Thing #1- UHOP (United House of Prayer) is having an annual ‘baptism’ by firehose. There will be parking issues around the Mt. Vernon Square area because of the crowd.
Thing #2- There will be a rally/march for DC voting rights and related to this there will be congestion around Dunbar High School about 11AM on the 28th.
That is all.
I’d like to announce the engagement of Ms. InShaw (me) to the guy known as The Help. So postings may get a little light as I get distracted with trying to plan two low-cost weddings on two opposite sides of the country.
One of the challenges I’m dealing with is finding a location that has all the things I want that won’t mess up the miniscule budget we have. One of those desires is to have a reception in Shaw, if not Shaw Mt. Vernon Square, if not MVSq, NW/NE DC and if not NW/NE DC, PG County… near a metro. I’ve asked friends and brainstormed with a friend who is also trying to plan an event for him and his partner. But with the budget the way it is, another friend’s suggestion of the church basement, an ipod, and a box of doughnuts is looking pretty good.
When looking for places or thinking about places I get a lot of inspiration from the Off-Beat Bride site, which had me considering art galleries, small museums and theaters, but in the brainstorming session I discovered they were outta my price range. Since most of my family members are Baptists, it’s more than likely going to be a dry reception so that opens up other places to me like schools, government owned buildings (think National Park Service and Maryland-National Park & Planning Commission opeated buildings), spaces run by non-profits and other organizations, churches with facilities better than my default location, and Shaw is chock full of churches. Shaw is also chock full of empty storefronts which is another idea, but the cost savings might be lost when renting or buying tables, chairs, plates, linens and insurance are factored in.
We’re still trying to price out other things but worst comes to worst, church basement, ipod, and we’ll splurge for cupcakes instead of the doughnuts.
A lot is happening around this end of the hood this Saturday.
First there is the 1st on First, which last year the title was dead on, so more accurately it is the 7th on First this year, but 1st on First sounds better. Anyway, last year’s 1st on First was fun, 1st St NW from Florida Avenue to Rhode Island Avenue with artists and a few businesses opening their doors and letting folks get to know them. Well this year there is Rustik Tavern and a Child`s Development Center. That’s two separate places but a Tavern /Child Development Center would be an awesome and possibly tragic combination, but mostly awesome. I’m sure that Rustik’s open house will be the big to do.
Also along 1st St and 3rd and Bates and several other streets in the TC is the 1st of 2 community yard sales that Saturday. It is sponsored by the Bates Area Civic Association and will take place in various yards.
In the mid-Shaw are there is an Arts Festival this and next weekend.
Oh and there’s stuff supposed to be happening on the other end of Shaw on 14th St. Dog Days of Summer I believe it is called from August 7th to 8th.
Hopefully we will be nearing the end of this. But the legal bills for CCCA Prez Martin Moulton to defend himself against the accusations of the former SMD ANC Leroy Thorpe, who is suing him for a kajillion dollars because Martin was demanding an accountable government. Attached is a PDF about the July 15th fundraiser. June15Fundraiser.pdf
Two things you’ll want to know about the neighborhood beautification for the Bates Area (northern Truxton Circle, north of P).
One, you need to sign up ASAP for the treebox improvement on June 5th on the BACA blog. By doing so you can get some free treebox plants, mulch and dirt. But you have to sign up. If you don’t sign up, maybe, you’ll just get some free mulch or compost that DPW (hopefully) will dump at 1st and P. (G-d willing). So sign up here.
Second, Flower Power is on this year on June 26th and tickets for the garden walk are back to recessionary prices. Five bucks if you get them the day before. Once again I’m selling them. Contact me at mari at inshaw dot com or show up at the next BACA meeting June 7th or get them from others on the Flower Power committee. In the meantime you can nominate your or your neighbor’s yard or your block (which is why you need to sign up for the treebox thing) for the Flower Power walk. Some of you should have gotten fliers but if not you can go to the BACA blog’s Flower Power page and fill out the nomination form.
Neighbors,
At the last meeting of the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc., the Program Committee introduced the idea of forming a Walking Club in the neighborhood. As stated by Program Committee Chairperson Geovani Bonilla, the club will provide an interesting opportunity for residents to get to know one another, to get some exercise, as well as to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of our community while on these walks.
At this point, we would like to have a critical mass of 10 persons to begin this program. So, if you’re interested please contact Geovani at the telephone number and/or email address below to sign up. Whatever your personal decision, please know that I have contacted Geovani to express my desire to join the club and I pray that we can get a minimum of nine others to do likewise.
Best,
Jim Berry
Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.
*************
Improve Your Health and Our Neighborhood
“Walking Club” Will Meet Every Tuesday and Thursday
from 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Beginning May 8, 2007
Meeting Place: Corner of 3rd and Q, NW
In front of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church
Walk north 3rd ST to Florida Avenue , (stretch at the park) and go east to N. Capitol ST, South to O ST, West to First ST, North to P ST and West to NJ, North to Q ST and back to the starting point
You will receive a complimentary exercise bands and pedometer compliments of Kaiser Permanente.
For more information contact Geovani Bonilla (202) 483-1446
mrgeovani[at]aol.com
