Introduction

All about the Edgewood Neighborhood of Washington, DC

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





Thursday, July 29, 2010

Chancellor’s Row Update: EYA Blog

EYA has started a blog and twitter account for the Chancellor's Row development in Edgewood. You can check it out here and I will add it to my blog roll.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Edgewood Getting a Brewery!?!

I saw this on the Prince of Petworth blog yesterday and it appears that a group is starting a brewery called Chocolate City Beer in Edgewood (PoP calls it Brookland, but it is in Edgewood). Read the article here. What do you think? I think it is great that building is being fixed up and that there is another small business coming to Edgewood. It should be interesting to see the reactions from the neighborhood. There is already some controversy over the name as evidenced on the PoP comment threads.

Friday, July 23, 2010

New Met Branch Trail Mural



Another mural is going up along the Met Branch Trail-

Quest Skinner and Meghan Taylor (artists) through funding from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy are working with Beacon House and DC Summer Youth to paint a mural along the Met Branch Trail at Hondo Coffee Roasters at W Street.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Take the Met Branch Trail to see Groundhog Day Movie July 28th

Please spread the word!

Join your neighbors for a walk & roll down the Met Branch Trail to see Groundhog Day, the Bill Murray movie where a weatherman finds himself living the same day over and over again. Rated: PG.

Bring your bike, your push-scooter, a stroller, your dog or just your own feet and meet at the entrance to the trail from the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center, near CVS, at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, July 28. The movie begins at dusk at L Street NE between 2nd and 3rd. We'll also be heading back together after the movie.

NoMa Summer Screen is a free, weekly, outdoor film series, featuring local BBQ by Smokin’ Somethin’, popcorn and Italian ice, and music by Fatback. This year’s theme is The Future is Now, films that grapple with the future or the element of time. Bring a blanket, lawn chair, Frisbee and cooler, and enjoy great films under the stars. Subtitles provided.

More information at http://www.nomabid.org/movies

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

EYA's Chancellor's Row Project Affordable Housing Component



Passing along information about the EYA's Chancellor's Row project affordable housing component from Silas Grant, ANC Commissioner.

Hello,

I hope that all is well. Attached is a flyer for a meeting about the "Affordable Dwellings Units" that will be available later this year. Initially there are four units that will be available. That is not the entire group of units in this category. As stated at the previous meeting, only houses that will be erected within the next year will be sold now. So out of the units being erected, this first phase will include four "Affordable Dwellings Units".

Here are some important dates to note:

· July 15 Initial Homebuyer Seminar
· July 23 Onsite prequalifications begin
· August 8 Onsite prequalifications end
· August 14 Lottery Drawing (time and location TBD)

If you can not make the meeting on the 15th, you will still be able to participate in the prequalification period. There will also be information made available beyond this meeting date. If there is more information needed, you can contact Jennifer Hebert by email at jhebert@eya.com

Thanks,
Silas

PSA 501 Monthly Meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m

Reminder about the PSA 501 Monthly Meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m.

Here are the details:

Date: Wednesday July 21, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Repeats: This event repeats every month on the third Wednesday.
Next reminder: The next reminder for this event will be sent in 1 day, 3 minutes.
Location: Edgewood Recreation Center
Notes: This is our monthly meeting with the Metropolitan Police Department to identify community crime problems and discuss solutions

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tonight in Edgewood: ANC5C Meeting and/or Exercise on the MBT

The Edgewood Run/Walk/Bike group is meeting at the Edgewood Recreation Center at 6:30 p.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!

Then at 7:00 p.m. is the ANC5C meeting at Trinity University. Looking at the agenda it should be an interesting one with the presentations on the Firehouse restaurant and group doing the additions to the MBT that I wrote about yesterday. Then there is the discussion on the Big Bear Liquor License which will be fun I'm sure!

Here's the agenda:


AGENDA (updated, 7/15/10)
JULY 2010 Community Meeting

Trinity University
125 Michigan Avenue, NE
7:00 pm -9:00 pm

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

Part I: Administrative 7:05 pm
Call to Order .…………………………………………..…….… Commissioner Bonds, Chairman
Roll Call ...................……………………………….….……….. Commissioner Edwards, Vice Chairman
Approval of the Minutes …………………………………....... Commissioner Grant, Recording Secretary
Community Comments ………………………………………………………….
Status of Action Taken ...........................................................................................
DC Stimulus Employment Act of 2010: bill was not voted out of Council committee prior to
recess, therefore any action taken will occur after September 14, 2010
Visitor Parking Pass Pilot Program: this week DDOT will mail 1 year permits to every Ward 5
household currently registered for residential parking
Request for BZA Variance: 1925 2nd Street, NW/Shomarka Keita: tabled until receipt of results
from investigation by Council Committee on Public Service and Consumer Affairs

Part II: Presentations 7:20 pm
Status and Plans for the North Capitol Firehouse …………….………… Brian Brown, developer
Plans for October 2 Metropolitan Branch Trail Project ………….…Derrick Mason, Building Industry
Modifications to Client Employment Requirements ………………… Alice Harper, CSOSA

Part III: New Business 8:00 pm
Commission Committees ……………………………………………. Commissioner Bonds, Chairperson
Financial Reports ……………………………………………………… Commissioner Day, Treasurer
Status of Outstanding Grants and New Applications ……….…….… Commissioners Wright and Grant, Grants Committee Co-Chairs
Commission Guide on Restaurants and Liquor Licenses ….. Commissioner Daneker, Zoning and Development Committee
Community Complaint Against Big Bear Liquor License Application …Commissioner Davenport , 5C03

Part IV: Executive Session 9:00 pm
Treasurer’s Report ……………………………………………….…… Commissioner Day, Treasurer
Pay Bills …………………….… Commissioners Day & Commissioner Daneker, Financial Secretary

Next Meeting of ANC5C will be held on September 21, 2010

---- Meeting Adjourn ---

Reminder: All Grantees must submit financial reports every 60 days through grant duration.
The 2010 grants season began March 16, 2010.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) Improvements by DCBIA



It seems that thanks to the District of Columbia Building Industry Association(DCBIA) and DDOT the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) is about to get even better! DCBIA is planning a Community Improvement Day for the Edgewood section of the MBT for October 2, 2010. I have seen the preliminary plans and it looks amazing! I was promised a more formal plan to share in the future. They are planing a nature trail, adding seating, and planting many trees and bushes. From what I have seen so far they are going with theme that would encompass mostly fruit trees, berry bushes and other types of plants that can provide sources of food. A very cool concept! You can get involved by contributing your time or donating money by going to the website.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

July 24th @ WYG: garden goodies, beehives & summer fun!


Please see the information below about an event at the National Arboretum and their youth garden. Also, wanted to remind you that there is a community garden at the Edgewood Recreation Center that anyone from the community can be involved with - just contact the Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center.

Plan to come out and enjoy the Washington Youth Garden at the National Arboretum for our Friend & Family Fun Day,
Saturday, July 24th from 12-4pm.

Come celebrate with us! Ring in our Nature Explore Classroom and welcome our new honey beehives! Learn more about why beehives are important to a productive garden through interactive demos facilitated by Toni Burnham, DC's beekeeper extraordinaire.

We will also be offering guided tours of our 1-acre organic fruit & veggie garden, serving garden-fresh snacks prepared by our youth, making kids crafts, and enjoying live outdoor music.
Donations go to support our education programs.

Please see/spread the attached flier. We'll see you in the garden!


Questions: Contact aroeschley@fona.org or call 202.245.2709.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Chancellor’s Row Update

The Chancellor's Row development in Edgewood by EYA has updated their website to state that they had over 200 people at their open house and have sold 11 houses so far. They also have a link to a July 1st article about the project by the Washington Times.

I have also received a link to the community amenities package which is described in the DC Zoning Commission Zoning order - they begin on page seven.

Nat'l Night Out & Community Bike Ride on the Met Branch Trail

Government of the District of Columbia
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Cathy L. Lanier
Chief of Police

Special Invitation
You are invited to join police officials of the Metropolitan Police Department, along
with District leaders, Federal officials, City Council members, District youth and
community leaders to kick off this year's 27th Annual National Night Out.

Date:
Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Location:
Trinidad Recreation Center
1310 Childress St., NE, Washington, DC 20002

Time:
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm


Community Bike Ride:
At 7:30pm, grab your bicycles and helmets and join officers as they conduct a
Community Ride through the Metropolitan Branch Trail:
http://www.metbranchtrail.com


See you there.
Program Information:
Yvonne.Smith@dc.gov, 202.727.4218
Fayette.Vaughn-Lee@dc.gov, 202.698.0188
www.mpdc.dc.gov/nno
www.nno.org

Friday, July 2, 2010

How do you stay motivated?

I am hoping for some responses for things that others do to stay motivated in being a part of trying to improve their neighborhoods. I have been organizing a monthly cleanup in Edgewood for almost two years now, started the Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center, started a community garden for Edgewood at the rec center, trying to get us an outdoor movie night at the rec, and numerous other projects including the Tuesday walk/run/bike group for Edgewood and this blog.

Maybe I'm burned out or just fustrated by the things that still go on in this neighborhood that I see everyday as I walk my dogs. Trash is still thrown everywhere, kids throw rocks at each other/other people/houses/cars, anything new is not appreciated/destroyed - I could go on and on. I guess my big question to myself lately is why should I keep picking up the trash - I don't litter. Why should I spend so much time trying to get Edgewood new projects and services if I will have to maintain them as well - why can't I just wait for someone else to do the work? I have many great neighbors who do just that wait for things to get better instead of help them along. Am I really making any difference? Are there any others in the community that feel the same way?