects)

See this 06-30-2013 message from Bloomingdale resident Bertha Holliday:

IDN 
 (IN DESPERATE NEED)
The Bloomingdale Civic Association 2013 House Tour Committee is in desperate need of volunteers for the following tasks:
  1. Design & update the tour's website and  electronic ticket site
  2. Solicit corporate contributors and sponsors
  3. Solicit small business contributions and ads
If you have the interest and skills for one of these tasks and wish to help us raise money for scholarships & other BCA projects -- please contact bhollidaypsy@gmail.com
We are in desperate need of your help!I 

both Verizon and Comcast cleaning up the lines in the alleys; may need access to your backyard

Let me copy Bloomingdame's message regarding the clean up of wires in Bloomingdale's alleys by both Verizon and Comcast:




Both Verizon and Comcast have been working in the neighborhood for a couple of months to clean up the lines in the alleys. Another walk through with Comcast will take place next week. (See the letter from Comcast pasted below.) Both Verizon and Comcast should be leaving a notice on your door if they need to access your backyard.

Letter from Mr. Tucker of Comcast:

                                                   
As you are aware, Comcast has been working diligently in the Bloomingdale community since mid-May to replace and fix our aerial plant. We understand the importance of this work to your community. To date, we have cleaned up and replaced more than 200 aerial drops. Aerial drops are the wires that connect to your home from the telephone poles (“drops”). The drops transmit our cable, internet and telephone services from the pole to your home using cable wires. We are removing the wires that cross the yard and performing maintenance on poles with excess wires.

While we have made a lot of progress, and we have heard from many residents that they are pleased with our work and progress thus far, our work is not complete. We held a community meeting on May 4 with the Bloomingdale residents and we advised them that we would need their help and cooperation to gain entry to a number of back yards in order to gain access to poles and our plant. As Comcast technicians have worked to complete the drop removal process, we have run into multiple residences where we could not access the pole. We require prior clearance from the residents to enter their premises and complete the work.

To date, the replacement project has operated Tuesday through Friday. It is our intent to add Saturdays to the work schedule and add additional personnel. We hope that by adding Saturdays we will be able to gain greater access to those homes in which we require access to backyards. 

We will work this Saturday, June 29. Please see below a list of the range of addresses and streets in which we will work this Saturday. Our plan going forward is to provide the community with notice a week prior of the addresses and streets that we will work on the following Saturday. We will provide this notice via the Bloomingdale community list serve. We are hopeful that the list serve will serve as an additional opportunity for impacted residents to gain awareness of our work and the need to gain access to their premises. In addition, we hope that the community can help generate awareness of this work and encourage residents to contact us. We will, of course, continue to place a door hanger on the residence. These notices provide the project supervisors direct cell phone numbers in order to schedule an appointment. 

On Saturday, June 29, we will work on the following streets: U Street, NW, V Street, NW and 1, Street, NW

As I indicated above, the specific doors will be tagged with a request that the resident contact the site supervisor Tyrone Duckett at (240) 882-7104 to schedule a time to provide access. If any resident has additional questions, they can contact me directly at 202.635-5526. Thank you.

Thomas Tucker
Comcast
Senior Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs

Verizon FiOS now being installed in Bloomingdale

Yes, indeed, FiOS is being installed in Bloomingdale now.



A Verizon technician said neighbors should be hearing from Verizon within the next 30 days.


1700 2nd Street NW multi-unit building now painted

The recently sold untenanted apartment building at 2nd and Florida Avenue NW -- 1700 2nd Street NW -- was recently painted.  

These cell phone camera pics aren't too good -- the color comes off as washed out.

The actual color? 

Cream-ish.




Can't wait to see how the interior renovations are progressing.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

"drug dealers have taken over North Capitol and Girard NE"

From: Tracey D Turner
To: MPD-5D@yahoogroups.com; andrew.solberg@dc.gov
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 5:12 PM
Subject: [MPD-5D] Intersection Of North Capitol St NE and Girard St NE
                                  

I live on Girard St NE.  My neighbors and I are being harassed by a local group of drug dealers that have taken over Girard Street.  They are very active in the drug trade every day, all day.  Since it’s a one-way street, Girard is logistically feasible for drug activity.  Their posts are at the corner of N. Capitol and Girard St NE as well as Girard St and Franklin St NE.  They also congregate in the alley near N. Capitol and Girard to sell and use drugs. They also play loud music in this alley.  There is inoperable streetlight in this alley.  I have submitted numerous requests to have the streetlight repaired, but, the City has yet to do so. 
                            
I have requested for MPD to pay special attention to this area and to provide a higher police presence.  I have called the police every night for the past 2 weeks.   I am not sure what else I can do to keep these dealers from conducting illegal activity and staying off of my property.  Can anyone give me suggestions about how to best resolve this issue?    

See this response from MPD:

From: "Griffin, Randy (MPD)" <randy.griffin@dc.gov>
To: <MPD-5D@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 11:12 PM
Subject: RE: [MPD-5D] Intersection Of North Capitol St NE and Girard St NE                          

Your concerns have been forwarded to your PSA lieutenant, Ronald Wright, as well as to the Fifth District Vice Office.  Please continue to dial 9-1-1 in the interim and give the operator as specific information as possible.  For example, descriptions of the suspects, the location of any narcotics, and the description of any suspicious vehicles.

new signage underway at Bloomingdale Wine and Spirits

At 1st and Rhode Island Avenue NW, southwest corner -- placing the store's name and Sunday hours on the blank awning facing Rhode Island Avenue NW:



And here is the finished product!




yard sale at 142 Adams Street NW -- Saturday, 06-29-2013

See this brief message from the residents at 142 Adams Street NW:




We are having a Yard Sale today at 142 Adams Street NW.  It is from 9 am - 3 pm.


Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale on 6/30/2013


2035 2ND ST NW GL03 listed by Greg Schneider with TTR Sotheby's
The Parker Flats unit pictured above wil be open on Sunday from 1-3pm.

The list of open houses scheduled for Sunday in and around Bloomingdale can be seen here.  A map of the same properties can be seen here.

*Agents, to have your open houses included in this weekly post, please have them tagged in MRIS by 10am on Friday.  If you don't see your open house in the links, feel free to add in the comments.  Also, if you would like your open to be featured with a picture for this post, please e-mail david at 10 square team dot com by 10am on Friday before the open.


grand re-opening for Don and Diva's Barber Shop, 75 Florida Avenue NW

Text of a flyer posted at Big Bear Cafe:

Grand Re-Opening for Don and Diva's Barber Shop
75 Florida Avenue NW

For more info June 202 - 709 - 0243

Monday and Tuesday Special
$10 haircuts all day

Here is the link to the Facebook page.

                    
And here is some artwork on the side of Don and Diva's - artwork pic courtesy of Hugh Youngblood:


Chita Rivera house being built out in the rear

The Chita Rivera house -- 2134 Flagler Place NW -- is getting an extension out the rear.

See the pics below.




P.S. Chita Rivera lived in this house as a small child.  No, she does not own this property. And no, it is not a historically landmarked property.

But * could * it be?

Mayyyybe....



walking historic tour of Bloomingdale today, 10:30am-12noon - a Mid City East initiative activity

From: DC Office of Planning and District Department of Transportation <joyce.tsepas@dc.gov>
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 12:21 PM
Subject: Mid City East: Historic Tours on June 29

Thank you for coming out to Mid City East engagement activities in June! Over 200 residents participated in on the ground activities this month and over 300 people are sharing their ideas online to help inform the Small Area Plan and Livability Study!

Join us for this weekend for a Historic Walking Tour.

Explore two treasured neighborhoods and give us your input about what you’d like to preserve.

June 29, 10:30am-12:00pm
Bloomingdale Historic Tour
Meet at Windows Café (1st Street and Rhode Island, NW)


June 29, 12:30pm-2:00pm
Bates/Truxton Circle/Hanover Historic Tour
Meet at 1st and P Streets, NW
 
Click here to visit our MindMixer page and share your ideas online!
For more information, please visit our project website at www.midcityeast.com, or contact:

Joyce Tsepas
Office of Planning
Small Area Plan Project Manager
joyce.tsepas@dc.gov
202-535-1556
Gabriela Vega
District Department of Transportation
Livability Study Project Manager
gabriela.vega@dc.gov
202-478-1458
Copyright © 2013 DC Office of Planning and District Department of Transportation, All rights reserved.
You signed up for this list on the 
midcityeast.com website. 

Our mailing address is: 
DC Office of Planning and District Department of Transportation
1100 4th Street, SW, Suite E650
WashingtonDC 20024

Comcast may be in the alleys of 1st, V & W NW today - and may need access to backyards

See this 06-29-2013 tweet from Bloomingdame:  



-If you live in 1st & V /W area, Comcast will be working in alleys today,cleaning up poles/lines - may need backyard access
7:56 AM - 29 Jun 13 

And see this Email:

From: Tucker, Thomas
Date: Friday, June 28, 2013
Subject: Comcast Replacement Project
To: Dianne Barnes , ``Barnes, Dianne (ANC 5E09)`` <5e09 anc.dc.gov="">, ``Mueller, Mark (ANC 5E08)`` <5e08 anc.dc.gov="">
 
Dear Commissioner Barnes and Mueller:
 
As you are aware, Comcast has been working diligently in the Bloomingdale community since mid-May to replace and fix our aerial plant.  We understand the importance of this work to your community. To date, we have cleaned up and replaced more than 200 aerial drops.  Aerial drops are the wires that connect to your home from the telephone poles (``drops``).  The drops transmit our cable, internet and telephone services from the pole to your home using cable wires.  We are removing the wires that cross the yard and performing maintenance on poles with excess wires.
                                      
While we have made a lot of progress, and we have heard from many residents that they are pleased with our work and progress thus far, our work is not complete. We held a community meeting on May 4 with the Bloomingdale residents and we advised them that we would need their help and cooperation to gain entry to a number of back yards in order to gain access to poles and our plant.  As Comcast technicians have worked to complete the drop removal process, we have run into multiple residences where we could not access the pole. We require prior clearance from the residents to enter their premises and complete the work.
    
To date, the replacement project has operated Tuesday through Friday. It is our intent to add Saturdays to the work schedule and add additional personnel. We hope that by adding Saturdays we will be able to gain greater access to those homes in which we require access to backyards.
       
We will work this Saturday, June 29.  Please see below a list of the range of addresses and streets in which we will work this Saturday. Our plan going forward is to provide the community with notice a week prior of the addresses and streets that we will work on the following Saturday. We will provide this notice via the Bloomingdale community list serve. We are hopeful that the list serve will serve as an additional opportunity for impacted residents to gain awareness of our work and the need to gain access to their premises. In addition, we hope that the community can help generate awareness of this work and encourage residents to contact us. We will, of course, continue to place a door hanger on the residence.  These notices provide the project supervisors direct cell phone numbers in order to schedule an appointment.
                               
On Saturday, June 29, we will work on the following streets: U Street, NW, V Street, NW and 1, Street, NW.
                  
As I indicated above, the specific doors will be tagged with a request that the resident contact the site supervisor Tyrone Duckett at (240) 882-7104 to schedule a time to provide access.  If any resident has additional questions, they can contact me directly at 202.635-5526. Thank you.
 
Thomas Tucker
Senior Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs

Teri Janine Quinn invites you to today's Rafael Grocery & Deli 1st Annual Customer Appreciation cookout

See this 06-27-2013 message from Teri Janine Quinn

The owner of Rafael Grocery & Deli (233 Florida Avenue, NW - between 2nd & 3rd Street NW) wants to say thank you to our community for their support over the years. Kita, the owner, is a fixture on that block and has been for decades. She knows a surprising number of her customers by name - although she calls most of us "Baby". So this Saturday, please venture over to Florida Avenue and say hello to one our longtime Bloomingdale business owners. 

Best,
 
Teri Janine Quinn
 

Friday, June 28, 2013

Urban Turf: "HPRB weighs in on McMillan buildings; all four building types need to be cohesive"

Thanks to Shilpi Paul for covering the McMillan site development issue.

More Cohesive: HPRB Weighs in on McMillan Buildings

image
Courtesy of Vision McMillan
On Thursday, the developers behind the McMillan Sand Filtration redevelopment went before the Historic Preservation Review Board to seek approval on the buildings that make up the proposal.
Though the park space has been a big topic of discussion when it comes to the redevelopment, this meeting focused on the buildings, which fall into four categories: the recreation center, the townhouses, a mixed-use apartment and grocery complex, and the medical office buildings.
Each category has been designed by a different group, which perhaps led to the biggest point of critique from the Board: the buildings do not feel cohesive. “The buildings are disjointed,” said Board member Graham Davidson.
The staff from the Historic Preservation Office echoed this sentiment, stating that the desired level of cohesion and unity has not yet been reached. “It’s a very tricky problem, but I don’t think it’s an insurmountable challenge,” said Steve Callcott of the HPO. “I think they’ve made good progress, but I think there’s another round to go,” meaning that the designers should take one more stab at re-designing the buildings and come back at a future HPRB hearing, perhaps in September.
image
Park on the southern end.

image
The mixed-use building.
image
Pond near the rec center.
The Board suggested prioritizing the design of the Olmtead walk, which would exist on the perimeter of the entire site, as a unifying characteristic. They also suggested getting all four designers “in a room together” to come up with a more cohesive plan. By and large, the park, which would be located at the southern end of the property, received positive feedback from the Board.

Though they heard the presentations from the team and testimony of residents and other concerned citizens, the Board wasn’t able to provide the entirety of their comments about the development at this meeting, and will conclude their remarks to Vision McMillan Partners on July 11th.

VMP: "McMillan buildings presented to HPRB"

From: Vision McMillan Partners <info@envisionmcmillan.com>
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 10:55 AM
Subject: McMillan Buildings Presented to HPRB Today




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McMillan Buildings Presented to HPRB Today


 

The Vision McMillan Partners team presented proposed building concepts to the Historic Preservation Review Board today.  The presentation, excerpted here, featured the first phase of new construction for the site:  two healthcare facilities, grocery store and apartment building, townhomes, community center and the public park.

After the team’s presentation, the board heard testimony from the community both in support and in opposition.  The Board deliberation was cut off at 5PM.  Five members spoke before the cut off, and VMP was invited back on July 11th.

What we heard in brief:

  • The park and community center were praised, particularly the south east edge with the stormwater pond, redesigned entrances with cell details and community center.

  • The Board member who spoke expressed concerns about the cohesion of building designs and talked about the need for more uniformity and that everything on the site should express how special the site is.

  • The Board hopes to see Cell 14 more activated and connected to the adjacent building.


VMP will return July 11th at noon to hear more, and will be sure to share what happens next.

Copyright © 2013 Vision McMillan Partners, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email from us because you either signed up on our website or provided your contact information at a meeting with the Vision McMillan team.

Our mailing address is:
Vision McMillan Partners
1508 U Street NW
WashingtonDC 20009

The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (dated 06-28-2013)

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie <dcdocs@dc.gov>
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 3:39 PM
Subject: The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie

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The Ward 5 Report: 
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
June 28, 2013

Ward 5 Highlights:
Moving Ward 5 Forward
State of the Ward Address
This week, Councilmember McDuffie delivered his State of the Ward Address at the Luke C. Moore Public High School. During his address, Councilmember McDuffie reflected on the past year and outlined his vision for the Ward.
“Together, we have made great strides towards bringing economic development to our major corridors, developing a collaborative structure for modernizing our industrial land, and improving the quality of life for all residents,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “Over the past year, we have made some progress, but we have a lot more work ahead of us. Together, we can build on the progress we’ve made and continue to move Ward 5 forward.”
Thank you to all of the residents who joined us for the State of the Ward Address. Copies of the PowerPoint presentation and the First Year Progress Report distributed during the address can be found here.
                     
Councilmember Secures Funding for Ward 5 through the Budget Surplus
Taft Field
In addition to previous Fiscal Year 2014 Budget successes, this week, Councilmember McDuffie secured funding through the budget surplus to resurface Taft Field and the Edgewood Field. Through the Budget Support Act, the Councilmember was able to allocate $1.5 million for the Taft Field and $1 million for the capital improvements to the Edgewood Field. Additionally, Councilmember McDuffie worked with his Council colleagues to send $4 million in surplus funds to the Community College of the District of Columbia’s Bertie Backus Campus for capital improvements, and roll back the District's sales tax rate from 6 percent to 5.75 percent.
             
Councilmember McDuffie Hosts Community Walk-Through in Brentwood
Brentwood Walk-Through
On June 22, Councilmember McDuffie held a community walk-through in Brentwood. The Councilmember was joined by the District Department of Transportation, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of General Services, the Department of Public Works, the Metropolitan Police Department, the District Department of the Environment, the Brentwood Civic Association, the Brookland Manor Tenant Association, and other community stakeholders to address quality of life issues and to give residents the opportunity to engage various District agencies. The walk-through also provided an opportunity to identify areas where residents wanted to see heightened security and environmental concerns addressed.
Councilmember McDuffie’s office will conduct a follow up walk-through in the coming weeks to monitor what progress has taken place and address any additional concerns. See additional pictures from the Brentwood community walk-through here.
                                    
Ward 5 Nats Night Out
We are looking forward to your presence at the Ward 5 Nats game, on Sunday, July 7th at 1:35 p.m., against the San Diego Padres. We are asking all ticket recipients to arrive at 12:30 p.m. for the pre-game activities. There are no additional tickets available at this time.
For your convenience, we have arranged for the tickets to be picked up on Sunday, June 30th, at Flip It 2 Restaurant, located at 1544 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E. from 2-4 p.m. During this time, Jon Mandel will be on hand to distribute the tickets. Otherwise, tickets can be picked up (excluding weekends) at the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 506 from now until Wednesday, July 3rd from 9-5pm.
If you have any questions, please contact Fatimah Wilson at 202-724-8028.
                  
Legislative Update:
Councilmember McDuffie Introduces Bill Requiring Transparency in Affordable Housing
During this week’s legislative meeting, Councilmember McDuffie introduced legislation designed to improve how the District measures the affordability of housing units. The “Truth in Affordability Reporting Act of 2013” requires the District to measure the affordability of housing projects against the District’s Median Family Income (DCMFI) in addition to the federal Area Median Income (AMI) standard. Currently, the District evaluates whether a housing unit is affordable by determining the cost of the rent or mortgage compared to the AMI.
“Although there is a vast gap between AMI and DCMFI, we still measure the affordability of our D.C. housing units against the AMI,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “But what is affordable in Northern Virginia is not always affordable for many families here in the District.”              

Councilmember McDuffie Takes Legislative Action to Improve Air Quality
This week, Councilmember McDuffie introduced legislation to strengthen air pollution enforcement and engage residents in the air quality complaint process. The “Air Quality Amendment Act of 2013” requires the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) to develop a written plan for investigating, analyzing and responding to air quality complaints. Additionally, the bill improves communication between DDOE, residents who make complaints, and affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners through required complaint status updates. The bill also strengthens penalties for violations. Additional details about the bill can be found here.
             
Announcements:
McKinley Middle School Hard Hat Tour
Please join McKinley Technology Education Campus, located at 151 T Street, N.E., for a Hard Hat Tour of the new middle school wing of the campus on Saturday, June 29th, from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Space is limited. For more information contact McKinley Technology at 281-3950.
Free Summer Meal Sites in D.C. for the Summer
D.C. Free Summer Meals Program is FREE to all children ages 18 and younger. There is no application necessary to receive a meal. Children ages 18 and younger can show up at a D.C. Free Summer Meal site during meal time. To find a site near you, residents can call 311 or text 202-6565-EAT. For more information, visit www.dcsummerfun.dc.gov.
Heat Advisory for Seniors
Summer is upon us, and temperatures could approach 100 degrees, with higher heat indexes. The D.C. Office on Aging has a few helpful tips to help seniors beat the heat:
  • Make contact with homebound or at-risk senior clients to let them know of the heat alert and air quality alert.
  • Ask seniors to stay at home or reduce outdoor activity.
  • Ask neighbors, friends and relatives to check on frail or isolated elderly individuals.
  • If you discover the temperature is too hot when checking on a homebound senior, assist the senior in trying to keep cool.
  • Advise seniors to stay indoors and not to go out between the hours of 10am and 3pm.
  • Tell seniors to stay cool by taking frequent baths and showers, drinking water, wearing light clothing, turning on air conditioners and fans, and go where they can cool off.