Introduction

All about the Edgewood Neighborhood of Washington, DC

Questions/Comments/Story Ideas - email me at lifeontheedgewood@gmail.com





Friday, December 31, 2010

Home Sales in Edgewood


Here is this week's data on homes for sale in Edgewood. I am using Redfin because it allows you to search by neighborhood, but if you have any other ideas or ways to get listings or open houses please let me know!

Here is the link to the data in Redfin:

Edgewood DC Real Estate

Edgewood has a very diverse housing stock with a wide range of sizes and prices. Right now the most expensive places listed are the new homes being built in Chancellor's Row listed at $591,900 while the least expensive listing is a 1 bedroom condo listed at $99,000. It seems that there are a steady number of houses selling across the price ranges and there are quite a few pending sales that have yet to be posted.

There are two new sales posted:

709 Irving Street NE sold on December 10th for $168,970
3009 7th Street NE sold on December 15th for $235,000
3000 7th Street NE #211 sold on December 17th for $105,000
219 Ascot Place NE sold on December 27th for $299,900

There are no open houses listed for Edgewood. If you know of any please add the information to the comments section.

REMINDER Edgewood Neighborhood Cleanup is TOMORROW!

Start the New Year off right!

Just wanted to send out a reminder that tomorrow is the Edgewood Neighborhood monthly cleanup. The group meets in front of the Edgewood Rec Center at the corner of 3rd and Evarts NE at 10:30 a.m. The cleanup is sponsored by the Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center and occurs the first Saturday of every month same time and location. The group picks up trash around the neighborhood including the rec center.

If you cannot come try and cleanup around your block today or tomorrow morning so we can cover more areas!!!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Holiday Trash and Tree Collection from DPW

The Department of Public Works reminds residents:

1. We will follow the normal trash/recycling collections schedule on Friday, December 31. If Friday is your collection day, please have your materials out by 6 am Friday and return your containers to your property by 8 pm Friday.

2. DPW will collect holiday trees (please remove ornaments, lights, tinsel, etc.) between Monday, January 3, and Saturday, January 15. Place your trees in the treebox space in front of your home, or adjacent to the curb (but not in the street). Please put your tree out for collection between Sunday, January 2, and Sunday, January 9. After January 15, you may put your tree where you put your trash and recycling and we will collect it from there, depending on the truck’s capacity.

3. DPW will suspend enforcement of parking meters, residential parking and rush hour lane restrictions on Friday and Saturday, December 31 and January 1. Also, DPW will not tow abandoned vehicles.

4. Saturday, January 8, is the next Household Hazardous Waste/E-cycling/Document Shredding day. Please bring these materials to the Ft. Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack Road, NE, between 8 am and 3 pm. The February drop-off day is February 5.

Directions to Ft. Totten: Travel east on Irving Street, NW, turn left on Michigan Avenue, turn left on John F. McCormack Road, NE and continue to the end of the street.

ANC5C Meet and Greet Saturday, January 1st

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C

Invites You to a Commissioner Meet & Greet and New Year Celebration

At Rustik Tavern

84 T Street N.W
Washington, DC

Saturday January 1, 2011

8:00pm- 10:00pm

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

PSA 501 Monthly Meeting Tomorrow

Title: PSA 501 Monthly Meeting

Date: Wednesday December 15, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Repeats: This event repeats every month on the third Wednesday.
Location: Harry Thomas Recreation/Community Center

Monday, December 13, 2010

Met Branch Trail maintenance and bike trailer to lend?

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to announce that Gospel Rescue Ministries has been hired to provide maintenance on the Met Branch and Anacostia trails. Their team will begin work next Tuesday starting with the Met Branch Trail and work area by area, trail by trail until the trails are all in pristine condition. Thank you volunteers for all the work that you have done while we have been completing this hiring process and we hope that you will continue to help us keep the trails clean (though this should not require as much of your time in the future)!

The trail maintenance team will be maintaining the trails by bicycle. However, they currently do not have trailers and are not sure the best trailer system to invest in. Therefore, if you have an extra trailer in your garage or one you are not using for the winter and would like to let the team use it as they decide what system to ultimately use (or if you have a trailer for sale) please contact Morris Queen at morris@grm.org. For more information about their programs, please see: www.grm.org.

Stay tuned for details and updates on our trail maintenance team!

Best, Heather

d. Heather Deutsch | Bicycle Program Specialist/Trail Planner | Policy, Planning & Sustainability Administration | District Department of Transportation | 2000 14th St., NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20009 | tel: 202.671.2638 | fax: 202.671.0617 | heather.deutsch@dc.gov | www.ddot.dc.gov

REMINDER: Dec. 13, MetBranchTrail 5K Race Planning Meeting

Folks,

This is to follow up on Cristina's email reminder about the next Race Planning meeting. Attached are the minutes so kindly provided by Christine Halpin. Also, visit the race web site at www.gometbranch.com.

MEETING LOCATION: Tynan Coffee & Tea
1275 First Street, NE (near N St.)
Washington, DC 20002
One Block from the New York Avenue Metro
T (202) 408-3127

Date: Monday, December 13, 2010

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Please feel free to come as you are able.)
Agenda: We will be finalizing the sponsor letter and brainstorming for ideas as to which businesses and/or people to approach for sponsorship.

Please RSVP to cristinaesteron@yahoo.com so that we have an idea as to how many to expect.

Thank you so much!
,
Cristina & Sherri

Hypothermia Watch Partner Program

Please share with other online groups.

http://dhs.dc.gov/dhs/cwp/view,a,3,q,641343.asp

Hypothermia Watch Partner Program

The Hypothermia Watch Partner Program provides emergency shelter between November 1st and March 31st each year, and is also available during Hypothermia Alerts that are based on the National Weather Service forecasts.

The hypothermia season begins November 1 and ends March 31. Hypothermia is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a person's internal body temperature is less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit; Normal body temperature is about 98.6degrees Fahrenheit. When hypothermia occurs, the body loses heat faster than it is able to produce heat.
Eligibility: Residency in the District of Columbia.

How to Obtain Benefits and Information: Call the 24-hour Shelter Hotline at: 1(800) 535-7252.
More hypothermia information:
2010-2011 Winter Plan*
2010-2011 Hypothermia Shelters
2010-2011 Shelter Hotline Cards*
12- and 24-Hour Low Barrier Emergency Shelters
Homeless Services
Hypothermia Facts
Links to Organizations That Help the Homeless
Shelter Transportation Schedules
Shelter Hotline 1(800) 535-7252

Any life-threatening concerns can also be reported to 9-1-1.

Potential Closing of Shaed in Edgewood



***Update*** Thanks to Aaron for sending in a copy of the letter sent from DCPS. I have attached a picture of it above. Also, note there is a community meeting scheduled for January 11th at 6:00 p.m. at Shaed.

I tweeted about the potential closing of Shaed in Edgewood last week, but wanted to followup with a post and the article. Due to the poor performance at Shaed and low enrollment I would be for this if they transformed the building into a library and recreation center combination for the community. I am not sure if the money for the Edgewood Recreation Center will remain in the budget or not with the cuts, but if it does I would think this could be an ideal solution. Everyone who lives here knows that the recreation center is inadequate and the nearest libraries are in Woodridge and Shaw. We are adding many new residents to the area and I really think this building could fill a current and future need for Edgewood and surrounding neighborhoods.

Here is the article:

DCPS wants to close Shaed, River Terrace; open Montessori
By Bill Turque


DCPS has proposed a series of closures and consolidations that would take effect this fall. It wants to shutter two lightly-enrolled schools in Northeast and open a Montessori school at the old Logan Elementary building near Union Station.

According to notices posted on the school system web site, River Terrace Elementary in Ward 7 would close at the end of the current academic year and merge with Thomas Elementary in Parkside. Students at Shaed Education Campus, a PS-8 school in Ward 5, would join those at Emery Education Campus PS-8,in relocating to the former Langley School building next to McKinley Technology High School.

In a letter to the Shaed community, Interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson said Shaed's current enrollment of 146 makes it difficult to sustain a full PS-8 program. Emery's building, she said, lack some of the physical amenities of a PS-8 school. Both, she said, would benefit from the move to Langley, which is vacant.

Twenty-seven schools were closed or consolidated in the Fenty-Rhee era, generating considerable political pushback. Henderson will likely get her share when she meets with both school communities after the holidays. A final recommendation to the mayor's office will follow.

Expansion of Montessori, a response to burgeoning demand, is part of a larger set of moves in the works for Ward 6 schools. The current Montessori program, housed at Watkins Elementary, runs through fourth grade. DCPS wants to move it to Logan and extend it an extra year, through fifth grade. Watkins would then pick up the fifth grade currently housed at Stuart-Hobson Middle School.

Follow D.C. Schools Insider every day at washingtonpost.com/dc- schools. And for admissions advice, college news and links to campus papers, please check out our new Higher Education page at washingtonpost.com/higher-ed. Bookmark it!

A.J. Wright in Brentwood Change Coming

The local A.J. Wright at the Rhode Island Place Shopping Center will be transformed into a T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods according to the article below from the Washington Business Journal. I am pulling for a HomeGoods!!!!

TJX closing 71 A.J. Wright stores, cutting 4,400 jobs
Washington Business Journal - by Barton Eckert


Off-price apparel retailer TJX Cos. says it plans to convert 91 A.J. Wright stores into T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods stores and close the remaining 71 stores.

Six of the chain`s stores are in the Washington area.

The store at Prince William Shopping Center on Smoketown Road in Woodbridge will be shut down. The others will be rebranded but TJX is not saying which brands will be where.

In total, the company estimates that approximately 4,400 positions will be eliminated, almost half of which are part-time positions.

All 162 A.J. Wright stores will close between late January and the middle of February. For the 91 stores that will be converting to other banners, the company estimates this conversion process will generally take approximately eight weeks, during which time the stores will remain closed.

The company (NYSE: TJX) believes the overall financial impact will be very positive with estimated non-recurring after-tax costs of approximately $150 million to $170 million to close the A.J. Wright business, $40 million to $50 million of which are cash costs.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Edgewood Home Sales


Here is this week's data on homes for sale in Edgewood. I am using Redfin because it allows you to search by neighborhood, but if you have any other ideas or ways to get listings or open houses please let me know!

Here is the link to the data in Redfin:

Edgewood DC Real Estate

Edgewood has a very diverse housing stock with a wide range of sizes and prices. Right now the most expensive places listed are the new homes being built in Chancellor's Row listed at $591,900 while the least expensive listing is a 1 bedroom condo listed at $99,000. It seems that there are a steady number of houses selling across the price ranges and there are quite a few pending sales that have yet to be posted.

There are two new sales posted:

330 Bryant Street NE sold on November 17th for $302,000
3000 7th Street NE #124 sold on November 18th for $52,000

There are no open houses listed for Edgewood.. If you know of any please add the information to the comments section.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Future of the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center


The Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center at the edge of Edgewood is an homage to suburban shopping centers in the city and was built in the late 1980s. I met part of the Vanguard Realty Group at the DCBIA Met Branch Trail project volunteering and thanks to my favorite DDOT employee I was able to talk to him in length about the shopping center and the changes that are coming to it and the community. I was surprised to learn that while most of the attention has been about Safeway leaving and the center needing a new grocery store, especially from the seniors, the rest of the center is fully leased. Here is the listing for the empty Safeway space.

Here are the current tenants of the center:

Forman Mills
Key Kiosk
Judy's Beauty Supply
Rainbow
H&R Block
Cricket
Rent-A-Center
Susan Fashion
Subway
Popeyes
Ashley Stewart
Payless ShoeSource
CVS/Pharmacy
Neighborhood Legal Services Program
New Vision Photography Program, Inc.
Zipcar

The truth is that Safeway left our neighborhood with a year left on their lease. I would like people to take that in, as well as, the condition of the store and conclude that Safeway was not going to invest in the Edgewood community. When people were protesting Safeway leaving and wanting the City Council to intervene I was very confused. I shopped there occasionally because it was quick to walk to, but besides the location the only thing it had going for it was a few really great employees.

What's next for that space? The Vanguard Realty Group is actively trying to lease the space and was in talks with a discount grocery store and a discount retail store last time I checked. I have put in a call to see if there are any updates and will let you know as soon as I do. I was told that whatever moves in it will not happen until Spring 2011. They are looking for a store that will sign a 10 year lease and that is complicating matters. Most of the stores in that center have about 8-10 years left on their leases except for Forman Mills which has about 12 years.

You may be wondering why the length of the leases matters so much and that is because all of this is background to my questions about the future of the center. If you attended any of the Rhode Island Avenue Great Streets meetings you would know that the plan suggested extending roads into this shopping center and making it more urban and pedestrian friendly. Given the current lease terms it looks like the development of this shopping center will not happen for another 8-12 years. While I am sad to report this I will say I do feel more positive about the shopping center and their plan for growth. The owners of the shopping center and the leasing agent have been very active in the community. They have allowed for the creation of community murals, an entrance to the Met Branch Trail, volunteered with DCBIA community improvement day on the trail, been supportive of hosting an Edgewood Farmer's Market, and are excited about the pedestrian bridge from their center to the metro. They have also stated that they would be open to developing the center one half at a time if Forman Mills is the only one left with a lease.

PSA 501 Meeting, November 17th

The PSA 501 meeting will be on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 @ 1900hrs at the Harry Thomas Recreation Center located at 1743 Lincoln Road, NE.

We look forward to meeting residents and or business owners to form or enhance current partnerships to reduce crime and make neighborhoods safe that are located in PSA 501.

Thank you for your support and assistance without these essentials we could not achieve success.

Brian Grogan
Captain
Fifth District, PSA 501
1805 Bladensburg Road, Northeast 20002
(202) 698-0118 or Cell (202) 506-0694
brian.grogan@dc.gov

Special 5DCAC November Meeting, November 18th

5th District Citizens’ Advisory Council, Inc.
Metropolitan Police Department
in association with
Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.
Stronghold Civic Association

Special Monthly Meeting Thursday, 18 November 2010 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.
Stronghold Community Public Safety Meeting

Come and share your public safety concerns with Councilmember Harry Thomas, 5DMPD officials, and the Office of the US Attorney for the District of Columbia

All Nation’s Baptist Church
2001 North Capitol Street, NE

ANC 5C Meeting Tonight


Tonight's ANC 5C meeting is now being held at Harry Thomas Rec Center starting at 7:00 p.m.

Ward 5 Holiday Party

Mark Your Calendar Now to Attend the
Ward 5 Holiday Party
On Thursday, December 16, 2010!

Mark your calendar now to attend Councilmember Thomas' Ward 5 Holiday Party! Event details are as follows:

WHO: Ward 5 Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr.

WHAT: Ward 5 Holiday Party

WHEN: Thursday, December 16, 2010 -- 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

WHERE: Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW -- 1st Floor

Environmental Assessment of Met Branch Trail

The Environmental Assessment (EA) required to continue the sections of the Met Branch Trail from Fort Totten to Takoma (and including the Prince George's Connector) is now available for public comment. Go to the link below to review and send your comments (which must be submitted by Dec. 15, 2010).

http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/About+DDOT/News+Room/Public+Notices/Notice+of+Public+Availability+for+the+Metropolitan+Branch+Trail+Environmental+Assessment

d. Heather Deutsch | Bicycle Program Specialist/Trail Planner | Policy, Planning & Sustainability Administration | District Department of Transportation | 2000 14th St., NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20009 | tel: 202.671.2638 | fax: 202.671.0617 | heather.deutsch@dc.gov | www.ddot.dc.gov

Friday, November 12, 2010

Edgewood Home Sales


Here is this week's data on homes for sale in Edgewood. I am using Redfin because it allows you to search by neighborhood, but if you have any other ideas or ways to get listings or open houses please let me know!

Here is the link to the data in Redfin:

Edgewood DC Real Estate

Edgewood has a very diverse housing stock with a wide range of sizes and prices. Right now the most expensive places listed are the new homes being built in Chancellor's Row listed at $604,810 while the least expensive listing is a 1 bedroom condo listed at $99,000. It looks like the overall prices of the available housing stock in Edgewood has moved up about $40,000 at both ends of the spectrum over the last two weeks. It seems that there are a steady number of houses selling across the price ranges and there are quite a few pending sales that have yet to be posted.

There is one new sale posted:

326 Bryant Street NE sold on November 1st for $160,000

I am willing to bet that we will see the above address posted for sale again after it is renovated.

There is one open house listed for Edgewood at 106 V Street NE and it is open from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 13th. If you know of any more please add the information to the comments section.

WBJ: DDOT has issues with Abdo's Brookland/Edgewood project road-related plans

See this Washington Business Journal article on the Jim Abdo Brookland/Edgewood project.

Transportation officials don`t like route Brookland project is taking

Premium content from Washington Business Journal - by Michael Neibauer

Date: Thursday, November 4, 2010, 1:57pm EDT.

[http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/print-edition/2010/11/05/transportation-officials-dont-like.html]



Few major projects have coasted through the District`s complex development process like Abdo Development LLC`s 8.9-acre, mixed-use mammoth that will connect the Brookland and Edgewood neighborhoods.

However, the D.C. Department of Transportation, one of the last bureaucratic hurdles to be cleared, has become an unpleasant, if not unexpected, bump in the road.

DDOT detailed its opposition to a half dozen roadway-related pieces of the Northeast D.C. project in an Oct. 20 memo to the D.C. Office of the Surveyor. The challenge, which the department describes as procedural, has nonetheless slowed an otherwise fast-moving redevelopment that promises to transform the neighborhoods.

It`s been relatively smooth sailing for the $225 million development on the former south campus of The Catholic University of America, where Abdo is working with Bozzuto Development Co. and Pritzker Realty.

The project is expected to include 800-plus residential units, 45 townhouses, close to 85,000 square feet of retail, 27 artist studios and exhibit space. A tunnel will link the project with the Brookland/CUA Metro station.

The planned-unit development application has the D.C. Zoning Commission`s approval and a thumbs up community groups. It is backed by Mayor-elect Vincent Gray.

But developers still need the council`s OK to close portions of streets and adjust rights of way — the legally granted access to property owned by someone else — to make room for construction and realigned intersections. That`s where DDOT comes in.

The agency has problems with all but one of the developers` road-related plans, although DDOT doesn`t want its written opposition to be seen as actual opposition.

``In the world of street closures, the legal counsel is that we must write our reports to `object until and unless,``` wrote Karina Ricks, associate director for the DDOT`s Policy, Planning and Sustainability Administration, in an e-mail. ``Although the report, at first reading, very much sounds like an objection, it is not.``

Legislation before the council would authorize the creation of a right-turn lane at Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street, realignment of the Seventh Street and Michigan intersection into a T-intersection at the entrance to the university, development of a public square at Michigan and Monroe featuring a clock tower and fountain, and the redevelopment of Eighth Street from Monroe to the Michigan Avenue viaduct as a pedestrian-only walkway that ends in a public piazza.

But those plans, developers say, mean closing portions of Monroe, Seventh and Eighth streets and Bunker Hill Road, removing some public land from D.C.`s long-term highway plan and dedicating some public property on Monroe to the right-turn lane.

Ricks told the surveyor she opposes all but one of those plans for reasons including roadway design issues and traffic impacts. The developers responded in testimony before the council that the roadway changes are critical and ``we will not be able to satisfy`` several DDOT objections.

The parties say this back-and-forth won`t kill the deal even if it does add delays.

The DDOT is ``very supportive of the development plan,`` Ricks said, but legally the agency has to oppose it. Abdo will have to file more material to satisfy the concerns, Ricks said, such as establishing an easement to ensure the department retains the ability to maintain the Michigan Avenue bridge.

Toby Millman, Abdo`s vice president of project development, agreed that DDOT`s opposition is a matter of course. The agency, he said, doesn`t have a another word in its legal toolbox to denote ``concern.`

Tree Planting on Met Branch Trail on December 11th


It may be cold outside, but Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Casey Trees are already preparing for next summer’s hot sun by planting 35 trees on the Metropolitan Branch Trail – and we need your help!

REGISTER TODAY – Space is limited!

When: Saturday, December 11, 8:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Met Branch Trail between Rhode Island Avenue and Franklin Street, NE (map)
Remember:
Wear work clothes, including closed-toe shoes.
Bring a water bottle. Refreshments will be provided before we begin.

This Community Tree Planting Day is made possible by a grant from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Metropolitan Grants Program, supported by leadership funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation. More trees will be planted in Spring 2011, and all trees will be cared for by Casey Trees through 2012.

We look forward to seeing you on December 11!

Happy trails,
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

McMillan Wikiplanning Site

Dear Edgewood Residents,


The McMillan Sand Filtration Site Planning sessions continue apace-- we had more great turnout last Saturday, and hope to have more participation going forward. The next meeting will be Saturday, November 20, 2010 from 9AM to 12PM.

Please take the time to visit ENVISION McMILLAN, the wikiplanning site for the project, which launched on Saturday. To login, you must provide your email address and your zip code. Please email me if you have any trouble logging into the site. The primary function of the site is to capture your input, ideas and feedback. There are places for you to share your photos, examples and ideas; there is a survey up now that we would like you to take. There is also a message board where you can leave questions, comments, concerns and engage in conversation with one another.

There are also bios and quals for the development and design team;, meeting notes and photos; and reports.

Last but not least, the site provides the opportunity for you to invite others toparticipate. If you have neighbors and friends that should come to the site, please send them invitations so that we can get their feedback, too!

Thank you for your input,

Tania Jackson

Ward 5 Council on Education Meeting November 16th

The Ward 5 Council on Education (W5COE) will hold its monthly meeting at Michigan Park Christian Church on Tuesday Nov 16, 2010 at 6:30 pm.

Please read about this organization below as it was described by Darin Allen who serves as as the Community Relations Officer for the W5COE.

The Ward 5 Council on Education was established in January 1989 as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. It was established in the District of Columbia by Clyde B. Richardson and former Ward 5 Board of Education member Angie King Corley. These two Ward 5 citizens inspired others to come together to support our schools. The organization has become well known for its active role in Ward 5 education issues. Raenelle Humbles Zapata is now the current president of the council.

The Ward 5 Council on Education was founded to improve the quality of education in Ward 5 schools. It achieves this goal through enabling parents, teachers, citizens, students, and educators/administrators an opportunity to share their views on school needs and issues with the Ward 5 State School Board Representative. The Council provides awards and scholarships to students, parents, and teachers from each Ward 5 public school for outstanding achievements during the school year.

Edgewood Tree Planting November 20th


November 10, 2010

Greetings Neighbors and Friends,

On Saturday, November 20, 2010, the Edgewood Civic Association in partnership with Casey Trees Endowment are excited to launch a premier tree planting project of a variety of trees to canopy one of the District of Columbia’s main street’s in Ward 5, of the Edgewood community. This is one of many cultural green landscape project designs to improve the environment and to create more beautiful,livable space in the District of Columbia. Additionally, this project will pay tribute to one of this
community’s youth, whose life was loss to senseless crime – a memorial tree will be planted and dedicated to her family and friends; it is our statement of the value we place on her life and of all of citizens these communities and of the District of Columbia.

It is our endeavor to involve all of community as a matter of civic duty. For this service project, we are seeking volunteers (schools, churches, business, citizens, etc), to serve from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM; however, any amount of time is welcome and appreciated. For any period served, we are obliged to provide a light breakfast and lunch.

For all students who volunteer; we encourage, and invite them to bring school forms to document these community service hours, official signatures will be provided.

This event promises to be a rewarding experience, as each one gives back to our community where we live, work, educate or worship.

The Edgewood Civic Association [ECA] is a 501-c3 award-winning charitable organization and a member of the DC Federation of Civic Association since 1953, ECA’s mission is to serve the citizens of Ward 5 residing in the Edgewood-Eckington communities through education, information and advocacy. The Casey Trees Endowment mission is to restore, enhance, and protect the tree canopy of the Nation’s capital.

If you or your group is interested in volunteering, please reply to Mr. Timothy Clark on 202-359-0582 or email: theedgewoodcivicassociationdc@yahoo.dc.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Clark, Sr., President
The Edgewood Civic Association

Friday, October 29, 2010

Devastated by DC Schools?

Following the news, tests scores, and chancellor situation one can become pretty devastated about the current state and future of the DC school system. In a city filled with educated people it is appalling that there is still such a disparity between wealth and education. Often I am discouraged because I am not sure what I can do, so I am happy to report that there is a call to action. The organization called Reading Partners is now operating in DC and is in need of volunteers. If you can give 45 minutes of your time a week than you can make a huge difference in the education of one DC student.

Reading Partners is currently working at four DC locations with volunteering opportunities between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please visit their website and sign up to volunteer. I have already signed up to volunteer at DC Prep in Edgewood and I am looking forward to helping my community. They provide training, support and lesson plans. Rarely is one able to impact another's life in such a great way and I hope that many others decide to participate. Imagine if all DC students read at or above their grade level and the impact that would have on their education and future.

Please view the following story on Reading Partners in the news.

Homes Sales in Edgewood


Here is the weekly data on homes for sale in Edgewood. I am using Redfin because it allows you to search by neighborhood, but if you have any other ideas or ways to get listings or open houses please let me know!

Here is the link to the data in Redfin:

Edgewood DC Real Estate

Edgewood has a very diverse housing stock with a wide range of sizes and prices. Right now the most expensive places listed are the new homes being built in Chancellor's Row listed at $559,900 while the least expensive listing is a 1 bedroom condo listed at $59,900. There is exactly a half-million dollar spread in the sale prices across the Edgewood neighborhood. I know that there are many discussions across DC with regards to creating more affordable housing, but I wonder if anyone is looking at the housing stock that is currently available. There are options for every family size and budget in Edgewood right now and I am not sure if they will last as our neighborhood continues to develop. Over the last few months I have noticed that home sales seem to be picking up, so I hope those looking in nearby neighborhoods start thinking about investing in Edgewood.

There are many new sales posted:

116 V Street NE sold on October 12th for $382,000
318 Rhode Island Ave NE #304 sold on October 18th for $75,000
2405 3rd Street NE sold on October 19th for $296,000
2815 6th Street NE sold on October 22nd for $245,000
416 Evarts Street NE sold on October 26th for $360,000

There is one open house listed for Edgewood at 106 V Street NE and it is open from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31st. If you know of any more please add the information to the comments section.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

NCJC to Picket Bozzuto, Metro Project on RI Ave. in NE

NCJC to Picket Bozzuto, Metro Project on RI Ave. in NE

Washington, DC, October 26, 2010: The National Capital Jobs Coalition (NCJC) will launch a public job action against the Bozzuto Construction Company and the METRO development project on Rhode Island Ave. Metro Station in NE Washington, DC on Thursday morning, October 28th at 8:30 AM. Linwood Martinez-Bentley, a longtime DC activist and co-director of the group, said that, “… Bozzuto and others like them have ignored DC Law long enough. Mayor Fenty has failed to enforce this law. We urge Vincent Gray to make this a high priority.”

First Source Legislation requires outside businesses that come into this city and take city dollars must hire 51% of their workforce from citizens of The District. “In this economy, with record deficits, we cannot afford to let hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential revenue to our city simply drive out the beltway,” said Bentley. “We need our tax dollars to create jobs for our citizens. First Source is a partial remedy that must be enforced and reinforced.” Also, Bentley continued, “ …many companies are not paying the required wages. This is also against the law. The City is not enforcing this law and since these projects are being funded, in part by our tax dollars, we, the citizens of DC, want to know if these multi-million dollar job sites are in compliance.”

The presumptive new Mayor Vincent Gray commented during a recent Town Hall meeting that, if city funded projects do not hire the number of city residents required by First Source legislation that they, “… should be shut down.” NCJC agrees totally with those sentiments, as do key members of The City Council. We have had expressions of support from other Councilmen including the following sitting council members: CM Michael Brown and the presumptive Council Chairperson Kwame Brown. We also have support from At-Large Candidate David Schwartzman. Given such widespread encouragement, NCJC intends to strike the first blow in support of more aggressive and direct citizen involvement.

Jerome Peloquin, First Source Program Manager for NCJC commented that, “This is just the beginning. We plan to launch these job actions on a regular basis and to ratchet up the level of visibility. This will be a non-violent protest, but it will not be a quiet one. Our intention is to link with other community activist organizations including a number of drum circles that will participate on behalf of the people of DC who are suffering record unemployment. Carpetbagging companies from outside-of-DC need to take notice … the free lunch is over. It’s time to pay your fair share of the bill here in Washington, DC.”

For further information contact Jerry Peloquin on his cell at 410.227.0498 or by email at jpeloquin@microventuresupport.org

McMillan Meeting #2: What We Heard-- Design Principles & Approach


Dear Edgewood Residents,


Attached is the flyer for our next meeting on the McMillan Sand Filtration Site.


WHAT: McMillan Meeting #2: What We Heard-- Design Principles & Approach
WHERE: St. Martin's of Tours Catholic Church 1908 North Capitol Street, NW (Enter on T Street)
WHEN: Saturday, November 6, 2010 9AM - 12PM


Join us for a discussion of the elements that will go into the final design plan, based on the feedback the design team got in Meeting #1 and the Salon Sessions at Big Bear. This is Meeting #2 of a three meeting series and will give you a chance to meet and talk to the design team, get a schedule for future meetings, and learn how to share all of your ideas.
If you have questions, please feel free to call me (202-355-8998) or email me (create_communitas@yahoo.com). Please also bring a friend!
Thanks,


Tania Jackson

Edgewood ANC Commissioner Elections and Speeches

Edgewood ANC Commissioner Elections are fast approaching and at the Edgewood Civic Association meeting on Monday they were invited to come and give a speech on why they are running. While there are really only two ANC5C commissioner Single Member Districts (SMD) that are entirely in Edgewood there are three others that have at least a part of their SMD in Edgewood. Only a small number of those running were able to make the meeting and I am not sure if that was due to prior commitments or last minute notifications. I thought I should still share the speeches that I was able to record by those in attendance.

Here are the SMDs that involve Edgewood and the candidates:

ANC5C06

Current Commissioner Mary-Ellen Farmer-Allen (not in attendance, husband made speech)



Challenger Darin Allen



ANC5C07

Current Commissioner Barry Daneker (not in attendance)

Challenger James Fournier




ANC5C08

Current Commissioner Marshal Phillips (withdrew from election)

Challenger J. Jioni Palmer



ANC5C09

Current Commissioner Silas Grant (running unopposed and emailed to say he was unable to attend due to prior commitments)

ANC5C10

Current Commissioner Tim Day (running for Ward 5 city council and no one is formally running for this seat)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

District Hosts Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

10/26/10 -- District Hosts Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Week-long Activities Focus on Protecting Child and Family Health

Lead exposure can cause serious health effects, particularly among children and pregnant women. To raise awareness of lead and its impact, the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) is spearheading a series of programs, beginning today, Tuesday, October 26, for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), October 24–30, 2010. The week’s programs are designed to educate District residents on ways to identify and safeguard themselves, especially children, against household lead exposures.

This year’s theme is Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly 250,000 children living in the United States have blood lead levels high enough to require public health intervention, based on data from a 2003–2004 national survey. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause a variety of health affects in children, such as learning disabilities, delayed speech and language, and behavioral problems.

“Lead poisoning is preventable and that is why raising awareness is perhaps the single most important step we can take to combat this environmental hazard,” says Christophe A.G. Tulou, Acting Director of DDOE. “The activities we have planned during this lead prevention awareness week will provide District residents with resources necessary to help them better understand the ramifications of lead poisoning and ways in which they can protect themselves and their families.”

Major sources of lead exposure among children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings, especially in homes built before 1978. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lead paint poisoning has already impacted more than one million children . Parents are encouraged to get their homes tested and have young children tested for lead poisoning. A community fair at the Reeves Center will offer free screening to District residents, specifically children, 6 months to 6 years old, as well as expectant mothers.

The DC Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water), one of the organizations participating in the District’s week-long lead prevention awareness activities, will be on hand to share information about sources of lead exposure among residents. According to DC Water, lead levels in District drinking water are below regulatory requirements. “Lead in drinking water is an issue that affects individual households in the District,” said DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. “We share the responsibility with residents in identifying lead sources and minimizing exposure.”

Planned activities throughout the week will not only target children, but also building contractors. According to Director Tulou, building contractors are strongly encouraged to attend all activities, particularly an EPA Region III forum that will review EPA’s Lead Renovation Repair and Painting Rule. In April 2010, the EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule to reduce contamination associated with the removal of lead-based paint chips and dust generated when homes are remodeled became effective. The rule requires training and certification of all remodeling contractors to engage in safe lead paint handling procedures.

The District’s lead poisoning prevention awareness activities include:

October 26, 2010 - 6:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Renovate Right for Landlords, Home Owners, and Contractors
1800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE

October 27, 2010 – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Community Outreach and Education Event
Petworth Metro Center - 3700 Georgia Avenue, NW

October 28, 2010 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Community Outreach and Education Event
Home Depot – 901 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

October 29 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hot Spot Street Fair
14th & Irving Street, NW

October 30, 2010 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Community Health Fair*
The Reeves Center – 14th & U Street, NW
*Lead screening available on-site.

Contact Information:
Sarah Neiderer
202-787-7013
sarah.neiderer@dcwater.com

You can view this News Release at http://www.dcwater.com/news/listings/press_release478.cfm
Thank you.

Eckington Resident, Jamie Triplin-Hines: Are we really building bridges?

October 26, 2010

Dear Community Leaders and Civic Engagers,

Are we really building bridges? When me and my family moved to the Eckington/Edgewood area last year, I was directed to my civic association, list servs, ANC 5C, and other entities. It is very disheartening to see and hear how there are so many people who “want to change their community,” yet, they fight (even physically) amongst each other.

I find it difficult to see true community efforts—efforts that don’t have one individual person’s or group’s political agenda attached to it. Bigotry, intimidation tactics, cronyism, corruption, lack of professionalism, and so many other issues steal the livelihood and enrichment that ALL of our neighborhoods offer. It really is a shame that we do not utilize all of our individual resources/skills to come together on behalf of the common good.

We all claim we are tired of the “petty politics” at the highest level of district government, but it seems to have trickled down to even the lowest level of public service in our ward. There are some of us out here that truly want to be a part of their communities and make that real change without all of the politics.

I truly hope that with the new year rapidly approaching, we can learn to put aside the pettiness and make better use of our time. I, for one, plan to become more deeply involved with my community—even if I have to begin building these bridges by myself.

I am looking to work with likeminded individuals. Feel free to contact me at anytime.

Kind Regards,

Jamie Triplin-Hines, MPA
www.thinkwritedevelop.com
202-681-2278

J. Jioni Palmer ANC Candidate 5C08 Letter to Neighbors

Dear neighbor,

Too often the crackle of gunfire, the trafficking of drugs and prostitutes, home burglaries and robberies violate our sense of security and undermine our quality of life. Making our community safe is one of my top priorities.

While the District of Columbia is experiencing the lowest rates of crime in a generation, the reality is that in too many neighborhoods in our great city continue to experience the devastating loss of human life to violence and property crimes.
By no means are the root causes of the crime plaguing our community one dimensional.

In fact, the sources are many. Inadequate conflict resolution skills, diminished economic opportunities, lack of parental and civic engagement, educational attainment and mental health issues are just some of the factors that play part in perpetuating the cycle of crime and violence.

The brave men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department continue to do an admirable job preventing crime, responding to incidents and working to strengthen the relationships with our community. However, there is always more that can be done, and as members of the Edgewood community we must all do our part.

As your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, I will take the following immediate steps to address public safety in the Edgewood Community:

· Work with neighbors, community leaders and police to aggressively address crime by employing holistic solutions
· Attend Police Service Area (PSA) meetings
· Provide timely reports to police concerning emerging hotspots
· Petition the DC government to repave and improve lighting in more alleys

While the issues fueling the cycle of crime violence are many and complex, we can have a positive effect reversing them by engaging in a neighborhood conversation, sharing insights about emerging hotspots and strengthening our community’s relationship with the Metropolitan Police Department.

By working together as neighbors we can make Edgewood an even stronger community. There is no challenge too tough or problem too difficult when we work together. I ask for your support in this campaign for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, because together we can make a difference.

J. Jioni Palmer
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Candidate 5C08
cell: 202-680-9842
web: http://jionipalmer.com/
twitter: http://twitter.com/jjioni
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/J-Jioni-Palmer/123979307623909?ref=sgm

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Bus Bays Temporarily Relocated at Rhode Island Station


For those of you that have been using the Rhode Island Metro station and bus bays please take note of the upcoming relocation during the ongoing construction. The good news that I gained from this message is that the parking garage is looking to be completed by June 2011 and the rest down by summer of 2012.

Bus bays at Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station temporarily relocated
For immediate release: October 21, 2010

Ongoing construction of new Metro parking garage, commercial project shifts bays
The bus bays at the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station will temporarily shift for five months starting on Monday, Oct. 25, as construction continues on a new parking garage, ground transportation service area, and a housing and retail joint-development project adjacent to the station.

Customers will have to board buses and use Kiss & Ride at their new, temporary locations across the parking lot that is near the station entrance. The Kiss & Ride area will continue to accommodate parking, car-sharing, taxis, and passenger pick-up and drop-off during the construction.

The construction, which began in April, is expected to be finished on the parking garage in June 2011 and by the summer of 2012 on the other projects.

News release issued at 11:36 am, October 21, 2010.

McMillan Sand Filtration Site Development Meetings

Sorry for the late posting as I have been trying to catch up today I realized that one of these meetings has already occurred. I have not been able to make it to them and unless they reschedule the October 30th one I will be missing it too. If anyone has attended and has any insights please feel free to write to me or post them in the comments.

See this 10/16/2010 message from Tania Jackson:

Thanks to all of the people who came out today for our first McMillan Sand Filtration Site Planning Meeting. We had a great turnout and hope to capitalize on that, and expand attendance.

We`ll be holding Design Salons where interested individuals can meet one on one with the design team. These are the two dates:

o Monday, October 18 6-8PM with Matt Bell, Urban Design Architect -- here is an update from Tania Jackson: tonight's first salon will be held at Big Bear Cafe, 1st & R Street NW in Bloomingdale
o Monday, October 25 6-8PM with Warren Byrd, Landscape Architect


Please call me or email mcmsalon@gmail.com to schedule yourself into these two sessions.

We will be holding two more meetings at St. Martin’s Church:

o Saturday, October 30 9-12 (preliminary design concepts with recap of feedback)
o Saturday, November 20 9-12 (final concept plan)

Please also feel free to email or call me with questions.

Thanks,

Tania
(m) (202) 355-8998

New DCRA Regulations for Vacant Properties

In the beginning of this month new laws were enacted which impact the vacant properties in our city. I am sure everyone has been walking down a street and then seen a boarded up, overgrown house or building and thought that it was a shame and could be fixed up to become part of the neighborhood again. While I was reading DCRA's website I came across a page that discussed turning vacant properties into affordable housing which I thought was an unique and inspirational idea. Here is the article from the Post and the links to DCRA where you can report vacant properties in your neighborhood.

New DCRA Regulations for Vacant Properties

New laws go into effect for vacant properties

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/13/AR2010101302936.html
This month, the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs begins enforcement of new vacant property regulations using taxes to discourage property blight in the District. The new system gives the agency the authority to identify, inspect and classify commercial and residential properties as vacant or to deem a property blighted.

The Vacant Property Disincentivization Amendment Act of 2010 made several adjustments to the vacant property registration laws. Owners of vacant properties who do not qualify for one of four exemptions under District law will be required to pay a $250 registration fee. Their properties will be taxed at a rate of $5 per $100 of assessed value. Properties in poor or unsafe condition can also have their property deemed blighted with their properties taxed at a rate of $10 per $100 of assessed value. The owner must pay a $250 renewal fee each year until the property is legally occupied or qualifies for an exemption.

Visit http://dcra.dc.gov.

Take Action: Rhode Island Avenue Safety Improvements Needed



A few weeks ago I wrote about the need for improvements to the sidewalks along Rhode Island Avenue, as well as, the access to the Rhode Island Ave metro station. Greater Greater Washington followed up with a great article on the issue. Those of us that regularly ride the bus or metro out of that station know how dangerous it can be to get to get there. The sidewalks are narrow and close to the busy traffic and the staircase is steep and narrow with steps crumbling. With millions of dollars being invested in redeveloping the parking lot into new retail and apartments you would think that an upgrade to the outdated sidewalks and stairs would be a natural progression. However, it has not been included in the plans!!!

We can change this by letting DDOT Director Gabe Klein and our Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., know that we need these changes to happen now while the area is being redeveloped. I wrote CM Thomas and received a response that they would forward my concerns to the project team and I have not heard anything back since then. Everyone knows that there is power in numbers and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I am asking everyone to spread the word about this issue.

The Coalition for Smarter Growth has begun a petition to DDOT Director Gabe Klein and Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas, Jr., that states the need we residents have to get these items fixed. Please sign the petition now and forward the link on to get as many people as possible to send the message that this is not an issue that we will let fade away!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

DCBIA Met Branch Trail Project




The DCBIA work on the Edgewood section of the trail is very close to completion and you should check it out if you have not yet. On October 2nd there were close to 500 volunteers cleaning out the area and planting. I was there for the whole day and it was amazing to see the amount of trash and debris that was removed - many, many truck loads. The project implementation was continued by professionals that week and a second smaller group of volunteers on the following Saturday. I really want to thank DCBIA and all of the volunteers for adding such a great amenity to our community. I was able to volunteer both Saturdays and met a lot of great people that are working on other projects in our community. I was told by the Bozzuto crew that the Rhode Island Station project is coming along nicely.

The finished project is full of edible and fruit bearing plants and will be joined by fruit trees to be planted by Casey Trees this December. I believe that close to 5,000 plants were added with this project. I hope that everything will grow, thrive and become a destination spot for our neighborhood.

Here is a link to the news story:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/dc/15,000-newly-planted-trees-beautify-the-district-100410

McMillan Sand Filtration Site Redevelopment Planning Meeting

Please see the following information about the meeting on Saturday:

McMillan Sand Filtration Site Redevelopment Planning Meeting

Meeting #1: Meet the Experts

Join us for a panel introduction of the design team that will create the final
concept plan for the site. This is Meeting #1 of a three meeting series and
will give you a chance to meet and talk to the design team, get a schedule for
future meetings, and learn how to share all of your ideas.

Saturday, October 16, 2010
10 AM to 12 NOON
St. Martin's Church
1908 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Enter on T Street)

Meeting Hosts:

The Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
Councilmember Harry Tommy Thomas, Jr.
Vision McMillan Partners

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Edgewood Run/Walk/Bike Group Meeting Tonight

The Edgewood Run/Walk/Bike group is meeting at the Edgewood Recreation Center at 6:30p.m. tonight to go to the Metropolitan Branch Trail for some exercise. This group meets every Tuesday so feel free to join us every week!

Please remember to bring some water.

Citywide Neighborhood Watch Training [Save the Date]

Citywide Neighborhood Watch Training [Save the Date]

Please share with other community listserv groups.

Save the Date: Saturday, Oct 23rd

National Crime Prevention Month

Citywide Neighborhood Watch Training

Monday, October 4, 2010

Metropolitan Branch Trail Safety


I have been thinking about this topic and post for awhile now and wanted to wait until I had all my thoughts together to write it. I love the Met Branch Trail - I walk, ride and run on it many times a week if not every day. I have never had a problem or unpleasant interaction while I am on it. Earlier this summer there were a rash of incidents of kids throwing rocks at people and if you have not heard this past week some kids threw urine on a biker. There have been other reports of people being pushed off their bikes and injured or hit. All of these reports upset me and enrage me that a community amenity is being abused instead of celebrated.

Then the question arises is how do we stop these kind of things from happening and make the trail a place everyone can enjoy? There are many things that are being and have been done. DDOT installed cameras earlier this year on the Eckington section of the trail and reported that seemed to stop the rash of rock throwing. They have now installed a camera in the Edgewood section of the trail and are looking into installing more. MPD has regularly been patrolling the trail and is aware of the need for continued patrols. There are the obvious things that you can do to make yourself feel safer - go in groups or with a friend, have your cell ready to dial if necessary (mine will voice dial which is great), take your dog, go at different times of day, call 911 if you see anything suspicous and look out for your neighbors. If you look at most of the reported incidences they seem to occur from late afternoon to evening, to bike riders, people that were by themselves, and near entrance points to the trail. I firmly believe that more eyes on the trail the better and I hope that everyone will continue to use it and encourage others to as well.

There are ways you can get involved with the trail. The Edgewood Walk/Run/Bike group meets every Tuesday, the new DCBIA nature trail and plants to explore, and the 5K planning group which is meeting tonight - information below.


When: Monday, October 4, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Although we have moved the start time to 6:30 p.m., please feel free to come as you are able.)
Where: NOMA BID Office, 1200 First Street, NE, Suite 310, Washington, D.C. 20002 (You will be asked to sign in at the front desk, after which you can ask the attendant to send you up to the third floor) Nearest Metro is New York Avenue Station on the Red Line.
Agenda: See below

If you have not done so already, please RSVP to cristinaesteron@yahoo.com so that we have an idea as to how many to expect.

Thank you so much!

Cristina & Sherri

*************************************************************************************************************************************
MBT 5K Race/Walk Organizing Meeting
Monday, October 4, 2010
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
NoMa BID

1. Introductions
2. Overview of Confirmed Race Details
3. Overview of Contract Obligations of DC Road Runners Club
4. Organizing Lead Volunteers
5. Sponsorship Brainstorming
6. Set Next Meeting Date and Potential Topics for Next Meeting

Friday, October 1, 2010

Homes Sales in Edgewood


Here is the weekly data on homes for sale in Edgewood. I am using Redfin because it allows you to search by neighborhood, but if you have any other ideas or ways to get listings or open houses please let me know!

Here is the link to the data in Redfin:

Edgewood DC Real Estate

Edgewood has a very diverse housing stock with a wide range of sizes and prices. Right now the most expensive places listed are the new homes being built in Chancellor's Row listed at $559,900 while the least expensive listing is a 1 bedroom condo listed at $74,900.

There is new sale posted:

218 Channing Street NE sold on September 23rd for $169,000

There are no open houses listed for Edgewood. If you know of any please add the information to the comments section.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Ward 5 Town Hall with Vincent Gray

Please see the information below on the upcoming Ward 5 Town Hall meeting:

WHO:
Mayoral Candidate
Vincent C. Gray
and
Ward 5 Councilmember
Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr.

WHAT:
Ward 5
Town Hall Meeting

WHEN:
Tuesday
October 5, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 pm.

WHERE:
Community Academy
Public Charter School
(Old Armstrong)
1400 1st Street, NW
(1st and P Streets, NW)

Monday, September 27, 2010

Volunteers Needed for Saturday Met Branch Trail Improvements


I have been posting about this for months now and wanted to remind everyone to come and volunteer this Saturday!!!

The DCBIA (DC Building Industries Association) has selected the Metropolitan Branch Trail for their 18th Annual Community Improvement Day project.

The project will consist of landscaping the hillside between Edgwood/8th Streets and the Rhode Island Ave. Shopping Center.

Date: Saturday, October 2, 2010, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Check in at the Rhode Island Ave. Shopping Center (just past the CVS)

Volunteers needed! If you would like to volunteer for this event to support the trail in our community, either RSVP to the email address below, or just show up at the morning of the event.

Food and t-shirts will be provided!

Additional information:
- Middle/High School students can earn community service hours
- Back-up Date: Saturday, October 9, 2010
- To volunteer, contact DCBIA at info@dcbia.org or (202) 966-8665
- Check out the DCBIA website www.dcbia.org for more information

Friday, September 24, 2010

Bloomingdale's Rustik Tavern to Open Tonight!


If you have not seen all the tweets and blog posts already I wanted to make sure everyone knew that Bloomingdale's first sit down bar/restaurant is opening tonight to the public at 9:00 p.m. I am hoping to stop by and have a beer or two!

Chipotle Opens at Union Station Tomorrow!

As it was pointed out to me while it is not Edgewood the new Chipotle opening at Union Station this Saturday is only a short walk/ride down the Met Branch Trail. I have been using the Capital Bikeshare station at 4th and Rhode Island Ave this week on the trail between here and Union Station and it makes for a pretty easy trip.

Home Sales in Edgewood


Here is the weekly data on homes for sale in Edgewood. I am using Redfin because it allows you to search by neighborhood, but if you have any other ideas or ways to get listings or open houses please let me know!

Here is the link to the data in Redfin:

Edgewood DC Real Estate

Edgewood has a very diverse housing stock with a wide range of sizes and prices. Right now the most expensive places listed are the new homes being built in Chancellor's Row listed at $559,900 while the least expensive listing is a 1 bedroom condo listed at $74,900.

There are no open houses listed for Edgewood. If you know of any please add the information to the comments section.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Rhode Island Metro Station Sidewalks and Staircase Improvements Needed


Recently it was brought to my attention that with the construction of the Rhode Island Station development there are no plans to improve the sidewalks and staircase to the metro station from Rhode Island Ave. I thought with such a large-scale construction project they would be improving the public space as well especially since they would be using them.

Below is my letter to Councilmember Thomas and I am encouraging everyone to write or call him in order to bring attention to this issue.

Here is his email address: hthomas@dccouncil.us
Here is his phone number: 202-439-5103

Dear Councilmember Thomas,

I wanted to write to you about a concern that I have regarding the current sidewalks and staircase that led to the Rhode Island Metro Station with relation to pedestrian safety. These sidewalks are very narrow and the staircase is narrow and in need of repair as well.

While I am excited about the construction that is going on for the Rhode Island Station development I feel that as part of this project we should be fixing the sidewalks and stairs. We are missing an opportunity to repair items for the betterment and safety of the whole community if we do not get this done as part of the current construction. The new development will increase the traffic to that metro station and site, so if the narrow sidewalk and stairs are not adequate and safe under current use it will even be worse with increased use.

I know that the new pedestrian bridge is scheduled to be built from the Metropolitan Branch Trail to the metro station and that will help pedestrians and I encourage you to help move that project as long as well. But that bridge will not help people coming from the other direction to the metro or the new retail/apartments.

Please consider using your influence and helping to correct the problems with the stairs and sidewalks as a part of the current scope of construction that is taking place.

Edgewood Civic Association Meeting September 27th

Here is the agenda for the upcoming Edgewood Civic Association meeting:

THE EDGEWOOD CIVIC ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY MEETING
Monday, September 27, 2010
7:00 PM
The Edgewood View Senior Apartments – Crawford Hall, 8th floor
635 Edgewood Street NE, Washington, DC

Agenda
I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. Approval of Last Meeting’s Minutes

IV. President’s Report
a. Board Membership Status
b. Election of Nomination Committee for 2011 Board Election

V. Invited Guests
a. MPD – Safety Report
b. DCBIA – Danielle Melus – Metropolitan Branch Trail Arts Project
c. Presenter re. Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center Farmer’s Market

VI. Community Updates & Discussion
a. Status of Safeway Replacement
b. Status of St. Martin’s Apartments – “The Summit”
c. Rhode Island Metro Development – Bozzuto Project & Other

VII. New Business
a. Capital Bike Share
b. Edgewood Civic Association Partnership Tree Planting
c. Upcoming events
i. DC Federation of Civic Associations 2010 Banquet
ii. Ward 5 Civic Associations Summit
d. Other new business

VIII. 2010-11 Calendar

IX. Adjournment

Met Branch Trail 5K Meeting October 4th

Please see the email below from the group starting the Met Branch Trail 5K race.

Please mark your calendars on Monday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m. for the second meeting for those who are interested in helping out with organizing a 5k run/walk on the MBT trail.

Location is to be determined (it will most probably be in the NOMA area) but that information will be forthcoming shortly, along with an agenda.

Below is a summary of race details that have already been planned as well as a list of anticipated needs/ideas. If you already know you that are interested in helping out, even before the meeting, please email me at cristinaesteron@yahoo.com or Sherri at sherrimo@gmail.com and let us know in what capacity you think you can best help out.

Thank you so much!

Cristina & Sherri

*************************************************************************************************************************************

First Annual MBT 5K Race/Walk


Race Goals/Mission: To promote exercise and healthy activity for all ages and build a sense of community ownership and involvement with the MetBranch Trail in neighborhoods to which it is adjacent through an annual 5K race/walk.


Event Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011, 9 a.m.


Location: Primarily along the off-road segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (that parallels the Metro Red Line between Brookland and NY Av. Stations). Proposed race start/finish and organizing area is at the park at the S Street, NE entrance to the trail.


Organizational Partner: DC Road Runners Club, which will handle registration and payments, online publicity and official timing and results.


Event Size: 300+ runners/walkers (cap of 500 participants)



Needs:

Volunteer Coordinator

Public Relations Coordinator

Potentially, a Student Organizer

Involvement of four neighborhood organizations adjacent to the MBT (Eckington, Edgwood, NoMa, Brookland). To highlight the four neighborhoods along the MBT, identify a contact person(s) representing each neighborhood to eventually coordinate a comfort station (water or snacks) on race day. To recruit 2 -3 people to set up a table with water or snacks for runners and offer information/resources about that particular neighborhood.

Individual volunteers on race day

Additional Organizational Sponsors with various types of support:
Underwriting of specific race expenses (t-shirts, child/youth participants, posters and flyers, race prizes, raffles, snacks, water, outdoor toilets)
Direct donation to fundraising target project (MBT trail improvements/enhancements, etc.)
Group to organize first-aid station (Cath. U. School of Nursing? Health Department? Individual volunteers?)

DCBIA Community Improvement Day in Edgewood






The October 2nd date for the improvements coming to the Edgewood section of the Met Branch Trail by DCBIA is fast approaching. I now have even more detailed versions of the plans and I have posted them above.

The project will be taking place on October 2, 2010 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Edgewood section of the Met Branch trail will be closed during this time.

Remember this is a community project and they need volunteers! You can get involved by contributing your time or donating money by going to the website.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Upcoming WABA Cycling Events

Please see the message below from WABA about some upcoming cycling events that they have planned. I am not sure of the exact routes, but since Edgewood is bordered by a couple of states (Rhode Island Ave and Michigan Ave) they might ride around here.

Dear Friends in Cycling,

WABA has a very busy and exciting week coming up and we would love your help in promoting our upcoming events! All detailed event information is available at waba.org


Thursday, September 23- Join WABA, the Capitol Riverfront BID, and Forest City as we celebrate the full moon and the opening of the brand new Yards Park! The Yards Park is a beautiful new park along the SE Waterfront close to Nationals Stadium and is a great location for the start/finish of our bike rides and fun before hand!
The fun will begin as WABA watches as the Washington Nationals take on the Houston Astros at 4:35pm. Tickets for this game are available now through WABA's online registration! And don't forget- the Nationals offer free bike valet parking! Following the game, we will walk over to the Yards Park where there will be food trucks if you're hungry, community groups and bike shops to talk shop with and more.
Beginning at 7:30pm, riders can check-in with WABA or register on-site for one of our two rides. At 8:30pm, WABA will lead an 11-mile ride leaving the Yards Park heading west along the Potomac River taking in sights along the way including Hains Point, the Lincoln Memorial, and National Mall. There will be a turn-around point for those wishing to make their ride shorter.
Date- September 23rd, 2010

Location- The Yards Park
Time
4:35pm - Nationals vs. Astros Game
7:30pm - Ride check-in and on-site registration opens

8:30pm - 11-Mile ride departs


Saturday, September 25- The legendary 50 States and 13 Colonies Ride is back in 2010. Are you ready to try one of the hardest rides in DC? We provide the Start/Finish area and 3 pit stops fully stocked with water, food, and a bike mechanic.
The Rides
50 States
The most unique and challenging bike ride in DC! This 60+ mile ride is for cyclists experienced and comfortable with riding through the city streets with traffic. The 50 States ride covers all 50 state streets in all 8 Wards in search of the District of Columbia's statehood. Often been referred to as "brutal," "insane," and "engrossing." You have not seen the city of Washington by bike until you have done the 50 States Ride.
*Cue sheets will be available the day of the ride. Because some of the cues may change last minute due to construction projects and road closures, WABA will not provide cue sheets in advance.
13 Colonies
Not quite as challenging as the 50 States Ride, but equally as enjoyable. Ride on all the streets named for every one of the 13 original colonies. This ride is a little under 15 miles and is also for cyclists who are comfortable with riding on city streets with traffic.
*Cue sheets will be available the day of the ride
Register Now>>
Ride Information
Ride Check-In & Start:
Kalorama Park
1875 Columbia Road NW, WDC

8:00 am - Ride Check-In
8:30 am - 50 States Ride Begins
9:00 am - 13 Colonies Ride Begins Getting There:
Kalorama Park is conveniently located to the Adams Morgan/Woodley Park Metro Station on the Red Line. If you are driving, limited street parking is available.
Lunch:
Those who choose the California Tortilla burrito lunch option will receive their food at the Capitol Hill Pit stop no earlier than 11:30AM.
Post-ride Happy Hour:
To celebrate your hard pedaling, come on over to The Grill from Ipanema for a post-ride happy hour! Located right across the street from the finish area at Kalorama Park, there will be bike parking out front, a delicious brunch offered until 4pm and a full menu after that, and 1/2 price beers and $1 off drinks and appetizers for riders! Check out the brunch menu here>>


Thanks for your support of WABA and cycling in the DC area!

--
Chantal Buchser
Events Manager
Washington Area Bicyclist Association
2599 Ontario Rd. NW
Washington, DC 20009

Office: 202-518-0524 ext. 202
Mobile: 410-914-7019
Fax: 202-518-0936