Introduction

All about the Edgewood Neighborhood of Washington, DC

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





Friday, June 17, 2011

Edgewood Home Sales

Here is the updated 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 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 $609,900 while the least expensive listing is a one bedroom condo ready for renovations listed at $89,000. It seems that there continues to be 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 new sales posted.

223 Cromwell Ter NE sold on May 9th for $309,000
2704 6th Street NE sold on May 12th for $125,000
2824 6th Street NE sold on May 13th for $389,000
230 Cromwell Ter NE sold on May 18th for $320,000
2809 5th Street NE sold on May 20th for $383,000
201 Ascot Place NE sold on May 20th for $128,500
2601 3rd Street NE sold on June 8th for $405,000

The Chancellor's Row development continues to be a high seller in the neighborhood having sold 66 houses at the last count on May 1st.

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

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Real Men Get Checked

Good Evening All!
Please post to your sites and share with your male neighbors, friends, and husbands!
http://www.realmengetchecked.org/
Saturday, June 18th 2011 ( United Way NCA) and Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States are partnering to provide free health screens in Washington, D.C. This free event, Real Men Get Checked, is open to everyone. The event takes place from 10 am – 4 pm outside the D.C Armory, adjacent to RFK Stadium. In case of bad weather, the event will be inside Armory.

The screenings and counseling will be conducted by registered nurses, doctors and trained volunteers on: diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, glaucoma and eye exams, HIV / AIDS, nutrition and other related illnesses.
Many Thanks,
Alice

Alice A. ThompsonCommunity Outreach Specialist
Aging and Disability Resource Center
Office on AgingGovernment of the District of Columbia
1134 11th Street NWWashington, DC 20001
202-535-1321 Office
202-535-1441 Fax
alice.thompson@dc.gov
alice.thompson@tmo.blackberry

"Breaking the Silence on Youth Violence" Youth Outreach Anti-Viole​nce Summit, Friday, June 24, 2011

Calling all youth between the ages of 13 to 18 years old! The U.S. Attorney’s Office East of the River Community Prosecution Team want YOU to participate in an interactive youth summit entitled “Breaking the Silence on Youth Violence”. The goal of this summit is to “deal with the real” and address the senseless violence surrounding our youth. We recognize that a youth’s exposure to violence, whether as victims or witnesses, is often associated with long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm. Children exposed to violence are also at a higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior later in life and becoming part of a cycle of violence. We want to educate youth on how they can become part of the solution and help create safer neighborhoods by “breaking the silence on youth violence.”


Please see the attached flyer for additional information; and to RSVP contact Brenda Horner, the Supervisory Community Outreach Specialist at (202) 492-2572 / Brenda.j.horner@usdoj or Ms. Lenney Lowe, the Seventh District Community Outreach Specialist for the U.S. Attorney’s Office on (202) 698-1452 or Lenney.lowe@usdoj.gov .

See you there!

ANC5C Meeting Tuesday June 21

ANC5C meets this Tuesday at All Nations Baptist Church beginning at 6:45 PM.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

REMINDER: PSA 501 Meeting Tonight

Sending a reminder that the PSA 501 meeting is tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Edgewood Rec Center.  It is a good time to meet your local police partners and discuss crime and issues in the community.  I am going to stop by briefly to let them know about some hot spots that I have noticed picking up trash during the neighborhood cleanup - high little bag concentrations.  I also am going to pitch my Neighborhood Night Out idea.  Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

CSX Holding up Pedestrian Bridge in Edgewood

CSX is holding up the building of the pedestrian bridge in Edgewood from the Met Branch Trail to the Rhode Island Avenue metro station.  Last year I wrote about the planned bridge to improve safety and access to the metro station from Edgewood.  Here is a link that shows the plans for the bridge and all the reasons that it is desperately needed!  I wrote about the number of people that would dangerously cross the railroad tracks and get stuck in the barbwire cutting themselves.  I have written multiple times about how the narrow sidewalks under the bridge and the decrepit staircase to the metro are dangerous for pedestrians. 


The major hurdles such as designing the bridge, WMATA easements and funding are already accomplished leaving CSX as the last hurdle before DDOT can move the project forward.  CSX must grant DC air rights to the space above their railroad tracks in order for the bridge to be built.  CSX was very quick to erect prison-style chainlink and barbwire fencing around the tracks after the completion of the Met Branch Trail in Edgewood.  Why now when there is a safer, more attractive alternative to crossing the tracks are they dragging their feet?

We must put pressure on them to move the project forward!!  I have been emailing Harry Thomas Jr. and his staff about this for years now and have decided to move on to Tommy Wells to try and get this accomplished.  Please email, tweet and call them both until something is done.  The more voices and reminders the better!

Here is the contact information that you will need:

Harry Thomas, Jr., Ward 5
Office: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 107, NW Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 724-8028
Fax: (202) 724-8076
Email: hthomas@dccouncil.us

Key Staff

Ayawna Chase
Chief of Staff
(202)724-8024
achase@dccouncil.us

James Pittman
Legislative Counsel
(202) 724-8114
jpittman@dccouncil.us

Victoria Leonard - Chambers
Director, Policy and Strategic Communication
(202) 727-8204
Vleonard@dccouncil.us

Neil Rodgers
Committee Clerk
(202) 724-8155
nrodgers@dccouncil.us

Marjorie Barnes
Administrative Assistant
(202) 724-8028
mbarnes@dccouncil.us

Monique Smith
Specialist/Scheduler
(202) 724-8918
msmith@dccouncil.us



Tommy Wells, Ward 6
Office: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 408, NW Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 724-8072
Fax: (202) 724-8054
Email: twells@dccouncil.us

Key Staff

Charles Allen
Chief of Staff
callen@dccouncil.us

Myisha Atchison
Administrative Assistant / Scheduler
matchison@dccouncil.us

Linda O’Brien
Deputy Chief of Staff
lobrien@dccouncil.us

Daniel Connor
Policy Specialist
dconnor@dccouncil.us

Bonnie Cain
Policy Advisor for Education
(202) 724-8072
bcain@dccouncil.us

Tawanna Shuford
Director of Constituent Services
(202) 724-8072
tshuford@dccouncil.us

Naomi Mitchell
Community Liaison
nmitchell@dccouncil.us

Pat Joseph
Constituent Services Specialist
pjoseph@dccouncil.us

Jonathon Kass
Committee Director
jkass@dccouncil.us

Brian Davidson
Intern, Policy and Legislation
bdavidson@dccouncil.us

Anne Phelps
Committee Counsel
aphelps@dccouncil.us

Vivian McCarter
Constituent Services Specialist
vmccarter@dccouncil.us

Monday, June 13, 2011

Big Lots Coming to Edgewood

I have been told that the Safeway space at the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center will be filled by a Big Lots this October.  I tweeted this yesterday when I first found out and wondered if this meant we might have a chance at getting a Farmer's Market in Edgewood. 

Kidical Mass DC: Family bike ride and pool party this Saturday, 6/18

Greetings, fellow Met Branch Trail users--


I am a Bloomingdale resident and mom of Alex (15 months); you may have seen us playing in our front yard near 1st & Randolph Streets NW or walking our dog Linus around the neighborhood.

This spring, I helped bring Kidical Mass , the national movement to promote family bicycling, to DC. After two successful rides in Capitol Hill, we're branching out! For our June ride this Saturday, we'll be riding en masse from Turkey Thicket Playground to the Mt. Rainier Bicycle Co-op and then on to the Prince George's Pool in Mt. Rainier, where we've scheduled a pool party from 12 - 4!

Since I'll be biking up from Bloomingdale myself, I wanted to extend an invitation to Bloomingdale, Eckington, and Edgewood families to ride with me up the Met Branch Trail as a biketrain to the Brookland meetup. You can meet us in front of the Big Bear Cafe in Bloomingdale or at the R Street NE entrance to the trail, where we'll take a minute to discuss the latest proposals for improving bike access to the trail on R Street. A bit further up the trail, we'll meet up with Stephen Miller of Rails to Trails Conservancy, who were instrumental in getting the trail built. Rails to Trails is generously donating bottled water for this Saturday's ride.

Kidical Mass is a great opportunity to meet other cycling families and practice safe cycling skills for parents and children alike. You don't even have to participate in the main ride in order to join the Met Branch biketrain! Full details on the ride, including times, locations, and PG Pool admission information, are available on the Kidical Mass DC website at KidicalMassDC.blogspot.com. Feel free to email me at this address or at KidicalMassDC@gmail.com if you have any questions.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Sincerely,

Megan Odett
(+Tony, Alex and Linus the Wonderpuppy)

PS:  Because they are awesome, Rails to Trails is also helping to organize the following Met Branch Trail events:

*** MBT Safety Open House on June 22
More info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/metbranchtrail/message/397
*** Black Women Bike ride and clinic on June 25
More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=226868380658025
You should come!

DCPS Beautifica​tion Day 2011

Save the date for the DCPS Beautifica​tion Day 2011 on Saturday, August 20th, 2011 from 8am to 1pm.

Edgewood Civic Associatio​n Comunity Parade & Festival Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Edgewood Civic Association invites you to join us as we celebrate the accomplishments, growth and togetherness of the Edgewood and Eckington communities. We have planned a fun filled day for the whole family starting with a community parade. Above is a flyer for the event.

Informatio​n on MPD's Redistrict​ing

Chief Lanier will be at the 5D Citizen’s advisory Council (CAC) meeting on Thursday, June 23, at 7 pm, to explain the MPD’s redistricting plans and to speak with the community. We invite all of you to attend. The meeting will be in the Fifth District community room.


Andy Solberg
Commander, 5D

McMillan issues meeting - Thursday, 06/16/2011

Just a crosspost from the Bloomingdale list:


James Fournier, John Salatti and Hugh Youngblood Holding a Joint SMD Meeting to Discuss the Development of the McMillan Sand Filtration Site -- Thursday, 06/16/2011

See this 06/11/2011 message:

ANC 5C Commissioners James Fournier, John Salatti and Hugh Youngblood will be holding a joint Singe Member District (SMD) meeting to discuss issues pertaining to McMillan this Thursday, June 16th at All-Nations Baptist Church between 7p -9p. Please the attached flyer and come on by!

Text of the flyer below:

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C
Bloomingdale Single Member Districts
W. Hugh Youngblood (5C03)
anc5C03 @ gmail.com
(240) 925 - 1079

James J. Fournier (5C07)
James.Fournier9 @ verizon.net
(202) 518 - 0059
John T. Salatti (5C04)
John.Salatti @ gmail.com
(202) 986 - 2592

A Conversation with the Community About the McMillan Sand Filtration Site

We are meeting with the residents of Bloomingdale, Stronghold, Franklin Commons, and Park Place and to bring them up to date about what is going on at the McMillan Site and to get your feedback and opinions about how the ANC should address important issues regarding this major development. Because developing McMillan will change our community permanently, we want to make sure we hear your opinions about how this project should proceed. Here are just some of the issues we will discuss:

o amount of development on the site
o traffic & parking
o storm water runoff
o historic preservation
o retail development
o park space
o community benefits packages
o public facilities

The developers and the city will not be making a separate presentation, but they have presented their viewpoints at many private and community meetings. We will, however, have members from the McMillan Advisory Group present to discuss the topics and issues from their vantage point.

Location: All Nations Baptist Church
(Corner of Rhode Island & North Capitol NE)

Date: Thursday, June 16

Time: 7 pm - 9 pm

We want to see you there.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Met Branch Trail Safety Meeting June 22nd

Please see the following announcement about a community meeting on the Met Branch Trail to discuss safety concerns.

Had enough with crime on the Met Branch Trail?


There are plenty of issues to address:

*** 911 dispatching
*** MPD response
*** Volunteer patrols
*** Lighting
*** Safe behavior to reduce risk

Join us on the evening of Wednesday, June 22 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the S Street pocket park on the trail, at 4th & S Streets NE.

We've invited representatives from MPD, DDOT, and the surrounding neighborhoods to join us - and most importantly, we're inviting you to drop in!

As we all continue to work to make the trail a safer place, let's use the opportunity to meet face-to-face on the trail, share effective strategies and make new allies.

PS: After the open house, head down to NoMa's Summer Screen showing of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, just off the MBT at L and 2nd Streets NE. More info: http://www.nomabid.org/event-info/noma-summer-screen/

PPS: Join Black Women Bike: DC for a ride of the Met Branch Trail a few days later, on Saturday, June 25! More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=226868380658025

Met Branch Trail Safety Response From MPD

Dear MBT Community,


First, I apologize for the delay in responding, I've been on vacation for the last week,

Next let me apologize on behalf of MPD for the comment that an officer reportedly made advising a victim to avoid using the trail. That is neither the Department's position, nor mine, and I have been on record here encouraging people to use the trail - as I myself do - and I will continue to do so. I'm also addressing this issue with all of my officers.

I will continue to advise the members of this group of any occurrences on the trail. In analyzing the recent crimes, it is correct that in the past most issues were north of Rhode Island Ave. in the Edgewood area; however, these events in the last few weeks have been south of Rhode Island Ave.

I am attaching several maps that show robberies and assaults occurring within 200 feet of the trail, 300 feet, and in the area as a whole in the last 60 days to give some perspective on these events (these maps were pulled on June 3rd).

As far as the "address" of the trail, our dispatchers should be able to recognize the MBT and dispatch to it. Their systems have been updated and I understand they are in the process of training all operators. I believe they need a cross street for an exact location – this is the same process they use for our interstate highways that don't have a "proper" address.

We do have signs showing those streets that intersect with the trail; however, there are some portions where the trail does not physically intersect and we are working on ideas to get those areas marked properly.

The location, description, and M.O. of the assailants leads us to believe that these crimes were perpetrated by single suspect / group of suspects. We have identified some persons of interest and are currently investigating. We will also continue enhanced patrol of the trail and are working on implementing an additional action plan.



Finally let me say that I am very encouraged by the dedication to the trail that this community has shown, and I hope you continue to work proactively to improve it. Please continue to reach out to me and MPD with any ideas, suggestions, concerns, or requests.

Sgt. J. Dorrough, MPD, 5th District, PSA 501
Jonathan.Dorrough@dc.gov

Friday, June 3, 2011

NAACP DC AND UNITY HEALTH CARE COMMEMORATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST AIDS DIAGNOSIS IN THE U.S.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jamie T. Hines
Phone: 202-630-6194
E-mail: mediainquiries.naacpdc@gmail.com
Website: http://www.naacpdc.org/

NAACP DC AND UNITY HEALTH CARE COMMEMORATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST AIDS DIAGNOSIS IN THE U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC —The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People DC Branch (NAACP DC) and Unity Health Care will host a health summit on Saturday, June 4 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnosis in the United States.

“It is thirty years later and HIV/AIDS continues to ravage the African-American community,” said NAACP DC Health Chair Sable K. Nelson. “It is important to promote prevention education, treatment adherence, and frequent testing. Being vigilant with this major health issue can begin to decrease the impact HIV/AIDS has in the District and beyond."

Nelson added that HIV/AIDS is a preventable disease. “Everyone can do their part by becoming educated and knowing their HIV status.”

NAACP DC recently joined the 10-city “Let It Rise” tour—sponsored by the national NAACP—which brings HIV/AIDS to the forefront of our communities. The health fair component of the tour also is a part of this strategic collaboration.

“Not only does one of the nation’s most celebrated cities have the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the country, but it also faces alarming rates of heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension,” said NAACP DC President Akosua Tyus. “As one of the branch’s strategic priorities, NAACP DC chooses to fight obesity through promoting overall health and wellness to overcome these other illnesses plaguing our community. This health fair is fitting for anyone who wants to learn more about leading a much healthier lifestyle.”

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Unity Health Care facility located at 3924 Minnesota Ave. NE (near the Minnesota Avenue metro station) from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. There will be free HIV testing, HIV/AIDS educational sessions, health exhibits, physical fitness activities, music, and food. NAACP DC anticipates attendees will walk away equipped with HIV/AIDS resources and share the information with their family and friends.
ABOUT NAACP DC HEALTH COMMITTEE:
The Health Committee implements health education initiatives that will combat the health disparities facing people of color. Under this committee, the NAACP supports universal health care for all, fights to cease the closure of hospitals in minority neighborhoods, and implements initiatives to decrease rates of HIV and AIDS. (www.naacpdc.org)

ABOUT NAACP:
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. The mission of NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic quality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. (www.naacp.org)

ABOUT UNITY HEALTH CARE:
Unity is currently the largest primary health care agency providing quality care to more than 82,000 patients in DC. It has a team of more than 850 compassionate, multicultural professionals that include medical providers, nurses, medical and dental assistants, pharmacist, counselors, and social workers.

REMINDER Edgewood Neighborhood Cleanup is TOMORROW!

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 and has a cookout afterwards.

This is a great way to meet your neighbors and show pride in our neighborhood!

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

Thursday, June 2, 2011

ICYMI: Rhode Island Station is now Rhode Island Row

In case you missed it I have been meaning to post that Rhode Island Station has been re-branded as Rhode Island Row.  I preferred the old name, but I heard they thought it was confusing with the metro station.  The website has changed to www.rhodeislandrow.com and it is not as detailed as the previous website.  The website says that they are opening this summer and the default date on the residency inquiry is June 16th.  I don't think they will be done by then although the metro parking garage is looking very close to completion.

Art Enables: Call for Local Artists

Art Enables (http://www.art-enables.org/) is looking for artists who live or work along the Rhode Island Ave. NE Corridor. They recently moved to the Woodridge neighborhood (from their previous location on NY Ave)


With the move came more space....a lot more space. They now have a roughly 1200 sq. foot space that they're calling the “Off Rhode Gallery”. It’s the first/ground/basement level of their space- but street level to the alley outback and easily accessible from 22nd st.
 
I would love to go see the space when it is filled with local artists' work.  It is a really cool idea and I am looking forward to visiting the gallery.