Neal Street

the 1200 block

Noise Round-Up

Here's an article from Roll Call (subscription only) on the proposed noise bill and how it may help H Street neighbors (around 8th & H) enjoy their weeks a bit more. For more on the noise issue check out Quest for Quiet.
Continue to expect a delay if you email me (and light posting through Friday because I'm still in finals).

Tommy Wells: Traffic Safety

Here is a recent blog entry from Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells on road safety issues following the tragic hit-and-run that killed a 6 year old girl at 6th & Orleans.

For the Forseeable Future

1300 block of H Street.

$10k Reward Offered in Hit and Run

The Post reports that the city is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the hit and run driver who killed six year old Crysta Spencer at 6th and Orleans on Monday afternoon.
Additional coverage:
NBC News 4 #1 video
NBC News4 #2 video
WUSA9 story & video

Meetings Tonight

5th District Citzens Advisory Council-
What: The CAC is an advisory panel in each police district that provides the District Commander with information and recommendations from the community on public safety problems and police service needs. All Fifth District residents are invited to the monthly CAC meeting.
Where: 1805 Bladensburg Road NE
When: 7-9pm

ANC 5B (special) Meeting:
What: a special meeting dealing with issues not dealt with at the last meeting due to an extended community speak out. Final approval of the VA for the Big Chill (H2O reincarnated).
Where: Washington Center for Aging Services 2601 18th Street, NE
When: 7:30-9pm
*the regular ANC 5B meeting will be held next Thursday (May 3rd). Same time and place.

In Shaw: Florida Market Meeting

Mari from In Shaw's got a post re: the Florida Market meeting last night. Check out her view, and I'll post something on the topic later. We had a good turnout last night, but there were still lots of empty seats (I attended the second meeting). I think the Office of Planning did a great job of getting the word out. Lots of people stood up to ask questions/give comments. I heard that around 10 people gave comments at the first meeting. It is really terrific that they are doing a study like this.

Things Fall Apart

One of the countless partial bikes one finds abandoned around here. 1200 block of Neal Street.

WP: Girl, 6, Mourned

The Post has additional coverage of the hit and run that killed Crysta Spencer at 6th & Orleans.

Two Rivers Fundraising Gala

PRESS RELEASE

Two Rivers Public Charter School to Hold 3rd Annual Framing the Future Gala April 28, 2007 – “Black-Tie for the Brave” Gala Inaugurates New School Building

Washington, DC, February 20, 2007 — Two Rivers Public Charter School will hold its third annual gala, Framing the Future: an evening of art and music in support of the Two Rivers community on April 28, 2007 in its innovative new school building located at 1227 4th Street NE in Washington, DC. The “black tie for the brave” event begins at 7 pm and includes dinner, desserts, an open bar, live jazz by the James Williamson Project, and performances by the vocal groups Class Act and the Metronomes. A silent auction featuring the work of more than 40 artists will benefit Two Rivers’ arts programming. Tickets are $75.00 and may be purchased online at www.framingthefuturegala.org, by calling Two Rivers at 202 546 4477, or by sending an email to framing@tworiverspcs.org.

Framing the Future was a resounding success in its first two years. The 2006 gala drew a crowd of over 300 friends and supporters to Washington’s historic City Museum and raised over $60,000. Gala proceeds help Two Rivers fund specialized arts programming, purchase arts supplies, support artists in residence, and provide continuing education for teachers. Many artists who participated in past Framing the Future galas will return this year, and a wide variety of works will be available, including painting, sculpture, glass and ceramics, photography, and jewelry.

The Framing the Future committee is grateful to the business and community sponsors that support the gala. The 2007 gala is sponsored by, among others: Hunt Smith Design, Quite a Stir Catering, Building Hope, The National Capitol Bank of Washington, Ford and Harrison LLP, Pendragwn Productions, Demian \Wilbur \ Architects, and Peterson and Collins Inc.

About Two Rivers Public Charter School
Two Rivers Public Charter School offers classes from preschool through 5th grade and will expand one grade each year until it reaches 8th grade in 2009. The mission of the school is to nurture a diverse group of students to become lifelong, active participants in their own education, develop a sense of self and community, and become responsible and compassionate members of society.

Two Rivers uses Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound, an educational model that emphasizes interactive, hands-on, project-based learning. The school focuses on the whole child, recognizing the importance of character education and the social-emotional needs of children while helping them achieve academic excellence. The Two Rivers staff share a strong belief that all children can learn and be high achievers. The curriculum at Two Rivers is rigorous, standards-based, and provides opportunities for students to excel in all areas. An integrated arts program and a content-based Spanish program augment the school’s demanding academic program. These elements come together through learning expeditions that allow students to incorporate and apply their classroom learning through real-world experiences.

To learn more about Two Rivers, please visit www.tworiverspcs.org or call 202-546-4477.

###

Contact
Jessica Wodatch
Executive Director
202 546 4477
jwodatch@tworiverspcs.org

Jim May
Acting Principal
202 546 4477
jmay@tworiverspcs.org

WP: First Grader Killed in Hit & Run

Here's a story from the Post about the girl fatally struck by a motorist yesterday near 6th & Orleans.

Meeting Re: Florida Market Tonight

Don't forget about the Office of Planning meeting tonight about the upcoming Florida Market (Capital City Market) study.
Two sessions:
3:30-5:30
6-8
Gallaudet University
Foster Auditorium in the Student Academic Center
800 Florida Avenue (enter at 8th Street NE)
Click here for full details.

A sign that recently appeared on the edge of the Market promises that "[p]retty soon, you won't recognize the place."

Vincent Orange For Mayor

Photo by Alex Hastings
Last year's elections are long over, but you wouldn't know it from this campaign sign (for the primary) that is still up on Holbrook.

Seeking Balance

1200 block of Neal Street.

Just a Note

I saw on DCist that outside.in has named Shaw the 2nd bloggiest neighborhood in the country. But what does outside.in say is Shaw's local obsession?
"Will H Street's historical significance as the center of the 1968 MLK assassination riots become a fleeting memory in the wake of the multi-million dollar redevelopment plan for the area?"
Curious, no?

Hit & Run Kills Girl, 6

NBC News 4 reports that a girl was struck while crossing the street on the way to an after school activity around 4:30pm. The incident occurred at 6th & Orleans. The vehicle may have been a green SUV with Maryland. It was headed north on 6th Street. For more infomation, and a picture of the girl, follow the link.

WUSA9 has the same story, but they are reporting that the victim was a 6 year old female.

From: AlertDC traf1780@alert.

ema.dc.gov>

To: Transportation Alert Recipients rsan@alert.ema.dc.gov>
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 7:05:21 PM
Subject: Message from Alert DC

MPD reports child struck and killed at the 600 blk of Orleans PL NE (hit & run)
UPDATE-1D-LOOK OUT FOR THE HIT AND RUN VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE FATALITY AT 6TH AND ORLEANS PL NE.THE LOOK OUT IS FOR A GREEN FORD EXPLORER, OR A GREEN TOYOTA (4) RUNNER WITH TINTED WINDOWS AND FRONT END DAMAGE AND UNKNOWN MARYLAND TAGS. notify-MPD(SOCC)-202 727-9099

Sent by DC HSEMA to e-mail, pagers, cell phones

Thanks For the Memories

...of Saturday.
Thanks to all who turned out for the tree planting at Joe Cole. With over 100 volunteers (Casey Trees brought some in from the DC metro area, and some students from a charter school (Key Academy) joined forces with residents) all 18 trees were planted in around 2 hours. Very impressive. This was the first time Casey Trees (they partnered with the Trinidad-Ivy City Garden Club on this one) had done a project in Trinidad, and we hope they'll be back.

Thanks also to the 100 or so people that joined us for Saturday's tour of the Florida Market (aka the Capital City Market). We had a particularly big crowd this time because it was part of Cultural Tourism DC's Walking Town weekend. It was a great chance to get both those who live in the area, and those from the larger DC area, to see the Market and learn more about the proposed development on the site.

For those of us who missed Saturday's PSA 504 meeting, here is Rob's recap:
Hi, all, here's a recap of the recent PSA meeting:

PSA 504 Meeting recap from Sat Apr. 21, 2007.

In attendance from MPD were Sergeant Gudger and Officer Williams. Lt. Anderson could not make it.

Attendance was sparse, probably due to the tree planting at the Cole rec center.

- Sgt Gudger passed around information on one new sex offender living in the PSA. DC's registry can be found here. Or put "sex offender DC" in your favorite web search engine.

- We reviewed crime statistics. While crime was generally down for the prior 30 day period, car theft and theft from vehicles was up. MPD's online crime statistics site is here. Also, CrimeInDC.org is a nice site to look at for mapping criminal activity as is crimereports.com.

- Car theft from gas stations: other PSA's have reported a rash of thefts at gas stations. Youths crawl into cars while they're being gassed up and steal purses or sometimes the car itself. MPD urges you to lock your car when getting gas and take the keys. Be wary at gas stations.

- One attendee asked about groups congregating outside, especially as warm weather is beginning. Sergeant Gugder and Officer Williams said it is fine to call 311 to ask police to check on groups that are congregating.

- Another attendee asked that during the next meeting MPD presenters update us on which officers are on duty at what times in what areas. Currently MPD has four watches: 10pm - 6am, 6am - 2pm, 2pm - 10pm, and the "Power Shift" from 7pm - 4am. This may change, though, to three watches, TBD.

- A guest, Deidra Prophet from the Wendt Center for loss and healing, briefly explained about her organization's crisis response team. More information can be found at their web site.

- Ms Cynthia Simms of the ABC Board will join us for the May meeting as she was not able to attend this month.

DC Vacant Properties Blog

This site appears to be Shaw based, but it might be of interest. Thanks to MB for the heads up.

DCMUD: Florida Market

Not really anything new here, but DC MUD's got a post on the upcoming meeting about the Florida Market and the New Town development that want to take over the Market's current location.

On Montello Last Night

The driver and passenger fled on foot last night after running their car into a bus stop in the 1100 block of Montello Avenue.
Sorry for the quality of the pictures on this one, but you get the idea.
Here's a small version of a very shaky (you don't want to see a larger version) shot of the car:

And not so blurry, but way too dark:

District to Pay $1.2 Million in Hit and Run

The District, without admitting wrong doing, has agreed to pay $1.2 million to the family of two young children killed by a driver who ran a red light at 12th & Florida Avenue. The man had been involved in a drug transaction a few blocks down the street when police arrived and he subsequently sped off in his car hoping to elude police. After hitting the children the driver, Eric Palmer, jumped out of his car and fled on foot. He was apprehended nearby and later claimed that his brakes had failed. The accident took place September 11, 2004.

PSA 504 Meeting Saturday

What: Police Service Area Meeting for PSA 504 (includes all of Trinidad)
Where: Developing Families Center (801 17th Street NE)
When: 10am

Roll Call: Big Art, Small Places

A Roll Call article (subscription only guys) mentions a few new additons to H Street:

-Britishink Tattoo Studio and Gallery (508 H Street)
The artist is Paul Roe. I'd heard about this place, and Mr. Roe apparently has a bit of a following in DC (you've got to pick you tattoo artist carefully, after all). The curious can check out the studio during an opening from 6pm-8pm on April 30th featuring tea and the artists (local, and often political, artist Dana Ellyn will be among them) who are displaying their work in the gallery.

-Dissident Display (416 H Street)
These guys have had a handful of events (I haven't made it yet, but I plan to once I finish finals), and their next one is April 27th at 10pm. I know the deal not only in paintings, and drawings, but also in fashion and multimedia works. It sounds like they have lots of interesting shows on right now and upcoming. Definitely on my list to check out.

The Transformation

Several years ago this house was set on fire by the serial arsonist. An elderly woman died of smoke inhalation. Until recently the house sat there empty, a burned out shell. But after going up at the tax sale last year the house is being renovated. Here's what it looks like now.

This was also the site of the Trinidad-Ivy City Garden Club's first treebox planting. Click here to see a few photos of that planting.

Here's one shot from the first planting.
Join the Garden Club for a tree planting at Joe Cole Rec Center on Saturday.

Another Capital City Market Site

I found this through a Technorati search:
This guy Josh Williams has an interesting interactive feature (including one video and a couple of audio slide shows) about the Capital City Market.
By the way, according to this site, my count of individual vendors in the actual DC Farmers Market is off. I guessed 30-40. This site says 50 (which I think is probably right, but not all of the stands sell food, and a few are restaurant stands, which I wasn't counting).

Tree Planting April 21st

Celebrate Earth Day by Planting Trees
Saturday, April 21
9 am -1:00pm

Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center
1200 Morse Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002

We'll be planting around 15 trees at the recreation center on Saturday, so we'll need lots of volunteers.

Sponsored by
Trinidad/Ivy City Garden Club
in collaboration with Casey Trees

Contact Trinidad/Ivy City Garden Club (202-398-4779) for More Information

I Am A Giant

1200 Morse.

Also available in black and white:

Found Cocker Spaniel

On the off chance that someone around here reads this blog, but isn't subscribed to the 6A listserv I'm posting this. Leave a comment, or email me if this is your dog and I'll hook you up with Jock:

I found a black cocker spaniel this afternoon at 14th and F St. NE. She has a collar but no tags. She is very friendly and clearly house-trained. She is also very playful but seems to be pretty old since she has a cataract in one eye. She also seems to have been wandering for quite some time because she was very hungry and her hair was pretty well matted.

Anybody know who the owner might be? I've got her and will be taking care of her until we can find the owner, or a new home if necessary.

Jock

Market Tour Saturday

Photo by Ken Firestone (used with permission, all rights reserved).
Join us (there will be three of us this time: Richard Layman, Ken Firestone, and me) for a tour of the Florida Market on Saturday. This is an abbreviated version of the normal tour (neighborhood residents may want to wait our summer tours because this one will be crowded and we won't be going into lots of the places, but instead just pointing them out due to the size of the anticipated crowd) because it is part of the Cultural Tourism DC tour day. Here are the details:
Saturday (April 21st) 9 – 11 am
Meet outside the north entrance of New York Avenue Metro station (exit to Florida Avenue).
The other reason that neighborhood residents might want to wait is because during the normal tours we get to chat a lot more about the Market than I suspect will be possible this Saturday (and sometimes we walk around and take photos if people so wish). But, this is a good opportunity if you just want a quickie.

Reduced Tickets @the Atlas

Here's the info:

You’re invited!...

..to The Washington Savoyards dazzling production of Frank Lehar’s The Merry Widow!

The Washington Savoyards, Washington’s Light Opera Company, has recently relocated to their new and gleaming digs at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street.

They’re extending an invitation to their capital hill neighbors to come and see what’s new, by offering a discounted ticket rate of $25.00 to those who reside in the 20002 and 20003 zip codes, for the performances of Thursday, April 19 thru Sunday, April 22, 2007. Thursday – Saturday @ 8pm, Saturday and Sunday @ 2:30pm

The Merry Widow is appropriate for all ages and features a full orchestra, original sets and costume and fabulous local professional talent.

We look forward to seeing you at the theater!

Performances are held at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street.

1333 H Street, NE, Washington, DC.

Purchase on line at www.savoyards.org ; www.atlasarts.org or through the box office 202.399-7993

Revival Is Here

Or, so said the sign that once hung (or is it still there?) on the side of this church located at 11th & H Street.

Florida Avenue Market Study

The text immediately below is from the Office of Planning flyer:

The Office of Planning (OP) has initiated a study of the Florida Avenue Market and is engaging property and business owners within the Market, as well as residents, institutions and other stakeholders surrounding the Market. The purpose of the Study is to conduct an existing conditions analysis, an economic analysis of the wholesale and retail market functions, and an operational analysis. Additionally, the Study will provide demand projections for other potential uses on the site, resulting in various redevelopment/revitalization scenarios for consideration. The Study will also address sustainable development (green technology), urban design, transportation and historic preservation issues. Before any decisions are made regarding the future of this site, it is critical that the District and all affected parties have a full and balanced understanding of the opportunities, constraints and fiscal impacts of redevelopment, and that the public is significantly involved in considering these findings. The Florida Avenue Market is at a critical juncture of its history. Your participation in the coming months is critical for creating a successful and responsive plan!


Here is the public meeting schedule

First Public Meeting
Tuesday April 24th, 2007
Overview
Content at both meetings is the same (they are holding two meetings to accommodate different schedules).
3:30-5:30 pm
6:00-8:00 pm

The Office of Planning invites property and business owners within the Florida Avenue Market and neighborhood residents and stakeholders around the Market area to help us create development recommendations for this site.

Our goal is to produce recommendations for:
• Urban Design/Public Realm
• Uses
• Parking
• Greening
• Historic Preservation.

2nd Public Meeting
Wednesday May 30th, 2007
Highlights of Possible Redevelopment Session
3:30-5:30 pm
6:00-8:00 pm

Both public meetings will be held at:

Gallaudet University
Foster Auditorium in the Student Academic Center
800 Florida Avenue (enter at 8th Street NE)

For more information or to RSVP, please contact: Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Neighborhood Planner, 202-442-7615 or deborah.crain@dc.gov ; or Jeff Davis, Ward 6 Neighborhood Planner, 202-442-7704 or jeff.davis@dc.gov .

Stocking the shelves at Litteri's.
Photo by Ken Firestone (all rights reserved, used with permission).

ANC 5B10 (SMD) Carver Terrace Mtg

Bladensburg Road
For those of you who get your jollies at community meetings, or if you're just looking for something to do before heading to the Freaky Friday the 13th Cheeky Monkey Show, here's a Carver Terrace (SMD 5B10) meeting with discussion of the Arboretum Place (so apparently they still plan to buil it) development. Previous haggling over the development has focused on condo versus apartment and price caps. Rumor has it that the latest rendering looks like a gated community. Also on the agenda is a little place called Jimmy Valentine's that wants to open on Bladensburg, but needs a liquor license. Oh yeah, they'll also be talking about crime.

DATE: APRIL 13, 2007; TIME: 5:30 – 7:00 P.M.; LOCATION: DC DEVELOPING FAMILIES CENTER, 801 17^TH STREET, NE (across from Hechinger Mall Safeway)

Sponsored By: Commissioner India A. Henderson
Former Commissioner Kathy Henderson
(202) 397-2777
Refreshments

The Green Dream

Vaguely Friday the 13thish, no? Joe Cole Rec before they've got all the lights on.

CP: Crime Lab Techs Ditch DC

City Paper discusses DC's crime lab tech rentention issue. Don't look for CSI DC any time soon.

Alley Rape Suspect Sketch

This is the sketch of the older rape suspect. Get more info here.

**************************

UPDATE

*************************

This was in an email sent out by the Director of Constituent Services from Tommy Well's office: Sexual Assault on 1300 G Street, NE - D.C. police are looking for two suspects in a sexual assault. According to MPD, at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4th, a 33-year-old woman and her 3-year-old daughter had an altercation with two men at the Checkers at 14th Street and Maryland Avenue. As they walked down the 1300 block of G Street after they left the restaurant, two men followed them to the edge of an alley, where one man pulled out a knife, police said. The men forced the woman and her daughter into the alley and sexually assaulted the woman.

This is the first time I've seen that information. That makes it particularly odd if they aren't (and maybe they are, I don't know) getting some good witnesses from Checkers.

VOH: Rosedale Rec Solution?

Voice of the Hill's got a story on resident efforts to improve the Rosedale Recreation Center.

VOH: Crime Down in Area

Voice of the Hill has a piece on how crime in the 1st District, in spite of some high profile cases that have drawn recent attention (e.g. a crazy guy attacking people with a screwdriver on Barracks Row, and the recent rape of a woman in an alley in front of her three year old), is actually experiencing a downward trend.

Special ANC 5B Meeting

When: Thursday April 26th 7:30pm
Where: Washington Center for the Aging Service 2601 18th Street NE
This meeting is (I think, but I'll check, I just got a message saying it was called due to time constraints) in addition to the regularly scheduled ANC meeting (May 3rd). The only stuff on the agenda that I received is:
-Administrative matters
-Old business: various ABC issues
-Community speak-out
-Announcements

WP: DC / PG Team-Up to Clean-Up Border

According to the Washington Post District police and police from Prince George's County will increase across the border sharing of information and will also step up patrols along the border to deal with theproblem of criminals who easily pass from one jurisdiction to the other.

Yeah, That's Pretty Much the Problem

Bye bye US Beef building, hello 11 story thingy
A sign recently went up on the former site of the US Beef Building. So, I'm talking about Florida Avenue right across from the impossible to miss Two Rivers Charter School. So, if you are walking from the NY Ave metro stop, this is how you would enter the Market. The sign which advertises for the Gateway Market Residences, brought to you by Sang Oh [Choi!] Development. Mr. Choi is, of course, the man (or men, since John Ray is involved) with the vision behind New Town at the Capital City Market. Also, on the sign were a phone number & a website (both of which I wrote down, but do not have in front of me). There was also a hookline: "Pretty soon you won't recognize the place. Promise."

*************************
UPDATE
*************************

Here is the website: www.GatewayMarketandResidences.com
202-265-2464
Sang Oh Development, LLC

So, I'm not suggesting that all development is bad (I like the H Street stuff, right?). I'm just saying that this is not the best plan for this area. I'm concerned about the wording of the actual act. I think it will have (at least) two troubling aspects:
1) it will push out (by default) a lot of existing vendors
2) it will (I suspect, but read the act for yourself) involve the demolition of lots of historic buildings.
3) also, doesn't the eminent domain thing bother more people?
4) what about the fact that this looks kind like a no bid contract that the Council is making with a rather inexperienced developer?

*****************************
FURTHER UPDATE
*****************************
Here is a map of the Market that you can compare to the map on Choi's website.

Roundtable on Main Street Programs

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT of the Council of the District of Columbia
Announces a Public Oversight Roundtable on "Status and Future of the Main Streets Program"
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2007 AT 4:00PM
The Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002

Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, announces a Public Roundtable on "The Status and Future of the Main Streets Program".
The Roundtable will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 4pm at The Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street N.E., Washington, D.C.

Those who wish to testify should contact Mr. John Adams at the Committee on Economic Development by email at jadams@dccouncil.us or by telephone (202) 727-6683 by 5pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2007.

E-mail contacts should include the full name, title, and affiliation - if applicable - of the person(s) wishing to testify.

Witnesses should bring 15 copies of their written testimony to the roundtable. Representatives of organizations will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation and individuals will be allowed a maximum of three (3) minutes for oral presentation.
If you are unable to attend the Roundtable, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee on Economic Development, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 119, Washington, D.C. 20004 no later than 5:30pm Friday, April 27, 2007.

Obeng

In the Capital City Market.

Reward Offered in Alley Rape

from the 1-D listserv:

REWARD

UP TO $1,000 REWARD

AT APPROXIMATELY 5:45 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007, A WOMAN WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY ONE OF TWO MEN WHO FORCED HER INTO THE REAR OF 1336 G STREET, N.E.

THE FIRST SUSPECT IN THIS CASE IS DESCRIBED AS SUSPECT NUMBER ONE IS DESCRIBED AS A BLACK, MALE, 30’S, 6’1”, 200 LBS, MEDIUM COMPL, MIXED GRAY BEARD, BLACK HOODIE, STONE WASHED BLUE JEANS, BLACK TENNIS SHOES, ARMED WITH A KNIFE THAT HAS A WOODEN HANDLE AND A HOOK ON THE END. SUSPECT #2 IS DESCRIBED AS A B/M, LIGHT COMPLEXION, BLACK BASEBALL CAP, AND BLACK JACKET WITH A ZIPPER IN THE FRONT.

THE POLICE ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO PLEASE CALL THE DEPARTMENT’S OPERATIONS COMMAND CENTER AT 202/727-9099 OR THE DEPARTMENT’S CRIME SOLVERS UNIT AT 1-800-673-2777. ALL CALLS TO CRIME SOLVERS ARE CONFIDENTIAL. IF A CALLER PROVIDES INFORMATION THROUGH CRIME SOLVERS THAT LEADS TO AN ARREST AND INDICTMENT, HE/SHE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REWARD OF UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

Computers for Low Income Families

Press release:
Join us at our upcoming Community Computer Sale on Saturday, April 21, 10-2pm @ Kennedy Rec Center (in Ward 2 - Georgetown area) hosted by United Planning Organization Head Start Program and Per Scholas. Computers will be available for $230 & $330!

Per Scholas is a non-profit organization with a rich 12-year history of offering affordable technology to low-income families and financially challenged schools and community-based organizations. We are headquartered in Bronx, NY with offices in Miami and Baltimore. For the past two years, Per Scholas has partnered with the Head Start Program in various cities to reach out to families without home computers and technology-deprived schools, day care centers and after school programs. Beyond the New York City area, we have co-hosted outreach events in Baltimore, Miami, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Wilmington, & Washington, DC. This is our third time in DC. Learn more about our threefold technology programs @ www.perscholas.org.

Sidamo Hiring for Weekends

Would you, or someone you know (students are most welcome), like to pick up a cool weekend job at a top notch coffee house? Sidamo is currently seeking part-time employees to help out on weekends. Sidamo closes at 6pm on weekends, so this would leave your nights free. Interested parties should stop by the shop at 417 H Street.

(No) H Street Country Club Name Change

The upcoming tavern, which will feature mini-golf, is changing its name to Par Bar. Read more about current and future hot spots on H Street here. This place will be located at 1335 H Street.

************************
UPDATE
***********************

Apparently not so much of a name change. Here's why Par Bar was on the application:
Par Bar LLC trading as H St. Country Club

Grace Deli

Corner of 7th & H Street.

Dee & Kim's Nails in Post

You may, or may not have noticed the mention of one of H Street's nail salons hiding in yesterday's Sunday Source. In case you missed it, Dee & Kim's Nails (526 H Street, yes, that is the address I tried to attribute to With These Hands last week) was mentioned in the piece Find Beauty at a Bargain. The author was very pleased with her eyebrow wax, even if she had less flattering things to say about the staff's friendliness and the place's cleanliness.

Playing Alice

Taken in an alley just west of Bladensburg Road (from the archives).

When The Unthinkable Happens

An alley in Near Northeast (NOT where the rape occurred).

I'm talking, of course, about last week's rape of a 33 year old woman at knife point. It happened in an alley, in front of her 3 year old daughter (who was restrained by a second man), during daylight hours (5:45pm). It happened after they stopped at the Checker's on Maryland to get some dinner. It happen near 13th & G (Linden Court). So far there seems to have been very little in terms of news coverage (read the story or watch the video from NBC4). He's the original email sent out by MPD Cmdr. Groomes (1-D):
From: "Groomes, Diane (MPD)" diane.groomes@dc.gov
To: MPD-1D@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2007 10:25:10 AM
Subject: [MPD-1D] SEXUAL ASSAULT IN PSA 102/103 BORDER LAST NIGHT

AT APPROXIMATELY 2100 HOURS MPD RECEIVED A CALL FROM A FEMALE VICTIM REPORTING THAT SHE WAS INSIDE THE CHECKERS RESTAURANT WITH HER DAUGHTER WHEN SHE ENCOUNTERED TWO MEN IN THE LOBBY – SHE EXITED THE CHECKERS (14TH AND MD) AND WAS THEN FOLLOWED BY THE TWO MEN TO THE 1300 BLK OF G ST NE WHERE ONE SUSPECT – B/M, LATE 30S, 6’1” WITH BLK/GRY BEARD WITH HOODY SHIRT GRABBED HER INTO THE ALLEY AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER ( THE SECOND ASSAILANT WAS DESCRIBED AS B/M IN HIS TWENTIES WITH BLK BASEBALL CAP AND BLK JACKET ON)

ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION – PLS CALL 727-9099

Ignore the 2100 hrs thing, it doesn't appear to be correct since police were on the scene way before that time.

Pretty disgusting and sad for all of us, particularly the woman and her daughter (who do live in the neighborhood). Crimes like this (occurring suring daylight hours, taking place in front of the woman's daughter) are particularly disturbing. They get under your skin in a way that a simple shooting really can't. Because they make you wonder how any human can be so depraved, and then they make you wonder what someone like that was even doing down the street from your home.

After worrying about these questions for a while, we have to think about how we can minimize these things in the future. Alleys aren't exactly unsafe, but often they are a little more secluded than the street and that sometimes means that a certain type of people feel more comfortable committing crimes back there. I consider the alley where I live now to generally be better than when I lived on I Street. While the one on I Street wasn't a haven for prostitutes, it suffered from constant illegal dumping and was otherwise generally deserted except for the teens who would gather there to smoke a little pot. It was also very poorly lit at night. Where I live now we have a big wide alley that is generally cleaner than many alleys in Trinidad (though we've had our own trash problems recently), we have some streetlights (though at least one always seems to be burned out), we hold alley clean-ups, and many of us are in the alley a lot just talking or checking on things. Recently a neighbor of mine was hit in the head by a 2x4 that a large group of kids (maybe 12 years old) threw at him seemingly for fun. Other people have been held up at gun point, we have had multiple stolen cars dumped here (I ran into a group of kids doing just that on Thursday night), and last summer I chased two kids down the alley who were attempting to steal my housemate's scooter. So, I guess we have problems here too.

My question is what can we (the District government, the residents, the ANCs, the MPD, the H Street business community) do to help combat this kind of crime? How can we make our selves (and vistors to our neighborhood) safer?

UBU Dance Party @Red & the Black

It's Red & the Black (1212 H Street).

NBC4: Woman Raped After Leaving Checkers

NBC4 reports that woman leaving the Checkers on Maryland Avenue with her daughter around 5:45pm Wednesday was forced into an alley near 13th & G Street at knifepoint. One of the two assailants raped the woman, while the other restrained her daughter. The two men walked off after they had finished.

Just a quick reminder, because of the nature of the crime, please refrain from posting any potentially identifying information about the victim.

Reuters: Talking Surveillance

Not neighborhood related, but I thought I'd share this article on surveillance cameras in Britain that actually (well, the operators anyway) scold you when they see you do something bad like littering.

WT: Noise Bill Introduced

The Times reports on the newly introduced bill set to modify the existing noise law. This new bill is partly a response to concerns from neighbors at 8th & H Streets who regularly endure hours of amplified street preaching.

Express: How to Get to H Street

Ok,the fact that the is even the call for a piece like this says something about are transit situation.

April Hill Rag Recs

The April Hill Rag is out. Highlights include:
-The ANC reports (pdf) (discussion of the sinlge moratorium, which will cover not just beer and malt liquor, but also hard liquor in halfpint, or smaller servings).
-H Street Life: single sales and an interview with the Owner of the Philadelphia Water Ice Factory. The Factory wisely plans to add later hours this year in the hopes of feeding customers from the nearby bars.
-A story on the H Street business With These Hands (521 H Street). A photo of their display window (featuring an easter rabbit and many hats) recently appeared on Frozen Tropics.
-Hill Gardener: Are You Going to the Arboretum Fair? A good chance to buy local plants nearby.
Download other stories individually here.

Quest for Quiet Reacts to New Bill

Check out the Quest for Quiet take on Tommy Wells' new noise legislation.

The Rare View

Parts of H Street were closed during the recent marathon.

Wells Introduces Noise Legislation

Press Release: April 3, 2007
Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells

Immediate Release Contact: Charles Allen
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 408 (202) 724-8072
Washington, D.C. 20004

Councilmember Tommy Wells Introduces Bill to Protect Residents from Amplified Noise; Protects Free Speech

(Washington, DC) - On Tuesday, April 3, 2007, Councilmember Tommy Wells introduced the “Noise Control Protection Amendment Act of 2007.” The bill is intended to change the definition of a noise disturbance to both protect First Amendment free speech as well as protect the health and peace of residents from amplified noise.

In 2004, Council amended the definition of a noise disturbance, exempting non-commercial public speech in the daytime from enforcement by the Noise Control Act. The definition change created a loophole with unintentional effect - leaving non-commercial speech in the daytime subject to absolutely no noise limitations under District law.

As an example of how the loophole is being taken advantage of, a group has been using large amplifiers to blast noise every Saturday for four to eight hours for the last four years at the corner of 8th and H Streets, NE. DCRA inspectors took readings of the amplified noise over a four-month period and recorded decibel levels ranging from 75 to 92 decibels. That’s equivalent to same loudness created by factory noise or thunder.

“As a result of the group’s amplifiers, residents as far away as three blocks away can’t open their windows or work in their yards without being subject to the amplified noise. As a result of the legal loophole, DC officials cannot do anything to get the group to turn down their speakers to a more reasonable level and several attempts at mediation have been unsuccessful,” remarked Mr. Wells.

The Noise Control Protection Amendment Act of 2007 seeks to balance First Amendment rights and protections, with the rights of residents to enjoy quiet in their homes and protect their hearing from lasting damage. Going above and beyond First Amendment protections found in other jurisdictions, with this bill, non-commercial public speech measured above 70 decibels would only constitute a noise disturbance if it were also found to be excessive under the “reasonable person” standard as defined by DC law. DC’s Attorney General has reviewed this proposal and believes it represents a Constitutionally sound approach that balances the protection of free speech and protection for residents.

In researching noise ordinances and case law, DC’s Attorney General reviewed statutes in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, New York and Maryland. Of those, only Los Angeles differentiated speech from other amplified noise by zone, time of day and distance from the noise. In each of the other statutes, speech and amplified speech is not treated differently from other unreasonable noises.

In reviewing the statutes of Los Angeles, any noises above 75 decibels are considered a disturbance. In Miami, any noise above 60 decibels in residential zones or 75 decibels in commercial and industrial zones is considered a disturbance.

The issue of noise disturbance also relates to the health of those subjected to long-term exposure to amplified noise, such as the residents around 8th and H Streets, NE. According to OSHA, 8 hours of noise at 85 dB causes permanent hearing loss. And according to the EPA, exposure to 70 decibels or more for 24 hours will cause measurable hearing loss over a lifetime and levels of 55 decibels outdoors and 45 decibels indoors are identified as the levels of noise which will permit spoken conversation and other activities such as sleeping, working and recreation, which are part of the daily human condition, and prevent interference with regular activities.

Remarked Mr. Wells, “The process to get to introduction today has been a long wait for the neighborhoods and residents subjected to amplified noise. I have worked closely with the Attorney General and her staff, as well as had the benefit of partnering with Councilmember Cheh and her Constitutional law expertise and perspective as a former board member of the ACLU. I have also invited labor and community leaders to sit at the table for every step of this process.”

Councilmembers Mary Cheh and Kwame Brown joined Mr. Wells by co-introducing the bill and Councilmember David Catania co-sponsored the proposal.

Quick Facts:

· When considering decibel levels and their relationship to noise created, it’s important to note that every increase of 10 decibels (dBs) represents a doubling of the loudness of the noise.

· Below is a table of decibel level examples (Source: Encarta):

0 dB - threshold of hearing
10 dB - rustle of leaves, a quiet whisper
20 dB - average whisper
20-50 dB - quiet conversation
40-45 dB - hotel, theater between performances
50-65 dB - loud conversation
65-70 dB - traffic on a busy street
65-90 dB - train
75-80 dB - factory noise (light/medium work)
90 dB - heavy traffic
90-100 dB - thunder
110-140 dB - jet aircraft at takeoff


++++++++++++
Charles Allen
Chief of Staff
Councilmember Tommy Wells, Ward 6
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 408
Washington, DC 20004

callen@dccouncil.us
202-724-8072 - phone
202-724-8054 - fax

Enjoy the Weather @the Argonaut

Photo provided by the Argonaut
If you haven't checked out the Argonaut's patio yet, the time is ripe to do so. With the warmer weather settling in and sunny skies reigning, the patio is the perfect place right off H Street to get some air while hanging out with friends. The patio is open until 11pm Sunday through Thursday and Fridays and Saturdays you can enjoy it until 12am. The Argonaut is located at 1433 H Street.

Fenty & Wells @ RCA Meeting

Mayor Adrian Fenty and Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells will be at the Rosedale Citizens Alliance meeting tonight, 7:30-9pm at the Rosedale Recreation Center, 1700 Gales NE. Anyone with interest in the Rosedale neighborhood in Northeast DC is welcome to attend. For more information about Rosedale and RCA, see the RCA website: http://mysite.verizon.net/rosedale_citizens_alliance

Whose Job Is It...

To clean up trash that we, or others produce? Everyone's, of course. Rebuilding Place has a post focusing on litter and the diffculties in getting people to pick the stuff up. Clean-ups can be great, even if they sometimes seem like a band-aid (and the sort of are, because the goal is to prevent the trash from getting their in the first place). Having a neighborhood clean-up (on your street or in alley) can be a good way to get to know neighbors. And if you do it long enough it can have a real impact (plus, it isn't a bad way to start off a Saturday, or Sunday morning solo now that the weather is warming up). Richard, and the piece he quotes, discuss the all too frequent indifference to littering (or trashing our environment in other ways), and the negative connotations that picking up trash has for some people. I know I've been asked, when doing organized clean-ups where I was part of a group, both if the cleaning up was court ordered, and how much I was getting paid to pick up the trash. Of course, most people get what you are doing, and many are appreciative, with the occasional person joining the effort, or donating gloves (I've seen passing contractors stop to do this).
Quite a while back a local listserv (I forget if it was the H Street one or 6A) had a bit of a discussion over what would be an effective campaign to change people's behavior. It's hard to do, and it probably needs to come from different angles. As a kid I was outside a lot and it was constantly reinforced to me how harmful littering and pollution more generally could be to the environment. So as an adult, I'm not only careful to recycle (and always puzzled and shocked when I realize that someone I know refuses to), but I also keep a compost pile (which I know some people can't do for various reasons), and I am planning to get a rain barrel. So starting early is big step up, but it's really hard to get the message to stick with the kid if he goes home and sees Mom and Dad throwing trash on the ground, illegally dumping oil, or just not recycling (and some parents are not so fond of hearing their 9 year old tell them what they should be doing).

Not Got a Treebox?

Garden Anyway!

The inhabitants of Parker Street do. Take some inspiration from this container garden.

Photos by Alan Kimber.