man taking items from rear porch on 100 block of R Street NE in Eckington

See this Thursday, 01/05/2012 message from a neighbor:

Today I made a police call to report a person that was not only acting suspicious and riffling through garbage cans in the alley of the 100 block NE R Street shared with Quincy Place, but trespassing and taking item(s) from the back porch of 113 R Street NE. He also made his way into the alley behind the old Eckington School . Attached is a photo of this guy. I reported earlier that he was about 50 years old, but the photo I took would leave one to believe he is much older.

See this follow-on message from Fifth District Commander Andy Solberg:

Ask that residents call 911 when they see him, so we can get the chance to come and find out who he is.

Sligo Creek Stompers performing at Big Bear Cafe tonight

See this short message from Big Bear Cafe's Laura:

Tonight, the Sligo Creek Stompers are performing at Big Bear at 8:30. They are a local bluegrass band with a really down-home, friendly sound. The show is free of charge and there will be plenty to eat and drink!

www.sligocreekstompers.com

Earth to Bloomingdale residents: "traffic consultants rarely tell communities that new development will cause any problems." Do you agree? Disagree?

It looks like my attempt has flopped to encourage some discussions on the traffic impacts in Bloomingdale arising from the McMillan Sand Filtration site development.

This morning's Greater Greater Washington Breakfast Links post references Lydia DePillis's WCP Housing Complex post on development project traffic studies:

"Neighbors often don't believe traffic consultants when they say new development will cause minimal new traffic, but those consultants are counting on mixed uses, transit, and changing behavior."

Spot on? Off-base?

What you do you think of the "art of traffic impact assessment?"

Lydia comments on the McMillan Sand Filtration site & its transportation plan; what do * you * think?

Washington City Paper Housing Complex reporter Lydia DePillis just posted an item on the DC Zoning Commission and its review of transportation plans of large development projects that go before the Zoning Commission.



Green Light
Posted by Lydia DePillis
on Jan. 4, 2012 at 5:57 pm
-
Lydia briefly mentions Bloomingdale`s McMillan Sand Filtration site.

Here are the three paragraphs that reference the sand filtration site:

Then there’s McMillan Sand Filtration Plant, where development plans have engendered distrust for decades. A citizen group commissioned an outside expert to review the developer’s traffic study, asking for more information; local ANC officials are sure that adding hundreds more residences and large office buildings will make it impossible for people in surrounding neighborhoods to get to work.

But there are two problems with that.

One: Projects of a certain scale start to develop their own gravity. More residences and office workers are the only thing that justify large transportation investments like streetcars and bus rapid transit. And if there’s a mix of housing, commerce, and offices—which McMillan is supposed to have—people will be able to get to work, buy groceries, and take their kids to a playground without getting in a car. That way, even the largest of new developments won’t have the impact residents fear.

Two: Sometimes traffic is good. Urban places are congested. And well-managed congestion—with a robust array of alternatives—encourages people to do something different, like move closer to where they work, telecommute, or bike instead of drive. All take the pressure off a traffic study as something that people seize on to contain a new development.

What do you think ?

some announcements from Rustik Tavern (like lunch at Rustik Tuesdays thru Fridays!)

2011 was a fabulous year. We’ve seen our little neighborhood become even more of a place with a distinct, local, friendly feel. We at Rustik have had a phenomenal year, and we are so proud and happy to have been serving Bloomingdale. We are looking forward to the great things to come in 2012.

We have a few announcements.

First, we are going to start serving lunch Tuesdays through Fridays from 11am to 3pm. If you’re working from home, why not work from here? Bring your computer and use our free wifi while you enjoy a tasty selection of lunch items, including our house-made Focaccia daily sandwich specials or the open-faced gyro sandwiches, among other items.

Second, movies. This month we are featuring some fantastic French films that span the eclectic cinematic feats of the pentagon shaped country – from the artsy, to the criminal to the comedic.

We’ll begin tomorrow, Tuesday 1/3, with Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, known simply as Amélie. Here, Amelie, an innocent and naive girl in Paris, with her own sense of justice, decides to help those around her and along the way, discovers love. This is the iconic French film of the early 2000’s that catapulted young Audrey Tautou and her pixie cut to notoriety.

On Tuesday, 1/10, we’ll be playing La Femme Nikita, directed by Luc Besson (Leon: The Professional, The Fifth Element). In this hit-man twist, convicted felon Nikita, instead of going to jail, is given a new identity and trained, stylishly, as a top secret spy/assassin.

The Dinner Game (Le Diner de Cons), 1/17, is a beguiling French farce in which Pierre and his friends organize a weekly dinner for idiots. Each man invites the dumbest guy he can find as a guest. Pierre thinks his champ -François Pignon- will steal the show.

On Tuesday, 1/24, we will play The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie). A surrealist film directed by Luis Buñuel, the movie’s world is not logical: the bizarre events are accepted by the characters, even if they are impossible or contradictory. The film concerns a group of upper class people attempting — despite continual interruptions — to dine together. Winner of an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (1972).

We’ll finish January with an action, clever, funny, and very sexy French spy thriller starring the great Jean-Paul Belmondo, The Professional. The story goes: French secret agent Joss Baumont is sent to one of the African countries to kill their president Njala. However, at the last moment the political situation changes and the French secret service turns him in to the African authorities, and he is sentenced to a long-term imprisonment. After the daring escape he returns to France and deliberately informs his former chiefs of his presence promising them to kill Njala who has just arrived to the country with the official visit.

1/3 Amélie (2001, 122 min., R)
1/10 La Femme Nikita (1991, 118 min., R)
1/17 Le Diner de Cons / The Dinner Game (1998, 80 min., PG-13)
1/24 The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972, 102 min. PG)
1/31 The Professional (1981, 108 min.)

WaPo says it's "Out" to buy in Bloomingdale

The Washington Post published their annual list of What's In and What’s Out for 2012, and guess what they said about Bloomingdale? Yep, somebody at WaPo thinks it’s “out” to buy in Bloomingdale. Funny, the increasing number of people buying in Bloomingdale and the continuing activity of emerging local businesses make me think we’re just getting started. What do you think? Numbers below.

Happy 2012!
Suzanne

Settled House (fee simple) Sales Bloomingdale, LeDroit Park, NW Eckington
2011
Current Active Inventory 21
87 Total Sales
Average Net Sold Price $509,566.
Highest Net Sold Price $899,000
Average Days on Market 42
Just this month, we saw the highest sale price in Bloomingdale since 2005.

2010
77 Total Sales
Average Sold Price $440,118.
Highest Sold Price $849,500
Average Days on Market 47

2009
75 Total Sales
Average Sold Price $417,957.
Highest Sold Price $879,000
Average Days on Market 76


Settled Condo Sales Bloomingdale, LeDroit Park, NW Eckington
2011
Current Active Inventory 6
37 Total Sales
Average Net Sold Price $299,025.
Highest Net Sold Price $480,000.
Average Days on Market 63
Yes, condo prices went down in 2011 in the neighborhood, but this could be primarily because a new conversion, the eight unit Flatiron of Bloomingdale at 143 Rhode Island Ave NW intentionally sold below market. I expect to see the condo prices increase over 2012.

2010
24 Total Sales
Average Sold Price $319,262.
Highest Sold Price $528,000
Average Days on Market 79

2009
28 Total Sales
Average Sold Price $326,677.
Highest Sold Price $540,000
Average Days on Market 113

some info on Billy Mitchell's alleged murderer, Anthony Speight

From a Randolph Place NW resident:

Following up on the other links, this may be worth sharing, as well as an enhanced photo of the alleged murderer from his Facebook profile, in which he wears the hat he purportedly lost during the killing.

Detective's affidavit: http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/281393-scn-0045.html#document/p1

http://www.facebook.com/people/Speight-Guud-Shepherd/100000376074064

http://twitter.com/shepherd3000

photo is attached.

dog found at the Anna J. Cooper Circle yesterday

See this 12/30/2011 message from Kim Wee of Field to City:

A husky-type dog was found at Anna J. Cooper Circle today.

5 years old, 60 pounds,well groomed found with no collar.

Please contact Kim at 202 - 588 - 5612.

Close to Bloomingdale: New York Ave and O Street NE-1927

This image above came from this Fantastic blog

HomicideWatch.org: "robbery attempt at center of Bill Mitchell's Truxton Circle shooting death"

Here is a follow-up post on the arrest in the 01/19/2011 murder of Billy Mitchell -- from the HomicideWatch.org website (thanks for the tip, Mari!).

Robbery Attempt at Center of Bill Mitchell`s Truxton Circle Shooting Death
Posted Dec. 28, 2011, 3:45 p.m.

by Laura Amico
http://homicidewatch.org/2011/12/28/robbery-attempt-at-center-of-bill-mitchells-truxton-circle-shooting-death

A $20 robbery may have been the cause of Bill Mitchell`s shooting death in Truxton Circle last January.

That`s according to charging documents made public today just before Anthony Speight, the man prosecutors say killed Mitchell, was presented with a charge of first degree murder while armed.

Speight`s attorney submitted to the government`s facts and did not oppose Speight`s detention while he is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Mitchell was walking home from the theater on Jan. 19 when he was shot and killed. Mitchell`s family and friends, and D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr., said Mitchell was killed while coming to the aid of a woman.

Homicide detectives now say it may be the opposite.

According to charging documents in the case, a man on a bicycle approached a woman near a small park in Truxton Circle and propositioned her for sex. She refused. The man then rode over to Mitchell, who was at a nearby bus stop, and asked for $20. When Mitchell refused, the man argued with him. The woman then came over to assist Mitchell, told the man man to leave Mitchell alone, and tried to call 911. The man knocked her cell phone out of her hand, Mitchell jumped on the man`s back, and he and the man fell to the ground.

During the struggle the man produced a handgun, said ``This is what I have been waiting for,`` shot Mitchell, and biked away.

The arrest was made until yesterday, when MPD announced that Speight would face a murder charge in connection with the case. A person who knows Speight said Speight biked past just after the shooting. When the witness asked Speight to give him his bike, Speight declined, saying police were likely searching for it.

The witness told police Speight had said ``a white man had played with him and was taking him for a joke.``

Speight was ordered held on the murder charge and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2012.

Speight is awaiting trial in an armed carjacking case. That offense is alleged to have occurred just six hours before Mitchell was killed.

Charging documents are below:
[you can click on the homicidewatch.org link above to see this charging document.]

arrest made in the 1/19/2011 fatal shooting of William Mitchell; man arrested has been charged with first-degree murder

See this news item from today`s Washington Post:

D.C. police charge three men with murder
By David Marino-Nachison, Published: December 27

http://www.washingtonpost.com/todays_paper?dt=2011-12-28&bk=B&pg=5

D.C. police charged three men with murder Tuesday, announcing arrests in shootings in January and May and a late-night stabbing this month.

Harold Proctor of Upper Marlboro, Anthony Speight of no fixed address and Andrew Wesley Williams of Northeast Washington were arrested separately Tuesday morning, according to police.

Proctor, 19, was charged with felony murder in the Dec. 17 stabbing of Kevin Blackwell Jr., 20. Authorities responding to the 900 block of Burns Street SE found Blackwell suffering from a stab wound at 10:36 p.m.; he died later at a hospital.

Williams, 25, was charged with first-degree murder in the May 14 shooting of Junon Tyree Snead, 30, of Northeast. Snead, one of two men shot dead in separate incidents that night, was found in the 3700 block of Jay Street NE about 5:50 a.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police closed the second case Oct. 28, charging Montez Warren, 30, of Northeast with first-degree murder in the death of Ervin Lamont Griffin, 32, of Southeast.

Speight, 23, was charged with first-degree murder in the Jan. 19 shooting of William Mitchell of Northwest. Mitchell, 33, was found at North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue about 11 p.m., police said, later died at a hospital.,

Bloomingdale public safety walk - Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012

See this event announcement from Bloomingdale resident Jennifer McCann:

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners John Salatti, Hugh Youngblood, and James Fournier

Invite you to kick-off 2012 by taking part in a
Bloomingdale Public Safety Walk

Help Bloomingdale continue to grow into a safer neighborhood!

Who: You! ...and your children, dogs, friends, etc.
All are welcome to come, regardless of where you live. This is about making a strong presence in the community, showing that Bloomingdale will not tolerate crime in our neighborhood.
When: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.
Where: Northwest corner of 1st and Rhode Island NW
(Meet in front of Windows Café. Dress comfortably and bring a flashlight!)

Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale

vehicle stolen on the 2100 block of 1st St NW -- update: MPD just reported that the car has been found crashed and abandoned

Between 10:30 PM on the 25th and 9:30 AM on Monday, December 26th my car was stolen on First Street NW in between V and W. There were no signs of foul play (no broken glass or other car parts left behind) but I talked to a DC 311 operator and she said that towing was suspended in the District on the 25th and 26th and to call the police. I went ahead and filed a police report but haven't heard anything back from them. My car is a 2000 Black Jeep Cherokee, has Virginia tags and a Redskins sticker on the back window.

Now read this update:

The police just called me this morning to say that they found my car crashed and abandoned against a telephone pole in DC. Apparently the damage isn`t too bad, so it sounds like I lucked out. The scariest part about the whole thing is that the thieves didn`t break any glass-- they much have used a slim jim to get in and then hot wired the car.

dinner and a movie -- family-style dinner at Big Bear Cafe - Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012

Hello Hello!

For our family dinner this Sunday, January 1st, we will be serving a spaghetti carbonara followed by pork shoulder braised in white wine, garlic and rosemary, served with an endive/escarole salad with grainy mustard vinaigrette.

The dinner will accompany the screening of a short film about pork butchery in the United States, and the work of a small family meatsmith outside of Seattle, WA where our resident chef on research leave, Andrew Plotsky, is now in training.

It is a beautiful film. Clementina is preparing a beautiful meal.

We hope you can come to celebrate the first evening of the new year.

Contact me to reserve a seat.

It is a family-style communal dinner with limited seats, so let me know asap.

Stuart
studavenport @ gmail.com

Happy Holidays from the Bloomingdale Civic Association

Neighbors,

The Bloomingdale Civic Association wishes you happy holidays and a very happy and healthy 2012.

Best,

Teri Janine Quinn
President, Bloomingdale Civic Association

Highest Home Sale in LeDroit Park or Bloomingdale since 2007

This was actually the highest sale in Bloomingdale proper since 2005.

Here's a snippet from the Good Deal or Not Revisited (GDoN-R) post at www.princepetworth.com:

"Although many people only became aware of Bloomingdale within the past couple of years or so, it’s important to note that the renovation and sales boom had been going on in the neighborhood from the early 2000’s until a price peak in 2006. Prices are just now starting to reach above the point where the price bubble hit. There was some discussion in the comments on the original GDoN post about what it would mean for a listing to sell for over a million dollars in Bloomingdale. There actually has already been a seven figure sale in Bloomingdale, when 2301 1st St NW transferred for $1,050,000. in 2005. Still, I tend to agree with the commenters, that it would suggest a shift in perspective. The Washington Post did a story in 2000 or 2001 when the first house on The Hill sold over a million, which definitely marked a turning point in that neighborhood."

The entire post can be read here.

presents stolen from car -- alleyway of unit block of W / Adams NW

See this Friday morning message from a Bloomingdale resident:

Friday, December 23, 2011 10:51 AM
Subject: We've been robbed - alley way of unit block of W/Adams NW

A thief broke into our car took presents my husband left in car to keep from the kids overnight. The thief took our trashcan, put all the presents in our trashcan, took the trashcan down the alley, tore through everything and stole the most expensive item- a camera. It was this morning before 10:30. Did any of you see something? Help? I am so angry right now I am fuming.

PoP: "Aroi Thai/Japanese Cuisine Coming to Bloomingdale"

Some Bloomingdale retail & restaurant news from Prince of Petworth:

Aroi Thai/Japanese Cuisine Coming to Bloomingdale
By: Prince Of Petworth 21 December 2011 4:26 AM xx Comments
http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2011/12/aroi-thaijapanese-cuisine-coming-to-bloomingdale/

Back in July `11 I shared some scuttlebutt saying that a new Thai restaurant was coming to Bloomingdale at 1832 1st St, NW (next to Yoga District.) I`m happy to report that construction has begun:

I`ve learned that it will be a sit down Thai and Japanese restaurant called Aroi. If all goes according to plan they hope to complete the renovations and open in May 2012. Stay tuned.

more pics from the 12/17/2011 World Missions toy give-away rally

From: Joann Perkins
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 9:38 PM
Subject: FW: World Missions Christmas Rally 2012 Batch 10

Merry CHRISTmas everyone and thanks for allowing World Missions EXTENSION Center to work with you and your family in sponsoring the following rallies this year: in January, we sponsored our Prayer, Reflections rally, in April our first Walk-a-thon, in June, awarded 7 high School students the Malissa B. Perkins Scholarships award, in August, provided 465 students supplies needed to return back to school, at the Thanksgiving Rally, 365 families received Thanksgiving Baskets and as indicated by pictures below at the Christmas rally held on December 17th, over 983 kids present( all of which joined our Positive Alternatives Skill Building Mentoring Book club, as 24 of the kids won bikes which were raffled off) at the rally and an additional 500 children after the rally received toys( a total of 1483 kids) is why we do , what we do which is also allowing us to include our Suicide newest component (working with the Department of MentalHealth) to accomplish our mission of providing educational training services that positively impact lives of children, youth and adults living in inner-city neighborhoods.

We say again to everyone who helped us make the children and families smile, thanks, Happy Holidays and May God richly bless you and yours as you enjoy this blessed season, for we know without question that Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON.

Dr. J. Perkins, President/ CEO, Mother Withers and the EXTENSION Center Positive Alternatives Skill Building Mentoring Progam
World Missions EXTENSION Center Inc

Boundary Stone holiday party -- Thursday, 12-22-2011

See this message from Colin McDonough of Boundary Stone:

pics from the 12/17/2011 World Missions Extension Center Annual Toy Give-Away Rally

See this 12/20/2011 message from World Missions Extension Center`s Dr. JoAnn Perkins regarding this past Saturday`s annual toy give-away rally held at McKinley Tech High School:

We thanked volunteers for coming to help us put the bikes together. We gave away 24 bikes which were raffled off and 964 kids joined the book club and signed up for a mentor.

Boundary Stone Holiday Send Off

See this message from Boundary Stone's Colin McDonough:

We are having a neighborhood Holiday Send off before everyone departs or doesn`t for Christmas. We are tapping a limited edition Keg of Flying Dog Oyster Stout, each neighbor gets a free pint if they donate a toy for our toy drive!!

We will have oyster shooters and Vince will making up oyster specials all night as long as the keg lasts!

Also we will be closed on Christmas Day, and our kitchen will only be open till 10pm on Christmas eve, otherwise we are operating as always.

ANC 5C meeting/holiday celebration -- Tuesday, 12/20/2011

Passed along by ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 The Summit
7:00pm -9:00pm 116 T Street NE
Notice
Public Holiday Celebration and Meeting
Bring a friend – let`s celebrate
**************************************

Part I: Gathering 6:45 pm
Unity Call…………………..………………………………….…..Commissioner Edwards, Chairman
Confirmation of Quorum .…………………………………………………….
Adoption of Agenda
Review/Approval of Minutes.………………………………………..

Part II: Business Administration
Financial Report.………..…………………Commissioner Salatti, Financial Secretary
Review/Approval 4th Qtr Financial Rpt Documents..…Commissioner Ransom, Treasurer
Report & Pay Bills………………………..Commissioner Ransom, Treasurer
Meet the Fire Chief………..Kenneth Ellerbee, fire Chief

Part III: Community Concerns, Updates and Resolutions
1. Community Concerns
2. 225 Escot Street NE, Rear Deck Public Space Application……..Commissioner Farmer-Allen
3. Consideration of Alternative Proposals for Curb Cut - ANC 5C02 related to Dunbar High School…………………………………………………..………Commissioners Thomas and Pinkney

SPECIAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
(Acknowledgement of Sponsors)
Each one – Bring a Friend.

Let’s Celebrate the Accomplishments of 2011
and
Rejoice in the Expectations of 2012

dumpster out front of Sunset Liquors -- what's up ?

See this message from a Randolph Place NW resident:

Took this picture on saturday, by sunday the dumpster was full.

Have you heard any scuttlebutt?

Obviously would be great to have this situation improve in general and especially with the new park opening.

feedback solicited on "No Standing Anytime" parking ticket issued on Seaton Pl NW

See this message from a resident on the unit block of Seaton Place NW:

I want to raise a concern. I recently received a parking ticket although my car was legally parked (I have photos). While talking to a friend, I learned she too had received several parking tickets when she was legally parked. I plan to contest my ticket, but was curious if others had experienced a similar problem. This appears to me to be a systemic abuse of authority that can`t continue. If anyone has advice on how best to address this issue, I`d greatly appreciate it.

Here is more detail:

The reason was P269, No Standing Anytime. The comments say ``sign clearly visible front``. I was parked in front of a no parking sign indicating no parking behind the sign. I was parked on a zone parking street, but I have a current zone sticker.

Green Paws: 10% off all natural & organic pet food, treats, toys, accessories & health products

Hey! Green Paws Patrons (and potential patrons) -- see this message from the folks at Green Paws:

Green Paws Natural Pet Supplies

10% OFF*
All natural & organic pet food, treats, toys, accessories & health products.

202 . 986 . 6373

81 Seaton Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.greenpawsdc.com

* limited time offer, must present coupon, sorry! No delivery & excludes already discounted items.

Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting this Monday, 12/19/2011

See this meeting announcement from Bloomingdale Civic Association Corresponding Secretary Jeremy Fegley:

Bloomingdale Civic Association December 2011 Meeting

Monday, December 19, 2011 - 7:00 p.m.
St. George`s Episcopal Church
160 U St, NW (corner of 2nd and U NW)

Please join us for a general meeting of the Bloomingdale Civic Association (BCA) on December 19th at 7:00 p.m. at St. George`s Episcopal Church.

The meeting will consist of community announcements and a reception.

Interested in joining the BCA? Join us for the year end meeting!

John Salatti wants you to take this MedStar Health survey

From ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

I have participated in some community conversations held at Washington Hospital Center concerning hospitals and health care in our area. The goal is to get as much community input as possible to give the hospital system some guidance as to where to best extend its resources into the community.

I hope residents will take advantage and let our local hospitals know about their concerns.

John

John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
Vice President, Bloomingdale Civic Association
(202) 986-2592
John.Salatti @ gmalil.com
``Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale``

Here is the survey:

Dear Friend,
You have been invited by MedStar Health to offer your input concerning the health needs of the District of Columbia.

Your feedback will help determine the community health priorities for MedStar`s three DC hospitals - Georgetown University Hospital, National Rehabilitation Hospital and Washington Hospital Center.

In order to participate, copy-paste the entire following link between quote marks (NOT including the quote marks) in a web browser
" http://research.zarca.com/k/SsTRTVsURWsPsPsP "

If you attended the Professional Stakeholders Community Input Session on Monday, December 12, please do not continue with this survey.

Responses received after 5pm on Tuesday, December 27 will not be considered.

Thank you for your participation

World Missions Extension Center annual toy give-away rally

See this nicely formatted message from Dr. JoAnn Perkins of Bloomingdale's World Missions for Christ Extension Center:

CM Thomas releases draft Ward 5 ANC SMD map; John Salatti: "Bloomingdale remains united"

See this message from ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti.

Note the draft Ward 5 ANC SMD map PDF has been posted over at the Bates Area Civic Association (BACA) blog: http://batesareacivicassociation.org/2011/12/15/the-new-ward-5-anc-smd-map-from-cm-thomas/

BLOOMINGDALE REMAINS UNITED!!!!

Hot off the presses.

I just received a copy from Councilmember Harry Thomas of the revised Ward 5 draft redistricting plan.

I have asked Scott Roberts to post the map of the plan on the Bloomingdale blog.In this draft, which still is subject to comment from the community and to votes from the City Council, Bloomingdale residents have achieved the two goals we have advocated for since October:

(1) All of Bloomingdale from Florida Avenue to Michigan Avenue remains united in a single Advisory Neighborhood Commission!

(2) All Single Member Districts in Bloomingdale (and now throughout the Ward) adhere much more closely to the 2,000-person standard laid out in the Home Rule Charter!

I thank Councilmember Harry Thomas for hearing the voices of Bloomingdale residents. He heard and he acted. We appreciate the many competing concerns he has had to consider and appreciate his willingness to put his imprimatur on a map that really is in the best interest of this community (and many others in Ward 5). I thank Redistricting Subcommittee chairs Councilmembers Michael Brown and Jack Evans and Subcommittee member Councilmember Phil Mendelson for hearing our concerns and working closely with Councilmember Thomas to create a stronger, fairer Ward 5 map. Special kudos go to Michael Brown. I have visited with him and his staff many times in the last two weeks. His door was always open to us. They have always made time to talk about the concerns we have and about the possible alternatives that would uphold the principles of redistricting while carefully addressing the concerns of Bloomingdale residents. I could not ask for more.

I reserve my biggest thanks to you all. Congratulations on your efforts. By testifying, calling, e-mailing, visiting you conveyed the seriousness with which we viewed this issue. You made a difference. You made democracy work. Thank you so much!

But the work isn't done. As I noted, this is the latest draft. It is not law yet. So my ask to you is to contact the Subcommittee and copy Councilmember Thomas:

(1) Please thank them for what they have done to bring us this new map; they have worked hard and made a lot of changes that strengthen Bloomingdale;
(2) Please ask them to enact it into law.

If you have questions about the map or about redistricting generally, please contact me.

Again, Congratulations Bloomingdale!

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


....and see Ward 5 resident Geoff Hatchard`s post on the presented draft Ward 5 redistricting map at the Greater Greater Washington blog: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13055/thomas-adopts-fair-community-proposal-for-anc-map

Rhode Island Row

Some of you may be interested in the developments at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station.

Rhode Island Row

Check out the Rhode Island Avenue Insider's POST on the development, including photos of the spaces.

Also, check out the Friends of Rhode Island Avenue site.

St. Martin`s Catholic Church annual toy wrapping party - Thursday, 12/15/2011

Calling All Gift Wrappers -- Thursday, 12/15/2011

Volunteers are needed to wrap about 2,000 new toys for kids in our community.

St. Martin`s Catholic Church is holding its Annual Toy Wrapping Party at the church (North Capitol & T St. NW – enter on lower level T Street NW side) on Thurs. Dec. 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

So if you can`t get enough of wrapping paper and bows and ribbon, this event is just for you . . . and you`ll do so much good for children in the process.

Also, if you want to help out by donating new toys, they will be happily accepted – infant to 12 years old.

Thank you.

For more information, please call Fr. Michael Kelley

202 - 232 - 1144 or mjkelley @ verizon.net .

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for Sunday 12/11

Visit the lovely home pictured today from 1-4pm at 125 Randolph Pl NW, or any of the other open houses. For a map of the properties open in the area today, click here. To see details for each of the properties on the map, scroll over the push pins.

New Urbanturf.com Profile of Bloomingdale

Even though they profiled Bloomingdale quite recently in April 2010, Urbanturf.com acknowledges the rapid changes we've seen since then and has updated the Bloomingdale Profile. Several neighbors are quoted.

World Missions Extension Center annual toy give-away rally - Saturday, 12-17-2011

Come and Receive Toys for your Children at our Angel Tree Christmas Toy Give-Away Rally

Sponsored by the
World Missions Extension Center’s Parent Partners United
its Just FRIENDS Prison Support Group Partners& Friends

· When: Saturday December 17,2011 at 10:00am
· Where: McKinley Technology High School (in the gym)

Located at 151 T. Street NE

Presents/gifts will be given out on a First come, First to Receive Basis

We ask that parents:

· Come early to check in/register in order to be eligible to receive toys for your, they must register to be a member of the community bookclub and Mentoring club

Ø Children must be present with a parent to receive Toys and Parents must join our Parent Partner club

Ø We will also will honor children of families that have lost loved ones to homicides

And we will give gifts to siblings of incarcerated youth!!!!!!!

See you there,
Dr. J. Perkins, Rally Coordinator

an alternative use proposal for Bloomingdale's McMillan Sand Filtration site -- a medical marijuana cultivation site

See this message from ANC 5C03 Commissioner Hugh Youngblood:

Dear Bloomingdalians,

Please see the following proposal for an alternative use of the McMillan Reservoir Sand Filtration site shared by a senior member of the community who lives on the Unit block of Florida Ave NW. This proposal could potentially generate a level of revenue for the City that would dwarf the expected level of revenue from the cookie-cutter mixed dense urban development project proposed by the DMPED-VMP hybrid team. Please feel free to call me or email me with your thoughts.


``After having gone to several meetings and then reading Bradley Thomas`s testimony before the City Council, I have finally figured out what is behind the redistricting flap--McMillan. Despite the protests and hard work of our honest, motivated and pure hearted ANC representatives, it appears that McMillan will be separated from Bloomingdale. The McMillan pie is so rich and is attracting so many fingers that our leaders just can`t compete with all that greed. So let`s be realistic, McMillan will be exploited to the benefit of developers and politicians rather than the benefit of the community. Knowing this, why don`t we stop trying to beat them and let`s join them. Soon we will have poor little marijuana plants growing inside nasty warehouses under artificial light all over Ward 5. If we can convert McMillan to a farm, these plants can grow in the environment nature intended: fresh air, clean soil and direct sunlight-- in a word, organic and free range. There are many out of work tobacco farmers in Calvert County who would happily do the cultivation. With proper care and fertilization, the District can grow enough marijuana to provide the medicinal needs of the whole east coast. What a financial boon this will be for the citizens of the District of Columbia. We can even end the Lottery. You know that nasty little mechanism the government uses to flitch money from the financially disadvantaged under the false promise of instant wealth. The District can even undercut the price of marijuana charged by the Mexican Cartels, striking a blow against smuggling along the Country`s southwest border. The adjacent Washington Hospital Center can reap financial gain by setting up a clinic across the street where ``headache`` prescriptions for marijuana can be obtained. Of course, we will need a gift shop on the premises to fill the prescriptions and sell the required paraphernalia: bongs, gas masks (for communal use) cigarette paper, pipes, T-shirts and hats etc., all of this to the employment and economic benefit of the District. With legalization, there will be many out of work marijuana sniffing dogs. We can create a feral colony to walk among the plants to discourage thieves. The fence around McMillan can be easily fortified with wire and guard towers to protect the plants. As the project progresses, we can add a church so that many visitors can experience a religious high. We can call it ``The Head Church of DC.`` Money will be gushing out of McMillan at a flow which greatly exceeds the amount of water which the site once produced. Of course, we can expect that the Feds will want a piece of the action. You can imagine the constituent jealousy of DC residents not having to pay any taxes as a result of the McMillan income. No problem, we`ll just trade a piece of the action for statehood, and finally we will be able to vote--thanks to McMillan. Our boring city flag can be replaced by one sporting a brightly colored marijuana plant and we can shed the old name (District of Columbia) and call ourselves the Marijuana Republic. Yes, there is a bright future for this useless piece of real estate which is no longer in Bloomingdale.``

Hugh Youngblood
ANC, SMD 5C03
240.925.1079
anc5c03 @ gmail . com

Scout Mob Deal for Jam Doung

Click here for the Deal

THE SKINNY

EXPIRES: 06/06/2012

$8 max discount. 1 per check. 18% gratuity may be added. Excludes delivery. Can't combine offers.

50% Off Jam Doung

Scout Notes: When we think of Jamaica, several things come to mind: awesome beaches, Bob Marley, bobsledding and now Jam Doung, the Jamaican eatery in Bloomingdale. "If you go to Jamaica and you want to sound cool, you call it Jam Doung," said the eatery's owner/head chef Janet. And Janet should know. She's from Jamaica, er, Jam Doung, and serves up an enticing selection of her family's secret recipes. "They've been passed down for generations," she said, speaking of the jerk chicken, stewed oxtail and curry goat that simmered in the back kitchen, emanating an aroma that can only be described as righteous. Yes, here you eat with your sense of smell first. Your olfactory system will help prepare your taste buds for the greatness to come.

Let's start by talking about the oxtail, a Jamaican delicacy usually reserved for special occasions, said Janet. At Jam Doung, they stew it for over three hours to ensure its tenderness before mixing it with savory chunks of carrot, potato and onion. What comes out is a feast, available in small, medium and large sizes. And if you've never tried Jamaican food before and want something a little less exotic but with an equal amount of flavor, order the jerk chicken. "It's spicy, but not over-the-top," said Janet, who cooks the dishes from scratch each day. We can't think of anything better to warm you up on a cold day than taking home a piping hot bite of the islands for dinner. Yeah, mon!

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Menu Highlights:
Curry Chicken, $6.05 (small), $8.71 (medium), $10.86 (large)
Brown Stew Chicken, $6.05, $8.71, $10.86
Jerk Chicken, $6.60, $9.96, $11.20
Oxtail, $6.60, $10.81, $12.71
Curry Goat, $6.60, $10.81, $12.71

Hours:
Monday - Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Closed Sunday

new Capitol BikeShare station installed along 1st St NW at Rhode Island Avenue NW

From a Rhode Island Avenue NW resident:

The new Capital Bike Share at Rhode Island and 1st NW is being installed right now along the Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits store.``

Yeah!

This photo is courtesy of EmilyHaHa [http://twitter.com/#!/EmilyHaHa/status/144058005493784576/photo/1]

Bloomingdale resident Ski Markowski's $50,000 kitchen renovation on HGTV's "Bang For Your Buck" Program

See this brief message from Bloomingdale resident Ski Markowski, whose kitchen renovation was featured on HGTV:

I wanted to share some details about our HGTV debut for our kitchen reveal.

http://www.hgtv.com/video/row-house-kitchen-renovations-video/index.html

Bang for Your Buck
Three Row House Kitchen Renovations in Washington, DC

Ski kindly has provided this additional information about his kitchen renovation:

Synergy D&C: Mina & Mark Fies (Architects and Construction group)
http://www.synergydandc.com/
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Featured before/After (center kitchen on checkerboard)
http://www.synergydandc.com/kitchen-remodel-design-ideas.php


Flooring:
http://www.woodlooktiles.com/distressed/colonial-walnut-wood-look-ceramic-tile-6-x20.html
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http://www.sun-touch.com/?ibp-camp=tfn&gclid=COe32ZC266wCFcHd4Aod3iWlMw

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Sink with touch faucet:
www.deltafaucet.com/TouchClean

Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market 2011!

It's happening again! The Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market at Big Bear Cafe in Washington, DC, will take place on Sunday, December 18, 5–9pm.

Shop local and support your favorite artisans and designers at DC's best coffee shop. Vendors include Sean Hennessey, De*Nada Design, Tigerflight, Van Wagoner Studios, Leafyhead Lotions & Potions, Highway to Hill, and Goshdarnknit.

We'll help you finish your holiday gift shopping list as you pick up some treats for yourself, sing along with the carolers, and enjoy everyone's favorite winter treat, spiked cider!

Details:
What: Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market
Where: Big Bear Cafe (First and R St NW, DC)
When: Sunday, December 18
Time: 5-9pm

Invite your friends!

Bloomingdale resident Natalie Hopkinson in the NY Times: her dilemma of being a Ward 5 parent

See Bloomingdale resident and author Natalie Hopkinson`s NY Times op-ed piece below on her dilemma of being a Ward 5 parent.

She references Ward 5 schools.

Op-Ed Contributor
Why School Choice Fails
By NATALIE HOPKINSON
Published: December 4, 2011
Washington
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/opinion/why-school-choice-fails.html?_r=3

IF you want to see the direction that education reform is taking the country, pay a visit to my leafy, majority-black neighborhood in Washington. While we have lived in the same house since our 11-year-old son was born, he`s been assigned to three different elementary schools as one after the other has been shuttered. Now it`s time for middle school, and there`s been no neighborhood option available.

Meanwhile, across Rock Creek Park in a wealthy, majority-white community, there is a sparkling new neighborhood middle school, with rugby, fencing, an international baccalaureate curriculum and all the other amenities that make people pay top dollar to live there.

Such inequities are the perverse result of a ``reform`` process intended to bring choice and accountability to the school system. Instead, it has destroyed community-based education for working-class families, even as it has funneled resources toward a few better-off, exclusive, institutions.

My neighborhood`s last free-standing middle school was closed in 2008, part of a round of closures by then Mayor Adrian Fenty and his schools chancellor, Michelle Rhee. The pride and gusto with which they dismantled those institutions was shameful, but I don`t blame them. The closures were the inevitable outcome of policies hatched years before.

In 1995 the Republican-led Congress, ignoring the objections of local leadership, put in motion one of the country`s strongest reform policies for Washington: if a school was deemed failing, students could transfer schools, opt to attend a charter school or receive a voucher to attend a private school.

The idea was to introduce competition; good schools would survive; bad ones would disappear. It effectively created a second education system, which now enrolls nearly half the city`s public school students. The charters consistently perform worse than the traditional schools, yet they are rarely closed.

Meanwhile, failing neighborhood schools, depleted of students, were shut down. Invariably, schools that served the poorest families got the ax — partly because those were the schools where students struggled the most, and partly because the parents of those students had the least power.

Competition produces winners and losers; I get that. Indeed, the rhetoric of school choice can be seductive to angst-filled middle-class parents like myself. We crunch the data and believe that, with enough elbow grease, we can make the system work for us. Naturally, I`ve only considered high-performing schools for my children, some of them public, some charter, some parochial, all outside our neighborhood.

But I`ve come to realize that this brand of school reform is a great deal only if you live in a wealthy neighborhood. You buy a house, and access to a good school comes with it. Whether you choose to enroll there or not, the public investment in neighborhood schools only helps your property values.

For the rest of us, it`s a cynical game. There aren`t enough slots in the best neighborhood and charter schools. So even for those of us lucky ones with cars and school-data spreadsheets, our options are mediocre at best.

In the meantime, the neighborhood schools are dying. After Ms. Rhee closed our first neighborhood school, the students were assigned to an elementary school connected to a homeless shelter. Then that closed, and I watched the children get shuffled again.

Earlier this year, when we were searching for a middle school for my son — 11 is a vulnerable age for anyone — our public options were even grimmer. I could have sent him to one of the newly consolidated kindergarten-to-eighth-grade campuses in my neighborhood, with low test scores and no algebra or foreign languages. We could enter a lottery for a spot in another charter or out-of-boundary middle school, competing against families all over the city.

The system recently floated a plan for yet another round of closings, with a proposal for new magnet middle school programs in my neighborhood, none of which would open in time for my son. These proposals, like much of reform in Washington, are aimed at some speculative future demographic, while doing nothing for the children already here. In the meantime, enrollment, and the best teachers, continue to go to the whitest, wealthiest communities.

The situation for Washington`s working- and middle-class families may be bleak, but we are hardly alone. Despite the lack of proof that school-choice policies work, they are gaining popularity in communities nationwide. Like us, those places will face a stark decision: Do they want equitable investment in community education, or do they want to hand it over to private schools and charters? Let`s stop pretending we can fairly do both. As long as we do, some will keep winning, but many of us will lose.

Natalie Hopkinson is the author of the forthcoming book ``Go-Go Live: The Musical Life and Death of a Chocolate City.``

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for Sunday 12/4

One might think the real estate market might slow down a bit with the holidays approaching. Actually, there seems to be an unusually high number of buyers out there this holiday season. Fortunately, there are quite a few open houses today. The same information can be seen in a map format with directions. To see details about the properties, scroll over the push pins on the map.

The house pictured above, located at 603 U St NW and priced at $524,900., is open today from 2-4pm. It is one of my listings. It went under contract quickly and then the buyer got cold feet, so you have a second chance if you missed it when it first came on the market!

Young Female Pit Bull Found

I was walking my dog around 10:30 this morning and we were approached by a very friendly female pit bull who was not on a leash. She found us around 2nd St NW between Randolph and S St NW, but we have no idea how far she had run. She seems young and looks well taken care of and responds to commands.

Please take a look at her pics. I'm not very active on Twitter, so I would really appreciate if a few folks could pass this along. (Thanks in advance.) Thanks a million to Mimi and Whitney at Expetations, who were so helpful in providing some temporary shelter. If you know who this dog belongs to, please e-mail me at suzanne at desmaraisrealestate dot com.

**Update** Owner and dog reunited! (See comment below).