Brookland Avenue

Happy Turkey Day

Happy Turkey Day, Thanksgiving, and Food Coma to everyone and their friends and loved ones.

Lloyd Wolf a local DC area photographer has a very poignant and moving site called Washington’s Other Monuments. This site contains photographs and write-ups memorializing some of the most violent crime in the city. These memorials are erected and maintained by family and friends to remember and honor victims of throughout the city.

Washington’s Other Monuments has documented some of the recent tragedies in Northeast DC, including crimes in Brookland and Edgewood.

Shrine to Goldean Hawkins, 1900 Newton St NE

Shrine to Goldean Hawkins, 1900 Newton St NE

Abdullah Fuller- in a quiet way

Abdullah Fuller- in a quiet way

Sad eyes for Kenyetta Nicholson-Stanley

Sad eyes for Kenyetta Nicholson-Stanley

Lloyd’s site and photography has been featured in other media over the last few years including an NPR discussion and multiple news sites including the Washington Post and Washington City Paper among a few others.

By documenting these curbside tributes to violent tragedies , Lloyd help us to remember lives cut short are not soon forgotten.

Lloyd’s photography can be seen LloydWolf.com and LloydWolfPhoto.Blogspot.com and he be reached by email at LloydWolf@LloydWolf.com

The Bloomingdale house tour that was originally scheduled for today Saturday 10/24/2009 has been moved to tomorrow Sunday 10/25/2009 because of the rain. It’s a good opportunity to see a few gorgeous victorian rowhouses near Brookland.

Its also a great excuse to check the Big Bear Cafe for great coffee, read about Big Bear’s commitment to sustainability. Also its this is a good opportunity to check out the always fantastic Bloomingdale Sunday Farmers Market, which I have to say is still my favorite farmers market in DC, others tend to agree.

Below is the tour’s logistics.

The Bloomingdale Civic Association Presents “Victorian Secrets”
A Fund Raising House Tour

Sunday, October 25, 2009
1 – 5:00 PM

This tour features 10 private homes in the Bloomingdale neighborhood – from a home that once housed nuns, to a home with an incredible garden oasis, to a North Capitol Main Street board member’s lovely abode, to the best rooftop view in DC! Afterwards, join the end-of-the-tour party at the Anna J Cooper house and enjoy fantastic food & the smooth sounds of jazz artist, and Bloomingdale resident, Maurice Lyles.

This is a fund raiser to benefit the Bloomingdale Civic Association’s cooperative work and commitment to the citizens of this community.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of the tour (children 7-12 ½ price, under 7 free) and can be purchased at Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits, 1st and Rhode Island Ave., NW, Mon-Fri and at Big Bear Cafe on the day of the event.

You may also contact J.C. Blount, 202/986- 2772, J.C. Bond, 202/328- 3068 or Laurie Choice, 202/797- 7407 for additional information or to volunteer.

Kicking it For Kids who Can't

Kicking for Kids who Can’t is a yearly event held on the National Mall in Washington DC.

This event helps raise money for children who are adapting to life with limb loss. All money raised from this event goes to Limbs for Life, a Non-Profit Organization 501(c)3, which helps provide assistance to individuals who have suffered limb loss. The money raised from Kicking For Kids Who Can’t will be allocated for children.

The 2009 “Kicking For Kids Who Can’t” event on the mall will be held on October 11, 2009 from 1:00 to 3:30 between 7th and 9th Streets on the National Mall.

Information about past events is available here

Feel free to donate to this very worthy cause. Donate Now!

Meet and Great with the elected leadership of the Ward 5 Democrats at the official “First Official Meeting” Reception Fundraiser
Honorees: Past Chairs of the Ward 5 Democrats

When: Friday October 2, 2009, 7-9 pm
Where: Holiday Inn Express, 1917 Bladensburg Road NE, Washington DC

Donation: $10 Light food & win will be served

Invited Guests:

• Ward 5 ANC Commissioners
• Mayor Adrian M. Fenty
• Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr
• Councilmember Vincent C. Gray
• Councilmember Kwame Brown
• Councilmember Michael Brown
• Councilmember Phil Mendelson
• Marc Jones, School Board Rep

For additional information, please contact: Ward 5 Dems Chair Angel Alston on
202-315-6057 or at angel.alston@yahoo.com or visit the Ward 5 Democrats at http://www.ward5democrats.org

This morning Commander Greene of MPD 5th District posted a message to the MPD-5D listserv about a homicide on the 1300 block of Perry St NE. According to the email; Sunday September 20th at about 5am MPD were called to 14th and Perry Street NE. When they arrived the found the unconscious victim lying in the street in the 1300 block of Perry St and was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, the victim was later pronounced dead.

MPD is requesting that if anyone has information related to the homicide to call 202-727-9099 immediately.

Below is the complete email from Commander Greene.

The Homicide Branch of the Criminal Investigations Division is currently investigating a homicide that occurred in the Fifth District.

On Sunday, September 20, 2009, at 0508 hours, members of the Fifth District were dispatched to 1400 Perry St., NE for the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they located the decedent lying in the street in the 1300 block of Perry St., NE. The victim was unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead.

If anyone has information relative to this shooting please call MPD at 202 727 9099 immediately.

McMillan Silos

The McMillan Sand Filtration Plant is a 25 acre parcel of land that is part of the McMillan Park along with the McMillan Reservoir located in the Bloomingdale neighborhood in NW Washington DC. The site is located just below the Washington Hospital Center complex and between 1st NW and North Capital.

Walking Across McMillan

The land was in active use until about the mid 1980s. The filtration plant was innovative for its time. Sand was used to purify and filter 75 million gallons of water per day for Washington DC. The McMilllan Reservoir located across 1st Street from the filtration plant is still in active use.

McMillan Silo

The reservoir was part of the McMillan Plan developed by the McMillan Commission, both were named for Senator James McMillan of Michigan . Some of the greatest architects of the day served on the commission including Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. who designed McMillan Park which was intended to be part of the city’s park system.

Silo Sand Filtration

The very unique looking “structures” are silos used that were part of the sand filtration system and washed the impurities out of the city’s water supply. The vines and plants located on the silos were intentional and placed for aesthetic purposes.

McMillan Vault Entrance

The plant itself sits on top of hollow vaults of sand running the length of the property and over 15 feet deep. The vaults only light is from the entrances and the 5000 or so man hole covers located on top of the vaults. Most of the sand used for the vault was donated from James McMillan’s home state of Michigan.

Inside the Vault

The site is destined for development and there is a plan to redevelop it in the near future. The plant is very unique from a historical and architectural perspective and one hopes at least some of that will be preserved when the site is redeveloped.

McMillan Stump

Below are a number of additional photos of the McMillan Sand Filtration Plant taken during a recent tour.

View the complete photoset

King Solomon Temple Masonic lodge located at 2245 Rhode Island Ave NE in the Woodridge neighborhood have been having a number of parties over the summer and according to neighbors have been operating under an illegal “Public Hall license”. The Rhode Island Ave NE Insider who have been reporting on the lodge’s activities over the last few weeks, including a report of the activities over from this last Friday that included.

• A 16 year old was shot in the leg along Rhode Island Avenue and 20th Street
• An underage kid was beaten by three unknown assailants in car at the corner of 24th Street and Woodridge St NE
• Another individual was beaten close to his death around 5am next to the Temple (after attending events there)
• Kids overran private properties in the neighborhood

The Woodridge neighbors have created a petition to not only shut down the illegal parties but the lodge as well. If you are interested in signing the petition you may download and sign it.

Read more about troubles at rhodeislandavenue.com

A graffiti tribute to Michael Jackson at the Brookland Metro

Later today, Washingtonians will gather to mourn the passing of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Already Brooklanders have been treated to one fan’s tribute at the Brookland Metro, put up in record speed, even for our local “metro muralists.” Fans will gather at 5:00 p.m., at Freedom Plaza, 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (map). The announcement reports:

“National and local celebrities who knew Michael Jackson are expected to attend. The event will feature a multi-generational and multiracial group of Michael Jackson fans dancing to his music. Among the invited guest are actors Tommy Davidson and Martin Lawrence, in addition to President Obama, Mayor Adrian Fenty, and Michael Jackson’s cousin, Arthur Jackson.”

For event information, contact Al Hatcher.