projected groundbreaking for the McMillan Sand Filtration site project is 2013 Q4

See this Washington Business Journal article from today.

Note that the posited groundbreaking for the development project at Bloomingdale's landmarked McMillan Sand Filtration site is projected for 4th quarter of 2013.

Horrible news? Fantastic news? What do you think?

Major D.C. projects to kick off in 2013

Washington Business Journal by Michael Neibauer, Staff Reporter
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 11:54am EST

Get your shovels ready. Next year may be a very busy one for big-time groundbreakings in the District.

Work on six projects — the ones we talk about most often, the ones whose total cost tops $4 billion — may kick off in 2013, according to a schedule provided to the D.C. Council by the deputy mayor for planning and economic development. All feature land that is owned by D.C. and managed, at least in part, by the deputy mayor`s office.

The fun starts in the first quarter of 2013 with the St. Elizabeths east campus (total cost unclear) and Southwest Waterfront ($1.16 billion) redevelopments. Second-quarter groundbreakings feature another pair of projects — EastBanc`s West End development ($152.2 million) and Hine Junior High School ($191.4 million), a Stanton-EastBanc venture.

In the third quarter of 2013, we may see work start on Property Group Partners` Interstate 395 air rights project ($1.2 billion) and the William C. Smith/Rappaport Skyland Town Center ($260 million).

And in the fourth quarter, according to this schedule, construction will kick off at the McMillan Sand Filtration Site ($775 million).

The Donohoe Cos` project at Fifth and Eye streets NW has been pushed back to the third quarter of 2014.

The timelines are, naturally, subject to change. Planning and zoning, financing, legal disputes — any number of issues could throw the schedules off. And Mayor Vincent Gray, as a rule, does not participate in or greenlight groundbreakings unless the project is actually ready to break ground.

Still, seeing a best-guess groundbreaking date in writing is progress.

Deputy Mayor Victor Hoskins has a date with the council`s Committee of the Whole Thursday for an oversight hearing.

Florida Avenue Park ribbon-cutting -- Saturday, 02-25-2012

From Geovani Bonilla, President, Bates Area Civic Association:

Join Mayor Vincent C. Gray,
DPR,
5C ANC,
The Bates Area Civic Association and residents

Saturday, February 25th at 10am
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Florida Avenue Park (Florida and First St. NW)

Join our Community in a celebration and efforts to make the Florida Avenue Park a Community Park .

See the new play grounds, renovations and learn about the Bates Area Civic Association and Friends of The Park`s plans to bring more activities to this beautiful park.

Join Us Make This a Community and Family Affair.

Enjoy snacks from local businesses:
- Uncle Chips Cookies and Coffee
- Big Bear Café

Geovani A. Bonilla, President
Bates Area Civic Association

John Salatti drops out of Ward 5 Council race

From the Washington City Paper:

Ward 5 Hopeful John Salatti Drops Out

Posted by Alan Suderman on Feb. 22, 2012 at 11:33 am

Former Bloomingdale ANC commissioner John Salatti has decided to drop his bid to run for the Ward 5 seat, left open by the resignation of disgraced former Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.

Salatti says he had a strong shot at winning but decided to end his campaign after reevaluating the commitment necessary to be an effective council member.

"I decided it was the best thing for me to do right now," he says.Salatti's departure is likely good news for Kenyan McDuffie, who lost to Thomas last go round and would likely have competed with Salatti for the non-Ward-5-political-establishment vote.

"We're outsiders," says Salatti of he and McDuffie, though that's not an official endorsement. Salatti, who resigned as an ANC commish when he launched his campaign, says he'll likely endorse someone after the April primary. The Ward 5 special election is scheduled for May 15.

Ward 5 economic development meeting - Tuesday, 02-21-2012

This event announcement has also been posted at the BACA blog: http://batesareacivicassociation.org/2012/02/15/council-committee-of-the-whole-roundtable-feb-21st/ .

From: Mason, Charles (COUNCIL) (COUNCIL)
Sent: Fri, Feb 17, 2012 1:15 pm
Subject: Committee of the Whole`s Public Oversight Roundtable on Economic Development Projects and Programs in Ward 5

The Committee of the Whole`s public oversight roundtable on Economic Development Projects and Programs in Ward 5, will take place on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Avenue NE).

District government witnesses will inform Ward 5 residents about the economic development projects and programs occurring in their neighborhoods. Ward 5 residents will also have an opportunity to testify about economic development matters and recommend areas for improvement.

We encourage you to participate in this important discussion. You can make your voice heard by registering online or contacting Priscilla McIver, administrative assistant to the Committee of the Whole, at 202 - 724 - 8196 or pford@dccouncil.us.

Thank you for your active contributions to the Ward 5 community. I look forward to seeing you at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center on Tuesday, February 21, 2012!

Sincerely,

Kwame R. Brown
Chairman

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale on 02/19/2012

Looking for something to do on a potentially slushy afternoon? Check out the list of open houses in the area. You can see the same information in a map format

**Agents, please note, if you would like your open house to appear on this list, it needs to be tagged in MRIS by the Friday before the open.

John Salatti's ANC 5C04 position declared vacant by DC BOEE

1) First, from Teri Janine Quinn, President, Bloomingdale Civic Association:

Pursuant to this notice, anyone interested in running for the ANC 5C04 seat vacated by former Commissioner John Salatti may pick up petitions between February 13, 2012 and March 5, 2012.

2) And from ANC 5C Chair Ronnie Edwards:

From: ``Brenda Garner``
Date: Feb 15, 2012 4:24 PM
Subject: 5C04 Notice
To: ``ronnieedwards.5c11@gmail.com``

Hello,

Attached is the 5C04 notice.

Thanks

Brenda Garner
Voter Services Assistant
DC Board of Elections and Ethics
441 4th Street, NW Suite 250N
Washington, DC 20001
202-727-2523 (Office)
202-347-2648 (Fax)
Bgarner @ dcboee.org
www.dcboee.org

BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND ETHICS
CERTIFICATION OF ANC/SMD VACANCIES

The District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics hereby gives notice that there is a vacancy in one (1) Advisory Neighborhood Commission office, certified pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 1-309.06(d)(2); 2001 Ed; 2006 Repl. Vol.

VACANT: 5C04

Petition Circulation Period: Monday, February 13, 2012 thru Monday, March 5, 2012
Petition Challenge Period: Thursday, March 8, 2012 thru Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Candidates seeking the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, or their representatives, may pick up nominating petitions at the following location:

D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics
441 - 4th Street, NW, Room 250N
Washington, DC 20001

For more information, the public may call 727-2525.

proposed DC zoning regulations would accommodate * retail * in residential areas like R-4 - what do YOU think? fantastic? wretched?

This Bloomingdale blog post references these two recent Greater Greater Washington blog posts by David Alpert on the DC zoning regulations rewrite initiative:

Rewritten DC zoning code corrects past mistakes
by David Alpert • February 8, 2012 10:47 am
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13631/rewritten-dc-zoning-code-corrects-past-mistakes

Is DC`s zoning update ``too timid``?
by David Alpert • February 9, 2012 2:07 pm
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13644/is-dcs-zoning-update-too-timid

Might some of the proposed zoning regulations impact Bloomingdale?

Yes.

Read on.

David Alpert`s first post above addresses these six zoning categories:

- Accessory dwellings
- Corner stores in residential areas
- Minimum parking requirements
- Alley lots
- Green Area Ratio.

Let`s dive into each category:

Accessory dwellings

The residential portion of Bloomingdale is mostly R-4, so the proposed zoning for accessory units would not apply to Bloomingdale. More than one dwelling unit per lot is already accommodated in the current zoning regulations. ``Row house neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, and Bloomingdalealready allow these units because they are R-4 districts, which allow 2 apartments per building.`` I don`t see these proposed zoning changes on accessory dwellings directly impacting Bloomingdale.

Corner stores in residential areas

I have copied in the section below from David Alpert`s GGW first post. It is a long list that ostensibly would be permitted in residential areas – I guess that would include R-4 neighborhoods (? ? ?):

OP`s proposal would allow some limited retail in residential areas, but with a great number of restrictions:

•Only ``Arts Design and Creation`` (arts studio, furtniture making, radio broadcast station), ``Food and Alcohol Service`` (deli, ice cream parlor), ``Retail`` (drugstore, grocery, jewelry store, but not auto shop or firearm sales), and ``Service`` (bank, travel agency, tailor, but not daycare, animal boarding, health clinic, or sexually based business) uses are allowed.

•They can`t be in any building within 500 feet of a commercial or mixed-use zone, so this doesn`t let existing retail corridors expand (though, arguably, some of that might be a good idea).

•There can`t be more than 3 other arts, retail or service uses within 500 feet, or more than 1 other food establishment, to prevent too much of a concentration of these non-residential uses in one area.

•It can`t be above the ground floor of any building, except for artist live-work spaces. This prevents a building from becoming entirely commercial.

•It can`t be larger than 2,000 square feet.

•It can`t be open after 7 pm or before 8 am.

•There can`t be more than 4 employees at the business at any time.

•It can`t have more than 1 sign, a lighted side, or a sign sticking out from the building.

•All of the trash and materials have to be stored inside; there can`t be a dumpster, for instance.

•Any alcohol sold has to be for consuming elsewhere, not at the business, and can`t take up more than 15% of the business`s floor area. That means a small grocery could offer some beer and wine, but there can`t be a wine bar or liquor store.

•Food sales can`t involve cooking food on-site, but reheating pre-cooked food is okay. Grease traps (a part of kitchens that do frying or other cooking with grease) aren`t allowed.

•There can`t be dry cleaning chemicals, so a dry cleaner in a residential district has to be the kind that sends its clothes out to be cleaned rather than doing the work in the building.

-- So under the proposed zoning regulations, one could possibly see the additional uses mentioned above pop up in the neighborhood without any zoning variances -- permitted as a matter of right.

Minimum parking requirements

David mentions church parking in his text. You can read what he has to say. For those residents who have expressed concern over church parking, I don`t think that the proposed zoning regulations force churches to now supply offstreet parking, etc.

Alley Lots

Bloomingdale currently has alley dwellings on Bloomingdale Court NW.

Here is David comment on alley lots: ``Current rules allow alley dwellings as long as the alley lot is 400 square feet or greater, it has adequate plumbing and so on, and the alleys serving it are particularly wide, at least 30 feet. The new code removes the 30-foot alley rule, but any alley unit will still have to get a special exception and satisfy DC agencies on fire safety, traffic, waste and more.``So Bloomingdale might see more alley dwellings, once the 30-foot wide alley restriction would be removed. More alley dwellings in Bloomingdale could be created, such as the set of contiguous garages bounded by V, W, Flagler and 1st St NW.

Green Area Ratio

David indicates that this part is still under draft. No comments from me (yet).


My general comment about David's evaluation of the proposed zoning rewrite -- he has a ``new urbanist`` spin on the categories, such as parking. I am not suggesting that you adopt his position on all of these categories. But David`s review does provide a jumping off point for the discussion.

Regarding the McMillan Sand Filtration site -- the development of the site would be governed by the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. The site is presently unzoned and would get zoned in the PUD process.

What do you think?

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 02/12/2012

There are quite a few open houses scheduled in the neighborhood for this Sunday. Check out the list or view in a map format with directions.

*Note to Agents with listings in Bloomingdale and the surrounding neighborhoods: to have your open house included on the blog, you must tag your open house in MRIS by the Friday before the open house.

NOA Gallery: reception featuring jewelry artist Jenny Sammons -- Saturday, 02/11/2012

Please join us this Saturday
for the jewelry art of
JENNY SAMMONS

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Noon to 5pm

Refreshments will be served.
Please join us for a reception featuring the original work of jewelry artist Jenny Sammons. Jenny has a gift for creating feminine jewelry with a modern bohemian flare. Her works are created with intention and meaning, and she hopes that each person her jewelry touches will benefit from that positive energy that went into its creation.

Browse photos of Jenny`s work

Ongoing Art Exhibit
featuring
Romare Bearden
Kivox Martin
Tomae Yokoi
Thomas Mcknight
Anna Juan
and many others

For more information please contact:
Jenny Sammons at 202 – 679 - 4400
Jennysprettythings@gmail.com
jennysammons.com
jennysammons.wordpress.com
OR
Mike Little at NOA Gallery at 202 – 483 - 7328

NOA Gallery: Providing Fine Art & Design Concepts for the Community
Prints, posters, limited editions, and originals available.

132 Rhode Island Avenue NW in Bloomingdale

Studio 85 Valentine's Day Sale

53 Florida Avenue Unit A  NW DC
FEBRUARY'S NAIL GLOSS PICK!! "2 TAT 2"   Click here to get yours today at MyStudio85.com           Upcoming Events    Drop by DIY: Shoe Clips 2/19/12   hosted by  Khia Rhodes	Join us for our   Valentine's SALE Event!   Get Social.     Dear Tamika, We want to cordially invite you to our  V-Day SALE Event!!   Saturday, February 11th 2012.   *  BUY A TOP, GET A    FREE S85 INK NAIL GLOSS   * CANDLES 2 FOR $24   * EVERYDAY SALE        ITEMS UP TO 25% with  coupon   And to show our endless   appreciation....   * TREATS &  SPARKLING CIDER    PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR ALL DAY SALE EVENT STARTING THIS SATURDAY12PM- 7PM!!!         S85 NEWS! Check out our latest mention in the February issue of the Washingtonian...Grab yours today!!
Save 25% Bring in this coupon and receive 25% OFF any one item in store. Artwork & Designer Items not included. Join us Saturday 2/11/12  for extra in store savings!! Pass it on! #ART&LOVE   Offer Expires: February 14, 2012

Armageddon Alert: Big Bear Cafe applies for later hours

From the Young and Hungry column of the Washington City Paper (stale news from yesterday):

Big Bear Cafe Applies For Later Hours
Posted by Chris Shott on Feb. 8, 2012 at 4:51 pm
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2012/02/08/big-bear-cafe-applies-for-later-hours/

Last call doesn`t come quite late enough for the operators of Big Bear Cafe.

The trailblazing Bloomingdale coffee shop and restaurant is asking city regulators to let it stay open into the wee hours like other D.C. hotspots. Big Bear currently closes at 11 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. The restaurant now wants to extend service until 1 a.m. all week long. It`s also asking permission to let patrons hang out on its patio later into the evening, as well. Right now, customers carousing al fresco-style have to take it inside at 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 p.m. weekends.

The restaurant is asking to extend outside service until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends.

What will the neighbors think? Residents weren`t entirely thrilled with Big Bear`s plans for evening hours and alcohol service in the first place. The District`s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board was scheduled to review Big Bear`s application for later hours on Wednesday.

Valentine`s Spaghetti Dinner - at St. George's Episcopal Church - Saturday, 2-11-2012

See this message passed along by Truxton Circle/Bates area resident Mary Ann Wilmer:

You are cordially invited to:

Join Us for a Valentine`s Spaghetti Dinner
(Hosted by the Episcopal Church Women of St. George`s Church)

Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
Place: St. George’s Episcopal Church
Time: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices:
$12.00 for Adults
$10.00 for College Students
$6.00 for Children

Fun, Games, Music, Door Prizes, Raffle Prizes and More!
Please join us for a heartwarming event!!

Important Details: Please reserve your tickets by Thursday, February 9 ththrough the contacts listed below so that we will be prepared to accommodate you and your guests. Please come and wear your Valentine`s colors, as a souvenir photograph is included in the price of the ticket!

For more information, please call:
Lucy Austin 301 then 325 followed by 0111
Vida Anderson 202 then 253 followed by 2669

one neighbor`s predictions for the firehouse and the McMillan Sand Filtration site

A Randolph Place NW resident comments:

Guess what Engine Company 12 will be in 25 years?

An old, abandoned firehouse.

Guess what the McMillan parcel will be in 25 years?

An old, abandoned water treatment site.

Ghosts of DC: The Seaton at 150 R I Ave NW

See this Ghosts of DC blog post on some history of the Seaton Condominiums, 150 Rhode Island Avenue NW:

If Walls Could Talk: The Seaton at 150 Rhode Island Ave. NW

500 block of T Street NW in LeDroit Park: violent home invasion

Some stale, but horrifying news:

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/01/crying-teenaged-girl-used-as-lure-for-violent-home-invasion-71967.html

Eckington Real Estate Maps 1903, 1907, 1913, 1921

Here's the Baist real estate Plat map of Eckington from 1903.

It's interesting to see how the trains lines were reconfigured.  Note that the yellow blocks are wooden buildings, the red blocks are brick buildings.You can see a large detailed image of this HERE
1907

large version HERE


1913

Large version HERE


1921


Large version HERE

****************
I wanted to add a link to a PDF version of a brochure on the history of Eckington.

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale

There is a range of prices and styles of homes with open houses scheduled for tomorrow. You can see the list here. The same information with directions can be seen in map format here.

next Crispus Attucks Park board of directors meeting -- Wednesday, 02-08-2012

See this message from Crispus Attucks Development Corporation (CADC) president Patrick Blais:

The next meeting of the Crispus Attucks Park Board of Directors will be taking place Wed, Feb 8th from 7:00 to 9:00 at St. George`s Episcopal Church at the corner of 2nd and U Streets, NW. The agenda, which I will post next week, will include topics such as park governance, board elections, fundraising, special projects and maintenance. If you are interested in park affairs, you are welcome and encouraged to attend.

If you are unfamiliar with the park, please visit our website at
www.crispusattuckspark.org . Donations always welcomed via the website.

have you seen the just-erected Howard Theatre sign?

Courtesy of Bloomingdale resident Mark M.:

Bloomingdale Inn converting to residential housing

We would like to take this time to thank the community for your support of the Bloomingdale Inn over the years, but we have decided to convert our Inn to residential housing. You all have been so kind and really have made us and our guests feel at home. This is an outstanding neighborhood and we will continue to be a proud part of it.

Again thank you and the best wishes to you all.

Jim & Lorraine - John & Ginger
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Ever wanted to stay in a Bed and Breakfast?

Now`s the chance to live in one! The Bloomingdale Inn is converting our rooms to short/long term rentals. Now you can live in a spacious furnished room like Royalty.

The Inn is a very large Victorian townhome with high ceilings, hardwood floors, plaster walls and ceilings. The perfect environment to relax after working hard at the office.

We are near Washington Hospital Center, VA Hospital and Howard U and the U Street corridor. Convenient to Metro (less than 15 minutes) with Metro Bus stop (#80 & G2) right on the same block. They go to the Capitol, China Town, White House and the Kennedy Center as well as Logan circle, DuPont circle and Georgetown.

Fully furnished rooms starting at just $995 a month plus utilities.

Contact John at john @ bloomingdaleinn.com for more information.
(No Phone calls please!)

Start living the life you deserve in comfort.

Regards,

John Wilson, Manager
Bloomingdale Inn

Bloomingdale Public Safety Walk -- tonight, Wednesday, 01/25/2012

See this reminder message from Bloomingdale resident Jennifer McCann:

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners John Salatti, Hugh Youngblood, and James Fournier Invite you to take 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: Wednesday, January 25, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Where: Northwest corner of 1st and Rhode Island NW
(Meet in front of Windows Café. Dress comfortably and bring a flashlight!)

"promise bridge" sign posted on T Street Bridge connecting Bloomingdale with Eckinton

Okay, someone needs to clue me in.

I believe that this promise bridge is the T Street Bridge that connects the unit blocks of T Street NW with T Street NE.

See this post from Prince of Petworth:

Promise Bridge Comes to North Capitol Street

By: Prince Of Petworth 23 January 2012 10:05 PM

The Promise Bridge is on North Capitol Street connecting Bloomingdale and Eckington. Kinda reminds me of the love locks bridges in Paris. Not sure if the promise locks will be as popular.

"join Ward 5 Council candidate tonight at Boundary Stone to watch Obama`s 2012 State of the Union Address"

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Tree Martschink:

Join Ward 5 Council candidate tonight at Boundary Stone to watch Obama`s 2012 State of the Union address!

President Obama`s State of the Union address on Tuesday January 24, 2012 will provide both an assessment of the year past and a plan for the year ahead. As residents of Ward 5, we are also planning for the year ahead, and considering the future our neighborhoods and our city as a whole. John Salatti, Ward 5 candidate for Council, would like to invite you to join him in watching the 2012 State of the Union Address, celebrating the successes and considering the future of our country, and discussing next steps for Ward 5!

What: State of the Union Watching Party

Where: Boundary Stone, 116 Rhode Island Ave NW

When: Tuesday January 24, 2012, 8pm

Spotlight: Bloomingdale / Eckington / NoMa

See this blurb passed along by the folks at the NoMa BID:

Spotlight: Bloomingdale / Eckington / NoMa
City Chic Real Estate January 19, 2012

http://www.citychicrealestate.com/home/dc-commentary/life-in-dc/spotlight-bloomingdale-eckington-noma

The Bloomingdale Farmers` Market, Big Bear Cafe, Rustik Tavern, Boundary Stone and Bacio Pizza are all mentioned.

? Sunset Liquors space - deli opening ?

See this message:

My housemates and I stopped by Sunset Liquor at 1st and Florida NW on Friday night and they`re in the middle of a big renovation.

The woman whom I take to be the owner told us she`s going to open a deli, possibly as soon as this week. The shelves in the lower area have been taken out and replaced with a long counter.

No word on whether the upstairs liquor area will stay the same.

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale for 01/22/2012

Serious house hunters don't let a little ice and cold get in their way, so I expect that agents holding open houses today will see a lot of traffic! Here's the list. The same info can be seen with directions and in a map format.

A great post concerning some history of 1700 First street nw

Check out this post about the building that is now Big Bear Cafe, over at the very cool Ghosts of DC.

a little excerpt:
By virtue of a decree passed in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia in the case of Edith B. Fenton vs. John D. Schamel, Equity No. 29563, we will sell at public auction, in front of premises No. 1700 First street northwest, on FRIDAY, THE 9TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1910, at 4:30 o’clock p.m., the following, namely: The stock of goods, fixtures, two wagons, one horse, harness, and good will of the grocery business heretofore conducted on said premises under the name of Schamel & Co., together with the unexpired portion of the lease of said premises, except as to the apartment on the second floor thereof, and a rental agreement to a stable in Reeves court heretofore used and occupied by said firm.


And This:

A grocer at 1700 1st st. nw. reported to police Tuesday that, he and his wife were about to enter their parked car after closing the store when three youths robbed them of about $150.

Carl Kaplan, 53, said one youth held and choked him while the second went through his pockets and found $120, the day’s receipts. The third bandit knocked down Mrs. Kaplan and, as she screamed, the took her purse containing $30, Kaplan said.

Read the whole thing HERE.

2020 Martini finally opened! (in Richmond, not at the firehouse)

Scenic Artisan shares this interesting tidbit:

Recall the plans for the fancy 2020 Martini cafe/restaurant/lounge at Bloomingdale's firehouse?

Scenic noticed that 2020 Martini * did * finally open...

... in Richmond.

See 2020Martini.com

Save-A-Lot opening in Rhode Island Avenue Center

The Washington City Paper writes that there will be a Save A Lot moving into the old Safeway space at the Rhode Island Avenue Center.

DJ 2 Tone Jones at Boundary Stone this Saturday

DJ 2-TONE JONES
The Jones Collection | Diamond Cutterz | VJC | AM Radio | WBL, Inc.
Co-host and DJ for Ill Street Grooves (Mondays 10-11pm) on WPFW 89.3fm 
Telephone: (202) 462-2411 
Facebook: DJ 2-Tone Jones
Twitter: @dj2tonejones
www.illstreetgrooves.com

first Ward 5 candidate forum announced -- for Tuesday, 01/24/2012 -- at the Lace Lounge

Straight Up Politics: A space for residents to have blunt conversations about ward 5 and city politics.
http://straightupolitics.blogspot.com/

As ward 5 looks to elect new leadership, it`s important that voters have an opportunity to vet each candidate and make an informed decision at the polls. Unfortunately, the short window of time and the long list of potential candidates will make it difficult for residents to get out to meetings or chase down individuals to hear where they stand on important issues. To assist voters in this process, myself along with Lace developed ``Straight Up Politics``.

Straight Up Politics is a series of candid candidate forums designed to provide residents with a relaxed atmosphere to ask tough and pointed questions that will hopefully make deciding who the new ward 5 Councilmember is a little easier. The forums will be focused on economic development, education and crime.

The events will take place on Tuesday`s and run until the special election. The first forum will be next Tuesday, January 24. The forum before the special election will be a straw poll. After the session on the 24th, candidates will be put in groups and invited back to separate forums that will focus on specific issues. Below is a schedule for the first forum.

1/24/2012 Schedule

6:30pm-7:00pm-Candidate check in
7:00pm-Candidate Introductions
7:00pm-8:30pm-Individual Questioning

If you are interested in participating in these forums please RSVP by email before COB Thursday, January 19, 2012. Please, let me know if you have any questions.

Straight Up Politics
Lace Lounge
2214 Rhode Island Ave NE
Tuesday, January 24 2012
6-9pm

Tim Clark
@timclarkanc5c05

...and see these additional comments posted at the Eckington list:

Q: Lace Lounge??? Isn't that an "adult" entertainment lounge? Strange place to meet our new candidates!

Tim Clark clarifies: ``It's not an adult entertainment venue. It opened up as a lesbian lounge and has made a transition since then. They have opened their doors to the community on several occasions.``

next Bloomingdale public safety walk -- now on Wednesday, 01/25/2012

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Jennifer McCann:

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

Invite you to take 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 24, 2011 at 7:00 PM -- rescheduled to Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Where: Northwest corner of 1st and Rhode Island NW
(Meet in front of Windows Café. Dress comfortably and bring a flashlight!)

Open Houses in and around Bloomingdale scheduled for 01/15/2012

As Real Estate Business Intelligence reports, inventory is tight, so if you're actively looking to buy, best to check out listings when they first show up. There are several open houses scheduled for Sunday in the neighborhood. The same info can be seen here in a map format.

Then and Now: North Capitol NW, between Quincy and R Streets

Then: April 29th, 2006


Then: May 19th, 2007:


Then: April 16th 2008


Now: January 10th, 2012:



Amazing the difference, huh?

Things are Poppin' in Truxton Circle

Check out some of the very cool things happening just to the south of bloomingdale in Truxton Circle

FABLAB DC
We mentioned FabLabDC before. I'm especially excited about this. I would invite everyone that is interested to contact them to see how you can help make this happen.

Fab Lab



Uncle Chips
I've heard great things about Uncle Chips, but I havent tried them yet. What I do know is that they are NOW OPEN.

Uncle Chip's Cookie, Desserts & Cafe is now open! We are a small

batch bakery specializing in chocolate chip cookies. Ours might even

be the best in the city made with dark chocolate, flax seed and the

perfect combination of chew and crunch. Other items include vegan

granola bars, muffins, specialty sweet breads and white chocolate

dipped shortbread.

Offering breakfast in the AM. Our menu includes bagel sammys,

yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, fresh fruit and Java House coffee.

Everything is fresh and made to order. Please stop by and see us!

Local delivery and on-line ordering also available at

unclechips.com.

1514 North Capitol Street NW

Hours of Operation:

7 AM - 2 PM Monday - Friday

9 AM - 2 PM Saturday

Closed Sunday

ReVive
I had probably the best fish and chips I've ever had at ReVive. Fantastic mac and cheese too. I'm not a huge foodie so you'll have to judge for yourself, but i love the place. Go check this newish carry-out place on Florida NW at North Capitol Street.

SnitchEye
The Bates Civic Association facebook page indicates that a causal wine bar will be opening at 3rd and Florida NW. More talk of it on PrinceofPetworth. I'm sure many of you know that a wine bar will probably be opening up on North Capitol in Bloomingdale this year too, right?


The New Playground
I don't have a picture of it, but the playground equipment going in at First and Florida makes we wish I was a kid. It looks amazing.

Dunbar
I don't know the timeframe, or really the extent of the entire project, but it looks like things are moving forward in the reconstruction of Dunbar High School. The field at least is all dug up and being worked on.

And though actually in Bloomingdale, but right across the street from Truxton, is the new Studio85 store.
Wow. Good luck to all the new businesses!

Last Night's Ward 5 Meeting on the News

Ward 5 Moves On Without Harry Thomas Jr.: MyFoxDC.com

Lydia wants to hear your pop-up stories !

Pop-up! Pop-ups! Who wants to talk about pop-ups!

See this post from Washington City Paper Housing Complex reporter Lydia DePillis.

Please contact her if you are passionate about pop-ups -- or even if you`re not!

Tell Me Your Pop-Up Stories
Posted by Lydia DePillis on Jan. 10, 2012 at 9:14 am
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2012/01/10/tell-me-your-pop-up-stories/

A pop-up on New Jersey Avenue NW.

One thing I`ve noticed after a couple years of watching neighborhood blogs and listservs: Few architectural features generate more ire than ``pop-ups,`` as the additions of one floor atop a rowhouse are colloquially known. They`re a great way to maximize space in constrained circumstances, capitalizing on natural light and perhaps allowing a homeowner to stick around rather than light out for the suburbs in search of a third bedroom.

But they sure can get ugly, when siding doesn`t match the original house, or when the addition
interrupts a harmonious block. At the moment, the District`s zoning code doesn`t address pop-ups, and in at least one neighborhood—Barney Circle, east of Capitol Hill—residents tried to pass an historic district in large part to fill the gap.

I`d like to more fully explore the phenomenon of pop-ups and the discussions that happen around them. If you`ve got one you`re proud of, or can`t stand a neighbor`s, or have any other observations to share, please get in touch.

open question: Whom would YOU like to see run in the upcoming Ward 5 Council race?

There was much buzz all over Bloomingdale this past weekend regarding who might be running for the now-open Ward 5 council seat.

Okay, then let's open us this question to the community.

Whose name(s) would YOU like to see on the ballot for the upcoming Ward 5 council race?

And check out this related post at GGW:

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13297/ward-5-progressives-must-unite-behind-one-candidate/

Open Houses scheduled In and Around Bloomingdale on 01/08/2012

Looks like a nice sunny not too cold day, which is perfect for checking out the open houses in the neighborhood. For those who prefer a visual approach, here's the link to the map with the same information.

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.)