NE DC Historical Society Meeting - Sunday, April 15th

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.

When: Sunday, April 15th, 2007, 2-4pm

Where: The Orelia Ledbetter Room of the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 5301 North Capitol Street, NE (at the corner North Capitol and Riggs Road)

Presentations will include: The focus for this session will be the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, a beacon of light to the communities of Riggs Park, Lamond-Riggs, Fort Totten, Chillum, the South Manor community of Manor Park, and voting precinct 65. Plymouth Congregational's rich history dates back to 1881. So join us as Mrs. Orelia Ledbetter, longtime member and wife of Plymouth's departed pastor emeritus, acquaints us with this thriving and nurturing religious and community organization impacting youths through senior citizens.

Etc.: For those unable to attend this meeting, don't miss next month's meeting to be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on Sunday, May 20th, 2007. Our meeting will take place in Laboratory 1 of The Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street, NE. The presentations will include such topics as the Uline Arena, Union Station, Swampoodle, the H Street Trolley Car, and H Street's burgeoning entertainment district.

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

Fatal Stabbing at 51st Street and Banks Place, NE

From MPD:

Shortly before 3:30 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2007, police and DCFD emergency medical personnel responded to the area of 51st Street and Banks Place, NE to investigate the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they discovered a male suffering from a stab wound to the upper body.

The victim, who has been identified as 40-year-old Moses Anderson, of the 7000 block of Greig Street in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, was transported to Prince George’s County Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:02 pm.

The case is currently under investigation by detectives assigned to the department’s Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone who has information regarding this case is asked to call 202.727.9099.

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

Missing Brookland Man's Body Pulled from the Anacostia

From MPD (though I never saw an initial missing persons' report):

Earlier today, a news release was issued misidentifying the body of an adult male recovered from the Anacostia River at approximately 3 pm yesterday, April 10, 2007 as a person reported missing on March 23, 2007. It has now been determined that this missing person was located and returned home.

The individual recovered yesterday from the Anacostia River is now identified as 49-year-old Rodney Lindsey of the 1000 block of Michigan Avenue, NE. Mr. Lindsey had been reported missing on April 7, 2007. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the DC. Medical Examiner.

"Building Our Community Together" Ward 5 Economic Workshop - Saturday, April 14th

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

When: Saturday, April 14th, 2007, 9-11am - Registration begins at 8:30am

Where: Catholic University, Caldwell Hall Main Floor [pdf] (Caldwell Hall is located in square B-C/11-12 on the linked map. The lower or southern end of Caldwell, closest to the Basilica, is also called the "Seton Wing" of Caldwell (and it is so labeled on the map) and that is where the entrance to the Auditorium is located. Visitors can park in the lot right next to Caldwell, in the McMahon parking lot.)

Workshop Partners Include: DC Office of Small & Local Business; DC Office of Planning; Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF); and Washington, DC Economic Partnership.

For additional information call 202.724.8028.

- - -

Celebrate Emancipation Day in Ward 5
Immediately after (2pm), you can head over to the Ward 5 Emancipation Day Community Event at the U.S. Soldiers' Home at Rock Creek Church Road and Upshur Street, NW. Celebrate with Chuck Brown, the All City Marching Band, and the Dance Place Step Team. Additional details are here.

"City's Definition" Opening Reception at Roxanne's ARTiques - Thursday, April 12th

Roxanne's ARTiques and Gallery Presents
"City's Definition"

featuring artists:

Miles Bumbray
K. Wesley E. Clark
Shaunte Gates

Opening Reception
Thurs. April 12th - 6-8:30pm

Closing Reception & Artist Talk
Sunday May 6th 4-6pm

Exhibition Dates
April 12 - May 6, 2007

Roxanne's ARTiques & Gallery
3426 9th Street, NE
202-526-7020

CUA Display on New Opus Hall Project

From Craig Parker, CUA General Counsel and Associate VP for Community & Government Relations:

The Catholic University's neighbors in Brookland are invited this week, Wednesday through Friday, to see a display regarding Opus Hall, CUA's newest residence hall project which begins construction later this spring. The display features a full-size mock-up of a typical suite in the new building. The Office of Housing Services invites the community to learn more through "The Opus Hall Experience" which will take place April 11 to 13 on the third floor of the Pryzbyla Center. On April 11, from noon to 7 p.m., and April 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, there will be visual displays, voting opportunities on color selections and the full-size mock-up of a suite. On April 13 displays will be available in the Pryzbyla Center, Room 209. For more information, contact housing services at cua-housing@cua.edu or 202-319-5615.

Thanks to Craig Parker for this information and his continuing efforts to bridge any gaps between CUA and the greater Brookland community.

Food & Friends to Deliver 10 Millionth Meal - Tuesday April 17th

Join Special Guest, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty,

and Food & Friends' Clients, Volunteers, Board, Staff and Supporters

as we Commemorate our 10 Millionth Meal!

Mayor Fenty will Package Food & Friends' 10 Millionth Meal

and Deliver it to a Food & Friends Client

Tuesday, April 17
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Food & Friends
219 Riggs Road, NE
Shuttle Service Available from Fort Totten Metro Station

Breakfast will be Provided

RSVP by this Friday, April 13

Community Workshop #3 for the Brookland/CUA Metro Plan - Thursday, April 12th

What: The DC Office of Planning invites you to attend the third community workshop in a series for the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan

When: Thursday, April 12th, 2007, 6-9pm

Where: Noyes Elementary School, 2725 10th Street, NE (enter at Franklin Street auditorium door)

Agenda: This community workshop focuses on the guiding principles of the development plan for the neighborhoods surrounding the Brookland/CUA Metro station. Open House,6-6:30pm; Workshop, 6:30-9pm.

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

Upcoming Community Workshops:
• Design Concepts - Wednesday, May 16th, 6-9pm

» Consultant's reports and additional information are available here.

Two-Alarm Fire in Trinidad Leaves Residents Homeless

From NBC4:

Residents of four row house apartments in Northeast are looking for temporary housing following a morning fire.

D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Alan Etter said the fire broke out at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1200 block of Raum Street.

Etter said residents of all four units were home when the fire occurred.

They escaped without any apparent injuries, but a senior woman is being evaluated for medical problems.

At least a dozen people lived in the four apartments that were damaged by the fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Additional details and pictures can be seen at dcfire.com.

PCDC Forum on School Reform - Wednesday, April 11th

From the Premier Community Development Corporation (PCDC):

Contact: Hazel Thomas, Chair, 202-491-9245
Dominique West, Forum Chair, 202-898-5063
Stephanie Rones, Executive Director, 202-250-PCDC

Citizens to Debate Council Vote and School Reform Proposal at PCDC Pubic Forum on April 11th, 2007

Premier Community Development Corporation (PCDC), a nonprofit community membership organization designed to improve housing, economic development, and the quality of life in Ward 5, is sponsoring a forum to discuss the school reform proposal.

The forum, entitled: "Standing Up for Children, Families, and Communities: The Role of Government and Stakeholders in Improving Our Schools, Our Neighborhoods," will be held on Wednesday, April 11th, 2007, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the North Michigan Park Recreation Center located at 13th and Emerson Streets, NE.

The Forum will be a public discourse on school governance and will focus on critical topics such as: citizens' involvement in the decision making process, the impact of the environment on academic achievement in the District, and possible solutions to improving schools and neighborhoods. Invited guest panelist include: representatives from the Mayor's office; School Board President, Robert Bobb; and others. The panel will address questions from the moderator and the audience; for example:

- The mayoral schools takeover -- a panacea, cure-all, current fad, or public relations attention-grabber?
- What is the cost of the proposed school takeover and the impact on bureaucracy?
- What does accountability entail? Will being in charge guarantee success and problems fixed?
- How can D.C. reduce the problems in communities and homes that affect teaching and learning?
- How can the D.C. school system improve school performance now?
- What are the roles and responsibilities of parents, teachers, civic leaders, business leaders, labor, faith community, and government leaders in improving education?
- How does the "No Child Left Behind" law impact schools?
- How can we make a difference in education and make D.C. a model for the world?
- Should traditional D.C. schools be funded like charter schools? Why are charter and traditional schools regulated differently overall?
- Should there be a referendum for any Home Rule charter changes? Can we wait for Wards 4 and 7 elections?

The forum is free and open to the public.

Premier Community Development Corporation
Improving Ward 5 Housing, Economic Development and Quality of Life
1309 Rhode Island Avenue NE, Suite B, Washington, DC 20018

Phone: 202.250.PCDC
Fax: 202.250.PCD3
premiercdc@yahoo.com

If anyone knows more about PCDC (I couldn't find a website or other online presence for them), please leave details in the comments.

Homicide in the 1800 Block of Central Place, NE

From MPD:

At approximately 12:30am, on Sunday, April 8, 2007, police were called to an apartment building located in the 1800 block of Central Place, NE, for the report of an unconscious person. Upon arrival police located 56-year-old Robert Beidleman, Jr., of the above address, inside of an apartment suffering from apparent multiple stab wounds to the body. DC Fire Department emergency medical personnel responded to the scene but could find no signs consistent with life. He was taken to the DC Medical Examiner’s Office 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 Metropolitan Police 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.

Brookland Civic Association & SMD 5A-06 Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, April 10th

What: The Brookland Civic Association and SMD 5A-06 monthly meetings will be held jointly.

When: Tuesday, April 10th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

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

Agenda Includes:
· 7th and 8th Street Changes Update
· Ronald McDonald House Relocation Proposal
· MPD-5D
· Elsie Whitmore School; proposed sale to charter school (located at Oakview Terrace, Perry and Otis between 12th and 13th Streets)
· Cardinal's Nest Restaurant; customer service issues
· Larry Sanders, owner of the 10th Street Shopping Center; plans for the future
· Discussion of proposed closing of Brookland Elementary and Slowe Elementary Schools

Etc.: For more information, call Marie Baird Curry at 202.635.1970.

ANC-5B Monthly Meeting - Thursday, April 5th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B Monthly Meeting

When: Thursday, April 5th, 2007 at 7:30pm

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

Agenda: TBA

NE Teen Missing Since Monday

From MPD:

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person, identified as Altonio Herbert Johnson. He was last seen at approximately 9am, on Monday, April 2, 2007, leaving his residence located in the 100 block of 49th Place, NE.

Altonio Johnson is 13 years old. He is described as a medium complexion black male, 5’7” tall, weighing approximately 125 to 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and blue or white shirt.

Anyone with information regarding Altonio Herbert Jonhson’s whereabouts is asked to call police at 202.727.9099.

Suspect Fires Gun in Pants - Shoots Officer and Himself

This would have been so much funnier if the officer hadn't been hit...from WUSA9:

A DC Police officer is recovering from a gunshot wound to the left calf. He was among 3 officers from the 5th District Focus Mission unit who were patrolling the streets in the Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast when they encountered three men drinking in an alleyway off of Penn Avenue [Street?].

Investigators say two men complied with a request to pour their alcohol out but a third man took off and was caught a short time later. As they attempted to arrest him, police say there was a struggle and the suspect fired a gun that was in his waistband, hitting himself in the left thigh and the officer in the left calf.

The unidentified officer is expected to make a full recovery. The suspect underwent surgery Tuesday night. He'll be charged with assaulting a police officer, a far more serious charge than drinking in public.

Woodridge & Brentwood Civic Associations Monthly Meetings - Tuesday, April 3rd

What: Woodridge Civic Association Monthly Meeting, in conjunction with the Brentwood Community Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007, 7:00-8:30pm

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

Etc.: Mayor Adrian Fenty will be in attendance. Both civic associations meet the first Tuesday of the month, except July and August, at the Washington Center for Aging Services.

DC Likely to Reimburse Feds $3.36M Over Closed DMV Inspection Station

From today's Examiner:

The District anticipates having to repay more than $3 million to the federal government now that the Department of Motor Vehicles has decided not to reopen its Northeast Inspection Station.

Outdated, in disrepair and poorly equipped, the station, located at 1827 West Virginia Ave. NE closed in 1999 for reconstruction. Today, despite having spent nearly $8 million to rebuild it, the facility remains shuttered, and the decision has been made to keep the bays locked permanently.

DMV Interim Director Lucinda Babers recently told a D.C. Council committee that the agency’s lone inspection station, at 1001 Half St. SW., experiences "little to no lines" except on Mondays, at lunchtime and after holidays. Waits were reduced through improved staffing and new equipment that streamlined the process, she said.

"We realize that it may be more inconvenient for customers who have to still come to Southwest," Babers said. "But the cost effectiveness isn’t there."

The District spent $7.9 million, including $3.36 million in federal highway funds, to rebuild the Northeast facility.

D.C. officials say the feds likely will have to be reimbursed, though the government has yet to ask for its money back.

Just in case, D.C. is working "to identify the appropriate source of funding," mayoral spokesman Mafara Hobson said.

"Nothing’s concrete in terms of how we’re going to pay them back, but we’re sure we’re going to come up with something so we can proceed," Babers told the council committee.

The building, now 90 percent complete, likely will be turned over to the Department of Public Works for use in fleet maintenance.

The city stopped work on the station in 2003 out of frustration with delays it blamed on the contractor. The District ended up paying D.C.-based HRGM Corp. nearly $3.7 million in two installments to settle the matter.

Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham, who has oversight of the DMV, said the federal reimbursement is an important but unanswered question. But not operating the Northeast station, he said, should save the District money in the long run.

"It certainly makes sense to pause and not do it if we don’t need it," Graham said.

7-Year-Old Missing in NE

The Metropolitan Police Department is asking for the public's assitance in finding a missing 7-year-old boy.

Police said William Jones was last seen Tuesday at 8:30pm leaving his home in the 5000 block of Jay Street, NE.

Jones is described as a black male, 4 feet in height, weighing about 48 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing multicolored pants (red, white, blue), a multicolored shirt (red, white, blue), and a camouflage coat.

Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 202.727.9099.

I'll post a picture if/when one becomes available.

Homicide on Mount Olivet Road

**UPDATE** This case was closed on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 with the arrest of 18-year-old Cordell Anthony Smith, of the 2600 block of Brinkley Road in Temple Hills, Maryland. He has been charged with Murder I while Armed and is scheduled to be arraigned in DC Superior Court.

From MPD:

At approximately 1:30 this morning, Wednesday, March 28, 2007, police were called inside a 2nd floor hallway of an apartment building located at 1060 Mount Olivet Road, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers located 20-year-old Rayshard Austin, of the 1100 block of Cherry Hill Road, in Beltsville, Maryland, suffering from apparent multiple gunshot wounds to the body. DC Fire Department emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, but could find no signs consistent with life. He was taken to the DC Medical Examiner’s Office 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.

Brookland Ties for Worst Neighborhood to Grab a Bite to Eat

Though it was sweet of the new Share Your DC site to include Brookland in its survey, Michael Grass at FreeRide wonders if Brookland was included as a "sacrificial lamb":

So we'll see what the crafty marketers extract from the input of experts and everyday people like you and me. Maybe, just maybe, we'll get a slogan like this: "Explore Your Nation's Capital: Just Don't Eat in Brookland."

Don't hate the messenger, hate the reality of the message, particularly based on recent negative reactions to the Cardinal's Nest and the limited options for sit-down dining. What do you think?

ANC-5A Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, March 28th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, March 28th, 2007 at 7pm

Where: Mt. Horeb Baptist Church - Fellowship Hall, 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE

Agenda Includes:
· ANC Business
· Police Report - MPD-5D
· Crime Solvers - Presentation
· DC Rape Crisis Center - Presentation
· Community Concerns

Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 at 7pm, Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE

Providence Hospital Community Health Fair - Wednesday, March 28th

What: Providence Hospital is hosting its 5th annual community health fair

When: Wednesday March 28th, 2007, 12:30-4:00pm

Where: Providence Hospital's Carroll Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1150 Varnum Street, NE

Etc: In celebration of National Nutrition Month, National Kidney Month, and National Social Workers' Month, the fair will have over 40 representatives from local and regional health organizations. The American Kidney Fund will sponsor a free kidney screening. For additional information please call 202.269.7100.

Drum Circle at Café Sureia - Sunday, March 25th

What: Café Sureia presents a community drum circle to celebrate the arrival of the spring/vernal equinox

When: Sunday, March 25, 2007, 2-4pm

Where: Café Sureia, 3629 12th Street, NE

Details: Join your neighbors to celebrate the coming of SPRING! Feel the primal rhythm of the universe, play midwife to SPRING and drum your ass off! NO EXPERIENCE necessary. All ages and all levels of experience are welcome. Just bring your joy for life and prepare to have the time of your life. Jerry Peloquin, Brookland resident, organizational psychologist, and a drummer who played with such famous artists as Nina Simone, Paul Winter Consort, and Jefferson Airplane will facilitate the drum circle.

Bring your percussion instruments — hand drums, shakers, claves, tambourines, etc. (no snares, please). A donation of $5.00 per person is requested.

About Drum Circles: Drumming and rhythm are natural parts of our daily lives. Our very life blood and existence are driven by the beat or our hearts and the steady rhythmic pattern of our breathing. The sea pulses upon the shore. The clock ticks away the hours. We are naturally attuned to the beat. It is a profound part of our nature and once we reconnect, it frees us and binds us. When the beat builds and is driven by the group, it links us all together.

National Marathon, NE Street Closures, and Volunteer Opportunities - Saturday, March 24th

Folks in Eckington and Bloomingdale, along the North Capitol Street leg of the National Marathon, are planning on helping out tomorrow by cheering and handing out cups of water. A water station will be set up at North Capitol and Quincy Place (I'm not sure if it'll be on the NE or NW side), and race officials are asking that they be prepared by 8:45am tomorrow morning, March 24th. If you can add to the needed 30 gallons of water and 1000 small cups, I'm sure it will much appreciated.

» DC.gov info about street closures from 7am-2pm, Saturday, March 24th - the only ways over North Capitol during that time, unless you go north of Michigan Avenue or south of K Street, will be the bridges on Rhode Island and New York Avenues.
» View the National Marathon course map here (PDF).
» View the race turn-by-turn here (PDF).

9th Street Galleries' Spring/Summer Reception - Friday, March 23rd

What: 9th Street Galleries' wine and cheese reception for the opening of the spring and summer season

When: Friday, March 23rd, 2007, 6-8pm

Where:
· Wohlfarth Galleries, 3418 9th Street NE (Fine Painting and Drawings, and Sculpture)

· Washington Works on Paper, 3420 9th Street NE (A nonprofit gallery; will be showing local artist Ray Allard's Prints)

· Roxanne's Artiques & Gallery, 3426 9th Street NE (Paintings, Sculpture, Jewelry)

Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro Redevelopment Update

DCmud has an update on the proposed development coming to the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro. If we're lucky, it will block the views of the Rhode Island Place (or RIP - my household's pet name) and perhaps even spur the management to take better care of it. Better yet, I hope it creates a clamor in the Ward 5 community to demand urban-style, pedestrian-friendly, dense development rather than suburban-style strip malls floating in seas of asphalt.


Images from Mid-City Urban, LLC and A&R Development, respectively, below.

Free Rita's Ice and Dunkin' Donuts' Iced Coffee - TODAY

To celebrate the first full day of spring, both Rita's Ice and Dunkin' Donuts are offering free goodies!

» Free regular Italian Ice at Rita's - 2318 Rhode Island Avenue, NE (near the corner of Rhode Island and South Dakota Avenues)

» Free 16oz small iced coffee at Dunkin' Donuts - 1803 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

Washington Central Parks Community Meeting - Thursday, March 22nd

What: Washington Central Parks Community Meeting (see this entry for more info on their recent Fort Totten Park tour)

When: Thursday, March 22nd, 2007, 7:30pm

Where: 801 Shepherd Street, NW (MPD's Northern Regional Operation Command Center/ROC)

Agenda:
· Learn more about the Washington Central Parks concept and where the project stands
· Hear about the status of development plans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home and McMillan Park
· Find out how to become involved in this exciting initiative


- - -

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.

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.

ANC-5C Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, March 20th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, March 20th, 2007, 7-9pm

Where: McKinley Technology High School, 151 T Street, NE

Agenda Includes:
· Update on Armstrong School Renovation plans
· Update on National Marathon run through ANC5C
· Update on Bloomingdale Farmers Market plans
· Update on Saint Martin's Housing Plan
· MPD-5D public safety report
· Update from Julius Bell, whose proposed sitdown restaurant "J. Bell's" should be opening soon at North Capitol and P Streets, NW

NE DC Historical Society Meeting on the Terra Cotta Neighborhood - Sunday, March 18th (Updated Date and Agenda)

**Due to special events and holidays in March and April, the normal Sunday monthly meeting of the NE DC Historical Society has been changed to Sunday, March 18th and Sunday, April 15th, respectively.**

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.

When: Sunday, March 18th, 2007, 2-4pm

Where: Washingtoniana Program Room in the Washingtoniana Division
of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW

Presentations will include: "Search & Discovery" session at the Washingtoniana Division of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. The focus for this session will be a topic of recent interest and debate — "Terra Cotta." This session will be of interest to inhabitants along the Metropolitan Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Brookland to Takoma Park. Join us as we go beyond the bricks, sewer pipes, and train wrecks of times long past to uncover more than one site for Terra Cotta.

Etc.: For those unable to attend this meeting, don't miss our next month's meeting to be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on Sunday, April 15, 2007. Our host will be the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ at 5301 North Capitol Street, NE in Manor Park. They will share with us their "Youth in the Ministry" church and community history project.

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

- - -

» Washington City Paper on the "Terra Cotta" neighborhood, Fort Totten/Lamond-Riggs
» Topographic map of Terra Cotta in DC

Trinidad Recreation Center Grand Opening - Saturday, March 17th

What: Mayor Adrian Fenty and DC Parks and Recreation invite you to the Grand Opening of the Trinidad Recreation Center

When: Saturday, March 10th, 2007 at 10am

Where: Trinidad Recreation Center, 1380 Childress Street, NE

Etc.: The reopening follows an extensive, two-year, $6.8 million renovation. The new 21,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility features an indoor gymnasium, multi-purpose room, weight room, arcade/game room, enhanced landscaping, computer room and an arts and crafts room. The outdoor basketball court and tot-lot playground will be completed later in the spring 2007. The grand opening activities will include entertainment, demonstrations and a facility tour.

Brookland's Primal Fitness Featured in Express

Primal Fitness, located at 903 Girard Street, NE, is featured in today's Express "Fit" insert. You can also view the article on the FreeRide blog.

Primal Fitness describes it's brand of training:

Primal Fitness combines the proven fitness methods of CrossFit with the functional fitness gained by practice in Parkour - essentially obstacle coursing through your everyday environment - to develop skills to overcome any obstacle using only the natural movements of the human body. Classes can include weight training, conditioning, rope climbing, medicine ball throwing, box jumping, vaulting, and a host of other fun, functional fitness!

Possible Human Skull Found Near CUA

Police said the partially decomposed skull was discovered about 6 p.m. Monday near a 7-Eleven at Hawaii Avenue and Taylor Street, NE. This morning a DC Police cadaver dog discovered skeletal remains in the woods, near the corner of Hawaii Avenue and Fort Totten Drive, NE.

**UPDATE 7:18pm: Investigators discovered a rope near the crime scene, and are looking at the possibility that this was a suicide.**

Details:
» The CUA Tower
» MPD
» WaPo
» WTOP
» NBC4
» WUSA9
» The Examiner

MPD Community Survey Deadline - Wednesday, March 14th

Purpose
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of the District of Columbia, under the new leadership of Acting Chief of Police Cathy Lanier, is committed to reducing crime and the fear of crime by establishing "customized community policing" strategies to address individual neighborhood problems. As part of this, the Department is conducting a citywide survey to identify ways to improve services to all community members.

Who Can Participate?
District residents and business owners, commuters and visitors are welcome to participate in the survey.

How do I Participate?
Your participation is voluntary, but is very important to the success of the survey. To complete the survey, click on the link below, which will take you to a companion website hosted by SurveyMonkey:

· MPD Community Survey 2007
· MPD Community Survey 2007 (en Español)

Alternatively, you can download a PDF of the printed Community Survey, fill it out, and send to us via US Mail by March 14, 2007, to:

Annie Russell, Director
Policing for Prevention Division
300 Indiana Avenue, NW
Room 5140
Washington, DC 20001

When Does the Survey Close?
Survey respondents are asked to complete the survey by March 14, 2007, whether they do so electronically or via a printed form.

How Do I Learn More?
Call Annie Russell at 202.727.1585 or annie.russell@dc.gov

Is the Survey Confidential?
Your answers are confidential and will be used only to help the Department understand community issues. MPD plans to track its progress over time through additional surveys just like this.

SMD 5A-11 Meeting - Monday, March 12th

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

When: Monday, March 12th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

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

Agenda: Includes discussion on the South Dakota Avenue Bridge repair over the CSX railroad

Fort Totten Park Tour - Sunday, March 11th

**UPDATE**
Petworth News has a post and a collection of photos from Sunday's tour.

Please join Washington Central Parks this Sunday, March 11 at 12:30pm (don't forget Daylight Savings this weekend!) to explore one of the emeralds in Washington’s green necklace – Fort Totten Park.

Mary Pat Rowan – landscape architect and expert on Washington’s natural landscape, plants and geology – will lead the way. Bring your children; your neighbors; a thermos and bagels; your pets; a camera; a ball and a blanket! We’ll meet at the Hitching Post, 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.

- - -

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.

We are seeking the support and help of our community in this important endeavor. PLEASE JOIN US TO REOPEN WASHINGTON CENTRAL PARKS – NOW!

Links from a neighbor on the Brookland listserv:
» Fort Totten Then
» Fort Totten Now
» Fort Totten on Wikipedia

SMD 5A-09 Meeting - Sunday, March 11th

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

When: Sunday, March 11th, 2007, 2-3pm

Where: Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE

Agenda: TBA

DCist Exposed Photography Show - Opening Reception Friday, March 9th

I'm honored to be a part of the first DCist Exposed Photography Show; additionally, thanks to Amanda of Creative DC for the plug!

From the press release:

DCist.com is pleased to announce our first ever DCist Exposed Photography Show at the Warehouse Arts Complex from March 9 -16, 2007. More than 35 local photographers, both amateur and professional, were chosen out of over 200 who submitted their work for the show through the DCist Flickr site. Every day DCist.com selects photos from this user-generated photo pool to use in its daily coverage of local news, arts and entertainment, politics, food and sports.

The exhibit will showcase new talent as they reveal the city to us through the eyes of people who live and work in the D.C. metro area. In a city too often seen purely as a collection of federal government buildings or a destination for tourists, these photographers capture the local music, art, architecture, and urban surroundings that give Washington, D.C. its unique cultural vibrancy.

An opening reception will be held Friday, March 9, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Warehouse is located at 1017-1021 7th Street NW, between New York Ave. and L St. in downtown Washington, DC, across the street from the new Washington Convention Center.

You can view the list of participants, with links to their photos, here (I'm "wageslaves" on Flickr). Do say hello if you make it out on Friday!

Brookland, Bloomingdale in the Big Blogs Today

Brookland - well, select areas, including the debatable Cardinal's Nest - is featured today in the Express FreeRide blog.

DCist features Bloomingdale's anticipated EC12 restaurant at the corner of North Capitol and Quincy Place, NW. Two cheers for creating sit-down restaurants in Ward 5! From the DC Business Resource Center site:

Vacant for nearly a decade, Old Engine Company 12 will transform into a full-service, sit-down restaurant named "EC-12" with a second-floor cultural and performing arts space programmed by XM Satellite Radio, a marketing partner on the team, who will broadcast live music events from the location. The lounge will also provide community meeting and exhibition space. EC-12 will include a sidewalk café and a renovated rooftop deck to accommodate an outdoor seating area.

Public Workshop #2 for the Brookland/CUA Metro Plan - Thursday, March 8th

I'm terribly bummed that I have a seemingly perpetual Thursday commitment and haven't been able to make it to the last few meetings....

What: The DC Office of Planning invites you to attend the second community workshop in a series for the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan

When: Thursday, March 8th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Brookland Elementary School, 1150 Michigan Avenue, NE

Discussion topics will include:
· Neighborhood Character & Land Use
· Economic Development and Shopping
· Transportation, Connectivity, and Walkability
· Greenspace and Environmental Issues

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

Coalition of Concerned Neighbors Meeting - Monday, February 26th

What: Coalition of Concerned Neighbors Monthly Meeting

When: Monday, February 26th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

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

Special Guest: Mayor Adrian Fenty discusses his proposed legislation to take over the DC Public Schools

Contact: 202.903.6197 / 202.882.1683 or concernneighbors@yahoo.com

Public Workshop for the Brookland/CUA Metro Plan - Thursday, February 22nd

What: The DC Office of Planning is holding the first in a series of public workshops for the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan

When: Thursday, February 22nd, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: 204 Pryzbyla Center—The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, NE

Discussion topics will include:
· Community Assets, Issues & Opportunities
· Sustainable Design
· Transit-Oriented Development
· Land Use, Zoning, Market Economics

RSVP & Questions: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Planner, at 202.442.7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov

Upcoming Community Workshops:
• Urban Design and Transportation - Thursday, March 8th, 6:30-8:30pm
• Master Plan Workshop - Saturday, March 31st

Community Meeting on 9th Street Bridge Replacement - Wednesday, February 21st

What: DDOT is holding the first community meeting to discuss the 9th Street bridge replacement project, including concepts for aesthetic enhancements

When: Wednesday, February 21st, 2007, 6-8pm

Where: Isle of Patmos Baptist Church, 1216 Saratoga Avenue, NE

Contact: Sharlene Reed, Ward 5 Transportation Planner, at 202.671.2407 or sharlene.reed@dc.gov

ANC-5C Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, February 20th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, February 20th, 2007, 7-9pm

Where: McKinley Technology High School, 151 T Street, NE

Agenda: Can be viewed here in detail

Missing Person: Tyrell Javar Fields

From MPD:

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person. Tyrell Javar Fields was reportedly last seen leaving his residence located in the 1700 block of Capitol Avenue, NE, at approximately 10pm Wednesday, February 14, 2007.

Tyrell Javar Fields is a 23 year old black male. He is described as being 6’3” tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds with a medium complexion, brown eyes and black hair. He was reportedly last seen wearing gray sweat pants and a shirt of unknown color.

Anyone who has information about Mr. Fields’ whereabouts is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099.

CANCELLED - Brookland Civic Association Meeting - Tuesday, February 13th

**This meeting had been cancelled due to potentially hazardous weather conditions this evening. The meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 1st, 2007 at the same time and location, and Mayor Fenty will be in attendance.**

What: Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, February 13th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

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

Agenda includes:
• Street changes update
• Special guest Adrian Fenty
• Invited guest Carolyn Graham, DCPS Board of Education
• Invited guest Commander Greene, MPD-5D Police Department
• Community concerns

For more information, contact Civic Association President Mary Baird-Currie at 202.635.1970.

SMD 5A-11 Meeting - Monday, February 12th

What: ANC Commissioner Janae Grant is holding a SMD 5A-11 meeting

When: Monday, February 12th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Taft Recreation Center, 1800 Perry Street, NE

Additonal information: Contact Commissioner Grant at gelysia@yahoo.com or 202.832.0926

NE DC Historical Society Meeting - Sunday, February 11th

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's community history focus will be the Lamond-Riggs neighborhood.

When: Sunday, February 11th, 2007, 2-4pm

Where: Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE - at the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Kennedy Street, NE

Presentations will include: "The Lamond-Riggs Library: A Strong Thread In The Fabric Of The Community" by Lillian Huff, president of the Friends of the Lamond-Riggs Library, and Everett Scott, former president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association & the DC Federation of Civic Associations.

Etc.: For those unable to attend this meeting, don't miss next month's meeting to be held from 2-4pm on Sunday, March 11th, 2007. Our host will be the Historic Berean Baptist Church of Brentwood at 1400 Montana Ave, NE sharing church and community history. NE DC Historical Society meetings take place the second Sunday of every month. Contact queenstowndc@yahoo.com for further information.

Noyes Park Design Meeting - Monday, February 5th

What: DC Department of Parks and Recreation is holding a public meeting to update the community on the design phase of Noyes Park (Noyes Park is located across the street from Noyes Elementary at 10th and Franklin Streets, NE)

When: Monday, February 5th, 2007, 7-9pm

Where: Woodridge Public Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (at Hamlin and Rhode Island Avenue)

Contact: Jesse Rounds, 202.673.7672 or jesse.rounds@dc.gov

» View the preliminary designs and additional details in the lastest issue of the Brookland Heartbeat.

South Dakota Avenue Development in Express's FreeRide

I should really outsource my link hunting to Mike Grass at Express. Today he posted a comprehensive update of the new development that affects those of us along the South Dakota Avenue corridor from top to bottom, including:

• The ongoing construction of condos around the Fort Totten Metro
• Mixed-use at Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue
• Vincent Orange's promised land of big-box retail, "Washington Gateway," in the Fort Lincoln-New Town area (not to be confused with his dream of a "New Town" at the Capital City/Florida Market) near the intersection of New York and South Dakota Avenues.


All of these drive home the importance of tonight's meeting and our ongoing input into the South Dakota Avenue Transportation & Streetscape Study. We need to counterbalance pedestrian-unfriendly developments like the Washington Gateway (why would we welcome folks to our CITY with a suburban sprawl-style strip mall with 2,000 parking spaces, and how many more will Ward 5 tolerate?!) with our input/demands to improve safety and accessibility on our primarily residential corridor.

» Sharlene Reed, Ward 5 Transportation Planner (sharlene.reed@dc.gov; 202.671.2407)
» Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Neighborhood Planning Coordinator, (deborah.crain@dc.gov; 202.442.7615)

ANC-5B Monthly Meeting - Thursday, February 1st

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B Monthly Meeting

When: Thursday, February 1st, 2007 at 7:30pm

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

Agenda: TBA

South Dakota Avenue Transportation & Streetscape Study - Wednesday, January 31st

What: Nearly a year after the first public meeting, residents are invited to attend a community forum to discuss transportation and streetscape issues along South Dakota Avenue.

When: Wednesday, January 31st, 2007, 6-8 pm

Where: Taft Special Education Center Auditorium, 1800 Perry Street, NE

Agenda: The meeting format will be an open house review of maps indicating preliminary recommendations for the first 30 minutes (6-6:30 pm), followed by a presentation at 6:30pm of the study process and findings. There will be a question and answer period after the presentation and time to review maps and complete comment forms prior to the 8pm closing.

Etc.: If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact Emanuel Briggs at 202.478.1470 or at emanual.briggs@dc.gov. Visit the project website for additional information, including an online survey, study documents, and comments (pdf) from last year's meeting.

12th Street NE Commercial Corridor Vandalized

Both the Brookland CDC (the site is still under reconstruction) and Richard Layman have brought to my attention the tagging of 12 buildings along Brookland's main street this past Wednesday, including our new Yes! Organic Market and the Historic Newton Theater/CVS. I also noticed a few weeks ago the back of the Long & Foster at the corner of Monroe and 12th had been tagged pretty heavily.


Many thanks in advance to Richard, the Brookland CDC, Alice Thompson - Ward 5 Neighborhood Service Coordinator, and DPW for cleaning this up in a timely fashion.

Brookland/CUA Small Area Plan Community Walking Tour - Saturday, January 27th

What: Community walking tour covering the Brookland/CUA Small Area Plan site.

When: Saturday, January 27th, 10am-12pm

Where: Brookland/CUA Metro station near the underground information booth

Upcoming Community Workshops:
• Land Use and Market - Thursday, February 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm
• Urban Design and Transportation - Thursday, March 8th, 6:30-8:30pm
• Master Plan Workshop - Saturday, March 31st

For additional information please contact Ward 5 Planner Deborah Crain at 202.442.7615 or Deborah.Crain@dc.gov

Cardinal's Nest Now Open!

(or, the post I should have made over a week ago)

The Cardinal's Nest is up and running! Though I haven't yet had the chance to go myself, a number of folks in the area have posted primarily positive experiences on both on the Brookland listserv and their blogs.

A message from the Cardinal's Nest MySpace page (I know some of you out there are on MySpace - don't be shy now - make them your friend!):

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Brookland, I would like to welcome you to The Cardinal’s Nest coffee house, internet café, and lounge. We strive to give you the best products, prepared with fresh ingredients and with the strictest quality control. We aim to prepare food that will satisfy vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike! We are proud to serve coffee and tea from Orinoco Coffee & Tea, a private, family-owned company that provides gourmet coffee and tea exclusively to specialty stores and gourmet coffee and tea shops. Guests will have access to wireless DSL free of charge. In addition, we also have Ethernet ports and cables available for guest without wireless capabilities. Over 200 power ports are located throughout the establishment available to charge any electronic device you will need! We would like to remind our patrons of the near proximity of neighboring houses on Perry Place. In an effort to minimize noise and disturbances to our neighbors, we would kindly request that patrons keep the noise down when leaving the establishment and refrain from parking on Perry Place at all times. Your help is greatly appreciated. We are proud to serve all our guests and neighbors and look forward to becoming part of the Brookland neighborhood. Call us at (202) 269-NEST or drop us an email at cardinalsnestdc@yahoo.com.

» View the yummy and reasonably priced menu.
» Visit our newest neighborhood hang-out at 3748 10th Street, NE, just two blocks from the Brookland Metro station.

ANC-5A Monthy Meeting - Wednesday, January 24th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, January 24th, 2007 at 7pm

Where: North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson Street, NE

Agenda: TBA - though I imagine part of the meeting will include election of officers and formulation of committee structure.

Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Job Fair - Saturday, January 20th

On Saturday, January 20, 2007, DC Parks & Recreation will host a Summer Job Fair at Turkey Thicket Community Center, 1100 Michigan Ave., NE, 10am-4pm. This is their first job fair of the new year, and each summer they have people join their summer staff to assist with implementation of DPR's discovery, overnight, sports, and aquatics camps. Last summer, more than 200 people were hired to fill numerous positions throughout all facilities. Bring your resume; qualified applicants will receive an interview. For more information contact the Human Resources Office at 202.673.7603 or visit DPR's website.

Washington Gardener Photo Contest and Seed Exchange

I met Kathy from The Washington Gardener at last week's Blogger Summit. Though I'm a bit late, she wanted me to pass along this information:

You’ve seen those gorgeous garden photos published in magazines and newspapers. Enter this year’s competition and have a chance of getting your winning images published, too! Whether your take the photos in your own backyard, a nearby public garden, or while visiting friends and family in their local gardens, there are so many photographic opportunities to be found. Let’s show off the best in DC-area gardening!

This contest offers an opportunity for all photographers to present their best shots of gardens in the greater Washington, DC area. Contest entries will be judged on technical quality, composition, originality, and artistic merit. More than $500 in prizes will be awarded!

The first annual Washington Gardener Photo Contest entries will be accepted until midnight on January 22. For the full details, go to the Contests page on http://www.washingtongardener.com/, send an email to editor@washingtongardener.com to have a PDF version emailed to you, or see page 13 in the Jan/Feb 07 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine.

Also see the info on their main page about the Washington Seed Exchange at the National Arboretum, January 27th, 12:30-4pm.

Carver Terrace Peace March - Wednesday, January 17th

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5B, Single Member District 5B10


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kathy Henderson
JANUARY 16, 2007
PHONE: (202) 397-2777
(202) 489-7100 (c)


Community Rocked by Recent Violence Calls for Help

(Washington DC) – A contractor, working to rehabilitate a building located at 1229 18th Street, NE was shot nine times on January 13, 2007, after asking a group of youths to get off of his car. The victim, a law-abiding and peaceful family man is in stable condition following the shooting. The victim’s ten-year old child witnessed the shooting. The community was shaken again, the very next day by a shooting occurring at Yums Carryout, located at 1023 Bladensburg Road, NE. Two quadruple shootings and other shootings have resulted in four homicides within the last four months, shaking the very foundation of the Carver Terrace community.

Commissioner India Henderson and former Commissioner Kathy Henderson will lead a peace march with citizens, Police Chief Cathy Lanier, 5D Commander Jennifer Greene and the Guardian Angels to denounce the violence in this community. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Adrian Fenty, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Taylor, Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. and all At-Large Councilmembers and clergy are invited to participate in the peace march. Fourteen Carver Terrace youth were recruited for neighborhood patrols as a direct result of the first Carver Terrace/Guardian Angels community march on January 10, 2007.

Underscoring the peace march is a demand for the immediate installation of a surveillance camera for the 18th and M Streets area and heightened police patrols to restore law and order in the this community. The march will begin at the corner of 17th and M Streets, NE, at 7:00 p.m.; on January 17, 2007. An emergency community meeting will convene at the DC Developing Families Center, located at 801 17th Street, NE, prior to the march at 5:30 p.m.

“We are tired of the violence in our neighborhoods and we want the police to step up and do a better job of protecting this community, stated longtime resident S. Harris”.

» News on the January 6th murder of 17-year-old Lovell Harrison in the 2100 block of I Street NE from MPD and WaPo.

UPDATE: Frozen Tropics has a roundup of the event and media coverage.

ANC-5C Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, January 16th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, January 16th, 2007, 7-9pm

Where: Harry L. Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Road, NE

Agenda:
• Election of Officers; formulation of Committee structure; consideration and approval of 2007 meeting schedule; consideration and approval of ANC priorities, projects, and speakers for 2007; etc.
• MPD-5D, Public Safety Report
• Patricia McGuire, President, Trinity University Master Plan
• Kelly Cornell, Metropolitan Branch Trail
• Larry Williamson, WASA

UPDATE: Notes from the meeting at bloomingdale (for now).

Happy New Year...and a Short, Civic Sabbatical

Here's to a safe, healthy, and proseperous new year! I, along with seemingly every one else, have been summoned for federal jury duty. That, combined with an increasing workload, means posting will be sporadic at best for the next week or two. After that, I should be back in the mix, and I hope to incorporate more back-and-forth from readers (that's an overt wink-wink for comments).

Holiday Weekend Murders in NE

So far, two have posted to MPD's site...here's hoping that's the final tally:

Homicide in the 700 Block of 16th Street, NE

At approximately 7:30 pm, on Friday, December 22, 2006, Metropolitan Police were called to the 700 block of 16th Street, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 17-year-old Antonio Jenkins, of the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body. He was taken to the Howard University Hospital and admitted in critical condition. At 7 pm, on Saturday, December 23, Mr. Jenkins was 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.

- - -

Homicide in the 2000 Block of 3rd Street, NE

At approximately 9:48 pm, on Monday, December 25, 2006, Metropolitan Police were called to the 2000 block of 3rd Street, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 29-year-old David E. Watkins, of the 2000 block of 3rd Street, NE, inside of a vehicle and suffering from apparent multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. He was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia and pronounced dead.

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

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

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

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, December 19th, 2006, 7-9pm

Where: Edgewood Terrace, 635 Edgewood Terrace, Crawford Hall 9th Floor

Agenda:
• St. Martins’ Update, Zoning Commission Case # 06-14
• MPD-5D
• Grant Applications

Fire Destroys Home in Woodridge - 7 People Left Homeless

This is terribly sad...please be careful not to overload outlets and extension cords, particularly this time of the year with heaters, holiday lights, and decorations. From WTOP:

An overloaded extension cord being used in a rear bedroom is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a home in the Brookland [Woodridge] section of the District.

The fire broke out around 4:45 a.m. on Saturday in the 2100 block of Monroe Street, Northeast.

D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department spokesman Alan Etter says the fire destroyed the single family home, and left seven people homeless.

Etter says two men, 19 and 34 years-old and a 17-year-old woman were taken to George Washington University Hospital for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation.

A woman took three boys, ages 12, ten and four to Children's Hospital to have them checked out for possible smoke related injuries.

Firefighters estimate the damage at $450,000.

Additional information can be found on dcfire.com. If anyone knows the family and what assistance/items they may need at this time, please leave a comment.

Emergency Legislation on MLK Library - Sign the Petition to Preserve It

Mayor Williams has scheduled a(nother) vote on an emergency library bill next Tuesday - despite others not passing. Williams believes "all the issues have been ventilated." Wow. Interestingly enough, many of us don't agree. In addition to contacting your and others' Councilmember [see Council contact information in previous posting here], you can sign this petition to save the MLK Library. And, honestly, if you're for building a new library on the old convention center site, that's a valid option, but at the very least demand more accountability from the current and incoming Council, as well as the DCPL Board of Trustees and Ginnie Cooper. Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space goes into more detail on DC residents' MLK Catch-22.

Oh, and it looks like the Council will also be making a final reading and vote Tuesday, December 19th on temporary legislation on the Florida/Capital City Market (scroll down their schedule for "New Town at Capital City Market Revitalization Development and Public /Private Partnership Temporary Act of 2006"). Read some of Richard and Elise's comments on the proposal and search their sites for more.

Norovirus at CUA

No fun - it's been determined that norovirus is behind the recent surge in gastrointestinal "issues" at CUA (I tried really hard to avoid any puns there...oh well). Those of us off campus, but in contact with CUA students at the Metro and in the neighborhood, should take extra precautions as well.

Students at Bunker Hill Elementary Among Those Who Broke World Record

Now this is a wonderful way to get students excited about reading, from WTOP:

About 80 fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Bunker Hill Elementary in Northeast made history Wednesday, as they broke a world record for reading.

The Bunker Hill schoolchildren were among the 547,826 students from 28 countries worldwide who broke the Guinness World Record for the "Most People Reading Aloud Simultaneously in Multiple Locations."

Their book of choice? The students all read from the same chapter of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web.

At 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the reading began. When the chapter was over, cheers erupted from the halls of Bunker Hill.

Incoming D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier and Howard University Assistant Vice President Raymond Archer were among the official witnesses.

The previous record was from 2004, when 155,528 students from 737 schools throughout the United Kingdom read William Wordsworth's poem "Daffodils," according to Guinness World Record.