I Lived In and Loved...

The short and bittersweet of it is this: I lived in and loved Woodridge for 3 years. I started this blog as my small way of serving the community (among a number of things I was involved in offline). Due to personal circumstances far beyond my control, I no longer live in the neighborhood, though I remain in DC. Actually, everything on my end changed just after I made a resolution to post more frequently this year....Keeping my life outside of this blog intact became the priority.

My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who supported this endeavor in one way or another - readers, commenters, lurkers, linkers, etc, and particularly to BrooklandJess for jumping on board for a bit. Perhaps one or more of you will think about starting your own neighborhood blog in this neck of the woods.

For now I'll leave everything up - I still haven't decided if I should move the blog with me to my new neighborhood (where neighbloggers already abound), or leave it here for "posterity."

Again, thank you. Remember to be kind to each other, appreciate each day, and continue to work in any way you can to strengthen our community.

Forgotten Neighbors and Lost Houses

WJLA reports: This Woodridge home might appear abandoned, but it turns out there's a very long-time resident still living there. By my math, her family has had the house since 1949. With no water, no electricity, and no services, Eva Rusk, 72, still scrapes by. Although, for better or for worse, times are changing for her and it's a safe bet she'll be in more modern comforts before long.

Reading the article and watching the video, I tried to make out the corner. 1847 Which St? My eyesight (and my video resolution) not being what it could be, can anyone tell what intersection this is?

Just curious: When this house gets sold off and refurbished, at a significant increase in value, is it still gentrification? How much of gentrification is about protecting the poor and old (including an unexpectedly tenacious old white lady) and how much is about keeping the historic racial/ethnic character of a neighborhood? Of course, up until far too recently, this same neighborhood had covenants to keep African-Americans from buying. This family bought just as the rules were overturned and as Woodridge went from a predominately White neighborhood to largely African-American.

Of course, I don't know anything about the Rusks or their history in Woodridge and I don't mean to imply anything. I'm just taking this one story and using it to ask other questions. All around, it's an interesting story.

SMD 5A-09 & PSA 503 Joint Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, May 14

What: SMD 5A-09 & PSA 503 Joint Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, May 14 2008, 6:30 p.m.

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

Agenda: Public safety and community concerns, including those addressed in the letter below, written by a neighbor on Otis Street NE:

Dear Neighbors-

In case you haven't heard, a big developer, Alliance Holdings LLC, purchased a tiny piece of land between our home and our neighbor (2212 Otis St NE, Square 4242, Lot 10). It is 25 feet wide, and according to zoning regulations the owner may NOT build as a matter of right.

We recently learned that Taiwo Demuren, presumably with Alliance Holdings LLC, has applied for significant variances from lot area, and lot width requirements, as well as from side yard requirements in order to build a single family dwelling.

In an effort to keep the lot, as it is, open green space, our next-door neighbor made numerous attempts to purchase the lot – but as you can imagine, it is difficult to outbid a developer with deep pockets.

We are very concerned about how this will change the character of our neighborhood. Many of us moved here for the space, and greenery. If these variances are granted, there are many other small lots in our neighborhood that would be able to be developed in a similar manner. Demuren's requested variances would establish a precedent to grant additional variances for these other lots to be more easily developed.

We also fear that since it is often more profitable to knock down an old home and rebuild multiple new homes within the same footprint, than it is to renovate the old home, that this decision could encourage more developers to purchase old homes on these lots, knock them down and build two or more houses in the same plot of land (We have seen this in N. Arlington, VA). Again, we believe that Demuren's requested variances will set a precedent and make the development described above much easier for the next builder.

Of an even greater concern is the beautiful and historic old oak tree that is located on the lot line between the undeveloped lot and our neighbor's home (2216 Otis St, NE). An arborist has certified that this is the SECOND OLDEST TREE IN THE ENTIRE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. The tree measures approximately 180 inches in diameter and is estimated to be 300-400 years old. The arborist has also certified that because of the tree's extensive root system, the construction of a structure on the vacant lot will kill this ancient tree.

There are three meetings where attendance by the community members is important if you are interested in helping to stop the proposed development. The first is on May 14, 2008.

*The proposed use of this land is on the agenda for the ANC 5A09 & PSA 503Joint Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 6:30 PM, at the Hospital for Sick Children located at 18th St and Bunker Hill Rd., NE. ANC 5A09 Commissioner Shirley Rivens-Smith will be there and would like to know what the citizens of ANC 5 think of this development.*

* *

*The second meeting is the ANC 5A meeting on May 28, 2008, when all of the ANC 5A commissioners will vote whether to deny or approve support of the developers zoning variances. This meeting will be held at the Taft Recreation Center, 18th and Perry St NE, at 7:00 PM.*

The final meeting will be at the zoning hearing, which will take place on July 8, 2008.

We would certainly appreciate any support, advice, and suggestions from our neighbors on this matter.

We are not against development – we just believe that the zoning regulations were established for a reason, and chose to move to this area because of the open space and the character and charm of our neighborhood. Although we do love our neighbors, and feel rather fortunate to know such nice folks on our block, if we wanted to be on top of them we would have stayed in a condominium. We also love the beautiful old trees and feel it would be a terrible shame for this gift of nature to be destroyed.

We understand there is an expectation of many more jobs and people moving to the area over the next few years, but as a realtor I can tell you there are plenty of vacant properties available for housing all over the city, and not enough buyers and renters to fill them.

Again – we feel this could set a terrible precedent that could significantly affect the character of the greater Brookland/Woodridge/Michigan Park neighborhood, and are *asking for your support*.

Please join us at the ANC 5A09 meeting to show your support.

Thank you!

Press Conference at Burroughs Elementary Today

I saw some folks setting up the equipment on the front lawn as my bus drove past a little before 9 a.m.....NBC4 has the (misspelled) details on the "small group of parents who passed out fliers and held a press conference" this morning:

Some parents are frustrated with D.C. School Chancellor Michelle Rhee's plan for John Burrows [sic] Elementary in Northeast.

Parents said Rhee's plan to change the school to a pre-K through eighth grade school is too ambitious. The school currently has students in Head Start through sixth grade.

"In less than five months, we're supposed to implement a pre-K through eight plan beginning with extending to accommodate seventh graders," said parent activist Maria Jones.

The plan is to change it to a pre-K through seventh school next year, and add eighth grade within two years. The school was slated for closure but will be kept open.

ANC-5A Monthly Meeting and 5A-07 Special Election - Wednesday, January 23

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 7 p.m.

Where: Luke Moore Academy, 1001 Monroe Street, NE

Agenda Includes:
· Election of Officers for 5A
· Election of Commissioner for 5A-07 (see below)
· Announce the Vacancy of 5A-05
· MPD-5D and 4D police reports
· Community Concerns

Next 5A Monthly Meeting: Wednesday, February 23, 2008 at 7 p.m. - Taft School, 18th and Perry Street NE

- - -

What: Special election for vacant SMD 5A-07 Commissioner seat (formerly William Boston, Chair)

When: Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: Luke Moore Academy, 1001 Monroe Street, NE

Candidates:
· Don Padou
· Carolyn Steptoe
· Bob Artisst

*NOTE: In order to vote in the Special Election you must live in SMD 5A-07 and have your voter registration card OR be listed as a voter on the voter registration list provided by the Board of Elections.

Woodridge Dunkin' Donuts on Rhode Island Ave. Closes

The latest blow for Woodridge's Rhode Island Avenue commercial corridor: our Dunkin' Donuts has closed its doors. While a PSA 502 officer reported yesterday on the MPD-5D listserv that the store was temporarily boarded up due to a fire a few back, it looks like the close is permanent....From Central Baking Company partner Chris Mellgren:

We were forced to close the store due to poor business demand and security issues at the location. We were saddened to have to close the site but the store had been losing significant amounts of money last year and to add to that it was robbed 6 times in 2007 [emphasis mine].

We are looking for another location in the neighborhood but somewhere that is more secure and will generate more guest visits. In the meantime we have a location at 400 Rhode island NW at the corner of Rhode Island and New Jersey Avenue [1739 New Jersey Avenue NW].

Quick Links - Catching Up

» "Beacon House Falcons Win Super Bowl" - WaPo, Monday, December 10 - see background here.

» "8 Fired From System; 30 Choose to Retire" - WaPo, Sunday, December 9 (6 days after I announced it - this should have been bigger news)

Almost 40 employees of the D.C. Public Library system -- about 10 percent of the workforce -- will be leaving their jobs in early January as part of what officials describe as a plan to "transform" the beleaguered system and rejuvenate its personnel.
The group leaving includes the head librarians of seven of the District's 27 libraries.
The head librarians at the Mount Pleasant, Petworth and Woodridge branches were fired, along with five subject specialists at the central Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The eight were let go "without cause" on Nov. 29 or 30, officials said. They were placed on paid administrative leave through Dec. 31, then accompanied to their desks to retrieve their belongings and escorted out the door.

» Vincent Orange elected to Capital Riverfront BID board - Washington Biz Journal, Wednesday, December 5

» From a neighbor: daytime break-ins have increased around Evarts, 28th, and 30th since construction has started on the South Dakota bridge.

» New Brookland Listservs! Do you want announcements without some of the usual list drama? Sign up for the Brookland Announcements List. Also check out the new Brookland Yoga Listserv.

» NoMa BID has updated their website.

Woodridge Head Librarian Fired Firday; Firings at Other Branches

I can't yet find documentation of the most recent housecleaning at DCPL, but Woodridge's head librarian, Mary Cooper, was fired along with a number of other branch librarians on Friday, November 30. I believe (though anyone with more accurate info is encouraged to post a comment) that those let go included the Petworth and Mt. Pleasant head librarians.

This comes on the heels of DCPL's November 7 announcement that a number of branches will no longer have Sunday service through the holiday season (and beyond?) "due to anticipated staff shortages [at] some libraries," including Woodridge.

Sunday service will be maintained at:
· Anacostia
· Benning
· Cleveland Park
· Lamond Riggs
· Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Library
· Mt. Pleasant Southeast
· Takoma Park
· Tenley
· Washington Highlands
· Watha T. Daniel / Shaw
· West End

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.

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

While I Was Out....Homicides in Ward 5

In Carver-Langston on Sunday, from MPD:

At approximately 3:30 am, Sunday, October 21, 2007, officers of the Fifth District responded to the 900 block of 21st Street, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found 20-year-old Ashley M. Black, of the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to the Washington Hospital Center’s MedStar Unit where she was pronounced dead.

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

The department 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.

And, a man found shot inside his car on Rhode Island Avenue in Woodridge on Monday has died:

A 44-year-old Temple Hills man who was found shot inside a vehicle on Monday in the 3100 block of Rhode Island Ave. NE has died. The Metropolitan Police Department’s preliminary investigation revealed that Clive Valentine of the 2700 block of Bell Brook Street in Temple Hills, Md. may have been shot when another vehicle pulled up alongside and fired shots into his vehicle.

Police responded to the report of a shooting on Rhode Island Avenue at approximately 11:36 pm on Monday, October 22, 2007. Valentine was transported to the Washington Hospital Center’s MedStar Unit and admitted in critical condition. He was pronounced dead at 11:15 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2007.

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 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.

MPD-5D has reported that the driver of a silver Honda or Volkswagon is the suspected shooter. The suspect was last seen turning right (south) on Eastern Avenue.

Quick Links

I'm on my way out of town for a week, so posting will be light-to-nil. I don't have the time to create posts for each of the links below, but I wanted to share them in case you missed them in the news this week (and I think this may be a good way for me to get info out quickly and more frequently):

» "1300 Rhode Island Avenue - New Name, New Birthday" - DCmud, Friday, October 19th - The "1300 Rhode Island Avenue" development is now dubbed "Brookland Square"
» "Academy Expands Facility, and Hope" - WaPo, Thursday, October 18th - Inspirational news from the Academy of Hope, now located in Edgewood Terrace
» "4 Catholic schools to fight charter conversion" - The Examiner, October 18th - St. Francis de Sales in Woodridge is one of the schools trying to escape charter conversion; St. Anthony's in Brookland will remain under the Archdiocese of Washington's umbrella
» "Owner's letter OKs crackdown" - The Washington Times, October 18th - The company managing the Rhode Island Place shopping center has authorized the MPD to crack down on crimes being committed by day laborers who go there seeking work

Woodridge Library Programs This Weekend

The Woodridge Branch Library is having two programs of interest to the community this weekend.

The First Annual Multicultural Program will be held on Saturday, October 20th from 1:30-3:30 p.m. This is a family program for all ages.

On Sunday, October 21st, a celebration of Young Adult reading will be held for teens ages 12-19 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Holla'Back and Teen Read Week participants can extend the fun of reading, games, chats, and more - including door prizes and refreshments!

The Woodridge Library is located at 1801 Hamlin Street, NE at the south corner of Rhode Island Avenue and 18th Street.

For more information call the library at 202.541.6226.

Estella's Hats & Boutique Building For Sale

Estella Wheeler (be sure to click on the link for a lovely tribute from NPR's All Things Considered) passed away earlier this year, and now the building that has long been home to Estella's Hats & Boutique is for sale (login required, MLS #DC6564419). The current list price for the 2 retail storefronts with 4 apartments above is $825,000.


» NPR/All Things Considered - June 14, 2007, "Hats Off to Beloved D.C. Haberdasher"
» NPR/All Things Considered - March 27, 2005, "Easter Hat Roundup: Estella's View from Church"

SMD 5A-09 Monthly Meeting - Sunday, October 14th

What: SMD 5A-09 Monthly Meeting with Commissioner Shirley Smith

When: Sunday, October 14th, 2007, 2-3:30pm

Where: Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE

Agenda: TBA

Future Meetings:
Sunday, November 11th
Sunday, December 9th

Updates on Artist Housing in Woodridge and Brookland

I missed it a couple of weeks ago, but the Post ran a piece on artist housing in DC, featuring the Douglass Street project I mentioned back in July. The application process will likely open up again in the spring, and I'll post the info here if I catch it in time. Overall, a good article, if you just strike the following:

The biggest downside of the Douglass Street project is its location. While Mather Studios is in the heart of downtown, the Douglass [sic] Street project is in Northeast, near New York Avenue.

God forbid. Seriously, who wants to live near the Arboretum, the Gateway Arts District in Maryland, or Abdo's forthcoming Arbor Place? Oh, maybe it's not that bad....


But I digress. Artspace's Dance Place Project is gathering steam, with construction estimated to start in early 2008:

Artspace will develop a mixed-used project that will include 30 to 40 affordable live/work units for artists and a new home for Dance Place, a nonprofit organization that operates a dance company, a school, and a variety of children's programs. Two existing buildings on the site will be torn down to make way for the project.

A hearty welcome to our future neighbors!

Four-Alarm Fire at Coosemans' Warehouse in NE

Two firefighters were injured in DC's first four-alarm blaze in nearly 7 years....From WUSA9:

DC Fire and EMS units fought a warehouse fire at 2144 Queens Chapel Road, Northeast, Thursday night. The location is off of Bladensburg Road near New York Avenue.

About 60 workers were inside the warehouse when the fire started. They told 9 News Now the flames first appeared near the rooftop sometime before 8pm. They tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but when their efforts failed, they called 911.

More than 160 firefighters were still battling the blaze three hours after it started.

"This is a very significant event. You can see the plumes of smoke even in the dark," said D.C. Fire Spokesman Alan Etter.

The first units responding ordered an exterior attack shortly after calling the second-alarm. The fire then grew to four alarms.

"Whenever you get into a sprawling structure like this, there's always a danger to firefighters," said Etter. "Our roof team could actually see part of the roof bowing in, so that's when you got to get everybody out."

At 7:50 p.m., Battalion Chief Kenneth Crosswhite, on the scene, told STATter 911 this is a 200 by 200 foot warehouse housing the DC operation of Coosemans Worldwide Produce. Chief Crosswhite said the crews were pulled out of the building because of the bowing of the exposed bar joist roof structure. He said there was fire throughout the building.

Coosemans workers said there were 8 diesel trucks inside the complex as well as hundreds of boxes containing highly flammable materials. However, firefighters were able to contain the fire so it did not reach those boxes.

Here's how Coosemans DC describes itself on its website:

For over 20 years, Coosemans DC has been providing some of the best specialty and exotic produce in the Washington/Baltimore area. First as Rock Garden and then joining forces with Coosemans, we have steadily grown to become a major importer, re-packer and distributor of over 400 specialty items.

Mayor Adrian Fenty visited the site around 10pm. Firefighters were still using a double ladder hose to reach the deep-seated pockets inside the building.

Fenty compared the fire to the Eastern Market blaze. "This is devastating," he said.

Additionally, about 145 people were relocated from two nearby homeless shelters when the power was shut down on the block.

You can view raw video footage shot by D.C. Fire & EMS photographer Vito Maggiolo here.

» dcfd.com
» dcfire.com

Chungs Close Custom Cleaners in NE

Despite successfully defending themselves against judge Roy Pearson and his $67 million pants (generously reduced by Pearson to $54 million), the Chung family has closed two of its three Custom Cleaners, including the 3174 Bladensburg Road, NE location. If you live or work near the Convention Center, consider taking your delicates to their Happy Cleaners shop at 7th and M, NW while they fight Pearson's appeal.

» "Chung Family Closes Custom Cleaners" - DCist
» "Financial, Emotional Toll Too Much on Dry Cleaners" - WTOP
» "Family Sells Cleaners Caught In $54 Million Lawsuit" - NBC4
» "Business Sold After Million-Dollar Pant Suit Case" - WUSA9

Saint's Bourbon Street - Live Music in September

Check out the free, live music at Saint's Bourbon Street, 1812 Hamlin Street NE, in September:

Friday, 9/14 - Stacey Brooks and Friends Blues Band @ 8:00 p.m. Stacey Brooks and Friends are coming back for a repeat performance. This talented new band play well together and the stellar vocals by Ms. Stacy Brooks herself add to that blues and rhythm sound that has them performing all around the country.

Saturday, 9/15 - Allan and Friends @ 8:30 p.m. Award winning local songwriter with several CDs. Allan will be releasing 2 more CDs this summer, and will be playing songs from those, as well as his earlier material.

Friday, 9/21 - Meteor Band @ 8:30 p.m. This blues band has a sound all their own. Their style has people all over DC area coming in on Fridays to hear them. Get here early!

Saturday, 9/22 - After Hours Band 8:30 p.m. At Saint's for the second time! If you were here last time, you may have noticed the superb showmanship, polished professionalism, and musical magic of this jazz and blues band. You know they say it only gets better the second time around! Can't wait to prove that one true!

Friday, 9/28 - First Thing Smokin' @ 8:30 p.m. With a motto that reads "If you cant feel it, it ain't real," these acclaimed blues performers are always welcomed and celebrated by Saint's customers. They play national blues festivals and are known for giving people a good time.