Be Safe Tonight

If you are over 21, after your night of partying call 1-800-200-TAXI (8294).  The dispatcher will send a taxi to pick you up.  The taxi will take you to your destination for FREE (up to $50).  You MUST call the number and go through dispatch to get a free ride.

For more information, go to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program website.

Seasons Greetings

Metro To Close Above Ground Rail

If you must leave the house today may I suggest walking to your destination? Metrorail and Metrobus are experiencing heavy delays due to the weather.  Metrorail is currently running on 10 to 12 minute intervals on all lines, while Metrobus is only running service on snow emergency routes. 

Once the snow hits the 8" mark, Metro will have to decide how long they can operate above ground.  If enough snow coats the electrified third rail, power will be cut off from trains.  The above map (courtesy of WMATA) shows what the Metrorail system will look like once that call is made--thus cutting off rather large sections from the core, so plan your trip accordingly.

UPDATE: Metro will close above ground rail and Metrobus at 1pm today.

Skip the Bag, Save the River

The District Department of the Environment and CVS/pharmacy have teamed up to distribute reusable shopping bags.  Beginning January 1, 2010, District businesses that sell food or alcohol must charge you 5 cents for every disposable paper or plastic carry-out bag.  You can save a nickel by bringing your own bag.

To learn more about the new bag law and DDOE's efforts to clean up the Anacostia River, please visit http://green.dc.gov/bags today.

DDOE/CVS Bag Distribution

Ward 7 & 8

Monday, December 21, 2009

**Cancelled due to weather**

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

2646 Naylor Road SE

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

3230 Pennsylvania Ave SE

Hungry For Change?

A friend of mine, recommended that I watch a documentary called Food, Inc.  And now I'm recommending that you do too.

In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA.  Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.  We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli--the harmful bacteria that causes illnesses for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually.  We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.  Food, Inc. reveals surprising--and often shocking truths--about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

After watching it, of course I thought about how most families in River East may not think they have many options in order to eat well.  So I decided to do a search for sustainable foods in our area.  Sustainable foods can be found in our community by purchasing organic and/or locally grown produce and products.  I did a search for farmers markets, community supported agriculture programs, restaurants and more with the Eat Well Guide.

Within a 1 mile radius of 20020, I came across 2 farmers markets.

Within a 5 mile radius of 20020, I came across 1 caterer, 1 creamery, 1 educational center, 1 farmer, 13 farmers markets, 2 online shopping options, 11 restaurants, and 8 stores.

Within a 10 mile radius of 20020, I came across 3 co-ops, 1 coffee shop, 2 community gardens, 4 farmers, 36 farmer markets, 23 restaurants, 21 stores, 3 wholesale venues, plus all the stuff above...

Here is some of what I discovered:

5 A Day CSA
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
http://5adaycsa.com

5 A Day CSA provides a service where they support multiple local farmers who are committed to sustainable farming practices.  These farmers support themselves, their families and their employees through the sale of their fruits and vegetables.  By financially supporting these farmers, they bring affordable primarily organic produce to the community.  They also provide seasonal produce year round. 

Boxes cost between $20-$70 (individual 1-2 people; small family 2-4 people; large family 4 or more people).  Produce is delivered weekly at community sites and homes (in certain areas).  

The Wellness Cafe
325 Pennsylvania Ave SE
202-543-2266
www.organiccafedc.com
Juice Bar and lunch buffet in a primarily vegetarian health food store with organic deli.  They cater!

Master Peace Community Farm
62nd and Sheridan Street
Riverdale, MD 20011
301-405-0656
1/2 acre organic vegetable farm, youth education program, and community garden.
Come by any Saturday, mid-March to Thanksgiving to volunteer, learn more about where you food comes from, etc.

My Organic Garden
202-368-9070, Joshua Wenz
They specialize in full-service organic gardens, custom designed, planted and maintained for you all season long. With their service, you can be involved as little or as much as you like.  Learn how to grow a successful sustainable organic garden, or just choose what you'd like planted and enjoy the weekly harvest of veggies, herbs, and flowers.  Don't wait to experience the pride and convenience of growing organic produce right in your own yard!

Washington's Green Grocers
www.washingtonsgreengrocer.com
Awesome home delivery of local and organic selections. Browse and learn more about their unique home delivery service bringing you fresh organic produce, dairy, eggs and other scrumptious and healthy items to your doorstep.  (They deliver to every single part of DC, including Ward 7 and 8)...They even have recipes on their website!

Secrets of Nature Health Food Store and Restaurant
3923 S Capitol St SW
202-562-0041
www.secretsofnaturehealth.com
Carry-out, Restaurant, Catering, Health Store

Capitol Hill Poultry
225 7th St SE
202-544-4435
They carry pre-cut organic chicken, as well as whole organic chicken and usually organic whole turkey.  Store hours are daily from 7am-6pm.  Chicken and turkey are fed 100% vegetarian feed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, grass fed and grain supplement, free range or roaming, cage free

With that said, I also stumbled upon a website discussing the Brooklyn Rescue Mission (BRM).  BRM envisions urban farming as the starting point for a self-reliance movement, empowering neighborhood residents to take ownership of their own food supply, nutrition and neighborhood revitalization.  BRM endeavors to build community pride, provide healthy provisions to its neediest residents, encourage youth entrepreneurship and develop a communal culture towards land use and community health through an innovative sustainable food system.
 

I commend BRM for what they are trying to do and for their success in Bed-Stuy.  I think it would be way cool, if maybe through a partnership with the Ward 8 Farmer's Market, we tried something similar--an urban farm in Barry Farm? ..or even just somewhere in River East.  I think it would be dope to involve the community in growing stuff here...maybe we can get "My organic garden" to help us get started...I don't have a green thumb at all, but I love to get all sorts of dirty...so I'm willing to try...anyone else think this is a good idea?

Here's to HOPE?

The Post did an article on Henson Ridge today that caught my eye.  Primarily because what was done at Henson Ridge, is similar to what is proposed for my neighborhood, but my interest was also peaked because of how my fellow River East blogger, the Advoc8te responded.

Now, I love me some Advoc8te, but I have to point out that even though I know some happy homeowners in Henson Ridge, I've heard the same stories that the Post reported.  And quite frankly, it doesn't surprise me.  I mean you can't put a new coat of paint on a car and expect it to run like new, if you don't put just as much work in the engine, right?

Most of you probably follow what I'm hinting at, but in case you don't....let me explain.

HUD started the HOPE VI program to fundamentally transform public housing.  Ambitious in scale and mission, HOPE VI was designed to address the problems of severely distressed public housing by focusing not only on the phsycial conditions of the development, but also on the economic and social needs of residents.  What's interesting is that I didn't know that.  I honestly thought HOPE VI only aimed to demolish public housing projects that were in crappy shape and replace them with sparkly new homes. I didn't really see that HUD was attempting to also cure the socio-economic ills of public housing.  And quite frankly, I don't believe my assumptions are that far off.  Research suggests that most HOPE VI projects have at best had mixed success in meeting their supportive services goals, with housing authorities focusing more on the bricks and mortar components of redevelopment at the expense of community building and residents' needs.  Which takes us back to the article on Henson Ridge--it looks pretty on the outside, but does it have the foundation necessary to be all pretty on the inside too?  And more importantly, what did HUD actually promise to build?  Pretty houses or the "foundation" too?  (Not all of those grants, cover all of HUD's goals, fyi)...

Anyway, the type of house you live in; high rise, garden-style apartment, or even town-home, will have little to no impact on crime, drug abuse, and lack of economic means.  Social ills will not be cured by simply building something new and mixing people from a wide variety of economic classes.  Good intentions may be there, but the foundation is not.  Living next door to someone with more money will not provide the motivation or training needed to allow "me" to move up the social economic ladder and out of public housing, nor will it automatically reduce crime and prompt *magic* economic redevelopment.  What is missing from the majority of HOPE VI projects is the emphasis on the community services that play a crucial role in the improvement of residents' lives.   Reshaping an impoverished urban environment, however, does not merely encompass housing and community programs.  To produce viable new communities, such visions must also address...."schools, retail and commercial amenities, parks and recreation space, transportation access, physical security and community building."  Economic and social turnaround of a neighborhood is contingent on the contributions of community activism, a strong economy, and increased private and public sector funds--in other words, there must be a holistic approach.  And unfortunately, (in my opinion) Henson Ridge, has not [yet] seen the cooperation of many different interests, nor does it embody all the necessary components to deem it a success.  But does that mean we give up on HOPE?  Tell me what you think in the comments.

Hip Hop Hooray!

As good of a job as I think 7D is doing in my neck of the woods, I don't always give them an easy time.  You know how it goes, people are really quiet when things are going well, and tend to speak loudest when something goes wrong.  So after watching the police step up their presence at the intersection of Birney Place/Eaton Road within the last week, I had to do a post. 

Last Thursday as I made a quick stop home prior to heading back out again for dinner, I drove through what appeared to be a police checkpoint.  Lots of pretty flashing lights with multiple officers on both sides of the street--not really sure what their reasoning was, but I didn't care.  7D was out in force and thats all that really mattered.  And then, just a few short days later, (tonight) I see two unmarked cars at the same intersection with several cops having "discussions" with what appeared to be handcuffed individuals.  I didn't actually see cuffs, but why else would these gentleman be standing so orderly and in such a nice, straight line?

Right, so anyway, high five 7D.  We appreciate the attention.

Sheridan Station Update

Not a big update, but Sheridan Station is currently in the sub-bidding phase.  Bids are due to the General Contractor (WCS Construction, Attn: Fred Dipietro) on 12/28/09 at 2pm.  This $105,000,000 project is currently seeking site plan approvals and vertical bidding is expected March 2010.

In September of this year, Sheridan Station won a $5.8 million competitive Recovery Act grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Recovery Act grant is for utilizing green materials and technology to create public housing that conserves energy and encourages more healthy lifestyles.

HUD Director Shaun Donovan has stated that this grant is a "perfect example of using the Recovery Act to rebuild the economy stronger and wiser by investing in new and emerging sustainable industries."  What has been called a "premier green, transit-oriented mixed-income housing development," Sheridan Station will have solar power array, a vegatative green roof which will double as a stormwater management facility and place for resident relaxation, bio-retention facilities, Energy Star appliances and sustainable building materials.

From what I understand a guiding principal of the development is to create a green, holistic model of redevelopment starting from the ground up.  Let me geek out for a minute and state how excited and slightly surprised I am to hear HUD talk about new urbanist concepts, such as reduced parking ratios and dedicated bicycle spaces.  Apparently the name "Sheridan Station" was given to the project to reflect its future as a transit oriented development near the Anacostia Metro Station.  The project summary suggests that numerous pedestrian connections have been made to bring residents from the site down to the public sidewalks onto Sheridan Road and towards the Metro station.

And one can only hope that this is indeed the case.  I wonder if DDOT is involved in the greater masterplan, because even if the private development caters to the pedestrian, it is imperative that the human scale is honored at street level as well.  If you're familiar with the site then you know of the wall and the steep inclines spawning from it.  How they tackle the transition and the walking experience along Sheridan Road will be interesting as well as difficult, but I really do believe a street that currently caters more to cars than people would improve if the pedestrian experience were truly considered in this "holistic development" even as you step from private to public space.  Drivers tend to be more courteous and vigilant on streets that provide a unique character or personality, are sensitive to their neighborhood or main street environments and are green or well landscaped.  Ground cover and trees help define the edges of the street and are a vital ingredient to placemaking.  As people find streets more pleasing to travel or walk along they tend to come to these streets for greater social interaction.  More people walking and driving through a place creates more surveillance, and hence dampen the potential for crime--something the old Sheridan Terrace was once a haven for.

Before and after of a "complete street"

I know my part of town will never actually look like the picture above, but we still can take some of those elements to create what some people are calling a "complete street".  The ten key elements are:

- Street vendors - help make streets destinations
- Pedestrian street lamps - people need lighting at least as much as cars
- Curb extensions or bulb-outs - narrows the street at crosswalks
- Dedicated bus lanes - allows buses to be as efficient as light rail
- Dedicated bike lanes - allows bikes to be as efficient as well
- Raised, textured sidewalks - huge aesthetic difference, and clear distinction as a pedestrian-first zone
- Traffic lights with a leading pedestrian interval - gives pedestrians a headstart before cars start turning into their lane
- Bollards - Non-obtrusive pedestrian protectors
- Street trees and plantings - arguably the biggest aesthetic enhancer for any street
- Speed bump - classic traffic calming

Here's to hoping someone is listening....

Busboys and Poets on MLK?

DC Mud has the scoop on the construction status of Matthews Memorial Terrace--a 99 unit housing development slated to break ground along MLK earlier this year.  Unfortunately construction stalled due to the economy--but DC Mud reports that they might be gearing back up since contractor bids are due December 14th. 

What I find most intriguing about this news, wasn't really the article itself, but the comment made by Commissioner Ellis for SMD 8c01 about the "proposed addition of Busboys and Poets at the storefront location for this development"....I hadn't heard that--in fact, last I heard the "restaurant" was considered a dining room and was actually part of the community building that is not part of the package that is currently out to bid.  But color me happy, if I'm wrong.  Busboys and Poets coming to SE--too good to be true?

Underwater Mortgages and Eminent Domain...Who wins?

My property is "underwater" or for those of you who don't know...I owe more than my house is worth (negative equity).  I just did the math off of a recent sale in my association of a foreclosure, and I can't even bring myself to say out loud, just how underwater I am.  But I can afford my monthly payments, so being in negative equity should have no material impact on my life.  My house is my home, and since I need a roof over my head, I should be ok...right? 

I'm in process of studying for my architectural registration exams, (six down, three to go, one being on Monday)...and eminent domain is one of many topics on this next exam, and as I was reviewing my notes, the Barry Farm/ Parkchester/ Wade Road Redevelopment came to mind.  When I first discovered the plan about a year after it was "approved" I noticed that not all of the buildings that exist today will exist "tomorrow".  Everyone knew that Barry Farm Dwellings, the section 8 housing that the District manages would be redeveloped, and there are a few buildings that the city has already acquired which sit vacant along Eaton Road--so it's a little more than obvious that those will be torn down too, but I often wondered what would happen to all the single family homes, condos, and apartment buildings that sit in between? 

When I stumbled across the plan and duly noted that my building was no where to be found and that the condos next to me were gone, as were a fair amount of other buildings I started making phone calls to various agencies as to what that meant. I was assured by one sympathetic woman that even though the plan had been approved (and I now had no say as to what happened to my house), I would be "fairly" compensated by the District when they did finally bring in the wrecking balls.
    

But who decides what is "fair"?

And regardless of what is considered "fair", if your property is underwater, than what happens when the government exercises eminent domain on your house and only pays the "fair market share"?  Do I get slapped with a bill from the bank for the difference on my mortgage?  Or would the bank just have to eat the difference for the loan?

Thoughts?

I can't help but quote philosopher/author Ayn Rand: "The idea that 'the public interest' supercedes private interests and rights can have but one meaning - that the interests and rights of some individuals take precendence over the interests and rights of others."...

Now I'm not saying the redevelopment of Barry Farm is necessarily a bad thing, but I do not think it would be fair for the government to take my home (or anyone elses for that matter), and leave us with a big fat bill to boot...if you're gonna tear my house down, at least help me get out from under my mortgage so I can afford to go elsewhere....right?

Thanks to Cox and Forkum for the use of the political cartoon...  

ANC 8C Meeting Tonight!

ANC 8C Meeting

Wednesday, 12/2/09

6:30pm - 8:30 pm

UPO Petey Greene Center

2907 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave

Thanks to the Advoc8te for the image above...