In Shaw Announcements

Ward 5 Business Council Establishes Tawana Gantt Fund to Assist Victims and Survivors of Jackson Street, NE Fire
Washington DC - At the request of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr., the Ward 5 Business Council has established the Tawana Gantt Fund at Cardinal Bank to assist with funeral arrangements for Tawana Gantt and the five other family members who perished with her in the January 1, 2009 Jackson Street, NE house fire: Ms. Gantt's daughter, Kaniya, age four; Oscar Wilson III, age 11; Joseph Wilson, age 10; Keith Nelson, age 23; and Charles Smith, age 72.

Ms. Gantt, 22, was a dedicated employee in the office of Councilmember Thomas where she worked on constituent service and Ward 5 Business Council issues.

Check may be made payable to the Tawana Gantt Fund and sent to:

Tawana Gantt Fund
c/o Ward 5 Business Council
PO Box 90918
Washington, DC 20090

Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

"Tawana was a hard worker," said Councilmember Thomas. "She had an incredibly cheerful, positive attitude and willingness to lend a hand wherever and whenever needed. We will all miss her."

###

Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. represents Ward 5 on the Council of the District of Columbia. Thomas chairs the Council's Committee on Libraries, Parks, and Recreation. He sits on two additional committees: Health and Workforce Development and Government Operations.

posted by Mari  # 11:49 AM

Please see the attached flyer regarding the homicide of Durval Martins, which occurred early this morning. Feel free to redistribute or post this flyer, as MPD seeks information on this incident.

On Tuesday, December 16, 2008, around 3:06 am, Durval Martins was shot and killed while at the intersection of 11th and Q Streets, NW. The Metropolitan Police Department seeks the public’s assistance in gathering information regarding this incident.

The case is under investigation by members of the Department’s Criminal investigations Division, Homicide Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Paul Regan on 2/425-5563 (cell) or 2/645-0472; Detective Doug Carlson on 2/486-0233 (cell) or 645-6360; or the Command Information Center (CIC) at 727-9099. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-888-919-CRIME (888 919-2746). Anonymous information may also be forwarded to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

The Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Your assistance is appreciated by your community.

Yours,

Matt

--
Matt W. Ashburn, Auxiliary #1314
Special Liaison Unit
Executive Office of the Chief of Police
Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department
1369-A Connecticut Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036
E-mail: matthew dot ashburn at dc.gov

At Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 7-8:30 pm tonight, October 20, concerned citizens of the Bates Area are meeting with Commander Green to discuss public safety matters of the community -- holes in the Florida Park fence, etc.

from -Anita Bonds

This Friday, the Warehouse Theater & Gallery in Washington, D.C., will host the fifth occurrence of the 24-Hour Drawing Project, an international collaboration between Kendall Nordin and Hannah Bertram.

Conceived and first performed by Nordin and Bertram in Melbourne, Australia, in 2005, the project involves a group of artists who work for 24 hours in a row. During the project's duration, the working space is open to the public.

There is no exhibition after the conclusion of the event.

The artists involved are not obliged to "draw" in the traditional sense. They may instead work on any act of art involving what the project's founders call "intensive attention or effort." The atmosphere will be what you, the visitors, make of it.

Please join us for this endurance art experience.

The 24-Hour Drawing Project
Friday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. thought Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.
Free and open to the public

The Warehouse Theater
1017 7th St NW, Washington, DC

www.warehousetheater.com
www.hannahbertram.com
http://artfile.wpadc.org/view_artist.php?aid=1407

And for all those that don’t know, Street Sense is a nonprofit newspaper about poverty and social issues and it’s sold by homeless and formerly homeless individuals throughout the DC area. Our mission is to empower homeless people with a voice and income and educate the public about issues not often covered by the mainstream media. You can find out more about us at www.streetsense.org.



EVENT INFORMATION:

Movin’ On Up

Street Sense’s Third Annual

Silent Auction & Reception

October 2, 2008, 7pm

Josephine Butler Park Center,

2437 Fifteenth Street, NW



Tickets start at $25 a piece for access to the auction, endless appetizers, beer and wine, and great fun with Street Sense vendors, board and staff.

For more info or to buy tickets, visit http://www.streetsense.org/auction2008.jsp

Agenda for the evening will include a presentation from:
Alexander Shawe, Director of Real Estate, KIPP DC
re. the KIPP Academy’s interest in the former J.F. Cook School Building
As well as status reports from the following committees:

Membership

Public Safety

Youth Services

Environmental Services

WHERE?
Monday, September 8, 2008
Mount Sinai Baptist Church
3rd and Q Streets, N.W.

Rooms 1 and 2
7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Councilmember Thomas Hosts 19th Annual Harry Thomas, Sr. Family Day Event Features Housing Counseling Services in Response to Ward 5’s High Foreclosure Rate
On September 5, from 4 pm until 10 pm, Ward 5 Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. will host the 19th Annual Harry Thomas, Sr. Day. The event honors the legacy of Councilmember Thomas’ father, the late Councilmember Harry Thomas, Sr., and celebrates his commitment to strengthening families and communities.
This year, in response to the skyrocketing number of foreclosures in Ward 5, Councilmember Thomas has joined with his colleague, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, to offer foreclosure and mortgage assistance at the event.

Representatives from the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking; Manna, Inc.; Housing Counseling Services; the Urban League; and Community Area Asset Builders (CAAB) will be on hand to meet with residents about their mortgages. Harry Thomas, Sr. Family Day will also include a neighborhood barbeque, music, softball games, a moon bounce, and boxing under the stars.
"Families facing foreclosure can benefit tremendously from knowing all of the options available to them," said Councilmember Cheh. "In some cases, refinancing or help from charitable organizations might be enough to help some families keep their homes. We want to do all we can to assist our neighbors in distress."
"I am appreciative of Councilmember Cheh’s assistance in providing housing counseling services at Harry Thomas, Sr. Family Day," said Councilmember Thomas. "In 2007, 523 Ward 5 families received notices of foreclosure. I can’t think of a better way to honor my father’s memory than by helping residents save their homes."

Event details are as follows:
Who: Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. (D-Ward 5) and Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3)
What: 19th Annual Harry Thomas, Sr. Family Day
Where: Taft Recreation Center, Dwight Mosley Athletic Field, South Dakota Ave. and Perry Street, NE
When: 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday, September 5, 2008

|----------------------------------------|
| THE |
| Regular Yearly Picnic |
| of the |
| Blagden Alley |
| and |
| Naylor Court |
| Peoples |
| |
| Saturday, August 23, 2007 |
| Historical, Brick-Paved |
| Naylor Court |
| 6:00pm-9:00pm |
| (See map in newsletter) |
| |
| IN TWO DAYS! |
|----------------------------------------|

Food.
Fun.
Frivolity, or an approximation.
Door Prizes (lots!).
Good weather.
Politicians.
Real people (us!).

The announcement with more details is at

http://www.pro-messenger.com/Blagden/Monthly%20Pages/2008%20Monthly%20Pages/BAN_2008_08_P1.html

and

http://my.opera.com/haldavitt/blog/show.dml/2460313

(OK. It's the same flyer as last year, with a minor updates.)

Please note: We do need a fedw more tables and can always use chairs.
If you can help, please do.

The D.C. Public Library and the literacy advocacy group D.C. LEARNs will host our 5th Annual Adult Literacy Volunteer Fair on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW in the Great Hall (Main Lobby). The event will feature representatives from numerous literary organizations in the city, who will counsel prospective volunteers on the programs, training and opportunities available, whether it's helping adults learn to read, earn a GED or grasp the basics of English as a second language. For more information and to RSVP, call Ben Merrion at 202-727-2431 or e-mail benjamin.merrion@dc.gov by September 8th.

There will be a speakout and read-in in front of the Shaw Giant, this
Saturday from Noon to 2pm (sorry for the late notice). Here's the 411
>>
http://www.districtdynamos.org/dynamos/shaw/speakout_8_16_08

Here's what precipitated such >>
http://www.districtdynamos.org/dynamos/shaw/library_evolution

Here's what the ANC has expressed about the library design process for
the new Shaw library >>
http://www.districtdynamos.org/dynamos/shaw/reports/anc_2c_declaration_july_08

Press Release

For Immediate Release
July 23, 2008

Contact: Paul D. Craney
Email: press@dcgop.com

DC's Child & Family Services Agency Deserve Better

Washington, DC: Yesterday, DC's Attorney General Peter Nickles defended the appointment of Mr. Roque Gerald as interim director of DC's Child & Family Services Agency. Mr. Gerald comes with baggage as recent revelations point that in 1989 Mr. Gerald who is a psychologist had sex with a suicidal and depressed patient in his office, who later sued him for damages. Mayor Fenty directed media questions to Mr. Nickes.

"Would a bank hire a bank robber, no. Why is Mr. Gerald being appointed for a position in which he is disqualified for?," stated Robert J. Kabel, Chairman of the District of Columbia Republican Committee.

"Having the Attorney General answer calls to the press about a questionable political appointee instead of helping to prosecute the criminals in the Trinidad neighborhood is waste of valuable resources," concluded Kabel.

Happy Hour to Benefit Nonprofit

Working to Increase Access to Medicine in Low-Income Countries.

Wednesday, July 30, 6-9:30pm, at The Space (903 N St. NW)

with live music, free appetizers, and drink specials.



Details:



On Wednesday July 30th, Peter Maybarduk, a talented songwriter and performer, will play at DC's cool new venue -- The Space, 903 N Street NW -- a loft-style lounge with outdoor patios.



The event -- a happy hour reception from 6pm to 9:30pm with live music, free appetizers, and drink specials -- will benefit Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM), a nationally-recognized nonprofit that works to increase access to life-saving medicines in developing countries.



The cause is unquestionably a worthy one: 10 million people die each year from diseases with available treatments -- often because the cost of the drugs makes them inaccessible.

Sadly and ironically, many of those unaffordable medicines are the product of publicly funded research carried out at universities. UAEM is a coalition of students at over 40 top research universities in the US, Canada, and the UK, who are committed to increasing access to medicines in low-income countries -- particularly those medicines that are the result of discoveries in university labs.



(The organization does this by increasing universities' awareness of the impact of their technology transfer policies on access to medicines in developing countries and working with universities to implement improved policies and practices. For your information, I am attaching a fact sheet that details a number of the organization's accomplishments.)



Donations will be collected at the door, and all monies will go directly to UAEM, which is a 501(c)(3) organization.



For more information on UAEM, check out www.essentialmedicine.org.

To get a visual and description of The Space, go to www.thespace-dc.com.

To learn more about Peter and hear some of his work, visit www.petermaybarduk.com.


The invite notes, the suggested donation is $35, but no amount is too small. $5 or $10 donations are welcomed and appreciated!

Sat. July 19th Mojito tasting/Customer Appreciation Day(5-8pm):

Keeping with the vibe of this Latin Libation please enjoy an evening of many activities:

Live Latin Jazz

Sounds from a smooth local group

Try your hand at playing Dominos

(Bones, tiles, stones, spinners) a fun game played with two or four players. If you don't how, we will teach you. Easy!!!

Salsa Dancing

A demonstration followed by crowd participation, Yeah!!!

Smoke some cigars Try a nice mild cigar from the Dominican Republic

Good Libations
1201 5th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.347.1006

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Edgewood Senior Building-Crawford Hall
7:05 – 9:00 p.m. 635 Edgewood Terrace, NE (enter from parking lot )


MONTHLY MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA

ANC5C citizens are invited to bring suggestions and recommendation for community improvement to the meeting. However, please observe simply courtesies at all times -- wait to be recognized before speaking and do not speak over others or while others have the floor. Please limit your comments to ONE MINUTE so to give others a chance for expression. Members of the community will be recognized following the Commissioners. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall maintain public order during the meeting. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Part I: Community Concerns and Reports ------ 7:05 p.m.

1) Call to Order …………………………………………………………… Commissioner Bonds
2) Roll Call …………………………………………….………………….. Commissioner Daneker
3) Approval of the June 2008 Meeting Minutes ….……………….….. Commissioner Salatti
4) Acknowledgement of Community Leaders and Guests ………….. Commissioner Phillips
5) Treasurer’s Report …………………………………………………… Commissioner DeFoe
6) MPD Update …………………………………………………………... PSA 501 Officers
7) Community Concerns ……………………………………… Moderated by Commissioner Grant
8) Remarks from the Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.
9) Comments by Alice Thompson, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services

Part II: Outstanding Business ------- 7:35 p.m.

Progress Reports on Outstanding Grants …………………………………… Commissioner Day
Delinquent Progress Reports: Harriet Tubman Memorial, Bloomingdale Community Mediation, and Eckington Newsletter
Action Item: Vote on – Young Men of Distinction Grant Request ……… Commissioner Hammond
New Grant Request: The Bridge HiFi Network

Update on St. Paul’s Housing Development (requires PUD from Zoning Commission) … Jack Lester, EYA
…………………………………………………………….. Introduction by Commissioner Grant

Part III: New Business ------- 8:15 p.m.

Resolutions …………………………………. Commissioners Bonds, Farmer Allen, and Daneker

Note: The Commissioners will ask questions first followed by the audience.

Part IV: Information of Interest ------------- 8:30 p.m.

Single-Member District Project Notes and Issues ……………. Firehouse conversion, EOM
Neighborhood Walks, Public Safety Walks, DDOT Beautification Grants, SMD Meetings, etc.

Part V: Committee of the Whole Executive Session -------- 8:50 p.m.
This portion of the meeting is reserved for COMMISSION ACTION ONLY, and therefore audience comments will not be entertained. The audience is asked to hold their comments and share them with their Single Member District Representative at the conclusion of the meeting. Thanks again for your cooperation.

1) Pay Bills ………………………………………………………….. Commissioners Day and DeFoe
2) Items for September 2008 Meeting Agenda ……………………………………………


Meeting Adjourned ……….. 9:00 p.m.

The Bloomingdale Public Safety Initiative
announces
Our Next Combined PSA 501 / Public Safety Meeting is here!

WHEN: Wednesday, July 16, 2008
WHERE: Harry Thomas Recreation Center – Lincoln Road NE
TIME: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Councilman Harry “Tommy” Thomas Jr. will host this meeting with our MPD 5D Officers, and YOU, in attendance.

Come out, hear what our leaders have to say and what they are going to do, make your voice heard, and see how YOU can make a difference


The Councilmember will have a very informative agenda, and he will probably speak on the issue of youth and how he and the community can work together to provide direction, jobs, and recreation to young people while also not tolerating illegal behavior. Your Bloomingdale Public Safety Team will also update you on crime statistics and cameras, neighborhood walk-thrus, speeding concerns, tree trimming to help brighten dark sidewalks, and more.

We’ve been having great attendance – LET’S FILL THE ROOM and show the Councilmember that Bloomingdale is ACTIVE, CONCERNED, AND READY!

35th Annual Conference on Washington, D.C. Historical Studies

CALL FOR PAPERS/PANELS

35th Annual Conference on Washington, D.C. Historical Studies
November 13-15, 2008
Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
801 K Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

Deadline for proposals: July 1, 2008

The popular Washington, D.C. Historical Studies Conference, offers an excellent opportunity for students, community researchers, and local historians to present their research. Also welcome are lively presentations of
• oral history/reminiscence,
• walking tours,
• films, and
• new publications.

The annual History Network on Friday November 14th provides space for historical, archival and community organizations to display brochures, fliers, and other materials explaining their activities and research.

All topics related to Washington, D.C.’s local history are welcome, as are topics on federal government history or the history of the nearby Northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs, if they clearly relate to Washington’s history. A particular focus for the conference is the civil disturbances of 1968, their context, and ramifications.

Organizations and presenters are encouraged to combine papers into panels reflecting particular interests and topics.


To submit a proposal, please see the attached guidelines.

For a flavor of past conferences and presentations, see the following programs from previous years:
http://www.historydc.org/2007Conference/ (2007)
http://www.h-net.org/~dclist/DCHSC2006.pdf (2006)
http://www.h-net.org/~dclist/2005DCHSC.pdf (2005)

The 35th Annual Conference on Washington, D.C. Historical Studies is co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. and the Washingtoniana Division of the District of Columbia Public Library.

Proposal Guidelines
35th Annual Conference on Washington, D.C., Historical Studies
November 13-15, 2008
The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
801 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001


Please note: Concurrent sessions (Nov. 14 and 15) will run 90 minutes. Presenters are limited to 20 minutes, not including Q&A.

Please submit:
Panel
Title of session
List of participants with titles and affiliations.
(Please suggest a moderator who is not presenting)
Emails
Telephones
Addresses
100-word description of session
Abstracts of papers
Audio-visual equipment needs
Principal contact’s name

Individual
Name
Title and affiliation
Email
Telephone
Address
Abstract of paper
Audio-visual equipment needs

Please email your submission to: carignan@historydc.org

or mail it to:
2008 Conference
Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
801 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

For more information, contact
Yvonne Carignan, chair, Historical Studies Conference Planning Committee
carignan@historydc.org
(202) 383-1850

The 35th Annual Conference on Washington, D.C., Historical Studies invites your organization to participate in the History Network, a presentation by those who document, preserve, and present the history of Washington, D.C. The Network takes place at lunchtime on the Friday (November 14) session of the annual conference at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 801 K St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Attendees and practitioners mingle, trade ideas, and get up to date on what’s happening in local history.

To reserve your table, please contact Matthew Gilmore (dchist@hotmail.com) or Leslie White (lwhite@historydc.org). The deadline for participation in the 2008 History Network is Friday, October 31, 2008

The 35th Annual Conference on Washington, D.C. Historical Studies is co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. and the Washingtoniana Division of the District of Columbia Public Library.

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.

Labels: gardening

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

|--------------------------------------|
| 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!)

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