Category: Uncategorized

Well, the Post has covered the story of St Martin’s and Eckington’s opposition to the project. The story is worth a read. I think the opposition to the plans is a more complex issue than the amount of ink they received, but at least it is being covered. I continue to be shocked by things said by Father Kelley as well as some of Sharon Robinson and Neal Drobenare’s “messaging” tactics. But that’s for another post to the blog…

While the St Martin’s project is an interesting issue to be played out (I’ve posted before I, personally, am not supportive of the plans as they stand), it reminded me of the story in the Post this week about changes coming to H Street. On Frozen Tropics the story set off a comment storm. Many people seem to take issue with some of the quotes attributed to people in the article. However, there seemed to be a consensus that the writer went out of his way to push an angle for the story that isn’t actually there. Richard Layman’s post on the issues raised in the article is well worth a read when you have a moment and really covers the true issues.

My point of bringing this up is that this is unfortunate that the media appears to be picking up and playing race issues a lot recently, and it’s not just the Post in these two stories. I don’t agree with the way such a complex issue for Washington, DC is being covered in such a shallow name-calling sort of way.

However, I realized last night that Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 and the DC riots were from April 4-8th. I can’t help but wonder if these stories are being printed now in some great, ironic, coincidence or whether there is some editorial knowledge of the significance of this week in DC history. I wasn’t around for the riots in DC but all who are living in these parts of DC live in the legacy of those riots. If you want to read more about the riots, there are many resources on the web to turn to, including Wikipedia. There’s also this excerpt from “Ten Blocks From The White House: Anatomy of the Washington Riots of 1968″, which was written by WaPo staff in 1968. Note: I haven’t deciphered the politics of the site that hosts that excerpt, nor have I checked the accuracy of the reproduction of text from the book.

I don’t talk about my dance hobby here much as most of it happens outside of the District. However this weekend, there will be dancing in the city. With a lot of swing dancers visiting our fair city from other areas. Sunday April 9th is Swing Dance Day, as a part of Jazz Appreciation month. But from the 7th to the 9th is the DC Lindy Exchange. For DCLX I’m just going to the free events like the scheduled dancing on Freedom Plaza and the dance at the American History Musuem. Besides registration closed up and I’m still healing. Last year we danced in Dupont Circle and I see that there is no Dupont dancing this year.

Well lesson learned. Stretch before engaging in strenuous garden activity. My legs still hurt because I was digging and hacking away at the dirt this weekend.

I have plans for my front yard. And I have a theme. When I tell people of my theme, they smile and say, “Mari you’re so funny.” But I’m serious. I want an edible front yard. This means getting rid of the flower that starts with a “C” and comes back again and again. It may mean getting rid of the mums too. It definitely means getting rid of the grass. What little grass is left as weeds have taken over.
I will have tomatoes. They take up a lot of space but they aren’t pretty. Yummy, but not pretty. They vined all along the fence last year, even along the fence facing the sidewalk. No one bothered my tomatoes, and they were so nice and leafy. Maybe too leafy. This year, less leaf more fruit.
I’m trying to get peas going. I had a few last year. They produce a small pretty flower and a very tasty pea. This year seems rough going as the peas I planted in the front don’t seem all that willing to grow. Could be because I used old seed, or it hasn’t been all that rainy, or because I haven’t fertilized the front yard yet.
To replace the grass I’m going to go with creeping thyme (any thyme really) and mint. I’ve had thyme growing between some of the spaces in my walkway and I believe peppermint can survive some light traffic. Other possible ground covers are oregano, pennyroyal, catnip (maybe), and sweet woodruff. I haven’t had much luck with sweet woodruff (used in May wine). I have plenty of thyme from last year, that I can transfer to the yard. We’ll see. Hopefully when I go to cut these things down there’ll be a sweet smell!
Something new I’m trying is Swiss Chard. It is a very colorful vegetable. I’ve never eaten it before. So this is a veggie I’m growing for looks.
And not to make this post too long, I’m planning on growing other things as well. Squash, beans, maybe spinach, blueberries, basil, and possibly strawberries. I don’t know how it will all turn out. The only thing I can do is hope for the best.

Today’s Washington Post Metro section covers crack pipe making paraphernalia. One little interesting tid bit thrown in was the idea that residents could challenge the liquor licenses of business that sell the little pipes and the blunts. Well what about those marts like the quickie mart and the gas station that don’t have such licenses?

THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT ANC MEETING, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5,
2006 – 7 PM – THE WASHINGTON PLAZA HOTEL

Dear LCCA Members, My Neighbors and Friends:

I’m sorry to have to share this news with you, but I’m hoping you
will agree to support me in my current predicament:

I’m facing a very serious situation with the builder next door, one
that risks putting me out of business, if they’re allowed to go
through with the sidewalk and street closures they say they have
obtained permits and ANC approval for .

I found out Friday (03/31) morning from Holladay Corp., builders of
the “Matrix” site, that they have a permit to close off the
sidewalk, a curb and a traffic lane (i.e. sidewalk, plus 2 of 3 car
lanes) for the next 2-3 months NONSTOP, in order to carry out heavy
duty work on their construction site.

Every time they block the sidewalk and the street off to operate
their crane or larger machinery (which they have done for 1-2 days
at a time in the past months), my sales take a nosedive, because all
pedestrian and car traffic to the store are severely impeded.

The prospect of making this a permanent situation for 2-3 months,
without any passage for pedestrians, even when Holladay is not
working there (evenings and weekends) means my business will be in
jeopardy. I have asked Holladay to at least work with me and other
businesses/residents by re-opening a passage for pedestrians on
evenings and weekends, and they are not cooperating.

There are precedents on this very street, in fact on this very block
btw. Q and P Streets, with other builders providing at least a
jersey-barrier protected passage for pedestrians, a passage that was
available at all times, not just on their off-time. Holladay tells
me they can’t do the same on their site. I find this hard to
believe, considerig what I (and most of us in the neighborhood) have
witnessed at other construction sites here over the past two years.

I have called the City government to see if this is an acceptable
situation and an inspector is coming on Monday (April 3) to take a
closer look at their permit and what exactly Holladay is doing. To
the City government, I’ve also mentioned that with 2 of 3 traffic
lanes blocked and no access to the sidewalk, people are getting on &
off the bus (there’s a bus stop right outside my bookstore, SE
corner of 14th & Q) in the leftmost traffic lane of the street, as
the buses can’t pull into the stop. The lady I spoke to at the
Office of Infrastructure Oversight said this closure sounds wrong.
We shall see what, if anything, gives.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this alarm with you.

I am working with the wonderful folks at the ANC and LCCA to get
Holladay to redress their current plans. It seems Holladay Corp. may
not have been as forthcoming with this dire situation to the ANC
(when they applied for ANC approval of the closures and how this
would be executed). The attitude I encountered talking to Holladay
this past Friday is very different from the spirit of cooperation
promised to me and to the ANC.

I’m sorry to be breaking this news to you, but my bookstore is
truthfully facing a threat to its continued viability.

I hope that I can alleviate the situation. If I have to move on to
signature-collection or petitions, I hope I can turn to you for
support.

I’m trying my best to get to a solution without having to bother all
of my wonderful neighbors and supporters. I’m hoping that inspectors
and public officials can see the need for a more moderate approach
to these closures. This is not just a question of the bookstore’s
viability, it’s also a question of public safety and public access
that affects all of us as we move between Q and P Streets: with our
heavy shopping bags, strolling our pets, navigating our strollers,
etc..

If my current efforts don’t work, you will hear from me, as I will
have to ask for public support of my demands.

Thank you,

– Candida Mannozzi –

Candida’s World of Books, LLC
1541 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
tel. (202) 667-4811
fax.(202) 667-4813
www.candidasworldofbooks.com
Tue-Sat 10-10, Sun noon-8
closed Mon

Neighbors,

A local resident is available to volunteer their time and talents for 90 to 120 minutes per evening, on one weekday evening per week, to an interested and motivated high school student in the community (preferably, one who attends Dunbar, if possible). The volunteer has taught both math and verbal SAT preparatory classes at the high school level, and has identified their ability to teach humanities, i.e., literature and writing, as particular strengths. Arrangements could be made to hold the weekly sessions at the Perry School Community Services Center on an evening of mutual agreement between the parties. This would seem to be a good opportunity for one who is preparing to take his/her SAT’s or for one who could benefit from some supplemental assistance in the areas of math, reading and writing, respectively.

If you know of an interested and motivated student, please have his or her parent contact me and I will facilitate the initial contact between the parent, the student and the volunteer.

Best,

Jim Berry
ANC 5C

(202) 387-8520

When I am in less physical pain I’ll give more details and snark and put it on the super secret password protected part of the site. Don’t worry (certain folks) the part that was not to leave the room, will not.
Quick run down, BACA has a website dcbaca.org. The Flower Power date is July 15th. Marie Johns is once again not Sharon Pratt Kelly. The neighborhood just got a new German immigrant (or two) resident. Email Lt. Welch of the 5th District about the problem areas. And keep e-mailing him. Francine Edmonds rocks. Rae Zapata, mother of 2 is running for the Ward 5 council member seat. DC Shadow Senator Florence Pendleton made a speech about statehood. Email Lt. Welch.

Make Your Voice Heard

Make Your Opinion Count!

ATTENTION:
RESIDENTS OF THE
SHAW/U STREET NEIGHBORHOOD

Researchers at Howard University are seeking Black participants who live in the Shaw/U Street neighborhood for a study of news media.

Date: April 8, 2006, April 11, 2006 and
April 13, 2006

Time: Contact research to schedule appointment

Location: Kennedy Center
1410 7th Street, NW

The investigators are trying to learn more about the viewing habits and responses of Black news audiences. We are especially seeking those who watch or read some form of news on a regular basis. The study will require participants to take part in a 30-minute interview. Participants’ confidentiality will be maintained. Participants will receive no payment for taking part.

For more information or to indicate interest in volunteering, please contact: Jerry Crawford at 804-731-7229 / jcrawfor@vsu.edu,
Jamila Cupid at 516-984-4857 / qpid08@yahoo.com, or
Dr. Carolyn M. Byerly 202-806-5121 / cbyerly@howard.edu,
John H. Johnson School of Communication, Howard University.

…lives on my block and has this habit of yelling at his associates in his back yard. The weekend there was loud yelling and cursing on one party’s part in the alley starting at 7AM. He went on till about 2-3PM, but took a lunch break. ‘Cause you know, all that yelling takes energy.
During most of the one sided yelling, I decided to work in the front yard. When it was time to work in the rear, there was the yelling. Was he yelling at or yelling with? Loud Cell Phone Guy is several, several doors down and yeah, that loud. I couldn’t take working to the sound of him, so I brought out my little boom box (MP3 player is in the shop) and played classical music. That helped.

This is one of those general living in the city posts.

The problem with the first day of Dayligh Savings time is you are off. Normally, on Sunday I wake at about 7ish, grab the Sunday Washington Post, eat, read, ponder what I’m going to wear and get out at about 9:30ish. Today, I woke up, pondered that I did not have time to read and barely had time to eat and what ever I was thinking I was going to wear did not match up to what I wanted to do for the rest of the day. I had to wear something washable because I wanted to stop by a garden place and pick up dirt.
A little after 9:30 I’m out the door. I bike a little less than a mile, before I hit the Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market. I think today was the first day of there full market where they block off a street and have vendors all over. I buy 1/2 gallon of whole milk and a pint of skim and ask the fellow to hold it for me. I had an unfortunate incident before where I bought the milk, went to church and the milk slowly leaked in my bag. So now, I ask for a later pick up. The milk is so good. The problem is that other people agree and by the time I’m out of church & back to the market, it’s all gone.
On my morning bike ride I observe all sorts of bad driver behavior. See there is this bike lane. I’m on a bike so I ride in it. There are these cars. There isn’t a lane that says “car lane” but the big lane is a given that that’s their lane. Here’s the problem. Although having this great big lane in which to drive, I notice cars venture over in the bike lane. People have lost the art of using a turn signal as well. ‘Nother thing, red means stop, not conitinue to inch up into the intersection.
The good thing about Sunday mornings is that there aren’t too many cars out, so it is easy riding. I can take up one little lane, which more than often turns into a parked car lane, leaving 1 or 2 other lanes for cars.
I get to my Georgetown church, and notice there is a complete lack of double parking. I pass by at least three churhes, two at least dating back to the 19th century. The worst illeagal parking? Too close to the curb. Of course double parking would be impossible. Double park on these little streets and the only thing that could possibly get by is a Mini Cooper. Maybe. Of course, it helps that members either A- live near the church; B- take the bus; C- take a cab or use other drop off service; or D- park legally.
After services, back on the bike and back to the market. Now I can take a more leisurly stroll through the place. First, I picked up my milk. Then I looked around and did some comparision shopping. Some folks sell their produce at a lower price than others. I’ve made the mistake before, where I bought from the first stall I saw only discover, same stuff, different stall, lower price. There are two guys selling yogurt, about two or more selling apples, three or more selling salad greens, and three or more selling cheese. The place was busy and the good bike parking was taken or covered in oriental rugs. There were people with dogs and kids, walking, running into each other and chatting away. Vendors took a good long while to talk with whomever was at the front of the line about how whatever they make was made, how to prepare it, or what ever information regarding whatever was for sale.
Thrity dollars poorer, I biked out with peach blossom buds, milk, yogurt, goat cheese, salad greens, fancy mushrooms, and apples. It was a heavy load on my bike.
I did get to the garden center after dumping all the market stuff. But no dirt I wanted. Peat moss, play sand and mulch was all I saw. Looked for something else as they were having a sale, but I didn’t see anything I needed.
Back at the homestead I focused on gardening. I wandered across the street to chat with a neighbor doing her yard. A few others were out in their yards. In my own yard I did some digging. I had enough sunlight to work both the front and back yards. I’m sore from working in the yard Saturday. I’m going to be even sore-er Monday for all the bending and lifting I’m doing today.
I saw some mint and thyme at the farmer’s market that would go well in the yard. Well maybe next week.