Sunday, September 30, 2018

District Dig article on McMillan: "Heads in the Sand"

Click on the link to read the entire District Dig article by Jeffrey Anderson.

Here is a comment on this District Dig article by Stronghold resident Kirby Vining.



From: HistoricWashington@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2018 7:50 PM
To: HistoricWashington@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [HistoricWashington] What`s Behind McMillan Case`s Return to Court October 17?
  
                                   
Investigative journalist Jeffrey Anderson has just published on his District Dig blog a piece looking closely at what is behind the return to court of the McMillan site development case and what has gone on since the Mayor's "sand breaking" event on December 7th, 2016, intended to kick off demolition and development of the McMillan site (and the December 8th ruling by the D.C. Court of Appeals overturning the zoning and preservation decisions the city made).  
                                                                                      

Take a look for some very carefully written details, including plain-language rendering of some extremely technical legal arguments.  And as you read, ask yourself why the major papers in this town are not covering this story.  We know that the administration asked the major papers not to publish anything about any opposition to the Mayor's project -- that's a fact -- but apparently the major papers have agreed to avoid the subject.  So we have Mr. Anderson's piece, in spite of efforts to silence this story. 
                                                            


September 28, 2018

Did Mayor Bowser’s “Big Deal” team listen to the court in the McMillan case? Or did they just listen to themselves?

By Jeffrey Anderson | Photographs by Andy DelGiudice

The skies were clear and blue in the winter sunlight in early December 2016, as Mayor Muriel Bowser plunged a gleaming shovel into a pile of sand and declared the ground broken at McMillan Sand Filtration Facility.


It was a perfect day for a groundbreaking, a proud moment for a business-minded mayor whose mother often asks her, “When are they going to do something with that site?”


The 25-acre expanse on North Capitol Street with the odd cylindrical towers marks a historic landmark that served as D.C.’s primary water filtration facility for most of the 20th century, and has become ground zero for resistance to developer-driven city planning in recent years.


Make that decades. Since the 1990s, citizens groups have protested, advocated, agitated and litigated to force the city to develop the site with less density, more green space and an emphasis on historic preservation.

Yet as Bowser and a phalanx of city officials, builders and political players posed for TV cameras one could imagine the sound of bulldozers.
… 





announcing Bloomingdale Soccer for Big Kids

Can you put this announcement below about our inaugural season of Bloomingdale Youth Soccer in your email out to the neighborhood? Signups go until Wednesday October 10 so we’re trying to get the word out. Thanks! 


Begin forwarded message:

From: "E. Carmen Ramirez" 
Subject: Announcing: Bloomingdale Soccer for Big Kids
Date: September 29, 2018 at 8:02:26 AM EDT
To: Bk Kids <BloomingdaleKids@yahoogroups.com>


We’re excited to announce a new option: soccer targeted for kids in first through third grade. Sign up by Wednesday, October 10.
This is a pilot October/November season to measure interest, and try more skills-based coaching. As with toddler soccer, there is no charge, though we're hoping some parents will volunteer.

Initial Dates: Sundays at 1 pm, October 14 through November 4, with the possibility of extending the season

To sign up: Please review details here. 

Then sign up here.

Here's to a great season!





four weeks from today: LeDroit Park House and garden tour

See this tweet:


three weeks from today: 70th birthday party for Father Michael Kelley of St. Martin's Catholic Church

See this tweet:


Saturday, September 29, 2018

MPD: Robbery on the 2200 block of Flagler Place NW


From: AlertDC
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2018 8:36 PM
Subject: Crime Alert 5th District (PSA 501-508)
                       
This is an important message from the District of Columbia AlertDC system.
      
Alert: Robbery, 2200 blk of Flagler Pl NW, LOF a B/M, 16-20 yoa, 5'10", thin, black hoody, scarf over face, dark jeans, L/S S/B towards W Street
DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/ EVENT # I20180571931
Sent to 5th District (PSA 501-508) Alert DC
Sent by MPD Cad # 6365 



see the map of tonight's Art All Night in the North Capitol corridor

See this tweet:



Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for Saturday 9/29/2018 & Sunday 9/30/2018

2419 1st St NW #1 is listed for $699,900.
The featured listing is a condo in a Victorian house in Bloomingdale. The agent representing the seller is Suzanne DesMarais with Compass. See the links below for more details and open house times.

SATURDAY 9/29/2018 Open House list
Map of Saturday Open Houses

SUNDAY 9/30/18 Open House list
Map of Sunday Open Houses

*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 suzanne at compass dot com by 10am on Friday before the open.

Art All Night in the North Capitol corridor tonight !

See these tweets:




Zoning Commission Order No. 13-14A on the McMillan 2nd stage PUD: "no further remand proceedings necessary"

Here you go.

Perhaps someone can help translate this Zoning Commission order within the grand scheme of the McMillan project. 



tomorrow, Sunday, 09-30-2018: 5th Annual Fall Fun Fest with the residents of the Armed Forces Retirment Home

See this tweet:




today at Crispus Attcks Park: free yoga class with Alle Kamela

See this 09-27-2018 message:

Alle Kamela
Wed 4:00pm

Alle
Hi! I’m teaching a free yoga class this Saturday at Crispus Attucks Park at 10:30 am.
All levels, no prior experience required.


four weeks from today: Boundary Stone bike ride

See this tweet from Boundary Stone Public House:




Social Media Sunday at St. George's Episcopal Church -- tomorrow, Sunday, 09-30-2018

From: Rev Kent Marcoux <kmarcoux@stgeorgesdc.org>
Subject Social Media Sunday at St George's - Sep 30
Date: September 28, 2018 at 11:15:06 PM EDT 



Social Media Sunday at St George's!

#SMS2018  #StGeorgesDC  

Tweet, post, like, check in, take a selfie, share with us - this Sunday at 7:30 and 10:00 AM. A new thing? You bet it is! Be here as we share the good news in new ways! Everyone is welcome! Hope to see you Sunday!



Copyright © 2018 St George's Episcopal Church, All rights reserved.
Thank you! Pastor Kent

Our mailing address is:
St George's Episcopal Church
160 U St NW
Washington, DC 20001

MPD reports a robbery at 2nd and Florida Ave NW at 01:20 hours

See this tweet from MPD:




Friday, September 28, 2018

Bloomingdale Farmers Market: Hey, it will be sunny at the BFM

From: "Markets & More" 
Subject: Hey, it will be sunny at BFM
Date: September 28, 2018 at 1:50:17 PM EDT



Capital Weather Gang is promising us a sunny market at last!  FALL in love with the Fall vegetables while we still have tomatoes and summer vegetables as well.   Apples are coming in strong:  we have new varieties every single week.

PRODUCE PLUS ENDS ON SUNDAY  -- the farmers markets in DC have made it possible for 9000 people be be able to eat -- for free--fruits and vegetables every week from June 1- September 30.  We are one of the larger Produce Plus markets and you have probably seen that more than 225 people come every single Sunday.  But even though Produce Plus ends, our market is open until November 18th and our privately funded Bonus program continues to match up to $10 a market per person for either SNAP, WiC or Senior FMNP (but not for more than $10 per person per market day. ) 


Music, Bike House and DC Diaper Dropoff will all be there.
 
At the stands:

REID's ORCHARD:  LAST call for seedless grapes but the seeded Niagaras and Concords continue. White peaches, Italian blue plums, Apples ( Honeycrisp, Gala, Macoun, Snow Sweet, Pinova, Jonathan,  Jonagold and many many more), UV cider to preserve the flavor: Apple, Apple Grape, Apple Cherry and....Honeycrisp cider. 

NUMBER 1 SONS pickles and various krauts, kimchi, salsas and kombuchas. 9 different pickles including New York Style Half Sours and Sours, two vinegar pickles made with a local apple cider vinegar (think Ginger Bread & Butter pickles). 

Have you tried?
  • Their most recent batch of Super Sour pickles fermented for a month in their new wooden barrels.  These sour pickles are deliciously crunchy and refreshingly sour.  (This 3rd generation New Yorker loves loves loves them.)
Three new ferments the last weeks that the rain might have caused you to miss:
  • Golden Beets-- a crowd fave, made with a local Virginia apple cider vinegar and south-east Asian flavors. Come get yours early because they sold out quickly last week
  • Epic Heat Pickles. Vinegar pickles made with a blend of dark chilies and Szechuan peppercorns. Gives yo heat without compromising flavor.  But still bold and fiery.
  • Kimchi Cucumber: Crispy, crunchy, fresh and of  course, delicious. Cukes tossed with their kimchi paste brine. Garlicky with a touch of spice and topped off with sesame oil. When  you want to snack on something both savory and refreshing.
KESWICK CREAMERY: Sara is staying up to 3 am (!) to make cheeses for us.  And there are so many of them-- goat and Jersey cow and mixed milk, aged raw milk, fresh pasturized. European inspired and American inspired. Tommes turned in Penn cider or beer every week -- created to go with all the new ciders and beers we have.  I tell you about the terrific yogurt every week and I will reiterate that this yogurt is the best in DC.  We are into grilled cheese weather at last.  Ask Sara for some recos.


CUCINA AL VOLO PASTAS, SAUCES: 
Our pasta chefs from Italy on the U Street side of the market.  Matteo and Daniele are from Florence and their pastas are home made with eggs and flour, colored with paprika, spinach, beets. Matteo makes the burrata himself before he stuff it in the ravioli he also made himself.  Burrata ravioli, Rainbow Swiss Chard ravioli, Red beets and goat cheese ravioli, Beef brisket ravioli. Spinach Fusili.  Beets rigatoni. Mushroom ragu, Eggplant Norma Sauces, Nonna's Bolognese, Lasagne.

These are the SAME pastas and sauces they make for the restaurants that get such good reviews. 

The pastas are very light and cook up in 3-4  minutes in simmering (not boiling), salted water.  Fast food of incredible quality that will not heat up your kitchen.
 
MOUNTAIN VIEW ORGANICS: Hope we see Paw Paws this week. Baby ginger is so good and it freezes well (hint). Fresh garlic, Padron and Shishito peppers.  Lots of hot pepper I never see anywhere else. Organic sweet potatoes,. Individual sized Fall squash, German butterball potatoes. Lots of culinary herbs. Tomatoes.  Gem Lettuce.  Carrots with greens,  baby beets, Swiss Chard, baby boy choy, summer squash. Tomatoes, lots of tomatoes.
 
TRUCK PATCH:  Salad Central, Pork Central including DC famous bacon and sausages as well as roasts and chops and ground meat for juicy burgers ands meatballs.  Pretty flower bouquets. greens and beets and cucumbers.  

WHISKED:  Remember they are in their new location facing their old location on U Street. . I have been loving the quiches as a post market lunch.  Did you know they now have 3 people who do nothng but make their crusts for all their pies and quiches.  The cookie packs are the perfect host(ess) gift for your next dinner or to enjoy alone on the porch or terrace or rooftop. Their many fruit pies are available in large and mini sizes--only at farmers markets.  Lots of the fruit comes from local Orchards.

PANORAMA:  Now on their permanent site on the U Street part of the market. Baguettes and croissants, breakfast pastries and lots of breads, classic French sourdough boules, multigrains etc,. Breton specialties like Kouign Amann 

GARNER: Sweet potatoes and butternut squash just in time for a cooler week. Bicolor Corn was sparse last week but they have a field growing, Heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, seedless and seeded watermelons, green and yellow purple peppers. Cukes. Lots of eggplants in colors and many shapes and sizes. Beans --green and yellow. Red, white and yellow spuds. Squash and zucchini. Green tomatoes. A lot of hot peppers. Sweet candy onion, okra, lime beans ( treat them like American edamame), black eyed peas.  Herbs.  

See you Sunday

Robin and the Teds


disposition of 36 Channing Street NW -- one of Bloomingdale's former Hofgard houses -- has been "deemed approved"

See this tweet.

So does Howard University own this property yet?  Or is it still owned by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)?





Ward 5 Report: DC Council hearing on Providence Hospital and Fal 2018 events

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 3:15 PM 
Subject: Ward 5 Report: D.C. Council Hearing on Providence Hospital and Fall Events

Neighbors,

The announcement of the closing of acute care services at Providence Hospital has left many Ward 5 residents and hospital employees with feelings of uncertainty and disappointment. Access to quality healthcare is critical for the residents of Ward 5 and the District of Columbia. The consequences of this closure will push healthcare services further away from the eastern section of our city, leaving residents with limited access to acute care services. I unequivocally oppose the closing and will stand with residents and hospital workers every step of the way.

I do not believe the District of Columbia, our patients, or the health care of the nation's capital can afford to have a prominent hospital like Providence close. I worked with my colleague Councilmember Vincent Gray (Chair of the Council Committee on Health) to schedule a Council oversight hearing on the Department of Health's role in the approval of the proposed closing of acute care services at Providence hospital. The hearing will take place on October 10 at the John A. Wilson Building. I ask residents and impacted community members to sign up to testify and let their voices be heard. To sign up to testify, contact the Committee on Health via phone or email: (202) 654-6179 or Mcameron@dccouncil.us.

Equitable access to health care is a real issue in Washington, D.C. and the closing of Providence Hospital acute care services is a step in the wrong direction. I will be at the hearing on the 10th, I hope to see you there too.

In Service,

Kenyan

Councilmember McDuffie is joined by Ward 5 residents in front of Providence Hospital to invite people to testify at the Council hearing on October 10.



Legislative Update - Initiative 77


Councilmember McDuffie has issued the following statement regarding Initiative 77:

"I do not take the repeal of Initiative 77 lightly. My decision to support legislation repealing the Initiative is informed by conversations with tip workers and several witnesses who testified at the recent Committee of the Whole hearing.

I had many conversations with tipped workers not only in Ward 5, but throughout the city. These conversations have taken place over the last couple of years as the Council has considered and passed worker-friendly legislation.

The fact remains that many tipped workers expressed real concern about Initiative 77.

As the Councilmember for Ward 5, I have a duty to stand up for Ward 5 tipped workers who overwhelmingly voiced opposition directly to me. I believe that Initiative 77 does not precisely address the issues raised by its supporters including wage theft, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Specifically, testimony at the hearing revealed that enforcement is a key issue — one not truly addressed by Initiative 77.

I intend to partner with my colleagues to address these issues. As I have done my entire tenure on the Council, I will continue to fight for policies that advance equity and justice for all District residents."


Small Business Grants



Applications are now being accepted for the latest round of Great Streets small business retail grants. Grants of up to $50,000 each will be awarded on a competitive basis to owners of small retail and service-oriented businesses in Great Streets corridors to support these entrepreneurs in completing improvement projects for their commercial properties. The Great Streets corridors in Ward 5 include H Street/Bladensburg Road, New York Avenue, North Capitol Street, and Rhode Island Avenue. Thanks to Councilmember McDuffie's efforts this spring, the coverage area has been expanded and businesses along most of 8th street in Edgewood and 12th Street in Brookland are newly eligible for these grants. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 22. For more information, refer to the Great Streets website.


Hearing the Council Podcast


Subscribe to the podcast in itunes or listen to Councilmember McDuffie's latest episode in SoundCloud.


Kenyan in the Community




Rhode Island Avenue NE Main Street - October 6




D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education Parent & Family Engagement Summit - September 29




11th Annual Tenant & Tenant Association Summit - September 29