Chancellor's Row Affordable Home Purchase Program

We're excited to let you know that we have ten townhomes available through our Affordable Home Purchase Program at Chancellor's Row, EYA's newest DC neighborhood steps from Brookland Metro.

Just three stops from Union Station, the homes at Chancellor's Row are within easy walking distance to the countless amenities of Catholic University, Brookland Main Street, and the soon-to-come ABDO mixed-use retail town center.

If you are a DC resident and your household income is less than $82,800, then you may qualify for this affordable home ownership opportunity. New townhomes through this program are priced at $191,900 and $327,900.
Visit our sales center during these pre-qualification events, tour the community, meet the lender, and find out if this program is right for you. All interested parties must be pre-qualified as eligible in order to participate.

PRE-QUALIFICATION EVENTS:
Open Daily, 11 AM - 6 PM
April 1-10, 2011
Download the full details here.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Best regards,
Sylvia Mader and Nick Yannitello
Sales Managers
ChancellorsRow@eya.com

Casey Trees Planting on Metropolitan Branch Trail

On Thursday, April 21, join Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as we volunteer with Casey Trees for a planting on Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Branch Trail(MBT). As spring begins to bloom and the summer sun approaches, help us bring more green to neighborhoods along the MBT!

Where: At the corner of 3rd and R streets, NE
Closest Metro: New York Avenue (Red Line) - Street parking available

When: Thursday, April 21, 2011 - 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Bike commuters encouraged to attend!

REGISTER ONLINE


Questions? Contact Carol Herwig, Casey Trees Volunteer Coordinator (cherwig@caseytrees.org or 202.349.1907)

Dress for the weather; wear durable, close-toed shoes and bring your own water bottle. Tools and instruction are provided. This event will occur rain or shine unless the weather is severe.

This tree planting is supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Happy trails,
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Invitation to "Do the Right Thing" on 4/1/11

Please see the note below from Silas Grant:

As a follow-up to the "March for Peace" that took place on 2/12/11, Tony Lewis, Jr. and I will be hosting a viewing of the film "Do the Right Thing".

Please join us on Friday April 1, 2011 at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Ave, NE) at 7pm as we view the film followed by a provocative discussion about diversity in D.C.

“Do the Right Thing” is a concept that is derived from the 1989 Spike Lee film which placed a spotlight on gentrification and diversity in a big city. The District of Columbia has achieved a high level of diversity. From diversity in the areas of age and generation to diversity in the areas of culture and ethnicity, this city has truly become a “melting pot”. While we have achieved this diversity, accepting and respecting diversity is more important.

Segments of the city’s population congregate and interact based on similarities. Religion, economic class level, education and race provide platforms for those who are alike to come together. However, those same elements cause barriers for those who are considered different in these areas. “Do the Right Thing” causes a provocative conversation around diversity to take place. The goal of this event is to have all District citizens understand that we are more alike than we are different. Also, we share resources and common space and the need for coexistence with harmony is higher than ever.

The film “Do the Right Thing” was shot over 20 years ago at a time when New York City was experiencing gentrification, diversity and the ups and downs of sensitivity around these issues as well. The District of Columbia is now facing these same issues in 2011. At some point, the “elephant in the room” has to be addressed. The viewing of “Do the Right Thing” amongst a diverse crowd along with a conversation following will begin the process of accepting and respecting diversity.

It is our hope that you will be able to attend and take part in this discussion.
Thanks!

Edgewood Murals Bike Tour

An Edgewood mural bike tour is being hosted on April 9 2011 meeting at 12noon in the alley way of 2110 5th Street NE.

Washington Nationals' "Pups in the Park"

Get Your Tickets Now for You and Your Pup for up to 3 games to the "Pups in the Park", a Washington Nationals Baseball Game Special Event.

This wonderful event allowed dogs in to the game for $5. One hundred percent of the proceeds from each dog ticket goes to benefit The Washington Humane Society.

Last year both of the Washington Nationals' "Pups in the Park" games sold out, so this season, they've scheduled three!

When:

Saturday, May 14 vs. Florida Marlins - 1:05 p.m.
Presented by Natural Balance Pet Foods
Join us May 14 and visit the Natural Balance Pet Zone with product sampling, promotional giveaway, join the pre-game Pup Parade, and see Tillman the skateboarding dog!

Saturday, July 9 vs. Colorado Rockies - 7:05 p.m.

Saturday September 24 vs. Atlanta Braves - 1:05 p.m.

COST:
$20 - Owner Tickets
$5 - Dog Tickets (100% donation)
(Tickets normally $34+)

Seat Location:
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ticketing/seating_pricing.jspOutfield (Reserved Seating)

The Nationals have set aside a seating area in the Outfield Reserved sections 140-143 for "Pups in the Park" participants. A limited number of tickets will be sold.

Ticket holders will receive an email with directions for entering the park, and a waiver requiring proof of rabies and bordetella vaccinations prior to the game date. The signed waiver must be turned in order for the dog to be admitted to the park.

Get your tickets now:
www.nationals.com/pups

An important thing to take into consideration before buying tickets is how well your dog will react to crowds, cheering, and especially the fireworks that go off when the Nationals hit a home run or win the game. While enjoying a great baseball game with your best four-legged pal is a treat, comforting a traumatized pooch is not. Also, like older human fans of the Nationals, please take into consideration if you bring an older pup, can they handle a few hours in the sun?

All dogs must have an official dog ticket to enter the ballpark. To buy tickets for "Pups in the Park," go to www.nationals.com/pups

For more information or for group sales, contact Katherine Mitchell 202-640-7649 or Katherine.Mitchell@nationals.com.

Shots Fired in Edgewood Last Weekend

Early Saturday morning, March 19th, there were shots fired on Adams Street NE. Fortunately there were no injuries, but anytime a gun is fired in a neighborhood so close to many homes it is scary. This time it hit a new level as a bullet entered one of our neighbors home. Please take this as a reminder to call 911 anytime you see or hear something that you think is suspicious or could escalate into something more serious. The MPD was able to catch the shooter and recover his gun because they were nearby and I am thankful for all the officers that serve our neighborhood! Please remember to thank them and to look out for each other!

Here are some accounts from neighbors.

From a neighbor on Adams Street:

Two large groups of teenagers/young men hanging out on my street have some kind of beef, shots fired. One captured right away. One hides gun behind a trash can (recovered).

From neighbor where bullet went into her home:

There was a shooting at Adams & 3rd NE at I think about 1:30 am. The police got there within seconds and caught the suspect immediately. I am not sure about victims, but a stray bullet made its way into my apartment (I'm at the 4th St end of Adams) so the detective & officer who caught the suspect came up to take a look and take some pictures. The detective said that basically there is a group in Edgewood and a group in Eckington and they have a longstanding turf battle going on. The police have been watching this area and will be putting extra patrols on for the next couple of months in response to the shooting, but they expect things to heat up in the summer as I suppose they are wont to do. The detective said things usually occur in the later hours and to be particularly careful out at night as summer gets closer. Not that staying in helps when the bullets are coming into your home, but I take his point. He also said that these gang-involved kids just keep cycling in and out of the system and back onto the street, and I just got the sense that they are trying to do their jobs but there are a lot of factors out of their control and they feel unable to keep up.

The detective and all the officers we talked to over the course of the night were really great, and between that and the almost immediate response to the shooting, all things considered I feel very positive about the police in our precinct and what they are trying to do.

Fifth District Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting Tonight

FIFTH DISTRICT CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL
P.O. Box 90436
Washington, D.C. 20090

Regular Monthly Meeting
MPD 5D Headquarters
1805 Bladensburg Road, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002

Thursday, 24 March 2011
7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.


TENATIVE A G E N D A


Call to Order

1. Welcome, Moment of Silence, Remarks …………………...Mr. Robert Vinson Brannum, Chairman
2. Minutes……………………..................................... Mr. Michael Henderson, Recording Secretary

Special Guest Speaker*

The Honorable Vincent C. Gray, Mayor, District of Columbia*

Additional Speakers

The Honorable Harry Thomas, Jr., Councilmember, Ward 5*

The Honorable Phil Mendelson, Councilmember At-Large &
Chairman, Council Committee on Public Safety*

Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police Department*

Welcome and Introductions from newly appointed 5th District Commander, Andrew Solberg

3. Correspondence……………………………………………… Ms. Carol Fleming, Corresponding Secretary
4. Treasurer’s Report …………………………….................. Ms. DeBorah Steiner, Treasurer
5. Reports…. Awards Committee Report………………….…….Mr. James D. Berry, Jr., Committee Chairman
6. Office of the U. S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia
7. Old Business –
8. New Business –
9. Announcements - From 5DCAC members, Ward 5 community organizations, and general public.

Refreshments will be servedImportant Note – Membership Dues for 2011 are due immediately.$4.00 - General membership

** Please share this notice with your neighbors and friends in the Fifth District.*Timing of appearance subject to change pending unscheduled official events.
Adjournment

For more on these and any other issues, contact Robert Vinson Brannum, Chairman, 5DCAC, at rbrannum@robertbrannum.com or (202) 256-8452.

Note:
The next meeting of 5DCAC will be Thursday, 28 April 2011. Please note 5DCAC will not meet during the months of July and August.

Casey Trees: Celebrate Arbor Day at Our New Home

Petitions Available for Vacant ANC 5C08

BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND ETHICS
CERTIFICATION OF ANC/SMD VACANCIES

The District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics hereby gives notice that there is a vacancy in one (1) Advisory Neighborhood Commission office, certified pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 1-309.06(d)(2); 2001 Ed; 2006 Repl. Vol.
VACANT: 5C08

Petition Circulation Period: Monday, February 28, 2011 thru Monday, March 21, 2011
Petition Challenge Period: Thursday, March 24, 2011 thru Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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

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

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

Tonight's Meetings - Take your pick!

There are two meetings tonight that I know about. Here is the information so you can decide which to attend:

ANC 5C - Tuesday, March 15, St. Georges Episcopal Church, 160 U Street NW, 7 PM

Ward Five Council on Education will meet tomorrow night (March 15th): Lamond-Riggs Library (South Dakota & Jefferson, NE),
6:30 - 8:00 PM,

Topics/Guest Speakers:

1) Values First Initiative (a program for elementary schools to build good character and promote basic universal values)
presented by Virginia E. Hayes-Williams (Mayor Williams mother),

2) FOCUS - Charter school organization presented by Erika Wadlington

3) Mark A. Jones, Ward 5 School Board Representative

4) Status of Montessori Program @ Langdon K-8

SUPPORT OUR STUDENT ACHIEVERS!!

Save the Date: Awards Dinner May 13th @ St. Francis Hall, Tickets on sale now $35. contact Maria Jones 202-269-0399 or mpjproducer@aol.com.

May 14th Fitness Day Expanded with Free Boot Camps - Register NOW!

Below I am attaching the press release for the MBT 5K and the Fitness challenge being held on Saturday May 14, 2011. In addition to these events a fitness boot camp is being offered on Wednesdays up until the event for people who have registered for MBT 5K or the fitness challenge as a participant or volunteer. Register early to take advantage of the free boot camps and secure your spot. Remember the first 150 kids to register online for the MBT 5K are free.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2011

Contact:
Sherri Morgan or Cristina von Spiegelfeld, MBT5K Race Directors, 202-455-5628; email: info@gometbranch.com

Chickaro Martin, Program Manager, Project Fitness Community, 202-269-0050, 301-237-4643; email: chickaro@gmail.com

May 14 Metropolitan Branch Trail Fitness Day Planned
Local Youth Benefit from Multiple Groups' Efforts

WASHINGTON, DC - Community organizers from several DC-based groups have announced plans for multiple fitness activities along the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), one of Northeast DC's hottest new amenities, on Saturday, May 14, 2011. "The synergy of several events occurring along the MetBranch Trail on one day really highlights Northeast DC's neighborhood vitality, something recognized by long-term residents and newcomers alike," said Robert Albrecht, founder of United Social Sports and a resident of nearby Edgewood.

Starting at 9:00 a.m., the day will kick off with a 5K Run/Walk, convened by the MBT5K Race Committee and the DC Road Runners Club. The first 150 students under the age of 18 who register online will be able to participate without charge. Race co-sponsor DC Road Runners Club, which organizes more than 30 races annually in the DC area, will provide online registration, official timing and logistical support for the 5K event, which will be held on the newly paved portion of the MBT, starting at S Street NE and 4th Street NE and the trail entrance.

Organizers hope to make this an annual signature event, with the goal of promoting exercise and healthy activity for all ages and building a sense of community ownership and involvement with the MetBranch Trail in neighborhoods to which it is adjacent, including Capitol Hill North, NoMa/Union Station, Eckington, Edgewood, Bloomingdale, Brookland, North Michigan Park, Ft. Totten, Takoma Park and Silver Spring. As a charitable event, proceeds will go to subsidize youth runners and fund other MBT trail/community linkages. Organizers, comprised mainly of neighborhood volunteers, expect 500 - 600 participants of all ages and encourage early registration.

Following the 5K race, Project Fitness Community, a nonprofit initiative, will host the Second Annual DC Fitness Challenge. The Challenge is a community-focused health and fitness competition designed to bring attention to the city's overweight and obesity crisis among children. The Challenge began last year as a way to motivate fitness enthusiasts and fitness professionals to reach back into their communities and inspire young people. Through friendly competition, participants will motivate future generations to start their fitness journey. All proceeds, including registration fees and sponsor donations, go to WIAS, a local nonprofit addressing childhood obesity.

The Challenge is open to youth 15-17 and adults 18 years and older. Participants will run a Mile Run and then complete four stations targeting strength, cardio, flexibility and endurance. Youth ages 7-14 will have an hour of fun activities (yes, a Boot Camp for Kids!). Additional activities will include yoga, Zumba, tug-of-war competitions, and much more.

Separate registration is required for each event.

The Challenge will take place at McKinley Technology High School, 151 Street NE. For specific times and details, visit www.dcfitnesschallenge.org.

To register for the 9 a.m. 5K Run/Walk, starting at S Street and 4th Street, NE, and for business sponsorship information, visit www.gometbranch.com.

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 $609,900 while the least expensive listing is a 1 bedroom condo listed at $114,900. 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 is one new sale posted.

2421 3rd Street NE sold on March 4th for $227,000

The Chancellor's Row development continues to be a high seller in the neighborhood having sold 44 houses at the last count.

There are open houses listed for Edgewood. The house at 507 Montana Ave NE is open Sunday, March 13, 2011 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. The house at 3000 7th Street NE is open Sunday, March 13, 2011 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. The house at 2402 3rd Street NE is open Sunday, March 13, 2011 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. If you know of any more please add the information to the comments section.

Last Night's Crime Update

Please see the response to the 5D listserv from MPD in relation to the shooting in Edgewood and the ADW in Eckington.

5th District Listserve & Mr. Conn:

The ADW in the 300 block of T Street, NE involved a domestic violence assault during which an adult female struck an adult female. The suspect is known and a warrant will be obtained to close the case. The victim did not suffer any serious injuries during the assault.

The shooting at 3rd & Bryant St, NE and the ADW in the 2500 block of 4th Street, NE are one and the same crime. The victim an adult male was assaulted and shot once to the ankle. The shooting occurred after a verbal argument between the victim and suspect. The suspect(s) are known by the victim.

Thank you for your interest in the crimes and ongoing partnership with the Fifth District.

We also continue our focus on the area of 4th & Bryant and 4th and Rhode Island in PSA 501.

Brian GroganCaptainFifth District, PSA 5011805 Bladensburg Road, Northeast 20002(202-698-0118 or Cell (202) 506-0694brian.grogan@dc.gov

Follow-Up Meeting with WMATA about Edgewood Bus Stop Changes

Just saw on The Commissioner's Blog for the Community that Silas hs scheduled another meeting with WMATA about the bus stop changes in Edgewood.

Here is the information:

The follow-up meeting with WMATA will take place on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 6:30 pm.

The meeting will be held at the Baptized Believers Temple, which is located at 2801 7th Street, N.E.

ANC 5C Meeting March 15th at 7:00 p.m.

Please see the message and agenda for the upcoming ANC 5C meeting.

Greetings,

Attached for your review is the Agenda for our upcoming March 15, 2011 Meeting. Please visit our Website for up to date information about Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C - www.anc5c.org

Look forward to seeing you on the 15th.

Ronnie Edwards, 5C11, Chairman
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C
(202) 413-2715

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.

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

Homes 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 $609,900 while the least expensive listing is a 1 bedroom condo listed at $114,900. 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 no new sales posted.

The Chancellor's Row development continues to be a high seller in the neighborhood having sold 39 houses at the last count. They have also announced their Model Home Grand Opening (650 Jackson Street NE) for Saturday March 5, 2011 from noon till 4:00 p.m. with an appearance of the ever popular lobster truck!

Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center Meeting Tonight

Title: Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center

Date: Wednesday March 2, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Repeats: This event repeats every month on the first Wednesday.
Location: Edgewood Recreation Center 3rd and Evarts Street NE

Councilmember Thomas' Ward 5 Community Development Expo and Small Business Emporium

Mark your calendar to attend Councilmember Thomas' Ward 5 Community Development Expo and Small Business Emporium, on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Details are listed below.

Ward 5 businesses interest in exhibiting at the Small Business Emporium (space is limited so don't delay!) or attending the mini workshops should contact Victoria Leonard at 202.727.6132 or vleonard@dccouncil.us .


Where

Kellogg Conference Center
Gallaudet University
900 Florida Avenue, NE



When

Saturday, March 12, 2011
9:30 am to 4:30 pm



Event Description
Morning Highlights (9:30 am - 12:30 pm)


·Remarks: Victor Hoskins, Nominee, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development


·Development Runway: Significant Retail Projects in the Ward 5 Pipeline
Moderator: Steve Moore, President, Washington DC Economic Partnership
Panelists:

-- Cel Bernardino, Shops at Dakota Crossing
-- Michael Henehan, South Campus
-- Scott Nordheimer and Vicki Davis,
Rhode Island Station


·Panel Discussion: Transformational Transportation-Striving to Keep Ward 5 Walkable and Pedestrian Friendly

Moderator: Harriet Tregoning, Director,
DC Office of Planning

Panelists:

-- RJ Eldridge, Director of Planning, Toole Design Group
-- Cheryl Cort, Policy Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth
-- Marlene Berlin, Chair, Connecticut Avenue Pedestrian Action
-- Scott Kubley, DC Department of Transportation


Boxed Lunch (12:30 pm to 1 pm)

Afternoon Highlights (12:30 pm - 4:30 pm)


·Small Business Emporium: Showcasing the Restaurants, Galleries, Bakeries, and Other Retail Shops of Ward 5 (featuring live jazz from David Cole and the Main Street Blues)
·Mini Workshops for Ward 5 CBEs:
-- How to Pitch Your Business in Five Minutes
-- Navigating the GSA Procurement Process--St. E's and Beyond
-- Demystifying the DC Government Procurement Process

DC Water Announces Town Hall Meetings

3/2/11 -- DC Water Announces Town Hall Meetings


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Beginning this month, The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) will partner with District Councilmembers to host town hall meetings in every ward of the District. In these meetings, General Manager George S. Hawkins and staff will address future water and sewer projects and issues facing local communities.

For the first time this year, General Manager Hawkins recorded a personal invitation to customers that will go out by automated phone call. The calling list includes all those who have contacted DC Water with questions or concerns within the last year.

“I feel it is important for DC Water, and me personally, to go into the communities we serve,” said DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. “We want to talk to all of our customers and others who we affect with our work. The team and I will also be ready to talk about upcoming construction projects, including the benefits and any possible disruptions.”

Meetings will be held in each ward and feature information on water quality, construction projects, employment, and customer service. Experts will be on hand to discuss water and sewer rates, drinking water, infrastructure, and efforts to help clean local rivers. Please see the meeting dates and locations below or refer to the website at www.dcwater.com/rates.

The DC Water Board of Directors will hold a public hearing regarding the 2012 proposed rates at a location to be determined. Please check the website at www.dcwater.com/rates after March 8 for the location and meeting details. For more information about the hearing, please call the Office of the Board Secretary 202-787-2330.

For information about the town hall meetings, please contact (202) 787-2200.

All meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m.


March 8
Ward 3 University of the District of Columbia, Windows Lounge (Building 38 - Second Floor), 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW Campus Map

March 17
Ward 6 Watkins Elementary School (multipurpose room), 420 12th Street, SE\

March 22
Ward 5 Luke C. Moore Academy (auditorium), 1001 Monroe Street, NE

March 29
Ward 8 Temple of Praise (Lower Level Fellowship Hall), 700 Southern Avenue, SE

April 12
Ward 2 Location to be confirmed

April 21
Ward 4 Shepherd Elementary School (auditorium), 7800 14th Street, NW

April 26
Ward 7 Location to be confirmed

April 28
Ward 1 Columbia Heights Education Campus (cafeteria), 3101 16th Street NW

###

About the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) provides drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment to more than 600,000 residential, commercial and governmental customers in the District of Columbia, and also collects and treats wastewater for a population of 1.6 million in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia.

DC Water’s service area covers approximately 725 square miles. The Authority operates the world’s largest advanced wastewater treatment plant, with a capacity of 370 million gallons per day and a peak capacity of 1.076 billion gallons per day.

Contact Information:
Pamela Mooring
202-787-2089
pamela.mooring@dcwater.com

You can view this News Release at http://www.dcwater.com/news/listings/press_release496.cfm
Thank you.

Recap of Last Night's Edgewood Civic Association Meeting

Last night's meeting of the Edgewood Civic Association (ECA) was a pretty typical meeting. After the meeting was called to order, Tim Clark presented membership numbers. He stated that there were 10 renewals, 3 new memberships and 7 paypal memberships which totaled 20 members. After I tweeted this information he responded that it was not accurate. He had not stated the number of members that had paid for a two-year membership last year. At the end of the meeting I asked for that number and was told that he did not know it and I asked if it would be presented at the next meeting. I was told that membership numbers would be presented if they were on the agenda, so I asked if it could be added to the agenda. I was told that the numbers were not presented at every meeting. Finally, Fred Allen stepped in and asked that they present them at the next meeting and then Tim Clark agreed. It is always shocking to me how such simple questions about membership of an organization of which I am part can turn into such a difficult encounter.

There were not many items discussed with the MPD officers that made a presentation about the crime statistics in PSA 501. They did note that most crime is down except for burglary. Three new officers are being added to PSA 501 and they already have plans for plainclothes officers on the Met Branch Trail as well as segway patrols when the weather warms up.

There were representatives from WMATA at the meeting to discuss the locations of bus stops and the removal of several stops that had occurred last year in Edgewood. The group admitted that they had not done any outreach to the community before the stops were removed, so they are now working with ANC Silas Grant to meet with the community and discuss the change of the stops. They already had one meeting and the following proposal was generated from that meeting for the G8 route:

Westbound

Remove 7th @ Kearney
Reinstall 7th @ Jackson with a shelter upon DDOT concurrence
Remove 7th @ Hamlin
Remove Edgewood Street near Franklin
Reinstall Edgewood Street @ 4th

Eastbound

Remove 4th @ Edgewood
Reinstall Edgewood @ 4th
Remove Edgewood Street near Franklin
Reinstall 7th @ Franklin (at the old location between the church and grocery store) not in front of grocery store with shelter upon DDOT concurrence and trash can
Remove 7th @ Hamlin
Reinstall 7th @ Jackson with shelter upon DDOT concurrence
Relocate 7th @ Lawrence to 7th @ Monroe

A couple of the people at the meeting were upset with some of the plans especially relocating the stop that is right in front the of the senior building at Edgewood Terrace. The WMATA group explained that they looked at ridership numbers from the averages per day over a month in September 2009 as well as talked to their personnel to make the decisions. The goal was to get bus stops into the 4-5 a mile setting to increase efficiency and speed on routes. The route previously had 8-10 stops a mile which was excessive. There will be another community meeting on the proposal and they will be presenting it to the ANC as well.

The Farmer's Market was also discussed during the meeting. The market will run from June until November on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. This is different than the previous start date which was stated as April. There were some concerns from a couple of people present about trash and rodents. Michael Byfield, the representative of the group starting the market, stated that in all his years operating farmer's markets he has never seen a problem with rodents. The market is not a permanent fixture and it is cleaned up afterwards. Mike Clark became very concerned about how the market would be cleaned up and what dumpster that they would use for trash. Mr. Byfield stated that they would be using the church's dumpster per agreement. Mike Clark stated that he wanted them to come up with a memo of understanding stating how they would clean up after themselves. I thought that this was over the top for a farmer's market. The shopping center has permanent residents that would contribute to a rodent problem many times over a market in the parking lot for 6 hours once a week. There was no vote on this item or requirement.

The next item discussed was the plan for the Ward 5 Walmart. Fred Allen talked about the group Respect DC that was formed of mainly union members. He stated that Walmart has already given 5 million dollars to groups around the community and implied that if you wanted to know where the money went you should go to the city council. He stated that Walmart said they were not going to sign any community agreements that were legally binding, but they were willing to listen to and work on the communities concerns. The zoning is matter of right for most locations and they are not asking for any money from the DC city council, so there is little leverage for community groups.

Some information was presented about the developments in the area, but I have already provided more details about them in my previous posts on this blog so I will not repeat them. No new information was given.

Mike Clark then talked about the Chocolate City Beer (CCB) brewery and stated that he had looked into their permits at DCRA and did not find any. He stated that he is concerned about this brewery opening up close to schools and that the owners never met with him, the civic association or the ANC. He stated that he hopes after DCRA looks into them that they do things right and meet with the civic associations and groups before they try to open near schools. It was not clear what permits he thought CCB was missing and I am pretty sure that the zoning is commercial for that area. I am not surprised to see this coming as this is not the first meeting Michael Clark has made a comment about the dangers of the CCB and it being near schools. I am hoping that it is a non-starter, as evidenced by blog hits CCB is pretty popular with the community already.

The meeting ended and I repeated my request from the January meeting to update our bylaws to reflect current practices. Tim Clark stated he is working on them and would not give a timeline. He stated that he is only working on typographical errors at this point and would post them online when he is done. There was some discussion about voting on the updated bylaws and if that had occurred already. Tim Clark stated that it was in the minutes and I asked if they could be posted to the website since currently the most recent minutes posted are from March 2010. Tim Clark stated that they are on the website and then kept repeating himself when I asked him to show me where since I had the minutes page of the website pulled up and could not find them. That pretty much ended the night with me wondering why I go to these meetings if I am not wanted and I am treated disrespectfully and antagonistically with every simple question I ask.