October 2007 – Truxton Is In Shaw

Reminder: Halloween

Today is Halloween, and yes, kids do trick or treat in the hood. I know of at least three houses on my block giving away candy. I don’t know or think kids bother with condo buildings, but they will go to houses. Also be aware that the lame non-costumed losers will beg you for candy (if you are giving it out), accept it as part of the day. But there is no reason you have to give them the good stuff.

Mugging ’round Mt Vernon Sq

This morning I got this email from a guy:

Last night I was mugged at the corner of 10th and M–literally within sight of my apartment at Mt. Vernon Plaza across the street. A young male jumped me, grabbed me by the throat and tried to choke me, pushed something hard into my stomach, and demanded my cash. Out of shock (or stupidity), I said no, kicked him in the shin and jumped into the street. In the process, the guy tried to steal my ipod but got away only with my new (and fab-o) earbuds.

I was making all the wrong moves before it happened–listing to loud music on my ipod, not paying attention, and doing my little ipod walk/dance thing. Keep your eyes open ladies and gentlemen. And why would it be so difficult for this city to light its streets? The corner of 10th and M is a busy street yet it’s pitch dark there after the sun goes down.

One thing, though, that the city did do right was the police response. After dialing 911, it took the police about 45 seconds to arrive. Two squad cars scoured the alleys and streets to no avail. A fantastic female cop and her partner even drove me around looking for the jerk that jumped me.

I’ve lived in the city now for more than ten years and have been a part of this neighborhood for six of them. Word from the (now) streetwise, your blog readers should their eyes peeled and their legs taking you down lit streets after dark.

Even when it is not dark be aware of your surroundings. M Street has been having some problems with choking/muggings as been reported on the Mt. Vernon Sq listserv. In broad daylight I’ve been hyper-aware of my surroundings when walking down M lately, accounting for every single person on the street. But this has been east of 7th.

Green Roof Subsidy

For those of you who own roofs larger than 3500 square feet, there is a grant available for a Green Roof.

============ ========= =

The Steering Committee of the 2007-2008 Green Roof Demonstration
Subsidy Program is happy to announce the release of the green roof
subsidy application on Thursday October 25th. DC Greenworks, a nonprofit
organization in Washington, DC works to support the growth of
green roofs throughout the metropolitan area, through education,
demonstration and green collar job training.
In July 2007, DC Greenworks received a grant from the District
Department of the Environment, Watershed Protection Program, to
provide subsidies of up to $ 3.00 a square foot to groups wishing to build
green roofs. The subsidy is available to owners or builders of institutional,
industrial, residential, or commercial property, as well as, affordable
housing.
Subsidies are available for:
• extensive and intensive green roof projects
• new roofs and retrofits
• buildings with a footprint of under 5000 square feet, and
• buildings with a footprint of over 5000 square feet and built prior to 1988.
Applications will be ranked on the following factors:
• adequacy of basic green roof design 15%
• educational value of the demonstration 20%
• storm water retention 15%
• location of property within the Combined Sewer Overflow Zone 20%
• geographic and building use diversity 15%
• size of projects with priority given to spaces larger then 3500 square feet
10%
• retrofits 5%
For more information on green roofs and to download the application
please go to www.dcgreenworks. org or call (202) 518-6195. Help us
spread the green in DC.

Green Roof Subsidy

For those of you who own roofs larger than 3500 square feet, there is a grant available for a Green Roof.

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Thinking tax write off

Okay I had my contractor save the unused pine flooring, extra insulation and some other stuff, that in some wonderful fantasy world I was going to use in a project. Screw it, I wound up donating some of it to Community Forklift. This weekend I dumped off for a receipt saying I gave them 100 sq ft of heart pine flooring, that they will in turn sell at $3 a sq ft. Earlier I donated some unopened cans of paint, extra tile, and a bunch of face plates. A friend of mine donated a chandelier she hated.
So before the craziness of the end of the year donation blitz starts in December, if you have some extra boxes of tile or other flooring, cabinets, full cans of paint, light fixtures, kitchen sinks, think about calling up the folks up CF (they seem to like a heads up) and dropping off your stuff. You’ll clear up some space and get a tax write off.

Urban living

I can tell when people are not ready for true urban living. They’ve never seen people selling drugs out of the car in front of the house. Or people running down the street with guns in their hands. You will see that here. You will see grown men pull down their pants and take a poop in front of you. You will see that here. I hate to see people move in and get terrified. Maybe it is best you don’t move here.

— Scott Roberts, as quoted in October 3, 2007 Washington Post article

This reminded me of something said amongst a gathering of TC residents, that some folks (and at one time they themselves) are a little naive about living over here. Some folks are cut out for it, some aren’t and it is a pity when you’ve bought the house or sign the lease to find out that the handful of urban things you thought you could deal with, you can’t. Maybe you came from a place where the police come quickly when you call. Here, they might come, but you call anyway, ’cause you never know.
There are also assumptions, points of view regarding how to live and expectations that aren’t met. The police thing is one. Litter is another, kids and adults will toss trash on the ground like it’s nothing. I’d like it if the elementary kids would keep their language PG, I know I need to lower my expectations, but I just can’t.
But it all isn’t that bad. I and some of my neighbors have some kick a$$ commutes, with no bumper to bumper anything. Within a two mile radius there are about a hundred arts/ cultural events going on. And in this neighborhood, like the neighborhood I grew up in, I know my neighbors, I know people in my neighborhood and there is a genuine joy I feel when I bump into them on the street or elsewhere in the city.

Duke Ellington Plaza

Dukeway.JPG
Originally uploaded by In Shaw

DCist reports that there could be streets named after Duke Ellington and Chuck Brown. But I discovered, and then completely forgot about, there is a little street sign at 7th and T reading “Edward Kennedy ‘Duke’ Ellington Plaza”. I did not notice if the other side of 7th was named for Chuck Brown.

Condo conversion suit

Read the following:

DCRA Announces Guilty Plea in Condominium Warranty Case
From DCRAs Communications Team
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Announces Guilty Plea in Condominium Warranty Case

(Washington, DC) Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Director Linda K. Argo announced that on Oct. 5, Mudasir Khan plead guilty to one count of False Statements in a Condominium Registration Application and one count of Failure to Post a Bond or Letter of Credit for 45 R Street NW.

Under District law, condominium developers or building owners are required to warrant (or guarantee) their construction work with the Condominium and Cooperative Conversion and Sales Branch. They secure this obligation by posting warranty security. Several forms of security may be posted under the statute, including a letter of credit, bond or another form approved by the Condominium Branch.

[SNIP info on warranties]

Under the plea agreement, Khan must:
Pay a criminal fine of $15,000 on both counts – totaling $30,000.
Post a warranty security for $5,000 for 45 R Street NW.
Pay a $250.00 Victims Compensation Fund fine on each count – totaling $500.

Khan was sentenced to 30 days in jail on each count, to be served consecutively. The sentence was suspended and Khan was placed on one year of supervised probation for each count to run concurrently. Khan must report to his probation officer on October 23.

[more SNIPing]
“DHCD understands the critical mission served by the Rental Conversion and Sale Division,” said DHCD Director Leila Finucane Edmonds. “We will also hold developers responsible for complying with District law and take strong and decisive action against those who do not.”

Not having spent too much time paying attention to the structures on “historic” R St (they had banners saying so), I’m guessing this was a townhouse conversion. Correct me if I’m wrong. Townhouses converted into condos have always been a big question mark for me. But then again, I didn’t want to be bothered with condos in any shape or form so I never paid that much attention. There are many town homes around Bloomingdale and Shaw, large town homes, converted into 2 or three condos. Is that a good thing? I don’t know.

Today BAA meeting

The newsletter is at

http://www.pro-messenger.com/Blagden/Monthly%20Pages/2007%20Monthly%20Pages/BAN_2007_10_P1.html

Topics:
1. The recent jump in crime.
2. Discussion/approval of bylaws.
3. (ALSO–>) Update on the Roadside Development project (O Street
Market)

Also:
Sgt Emerman is moving up (LT) and down (out of 3D)
He writes:
On October 5, 2007, I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
In keeping with the policy of the Metropolitan Police Department,
I was transferred from the Third District,
and sent back to the Sixth District in Anacostia,
where I began my policing career.
I am eager to take this big step in my professional development,
but I would be remiss if I did not take an opportunity to
thank you for all that you have done to prepare me for this
advancement.
For the past 3.5 years, I have worked alongside the
best and most active community members in the District of Columbia,
and in doing so, I have learned a great deal about
working with and for the community. I thank you for your assistance,

and look forward to crossing paths again here in the city.
Please feel free to contact me if there is anything that I can assist
you with.
Thanks again and be safe.

Dang that is too funny

Mr. Thorpe finds Mr. Chapple threatening. Now, I’d hardly call leaving literature at one’s home stalking. Since one has shoehorned himself in a couple of positions of leadership, one should expect that part of the job is having business with persons who are elected leaders.