Thursday, June 26, 2008
Front Yard Tomatoes
Walking around the hood I'm noticing more folks growing tomatoes in their front yards. I'm wondering if it is a fluke? Are they accidental tomato plants grown from a stray tomato seed from a) a discarded sandwich or b) compost- those tomato seeds seem to survive compost?
Regardless I'm happy to see a part of the Shaw lawn going to food production. I haven't had too many worries about growing things in the front yard. My concerns are:
1. Kids playing on the sidewalk will almost always throw a ball in your yard knocking over and possibly destroying plants.
2. G-dd-mned squirrels eating unripe fruit and leaving them 1/2 eaten on the step, or fence or high spot you can't reach.
3. Newspaper delivery people aiming for plants.
I have gotten emails with concerns about front yard tomatoes getting stolen and attracting rats. I don't know about rats, as I haven't seen any evidence of them and I figure the fruit grows too high for them to reach and I collect all of it so none of it hits the ground. And the only ones who've stolen from me are the squirrels.
Regardless I'm happy to see a part of the Shaw lawn going to food production. I haven't had too many worries about growing things in the front yard. My concerns are:
1. Kids playing on the sidewalk will almost always throw a ball in your yard knocking over and possibly destroying plants.
2. G-dd-mned squirrels eating unripe fruit and leaving them 1/2 eaten on the step, or fence or high spot you can't reach.
3. Newspaper delivery people aiming for plants.
I have gotten emails with concerns about front yard tomatoes getting stolen and attracting rats. I don't know about rats, as I haven't seen any evidence of them and I figure the fruit grows too high for them to reach and I collect all of it so none of it hits the ground. And the only ones who've stolen from me are the squirrels.
Labels: gardening
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tonight 5C01 mtg
Dear Neighbor,
You are invited to participate in
SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICT ANC5C01
COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2008
6:30 PM
MT. SINAI BAPTIST CHURCH
LOWER LEVEL
AGENDA:
COMMUNITY CONCERNS
UPDATE ON RECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS IN AREA
WHAT MORE WE WANT MPD TO DO ABOUT AREA
CRIME AND VIOLENCE
RSVP: 202-550-0619, Anita Bonds, ANC Commissioner 5C01
You are invited to participate in
SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICT ANC5C01
COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2008
6:30 PM
MT. SINAI BAPTIST CHURCH
LOWER LEVEL
AGENDA:
COMMUNITY CONCERNS
UPDATE ON RECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS IN AREA
WHAT MORE WE WANT MPD TO DO ABOUT AREA
CRIME AND VIOLENCE
RSVP: 202-550-0619, Anita Bonds, ANC Commissioner 5C01
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Special BAA meeting
|--------------------------------------|
| Blagden Alley Association |
| Special Meeting |
| |
| THURSDAY, June 19, 2008 |
| 7:00 (Sharp!)-8:30 (Max) |
| Our Local Convention Center |
| Room 151 |
| L Street Entrance |
| (More Below) |
| |
| Marriott Briefing on the new |
| Convention Center Hotel |
|--------------------------------------|
This is a special briefing for the
Blagden Alley and Naylor Court Association
and guests.
It isn't a normal meeting. It's a briefing.
The editor has seen it, and it's very good.
And entertaining. And informative.
Lots and lots of details.
(He's seen the other kind, mostly.)
" 7:00 (Sharp!)"
This means that it should start at 7:00.
Don't being food or drink. The usual frivolity
needs to be toned down.
Use the entrance at the South Side of L Street
between Seventh and Ninth. The guard will direct
you to Room 151.
They are planning a LOT of parking.
Also a Starbucks. (Quelle surprise!)
| Blagden Alley Association |
| Special Meeting |
| |
| THURSDAY, June 19, 2008 |
| 7:00 (Sharp!)-8:30 (Max) |
| Our Local Convention Center |
| Room 151 |
| L Street Entrance |
| (More Below) |
| |
| Marriott Briefing on the new |
| Convention Center Hotel |
|--------------------------------------|
This is a special briefing for the
Blagden Alley and Naylor Court Association
and guests.
It isn't a normal meeting. It's a briefing.
The editor has seen it, and it's very good.
And entertaining. And informative.
Lots and lots of details.
(He's seen the other kind, mostly.)
" 7:00 (Sharp!)"
This means that it should start at 7:00.
Don't being food or drink. The usual frivolity
needs to be toned down.
Use the entrance at the South Side of L Street
between Seventh and Ninth. The guard will direct
you to Room 151.
They are planning a LOT of parking.
Also a Starbucks. (Quelle surprise!)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
From Jim: Honoring Dr. Swygert
Neighbors,
I encourage you to join me at this event in honor of the above-referenced persons. As you may know, Dr. Swygert has been the president of Howard University for many years and former Senator Pendleton was a past chairperson of ANC 5C, a past chairperson of the Ward Five Democrats, a senior administrator in the DC Public Schools, and an overall treasure in the Ward Five community.
As indicated below, the affair is taking place this coming Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The BACA is one of the community co-sponsors and it may interest you to know that the activity is free of charge.
Feel free to share this information with others in our community and be sure to RSVP today!
Best,
Jim Berry
Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.
The Anniversary Committee of the
Bloomingdale Civic Association, Inc.
requests the honor of your presence
at ceremonies honoring
H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University
The Honorable Florence Pendleton, former U.S. Senator
(DC-Shadow)
Sunday, June 8, 2008
3:00 P. M.
The Gallery, Blackburn Center
Howard University
2400 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, DC
Honorary Host Committee
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton * The Honorable Vincent C. Gray
The Honorable Yvette Alexander * The Honorable Marion Barry, Jr.
The Honorable Murial Bowser * The Honorable Kwami R. Brown
The Honorable David Catania * The Honorable Mary Cheh
The Honorable Jack Evans * The Honorable Jim Graham
The Honorable Phil Mendelson * The Honorable Carol Schwartz
The Honorable Harry Thomas, Jr. * The Honorable Tommy Wells
Community Sponsors
Bloomingdale Civic Association * Fifth District Citizens’ Advisory Council
Bates Area Civic Association* South Central Civic Association
LeDroit Park Civic Association * Edgewood Civic Association
Woodridge Civic Association * Brookland Civic Association
DC Federation of Civic Associations * Ward Four Education Council
Ward Five Education Council * Neighbors of Seaton Place
Pleasant Plains Civic Association
Corporate Sponsors
ADAMS National Bank * PEPCO
VERIZON Washington and Maryland * State Farm Insurance Companies
RSVP: bloomingdaleca@ gmail.com
I encourage you to join me at this event in honor of the above-referenced persons. As you may know, Dr. Swygert has been the president of Howard University for many years and former Senator Pendleton was a past chairperson of ANC 5C, a past chairperson of the Ward Five Democrats, a senior administrator in the DC Public Schools, and an overall treasure in the Ward Five community.
As indicated below, the affair is taking place this coming Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The BACA is one of the community co-sponsors and it may interest you to know that the activity is free of charge.
Feel free to share this information with others in our community and be sure to RSVP today!
Best,
Jim Berry
Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.
The Anniversary Committee of the
Bloomingdale Civic Association, Inc.
requests the honor of your presence
at ceremonies honoring
H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University
The Honorable Florence Pendleton, former U.S. Senator
(DC-Shadow)
Sunday, June 8, 2008
3:00 P. M.
The Gallery, Blackburn Center
Howard University
2400 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, DC
Honorary Host Committee
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton * The Honorable Vincent C. Gray
The Honorable Yvette Alexander * The Honorable Marion Barry, Jr.
The Honorable Murial Bowser * The Honorable Kwami R. Brown
The Honorable David Catania * The Honorable Mary Cheh
The Honorable Jack Evans * The Honorable Jim Graham
The Honorable Phil Mendelson * The Honorable Carol Schwartz
The Honorable Harry Thomas, Jr. * The Honorable Tommy Wells
Community Sponsors
Bloomingdale Civic Association * Fifth District Citizens’ Advisory Council
Bates Area Civic Association* South Central Civic Association
LeDroit Park Civic Association * Edgewood Civic Association
Woodridge Civic Association * Brookland Civic Association
DC Federation of Civic Associations * Ward Four Education Council
Ward Five Education Council * Neighbors of Seaton Place
Pleasant Plains Civic Association
Corporate Sponsors
ADAMS National Bank * PEPCO
VERIZON Washington and Maryland * State Farm Insurance Companies
RSVP: bloomingdaleca@ gmail.com
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Fireworks leg
From Jim Berry:
Neighbors,
At last night's meeting of the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc., the membership considered and decided to support the "Fireworks Neighborhood Safety Act of 2007." In substance, this Bill "prohibits the use, sale, storage and display of fireworks in the District of Columbia except in certain instances; it provides for civil penalties for possession or sale of fireworks; to provide for enforcement of the act by the Fire Chief and the Chief of Police; and to make conforming amendments."
Specifically, bill is being considered today by the City Council on an emergency basis. We are told that it is supported by Mayor Fenty and, if it passes today, that it can be implemented in time to impact this year's "fireworks season." (my inartful description) Whatever the case, anyone who has been living in our community for a time knows how taxing the constant sound of firecrackers, cherry bombs and other explosive devices can be when discharged in the neighborhood (seemingly, every five minutes from late May to the middle of July). The sound of these items, alone, often resembles the sound of gunfire which makes this frequent and excessive noise in our community particularly unsettling for children and adults alike. Every year, we ask ourselves what can be done to more effectively manage this problem and, now, it seems that at least a partial solution has presented itself. And, while this might not be the panacean answer to the problem, it offers possibilities that can be tested via the emergency implementation of the law this year.
So, if you agree with our position, I encourage you to contact Ward Five Council Member Thomas, Chairman Gray and each of the At-Large Council Members who also bear some measure of responsibility for our representation on the City Council. The telephone numbers for the Council Members are as follows:
Vincent C. Gray Chairman
At large Room 504 202-724-8032
fax 724-8085
vgray@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Carol Schwartz At large Room 404 202-724-8105
fax 724-8071
schwartzc@dccouncil.us Republican
current term 2005-2008
David Catania At large Room 110 202-724-7772
fax 724-8087
dcatania@dccouncil.us Independent
current term
2007-2010
Phil Mendelson At large Room 402 202-724-8064
fax 724-8099
pmendelson@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2010
Kwame R. Brown At large Room 506 202-724-8174
fax 724-8156
kbrown@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2005-2008
Jim Graham Ward 1 Room 105 202-724-8181
fax 724-8109
jgraham@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Jack Evans Ward 2 Room 106 202-724-8058
fax 724-8023
jackevans@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2005-2008
Mary M. Cheh Ward 3 Room 108 202-724-8062
fax 724-8118
mcheh@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Muriel Bowser Ward 4 Room 406 202-724-8052
fax 741-0908
mbowser@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2008
Harry Thomas, Jr. Ward 5 Room 107 202-724-8028
fax 724-8076
hthomas@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Tommy Wells Ward 6 Room 408 202-724-8072
fax 724-8054
twells@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Yvette M. Alexander Ward 7 Room 400 202-724-8068
fax 724-0911
yalexander@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2008
Marion Barry Ward 8 Room 102 202-724-8045
fax 724-8055
mbarry@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2005-2008
We thank you in advance for your willingness to help with this initiative.
Best,
Jim Berry
Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.
Neighbors,
At last night's meeting of the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc., the membership considered and decided to support the "Fireworks Neighborhood Safety Act of 2007." In substance, this Bill "prohibits the use, sale, storage and display of fireworks in the District of Columbia except in certain instances; it provides for civil penalties for possession or sale of fireworks; to provide for enforcement of the act by the Fire Chief and the Chief of Police; and to make conforming amendments."
Specifically, bill is being considered today by the City Council on an emergency basis. We are told that it is supported by Mayor Fenty and, if it passes today, that it can be implemented in time to impact this year's "fireworks season." (my inartful description) Whatever the case, anyone who has been living in our community for a time knows how taxing the constant sound of firecrackers, cherry bombs and other explosive devices can be when discharged in the neighborhood (seemingly, every five minutes from late May to the middle of July). The sound of these items, alone, often resembles the sound of gunfire which makes this frequent and excessive noise in our community particularly unsettling for children and adults alike. Every year, we ask ourselves what can be done to more effectively manage this problem and, now, it seems that at least a partial solution has presented itself. And, while this might not be the panacean answer to the problem, it offers possibilities that can be tested via the emergency implementation of the law this year.
So, if you agree with our position, I encourage you to contact Ward Five Council Member Thomas, Chairman Gray and each of the At-Large Council Members who also bear some measure of responsibility for our representation on the City Council. The telephone numbers for the Council Members are as follows:
Vincent C. Gray Chairman
At large Room 504 202-724-8032
fax 724-8085
vgray@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Carol Schwartz At large Room 404 202-724-8105
fax 724-8071
schwartzc@dccouncil.us Republican
current term 2005-2008
David Catania At large Room 110 202-724-7772
fax 724-8087
dcatania@dccouncil.us Independent
current term
2007-2010
Phil Mendelson At large Room 402 202-724-8064
fax 724-8099
pmendelson@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2010
Kwame R. Brown At large Room 506 202-724-8174
fax 724-8156
kbrown@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2005-2008
Jim Graham Ward 1 Room 105 202-724-8181
fax 724-8109
jgraham@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Jack Evans Ward 2 Room 106 202-724-8058
fax 724-8023
jackevans@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2005-2008
Mary M. Cheh Ward 3 Room 108 202-724-8062
fax 724-8118
mcheh@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Muriel Bowser Ward 4 Room 406 202-724-8052
fax 741-0908
mbowser@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2008
Harry Thomas, Jr. Ward 5 Room 107 202-724-8028
fax 724-8076
hthomas@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Tommy Wells Ward 6 Room 408 202-724-8072
fax 724-8054
twells@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Yvette M. Alexander Ward 7 Room 400 202-724-8068
fax 724-0911
yalexander@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2008
Marion Barry Ward 8 Room 102 202-724-8045
fax 724-8055
mbarry@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2005-2008
We thank you in advance for your willingness to help with this initiative.
Best,
Jim Berry
Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.
