Busy season
News, gossip, and happenings in the neighborhood
Dear friends and neighbors,
Are you enjoying “busy season”? Calendars are full of double-bookings, streets are full of double-parking, and your inbox is double-full. I’ll try to keep this short.
L’shana tova for those who celebrate.
Here are a few updates on the neighborhood and activities of our Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
Sidewalk Palooza!
On Saturday, neighbors and ANC Commissioners across the city will be walking around, photographing sidewalk problems, picking up trash, and improving safety. It’s part of a new tradition in DC: Sidewalk Palooza! The focus is on making our communities more pedestrian-friendly, especially for folks with mobility issues: folks using canes and wheelchairs, parents pushing strollers, etc. We did one two years ago and submitted a bunch of safety requests for attention from the Department of Transportation. It’s also a great opportunity to meet some neighbors and ANC Commissioners. And if you have specific concerns or safety hazards to highlight, it’s a good opportunity to get some attention. Sign up here. Or you can just show up (see below for times/locations).
Note: unfortunately, I’m traveling this weekend, so won’t be able to participate. But please share photos and 311 requests with me.
Living with history
One of the cool things about living in our neighborhood is the layers upon layers of history that are hidden here. You can scratch the surface here and here and here. Recently, the house at 2610 Cathedral Ave was nominated for historic places designation. The reason is it was the home of Sofia Reyes de Veyra from 1917 to 1919. She came to Washington as the wife of the representatives of the Philippines Islands to the US (it was still a colony at that point). While here, she worked with American suffragists to secure their right to vote. Later, she was a major force in earning Filipina women the right to vote. She was a leading advocate for the mentally ill, unwed mothers, tuberculosis patients, lepers, and other marginalized groups.
Just a tiny bit of history right here in our neighborhood. There’s so many other intersections with history in our community. Did anyone famous live in your home?
Autumn litter
it's not to early to complain about leaf-collection. But before you do, please check out the schedule for the year. The DC Department of Public Works will start pickups on October 28 and have a schedule for neighborhoods and a real-time tracker here.
Crime
There are continuing reports of petty thefts, break-ins, and even an car theft in the neighborhood. Some of it looks like crimes of opportunity. Keep doors locked, valuables out of sight (especially in your car). It’s helpful when neighbors have front-door cameras and also report in to neighborhood email lists when they see things. The police have been very responsive and quick when called.
Election 2024
Your local ANC election might not be the most exciting race. But, it’s important to me. I’m pleased that I’ve earned endorsements by:
DC Voters for Animals
Parties and events
October 5, 3-5pm: Tregaron Unplugged, presented by Washington Performing Arts -- a free multi-genre music event featuring "listening rooms" located throughout the park. Includes a sitar/guitar duo, Caribbean steel pan, a strings ensemble, a folk/Americana duo, and an R&B/jazz duo.
October 16, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday Talks featuring Susan Stamberg of NPR in conversation with Linda Winslow. Click here to learn more and register.
October 19, 3-4:30pm: Bluegrass Concert at Maclean Gardens hosted by the Cleveland and Woodley Park Villages. RSVP here.
November 2, 10am-2pm: Ecycle event in Chevy Chase. Collecting old computers, accessories, televisions, etc. At 33rd St NW between Quesada St NW & Patterson St NW (near Lafayette-Pointer Recreation Center). Full information on acceptable items and those that are not going to be accepted can be found here.
Update on ANC activity
The next meeting of ANC3C will be October 21, 7pm. Agenda and registration will be posted herehttps://anc3c.org/event/october-2024-public-meeting/. Let me know if you have issues or concerns to raise.
In September, we heard a Presentation from DC Water about their Lead Free DC initiative. I will be following up with neighbors soon to point out that they might have lead pipes bringing water into their house. DC Water and DC has funding to help pay for replacements. Do you have lead pipes? Click here to find out.
October 7, 6:30-7:30pm: Planning, Zoning, Housing & Economic Development Committee & Residential Historic Preservation Review Committee
Among other issues, we will consider the nomination of the Sofia Reyes de Veyra Residence, 2610 Cathedral Avenue NW, Case 24-10 (see above).
We will host the Rock Creek Park (National Park Service) to hear about proposals to eliminate the Rock Creek Parkway Reversible Lanes and make other changes. Also a discussion of bus service across Duke Ellington Bridge after cancellation of circulator.
As always, I’d love your feedback. Even negative feedback is helpful to improve what we’re doing.
Other items of interest
Neighbors are welcome to use the Maret playground from 6:00 pm - dusk when school or camps are in session and 8:00 am - dusk when school or camps are not in session. During the weekend, the campus closes at 5:00 pm. Adult supervision is required at all times, and other guidelines are posted. Please note that dogs are not allowed in the playground or on the back field, but may be on the front lawn on leashes at all times. If you want to sign up to receive Maret communications, email sdunkelberger@maret.org.
Although one grocer pulled out of a plan to locate in Woodley Park (remember here). Another small grocer seems ready to move into the old Ace Hardware Space. Fingers crossed!
Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to friends and neighbors, especially if they live in the neighborhood.