Byte Back Open House and Fundraiser - Saturday, December 2nd

What: Brookland's own Byte Back Computer Training Center's Open House and Fundraiser

When: Saturday, December 2nd, 2006, from 4-7pm

Where: Byte Back's offices and training center, located at 815 Monroe Street, NE across 9th Street from Colonel Brooks' Tavern.

Etc.: Come, hear about our mission, see our facility, learn about our classes, and even make a contribution. Join us for hot cider and cookies! Any questions, please contact Patricia M. Jayne, Executive Director, at 202.529.3395 or pjayne@byteback.org.

ANC-5A Monthly Meeting Moved to Wednesday, November 29th

The ANC-5A monthly meeting originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 15th, 2006 (which isn't the fourth Wednesday of the month, but was likely scheduled to avoid any Thanksgiving-week conflicts) has been postponed until Wednesday, November 29th, 2006. The meeting will take place at the Washington Jesuit Academy, 900 Varnum Street, NE at 6pm (please note the updated time). The agenda includes Mr. John Thomas, Urban Forester, Department of Transportation; Mr. John Hoffman, Headmaster, Washington Jesuit Academy; and Ms. Vinnie Wholforth, Brookland CDC. This is the last ANC-5A meeting of 2006.

Fenty Transition Ward 5 Townhall Meeting - Thursday, November 30th

What: The Fenty Transition invites DC residents to take part in a series of Ward specific townhall meetings and issue specific blogs.

When: The Ward 5 Townhall is Thursday, November 30th, 2006, 6:30-9:00pm. All Ward meetings are listed here.

Where: Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center Gymnasium, 1200 Morse Street, NE

Additional Info: Introduction by Ward 5 Councilmember-elect Harry Thomas, Jr. For more information please contact Joshua Lopez at 202.478.9268.

First Public Meeting for Brookland/CUA Metro Station Plan - Wednesday, November 29th

What: The purpose of the meeting is to present information to the community concerning current conditions in and around the Brookland/CUA Metro Station Area.

When: Wednesday, November 29th, 2006, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Noyes Elementary School Auditorium, 2725 10th Street, NE

RSVP/Additional Info: RSVP to 202.610.0005 or rsvp@jsallc.com. For more information on the Brookland/CUA Metro Station Area Plan contact Deborah Crain with the DC Office of Planning at 202.442.7615.

At least one citizens' committee meeting has taken place - this will be the first time the rest of the community will be able attend since the charette was first proposed. Note that this is scheduled on the same evening as the upcoming ANC-5A meeting.

Examiner: Thomas Has a "Balancing Act" Ahead as Ward 5 Council

Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. is standing at the crossroads of a turf war trying to figure out how to stem a week of violent bloodshed in a small Northeast community [Carver Langston]....Thomas will lead Ward 5 during a time in which it is at its own crossroads [hmmm, we clearly have a number of "crossroads" here in Ward 5]. Largely working-class, neighborhoods like Brookland and Trinidad in Ward 5 are now considered "hot" housing markets...."It’s a balancing act," Thomas said. "A lot of things are changing. ... We have to find ways to connect our residents to the economic well being of the rest of the city."

Read the entire article here.

Your Input Needed on the "Library Transformation Act of 2006" by Tuesday, November 21st

You may or may not be for the proposed new central library on the old Convention Center site. Personally, I wish we'd further investigate the potential of the old Carnegie Library (formerly the City Museum of Washington and currently a party rental). Whatever your feelings on this often contentious debate, please consider making your opinion known by contacting the DC Council’s Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation. The following - clearly against the bill - is from Robin Diener of the DC Library Renaissance Project, but full of useful information even if you disagree and want to share your thoughts within the next two days:

URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Critical Vote To Save Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - 5 DC Councilmembers Need to Hear From YOU!

The DC Council’s Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation is scheduled to vote on the fate of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (MLK).

When: Tuesday, November 21st, 2006 at 3pm
Where: Room 123, John Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Legislation: Bill 16-734, the “Library Transformation Act of 2006”

The bill allows the city to lease MLK to a private entity for 99 years, and construct a new library at the former Convention Center site ("old CC"). The five Councilmembers on the Committee need to hear from you now in opposition to the bill.

In Person: Attend the hearing on Tuesday, November 21st at 3 pm, and bring friends. A packed room of MLK supporters may convince the Councilmembers to vote no on Bill 16-734.

Contact the 5 Councilmembers: e-mail, call or fax . . .

Councilmember Marion Barry:
mbarry@dccouncil.us
Phone: (202) 724-8045 / Fax: (202) 698-2388

Councilmember Vincent Gray:
vgray@dccouncil.us
Phone: (202) 724-8068 / Fax: (202) 724-8097

Councilmember Phil Mendelson:
PMendelson@dccouncil.us
Phone: (202) 724-8064 / Fax: (202) 724-8099

Committee Chairman Councilmember Kathy Patterson:
kpatterson@decouncil.us
Phone: (202) 724-8062 / Fax: (202) 724-8118

Councilmember Carol Schwartz:
cschwartz@dccouncil.us
Phone: (202) 724-8105 / Fax: (202) 724-8071

Talking Points:

· I urge you to oppose Bill 16-734, the “Library Transformation Act of 2006.”
* Reopening the four closed branch libraries, and revitalizing the rest of the neighborhood libraries, is a higher priorty than a new central library.
* The proposed library on the old CC site would be smaller than MLK.
· The old CC site is a second-rate location with no Metro stops within 800 feet (2 blocks). MLK is within two blocks of five stops, serving all Metro lines!
· We have seen only one line drawing of the library proposed for the old CC building. It shows 9 small floors of awkward triangular spaces, with admistrative offices in the basement. MLK is the gold standard for flexibility with a rectangular layout that can accomodate change now and in the future.
* The library system is predicting huge increases in library usership based on the amount of housing being built downdown, yet the proposed old CC library has no provision for future expansion. MLK is larger and engineered to have a fifth floor added.
· MLK is a stand-alone facility. The old CC building would be a mixed-use facility, and could include offices, condos, or a shoe store.
· MLK was dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. in 1971 and it has served as an annual gathering place to honor his legacy. It is not just a plaque to be attached to another building.
· The funding plan for a library on the old CC site is not sound, aspects criticized by the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, among others. The city can lease or sell the old CC site and apply that money to renovate MLK.
· There has not been adequate public discussion of possibilities for a new central library.
* The Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Libraries has not produced its report (it's been two years). How can Council decide without having seen the report they allocated funds for two years ago?
* It's not clear how parking would be provided for a library on the old CC site. MLK already has its own parking garage.

Sample Letter:

Date

Dear Councilmember __________:

*I urge you to oppose Bill 16-734, the “Library Transformation Act of 2006”* that would authorize leasing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (“MLK”) for 99 years and building a new central library on the old convention center site (“old CC”).

Acceptable rationales for abandoning our architecturally significant and advantageously sited MLK library have not been presented. Nor do I accept assertions that funding possibilities will be lost if we do not make haste. Financial backing for a good plan can always be found.

As a District resident and library patron, I support further exploration of alternatives for renovation of MLK, which I believe will be less costly. I would also like to see a greater level of community involvement in the process of planning for library "transformation."

Of primary importance, MLK was dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. in 1971 and has served as an annual gathering place to honor his legacy. It is not just a plaque to be moved form building to building.

Finally, I believe that reopening the closed branch libraries should be prioritized over any new central library facility.

For these reasons, I urge you to vote "no" on Bill 16-734.

Sincerely,

/_Feel free to personalize. Please forward this message._/

Thank you!!!!


Robin Diener
DC Library Renaissance Peoject
1530 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

ANC-5C Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, November 21st

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, November 21st, 2006, 7-9pm

Where: TBA

Agenda: TBA

ANC-5A06 Monthly Meeting Monday, November 20th

Posted by a Perry Place resident on the Brookland listserv:

The next ANC 5A-06 meeting will be Monday, November 20th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. Commissioner Marry Currie invited Mayor Elect Fenty, 5th District Commander Jennifer Greene, current Ward 5 Councilmember Vincent Orange, and Darrel Green [sp?] who is the owner of the Cardinal's Nest Coffee place on 10th and Perry Place (the old video store).

One item of discussion will be the pending liquor license that is being sought by the coffee house that will allow them to serve alcohol until 2am Sunday-Thursday and 3am Fridays and Saturdays. Since the building is so close to the residents of Perry Place, we have concerns about late night rowdiness/noise, and we protested the liquor license application. We are in negotiations now with the owners (through the Alcohol Beverage Regulatory Agency). If you have any strong feelings on the subject this would be a good meeting to attend.

Resurfacing of Rhode Island Avenue, NE

This will take some time, but but the improvements are necessary, particularly at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro/Rhode Island Place shopping center:

Effective Monday, November 17, 2006 the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin installing temporary construction signs for a project to resurface Rhode Island Avenue, from North Capitol Street up to 10th Street, NE. Actual work is expected to begin on Monday, November 20, 2006 at North Capitol and get completed two-blocks at a time. Completion date is scheduled for Fall 2007 [for an average of 1 block per month?].

DDOT's regular work schedule for the project will not affect inbound traffic on Rhode Island Avenue, Monday through Friday, between 6:00am to 9:30am or outbound traffic between 3:00pm to 6:30pm. Work scheduled for weekends will vary.

DDOT representatives are available to address community organizations and answer questions about the scope of work for this project. Interested citizens and organizations should contact DDOT representative Abdullahi Mohamed at 202.671.4614.

New Date for PSA 502 and New Location for PSA 503 Community Meetings

Please note the following updates for the PSA 502 and 503 monthly community meetings (updates have been made in the sidebar):

• The PSA 502 Community Meeting is now scheduled for the FIRST Thursday of every month. The location and time - Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE at 7pm - remain the same.
  
• The PSA 503 Community Meeting will meet at the Hospital for Sick Children, 1731 Bunker Hill Road, NE. The time and date - the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm - remain the same.

Homicide in Carver Langston - Escalating Violence in Neighborhood Continues

In the wake of yesterday's multiple shooting, from MPD:

On Wednesday, November 15, 2006, at about 10:42 am, police and DC Fire Department emergency medical personnel responded to the rear of 705 24th Street, NE for the report of an unconscious person. Upon arrival, they found an as yet unidentified adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency medical personnel could find no life signs. The body was later transported by morgue wagon to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia.

The case is currently under investigation by detectives assigned to the Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone who has information regarding this case is asked to call (202) 727-9099.

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Even the increased police presence - including more daytime patrols and a mobile command truck in the area - can't seem to bring back the equilibrium this neighborhood worked so hard to achieve.

Four Shot in NE - Two Teen Victims

This morning - in what happens to be the the fourth shooting (at least) in the past month in the Carver Langston neighborhood - two teens and two adults were shot in an alley. From MPD:

Multiple Shooting Incident on 19th Street, NE

On Tuesday, November 14, 2006, shortly after 10 am, Metropolitan Police and DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the area of 19th and M Streets, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered that four males had been shot while in an alley located in the 1200 block of 19th Street, NE.

The victims - a 16 year old, a 17 year old and two 20 year olds - were transported to area hospitals for treatment of apparently non-life-threatening injuries. One victim was shot in the pelvic area, and the others received gunshot wounds to their limbs. Their identities are being withheld because they are witnesses in the case.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the victims were fired upon by two occupants of a moving vehicle described as a white Honda Accord, bearing unknown temporary license tags. The vehicle was occupied by a total of four subjects described only as black males.

The case is currently under investigation by detectives assigned to the MPDC's Fifth District. Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or the DC Crime Solvers Unit at 1-800-673-2777.

All calls to Crime Solvers are confidential, and a caller need not give his or her name. If the information provided by a caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, the caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

WTOP and NBC4 are also reporting on the shooting and recent increase in violence in this neighborhood; NBC4 mentions that shell casings from an apparently unreported shooting last night were also found in the vicinity. See Frozen Tropics for information on an emergency community meeting called for tomorrow evening in response to the recent surge in violence in Carver Langston.

**UPDATE**
WaPo's report is here.

Yes! Organic Market Grand Opening - TOMORROW

That's right - TOMORROW, Wednesday, November 15th marks the grand opening of Brookland's very own Yes! Organic Market located at 3809 12th Street NE, on the southeast corner of the intersection of 12th and Quincy Streets, NE. The phone number is 832-7715. PLEASE NOTE THE PARKING LOT IS ACCESSED FROM 12TH STREET ONLY. Yay!

Fatal Shooting in NE; 2 Others Wounded, Including a Teenage Girl

From WTOP via AP:

District police are investigating a shooting in Northeast which left one man dead and two other people wounded Saturday evening.

Sergeant Joe Gentile says the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of 21st Place, NE.

Metropolitan Police Department officers found 34-year-old Boyd King suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

King was pronounced dead at Washington Hospital Center. He lived in the 2100 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

Police also found a 17-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to the ankle, and a 41-year-old man who was wounded in the upper thigh.

The two victims have not been identified because they are considered witnesses to a crime.

They are both expected to recover from their injuries.

MPD's press release is here.

Carjackings and Abductions Near CUA, Hyattsville

MPD is working with the PG County Police Department on a recent series of seemingly related carjackings and abductions. From MPD:

Sometime after 7 pm, on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, a 23-year-old female operating a 2001 Pontiac Aztec near 12th and Newton Streets, NE, stopped behind a silver Honda [Accord]. It was at this time that a man displayed a handgun and forced the woman into the passenger seat of her Aztec and began driving her vehicle. At some point, she was forced into the trunk of a Honda, while another subject got behind the wheel of her Aztec and drove away. The victim is unclear as to how long she was driven around before she was placed in the trunk of the Honda.

At approximately 7:30 pm, on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, a 27-year-old female was entering a 2006 Chevy Cobalt in a parking lot in the 300 block of Taylor Street, NE. It was at this time that she was stopped by a white Mitsubishi and silver Honda. A man armed with a handgun entered her vehicle and drove off. The woman jumped from the car and made good her escape. It is reported that a short time later that night a man and woman were abducted in Prince George’s County, Maryland [Hyattsville]. The suspect in this case attempted to force the female into the trunk of the Honda, which was already occupied by the female abducted from 12th and Newton Streets, NE. The man and woman in this case managed to escape.

The woman in the trunk of the Honda is uncertain as to the length of time she was driven around and was in the trunk of the vehicle. However, her captors released her near her car in the Northeast section of the city after robbing her of cash, credit cards and a cell phone.

The suspect in the Newton Street case is described as a black male, 18 to 20 years old, approximately 5’5” tall, weighing 130 to 140 pounds, with a long pony tail and wearing a mask. The suspect in the Taylor Street case is described as a medium complexioned black male, approximately 6’1” tall, with a slim build, wearing dark jeans and a mask.

Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any robbery committed in the District of Columbia.

WaPo and NBC4 have additional details. Apparetnly the Honda was stolen on Sunday morning in Lanham and, the Post adds, "Prince George's police are investigating whether the carjackings are related to possible serial rapes. In the past month, at least four women have been assaulted after being abducted at gunpoint and forced to drive to various locations, where they were raped. [Diane Richardson, a Prince George's police spokeswoman] said that there is no evidence to suggest a connection but that police had not ruled one out."

So Much to Do this Weekend!

Just a selection of the events going on this weekend in and around NE....

BROOKLAND COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP

What: In cooperation with CUA and the DC Department of Public Works' Helping Hand Program, the Brookland CDC is sponsoring a community clean-up in anticipation of the grand opening of Yes! Organic Market (I do not know the exact opening date yet). All tools and trash bags are being supplied through DPW.

When: Saturday, November 11th, 9am-12pm. The clean-up will be followed by a complimentary buffet lunch for all volunteers at the new Cardinal Club, 3514 12th Street, NE.

Where: The clean-up will begin at 12th and Michigan, then travel south along 12th Street picking up trash and cleaning out the tree boxes and planters through Monroe.

Etc.: Contact the Brookland CDC to volunteer at 202.529.8400 or brooklandcdc@aol.com, though I'm sure you'll be welcome if you simply show up.

- - -

CHILDREN'S BOOK SIGNING AND ART EXHIBIT AT ROXANNE'S ARTIQUES

From the press release:

Roxanne’s ARTiques, located at 3426 9th Street NE, on Historic Brookland’s Gallery Row, across the street from the neighborhood landmark Colonel Brooks Tavern, will be showing art produced by the young students of the Harlem School of the Arts. The show features illustrations included in the children's book, Kara Finds Sunshine on a Rainy Day.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2006, from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, featuring a book signing by author Caroline Brewer. On Saturday, November 11, 2006, from 1:00pm - 3:00pm, there will be a reading accompanied by music, and a book signing afterwards. The show will be displayed through Sunday November 12, 2006 [I have also heard the show will be on display through November 19th].

Kara Finds Sunshine on a Rainy Day is no ordinary book! All of the illustrations were produced by children, some as young as six years old, by students attending the prestigious Harlem School of the Arts in New York City and the Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey school system. The students created ceramics, pastel drawings, and collages in the style of Romare Bearden.

According to Brewer, "The theme of Kara Finds Sunshine on a Rainy Day is that the sun is always shining even when we can't see it. It's a book of hope and healing for all ages." Readers are introduced to courageous and inspirational historical figures, such as Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, Sitting Bull, Kim Phuc, Cesar Chavez, A. Phillip Randolph, and Mahatma Gandhi. A teacher/parent guide is included to help adults discuss with children coping with life's joys and pains.

Proceeds from sales of the book are being directed to book donations to Gulf Coast families disrupted by Hurricane Katrina.

Roxanne’s ARTiques is owned by Roxanne Carter, a long-time resident of Michigan Park in Greater Brookland. The gallery features artifacts and works of art by national and international artists. The Gallery is open from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, and is located one block from the Brookland/CUA Metro station on the Red Line. For more information contact Roxanne Carter at (202)-526-7020, by email at roxannesartiques@hotmail.com, and on the internet at www.roxannesartiques.com.

- - -

OPEN ART STUDIO

What: Bloomingdale resident, blogger, and artist, Sean Hennessey, is opening his studio in at the Washington Glass School in Mt. Rainier, MD to the public. Visit his art blog, Paint and Plaster, for detailed information and directions.

When: Sunday, November 12th, 2006, 1-5pm

Where: Washington Glass School, 3708 Wells Avenue (REAR), Mt. Rainier, MD

- - -

NE DC HISTORICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING

What: NE DC Historical Society Monthly Meeting - exploring the history of our Northeast Washington communities - past, present, and in years to come.

When: Sunday, November 12th, 2006, 2:30-4pm (later starting time than usual)

Where: Lamond-Riggs Library 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE (at Kennedy Street)

Presentations:
· Chris Holben of the DC Department of Transportation Bicycle Program with an update on the Metropolitan Branch Trail for commuting and communing with neighborhood history, art, and nature.
· James Loewen, best-selling author and noted sociologist on "Sundown Towns: The Exclusionary Communities Around Washington, DC."

Etc.: Meetings are always free and open to the public. For those unable to attend this meeting, don't miss our next month's meeting to be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on Sunday, December 10th, 2006. The meeting location and presentation topics will be announced early next month. Please plan to join us as we focus on more of the history of our prized neighborhoods and institutions of NE DC. Our meetings take place the second Sunday of every month. For further information contact: queenstowndc@yahoo.com.

Preliminary Election Results - Including ANCs - Available

You can view the preliminary DC General Election results on the Board of Elections and Ethics site (PDF).

My SMD, 5A-09, had no candidate, as I previously thought. I know I received at least three write-in votes (you betcha' one of them was mine), but certainly not the majority of the 132. I'm interested to hear who the winner is. My sincerest congratulations to Kris Hammond, 5C-02, and Janae Grant, 5A-11 and co-coordinator of the Coalition of Concerned Neighbors, on their successes in two of many hotly contested ANC Commissions.

Worshippers Robbed at Union Wesley Zion Church Sunday Mass

Absolutely disgusting...from MPD:

At approximately 8:05 am, on Sunday, November 5, 2006, members of the Full Gospel Zion Church were holding services in a chapel of the Union Wesley Zion Church, located in the 1800 block of Michigan Avenue, NE. It was at this time that two armed men entered the chapel and robbed three women and two men. Taken were purses, wallets, cash, credit cards and a cell phone.

The first suspect in this case is described as a black male with a light complexion, 5’8” tall, 160 pounds and wearing a black bandanna over his face. He was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweat shirt and black pants. He was armed with a silver colored handgun. The second suspect is described as a black male with a light complexion, 6’ tall, 160 pounds and wearing a wool mask over his face. He was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweat shirt, blue jeans and a dark grey jacket. He was armed with a black handgun.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any robbery committed in the District of Columbia.

- - -

Also of note - homicide at 4013 Gault Place, NE - from MPD:

At approximately 8:57 pm on Friday, November 3, 2006, Metropolitan Police were called to an apartment building located in the 4000 block of Gault Place, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 23-year-old Matheno Immanuel Nichols, of the 2100 block of County Road in District Heights, Maryland, suffering from apparent multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. Personnel from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia responded to the scene and pronounced Mr. Nichols dead.

The case is under investigation by members of the MPDC'w Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099.

The department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

- - -

Homicide in the Unit Block of Quincy Place, NW, from MPD:

At approximately 11:05 pm, on Thursday, November 2, 2006, Metropolitan Police were called to the unit block of Quincy Place, NW, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 27-year-old James Burton, of the 1600 block of First Street, NW, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene, but could not find signs consistent with life. The victim was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia and pronounced dead.

The case is under investigation by members of the MPDC's Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099.

The department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Learn About the Benefits of Composting - Monday, November 6th

What: DC Master Gardeners will explain the many benefits of turning leaves, kitchen scraps and yard waste into an organic, earth-friendly soil amendment that your garden plants will love.

Nature doesn’t waste anything, so why should we? Ed Bruske and John Wheeler, two composting experts, will show simple and economical ways to recycle the organic material around your home. You’ll spend less time bagging leaves. You’ll make fewer trips to the garden center and save money. Learn about composting systems designed for urban and small-scale gardening.

Where: Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, multi-purpose room, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE

When: Monday, Nov. 6, 2006 at 7pm

Contact DC Master Gardeners with any questions you might have about composting.

Collecting and Displaying Art Workshop at Roxanne's ARTiques - Saturday, November 4th

What: Roxannes’s ARTiques & Gallery presents "Collecting and Displaying Art for Interiors."

Topics include:
• Selecting & Collecting Art for the Home - Identify the right kind of art for your interior decorating needs
• The Effect of Art in Interior Space - Discover how choosing a theme can bring continuity to art displayed in your home
• Displaying Art in the Home - Display art in unique ways in your interior space

Presenters include:
• Sharon J. Burton - Art Consultant, Authentic Art Consulting
• Susan Featherstone-Schemm - Principal Designer, Design Scheme Interiors, LLC
• Sherry Burton-Ways - Principal Designer, Design Scheme Interiors, LLC

When: Saturday, November 4, 2006 from 2-4pm

Registration Cost: $20.00 (advance) $25.00 (day of event). Registration includes refreshments and 10% off purchase of artwork. Register early - limited space available.

For more information: Roxanne’s ARTiques, 3426 9th Street, NE (CUA/Brookland Metro Station), 202.526.7020

Hat tip to DC Gal

ANC-5B Monthly Meeting - Thursday, November 2nd

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B Monthly Meeting

When: Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 at 7:30pm

Where: Washington Center for Aging Services, 2601 18th Street, NE

Agenda: TBA