excited about Bloomingdale

See this comment by a Rhode Island Avenue NW resident:

I'm a Bloomingdalian who is excited to be in the neighborhood during what will in hindsight be known as the great resurgence... I was at a party and people actually knew Bloomingdale - some said they were actively looking to be in our neighborhood because of its proximity to downtown and because of all the development happening around us. These were folks who are actively looking to relocate from Adams Morgan and parts of Columbia Heights because of parking problems, increasing crime and proximity to downtown.

I was astounded - three years ago when I mentioned Bloomingdale folks looked at me like I was talking about a department store - no not Bloomingdale's... dummy, BloomingDALE, over by LeDroit Park...

With all the activity going on, continued development including the condos right across NJ Ave, and what's slated for the sand filtration plant I, for one, am not going any place.

If you've got a foothold here, you should think twice before uprooting and rolling out. This is actually a place that I love to be.

seeking referrals for radiator maintenance

A resident on the unit block of Seaton Place NW has this request:

Does anyone still use radiators for heat and have a company they use that they are happy with? I love my radiators and do not want to give them up, but am having a hard time finding people who still work on them.

HU is updating its campus plan -- care to take the campus plan survey ?

See this request from Maybelle Taylor Bennett, Director, Howard University Community Association:

I would appreciate it if you could circulate this message on your listservs and to your various networks.

As many of our neighbors are aware, Howard University is updating its campus plan in accordance with the Zoning Commission's requirement that such an update take place once every ten years. Part of this plan includes the development of the Howard Town Center, a project described in some detail in the DUKE Plan, enacted by the Council of the District of Columbia on June 21, 2005, which had a great deal of stakeholder input. Following the most recent selection of a developer for the Town Center, a series of meetings took place in August, September and October, where a number of neighbors became more familiar with the most current plans for the project. The Pleasant Plains Civic Association hosted the first meeting on August 31st. Commissioner Gail Holness of Single Member District 1B11, where the project is located, hosted a second presentation on September 14th. The LeDroit Park Civic Association included this presentation on their agenda on September 22nd, and ANC 1B included the presentation of this project at their October 4th meeting. Questions about the project were entertained and suggestions for the enrichment of the plan were received.

Howard University is continuing the data collection phase of its campus planning process, and as part of that process, we are engaging our neighbors in a more comprehensive way than we have in the past. This includes:

• participation in quarterly Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings, which have taken place continuously since 1998, and includes area residents, civic association leaders, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, church, business and community organization representatives in the area;

• participation in individual interviews of community members from these same groups, which were conducted in September, 2009;

• participation on campus plan working groups which will be organized once the campus plan team has collected and analyzed enough data to report back for review and discussion; and

• participation in a community-wide survey that is distributed on-line and in hard copy for those without computers.


With this communication, we are inviting our neighbors to fill out the survey attached in the link below:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229PW39UT5J


Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback on this survey. As the draft campus plan begins to come together, we will be making presentations at area ANC and civic association meetings, so that we can receive your feedback at that point as well.

We look forward to your participation, and if there are any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

Maybelle Taylor Bennett
Director
Howard University Community Association
2731 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Ph: (202) 806 - 4771
Fx: (202) 667 - 5964

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 11/01/2009

Two pieces of legislation that can have a significant affect on the property values in our neighborhood are in process this week. Congress has passed an extension of the FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac higher loan limits through 2010. The President is expected to sign off on this quickly. This helps there to be affordable mortgage money available for the purchase of homes in the price ranges found in DC. The other very important legislation that has had much debate recently is the extension of the Federal Tax Credit for Home Buyers. The current proposed legislation extends the credit into next Spring. It also expands the people that it serves by increasing income limits and by allowing some current property owners to access the credit. Hopefully, a vote will be scheduled for next week.

And here are open houses for Sunday.

feedback on 1st St NW home that broken into and the resident who was "bound with wire and tape"

First, see this message from Bloomingdale resident Joe Levesque regarding this recent crime reported on the MPD-5D list:

HORRIBLE CRIME IN BLOOMINGDALE ON 1700 FIRST ST
NW

FIRST STREET NW, 1700 block, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 16.
A man entered a residence and assaulted a person. The person was then bound with wire and tape. The assailant fled with property.

I can't believe that someone in Bloomingdale had to endure being bound with wire and held hostage while a thief steals their belongings. That person must have been deathly frightened not knowing if they would be killed in their own home. Note that this happened around noon time! This same awful scene happened a few years ago on the 2100 block of First St NW. A home owner, a strong 30 yr old male, went into the alley at 8 PM to empty the trash. He was abducted at gun point by 2 men lurking in the alley, taken into his house, and bound and gagged in the kitchen. He had two dogs, one ran upstairs, the other was shot. The assailants started to haul items out the rear door as the owner sat tied on the kitchen floor, wondering if he also would be killed. Neighbors noticed this activity and called 911. Police arrested the scumbags. The two owners said screw this, sold their house and moved to Washington state. They didn't feel safe in their own home anymore. Keep your doors locked at all times and call police if something seems odd.

Now read this feedback from a resident on the unit block of S Street NW:

Just wanted to make a follow-up comment in addition to Mr. Levesque's on the home invasion/robbery. I was shocked that I first read about this in the Bloomingdale email! We get the MPD updates and didn't hear anything - being from a smaller community, an event like this would have been front-page news, followed up with tips on what happened, what the risk factors were, what citizens should be looking out for (suspect, description - where are the "wanted" posters with the suspect's description?), and what you can do to protect yourself - in your own home - at lunch time no less. I'm always shocked these crimes are taking place right next door to us in broad daylight or even at 9 PM when all of our neighbors are home. I realize it's hard to hear through the brick rowhouses and hard to look out if you only have windows in the back, but please take a moment to look out your window if you hear shouting and take a moment to call 911 if you see something suspicious! I sometimes feel I'm completely alone walking down the deserted sidewalk at night, yet I know I'm surrounded by people inside their homes and since everyone's decks and yards are out back, the main streets are devoid of neighborhood "eyes". I'd also like to get more information as soon as possible from our police force on this home invasion, what the risk factors were for this individual and what we need to be looking out for!!

the drug dealers are back in Bloomingdale

See this 10/27/2009 message from Bloomingdale resident Todd Crosby:

Was it my imagination, but I had thought that the street hoodlums that hang out on the corners had abandoned Bloomingdale last spring... until just the past few weeks. It was such a nice spring and summer: no bullets flying, no loitering drug dealers on the corners -- a great community. I thought that we had turned a corner and that those guys had given up on the drug markets in this community and had moved on.

However, in the past, literally, 3 weeks they've all returned.

Drug dealers hanging out in the old haunts, shootings in the same places...the helicopters...it's all back. What happened? Anyone know what the word on the street is? Did the police release a bunch back of the crew back into the community? Did some gangs just decide to retake the corners? It's like night and day.

It was a nice preview of what Bloomingdale can look without these street thugs plying their trade here. I'm a bit disappointed to see them back.

Bloomingdale resident Peter Frampton's letter to CM Thomas on Chancellor Michelle Rhee

Bloomingdale resident Peter Frampton asked me to post his Email to Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. and the subsequent reply.

So here you go.

From: "Thomas, Harry (COUNCIL)"
Date: October 27,
2009 7:40:13 PM CDT
To: Peter Frampton
Cc: Carole Frampton,
"Rodgers, Neil (COUNCIL)", "Pittman, James (COUNCIL)", "Nix, Susan (COUNCIL)"
Subject: RE: We support DC School Reform

thanks for your email and sharing your concerns.


From: Peter Frampton Sent:
Tuesday,
October 27, 2009 8:05 PMTo: Thomas, Harry (COUNCIL)Cc: Carole Frampton

Subject: We support DC School Reform

Dear Mr Thomas,

as residents of Thomas St NW, Ward 5, with two girls in the DC Public School system, we support Michelle Rhee in her efforts to reform the school system. Change was never going to be easy nor painless, but it is really making a difference in the lives of the children who are most dependent upon the school system to achieve their dreams in life.

Please support Michelle Rhee's efforts. She's doing it for the children.

Many thanks for your services to the city and in our Ward.

With kind regards,
Peter Frampton,
father of Chloe 7 and Lydia 5, who attend Ross Elementary.

Peter Frampton
Thomas St NW
Washington DC
20001 USA

Care to commment?

Let us review, once again, what the rules are for posting comments:

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. BOTH name and neighborhood name are required!

Thanks for honoring the rules.

"how can we get the police to focus on our area more?"

See this 10/26/2009 message from Bloomingdale resident Alexandra:

I feel like crime, especially dangerous/violent crime, has escalated in this neighborhood over the last few months. I don't dare walk my dog at night anymore. It also concerns me that I do not see many police cars patrolling the area, despite all the recent events. And I don't know what needs to be done at this point. Though a gated community is not the solution, perhaps something like private neighborhood security patrols or more video cameras should be considered.

What else can/should be done?

How can we get the police to focus on our area more? Please don't respond by telling me to leave the neighborhood - I live in Bloomingdale because I love it, but also don't want to feel like I can't leave my house in the evening (or the morning, for that matter considering that many horrible events have occurred during daylight) without a high chance of getting mugged or worse. My thoughts go out to all who have had to experience these ordeals firsthand.

New York Pizza's bullet-proof glass -- support or oppose?

The KFC at 2 Florida Avenue NE recently re-opened as a New York Pizza restaurant.

The interior is more or less the same as the KFC -- there is bullet-proof glass greeting the customer.

Some residents support the presence of the bullet-proof glass; others oppose it.

Here are some recent comments:

I was wondering --- Have any of those persons commenting negatively about these precautions ever had to work in one of these establishments and deal on a daily basis with all the different types of persons that come in to do business. Have they ever been the only attendant in one of these establishments. Until our neighborhood changes even more than it has, I applaud the business owners for taking precautions to take care of the safety of themselves and their employees.

Walk a mile in the shoes of the workers. Try to support these businesses so that we can have more establishments to service our needs locally.

-- Long time resident of 4th Street, Northwest


I would like to thank the posters who will not visit stores with glass, you are part of the reason that Luciano's on P and N. Cap is no longer in business. Before they closed, a few windows were broken and an ATM was ripped from the wall. In that environment, glass is a matter of personal safety. Comparing Big Bear which only has daylight hours to a place which is open until 1am on the weekends is a bit of a stretch. Five Guys is also in a bit of a better situation as there isn't a large population of vagrants camping outside. I would invite you to open up a minimally staffed restaurant without glass and see how safe that intersection is.

-- 1500 block of 1st Street NW resident.

What do YOU think?

And let’s review, once again, what the rules are for posting comments:

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.

BOTH name and neighborhood name are required! Thanks for honoring the rules.

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 10/25/2009

The list is here.

Now Sunday! Bloomingdale House Tour shuffled from Saturday to Sunday

****Date Change****

Due to 80% chance of rain tomorrow, the Bloomingdale House Tour has been moved to Sunday, October 25. You still have time to purchase tickets! Details below...

The Bloomingdale Civic Association Presents "Victorian Secrets"

A Fund Raising House Tour

Sunday, October 25, 2009

1-5:00 PM

This tour features 8 private homes in the Bloomingdale neighborhood - from a home that once housed nuns, to a home with an incredible garden oasis, to a North Capitol Main Street board member's lovely abode, to the best rooftop view in DC! Afterwards, join the end-of-the-tour party at the Anna J Cooper house and enjoy fantastic food & the smooth sounds of jazz artist, and Bloomingdale resident, Maurice Lyles.

This is a fund raiser to benefit the Bloomingdale Civic Association's cooperative work and commitment to the citizens of this community.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of the tour (children 7-12 ½ price, under 7 free) and can be purchased at Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits, 1st and Rhode Island Ave., NW, Mon-Fri and at Big Bear Cafe on the day of the event.

You may also contact J.C. Blount, 202/986- 2772, J.C. Bond, 202/328- 3068 or Laurie Choice, 202/797- 7407 for additional information or to volunteer.

North Capitol Main Street Meet and Greet Fundraiser

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here: http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001oXhWNqUJKjwcoWg11hhavoMBhheQNDFlWK7nt8q2jChL1sxiEUJA6cFD9i0hGSUI159Kw1R-sMpfpw3eLe7EBCADqI-VH_AzOZbfhPsO12s%3D

North Capitol Main Street, Inc. Fall Meet and Greet Fundraiser
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22,2009
6:30pm -8:30pm
2035 2ND STREET NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001

You are Cordially Invited to the North Capitol Main Street, Inc. Fall Fundraising Drive. Thursday, October 22nd from 6:30PM to 8:30PM.

Come and enjoy this NCMS Happy Hour opportunity to help support NCMS' efforts in Eckington, Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle neighborhoods.

This is an open networking event for all local residents, business owners and professionals to network and make contacts. Please forward this invitation to friends and co-workers. Drinks and snacks will be available. Donations are appreciated!


Where: Parker Flats Condo's 2035 2nd St NW Washington, DC 20001

When: Thursday, October 22, 2009
6:30PM to 8:30PM

Hosts: North Capitol Main Street,Inc.
Parker Flats' Condo Association

Please Note: Donations will be appreciated!

Interested in joining the North Capitol Main Street Effort? What are we looking for? We need your help in obtaining project volunteers, new excited members, and potential board members.

Ready to start right away? Contact Garry Clark @ http://us.mc5.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=gclark@ncmsinc.org or call 202-905-6039

Get involved and help lead the way to neighborhood revitalization today! Garry ClarkNorth Capitol Main Street, Inc.

North Capitol Main Street is funded by the Department of Small and Local Business Development and D.C. Main Streets

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 10/18/2009

Here is the list!

Sean Hennessey & Rania Hassan Art Events Newsletter Fall Edition

Hello friends, If you’ve been following us via twitter, blog, or facebook, you’ll know we’ve been quite busy in the art and craft world.We want to thank you all for visiting us at Crafty Bastards, Arts on Foot, and the Common Elements show. We really appreciate the support. Below is a list of current and upcoming events. We hope to see you soon!

Thanks,Sean Hennessey & Rania Hassan.

. News .

Rania was profiled in the cover story of the Washington Post Weekend on October 2 in an article titled Crafts With an Edge. Click here to read.


. Gallery Neptune .

Opening tomorrow night, Rania’s exhibit at Gallery Neptune will feature new directions in her Knit Together series in a two-person show with metal sculptor Joyce Zipperer.

The show opens tomorrow, Saturday, October 17, 7-9pm, and will run through November 14. According to dcist, and Daily Candy, you'll really want to see this show. Gallery Neptune5001 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814 [2nd Floor]
A few blocks from Bethesda Metro Station [Red Line]
Click here for map

Gallery Hours:
Thursday–Saturday, 12-5 pm, also by appointmentPlease see web site for details and additional event information.


. James Renwick Alliance Day .
Rania and Sean are both participating in this James Renwick Alliance Craft Artist Exhibit and Sale.

From the web site: JRA Day is sponsored by the James Renwick Alliance, an independent national nonprofit organization that celebrates the achievements of America’s craft artists and fosters scholarship, education and public appreciation of craft art. The JRA was founded in 1982 and is the exclusive support group for the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, our nation’s showcase of contemporary American craft.JRA Day
The Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase7931 Connecticut Ave NW, Chevy Chase, MDSaturday, 11am-5pm
map and directions

Admission:$5 for James Renwick Alliance members$7 for non-members
Free Parkingplease visit web site for details

. Artwork Online .
Our smaller pieces can be purchased online anytime and shipped anywhere around the world.


Rania's illustrated Moleskine and knit paintings are at: shoofly.etsy.com


Sean's experimental pieces in glass and concrete can be found at scenicartisans.etsy.com


. Follow Us .

Looking for more details about what we're up to? There are many ways to keep track of us, here are some of our links!
:: Sean Hennessey ::Email: art@wheresmycoffee.comTel: 202.550.4634Blog: : wheresmycoffee.comArt portfolio: dcsean.comTwitter: twitter.com/wheresmycoffeeFlickr: flickr.com/wheresmycoffeeFacebook: facebook.com/pages/Sean-Hennessey

:: Rania Hassan ::Email: darnknit@gmail.comTel: 202.320.9300Blog: goshdarnknit.comArt portfolio: raniahassan.comNotebook Portfolio: trunkt.org/shooflyTwitter: twitter.com/goshdarnknitFlickr: flickr.com/goshdarnknit.comFacebook: facebook.com/pages/goshdarnknit

Please be sure to visit event links posted above to make sure dates haven't changed since sending this out. Thanks for reading down this far, we hope to see you sometime soon at one of our events!

North Capitol Main Street Fall meet-and-greet fundraiser at Parker Flats

See this message from Garry Clark, Executive Director, North Capitol Main Street, Inc.

North Capitol Main Street, Inc. Fall Meet and Greet Fundraiser
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22,2009
6:30pm -8:30pm

You are Cordially Invited to the North Capitol Main Street, Inc. Fall Fundraising Drive. Thursday, October 22nd from 6:30PM to 8:30PM.

Come and enjoy this NCMS Happy Hour opportunity to help support NCMS' efforts in Eckington, Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle neighborhoods.

This is an open networking event for all local residents, business owners and professionals to network and make contacts. Please forward this invitation to friends and co-workers. Drinks and snacks will be available. A $25.00 donation is requested.


Where: Parker Flats at Gage School Condos
2035 2nd St NW Washington, DC 20001

When: Thursday, October 22, 2009
6:30PM to 8:30PM

Hosts: North Capitol Main Street,Inc.
Parker Flats' Condo Association


Please Note: a $25.00 donation is requested.

Interested in joining the North Capitol Main Street Effort? What are we looking for? We need your help in obtaining project volunteers, new excited members, and potential board members.

Ready to start right away?

Contact Garry Clark at

gclark@ncmsinc.org or call 202-905-6039

Get involved and help lead the way to neighborhood revitalization today!

Garry ClarkNorth Capitol
Main Street, Inc.

North Capitol Main Street is funded by the Department of Small and Local Business Development and D.C. Main Streets.

Stu Davenport's development company saves the day in WCP's Housing Complex

Have your ever read Ruth Samuelson's Housing Complex column in the Washington City Paper?

This week's Housing Complex column centers upon a Florida Avenue NW rowhouse renovation nightmare.

Who helped the hapless homeowner with some renovations when his original contractor failed to do so?

None other than Stu Davenport and his development company.

Go here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2009/10/14/florida-avenue-grilling/

From a R St NW resident who despises the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market

Recent commment about the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market by Bloomingdale resident Joe Levesque:

I love the urban mix at our farmers market here in Bloomingdale:

Old fashion live fiddle music,

Ultra chique menu items with fab ingredients

FREE Bicycle repairs and tune-up

No wonder Bloomingdale Farmers market is the 7th favorite small market in the entire USA!!!

And here is some follow-up statements from a Bloomingdale resident on the 100 block of R Street NW, who has made unfavorable remarks about the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market in the past:

I resent the hijacking of our very small block for the privileged few who pay exorbitant prices to vendors who do not even live in our neighborhood or DC.

The tacky and illegal pcv/metal pipe and other homemade sign posts that litter our beautiful tree boxes so as to promote this dreadful market (these must be removed immediately as they are against city ordinance).

The arrogance of a few (including our ANC rep and owner of Big Bear) who does what's best for (his)business and NOT the the citizens of the 100 block of R Street NW. I am hoping someone will run against him during the next election.

What is the source document for claiming 7th in the USA?

I suspect the original poster meant chic and NOT chique. For many of the old time neighbors, however, BFM fiddle music and menu items are from chic!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And let’s review, once again, what the rules are for posting comments:

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.

BOTH name and neighborhood name are required! Thanks for honoring the rules.

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 10/11/2009

Here is the list of scheduled Open Houses for Sunday.

care to comment on the proposed revised regulations for neighborhood historic designation ??

See the message below from Capitol Hill resident Nancy Metzger and head of the DC Historic Districts Coalition.

The Thursday, October 22, 2009 Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) meeting agenda includes "taking comments" on the proposed revised regulations for historic district designation.

There has been heated and lively commentary on neighborhood lists regarding the topic of having neighborhoods historically designated.

If you feel passionate on this topic -- in opposition or support -- you are invited to participate in the discussion. One opportunity is the upcoming HPRB meeting.


REGULATIONS FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK AND HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATIONS

A final draft of new regulations for designating historic districts and historic landmarks has been published and the Historic Preservation Review Board will be taking comments at the October 22 meeting. These regulations have changed in important ways since the public participation issue was discussed last year at the Cheh-Bowser Bill legislative hearing.

At the Council hearing, many Historic Districts Coalition members and others in the preservation community testified about the importance of public participation in the process, but also suggested changes in the legislation that would have impacted the designation procedure. The complete regulations, showing corrections, can be accessed through the HPO web site.

Comments on the proposed regulation should be submitted, in writing, to Tersh Boasberg, Chairman, Historic Preservation Review Board, 2000 14th Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20009.


Several key points:

· All property owners will be notified of pending designation and owners have the right to submit a statement to the Board before the hearing stating their objections or their support. (It appears that an earlier mail-back ballot idea has been dropped.)

· It would require a majority of owners expressing their opposition in written form to block the nomination. They could testify at a hearing but the staff would tally the written comments. If the Board feels that there is not broad community support, particularly as indicated by the written comments, then there’s a waiting period of 12 months before a nomination can be reconsidered. (The regs explicitly say the applicant doesn’t have to demonstrate universal support or support from those declining to register an opinion. This waiting period is a change from the much longer waiting periods suggested by the Cheh-Bowser bill but is in line with the federal regulations.)

· Although the regulations say listings in the DC Inventory can be amended or revoked, it also says properties may be removed only if they no longer meet the criteria for designation. ( So there does not seem to be a method to remove properties if they just become unpopular or inconvenient somehow.)

· There is a section that requires draft historic district guidelines for each individual historic district that must be distributed before a determination is made by the Board. (The guidelines would be revised later, taking into account comments from the Board and public, after the nomination is acted on. This follows the Foxhall Village adoption scenario.)

· In addition, there is a section that states the Board, Mayor’s Agent, and staff may use the Comprehensive Plan and the Historic Preservation Plan for “additional guidance on the listing of properties in the DC Inventory and on the review of construction affecting historic landmarks and historic districts.”

BACA votes to oppose LAYC at Cook School

I attended last night's Bates Area Civic Association (BACA) meeting held at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.

I took some notes.

Here are some of my notes, which should be classified as non-comprehensive and non- exhaustive.

The focus of the BACA meeting was the use of the JF Cook School on the unit block of P Street NW by the Latin American Youth Council (LAYC).

The local Truxton Circle / Bates area community in attendance overwhelmingly expressed opposition to the LAYC moving into the Cook School. The primary item of opposition appears to be the residential component of the school, which was not disclosed when LAYC came before the community on five occasions.

President Jim Berry said that the LAYC school will push back neighborhood retail development 30 years.

He invited the Mayor, who was in attendance, to look at the bigger picture – the methadone clinics, SOME, etc. “Your team didn’t look at the big picture. LAYC will have an adverse, disruptive presence.”

ANC 5C Chair Anita Bonds asked how we can support LAYC. “We are home to the Rayful Edmonds gang. We don’t want another gang in the neighborhood.” “If this is a done deal, you will have to help us determine how best this will work. We were hoping for retail.”

Bloomingdale resident Pat Mitchell commented that there is continued suppressing of retail opportunities. “There is not enough support to mitigate the offset of the social services.”

A number of students from LAYC (and parents? faculty? staff?) attended as well.

Residents challenged the RFP process used, which the Mayor defended.

Resident MaryAnn Wilmer asked why LAC couldn’t co-locate with the Phelps Vocational School. She stated that she strongly opposes LAYC coming in.

ANC 5C Commissioner Sylvia Pickney remarked that the school offers no benefit to the community.

Some guy in the rear of the room asked the Mayor what he would do to encourage economic development in the community.

The Mayor replied that the presence of social services does not hamper economic development.

The Mayor said that he would have his staff walk through the community in the next 30 days to address the issues raised at the meeting, such as the homeless, the intoxicated and the drug dealers hanging out the parks at 1st & Florida NW and 1st & New York Avenue NW.

The Mayor briefly described the Youth Build programs in Petworth and on Park Road NW. Both sites are near successful housing & retail developments. “I see this as a jar half full, not half empty. This doesn’t have to be either or.”

A female resident unknown to me commented that it was news that the school would have housing on the site – that was announced after-the-fact. Housing increases the scope of the project. She then described how buses drop off people from all over the city early in the morning in the neighborhood for breakfast at SOME and then hang out all day, etc., etc.

A 23-year-old student at LAYC spoke passionately about the school and how it has helped turned her life around for the better.

BACA President Jim Berry remarked that he would prefer to have the school available for economic development.

After the general discussion wrapped up – when the Mayor needed to depart – a number of meeting attendees, including most of the people associated with the charter school, also departed.

A woman who identified herself as someone with the school (principal? vice principal?) began describing the schools programs and benefits, but left the room upset and crying. She was clearly not happy that the school was not being welcomed into the community.

Then there was a reading of a resolution by BACA to oppose LAYC at the Cook School. The resolution was quite long, but I jotted down “saturation of social services.” The resolution asked the District to rescind the decision. The resolution passed. Similar resolutions were passed from the Hanover Civic Association and the Dunbar-Shaw Homeowner’s Association (which I have never heard of before). Only one resident at the meeting explicitly expressed support for the project.

It was noted that there was an interest in having an ANC 5C vote to support/oppose LAYC. Ostensibly, the vote was put on hold for a future meeting. So ANC 5C has not taken an official position (yet).

And I still don't understand the relationship of LAYC and Youth Build.

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 10/04/2009

Here's hoping for another nice crisp Fall day to visit the scheduled open houses. Enjoy!

Sean & Rania at today's Crafty Bastards

See this 10/02/2009 message from Bloomingdale resident and Scenic Artisan Sean Hennessey:


There was an article including [wife] Rania [Hassan] in today’s Washington Post weekend section in their Crafty Bastards coverage. It mentions that we live in Bloomingdale. [Yahh for Bloomingdale!]

We'll both be at Crafty Bastards on Saturday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/01/AR2009100101888.html?sub=AR

pictures of Rania are only in the print edition.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards/

another McMillan meeting -- this one, by Ward 5 Councilmember Thomas

See this message from the office of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.


COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING
1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
ROOM 107
WASHINGTON, DC 20004

HARRY THOMAS, JR.
COUNCILMEMBER
WARD 5

TEL: 202- 724- 8028
FAX: 202- 724- 8076
HTHOMAS @ DCCOUNCIL.US


THE McMILLAN PROJECT: A STATUS REPORT

Chaired by
Harry “ Tommy” Thomas, Jr., Ward 5 Councilmember

A G E N D A

1 Open House 6:30pm to 7:00pm


2 Introductory Remarks 7:00 pm to 7:15 pm

• Harry “ Tommy” Thomas, Jr., Ward 5 Councilmember
• Clint Jackson, Project Manager, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
• Barrie Danneker, ANC 5C07 Commissioner and MAG Member
• Kenyan McDuffie, MAG Spokesperson
• Aakash Thakkar, Vice President, EYA
• Jair Lynch, President, JLDP

3 Discussion Overviews (7-10 minutes each) 7:15 pm to 7:40 pm

• Traffic Information, Nicole White,Symmetra Design
• Historic Information, Emily Eig, EHT Traceries
• Stormwater Management , Mark Stires, Bowman Consulting Group
• Fiscal and Market Analysis, Marisa Gaither, Green Door Advisors

4 Next Steps 7:40 pm to 7:45 pm

• Clint Jackson, DMPED
• Aakash Thakkar, EYA

5 Break Out Sessions and Q & A 7:45 pm to 8:25 pm


6 Closing Remarks 8:25 pm to 8:30 pm

Harry “ Tommy” Thomas, Jr., Ward 5 Councilmember

tonight: planning meeting for North Capitol Main Street Winter Blues 2010 fundraising event

Winter Blues is back... and we don't mean the cold weather doldrums!

You can help North Capitol Main Street improve your local business district. Get involved by helping us plan the fifth annual Winter Blues Party and Silent Auction.

Join us at the home of NCMS President Pat Mitchell at 12 R Street NW on tonight, Tuesday, September 29 at 7 PM to find out more about how you can put your skills to work to make the Winter Blues a big success for our community.

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Helping to plan event logistics, set-up and tear-down, and entertainment.
• Seeking auction items from within and beyond the NCMS residential/business community.
• Securing sponsors.
• Helping to promote the event.
  
  

RSVP to Patricia Mitchell at pmitchell @ columbiadb.com or 202- 547-7979.

Shaw Main Streets Annual Development Forum -- Wednesday, 9/30/2009

Shaw Main Streets, the commercial revitalization and historic preservation organization serving central Shaw's 7th and 9th Street commercial corridors, will hold its sixth annual community forum on major development projects on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 6:30 PM at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Room 102B (enter from L Street).

Admission is free, and no reservations are required.

Representatives from developers will present the current status of their plans for major renovation and new construction projects in the area. Invited developers include:

• Banneker Ventures (The Jazz on Florida Avenue),
• Ellis Development and Four Points (Howard Theatre and Broadcast Center One),
• Douglas Development (Wonder Bread Factory and Squares 450 and 451),
• Roadside Development (CityMarket at O),
• Quadrangle Development (Marriott Marquis Convention Center Hotel),
• Hines-Archstone (City Center DC),
• Metropolitan Development (Addison Square at Kelsey Gardens), and
• Inle Development (1501 9th Street, NW).

For more information, call 202-265-SHAW or visit www.shawmainstreets.com.

Alex

Alexander M. Padro
Executive Director
Shaw Main Streets, Inc.
1426 9th Street, NW, Ground Floor
Washington, DC 20001-3330
Voice: 202-265-SHAW
Fax: 202-265-7529
Email: ShawMainStreets@aol.com
Website: www.ShawMainStreets.com

Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development.

Open Houses scheduled in and around Bloomingdale for 09/27/2009

Today's scheduled open houses in the area can be found Here.

I will be at 33 R St NW, just down the street from the Farmers Market from 1-4pm today. Listed for $539,999., this elegant brick and brownstone Victorian also includes a 2-story carriage house!

Richard Norwood, our new Ward 5 Outreach & Service Specialist

Alice Thompson and Justin Bellow are formerly the Ward 5 Outreach and Service Specialists in the Mayor's Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS). They have moved on.

Alice and Justin have moved on to other responsibilities.

The replacement for Alice and Justin is Richard Norwood. He attended the most recent Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting.

Here is his contact information:

Government of the District of Columbia
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty
Executive Office
Richard Norwood
Ward 5 Outreach and Service Specialist
Mayor's Office of Community Relations & Services
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 211
Washington, DC 20004

Ward 5 Helpdesk: 202.671.0726
Cell phone: 202.340.7038
Fax: 202.727.5931
Email: Richard.Norwood@dc.gov

To request a service from the DC government:
by phone: 311, 24/7
on the internet 24/7: http://src.dc.gov

want to help plan Winter Blues 2010 ?

Recall North Capitol Main Street Winter Blues fun-fun-fun fundraising events?


Would you like to help plan Winter Blues 2010?

Read this message at the link from Garry Clark, Executive Director, North Capitol Main Street Inc.:

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001f4dPHpiT2QH7pG_5ZQakx7KRgO6YNHhfPQmpmEoTd4oqQVp2l9YZDj3m8ShWmHnvjHbLq3ZDd2INBPHXH73kXCdkDYL958kBOT4GO6DrF_zp-RgRne20bzGNPocnjpx_Jo1BaUFsYh4%3D

The photo above is courtesy Bloomingdale resident Sara Kaufman from Winter Blues 2006, held in the Social Hall of Trinity University.

anyone used Brooks Upholsterers on R I Ave NW ?

From Bloomingdale resident Todd Crosby:

Has anyone ever done business with Brooks Upholsterers there at 80 Rhode Island NW behind the City Cleaners?

I have two chairs I’d like to get recovered…was wondering about the quality of their work..etc

final call! bulk order wrought iron fencing for your treebox

Karyn of North Capitol Street NW

This is your last chance to bulk order wrought iron fencing for your tree box.


Your neighbors are coordinating a bulk purchase and installation of wrought iron fencing in Bloomingdale.

We already have enough neighbors interested in an installation to reduce the cost by buying in bulk.

The negotiated the cost of a single 4’x8’ tree box is $480. Price will vary depending on the size of an individual tree box. The contractor we chose also contracts for DC and therefore can guarantee the installations are in accordance of city code.

Please contact me at krayon @ gmail.com if you are interested in participating in the bulk order of tree box fencing. We will begin installations in October.

Also send me your contact information if you are interested in a city grant that pays for tree box fence installations. We are considering submitting a city grant to install tree box fencing for all of Bloomingdale.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Karyn
1826 North Capitol St, NW
202- 306- 0608

Lost Dog Found!

You may have seen this post on the Prince of Petworth blog or you may also have seen flyers posted in the neighborhood. Olive's owner is reporting that she is safely back home, so if you see flyers around, they can be removed.

at Timor Bodega this Saturday

From Kim Wee:

THIS Saturday:

Fresh bagels available from 8:30AM till they sell out around 3PM.

Pastured eggs and fresh chicken from Polyface Farms come in at about 3pm. The eggs have the brightest orange yolk I've seen, and the store carries them exclusively until the end of the egg laying season. The chicken will be slaughtered Friday, and will likely sell out this weekend.

Next fresh chicken will be available 2 weeks later.

here is the latest North Capitol Main Street, Inc. e-newsletter

Here is the link to the August/September 2009 e-newsletter of North Capitol Main Street, Inc.

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001oXhWNqUJKjwcoWg11hhavoMBhheQNDFlWK7nt8q2jChL1sxiEUJA6cFD9i0hGSUI159Kw1R-sMqSx_TjbT6jwiKGbndG8k8PhtVYqaMnvBg%3D


Read about "First on 1st" art walk event held on Saturday, 8/1/2009.

Brief business spotlight on Y.E.S.S.S. -- Your Educational Supplies, and Systems and Services -- at 108 Rhode Island Avenue NW.

Read a profile of JAK & Company Beauty Salon at 112 Rhode Island Avenue NW.

Plus see the Save-the-Date announcement for a Fall NCMS Membership/Fundraising Drive on Thursday, October 22, 2009, at Parker Flats at Gage School Condominiums. Stay tuned for more info!


Note that the image of two bunny Peeps on the vacant building where the dirt drawing event occurred and the image of Yoga District are courtesy of Imgoph blogger Geoffrey Hatchard.

here is your opportunity to oppose or support the proposed regulations for neighborhood historic designation

Okay, neighborhood historic designations haters and lovers!

Here is your golden opportunity to weigh in.

See the message below from Capitol Hill resident Nancy Metzger, head of the DC Historic Districts Coalition.

(This message was posted on the Historic Washington list at Yahoogroups, moderated by Chevy Chase resident Mary Rowse.)

Those who are passionate in opposition or support of the proposed regulations governing the establishment of new historic neighborhoods in DC are invited to commment to the DC Historic Preservation Office (HPO).

Is there an active effort to get Bloomingdale designated at this time? No.

But be assured, some group of residents in Bloomingdale will initiate an effort to do so, so residents need to be educated and be informed.

Posted by: merowse @ aol.com
Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:33 am
(PDT)


From: Nancy Metzger, Historic Districts Coalition

A final draft of new regulations for designating historic districts and historic landmarks has been published and the Historic Preservation Review Board will be taking comments at the October 22 meeting. These regulations have changed in important ways since the public participation issue was discussed last year at the Cheh-Bowser Bill legislative hearing. At the Council hearing, many Coalition members and others in the preservation community testified about the importance of public participation in the process but also suggested changes in the legislation that would have impacted the designation procedure. The complete regulations, showing corrections, can be accessed through the HPO web site. Comments on the proposed regulation should be submitted, in writing, to Tersh Boasberg, Chairman, Historic Preservation Review Board, 2000 14th Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20009.

Several key points:

* All property owners will be notified of pending designation and owners have the right to submit a statement to the Board before the hearing stating their objections or their support. (It appears that an earlier mail-back ballot idea has been dropped.)

* It would require a majority of owners expressing their opposition in written form to block the nomination. They could testify at a hearing but the staff would tally the written comments. If the Board feels that there is not broad community support, particularly as indicated by the written comments, then there's a waiting period of 12 months before a nomination can be reconsidered. (The regs explicitly say the applicant doesn't have to demonstrate universal support or support from those declining to register an opinion. This waiting period is a change from the much longer waiting periods suggested by the Cheh-Bowser bill but is in line with the federal
regulations.)

* Although the regulations say listings in the DC Inventory can be amended or revoked, it also says properties may be removed only if they no longer meet the criteria for designation. (So there does not seem to be a method to remove properties if they just become unpopular or inconvenient somehow.)

* There is a section that requires draft historic district guidelines for each individual historic district that must be distributed before a determination is made by the Board. (The guidelines would be revised later, taking into account comments from the Board and public, after the nomination is acted on. This follows the Foxhall Village adoption scenario.)

* In addition, there is a section that states the Board, Mayor's Agent, and staff may use the Comprehensive Plan and the Historic Preservation Plan for "additional guidance on the listing of properties in the DC Inventory and on the review of construction affecting historic landmarks and historic districts."


Draft Window Standards Released for Public Comment

As just about anyone involved in historic preservation at the neighborhood level can attest, there is often controversy swirling about window replacement. The Historic Preservation Office has released draft window standards for comment.

There is emphasis on repair first and retention of historic material where possible. When replacement is necessary, emphasis is on how close it looks to the original / historic window. An important change is that some materials other than wood may be approved if the appearance closely matches. (The standards say, "Matching the original material of historic windows is strongly encouraged. alternative materials may be approved if they can convincingly replicate the appearance of the historic window and appreciably undistinguishable from the original material.") This lets open the door for some of the newer materials (fibrex, for example) and others yet to be discovered while keeping the emphasis on how the proposed new window would function visually as a replacement for historic windows. As with the present standard, there is a less stringent materials requirement for windows in the rear or non-primary facades.

This is a first draft that has been released for comment by the public and HPRB (available through the Historic Preservation Office website). It is scheduled for comment at the October 22 Board meeting. In addition, comments can be sent in writing to the Historic Preservation Office, 2000 14th Street, NW, Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20009. The window standards will be submitted to the Office of Attorney General for a legal sufficiency review after consideration of the Board and public comments and any necessary revision.

Nancy Metzger

WASA work coming up for Flagler and U St NW

See this 09/19/2009 message from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti.

DC WASA will be doing a water line and lead pipe replacement project on Flagler Place NW and half of the 100 block of U Street NW. The agency is currently seeking a permit to start work, and the starting date will be directly a factor of when DCRA issues the permit. The project will start at Adams and come down Flagler and turn left on to U Street and end at 1st NW. The project will proceed one block at a time to minimize the parking problems that are going to result from this work. The typical work day will run from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. This will make parking much more problematic, but will allow the agency to get the work done in half the time. But even with this work day, each block on Flagler will take 45-50 days to complete.

None of this water project will impact the 100 block of V Street or 2nd Street NW.

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 09/20/2009

Sorry for the lapse during the transition of The Blog. Open house listings that are scheduled through the local multiple listing system should again appear regularly.

Here is the list for Sunday 9/20.

Although NOT open this Sunday, I have a great new listing at 33 R St NW that just went into the mls today. It's a beautifully cared for Victorian with several unusual features. I particularly love that the current owner had the paint removed from the brownstone and that it has the original iron exterior steps. There is a two-story carriage house in the back. Heart of pine floors, two antique mantels (and one working fireplace), high ceilings, and a bay front are just a few of the charming historic details. The kitchen, which has an open layout to the dining area and family room, is fully updated with quality appliances, a center island, solid surface counters, and a glass tile backsplash. It is being offered for sale at $539,999. The virtual tour can be seen Here.

Bloomingdale House Tour -- on the agenda of this Monday's Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting

Here the agenda for this Monday's Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting, supplied by Civic Association President Robert Brannum:

BLOOMINGDGALE CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. WASHINGTON, DC

MONTHLY MEETING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
7:00pm-8:30PM

ST. GEORGES’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2ND AND U STREETS, NW

AGENDA

I.
Introductions and Moment of Silence

II.
Bloomingdale Community Concerns
McMillan Park, public safety, and other community items

III.
Announcements/Updates from Office of Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.

IV.
Howard University – Homecoming Update
Information presentation about parade route, traffic, and other homecoming items

V.
Bloomingdale House Tour
Update on selected houses, ads, and other tour items

VI.
St. Martin’s Apartments
Project development presentation

VII.
DC Arts and Humanities Commission
Presentation regarding application process for mural at First and W Streets NW

VIII.
Announcements

IX.
Adjournment

2204 Flagler Pl NW on 2009 Metro DC Tour of Solar Homes and Buildings

From Bloomingdale resident Jeff Hayward:

I was hoping that you could post information inviting people to the solar energy open house we are holding at 2204 Flagler Place NW as part of the 2009 Metro DC Tour of Solar Homes and Buildings.

Last year, we installed a small-scale system of photovoltaic panels on the roof of our 1909 rowhouse, which provides about 50% of our electric energy. This system was 50% funded by a grant from the DC government as part of a renewable energy demonstration program. We made a commitment to offer demonstrations to our community of this system, so that others could learn about how they might generate solar energy in their home or business, too.

Our Flagler Place rowhouse will be featured on the second day of the Solar Tour 2009, from 11 am to 5pm on Sunday October 4th. We’d be pleased to welcome our neighbors to come drop by and talk about renewable energy. Here is the link to the Solar Tour: http://www.solartour.org

In addition, the organization I work for, Rainforest Alliance did an interview with me for our on-line journal The Canopy and featured 15 photos of our house with explanatory captions. Neighbors can view our solar system and the step-by-step installation by following this link:http://www.rainforest-
alliance.org/climate.cfm?id= qa_jeff_hayward&autoSlideShow=
true .

People are welcome to call or write for more information. 202- 294- 7008.

make Teri Janine happy

The Beautification Committee of the Bloomingdale Civic Association is jonesing for volunteers!

See this request from Teri Janine of the Beautification Committee:

The Bloomingdale Civic Association seeks volunteers to become members of the Beautification Committee. At the moment, there is only one person on the committee.

If you are interested in working to enhance the appearance of our community, please contact Teri Janine at terijanine @ gmail.com as soon as possible. Thanks!

new chair appointed to head NCPC

"Who cares if the National Capital Planning Commission gets a new appointed chair?"

Bloomingdale residents should at least take notice.

Newcomers may ask "What is NCPC?"

Here are two paragraphs lifted from the NCPC website, www.ncpc.gov, that describes what NCPS is:

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is the federal government’s central planning agency for federal land and buildings in the National Capital Region. NCPC’s jurisdiction covers 2,500 square miles, including the District of Columbia and surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia.

NCPC
develops planning policies and makes decisions that protect and enhance the
extraordinary historical, cultural, and natural resources of the nation's capital. Through four principal activities, NCPC helps ensure that Washington remains one of the most admired capitals in the world.

I am passing along this announcement simply because NCPC has influence over development projects in the metropolitan area, including development at the Old Soldiers' and Sailors Home / Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) -- as well as the McMillan Sand Filtration Site (although I have to confess it is not clear if indeed NCPC has input to the sand filtration site project).


Anyway, here is the annoucement on the appointment of Preston Bryant Jr. as the new chair of NCPC, again from the NCPC website:

President Obama Appoints Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources, L. Preston Bryant, Jr., as Chair of the National Capital Planning Commission

Thursday, September 10, 2009
http://www.ncpc.gov/mediaroom/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=308&F_CATEGORY_ID=6&

Washington, DC – President Obama today named Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources, L. Preston Bryant, Jr., to serve as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission. He currently serves as the secretary of natural resources in the cabinet of Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine, overseeing six agencies that protect and restore the Commonwealth’s natural and historic resources.

In his new role at NCPC, Secretary Bryant will lead the 12-member Commission’s work to protect and enhance the extraordinary historical, cultural, and natural resources of the nation’s capital and surrounding region. He will also oversee the Commission’s review of the design of federal construction projects, long-range planning efforts, and planning policies.

“I am honored to accept the President’s appointment,” said Secretary Bryant. “The National Capital Planning Commission is uniquely positioned to enhance Washington’s standing as a sustainable, livable capital city. I look forward to guiding projects that will benefit the environment, advance green building design, and protect the city’s treasured open space.”

Prior to joining Governor Kaine’s cabinet in 2006, Secretary Bryant served in the Virginia House of Delegates for ten years, where he sponsored landmark legislation to preserve more than one million acres of nontidal wetlands, streamline Virginia’s stormwater management programs, and create a program to improve wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into Virginia waters.

“Secretary Bryant’s experience will serve this Commission well,” said NCPC’s Executive Director Marcel Acosta. “He has advised Governor Kaine on critical issues impacting the state’s natural resources, and throughout his career he has been devoted to advancing environmental priorities, a matter that is of the utmost importance in our role as the federal planning agency for America’s capital city.”

Secretary Bryant also served as a partner in a Virginia-based civil engineering, surveying, and planning firm. He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia and resides in Richmond. He becomes the 21st person to serve as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, established by Congress in 1924. He will complete the remainder of the term of outgoing Chairman John V. Cogbill, III, which concludes on January 1, 2013.

“We are indebted to Chairman Cogbill for his leadership and strong support for the staff’s efforts over the last eight years,” said Mr. Acosta in announcing the appointment to staff. “Chairman Cogbill has worked tirelessly to ensure that the work of the Commission contributes to the continued vitality of a world-class capital. I look forward to working with Secretary Bryant moving forward to ensure our future efforts help the capital be a model of innovation and best planning practices.”

alternate McMillan development proposal: but do the numbers work?

I attended last night's McMillan Sand Filtration site community development meeting coordinated by ANC Commissioners Stuart Davenport, Ronnie Edwards, Myla Moss & John Salatti, Howard University Community Association and the McMillan Park Committee.

The last item on the agenda was a presentation and Q & A by Catholic University of America Associate Professor Miriam Gusevich.

A brief jump back in history: Back in 2000 (?), Professor Gusevich and fellow CUA School of Architecture Professor Stanley Hallett, FAIA, gave a public presentation on the CUA campus at the request of the DC Office of Planning on what could be done with the sand filtration site. I happened to attend that session. Believe me, the entire set of participants sat there ooohing and aaahing over the high-level ideas that Professors Gusevich and Hallett were tossing out as possible uses for the site. The central theme of the various ideas was an urban park setting.

Back to last night: Professor Gusevich's presentation proceeded from the original presentation: an urban park space -- this round with residential development along 1st Street NW and office buildings along Michigan Avenue NW.

She indicated that she could make the numbers work in comparison to the current Vision McMillan Partners proposal.

(John Salatti commented after the meeting that most or all of the meeting's presentation materials would be posted soon to the MyMcMillan site.)

I want to see Professor Gusevich's numbers.

community meeting NOT coordinated by DMPED & the development team this Wednesday on the McMillan Sand Filtration site development

This Wednesday, 9/9/2009, there will be a meeting on the development of the McMillan Sand Filtration site (and not the McMillan Reservoir site, which reporters consistently confuse!).

Note that this meeting is NOT NOT NOT being coordinated by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development (DMPED) and the Vision McMillan Partners land development team which has put on the prior community meetings.

It should also be noted that the members of the McMillan Advisory Group (MAG) are not a sponsor of this event.

No agenda for this meeting has been provided.

(Photo of the McMillan sand filtration silos courtesy of hipchikindc: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hipchickindc/1556599315/)

Item #1) See this message from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

A few weeks ago, I announced a community meeting about the McMillan Sand Filtration Site. But because a number of key people were not able to make that date, I postponed the meeting. But now with the help of a new host committee, the meeting has been rescheduled and revamped into a series of meetings.

So on behalf of the host committee consisting of several ANC commissioners, community associations, and residents, I invite you to the attend the first of these meetings to discuss the future of the Sand Filtration Site. This meeting is set for Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at St. George's Episcopal Church, at 2nd & U Streets, NW, starting at 7:00 p.m.

This first meeting will cover some history, the results of a previous community input process in 2000, a slide show of the site, the current development plan that has been discussed over the last year, and other options for developing such a site. While this meeting will mainly present broad information, it will lay the foundation for succeeding ones, which will cover more technical issues and offer ways for participants to develop a consensus for what they would like to see happen at the site.

Because the future of the Sand Filtration Site is complex issue and sometimes contentious, we will have a professional facilitator who will run the meetings.

Also, come early. St.George's only seats about 100 people!

If you have any questions, please let me know.

John

John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
(202) 986- 2592
John.Salatti @ gmail.com
"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"

Item #2) I spotted a few fluorescent green leaflets blowing around some sidewalks in the neighborhood, announcing the Wednesday McMillan community meeting.

Here is the text from the leaflet:

ANC Commissioners Stuart Davenport, Ronnie Edwards, Myla Moss & John Salatti

Howard University Community Association

McMillan Park Committee


Our Community, Our Choice
My McMillan


Please become part of a community effort to shape the future of this national treasure in our own backyard.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009
7 pm to 9 pm


St. George's Episcopal Church
160 U Street NW

info @ mymcmillan.com
202 - 986 - 2592

http://www.mymcmillan.com/

-------------------------------------------------------


And let’s review, once again, what the rules are for posting comments:

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.

BOTH name and neighborhood name are required! Thanks for honoring the rules.

? a tattoo place on North Capitol Street NW ?

Look what our neighbor Sean Hennessey noticed ....


a tattoo place on North Capitol?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scenicartisan/3873365784/in/pool-bloomingdale

this is next door to Jam Doung Style

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.