availability of photos of those arrested & convicted

I was provided a copy of an Email from a Florida Avenue NW household to MPD Chief of Police Lanier regarding an interest to have the police have photos of those arrested and convicted readily available to the public.

Good suggestion? Poor public policy?

Florida Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
August 26, 2009

Cathy L. Lanier, Chief
Metropolitan Police Department
Government of the District of Columbia
300 Indiana Avenue NW
5th Floor
Washington, DC 20001


Dear Chief Lanier:

I live on Florida Avenue, NW in an area bordered by Bloomingdale, Shaw and the Truxton Circle neighborhoods. Although the building we live in has been in our family for over 30 years, we are fairly new to the neighborhood, having moved in after renovating the building. Renovation was difficult, expensive and frustrating due to the number of thefts and burglaries we suffered over a two-year period. Tools, compressors, fixtures, wiring and pipes (ripped from the walls) were taken. The renovations should have taken less than a year, but it seemed every time we took a step forward we would be forced to take a half step backwards because of the thefts and break-ins. As a result, I almost refused to move in, but did so at my husband's insistence (he convinced me that all the bars, cameras, lights, security system and our somewhat nasty Chesapeake retriever rendered the place relatively safe). Thus far, he has proven to be correct. While I believe the battle against crime here is slowly being won, the neighborhood is still very fragile and the war could be lost. The robbers, burglars, thieves, prostitutes, druggers and dealers are still amongst us. We see them wandering and hanging around our alleys and corners, and we suspect that they are up to no good, but we just don't have enough information to distinguish who are the bad guys (we have a lot of transients wandering around).

Our online newsletter put out by a fellow named Scott Roberts is wonderful. Among other newsworthy items, it lists all of the neighborhood crimes, arrestees and the convicted. Unfortunately, we can't put faces with the reports. One of our burglars was caught, convicted, sentenced, ordered to pay restitution, paroled, and we don't even know what he looks like. He could be sitting on my front stoop casing my house and I wouldn't know him.

It is my belief that peer (or neighborhood) disapproval is a strong deterrent (ergo the stocks and pillories of colonial times). For some unbeknown reason, our criminal elements walk the streets in total anonymity. I believe the public has a right to know who is being arrested and convicted of crimes in their neighborhoods, and especially who to watch out for. While I am aware that we have to be sensitive to the rights of the accused, I also know that in reality most of the accused have long criminal records and publishing names and photographs would have little or no character impact. In any event, we already get the names. If we put a face on it, the information becomes useful.

I have enclosed the front page of a newspaper from a nearby jurisdiction. While I believe that this is extreme journalism, I also know that when you get arrested in St. Mary's County, everybody knows it. This is a great incentive to stay clear of law violations.

My husband and I are not right wing conservatives. One of us is African-American the other is Caucasian. We are strong believers in the Bill of Rights for all individuals. We believe that this includes us and our neighbors. Thank you for giving our request whatever consideration you can.

Sincerely,

a first stab at blog posting comment guidelines

Here is an initial set of guidelines for commenting on posts here at the Bloomingdale Neighborhood blog:

1) Identify yourself. A full name would be best, but at least include a first name.

2) Identify your neighborhood.

3) Totally anonymous posts will not be allowed and be deleted, regardless of the content of the comment.


I am following the well-seasoned comment guidelines of the popular InShaw blog (thanks, Mari!)

"how do you deal with harassment on the street?"

A resident on the unit block of R Street NW has asked this message posted for public comment:


To the females of Bloomingdale:I was just wondering how other females from the neighborhood deal with this problem, because as a resident of the area for the past 2 1/2 years, it has taken its toll on me.

How do you deal with men (sometimes high or drunk) harassing you on the street?

I still don't really know the best way to handle unwelcome comments or catcalls. I have tried just about everything. Ignoring them seems to make it worse, because usually they just get louder (and often cruder) to try to get your attention. Sometimes, if someone seems friendly (especially someone who lives on my block) I might smile and say hello, but many times this only provokes things further, as some take the hello as an invitation to say lewd things. And these things happen in the middle of the day and/or morning. I won't even get into what happens at night.

I know one thing is to try not to walk alone, but sometimes for me it is unavoidable, as I need to get to the bus or metro or go to the coffee shop, which is just about 100 yards from my house. Should I say something more clear back to them (like "please stop saying things like that to me") if it is someone who I recognize who is a recurring problem? I have a feeling that might just backfire and make walking down my street something I would dread even more.There are times when I just try to block it out, but there are other times when I hear certain things that certain men say (very nasty things sometimes) that literally just makes me want to pick up and move to Glover Park. And I hate Glover Park.

I know it is just a part of living in the city and living in our area that I have to deal with and I try to remember all the great things about our area when I start to think it is too much. But if anybody has some constructive feedback for me, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Not the End

Not the End. Not hardly.

The Bloomingdale Neighborhood blog, started by neighborhood resident Sean Hennessey, is being resurrected.

Stay tuned.

the end.

Rainbow Boxer Lady 2
Originally uploaded by Ronnie R

the mural on w.

I heard the story of the origin for this art the other week. a little boy slapped a little girl in front of the artist after he had been chasing her and caught up to her on the artists stoop.
this is the girl thats not taking it anymore. standing up for herself. finding her place. its the hope of triumph. people love it and people hate it.


I dont think i'll be posting anymore to this blog, and i think that this photo from the bloomingdale flickr pool is a good last entry. there's a lot going on there; a beautiful house, a grill, a typical bloomingdale backyard fence, a nice day in the neighborhood. but also from violence to the scared little girl, to the idea of artwork, to the mural, to neighborhood reactions. all of it says a lot about Bloomingdale.


thanks to all of you who have contributed photos, content, and comments.
peace.

city gear

here's a spotlight on City Gear

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 7/26/2009

There are several Open Houses scheduled in the area for Sunday. Click on the highlighted text to view.

I'd also like to bring your attention to Bloomingdale in The Washington Post real estate section this week. Terri Rupar has written about purchasing property in "AS IS" condition (something I help people do quite a bit) and has featured my clients', Mark Mueller and Charles Martinez' home on the 100 block of W St NW. The article can be found here. I have also been chronicling the ongoing sage of Mark and Charles' renovation over at the Prince of Petworth blog. The first post in that series is here.

Church

IMG_2511.JPG
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

I walk by this church a lot and always admire the
beautiful details and stained glass.

a dismal forecast

In Shaw notes that developers wont touch north cap.

Bloomingdale Civic Association, Inc.

Bloomingdale Civic Association, Inc.

You are cordially invited to the
July Monthly Meeting
Next monthly meeting: September 2009

Monday, July 20, 2009
7:00pm
St. Georges’ Episcopal Church
2nd and U Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20001

AGENDA

Special Guest Speaker:
Massie Ritsch
Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs & Outreach
U.S. Department of Education

[15 minutes]

I. McMillan Reservoir Development – Update – 10 minutes

II. DC Arts Commission Mural Presentation – Update – 10 minutes

III. Bloomingdale Flooding Update – Mitigation Strategies – Update – 10 minutes

IV. 2009 October House Tour – Update – 10 minutes

V. Feral Cats in Bloomingdale – Update – 10 minutes

VI. Reports from:
A. Office of Councilman Harry Thomas, Jr.
B. Executive Office of the Mayor
C. ANC Commissioner John T. Salatti

[15 minutes]
VII. Community Announcements – 5 minutes

Robert Vinson Brannum, President

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for Sunday 7/12/2009

69_V_St_NW_June_2009_008
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc

Urban Oasis open today from 1-4pm. The house I am holding open today has the most spectacular private yard with a garden, two flagstone patios, a deck, AND a garage. If that's not enough to get you over there, it is a high quality renovation with eco-friendly features including bamboo floors, Ice Stone counters (gorgeous!), a backsplash made from recycled Corona bottles, sky light, new Pella and Anderson windows on the main level, and flooring with radiant heat. Nice appliances, including a wine fridge. The basement is decked out as an inlaw suite and has easy access front and rear exits. 69 V St NW is priced at $629,000.

Here are additional Open Houses in the neighborhood today..

studio sale. cool art. great jewelry

One of my favorite neighborhood artists is having a studio sale tomorrow..
here's here message:



Hi all,
For those who don't already know, in a few weeks I will be leaving DC for 2 years of study and nature immersion in California. If you are in town this Sunday please come by to say "see you later" and help me clean out my studio! I will have some great deals on both my wall hangings and photographs, and of course will have my jewelry as well.

There will be plenty of cold refreshments, but dress for heat. Also FYI while I am gone I will still have someone selling my work at Eastern Market. Hope to see you!

-Andrea
(202) 550- 3629
www.andreahaffner.com

52 O Street, NW #307/308
Sunday July 12, 11 to 5

Northeast D.C. Loses Only DMV Service Center

The lack of interior space and overcrowded parking lot at the District's Department of Motor Vehicles Brentwood Service Center won't be a problem anymore: It's closing Aug. 14.



full article here

art causing conflict

fireworks

is anyone else thinking this has been a relatively quiet fireworks season?
i mean, i've been hearing them all night tonight, but its nothing like its been in the past.
maybe it'll be a loud week......

Open Houses scheduled in and around B'dale for TODAY-Sunday 7/5/09

Due to the holiday weekend, the open house schedule is light, but nonetheless, here it is.

Apparently, people DO buy houses on holiday weekends. I was going to tell all about my new listing on Flagler Pl NW that went on the market on Thursday, but it's under contract already (under contract after being listed for one day). I hate to waste the pics of this cute cute house, so here's the virtual tour. It was listed for $425,000.

Bloomingdale Center

Bloomingdale Center
Originally uploaded by M.V. Jantzen

Open Houses for Sunday

The list of open houses in and around the neighborhood can be found Here.

To see in person the lovely living room shown above, come by my Open House on Sunday from 1-4pm at 167 Adams St NW. This nicely renovated home has three bedrooms and three full baths, as well as a completely finished basement with both front and rear exits. Newly priced at $469,900., it's definitely worth a look!

farmers market on facebook

you can be a fan of the Bloomingdale Farmers Market on Facebook, if'n you want.

a brief history of the o street market

over at greater/greater washington

firehouse on north cap

DSC02114
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

a few years ago i had gotten a peek into it. this is what it looked like then.

anyone know whats going on now?

want to help out?

Bread for the City could use your help.

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 06/21/2009

Here is the list of scheduled Open Houses.

the bloomingdale farmers market on the radio

you prolly all already heard this but i figured its worth a post anyway.
BFM on NPR

pieces of the truxton circle fountain

this is pretty cool.
some reader of prince of petworth found pieces from the fountain.

the loading dock

thought this was an interesting place in baltimore that some of you may want to know about.

The Loading Dock
What is The Loading Dock?
Opened in October 1984, The Loading Dock, Inc., (TLD) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to improve living conditions for families, neighborhoods, and communities, while positively impacting the environment, through redistributing surplus building materials. TLD operates out of a 42,000 sq. ft. warehouse in southeast Baltimore and serves as the state's central clearinghouse for salvaged surplus building materials that are otherwise headed for landfills and redistributes them.

Crispus Attucks Park

Crispus Attucks Park
Originally uploaded by rockcreek

i saw this great picture of crispus attucks in the bloomingdale photo group.

add some if you got some.

Open Houses in Bloomindale/LeDroit Park/Eckington scheduled for 06/14/2009

Here they are. Several agents are holding open houses on Sunday in a variety of price ranges.

Open Houses scheduled around Bloomingdale for 06/07/2009

The list can be found Here.

North Capitol and Rhode Island Avenue

DSC01500
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

This is how the house on the corner once looked.

our secret park was discovered

The Prince of Petworth found our secret park.
it must be real

The Bloomingdale Public Safety Initiative

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C, Single Member District 5C04

John Salatti, Commissioner

“I am convinced of the real decency of most of our neighbors. On that foundation, we can together build a stronger community for the good of all and one that is capable of dealing with any problems we face.”



The Bloomingdale Public Safety Initiative



Invites You to Our Next



Neighborhood Safety Walk!



Our first three walks have been big successes! Even though the rain poured down Friday night just before the walk, residents still came out. So join us and walk the streets of Bloomingdale! A strong, diverse community presence will announce that this neighborhood does not tolerate: crime, drugs, violence, and prostitution! We also encourage a caring community where neighbors look out for neighbors and who appreciate what everyone brings to the community table.



THURSDAY, JUNE 4TH, 7:30 p.m.

Meet at the corner of 1st and V Streets, NW



(kids and dogs welcome!)

(rain or shine)



We can do it!



John T. Salatti

Commissioner, ANC 5C04
(202) 986- 2592

jsalatti @ earthlink.net

"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"

update on the Cook School

here is an update on the Cook School

Open Houses scheduled for 05/31/2009

Here are the scheduled Open Houses for Sunday.

fire at first anf rhode island

someone on twitter mentioned that there's a fire at first and rhode island.... i assume NW.

the secret park on facebook

psst. its here

what to do with all that rain?

here's a post about rain barrels provided by DC .

the shaw library

i'm more inclined to hit MLK myself so i've not really paid attention to the Watha T. Daniel library. hell, when i first saw it i thought it was a prison substation.

anyway, heres a post about it

Artomatic 2009 003

Artomatic 2009 003
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc

hipchick representin.

THE BLOOMINGDALE COMMUNITY YARD SALE

*sigh*
i've only been able to go to this twice since i moved to bloomingdale. i always have other obligations on the same day. same this year.

i would encourage everyone to go to this! Crispus Attucks park is truly a very special place, and our course, bloomingdale is full of wonderful people.


THE BLOOMINGDALE COMMUNITY YARD SALE
JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY!

Mark your calendars for Bloomingdale's hottest yard sale-
May 30th from 8am -2pm.

Interested in selling your wares?
We are still accepting vendor registrations
please visit www.crispusattuckspark.org for a printable registration form
and drop all payments off at 69 U Street, NW.

We currently have 23 registered sellers for the yardsale.
More are welcome!

PLEASE NOTE STREET CLOSURES:
THE UNIT BLOCK OF U STREET,NW WILL BE CLOSED ON MAY 30TH FROM 8AM TO 8PM

FIRST STREET BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND U STREETS, NW
WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8AM TO APPROXIMATELY 3PM

We hope to see at the yard sale!

sisters pizza serves breakfast

seems sisters pizza and mussels serves breakfast m-f

1300 2nd Street, NE, Store A, Washington, DC 20002

Edgewood

the edgewood civic association has a website.

their wikipedia page

on flickr

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 05/24/2009

Sunday Open Houses around the neighborhood can be found here.

fire at 253 V strett NW

i just received an alert.ema.dc.gov text stating that there is a fire at 253 V street NW

Historic Window Workshop

Come and learn the “how to” and the “must know” on replacing and repairing your historic windows!

DC Preservation League would like to invite you to a Historic Window Workshop, Saturday, May 30th

It’s almost a week away.

Register today!

For more information or to register visit our website at

http://www.dcpreservation.org/pdf/windowworkshop.pdf

your chance to see the old filtration site!

Tour of the McMillan Sand Filtration Site
June 3, 2009 at 6 pm
or June 6, 2009 at 10 am
Meet at the west gate entrance to participate in the tour.
RSVP by June 1 to John Basile at jbasile @ eya.com
or 301. 634. 8679.
The tour will last about one hour.



my flickr set of this site is HERE


click here to see a big cool photo of the site

and if you go on the tour, add some photos to the bloomingdale pool here

BACA on twitter

the Bates Area Civic Association is on Twitter

more gun fire

many people got to this blog today by searching "shooting at North Capitol and R".
They got an older post of the same title. a post inspired by a crime at the same location, at nearly the same time of day, on just as nice a day.

i've heard very little information about todays shooting, but police were on the scene in mere seconds.
heres a post on nbc

apparently there was a shooting, just a block away, earlier in the morning too.

fox news here
washingtonpost here

Row Houses

Row Houses
Originally uploaded by M.V. Jantzen

I've liked this guys shots on flickr for quite a while. seems he hit up our hood recently.

Event at Big Bear

Thursday May 21 - 8PM



Cheryl's Gone Reading Series



Deborah Ager

Danika Paige Myers

Marisa Plumb

Music by Marbayduk



@ Big Bear Cafe

1st + R NW

Washington, DC

(free!)





Deborah Ager's first book, Midnight Voices, was published by WordTech/Cherry

Grove Collections in 2009. Her poems have appeared in  such

publications as Best New Poets 2006, New England Review, The Georgia

Review, Quarterly West, and elsewhere. She's received fellowships from

the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, the MacDowell Colony, and the

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She publishes the journal 32

POEMS and co-directs the Joaquin Miller Cabin Poetry Reading Series in

Washington, DC.



Danika Paige Myers's poetry has appeared in Beloit Poetry Journal,

32 Poems, Practice:  New Writing + Art, and others. 

She was the recipient of the 2004 Editor’s Prize for Poetry

from Meridian and a finalist for the 2005 Ruth Lilly Student

Fellowship in Poetry. She currently teaches in the First Year Writing

Program at the George Washington University.



Marisa Plumb is a writer and media artist. Her current projects include a

never-ending novel and "How to Hear a Sentence"  -- a computer program that

generates lines of poet
ry based on common ideas between users. Her

works and presentations have been exhibited at several venues in

Chicago, IL and are forthcoming at events in D.C. and Barcelona. She

also does a smattering of web development, and runs a fake company from

a traveling cubicle. Other projects and writing are located at

www.marisaplumb.com.



Born on July 4, 1979, to an American

diplomat and a social worker in Mexico City, Maybarduk has since lived

and worked in Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Cuba and Venezuela, and across

the United States from a last-ditch reform school in rural Maine, to

Berkeley, California, where he attended law school and fronted indie

rock band Last Clear Chance. In 2007, Maybarduk joined the non-profit

advocacy group Essential Action, and now divides his time between music

and work in Washington, D.C. and the Global South, helping countries

improve access to critical medicines. Maybarduk released his second

album "No Hay Pueblo Vencido" ("No Defeated People"), produced by J.

Robbins (Jawbox/Channels), on March 19, 2009. Maybarduk and Robbins

invested months imagining arrangements and calling in established

musicians of the mid-Atlantic indie scene to draw out the character of

each song. "Vencido" compels as pop, as art, and as statement on living

unique possibilities despite oppression.



www.cherylsgone.com

public safety

I dont even live in his ANC but i know that John Salatti is one of the more active and vocal ANC reps. He sent out this message for a "Neighborhood Safety Walk" that you might want to be a part of.

Here's his message:
The Bloomingdale Public Safety Initiative
Invites You to Our Next
Neighborhood Safety Walk
Join with your neighbors and walk the streets of Bloomingdale! A strong, diverse community presence will announce that this neighborhood does not tolerate: crime, drugs, violence, and prostitution! We also encourage a caring community where neighbors look out for neighbors and who appreciate what everyone brings to the community table.


THURSDAY, MAY 21TH, 7:00 p.m.

Meet at the corner of 1st and V Streets, NW
(kids and dogs welcome!)

We can do it!

John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
(202) 986- 2592

jsalatti @ earthlink.net

"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"

Open Houses in Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park/Eckington 05/17/2009

After you stop by opening day of the Bloomingdale Farmers Market, there are a few Open Houses to check out in the neighborhood. Here's the list.

I hope to see a bunch of you guys tomorrow. I'll be at 140 Bryant St NW from 1-4pm for its debut open house. This artist-owned home is updated with such amenities as central air and a fabulous huge second floor deck. It features an unusual range of historic elements including hand crafted unpainted woodwork, leaded glass, antique chandeliers, and (I love, love, love these...) brass door knobs throughout. Priced to move at$475,000. Here is the virtual tour.

NoMas outdoor movies series.

NoMa BID to Host NoMa Summer Screen

The NoMa (north of Massachusetts Avenue) Business Improvement District (BID) will host a summer-long film series titled "NoMa Summer Screen" June 10 through July 29, 2009, every Wednesday night from 7:00 until 11:00 p.m. The theme of NoMa Summer Screen, which promises to be the city’s premier summer film and cultural event, is "Music in Pictures," films about musicians and bands.

Free and open to the public, the outdoor event will be held on a large grassy lot on L Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, N.E. in Washington, D.C., just one block from the New York Avenue station on Metro’s Red Line. The site is adjacent to Union Place, a new apartment building being developed by The Cohen Companies that will deliver later this year.

Each film screening will be preceded by live DJs, special guests, barbeque,and surprises. Funk, soul, boogaloo, and other types of music will be provided by local DJ collective Fatback.

"Building on the success of last summer’s James Bond Film Festival, the NoMa BID is offering a fresh new concept in 2009" said Elizabeth Price, President of the NoMa BID. "Filmgoers will be able to enjoy music, food, films, and dancing under the stars, all while seeing first-hand NoMa’s rapid and dramatic transformation." A full film schedule (see below) will be posted shortly at www.nomasummerscreen.com.

June 10th- No Direction Home, A chronicle of Bob Dylan’s strange evolution between 1961 and 1966 - Directed by Martin Scorsese

June 17th- Buena Vista Social Club, Rediscovery of a legendary, members-only club in 1940’s Havana, Cuba, as documented through the music and lives of veteran performers

June 24th- Ray, Extraordinary life story of Ray Charles, a man who fought harder and went farther than anyone thought possible

July 1st- Lady Sings the Blues, Loosely based on her 1956 autobiography, the story of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, as portrayed by Diana Ross

July 8th- I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, Documentary about the making and the conflicts of Wilco’s fourth studio Album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

July 15th- Standing in the Shadows of Motown, History of the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit musicians who backed up dozens of Motown artists

July 22nd- Scratch, Documentary about hip-hop DJing, the birth of turntablism, the legends and the culture

July 29th- DIG! Story of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, a band with critical acclaim but no commercial success, as told by arch-nemesis and biggest fan, The Dandy Warhols

1000 block of O Street, NW before and now

check out this blog post containing a picture of the 1000 block of o nw in the mid 80's and one taken recently.

Bloomingdale Farmers Market is Back. this sunday!

got this letter from the Bloomingdale Farmers Market.

Dear BFM Fans:

We're back! This Sunday May 17th. 10-2. Rain or Shine or Thunderstorms.

We hope you will be as well, starting at 10 am in front of the Big Bear Cafe, EVEN IF IT RAINS! Even if it Thunderstorms!

Meet the New producers and all your old favorites .:


The short story is that we have more producers than last year! We have pasta and sauces and jams, we have mushrooms and flowers, we have an organic Loudoun County Vegetable grower plus cheese and yogurt and new breads. We will have a few EGGS this week at Painted Hand/Keswick but LOTS more at Truck Patch in a few weeks. Pastured Lamb and beef and goat and pork. Lots of new breads from Panorama, too. THREE VEGGIE Stands. Tons of Asparagus. Lots of salads and greens. Chard. Spring Onions. Plus Lots of plants for you to grow your own herbs and veggies and flowers. First of the STRAWBERRIES and BEETS.

Read on to learn all the delicious details!

NEW PRODUCER: Many of you asked for a producer of pasta, sauces, and jams. I am really thrilled I found you this one!
Chef Stefano Frigerio of Maestro and Mio fame.

Stefano has given up the restaurant gig for now and has become a local producer using local farm ingredients for his stand, The Copper Pot.

Maestro quality pastas at farmers' market prices: artisanal gnocchi, linguine, spaghetti, cavatelli, sausage ravioli, rabbit ravioli, mushroom ravioli, ricotta-spinach ravioli. And his their sauces: last year he canned 500 jars of late- harvest local tomato sauce. He has added roasted shallots and Barolo sauce and smoky farmer bacon and parmesan sauces for his pastas.

Looking for a little excitement in your jam? Stefano loves to make locally sourced jams with attitude. Concord grape with a little grappa, peach and prosecco, vanilla and strawberry, white figs and balsamic, fresh apple jam. Ask him which Keswick cheeses to serve with his jams....




NEW PRODUCER: You also asked for a third Vegetable Stand and let me introduce you to a fascinating new farmer, Jim Dunlap of SnowBear Farm, a Certified Naturally Grown Farm!


SnowBear Farm was started in 2007. I retired from working for the USG in 2005, and following a trek of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 2006, I decided to fulfill a dream of having my own farm. Both Nancy and I grew up in ranching country in Wyoming. We looked at large farms of up to 540 acres in rural locations around the USD, but ended up deciding to see if our small place here in Virginia could make a go of it.

Our farming interests are oriented towards Organic methods, but we settled on a private farming organization -- the National Organic Program due to the high costs of being in the NOP. The organization we joined, and are certified by, is called the Certified Naturally Grown organization. It is easy to find on the web http://www.naturallygrown.org/ and we are listed under the Virginia farms. The CNG program follows all the same rules as the NOP in terms of no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or use of synthetic fertilizers. CNG also emphasizes sustainable agriculture practices.

We hope to provide something of a model to show other landowners in the far suburbs that it is possible to use their large plots of land productively, rather than just let it sit there as giant lawns or as pet horse facilities. Virginia should be the breadbasket for the Metro area during growing season. Is this possible with our outrageously high property taxes? I'll let you know in another year or two.

SnowBear Farm: This week Snowbear will have Simpson's Black Seeded Lettuce (a mild, green leaf lettuce with crinkly edges and a small sweet Romaine called Jericho. Two kinds of spring Onions, arugula, spinach, chives, scallions, baby chard, mizuna, kale, radishes, mustards. The groundhogs breakfasted on the turnips and beets so they will be a little later in the month. Plus lots of plant starts: herbs, vegetables and flowers.

New Producer: Barbara and Dennis of Greenstone Fields who visited us briefly last Fall have joined us with their delicious mushrooms and lovely flowers.

Reid: This weekend Caitlan is bringing Fuji and Pink Lady apples -- very crunchy and flavorful, she wrote. Apple cider, apple sauce, apple butter, pumpkin butter and lots of PLANTS for your gardens and containers. In fact, she is bringing a whole little garden nursery of bedding herbs and vegetable/flower plants. Reid has an astonishing variety of herbs..... basil, chives, cilantro, dill, french tarragon, lavender, lemon balm, lemon verbena, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, winter savory

Garner: Come early to snag the first of his strawberries. Asparagus galore! The first of the beets with their greens Salads: green and red and romaines, spring onions, chard. And a huge variety of herbs, veggie and flowers you can plant yourself in your garden or containers for your deck or kitchen windows. Plus beautiful hanging flowering baskets, planters and containers.

The Garden Centers at BFM:

Whatever you want for your urban garden, all at Reid, Garner, SnowBear and Common Good City Farm


Just a few of the selections: Lettuce gardens, herb gardens, heirloom tomatoes of every shape and kind, red & green sweet pepper plants, red & yellow sweet italian heirloom stuffing peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, watermelons some hot peppers, "Titan" sunflowers with edible heads, marigolds, phlox, lobelia, shasta Daisy, Dahlia, Petunia, Columbines. crookneck squash plants, heirloom zucchini plants, pattypan plants, broccoli plants, and some arugula plants. Herbs this week: 5 kinds of basil, catnip, chives, cilantro, dill, 9 kinds of lavender, lemon balm, lemon verbena, 6 kinds of mint oregano, parsley, 8 kinds of rosemary, green & purple sage, summer&winter savory, french tarragon, 10 different thymes for culinary landscaping uses, chocolate mint,


Panorama: Loic keeps coming up with new breads just for us. This week he added 4 new breads: pumpernickel raisin with a touch of molasses, 9 Grain Boule, 9 Grain mini rolls with TOASTED sunflower seeds and a NEW style of baguette that he is very excited about :

This time is the real Outstanding TRADITION PARISIAN BAGUETTE
It is made with the dough of the Rustique with a very long time of proofing (12 hours). The bread is absolutely marvelous

Come early if you want fabulous multigrain rolls with Toasted Sunflower Seeds. I waited too long last week at U Street and they sold out. Lots of other breads as well: plain pumpernickel boule, Rustique, French Country, Croissants, Danish, whole wheat, rye, sourdough breads sliced loaves, baguettes (including French, sun- dried tomato, walnut- raisin) Large olive oil rolls. His breakfast challah..... His breads FREEZE very well for later in the week.

Lots of free samples....

Keswick: NEW: Keswick has been tinkering with their Blue Suede Moo -- it is really silky! By the way, our new pasta chef Stefano says their Ricotta is the real Italian kind --he loves it and uses it in his stuffed ravioli. My favorite yogurt in the world. Cheddar, Wallaby, Lesher, Vermeer, Fetas. I had the Special Reserve Vermeer- aged at least 7 months, it has a nuttier flavor than the younger Vermeer. Bovre, German style Quark and..... pudding.

Painted Hand Farm from Pennsylvania will have humanely raised, grass-fed ROSE veal and goat meat. All cuts: shanks, chops, ground, veal scaloppini (a thin cutlet), breakfast link goat sausage , hot and sweet Italian veal sausage, traditional German-style Bratwurst (veal and pork)
.
Truck Patch: ASPARAGUS- mesclun, lettuce mix, arugula, spinach, radishes, brassica mix, stir fry and braising greens., mint, cilantro, chives, garlic chives, spring onions. I love their chives and garlic chives slivered over asparagus soup. Bryan reminds me that he has asparagus seconds that are perfect for soup.

Brian's pastured pigs root around in shady Maryland groves. Try his thick fresh pork chops for dinner , bone-in and boneless pork loin roast, pork shoulder roast, Boston butt roast, baby back ribs, spare ribs, sausage, hams, bacon. Try their hams if you want to remember what Ham should taste like.

Pastured Beef: Truck Patch has every cut of Black Angus pastured beef.


New Asbury Lamb:

Bill and Joan will have every cut of Spring lamb and will have some sales on Sage and Italian sausage and Whole lamb roasts. Stock up for your Memorial Day barbecues because, as you know, they can only come to market every other week. Special taste treat at their stand: Sample their sausage.

Spring Lamb: whole bone legs, whole boneless legs, half butterfly boneless, kebab cubes, shanks,boneless loin roast, loin chops, racks, rib chops, half boneless shoulder roast, stew cubes, sage and Italian sausage,ground lamb and organ meats

Common Good City Farm (Formerly 7th Street Garden)

They visited us frequently last year -- and they will be joining us permanently this year. You may see them wheeling their produce over to market from their new home at the Gage-Eckington Schoolyard! They will have lots of fresh herbs and plants for your gardens and containers.


See you Sunday, RAIN OR SHINE.


Robin and Ted

1426 North Capitol St NW being auctioned off

Description:

Partially renovated 2,271 +/- sf commercial building on North Capitol Street in Washington DC. The property is zoned C-2A which permits a wide variety of commercial uses. Great location between New York Ave & Florida Ave NW.

more info here

neighbors at artomatic?

as an artist i'm always interested in other artists in the neighborhood.
any of you participating at artomatic? comment and leave your website and the floor you'll be on.
leave the name of your hood too.

BLOOMINGDALE COMMUNITY YARD SALE

BLOOMINGDALE COMMUNITY
YARD SALE
Sponsored by the CADC –A not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing and maintaining Crispus Attucks Park for the entire community


Saturday May 30th, 8AM -2PM
(Rain date: Sat June 6th)
in CRISPUS ATTUCKS PARK
The private community park between the unit blocks of U and V Streets and the 2000 blocks of North Capitol & 1st streets.
In the heart of DC’s Bloomingdale neighborhood

This year CADC is pleased to announce that the Community Yard sale is being held in conjunction with the:
7th Annual Health and Fitness Fair - 10AM-2PM
A Community Health and Wellness Fair sponsored by Mt Bethel Baptist Church
on 1st St. between Rhode Island Ave. NW and U St. NW

WANT TO SELL? REGISTER NOW
• Dozens of sellers and loads of shoppers on an acre of green park space
• We do all the advertising and bring all the buyers to you!
• Brings your wares* and a table, set up and sell – It’s that easy!

*Sorry, the sale of food is prohibited. CADC relies heavily on revenues from its snack stand to support its ongoing activities. Thank you for your understanding

Registration Fee: $25 if you register before May 16th and $35 afterwards (or the day of the sale). Forms are available on the park’s website www.crispusattuckspark.org or contact Tynesia at 703- 973- 5733 or tynesia27 @ aol.com .

RATHER DONATE MERCHANDISE?
If you won’t be able to sell at the Yard sale, consider donating items to the “CADC Table.” 100% of the proceeds from these sales will go to park maintenance and improvement projects.
Contact Andrea at 202-986-7680 or CADCyardsale @ att.net to donate merchandise.

another gallery in bloomingdale

NOA Gallery & Design Studio
132 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
202- 483- 7328

PRESS RELEASE

NOA GALLERY REOPENING

NOA Gallery & Design Studio (New, Old & Abstract) is owned and operated by Michael Little, artist and designer. Centrally located at 132 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., NOA Gallery is presenting a long awaited reopening on Saturday afternoon, May 16, 2009, between the hours of 12 noon and 4 o'clock p.m. NOA Gallery is located within the Shaw, Bloomingdale, and LeDroit Park boundaries of Washington, D.C. The Gallery will be open from Wednesday to Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday hours from noon to 6 p.m., all other times by appointment (202-483- 7328

i'm intrigued by this space

its on the market

Personally, i'd love to use it as a studio space, maybe do sculpture workshops or painting workshops out of there. but it'd also make a rockin bar or restaurant space.

given the spaces nearby, it seems inevitable that this block will become more active commercially. bloomingdale liquors, the yoga place, maybe baraki, dc minimart, the empty and rather large space directly across the street. could be a lot going on.

Open Houses scheduled in Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park/Eckington for Sunday 05/10/2009

There are a few scheduled open houses for Sunday, as seen in the link. Rod Davis with Re/Max Allegiance has asked that I mention that 54 Randolph Pl NW, now fully renovated and officially on the market, will be open from 1:30-3:30pm on Sunday.

My daughter has insisted that I not work on Mother's Day, so no open houses for me. Happy Mother's Day to all of the families who choose to raise their children in Bloomingdale!

alley

Mark and Charles March 09 041
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc

NPR

DCmetrocentric wrote about NPRs new building on North Capitol here

Open Houses and April Sales

Here is information regarding properties in and around the neighborhood that went to settlement in April 2009.

Sunday Open Houses for 5/3/09 can be found here.

the big bear won an award.

look here

NoMa on Fox

Subway Sub Shop on North Capitol

see here

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for Sunday

Click here for a list of Open Houses around the neighborhood for Sunday 04/26/2009.

constant vigilence!

check out the tale of the caught package thief from Columbia Heights.

open studios at 52 O street this weekend.

This is one of the gems of our city. go check it out:


Friends, Family, Art Lovers of the World,

Come spend the weekend with 20+ artists opening their studios for your enjoyment!
This coming weekend, April 25 & 26 is Open Studios at 52 O Street Studios from
11am-5pm both Saturday and Sunday.

More info here: http://www.52ostreetstudios.org/os.html

biking from eckington to the baseball stadium

Eckington ( way better than spotsylvania ) has a post on biking to the stadium ( or say artomatic)

Sunday Open Houses In and Around Bloomingdale

Lovely Spring weather continues to bring new listings and plenty of Open Houses to visit around the neighborhood. Here is the list for Sunday 4/19.

I am thrilled to have a new listing on Adams St, which is represented in the above picture. I hope to see lots of neighbors at the Open House from 1-4pm on Sunday at 167 Adams St NW. The home has 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and a finished basement. It has been beautifully renovated and is priced at $499,000.

I was heavily quoted in an article in the NW Current newspaper yesterday and of course, mentioned beloved Bloomingdale. See below for the text:


Bargains can be
found, but steals
aren’t very likely
by Linda Lombardi, Current Correspondent

Even in a recession, some things
don’t change: If you want a deal
in real estate, you need to know
where to look.
The D.C. market peaked in 2005, so
prices have been coming down for four
years already, according to Suzanne Des
Marais of EYA Urban Properties. Des
Marais, who was recently voted one of the
best agents in the city in a poll by the
Washington City Paper, said that with
interest rates “ridiculously low,” it’s definitely
a good time to buy — but if you go
into it thinking that everyone is desperate
to sell, you may be in for a surprise.
Des Marais said even foreclosure properties,
if they’re in a good neighborhood
and in decent condition, are attracting multiple
offers — above listing price, although
still below market value — “so people
need to be prepared to compete.” With
condos as well, while a knowledgeable
agent may be able to help find a deal when
a project is almost sold out, it’s a misconception
that builders are desperate to get
rid of a glut of properties.
Carlos Garcia of the Eng
Garcia group at Keller Williams
Capital Properties said he finds
clients wondering why sellers are
being so tough in a down market.
“Buyers are sometimes surprised
that they’re not able to get
the discount off of [the] sales
price that they anticipate, when
they are looking in a very stable
neighborhood,” he said.
But basically, value is still
value, and neighborhoods with
good schools and retail are holding
that value, he said, with
close-in neighborhoods connected
to transit having become even
more desirable.
There are good deals if you
know where to look, though —
for example, both Des Marais and
Garcia are particularly enthusiastic
about Petworth as a place to
get value for your money. There’s
an excess of inventory, said
Garcia, and the properties are
wonderful homes in a neighborhood
that’s looking up, which
makes for a great deal.
“It’s beautiful turn-of-the-century
housing stock — block after
block of beautiful row houses,”
said Garcia.
They’re “great solid houses,”
agreed Des Marais — brick with
wood floors, and many with front
porches, in the $400,000 to
$500,000 range for one that’s
nicely renovated, and perhaps as
low as $250,000 if you’re willing
to put in some work.
There’s more to a location
than the buildings, though, and
Des Marais said Petworth has the
benefit of a high percentage of
owner-occupied houses — “it
feels very much like a neighborhood.”
Along with long-term residents,
Garcia said there are “lots
of young professionals and families
of all kinds.” There’s also
development under way at the
area’s relatively new Metro stop,
by the same company that did the
development at the Columbia
Heights station.
If you’re interested in more of
the amenities of the suburbs, like
a yard for your dog and a more
car-friendly situation, look just a
little farther north to 16th Street
Heights, said Des Marais, where
you’ll find Metrobus access, as
well as on-street parking and in
some cases a garage.
She’s also enthusiastic about
Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park,
which she says feels “like
Takoma Park 20 years ago” —
with yoga studios, an organic
market and properties ranging
from condos to large Victorian
houses.
If you’re not in a hurry, another
way to find a good deal can be
short sales. With many homeowners
owing more on their loans
than their houses are worth,
Garcia said banks — realizing
they don’t want to be in the business
of owning houses — have
become more open to authorizing
sales as an alternative to foreclosure.
Short sales can be a good deal
for everyone — the bank, the
buyer and the seller, who is
relieved of the burden of the loan
and takes less of a hit on his or
her credit rating. But the process
is more complicated and less
transparent than a normal sale.
You need to be able to be completely
flexible about your movein
date, and you need the right
broker — some don’t like to handle
short sales because of the
unpredictability.
“Short sales are a terrific
opportunity, but you need to be
patient, and you need an agent
who really understands them,”
said Garcia.
No matter what you’re looking
for or where, Garcia said now is a
good time to buy for one big reason
aside from price: The slow
market means the process has
slowed down, too. When the market
was hot and people had to
jump on a decision on the spot, “I
know so many people who
bought houses that didn’t meet
their requirements,” said Garcia.
No house is a good deal if it turns
out it’s the wrong house, so that’s
a big advantage of this market:
“You are going to get time to
think.”

stuff to do this weekend

Tonight
Wine Tasting at Windows Cafe
6-8pm
First and Rhode Island NW

Saturday
Crispus Attucks Park Clean-Up Day
Please meet at the West end of the park (at the alley near 77 U Street NW) at 9 am for a fun day.

Any questions, please e-mail Molly Scott at: mhscott11 @ hotmail.com.



Howard University Day of Service in LeDroit Park
10 am - 3 pm.
To celebrate the inauguration of University President Sidney Ribeau, join students and volunteers throughout the community for a neighborhood beautification and clean up on Saturday, April 18, 2009, 10 am - 3 pm.

The university will also be hosting an information fair, barbecue, parade and entertainment in the Anna J. Cooper Circle at 3rd & T Street NW.
Visit www.ledroitparkdc.org .


World Missions Community Block Party
100 Block of Randolph Place NW

Bring your family, children
And
Friends!!!!!!

Come out and meet your neighbors!!!!!!!!

When: Saturday, April 18, 2009 at: 10:00a.m.
Where: World Missions EXTENSION Center
1720 First Street NW. Washington , DC 20001

Your Children will enjoy:

Playing Basketball and other games*Playing on the Moon bounce*Dancing and Singing* Winning prizes** DJ music*Face painting, Clowns* *Free Food*Aerobics*
Seminars*Joining our Community Book club*
Health Screenings!!!!!!!!!!!
Hear about how you can: Become a Mentor ;
Join our HIV-AIDS Support Group; and hear about our Just Friends Prison Support Group for incarcerated youth

wine tasting at windows!

Tradewinds Specialty Imports, a DC based Spanish wine and food importer, will be having a neighborhood wine tasting event at Windows Cafe & Market on Friday April 17th, from 6-8pm. This import company is shy of being one year old but the inventory of award-winning cava, red and white wine is nothing short of remarkable. Prominent DC and Virginia based wine distributor, Brennan Downey remarked that “everything in the collection is outstanding.”

During this event, they will be accepting pre-orders for their flagship item, Centum Vitis, which was awarded the “#1 Wine of Rioja, 2008” and “Best Autor Wine of Spain, 2008.” This spectacular wine, presented in a gift box, along with a jar of 23K gold flakes, makes its premier entrance to the US in May.

The 3 guys who drive the success of Tradewinds are all residents of Columbia Heights and Bloomingdale and want to say thank you to their fans, friends and family that helped grow practically overnight. Today, you can find their wine at an array of top restaurants in the DC Metro area. Restaurant locations include all of the Latin Concept’s locations, such as Yaku, Mate, Chi Cha Lounge. An equally impressive number of fine wine retailers from Richmond, VA to several neighborhoods in the District also boast of carrying their all Estate-grown wine selections.

Windows Cafe & Market is located at 101 Rhode Island Avenue NW (corner of T Street and 1st Street NW). Tasting and amazing deals will be offered on their Brut and Rosé Cava, Albariño white wine, and flight of Barón Ladrón de Guevara red wines: Joven, Crianza and Reserva.



The website for Tradewinds Specialty Imports is http://tradewindsspecialty.com/.

wanna grow some vegetables?

saw this over at the Bates Area Civic Association Blog:

Cindy Brown of Green Spring Gardens will be discuss how to grow vegetables in DC this Saturday at the Historical Society. More details below the jump.

Saturday, April 18

1 – 2:30 p.m. Family Urban Gardening

The Best Vegetables to Grow in DC

by Cindy Brown, Green Spring Gardens

Have you always wanted to start a vegetable garden, but don’t know where to begin? Or perhaps you’ve had bad experiences with weeds, bugs and unproductive plants. Maybe winter storms infected you with catalog crazies and you have a sack of seeds and no idea of when to plant them. Cindy Brown, Green Spring’s kitchen gardener, will show you how to refine or begin a vegetable garden, overcome nature’s obstacles, suggest productive varieties, and replace the fear with fun.

Cynthia A. Brown is Assistant Director at Green Spring Gardens. She enjoys entertaining the public with her gardening trials and tribulations. Cindy is a regular contributor to Washington Gardenermagazine, appears on local TV and radio shows, and is a frequent speaker at many venues.

Cindy started gardening because she loves to cook and was frustrated at the inability to purchase the special herbs and vegetables mentioned in cookbooks and cooking magazines. She believes that every garden should be a mix of ornamentals and edibles for a truly gourmet garden!

RSVP at 202-383-1828 orRSVP@historydc.org (Ages 12 to Adults)FREE

This talk series is hosted at The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. is located on K Street, NW between 7th and 9th streets, NW. DC — easy access by metro or bus
http://www.historydc.org/location/

Prince of Petworth profiles Bloomingdale

The Prince himself talks about Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park in this video

Gentrification and the Callous Affluent Class

saw this on frozen tropics:

A friend sent me information from a forum on gentrification that he heard discussed on WPFW. From the way he described it it sounds like to may be more of real discussion that the title (Gentrification and the Callous Affluent Class) implies. The forum is really a three part event held on different days. First they will screen the documentary "Brick by Brick" that looks at gentrification in DC. The second event is a panel discussion on gentrification in North America. Part three is a panel discussion on gentrification worldwide.

Here's how the organizers describe it:

The panel discussions will allow the community to thoroughly examine the implications of gentrification, gentrification and racism, the institutionalized gentrification, the economic implication of gentrification, the implication of culture gentrification, the appropriation of African American cultural icons for the benefits of the 'gentrifiers', and the following questions will be addressed:

• Have they come to live with us or displace us?
• Who owns the planet?
• Gentrification: Latest stage of colonial power - or - it's relationship to colonialism?

All events are to be held at Sankofa Video and Books (2714 Georgia Ave NW).

because my wife has great ideas.....

my gal and i were walking past Metro Ice and she commented on the sale sign...."you know what would be great there ?", she asked.
"Crazy expensive upscale condos", i replied sarcastically.

"no, a garden center"
"it gets so much light right there and its so much open space."

as she was saying "garden" i was imagining a beer garden....


hmmm. maybe a beer garden store.........

block part on 100 block of randolph place nw

Community Block Party

Bring your family, children
And
Friends!!!!!!

Come out and meet your neighbors!!!!!!!!

When: Saturday, April 18, 2009 at: 10:00a.m.
Where: World Missions EXTENSION Center
1720 First Street NW. Washington, DC 20001

Your Children will enjoy:

Playing Basketball and other games*Playing on the Moon bounce*Dancing and Singing*

Winning prizes** DJ music*Face painting, Clowns* *Free Food*Aerobics*

Seminars*Joining our Community Book club*

Health Screenings!!!!!!!!!!!

Hear about how you can: Become a Mentor;

Join our HIV-AIDS Support Group; and hear about our Just Friends Prison Support Group for incarcerated youth

March Settled Sales and a Piece of Good House News!

My apologies to anybody who checks on this blog for available Open Houses in the area. They made it onto the Bloomingdale listserv but for some reason over the weekend my computer or antivirus or something did not like Blogger and would not let me post here. In any case, it seems to be working now, and here are the reported settled March 2009 sales for Bloomingdale:

I am very pleased to report that the big vacant house on the *NE corner of 1st and Randolph Pl NW has gone to successful settlement. People may remember that for at least a couple of years the front yard sported a "coming soon-Luxury Condos" sign that no doubt added to the beauty of the neighborhood, especially after it was tagged with a spray painted dollar sign. Bloomingdale neighbor and REALTOR, Rod Howard with Re/Max Allegiance represented the purchasers of the property. According to Rod, the new owners plan to renovate extensively and will move in to the property. As a bank-owned asset and complete shell, the property settled for $380,000. with no subsidy toward closing. It had been listed at $429,900. and was on the market a total of 79 days.

The only other reported settled sale in Bloomingdale for March 2009 was a 1 bedroom condo unit at the Providence, at 70 Rhode Island, which sold for $230,000. (This was not my listing. I have a different unit in The Providence that I have listed that is currently still under contract.)

*Oops. Was thinking NE but originally wrote SE.

a new "world class" park in the neighborhood?

Gage Eckington Re-use Plans
Mayor Adrian Fenty attended the Tuesday, March 24 LeDroit Park Civic Association meeting to discuss the city’s idea for the former Gage Eckington school site. He informed the community that the city had pursued the previous short-term plan which was now dead. That plan called for the Department of Environment, Senior Wellness Center and Common Good City Farm to occupy the site. The cost of retrofitting the building to accommodate the tenants was very high and the city determined it could not make this work.

The city is proposing a new plan: They proposed to demolish the Gage Eckington building and replace it with a “world class neighborhood park for residents of all ages to use.” Park ideas include playgrounds for children, the Common Good City Farm, fields, sitting areas and open green space. The city estimated that demolition and site preparation could start June 1, 2009 and be completed by September. The park construction would then begin and could be completed by June, 2010.

The Mayor emphasized that he would take the guidance of the community. If it decided to proceed with the park, the city would commit to the proposed timeline. If it decided to reject the park idea, the building would remain vacant until a long-term plan was reached (3-5 years).

The attendees (50-65) at the meeting were overwhelmingly in favor of the mayor’s proposal (only a handful opposed), given that the alternative is to have the building vacant until a long–term use is found (3-5 years). The long term use would certainly involve demolition anyway as the City is committed to this action.

The community will begin meetings with the city to design the park with a demolition slated for June 1 2009 and a final park to be created by June 2010. Meetings are scheduled for Wednesday evenings at 7pm starting April 8th. The first meeting is 4/8 at 7pm at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (2nd and Rhode Island).

Howard University Day of Service in LeDroit Park – Sat. April 18th
To celebrate the inauguration of University President Sidney Ribeau, join students and volunteers throughout the community for a neighborhood beautification and clean up. The University will also be hosting and information fair, barbecue, parade and entertainment in the Anna J. Cooper Circle at 3rd & T Streets NW. Events run from about 9am – 2pm. Look for more information in the coming weeks.


Upcoming Meetings & Events
April is a busy month in the community.

Common Good Farm - Green Tomorrows informational meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
at Florida Avenue Baptist Church
This is a gardening program open to low-income families and individuals. In exchange for 2
or more hours per week of fun, instructional hands-on work on the farm, you will receive a bag of fresh farm fruits and vegetables each week. For more information, contact 202-330-5945.

Gage Eckington Re-use Kickoff Meeting
Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 p.m.
at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, (2nd and Rhode Island Ave)
All are invited to this meeting with city officials to discuss ideas for a park and green space at the former Gage Eckington School site.

Common Good City Farm Work Day and Tree Planting
Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
3rd and V Streets NW

Monthly Safety Walk
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Meet at Anna J. Cooper Circle
We’ll be joined by MPD and Howard University patrolmen

Gage Eckington Re-use Design Meeting
Wednesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m.
St. George’s Church (2nd and U streets)
All are invited to this meeting with city officials to discuss ideas for a park and green space at the former Gage Eckington School site.

Common Good City Farm Container Garden Workshop & Work Day
Saturday, April 18
3rd and V Streets NW

Howard University / Ledroit Park Beautification Day
Saturday, April 18
Throughout Ledroit Park & at Anna J Cooper Circle

photo_2006-04_053_web

photo_2006-04_053_web
Originally uploaded by bob howl

Open Houses for 03/29/2009

Curious about houses for sale in the neighborhood? Click here to check out Open Houses schedule in and around the neighborhood for 03/29/2009.

Thanks to everybody who voted for me for best real estate agent for the City Paper's Best of Washington issue this week. I placed third!

you're invited! yes, you!

you're invited! yes, you!

NORTH CAPITOL MAIN STREET

NCMS Hosts Official Kick-off Join Our Mailing List! info@ncmsinc.org Greetings!
Please be our guest... at the grand opening of our new office space -- 1703 North Capitol Street, NE. We will kick off our new program; Councilmember Harry (Tommy) Thomas will bring greetings; we'll share new opportunities to get involved as well as upcoming programs/projects at North Capitol Main Street, all designed to improve the business districts within your neighborhood. See you there! Garry Clark, Executive Director Thur., March 26, 2009 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 1703 N. Capitol St. NE RSVP: 202-905-6039 New Kid on the Block
[Photo]Introducing North Capitol Main Street
Change is coming to Ward 5.... Be a Part of It!

Dubbed "one of the hottest up and coming neighborhoods" by the Washington DC Economic Partnership the neighborhoods along North Capitol Street are full of promise and potential. Four commercial corridors-Rhode Island Avenue, New York Avenue, Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street-serve as gateways into the city and offer retail opportunities for residents and commuters. The District's newest Metro station is right around the corner.

Enter North Capitol Main Street-part of the newest "class" of organizations in the DC Main Streets program, which fosters retail opportunities in DC by investing in the District's communities. North Capitol Main Street's mission is to shepherd the growth and transformation of our community by investing in its businesses and attracting new ones. And we'll do it by working with you! Business owners, property owners, residents-we're here to serve your interests by serving the community.

Here's how you can help:

Tell us about your business and your needs. Are you a North Capitol corridor business owner? We need to hear from you to know how to best invest in the community. Contact Executive Director Garry Clark at 202.905.6039 and let us know what's on your mind.
Join a committee. North Capitol Main Street is a volunteer-driven organization. You can be a force for change, meet your neighbors or fellow business owners- and maybe even broaden your horizons and learn a thing or two-by signing up. Ask for more information about the Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring or Promotion committee-whichever is the best fit for you!
Share your expertise. Are you a PR person? An attorney? Accountant? Architect or urban planner? Event planner? Designer? Whatever your profession, your expertise could make a big difference. And who doesn't like a good opportunity to show off their skills, right? Be sure to tell Garry or a Board or committee member what you do and that you'd like to help.
Roll up your sleeves. Some of our projects will require manual labor or extra hands. Sign up to volunteer and we'll call you when we're ready.
Help shape our membership program or become a member. Membership will be offered to businesses, property owners, residents and other interested citizens. You can help us to make the opportunity valuable to you!
Make a tax-deductible gift. North Capitol Main Street, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. Your gift-however big or small-is a welcome contribution in support of this work.
You can help us make a difference.
Thank you!

congratulations IMGOPH!

the Bloomingdale (for now) blog was named one of the ten best local blogs by the Washingtonian.

Cheryl's Gone Reading Series - March 26 - 8pm

Cheryl's Gone Reading Series - March 26 - 8pm

Rod Smith (poetry)
Willie Davis (fiction)
Erik Gamlem (a little of this and that)

Rod Smith is the author of Deed, Music or Honesty, The Good House, Protective Immediacy, and In Memory of My Theories. He edits the journal Aerial, publishes Edge Books, and manages Bridge Street Books, in Washington, DC. He is currently editing The Selected Letters of Robert Creeley with Peter Baker and Kaplan Harris for The University of California Press.

Originally from Whitesburg, Kentucky, Willie Davis has won the Willesden International Short Story Competition judged by Zadie Smith and the Katherine Ann Porter Prize judged by Amy Hempel. His work has appeared in The Guardian and The Kenyon Review, among other places.

Erik Gamlem Has lived and breathed the Virginia air for the last twenty years. When he’s not going mad, or desperately evaluating his last.fm statistics he finds time to write stories, songs and poems. He enjoys nothing more then a giant feast of Indian cuisine accented by a tall bottle of beer.

@ Big Bear Cafe

1st and R NW

Washington, DC

(free)

www.cherylsgone.com

Signs of Spring=New Listings!

Daffodils and low interest rates mean buyers are out looking, and new inventory is popping up. Several new listings in the neighborhood are Open Sunday and can be found by clicking Here.

Why Bloomingdale is a Fascinating, Yet Complex, Micro Real Estate Market

Bloomingdale-Tall House
Originally uploaded by hipchickindc

I could have titled this "Settled Residential Sales Bloomingdale January and February 2009", but that would not have been nearly as exciting, would it?

HERE are the reported settled residential sales for January 2009 for just Bloomingdale.

They are comprised of:
-1 high end condo
-1 foreclosed house
-1 very cute but kind of small house
-1 very large house described as needing work

HERE are the reported settled residential sales for February 2009 for just Bloomingdale, which are similarly diverse in nature.

-1 foreclosed house (bought by an investor who typically does very nice renovations)
-1 foreclosed condo
-2 condo units at The Gage School/Schoolhouse Lofts


In the market or thinking about it? HERE are the scheduled open houses in and around Bloomingdale.

underneath the mews

more catacombs
Originally uploaded by Scenic Artisan

this is a picture of the filtration chambers underneath the field at the old sand filtration site.

Agenda for the Tuesday, 3/17/20009, ANC 5C Meeting

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 All Nations Baptist Church
7:00 –9:15 p.m. North Capitol at Rhode Island Ave, NE


NOTICE AND AGENDA
MARCH 2009 MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEETING

ANC5C citizens are invited to bring suggestions and recommendation for community improvement to the meeting. However, please observe simply courtesies at all times -- wait to be recognized before speaking and do not speak over others or while others have the floor. Please limit your comments to ONE MINUTE so to give others a chance for expression. Following the Commissioners’ comments, members of the community will be recognized to speak. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall maintain public order during the meeting. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Part I: Administrative 7:05 pm
1. Call to Order .……………………………. Commissioner Bonds, Chairman
2. Roll Call ...................…………………….. Commissioner Daneker, Vice Chairman
3. Approval of the Minutes

Part II: Guest Presentations 7:15 pm
1. Mamo Project Request for Extension of PUD (N. Capitol and Florida Ave, NW)
2. Gynecologic Cancer Foundation Half Marathon and 5K Run ….. Jen Hoskote

Part III: Outstanding Business 7:45 pm
Curb Cut Application 1817 First St, NW ……. Commissioner Davenport and Mr. Crowley
Grants Committee Report ………………….. Commissioner Day, Chair
Amateur Kickboxing Grant Vote

Part IV: Workshop on Transportation and Development Issues 8:00 pm
1. Each Commissioner will “Report Out” on a list of transportation/traffic and development/density/location/zoning issues in their Single Member District and ideas/proposals for addressing any concerns. (Following the Commissioners’ remarks, Single-member District residents will be given an opportunity to add an item to the list or to speak on any matter of their interest.)
2. Each speaker in the audience will be allotted I minute maximum to speak.
(Please use your time wisely by making concise and thoughtful statements.)
3. The final list will be submitted to the Mayor and Councilmember for action. Monthly updates will be provided through the life of the issue until resolution. Each resolution will be celebrated at the ANC Community meetings.

Part IV: Updates and Status Reports 8:25 pm
MPD and 5D-CAC Update ……………………….… Robert Brannum, 5D-CAC President

Part V: Committee of the Whole Executive Session 8:35 pm
This portion of the meeting is reserved for COMMISSION ACTION ONLY; therefore audience comments will not be entertained. The audience is asked to hold their comments and share them with their Single Member District Representative at the conclusion of the meeting. Thanks again for your cooperation.

Response to ANC Concerns …………………………………………………….
Treasurer’s Report …………………………………. Commissioners Farmer-Allen and Day
Pay Bills …………………………………………………………………………….

Meeting Adjourned

North Cap Main Streets

"North Capitol Main Street, Inc. Launch"

Thursday, March 26, 2009 --From 6 PM - 8 PM

LOCATION: 1703 North Capitol St., NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

North Capitol Main Street, Inc. Grand Opening theme "Call To Service"

Come celebrate with the commercial business community and interested residents, as NCMS kicks off its effort to revitalize and sustain the North Capitol Neighborhood Commercial Corridor. There will be refreshments, a message from our Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown, and NCMS, Inc. President, Mrs. Patricia Mitchell. Also opportunities for sponsorship, membership and an overall networking occasion!

Snowy Eckington

Snowy Eckington
Originally uploaded by Kate Abigail

last weeks picture.

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 03/08/2009

Sunday Open Houses can be found by clicking here.

new york pizza and mexican.

someone on the eckington listserve mentioned that the old KFC at North Cap and Florida will become a "New York Pizza"

I've not tried them before, but there's one on Bladensburg NE and one on Pennsylvania Avenue SE for anyone interested.


Last night I tried to convince the owners of La Lomitas to open a place on North Capitol. They're looking to open a new location so if you go there, tell them to come to our neighborhood!

i always go to the one near potomac avenue metro ( a tradition since i moved to dc) but they have a location on the 300 block of penn, and a place on Mass Ave NE called La Loma.

need a place to grow your vegetables?

Apartment Therapy has a post about Sharing Backyards DC. this is a pretty terrific idea, so i wanted to pass it along.