Yoga may be the Christmas Present of Your Future

Right now I’m just posting on whatever the Bloomingdale blogs are posting.
Anywho, the Yoga District is hoping to open its Bloomingdale studio sometime in late October. I translate that to mean November or December as I don’t underestimate the things that will get in the way (DCRA?).
The website for Yoga District is pretty good. You can reserve classes on-line and there are a variety of classes for different levels. The fees seem reasonable and you can buy passes. Not really clear if you can buy passes for someone else and give them as a gift.
First Street NW is getting all nifty and stuff. There is Big Bear, and Windows (with its new fancy-schmancy menu), add the Yoga studio and you’ve got yerself something there. If you could throw in one vintage consignment clothing shop you will complete the hipster vibe.
Come on Bloomingdale, you know I love you.
PS- I’m not ignoring Baraki, I’m just not sure what vibe it’s aiming for.

Historic KFC closes

We’re in danger of losing a bit of Eckington history as one of its businesses has shut it’s doors and is possibly in danger of losing some classic late-20th century commercial architecture. The Bulletproof KFC, as one Bloomingdale/Eckington resident once called it, was a testament to a period in the neighborhood’s life. It fed many a traveller and resident, overlooking the busy intersection of Florida and North Capitol.
Before this neighborhood landmark was, there was a church, Eckington Presbyterian, that sat there. According to a 1966 article in the Post [1] Eckington Presbyterian “rather than admit Negroes as members, the Church’s White congregation disbanded 19 months ago. The 62 year old church building, at Florida Avenue and North Capitol street, has stood vacant ever since and will be torn down soon.” Such a pity that a monument to racism was not preserved.

[1]”Clerics Find Prejudice Killed Church” The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973). Washington, D.C.: Oct 31, 1966. p. B4

New Vendor at Bloomingdale Farmers Market

This is just too good to throw on the announcements page (from the BFM organizers):

I am VERY excited to tell you that we are adding a NEW vegetable
farmer to Bloomingdale Farmers Market starting THIS Sunday. I just came back from a farm visit where I saw all their fields including these tomatoes plants that are growing healthy and tall ( field -ripened tomatoes coming soon!)

Their Virginia fields are in a warm, sunny microclimate so their crops ripen early — and they will add a LOT of variety to the market. (think sweet corn in late June)

This Sunday they will bring: quarts of mixed baby squash (zucchini, one ball, 8 ball, sunburst, pattypan, Kousa), mixed summer squash, squash blossoms, broccoli, baby new potatoes (red Pontiac and Yukon Gold), asparagus, vidalia-style sweet onions, spring onions, english peas (shelled and unshelled), sugar snaps, purple top turnips, Choggia beets, red beets, swiss Chard…..and the first raspberries
of the season (come early, they will go fast)

And Flowers,too. They will bring their field- grown flowers (lilies, yarrow, zinnia) and their beautiful hanging baskets on Sunday. (They will also have bedding plants and flowers.)

Please stop by and welcome Garner to the Bloomingdale Farmers Market.
They are very excited about becoming part of BFM!

Robin and Ted

This sunday

I ran into Timor Sunday after getting a few things at the Bloomingdale Farmer’s market because the line for the bacon was too long. Oh, and there weren’t any eggs at the market. Too long, as in it was raining, and the line at the salad/ pork products tent was a little past the canopy. So it was just easier to walk over to Timor. While I was there I noticed Kim has some cleaning and other products from Seventh Generation.
Anyway, the market was good to have back. I don’t know what’s going on with the seasons but the only fruit in abundance I saw were apples. I’ve noticed the same problem at the Penn Quarter market. The 7th Street Garden had one little pint of strawberries that got bought up while I was wandering around. I thought May was strawberry season. Well I’ll wait for the cherries and berries that make the markets a joy.

Bloomingdale Farmers Market Back This Sunday


100_0617.JPG
Originally uploaded by In Shaw

Are you excited?
I’m excited.
This is the message from Ted from the other side of Florida Ave:

This Sunday May 18th the second season of the Bloomingdale Farmers Market will start at 10am on R street NW between First street NW and Florida Ave. (same location as last year)

The market will run from 10am till 2pm each Sunday rain or shine, May 18th through November 23rd.

We welcome Senior and WIC GET FRESH checks.

Our theme this year is act Green, lets try to have a plastic bag free market. Please bring reusable bags or recycled store bags to haul the bounty of the Good Earth home. Buying locally grown or raised foods will help to reduce your annual carbon footprint by 11%. Using your own bags will reduce that amount even further. Ask about the new line of compostable single use cups and plates that the Big Bear Cafe plans to use. We are going to start a demonstration composting project at Emery Elementary school using the post consumer waste from the Big Bear.
Reid will have herb plants for sale
Truck Patch will have free range Pork and great spring salad greens
Bread Line -Fresh baked breads

See you all there.

Timor has more stuff now

Ran into the Timor Bodega and noticed that the shelves are bigger and have more stuff on them. Kim Wee is carrying some basic spices, more cereals, ricemilk, soymilk, and a bunch more organic things. If you haven’t ventured over there, give it a try. The weekday hours are short, 4PM to 9PM, but the weekend from 9:30AM to 8 (SAT) or 6 (SUN) is a better time.

More on Timor Bodega


Dairy Case II
Originally uploaded by In Shaw

I’ve polished off my bottle of chocolate milk and I want more. However, I’m currently using the milk bottle as a vase. Once those flowers are dead, I’m getting more milk and popping the Lactaid. Until then, pretty picture of the milk case at the Timor Bodega @ 200 Rhode Island Ave, NW.
I’m also enjoying the salad greens from the store. I got 1/2 a pound of mixed greens for $4. There are other fresh food items like yellow carrots, and blue potatoes. I also picked up a nice bottle of wine and the owner, Mr. Kim Wee, was nice enough to talk about the different white wines, the flavors, the dryness, and other wine descriptors.
I had asked Kim about the store and it’s story and he said he’s been open for about 2 months. The milk and cream pictured comes from Trickling Springs Creamery in Pennsylvania. The beef and chicken from the Emerald Farm Network, and the salad greens and pork from the Truck Patch Farm in Maryland.
Store hours are 4:30-8:30PM Monday thru Friday, 9:30AM-8:30PM Saturday, and 9:30AM-6PM Sunday. So early enough to grab a something on your commute to work if you pass by. The Timor Bodega takes credit cards.
Ask Kim about coffee. I don’t drink the stuff, but he is quite interested in coffee.

Stop. You had me at 'local dairy'


Timor Store
Originally uploaded by In Shaw

At this very moment I am enjoying something I thought I wouldn’t have again since the dairy guy at the Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market went out of business…. chocolate milk from a glass bottle.
I experienced a rush of complete joy when I wandered into Timor at 200 Rhode Island Ave NW, in Bloomingdale after a booze run at Bloomingdale Liquors. There in the glass case was milk. Not just any milk, milk in glass bottles. Cream in glass bottles. If I didn’t have milk already in the fridge I would have bought plain milk. Instead, I bought the chocolate milk.
There are some other like products in this little store that has recently opened. Meat supplied from a Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market guy. Yellow carrots, vegetarian mushroom soup, “good” beer (I’ll have to take the owner’s word since I don’t know beer), fresh fruit, smoked salmon, etc. I hope to have more info later.

Seed swap sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY

Well the Bloomingdale Garden Club is having a seed swap, but sadly I’ll be unavailable.

February 10th Garden Club Meeting

Novices take note: It’s not too soon to start thinking, planning, and doing something to make your spring gardening experience a cost-effective pleasure. Experienced gardeners hoping to keep the cost of gardening in check begin prepping now to grow their spring plants from seeds. So, to get the party started, the Greater Bloomingdale-Area Garden Club invites all gardeners to Windows Café & Market (1st & RI Ave NW) from 2:00-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 10th for a Spring Seed Exchange & Giveaway.

The Club will have loads of flower and vegetable seeds to give away. Members and others are invited to bring plant cuttings and any seeds they have to share. This is a golden opportunity to network with other gardening neighbors, give and get advice, and share your gardening war stories. I’ve got a few stories of my own to share, like the one where all of my house flowers died and… Shucks, gotta go. If you want to hear the end of that story I’ll see you at Windows on the 10th.

Bloomingdale Farmers Market not a given for next year

RED ALERT! According to the Eckington Listserv there is some opposition from residents of the little section of the 100 block of R St to the market so, it is not a given for next year. I can’t begin to describe the range of emotions I feel. This market is such a part of my week and a part of my life now. It’s where I run into my neighbors, it’s where I get my seasonal fruit and salad and eggs. The market make the Mari(e) happy, and my heart sinks at the idea of it not coming back in the Spring.
ANC commish Kris Hammond made the comment, “Naturally, residents adversely affected should be heeded; we should be open to alternatives that minimize the negatives.” So people of Bloomingdale and Truxton I know we have the brain power to think of solutions to affected resident’s parking woes. Please don’t let the market be a one hit wonder.

Correction: Not 200 Blk but 100 blk.