Brookland Bed & Breakfast Now Open!

David Fox has opened up the Brookland Bed & Breakfast, located at 3619 12th Street, NE. The B&B offers 5 double rooms and 1 single room at $85/night for the single and $95/night for the double; rooms are reserved via reservation only.

Amenities include:
· Clean, cozy, and convenient lodging for your visit to the Nation's Capital and at a reasonable price
· One block from the Brookland station on the Washington Metro system's Red Line
· A number of shops and services are located immediately around the B&B
· The B&B features five double rooms and one single room over two floors
· Continental breakfast served every morning from 7:30am to 9:30am
· Each room in the B&B features cable TV
· Complimentary wireless high speed internet access is also provided

For information or to make a reservation, please call 202.315.8714, or e-mail David at david@brooklandbandb.com.

ANC-5A Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, June 27th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 at 7pm

Where: HSC Pediatric Center / Hospital for Sick Children, 1731 Bunker Hill Rd, NE

Agenda Includes:
· MPD-5D and MPD-4D crime reports
· Kwame Brown, Councilmember-At-Large
· Debbie Wargo, Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC
· Community Concerns

Please Help the Lloyd-Neal Family Rebuild

From ANC 5A-11 Commissioner Janae Grant:

On Monday, June 18th, 2007, the home of Saymendy Lloyd-Neal (Chairperson of the Coalition of Concerned Neighbors) and Paul Neal caught fire. Unfortunately, they lost many possessions, but there was no loss of life. Traditionally, the Lloyd-Neal's are givers and don't ask for anything in return. At this time, it is humbly requested that we honor their selfless spirit of giving and make a donation in the form of a gift card for any amount from one of the following stores: Target, Walmart, or Sears.

Please mail donated gift cards to:

Saymendy Lloyd-Neal or Paul Neal
3404 Hewitt Avenue #1
Silver Springs, MD 20906

3129 Newton Street, NE
Washington, DC 20018

Or drop off at one of these locations:

June 24th, 2007 @ 10am
Israel Baptist Church
1251 Saratoga Ave, NE

June 27th, 2007 @ 7pm
ANC 5A Monthly Meeting
HSC Pediatric Center / Hospital for Sick Children
1731 Bunker Hill Rd, NE

July 11th, 2007 @ 7pm
PSA 503 Monthly Meeting
HSC Pediatric Center / Hospital for Sick Children
1731 Bunker Hill Rd, NE

Many thanks in advance for your generosity!

REMINDER: Rhode Island Avenue Redevelopment Brunches - Two Left in June & July

Just a reminder that only two brunches are left! Have you been yet? If so, what info/updates can you share? Also, what would you say if I told you I'm planning on creating an organizational plan for a Community Development Corporation/CDC or Main Street Program for the Rhode Island Avenue NE commercial corridor in Woodridge, 18th Street to Eastern Avenue....Any interest in collectively working to revitalize the broader area to benefit the community?

- - -

Janice Lillian Booker is inviting residents of the Woodridge, Langdon, Gateway, and South Central neighborhoods to attend brunches in June and July to introduce her development projects planned for the 2000 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

Please attend to learn and explore the roles these communities can play to make the revitalization of the Rhode Island Avenue commercial corridor an accomplishment for all of us.

The brunches will take place at 2008 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, from 11am-1pm on:

Saturday, June 2nd
Saturday, June 9th
Saturday, June 16th
Saturday, June 23rd
Saturday, July 14th

Each brunch will accommodate 40 community residents. Pre-registration and registration confirmation are required. Please call 202.529.3610 to reserve a place at the brunch you wish to attend.

Free parking will be available in the lot at 2027 Rhode Island Avenue, NE (the old National Bank of Washington building beside St. Francis De Sales Church - the sign of the last tenant, Educational Solutions Academy, is on the side of the building).

Brunch attendees will include Reena Racki and Associates (architects for Phase I of Ms. Booker's projects); staff from the DC Office of Planning; Eddie Harrison, Woodridge Civic Association; Leslie Bournes, Gateway Citizens Group; Frances Penn, South Central Community Association; Jhaz Phifer, ANC 5A-10 Commissioner; and Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.

Draft Concept Plan / Community Workshop # 5 for the Brookland/CUA Small Area Metro Plan - Saturday, June 23rd

What: The DC Office of Planning invites the public to participate in a community workshop on the Draft Concept Plan for the Brookland / CUA Metro Station Area Plan. There will be a public meeting in July to present the results of this meeting.

When: Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 - Open House 9:00-9:30am, Workshop 9:30-noon

Where: Catholic University of America, Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center, Great Room A (view campus map here)

RSVP: 202.610.0005 or rsvp@jsallc.com

Questions and additional information: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner, at 202.442.7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov. Reports are available from the Office of Planning.

Another Man Shot in Carver-Langston

Just 24 hours after a homicide in Carver Terrace.

From NBC4:

Police said a man was found suffering from a gunshot wound Wednesday night in northeast Washington.

Police officers had responded for the report of a shooting just before midnight in the 900 block of 19th Street.

Officers found an adult male who had been shot in the back.

Authorities said the victim was conscious and taken to a hospital for treatment.

There has been no word on the victim's condition.

SMD 5A-11 Neighborhood Walk & Cleanup

What: Join Commissioner Janae Grant on a community walk to promote health, neighborhood cleanliness, and neighbor interaction in SMD 5A-11

When: Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 at 8am (rain date: July 14th, 2007)

Where: Meet outside 2900 Newton Street, NE and walk up Newton Street to Taft and back

Homicide at 1211 18th Street NE

From MPD:

At approximately 10:50 last night, Tuesday, June 19, 2007, police were called to the rear of 1211 18th Street, NE, for the report of the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival they located 20-year-old William Marquez Aull, of the 1600 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to the head and upper torso. DC Fire Department emergency medical personnel responded to the scene but found no signs consistent with life. He was taken to the Office of the DC Medical Examiner and pronounced dead.

The case is under investigation by members of the department’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.

ANC-5C Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, June 19th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, June 19th, 2007, 7-9pm

Where: Dunbar High School Auditorium, New Jersey Avenue at O Street, NW

Agenda Includes:
· Dr. Harriet Kargbo, Principal of Dunbar High School
· Cynthia Hill, DC Housing Finance Agency
· Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.

* Note: The audience is asked to wait until recognized by the Commission Chair before making comments and to limit question/comment to 60 seconds in order to give others an opportunity to be heard. Every effort will be made to recognize all, but only one person will be recognized at a time. Thank you for your cooperation.

* ANC-5C citizens are invited to bring to the meeting suggestions and recommendation on things/ways to improve the community. Items may include government services and actions needed, as well as private-sector resources, assistance and services. Information received will be factored into the neighborhood plan for ANC-5C to form the basis of service delivery planning for the Commission through 2007-08.

Coalition of Concerned Neighbors Monthly Meeting - Monday, June 18th

What: Coalition of Concerned Neighbors Monthly Meeting

When: Monday, June 18th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (corner of 18th Street and Rhode Island Avenue)

Special Guests: Phil Mendelson, Councilmember At-Large, Chair of Public Safety and Judiciary Committees; Kwame Brown, Councilmember At-Large, Chair of Economic Development Committee; MPD-5D

Etc.: The Coalition of Concerned Neighbors meets the third Monday of each month. For questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Lloyd at 202.903.6197 or Mr. Neal at 202.257.0001. You can also contact the Coalition at 202.882.1683 or concernneighbors@aol.com.

Byte Back Summer Classes Start Monday, June 11th

Byte Back Community Computer Training Center
815 Monroe Sreet, NE
Telephone: 202.529.3395
Fax: 202.529.4684
E-mail: info@byteback.org
Web Site: www.byteback.org

REGISTRATION HOURS:

Monday-Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday, Noon to 4:00pm

Summer 2007 Class Schedule

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

Excel 1
Wednesdays, 6:00pm-7:30pm
June 13 - July 18
$50

Introduces spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel: understanding cell
addresses, the different cursors and parts of the spreadsheet, sorting
data, using formula, simple functions, and graphing with Excel.
Prerequisite: PC Beginners.

MS Office Fast Track
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30am-noon or 6:00pm-7:30 pm
June 12 - July 31
$150

Windows XP file management, word processing with MS Office WORD, spreadsheets and graphing with EXCEL, and an intro to POWERPOINT.
Prerequisite: PC Beginners or placement test.

Hardware 1
Saturdays, 11:00am-noon
June 16 - July 7
$50

PC function, assembly, troubleshooting and upgrade

HTML 1
Wednesdays, 6:30pm-8:00pm
June 13 - August 1
$100

HyperText Markup Language is a script used to construct web pages. HTML 1 teaches bare bones construction of a web page, font, color, lists, and tables to control the placement of elements on the page.
Prerequisite: Keyboarding, File Management (PC Beginners) and Word 1.

PC BEGINNERS
AM - Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:30am-noon
3 weeks - June 11 - June 27
$50
PM - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:30pm
4 weeks - June 12 - July 5
$50

Personal computing for beginners on Windows XP. Mouse basics, managing files and folders, using a typing tutorial, cut and paste, e-mail, and internet search.

WORD 1
Saturdays, 12:30pm-2:00pm
June 16 - July 21
$50

Word processing using MS Word 2003. Editing text and formatting text at the character level, paragraph level, and document level, graphics and templates.
Prerequisites: Keyboarding and PC Beginners.


Byte Back is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing high-quality computer training to low-income residents of Washington, DC and the surrounding area.

SMD 5A-11 Monthly Meeting - Monday June 11th

What: SMD 5A-11 meeting with Commissioner Janae Grant

When: Monday, June 11th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Friendship Public Charter School - Woodridge Campus, 2959 Carlton Avenue, NE

Agenda Includes: Neighborhood planning with Ward 5 Planning Coordinator Deborah Crain

NE DC Historical Society Meeting - Sunday, June 10th

What: Join the NE DC Historical Society as they continue to explore the history of our Northeast Washington communities - past, present, and in years to come. This month the community focus will be "The Rhode Island Avenue Corridor." The host will be the Premier Community Development Corporation with Hazel Thomas, Chairperson.

When: Sunday, June 10th, 2007, 2-4pm

Where: Saint Francis De Sales School, 2019 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

Presentations will include:
· "The Future of the Rhode Island Avenue Corridor and The History and Status of Voting in DC" by Harry Thomas, Jr., Ward 5 Councilmember

· "The Present Status of the Rhode Island Avenue Business Corridor" by Beyla Adero, Proprietor of Nature's Rhythm.

· "An Open Community Share of Your Reminiscences on the Businesses along the Rhode Island Avenue Corridor", including parishioners and friends of St. Francis de Sales Church. Everyone, of course, is welcome to come and share their memories!

Etc.: For those unable to attend this meeting, don't miss next month's meeting to be held from 2-4pm on Sunday, July 8th, 2007. We will have a special "H Street Encore Presentation." Our meeting will again take place at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, Laboratory 1, 1333 H Street, NE. Presentations will include "The History of Union Station" by Bill Wright (postponed from May), "The History of the Uline Arena" by Richard Layman, and more.

Our meetings take place the second Sunday of every month. During the month of May we will meet the third Sunday. Contact queenstowndc@yahoo.com for further information.

Fort Totten Park Tour - Sunday, June 10th

Join Washington Central Parks this Sunday, June 10th, 2007, for its third Walk Fort Totten Park! If you’ve missed the prior two, now’s your chance - before it gets too hot - to learn about the natural landscape, plants and geology of this wonderful gem in Washington’s Emerald Necklace. We will meet at 12:30pm in front of the Hitching Post Restaurant, across from the entrance to the Armed Forces Retirement Home/Old Soldiers’ Home, at the corner of Upshur Street NW and Rock Creek Church Road. No rain date.

- - -

Washington Central Parks is a community-based organization that is working to reopen and revitalize the historic parks and open space network of North-Central Washington. Three parks - Fort Totten, Old Soldiers' Home, and McMillan Park (reservoir and filtration field) – could be threaded together with pedestrian and bicycle trails to create a unified network of open space and parks that would serve neighborhoods from Brightwood to Bloomingdale, Columbia Heights, Pleasant Plains, Park View and Petworth to Catholic University and Brookland. You can visit us on the web at www.washingtoncentralparks.org. We are seeking the support and help of our
community in this important endeavor. PLEASE JOIN US TO REOPEN WASHINGTON CENTRAL PARKS – NOW! For more information, Contact Reyn Anderson.

» More information from the first tour here

SMD 5A-09 Monthly Meeting - Sunday, June 10th

What: SMD 5A-09 meeting with Commissioner Shirley Smith

When: Sunday, June 10th, 2007, 2-3:30pm

Where: Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE

Agenda: TBA

Future Meetings:
Sunday, July 8th
No meeting in August
Sunday, September 9th
Sunday, October 14th
Sunday, November 11th
Sunday, December 9th

Saturday Night Out in Brookland - Discounts this Summer

Dance Place is partnering with Wohlfarth Galleries, Roxanne's ARTiques & Gallery, Washington Works on Paper, and Colonel Brooks' Tavern for Saturday Night Out in Brookland, a new venture offering multiple discounts each Saturday beginning on June 2 and ending on August 11, from 5-8pm with Dance Place performances beginning at 8pm.

Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy a summer evening in Brookland with dinner, visual arts and performing arts, all at affordable prices!

Participating organizations and their discounts:

• Colonel Brooks' Tavern, two dinner entrees for the price of one (with the second entree equal or lesser in value to the first) - 901 Monroe Street, NE

• Dance Place, 20% off performance tickets (check performance schedule at www.danceplace.org, call 202.269.1600 to purchase tickets) - 3225 8th Street, NE

• Roxanne's ARTiques & Gallery, 20% off purchases - 3426 9th Street, NE

• Washington Works on Paper, 20% off purchases - 3420 9th Street, NE

• Wohlfarth Galleries, 20% off purchases - 3418 9th Street, NE

Mention Code: KEEP MOVING to obtain your discount.

"At Home in Brookland" Celebration & Related Events - Saturday, June 9th

At Home in Brookland event to celebrate the spirit of home
Saturday June 9th, 2007, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The Historic Brookland Main Street program and businesses in the Greater Brookland neighborhood are sponsoring "At Home in Brookland," on Saturday, June 9, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm. Events will take place on 12th Street NE, Brookland's main commercial corridor, as well as on 9th Street NE, with complementary events in other parts of the neighborhood.

"At Home in Brookland" will feature events, demonstrations, and products to highlight and capture the spirit of home. Events will focus on purchasing, designing, furnishing, decorating, improving, repairing, entertaining, and relaxing at home.

(This event is designed to complement the annual Brookland House and Garden Tour, which is held the second Sunday of June. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the House Tour won't be held this year.)

Businesses and community organizations will be offering free trainings and presentations throughout the day, including:

- DC Fire and Emergency Services firehouse Engine Company 17 "reopening" open house celebrating the completion of an 18 month renovation project during which the firehouse was closed, 1227 Monroe Street, NE;
- the 20th anniversary open house and Community Media Day for DCTV, the District's community access cable television organization, 901 Newton Street, NE (Colonel Brooks Mansion);
- Community Computer Day at Byte Back, a community access computer training organization, 815 Monroe Street, NE;
- and the week long DanceAfrica event at Dance Place, the community and regional arts center devoted to the presentation and expansion of dance, 3225 8th Street, NE.

WALK THE BROOKLAND MILE: Community members are invited to put on their comfortable shoes and "Walk the Brookland Mile" to meet and greet local business owners and their neighbors, while exploring all the goods and services locally available for their home. Use the list below to locate participating businesses or look for the white tents or green, yellow, and blue balloons that mark the business locations. All participating businesses will have free bottled water.

Participating Businesses:
Allstate, 2901 12th Street NE
Keller Williams, 3124 12th Street NE
Keller Williams will hold an open house with free credit reports and Home Value Reports and will have a Moon Bounce for the children.
The Total Relaxation Store, 3101 12th Street NE
Visit Total Relaxation for a highly coveted Gift Certificate or for candles, soaps, and lotions to help you relax. Events include free Mini-Spa Treatments.
Basements & Attics, 3217 12th Street NE
Visit Basements & Attics, a re-sale/consignment furniture and home accessories shop. Proprietor Norvell Jackson invites you and your family to investigate new arrivals.
Classic Framing & Art, 3219 12th Street NE
Frame a family picture or special work of art at Classic Framing & Art or choose a work of art from their own collection.
Brookland True Value Hardware, 3501 12th NE
Brookland Hardware will be demonstrating an environmentally friendly, no chemicals carpet cleaning machine-the new Host Dry Carpet Cleaning System. Host can be used on all types of carpet, including wool and sisal.
Dwellings, 3509 12th Street NE
Dwellings will feature demonstrations throughout the day on entertaining at home, featuring wonderful tapenades and other gourmet treats.
Edward M. Johnson & Associates, 3612 12th Street NE
The Johnson pavilion will feature workshops on paint colors, building green, and renovation ideas.
Citibank, 3800 12th Street NE
PNC Bank, 3806 12th Street NE
Yes! Organic Market, 3809 12th Street NE
Petals Ribbons & Beyond, 3906 12th Street NE
Petals, Ribbons, & Beyond will be holding an outdoor tent sale, with birdhouses, plants, and summer wreaths. From 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, visitors can learn the art of making a flower centerpiece. Those wishing to take a centerpiece home may do so for $15.00 (for flowers and container).
The Menkiti Group Sales Team and The Ilora Condos, 400 Evarts Street, NE
Menkiti Group will host the closing reception at the Ilora Condos from 4-6 PM with remarks by Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. as well as refreshments, a raffle drawing, and an opportunity to tour the first fully renovated Ilora condo unit.

For more information about "At Home In Brookland," contact Richard Layman, Interim Program Manager, Historic Brookland Main Street program, at 202.526.4848, or by email at rl.brookland@yahoo.com.

At Home in Brookland - Related events

Brookland Fire Station Reopening Celebration
After almost 2 years of renovations, Brookland's fire station (Engine Co. 17) has reopened! In celebration, Captain Redington and all our local firefighters and medics are hosting a neighborhood open house on Sat., June 9th from 10am to 5pm. Festivities will include:

*Free cook-out
*Free fire helmets and balloons for kids
*Tours of the fire engine and the paramedic unit
*Tours of the fire station, which still has its original brass fire pole
*Fire safety instruction for kids
*Antique fire apparatus on display

Come one, come all...The fire station is located at 1227 Monroe St, NE.

DCTV's Media Access Day / 20th Anniversary Celebration
DCTV cordially invites you to attend its 20th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, June 9th. DCTV will host an all day extravaganza of food, workshops, entertainment and games for the entire family. The all day event will be held at Brooks Mansion. A reservation is required.

Byte Back Community Computer Day
In conjunction with DCTV's Media Access Day / 20th Anniversary Celebration. Stop by for free classes on various topics and kids activities from 10am-5pm.

There will also be free computer recycling from 10 - 4. This is an opportunity to clean your house of that old computer equipment and dispose of it responsibly. We are especially looking for monitors - an organization that sends computers to Tanzania will be collecting the monitors.

If you have any questions, please contact Patricia M. Jayne, Executive Director at pjayne@byteback.org or 202.529.3395.

DanceAfrica presented by Dance Place
DanceAfrica, DC 2007 will run from June 4 through June 10, 2007. DC's 20th annual festival celebrates the dance and music of the African Diaspora. The vitality and richness of African culture is experienced through dance, music, visual arts, food, clothing and crafts. Through master classes, outreach to school children, a performance series and an African Marketplace, DanceAfrica, DC promotes a greater understanding of African culture and illuminates its importance to this city and the nation. The festival is hosted by artistic director and festival Griot, Chuck Davis.

The week long festival includes:
• Master Classes, June 4-10
• African Marketplace, June 9-10, 1:00 – Sundown
• FREE Outdoor Performances, June 9-10, 1:00 – 7:00 pm
• Indoor Target Family Series Matinees, Saturday, June 9 and Sunday,
June 10 at 3:00 pm
• Indoor Evening Performances, Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10
at 8:00 pm

Where: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street, NE; two
blocks from Brookland/CUA red line subway station, free and convenient parking.

Tickets: Target Family Series Matinee Tickets: $20 day of, $15 in advance, $7 children 17 and under (part of the Target Family Series – each paying adult may reserve a free ticket for one child 12 & under.)

Evening Performance Tickets: $30 day of show, $25 in advance, $10 children 17 and under. To purchase tickets, call 202-269-1600.

"Building Our Community Together" Ward 5 Economic Workshop #2 - Saturday, June 9th

What: Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. will host a Ward 5 Economic Workshop - "Building Our Community Together"

When: Saturday, June 9th, 2007, 9-11am - Registration begins at 8:30am

Where: Trinidad Recreation Center, 1310 Childress Street, NE

Agenda Includes:
9-10am: Predatory Lending
10-11am: Economic Development Overview with updates on Arbor Place, New Town, Washington Gateway Retail Center, and the Home Again Initiative in Ivy City

For additional information call 202.724.8028.

- - -

Fifth District Open House
Saturday June 9, 2007
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
MPD Fifth District Station
1805 Bladensburg Road, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department, Fifth District will sponsor an Open House. Our theme is "Working Together for a Safer Community." We urge you to come and see the Fifth District in action and join us for a day of fun.

The event will include tours of the Fifth District, informational displays, a moon bounce, senior games, music, food and much more. For more information, please contact Fayette Vaughn-Lee at fayette.vaughn-lee@dc.gov or 202.698.0188.

Blogging the Block

Yup - that's me. Thanks to the Post, Christina Breda Antoniades, and Dayna Smith for highlighting just a snippet of the hyper-local coverage neighborhood bloggers offer the DC area.

I've been out of town for work the past four days, so it'll take me a bit to catch up on email, RSS feeds, and posting....then I'm off to another conference! June will be somewhat bumpy around here, so thanks in advance for your patience.

Woodridge & Brentwood Civic Associations Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, June 5th

What: Woodridge Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, June 5th, 2007, 7:00-8:30pm

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

Etc.: A reminder that the Woodridge Civic Association meets the first Tuesday of the month, except July and August, at the Washington Center for Aging Services.

» The Brentwood Community Civic Association meets at the same location, 7:30-8:30pm.