Bars, Alarm, Both?

I received an email from a soon to be neighbor (welcome to Edgewood!) about companies to use for security bars on windows.  I have heard that a couple of companies are good, but I decided to go with an alarm system and not do any bars on my windows.  I know that some people feel more comfortable with one or the other or both.  I figured dogs and an alarm were enough for me (knock on wood)!

Here are the two companies that I have seen recommended:

Northeast Iron Works

J&L Ornamental Iron Works

Has anyone in the neighborhood used them?  Or do you recommend someone else?  I have seen one of the newly renovated houses on the 300 block of Bryant has installed an iron tree design as their security bars - art and security combined which is really cool.

District of Columbia Redistricting and Edgewood

Last night they released the Ward Redistricting map which will start off the process described below.  After that is done then they will move on to the ANC redistricting.  Ward 5 had a minor adjustment as we got back the Ward 6 "chimney" along New York and New Jersey Aves.  The part I am more interested in is the ANC as Ward 5 only has 3 groups of ANCs (A, B, C) and I am one among many that think that should be changed as they are too large.  I hope that we can get 5 or 6 ANCs which would better serve the neighborhoods and perhaps represent them more efficiently as well.  I would also like to get rid of the zigzag ANC that I reside in which includes Eckington and Edgewood across Rhode Island Ave in a weird "Z" shape.  I feel it would be better to have one that has the neighborhood more intact.  Hopefully Edgewood has grown enough to have 3 full ANC districts instead of the 2.5 that we have now.

Council of the District of Columbia

Subcommittee on Redistricting
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

COUNCILMEMBER MICHAEL BROWN
COUNCIMEMBER JACK EVANS
CO-CHAIRPERSONS


SUBCOMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING TIMETABLE
Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 1:00 PM

SUBCOMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING WILL VOTE ON A PROPOSED REDISTRICTING PLAN (MAP) - B19-219, the "Ward Redistricting Amendment Act of 2011".

John A. Wilson Building, Room 123
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 6:00 PM

SUBCOMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING WILL HOLD A PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE FOR RESIDENTS TO OFFER OPINIONS

John A. Wilson Building, Council Chamber- Room 500

1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Those who wish to testify should contact Carol Sadler at (202) 724-8198 or mailto:csadler@dccouncil.us and provide your name, organizational affiliation, and title of organization by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Witnesses should bring 20 copies of their written testimony to the hearing. Additional written statements are encouraged and will be made part of the official record. The official record will close ten days following the conclusion of the hearing.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 10:00 AM

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WILL HAVE A FIRST VOTE ON THE PROPOSED REDISTRICTING PLAN (MAP)

John A. Wilson Building, Council Chamber- Room 500
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 10:00 AM

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WILL HAVE A FINAL VOTE ON THE PROPOSED REDISTRICTING PLAN (MAP)

John A. Wilson Building, Council Chamber- Room 500
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Wednesday, June 22-December 31, 2011

8 SEPARATE WARD REDISTRICTING COMMITTEES COMPRISED OF WARD RESIDENTS WILL BEGIN TO MEET TO PROPOSE BOUNDARIES FOR ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSON (ANC) DISTRICTS AND SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS (SMD).

*INDIVIDUAL WARD COUNCILMEMBERS WILL APPOINT MEMBERS TO THESE ANC/SMD REDISTRICTING COMMITTEES.

David Meadows
Communications Director
Office of Councilmember Michael A. Brown
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Suite 406
Washington, D.C. 20004
202.724.8190
dmeadows@dccouncil.us

Met Branch Trail 5K Results and Thanks!

Below is the thanks from our wonderful race directors and I wanted to add my own!  It was great to see so many neighbors out to run/walk the trail for the race!  Thanks to all!

Thank you for a great inaugural event!


Despite the light rain, we had a great turnout and an incredibly successful inaugural race. Race results (http://www.gometbranch.com/results/2011) and photos (http://www.gometbranch.com/photos) are now available online.

We would like to thank the DC Road Runners Club, our sponsors, volunteers, and the runners and walkers that brought all of this together. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Cristina von Spiegelfeld and Sherri Morgan

BOLO Brookland Afternoon Attacker

Please be careful and watch out for yourself and your neighbors especially regarding this attack that happened in the middle of the day in Brookland.

Here is the police description and information:

Dance Place's Dance Africa, DC 2011 is coming!

Hello,

Dance Place is looking forward to our annual DanceAfrica, DC festival from May 30-June 5 and I thought it might be of interest for you to post on your blog. Dance Place is located just a few blocks from the Brookland/CUA Metro stop – very close to your neighborhood! Below is some quick information on the festival, I have also attached a longer press release and a photo you can use. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions and I appreciate you spreading the word about this community event.

Dance Africa, DC 2011 is coming!

May 30-June 5

Join Dance Place for our 24th Annual Festival of Dance and Music of the African Diaspora. Hosted by Griot Chuck Davis with special guests Santiago de Cuba-based Ballet Folklórico Cutumba.
For tickets and the full schedule of events, visit www.danceplace.org or call (202) 269-1600

FEATURING:

KanKouran West African Dance Company
Farafina Kan
Sankofa Dance Theater
Ezibu Muntu
Coyaba Dance Theater
MASTER CLASSES

May 30-June 5
Drop in for only $15!
OUTDOOR EVENTS: JUNE 4 & 5

Mini Africa-style Marketplace, Noon to Sunset
Pre-performance outdoor dance demonstrations and FREE open classes

PERFORMANCES: JUNE 4 & 5

2pm Matinee performances
5pm Village Celebration
8pm Evening performances

Thanks,

Carolyn Kamrath
Director of Press and Marketing

Dance Place
3225 8th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Phone (202) 269-1600 x16 Fax (202) 269-4103

http://www.danceplace.org/

Join our email list to receive special offers and discounts by email.

Coming in Summer 2011: Brookland Artspace Lofts

Featured in the 2008-2009 Catalogue for Philanthropy.

"One of the best small charities in the Greater Washington region." View our profile.
Follow us, friend us, and keep in touch at:

www.twitter.com/danceplace
www.facebook.com/danceplace
http://www.dance-place.blogspot.com/

More Information:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


May 9, 2011

24th Annual DanceAfrica, DC

Features Masters of Cuban Dance and Music from Santiago, Cuba Dance Place continues our presentation of world-class dance with the 24th annual DanceAfrica, DC and the Washington, DC premiere of internationally renowned Ballet Folklórico Cutumba. Straight from the Sí Cuba! Festival in New York, Dance Place joins major presenters such as Carnegie Hall, The Joyce Theater and Symphony Space in presenting a rich blend of Cuba’s best performing companies including Ballet Folklórico Cutumba in partnership with the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s DanceAfrica celebration.

Ballet Folklórico Cutumba, founded in the city of Santiago de Cuba in 1960, will be the featured
performers at Dance Place on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5 during the 2:00pm and 8:00pm
concerts alongside the following dynamic companies: Coyaba Dance Theater, KanKouran West African Dance Company, Farafina Kan and Ezibu Muntu. Cutumba’s 25-member company is dedicated to the research and professional performance of traditional Afro-Cuban dance, music, and song originating in the Oriente region of Cuba. Their work recreates key elements at the heart of Afro-Cuban identity while adding the company’s own fresh interpretation through theatricality and costume design.

DanceAfrica, DC will be held May 30 - June 5, 2011 and includes master classes and performances with the best African dance companies in the DC metro area, an African marketplace and free outdoor

For a complete schedule of classes and performances, visit http://www.danceplace.org/.

Participating artists include: Griot Baba Chuck Davis, Ballet Folklórico Cutumba, KanKouran West African
Dance Company, Farafina Kan, Sankofa Dance Theater, Ezibu Muntu, DC Casineros and Coyaba Dance.
DanceAfrica, DC is a mainstay of Washington, DC’s summer lineup of events and is a vital and popular part of Dance Place’s educational and cultural programming. The festival promotes cultural inclusion, inspires artistic collaboration and growth, enhances community cohesiveness, and generates audience interest and enthusiasm for the performing arts and an understanding of the African experience.

Since 1987, Dance Place has hosted the celebration in collaboration with DanceAfrica visionary Chuck Davis. Before that, Dance Place acted as the national coordinator to DanceAfrica, USA from 1990-1994.

DanceAfrica, DC is the second largest celebration of African performing arts in the United States. This year Dance Place anticipates hosting over 2,000 people with the positive message of community building and the richness of African culture through classes and performances.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Giant Food, Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Marpat Foundation and the many foundations & individuals that support Dance Place and our NEXTgeneration programs. Presented in partnership with BAM: The Brooklyn Academy of Music. Media Sponsor: The Washington Informer.

Dance Place, 3225 8th St., NE 20017; Two blocks from Redline
Brookland/CUA Metro stop
TICKETS FOR 2 PM PERFORMANCES:

$20 in advance by 5pm Friday, June 3
$25 after 5pm Friday, June 3
$10 ages 17 and under

*As part of our Family Series, reserve 1 FREE ticket for a child 12 and under with each paying adult.
TICKETS FOR 5 PM VILLAGE CELEBRATION:

$5 General Admission; Free for children
TICKETS FOR 8 PM PERFORMANCES:

$25 in advance by 5pm Friday, June 3
$30 after 5pm Friday, June 3
$10 ages 17 and under

To purchase tickets, call 202-269-1600 or visit http://www.danceplace.org/
About Dance Place:

DC Wheel Productions, Inc. maintains its permanent arts center, Dance Place, which is the home base for its
presentations, dance school and programs for youth. Dance Place was founded in 1978 as an educational and performing arts company, which performed in the public schools throughout the greater DC metropolitan area.

The mission of Dance Place/DC Wheel Productions, Inc. is to transform lives through performing arts and creative education programs that inspire personal growth, professional success, physical wellness and community engagement. The goals of the organization include operating a permanent arts center for live performances, classes and youth programs and serving diverse populations through a wide variety of truly affordable and free programs. Dance Place engages in community building and revitalization through partnerships with local schools and community organizations.

REMINDER ELECTION TONIGHT!!!

Please remember to go vote tonight for the new ANC 5C 08 commissioner for the Edgewood neighborhood.  If you want to read a little about Heather Deutsch please read my recommendation here.

Here are the details about the vote tonight!

Special Election for ANC 5C08

Date: TONIGHT Tuesday, May 17th
Time: 6:30 – 7:45pm
Location: Beacon House, 601 Edgewood St NE Ste 15

PUDs and CBAs in Edgewood

Since many stalled projects have been taking off in Edgewood over the last couple of years the fulfillment of Community Benefit Agreements (CBA) that were negotiated many years ago have now come to pass.  There are two such agreements that will give money to the Edgewood Civic Association.  I have noticed through the listserv that the Eckington Civic Association has decided to use their money from an agreement to install historic neighborhood signs.  The language of the agreements states what purposes the money can be used for by the association.  I asked at the last Edgewood Civic association if we were going to have a vote on how to use the money and was told that the board was going to make the decision.

The 2008 EYA-St Pauls College (07-27) CBA states that:

Contribution to Edgewood Civic Association – Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for this PUD project, the Applicant will provide $15,000 for equipment and services for the benefit of Edgewood Civic Association. EYA will purchase laptop and printer for the Association so that it may further its membership goals. Any funds remaining from the purchase of the referenced equipment will be used pay
legal fees for establishing the Association as a non-profit 501(c)(3) and to prepay printing costs of the Association.

Since the Edgewood Civic Association is already a non-profit it seems that this money will go to a laptop and printer and a whole lot of printing!  I am not sure how much paper this can buy, but I am guessing that we will find out over the coming years.  There was mention at the meeting that the civic association is looking to produce newsletters now and welcomes contributors.

The 2007 NoMa West Residential One, LLC (05-23A) CBA states that:

A statement providing an additional condition of the Modified PUD approval, providing for a $20,000 contribution to the Edgewood Civic Association approval to cover (i) the cost of printing and distributing the Association's quarterly newsletter, (ii) donations of equipment to the Harry Thomas Recreation Center and the Edgewood Recreation Center, (iii) donations to the PTSA for the Emery and Shad Elementary Schools for student and parent enrichment programs, (iv) grants to senior citizens for snow removal and safety maintenance of their homes, (v) a summer festival for youth in the community, and (vi) community beautification projects, which is marked as Exhibit 26 of the record;

Since the EYA CBA has to be spent on printing and there is already $10,000 in this CBA donating equipment to the Harry Thomas Recreation Center I think it would be nice if we used this money for equipment for the Edgewood Recreation Center and community beautification projects.  Both Bloomingdale and Eckington  have signs and decorated lampposts.  It would be nice to have flowers and signs added to the lampposts in Edgewood as we are often grouped in with Brookland.  It would help to define our neighborhood and add a sense of community pride.  Again, the board of the Edgewood Civic Association stated that they were going to decide at their board meeting so we will have to wait and see.

My thoughts on the CBAs are that they really should be negotiated better to serve the community surrounding the development.  I know that these were negotiated years ago, but I do not think cash donations to organizations should be part of them.  The civic associations may cover large areas but have small memberships.  I think it would be better if we had more items that included improvements to roads, sidewalks, parks, bikeshare stations, facade improvements for current businesses and funds to run cleanup crews.  While I may be dreaming here it would be great to collect donations to start a BID similar to what NoMa has that promotes the area, plans events and maintains and performs beautification.

REMINDER: Edgewood Dog Park Meeting Tomorrow!

If you are interested in having a dog park in Edgewood then please come to meet at the Edgewood Rec Center (3rd and Evarts NE) to help start a group. The meeting will start at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday, May 7th and we will be discussing the steps we need to take to make it happen. Please come and find out more!!

See you there!

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!!!

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 one bedroom condo ready for renovations listed at $100,000. 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.

3305 7th Street NE sold on April 5th for $305,000

326 Bryant Street NE sold on April 19th for $270,000

318 Bryant Street NE sold on April 22nd for $155,000

The Chancellor's Row development continues to be a high seller in the neighborhood having sold 44 66 houses at the last count.

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

Update: August Completion Date for 329 Rhode Island Ave NE

Across Rhode Island Avenue in Eckington there are new timelines for the completion of the condos at 329 Rhode Island Avenue NE.

Eckington Condo Project On Track for Summer Delivery


May 4, 20111 Comment

by UrbanTurf Staff

[http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/eckington_condo_project_on_track_for_summer_delivery/3440]

A renovated condo project in Eckington is on track to deliver 21 units by the end of the summer. UrbanTurf spoke with PERS Development president Ramin Bassam, who said that his company`s project Mint Condominium located at 4th and Rhode Island NE (map) will be ready for move-in by late August, and that sales will likely start a month prior, in July. Sales and marketing will be handled by Urban Pace.

The project is a few blocks west of the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro station on the Red Line, where a large mixed-use development with retail and over 250 apartments is currently under construction. Units at Mint will be a mix of one and two-bedrooms with prices ranging from the mid $200s to low $300s.

Eckington residents will likely welcome renovation of the building, which suffered a fire in 2009 and had been designated blight by the city. On the other hand, the condos will be higher end than much of the inventory currently available in the neighborhood, so a successful sell-out could be a harbinger of neighborhood change in years to come.

Creating a Safer Edgewood: Reserve Corps, Neighborho​od Watch & Jr. Police Academy

Please see the information from MPD about opportunities for community involvement and helping to keep our neighborhood safer.  Recently there have been many on the listservs, myself included, that wanted to know what we could do to help MPD and our neighbors to create a safe environment on all streets at all times.  The list below presents some ways that we can get involved beyond the listserv and meetings.  I really think we need to start an active neighborhood watch in Edgewood.  I am going to try to attend one of the trainings and encourage others to get involved as well.


Metropolitan Police Department Reserve Corps Opportunities

The Metropolitan Police Department Reserve Corps is now accepting applications for the position of Reserve Police Officer.

The MPD Reserve Corps is a volunteer program providing qualified civic-minded individuals with the opportunity to assist the MPD in carrying out its policing responsibilities. Members of the Metropolitan Police Reserve Corps can make a volunteer public safety contribution to their community in many ways.

Reserve Officer assignments vary and range from administrative support to the broad duties of career police officers. Reserve Officers are expected to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month or 192 hours per year. Last year, Reserve Officers provided over 17,500 hours of supplemental services to the department.

Please visit http://dcpolice.jobs/ for more information regarding the reserve program and to apply today. The application deadline is set for May 16, 2011 for the upcoming class. You can also email questions to Patrick.Burke@dc.gov


Upcoming Citywide Neighborhood Watch Training

MPD will be hosting a series of Citywide Neighborhood Watch Training Sessions in partnership with each district’s Citizens Advisory Council. For more information, visit: http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/NeighborhoodWatch


Jr. Police Academy 2011

For students (ages 14 – 17) approved to work this summer’s Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (www.does.dc.gov), opportunities are available to join the Jr. Police Academy Summer Program. For more information, visit: http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/JPA

Thank you for your attention to these announcements.

Cathy L. Lanier
Chief of Police
Metropolitan “DC” Police Department
http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/

Met Branch Trail 5K Registration

Live in Ward 5? You can walk or run in the first annual MBT 5k for free!

In partnership with Kaiser Permanente, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is offering a limited number of free adult registrations for the upcoming MBT 5k on Saturday, May 14th, a community race for all ages and levels. Join your friends and neighbors for a fun day on the trail!

To take advantage of this offer, contact Kelly Pack at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: kellyp@railstotrails.org or 202.974.5148.

Remember, all youth under 18 years old can register for free online here: http://www.gometbranch.com/

Spread the word - tell your neighbors about this opportunity and get out on the MBT this spring/summer!

Register for the May 14th MBT 5K Run/Walk

If you haven't done so yet, please register for the First Annual Metropolitan Branch Trail 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 14! You can register online at http://www.gometbranch.com/. Although registration will be open until the race, to guarantee a race t-shirt, you must register by this Thursday, May 5.



We are also still in need of race day volunteers so register to volunteer at http://www.gometbranch.com/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=2 or by contacting us via our website at http://www.gometbranch.com/contact.



Best,

Cristina and Sherri

MBT 5K Race Directors

Edgewood Dog Park Meeting

If you are interested in having a dog park in Edgewood then please come to meet at the Edgewood Rec Center (3rd and Evarts NE) to help start a group.  The meeting will start at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday, May 7th and we will be discussing the steps we need to take to make it happen.  Please come and find out more!!

See you there!