Third Annual Neighborhood Survey

Many of us in Shaw and Mt Vernon Square enjoy the convenience of the shopping options we have downtown that beat heading out to the burbs for housewares and electronics. The more things we have downtown, the more likely we will be able to keep or tax dollars in the District. A vibrant business climate in Gallery Place, Chinatown and Penn Quarter will hopefully creep up to our own area around the Convention Center and O Street Market. Personally, I'm tired of heading out to Virginia to gets hands on help from an AppleGenius whenever my iPhone acts up or my cats scratch the keys of my MacBook Pro keyboard. So, my top pick for new retail is an APPLE STORE. (I don't have enough html tags on this blog to emphasize that enough.)

This, from Miles Groves, President, Downtown Neighborhood Association (DCDNA.org):

The Downtown Business Improvement launched our third Annual Neighborhood Survey earlier this year. This survey is important because the generalized results are used to improve efforts to attract new retail downtown. This is especially important for the activity on 7th Street, H Street, 9th Street, H Street, and 6th Street.

This survey is a critical part of the the retail development. So, if you live or work Downtown, please complete the brief online survey at www.downtowndc.org/neighborhood. The survey is live through February 15th and participation qualifies you to win a gift certificate to a Downtown BID area restaurant of a free weekend stay at the Hotel Monaco.

The information you provide will help inform retailer and other businesses about the growing Downtown consumer market and the area's retail needs. This information is treated as confidential and will only be released in summary form.

Thanks for your support of this important effort.

11am-noon, Wednesday, February 3 [ Download Rally Flier ]
John A Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Rm 412

If you don't get counted this year for the Census, in could cost DC $35,000 over ten years, till the next Census. Just imagine what $35,000 per person, once it trickles down, can do for local communities. Don't just think about it, find out the facts, here.

More importantly, you should also consider that the more people who get counted locally, the more likely we will have a larger and more diverse Advisory Neighborhood Commission in 2012, which is really not that far away; even with the most optimistic estimates, most major development projects — CityMarket at O, Convention Headquarters Hotel, Addisson Sq — will not be completed before then. Ward boundaries will likely change also for those of us who live near the boundaries. The more census numbers stay the same, the more things will stay the same in Shaw and Ward 2.

Contact Carlton Terry, 2010 DC Council Census Coordinator
CTerry@DCCouncil.us or (202) 724-8105

Not only did the house cats dig the all !00% natural and biodegradeable WBCL the day i first brought it home after sampling every other brand at the local supermarket, but I realized today that the stuff (basically cornmeal) also makes for great compost (after it's fully scooped, of course). Also checked this idea with the family master gardener back in California. It's so efficiently self clumping that there's even the smell is usally gone after a good scooping. Those crystal and perfumed formulas clearly don't seem to have a proper place in the garden, but hence forward, the week-old litter wont be contributing to landfill anywhere but the backyard in the flower boxes where it will help condition the soil. Just another reason to love the felines (when they aren't destroying furniture).

And speaking of love and gardens, The Friends of the Marion Street Garden are getting ready for spring. Their next garden work day for prepping the garden is on Valentine's Day, February 14, from 11am-1pm. Light snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Rebecca at Rebecca@CityBlossoms.org. RSVP's are encouraged.

And, this just in ...

Saturday, February 20, 2009
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
The Historical Society of Washington, 801 K Street NW
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged! Please call (202) 638-1649 during business hours to reserve your spot.

DC’s Field to Fork Network, the America the Beautiful Fund, dozens of local community organizations and members of DC’s urban gardening community for the third annual Rooting DC urban gardening forum. This day-long event – which includes panel discussions, workshops and talks - is free and open to the public. Grow your own food! Soil preparation, starting seeds, composting, container gardening in small spaces. Cooking demonstrations: preparing healthy & low-cost meals, making pickles, canning, raw foods. Info on ethnic specialty crops. local West African, Caribbean, Central American, & African-American agricultural specialists. Where do we get affordable fresh food? Farmers’ markets, co-ops, non-profit agencies, proposed regional distribution center, Roundtable discussions: Urban agriculture, affecting local policy change, Healthy Affordable Food for All. [ ¡Se ofrecerán algunas sesiones en español! Some sessions offered in Spanish! ]. Limited free childcare will be available for children ages 3-12 years. You MUST pre-register for childcare! Call 202-638-1649 to register in advance.

"Universal Relief: A Yoga Benefit for Healing Haiti"
6:30pm. Sunday, January 31

Fundraiser: Universal Relief: A Yoga Benefit for Healing Haiti
"Browse the art; Flow to local music."
Longview Gallery, 1234 Ninth Street NW

Yoga practice is open to all levels and runs 6:30 - 8:15p with live local music. After, explore the gallery and enjoy treats donated by Georgetown Cupcake & Honest Tea.

All proceeds go to Haiti Lumiere de Demain (HLD), an organization based on the Haitian island of La Gonave. HLD is the only NGO on La Gonave managing relief efforts for 40,000 refugees (and rising) who have fled Port-au-Prince seeking medical care, food and water.

Featuring live music during the practice by:
Jonathan Stark, Cello. http://www.byjonathanstark.com
& DC-based band Feynman. http://www.facebook.com/feynmanmusic

Councilmember Jack Evans and ANC2C01 Commissioner Alexander Padro have called on the Council’s Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, and its Chair, Councilmember Phil Mendelson, to immediately schedule a hearing on the Neighborhood and Victims Rights Amendment Act of 2009. This bill will be discussed at our CCCA meeting Tuesday, January 26 with Councilmember David Catania.

Article by DC Libertarian Examiner Kris Hammond

At the Washington Convention Center Advisory meeting this week, Councilmember Phil Mendelson (right) made an unexpected appearance in place of Councilmember Jack Evans. Mr Mendelson addressed a series of crime related and juvenile justice concerns and announced the following hearings being held by his Committee on Public Safety & the Judiciary. (Please note that Councilmember David Catania will join the CCCA at our January 26 meeting to discuss some crime issues along with other topics.)

Mr Mendelson addressed the fact that around 36% of students in DCPS are regularly absent from school that some of these students are inclined to get involved with juvenile crime. Mr Mendelson stated that "today's juvenile offenders are tomorrow's criminals" and that "there is a recidivism rate of two-thirds" among criminals going through the District's justice system.

UPCOMING (AND RECENT) PUBLIC HEARINGS (download pdf):

B18-526, Public Transportation Criminal Penalties Act of 2009, and
B18-555, School Safe Passage Emergency Zone Act of 2009
January 21, 2010 at 10:00 am in the Council Chambers

B18-63, Residential Tranquility Act of 2009
February 4, 2010 at 10:00 am in Hearing Room 412

B18-549, Community Impact Statement Amendment Act of 2009, and
B18-556, Liquid PCP Possession Amendment Act of 2009
February 8, 2010 at 10:30 am in Hearing Room 412

B18-557, Private Fire Hydrant Amendment Act of 2009
February 8, 2010 at 1:00 pm in Hearing Room 412

B18-622, Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative Amendment Act of 2010
February 11, 2010 at 10:00 am in the Council Chamber
(Those that wish to testify should contact Ms. Jennifer Barry, Committee on Health, at (202) 724-8170 or via e-mail at jbarry@dccouncil.us.)

PR18-631, Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Millicent D. Williams Confirmation Resolution of 2010
February 18, 2010 at 10:00 am in Hearing Room 102

All Committee hearings are open to the public. For more information, or to sign up to testify, please contact Ms. Deborah Kelly (see contact information below). For more information on the Committee, please visit DCCouncil.us/mendelson.

I'd like to thank all the folks at Long View Gallery for opening their space for Tuesday's impressively successful fundraiser. I appreciate everyone on the host committee for their outreach and assistance. And of course, I’d like to thank everyone who made contributions (openly or anonymously). You made a significant dent in my legal expenses which are now rapidly approaching $7k.

I will be the first to admit that there are far better reasons for us all to come together and or spend our money locally: Shaw Main Streets events, local businesses, community meetings, picnics, clean ups and green ups that benefit all of us.

On Monday, more than 50 of us came together to prepare the Common Good City Farm in Ledroit Park for spring planting. The farm benefits some of the neediest people in our local communities. One of the Farm’s founders and its new Acting Farm Director, Liz Falk, is working with us on the Marion Street Garden Project. Updates on that project at the CCCA meeting next week. I hope many local residents will support and take some time to enjoy the new garden in the coming months and years.

I admit that I have a knack for learning lessons the hard way, and the Superior Court case has been an eye-opening education and sometimes disturbing look at our court processes. In the upcoming weeks, the CCCA and the Mt Vernon Sq Neighborhood Association will host DC Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfiield to discuss court processes as they relate to criminal offenders in our communities.

I hope that when my case is over, everyone involved will realize that none of us should ever have to go through anything like this again. I have been informed that some supporters have experienced some odd or offensive reactions from others in the community as a result of their support for me. I am very sorry that has been happening and will avoid publicizing supporters names hence forward.

Best,
MRM

5pm, Thursday, January 21
Washington Convention Center (WCC) Advisory Committee Meeting
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW,
Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis Board Room (South Building / Mezzanine Level East)

Councilmember Jack Evans will be on the agenda. Hopefully he will have updates on development and his recent draft crime bill among other topics.

For additional information about the WCC Advisory Committee, please contact tdubois@dcconvention.com or leave a voice mail message at the 24-hour Walter E. Washington Convention Center Community Hotline at (202) 249-3200.

11am-1pm, Monday, January 18
Common Good City Farm, Access from 300 block of W Street NW

Join Common Good City Farm and DC Cares to build 8 pallet compost bins and do some spring farm prep. New volunteers welcome. More info and to register online at http://www.commongoodcityfarm.org/events.

Contact, Liz Falk, (202) 441-9678

Common Good City Farm is a productive community farm that increases fresh food access to low income DC residents. Participants learn to grow, cook and market produce.

(Need Food? DCfoodfinder.org)