BAWA* Monthly Poetry Reading - Dog Days 3 - Wednesday, June 7th

What: Brookland Area Writers & Artists "Dog Days 3" - the return of their most popular reading, dog-related poetry. All readings are free and open to the public.

When: Wednesday, June 7th, 2006 from 7-8pm

Where: Brookland Visitor's Center, 3420 9th Street, NE (1/2 block from the Brookland/CUA Red Line Metro)

Upcoming BAWA* Events Include:

• Sunday, June 11, 2006
  Reading as an opening act for the Archie Edwards Blues Foundation/Brookland House and Garden Tour Reception
• Sunday, June 11, 2006 from 12-2pm
  BAWA* MEETING!
  Come and join us and meet other artistic types at Cafe Sureia on 10th & Otis
• June 17, 2006 from 4-5pm
  Brookland Writers Celebrate Brookland Artists II
  Featuring poems ekphrasis and about art and artists
  The Graham Collection, 3518 Twelfth Street, NE

Contact: 202.526.1632 or mgushue@bawadc.com (also see the BAWA* listserv)

Woodridge Civic Association & Brentwood Community Civic Association Monthly Meetings Tuesday, June 6th

Woodridge Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, June 6th, 2006, 7:00-8:30pm

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

Etc.: Meets 7:00-8:30pm the first Tuesday of the month, except July and August, at the Washington Center for Aging Services

- - -

Brentwood Community Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, June 6th, 2006, 7:30-8:30pm

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

Etc.: Meets 7:30-8:30pm the first Tuesday of the month, except July and August, at the Washington Center for Aging Services

Contact: Louise B. Martin, president 202.529.8463

Homicide on Lyman Place, NE Yesterday

From MPD:

Homicide Inside 1714 Lyman Place, NE, Closed with Arrest

At approximately 6:31 last night, Sunday, June 4, 2006, police were called to a private home located at 1714 Lyman Place, NE, to investigate the trouble. Upon arrival officers located 41-year-old Timothy Fitzgerald Marshall, of the Lyman Place address, suffering from apparent trauma to the head. Members of the DC Medical Examiner's Office responded to the scene, but found no signs consistent with life and Mr. Marshall was pronounced dead.

The above case was closed with the arrest of 37-year-old Lee Mario Smith also of the Lyman Place address. He was charged with Murder II.

Semi-automatic Sandwich

From MPD:

On Friday, June 2, 2006, at about 9:15 am, a cigarette lighter that resembles a semi-automatic handgun was found in the possession of a 9th grade student who attends McKinley Tech High School, located at 151 T Street, NE.

During the security screening process at the school, a Hawk One Security officer discovered the cigarette lighter handgun replica in the female student's book bag, sandwiched between two slices of bread and wrapped in aluminum foil. The student was suspended. It is unclear why she brought the cigarette lighter handgun replica to school.

This matter was handled entirely by the school. No criminal charges are pending.

Kudos to the school security for finding the "weapon." Again, we must invest in and engage our youth. While I agree with the suspension, what happens from there?

More Bad News, Good News....

Yesterday afternoon 22-year-old Carrington Lewis Hooper was found fatally stabbed in the 3100 block of Newton Street, NE. All we seem to know now is that the police were called to respond to an "aggravated assault." You can also view the MPD news releases on yesterday's traffic snarls here and here. It's difficult to overlook the fact that those arrested in the stolen vehicle are ages 14 (!), 18, and 20. At this point I don't know what else to say other than the undeniable fact that we must continuously invest in and engage our youth.

While I don't intend to post only the bad news here, I do want to highlight crimes/incidents that are often overlooked in our every day news. I know that before I started tracking every RSS feed, community listerv, and Google Alert I can get my hands on (and the time to read), I was often oblivious to the events around me that weren't reported in the Post or on the evening news. I want this blog to be a good home base to find and share information, but it can not - and will not - be limited to the negative. That being said, without the impetus from knowing about the negative events, we may be less committed to being the positive change we want for our community. Complacency will not lead us to progress.

- - -

So, on to the good news . . . . With some relatively cooler weather on the way, this weekend will be a great time to support our local businesses, including Dwellings, Café Sureia, Basements & Attics, Rita's (2318 Rhode Island Avenue, NE), Carl's Subs (2208 Rhode Island Avenue, NE), and Saint's Bourbon Street (1812 Hamlin Street, NE). Where else do you like to go?

Bad Day on NE Gateway Streets

Around 7am four suspected carjackers were arrested after crashing into several cars and flipping "their" SUV on New York Avenue, NE near Bladensburg Road. Then, at aproximately 8:20am, a gasoline tanker collided with a tractor-trailor on Kenilworth Avenue at Eastern Avenue. The cab of the tanker caught fire; luckily the 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel it was carrying did not. Inbound New York Avenue has reopened, but those using both northbound and southbound 295 should look for alternate routes. Be careful!

ANC-5B Monthly Meeting Thursday, June 1st

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B Monthly Meeting

When: Thursday, May 4th, 2006 at 7:30pm

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

Agenda: TBA

Did You Have Any Trouble Getting MPD-5D Response this Past Weekend?

If so - or if an officer mysteriously showed up on foot - WUSA9 just found out why (emphases mine):

If you called for police in parts of Northeast DC over the holiday weekend, they may have arrived late or on foot, according to officers assigned to the area.

Up to 20 squad cars are being held off the streets, but not because of mechanical problems or staff shortages. 9 News has learned the cars being are grounded because they can't find the gas keys.

From the street you can see the police cars lined up at Fifth District headquarters with no place to go, no officers assigned to them. This is one of the highest crime areas of the city.

Police sources say [. . .] Fifth District Commander [Jennifer Green] ordered sergeants to stop issuing the cars because some officers have been repeatedly leaving their shifts and taking home the keys to the gas caps.

9 News obtained a copy of the MPD memo that identified the scout cars that were being pulled from the streets. The mileage and amount of gas were noted for each car to make sure the vehicles were not moved, were not assigned to the streets.

The officers who would have been in these cars have been assigned to foot patrol or they are doubling and tripling up in the available cars.

Fifth District Commander Jennifer Green is on vacation and unavailable for comment but sources say she has refused to use available dollars to replace the missing gas keys. Fifth District cruisers use those keys to gas up at a DC government lot in Northeast, along with other city vehicles. There is no way officers could use the gas keys or these pumps for their personal use according to sources.

Late Tuesday afternoon we got a call back from DC police officials, who say Public Safety was not comprised over the past three days in the Fifth District. They admit that cars were pulled from service and that foot patrols were increased as a result. But they say those administrative measures were needed to reign in the use of the gas keys. Officials say some of the keys were being used to fill up multiple scout cars preventing any accountability.

?!? Sure, I understand you want the keys back, but it's not as if they're irreplaceable, or that the officers are children and that sort of hand-slapping does them, or more importantly us, any good.


I even found this online, available only to law enforcement. That $9.99 + s&h is worth my tax dollars if it means keeping the already low number of patrol cars, well, ON PATROL. I heard for myself at this past week's 5A meeting that we are currently covered by less than an ideal number of officers; bunching them up (in threes!) only dilutes their effectiveness more. And how long will this continue?

You can watch the video clip at the WUSA9 link above, and see WaPo's piece here.

• 5D Commander Jennifer Greene - jennifer.greene@dc.gov


• 5D Citizens Advisory Council Chair, Arthur Slater - talader@verizon.net


• 5D Community Outreach Coordinator, Fayette Vaughn-Lee -fayette.vaughn-lee@dc.gov


• MPD-5D listserv

Not Even an Armored Car Can Protect You....

Mental note: Add PSA meeting info to sidebar...put reminders up here for each and every monthly meeting affecting the Ward 5 community (501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 405)...be sure to attend my own....

Yesterday morning at approximately 10:20am, "a guard with the Dunbar Armored Car Company had just left the Safeway Food Store located at 1601 Maryland Avenue, NE, and was near his vehicle when two men approached him. One of the subjects produced a handgun, grabbed a bag containing an undetermined amount of cash, and shot the guard before fleeing. The guard suffered a gunshot wound to the body and was taken to an area hospital and admitted in stable condition." WaPo link here (not even B01 material?).

I know shit happens, and this was certainly no way to start the day, but must you shoot someone after they give you what you want?! Then again, I suppose if you have the cajones to wear an "orange and yellow visibility vest" whilst robbing an armored guard in broad daylight, what the hell do you care?

Two Homicides in NE Early This Morning - What We Can Do About It

(photo from www.stieglitz.org)

Police responded to the first shooting, at 1265 Simms Place, NE, just after midnight; 26-year-old Darrius Jerome Dyson was pronounced dead with a gunshot wound to the head. At approximately 3:21am, police located 44-year-old Verone Ray Carter inside a vehicle in the 3600 block of Eastern Avenue, NE, suffering from fatal, multiple gunshot wounds to the body.

***UPDATE: 3 men were stabbed this afternoon at the Rhode Island Avenue Home Depot parking lot, an "unofficial day-laborer site." Word on the Brookland listserv is that 2 of the men have since died . . . .***

Please, if possible, attend your ANC, PSA, CAC, and civic association meetings (see sidebar for as-complete-as-possible info). Join the Coalition of Concerned Neighbors (I will add that info to the sidebar soon). Join listservs, start a blog; call and write letters to your Commissioner, Council member, and the Mayor. Walk with your neighborhood Orange Hats . . . . The louder we are, the quieter our community will become.

ANC-5A Monthly Meeting Wednesday, May 24th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting (this link shows you the 2006 schedule - no meetings in August and December)

When: Wednesday, May 24th, 2006 at 7pm

Where: John Burroughs Elementary School, 1820 Monroe Street, NE

Agenda Includes: Crime Hotspots in the Community; 4th and 5th District Crime Reports; Community Concerns

Open Mouth, Insert DCPL

Well, it didn't take long for the backlash to begin . . . . And while I mentioned just the other day that I thought naming Ginnie Cooper Executive Director of DC Public Library was a step in the right direction, I am now happily second-guessing myself (note to self: press releases are meant to paint a rosy picture; I should already know this from work). Take a look at DCist's post today (look past the snarky/patronizing title if you're a fan of libraries/librarians), inspired by Dorothy Brizill's comments in today's DC Watch:

As I reported in themail on May 17, the DC Library Board of Trustees did in fact hold a special meeting on Thursday at which it voted to appoint Ginnie Cooper as the new head of the DC Library system. Cooper is currently the executive director of the Brooklyn Public Library. At a press conference following the board meeting, neither John Hill, chairman of the Trustee Board, nor Ms. Cooper would discuss the terms of her appointment. However, the next day, Friday, Hill issued a press release indicating that Cooper is expected to assume her position this summer, probably in August, and that her pay rate will be $205,000 ($179,946 plus a “retention incentive” of $25,054). In Brooklyn, Cooper was paid $200,000 per year to oversee the fifth largest independent library system in the US, with sixty libraries serving three million residents. In DC, Cooper will be paid $205,000 to oversee a much smaller library system of twenty-five library facilities serving 570,000 residents. Her salary continues the Williams administration’s policy of massive pay inflation for top-level government officials. As the May 19 edition of The Common Denominator reports, the library’s current interim director, Francis Buckley, is paid $138,159; and the library’s previous director, Molly Raphael, earned $121,000 after thirty-three years of service to DCPL.

In a press release announcing Cooper’s appointment, the library board says that “Cooper brings a clear vision of excellence in library services, as well as success in library management and fundraising to the executive director position.” However, New York City newspapers have been replete with stories of Cooper’s management snafus. Last year she had to repay $27,000 after auditors found that she had taken more than six weeks of vacation that were not allowed in her contract. The New York Sun reported that “the Brooklyn Public Library system has struggled with budget cuts, and its branches are currently open fewer hours that those of either of the city’s other two library systems, New York and Queens.” The New York Daily News quoted NYC Councilman Charles Barrow on Cooper’s appointment to head the DC Library system: “I’m sure there won’t be a whole lot of tears . . . over her departure.”

The controversy is much in line with the way DCPL has handled branch closings/"renovations," public input into the future of the MLK, Jr. Memorial Library, etc. While there is no doubt DCPL was urgently in need of a permanent (rather than interim) director, it's obvious that we need a transparent vetting process for the position. Our library system is in need of an extensive, if not complete, overhaul - if the community at large continues to participate only by making what I'd call "comments for the record" rather than being given the the floor with the full attention of the final decision makers, we will find other ways to make our voices heard.

Certainly I'm looking at just two sides of a many faceted story here, but why would we not only hire, but also give a pay increase - in a city with a lower cost of living - to someone who was found to have taken $27,000 worth of unauthorized vacation time? The Common Denominator has more details, including - please be sure you're sitting - "[Cooper] recently came under fire for [. . .] closing a library when a librarian received a minor injury [. . .] . [and] is leaving her current job in the midst of a major renovation of Brooklyn's Central Library, which is expected to be completed in 2007. " DC's residents not afford another library closing or a vacany in DCPL's top position in the midst of our planned renovation(s), and our pockets aren't deep enough for less than the best candidate to lead DCPL in the coming years of transition for $205,000/yr.

Comments? What about from those of you in New York searching for "Ginnie Cooper" who have been directed here?

Gateway Arts District Open Studio Tour Saturday, May 20th

The ultimate in multitasking fun! Come out to support community bloggers Sean Hennessey and Rania Hassan and local arts at the annual Mount Rainier Day Festival (10am-7pm) and the Gateway Arts District Open Studio Tour (12-5pm). Sean has posted detailed info and directions to his and Rania's studio at the Washington Glass School here. I hope to make it out between morning and afternoon work commitments (I'm not complaining - BEA is like heaven for me).

I can't help but see the opportunities for Woodridge's "gateway" by partnering with the budding arts district just steps away. This should not be overlooked by our ANC or the Council. I guess the pestering starts here.

Also of note on Saturday: A tour of the Florida Market area, hosted by Richard Layman and Elise of Frozen Tropics. Count me in for next month!

DC Public Library Names Ginnie Cooper Executive Director

After a long period of interim leadership, DCPL has announced that Ginnie Cooper, currently Executive Director of Brooklyn Public Library, will begin her appointment in DC no later than August 2006. DCPL's site also has links to Ms. Cooper's background, a list of her experience and accomplishments, and glowing remarks from colleagues across the nation. The announcement alludes to the "fact" of a new central Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library built on the former convention center site, as well as renovation for the branch libraries:

Among Ms. Cooper's primary responsibilities as Executive Director will be to respond to citizen's request for improved library services and facilities. Neighborhood branches are slated for renovation or new construction and legislation for a new central Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library built on the former convention center site is pending before the City Council.

A librarian since 1970, Ms. Cooper brings a clear vision of excellence in library services, as well as success in library management and fundraising to the executive director position. Throughout her career as a librarian, Ms. Cooper has experienced nationally recognized success in rebuilding library systems throughout the country.

[. . . .]

As head of the D.C. Public Library, Ms. Cooper will oversee program management and services for the entire library system in addition to managing the Library Transformation Initiative. Her announcement is symbolic of the library transformation efforts proposed as a result of Mayor Williams' Blue Ribbon Task Force to address the neglect and disrepair the D.C. Public Library System has experienced over decades of insufficient funding. In a positive step, the City council recently approved the FY06 Budget Support Act, which includes the allocation of $170 million in capital funding for the needed restoration of 20 branch libraries.

All in all, this sounds like a positive move for DCPL, though one must wonder why, much like the MPD, the leaders of our public services aren't coming from within the ranks.

UPDATE: See one of many updates to come here.

ANC-5C Monthly Meeting Tuesday, May 16th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C Monthly Meeting (not the usual link, but the ANC-5C site hasn't been updated)

When: Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 at 7pm

Where: St. George’s Episcopal Church, 9th floor of the senior building, 160 U Street, NW

Agenda: TBA

Posts I Hope to Make Sooner Rather than Later

Though gathering and posting the information on community meetings takes some time, it's not nearly as involved as crafting opinionated posts on issues I feel strongly about, or transcribing the detailed notes I take at the meetings I'm able to attend. With that in mind, I figured in the meantime I could offer up a short list that I hope to address soon, with relevant links:

• The future of the MLK, Jr. Memorial Library and the state of DCPL in general - Federation of Friends of the DC Public Library, DCist post that includes comments from yours truly
• The Newton Theater (CVS at 12th and Newton) has been added to the DC Inventory of Historic Sites - Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space
• Alarming number of recent muggings on Newton and in the vicinity - Brookland listerv and MPD-5D listerv (log in and search the messages for "Newton" or "mug")
• Increasing issues with drugs, loitering, etc. at Taft Recreation Center and Langdon Recreation Center - Brookland listerv, Woodridge listserv, and MPD-5D listerv (log in and search for "Langdon," "Taft," and "Otis")
• Gay bashing at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church - City Paper's City Desk, Washington Blade, Washington Post
• Arlington police chase ends with suspect shot and arrested in Brookland - NBC4.com (I can't find details in WaPo)

Anything else you'd like to see here?

Brookland Farmers Market Sundays Through October, 10am - 2pm

NEW LOCATION: 12th and Newton Streets, NE

Featuring early spring produce, including
* strawberries
* tender salad greens
* squashes

Plus
* artisan breads
* breakfast pastries
* jams & preserves
* flavored vinegars

And
* bedding plants !!

Come mingle with the neighbors, shop for tasty treats and celebrate spring!!

The Farmers Market is a project of the Brookland Community Development Corporation (Brookland CDC). The best link I can find for them is here, though the info on the Farmers market doesn't appear to be up to date. I will update if I find out the market is being held on Tuesdays as well.

Mayoral Candidate Forum Series at McKinley High School Wednesdays, May 10th - June 28th

What: The Coalition for Voter Empowerment (COVE), a collaboration of Civic Associations and residents of Bloomingdale, Bates, Eckington, Edgewood, and Hanover Place, is hosting "Wednesdays with the Candidates," a series of one-on-one Mayoral interviews.

When: Wednesdays, May 10th - June 28th, 2006, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: McKinley Tech High School Amphitheater, 151 T Street, NE

Interview Schedule:
May 10, 2006 - Vincent Orange
May 24, 2006 - Marie C. Johns
June 7, 2006 - Michael Brown
June 21, 2006 - Adrian Fenty
June 28, 2006 - Linda Cropp

Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association Monthly Meeting Tuesday, May 9th

What: Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, May 9th, 2006, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE

Agenda: Announcements; Newton Theater Landmark Update; MPD-5D Update; Ward 5 Transportation Planner; Community Concerns; Ronald McDonald House New Building Plans

Next meeting scheduled for June 13th, 2006
For additional information contact Mary Baird Curry, 202.635.1970

Coalition of Concerned Neighbors' Council Chair Debate TONIGHT, May 8th

What: The Coalition of Concerned Neighbors (previously mentioned here incorrectly as the Woodridge Coalition of Concerned Neighbors - apologies) is hosting a Council Chair Debate, moderated by Sam Ford from ABC 7, WJLA.

When: TONIGHT, Monday, May 8th, 2006, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Thurgood Marshall Educational Center, 3100 Fort Lincoln Drive, NE (202.576.6900)

Please note the information below comes directly from the flyer for this event, provided by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, and should not be interpreted as my personal opinion....

Council Chair Candidates: Kathy Patterson - Councilmember Patterson first ran for the Coucil as a parent concerned with education in the city. Last year, she worked to guarentee $200 million a year to modernize D.C. Public Schools. Patterson currently serves as chair of the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation; Robert Vinson Brannum - A native Washingtonian and Ward 5 resident, Mr. Brannum is a retired non-commissioned officer from the U.S. Air Force. Brannum is presently serving as the ANC Commissioner for 5C-04; Vincent Gray - A native Washingtonian, Mr. Gray currently serves as Ward 7 Councilmember. Gray's career in social services for urban communities spans over 30 years, beginning with his service as Executive Director of the D.C. Association for Retarded Citizens. From 1990-1994, Councilmember Gray served as the Director of the Department of Human Services.

At Large Council Chair Candidates: Phil Mendelson - A former ANC Commissioner and community activist for over 30 years, Councilmember Mendelson serves as the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee. He has put forth a record in the Council of reducing crime, creating affordable housing, making the tax system fair, creating more responsive government, and cleaning the environment; A. Scott Bolden - Mr. Bolden is currently an equity partner in the law firm of Reed Smith, specializing in government relations and complex civil and criminal defense work. Bolden considers himself to be a public servant and not a politician. He believes D.C. still has far to go with many under-addressed issues such as education, healthcare delivery, young people and crime, the city's social divide, and Statehood.

DC ANC Citizen Conference POSTPONED

The first annual DC ANC Citizen Conference I mentioned last month has been postponed, likely until July in order to hammer out some scheduling conflicts. I spoke with Ms. Lloyd yesterday (she is absolutely delightful!), and I hope to have more details posted soon.

NE DC Historical Society Monthly Meeting Sunday, May 7th

What: NE DC Historical Society monthly meeting focusing on Fort Lincoln

When: Sunday, May 7th, 2006, 2:00-4:00pm

Where: Fifth District Metropolitan Police Station, 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE

Agenda: Presentations will include "Fort Lincoln's Post-Civil War History" by Roy J. Pearson, Jr., Esq. and "Silent Sentinals: The Forts of NE Washington, DC" by C.R. Gibbs. author, lecturer, historian

Etc.: Don't miss next month's meeting on Sunday, June 4th, 2006, same time and location. Presentations will include the historic preservation of Ward 5 by Kathy Henderson, DC Council Candidate for Ward 5 and ANC-5B Commissioner and "A History of the Northeast Gateway" by Patsy M. Fletcher, Community Liaison for the Historic Preservation Office of the DC Office of Planning. Our meetings take place the first Sunday of every month. Starting in July we will change our meetings to the second Sunday of every month. For further information contact: queenstowndc@yahoo.com.

5D CAC Children's Movie Night Saturday, May 6th

What: Fifth District Citizens' Advisory Council / 5D CAC hosts its first Children's Movie Night

When: Saturday, May 6th, 2006, 4:00-6:00pm

Where: Fifth District Metropolitan Police Station, 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE

The Movie: "Remember the Titans" is the true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit. 5D CAC will be serving popcorn, hot dogs, and drinks. Bring the whole family and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment in the company of your neighbors!

ANC-5A Seeks Compromise with IRS To Resolve Tax Mistakes

First publically reported in the March/April 2006 issue of the Brookland Heartbeat (you may need to join the Brookland listserv to view the PDF, but if you send an e-mail to the editor, Abigail Padou, she will send you an electronic copy), ANC-5A is seeking a compromise with the IRS to lift a $21,632 IRS lien imposed on its bank account Dec. 5, 2005. The total tax liability stands at approximately $26,000. Today WaPo reports on 5A's payment of more than $9,900 Dec. 14, 2005 to lift the lien and it's proposed payment of $10,000 to clear the record. According to today's article:

ANC 5A's [annual] allocation is $34,889.40, based on its population of 24,348, which makes it the city's second-largest commission, after ANC 5C.

ANC 5A covers the Brookland, Fort Lincoln, Michigan Park, North Michigan Park, University Heights and Woodridge neighborhoods.

As a result of the commission's tax problem -- first reported by the community newspaper Brookland Heartbeat -- officials have imposed austerity measures on its operations.

In her letter, [5A's Treasurer Sandi Washington] informed the IRS that ANC 5A has decided to seek a volunteer replacement for its paid staff, asked commissioners to take on some duties of the paid staff, and intends to relocate the ANC's office into donated space. The ANC offices are in a rented trailer at 1322 Irving St. NE.

[. . . .]

The District's Office of the Auditor has asked ANC 5A officials to explain how it got into problems with the IRS. Some ANC and city officials said that when the commission corrected its initial mistake of failing to pay payroll taxes, it made a second mistake: It began paying those taxes with the wrong IRS form and sent them to the wrong address.

"It seems to be more a matter of lack of familiarity with procedures than anything else," said [Gottlieb C. Simon, executive director of the District's Office of the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions]. "I believe they paid something to the IRS . . . but not with the right form . . . so penalties started to accumulate with interest payments on it."

Commissioner Timothy Thomas, who was ANC 5A treasurer in 2003 and 2004, said: "It's not a tax problem. . . . It's a penalty problem. . . . It's not like we owe Uncle Sam. They were paying taxes, but come to find out [they were] paying them to the wrong place."

Thomas added that all the commissioners "decided not to talk about" the problem until it was fixed.

ANC-5B Monthly Meeting Thursday, May 4th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B Monthly Meeting

When: Thursday, May 4th, 2006 at 7:30pm

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

Agenda: TBA

Update from In Shaw on Last Night's Meeting

Truxtonian has posted an update from last night's emergency crime meeting on the In Shaw blog. The comments provide some informative community commentary, including thoughts on Orange's role in the state of Ward 5 (but, fear not shell-shocked constituents, Orange is hard at work making sure MLB and Comcast treat us with respect).

Don't forget tonight's PSA 501 meeting in response to the recent surge in neighborhood violence.

Not to Be Outdone, Orange Calls for Emergency Crime Meeting TONIGHT

My guess is that either Orange or someone from his office stumbled across this recent comment on WaPo's DC Wire blog:

Our little corner of Ward 5 (Eckington, Truxton Circle, Bloomingdale) is getting very organized this time around. We are tired of being virtually ignored by Vincent Orange because he had Michigan Park and Brookland in his pocket. This time, we're going to make sure that the winning Ward 5 candidate must have the SW corner of Ward 5 in his or her pocket to win. We're going to vote in droves in September. Heed the warning, council candidates. Don't forget about us.

At any rate, Orange is, according to Commissioner Jim Berry's post on the Eckington listserv, organizing an emergency meeting tonight:

Neighbors,

In response to the significant escalation of gunfire in our community of late and, most recently, the shooting that occurred near the intersection of 1st and Q Streets, N.W. as well as the homicide that took place in the 1400 block of First Street, N.W. last night, Council Member Vincent Orange is convening an emergency meeting at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 3rd and Q Streets, N.W., this evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in their old sanctuary. Specifically, Mr. Orange has asked officials from the Fifth District Metropolitan Police Department to provide a briefing on the recent spate of shootings that have taken place in our section of PSA 501, and to respond to questions or recommendations from community residents regarding the strategy that the MPD is using to address the problem.

I have recommended to Mr. Orange's office that a representative also be present from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) who is responsible for the supervision of offenders who live in PSA 501. That is, the CSOSA can play a pivotal role in helping to identify and discipline those who are under their supervision and are ultimately found to be a contributor to our current problems in any way.

Please help to spread the word among your neighbors. Hope to see you this evening!

Best,

Jim Berry
ANC
5C

Shootings Last Night in Truxton Circle - Community Meeting Tomorrow, May 3rd

Short blurb from WaPo (scroll to the bottom).

E-mail verbatim from Commissioner Cleopatra Jones to neighborhood listservs, including Truxton Circle's Daily Dispatch:

Good-morning Constituents;

Approximately about 9:45 PM last night 1st street, between Q & O MPD taped off the streets and the area was flooded with police to include an evidence team and flood lights. MPD remained on site throughout the night until wee hours of the morning and at this writing the area remains taped off, while the MPD continues its investigation. I have made follow up calls throughout the night and until this writing I have spoken with several officials and have learned that there was a shooting and a homicide. I will be continuing to monitor this situation and keep you informed.

In addition I am concerned with the frequency of shootings in this area for which we must not accept as a way of life. It is time for action and not continuous discussions. We must not accept these ongoing shootings as a way of life. We as residents need to take a proactive approach to improve our community and rid the criminal activities that are operating freely. We must unite to show solidarity to bring about changes that affects all of us now!

We must demand that the DC Government, Elected officials and MPD be responsible for providing resources and manpower to combat the criminal elements that are eating away at the fiber of this community. The time for action is now not ongoing discussions. Our quality of life continues to be jeopardize and the public safety remains at high risk.

I am continuously monitoring this situation and will update you accordingly.

Just me,
Cleopatra Jones,
Commissioner ANC5C02
commishcjones@prodigy.net
(202) 635-2850
(202) 234-4225 fax

In response, PSA 501 has postponed their planned Wednesday walkthrough in order to have a meeting on the recent events in the area:

Due to recent events located in PSA 501 our planned Wednesday walkthrough initially scheduled to began at First and O streets NW @ 6:30 PM will be deferred to offer Capt. M. Scott and Lt. Welch an opportunity to share vital information concerning emerging activities in the community. The Captain will address these issues and neighborhood concerns at the Margaret Murray Washington, Career Senior High School, 27 O Street NW, Room 100, May 3rd @ 6:30 pm. Please plan to attend.

Other Crime Prevention Information: You may meet and talk with your assigned Lt. at your monthly scheduled neighborhood PSA Community Meetings. For meeting information visit the [MPD] on-line at http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/ or the Fifth District here.

You may also contact the Fifth District's Community Outreach Coordinator Fayette Vaughn-Lee for meeting schedules on (202) 698-0188 or e-mail her at fayette.vaughn-lee@dc.gov.

Patrol Service Area 501
Lt. Ronald- Wright-ronald.wright@dc.gov
Lt. Dean Welch- dean.welch@dc.gov

Patrol Service Area 502
Lt. Gregory Stroud- gregory.stroud@dc.gov

Patrol Service Area 503
Lt. Corinne Hughes- corinne.Hughes@dc.gov

Patrol Service Area 504
Lt. Judith Anderson- judith.Anderson@dc.gov

Patrol Service Area 505
Lt. Anthony Medoro- anthony.medoro@dc.gov

5D Community Outreach Coordinator
Fayette Vaughn-Lee- fayette.vaughn-lee@dc.gov

Update: The shooting in the 1400 block of First Street resulted in homicide (see reference in Commissioner Berry's e-mail in the post above).

Woodridge Civic Association Monthly Meeting Tuesday, May 2nd

What: Woodridge Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006, 7:00-8:30pm

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

Etc.: Meets 7:00-8:30pm the first Tuesday of the month, except July and August, at the Washington Center for the Aging

Trash Collection Day Changes for Some Residents Starting May 1st

In an effort to normalize a dozen overburdened trash routes, approximately 7,300 households will have their trash and recyclables collection day switched to Wednesdays. All other elements of the service will remain the same (i.e. residents should continue to put out containerized trash at the point of collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the day before collection and no later than 6 am on the day of collection). The change goes into effect today, and affects only those homes with once-weekly collection service in small areas of Wards 1, 5, 6, and 7. The households should have been notified of the change via printed door hangers that were distributed last Wednesday. View a PDF map detailing which blocks will have trash and recyclables collection switched to Wednesdays here.

WaPo Clearly Does Not Endorse Orange

Between the Home and Garden feature last Thursday and this District section article (also published on 4/20, but somehow overlooked until I sifted through my Bloglines account later that day), it's obvious WaPo doesn't take Orange nearly as seriously as he takes himself. I'm finding it hard not to giggle at the irony; surely Orange thinks the media attention (ANY media attention) will boost the seemingly slim support currently keeping him afloat.

Spring Book Sale at the Woodridge Library Saturday, April 29th

What: The Friends of the Woodridge Library Spring Book Sale

When: Saturday, April 29th, 2006 from 9:30am to 4pm

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

About: Find cooking, fiction, self-help, religion, history, romance, biography, children's, books on tape, videos, records, and much more. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Woodridge Library. For more information, call the library at (202) 541-6226 or e-mail the Friends at woodridgefriends@yahoo.com.

I'll be working the book sale all day - I'd love to see you there!

Woodridge Community Gateway Beautification Saturday, April 29th

What: Clean-up and planting at the Woodridge gateway triangle parks

When: Saturday, April 29th, 2006 from 8am to 12pm

Where: Meet at the triangle park at 8am near Taft Recreation Center at the corner of 20th Street and South Dakota Avenue, NE

Etc.: Wear appropriate clothing and bring your gloves - everything else will be supplied

You Already Knew This...

Housing prices in "transitional" neighborhoods have increased considerably in the past few years. Today's WaPo looks at some changes from 2004 to 2005:

When Connie Maffin bought her Victorian townhouse near Logan Circle 32 years ago, she had no inkling of the transformation that would overtake the neighborhood in the coming decades.

Now friends ask Maffin, who heads the D.C. Real Estate Board and is an associate broker with Coldwell Banker, how she had the foresight to buy in an area where prices have escalated to well over $1 million for similar houses. She says she

But she can tell you about similar transitional neighborhoods that still have "affordable" housing but are on their way up.

"I'm thinking LeDroit Park, Shaw east of Ninth Street, Northeast in Brookland and Michigan Park," she said. "These areas all have good housing stock. There are young people coming in. The neighborhoods are looking better and better."

A median sales price of $412,000 for a single-family house or townhouse in the District last year was $7,000 below median for the entire region, according to a Washington Post analysis of government sales records. But at a median sales price of $365,750, the city's condominiums were among the costliest in the area, although they appreciated at only 12.3 percent last year vs. 28.8 percent for single-family houses and townhouses, according to that analysis.

The median is the midpoint in prices: Half of all homes cost more than the median, and the other half cost less. While some sought-after areas such as Cleveland Park have median prices of more than $1.1 million, many neighborhoods have median prices of less than $400,000. But would-be buyers should be aware: Many lower-priced areas are where real estate values are appreciating most rapidly.

The neighborhoods around the New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet University Metro station on the Red Line have shot up in value. The station, in Zip code 20002, opened in November 2004; that year, the median price of a single-family house or townhouse in that Zip code was $258,000. In 2005, the median was $376,000, a jump of 45.7 percent.

Other neighborhoods that have traditionally been among the city's more affordable have seen similar price spikes. To the north of 20002, Brookland and the rest of Zip code 20017 saw the median house price rise 44.8 percent, from $230,000 to $333,000.

Just to the east of that in Zip code 20018, which reaches to the city's eastern boundary, prices shot up at nearly the same rate, with a median house price of $350,000.

Though I was surprised to see that Woodridge's (20018) median price was higher than Brookland's. When we were looking for a home last spring - with 20/20 hindsight, not the best time to be naïve on the market - we couldn't afford anything in Brookland proper. Out of the 7 (!) houses we bid on, 1 was in Brookland, 1 in Lincoln Park, and 5 in Woodridge, where we are today. And, imho, I don't reccommend anything other than a traditional mortgage, particularly for first-time homebuyers still establishing credit.

ANC-5A Monthly Meeting Wednesday, April 26th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, April 26th, 2006 at 7pm

Where: Friendship Edison Charter School, 2959 Carlton Avenue, NE

Agenda Includes: Zoning regulations as they relate to renovations (perhaps like the house on 24th and Lawrence?); Woodridge Warriors Youth Organization; Meet new business neighbor Rita's; 4th and 5th District crime reports; Communtiy concerns.

Next ANC-5A monthly communtiy meeting May 24th, 2006

Friday Afternoon Homicide in the 1600 Block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE

I haven't been able to find out any more than the following MPD news release:

April 21, 2006

Homicide in the 1600 Block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE

On Friday, April 21, 2006, at approximately 3:19 pm, Metropolitan Police were called to the 1600 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival police located 18-year-old Brandon Day, of the 1500 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the body. He was transported to the Washington Hospital Center's MedStar Unit and pronounced dead at 3:48 pm.

The case is currently under investigation by members of the MPDC's Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone who has information regarding this case is asked to call (202) 727-9099.

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

Ward 5 Council Candidate Forum TONIGHT, Monday, April 24th

What: Ward 5 Council Candidate Forum

When: Monday, April 24th, 2006 at 7pm

Where: Bertie Backus Middle School, 5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE (between Hamilton and Galloway Streets near the Ft. Totten Metro)

Who: Joe Harris, III; Regina James; Ron Magnus; Bruce Marshall; Miriam Moore; Audrey Ray; Steve Rynecki; Debbie Smith; Carolyn Steptoe; Harry Thomas, Jr.; Frank Wilds; Vera Winfield; Raenelle Zapata

A bit more detail from this week's DC Watch:

Ward 5 Council Candidates Forum, April 24
Hazel Thomas, thomashazelb@aol.com

The Ward 5 Democrats organization will host a Ward 5 council candidates forum on Monday, April 24, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Bertie Backus Middle School, 5100 South Dakota Avenue, NE. Backus School is located on South Dakota Avenue between Hamilton and Galloway Streets near the Ft. Totten Metro Station. The program will begin with a brief business meeting and conclude with announcements about upcoming economic development and community projects; however, the focus of the meeting will be the Ward 5 Council candidates forum. The Forum is planned to give Ward 5 residents an opportunity to review the key platform issues of all the candidates competing for the Ward 5 City Council seat. Critical topics to be addressed include: housing, economic development, employment, public safety issues, youth, family, seniors and retiree issues. Each of the candidates will have two minutes to give an opening statement, followed by questions from a media panel, and questions from the audience. The forum will conclude with a closing statement from each candidate.

As of April 19, the persons who have filed their candidacy for Ward 5 Council seat with the DC Board of Elections or the Office of Campaign Finance are: Joe Harris, III, Regina James, Ron Magnus, Bruce Marshall, Miriam Moore, Audrey Ray, Steve Rynecki, Debbie Smith, Carolyn Steptoe, Harry Thomas, Jr., Frank Wilds, Vera Winfield, and Raenelle Zapata.

This is the second in a series of candidate forums hosted by Ward 5 Democrats. On March 27, the organization hosted an audience of 300 at Israel Baptist Church to presentations from the five primary candidates running for mayor. On May 22, the organization will present candidates vying for the At-Large and Council Chairman seats at McKinley Technology School, 4th and T Streets, NE (near the New York and Florida Avenues METRO station, just north of the FEDX office. For more information about the Ward 5 Democrats' Mayoral Forum, contact Anita Bonds, Chair of the Ward 5 Democrats at 492-1199, or Hazel Bland Thomas, Press Officer, at 491-4295.

As usual, I'm unable to make this forum due to an ongoing Monday evening commitment....Please, if you go, send along any observations in the comments. Also note the three Mayoral Candidate forums this week: tonight's hosted by the Crestwood Neighborhood League, tomorrow's hosted by Trinity University; and Wednesday's (while I'm at the ANC-5A monthly meeting - I will make it to one these forums soon!) hosted by Edgewood Terrace.

If Only Something Rhymed with Orange...

I want to believe that Jura Koncius, author of "The House of Orange" in today's WaPo, was snickering while writing "[t]he man whose name is plastered on 10,000 orange-and-blue 'Vincent Orange for Mayor' signs sprouting from utility poles from Anacostia to American University Park has a serious thing for his namesake color." Snickering, that is, about Orange having a thing for his namesake's color, not about plastering the city's utility poles with his campaign posters. The latter just isn't all that funny....

Oh, and then there's the line, "The guy is a walking theme park." Perhaps I'm reading far too much into this, but this clearly isn't just in reference to Orange's affinity to orange, but it also alludes to "his occasionally over-the-top publicity stunts: He has pumped gas to draw attention to its high cost, and he has made a folksy 10-minute biographical video to show at fundraising events. In speeches, he quotes -- and performs -- from the music of James Brown."

Well, you read this Home & Garden piece for yourself and then take a stab at the other Orange coverage in WaPo here and here. Personally, I'd like a bit more substance from the largest paper in the region as we enter the last 4 1/2 months of the mayoral race.

2nd Arrest Made in Connection with Carjacking and Robbery Spree

From the latest update in the WaPo, it looks like the 16-year-old kid arrested at the National Zoo early Tuesday is connected:

Police officials said they also had renewed interest in the 16-year-old District youth arrested after a car chase early Tuesday. The pursuit began about 12:30 a.m. after police spotted another Nissan that had been carjacked just an hour earlier in Northeast Washington.

The youth was caught inside the National Zoo, arrested and charged with unlawful entry. Police said Tuesday afternoon they did not think he was connected to the spate of crimes.

That night, crime scene technicians realized a key seized from the youth belonged to another carjacked vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe stolen in Northeast Washington Monday afternoon, police said.

And there's just nothing better than getting caught in front of a pawnshop tearing the speakers out of a stolen vehicle:

John West was ordered held without bail pending a hearing Friday in D.C. Superior Court. West, of no fixed address, was arrested Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of a pawnshop on Georgia Avenue NW. He was driving one of the carjacked vehicles, a tan Chevrolet Blazer, police said.

As West tried to rip out one of the speakers in the hopes of selling it to the pawnshop, he was arrested, police said. In West's pocket, investigators found the key to the carjacked vehicle of the off-duty officer, police said.

Video of the carjacking at the Universal Ballet Academy on Harewood Road NE here.

DC, MD Hit by Carjacking-Robbery Wave

WaPo article here. Looks like the last, and possibly related, carjacking took place at 24th and Perry Streets NE.

This update was given by Lt. Donald Craig this morning on the MPD-5D listserv (includes additional crimes):

Last night there was a homicide in the 2000 block of 3rd Street N.E. The decedant was the target and we made an arrest for Carrying a Pistol Without a License. The case should be closed out rather quickly on the homicide charge.

Then we had an Armed Carjacking at 24th and Perry Place N.E. About an hour later the vehicle was spotted at 4th and Franklin Street and fled from our officers. The stayed with the car until the suspects bailed out in the Third District. One arrest was made but the other suspect(s) got away. We are checking to see if they are related to the robberies and carjackings that occurred yesterday.

Then there was an attempted robbery in the 3100 block of Rhode Island Avenue N.E. The complainant was shot and then drove himself to the hospital. If anyone has any information about this please send Lieutenant Hughes an e-mail.

Finally Officers Oden and Hinton answered a call for a Theft from Auto at 123 W Street N.W. They caught the subject in the act and tried to arrest him but he resisted. During the struggle Officer Hinton was injured (nothing too serious though). They finally were able to handcuff him. He was charged with Assaulting a Police Officer and First Degree Theft.

Updates: The article now has more details (it's grown from 1 page to 2), and a new graphic of the crime spree is here. MPD's press release is here.

DCPL Events Saturday, April 22nd: "Fix It Up" Campaign and Town Hall Meeting on the Mayor's Proposal for a New Central Library

Please, if at all possible, attend the townhall meeting this coming Saturday, April 22nd, at 1pm. The letter below, sent to neighborhood Friends of the Libraries (I belong to the Friends of the Woodridge Library), outlines the many concerns of community members. Whether or not you were able to attend one of the "Listening Sessions" earlier this year, I urge you to make your voice heard this weekend (it looks like you should call in advance if you plan on providing testimony; I hope there is some time carved out for open comments/discussion...).

I am a bit dismayed at the timing - this weeked the Woodridge, Capitol View, Francis A. Gregory, and Chevy Chase branches are closed on Saturday (Earth Day!) for a "Fix It Up" campaign from 9am - 2pm. We still need volunteers (and a working elevator at Woodridge, but I digress), yet it is imperative that the community continues to give input into the future of DCPL. Please come out early to volunteer for a few hours and then make your way downtown in time for the meeting. There's very little we can get done at the branches in just 5 hours with a handful of people, and I guarantee you that the Mayor, the Council, and the DCPL Board of Trustees can't be held responsible for their decisions if we aren't there to tell them what we expect for the future of DCPL.

Note: All emphasis below is mine.

Friends –

I wanted to alert you to an emerging issue surrounding the potential disposition of the main DC Public library, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G Street, NW. Councilmember Kathy Patterson has scheduled a "Town Hall Meeting" on the specific provisions of the Mayor's legislation for this Saturday, April 22 at 1:00 pm in the main hall of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

Mayor Williams has inserted language into the Budget Support Act of 2007 that would allow the current home of the main DC Public Library to be leased to a private entity for 99 years. A relocation of the main library is currently proposed somewhere on the Old Convention Center site some two blocks form the current building. The Mayor's legislation goes on to grant the Mayor or his designee powers to negotiate both PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes) and TIFs (taxes in lieu of financing) as well as issue bonds to finance the construction. All funds are directed to go into or come out of a Library Development Trust Fund that was established in a January 2006 law, the Library Enhancement, Assessment and Development Act (LEAD Act).

As the President of the Federation of Friends of the DC Public Library, I am concerned by both the lack of public involvement and the lack of clarity regarding the final product and how it will serve the residents of the District of Columbia. The Board of Library Trustees has never discussed any of these specifics in public session and they have passed no resolution in the last two years beyond a general "sense of the board" that they would support a relocation of the main library.

The Councilmember has scheduled this hearing during a Council recess in order to give the public a chance to comment on the proposal before the District budget is considered by the Council's Committee of the Whole in early May. One hearing on the Budget Support Act was already held (Tuesday, April 11) and the Mayor brought in Directors from two library systems (Brooklyn and Salt Lake City) to testify. There was no testimony from the public at that time because the specifics of the Act had not been brought to the attention of Councilmember Patterson (Chair of the Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation), the Board of Library Trustees, or the Friends of the Library.

Whatever your personal opinion about the current home of the main library, I hope that you will consider joining me in speaking out at the town hall meeting this Saturday. The Council and the residents of the District of Columbia need to hear clearly that citizen involvement is not a hurdle but a tool for achieving real progress. The main library of the District of Columbia should not be a political football, tossed between politicians, developers, and bureaucrats. The residents of the District of Columbia deserve a living memorial to Mr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A living memorial dedicated to improving the lives of every resident of the District of Columbia and supporting their dreams while improving their reality.

If you would like to provide testimony at the hearing, please contact the Council Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation at 202-724-8195. I hope to see you at the Town Hall Meeting this Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 1:00 pm in the lobby of the MLK Library, 901 G Street, NW.

Richard Huffine, President
Federation of Friends of the DC Public Library
richardhuffine@yahoo.com
http://www.dclibraryfriends.org/

ANC-5C Monthly Meeting Tuesday, April 18th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, April 18th, 2006, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Where: Archbishop Carroll High School, 4300 Harewood Road, NE

Invited Guests: Tom Carroll - Holland + Knight; Topher Cushman - Macy Development; Eric Welp - Shaw Eco Village; Dr. Bi Tazong - Washington Hospital Center; MPD-5D

Agenda: PDF posted here

Orange Attempts to Script Ward 5 ANCs at Tonight's State of the Ward Convention and Address

From The Washington Post's "DC Wire" blog:

Will Ward 5 ANCs Erase The Script?

D.C. Council member Vincent B. Orange Sr. (D-Ward 5) wanted the ward's Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners to join him during his State of the Ward address today.

So Orange's office announced that he plans to do a roll call of the ANCs during the "convention and address," where Orange and the commissioners will talk about the ward's past improvements and future steps.

To make sure that the council member and the commissioners would be on the same page, Orange's office sent them "scripts" to read.

There is only one problem: some of the commissioners don't want to read them. They don't like the idea of Orange telling them what to say. After eight years on the council, a few commissioners rhetorically asked why Orange now wants the ANCs to tout the ward's accomplishments on his political stage.

"I was infuriated that my intelligence had been insulted ... that someone would have the nerve to write a script for us to deliver," said Mary Currie, one of the outspoken commissioners. "It would have been a lot more personalized if Mr. Orange had called the ANCs and talked to people. There was no personal touch. It was 'Just do this' like we're on his payroll."

We won't know whether they'll read the scripts or erase Orange's plan until today's program, which will be held at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, 610 Rhode Island Ave NE at 6 p.m.

Also of interest: "April is Vincent B. Orange Sr. Month!"

Ward 5 Convention and State of the Ward Address Wednesday, April 12th

(from the Eckington Listserv)

WARD FIVE CONVENTION AND
THE STATE OF THE WARD ADDRESS

A BLUE PRINT FOR THE FUTURE

SAVE THE DATE
WEDNESDAY APRIL 12, 2006
6:00PM - 9:00PM
GREATER MT. CALVARY HOLY CHURCH, 610 RHODE ISLAND AVE. NE

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES BY
DUNBAR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
DC YOUTH ENSEMBLE
AND MUCH MORE!

MEET THE 2006 WARD 5 COUNCIL CANDIDATES
RECOGNITION OF FORMER WARD 5 COUNCILMEMBERS

WARD 5 ROLL CALL!

ANC 5A

ANC 5B

ANC 5C

CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS

CITIZENS GROUPS

WARD 5 DEMOCRATS

WARD 5 COUNCIL ON EDUCATION

Sponsored by the Office of Councilmember Vincent Orange, Ward 5

I learned about this too late and won't be able to make it, but I'd love to hear comments and feedback from those who do attend.

BAWA Poetry Reading Wednesday, April 12th

What: Brookland Area Writers & Artisits National Poetry Reading Month Poetry Reading. Michael Gushue, Dan Vera, Sue Scheid and other memebers of BAWA will be reading poems by Brooklanders such as Sterling Brown, poets who have lived in DC, poets celebrating National Poetry Month, as well as their own work. There will also be time for open mic readings as time permits

When: Wednesday, April 12th, 2006 at 6pm

Where: Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (at the corner of 18th and Rhode Island Avenue, NE), 202.541.6226

Woodridge Coalition of Concerned Neighbors Meeting Monday, April 10th

What: Woodridge Coalition of Concerned Neighbors Meeting

When: Monday, April 10th, 2006, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Where: Woodridge Library, 18th and Rhode Island Avenue, NE (202.541.6226)

Special Guests: Marie Johns - Candidate for Mayor; Regina James - Candidate for Ward 5 Council; Carolyn Graham - Candidate for Chair of the Board of Education; James Berry - ANC Assembly; Public Safety Update - MPD-5D

* The Coalition of Concerned Neighbors will be hosting the first annual DC ANC Citizen Conference to be held at McKinley Technology High School Saturday, May 6th, 2006, from 8am - 2pm (this event has been postponed - I'll post new info when it's available). If you would like to volunteer, sponsor, or support this endeavor, please call Ms. Lloyd at 202.903.6197 or Janae Grant at 202.365.8303.

The coalition of Concerned Neighbors meeting is held on the second Monday of every month.

Brookland Civic Association and ANC-5A SMD-06 Community Meeting Tuesday, April 11th

What: Brookland Civic Association and ANC-5A SMD-06 Community Meeting

When: Tuesday, April 11th, 2006, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Where: Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michighan Avenue, NE

Agenda: Includes CSX-Toxic Train Update; MPD-5D Update with invited guests Commander Green, Captain Taylor, and Lieutenant Stroud; Newton Theatre (CVS) Landmark Nomination Presentation by John Freely; Ward 5 Neighborhood Planning Coordinator Debra Crain

Next meeting is Tuesday, May 9th, 2006

For additional information contact Mary Baird Currie at 202.635.1970

ANC-5B Monthly Meeting Thursday, April 6th (Today)

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B Monthly Meeting

When: Thursday, April 6th, 2006 at 7:30pm

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

Agenda: According to the Brookland Heartbeat newsletter, the guests include the developer of the 13th & Rhode Island Avenue site. I'd love an update on this from anyone who attends.

Still Here....

There's nothing like a kick-ass case of the flu to knock the momentum out of everything you've been working on....Before the virus I was deftly (imho) juggling a number of "extracurricular" activities, including this blog, attending community meetings, taking Shambhala Buddhism classes, working on improv 2-3 days/evenings a week, volunteering for WIT, washing the dishes every so often, etc. Getting sick just showed me how close to the edge I was. At any rate, I'm getting back on track, and I wanted to let any readers still out there know.

Also, I know I've mentioned it before, but I feel my absence requires me to say it again: I want this blog to be useful to the Ward 5 community and DC as a whole. Please send me any links, news, updates, etc. that will help further this mission.

Mendelson Holding Tax Assessment Workshops - But When and Where?

I just learned about these meetings on the 4D-Neighbors Listserv:

(Washington, DC) Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) will hold a set of four tax assessment workshops throughout the District over the next two weeks. The workshops are designed to answer residents' questions about the tax assessment process, the tax appeal process, and eligibility for certain deductions. "This is a difficult subject for people. In most cases residents have seen a steep increase in their assessments. They need to understand the tax appeal process and find out how they can challenge an unfair assessment," stated Mendelson. Representatives from the Office of Tax and Revenue will accompany Mendelson at each of the meetings. This is the fourth consecutive year Mendelson has held such meetings throughout the city. "It's important to help protect their pocket book," says Mendelson. "As elected officials, we continue to hear about property taxes. It's really the only tax about which we hear complaints. This issue is important to District residents."

My issues:
* I can't find any listings for meetings other than the one that happens this evening (3/16) for Petworth, Columbia Heights, and LeDroit Park at the 3D Police Station, 1620 V Street, NW, 6:30pm. Does anyone else have the information?
* Does Mendelson explain the difference between the assessment and the capped assessment? My understanding is that most residents pay only on the capped amount; the current cap is at 10% (unless you've owned your home for less than a year, like me - you get to wait for a full turning of a fiscal year before the cap goes into effect - and you are, essentially, screwed). I believe the appeal will work only if you can prove your house is worth less than the capped amount, and that's typically unlikely.
* Does he discuss or better explain why he was against a 5% cap when a number of states are reducing their caps to 3% and lower?
* Finally, how can this be "really the only tax about which we hear complaints?" I'm certain both my driver's license and license plates clealy state "Taxation Without Representation."

Brookland Civic Association & ANC-5A06 Meeting Tuesday, March 14th

What: Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association & ANC-5A06 Meeting (it's not clear to me how/why these are combined)

When: Tuesday, March 14th, 2006 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Where: Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE

Agenda: Opening Remarks / Announcements; Old Business: Crime Report, Metro Station Construction Update, CSX-Toxic Trains in Brookland Overview; Invited Guests: Chief C. Ramsey, 5-D; Commander J. Green, 5-D; Congresswomen Eleanor H. Norton; DC School Board Vice Chair Carolyn Graham; Ward 5 Councilmember Vincent Orange; Fred Millar; Community Concerns; New Business; Adjournment

Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 11th, 2006

More Information: Contat Mary Baird Currie, 202.635.1970

Fight Hunger with Dining Out for Life Thursday, March 9th (today!) and the Idiotarod this Saturday

If you get the chance to go out for lunch or dinner today, you can make every penny count. This year, Dining Out for Life has coordinated 150 local restaurants in DC, MD, and VA that will each donate 25-100% of their March 9th sales to support Food & Friends' growing mission. The list varies in both style and price range. I've never had a better reason to eat myself silly at Zed's!

- - -

On a similar note, DC's first Idiotarod (yep, you read that right) will start at 2pm this Saturday (while I'm at the Ward 5 Constituent Services Summit). 50% of all proceeds will be donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Good times all around.

Ward 5 Constituent Services Summit Saturday, March 11th

What: 7th Annual Ward 5 Constituent Services Summit

When: Saturday, March 11th, 2006 from 8:30am - 3pm

Where: Trinity University (O'Connor Auditorium), 125 Michigan Avenue, NE

About the Summit (from the Ward 5 "News You Can Use" newsletter):
Come to the 7th Annual Ward 5 Constituent Services Summit to meet face-to-face and dialogue with agency directors charged with providing service. For onsite registration for Summer Youth Employment (10:00am until 2:00pm) you must bring: proof of residency, citizenship/permanent residency, Social Security Card, and recent report card. For additional information please call (202) 724-8028.

Public Safety Townhall Meeting Thursday, March 9th

What: Public Safety Townhall Meeting on "Criminal Investigation to Incarceration and Beyond"

When: Thursday, March 9th, 2006 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Where: Savoy Elementary School, 2400 Shannon Place, SE (across from the Anacostia Metro Station)

About the Meeting (from the Ward 5 listserv): The issue of public safety is a continuing concern among all District residents and the government has failed to slow the revolving door of recidivism. Make a difference - come out and let your voices be heard on the District's Criminal Justice System.

Saving the Source Theatre

Though it has gotten coverage in the media (here, here, here, and here), I'm not sure enough people are aware of the pending contract Bedrock Companies (Atomic Billiards, Buffalo Billiards, Mackeys, etc.) has on the Source Theatre property. Tomorrow night (Thursday, March 2nd) I'll be attending the ANC-1B meeting, 7pm at the True Reformer Building, 1200 U Street, NW to support Washington Improv Theater (WIT) and those in the community who want to see the facility remain a viable theater for the DC arts community. Mark Chalfant, WIT's Artistic Director, wrote a wonderful letter and sent it to all concerned parties - the list is far too long to repeat here. The letter, however, sums up why DC - not just the Ward 1 community - must come together to save the theater:

On behalf of Washington Improv Theater (WIT), I am writing in regards to the recently announced sale of the Source Theatre facility at 1835 14th Street, NW. Source has announced plans to sell the building to the Bedrock Companies, who plan to convert the space to a bar and grill with pool tables. News of the sale is deeply troubling to everyone who wants the arts to thrive in Washington. We urge you to do anything in your power to prevent the arts community and the community at large from losing this valuable cultural asset.

Historical Context:

For twenty-eight years, this 140-seat black box theater has hosted many of our city's finest emerging talents – actors, directors, playwrights and theater companies – playing a unique role in cultivating new work and driving creative and economic activity to 14th Street, NW, one of our city's great streets.

In A Nutshell:

Exact details of the Source Theatre Company's situation have been hard to come by. The basic facts, to the best of our knowledge so far, are:

• Source shut its doors two years ago to sort out its finances, promising to open them again in a few months' time and to engage the community in efforts to resolve the company's problems. That outreach and reopening never occurred, and the decision to sell the property seems to have been made with no community consultation.

• The sale of the property to the Bedrock Companies is set for closing in May, with a sale price in the $3-million range.

• Source owes the city approx. $375,000 on a mortgage note, and $25,000 for the return of a facilities grant for roof repairs which were never executed.

• Source has other debts, the extent of which is unknown, as Source has so far refused to disclose them.

• DC has invested several thousand dollars in the Source's success over the years, in the form of grants and gifts.

What Could Happen:

There are at least three plans which could succeed in keeping the Source alive as a performance space. All of them would require a new party assuming Source's mortgage, resolving Source's debts, and taking over management of the facility at 1835 14th Street, NW.

Option 1 – A collective of arts groups bands together to make the Source a co-operative venture. So far one such interested group includes the In Series, Actors' Theatre of Washington, Latin American Folk Institute, and Washington Improv Theater.

Option 2 – The Cultural Development Corporation, the nonprofit organization that operates the Flashpoint arts incubator, assumes the operation and maintenance of the facility. CuDC has confirmed that they would be interested in exploring this option.

Option 3 – A single tenant theater/performance company takes over Source's debts and the facility. Washington Improv Theater may have capacity to explore this, but only after complete financial disclosure on the part of Source.

What Must Happen:

A dialogue. The Source has a fantastic opportunity to engage the arts community in finding a solution that resolves Source's outstanding debts and stabilizes the facility's management so that it can continue its legacy of fostering some of DC's most adventurous and innovative theater. On the other side of the table, the nice folks at Bedrock Companies have an opportunity to listen to the community where they wish to establish a business, and perhaps to understand why the Source is such an irreplaceable treasure for the city.

At a time when the city is investing in new theatre development citywide, we must urge you to invest equal energy in this venue's preservation. Please join in encouraging the Source and the Bedrock Companies to search for a solution to prevent the destruction of this vital, historic theater venue.

They can begin that search by engaging the community in an earnest and informative discussion of the Source's outstanding debts and circumstances—the discussion that was promised by Source when they initially closed their doors.

If you are unable to attend tomorrow evening's ANC meeting, please consider contacting the following, in addition to spreading the word on your neighborhood listservs and blogs, and writing letters to editors:

- Councilmember Jim Graham, 202.724.8181, jim@grahamone.com

- ANC-1B02 Commissioner Philip Spalding (who has reportedly expressed support for the sale), 202.986.5053, ANC1B02@PhilSpalding.us

- ANC-1B04 Commissioner Dee Hunter, 202.822.4529, DHunterlaw@aol.com

- Mayor Anthony Williams, 202.727.1000, http://dc.gov/atd/atd_askthemayor.asp.

Update: Save Our Source is "a blog for the grass-roots effort to restore and preserve the Source Theatre facility at 1835 14th Street, NW, as a vital cultural asset for the 14th and U Community."

Sign this online petition to "urge Bedrock Companies and the leadership of Source Theatre to stop the planned sale of Source Theatre's building at 1835 14th Street, NW, and to engage the neighborhood and the arts and funding communities in a dialog to craft a strategy to retain the Source's facility as a self-sustaining arts and performance hub in midtown."

ANC-5B Monthly Meeting Thursday, March 2nd

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B Monthly Meeting

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

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

Agenda: TBA