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)

playground/field at new "at-risk" high school on Bryant St NW locked up/closed to the community ...?

See this 08/25/2010 message from a Bloomingdale resident regarding the new high school for at-risk youth on Bryant Street NW:

On Saturday AM, I took my daughter and dog to the baseball field at the old elementary school on Bryant Steet NW (as I and others often do often). All the gates were locked. I spoke with a neighbor this AM who was in the field on Friday when school employees were locking the gates. He spoke to them and they said (this is paraphrased) that with the high school for at-risk youths moving in, they don`t want it to be a ``hang-out`` so they are locking it up. A woman who was there in the playground with her child asked if it would be reopened on weekends (or any other time) and was told no.

I and many neighbors that I have talked to are a bit nervous about the high school and understand the intent of the school to avoid problems. However, I think it is misguided. I have seen this field used by many in the neighborhood over the years and do not think locking it up is a positive development. Not too long ago, I remember many holes in the fences, and I am sure anyone who wants to hang out in there, will not be deterred by a few locks, and the damage will return. Furthermore, this takes a ball field and playground away from the neighborhood. I know there are plans to build a playground just a few blocks away, but I haven`t seen a bit of work on that in months and don`t expect to see its completion anytime soon.

If that I was told is true, it seems a knee-jerk misguided reaction with much more negative impact on the neighborhood than positive.