Woodridge Library Book Sale - Saturday, December 1

What: The Friends of the Woodridge Library used book sale. We (disclosure: I am a member of the Friends - we'd love for you to join our group!) have hardcovers, paperbacks, fiction, non-fiction, books for adults, books for children, books on tape, records, videos/DVDs, and much more. All proceeds benefit the Woodridge Library.

When: Saturday, December 1, 2007, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

Etc.: We are always accepting donations of books, videos/DVDs, records, comic books, and the like. For additional information call the library at 202.541.6226 or e-mail the Friends at woodridgefriends@yahoo.com.

Ward 5 Emergency Education Town Hall Meeting - Monday, December 3

What: Emergency Education Town Hall Meeting to review the proposed reform plan to close 9 Ward 5 schools.

When: Monday, December 3, 2007, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Bertie Backus Middle School, 5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE

For More Information: Contact the Ward 5 Council office at 202.724.8028

24 DC Schools Proposed for Closure; 9 in Ward 5

From WaPo:

Ward 5 has the most proposed closures, with nine. That section of the city has experienced a recent influx of young families moving into such neighborhoods as Brookland and LeDroit Park, but many of them are choosing charter schools or going out of boundary rather than enrolling at neighborhood schools, which have been plagued by declining enrollment and poor test scores. Ward 3 is the only one with no schools on the list.

The document says those schools on the closure list would be taken "off the list for modernization, targeted repair, or blitz work (excluding things that are necessary for basic quality of life)."

The document also raises questions about the pace of repair work needed to upgrade schools that would take students from closed facilities. According to the list, Brookland Elementary in Northeast would close next year and the students would be sent to nearby Bunker Hill Elementary. Bunker Hill, however, would close two years later.

But the document also says there are plans to "rebuild a new [pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school] on the Brookland site. This is a high priority to move up. Can we get a design team up in early '08 and complete construction by '10?"

In Ward 5:
Bertie Backus Middle - Fort Totten
Brookland Elementary - Brookland/Michigan Park
Bunker Hill Elementary (summer 2010)- Brookland/Michigan Park
Burroughs Elementary - Woodridge
Gage-Eckington Elementary - Ledroit Park/Bloomingdale
J.F. Cook Elementary - Eckington
Mamie D. Lee (summer 2009) - Fort Totten
M. M. Washington Career High - Eckington
Slowe Elementary - Brookland

ANC-5A Monthly Meeting - TONIGHT

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 7 p.m.

Where: Providence Hospital - Catherine Ross Hall Conference Room 1, 1150 Varnum Street, NE

Agenda Includes:
· SMD 5A-07 vacancy and election - Don Padou and Carolyn Steptoe running
· MPD-5D and MPD-4D crime reports
· Invited Guests: Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School (PLPCS). PLPCS is planning to relocate into a vacant building at 8th and Varnum Streets NE, formerly known as Brady Hall, 2 blocks west of Providence Hospital. PLPCS is currently located in Michigan Park Christian Church at 1600 Taylor Street NE. The project is being developed by Joel D. Scharfer, CEO of Charter Schools Development Corporation and Edward M. Johnson, a Brookland-based architect. PLPCS currently serves 120 students and is hoping to increase its student body to between 250 and 400 pupils.
· Community concerns

Brookland CDC Holiday Wreath Sale

Brookland CDC's 5th Year Celebrating "Wreaths for Brookland"

24" Fresh Canadian Balsam Holiday Wreaths
Available November 27 through December 23 or while they last - just $20.00

Order by phone or email: Brookland Main Street Office 202.526.4848, Brooklandcdc@aol.com

** Our Elves Deliver and Install **

All proceeds support this year's "Celebration of Lights," which includes a trolley ride through Brookland to enjoy our holiday lights, hot chocolate, holiday treats, roasted chestnuts, and photos with Santa!

** 13th Annual Brookland Celebration of Lights - Save the Date! **
Sunday, December 16, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Brookland Visitor Center
3420 9th Street NE
Brooklandcdc@aol.com

PG & DC Police Chase 14-Year-Old Carjacker Through 4th and 5th Districts

No injuries were reported from the 4-car accident caused by the chase...from NBC4:

Prince George's County Police initiated a chase of a carjacked Jeep Cherokee driven by a 14-year-old boy Monday afternoon.

Police on patrol spotted the Jeep, which they said was carjacked at gunpoint on Nov. 15, and tried to pull it over in the area of Eastern Avenue near Riggs Road.

Police pursued the Jeep after it fled.

The chase went for several miles at varying speeds through neighborhoods in the district.

The Jeep went down Missouri Avenue, past the Fourth District Station, down 16th Street, down North Capitol Street, and out Rhode Island Avenue before ending up in the 3800 block of Harewood Road, NE, where the driver fled onto the campus of Catholic University, according to officials.

The driver was arrested a short time later. D.C. Police from the fourth and fifth districts, along with the D.C. Police Helicopter and Prince George's County Police assisted in the chase.

Police said the chase contributed to a four-car accident, but no injuries were reported.

PCDC's "Creating a Community Vision" - Saturday, November 17

What: Premier Community Development Corporation / PCDC presents Dominic Moulden, Executive Director of ONE DC and all Ward 5 residents, neighbors, stakeholders, and community businesses in a discussion on "Creating a Community Vision."

When: Saturday, November 17, 2007, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Mount Calvary Family Life Center, 605 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

Discussion Includes: A shared vision for our communities in Ward 5, including an overview of Ward 5's history, demographics, economics, politics, and organizations. What is a vision? Who benefits from a community vision? Who decides what will happen in a community vision? How does a community vision get implemented? What can the community do?

Additional Information: Contact PCDC at 202.252.PCDC (7232) or premiercdc@yahoo.com

SMD 5A-11 Monthly Meeting - TONIGHT

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

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

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

Agenda Includes: South Dakota Ave. bridge and traffic update; speed bumps and other traffic calming requests – with Department of Transportation; Fire Engine 26 - relocation plans

Woodridge & Brentwood Civic Associations Monthly Meetings - Tuesday, November 6th

Woodridge Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, November 6th, 2007, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

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

Etc.: Meets 7:00-8:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month, except July and August, at the Washington Center for Aging Services - call 202.269.0354 for more information.

- - -

Brentwood Community Civic Association Monthly Meeting

When: Tuesday, November 6th, 2007, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

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

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

Mayor Fenty Attending Brookland Civic Association Meeting - Tuesday, November 6th

What: Mayor Fenty will be the special guest at this month's Brookland Civic Association Meeting.

When: Tuesday, November 6th, 2007, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

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

For more information: Contact Brookland Civic Association President Mary Baird Currie at 202.635.1970.

Homicide in University Heights/Brookland

From MPD-5D Commander Lamar Greene:

On Friday, November 2, 2007, at 2135 hours, members of the Fifth District responded to the 2900 block of 10th Street NE (10th and Franklin Street NE) for the sounds of gunshots.

While the responding officer was canvassing at this location, another call for service was dispatched to the front of 4015 9th Street NE for a shooting. Upon arrival to this location, the members located an unconscious male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The DCFD responded and all life saving efforts were attempted and proved futile. The decedent was transported to the OCME.

The decedent was identified as: Rick Kearney, B/M, 24 years of age, (residing in SE Wash DC)

It should be noted that the driver of the vehicle that the decedent was traveling in has been arrested and charge with two weapons charges. The investigation is ongoing, and making excellent progress at this time!!

On Saturday, Commander Greene noted that while no charges had been made, a possible suspect was in custody.